Biographical Sketch of

Lyman D. Hart

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, Pages 707 - 708 


Lyman D. Hart, an early settler of Marquette County, of 1852, is engaged in farming on section 2 in the town of Packwauke 
where he has made his home almost a quarter of a century.  He was born in Chittenden County, Vt., June 3, 1861, and is a 
son of Orange and Cynthia (Drake) Hart.  When Lyman was a lad his parents removed to Leroy, Genesee Co., N.Y., where the 
death of the mother occurred.  Mr. Hart was then again married, but did not long survive, and at the age of five years our 
subject was left an orphan.  There were four children of the family, but he has only one brother now living, Benjamin F., 
who resides in Jefferson County, Neb.
 
Mr. Hart, whose name heads this sketch, has made his own way in the world since the tender age of twelve years.  He was but 
three years of age when his mother died, but he remained at home until the death of his father, when he was taken back to 
Vermont by a maternal uncle, with whom he lived until he began earning his own livelihood.  He began working upon a farm, 
and in consequence received but limited educational advantages, being permitted only to attend school during the winter 
months.  Afterward he went to live with his maternal grandmother in Genesee County, N.Y., and with that worthy lady came 
to Wisconsin in May, 1842.  The family went direct to Janesville, settling in that city when it was about the size of 
Packwaukee.  There the grandparents settled on a farm, continuing the cultivation of their land until the death of the 
husband, after which the wife removed to Columbia County, Wis., where she remained until called home.
 
Mr. Hart did not accompany his grandmother to Columbia County, but remained in Rock County and for some time worked upon 
the farm.  Afterward he worked one season with his brother at the wagon-maker's trade, in Janesville, but his brother 
sickened and died and he returned to his former occupation.  Subsequently he moved to Stoughton, Wis., where he made his 
home about two years, during which time he worked at the carpenter's trade with his brother-in-law, Samuel R. Rood, 
afterward Judge Rood, one of the prominent citizens of Marquette County.  He came with that gentleman to the village of 
Packwaukee in 1852, and has resided there continuously since, covering a period of thirty-eight years.  After one season 
spent with the Judge he worked at carpentering with a brother of that gentleman, and then engaged as a farm hand with 
William Axford, a resident of the town of Oxford, Marquette County, with whom he remained a year and a half.  His next 
venture was as a salesman in the grocery store of his brother, B.F. Hart.
 
On the 18th of April, 1856, in the town of Packwaukee, Lyman Hart was united in marriage with Miss Sally Shelden, daughter 
of Simon S. and Nancy (Hutchins) Shelden, who settled in the town of Packwaukee about 1848.  Her father was a native of 
Vermont, her mother of New York, and from the latter State they removed to Michigan, coming thence to Wisconsin.  Settling 
in Racine Count, after a year they removed to Horicon, Dodge County, and as before stated came to Packwaukee in 1848.  Mr. 
Shelden was a shoemaker by trade, but after coming to Marquette County followed farming.  He died in April, 1865, but his 
wife survived him a number of years, dying at the home of her daughter in Nebraska. That worthy couple were the parents of 
seven children, four sons and three daughters, but all have now passed away with the exception of Mrs. Hart.  Three of the 
sons served in the Union army during the late War.  Simon lived to reach home, but died an hour afterward; George was killed 
in the battle of Corinth; Shepherd served through the war, and participated in the celebrated March to the Sea under Sherman, 
but died a number of years ago of yellow fever in Galipolis, Ohio.
 
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Hart has been blessed with a family of six children, two sons and four daughters, and the family 
circle yet remains unbroken;  Lizzie is the wife of A. J. Harring.  The other children, Frank A., Fred C., Lottie S., Mary E. 
and Lula E. are all at home.  The family have a pleasant home situated on section 2 in the town of Packwaukee, where sociability 
abounds and the hospitable door stands open for their many friends.  The farm comprises 160 acres, and Frank and Fred together
own 150 acres of land.
 
Both Mr. and Mrs. Hart have witnessed almost the entire growth of Marquette County, and are numbered among the earliest settlers 
of the town of Packwaukee.  Mrs. Hart was the second white woman of the village of that name.  In the great changes that have 
taken place since their arrival they have nobly borne their part, aiding in the upbuilding of the community, and in the 
advancement of its many enterprises have been found in the front rank.  They are numbered among the highly respected and 
esteemed citizens of the county, and are well worthy a place in this volume, where are represented the noble pioneers and 
the prominent men and women.  Mr. Hart served his town as Treasurer for three years; and for twelve years was a member of 
the School Board, during which time he did all in his power to advance the cause of education, of which he has ever been a 
warm friend.






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