SHEBOYGAN HISTORY

Hiram Phinney, Page 258

HIRAM PHINNEY has been a resident of the town of Greenbush since the spring of 1857, and has resided ever since that time at his present home on section 6.  But very little improvement had been made on the place when Mr. Phinney purchased it, only a small clearing having been made and a log house erected.

    Our subject was born at Cazenovia, Madison County, N. Y., May 5, 1820.  His father was Solomon Phinney, and his mother's maiden name was Betsey Ehle.  They belonged to early families of the Mohawk Valley, and continued to live in Madison County until death.  They were the parents of three children, the subject of this sketch being the only son; the elder sister is Mrs. Sally Ann Hessler, who resides at St. Paul, Neb.; the younger is Mrs. Hulda Hessler, wife of James Hessler, who lives in the State of Indiana.

    The gentleman whose name heads this article grew to manhood in his native town.  His father being a farmer, he was reared to that occupation.  Mr. Phinney had been twice married.  Soon after attaining to manhood he married Miss Adeline Thompson, who was born in New York State, August 3, 1821.  Her death occurred April 30, 1849, she leaving her husband with two children, the elder of whom is now Mrs. Minerva Van Valkenburg, of Rockford, Ill.; the younger, Pardon Phinney, resides at Pierre, S. Dak.  On April 15, 1850, Mr. Phinney was married to Miss Maria Driesbach, who was born August 26, 1827.  In the spring of 1857 Mr. Phinney came to Wisconsin with his family, coming directly to his present location.  His land was heavily timbered, and the clearing of it from trees, stumps and stones was the labor of many years, but he eventually made of it a fine farm, and is now, in the evening of life, enjoying the fruits of a life of toil and industry.  He with his family occupied the log house which he found on the place until about 1866, when he built his present residence.

    Mr. Phinney was bereft of his second wife by death, April 11, 1884, at the age of nearly fifty-seven years.  Of this union two children were born, a son and a daughter.  Florence K., or Kittie, as she was commonly called, grew to womanhood and was twice married.  She died January 25, 1883, leaving a husband, Adelbert Brasted, and two children.  Charlie D. was born December 13, 1861, and on December 31, 1884, was married to Miss Annie Wright, daughter of Edmond F. and Betsey (Briggs) Wright, early settlers of the town of Plymouth.  Her father died July 4, 1891, after a married life of fifty years and two days.  His age at death was eighty-one years.  The mother still lives in Plymouth.

    It will be observed that Mr. Phinney has lived where he now resides for thirty-six years, and has been identified with the growth and development of the county from the pioneer days to the present time.  As a citizen he has always possessed the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens.