Winnebago County WI

Biography of Captain Eleazar L. Sarsons

Captain Eleazar L. Sarsons, born on August 9, 1836, in Lyme, New Hampshire, was a notable Civil War veteran. His father emigrated from France, and Sarsons himself joined the First Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in 1861, later serving in the Fourth New Hampshire Regiment. He faced numerous battles and was imprisoned for seven months, suffering severe illness before being released. After the war, he became a successful farmer in Acworth, marrying twice and having four children. Sarsons was active in local politics and fraternal organizations.

Biography of Andrew McGregor

Andrew McGregor, born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1845, became a prominent farmer and stockman near Ontario, Oregon. His family immigrated to the United States in 1846, eventually settling in Wisconsin. He served in the Civil War, participating in key battles, before returning to Wisconsin to farm. In 1877, he moved to Boise, Idaho, then to Ontario in 1882, where he established a successful farming operation. McGregor and his wife, Martha, had ten children and were active community members, earning widespread respect.

Wisconsin Gold Star List – Winnebago County

Liberty Bond

A comprehensive roster of casualties from Winnebago County, Wisconsin, detailing the hometown, age, unit, location of death, and cause of death for soldiers, sailors, marines, and nurses who sacrificed their lives during World War I.

Menominee Indians

The Menominee Indians, known as “Wild Rice Men,” inhabited regions along the Menominee River in Wisconsin and Michigan. They were part of the Algonquian linguistic family and lived primarily on wild rice. Their villages, noted in early 20th-century sources, included locations such as Keshena Falls and Portage. By 1854, the Menominee ceded most of their lands, retaining a reservation on the Wolf River. Their population estimates fluctuated from around 3,000 in 1650 to 2,221 by 1937, influencing place names across the region.

Winnebago Indians

The Winnebago Indians, known by various names including Puants and Aweatsiwaenhronon, are part of the Siouan linguistic family. Historically residing around Green Bay and later expanding into Wisconsin, they faced significant challenges, including near destruction by the Illinois and loss of land through treaties with the U.S. Government in the 19th century. Despite suffering from smallpox and displacement, they maintained relations with neighboring tribes. Their population fluctuated over the years, with notable estimates recorded from 1650 to 1937. They remain recognized for their unique cultural position among surrounding Algonquian tribes.

Biography of Arnold R. Hoffmann

Arnold R. Hoffmann, born March 14, 1868, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, moved to Kansas at three. He thrived as a prominent businessman and stock breeder in Haddam, Washington County, after managing his father’s farm. Hoffmann established a successful mercantile business and bred registered Shropshire sheep on his extensive farmland. Active in community service, he served on the city council and as mayor. A family man, he married Anna Carlson in 1899, with whom he had eight children, five surviving.

Biographical Sketch of Franklyn Evans McClure

Franklyn Evans McClure, born on November 27, 1877, in Mediapolis, Iowa, was the son of Isaac Newton and Susan Elizabeth Parrett McClure. He graduated from Parsons College in 1899 and Rush Medical College in 1903. McClure married Marjorie Balkley in 1905 and had one daughter. He served as an assistant surgeon in the Wisconsin National Guard and practiced medicine in various locations, including Cherokee, Iowa, and Detroit, Michigan. In 1910, he became the manager of the U.S. Motor Co. in Cleveland and was a member of the Chamber of Commerce.

Biographical Sketch of Hart, Q. A.

Q. A. Hart, born April 2, 1825, in Upper Canada, established a general merchandise store in Russell on October 2, 1872, making it the oldest in the area. He constructed the first store building in 1874 and has expanded it over the years. Hart, a veteran of the Civil War, served in the Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry and has held various local government positions. He is also a farmer, landowner, and community leader, actively participating in church and veteran organizations.