WI BIO - Dane Co - NEVIN, James
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol II, p 507

James NEVIN, superintendent of the Wisconsin Fish Hatchery [Madison, Dane 
County, WI], was born at New Castle, Province of Ontario, Canada, 04 June 
1854. His father, Joseph NEVIN, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, and the 
grandfather of our subject was of the same [Irish] and Scotch ancestry. He 
was a farmer and spent his last days there. The father of our subject and 
his brothers, William and John, were the only members of the family to come 
to America. John resides in Hamilton County, Nebraska; William settled in 
Petersburg, Menard County, Illinois, and died there. The father of our 
subject came to America when a young man and settled in New Castle [Ontario, 
Canada]. His circumstances were limited and he sought employment on the farm 
and was finally enabled to rent land, and in 1880 bought a farm in Essex 
County [Ontario, Canada?], where he now resides. The maiden name of his 
[Joseph NEVIN's] wife was Mary Ellen WILSON, born in County Down, Ireland, 
and her father was born in the same place, of Scotch ancestry. He emigrated 
to America and landed in Quebec, where he died immediately after landing. 
The mother reared seven children: James, William, George, Albert H., Fred, 
Viola, and Herbert.

Our subject was reared and educated in his native town [New Castle] and 
commenced when very young to be self-supporting, and worked on the farm for 
$6 a month. A short distance away from his father's place was the Government 
fish-breeding establishment. When he was fifteen years of age he commenced 
work in that institution at $20 per month and boarded himself. He paid 
strict attention to his work and made a thorough study of all the details and 
mastered a profession that but few have any knowledge of. He remained at 
that station until 1875, when he was transferred to Windsor, Ontario, and 
placed in charge of the hatchery at that place, where he remained until 1882, 
when he resigned to accept his present position.

James NEVIN was married 08 October 1879 to Mary Ellen ROBINSON, a native of 
England, and her parents were natives of the same locality. Mr. and Mrs. 
NEVIN have two children: William and Thomas W. Mr. NEVIN is a member of 
Madeira Lodge, No. 5, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, Madison Chapter, No. 4, 
Royal Arch Masons, and Robert M. Coy Commandery, No. 3., Knights Templar.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly