From Memorial and Genealogical Record of Dodge and Jefferson Counties, Wisconsin, 
publ. 1894 - Page 24-26
 
ALANSON BOOMER.  The entire life of this gentleman has been passed in ceaseless 
activity, and has not been without substantial evidences of success, as will be seen in 
glancing over this short sketch of his life.  He is a splendid type of the enterprise, industry 
and self-reliance so noticeable in the Wisconsin agriculturist, and his honorable and 
useful walk through life is well worthy of emulation.  Although his life has been one of 
incessant activity, and his duties many and heavy, yet his shoulders have fitted 
themselves to the burdens to be borne and he has performed the tasks which have fallen 
to his lot in a becoming and praiseworthy manner.  He is a product of Belleville, 
Jefferson County, N.Y., where he as born February 14, 1815, a son of Joshua and Mary 
(MASON) BOOMER, and a grandson of Matthew BOOMER, who was born near 
Providence, R.I., of English parents.  The BOOMERs first located in the New World 
about 1700, or earlier, and finally in 1799 Mathew BOOMER located in Jefferson 
County, N.Y., where a large tract of land, comprising about 700 acres, was entered and in 
time admirably improved by himself and seven sons.  He was a member of the Baptist 
Church, and died about 1812, his wife's death occurring about 1823.  Their children were: 
Dr. Edward, who died in New York; Benjamin, Matthew, Caleb, William, Joshua, and 
Jabez, all of whom married and reared families.  Joshua BOOMER, the father of the 
subject of this sketch, was born in Rhode Island May 29, 1782, but was taken by his 
father to New York and was there reared to a knowledge of farming and stockraising.  
During the progress of the War of 1812 he assisted in the building of ships, and was also 
engaged in teaming, by which means valuable aid was given by him to the land of his 
birth.  He was drowned November 24, 1847, while building a bridge over Sandy Creek, 
having been a Whig in politics and a member of the Baptist Church.  His widow lived 
until July 6, 1865, when she, too, passed away at the age of eighty years.  Of thirteen 
children born to herself and husband, eight reached maturity: Daniel H.; Parmelia 
(CHAMBERLAIN); Lyman E., who came to Watertown, Wis., in 1837, and eventually 
died; Alanson; Mary (BARNY), who died in Chicago, Ill., in April 1892; Delana M. 
(BARNES) died in New York in 1849; Amanda (ARMSBURY), of New York, and 
Frances A. (BARNES).  The maternal grandfather, Jeremiah MASON, was born in 
Swansea, Mass., and during the early portion of his life was a dealer in furs.  He removed 
to New York about 1800, and was there called from life about forty-eight years later, at 
the age of ninety-three years.  He was a "minute man" during the War of 1812, and was a 
patriotic and honorable citizen.  He was married to a Miss THURBER, by whom he 
became the father of the following children: Ezra, Mary, Hannah, Nancy, Jeremiah, 
Thomas, Olive, Alfred, Lydia, and Phoebe, all of whom married and reared families.  
Alanson BOOMER was reared on a farm in the State of his birth, and received a common 
school education.  In the spring of 1836 he made his way to Milwaukee, Wis., by the 
Great Lakes to Detroit, thence by stage to St. Joseph, Mich., from there by boat to 
Chicago and overland to Milwaukee.  He remained in this city for about one year 
engaged in prospecting, at the end of which time he went to Waukesha, and with one of 
his brothers located on a tract of school land.  In December 1837, he located on the farm 
on which he is now residing, comprising 160 acres of land, and with his brother began the 
work of improving.  All their supplies were procured at Milwaukee, their purchases being 
made with furs which they had procured from the Indians, to whom they gave corn in 
exchange.  They dealt honestly and fairly with the red man, never incited him to violence 
by giving him whisky, and in turn were never molested by them.  In the fall of 1841 
Alanson BOOMER returned to New York and there took charge of one of his father's 
farms, comprising 287 acres of land.  In the spring of 1858 he returned to Wisconsin and 
bought his brother's interest in their farm, which comprised between 600 and 800 acres, 
and at present he is the sole owner of a very fertile tract of 340 acres, the most of which 
he has himself improved.  In 1861 he built a fine residence about one mile and a half 
from the main street of Watertown, and there he and his wife dispense cordial hospitality 
to their many friends.  He was first a Whig, but had long been a Republican in politics, 
and aside from serving as county supervisor has never aspired to public office.  He was 
one of the chief promoters in founding the Watertown shoe factory, is one of its heaviest 
stockholders, is also connected with the Kunert Manufacturing Company, and has owned 
stock in the North-western Railroad.  In fact, he is an enterprising man who thinks for 
himself, and when he believes himself in the right acts according to his conviction.  
January 16, 1862, he was married to Miss Lydia VAN WERMER, who was born in 
Jefferson County, N.Y., a daughter of Christopher Edmunds, who removed from his 
native State of Vermont to Jefferson County, N.Y., in 1798.  His wife was a Miss 
HOWARD.  Mr. BOOMER has one child.  He is one of the most substantial citizens of 
the county, and is highly honored by all who know him.

Submitted by:  Carol Holmbeck