WI BIO - Dane Co - TOMPKINS, Daniel W.
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol I, pp 233-234

Daniel W. TOMPKINS, one of the early settlers of Dane County, Wisconsin, 
residing in Blooming Grove Township, was born in New Bedford [Bristol 
County], Massachusetts, 14 January 1832 [son of Joseph and Ann F. (BROWN) 
TOMPKINS]. His father, Joseph TOMPKINS, was born on the line between the 
States of Massachusetts and Rhode Island and his father, Gideon TOMPKINS was, 
as far as is known, a native of the same locality, where he owned [p 234] a 
farm on both sides of the state line and here it was that he [Gideon 
TOMPKINS] spent his last years. The father of our subject [Joseph TOMPKINS] 
learned the trade of painter and in 1834 he removed to New York State, where 
he followed his trade some years. He [Joseph TOMPKINS] then removed to 
Newport [Newport County], Rhode Island, and there spent his last years. The 
maiden name of the mother of our subject [Joseph TOMPKINS' wife] was Ann F. 
BROWN, born in Massachusetts, died in New York.

Our subject attended the public school of his section, remaining with his 
parents until 1848, when he started for Wisconsin [if before 29 May 1848, the 
state of Wisconsin was still the Territory of Wisconsin], via railroad to 
Buffalo [Erie County, NY], lakes to Milwaukee, from which city Madison [Dane 
County] was reached by stage. The capital city [Madison] was but a small 
place at that time and the surrounding country was but little improved and 
deer and other kinds of wild game roamed unrestricted. Mr. [Daniel W.] 
TOMPKINS soon found employment as a farm laborer and after a few years of 
working for others, he settled on the farm he still owns and occupies. This 
is a fine tract of land, 170 acres, well improved.

Mr. [Daniel W.] TOMPKINS was married 17 November 1854 to Pauline Regina KOHN, 
born in Wittenburg, Germany. Her father, John KOHN, was born in the same 
locality and by profession was a physician, having early turned his attention 
to the study of medicine, and graduating as a physician and surgeon. He 
practiced his calling in Wittenberg until 1851, when he set sail from Havre, 
18 May 1851, on the "William Tell," for America. This vessel held 730 
passengers and landed them in New York on 13 June 1851. Dr. [John] KOHN 
located in Sauk City [Sauk County], Wisconsin, where he bought six lots. 
Here he practiced until his death. The maiden name of his [Dr. John KOHN's] 
wife, mother of Mrs. TOMPKINS, was Christiana C. BAUMAAN [BAUMANN?], born in 
the same locality as her husband. After his [Dr. John KOHN's] death Mrs. 
KOHN went to Kansas and spent the remainder of her life in that state with a 
daughter.

Mr. and Mrs. TOMPKINS [Daniel W. and Paulina Regina (KOHN) TOMPKINS] have 
eight children: Joseph B., Emily B., Charlote C. C., Ann F., Julius E., 
Robert F., Marian O., and Lucy E. Mr. and Mrs. TOMPKINS are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church and Mr. [Daniel W.] TOMPKINS is a Republican in 
politics. Our subject and his good wife are leading members of the local 
society and are highly respected by all who know them.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly