WI BIO - Dane Co - DOAN, Nelson R.
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol II, pp 594-595

Captain Nelson R. DOAN, a farmer, resident of the town of Rutland, Dane 
County, WI, was born in Lowell, Penobscot County, ME, 23 Feb 1826. His 
father, Joshua L. DOAN, was born in the same town, and his father, Ebenezer 
DOAN, was born in Portland [Cumberland County], ME, and became a pioneer of 
Lowell. He reclaimed a farm from the wilderness and resided there until his 
death. The father of our subject was a natural mechanic, but never learned a 
trade. He resided in ME until 1849, and then came to WI, settled in Rutland, 
engaged in farming, and has been a farmer there ever since. He is now 85 
years of age, but is well preserved. The maiden name of the mother of Nelson 
R. DOAN was Rache HAYDEN, who was born in the town of Lowell, Penobscot 
County, ME, and died in Rutland, Dane County, WI. She reared eight of her 
eleven children: Hiram H., Nelson R., Regilla C., George W., Jeremiah D., 
Charles L., Louisa, and Luke.

Nelson R. DOAN received his early education in the district school of Lowell, 
ME. He was 13 years of age when he came to WI with his parents. They made 
the trip via steamer from Bangor, ME, to Boston, MA, from there by rail to 
Albany, NY, thence by canal to Buffalo, NY, by lakes to Milwaukee, WI, where 
they took an ox team and finished the trip to Dane County, WI. At that time 
this section of [p 595] country was but little improved, and most of the land 
was owned by the Government. As there were no railroads, Milwaukee was the 
nearest market. Nelson R. DOAN continued his education in Madison, Dane 
County, WI, and Evansville Academy, and at the early age of 20 began teaching.

At the first call for volunteers Nelson R. DOAN enlisted in Company C, 1st WI 
Volunteer Infantry, serving until the expiration of his term, in Sep 1861, 
and then again enlisted as Orderly Sergeant, in Company B, WI Volunteer 
Infantry, but was soon transferred to Company I, and was promoted to 2nd 
Lieutenant, then 1st Lieutenant, and then Captain. The regiment participated 
in 11 different engagements, the most important of which was the siege of 
Vicksburg. He was honorably discharged at the close of the war, and returned 
home, resumed teaching, and continued that calling until 1879, when he 
abandoned teaching and engaged in farming. He is a Republican, and has 
always taken an active interest in politics. He is a demitted member [has 
withdrawn from membership] of C. C. Washburn Post, No. 11, G. A. R.


Submitted by Cathy Kubly