Untitled From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette, Wisconsin, publ. 1901- page 407

S. W. TRABER, justice of the peace and notary public of Platteville, Grant county, is a native of New York, born in Albany county Nov. 29, 1844, and is a son of Peter C. and Harriet (JACOBSON) TRAVER. The father was born in the same county, in December, 1804, a son of Charles P. TRAVER, also a native of Albany county, of German descent; the latter's wife, whose maiden name was HOLLENBECK, was likewise born in Albany county, of Dutch descent. Charles P. TRAVER, who was an innkeeper on the old road leading from Albany to Schenectady, N.Y., died in 1858, at the age of ninety-two years.

In 1853 the father of our subject, Peter C. TRABER, came to Platteville, Wis., where his death occurred in 1860. By occupation he was a laborer. His wife died in Milan, Mo. in 1868. To them were born eleven children, as follows: Nancy, Mrs. SMITH, died in California in May, 1897; Evaline, Mrs. BECKER, died in Milan, Mo., in 1895; Margaret, Mrs. SPANN, died in Albany county, N.Y., in 1898; Charles P. died in Colorado in 1884; Henry J. lives in Saginaw, Mich.; Eliza, Mrs. ANTHONY, is a resident of New York; Maria is now Mrs. McDOUGALL, of Helena, Ark.; Simon P. died in Cohoes, N.Y., at the age of ten years; S. W. is next in the order of birth; Jane, Mrs. McCLANAHAN, is a resident of Fresno, Cal.; and John W. also lives in that city.

S. W. TRABER was a lad of nine years when he came with his parents to Platteville, where he was reared and educated. For a number of years after reaching manhood he engaged in farming, and also followed the painter's trade for some time. At the breaking out of the Civil war he enlisted, in Grant county, Wis., in 1861, but was at first rejected. Later he enlisted for three years, in Company G, 1st Wis. V.I., but was afterward transferred to the 21st Regiment. While with the 1st Wis. V.I. he participated in the battles of Tunnel Hill, Rocky Face Ridge and Resaca, and also engaged in the battles around Atlanta, Ga. After being transferred to the 21st Wis. V.I., he was in Sherman's celebrated march to the sea; took part in the capture of Savannah; and was in the Carolina campaign, participating in the battles of Averysboro and Bentonville. He was also present at the capture of Raleigh, N.C. Though never wounded, he suffered from a partial sunstroke. The war having ended he was mustered out of service from Company F, 3d Wis. V.I., July 18, 1865, and returned to his home in Platteville.

In Platteville Mr. TRABER was married, in 1866, to Miss Maria A. HOISINGTON, who was born in Orleans county, N.Y., in 1844. Her parents, George W. and Louise (BUCK) HOISINGTON, were natives of the same State, and of English ancestry. To Mr. and Mrs. TRABER have been born five children, of whom two are now living, Roy E. and Ben C.

Mr. GRABER takes an active interest in public affairs, and has been a member of the fire department of Platteville since May 4, 1874. In 1896 he was elected justice of the peace, and so acceptably did he fill the office that he was re-elected in 1898, and again in 1900, being the present incumbent. By his ballot he supports the men and measures of the Republican party. Mr. TRABER belongs to and is A.P.G. of Lily of the Mound Lodge, No. 6, I.O.O.F., of Platteville, and is also an honored member of the W. T. Sherman Post, No. 66, G.A.R., which has 142 members in good standing, and in which he is now holding the office of adjutant. Religiously he is an earnest and consistent member of the Congregational Church.



This biography generously submitted by Carol Holmbeck