WI BIO - Dane Co - STEELE, Robert
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol I, pp 294-295

Robert STEELE was born in Roxbury, Delaware County, New York, 18 November 
1832, the son of James and Jane STEELE, and the grandson of Robert and Nancy 
STEELE, both natives of Armagh County, Ireland, who emigrated to America in 
1801, on the ship "Stafford." This vessel was more than nine weeks making 
her passage from the coast of Ireland to Philadelphia, and more than 100 of 
her passengers died of yellow fever. Mr. [Robert] STEELE was stricken down 
with the disease soon after landing, and while unconscious was robbed of all 
his money. Robert and Nancy STEELE were married in Kortright, Delaware 
County, New York, in October 1802. James STEELE, their second son, was born 
04 January 1805, and was married to Miss Jane COWAN, a native of Scotland, in 
Middletown, Delaware County, New York, 04 March 1830. They settled on a farm 
in the town of Roxbury [Delaware County, NY], where they resided until they 
removed to Wisconsin in 1848. They bought a farm of 320 acres of Government 
land in the town of Dane, Dane County, where they resided until the time of 
their death. Mr. [James] STEELE died 04 February 1887, aged eighty-two 
years, and Mrs. [Jane] STEELE died 16 May 1889, also aged eighty-two years.

Mr. and Mrs. STEELE [James and Jane (COWAN) STEELE] raised a family of eight 
children, six sons and two daughters. One son died in infancy, and William 
at the age of four years. They brought six children to Wisconsin with them, 
five of whom are now living: Eliza, the wife of William RAPP; Robert, the 
subject of this sketch; and Samuel D., the youngest of the family, who 
resides on the old homestead of 525 acres. All reside in the town of Dane, 
[Dane County, WI]. Nancy M., was married to James HALLETT in June 1861, and 
died in February 1865; she resided in Dane also; Herman N., resides in Custer 
County, South Dakota; and James W., resides in Seneca [Nemaha County], 
Kansas. [Note seven of the eight children of James and Jane (COWAN) STEELE 
are mentioned, omitting one brought to WI, but not living in 1893 when the 
biography was published.]

Mr. [James] STEELE was one of the pioneers of Western Dane County; and 
Robert, his eldest son, worked diligently with his father in improving the 
farm and making a comfortable home for the family, and at the same time 
improving the meager opportunities there were at that time for securing an 
education by going to the district school a few months in the winter seasons. 
In the spring of 1856 he commenced improving the farm where he now resides, 
on section 16, town of Dane; and on 18 June 1856 [Robert STEELE] was united 
in marriage to [his first wife] Miss Rhoda A. BOWER, a daughter of Rensselaer 
and Christiana BOWER, natives of Orange County, New York, who was born in 
Little Britain, Orange County, New York, 23 March 1835, and died in Dane 
[Dane County], Wisconsin, 02 February 1864. They [Robert and Rhoda A. 
(BOWER) STEELE] had four children: [p 295] John Wesley, Anna Josephine, 
Robert Benson and William Washington.

Mr. [Robert] STEELE was married the second time to Miss Mary HANLEY, 07 
August 1866, who was born in Limerick County, Ireland, in 1843. She was 
brought to America when an infant, by her parents, James and Catherine 
HANLEY. By his second marriage they [Robert and Mary (HANLEY) STEELE] have 
three children: Daisy, James Eddy, and Samuel Hanley. Six of his [Robert 
STEELE's] children are now [1893] living. Ann Josephine [from the first 
marriage], the wife of W. H. BITNEY, died on 05 February 1884.

Mr. [Robert] STEELE entered the military service of the U. S. in August 1862, 
and was commissioned by Governor [Edward] SALMON Second Lieutenant of Company 
H, Twenty-third Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and in January 1862 
[1863?] was promoted to First Lieutenant. He participated in the battles of 
Chickasaw Bluff, Arkansas Post, the bombardment of Grand Gulf, Port Gibson, 
Champion Hills, Black River, and the siege of Vicksburg. He saw at a 
distance of a half mile the meeting of Generals GRANT and PEMBERTON, when he 
terms of the surrender of Vicksburg were agreed upon. His regiment, the 23rd 
Wisconsin, formed a part of the Thirteenth Army Corps, and was transferred to 
the Department of the Gulf soon after the surrender of Vicksburg, and he took 
part in about all the campaigns in which his regiment was engaged up to the 
time of his resignation on account of sickness, on 04 July 1864. His health 
having improved, he assisted in recruiting Company C, Forty-second Regiment, 
Wisconsin Volunteers. He was commissioned First Lieutenant of that 
organization by Governor James T. LEWIS in September 1864. The 42nd Regiment 
was assigned to duty at Cairo [Alexander County], Illinois, and remained 
there until the close of the war. Lieutenant STEELE had command of his 
company during his service in the 42nd Regiment, his Captain, G. H. HUMPHREY, 
being on detached service. At the close of the war, in 1865, he came home 
with his company and returned to the pursuits of civil life.

Mr. [Robert] STEELE has been Assessor of his town four times, Supervisor 
once, and Chairman of the Board of Supervisors five times. As a member of 
the County Board he has always been placed on important committees, often 
acting as chairman. He was once a defeated candidate for County Treasurer, 
and again defeated for member of the Assembly, but always received the full 
strength of his party vote. In politics Mr. STEELE is a Republican, and is 
thoroughly posted on all political questions of the day, and is always ready 
to give a reason for the [political] faith that is in him.

Mr. and Mrs. STEELE [Robert and Mary (HANLEY) STEELE] are both members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. He has been an active worker in the church over 
forty years, and most of the time a member of the official board. Mr. STEELE 
resides on the same farm on which he settled in 1856. His farm now contains 
320 acres, well improved. He has a fine residence, erected in 1891 by his 
son, William W. He carries on general farming, having his farm well stocked 
with horses, cattle and hogs of improved breeds. Mr. STEELE loves a country 
life, and thinks the occupation of a farm the most independent, and will 
bring as much happiness to the home as any other calling in life.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly