WI BIO - Lafayette Co - WISEMAN, Christopher, Jr.

History of LaFayette County, Wisconsin. Chicago: Western Historical, 1881, p 
745

Christopher WISEMAN, Jr., farmer, Section 27; P. O. New Diggings, was born 21 
January 1854 in the Town of New Diggings [Lafayette County, Wisconsin]. His 
father came to this farm from England in 1844, and still resides here. 
Christopher WISEMEN Jr. is [New Diggings] Township Assessor. They own 159 
acres of land.

[Christopher WISEMAN Sr. is listed in the section of text concerned with the 
settlement of the Town of New Diggings (p 565) as being "among those who 
came to the town about 1843," when it was part of Iowa County, Territory of 
Wisconsin. Lafayette County was created from part of Iowa County in 1846, 
the boundaries of both being officially defined by an Article of Agreement 
dated 23 December 1847. Wisconsin became a State 29 May 1848.] Part of the 
village of New Diggings was platted in 1845, the first part having been 
platted earlier, but the text gives no date. Early historical events which 
affected New Diggings include the discovery of lead there in 1824, Indian 
uprisings in the late 1820's to early 1830's, and a cholera epidemic that was 
prevalent in some portions of Lafayette County in 1854. Page 574 of the text 
notes that the first cholera death in Shullsburg Township, east of and 
adjacent to New Diggings Township, occurred on 26 July 1854.]

[In 1881 the population of the village of New Diggings numbered about three 
hundred persons. There were three stores, one hotel, two churches, three 
religious associations, a good school, and "an intelligent, industrious class 
of people." (p 568) When young, however, the description of the village of 
New Diggings and surrounding villages given in the text is quite different: 
"Gambling and drinking were usual, and the saloons, where these 
accomplishments were held in high regard, were numerous as the lice in Egypt, 
and equally as voracious for many years."]

Submitted by Cathy Kubly