SHEBOYGAN HISTORY

William Wonser, Page 583

WILLIAM WONSER, a pioneer of the town of Holland, has made this county his home for forty-five years.  Born in Orleans County, N. Y., the 7th of January, 1836, he was reared to agriculture.  His parents, William and Ollie (Merwin) Wonder, were also natives of that county.  When a small child, the subject of this sketch lost his father, and later accompanied his mother, five brothers and a sister to Ashtabula, Ohio, where they resided about two years, then returning to their native county.  The mother spent her last days in the town of Clarksfield, Huron County, Ohio, where she died in her seventy-fifth year.  Mr. Wonser has but one brother living, David, a farmer of Huron County, Ohio.

    In 1848, the gentleman whose name heads this article, accompanied by his brother Ransford, came to Sheboygan County, the former purchasing eighty acres of land in Holland Township.  This tract, which lies on section 9, was then covered with the thickest timber, and to its improvement Mr. Wonser gave his best endeavors.  In 1860, he disposed of that land and rented, in partnership with his brother, one hundred and sixty acres, which were bought in 1862 by Mr. Wonser, and have since been his home.  It was purchased from the Government in 1847 for $1.25 per acre, and largely through the labor of Mr. Wonser it has become one of the sell-improved and valuable farms of Holland Township.  He, as well as his brother Ransford, not only helped to clear away the dense forest, but also assisted in making highways and otherwise developing the country.  Mr. Wonser has added to his farm, until two hundred and forty-one acres pay tribute to him.  On this stands a substantial residence and other needed farm buildings.

    On the 22d of February, 1860, occurred the marriage of Mr. Wonser and Miss Delia Moore, a daughter of Henry and Elmira (Daily) Moore.  Mrs. Wonser was born in Orleans County, N. Y., June 14, 1838, being one of five children, three sons and two daughters, of whom three are living:  Henry, a resident of Omaha, Neb.; Luren, of Sheboygan; and Mrs. Wonser, who is a twin of Henry.  With her parents she came to Wisconsin in 1850.

    The children of Mr. and Mrs. Wonser are Edgar, born February 7, 1861; Ernest, September 7, 1865; Mary, September 30, 1873; Fred, October 31, 1875; and Maud, June 30, 1878.  Except the oldest, who lives in Sheboygan, the children are still under the parental roof.

    Mr. Wonser is one of the successful farmers of his town.  Commencing a poor man, he has by industry and careful management, as well as by the assistance of his estimable wife, accumulated a snug fortune.  In his political views, he is a Republican.