Biographical Sketch of

John W. Bland

Transcribed by Char Eckman 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 622 - 623


John W. Bland, a retired farmer and one of the honored early settlers of Green Lake County, Wis., now 
residing in Princeton, is a native of England, having been born in Braunston, on the 16th of February, 
1808.  He is a son of William and Ann (Childs) Bland, who were natives of the same country.  But two 
children graced their union, William, the brother of our subject being still a resident of the old 
homestead.  The father was a man of more than ordinary ability and during his business career engaged 
in the profession of teaching, but the later years of his life were passed in retirement.  He came to 
this country with the intention of here passing the remainder of his days but found that he could not 
be contented away from the old home where so many years of his life were spent, and returned to England.  
The parents died within two months of one another and were laid to rest in the old burying ground near 
their home.

The educational advantages which our subject received were such as the common schools of the country 
afforded, he pursuing his studies until the age of sixteen years, when he was apprenticed to a cabinet-maker 
and upholsterer, serving a term of four years.  At the end of that time he was thoroughly master of the 
business and with no other preparation started for America, determining to try his fortune in the land of 
freedom.  The fall of 1829 witnessed his arrival.  After a long and tedious voyage he arrived safely in 
New York City, whence he continued on his way to Troy, visiting a friend in that vicinity for two or three 
weeks.  Knowing that he was dependent on his own resources, he then began the search for employment and was 
soon rewarded by obtaining a position in a piano factory, where he remained for two years.  At the expiration 
of that time the establishment was removed to New York City, and its employers, loath to lose a faithful 
clerk induced him to accompany them to the metropolis, where the succeeding two years of his life were passed.  
About that time he had an attack of chills and fever and was just recovering when word was received of the 
serious illness of his father.  He hastened home, remaining in his native land until the recovery of Mr. 
Bland, when he returned to America.

About that time, in the year 1833, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Hannah Nix, of England, and 
unto the worthy couple was born one child, who died in infancy.  In 1870, the mother was also called home.  
She had been a faithful and true wife and a devoted friend and neighbor, and to Mr. Bland was extended the 
sincere sympathy of her many friends.  He was again married Dec. 25, 1870, to Mrs. Jane (Parsons) Stiles, 
widow of Charles Stiles, who gave his life in the defence of the Union during the late war.  He left two 
children, namely:  Almer, who is residing in Iron Mountain, Mich.; and Medora, wife of W. Whiting, a resident 
of Warsaw, Wis.  Mrs. Stiles was one of the first two women of Princeton.  With her husband and children she 
located in that place, then known as Treat's Landing.  Not a house was in sight.  Her husband began work at 
his trade of carpentering, which he continued until the breaking out of the war, when he shouldered a musket 
and started out to strike a blow for his country's cause.  For two years and a half he was ever found at his 
post of duty, valiantly defending the right, but at the battle of Fair Oaks he was struck by a rebel shell 
and instantly killed.  After five years of widowhood, Mrs. Stiles became the wife of John W. Bland, by whom 
she had one child, Lettie.  The little daughter, who was the pride and joy of her parents' hearts, lived to 
be only four years old.

On his return from his visit to England, Mr. Bland embarked in business for himself, in West Troy, as a 
cabinet-maker, in which line he was successfully engaged for about ten years.  He also carried on an 
undertaking establishment, but after a decade of prosperity a destructive fire occurred and his store and 
stock was burned to the ground.  His loss induced him to make the West his future home, as he believed that 
here he might more speedily retrieve his fortune.  He reached Green Lake County in the year 1854, and shortly 
afterwards purchased 100 acres of land in Princeton Township, the greater part of which was in an uncultivated 
condition.  He at once erected a stone dwelling and then turned his attention to the development of a farm, 
which during the succeeding ten years he placed under a high state of cultivation and improvement.  At the 
end of that time he sold out and came to Princeton, where he has since lived a retired life.  Dependent 
upon his own resources since the early age of sixteen years with nothing but a strong arm and a determined 
energy to assist him in his struggle for fortune, he has gradually worked his way upward until he has now 
not only a comfortable competence, but has the means sufficient to pass his declining years in comfort and 
ease, having laid aside all business cares.  His life has indeed been well spent.  In looking back over the 
past he need feel no regret on account of unimproved opportunities, as he did what he could for the advancement 
of the family's interest, the promotion of those enterprises for the benefit of the State and county, and for 
the cause of humanity.  In early life he supported the Whig party, casting his first Presidential vote for 
William Henry Harrison.  On the organization of the Republican party he joined its ranks and has ever been 
faithful in his allegiance to that body.  He served as Alderman in West Troy, N. Y., for ten years.  Socially, 
Mr. Bland is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and he and his wife are communicants of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church of Princeton.  Early and respected citizens, their upright lives and high rank in the community justly 
entitle them to a representation in this volume and it is with pleasure that we present this brief sketch to 
the readers of the Album, thereby perpetuating their memories when they shall be no more.






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