Biographical Sketch of

Dr. S. A. Pease

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 702 - 703 


Dr. S. A. Pease, who for many years was one of the prominent and representative citizens of Marquette County, died at his 
home in Montello, on Monday morning, Dec. 19, 1887.  He was born in Spafford, Onondaga Co., N. Y., where he completed his
studies with a three years' course.  In the early part of 1836, he came West, his destination being Indiana.  The journey 
was made by canal, steamboat and stage line.  He did not long remain in the Hoosier State, but proceeded on his way to 
Kenosha County, Wis., where he began the practice of law.  He conducted his first case with a zeal that distinguished 
him through life and made him a prominent member of the bar.
 
While living in Salem Mr. Pease was united in marriage with Miss Hannah Paddock in 1839.  Soon afterwards he cast aside 
the law and began the study of medicine with his brother-in-law, Dr. Paddock.  Later he graduated from Rush Medical College 
and then entered upon the practice of that profession.  About the same time he lost his wife by death and soon afterwards 
went to Fond du Lac with the intention of locating in that city, but meeting William Ewing, one of the first settlers of 
Packwaukee, he was induced to come to Marquette County.  That was in 1850.  He located in Packwaukee, but after nine years 
removed to Oxford, then the leading village of the county.  Purchasing an interest in a newspaper, he began publishing the 
Marquette Express doing the editorial work in connection with his medical practice.  At about the same time he determined 
to renew his legal practice in connection with his other labors, and not only did he perform the duties of that profession, 
but represented his district in the Assembly branch of the Legislature in 1865, 1866, 1869 and 1870.
 
While in Packwaukee the Doctor was again married, his second union being with Miss Julia Older, who still survives him and 
is living in Montello, Wis.
 
The Doctor was a prominent member of the Democratic party in the State and the direction of the party movement in Marquette 
County was usually assigned to him, either individually or in connection with others.  He was generally a delegate to the 
State Conventions and was a delegate to the Democratic National Conventions of 1866, in Philadelphia; 1868, in New York, 
and 1872 in Baltimore.  As a physician Dr. Pease enjoyed a high reputation and for many years his practice extended over 
a wide range, including large sections of Green Lake, Marquette, Columbia and Adams Counties.  But it is as a lawyer that 
he is best known.  That profession was his first choice, and though he found great pleasure in his medical practice, he 
turned again to the law when he felt that mature years had given him control over the ambition whose impulse he feared in 
earlier years.  His practice was not limited to the Circuit Court of his own county, but embraced many of the surrounding 
counties and extended to the Supreme Court of the State, in which he had a case  pending at the time of his last illness.  
It was not in the court room, however, that the Doctor's legal practice resulted in the most good, but lies cherished in 
the hearts of friends who have listened to his wise counsel in the privacy of his office.  The finest fruits of his legal 
labor are the differences there quietly adjusted, when enemies renewed their friendships, when sundered families were 
restored, when peace and harmony resulted from his efforts, rather than life-long antagonisms.  His influence was by no 
means wholly local, for his editorials were frequently copied by newspapers throughout the State.  The breadth of his 
thought is well illustrated by the fact that papers of the different political belief found places in their columns for
"the views of Dr. Pease, of the Montello Express."  Dr. Pease was a man of exceptional power and ability.  As physician, 
editor and lawyer, he won an enviable reputation, and at the same time devoted considerable attention to public business, 
but neglected no department.  No other man was so prominently identified with the development of the State as he.  In 
manner he was genial and pleasant, possessing rare conversational powers, which drew around him many friends. 






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