SHEBOYGAN HISTORY

Capt. Carlos M. G. Mansfield, Page 440

CAPT. CARLOS M. G. MANSFIELD, a veteran of the late war, and an early settler of Greenbush, resides on section 7, where he owns a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres.  He is a native of Vermont, born in St. Johnsbury, Caledonia County, November 25, 1821, and is a son of Thomas and Hannah (Wright) Mansfield.  His father was born in Connecticut, and the mother in St. Johnsbury.  In 1838 the family removed to the town of Lawrence, St. Lawrence County, N. Y., and in 1850 the parents removed to Sheboygan County, Wis., where the remainder of their lives were spent.  Their son Galusha came the preceding year, being the first of the family to emigrate to Wisconsin.  Two sons, the subject of this sketch and Galusha, of whom see record, and a daughter, Mrs. Cynthia E. H., wife of John Winn, are now living in the town of Greenbush, of this county.

    Capt. Mansfield received a common-school education, and began his industrial life as an operative in an iron-roller mill in the town of Jay, Au Sable Forks, in Essex County, of his native State, where he was employed some three years.  On the 25th of November, 1843, he was married in Jay to Miss Eliza Ann Millard.  Mrs. Mansfield was born in Ferrisburgh, Addison County, Vt., her father and mother being natives, respectively, of Connecticut and Vermont.  In 1841 the family removed to Essex County, N. Y.  The mother died there, but the father's death occurred in the town of Greenbush in 1845, while on a visit to his daughter.

    After his marriage Mr. Mansfield was engaged in farming, and continued to reside in the Empire State until 1850, when he removed to Wisconsin, arriving in Greenbush on the 20th of June of that year.  He purchased some land in the following July, and in the fall of that year located on it.  The land was in its wild state, but he went to work with a will, cleared it up, and made of it a good farm.

    On the breaking out of the Civil War Mr. Mansfield aided in raising a company, which was mustered in to the volunteer  service of the United States in September, 1861, as Company H, Fourteenth Wisconsin, and of which he was elected First Lieutenant.  On the 19th of February, 1862, he was commissioned Captain.  He participated in the battles and engagements in which his regiment took part.  As ranking Captain he commanded his regiment in Banks' Red River expedition, his superior officers having been lost or absent.  At the expiration of his term of enlistment (three years), his health having become seriously impaired, he determined to retire from the service, notwithstanding the fact that he was offered a Lieutenant-Colonel's commission, with instructions to take command of his regiment.  He was mustered out December 8, 1864, and returned to his home.

    On his return from the war, Capt. Mansfield bought one hundred and twenty acres of land in addition to his former purchase, but has since sold forty acres of it.

    Capt. and Mrs. Mansfield have had seven children, but three of whom are living, the others having died in infancy and early childhood.  Carlton died when an infant in New York; Cynthia Romelia died at the age of six years; Calista died aged eight; and Millard died in infancy.  Francis M. has been twice married.  His first wife was Hattie Hazelton, and his present wife was Carrie Carter.  They reside in Shell Rock, Iowa.  Celesta is now Mrs. James H. Carson, her husband being a merchant of the above city.  Ella, the youngest, became the wife of William H. Smith, also a resident of Shell Rock, Iowa.

    Capt. Mansfield and his wife are members of the Christian Church of Greenbush.  He is a member of H. C. Davidson Post, No. 212, G. A. R., of Plymouth.  In politics, he is a Republican, but has never cared for official position, though he did serve eight years as Justice of the Peace in the town of Greenbush, prior to entering the army.