Obituaries and Death notices of Walworth County, Wisconsin

Walworth County Wisconsin
Obituaries

Julia Balcom
Source: The Milwaukee Journal, Jan 9, 1884

Lake Geneva, Wis., Jan. 9. — Mrs. Julia Balcom, who was buried in a plain box here Monday, has a history stranger than fiction. Forty-two years ago Julia Ryan was the accomplished daughter of one of Vermont's richest farmers, Jeremiah Ryan. At this time it was decided that she should accompany an invalid brother to the south, whither he was ordered by the physicians. The brother and sister went to Atlanta, Ga., where the fair Vermonter captured the heart of J. B. Smith, the law partner of the late Alexander H. Stephens, and they were wed. A few years passed and J. B. Smith was gathered to his fathers, leaving Julia a young widow with one son and a good fortune. Another Smith appeared upon the scene — a dashing, stylish man of society, and made her his wife, but did not live with her long. Her little son, O. R. Smith, was then sent to his grandfather in Vermont, where he was educated. Then came years in which she knew not how she lived. At last the war commenced, and her husband, of whom she sometimes heard, became a rebel major and was killed. In attempts to get north she was mistrusted and finally arrested as a spy. She escaped and was piloted by Negroes on foot as far as her strength would carry her, and then, covered up in an ox cart, she was carried to the union lines. Here her mind gave way, and for two months she was a maniac. Recovering, she was taken by a family who were coming north to a place in Michigan, where, by advertising, she found an uncle whom she knew lived somewhere in the state. She remained there until she received a letter from her son, then become Prof. O. R. Smith, and settled here as principal of the Lake Geneva School. Hither she hastened, and has ever since been a resident of this place.
After living here a few years she was married to Hiram Balcom, a mason by trade. Seven years ago last August her son, who was then principal of the public schools at Black River Falls, was accidently shot dead while out hunting. Her husband's health failed, and for a number of years they have lived partly upon charity, and on Saturday last, this life, so full of strange vicissitudes, was ended.

James Chinnock
Source: Western Reserve Chronicle (Warren, OH) Wednesday, September 21, 1870; Submitted by Kathy McDaniel

DEATHS. --In Troy, Wisconsin, on the 23d of August, 1870, of dysentery, James Chinnock, formerly of this county, aged ?2 years.

Martha A. Dodge
Wisconsin State Journal (26 Feb. 1903) submitted by Diana Heser Morse

Portage, Wis., Feb 25 -- (Special) -- Mrs. Martha A. Dodge, one of the pioneer residents of Columbia county, died at her home in the town of Scott, aged 57 years. She was born in Walworth county in 1845 and came to the town of Scott three years later. She leaves two children, Mrs. M. W. Roberts and Ray Dodge, both of the town of Scott.

Simon Henry
"Wisconsin State Journal", 30 Apr 1886 - Sub. by a Friend of Free Genealogy

Whitewater, Wis., April 28, 1886
Simon Henry's suicide at the Commercial house in Palmyra, did not surprise those who knew him here in his better days. Soon after the death of his wife, he sold his fine farm five miles east of this place and engaged in several business enterprises in this city. He gradually lost caste, however squandered his money in saloons, and finally worked in the barn of one of the hotels here, growing very despondent at times and frequently hinting that he would make way with himself. He served during the war with the Thirteenth Wisconsin volunteers and was an Odd Fellow in good standing. It is said that he carried an insurance of $11,000 in the above order and in other mutual companies, and that but for this provision by him his three children would be in destitute circumstances.

Mrs. B. S. Haughwout
Source: Wisconsin Weekly Advocate (25 Sept. 1902) transcribed by FoFG MZ

Elkhorn, Wis., Sept. 22. – Mrs. B. S. Haughwout, aged 56 years, died here on Saturday evening. She leaves a husband and two children.

N.B. Johnson
"Milwaukee Daily Sentinel", January 03, 1876 - Submitted by a Friend of Free Genealogy

N.B. Johnson, of Darien, one of the leading farmers and grangers of that town, died at his home in Darien, on New Year's morning, of congestion of the liver. He will be buried with Masonic honors on Monday.

