Biographical Sketch of

Milton I. Byington

Transcribed by Joan Benner 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, Page 366


Milton I. Byington is one of the oldest settlers of Marquette, where he has
been engaged in the harness business since 1849. He is not only one of the
pioneers of the county, but also in that work, and it is with pleasure that
we present this sketch of one so widely known to the readers of the Album.
He was born in Cairo, Green County, New York, Sept. 20, 1820, and was one
of a family of eight children, four sons and four daughters, born to Rufus
and Cynthia (King) Byington. The father was a native of Connecticut, the
mother of Massachusetts, and the record of the family is as follows:
Caroline, the eldest child, died unmarried in Cairo, at the age of
forty-one years; Charlotte married M. W. Seeley, an attorney at law, and
died in Peru, Indiana; Sarah died in Cairo, New York, at the age of twenty
years; Lucius is now living in Cairo; Milton is the next younger; Mary is
the wife of Lysander Lennan, of New York; James is living in the Empire
State; and Levi is a resident of Cairo, New York. Mr. Byington supported
the Whig party until its dissolution, when he allied himself with the
Republican party. Both he and his wife were reared in the faith of the
Episcopal Church. The former died in 1852 and the latter in 1858.


At the age of seventeen years, our subject began life for himself. He chose
the harness-making trade as the one which he wished to learn, and has made
that occupation his life work. He served an apprenticeship of four years,
receiving in connection with his board and clothing, only twenty dollars
per year. Believing that the West would furnish a better opening than he
could find in the East, he started for Green Lake County in 1849, and
settled in Marquette, where he has since made his home. He immediately
opened a harness shop, and from that time until about 1880, without
interruption, was engaged in the prosecution of his business. His long
continued service in that line indicates a successful career, and he is
numbered among the leading men of the village. He casts his ballot with the
Democratic Party, and has frequently been called upon to serve in official
positions. He was the third assessor of Marquette County, has held the
office of town clerk, and was postmaster of Marquette during Buchanan's
administration. He is well versed on the leading issues of the day, both
State and National, and his upright life, sterling qualities and
progressive spirit, make him a valued citizen.


In December, 1845, Mr. Byington was united in marriage with Miss Laura
Bowman, daughter of Joseph H. and Sally (Beckwith) Bowman. The father was
born in Green County, New York, in 1802, and the mother in Farmington,
Connecticut, in 1807. Their family numbered ten children, five of whom are
yet living--Laura, wife of our subject; Lorenda, wife of John W. Mattice of
Albany, N. Y.; Sarah, wife of Jeremiah Overbough; Harriet, wife of William
Clarke of Des Moines, Iowa; and Mary, wife of William B. Butler of
Brooklyn, New York. Both parents were faithful Christian people, and died
in Green County in the Empire State.


To Mr. and Mrs. Byington, two children were born: Cynthia S., who is now
the wife of William Cauley of Carthage, Miner Co., South Dakota; and
Lillie, wife of Frank Mennie, a farmer of Marble, Lincoln Co., Minnesota.
Mrs. Byington is a member of the Episcopal Church.






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