WI BIO - Adams Co - YORK, Oliver Martin

Commemorative and Biographical Record of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, 
Wisconsin. Chicago: Ogle, 1901, pp 699-700 

The early settlers of a country are the ones who mold her destiny, and many 
of the pioneers who molded the Adams County, Wisconsin, region still reside 
there. Foremost among them is Oliver Martin YORK, who has made his home in 
Adams County for many years. He has not, however, resided long in Monroe 
Township, but he has nevertheless found a high place in the minds of his 
associates, and is a respected member of his community.

Mr. Oliver Martin YORK was born 08 February 1827 at Adams, Jefferson County, 
New York, and was the son of Erastus and Elizabeth (TILDIN) YORK. His father 
[Erastus YORK] was a shoemaker by trade, and came to Adams County, Wisconsin, 
from Jefferson County, New York, in 1892. He was eighty-five years of age at 
the time and came to reside with his children, and his death occurred at the 
home of his daughter, Mrs. BENJAMIN, of Vanceburg, Dunn County, Wisconsin, at 
the age of eighty-six years. The mother [Elizabeth (TILDIN) YORK] died in 
Jefferson County, New York, on 24 June 1843 at the age of forty-one years.

At a very early age Oliver Martin YORK went to work on a farm at $3 per 
month. At seventeen years of age he began sailing on the lakes, going as far 
west as Chicago [Cook County, Illinois], at which he continued about three 
years, when he went to Spring Prairie, Walworth County, Wisconsin, and 
engaged at work on a farm. After three years spent at farm work he learned 
the mason trade, which he followed about three years there, and then two 
years in Poynette, Columbia County, Wisconsin. He later moved to Easton, 
Adams County, Wisconsin, and took up 120 acres of land, all of which was 
wild. He was one of the first settlers, and neighbors were few and far away. 
He improved the land and erected good buildings, and occupied the place 
until 1875, when he disposed of the farm for one in Rome Township [Adams 
County], and in 1893 he sold that farm and purchased his present estate in 
Monroe Township [Adams County, Wisconsin]. He has a well improved farm and 
the appearance of the place evidences care in every detail. 

Mr. Oliver Martin YORK enlisted in Company K, Twenty-fifth Wisconsin 
Volunteers, 15 Aug 1862, and was in all of Sherman's campaigns and on his 
march to the sea. He was a spectator of the grand review at Washington, but 
did not participate, owing to his being on detached service, and Second 
Lieutenant of the Twenty-fifth Wisconsin, under RUSK. Mr. YORK was mustered 
out at Washington [D. C.] in 1865, and received his discharge at Madison, 
Dane County, Wisconsin, on 07 June 1865. 

Oliver Martin YORK was married in Honey Creek, [p 700] Walworth County, 
Wisconsin, 08 October 1848, to Lydia ACKERMAN, of Poynette [Columbia County, 
Wisconsin]. Mrs. [Lydia nee ACKERMAN] YORK died 30 December 1894, and was 
buried in Rome [Adams County], Wisconsin. Seven children, four of whom are 
living, were born to Oliver Martin and Lydia (ACKERMAN) YORK: (1) Frank E., 
an agriculturist of Monroe Township, Adams County, Wisconsin; (2) Laura E., 
now Mrs. C. H. SNYDER, of Monroe [probably means Monroe Township in Adams 
County, not Monroe, Green County, Wisconsin]; (3) Robert N., now residing at 
Tomah [Monroe County, Wisconsin]; and Erastus V., residing at Friendship 
[Adams County, Wisconsin].

On 14 January 1896 Oliver Martin YORK married Mrs. Alice M. WALKER, of Big 
Flats [Adams County, Wisconsin]. Mrs. YORK was the widow of Philo D. WALKER, 
who during the Civil war was Orderly Sergeant of Company K, Twenty-fifth 
Wisconsin Infantry. He [Philo D. WALKER] died 05 October 1895, and was 
buried at Big Flats [Adams County, Wisconsin]. Mr. YORK is a member of 
Badger Post, No. 122, Grand Army of the Republic, of Friendship [Adams 
County, Wisconsin]. In religious faith he is a member of the United Brethren 
church. He takes an active part in the affairs of the Republican party, and 
has attended numerous county conventions as delegate. He is a true and 
highly respected citizen.

Submitted by: Cathy Kubly