Biographical Sketch of

Jesse A. Rundlett

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 637 - 638 - 639


Jesse A. Rundlett, of Westfield, is one of the pioneers of Marquette County.  He was born in the town of 
Bedford, Hillsborough Co., N. H., on the 9th of August, 1817, and is the son of Thomas and Fanny (Ayer) 
Rundlett.  The paternal grandfather of our subject, Nathan Rundlett, was a native of Scotland, but came 
to America when a lad, previous to the War of the Revolution.  During that struggle he was employed as 
ship carpenter on the "Constitution," which vessel belonged to the naval force of the Colonies.  He 
afterward settled at the mouth of the Kenebee River, in Maine, and later removed to Bedford, N. H., 
where he died at the home of his son.  The Ayer family is of English origin, and one of the early 
well-known families of New Hampshire.  The celebrated Dr. Ayer belonged to a branch of that family.
 
The parents of our subject passed their entire married life in Bedford, where were born unto them seven 
sons and five daughters, two of whom died in early life while the remaining ten grew to manhood and 
womanhood.  The children were as follows:  Leonard, William A., Jesse A., Thomas, James, Charles, Thankful, 
Frances, Susan, and Lucy.  All are now deceased, with the exception of our subject, but several were 
married, and have children yet living.  Many of their descendants are residents of Manchester, N. H., 
and vicinity.  Lewis, a son of William, is Superintendent of the High School in Concord, N. H.
 
Jess A. Rundlett, whose name heads this notice, passed the days of his boyhood and youth on the old 
homestead in his native town.  His father was a hatter by trade, and with him he learned the business 
which he followed for a livelihood for several years.  Soon after attaining his majority, he left home 
and went to Painesville, Ohio.  That was in the spring of 1840.  There he engaged in the fur business 
in connection with carrying on operations as a hatter, but three years later removed to Milan, Huron Co., 
Ohio, where he remained until 1848.  The California gold fever was then raging over the country, and Mr. 
Rundlett became one of its victims.  He resolved to try his fortune on the Pacific Slope, and at once 
returned to his native town in the old Granite State and leaving his family in Manchester, he sailed 
from Boston for San Francisco in the bark, "Daniel Webster' on the 23d of September, 1849.  The voyage 
was made by way of Cape Horn, and after twenty-one days spent upon the water, Mr. Rundlett landed in 
the Golden State.  He at once went to the mines, where he continued work from May until November, when 
his health failing him, he resolved to return home to his family.  He sailed from San Francisco on the 
2d of November in the ship, "Obed Mitchell," and on reaching Realoa in Central America, crossed overland, 
by way of Lake Leon and Lake Nicaraugualto San Juan, and thence by schooner to New York.  At length he 
reached his home in Manchester, having been absent about a year and a half.  Immediately afterward, 
however, he again started Westward with his family, but this time his destination was Marquette County, 
Wis., where he arrived in November, 1851.  He settled in the town of Westfield upon 160 acres of land 
which then had not been surveyed, but as soon as it came into market, he purchased it, and made the old 
homestead which he still owns.  The wisdom of his selection is shown by the worth of the land at the 
present day.  By cultivation and improvement, it has been transformed into a most valuable tract, and 
is considered one of the finest farms in the township.
 
One of the most important events in the life of Mr. Rundlett, occurred Sept. 7, 1842, when he was united 
in marriage with Miss Martha St John, daughter of Silas and Eunice St. John.  Their wedding took place 
in Painesville, Ohio, whither the lady had removed with her parents when a child from her native city, St. 
Catherine's, Canada, where she was born June 5, 1825.  Mr. and Mrs. St. John afterward removed to Painesville, 
Ohio, where they died some years ago.
 
Four children, three sons and a daughter, graced the union of Mr. and Mrs. Rundlett, and are as follows:  
James, who is now a physician and druggist of Augusta, Wis.; Charles, who is engaged in mining in Denver, 
Col.; Adin, who died in his twentieth year; and Bell, wife of M. N. Bliss, of Baraboo, Wis.; the latter 
have one child, Ida May, aged fifteen years.
 
As stated, Mr. Rundlett still owns the old homestead, upon which he settled on his arrival in Marquette 
County, but he and his wife now reside in the village of Westfield, where they have a pleasant home.  In 
early life, he was a Democrat, having been reared in that school of politics, but when the Republican 
party was formed, he endorsed its principles on the subject of human slavery, joined its ranks, and has 
since been one of its faithful adherents.  When the war broke out he gave his support to the cause of the 
Government.  His eldest son, though but sixteen years of age, enlisted in the war, and by its trials and 
hardships, permanently lost his health.  Mr. Rundlett has never aspired to political honors, preferring a 
quiet and retired life to the turmoil and excitement of the political arena.  He has always done his part 
as a citizen, and aided in the organization of the town of Westfield, and was a member of its first Board 
of Supervisors.  In religious views he is liberal, but contributes to the support of all moral interests.  
In educational matters, he has ever been among the foremost, and has been Clerk of the School Board for 
many years.  He is one of the well-known and highly respected citizens of Westfield, and for forty years 
has been an esteemed citizen of Marquette County.  During that time he has met with reverses and difficulties 
in his business career, but by perseverance and industry has steadily worked his way upward until he is 
now numbered among the substantial men of the community.  Mrs. Rundlett is a Presbyterian in religious 
belief, and has always taken an interest in Sabbath-school work.  James graduated from the Rush Medical 
College about 1868, and was married in May.  He served during the war in the 18th Wisconsin Infantry, 
Company I; Charles, the second son, was educated in the Ripon College, graduating as a Civil Engineer, 
afterward he entered and was graduated from the Portage Business College. 






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