Biographical Sketch of

Kate Vosburg Saxe

Transcribed by Suzanne Folk 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 392 - 393


Mrs. Kate Vosburg Saxe is numbered among the pioneer settlers of Waushara County, and well deserves mention in this 
volume. She was born on the 8th of August, 1829, in Sardinia, Erie Co., N. Y., and is of Holland and English extraction. 
Her father, John L. Vosburg, was born in Sheffield, Mass., May 30, 1804, and made milling his life occupation. When 
about twenty years of age, he went to Buffalo, N. Y., and while in that city became acquainted with Miss Louisa B. 
Landon. This lady is a native of New York, born in Batavia, Genesee County, on the 23d of June, 1809. Her parents were 
Seth and Jemima (Hedger) Landon, both of whom were born in Salisbury, Conn. Her father was a blacksmith by trade, but 
followed farming for many years. Emigrating to Milwaukee, Wis., he settled near the outskirts of that city, where he 
engaged in agricultural pursuits until the winter of 1845, when his death occurred. He was a member of the Baptist 
Church, and a sincere Christian gentleman, who won friends wherever he went. The marriage of John L. Vosburg and Louisa 
B. Landon was celebrated in the city of Buffalo, Feb. 8, 1827, the ceremony being performed by John L. Clary, J. P. In 
the fall of 1828, they removed to Sardinia, where they made their home ten years, during which time five children were 
born unto them, namely: Charles N.; Mrs. Saxe; Martin L., born May 29, 1831, died in Milwaukee, Sept. 11, 1842; Seth L., 
born Aug. 11, 1833, died Jan. 7, 1835; George W., born Dec. 23, 1835, died in Nevada, Dec. 27, 1879. After the emigration 
of the family to the West, four other children were born: Maria, born Aug. 30, 1839; Jasper W., born Dec. 30, 1842; Clara 
W., April 25, 1844; and Curtis J., March 12, 1848.  From Sardinia the family removed to DuPage County, Ill., and after a 
year came to Milwaukee, where eighteen years were spent. About 1857, Mr. Vosburg became a resident of Saxeville, where he 
made his home until his death, Feb. 28, 1865. He was engaged in the milling business, and was one of the leading citizens 
of the community.

It was a very important day in the life of Kate Vosburg when she became a resident of Milwaukee, for in that city she 
became acquainted with Edward J. Saxe, a native of Plattsburg, N. Y., born in 1819. The acquaintance of the young couple 
ripened into love, and on the 7th of September, 1849, they were united in the holy bonds of matrimony. In February, 1850,
they removed to Ontario Township, Waushara County. The following year the name of the town was changed to Saxeville, and 
the same name was given to the village. Mr. Saxe purchased 160 acres of wild land which he developed, but his first 
business enterprise in the county was the erection of the Saxeville Mills. He later engaged in store keeping, being the 
first merchant in the place, and in many ways was closely identified with the business interests of the community. He 
owned and conducted the first hotel in Saxeville and for a number of years also engaged in blacksmithing, but when the 
war broke out, he laid aside all his home duties and responded to the country's call for troops. He gave his life a 
martyr to the cause, dying long before the war was brought to a successful close. He enlisted in the 16th Wisconsin 
Infantry, and was made captain of Company A. He was ever found at his post of duty, leading his men in the hottest of 
the strife, but at length at the battle of Pittsburg Landing, he was killed. Those who knew Mr. Saxe, felt a deep sorrow 
at his loss. He was a kind and accommodating friend and neighbor, a true and loyal citizen, and a devoted husband and 
father. In political sentiment he was a Douglas Democrat, and socially was a member of the Masonic fraternity. He served 
his town as its Chairman, and took an active part in all public affairs, doing all in his power to advance the interests 
and promote the welfare of the community. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and his earnest, consistent 
Christian life won him the respect and confidence of all with whom he came in contact. The G. A. R. Post of Wautoma was 
named in his honor, and his memory will ever be cherished by his comrades.

Mr. and Mrs. Saxe were the parents of four children: Rowena Frances, born in 1850, became the wife of Henry Libby, a 
furniture dealer of Slaughter, Wash., which is about thirty miles from Seattle, and their union has been blessed with two 
children, Kittie Lou, and Chaddie H.; Louisa M., born Oct. 2, 1854, married Henry Stedson, a merchant of Waupaca, and 
they have one son, Saxe Sidney; Edward J., born June 11, 1857, wedded Mary Goodwin, of Aurora, Ill., and is employed as 
an engineer on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. He makes his home on Franklin Street, Chicago, and by his 
marriage has a little son, Edwin Goodwin; Alfred J., born Jan. 14, 1860, married Effie Moore, of Aurora, Ill., by whom 
he has one child, Albert Clark, and is employed as engineer in the American Express building on Monroe Street, Chicago.

For the long period of forty years, Mrs. Saxe has been a resident of Waushara County, and has a wide circle of friends 
and acquaintances. She is an estimable lady, one who wins the respect of those who know her. She holds membership in 
the Episcopal Church, and makes her religion a part of her every day life, doing good as she finds opportunity.






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