JOHN ALDERSON was born July 8, 1811, in Muker Parish, Yorkshire, England, has been a practical miner since he was 9 years of age. In 1840, he brought his family to the United States, landing at New Orleans, and coming thence up the Mississippi to Galena, locating at New Diggins, La Fayette Co., he spent fourteen years in the mines in that vicinity; in 1855, he bought and settled upon his present farm, this has been managed by his sons to a great extent, while he continued mining; has 117-1/2 acres and good improvements. He married in her native Parish of Marsden, Lancaster, Miss Margeret Anforth; they have four children - James, Elizabeth, Ralph and Mary; the two eldest were born in England, and Ralph and Mary in Wisconsin. Mr. Alderson is a good type of the hardy and energetic English miner; he was the discoverer of the noted Champion mine at New Diggings, and has also found other leads of a less important character.

This biography generously submitted by Roxanne Munns.