Levi J. Martin
Unknown newspaper, probably in Sumner County, Kansas, c. 1913 - Submitted by Pam McEachern
SUDDEN DEATH OF L. J. MARTIN
[from Sumner County, KS]
This community was shocked Monday morning by the sudden death of Levi J. Martin, when it lost a most honorable and useful citizen.
Mr. Martin was one of the first to get to the store of W. H. Pickrell & Co., that morning, as usual with him, helped to sweep out and get the store ready for the business of the day, was cheerful and passed jokes with the other empolyes of the store as was his custom there where all thought so much of him, and appeared to be in his usual good health. He went to the wareroom in the rear of the store for some purpose and was gone only a few moments when he returned with a distressed look upon his face and was holding to counter to support himself while he tried to walk. Otto Brewer (a graveling man who happened to be in the store at that time) noticed that something was wrong asked him if he was sick and he said, "yes," and placed one hand to the back of his head and complained of a very severe pain there. Mr. Brewer and Leon Hollowell went to him very quickly and assisted him to a counter and placed him upon it. He seemed to be suffering intensely and soon after he was laid upon the counter he became very sick at the stomach. When he was relieved somewhat from this nausea he reclined upon the counter again and made the remark, "This is my last sickness; it will not last long." There were his last words. He soon last consciousness and the physicians who were called and got him very shortly after he took sick, could not rouse him from the state of coma. The news spread quickly over town, his wife and children were at the store in a very short time, and many friends came in and assisted in removing him to his home in the west part of town. Everything possible was done for him but he never regained consciousness and passed away at about 11:30, less than three hours after he received the first pangs of pain which he seemed to realize warned him of the nearness of the end.
Funeral services will be held from the Baptist church at 2:30 this afternoon and interment will be made in the Conway Springs Cemetery. His daughter, Mrs. Joe Thew, arrived from Garden City yesterday, his sister, Mrs. C.F. Russell is here from Milan and one brother lives in California and another in Minnesota, along with a sister in Michigan but it is probable that none of them will come.
Mr. Martin was just past 53 years of age. Probably just as good men are living, but there are no better men than Levi Martin was, when plain, honest and circumspect living is recognized as the standard. He was a Christian and lived his religion the utmost. He had not use for shams of any sort, but was true to his principles and so firm in his conduct that all knew exactly where to find him at all times, and with it he was so kind and considerate toward was universally respected.

Everybody liked Levi Martin. "He stood squarely upon is merits as a man in all the relations of life, and he died leaving a worthy example, a fadeless memory, and a name without a blemish."
It is probably that dates and other facts in relation to the life of Mr. Martin will be given later, but this is not time to ask the bereaved ones for them. His wife and four children, Mrs. Joe Thew, Lloyd, Josie and Bert, survive him.

In Memoriam
Levi J. Martin was born at Darlington, Wis. April 18, 1860. He came of a family whose history has been kept for more than three centuries. When the Brown Academy decided to add to its faculty the chair of Theology in 1812, his grandfather Rev. Ora M. Martin, was chosen to fill that place. That school is now the great Brown University of Hartford, Conn. Levi Martin came to Kansas in 1884. Was baptized and united with the church of his fathers in 1885 and none of the Christian people ever blushed for his conduct at any time. He was married to Miss Flora Shortridge at Norwich, Kansas, March 7, 188?, and to this union were born four children. The oldest, Mrs. Joe Thew now lives at Garden City and the others at home. Levi Martin lived that clean, open life that made all love him and those who knew him best loved him most. He was one of the pilliars of the Baptist church and the church will miss his counsel.

