Biographical Sketch of

Samuel F. McCauley

Transcribed by Suzanne Folk


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 412 - 413


Samuel F. McCauley, one of the earliest living settlers of Green Lake County, now residing on section 1 in the town 
of Brooklyn, is truly a self made man. We are pleased to record his sketch in the permanent record of his county's 
history as his example is well worthy of emulation. It shows what can be accomplished by industry and perseverance 
and may cause others to take renewed courage and press forward.

The family from which he is descended was established in America during the early Colonial days. His paternal grandfather 
was a New Hampshire farmer and served his country in the Revolutionary War. He married a Miss Jamieson, who long survived 
him, living to a very advanced age, and unto them were born eight children. The maternal grandfather also followed the 
occupation of farming in the old Granite State. He was married prior to the breading out of the Revolution, but when the 
call to arms resounded over the country, he left his team in the field where he was working, hurriedly bade good-bye to 
his wife and little son and left for the scene of battle. He was the father of a family of seven children.

Thomas McCauley was born near Concord, N.H., on the 29th of July, 1786, and on reaching manhood wedded Miss Susan 
Bailey, who was born April 15, 1780. Following the occupation of farming, he accumulated considerable capital, but by 
going security for a friend lost all he had. After losing his property he went to Lowell, Mass., and worked at the 
carpenter's trade, for a short time, when he cut his knee, and was laid up for three years, and was crippled for life. 
About two years after he had recovered sufficiently to get to work. He had a wife and seven small children depending 
upon him for sustenance and was now disabled. The future indeed looked dark. The children were all forced to go to work 
as soon as they were old enough and thus relieve the family of their support. Mr. McCauley did not live to see his wife 
and children again surrounded by the comforts of life, he dying in Gloucester, Mass., May 12, 1839. His wife was called 
home Sept. 18, 1840, dying in Fayston, Vt.

During the dark days which followed the loss of Mr. McCauley's property and his disablement for all work, the oldest son 
of the family became completely discouraged and went to sea. Upon the next son, our subject, then devolved the management 
of all affairs and nobly did he perform the task imposed upon him. His mother and the younger children were looking to 
him for support, so without delay he sought work that he might provide them with the necessaries of life. In the early 
morning he would ride six miles, labor all day long and then return to his home to sit up with his sick mother for three 
nights in the week. Like a dutiful son, he cared for the family until thirty-two years of age, when the other members 
had grown until they were able to provide for themselves. During a part of the time, his wages were but a peck of rye 
per day. To obtain sugar, during the night time he would collect sap which was then boiled down by his mother during the 
day, while he was busy among the farmers of the neighborhood, thinking to better his condition by a removal to the West, 
we find him, in 1843, in Milwaukee, Wis., with only $1 in his pocket. Having wandered about for some time looking for 
employment, he found his way to Geneva, Ill., where he worked a short time for his board. As he was an adept with tools, 
his services were soon required as a mechanic. He ran threshing machines, worked in a brick yard and also in a blacksmith 
shop until through over exertion he was taken sick.

On the 9th of March, 1955, Mr. McCauley was joined in wedlock with Mary, daughter of Ebenezer and Clarissa (Sweet) Utley. 
She was born in Oneida County, N. Y., Sept. 9, 1826. Her parents were also natives of the Empire State, where they made 
their home until 1838, when they removed to Crawford County, Pa., continuing to reside in that community until 1844, at 
which time they emigrated to the West. They first settled in McHenry County, Ill., but spent their last days in Ripon, 
Fond du Lac Co., Wis. The husband died at the age of sixty-nine years, his wife when seventy-six years of age. She was a 
member of the Methodist Church and both were highly respected citizens. They were parents of thirteen children, eleven of 
whom, five sons and six daughters, lived to mature years; four of the sons offered their services to the Government during 
the late war and three gave their lived in defense of the Union.

In the spring of 1846, Mr. McCauley and his young wife came to this county, where he entered eighty acres of land in 
Berlin Township. His first home was a rude log cabin with loose boards laid across the top for a roof. Provisions had to 
be brought from Illinois till something could be raised upon the farm. Many were the hardships and privations which they 
endured, but they pressed on until brighter days dawned upon them and prosperity crowned their efforts. Several times, 
however, they were reduced to desperate straits. While waiting for Mr. Utley to bring them supplies from Illinois, their 
provisions gave out, he being delayed by sickness. Mr. McCauley became despondent and decided to kill one of his ox team 
to keep them from starving, but while sharpening his butcher knife for that purpose his wife persuaded him to wait and 
trust. Ere lone the provisions arrived and their store house was again filled. At another time, the only thing left in the 
house to eat was a small piece of bread, and frequently cracked corn or hominy furnished their entire meal. It took eight 
bushels of wheat to buy a barrel of salt or of flour. Such was pioneer life in Green Lake County, and to that noble band 
of men and women who bore the hardships of frontier life and laid the foundation for the prosperity of the county we 
certainly owe a debt of gratitude, and one that can never be fully repaid.

To Mr. and Mrs. McCauley have been born six children, two sons and four daughters: Hiram, the eldest, died at the age of 
thirty-two years, leaving a wife and three children; Winfield died when five years old; Harriet became the wife of Homer 
Hodgson and has twin daughters; Clarissa E. is the wife of Lucius Curtis, by whom she has two sons; Mary A. died at the 
age of twenty-one years; and Addie J. completes the family.

By the united efforts of Mr. and Mrs. McCauley who struggled on through adversities and trials, they increased their 
possessions until they are now numbered among the wealthy citizens of the county. Surely their wealth is but a just 
reward for their honest efforts and long suffering. Without an inheritance and with little education, our subject has 
certainly fought the battle of life nobly. In earlier years, he cast his ballot with the Democratic party, but is now a 
stanch supporter of the Republican party. Mrs. McCauley is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.


Transcribed by Suzanne Folk






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