Biographical Sketch of

Amasa May

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 694 - 695 


Amasa May, one of the pioneer settlers of Green Lake County, who since 1846, has made his home in Berlin Township, 
and is now located on section 22, is a native of Connecticut.  He was born in Woodstock, Windham County, Feb. 20, 
1815, and is of English descent.  Eliakim May, his father, was born in Woodstock, on the 27th of September, 1776, 
and when a young man was employed in the armory at Springfield, Mass.  On his return to his native county, he married 
Miss Hannah Bradford, who was born in Windham County, Sept. 7, 1777.  Their union took place on the 28th of April, 
1801, after which they settled on the old homestead, where in the summer of 1819, when our subject was but four years 
old, they both died.  Their family numbered six children, of whom Amasa was the youngest.  He has no brothers living 
and but one sister, Eliza, who is now the wife of Aaron Lyon of Reading, Pa.
 
On the death of his parents, Amasa May went to live with a man by the name of Spencer Childs, and in his home remained 
until fourteen years of age.  During the summer time he worked upon the farm and in the winter attended the district 
schools.  He completed his education by one year's attendance at an academy and then began learning the shoemaker's 
trade, which he followed until his removal to the West.  He left his native State in 1841, and became a resident of 
Boone County, Ill., opening a shop in Belvidere.  There on the 2nd of November, 1844, he united his destiny with that 
of Eunice E. Burwell, daughter of William and Almyra (Atkins) Burwell, born in Montgomery County, N. Y., April 26, 1825.  
Two years were spent in Boone County, when, in 1846, they emigrated to Green Lake County, Wis., and on section 22, in 
the town of Berlin Mr. May entered a quarter section of land, which constitutes a part of his present farm.  He aided 
Elijah Janes in building the first house in the township, and in the fall of the same year erected a log cabin upon his 
own claim.  The traveler to-day can scarcely realize the wild and unsettled condition of the county at the time when Mr. 
May landed within its borders.  He endured many hardships and trials and performed the arduous task of developing a farm 
from the raw prairie.  The nearest mill was at Kingston, a distance of thirty miles, and he often went to Milwaukee for 
provisions, but as time passed his labors began to bring their reward in bounteous harvests and prosperity crowned his 
efforts until he is now numbered among the substantial citizens of the town of Berlin.  Although on his arrival he had 
but money enough to purchase eighty acres of land, and that he had acquired working at his trade, he is now the owner 
of 200 acres, highly improved and cultivated.
 
Four children came to gladden the pioneer home of Mr. and Mrs. May by their presence.  The first born, a son, Clarence B., 
married Betsy Stickles, and has two children; Marcus E., wedded Gusta Smith and has one child; Edwin E., married Edna 
Tustan; and William A., the youngest, died in his fifth year.
 
Mr. May supported the Democracy until the rise of the Free Soil party, with which he allied himself.  At the organization 
of the Republican party, however, he joined its ranks and has since been one of its supporters.  He has served his 
fellow-citizens as Township Treasurer for one term; for a number of years was Supervisor and for more than twenty years 
filled the office of Township Assessor.  He belongs to no society except the Berlin Fire Insurance Company, of which he 
has been President since its organization.  He is one of the oldest settlers of Berlin Township and is a highly respected 
citizen.






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