WI BIO - Dane Co - LEARY, John W.
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol II, pp 464-465

John W. LEARY was born at New Diggings, LaFayette County, WI, 25 May 1858. 
His parents, Dennis and Mary (TOBIN) LEARY, emigrated to his country from 
County Cork, Ireland, when young, and like so many of their race brought to 
this new and strange land the sole inheritance of honest hearts and willing 
hands. The first years of John W. LEARY were spent at New Diggings, thence 
on a farm in Moscow, Iowa County, and finally, in 1867, on the old homestead 
still in possession of the family in Blue Mounds, Dane County, WI. The 
father, a miner and farmer by occupation, died in 1883, after a lingering 
illness, leaving John W., the eldest son, heir to the car of a widowed mother 
and large family.

The early life of our subject was anything but enviable. His experiences 
were those of hardy manhood, not tender years. His father being an invalid, 
upon the boy at an early age devolved the many cares and hardships of 
supporting the household. The homestead was heavily mortgaged, and at one 
time the last cow was sold for debt at Sheriff's sale, but with the undaunted 
courage, begotten of years of trial and toil, with the true spirit of a 
pioneer and the indomitable will of a conqueror, John W. won advantage from 
adversity, overcoming obstacles until plenty displaced poverty, and the 
humble home was redeemed. In the fall months he ran a thresher, and cut wood 
for winter fuel at farm houses, so that the interest on the debt and taxes on 
the home might be paid, and the loved ones made secure. A month or two each 
winter he attended the district school. Though at his majority he had never 
entered an institution of learning higher than his home district school, John 
W. LEARY still always hungered for more knowledge, and courageously hoped for 
a higher education.

In 1881 favorable circumstances enabled our subject to spend the winter of 
1882-1883 in the high school at Eau Claire [Eau Claire County, WI]. The 
spring and summer months of 1883 he worked the farm, and applying for 
entrance at the Platteville Normal School [Grant County, WI] at the opening 
of the fall term, was one of two out of fifty-eight applicants who reached 
the required test. The experiences of his boyhood had taught him to value 
time and opportunity, and he now made the most of both. Having finished a 
four year course in twenty-two months, he graduated in June 1886. Then 
followed two years of teaching, one in the graded school at Blue Mounds [Dane 
County, WI] and the other as principal of the high school at Black Earth 
[Dane County, WI]. In 1888 he entered the College of Law, Wisconsin State 
University [Madison, Dane County], and graduated the following Jun, 1889, a 
distinguished member of his class. Entering at once on the practice of his 
profession in the city of Madison, his character and ability [p 465] soon won 
recognition, and in the fall of 1850 John W. LEARY was elected District 
Attorney of Dane County over the ablest man on the Republican ticket. 
Renominated in 1892, he was again elected, running ahead of his ticket.

On 30 Jun 1891, John W. LEARY was joined in wedlock with Miss Celia SEVERSON, 
an amiable and accomplished young lady, the daughter of Iver and Martha 
SEVERSON, of Black Earth [Dane County], WI. A daughter, Mary Celia, was born 
to John W. and Martha (SEVERSON) LEARY on 22 Apr 1892. In politics Mr. LEARY 
is a Democrat; in religion a Catholic. As a public officer he is faithful, 
painstaking and efficient; as an orator he is convincing, so earns in the 
presentation of his theme. He is an untiring student of the law, devoting 
all his spare moments to this, his favorite study. A kind son and brother, a 
model husband, a valuable citizen and creditable official, this boy born in 
poverty and reared in privation stands now on the threshold of a brilliant 
career.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly