GREEN, Joseph L.
Commemorative and Biographical Record of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, 
WI. Chicago: Ogle, 1901, p 266-270

Joseph L. GREEN, deceased, was for many years one of the most prominent and 
influential citizens of Reedsburg [Sauk County, WI], as well as one of its 
leading and successful business men. [p 269] He was identified with some of 
the most important industries of the community, and his connection with these 
various business enterprises was of decided advantage to this section of the 
county, promoting its material welfare in no uncertain manner.

Mr. GREEN was born in Cairo, Greene County, NY, 06 Jun 1827, and died at 
Reedsburg [Sauk County], WI, 08 Jul 1885. His parents, James and Lodimma 
(PITTS) GREEN, were also natives of Greene County, NY. Our subject passed 
his boyhood and youth upon the home farm in NY, and in 1843 removed with the 
family to Racine County, WI, and five years later to Reedsburg, when that 
village consisted of only a few log cabins. For several years he worked in a 
saw mill owned by David C. REED, and later lived on a farm near the village. 
In 1853 he embarked in merchandising in Reedsburg, and carried on business 
along that line until 1864, when he removed to Sparta and engaged in hop 
culture for a few years. About 1870 he went to Rudd's, Monroe County, 
becoming a partner of Rudd Brothers, under the firm name of RUDD and GREEN. 
They built a saw mill, which they operated until 1881, when they sold the 
plant, and Mr. GREEN returned to Reedsburg, where he purchased an interest in 
a flouring mill. He was one of the incorporators of the Reedsburg Woolen 
Mills, and retained an interest in that concern until his death. He was also 
one of the incorporators of the Reedsburg Bank, and was a director of that 
flourishing institution throughout the remainder of his life. The Republican 
party found in him a stanch supporter of its principles, and for a time he 
held the office of postmaster of Reedsburg. He was a member of the Good 
Templars Society, and took an active interest in advancing the cause of 
temperance. He was a man of the highest respectability, and those who were 
most intimately associated with him speak in unqualified terms of his 
sterling integrity, his honor in business, and fidelity to all the duties of 
public and private life.

On 20 Nov Mr. GREEN was united in marriage with Miss Lavina REED, also a 
native of Cairo, Greene County, NY, and a daughter of Alanson C. and Mary 
(ROBERTS) REED, who in 1845 removed with their family to Lake Geneva, 
Walworth County, WI, and remained there five years. At the end of that time 
they came to Reedsburg, and located on a farm near the village. The father, 
who was a farmer by occupation, died in Sparta [Monroe County, WI] in Oct 
1867 at the age of 65 years, and the mother died at the same place in Jun 
1877 at the age of 72. His cousin, David C. REED, came to what is now 
Reedsburg, WI, about 1849, and built the first saw mill in the place. Th 
village was afterward named in his honor. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. 
GREEN were Adam and Rebecca (CHICHESTER) REED, natives of Morristown, NJ, and 
the former was of Welsh and the latter of Dutch descent. The REED family was 
represented in the Revolutionary war.

Mrs. GREEN is the third of order of birth in a family of six children, the 
others being: Rebecca, who died in 1853, at the age of 20 years; Mary, widow 
of John COUGHRAN, and a resident of Grand Rapids, MI; George , a resident of 
Greene County, IA; Martha, widow of Samuel COUGHRAN; and Francis, who died 
in Reedsburg in 1856 at the age of 14 years. [See also the biography of 
Samuel COUGHRAN, this county.] 

To Mr. and Mrs. GREEN was born a daughter, Mary Evelyn, who died 13 Jul 1888, 
at the age of 34 years. Mrs. GREEN still makes her home in Reedsburg, where 
she is surrounded by a large circle [p 270] of friends and acquaintances who 
esteem her highly for her sterling worth. She attends the Presbyterian 
church.
Contributed by Cathy Kubly