SHEBOYGAN HISTORY

Joseph Palmer, Page 559

JOSEPH PALMER was one of the early settlers of Holland Township, with which he was for many years intimately identified.  He was a native of Alleghany County, N. Y., where his birth occurred on the 10th of November, 1821.  He was one of fourteen children, eight sons and six daughters, born to Silas and Nancy (Knight) Palmer.  Of their family, Joseph is the fifth in order of birth.  Those still living are as follows:  Harriet, who married William Nims, a farmer of Kansas; Delia, now Mrs. Thornton, of California; Edward, a retired carpenter of Michigan; John, a farmer of California; Charles, an agriculturist of Oregon; and Andrew, a resident of California.  In 1835 the father of this family emigrated from Alleghany County to Ashtabula County, Ohio, and in 1847 came to Sheboygan County, locating in the wilderness of Holland Township, where he lived to celebrate his seventy-seventh birthday.  His wife died in California, at the age of ninety-three years.

    Joseph Palmer was reared in the State of his nativity, dividing his time between work on the farm and attendance at the common schools.  In Ashtabula County, Ohio, April 25, 1844, he celebrated his marriage with Miss Lodema, daughter of Jesse M. and Lodema (Allen) Higbee.  Mrs. Palmer was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., June 16, 1822, and is one of ten children, five sons and five daughters, eight of whom survive:  Henry M., born July 15, 1817, is connected with the postoffice department at Washington, D. C.; Elbert H., born March 20, 1819, is a Baptist minister located at Minneapolis; Betsey Mary, born November 19, 1821, is the widow of Hiram Woodworth, and resides in Buffalo, N. Y.; Lodema and Lucena, twins, were born June 16, 1822, the latter being the widow of Henry Curtis, of Michigan; Jesse M., born July 16, 1829, married Caroline Councilman, and is a farmer of Adams County, Wis.; Edward, born November 16, 1830, is a farmer of Eagle Grove, Iowa; Sophronia, born September 27, 1827, is the widow of Bela Bishop, and resides at Traverse City, Mich.

    Mr. and Mrs. Palmer continued to live in Ashtabula County, Ohio, until November, 1846, when they emigrated to Wisconsin.  From Milwaukee to this county the journey was made in wagons.  Locating on section 14, of Holland Township, Mr. Palmer built a log house, where his friends and neighbors always found a hearty welcome.  The task of making a farm in the woods was an arduous one, but with characteristic energy he betook himself to the work, and year after year saw new fields cleared and good improvements made, until his was one of the desirable farms in the township.  In all that pertained to the upbuilding of his community, Mr. Palmer took a warm interest.  He was a man of good business ability, honest, and in every way perfectly reliable.  His death occurred May 28, 1893, and his loss is deeply felt, not only by his immediate family, but by a large circle of friends and acquaintances as well.

    Unto Mr. and Mrs. Palmer were born nine children.  William H., born April 23, 1845, died January 30, 1860; Nancy Lodema, who was born February 12, 1849, was married January 1, 1873 to Charles Wright, a farmer of Shawano County, Wis.; Sylvester, born May 22, 1850, is a member of the County Board of Supervisors; Eugene, born August 9, 1852, died January 31, 1860; Emma Lucena, born July 9, 1856, was married November 28, 1884, to Peter Van der Hie, a farmer of Shawano County; Joseph, born June 8, 1859, died February 21, 1860; Jesse M., born January 29, 1861, is working on the home farm; Flora Mary, born July 25, 1863, is the wife of James Van Ouwerker, of Sheboygan, to whom she was married October 2, 1884; Kittie May, born November 24, 1865, is at home.

    Notwithstanding the fact that Mrs. Palmer has passed through so many hardship, she is still quite well preserved for a lady who has passed her seventy-first year.  She resides on the old homestead, comprising one hundred and fifty two acres of well-improved land.  A lady possessed of many excellencies of character, she is beloved by all who know her.