Horace Birney Willard was born in Volney, New York, on May 2, 1825. After studying in the public schools, Willard worked as a teacher. He studied medicine under William B. Coye in Gilbertsville, New York, then received a scholarship sponsored by the state. Willard attended the Geneva Medical College, graduating in 1849. He set out west, settling in Aztalan, Wisconsin, to practice medicine. After seven years, he sold his practice due to failing health. After a year of travel, Willard settled in Lake Mills, Wisconsin, in 1857, again practicing medicine. Poor health caused Willard to finally abandon medicine in 1866.[1]
Willard remained in the county, settling in Fort Atkinson. There, Willard engaged in several commercial pursuits. He co-founded the Northwestern Manufacturing Company and served as one of its first directors. Willard was also bookkeeper, secretary, and stockholder in the Foundry and Machining Company. In partnership with N. F. Hopkins and F. M. Vickery, Willard opened the Willard & Co. store.[1]
Willard briefly lived in this house in Fort Atkinson.
Present at its original state convention, Willard was an early member of the Republican Party in Wisconsin. He also helped to organize its chapter in Jefferson County. In 1860, Willard was nominated to the Wisconsin State Assembly.[2] There, Willard advocated against sending state delegates to the Peace Conference of 1861. He was re-nominated for the next session, but declined to run. Willard instead took a position on the Jefferson County Board of Supervisors. Later in his life, Willard was known for his independent political stances, supporting Horace Greeley and Samuel J. Tilden for president. He ran for mayor of Fort Atkinson in 1878, but was defeated.[1] He briefly lived in the former George P. Marston House.[2]
Willard married Elizabeth S. Vickery on July 11, 1849. They had one daughter, Julia Adola, who married the son of Congressman Lucien B. Caswell.[1] Willard died on April 1, 1900, in Fort Atkinson. He was buried there in Evergreen Cemetery.
Referencesedit
^ abcdThe History of Jefferson County, Wisconsin. Chicago, IL: Western Historical Society. 1879. p. 699.
^ abRankin, Katherine H. (November 30, 1982), National Register of Historic Places Inventory—Nomination Form: Arthur R. Hoard House, National Park Service, retrieved November 3, 2014
May 22, 2024
horace, willard, horace, birney, willard, 1825, april, 1900, american, medical, doctor, businessman, republican, politician, wisconsin, pioneer, served, term, wisconsin, state, assembly, representing, jefferson, county, portrait, from, history, jefferson, coun. Horace Birney Willard May 2 1825 April 1 1900 was an American medical doctor businessman Republican politician and Wisconsin pioneer He served one term in the Wisconsin State Assembly representing Jefferson County Horace B WillardPortrait from The History of Jefferson County Wisconsin 1879 Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Jefferson 2nd districtIn office January 7 1861 January 6 1862Preceded byCharles HammarquistSucceeded byWalter S GreenePersonal detailsBorn 1825 05 02 May 2 1825Volney New York U S DiedApril 1 1900 1900 04 01 aged 74 Fort Atkinson Wisconsin U S Resting placeEvergreen Cemetery Fort Atkinson WisconsinPolitical partyRepublicanBiography editHorace Birney Willard was born in Volney New York on May 2 1825 After studying in the public schools Willard worked as a teacher He studied medicine under William B Coye in Gilbertsville New York then received a scholarship sponsored by the state Willard attended the Geneva Medical College graduating in 1849 He set out west settling in Aztalan Wisconsin to practice medicine After seven years he sold his practice due to failing health After a year of travel Willard settled in Lake Mills Wisconsin in 1857 again practicing medicine Poor health caused Willard to finally abandon medicine in 1866 1 Willard remained in the county settling in Fort Atkinson There Willard engaged in several commercial pursuits He co founded the Northwestern Manufacturing Company and served as one of its first directors Willard was also bookkeeper secretary and stockholder in the Foundry and Machining Company In partnership with N F Hopkins and F M Vickery Willard opened the Willard amp Co store 1 nbsp Willard briefly lived in this house in Fort Atkinson Present at its original state convention Willard was an early member of the Republican Party in Wisconsin He also helped to organize its chapter in Jefferson County In 1860 Willard was nominated to the Wisconsin State Assembly 2 There Willard advocated against sending state delegates to the Peace Conference of 1861 He was re nominated for the next session but declined to run Willard instead took a position on the Jefferson County Board of Supervisors Later in his life Willard was known for his independent political stances supporting Horace Greeley and Samuel J Tilden for president He ran for mayor of Fort Atkinson in 1878 but was defeated 1 He briefly lived in the former George P Marston House 2 Willard married Elizabeth S Vickery on July 11 1849 They had one daughter Julia Adola who married the son of Congressman Lucien B Caswell 1 Willard died on April 1 1900 in Fort Atkinson He was buried there in Evergreen Cemetery References edit a b c d The History of Jefferson County Wisconsin Chicago IL Western Historical Society 1879 p 699 a b Rankin Katherine H November 30 1982 National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form Arthur R Hoard House National Park Service retrieved November 3 2014 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Horace B Willard amp oldid 1209053023, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
