WI BIO - Dane Co - WILLSON, Hiram C.
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol II, pp 424-425

Hiram C. WILLSON, a popular and enterprising citizen of Madison [Dane County, 
WI], was born in Belchertown, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, 18 August 
1836. His father, Estes WILLSON was born in the same town, and his father, 
grandfather of our subject, Nathan WILLSON, was also a native of the same 
place, as far as known, although of English ancestry. He was a farmer and 
spent his last days in Belchertown. The father of our subject [Estes 
WILLSON] was reared to manhood in Belchertown and remained there engaged in 
farming until the fall of 1865, when he emigrated to Illinois, settling about 
twenty miles from Champaign [Champaign County, IL], where he spent the 
remainder of his days there. The maiden name of the mother of our subject 
[the wife of Estes WILLSON] was Sally CURRIER, born in Belchertown [Hampshire 
County], Massachusetts, daughter of Samuel CURRIER. She [Sally (CURRIER) 
WILLSON] died in Illinois, after becoming the mother of fourteen children.

Our subject [Hiram C. WILLSON] was reared in Belchertown, residing there 
until 1863, when he came to Dane County [WI], arriving in Madison on 01 Apr 
[1863]. He bought fifteen acres of land near the city limits, lived there 
until 1880, then sold and removed to Madison, where he remained two years and 
then located on the farm where he now resides, three and a half miles from 
the capitol. Here he has engaged in farming and general fruit raising.

On 27 September 1859 he [Hiram C. WILLSON] was married to Miss Ruth Sophia 
BLACKMER, who was born in Belchertown [Hampshire County], Massachusetts. Her 
father, Hiel K. BLACKMER, was also born in Belchertown, and his father, 
Reuben, was a native of the same State [MA], of English ancestors. His 
[Reuben BLACKMER's] occupation was that of farming, and he spent his last 
years in Belchertown. The father of Mrs. WILLSON [Hiel K. BLACKMER] had a 
farm near the old home and spent the remainder of his days there. The maiden 
name of his [Hiel K. BLACKMER's] third wife, the mother of Mrs. WILLSON, was 
Lidia RICHARDSON, born in North Leverett [Franklin County], Massachusetts, 
and she [Lidia BLACKMER] spent her last years on the home farm.

Mrs. [Hiram C.] WILLSON [Ruth Sophia nee BLACKMER] was reared and educated in 
her native town [Belchertown, Hampshire County, MA] and there taught one term 
of school before her marriage. She is a physician of the Faith Cure 
persuasion, and a graduate of the Spiritual Science University, also 
obtaining the degree of Ph. D. of [from] Chicago. Her diploma bears the date 
of 08 September 1887. Mr. and Mrs. [Hiram C.] WILLSON have one adopted 
daughter, Ruth Elmina, having buried three children: (1) Lillian; (2) 
Sophia, died in her thirteenth year; and (3) Rosalind E. died in infancy. 
Mr. [Hiram C.] WILLSON is a Republican in politics. Mr. and Mrs. WILLSON are 
well known in their section of the country. All are members of the 
Congregational Church.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly