Biographical Sketch of

Benjamin Haigh

Transcribed by Char Eckman



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 419 - 420
Booth, Clute, Dike, Haigh, Morrison

Benjamin Haigh, one of the prosperous farmers, and an influential citizen of the town of Brooklyn, now residing on 
section 25, has made his home in this community since 1857.  He is now the owner of a fine farm of 163 acres of land, 
which he keeps under a high state of cultivation.  He also raises a good grade of stock, the barns and outbuildings 
are all that are necessary to a model farm, and the many improvements which he has made, both useful and ornamental, 
have made his home one of the finest in the county.

The main events which have taken place in the life of our subject are as follows:  He was born near the city of 
Wheeling, W. Va., Dec. 6, 1819, of English parentage.  His father was Richard Haigh, a native of Yorkshire, England, 
who engaged in the manufacturer of woolen goods both in his native land and after his emigration to America.  He 
married Miss Ann Booth, who was born in the same county, and was a daughter of one of the extensive manufacturers of 
that section.  In 1816, they determined to try their fortune in America, but there were some difficulties attending 
the carrying out of their resolve.  According to a law enforced at that time, no manufacturer was allowed to remove 
from the country, so in order to leave that land, he must resort to strategy.  He and two cousins, who were also 
anxious to come to America, had three Irish laborers to secure passage at the custom house, which they gave to Mr. 
Haigh and his relatives; they then arrived safely in America, and the following year Mr. Haigh was joined by his 
family, consisting of wife and three children, who were born across the ocean.

For a short time, he was engaged in operating a woolen factory near Wheeling, but afterward removed to Steubenville, 
Ohio, being employed for five years in a factory in that city.  His next place of residence was in Germantown, Pa., 
where he removed with his family to Dutchess County, N. Y., and afterward, in company with a brother-in-law, built 
and operated a woolen factory in Montgomery, N. Y.  He was an excellent workman, thoroughly understanding the business 
in every department, and could therefore command excellent wages.  His death occurred in Montgomery County, at the age 
of fifty-five years and his wife passed to her final rest in Seneca County, N. Y., at the advanced age of eighty years. 
They were parents of six children, two sons and four daughters, but only three survive.  Both parents were believers in 
the faith of the Episcopal Church, and the father was a Whig in political sentiment.

Our subject is the oldest living child of the family.  The opportunities which he received for acquiring an education, 
were such as the common schools afforded, and at the age of twelve years, he began working in the factory at Hagerman's 
Mills, N. Y.  After he had become thoroughly acquainted with the business of manufacturing cloth, the firm by which he 
was employed turned its attention to the manufacture of ingrain carpets.  The partners were a brother-in-law of our 
subject and the Green brothers, the former furnishing the capital, the others managing the business.  After they had 
made considerable money in their new enterprise, and the Green brothers had become possessors of considerable capital, 
they withdrew from the firm and started in business for themselves on a more extended scale, fitting up a large factory 
for the purpose.  They thought thus to ruin Mr. Haigh's brother-in-law, who was totally unacquainted with the work, but 
our subject understood the business, and was made superintendent of the establishment, a position which he retained 
four years.  Seeing that they had not succeeded in their efforts to break down the business of their old employer, 
they made an offer to Mr. Haigh to become their superintendent, offering him greatly increased wages, but he would not 
then desert his brother-in-law, though he afterward accepted the position of superintendent, serving in that capacity 
for seven years.

The marriage of Benjamin Haigh and Miss Helen M. Morrison of New York was celebrated on the 6th of June, 1844.  The 
lady was born near Hudson, in the Empire State, Feb. 26, 1824, and their union was blessed with three children, two of
whom are yet living:  Ann E., the first born, died in infancy; Maria E. is the wife of Theodore J. Clute, by whom she 
has two children, Charles B. and Edith P.; Willis S. married Fanny M. Dike, and they have one child living, Frank L. 
Mrs. Haigh departed this life Oct. 6, 1887.

In 1850, Mr. Haigh severed his connection with the manufacturing firm by which he was employed as superintendent, and 
came to Wisconsin, where he has since made his home.  He first located on the Indian land, in what is now the town of 
St. Marie, Green Lake County, but he was and inexperienced farmer, having never before engaged in agricultural pursuits.  
The first few years he experienced great hardships, and encountered many obstacles.  The soil of this first farm was 
sandy, so he determined to seek land elsewhere, and in 1857 settled upon his present farm on section 25, in the town 
of Brooklyn.  With what success his efforts have been crowned we have previously seen.  Mr. Haigh is a man of more than 
ordinary ability, and is one of the most prominent citizens of the country.  He has taken especial interest in educational 
and church enterprises, but has never refused his support when called upon to aid in the promotion of any matter 
calculated to benefit the community.  He has supported the Whig party, but is now an advocate of Republican principles, 
and was elected by that party as Supervisor of the town of St. Marie for one term, and of the town of Brooklyn for two 
terms.  See portrait.






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