Rev. Orra Martin
Unknown Newspaper, July 1885 - Submitted by Pam McEachern

Died at the residence of Mr. John H. Martin, of Gardiner's Prairie, Walworth Co. Wis. Tuesday morning July 14, 1885, Rev. Orra Martin aged 94 years, 6 months and 19 days.
The Rev. Orra Martin was born in Mansfield, Conn. Jan 25, 1791. His early life was spent upon a farm, and until 21 years of age he had obtained but a very limited education. Early in life he experienced a change of heart and united with the Baptist Church. Feeling that the Lord had called him to the work of the ministry, he acquired, by his own efforts, a fair English education, and made considerable progress in the mastery of the languages. He taught in various parts of Conn. while prosecuting his studies for the ministry.
He was united in marriage to Miss Emelia Phelps, Nov, 15, 1815, by Rev. E. Cushman. To them were born one son, who still survives at the age of 68 years.
Mrs. Emelia Martin died Jan. 8th, 1817. On Sept 10, 1817 he was again married to Miss Polly S. Mitchell. The fruits of this marriage were nine children, five of whom are still living. The deceased held pastorates at Hartford and Bristol, and occupied the pulpit at Litchfield at the same time that Dr. Lyman Beecher filled the Presbyterian pulpit on the other side of the street.
In Feb. 1823 he moved to Ashfield, Mass., preaching in that vicinity for several years.
Elder Martin arrived in Gardiner's Prairie, Wis. June 7th, 1840, stopping the first night at Capt. Chas. Dyer's (father of Dr. Dyer, of Burlington, Wis.) While preparing a home, he lived in the house still standing on the farm of J.R. Williams. While health and strength permitted he continued his ministerial labor, preaching in the surrounding villages, and after age forbade active labor he was often called upon to officiate at the funerals of old settlers, which service was earnestly sought and gratefully received.
Although showing some little peculiarities, he retained his mental faculties remarkably well until the last as well as his physical strength, as was known by his being able to officiate as Chaplain at the Old Settlers' Meeting of Walworth Co., when about 91 years of age, and his son was often asked if he thought his father would live to celebrate his centennial birthday.
For the last year his strength seemed to fail more rapidly, until Monday, July 13th he complained of having spent a restless night. Later in the day he felt much better, walked in the garden, fed his chickens as usual, seeming very happy and cheerful. He retired somewhat earlier than usual, so as to make up lost time, as he said. On calling at his room a little later, he was found to be quietly sleeping. When called, on the morning of the 14th, he was found lying on his side as if in peaceful slumbers, but the vital spark had fled.
Elder Martin belonged to that class of sturdy pioneers who are rapidly passing away. He came to Wisconsin when it was comparatively new and has witnessed the most marvelous developments during a period of 45 years in various fields of human industry, and though withdrawn from the active duties of life of late, Elder Martin watched with deep interest the prosperity of our country, and of educational and religious affairs. Sunday, a week before his death, he drove three miles to attend services and teach his Bible class, of which has had been a devoted leader for many years, in the Burlington Baptist Sabbath School.
Elder Martin was a man of steadfast faith, eminent piety and of the godliness which brings contentment and gain. He was held in high esteem by all his acquaintances, and was always a welcome visitor at their homes.
He will be greatly missed not only by his children and grand-children, but by his neighbors and all friends. We all drink from the cup of sorrow but the cup is sweetened by the thought that Elder Martin came to the grave "like as a shock of corn cometh in his season" and was fully ripe for Heaven. And as Paul said of himself, so say we of the deceased: "He fought a good fight, finished his course, he kept the faith."
The funeral services were conducted by Rev. G.H. Hubbard, of Rochester, at the residence of his son, Mr. J.H. Martin, Thursday morning at 10:30 o'clock, the text being Rev. 14:13 and his remains were interred in Honey Creek Cemetery.

John H. Martin
Joh H. Martin Dies at Son's Gilroy Home
GILROY (CA) May 10 -- John H. Martin, a native of Bristol, Mass. Died in this city on Thursday night at the home of his son, A. A. Martin, aged 87 years, 11 months and nine days. He had been ill for some time, having suffered from a stroke of paralysis since which he had been gradually failing. He removed to Wisconsin in 1840 with his parents, removing from there to the Willows near San Jose in 1891, where he resided until October 19, 1911, when he came to Gilroy where he has made his home ever since with his son, A.A. Martin. He was a useful citizen during the days of his earlier life and was for six years chairman of the board of supervisors for Darlington, Wis.
Although a member of no church organization, he was ever an earnest advocate of the doctrines of Holy Writ, that teach justice, mercy and forgiveness, and in his daily walk and conversation he endeavored to do unto others as he would have others do unto him. His wife passed away in this city in January, 1912. He leaves four sons, A.A. Martin, Mayor of this city; W.H. Martin of Austin, Minn.; L.J. Martin of Conway Springs, Kan.; B. W. Martin of Denver, Colo., besides two sisters, Mrs. C. F. Russell of Milan, Kans.; Mrs. L.D. Pettit of Greenville, Mich., and brother C.D. Martin of Mayne, Neb.
The funeral was held at the residence of his son, A. A. Martin at 2:30 p.m today. The Rev. A.H Gilbert of the M.E church of this city officiating. The body was laid to rest in the Masonic and Odd Fellows' cemetery

Additional information Submitted May 2011 by Pam McEachern about John H. Martin Family:
John H. Martin died 8 May 1913
John H. Martin married Joanna Woodman 9 Jan 1856, Spring PrairieTwp, Walworth County WI.
Their daughter, Eveline Martin, married Charles Farrington Russell, 31 Dec. 1878 at Spring Prairie WI.
I do not know when John Martin moved to Darlington, WI

OBITUARY #2
John H. Martin, who died at the home of his son, Mayor A. A. Martin, Thursday evening May 8, was born at Bristol, Mass. in 1825, dying at the good old age of 87 years, 11 months, and nine days. He had been in poor health some time, having suffered a stroke of paralysis, since which time he has steadily failed.
When but a boy Mr. Martin journeyed westward with his father's family making a settlement in Wisconsin. Here he grew to manhood, bravely taking his share of the hardships incident to life on the frontier. During his long residence in Wisconsin he held many positions of trust and for six years was chairman of the Board of Supervisors of Darlington, township.
In 1891 he again turned his face westward seeking a milder climate to spend his declining years. He located at the Willows near San Jose where he continued to reside until Oct 19, 1911 when he and his wife came to Gilroy to reside with their son, A. A. Martin. His wife was called to her rest at the ripe age of 84 years. He continued to reside with his son until called to his reward as above stated.
He leaves four sons, A.A. Martin, Mayor of this city; W.H. Martin of Austin, Minn., L.J. Martin of Conway Spring, Kans.; B.W. Martin of Denver, Colo.; besides two daughters Mrs. C.F. Russell of Milan, Kans.; Mrs. L.D. Pettit of Greenville, Mich., and brother, D.D. Martin of Mayne, Neb.
The funeral was held at 2:30 p.m Saturday from the residence of Mayor Martin, Rev. A.B. Gilbert of the M.E. Church officiating and interment was made in the Masonic and Odd Fellows cemetery.
Those present at the funeral from out of town were B.W. Martin of Denver, Col., Misses Addie and Eunice Gray of San Jose, Grant Willis, Hollister and Mrs. Triplett also of Hollister.
John Martin died 8 May 1913
[Unknown Newspaper, c. May 1913 - Submitted by Pam McEachern]

Joseph O'Malley
St. Paul Daily Globe. (Saint Paul, Minn.), August 28, 1895

Death Came Over the Wire.
WHITEWATER. Wis.. Aug. 27.— Joseph O'Malley, a telegraph operator in the Milwaukee railroad office, was killed by a stroke of lightning while ??sting his wires tonight.

Reynolds
"Milwaukee Daily Sentinel", January 03, 1876 - Submitted by a Friend of Free Genealogy

An old fisherman named Reynolds, who had a winter cabin on Delavan Lake, broke through the ice a few days since and was drowned. His body was recovered.

