Biographical Sketch of

Cyrus W. Holbrook

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 496 - 497 - 498

Cyrus W. Holbrook, a retired farmer now residing in Markesan, Wis., is numbered among the honored pioneers of 1844. 
His history is inseparably connected with that of the community and it is with great pleasure that we present to the 
readers of the Album this brief sketch of his life work. He is a native of the Empire State, having been born in 
Genesee County, on the 30th of August 1823.

The Holbrook family is of ancient origin and was established in America during Colonial days.

The grandfather of our sketch was a physician and surgeon and in that capacity served his country during the 
Revolutionary War. Mr. Holbrook has an oil portrait of him and his estimable wife which he prizes very highly.

Walter Holbrook, son of Silas and father of Cyrus, Born in 1795, and Emily Higley, born in 1802, were united in 
marriage December 30, 1819, in Genesee County, N.Y. John Higley the American ancestor, born near London, England, 
settled in Windsor, Conn., in 1666. 

The Higley�s were numbered among those who first located upon the Holland Purchase in Genesee County. They went to 
that county when it was in such a wild and unsettled condition that the trees were blazed so that travelers might 
find their way through the forest. Walter Holbrook was a tanner and currier by trade and followed that occupation 
until 1833 when they removed to what was then considered the far West � Ashtabula County, Ohio.  Their first meal 
in their new home was prepared in the primitive style of pioneers, being cooked over a fire in the open air. The 
region in which they settled was heavily timbered and before a house could be erected a place had to be cleared on 
which it could be built. Many hardships and difficulties were endured by the family in their new home but in the 
course of time they were surrounded by all the necessaries and comforts of life. Both parents passed away in Ashtabula 
County, the mother aged sixty six years and the father eighty three years. Unto them was born a family of fifteen 
children but only five are now living. 

When but nine years of age our subject went with the family to Ohio. The days of his boyhood until manhood were passed 
under the paternal roof, acquiring in the meantime such an education as common schools and institutes afforded. On 
attaining his majority he started out for himself and came direct to the territory of Wisconsin, believing that the 
farther West furnished better opportunities for advancement to young men. Being well pleased with this locality he 
entered land. In order to obtain a title to the same he had to go to Green Bay where he remained during the summer of 
1844, in the employ of Hamilton Stevens. His duty was to convey the mail from Green Bay to Fox Lake, a distance of 
seventy five miles.

All money sent between the two points was given into his immediate charge and faithfully delivered. In the autumn he 
returned to Ohio, where he engaged in teaching school until 1847, at which time he took possession of his present farm 
in Manchester and Mackford Townships. He at once built a little framed cabin, 12x16 and gave his attention to the 
development of the wild land which he has since transformed into a fine farm; erected numerous and substantial farm 
buildings which stand now among the best of the county. On the 20th of December 1849, Mr. Holbrook led to the marriage 
altar Miss Catherine Jane Mather, born in Claremont, N.H., in 1823 only daughter of Samuel S. and Catherine Abbott 
Mather. The father was a native of Lyme Conn., the mother of Concord, N.H., who was a daughter of Nathaniel Chandler Abbott. 

They each descended from Puritan ancestry of distinguished character. Their son Samuel W. had come to Wisconsin in 1844 
and through his influence the remainder of the family came to him in 1847. The father of Mrs. Holbrook was born in 1786 
and passed to his final rest in Green Lake County in 1853 aged 67 years. The mother, born in 1786 entered into rest in 
1868, aged 81 years. The brother, of whom notice is given in the Album and herself were the only children. 

Mr. and Mrs. Holbrook began their domestic life in the little cabin which he had previously erected upon his farm and 
battled bravely together with the privations and difficulties of pioneer life, but being cheerfully disposed, their 
trials were not unmixed with pleasure. Greater sociability than is today seen characterized the frontier settlements 
and each took a kindly interest in the welfare and success of the others; still many obstacles were to be overcome and 
it was no easy task to convert the wild land into fertile fields while the farming implements were very crude as compared 
with the improved ones of today. To illustrate the unsettled condition of the county at that time, one could ride for 
miles without having to take a circuitous route on account of fences. Indeed, few roads had yet been made and the 
traveler rode at will over the prairies. The thriving little village of Markesan, which is now the home of Mr. Holbrook 
had not then been founded, and all supplies were hauled from Milwaukee by oxen, seven to ten days being required to make 
the trip if the roads and weather were favorable. If no bad luck attended the journey the price paid for the products 
would pay expenses but did not leave much remaining. Oxen were used almost entirely, both for traveling and farm labor 
and during the first summer after his arrival Mr. Holbrook saw but one horse. Little communication was held with the 
outside world for the postage on a letter was twenty five cents and the nearest post office was at Fox Lake, ten miles 
away. Prosperity, however has attended the efforts of Mr. Holbrook. His diligence and perseverance have at length been 
rewarded by a handsome competence in the acquisition of which his wife has borne no little part. The little log cabin 
has long since been replaced by a tasty and commodious residence. The boundaries of the farm have been extended until 
it now comprises 680 acres. They have two children - Walter S. and Mabel M. 

Mabel is with the parents and Walter occupies the homestead and manages the farm. He is a thorough, energetic farmer and 
a man of strict integrity. He married Miss Sarah A. Walden of Hartford, Conn. Their union has been blessed with two 
children � David W. and Janie R.

For about forty years the old farm continued to be the home of our subject and his worthy wife, but in 1888 they removed 
to the pleasant home in Markesan, where they are now living in retirement. They have always enjoyed the highest respect
of the people among whom they have resided and are ranked among the best citizens of the community.

 




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