WI BIO - Lafayette Co - PEDLEY, John S.

Commemorative Biographical Record of Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and 
Lafayette, Wisconsin, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and 
Representative Citizens, and of Many of the Early Settled Families. Chicago: 
Beers, 1901, pp 170-171

John S. PEDLEY, in his lifetime one of the successful farmers and stock 
raisers of New Diggings Township, Lafayette County [Wisconsin], was born in 
Yorkshire, England, 06 June 1842, a son of William and Alice PEDLEY. Early 
in his life our subject was brought by his parents to America, here grew to 
manhood, and was trained to work on the farm, later engaging to some extent 
in mining. He purchased a farm in New Diggings Township, and made his home 
there until 1883, when he sold the farm and purchased another in Aurelia, 
Cherokee County, Iowa. There he lived for ten years, at the end of that time 
returning to New Diggings and purchasing his father's old home farm, one of 
the finest in the township, where he resided until his death in December 
1896. The large stone house and modern outbuildings give an air of sold 
comfort and substantial prosperity, and are the result of Mr. [John S.] 
PEDLEY's careful management and natural business ability. A year after his 
death a new barn was erected, and his widow has displayed business ability 
quite unusual to her sex in the management of her husband's estate. In 
politics Mr. [John S.] PEDLEY was always a Republican.

In July 1873 Mr. [John S.] PEDLEY was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. 
HARKER, daughter of Thomas and Rose (METCALF) HARKER. She was born in 
England in February 1853, and was educated in New Diggings Township 
[Lafayette County, Wisconsin], whither she had come with her father in 
childhood. Three children were born of this marriage: (1) Luella, born in 
November 1875, received her education in the Iowa schools; (2) William, born 
in 1879, and (3) Eva, born in 1883, are students at the home schools. Mrs. 
PEDLEY is a charming lady, of unusually high attainments, and wins many 
friends by her loving and lovable disposition.

Thomas HARKER, father of Mrs. PEDLEY, was born in Yorkshire, England, in 
December 1824, and his wife, Rose (METCALF) was born in the same county some 
years later. They [p 171] were married in England, and there Mrs. HARKER 
died in 1858, leaving three children: (1) William, born in January 1849, 
married Miss Jane COTTINGHAM, and moved to [the state of] Iowa, where his 
wife died, leaving five children: Walter, Willie, Joseph, Mamie, and Jennie. 
For his second wife he married Miss Grace FINCH, by whom he has two 
children, Harry and Lulu. He now makes his home in Preston, Grant County, 
Wisconsin. (2) Isabel, born in January 1851, married Reuben HOWELL, and 
lives in Iowa [probably the state of Iowa, not Iowa County, Wisconsin]. She 
has two children, Pearl and Emma. (3) Mary A. is Mrs. [John S.] PEDLEY.

In 1860 Thomas HARKER brought his three motherless children to America and 
located in New Diggings Township, Lafayette County, Wisconsin, where he 
purchased a farm and remained until he moved to Shullsburg a few years 
previous to his death. Returning to England, he wedded that year [1860], for 
his second wife, Miss Anne BIRD, who still makes her home in Shullsburg 
[Lafayette County, Wisconsin]. By this marriage there were seven children: 
(1) Hannah, now Mrs. Robert HALL, of Darlington [Lafayette County, WI]; (2) 
Jane, Mrs. Henry KRAMER, of Shullburg; (3) Maggie, Mrs. William DOUGLAS, of 
Shullsburg; (4) Isaac, who married Alda EWING, and lives on the old 
homestead; (5) Lillie; (6) Thomas; and (7) Luella, who died in childhood. 
Mr. [Thomas] HARKER passed away in April 1896.

Both the PEDLEY and HARKER families were members of the Methodist Church. Mr. 
[John S.] PEDLEY, like his wife [Mary A. (HARKER) PEDLEY], had been a 
faithful member for over thirty years, and was serving as Steward and Trustee 
at the time of his death.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly