Biographical Sketch of

Richmond Noble

Transcribed by Barbara Voss 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 652 - 653


Richmond Noble, who resides on section 36, in the town of Marquette, Green Lake County, Wisconsin, is a 
representative of one of the pioneer families that settled in the county in 1847. He is a native of the 
Empire State, having been born in Leroy, Genesee County on the 22nd day of November 1827. His parents, 
Hezekiah and Electa (Richmond) Noble are fully mentioned in the sketch of John H. Noble, which appears 
on another page of this volume. The days of his boyhood and youth our subject spent in his native State, 
and in its common schools he received his education. He was a young man of twenty years when the family 
came to the Territory of Wisconsin, settling in what was then Marquette County, but now forms a part of 
Green Lake County. He has there since made his home and is now the owner of that farm. He was united in 
marriage with Miss Olive W. Brown, on New Year�s Day of 1852, the lady of his choice being the daughter 
of Lucius and Mary A. (Whitcomb) Brown, who came to the county in 1850. By their marriage ten children 
were born, eight of whom are yet living. Wesley S., is now a farmer of Marquette Township; Phoebe, deceased 
wife of John Hughes; Rosetta C., also deceased; Ellen at home; Rosetta, the second of that name, also yet 
with her parents; Bertha D., wife of Charles Smith, a resident farmer of Green Lake County; Electa A., who 
is engaged in teaching; Galen, Hattie and Horace. 

Mr. Noble, in 1849, entered 120 acres of land from the Government, the entire amount being in a wild and 
totally uncultivated condition. Nearly all other parts of the county were then alike destitute of settlements. 
Marquette consisted of a log house which was used by an Indian agent, the Menomonee Indians being encamped 
just across the lake Puckway. They far outnumbered the white settlers and it was some years before all had 
left their haunts for the reservation beyond the Mississippi. In 1852 on his marriage, Mr. Noble began the 
improvement of his land and afterwards purchased eighty acres of section 34 of Marquette Township, where he 
made his home until 1868. At the death of his father, he bought the old homestead and has since there continued 
to reside amid the surroundings of his early manhood. He is now the owner of 255 acres of arable land and 
takes a just pride in his highly cultivated and developed farm. Upon his land is also situated one of the 
finest granite quarries in the State. The granite is used for paving purposes in the cities of Milwaukee and 
Chicago and is susceptible of the finest polish.

It will withstand the actions of the elements, never cracking or breaking and is a source of a good income to 
the owner. In connection with the other business interests which occupy his time, Mr. Noble is engaged in the 
raising of fine stock, making a specialty of sheep. 

Since the time when he came to the Territory of Wisconsin, our subject has identified himself with growth and 
progress of the community, manifesting a deep interest in all that pertains to the welfare of the people in 
general or tends to the upbuilding of town, county or state. Since the age of twenty one years he has been 
identified with the Temperance movement having at that time joined the Sons of Temperance. At the time of the 
organization of the Independent Order of Good Templars., he enrolled his name with the members of that society 
and has been one of its most active members. He has enlisted in the ranks of that worthy cause for life and 
will continue his warfare against the dread evil until called to his final rest. As a citizen, he is public 
spirited and progressive. He has ever discharged the duties devolving upon him as a member of this great 
commonwealth with true fidelity and deserves the respect of all men. He and his family are held in high 
esteem and in the social world fill an enviable position.







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