WI BIO - Dane Co - DWIGHT, Edward W.
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol II, pp 552-553

Hon. Edward W. DWIGHT, an early settler of Dane County, WI, was born in 
Catskill, Greene County, NY, 08 Apr 1827. His father, Benjamin W. DWIGHT, 
was born in Greenfield [Fairfield County], CT, and his father, Timothy 
DWIGHT, was for many years President of Yale College. Benjamin W. DWIGHT 
graduated from Yale College and practiced medicine in NY City and Catskill, 
NY, a number of years. Finally failing health compelled him to abandon 
practice and he engaged in the hardware business. In 1855 Benjamin W. DWIGHT 
removed to Clinton, Oneida County, NY, and was there elected treasurer of 
Hamilton College, retaining that position until his death in 1860. The 
maiden name of the mother of our subject was Sophia STRONG, born in Hadley, 
Scott County, MA, daughter of Rev. Joseph STRONG; she died in Clinton, Oneida 
County, NY, and reared six children: Benjamin, a teacher and preacher; 
Theodore, a professor of law at Columbia College; Sophia, Mary, Elizabeth, 
and Edward W.

Edward W. DWIGHT left home at the age of 15, went to Boston, MA, and engaged 
in the whaling service. He embarked on the schooner "Council," and made the 
principal ports on the Atlantic coast and returned to Boston after an absence 
of one year. He then went to Clinton, Oneida County, NY, was employed on a 
farm, remained there until 1847, then came to the Territory of WI. [WI 
became a State in 1848]. His journey was made via the lakes to Racine 
[Racine County, WI], and then he secured a ride in a lumber wagon to Walnut, 
WI. At this time, northern WI was little inhabited, except by Indians, and 
the southern part but little improved. Some of the land was still owned by 
the Government. There was no railroad, and Milwaukee and Racine were the 
markets to which the people made trips [p 553] with oxen. He commenced life 
there, working by the month. Land was very cheap and he very soon bought 160 
acres at $8 per acre, made some improvements on the place, and then sold it 
and bought a 40-acre tract nearby. Later he sold that and bought again. In 
1855 he went to IA, making the journey with an ox team. He located in 
Winneshiek County, where he was a pioneer, entering 360 acres of Government 
land, 160 of which had been improved. He only resided there one year and 
then returned to Walnut, WI, resided there one year, came to Dane County, WI, 
and bought a tract of military land, his present farm. There was a log house 
on the place at the time and in this the family camped for a few years. He 
has some improvements on his place, as he planted fruit and shade trees, and 
erected some good frame buildings. His improvements rank with the best in 
town.

Edward W. DWIGHT was married in May 1847 to Miss Elizabeth FOOTE, born in 
Clinton, Oneida County, NY, daughter of John and Mary (LOVE) FOOTE. Edward W. 
and Elizabeth (FOOTE) DWIGHT have four children: Mary, Delia, Edward, and 
Theodore. Mr. DWIGHT is a member of the Congregational Church, but his wife 
is a Baptist. For many years he has been a leader in the Republican party 
and has filled various offices of trust, and in 1860 was elected to the State 
Legislature, where he became very prominent. He is now very wealthy and 
besides the land before mentioned, he owns another fine farm of 160 acres on 
section 26.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly