Biographical Sketch of

Ephraim M. Pickering

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 835 - 836 - 837


Ephraim M. Pickering, a retired farmer who is now living in the village of Plainfield, first came to Waushara 
County in 1853, and is therefore numbered among its pioneer settlers.  He was born in Susquehanna County, Pa., 
Feb. 18, 1829, and is a son of Potter and Silona (McNamara) Pickering.  Both parents were natives of Pennsylvania, 
but the father was of Welsh and Irish extraction.  Their family numbered five children, viz:  Armina, deceased 
wife of Elder R. D. Sparks of Portage County, Wis.; Ephraim M. of this sketch; Elizabeth, wife of M. S. Brundige 
of Elmira, N. Y.; Jane who died in Pennsylvania at the age of five years, and Byron.  In 1853, our subject 
accompanied his parents to Waushara County, they locating in the town of Plainfield, but after five years 
they returned to Pennsylvania, where they spent their last days.
 
Aiding his father in the labors of the farm and conning the rudimentary studies in the log school house, such was 
the way in which Ephraim Pickering spent his boyhood days.  In early life he learned the trade of a carpenter with 
his father and although he has not made it his principal occupation, he found it of much benefit to him, especially 
during his early residence in Waushara County, when carpenters and builders were very scarce.  He remained under 
the parental roof until twenty-three years of age when he was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Mary 
E. Daniels, the ceremony being performed on the 3rd of July, 1853; shortly afterward they started for the West and 
on the 10th of October, of the same year, reached their destination.
 
Mr. Pickering entered 180 acres of what was known as the Indian lands, procuring the same from the Government,
and upon it built a little log cabin, 14x20 feet, which he made his home for a year when it was replaced by a 
more substantial residence.  Selling his first farm in 1869, he went to Iowa with the intention of making his 
home in that State, but finding it all prairie land and thinking it would take so long for timber to grow, he 
changed his determination and returned to Waushara County, purchasing 140 acres of land on section 1, in the 
town of Plainfield.  From that time until 1880, he was successfully engaged in farming, succeeding in making a 
splendid home upon that tract.  In the year above mentioned however, he built a large two story residence in the
 village of Plainfield, and has since there made his home, having retired from active life to the enjoyment of 
a well earned rest.  The handsome competence which he acquired by years of toil enables him to live in ease and 
quiet, and surrounded by many comforts of life he there expects to pass his declining days.  Diligence and 
enterprise, leading characteristics of Mr.Pickering have been important factors in his success.  Honesty and 
fair dealing have characterized all his transactions and have won the confidence and high regard of those with 
whom he has come in contact.  From its organization he has supported the Republican party, and has taken a warm 
interest in its success and welfare.  He was elected by its members to the office of Justice of the Peace, the 
duties of which he faithfully discharged for eight years.  Long prior to the war, Mr. Pickering advocated the 
abolition of slavery, and in 1863, he enlisted in the 8th Wisconsin Light Artillery.  He participated in the 
siege of Murfresboro and the battle of Stone River, but was mostly engaged in garrison duty during his service 
of eighteen months.  He is now a member of Walter Watterman Post, G. A. R., of Plainfield, and also belongs to 
the I. O. O. F.  He has been one of the useful and enterprising citizens of the county, bearing no inconsiderable 
part in its progress and advancement and has aided materially in the upbuilding of Plainfield by the erection of 
two handsome store buildings and his fine residence, in connection with which he also owns 400 acres of land in 
the county.  For many years he has been a member of the Free Will Baptist Church, and for forty-three years his 
wife has been an earnest worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church.  Both have been devoted workers in the Master's 
Vineyard and their example has done much toward advancing the cause.
 
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Pickering numbers six children.  Evan F., the eldest, wedded Mary E. Thomas, April 24, 
1879, and they have two children, Harry and Frank; Charles S., born in Plainfield, March 25, 1856, married Allie 
M. Cole, of Dodge County, Wis., and their union has been blessed with a daughter, Edna May, born Aug. 22, 1881; 
Nettie C., a native of Plainfield, is the wife of Rev. James W. Barnett, now of Gratiot, Wis.; Hattie E., is the 
wife of Elmer M. Funk, of Los Angeles, Cal.; Jennie B., became the wife of William M. Nichols, of Milwaukee, and 
is now the mother of two children, Percy M. and an infant son:  Ida May, who completes the family, died Sept. 2, 
1880, at the age of thirteen years.
 
The parents of Mrs. Pickering are Isaac and Elvira (Vance) Daniels, both of whom were natives of the Empire State.  
Her paternal grandfather, Isaac Daniels, Sr., was also born in New York, and was one of the highly respected citizens 
of the community in which he made his home.  The last surviving soldier of the Revolutionary War, he died in New York 
City on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 1865, at the extreme old age of one hundred and nine years.  Feeling the oppression and 
tyranny under which the American Colonists labored, he at once took up arms when the Revolutionary War broke out, and 
serving under the immediate command of Gen. Washington, participated in the battles at Monmouth, Trenton and White 
Plains.  He also served throughout the entire War of 1812.
 
Isaac Daniels Jr., was born in that city of New York, Feb. 17, 1790, and was also a soldier in the War of 1812.  By 
trade he was a shoemaker, which business he followed for twenty years, when he laid it aside and devoted his entire 
attention to farming in its various branches, including the cultivation of grain, stock-raising and dairying.  He 
became one of the most extensive farmers of Susquehanna County, Pa., where he passed to his last rest.  He joined 
the Republican party on its organization on account of his abolition principles, being among the first to espouse 
its cause.  For thirty years he was a Class-Leader in the Methodist Episcopal Church and died in the faith of the 
blessed resurrection on the 16th of November, 1865, the same day which witnessed the close of his father's life.  
His wife, who was born in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., March 18, 1811, died on the 6th of August, 1852, and was laid by 
the side of her husband in the cemetery of South Gibson, Susquehanna Co., Pa.  She also was a faithful member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, and took an active part in the advancement of its interests.
 
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Daniels were born ten children--Thomas J., born in Orange County, N. Y., Nov. 6, 1829, is living 
in Susquehanna County, Pa.; Mary E., born in Orange County, N. Y., June 11, 1831, is the wife of our subject; Azarius 
T., born in Orange County, July , 1833, makes his home in Pennsylvania; Phoebe A., born in Orange County Dec. 17, 1835, 
became the wife of Luke Reed of Iowa, and died July 2, 1865, leaving one child; Halina A., born in Susquehanna County, 
Pa., Sept. 3, 1838, is the wife of Robert Young of Clinton, Iowa; William H., born in Susquehanna County, Jan. 7, 1841,
became a resident of Florida and was elected by that State to the United States Congress by 1200 majority, and died in 
Washington, D. C., July 19, 1865, leaving a wife to mourn his loss; James H., born in Susquehanna County, Jan. 14, 1843, 
was drowned near Davenport, Iowa, Nov. 10, 1875, and leaves a wife and three children; Isaac, born in Susquehanna County, 
May 5, 1834, is living in Sanborn, Iowa; George R. born in Susquehanna County, Sept. 25, 1847, died Sept. 23, 1859; 
Charles R., born in Susquehanna County, Sept. 1, 1849, died July 13, 1889, leaving a wife and four children.
 





Back to the Marquette Pages Menu