From Memorial and Genealogical Record of Dodge and Jefferson Counties, Wisconsin, publ. 
1894 - Page 88-89
 
SOLOMON SAWYER.  This enterprising farmer and mechanic of Burnett Township, Dodge 
County, Wis., was one of the first to locate in this section, dating his residence from June 1845.  
He was born in Orford, Grafton County, N.H., where he first saw the light January 26, 1826.  
From the time he was nine years of age up to the age of seventeen he worked on a farm, after 
which he began learning the wheelwright's trade in Haverhill.  In June 1845, he came West, to 
Milwaukee, and soon after to Dodge County, building a shop at Rolling Prairie, which was the first 
frame wagon shop in the county.  The following year he went to Milwaukee and worked for part of 
a season there, then went to Chicago and there worked at his trade a short time.  In November, 
1846, he returned to Rolling Prairie and resumed work in his shop here, and has been actively 
engaged in the wheelwright's business in this shop for forty-nine years, being the oldest wagon 
maker carrying on a constant business in Dodge County, if not in the State.  He first purchased 
eighty acres of land, which he broke and improved and while following his trade also tilled his 
land, but after a few years he sold his farm.  He now owns property adjoining the village of Rolling 
Prairie, also twenty-one acres near the place, which he uses as pasture and cultivates a portion.  
He was married in Burnett Township June 26, 1853, to Miss Rosette WILSON, a native of 
Haverhill, N.H., who was a successful teacher for a number of years in the State of her birth, and 
after her removal to Dodge County, Wis., she followed that occupation for a number of years.  
She died in May, 1888, having borne her husband four children: Ella Ada, who reached 
womanhood and died in 1874; Carter J. acquired an excellent education, became a successful 
teacher of Dodge County, studied law and after being admitted to the bar practiced a short time, 
but now holds a responsible business position in Grand Rapids, Mich., is married and has one 
son; Harry was educated in the Normal College at Whitewater, Wis., was a successful teacher for 
a number of years, became a mechanical draughtsman and is now a designer for the Shaw 
Electric Traveling Crane Company, of Muskegon, Mich., of which he is one of the stockholders 
and directors, and George who is deceased.  The principles of the Democrat party have always 
met with Mr. SAWYER's approval, and he has always supported its men and measures, but cast 
his first presidential vote for Lewis Cass in 1848.  From 1856 to 1861 he held the office of 
postmaster of Rolling Prairie and has filled various township offices, and has been a delegate to 
numerous State and county conventions.  He has been an active Mason for thirty-eight years, 
and is a member of Beaver Dam Chapter and was the first master of Burnett Lodge, No. 150, 
established in 1864.  He has been repeatedly elected to the same position, is the present 
worshipful master of his lodge and has several times represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge of 
the State.  He has been a useful citizen of Dodge County for forty-nine years, is highly honored, 
and has many warm friends.
 
Submitted by Carol