Jay Isaac Staples, 1872

stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org on Thu, 15 Feb 2001

Surname: STAPELS, HILL, DEVAN

----Source: History of Clark County, Wisconsin (1918), by Franklyn, Curtiss-Wedge

JAY ISAAC STAPLES, a successful agriculturist of Dewhurst Township, who has also made a notable success in the growing of strawberries, and is now serving as township treasurer, was born at Austin, Mower County, Minn., Mar. 8, 1872, son of Carlo B. and Abbie (Hill) Staples. The father was native of Vermont and the mother of Massachusetts, but they were married at Ripon, Wis., where Carlo B. Staples followed the dental profession during the period of the Civil War. Later he removed to Austin, Minn., where also he practiced dentistry, and became a prosperous man, but owing to failing health sold out and in 1882 he removed to Brookins County, Dakota, where he engaged in farming until January, 1891, when he came to Clark County, Wis. Here he bought 320 acres in section 19, the south half of that section-Dewhurst Township, the tract being at that time just as the lumbermen had left it. A road had just been constructed past the place. Here Carlo B. Staples resided until his death at the age of 76 years.

His wife, who survived him, is still living and makes her home at Merrillan , Wis. Jay I. Staples grew to manhood on his father's farm in Brookins County, Dakota. He had no opportunity for acquiring an advanced education, but attended the little red school house of his district. His industrial education was not neglected, however, as he early learned to handle the plow and do other farm work.

He came to Clark County in November, 1891, about eleven months after his father, and after arriving here, bought the west half of the 320-acre tract his father had purchased. This he sold later and after the father's death bought eighty acres of the tract last owned by the latter, and in 1916 he bought the remaining eighty acres. He is now successfully engaged in farming the 160 acres which his father owned. The place is well improved and provided with good buildings and Mr. Staples carries on general farming with profitable results.

He has also taken a prominent part in local government affairs, having held the office of township treasurer for eight years, and was formerly a member of the side board, being the second officer of the township. He has also served ten years on the school board. His fraternal affiliations are with the Woodmen and Beavers of Merrillan.

Mr. Staples married Alta M. Devan, daughter of Ralph P. Devan of Brookings, S. D., where he was a pioneer, being the second white man to locate in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Staples are the parents of seven children: DeVan, Bessie, Muriel, Ralph, Willis, Robert and Donald.