Biographical Sketch of

William A. Bangs

Transcribed by Sandra Boudrou for the Marquette Co WI Pages


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 701 - 702 


William A. Bangs, who resides on section 19 in the town of Kingston, Green Lake County, is a native of Maine, having been 
born in Franklin County, Nov. 18, 1840.  His father, Josiah Bangs, was born on the bank of the Connecticut River in 
Massachusetts, but in early life moved to Maine.  He held the position of reporter for one of the leading New York journals 
and won distinction in that line.  He was a man of more than ordinary ability and had his early life been spent under different 
circumstances, he would probably have attained a high social position and his career would have indeed been a brilliant one.  
He was endowed with remarkable talent, was a man of great vigor and activity and possessed that happy disposition which wins 
friends for its possessor wherever he may go.  It was his aim to make the present enjoyable and he possessed a talent which 
is common to but few, that of being entertaining to all in whatever society placed.  While in Maine he was united in marriage 
with Miss Pauline A. Brooks, and unto them was born a family of five children:  Joseph W., is a leading manufacturer and one 
of the most prominent business men of Augusta, Maine, his reputation extending not only over the State, but in many other parts 
of the country as well.  George H., the next son, died in Roselle, N. Y.  Like his father he was a man of much ability and for 
many years was Superintendent of the Pinkerton Detective force.  In 1849, when but a boy, he became possessed of an uncontrollable 
desire to visit the gold mines of California, but after all arrangements had been made and he was about to embark upon the trip
he had the misfortune to break his leg and was forced to abandon his plans.  On his recovery he went to New York City.  About 
that time the Crystal Palace was erected and he obtained a position as policeman, and when Mr. Pinkerton conceived the idea of 
the detective service which he has carried out with such success, he selected George as one of his men and for thirty years he 
held the position of Superintendent of the force.  His wife is now a resident of the city of Chicago.  Susan P., the only 
daughter, is a wife of Randolph Moore, a resident farmer of the town of Kingston.  Algernon S. is a member of the celebrated 
firm of Bangs Bros., one of the largest manufacturing establishments of Augusta, Maine.  William A. of this sketch completes 
the family.  In 1847 Mr. Bangs removed with his wife and children to New York, where, as before stated, he held the office of 
reporter until his death.
 
Our subject received liberal educational advantages in his youth and is now a man well-informed on general topics, including 
the leading issues of the day, both political and otherwise.  His school life was begun in New Vineyard, Me., continued in New 
York City and completed in Aurora, Ill.  In 1854, accompanied by three of her children, Mrs. Bangs came to the West, locating 
in Aurora, Ill., but after a short time removed to White Rock, in the same State, and thence to Kingston, Wis.  On his arrival 
in Green Lake County, our subject began life for himself.  He purchased eighty acres of land in the town of Kingston and after 
erecting a small house turned his attention to farming, which he has since followed.  Little by little his financial resources 
were increased and he added to his original purchase until he now has 360 acres.  By hard labor and perseverance he has 
transformed that entire amount into a tract of rich fertility, comprising one of the best homes in the vicinity.  He devotes 
considerable attention to the raising of stock of good grades which he is constantly improving and has been successful in that 
line of business.  From limited circumstances he has worked his way upward until he is now numbered among the substantial 
prosperous farmers of the community, having earned a competence which will enable him to pass his declining years in retirement 
from labor.
 
On the 15th of June, 1865, in the town of Kingston, was celebrated the marriage of W. A. Bangs and Miss Aluvia Seymour, a native 
of Canada, who was born of English parentage.  She has been a resident of the county since 1856, which year witnessed her arrival 
in the town of Kingston.  Five children grace the union of this worthy couple and the family circle yet remains unbroken.  All 
are yet with their parents and are as follows:  Henry A., Pauline A., Algernon S., J. Warner and Mary.  Appreciating the 
advantages of an education and wishing that his children might in that particular be fitted for the battle of life, Mr. 
Bangs has provided them all with liberal advantages.
 
Mr. Bangs is one of the representative citizens of the community, and during his long residence in Green Lake County, by his 
sterling worth and upright character he has won the confidence and good wishes of all.  He has filled various township offices 
and from its organization has taken an active interest in the success and welfare of the Republican party which he never fails 
to support by his ballot.  He also manifests deep interest in those things which pertain to the welfare of the community, and 
in the ranks of the valued citizens he is numbered.






Back to the Marquette Pages Menu