Biographical Sketch of

Leonard Sheldon

Transcribed by Char Eckman



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 480 - 481

Leonard Sheldon, who resides on section 29, in the town of Harris, is numbered among the pioneers of Marquette County, 
of 1850, since which time he has been prominently connected with its agricultural interests.  He has seen this section 
of the country transformed from a wild and unsettled wilderness to its present advanced position.  The Indian wigwams 
have been replaced by substantial residences, the wild land has been converted into rich and fertile farms; churches 
and school-houses have been built, and mere hamlets have become thriving little cities and villages.  It was no easy 
task to work this wonderful change, and certainly the pioneers who have borne the greater part of the burden deserve a 
meed of gratitude. 

As one of the noble band of men and women who encountered the hardships and trials of frontier life we are pleased to 
record the sketch of Mr. Sheldon.  He was born in Washington County, Vt., Dec. 28, 1816, and is a son of Caleb and 
Triphena (Towne) Sheldon, who were also natives of the same State, where they were married and reared a family of seven children, our subject being the eldest;  Eli, the second, is now living near Grand Haven, Mich,;  Lucy married Benjamin 
R. Guptil, and died in Marquette County;  Edward resides in Miner County, Dak.;  Roena is deceased;  Cornelius, a 
soldier of the late war, resides in Grand Haven, Mich.;  and George is living in the town of Mackford, Green Lake 
County.  Caleb Sheldon served his country in the War of 1812, and supported the Whig party in politics.  His wife 
died in 1837, and he was again married, his second union being with Mary Johnson, by whom he had two daughters - 
Triphena and Persis - both of whom are living.  His death occurred during the winter of 1863 - '64.

The subject of this sketch acquired his education in the schools of his native State, and under the parental roof 
was reared to manhood.  In 1839 he united his destiny with that of Miss Cynthia Sawyer, who was born in Vermont in 
1820.  Six years later, while Wisconsin was yet a territory, they bade good-bye to their old home, and traveling by 
way of the Erie Canal and the great lakes to Milwaukee, crossed the country with teams to Walworth County, where 
they located.  That was in the spring of 1845, three years before the admission of Wisconsin as a State.  In 1850 we 
find them residents of Marquette County, Mr. Sheldon having entered 160 acres of land on section 29, in the town of 
Harris.  Not an improvement had been made upon the tract, but all was in its primitive condition.  Erecting a log 
cabin, 12x14 feet, the family moved in before the floor was laid.  Later the floor was made of tamarack poles, 
procured from the shores of Lake Sheldon, which sheet of water was named in honor of our subject.  The nearest mill 
at that time was Kingston, Green Lake County, and a few groceries were sold from a little whisky stand at Montello.  
Each spring and fall provisions were bought for several months' supply, and the journey to market was made no oftener 
than could be helped, on account of the unsettled condition of the country and the almost impassable roads.  Laboring 
long and dilligently, Mr. Sheldon converted his land into a rich and fertile tract, and as his financial resources 
increased he extended the boundaries of his farm until it comprised 240 acres.  He was in very limited circumstances 
on his arrival in the county, but as the result of his industry, enterprise, perseverance and good management he has 
accumulated a comfortable property, and is to-day numbered among the well-to-do farmers of the community.  He gives 
his support and influence to the Republican party, and has twice served as Supervisor of his township.

To Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon have been born four children:  Henry L., who married Emma Eastman, and is residing the town of 
Harris;  Ann, wife of John Laing, a prominent farmer of Marquette County;  Charles L.;  Ella, wife of John Gipple, a 
painter and gilder, who resides in St. Paul, Minn.








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