GUNNISON, Pliny Hayes
Commemorative and Biographical Record of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, 
WI. Chicago: Ogle, 1901, p 695-6

Pliny Hayes GUNNISON, a prominent and influential citizen of the village of 
North Freedom, Sauk County, WI, who is now living retired from active 
business cares, was born in Canandaigua, Ontario County, NY, 03 May 1832, and 
is a son of Levi B. and Rhoda (HURD) GUNNISON, natives of NH, who located in 
Canandaigua about 1822. The father was born in Goshen [Sullivan County], NH, 
and was five years old when his parents died of spotted fever at that place. 
His great grandfather was a native of Norway and founded the family in NH 
about 200 years ago. On the maternal side our subject is of English descent. 
His grandfather lived and died in NH. The father of our subject died on his 
farm in Canandaigua, NY, at the age of 84 years, the mother at the age of 86.

In his native state Pliny Hayes GUNNISON spent his boyhood and youth, and in 
1856 came to WI, locating in Lodi, Columbia County, where he owned and 
operated a farm of 160 acres on the line of the old military road between 
Mineral Point and Fort Winnebago, where a tavern was conducted for several 
years. He also purchased a 40-acre tract of timber land in Dane County. On 
leaving the farm, in 1883, he removed to Lodi, where he successfully engaged 
in the agricultural implement business for four years, and then came to North 
Freedom, where for five years he dealt in lumber with good success, but since 
then has lived retired, enjoying the fruits of former labor.

On 25 Apr 1855 Mr. GUNNISON married Miss Frances M. MOORE, who was born in 
Medina, OH, a daughter of William and Edna (CASTLE) MOORE, both natives of 
Canandaigua, NY. Her father went to CA by way of the Isthmus and died there 
in 1851 at the age of 51 years. The mother died in Lodi [Columbia County], 
WI, in 1878, at the age of 74 years. Her father, Dyer CASTLE, removed from 
New England to NY at an early day and endured many hardships en route. His 
wife, Margaret JONES, of Welsh lineage, was a devout Quakeress, and in 
remembrance of her deliverance from the dangers of this journey always kept a 
memorial to the Lord upon her mantel. Her father was Myron JONES, a sea 
captain.

To Mr. and Mrs. GUNNISON were born eight children: (1) Edna M., widow of A. 
HAWLEY, of Eden [Ingham County], MI, is a woman of considerable ability and 
talent, and is now acting as secretary of the Bay View Reading Circle; (2) 
Irwin L. is a resident of Lake Preston [Ingham County], SD; (3) Charles N. 
is secretary of a packing company at Sioux Falls [Minnehaha County], SD; (4) 
George H. is also a resident of Preston, SD; (5) Emma A. is the wife of F. 
PEERS, of McMinnville [Warren County], TN; (6) William M. and (7) John H. 
both living in North Freedom [Sauk County], WI; and (8) Alice F. is a 
teacher of Tomah [Monroe County], WI. [p 696] All have been well educated, 
are capable and useful citizens of the various communties in which they 
reside, and are filling creditable positions in life. Mr. and Mrs. GUNNISON 
also have 12 grandchildren living.

While living at Lodi our subject and his wife held membership in the 
Presbyterian church, but since coming to North Freedom have united with the 
Methodist church, in which Mr. GUNNISON is now serving on the official board. 
He has been an elder for over 20 years. He supported the Republican party 
from the time he voted for Fremont, in 1856, until after voting for Blaine, 
in 1884, but the following year became identified with the Prohibition party, 
and is at present a member of the state central committee of WI. He has been 
called upon to fill a number of local offices, though he has never sought 
official honors. He merits and receives the respect and esteem of all who 
know him, and after an honorable and useful career, he can well afford to lay 
aside all business cares and spend the remainder of his life in ease and 
quiet, surrounded by all the comforts that former labor has brought.
Contributed by Cathy Kubly