The Mead Family of Clark Co, WI

Researched by Lani Bartelt

Here again is a biography of a family who started out in the state of New York and some of the Family stayed there and others immigrated to first Jefferson Co, WI and lastly, to Clark Co, WI. Some of their descendants would again travel west to settle in Oregon, Washington, and Canada in the next generation.

Van Renslear (the father) and Margaret (Marshall) Mead, were the parents of William Harrison Mead sometimes listed as W. H. Mead and in other records as “Harry” Mead, and his eight sisters and brothers – Egbert, Martha, Nathan, Van  Renslear, Moses, Caroline, George and Daniel and another William, the one who lived in Thorp and died in 1924.

I have looked for a death record or burial information on   the son, V. R. Mead and have been unable to locate any information on either record.

V. R. Mead served in Co G 49^th WI according to the 1885 Civil War Vet Census for Clark Co. WI.

1870 US Census, Town of Eaton, Clark Co, Wisconsin, Page 443A

WILLIAM HARRISON MEAD (HARRY)

Harry Mead was also employed as agent by the Gates Land Company   and continued with them until 1902,when he again resumed farming, this time on a farm two and a half miles south of Withee.

 On this farm, which contained 224 acres, he passed the rest of his life, a period of four and a half years, his death taking place Mar. 6, 1911.

His wife, Julia, died Aug. 21, 1918 and they are buried side by side in the Greenwood City Cemetery.

Sources: Robert McBride's 1909 History of Clark County, 1918 History of Clark County, 1934 Greenwood History; Family Records & Obituaries

Source: Greenwood Gleaner 2/12/1920

http://wvls.lib.wi.us/Clark

County/clark/data/index/obits/Obit_ME.htm

So…. the other William Mead from Thorp, Clark Co, WI was an uncle and Mrs. J. A. McCarty would have been Jeanette Smith daughter of Christopher Smith (Julia Arvilla Smith Meads’ brother, and niece of Julia Arvilla (Smith) Mead.

LETTER FROM ILLINOIS

The following letter from J. A. McCarty of Longwood, who with his wife is visiting their son at Rock Island, Ill., will be of interest to many of our readers. Mr. McCarty was for many years a member of our county board.

“Dear Friend:

“ I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We arrived at Rock Island all right. Found the folks well. The ground was bare when we got here; there is about two inches of snow now. Five above zero is the coldest up to date. Next Sunday, Jan. 1st, is out 50th anniversary. Makes me think I am growing old.

Your Friend,

J. A. McCarty.

P.S. Will return with the robins in the spring.”