WI BIO - Dane Co - DENISON, William H.
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol II, pp 593-594

William H. DENISON, a prominent and popular young business man of Madison, 
WI, whose honest and well directed efforts have raised him from obscurity to 
his present position of wealth and influence, was born in Madison, Dane 
County, WI, 12 Aug 1858. His parents were Henry and Mary (PYNCHEON) DENISON, 
the former a native of Brookfield [Madison or Oneida County?], NY, and the 
latter born in Madison [Dane County, WI], in 1846, when it was but a village, 
and WI had not yet assumed the dignity of statehood. [WI became a State in 
1848.] William H. DENISON's father, a horseshoer by occupation, enlisted in 
the late war, and while in the service, in 1865, was drowned. His loss was 
lamented by all who knew his sterling qualities and unassuming character. 
Mrs. Mary (PYNCHEON) DENISON afterward married John B. EUGENE, [p 594] a 
prosperous and respected business man of Green Bay [Brown County], WI.

William H. DENISON, an only child, was but seven years old at the time of his 
father's death. He was reared in Madison, WI, where he attended the common 
schools until he was 15 years of age, when he began driving a dray for John 
PYNCHEON, his mother's brother. He continued to work for a salary one year, 
and then bought the business, and since 1874 has been engaged in general 
freighting on his own account. His grandfather, William PYNCHEON, was the 
originator of the business, having started in a very humble way some years 
before the birth of the present owner. At that early day the outfit 
consisted of one horse, long past its prime, and a dilapidated wagon, which 
were housed in a small shed. Today the grandson has a substantial brick 
structure, which is capable of accommodating scores of horses, numerous 
carriages, floats and wagons, besides the stock and wagons of the American 
Express Company, who patronize his stable. The greater part of the city's 
commerce is transported by teams of this establishment, and the revenue 
derived therefrom is considerable. By economy and skillful management this 
has accumulated until William H. DENISON is probably now as comfortably 
situated, in a pecuniary sense, as any person in the city. He makes a 
specialty of shipping ice, which in itself is exceedingly remunerative. His 
is gathered during the winter and shipped to the East, and to the Union Stock 
Yards, at St. Louis, MO.

William H. DENISON was married in 1876 to Anna SULLIVAN, a native of Madison, 
to which city her parents came in an early day. This union was annulled by 
death in 1891, when the devoted wife was called from earth, leaving many 
friends to mourn her loss. As a citizen and business man, William H. DENISON 
is known as a person of correct principles and unerring judgment, while in 
social life his actions are characterized by a genial hospitality, attracting 
to him all with whom he comes in contact.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly