Biographical Sketch of

Eben Field

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 753 


Eben Field, a retired merchant of Berlin, and one of the pioneers of that city, is a native of Hampshire County, Mass., 
where his birth occurred Sept. 12, 1820.  His parents, James and Mehetable (Stevenson) Field, were also natives of New 
England.  His father was born in Worcester County, Mass., in 1780, and was descended from one of three brothers, who 
emigrated from England to America in the early Colonial days.  One brother settled in Massachusetts, another in Vermont, 
and the third in Connecticut, but it is from the Massachusetts branch of the family that our subject is descended.  His 
mother was born in the old Bay State, of Irish descent.  The family removed to Milwaukee County, Wis., in 1836, where 
James Field engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in the spring of 1838, at the age of fifty-eight years.  
His wife survived him and died in Berlin, March 30, 1855, at the age of seventy-four years.  Their family numbered eight 
children, five sons and three daughters, but our subject is the only one now living.  One sister Nancy, died May 1912.
 
Mr. Field came to Wisconsin with his parents twelve years before the admission of the State into the Union, and for ten 
years made his home in Milwaukee County.  From 1846 to 1849 he was a resident of Columbia County, and in September of the 
latter year came to Strong's Landing, which has since been transformed into the beautiful and thriving city of Berlin.  
In company with his brother James he engaged in merchandising.  They carried all kinds of general merchandise, together 
with grain and provisions.  They also erected the present elevator.  Constantly increasing from the beginning, their 
business has assumed extensive proportions, and the connection was continued until the death of James Field on the 12th 
of November, 1866.  In July following, Eben Field closed out the mercantile department and continued in the grain business 
until 1881, since which time he has devoted his attention to the care of his property.  He owns the large double store, 
the two-story brick block in which Mr. W. W. Collins is located, his fine residences west of the river and considerable 
other property.
 
Mr. Field was united in marriage in Berlin, Dec. 30, 1856, with Miss Margarite Leech, a native of Muskingum County, Ohio, 
and a daughter of Thomas Leech.  Mr. and Mrs. Field have three daughters living and have lost two sons:  Lewis died at the 
age of a year and a half, and Edward S. died Oct. 21, 1888, aged twenty-six years.  The daughters are:  Emma C., who resides 
with her parents; Laura B., wife of Fred Wright, of Berlin, and Mary Ella, who is yet at home.  All were born in Berlin.
 
In politics Mr. Field is a Republican, but has never sought official honors, preferring to devote his care and attention 
to his business interests and the enjoyment of his home.  He is one of the few pioneers left who located at Strong's Landing 
prior to 1850, and he therefore deserves a representation in this volume, as well as from the fact that he is one of the 
leading and highly respected citizens of Berlin.
 
 




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