Biographical Sketch of

Thomas Skinner

Transcribed by Joan Benner 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 774 - 775


Thomas Skinner, the present County Superintendent of Schools of Marquette County, is a representative of one 
of the pioneer families of this community. His father, George Skinner, was born in Staffordshire, England, 
July 8, 1829, and in his youth learned the trade of a potter. When he had arrived at years of manhood, he 
married Ann Goodwin, and in the autumn of 1848 came to America to seek a home. He passed the first winter 
after his arrival in the pineries of Michigan and having determined to cast his lot with the pioneers of 
the West sent for his family, consisting of a wife and a little daughter, to join him, in 1849. The succeeding 
winter was spent at Twigg's Ferry on the Fox River, in Columbia County, Wisconsin, that settlement being the 
headquarters of an English and Scotch colony of emigrants who had arrived in America in 1849. Mrs. Skinner 
had formed one of the party. The following year, 1850, our subject's father made a settlement a few miles 
north of that ferry in the town of Moundville, but after two years sold out and settled in the western part 
of the same town. Wishing to make a home, he entered eighty acres of land from the government and from time 
to time added to that amount until his farm comprised 300 acres. He was a man of great energy and industry 
and became one of the successful farmers of that community where he made his home until his death, which 
occurred on the 4th of March, 1882. His wife passed away on the 24th of June, 1877. Marquette County had 
no better citizen than Mr. Skinner, or one who was more widely or favorably known. He was a strong and 
active man physically but in the prime of life fell victim to pneumonia. He left to his numerous family 
of children a record of which they may be proud and his example of uprightness is one which any one might 
profitably follow.

Eight sons and six daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Skinner and all are living with the exception of 
Jennie, the third child, who died July 19, 1889, at the age of thirty-six years. On the death of Mrs. 
Skinner she assumed her mother's place in the household and with great ability discharged the duties 
devolving upon her until called from this life. Her loss was deeply mourned by many friends as well 
as her immediate family. The other children are as follows: Mary, wife of Thomas Brand, of Belle Plaine, 
Iowa; George W., a resident of Iowa; Maggie, wife of A. Levens, of Nebraska; John, Thomas, Carie, Charles 
V., Moses, Henry J., Alice, Enoch, James and Lizzie. All are residents of Moundville with the exception 
of the three mentioned a sliving elsewhere. The children received liberal educational advantages and all 
are now useful members of society. Seven of the family have followed teaching and five are still engaged 
in that profession.

Thomas Skinner, whose name heads this sketch, was born on the old homestead in the town of Moundville, on 
the 3rd of September, 1859, and under the parental roof was reared to manhood. As soon as old enough he began 
working upon a farm during summer season and in the winter he attended school in a log house, such as were 
common in that day. At the age of ten years he began working on the farm of M. G. Ellison, the present county 
treasurer and for his services rendered $6 per month. He spent two seasons in the employ of Mr. Ellison, of 
whom he is now a contemporary as a county official. At the age of fifteen years, he went to Hampton, Iowa, 
where for two seasons he worked upon a farm at $20 per month, and int he winter attended school. He desired 
to acquire a good education and until eighteen years of age spent his time in farm work during the summer and 
in pursuing his studies in the common schools during the winter, when he began teaching. He was afterward a 
student in the high school of Montello and was engage din teaching at Hampton at the time of his father's death. 
When that sad event occurred he returned home to act as administrator of the estate and remained on the old farm 
for two years. In the meantime he taught two terms in the village school of Packwaukee. In 1885 he entered Ripon 
College where he pursued his studies nearly two years, which ended his school life.

In the fall of 1889, he was elected County Superintendent of schools. Mr. Skinner was one fo three contestants 
and although the Democratic nominee received a large Republican vote, his plurality was 366 and his majority was 
134. Mr. Skinner may be said to be self-educated, having secured the means for both his academic and college course 
by his own labor. He brings to his offical duties large practical experience in school work and a knowledge of what 
the best interests of the schools of Marquette County require, which added to his energy and industry and his well 
known devotion to the cause of education, gives promise that his administration will be a most successful one. 






Back to the Marquette Pages Menu