WI BIO - Dane Co - CLELAND, William A.
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893. Vol II, pp 330-331

William A. CLELAND is the son of William CLELAND, who was the sixth child of 
his parents, and was born in Scotland, 30 Dec 1805. In Apr 1843 he left his 
native home. He had received a good education there, but decided that in 
America there was more chance for advancement; hence he set sail, and after a 
voyage of 21 days he reached this country. He bought 80 acres of land in 
Rock County, WI. This was all wild, but he built a shanty upon it, and began 
its improvement. Here he remained for four years, making improvements, 
breaking the land and building. In 1847 he moved to the town of York [Dane 
County, WI], and that spring he bought a Government claim of 120 acres, 12 of 
which were broken, and there was a log cabin upon the place, which had a sod 
roof, built by the squatter. Into this shelter the father of our subject 
moved, and lived there a number of years, and then built another log house, 
or block house, which still stands. This land is located upon section 9, 
York Township, Dane County, WI. After 12 years of residence in the block 
house, Mr. CLELAND built the house now occupied by his son.

The marriage of William CLELAND took place in Scotland in 1842 to Miss 
Barbara COCHRAN, who was a native of Scotland, and seven children have been 
added to the family: Barbara F., [p 331] deceased; John C., a resident of 
Fremont [Dodge County], NE; Mary, deceased; Janet C., at home; William A.; 
James, deceased; and Francis, deceased. The mother died 27 May 1883, but the 
father is still spared and lives with his son, William A.

William A. CLELAND was the fifth child, and was born on the farm [York 
Township, Dane County, WI] on 07 Jun 1851, and received his education in the 
common schools, where he passed his time to good advantage, and has always 
remained with his father. The latter owns the farm of 280 acres, well 
improved, and William [William A.] manages it with great success. At present 
he is Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, has been a member of this board 
for many years, and is now serving a second term. Politically he is a 
Republican, although the town is Democratic. John C. is in the stock 
business in NE, and is secretary of the Board of Trade there.

William A. CLELAND married Miss Fanny CLEVELAND, whose people were from OH. 
He is a young man of promise. He has added to his farm a herd of Hereford 
cattle, and has some fine specimens of the breed. The place is among the 
most attractive in the neighborhood, having a park in front of the house, 
with a diverging circle full of beautiful trees.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly