WI BIO - Dane Co - FORESMAN, Charles M. & William M.
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol I, pp 218, 232

Biography of Charles M. FORESMAN (p 232) - father of William M.

Charles M. FORESMAN, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, 17 September 1822, 
and was a son of William and Mary (CRULL) FORESMAN. The father was born in 
1770 in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, and the mother in Little York, 
[York County?], Pennsylvania. By occupation William FORESMAN was a miller, 
and his father had been the same. He was the parent of five children, three 
of whom grew to maturity. The father emigrated from Ohio to Pennsylvania in 
1812, and there erected a mill, where Charles M. learned the trade of a 
miller. He had very poor school advantages.

Charles FORESMAN worked at the trade of milling until 1854, when he removed 
to Indiana and located near Lafayette, Tippecanoe County. At that place he 
purchased a mill, but in 1859 he sold it and came to Madison, Dane County, 
Wisconsin, but one year later went to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, again returning 
to the city of Madison, where he entered the land office, and remained there 
until March 1891.

Charles M. FORESMAN was married 14 December 1847 to Miss Susan M. NASH, of 
Newark, Licking County, Ohio, and he has a family of five children: William 
M., Harry A., Addie B., Mary E., and George N. He was bereft of his wife in 
November 1874. He is a well known man in Madison, Wisconsin, and much 
respected.

Biography of William M. FORESMAN (p 218) - son of Charles M.

William M. FORESMAN, general agent for the passenger and freight business of 
the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, at Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin, was 
born in Circleville, Pickaway County, Ohio, 28 March 1849, a son of C. M. 
[Charles M.] and Susan M. (NASH) FORESMAN, the latter born in Rochester, 
Monroe County, New York, in June 1828, and married in Granville, Licking 
County, Ohio. The father was born in Circleville, and later moved to 
Lafayette, Indiana, where he remained for a period of five years. When our 
subject was ten years of age the family removed to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, then 
went to Madison, reaching there in 1861. Notwithstanding these changes the 
education of the family of seven children had not been neglected, our subject 
attending school steadily, wherever the family happened to be.

At Madison, Wisconsin, William entered first the high school, later the 
university, but did not entirely finish the course at the latter institution. 
After leaving school he gratified his love of variety by traveling, visiting 
relatives much scattered, making trips to Utah and Colorado, and also to the 
South. After his return he went into business with the Madison Fire Insurance 
Company, at Madison, and spent two years at that business. In 1872 he 
entered the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, starting in the 
freight house, and since that time has been working his way steadily upward 
until he now is the general agent, an office of high responsibility. This 
position was given him in March 1882, and he has filled it to the 
satisfaction of his employers.

William M. FORESMAN was married on 21 December 1880 to Miss Ella CRANE, of 
Portland, Ionia County, Michigan. She was born at Great Barrington, Bristol 
County, Massachusetts. The mother of our subject was removed by death at 
Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin, in 1874. Both William M. and Ella (CRANE) 
FORESMAN are members of the Grace Episcopal Church of Madison. Socially he 
is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and also belongs to other orders in 
this city. In his political feelings he is a Republican, voting always with 
that party. He is well and favorably known through this city and vicinity.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly