Biographical Sketch of

James Densmoor

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, Page 762 


James Densmoor, of Markesan, is numbered among the honored pioneers of Green Lake County, Wis.  He was born 
in Chester, Vt., on the 14th day of March, 1829, and is a son of Henry and Rebecca (Gleason) Densmoor, who 
were natives of New England.  Upon their marriage they located in Chester, but subsequently removed to Townsend, 
Mass., where Mr. Densmoor was killed in 1836.  They were the parents of three children yet living:  Jane, who 
now resides in the town of Green Lake, this county; James, of this sketch; and  Luther, whose home is in the town 
of Green Lake.  Three sons of the family have passed away--Henry, who came West in 1845 and died in this county; 
John, who died in Massachusetts, and Morton, who died at the age of thirty.  After the death of her husband, Mrs. 
Densmoor, accompanied by her children, emigrated to Wisconsin in 1845, and made her home in Green Lake County until 
her death, which occurred in 1888, at the advanced age of ninety-two years.  She was a member of the Congregational 
Church and her death was greatly mourned by that organization and by her many warm friends.
 
Our subject was a lad of eighteen years when the family located in this community, and amid the wild scenes of the 
frontier was reared to manhood.  When he had attained his majority, he was united in marriage with Miss Rose Redeskie, 
a native of Germany, the wedding taking place in Green Lake County.  Unto them was born five children--Lillie, wife 
of Daniel Sargent of Marquette; Sarah, wife of Charles Evans of Markesan; James, who married Aggie Stevens; Frank, 
who wedded Nettie Welch and settled in Markesan.  The mother was called to her final rest in 1864, and Mr. Densmoor 
was again married, his union being with Emma Corbett, by whom he had two children, but both died in infancy.
 
Mr. Densmoor is one of the prominent citizens of Markesan and probably no one has been more closely identified with 
its upbuilding and progress than he.  Since 1865, he has been numbered among its citizens.  Public spirited and 
progressive, he has never refused his aid for any worthy measure but has always given liberally to the support of 
any worthy enterprise.  He did more towards securing the Markesan & Brandon Railroad than any man in the county and 
in recognition of his services he was made its first President.  He has held the office of Chairman of the Town Board 
for ten years and has served in the position of Treasurer.  He came to this county, and started out in life for himself, 
his capital consisting of but $7.50, yet he has worked his way upward until he is now one of the wealthy citizens of 
the community.  His success is due not alone to his excellent business ability, but hard labor and perseverance have 
also been important factors in his prosperity.  He is the owner of the Markesan flouring-mill, which he thoroughly 
refitted by putting in new machinery and other improvements in 1883, and 1500 acres of land also pay to him a tribute.  
As his financial resources increased, he gave more liberally for the upbuilding of town and county and certainly 
deserves much credit for the interest which he has taken in its progress and advancement.  He shared in the hardships 
and trials of pioneer life but has lived to see the county occupy a rank in the States of which its citizens may well 
be proud.  The little log cabins have been replaced by commodious and elegant residences; churches and school houses 
crown each hilltop; thriving villages have sprung up where once was the Indian wigwam; large business industries have 
been introduced and the county is inhabited by a contented and well educated people.  The settlers of forty years ago 
probably never dreamed of, much less realized, the great changes which were so soon to take place.  It is an honor to 
have been permitted to witness the transformation, but to be an active participant in the noble work was a favor not 
shown to every one, but Mr. Densmoor is numbered among that worthy and courageous band who laid the foundation for the 
present prosperity of the county, and as such an one we take great pleasure in presenting his sketch to the readers of 
the Album.






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