Biographical Sketch of

Elijah Janes

Transcribed by Barbara Voss



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Page 441 - 442

Elijah Janes, the oldest living settler of Berlin Township, Green Lake County, whose home is now on section 21, was 
born on Grand Isle in Lake Champlain, April 17, 1811, and is descended from an illustrious line of ancestors. His 
parents were Humphrey and Thankful (Campbell) Janes. The Janes family is of Norman or French descent and the name 
was originally spelled de Jeanne, but it has assumed probably half a dozen different forms until at length it has 
become Janes. Members of the family figured prominently in English affairs, and in this country also, they have 
become prominent citizens. William Janes is the progenitor of the American branch, and in company with John Davenport 
he crossed the Atlantic and settled in the New Haven Colony in the early days of the seventeenth century. From him the 
line of descent is traced through Benjamin, William, William, Benjamin, Seth, Elijah and Humphrey to our subject. The 
grandfather, Elijah Janes, served his country during the Revolutionary War and rose to the rank of Lieutenant of a 
regiment of Dragoons. He married Anna Hawkins, and had eight children. 

The father of our subject was born December 19. 1769, and a short time before reaching his majority married Thankful 
Campbell, the wedding taking place on the 23rd of July, 1790. They were the parents of thirteen children, but there is 
only one now remaining to perpetuate the history of the family. The mother died on Grand Isle, and the father, who was 
a farmer and shoemaker by trade, subsequently removed to Rock County, Wis., where he, too, passed away.

As before stated, Elijah Janes is the only one of the family who stills survives. He received scarcely any opportunities 
for securing and education and is almost entirely a self made man. When six years of age, he was taken by his parents 
to Erie County, Pa., where he grew to manhood and on the 13th of October, 1836 was joined in wedlock with Sarah M. 
Burwell, who was born in Montgomery County, N. Y., October 5, 1819, Her parents, William and Almyra (Atkins) Burwell, 
were Natives of Connecticut and in that State were married, but at an early day removed to New York. They were 
intelligent and highly respected citizens and when called home their loss was deeply deplored. They were the parents 
of eleven children, but only two daughters are now living. Mr. Burwell was a cooper by trade, but in later life he 
engaged in hotel keeping.

In 1837, Mr. Janes, accompanied by his young bride, emigrated to La Porte County, Ind., but sickness in that community 
compelled him to seek a home elsewhere and he became a resident of Rock County, Wis. The date of his arrival in Green 
Lake County is 1846, he locating in the town of Berlin, on the 7th of May. From that Time forward he has been a resident 
of that community and is as widely known as almost any citizen of the county. He erected the first house built by a 
white man in what is now Berlin Township, it being a log cabin, 16x20 feet, covered with boards. He settled upon a 160 
acre tract of land and as soon as it came into market purchased it from the Government. He now has a fine farm of 200 
acres, well furnished with good buildings, stocked with a fine grade of cattle and horses and furnished with all the 
necessary improvements.  Perseverance and industry characterize all his efforts and his life has been well spent.

To Mr. and Mrs. Janes Has been born a fine family of children; Mary died in early life; Myra B. is at home; Homer 
married Arminda McConnell and has five children; Eleanor is the wife of Daniel Fenland; Alice and Frances are at home, 
and Seth A., married Hugh McClelland�s daughter.

Mr. Janes is a supporter of the Democratic Party and cast his first ballot for Andrew Jackson. He has never united with 
any church, but has led a life of strict honesty and to his children he transmits a name worthy to be preserved.






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