From Memorial and Genealogical Record of Dodge and Jefferson Counties, Wisconsin, publ. 
1894 - Page 65-66
 
JOHN W. SAWYER.  The subject of this biographical notice is an honorable and progressive 
farmer, and as such no name in this work is more worthy of mention.  He is endowed by nature 
with such gifts as characterize true manhood in all that the word implies, is descended from an 
honorable ancestry, and it has been many years since the family tree first took root on American 
soil.  John W. SAWYER is a product of New York - that State that has given to the West some of 
her most intelligent and progressive citizens - and was born in the city of Albany, November 15, 
1842, a son of Eber SAWYER, who was born in the vicinity of Albany, his father being a 
successful medical practitioner.  The SAWYERs were among the pioneers of the Empire State, 
and Eber SAWYER was reared to maturity and educated there.  His wife was Abigail AUSTIN, of 
that State.  Mr. SAWYER was engaged in tilling the soil in the State of his birth, but in 1843 came 
to the wise conclusion that the West was the place for a young man with little means to gain a 
start in life, and he accordingly turned his footsteps toward the setting sun, and eventually located 
in Norway, Racine County, Wis., in the vicinity of which place he entered a tract of land, opened 
up a fine farm, and there reared his family.  In 1854 he was called from life before he had 
succeeded in accomplishing any of his desires.  His widow survives him and resides in Waterford, 
with a son.  John W. SAWYER spent his youth and early manhood in Racine County, Wis., and 
was fortunate enough to secure a good education while growing up.  He remained with and 
assisted his father on the home farm until the latter's death, then engaged in farming on his own 
responsibility, and on the 19th of November, 1865, was united in marriage with Miss Mary Jane 
FOX, a native of Waukesha County, Wis., where she was reared, and the following year moved 
with his young wife to Dodge County, located at Minnesota Junction, where he purchased a store 
building, stocked it with a well-selected and extensive stock of groceries, and launched upon the 
mercantile sea.  From year to year he increased his stock of goods as his patronage demanded, 
and a few years after establishing himself in business there he began dealing in a general line of 
goods and built up an excellent trade.  During the quarter of a century that he was in business 
there, he became widely known for his honest business methods, his accommodating spirit and 
genial manners, and he won golden opinions from all with whom he had business dealings.  He 
sold his stock of goods, rented his store building and moved to his farm adjoining the Junction, 
which consists of 160 acres of fertile land.  This place is nicely improved with good buildings, 
fences, etc., and make him a comfortable and pretty home.  He has been as successful in his 
farming as he was in his mercantile operations, and has the satisfaction of knowing that his 
success is due to his own efforts  He started out in life for himself with little or no means, but was 
determined to make a success of his life, and took advantage of every opportunity that presented 
itself for bettering his financial condition, and was not sparing of either brain or brawn in the 
accomplishment of his object.  As a result he is one of the wealthy men in the county at the 
present time, and deserves much credit for the admirable way in which he has bent the force of 
circumstances to his will.  He has supported the men and measures of the Republican party at all 
times, cast his first presidential vote for A. Lincoln in 1864 but has never been an aspirant for 
pubic preferment.  He has been a resident of Dodge County for about twenty-nine years, and has 
resided in Wisconsin nearly his whole life, and has been one of her most useful and progressive 
citizens.  His many worthy traits of character have won him many friends, and he and his family 
move in the best social circles of their section.  Mr. and Mrs. SAWYER have three children: John, 
who is a well-educated young man and is helping to carry on the farm; Nettie is attending the 
Horicon High School, and Charles is at home.  They lost one daughter, Alla, who died at the age 
of five years.
 
Submitted by Carol