Biographical Sketch of

William Warwick

Transcribed by Sandra Boudrou



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 577 - 578 


Oliver Doughty Ketchum, for the long period of forty years, has resided upon a farm where he still makes his 
home, it being situated on section 3, St. Marie Township.  He is justly numbered among the pioneer settlers 
of Green Lake County, and it is with pleasure that we record his sketch as one of its founders.  His history 
is as follows:  He was born in Rutland County, Vt., on the 2nd of October, 1819, his parents being Elias and 
Orphia (Murray) Ketchum, the former a native of New York, and of Welsh descent, the latter a native of Connecticut, 
descended from Scotch ancestry.  The family circle was completed by the birth of ten children, but only five are 
now living, and with the exception of our subject, all still reside in the Green Mountain State.  They are Morris, 
Rebecca, Louisa and Laura.  The father was a farmer by occupation, and followed that business throughout his 
entire life.  His death occurred in Vermont in June, 1856, his wife surviving until 1870.
 
The educational advantages which our subject received were such as the common schools of his native State 
afforded.  He was reared to farm life and in his youth was surrounded by the care and counsel of a loving father 
and mother.  He was thus somewhat fitted to contend with the world, but financially is a self made man.  He left 
home on attaining his majority, and secured employment as a farm hand, continuing his labors in that direction 
through the succeeding eight years of his life.  He was then twenty-nine years of age, and he determined if 
possible, to engage in business for himself.  Many favorable reports of the West had reached him, and he determined 
to test the truth of these by personal experience.  We find him in the spring of 1849 ready to leave his Eastern 
home and cast his lot with the early settlers of Wisconsin which had but the year previous been admitted to the 
sisterhood of States.  On the 3rd of June, he reached Milwaukee, whence he went to Waupan, but after visiting 
there for a short time, came to St. Marie Township, in Green Lake County, where, with exception of a few months, 
he has since made his home.  His history is thus inseparably connected with that of the town whose growth he has 
witnessed and in whose progress and advancement he has borne no inconsiderable part.  On the 29th of June, he 
entered 160 acres of land from the Government, and began the development of what is now one of the finest farms 
in the community.  Its boundaries have been extended until it now comprises 240 acres, which yield a golden 
tribute to his care and cultivation.  At the time of his purchase it was entirely destitute of improvements, 
but is now furnished with good barns and outbuildings, is a pleasant home and is stocked with the best grades 
of horses and cattle.  Much time and hard labor, however, have been expended in bringing about this result.  
The first winter after his arrival, Mr. Ketchum boarded about a mile from his land, but at an early hour in 
the day, he might have been seen busily engaged in clearing it and preparing it for planting.  When spring 
came he erected a log house.  That summer,in connection with the work on his own place, he engaged in farm 
labor for other parties, thereby to secure the means to continue his own improvements.  He has never yet 
regretted his removal to Wisconsin, but is justly proud of the State which has so long been his home.  Here 
he was married and reared a family, and while he yet retains an affection for his childhood's home, his deepest 
and best love is here centered.  After two years he returned to his native State on a visit, but soon again 
came to the West and resumed his labors as a farmer.
 
On the 14th of October, 1852, Mr. Ketchum led to the marriage altar Miss Mariette Gleason, their union being 
celebrated in St. Marie.  The lady is a daughter of Robbins and Melinda (Shaw) Gleason, who emigrated from 
Massachusetts to Wisconsin in 1859, residing on a farm in this county until their death.  Mr. and Mrs. Ketchum 
are the parents of six children, and the family circle is yet unbroken, though with one exception all have left 
the parental roof for homes in other parts of this country.  Edward W., the eldest, resides in Dakota; Arthur 
H., is still living with his parents; Clara L. is the wife of Leonard Merritt, who is located in Minnesota; May L. 
is the wife of Byron Lane, a resident of De Soto, Wis.; Eugene I., is living in Dakota; and Ray L. is now in 
Minnesota.
 
In politics, Mr. Ketchum is a Republican, having been a warm advocate of the principles of that party since its 
organization.  He has held the offices of Justice of the Peace, Supervisor and Assessor, the duties of which he 
discharged in a manner satisfactory to all concerned.  religiously he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and his life of uprightness and integrity has won the confidence and high regard of all.






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