----Source: 1891 History of Clark & Jackson Co., Wis., pg. 289-290

A. O. FINCH, Among the enterprising businessmen of Merillon, Wisconsin, we find the name of A. O. Finch. He was born in Burlington, Wisconsin, August 3, 1856. His ancestors were New York people. His father, E. O. Finch, came West with a family of four children and located in Burlington. His education was obtained in New York and he was married at the early age of eighteen years. Although he came to Wisconsin without means he continued work at his trade, that o of carpenter, which he had learned in New York, and provided a comfortable support for his family. His death occurred in Alabama in 1884.

When he was only thirteen years old the subject of this sketch began to work on a farm in Waukesha County and continued in the employ of one man for five years, working in the summer and attending school in the winter, thereby gaining a fair education in the district schools. The first summer he received 8 per month. He subsequently went to Harland, where he engaged as a clerk in the mercantile business and served in that capacity three years. He afterward clerked two years in a general store in Juneau County, and for a time assumed management of the store. Then he spent one year on the Pacific coast. Mr. Finch came to Jackson County in 1887, and for three years and a half was engaged as manager of a mercantile business. He then opened a store of his won in Merillon, has established a good trade and is doing a prosperous business.

November 18, 1885, he married Emma Henry of Necedah, Wisconsin. She was educated in the public schools of Juneau County. They have one child, Leighton.