Biographical Sketch of

William Bazeley

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 759 - 760 


William Bazeley, deceased.  The history of Green Lake County would be incomplete without the sketch of him whose 
name heads this notice.  He was one of the first to settle within its borders, and labored long and faithfully for 
the interest of town and county, bearing no inconsiderable part in the arduous task of developing its wild lands 
and transforming them into fertile farms.
 
The history of the life of William Bazeley is as follows:  He was born in Northamptonshire, England, Sept. 25, 1808, 
and was but a mere child when the death of his father occurred.  His mother, however, lived to the advance age of 
ninety years.  In consequence of his father's death he went to live with an uncle, who was a baker, and while growing 
up learned that trade.  He received but limited educational advantages, but was a great reader and thus became well 
informed.  When a young man he left England for America with the intention of trying his fortune in this country, of 
whose prospects he had heard such glowing accounts.  He made his first location in Otsego County, N. Y., whence he 
removed to Green Bay, Wis., accompanying Gov. Beall to the Territory.  The Governor owned some land in what is now 
the town of Green Lake, and Mr. Bazeley entered his employ, receiving in connection with his wages forty acres of 
land, on which the family now reside.  He came to the township in 1840, but soon afterward returned to Green Bay.
 
On the 3d of March, 1841, Mr. Bazeley and Mary A. Seaman were married.  The lady was born in Otsego County, N. Y., 
Nov. 22, 1814, being a daughter of William and Mary (Gilbert) Seaman.  Mr. Seaman was born in England and came with 
his parents to America.  His wife was a native of Connecticut.  They resided in Otsego County, N. Y., where was born 
unto them a family of eleven children.
 
Mr. and Mrs. Bazeley came to this county soon after their marriage.  The wife, however, returned to Green Bay, where 
her first child, John S., was born.  With the infant she then came to the town of Green Lake, where both she and Mr. 
Bazeley spent the remainder of their lives.  Their second child, Alice, was born Sept. 7, 1843, on the old homestead, 
and it is thought she was the first child born in the county.  The other children are Lewis M., William, Amos and Hannah.
 
The first home of the family was a little log cabin situated on a 40-acre tract of land, but with characteristic energy 
the husband and father began the development of a farm, and as his financial resources increased extended its boundaries 
and otherwise accumulated valuable property.  He aided his children as they started out in life, and at his death left 
them all comfortably situated.  He voted for the man rather than the party, but generally cast his ballot with the 
Republicans.  He was a member of the Episcopalian Church, his wife of the Presbyterian, and both were respected citizens 
who stood high in the estimation of the people of the community because of their upright lives and many acts of kindness.  
Their loss was deeply mourned, but both had far surpassed the allotted age of man.  The father died May 24, 1887, in the 
eightieth year of his age, and the mother was called home on the 20th of July, following.  Far more valuable than the 
property which Mr. Bazeley left to his children, was the priceless heritage, a good name.  






Back to the Marquette Pages Menu