Biographical Sketch of

William Scobie

Transcribed by Sandra Boudrou



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 566 - 567 - 568 


William Scobie, a practical and enterprising farmer and stock raiser residing on section 12, in the town 
of Marion, Waushara County, is a native of Scotland.  He was born in Perthshire, on the 3d of January, 
1835, and is a son of Andrew and Jane (Robertson) Scobie, who were also natives of the same county.  In 
that land a family of eight children were born unto them, consisting of five sons and three daughters, 
as follows:  Andrew, who is engaged in the manufacture of plows in Neshkoro, Wis.; William, of this 
sketch; Mary, deceased wife of Thomas Wells, of Neshkoro, Wis.: John, who emigrated to the Territory 
of Montana in 1859, and is still living in that State; James, a real estate dealer and broker of 
Cambridge, Dane Co., Wis.; David, who is a blacksmith and machinist by trade, and is now the owner of 
a large wagon and carriage factory of Cambridge, Wis., in which a number of hands are employed; Agnes, 
who makes her home in Neshkoro; and Jane, wife of Eugene Armstrong, a farmer of Thayer County, Neb.
 
In 1852, Andrew Scobie, accompanied by his family, left Scotland and emigrated to America.  He made his 
first settlement in Cambridge, Dane Co., Wis., and became one of the leading farmers of that community.  
In 1869, accompanied by his wife and one daughter, he settled on a farm near Neshkoro, where he resided 
until called to his final rest in February, 1872, at the age of sixty-eight years.  In manner, Mr. 
Scobie was quiet and unassuming, but was a man of strong convictions and fearless in defense of any 
measure or interest which he believed to be a righteous one.  His upright life won the respect of all 
with whom he came in contact, and his death was sincerely mourned.  Throughout his life he was a 
faithful member of the Presbyterian Church, and in this country as in his native land was a church 
officer for many years.  After the death of her husband, Mrs. Scobie returned to Cambridge, where she 
remained until February, 1882, when she crossed the dark river to meet the loved one gone before.  She 
died at the ripe old age of seventy-four years, and her remains were brought to Neshkoro, and laid by 
the side of her husband.  She lived a noble Christian life and was beloved by all who knew her for her 
many excellencies of character.
 
Our subject was educated in his native land, and when seventeen years of age accompanied his parents on 
their journey across the broad Atlantic and became a resident of Wisconsin.  Surrounded by Christian 
influences in his youth, he never forgot the wise teachings of his parents, but has followed the noble 
example which they left him, and has led a life of usefulness and integrity that has made him an honored 
and respected citizen of Waushara County.  He remained under the parental roof until 1857, when, having 
attained to mature years, he went to Grant County, Wis., where for a time he worked by the month.  The 
succeeding two years he spent in travel in Iowa and Northern Wisconsin, wishing to view the country 
before making a location.  He made his first purchase of land in 1858, it consisting of a wild and 
uncultivated tract of 120 acres in Grant County.  He then build a house upon it, and on the 30th of 
December, 1859, further completed his preparations by his marriage with Miss Martha A. Campbell, a 
native of LaFayette County, and a daughter of Robert and Mahala (Hale) Campbell.  Her parents were 
natives of Tennessee, but became residents of Missouri, where the father died in 1867.  His wife 
still survives him at the age of eighty-five years, and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Mary 
Cutts, of Hamilton, Neb.
 
From the land which he purchased in Grant County, Mr. Scobie developed a fine farm, which he sold at a good advantage in 1867.  He then became a resident of Neshkoro, Wis., where in company with his brother-in-law, Thomas Wells, he built the Neshkoro Woolen Mills, which they operated successfully for nine years.  In that time they had secured a liberal patronage, and were doing an excellent business, but failing health compelled Mr. Scobie to dispose of his interest and seek some other employment.  Indolence and idleness are utterly foreign to his nature and without delay he began operations as a farmer purchasing 135 acres of land on section 12, in the town of Marion, where he has since made his home.  At the time of his purchase the farm was in a very dilapidated condition, but he remodeled the house and barn, made many other improvements, and now has one of the most modern and tasty farms of Waushara County.  He is practical, yet progressive, and under his able management, through the rotation of crops, the land has become very productive.  Mr. Scobie also raises fine grades of stock, and has taken many premiums at the county fair.
 
Seven children have been born to our subject and his worthy wife, namely:  William C., who is now engaged in farming and teaching in Hamilton County, Neb.; Luther M., a wagon manufacturer of Mount Hope, Grant County; Laura, twin sister of Luther, is the wife of C. B. Morrison, who is engaged in farming near Rush Lake, Winnebago County; Fred, who wedded Nellie Morrison, and is also living in Winnebago County; James, Eva M. and Walter P.  Feeing the lack of education in his own life, Mr. Scobie resolved that his children should not suffer the same disadvantage, and has provided them with excellent advantages, all being well qualified to teach.  He has done all in his power to procure good schools in the community, and for eleven years served as Clerk of the School Board.  To other interests which are calculated to upbuild the community, he has also given his hearty support and co-operation, and is accounted one of the valued citizens of the town of Marion.  The poor and needy have found in him a special friend.  He never allows any worthy object of charity to leave his door empty-handed, but gives with a liberality that has won the lasting gratitude of many.  By his upright life he has won the confidence of all with whom he has come in contact, and none rank higher in the community than he.






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