WI BIO - Dane Co - GILES, Hiram H.
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol II, pp 417-418

Hon. Hiram H. GILES, one of the prominent men of the city of Madison, Dane 
County, WI, whose name is known through the State, commercially, politically, 
and socially, was born in New Salem [Franklin County], MA, 22 Mar 1820, and 
was a son of Hon. Samuel GILES, who was born in the same town, and whose 
grandfather, of early English ancestry, was also born there. Samuel GILES 
was reared to agricultural pursuits and spent his entire life on the farm 
where he was born, except when a member of the MA State Legislature. The 
maiden name of his wife, the mother of our subject, was Hannah FOSTER, also 
born in New Salem [Franklin County], MA, where she also spent her whole life. 
She was the mother of nine children. Samuel and Hannah (FOSTER) GILES were 
Unitarians in their religious belief, and Samuel was reared a Democrat and 
served in the offices of his town, having been Selectman, County 
Commissioner, and a member of the MA State Senate.

Hiram H. GILES remained with his parents until 17 years of age, and then on 
account of ill health went South, accompanied by his brother who lectured on 
electricity. The brothers traveled together for a year and a half, at the 
end of which time Hiram H. bought the apparatus of his brother and continued 
the lectures through several different States, and also went into Canada. He 
spent two years on a farm in Erie County, PA, and then in 1844 made a trip to 
the Territory of WI and selected a farm in Dane County, later returning to 
Erie County, PA, and engaging in farming and lumbering for two years. In 
1847 Hiram H. GILES returned to his future home, settling upon the land he 
had bought in Dunkirk Township, Dane County, WI, three miles from the present 
town of Stoughton. [The next year, 1848, WI became a State.]

At this time there were no railroads and Milwaukee was the nearest depot for 
supplies. [The first railroad in WI ran from Milwaukee to Waukesha and was 
completed in 1851.] On one occasion Hiram H. GILES employed a neighbor to 
draw a load of wheat to Milwaukee, and on his return paid the neighbors $5 
above what the wheat brought for his expenses. Pork sold at that time for 
$2.50 per hundred pounds net, and oats for 12 and a half cents per bushel. 
Sometimes agriculture in the new State seemed discouraging, but he continued 
at it for years. In 1853 Hiram H. GILES was appointed station agent at 
Stoughton [Dane County], WI, being the first one to hold a position of this 
kind at that important railroad center. Here he remained until 1870, when he 
was appointed claim and right-of-way agent for the Milwaukee & Prairie du 
Chien Railroad, now the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company, and 
he continued their trusted man until 1881. [The railroad to Prairie du 
Chien, Grant County, WI, where the Wisconsin River flows into the 
Mississippi, was completed in 1857.]

In 1871 Hiram H. GILES was appointed upon the State Board of Charities and 
Reform, and continued a member until it was abolished in 1891. [p 418] Much 
of his time for the past 10 years has been devoted to the work of that board, 
and in 1887 he was elected president of the National Conference on Charities 
and Correction. In 1844 Mr. GILES cast his first vote for Henry CLAY and 
voted with the Whig party. His ability as a politician was soon recognized 
and he was elected to the State Legislature in 1852, and in 1855 was elected 
to the State Senate, and re-elected in 1857. It was a the session of the 
State Legislature in 1853 that the State bank law was enacted. As first 
drafted it made provision for State bonds going as security. Mr. GILES 
offered an amendment that first mortgage railroad bonds of a railroad in 
operation, not to exceed $8,000 to the mile, should be accepted as security. 
This amendment met with great opposition at first, but was finally adopted. 
He also offered an amendment that stockholders should give bonds to the 
amount of 25 percent of their holdings. He was during his term very 
prominent in many measures which became laws. During this time Senator 
DOOLITTLE was elected to the U. S. Senate.

Hiram H. GILES was married in 1844 to Miss Rebecca Smith WATSON, born near 
Fredonia, Chautauqua County, NY, a daughter of Luther WATSON. Two daughters, 
Belle and Ella, blessed their union. Belle married Robe DOW, of Stoughton, 
Dane County, WI, but Miss Ella resides devotedly with her father in the 
beautiful home overlooking lake Monona, although her winters are spent either 
in New Orleans or at Biloxi, MS. She is well known in the city of Madison, 
Dane County, WI, where her abilities as a journalist, novelist and poetess 
have won her fame. For five years she was the efficient and obliging city 
librarian, but on the death of her mother [Hannah (FOSTER) GILES], in 1844, 
and in broken health, she resigned. In her younger days she was one of the 
belles of this gay city, and much of her beauty remains. She has been 
particularly gifted, as in early years, her instructor, Hans BALATKS, 
predicted for her a brilliant musical future. She is highly educated and 
took a great interest in the work of the Board of Charities to which her 
distinguished father devoted so much of his life.

Hiram H. GILES is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity in lodge No. 
5, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, and has been a member of the Good Templars 
for six years, being Grand Worthy Templar of the State. During that period 
the membership changed from 5,000 to 27,000. As a useful citizen of the 
State, and a man of the highest personal integrity, Hiram H. GILES is greatly 
honored in his declining years by a large circle of faithful friends in 
various walks of life.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly