Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wis.", 1889, p 760-761.
OREN D. VINCENT, who is engaged in farming and stockraising on section 8, in the town of Milton, was born in almost, Allegany Co., N.Y., on the 29th day of June, 1828, and is the son of David and Freegift (Saunders) Vincent, the former a native of New York and the latter of Rhode Island. Unto them was born a family of sixteen children, fifteen of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, while ten of that number, five sons and five daughters, are living at the time of this writing in 1889. Christopher died in Milton; Amelia is the wife of Russel Burdick, a resident of Farina, Fayette Co., Ill.; Lois died at the age of sixteen years; David departed this life in California; Abigail and Albert died in the Empire State; O. D., of this sketch, is the next in order of birth; Eli, who enlisted in the ranks of Berdan's Sharpshooters was killed at the battle of Gettysburg; Benjamin is now a resident of Allentown, N.Y.; John is a resident of Almond, in the same State; Joseph is living on the old homestead in Allegany County; Eleanor resides in Farina, Ill.; Nathan is located at Big Rapids, Mich.; Jane, widow of Alonzo Rogers, is living in Westerly, R.I.; Mary is the wife of Henry Stillman; also of Westerly; and Susan is the wife of John Cottrell, a resident of Almond, N.Y. The sons all became useful and leading citizens of the several communities in which they resided and Eli, John and Nathan aided their country during the great Rebellion. Nathan, who enlisted as a private was promoted to the rank of a Colonel on account of meritorious conduct, being placed in command of the 86th New York Infantry, and during his term of service was several times wounded. He was a man of wonderful courage, brave and undaunted in battle, never shirking his duty whether light or arduous.
The father of this family followed the occupation of farming throughout his entire life. He was quiet and unassuming in manner, rarely engaging in conversation to any great extent, yet was a man of strong convictions, a clear reasoner and deep thinker, and when once his mind was made up neither fear nor favor could induce him to change. He and his wife were both members of the Seventh Day Baptist Church, were devoted and consistent Christians, and in the faith of that denomination, their children were conscientiously reared.
Several of them have united with the church and all are respected men and women. The death of the father occurred in Almond, Allegany County, N.Y., in 1865, and the following year his wife also departed this life.
Our subject was reared to manhood in his native State, and in the common schools received his education. At the age of twenty-one years, he left the parental roof to make his own way in the world. The opportunities afforded young men in the West seemed to him superior to those of the older States of the East and he resolved on the Western frontier to carve out a fortune for himself. Leaving home, he started for Wisconsin with but a few dollars in money, yet determined, come what would, he would make his life a success. At the very outset he met with a misfortune - the loss of his ticket which secured his passage on the boat. After paying his way a second time, he found that he had but $3 remaining. Yet with a young man's bright hope of the future, he pressed forward with a stout heart and resolute will, and the success which crowned his efforts is shown by his life work. The 17th day of July, 1849, witnessed his arrival in Rock County where he has resided continuously since, covering a period of forty years. For a time he worked at various occupations by which he might earn an honest dollar; and from his meager earnings soon saved a small sum which he invested in land, purchasing thirty acres in the town of Milton. He also engaged in farm labor for the settlers in the neighborhood, and being an expert with the cradle found plenty of employment at fifty cents a day, which at that time was considered a good price. He then made contract for cutting oak logs for 30,000 feet of lumber, and by these various methods accumulated a small capital. After a short time, he sold his first purchase of land and invested elsewhere, and subsequently, in 1858, purchased eighty acres on section 8, Milton Township, which constitutes a part of his present farm. The land had hitherto been uncultivated and the improvements consisted of a little frame house 16 feet square. Working on day after day he soon converted the wild land into rich and fertile fields, his crops yielded abundant harvests and prosperity attended his efforts. He now owns 236 acres under a high state of cultivation, and he is recognized as one of the leading farmers of the community. But few men who have started in life with as limited a capital as Mr. Vincent have risen to as prominent a position as he now occupies, but it shows what can be accomplished by determined energy, industry, fair dealing and methodical habits.
On the 29th of April, 1852, Mr. Vincent was united in marriage with Miss Almira Taylor, who was born in Alfred, Allegany Co., N.Y., July 3, 1835. Her parents, Jehiel and Phoebe (Stillman) Taylor, were also natives of the Empire State, and with their family emigrated to Rock County in 1844, and became residents of Milton Township, where the mother died April 3, 1861. Mr. Taylor afterward removed to North Loup, Neb., where his death occurred Dec. 14, 1873. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Vincent - Addie, wife of Charles Gray, who is living in Milton Junction; Harriet A. is the wife of Wilson Bowers, a resident farmer of Graham County, Kan.; Orlo T. and Avery P., farmers of the town of Milton, were both united in marriage on the 20th day of December, 1883, the former with Miss Lillie Hall, the latter with Miss Lola Hall; Elmer D., is still living [at] home; and Daisy is now a student at Milton College. The Vincent household is noted for its hospitality, and the family is well worthy a representation in the permanent record of Rock County's best citizens. For many years the parents have been members of the Seventh Day Baptist Church, and in politics Mr. Vincent is a Republican. He is numbered among the honored and prominent pioneers of the county, where he has long made his home, and by all is held in the highest regard.
