Biographical Sketch of

Velorus Root

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 510 - 511


Velorus Root, owner and proprietor of the new hotel of Dartford, Wisconsin, was born in Otsego County, N. Y., 
July 11, 1820 and is a son of Truman and Alvira (Harrington) Root. Not much is known of the early history of 
the family. The father was a native of Massachusetts and when a young man removed to New York, where he married 
Miss Harrington, a native of Otsego County. The Harrington family was one of the first to settle in Milwaukee 
and Perry G. Harrington, a kinsman of our subject, served in the State legislature. Mrs. Root died in the prime 
of life in her native county, leaving five children, three sons and two daughters. She was a member of the 
Christian Church, and her loss was deeply deplored by her many friends. In early life, Mr. Root learned the 
trade of a carpenter and joiner. He carried on a cabinet making shop in New York and in connection with that 
business engaged in wool carding and cloth dressing. He was a second time married, the lady of his choice being 
Ruth Gardner. Both died in the Empire State at an advanced age he in the faith if the Universalist Church, if 
which he was a member. Unto them had been born seven children. 

Our subject was the third child born to Truman and Eliza Root. He acquired his education in the district schools, 
but at the early age of fourteen years began learning the cabinet maker�s trade, at which he worked for about 
thirteen years. He thoroughly mastered the business in that time and being an expert workman could command good 
wages. However, he decided to try his fortune in the West and in the year 1845 emigrated to Milwaukee Wisconsin 
but soon afterward removed to Elkhorn, where the two succeeding years of his life were passed.

In the early days of 1847, Mr. Root became a resident of Green Lake County, and on the 14th of February, of that 
year, led to the marriage altar Miss Sybil M. Westcott, a native of Otsego County, N.Y. theirs was the third 
wedding celebrated in the town of Brooklyn. Elsewhere in this sketch we give the family history of Mrs. Root. The 
young couple began their domestic life upon a farm in the town where they were married and unto them there was born 
a family of five children; Frances E. is the wife of Lucius Thomas, by whom she has one child; Floyd L. Married 
Annie Taggart and has four children; Flavius E. wedded Mary Howell and their union has been blessed with two 
children; Miron and Jessie are at home.

In 1881, Mr. Root erected the Root Hotel, which has since been operated by some member of the family, he being the 
present proprietor. He makes a popular landlord and the Root hotel has gained a reputation with the traveling public 
of which many a larger institution of the kind might well be proud. He pays careful attention and consideration to 
the wants of his customers and has therefore won their good will and wishes. In connection with his hotel property 
he is the owner of 105 acres of fine land about three miles northeast of Dartford. Mr. Root has made what he has by 
his own efforts and deserves no little credit for his success in over coming the obstacles and difficulties which 
have obstructed his path. He has served his town as Supervisor for one term and in Political sentiment is a Democrat.

The Westcott family, of which Mrs. Root is a member, was founded in America at an early day by Stukley Westcott, a 
native of England, who emigrated to this country and settled in one of the New England States. His son Reuben, 
Grandfather of Mrs. Root, was a Massachusetts Farmer. He married Susan Levings and unto them was born a family of 
twelve children. In an early day they removed to Otsego County, N.Y., being numbered among its pioneer settlers.

Mrs. Root�s grandfather Russell was born in Connecticut. His father was a native of Ireland and accompanied by his 
family crossed the Atlantic to America but died soon after his arrival, leaving three children, one of whom, William, 
was apprenticed to a shoemaker. He followed that trade throughout his entire life. When the Revolutionary War broke 
out, he entered the service as an officer�s servant but as soon as he was old enough enlisted in the ranks, continuing 
to fight for the cause of freedom until the armies were victorious. After the close of the War, he was made captain 
of a Company of militia. He wedded Sybil Crosby, by whom he had six Children, Mrs. Root�s mother being the fifth in 
order of birth. The family removed to Otsego County, N.Y., and was numbered among its early settlers.

Andrew Westcott, father of Mrs. Root, was born in the old Bay State in 1796, but when a young man emigrated to Otsego 
County, N.Y., where he became acquainted with and married Miss Hannah Russell, who was born in Vermont in 1800, but 
during her infancy was brought by her parents to Otsego County. In 1845 they left the East and cast their lot with 
the pioneer settlers of Wisconsin, locating in Waushara County, but the following spring located on a farm on section 
10 in the town of Brooklyn, Green Lake County. Mr. Westcott was not long permitted to enjoy his new home; he died in 
1849 and was the first person buried in the Dartford Cemetery. His wife was called to her final rest the following 
year. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and active workers in the Master�s vineyard. In their family 
were four children, three sons and one daughter, who became the wife of our subject.
 





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