From Memorial and Genealogical Record of Dodge and Jefferson Counties, Wisconsin, publ. 
1894 - Page 137-138
 
J. J. STACKS.  The name above mentioned is one well known to the citizens of Dodge County, 
Wis., for he has resided here for the past forty-five years, and has identified himself with the 
progress and development of the section.  It is a pleasure to chronicle the history of such a man, 
for his life has been one of honor and usefulness, and he has accumulated a fortune that enables 
him to enjoy most thoroughly the comforts and conveniences of life without having to toil in his 
advancing years.  He was born in Addison County, Vt., May 18, 1839, a son of Owen STACKS, 
who was a product of the Isle of Erin, and who, the day after attaining his majority, set sail for the 
United States, and took up his residence in the Green Mountain State, where he became 
overseer of a mine and also conducted a boarding house.  In 1850 he located on a farm in 
Hermann Township, Dodge County, Wis., and after residing on the farm and greatly improving it 
in many ways he, in 1865, moved to the city of Milwaukee, where he was called from life in 1883.  
His wife died in August 1865.  J. J. STACKS was their eldest son and the second of their children, 
whose names are as follows: Mary; Thomas F., who died in Iowa; William, who passed from life 
in Milwaukee; James, who was a railroad man, died in Kansas City, Mo.; Michael was also a 
railroad man and died in Kansas City; Nellie became the wife of Walter MAPES and died in 
Chicago; Eliza (WEBB), of Milwaukee, and J. J.  The last mentioned came to Milwaukee when a 
lad of eleven years, and on his father's unbroken farm in Dodge County he attained manhood.  
He attended the common schools for some time, but is principally self-educated.  After arriving at 
mature years he crossed the plains to Pike's Peak in 1860, where he was engaged in prospecting 
for a few months.  He then returned to Wisconsin, and after working on a farm for one season 
engaged in the grain business at Iron Ridge, where he was in business for several years, and 
also followed the same business at Randolph and Fox Lake.  In 1882 he came to Horicon, 
purchased the grain elevator here, and has since been actively and successfully engaged in the 
grain business at this point, or rather up to September 18, 1893, when he sold out, and owing to 
poor health has not re-engaged in business.  He purchased residence here also, and improved 
both it and his elevator in many ways, making them valuable and desirable pieces of property.  
His present substantial position in life has been gained by his own efforts and by good business 
judgment, and, owing to the fact that his walk through life has been one of the utmost integrity, he 
has the unbounded esteem and respect of all who know him.  He was married in Brandon, Wis., 
August 29, 1863 to Miss Lydia Ellen SIMPSON, a native of Columbia, N.Y., who was brought to 
Wisconsin when but seven years of age, and was reared and educated in Dodge County.  Her 
father, Hon. Elva SIMPSON, came to this section in 1851, and was here called from life in 1876.  
To Mr. and Mrs. STACKS two children have been given: Jessie L., wife of John N. BODDEN, who 
holds a responsible position with the Van B____ Manufacturing Company, and Warren E., who is 
a wide-awake young business man of good habits and excellent character, and holds a paying 
position in Milwaukee with Robert ELLIOTT & Co., grain commission merchants.  Mr. STACKS 
has always identified himself with the Democrat party, and his first presidential vote was cast for 
Gen. George Brinton McCLELLAN in 1864, and he has since voted for every Democratic 
nominee.  He has filled most of the chairs in the I.O.O.F., and has been prominent in its councils.  
Mr. STACKS is well known in this and adjoining counties, and during the forty-four years that he 
has resided in this county, naught has ever been said derogatory to his good name.
 
Submitted by Carol