SHEBOYGAN HISTORY

Chauncey A. Bemis, Page 198

CHAUNCEY A. BEMIS, who owns and operates one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 3, Lyndon Township, has been a resident of this county since the year in which the Badger State was admitted to the Union, and is one of the honored and valued citizens.  A native of Jefferson County, N. Y., he was born July 8, 1808, and comes of an old New England family.  His father, Samuel Bemis, was born in Vermont, and had three brothers who served in Revolutionary War.  In 1805, he removed to the Empire State, where he made his home until his death.  In religious belief, he was a Methodist, and in political sentiment was a Whig.  The mother, who bore the maiden name of Betsy Bemis (sic), was born in Boston, Mass., but spent the greater part of her life in the Empire State, where she and her husband lie buried.  She was also a member of the Methodist Church.

    Our subject was the sixth in order of birth in a family of three sons and four daughters, and is now the only survivor.  Under the parental roof he was reared to manhood, in the usual manner of farmer lads, and when he attained his majority he married Miss Rowena, daughter of Reuben and Susan (Graves) Tousley.  She was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., April 12, 1814, and their marriage was celebrated September 10, 1834.  They became the parents of two children. Augustus D., who is a prosperous farmer in Lyndon Township, was born October 29, 1836, and was educated in the common schools and Appleton College.  He wedded Miss Celia Doane, a native of Pulaski, Oswego County, N. Y., and they had five children, three sons and two daughters, of whom three are living, namely: Dr. Edward A., a graduate of the Chicago Medical College, now engaged in practice in Batavia, Wis.; Clarence F. who was educated in the Plymouth High School and now follows farming; and Rose D., who was also a student in the Plymouth High School, and is a teacher of recognized ability in this county.  Mary A., the only daughter of our subject, is the wife of J. M. Graves, and they reside on the old homestead.  He is a native of Jefferson County, N. Y., and follows farming and stock-raising.  His wife was educated in the Sheboygan High School, and for twelve years before their marriage successfully engaged in teaching.  Their union was celebrated July 27, 1869. Mrs. Bemis is the eldest in a family of five sons and two daughters, but had only two brothers now living: Reuben B., a horticulturist of Santa Cruz, Cal.; and John F., a merchant of Iowa.

    Chauncey Bemis first visited Wisconsin in 1846, with the view of locating in the far West, and on the 27th of May, 1848, accompanied by his family, he landed in Sheboygan.  Coming to Lyndon Township, he purchased eighty acres of land, only six acres of which had been cleared.  The only improvement upon the place was a rude log cabin, with a floor of rough boards and a stove pipe put through the roof to serve as a chimney.  The nearest neighbor was "Uncle" Sam Reed, whose sketch appears in this book, and it almost seemed that they were cut off form all civilization.  The Indians frequently came to their home begging for food; deer and other wild game were plentiful, and wolves were often heard howling at night.  The pioneers had to endure many hardships and privations, but the honor of being the founders of the county is theirs, and a debt of gratitude is due them for the work in which they performed in opening up this section of the country for civilization.  The first church services held Mr. and Mrs. Bemis attended were held in a log schoolhouse.

    Our subject did his farming with ox-teams, but as the years passed and he was prospered, modern implements replaced the rude machinery of other days, and the comforts of the East found their way to the homes of the West.  His farm was increased until it comprised one hundred and twenty acres, and the once barren tract was made to blossom like a rose.  Mr. Bemis has never been an office-seeker, but has always kept well informed on the political issues of the day, and since the organization of the Republican party has cast his ballot for its support. Previously, he was a Whig, and his first vote was cast for Henry Clay.  Mr. and Mrs. Bemis have led honorable and upright lives, winning the confidence and high regard of all, and we take pleasure in presenting this sketch to our readers.