John Stockman was born in Antrim County, Ireland, Sept. 2, 1827. He died at his home in the town of Harmony, Wis., July 13, 1905, in the seventy eighth year of his age.
When he was about four years of age he came to this country with his parents and lived for two years in the city of Philadelphia. From there he moved to Saratoga Co., N.Y., and thence in 1843 to Milton, where Mr. Stockman lived for ten years with his parents on the farm now owned by his brother, Mr. H. H. Stockman.
In 1853 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Nicholson and settled on the farm in Harmony, which for fifty-two years has been their home. Here were born to Mr. and Mrs. Stockman eleven children, only four of whom are now living. These are Robert H., of Newville; John, who lives at the old home; Mrs. Dr. L. F. Bennett, of Beloit and Mrs. H. C. Yale , of the town of Milton.
Mr. Stockman was a man of strong character and high ideals. In an early day he joined the United Presbyterian church of Rock Prairie, of which his brother-in-law, Rev. Walker, was later a pastor. He afterwards united with the Janesville Presbyterian church of which he was a member at the time of his death. For many years he was an Elder in the Janesville church.
He was also a member for many years of the Odd Fellows and of the Patrons of Husbandry. He was a charter member of the local Grange and of the Rock Co. Pomona Grange in all of which organizations he was an active member until a short time before his death. As a member of the latter he was instrumental in promoting the annual meeting of farmers at Milton Junction. Mr. Stockman with his associate, Mr. Andrew Barlass, was the promoter of the Farmer's Mutual Insurance Company in Wisconsin, using his influence to secure the necessary laws under which they might be incorporated. In 1872, he helped organize the Harmony Mutual Fire Insurance Co., and was elected Secretary at its organization, as office which he has held ever since, and to which he has given much painstaking care and labor. He was an active and useful citizen whose life influence was on the side of right.
Funeral services were held at the M. E. church at Milton Junction on Sunday morning, Rev. A. L. McClelland conducting the services, assisted by Rev. T. W. North. The services at the grave were in charge of the Milton Junction Odd Fellows assisted by the lodges from Janesville and Milton. A large number of relatives and friends from near by and from Janesville and Rock Prairie attended the funeral.
