Biographical Sketch of

Worthy W. Hanks

Transcribed by Barbara Voss


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 473 - 474

Worthy W. Hanks, a farmer residing on section 31, in the town of Harris, is numbered among the honored pioneers of 
the county and is one of its most prominent citizens. He first visited this region in 1849, arriving on the 25th of 
August of that year. From that time up to the present he has been known as one of the leading men of the community. 
He was born in the town of Greenwich, Washington Co., N, Y., on the 7th of April 1814 and is a son of Enoch and Hannah 
(Fisk) Hanks, who were natives of Connecticut but removed to the Empire State at a very early day.

In 1829, when a lad of fifteen years, our subject went with his family to Allegany County, N.Y., and there became 
acquainted with Miss Mary A. Post, a native of Vermont, with whom he was joined in wedlock in 1835. They began their 
domestic life in that county but in 1846 started for the West, their destination being Jo Daviess County, Ill., where 
they remained until the following spring, when he removed to Heart Prairie, Walworth Co., Wis., where they resided 
until becoming residents of Marquette County. On his arrival in this community Mr. Hanks entered 320 acres of land on 
sections 31 and 32 in the town of Harris and immediately thereafter built upon it a log cabin, which continued to be 
his home for twenty years. In that little dwelling his union with Miss Post was graced by a family of seven children, 
five of whom are yet living, namely; Mandaina A., who wedded J.M. White. Of Packwaukee; Mrs. White taught the first 
public school in the district, in the town of Harris. David, of Baraboo, Wis.; George, a resident of Westfield; Esther, 
wife of George Worthington, of Poynette, Wis.; Matilda, wife of Leonard Hubbard; two others who died in infancy. David 
Hanks enlisted, in the fall of 1861, in Company C, 3rd Wisconsin Cavalry and served until the close of the war. From 
exposure and hardships endured there his health was ultimately destroyed. Mandaina has three children, Mary A., Henry W. 
and Estella G. David Hanks has two children, David A. and John; George Hanks has two children living, Morris and Edith; 
Esther has two children, Ettie B. and Gladys M.; Matilda has one son Ira O.

As soon as his cabin was completed, Mr. Hanks turned his attention to the development of his land and has ever since 
been engaged in farming, at which he has been very successful and still gives his personal supervision to the management 
of his farm. As his financial resources increased he extended its boundaries until 700 acres yield to him a golden tribute.
His pioneer dwelling has long since been replaced by a substantial residence and other improvements have been made until 
he is now owner of one of the finest farms of Central Wisconsin. After he had replaced his old log cabin with a fine new 
concrete house, he lived in it about a year and a half, when his new home, which he had nicely furnished, was destroyed 
by fire. As he had no insurance the loss entailed amounted to several thousand dollars. Forty years have passed since he 
claimed that land. It was then in its primitive condition, not a fence having been built or even a furrow turned. He was 
the first white man who ever set foot upon the land. He brought with him to the county only a cash capital of $50 and a 
span of old horses, which he afterward traded for oxen. The beautiful oak groves which surround his home were then 
composed of mere saplings and the county gave little promise of its present prosperity and its advanced position. Mr. 
Hanks gave to Pleasant Valley its name and in many other ways has been prominently identified with the history of 
Marquette County. For five years after his arrival he engaged in breaking prairie, after which he devoted his entire time 
to the improvement of his farm. He has borne his full share in the hardships and trials of pioneer life, and has met with 
many adversities and obstacles but overcoming all such disadvantages he labored on with renewed zeal until he has become 
one of the wealthy citizens of the community.

The business disasters of Mr. Hanks passed away and were soon forgotten but in 1886 he was visited by a calamity which 
will ever be present with him in this life. In the month of January of that year, his loved wife was called to her final 
rest. They had traveled life�s journey together for fifty one years and she had been a true helpmate to him during that 
long period. Throughout the community she was recognized as a kind and loving wife and mother, whose presence was a 
blessing to her household and a friend to be relied upon in times of need. She was reared under the Christian influence 
of her father, the Rev. Jonathan Post, and was a life long member of the Baptist Church. 

The acquaintance of Mr. Hanks is extensive and no man in the community is held in higher regard. He has served as 
Chairman of the Town Board and has taken an active interest in political affairs, though he has never sought public 
office. The Republican Party has found him a faithful supporter since its organization. He cast his last ballot up to 
this date for our present Executive, Benjamin Harrison, and almost half a century ago voted for his grandfather, General 
William Henry Harrison, the hero of Tippecanoe. 






Back to the Marquette Pages Menu