Biographical Sketch of

Richard Bond

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 623 - 625


Richard Bond has one of the finest homes in Green Lake County, and is one of its most successful farmers.  
His residence is situated on section 25, Manchester Township.  He is of English birth, having been born in 
Cambridgeshire on Feb. 4, 1825.  His parents, Reason and Margaret (Pettitt) Bond, were also natives of the 
same country, where to them were born a family of three children - John, who died in his native land; Sarah, 
who became the wife of Richard Richards, of England, and is now living in Green Lake County, having emigrated 
from England with her husband, who has since died; and our subject.  The father of this family was called to 
his final rest in England, about the year of 1828, but the mother survived him some years.  She was again 
married in 1837, becoming the wife of John Masters.  The succeeding year they crossed the Atlantic to this 
country, making their first location in Ashtabula County, Ohio, where Mrs. Masters died in 1840.  She was a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and an earnest Christian lady.  She was ever found in her place in 
the house of worship, and it was her delight to minister to the poor and needy and relieve the distressed.  
Her kindness to all won her many friends, and though years have come and gone since she was laid in the quiet 
grave, she is remembered as one who made the world better for her having lived.  Mr. Masters purchased a farm 
in Ohio, and there made his home until he too passed away in 1857.

Our subject was a lad of twelve years when he came with his mother and step-father to the new world.  He had 
attended school in England, but completed his education in Ashtabula County, Ohio, where for a number of years 
he resided.  When only fifteen years of age, he was left an orphan.  Thrown upon his own resources with no one 
to whom he could look for aid and counsel, he began life's battle, and has been victorious.  When a child he 
had formed the desire to own land and make farming his occupation.  The fulfillment of that wish has come, and 
he is now numbered among the most substantial farmers of the community.  When he found that he must look to his 
own labor for sustenance, he sought and obtained a position as farm hand, working in that way during the summer, 
while in the winter time he attended school.  We thus see that his education was acquired under disadvantages, 
but he desired to fit himself for business, and undaunted by his difficulties, pursued his studies until he 
had gained a knowledge of all the elementary branches.

Years rolled on and he became a man.  He had become acquainted with Miss Harriet Jillett, and desiring a helpmate 
on life's journey chose that lady as his wife.  Their union was celebrated on April 28, 1847, in Ashtabula, her 
native county, and immediately afterward they started for the Territory of Wisconsin.  Choosing Green Lake County
as the scene of his future operations, Mr. Bond entered eighty acres of land, also claiming forty acres in Dodge 
County.  He erected a log cabin upon the first claim and at once began the development of a farm, the work having 
to be carried forward from the beginning as not even a furrow had been turned.  Although hardships were encountered 
and obstacles had to be overcome, prosperity attended the efforts of our subject, who at one time owned 500 acres 
of land.  He has since disposed of a part of it, however, investing his money in other directions.  In 1855, he 
purchased eighty acres of land on section 25, Manchester Township, and has resided there continuously since, but 
265 broad acres now pay tribute to his labor.  His present handsome residence is composed of a main building and 
a wing, the dimensions of the former being 20 x 28 feet and of the latter 16 x 24 feet.  The surroundings are in 
keeping with the home; the barns and outbuildings are models of convenience, all the latest improved machinery is 
there found and the stock raised is of the best grades.

Through the years when Mr. Bond was acquiring his property his excellent wife proved a true helper.  Her household 
affairs were managed in a most able manner, and she was always ready with a word of cheer and encouragement should 
times look dark.  Her presence seemed a very benediction resting over the home, but at length the lips that were 
ever ready to speak words of love and counsel were silenced in death.  She was called to her reward on April 26, 
1884, at the age of fifty-six years and eight days.  She had been a sincere and faithful Christian, and one of the
most useful and devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  When death came she was ready to respond to the 
Master's summons, resting on the promise of a blessed resurrection.  Her loss to the family is immeasurably great,
and a feeling of sadness pervaded the whole community when her death was announced.

Six children had been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bond, but two had passed away before their mother - Lydia, who died Feb. 
5, 1850, when an infant; and Gertrude, who died Feb. 13, 1877.  Louisa is now the wife of Corey Currie, a native of 
Canada, who is now a prominent merchant of Mason City, Iowa; Frank W., who wedded Kittie Smith, is one of the 
enterprising and well to-do young farmers of the town of Manchester; Sarah H. is the wife of Barnhard Taimber, a 
conductor on the Santa Fe Railroad; and Lillie is still with her father.  Mr. Bond is also a member of the Methodist 
Church, and one of the earnest workers in the Master's vineyard.  His upright life is an example well worthy of 
emulation, and his course has ever been such as to win the confidence and respect of all.  As a citizen, he is 
loyal and discharges his duties to the best of his ability.  In political sentiment he is a Republican, being 
numbered among the stanch advocates of that party.






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