WI BIO - Dane Co - GREEN, John W.
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol I, pp 280-281

John W. GREEN, of Middleton, Dane County, WI, was born in Sheffield, England, 
01 Nov 1846, a son of Thomas and Ann (KAY) GREEN. Thomas GREEN was born in 
Wadsley, a suburb of Sheffield, England, and was engaged in the saw trade, as 
were also his ancestors for several generations before him. Thomas GREEN 
died in Sheffield, England, at the age of 34 years, and Ann (KAY) GREEN 
departed this life at the same place, aged 29 years. They were the parents 
of seven children, four of whom still survive, three sons and one daughter.

John W. GREEN remained at home until 12 years of age, or until his parents' 
death, then spent two years in a boarding school, after which he served an 
apprenticeship of seven years in a grocery store. His parents had inherited 
the estate in England known as "Farrier's Arms," which afterward became the 
property of our subject. He also received an interest in twelve tenement 
houses in Sheffield, opposite Sir John BROWNS's immense works. This Sir John 
was knighted by the Queen of England on account of his ingenuity in inventing 
different devices used in his works. While serving his apprenticeship in the 
grocery store, John W. GREEN also studied nights, and the boys there 
associated themselves together in a kind of night school, occupying the large 
building known as the Mechanics Institute. [p 281] The more enlightened 
ones were selected as professors or teachers, and our subject was placed at 
the head of the class, teaching shorthand, etc. He could then take down 125 
words a minute. At that time he also studied French and Latin, and is now as 
proficient a scholar as half the college bred men. After serving his 
apprenticeship John W. GREEN worked on a salary one year, traveling, 
bookkeeping, etc., for the house, receiving about $300 a year. In Sep 1868 
he came to the U. S. He first worked three months in Dayton, Green County, 
WI, then worked by the month seven years for R. GREEN, of Middleton, Dane 
County, WI. He then bought a fourth interest of Mr. GREEN, and in 1886 he 
purchased the entire business, where he has ever since remained. He handles 
grain, wool and farm machinery, and notwithstanding the encroachments of 
railroads on his territory, and consequently more competitive points, he 
still ships more wool and grain than any other shipper on the Prairie du 
Chien division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. [The railroad 
across the state, to Prairie du Chien, Grant County, WI, where the Wisconsin 
River flows into the Mississippi, was completed in 1857.] John W. GREEN is 
assisted in his business by Solomon FREEMAN, a colored man of rare 
intelligence, who was given his freedom more than half a century ago by 
Abraham BUSH, formerly of Middleton, Dane County, WI, now deceased. In his 
political views John GREEN affiliates with the Republican party, and his 
first presidential vote was cast for Ulysses S. GRANT. He has served as a 
member of the School Board.

In England in 1868 John W. GREEN was married to Miss Annie MORTON, who was 
born in England on 10 Jan 1848, a daughter of Henry and Sarah (SKINNER) 
MORTON. Henry MORTON was a silversmith by trade, and has followed that 
occupation through his entire life, acquiring a business of his own about 17 
years ago, which he has conducted very successfully at Sheffield, England. 
His parents, John and Mary MORTON, were born in Birmingham, England, and died 
in Sheffield, England, the father at age 72 and the mother at 88 years. John 
and Mary MORTON were the parents of seven children, three now living. Sarah 
(SKINNER) MORTON, the mother of Mrs. GREEN, died in England in 1884, aged 61 
years. She was the daughter of Matthew and Alice (WELLS) SKINNER, natives of 
Sheffield, England, where they both died, aged between 70 and 80 years. The 
MORTONs are descended from a noted family in England.

John W. and Annie (MORTON) GREEN have seven children: Emily S., born 10 Mar 
1869; Mary E., 29 Nov 1870; Bertha M., 17 Mar 1873; Morton K., 06 Dec 1876; 
Willard S., 20 Oct 1878; John R., 14 Sep 1882; and Ethel B., 12 Oct 1885. 
John W. GREEN reflects his learning and ambition in his family, as not only 
his wife is a highly refined and accomplished lady, but his children are 
exceptionally brilliant. One daughter, Bertha M., received a first class 
certificate for teaching school at the age of 16 years, graduating at the 
high school of Middleton, Dane County, WI, and also took first prize in the 
Freshman contest at the WI University at Madison; and Emily has considerable 
musical talent, with a large local reputation as a singer. Annie (MORTON) 
GREEN is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly