WI BIO - Dane Co - FIELD, Samuel
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol ii, pp 632-633

Samuel FIELD, a farmer and stock raiser on Section 23, Sun Prairie, Dane 
County, Wisconsin, was born in 1821. His father, Thomas FIELD, was born in 
Sussex England, and there carried on the occupation of farmer. Thomas FIELD 
had five children: Sarah, who became Mrs. GOLDEN; George, James, Thomas, and 
Samuel. Three of the boys went to Australia, attracted there by the offer of 
government land and obtained some 4,846 acres. Two of the brothers were 
married before they left England, and all went together, quite a colony 
settling there at one time. James died there one year after arrival.

Samuel FIELD attended private schools as there were no public schools near. 
When fourteen years of age he started to America with another boy who had 
told him tales of the wonders of America. He paid five pounds for passage, 
and when he reached Utica, Oneida County, New York, had only $1. Seven weeks 
and three days had been spent on the ocean. When he reached Waterville, 
Oneida County, New York, he found work in a factory for the manufacture of 
springs and was engaged to handle the sheets of which the springs were made, 
at $12 a month, but during his time of service the firm failed and thus he 
lost a year. He had brought with him plenty of clothing from his English 
home and so managed to get along, although he never recovered anything from 
the firm even after engaging a lawyer to press his claim.

Then our subject learned the carpenter's trade and soon displayed ability. 
He first was given $12 per month but some months later hired out as 
apprentice at $100 per year. He was very apt, and before long earned $18 a 
month, and at that time it was considered high wages. As he was very 
industrious and worked without losing a day, saving his earnings, he before 
long had a little capital. He remained in New York State until 1846, worked 
for several employers and making sometimes as high as $20 a month, which was 
then considered an expert's wages.

At this time Samuel FIELD married Miss Mary CORNES, a daughter of George 
CORNES. She was born in Smarden, Kent County, England, and after coming to 
this country settled in Waterville, Oneida County, New York. After marriage 
Samuel and Mary (CORNES) FIELD removed to Whitewater, Walworth County, 
Wisconsin. The trip was made by canal to Buffalo, New York, by lake to 
Milwaukee, and from there to Whitewater by a team and wagon. They remained 
one night in Milwaukee, but journeyed on to Whitewater as fast as possible, 
as Mary (CORNES) FIELD had a brother living there. Here they lived ten 
years, when Samuel FIELD purchased [p 633] a tract of 80 acres of land, 
borrowing $100. He paid $50 as the first payment, and soon became prosperous 
enough to pay the remainder. In Whitewater he engaged with the brother of 
his wife in the clothing and jewelry business. While in business here a man 
who owned seven 40's of Government land came and wished to trade for the 
store. Samuel FIELD went to Sun Prairie, Dane County, WI, and looked at the 
land. There were no improvements on the land, but its location was fine, and 
in connection with another brother-in-law, he finally decided to locate 
there, living in a log house.

Energy and perseverance will accomplish wonders, and as Samuel FIELD was a 
good mechanic and carpenter, he soon made improvements and has now all his 
land paid for. After two years he built a new house, which was very 
comfortable and was built as he could find time from his other labors. In 
the meantime he had done considerable carpenter work. In Madison he bough 
the old soldiers' barracks, which he utilized for stabling, and one of the 
first improvements made on the place was that of fencing it, although he had 
to go to a place ten miles away to get the rails. He had the best yoke of 
cattle in the county, and with these he was able to accomplish much. Now 
there are 103 acres in the home farm, and it is well improved and pleasantly 
located.

Samuel and Mary (CORNES) FIELD have had five children, three of whom are yet 
living: (1) Emma, married Henry PHILLIPS, who is a successful dairyman and 
has six children; (2) George, graduated from a Chicago medical college and 
passed six years in the State University, graduating in the class of 1872, 
and speaks Norwegian, German, and French; he is now a physician in Iowa. He 
married Miss COLE and has three children. (3) Miss Hattie, a young lady of 
many accomplishments, is at home. Her artistic talent has been cultivated 
and she is producing some work of which much older and more experienced 
artists might not be ashamed.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly