WI BIO - Juneau Co - WILLARD, George

History of Northern Wisconsin. Chicago: Western Historical, 1881, vol I, p 392

George WILLARD, liveryman, Wonewoc [Juneau County, Wisconsin], oldest settler 
of Wonewoc, was born in 1820 in Burlington [Chittenden County], Vermont. He 
moved to Michigan in 1837 [Michigan had just become a State on 26 January of 
that year], stopping at Allegan [Allegan County, Michigan] for one year. In 
the fall of 1838 he went to Chicago [Cook County, Illinois], where he lived 
about three years [until about 1841?].

He then came to the State of Wisconsin [which became a state 29 May 1848; he 
more likely came to the Territory of Wisconsin] living in Kenosha County 
[which was then probably still part of Racine County, since Kenosha County 
was created 26 January 1850] for about eighteen months [until about 1843?], 
when he returned to Chicago and spent the winter, and the following spring 
[about 1844?] came to Baraboo, Sauk County, [Territory of] Wisconsin, where 
he lived about nine years [until about 1853?], during which time, in 
partnership with his brother Edmund, he built the second saw mill located on 
the Baraboo River, and as there were no railroads in [that area of] Wisconsin 
at that time, he hauled the iron from Chicago [Cook County, Illinois] with 
teams, a distance of 175 miles. [The first railroad in Wisconsin, from 
Milwaukee to Waukesha, was built in 1851.]

In 1851, as they were getting all their logs from up the river, they 
concluded to build a mill nearer the forest, and accordingly came to Wonewoc, 
built a saw mill, and with the exception of J. T. CLEMENT, who was their 
millwright, were the only settlers of the place for two years. In 1855 the 
mill was destroyed by fire, but they rebuilt it, and in 1858 sold the same, 
after which, for about twelve years, Mr. [George] WILLARD followed various 
occupations, and took a trip to the Rocky Mountains and other places of note.

In 1869 he moved to Mauston [Juneau County, Wisconsin], rented an elevator, 
and dealt in general produce for three years, when he returned to Wonewoc, 
living on his farm two years. Then he moved into the village [of Wonewoc], 
dealing in wood for the railroad company about two years, then engaged in the 
livery business, which he is still following.

In December 1847 he [George WILLARD] was married to Lucinda WASHBURN. They 
[George and Lucinda WILLARD] have seven children: Lucretia, Harriet E., 
Frederick, Emma, G. M., Edwin A., and Chester A.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly