Oscar Esmond, who is engaged in general farming and dairying in Yorkville Township, where his birth occurred on the 4th of November, 1847, is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Racine County. His parents were John Darwin and Nancy (Hubbard) Esmond, the former born in New York, in 1814, and the latter in that state on the 4th of May, 1830. They were married there, but came to Racine County when this section was still mainly inhabited by Indians. Mr. Esmond purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land from the government and devoted his time to the operation and development of his farm. He was a poor man when he came to this country and for some time, in addition to his farming, broke land with oxen, for others, thus supplementing his income. He also drove with one ox to Chicago to do trading for his neighbors and in fact turned his hand to whatever he could find to do. At length his perseverance and hard work enabled him to gain a substantial measure of prosperity. In politics he was a stanch Whig. He passed away in 1847 but was survived for many years by his wife, whose death occurred in 1905. His parents, John and Delilah Esmond, passed their entire lives in the Empire state and the maternal grandfather of Oscar Esmond also lived and died there.
Oscar Esmond was educated in the early district schools of Yorkville Township and as soon as he was old and strong enough began helping his father with the farm work, thus receiving practical training which has been of great value to him in his independent career as a farmer. He has never followed any other occupation and has so managed his affairs that he has gained a competence. He now owns two hundred acres of fertile and well improved land in Yorkville Township and is there engaged in raising grain and stock and also in dairying, although for a time he devoted his land to truck gardening, growing corn, cabbage and beets. He has found dairying especially profitable and conducts a large business along that line. He owns a number of thoroughbred Holstein cows and in handling the milk follows the most sanitary methods. Through his enterprise and good judgment he has gained a large measure of financial success and is entitled to the credit that is given the self-made man.
Mr. Esmond was married in 1872 to Miss Maria Dardis, who was born in Dover Township, Racine County, and by whom he has six children, namely: May, the wife of Milford DuBois, of Pentoka, Michigan; Stella, the wife of Dan Rork, a farmer of Franksville; Inez. the wife of William Crane, who is farming in Paris Township, Kenosha County; Pearl, the wife of John Babcock, who is engaged in the creamery business in Eau Claire; Ray, who is assisting his father; and Lila, the wife of William J. Pierce, a native of Oakland, California.
Mr. Esmond is a republican in politics and has served acceptably as treasurer of the school board and as pathmaster. At the time of the Civil war he enlisted in Company G. Forty-third Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was with the colors for nine months, or until the close of hostilities, participating in the battles of Johnsonville and Clarksville. He has always manifested a commendable interest in the general welfare and has been willing to subordinate his personal interests to the public good.