WILLIAM LANDON, farmer, Sec. 5; P. O. Lancaster; born in Pennsylvania Jan. 11, 1817; he emigrated to New York with his parents, where he remained until he was 12 years of age, when he then went to Ohio. In the year 1849 he came to Wisconsin; settled in Ellenboro, Grant Co., bought 80 acres; now owns 240 acres of nicely improved land. His first wife Anna Richmond; born in Virginia; married in Ohio in the year 1840; died in Ellenboro in 1849. They had five children - Catherine, who died in Nebraska in the year 1864; Henry J., George R., Anther S., Ozias W., all in Dakota. His second wife, Rachel Bacon, born in Trumbull Co., Ohio, May 25, 1832; she came to Wisconsin at the age of 11 years, with her parents, her father built the first frame building in the city of Platteville, for Squire Bennett Atwood, and used as a boarding-house. He removed to Nebraska, where he died in July, at the ripe old age of 81. Her mother also died in Nebraska in 1871. The second marriage was in the year 1850; they have nine children - Endrick U., deceased; Ada Anna, Mrs. Reymer, in Dakota; Mary E., now Mrs. Burr, in Iowa; Sarah J., deceased; Jane R., Charles W., Byron M., Gay D. and Catherine S. In politics, he is Republican; in religion, liberal believer; School Director in the years 1854-54. After the second marriage, they returned to Ohio, and remained until the year 1856, when he returned to Wisconsin. While in Ohio he was Superintendent of the Cleveland & Mahoning Railroad. After returning to Wisconsin, and while plowing in the field, he was taken with inflammation in the head. The next morning he had entirely lost his eyesight, and has not been able to see since; but by his good management, thrift and industry, he has a well-kept farm. Mrs. Landon's brother Samuel was born blind, and was educated at Columbus, Ohio. Instrumental in the building the cottage for the blind at Jacksonville, Ill., also at Nebraska City; at one time Principal at Iowa City; the first Principal at Nebraska City. On July 4, 1850, Mr. Landon, in company with his wife, went over to his wife's father's, where, in company with Mr. Bacon, started for the fourth at Black Leg Hollow (now Pleasant Grove), to the log schoolhouse. There they found Uncle Obed Jones, with a cheese and loaf of bread, and Dr. Bradley (now in Colorado), who made the lemonade with essence of lemon, sugar, water and soda. The others there were Joshua Culver, Edmond Allen, Port Allen, Blakley and a few others having a shooting match; this was the celebration of July 4, 1850, without a woman.

This biography generously submitted by Roxanne Munns.