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From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette, Wisconsin, publ. 1901- page 517
JOSEPH WITZIG, one of the prosperous representatives of the agricultural interests of Grant county, residing in Section 6, Clifton township, was born in Prussia, Germany, May 15, 1844, a son of Martin and Annie WITZIG, both natives of Prussia.
In August, 1854, the parents left their native land, and after a voyage of five weeks landed in New York. By various means they landed in New York. By various means they reached Milwaukee, and thence made their way with ox-teams, the children walking, to Clifton township. Here the father took up 160 acres of government land in Section 13, Liberty township, on which he settled in 1855. Here he resided, improving his property, until his death, which occurred July 30, 1862. The mother survived until May 27, 1900, when she too, passed away, aged ninety. To these worthy people the following children were born: Adam, who resides in Minnesota; Josephine, now Mrs. WHITEISH, of Fennimore; Peter, who died in Fennimore in 1874; Mary, Mrs. STICH, who died in Clifton in 1897. John, who died in 1862, on the battlefield, having enlisted in an Illinois regiment; Frank, who resides in Mt. Ida township, Grant county; Joseph; Johana, Mrs. BUNSELL, who died in Iowa county, Wis., in 1875; Rose, Mrs. HUFAL, who died in Chicago; and Catherine, Mrs. BRAM, of Chicago.
Our subject was ten years of age when the family came to Wisconsin, and, small as he was, he bore his part in clearing the land, attending school as chance offered. As soon as he was able to begin life on his own account he purchased eighty acres, in 1869, in Section 13, town of Liberty, to which he added eighty acres in Section 7, Clifton township. To his first purchase in Clifton township, in Section 6, Mr. WITZIG has added forty acres. All of the property was heavily timbered, and the work of clearing difficult, but he has accomplished this feat, and has built a good story and a half residence 34 by 26 feet, and a good barn 29 by 29 feet with 16-foot posts, upon his last purchase. Upon his first farm he also erected a story and a half house, 16 by 26 feet, with an "ell" 14 by 16 feet, as well as a barn 30 by 48, with 16-foots posts and a good basement. The farm is supplied with a windmill, and is all fenced. The land is devoted to grain and stock raising, and the horses, cattle and hogs are bred from excellent strains, therefore commanding good prices.
In 1867 Mr. WITZIG married Miss Ruth BACON, a native of Ohio, a daughter of John and Sally (KENYON) BACON, who were natives of Connecticut and Rhode Island, respectively. They came to Clifton township in 1850, and opened up a farm. Here the father died about June, 1880, aged ninety-four; the mother died some years later, in 1889, aged eighty-six. To Mr. and Mrs. John BACON were born 10 children: Mrs. Mary WANAMAKER, of Lancaster; Thomas; Mrs. Aurora McLIMANS, of Fennimore; Joseph, who died in 1884; Janette, Mrs. KIRKPATRICK, now of Rewey; Mrs. Sarah MANN, of Dubuque; Mrs. Oral FRYE, of Boscobel; Austin, who died in 1842; Mrs. Ruth WITZIG; and Miss Ellen, who died in 1894. To Mr. and Mrs. WITZIG have been born ten children: Bertha, now Mrs. SCHEEL, of Clifton; John, of Minnesota; Ben, who is married and on the old homestead; Minnie, now Mrs. ELLIS, of Iowa county, Wis.; and Joseph, Cora, Willie, Sallie, Beatrice and Emma.
Having attained his present comfortable circumstances through is own unaided efforts, Mr. WITZIG deserves high praise for his industry and thrift, and enjoys the confidence of a large circle of friends, who appreciate his many admirable qualities of heart and mind.
This biography generously submitted by Carol Holmbeck