WI BIO - Dane Co - NEWTON, J. L. W.
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol II, pp 595-596

J. L. W. NEWTON is engaged in the blacksmith trade in the city of Madison 
[Dane County, WI], having established himself there in 1866, hence is one of 
the oldest men in his line in the city. For some years he was a member of 
the foundry firm of Newton & Slater, having spent four years in a foundry in 
Waterloo [Jefferson County], Wisconsin, and one year in Lodi [Columbia 
County], Wisconsin. For some years the present business of general 
blacksmithing has continued under the firm name of Newton & Lyons, and they 
carry on a good business in the city. Our subject has been the patentee of a 
number of valuable machines, being a good machinist and a skilled workman. 
Mr. NEWTON reached the city of Madison on 14 April 1865, upon the day that 
President LINCOLN was assassinated, and that year was spent in farming, but 
he later came back to Madison.

J. L. W. NEWTON was born in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, 05 January 1825, 
where he remained until he was twelve years of age, when he came with his 
parents to Ohio, living with in various counties in that State. He had 
learned his trade in Louisville [probably Louisville in Stark County; the 
other possibility is Louisville in Adams County], Ohio, with B. H. LANGLEY, 
becoming a practical machinist, and afterward conducting a machine shop in 
Ohio. He was the first men to make tools for the oil companies in the State 
of Ohio.

J. L. W. NEWTON was married at Center Township, Guernsey County, Ohio, to 
Miss Catherine WOODS. She was born near Washington [probably Washington in 
Stark County; other possibilities are Washington in Vinton County or 
Washington in Monroe County], Ohio, coming West with her husband, and has 
been his true wife and helpmate for forty-seven years. She has been the 
mother of seven children, four of whom are deceased: Nathaniel and Emma died 
young; Louisa lived to be twenty-seven years of age, and Edmond was near 
twenty when he was called away. He was a bright and promising young man. 
The surviving children are: Martha A., who is the wife of D. S. SLATER, and 
now lives in Chicago [Cook County, IL], as Mr. SLATER is an engineer, and is 
employed on the World's Fair grounds; Amanda J. became the wife of Dr. L. S. 
BROWN [see also the Dane County, WI, biography of Lindsey S. BROWN]; Florence 
became the wife of Asa BROWN, a contractor and builder in Milwaukee; Mr. and 
Mrs. NEWTON have been members of the Congregational Church for the past forty 
years. He is a very prominent Republican, taking an active part in local 
affairs. His usefulness has been recognized [p 596] and he is now serving 
the city as Alderman of the 2nd Ward for the third term, being also a member 
of the leading committees and President of the Board of Health.

While living in Ohio, J. L. W. NEWTON displayed his military mettle by 
becoming Captain of a company of State militia, and had the command of a 
regiment for some time, and for twenty-three days engaged in opposing 
MORGAN's raid in that State. He had been offered a captaincy three times in 
the regular service but was not able to accept on account of ill health in 
his family. Mr. NEWTON is a man very well known in his neighborhood, and 
most highly esteemed through the city. His genial, pleasant manner makes 
friends of all with whom he comes in contact.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly