SHEBOYGAN HISTORY

William Auckland, Page 513

WILLIAM AUCKLAND, who is extensively engaged in farming and stock-raising on section 12, Lyndon Township, is one of the self-made men of Sheboygan County, and for his success in life deserves great credit.  His example may well serve to encourage others, who, like himself, are thrown upon their own resources at an early age.  He is a native of Lincolnshire, England, born May 16, 1848, and is a son of John and Ann (Hodson) Auckland.  His father was born in Lincolnshire, in 1814, and was reared on a farm, and afterwards engaged in operating two hundred acres of rented land.  His life was  an honorable and upright one, and his word was as good as his bond.  In 1859, he paid a visit to America, and purchased the farm on which our subject now resides.  He was accompanied by his son John, who died in Wisconsin a year later.  Both Mr. and Mrs. Auckland were members of the Church of England, and took an active part in religious work.  Of their family of thirteen children, none sons and four daughters, William is the fifth in order of birth.  Only three of the family are now living:  George, a farmer of Berkshire, England, who makes a specialty of the dairy business, shipping his milk to Windsor, England; William, of this sketch; and Lavina, wife of John Andrew Housley, a farmer of Martin, Lincolnshire, England.

    In the common schools William Auckland acquired his education, which has been supplemented by observation and business experience, until he now has a practical knowledge which is superior to that gained in many colleges.  At the age of eighteen, he bade adieu to his native land, and sailed from Liverpool to New York.  This was in 1866.  He joined his uncle, Robert Lawson, in Waldo, Wis., and began farming in his own interest, his first home being a little frame house, 16 x 22 feet, in which, it is said, the first town meeting of the community was held,

    On the 7th of February, 1871, Mr. Auckland was united in marriage with Miss Sarah A. Wells, who was born in Lincolnshire, England, April 13, 1849, and is a daughter of Wilcock and Sarah (Gray) Wells.  Her father was born March 1, 1818, and was a woodsman in the Old Country.  He came to America with his family, numbering three sons and two daughters, and from New York made his way direct to Sheboygan County.  Both he and his wife are still living.  Their children are:  Mrs. Auckland; Thomas, a foreman in the Sheboygan Chair Factory; Rev. Walter D., who attended the Baptist Seminary of Beaver Dam, Wis., and is Baptist clergyman of Kendall, Wis., but expects soon to come to this county; Wilcox, who resides in Lyndon Township; and Lizzie, wife of Henry Agin, a farmer of Lyndon Township.  Mrs. Auckland has proved a valuable helpmate to her husband, and presides with grace over their hospitable home.  They have a young boy residing with them, who came to them when four years old.  He was born August 28, 1879, and his maternal grandfather was a brother of Horace Greeley, the great journalist.  His name is Hiram Hill, but he is known as Charlie Auckland.  He is now attending school in Waldo, and is quite proficient in instrumental music.

    Mr. Auckland began life empty-handed, but by diligence, enterprise and well-directed efforts, he has steadily worked his way upward.  he now owns eighty acres of land, mostly under cultivation, and constituting one of the model farms of Lyndon Township.  Its barns and outbuildings are models of convenience, and no accessory is lacking.  Mr. Auckland makes a specialty of handling fine-graded stock, especially sheep and hogs,  He has a fine flock of one hundred and twenty-five South Down sheep, among them a fine buck, registered "McKerrow," No. 218.  He has been very successful in his business dealings, and thereby has acquired a snug income.

    Mr. Auckland cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Grant, and has since been a stalwart Republican.  He has served as School Treasurer for a number of years, and in other ways has been officially connected with the schools.  Himself and wife are devoted and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Onion River, and he has served as Superintendent of the Sunday-school for nine years.  He has taken quite an active part in church and benevolent work, and the poor and needy find in him a friend.  He has never had occasion to regret his emigration to America, for here he has found a pleasant home and many friends, and gained a handsome competence.