Eveline Martin Russell
Body of Sumner County Pioneer to Milton, Kansas
The body of Mrs. C.F. Russell, pioneer of Sumner County, who died at Winfield Monday night following an operation arrived here last night and is being held in state at the home of J.H. Russell, 1112 North Washington.
Following the marriage of Mrs. Russell, she and her husband moved to Milton from Wisconsin in 1878 where they resided until 190?, when they moved to Wellington.
They remained here until 1911, then moved to Milan where they resided until 1915, going to Wichita for a year and then to Atlanta, where they resided at the time of Mrs. Russell's illness.
The body arrived in Wellington last night and was taken charge of by the local undertaking parlor.
Short prayer services will be held at the home of Mr. J.H. Russell, 1212 N. Washington Thursday morning at 8:45 with Rev. J.E. Coe of this city officiating. The body will leave here at 10:20 over the Santa Fe for Argonia, Kansas, accompanied by her son, Clyde Russell. Final services will be held from the Baptist Church at Milton at 2:00 PM with Rev. A.V. Kirk of Conway Springs officiating. Interment will be made in the Eden cemetery at Milton.
Mrs. Russell is survived by her husband, C.F. Russell of Atlanta; one daughter, Mrs. C.F. Matthews of Wellington; four sons, J.H. Russell of this city; Clyde Russell of Atlanta; Roy Russell of Mi(l)an and C.D. Russell of Wichita. She is also survived by three brothers, two residing in California and one in Minnesota. [The Wellington Daily News, (Sumner Co, KS) Wednesday, 31 Oct 1923 - Submitted by Pam McEachern]

Additional information from researcher Pam McEachern:
Charles Farrington Russell and Eveline Martin were married on 31 Dec 1877 at Spring Prairie, Walworth County, Wisconsin. He passed away 25 Feb. 1934 in Racine Co. WI
Eveline Martin was born 10 August 1858 in Walworth County, Wisconsin to John Henry Martin and Joanna Woodman Martin.
John Henry Russell was born, 5 January 1884 in Milton. 1 June 1910 he married in Wellington, KS to Scottie C. McManis. They lived in Wellington, KS till they passed away.
Roy Russell was born 4 Feb 1881 in Milton. He married Bonnie Zook.
Grace Hazel Russell was born 25 February 1891. In Wellington she married C. F. Matthews. He was called Fred. They lived in Wellington their entire lives.

Albert Salisbury
The La Crosse Tribune, Friday 19 May 1905 page 8

Whitewater, Wis. May 19 - Albert H. Salisbury, youngest son of President Albert Salisbury of Whitewater normal school, died yesterday afternoon of typhoid fever after an illness of three weeks. Mr. Salisbury was 20 years of age and president of the senior class. Next month, he would have been graduated from the advanced course in the normal school. He was a brilliant student and a leader in debate and oratorical work.

Wells Warren
Milwaukee Daily Sentinel, January 03, 1876 - Submitted by a Friend of Free Genealogy
Wells Warren, an old and widely known citizen of Geneva, who has resided there for more than thirty years, died suddenly in that place on Friday last, aged 78 years. -
Same paper: "Wells Warren, the first permanent settler in Walworth County, died quite suddenly at Geneva Thursday morning. He was 78 years old."

Charles Wright
The Waukesha Freeman (Thursday, 23 Jan. 1913) page 6; submitted by Diana Heser Morse)

Charles Wright. At his home in Delavan, Wis., on Jan. 9, occurred the death of Charles Wright, aged 76 years. Mr. Wright was a former well known resident of the town of Merton in this county, having come to that township when fourteen years of age, at the time when his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Wright, left their home in Castile, N. Y., to try their fortunes in the west.
Charles Wright was married in 1862 to Miss Phoebe Mead of Waldo, Wis., and they came by team and cutter the fifty miles to the Merton farm which was to be their home for thirty years. Brief residences at Waldo and Beaver Dam preceded their removal to Delavan eighteen years ago.
Deceased is survived by his wife and two sons, Rev. Peter C. Wright, Norwich, Conn., and Dr. Charles A. Writhe, Delavan. Funeral services and interment were at Delavan. Mr. Wright is kindly remembered by pioneer residents of this county as well as by the younger generation, as a man of forceful character and high principles.