Milton Ross was born at Wiota, Wis., July 7, 1639.  He is the son of Capt. Leonard and Sarah E. Ross.  Capt. Leonard Ross was born at Ludlow, Vt., in 1806.  When eighteen years of age he left home and learned the cabinet-makers trade and afterwards went to Little Falls, N.Y., where he kept tavern, in company of another man.  He removed from thence to Wisconsin, in 1836, locating at Wiota, Lafayette county, where he rented land and engaged in farming and mining.  Jan. 8, 1838, he was married to Sarah E. Burritte, who was born in Indiana, Jan. 30, 1821, and came to Lafayette county with her father’s family, in 1828.  Her father’s name is William Burritte.  He came to Wisconsin with Major Deviese, who was the first permanent settler in Exeter.  Mr. Burritte died in Wiota, Lafayette county, in 1859.  Mr. and Mrs. Ross lived in Wiota, after their marriage, two years, then came to the town of Exeter, and settled on section 8.  He was a man of means, and a most valuable acquisition to the new settlement.  He bought a section of land on sections 7, 8, 9, 16, 17, about 900 acres in all.  He died, deeply regretted, at his residence on section 8, June 3, 1856.  His widow is still survives and lives with her son Milton, at the homestead.  She has a vivid recollection of the excitement attending the Black Hawk War.  Her father took an active part in attending to the safety of families of the settlers, and in restoring confidence among the timid.  Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ross—Milton, William H., Leonard and Otis, who was killed at the battle of Petersburg, June 18, 1864.  He was a member of the 37th Wisconsin volunteers.  Henry died at infancy; Daniel died at the age of 20 months.  He became entangled in a rope swing, and died from strangulation.  On the same day of this sad accident occurred, one of their twin children, Edward, died, aged 5 months.  The other twin, Edwin, died eight days later.  Milton Ross after the death of his father, remained with his father, remained with his mother until he enlisted in the 8th Wisconsin regiment, the “Eagle” regiment.  He was in all of the engagements of the regiment, except during the Red River campaign.  He participated in the siege of Vicksburg and the battles of Corinth and Iuka.  After the war he returned to farm life, and on April 15, 1866, was married to Laura A. Brayton, Daughter of Joseph Brayton.  She was born in Juda in 1840.  Her father settled in New Glarus, in 1848.  He now lives in Fayette Co., Iowa.  Mr. and Mrs. Ross have no children.

Leonard Ross, son of Capt. Leonard Ross, was born in the town of Exeter, April 3, 1842.  He lived with his mother until after his marriage with Mary Turner, which occurred Dec. 25, 1863.  She was a daughter of Robert Turner, who came from New York, to Racine county, in an early day, and, about 1860, to Dane county, and now lives in Belleville.  Five children were born to them, of whom four are living, and at home--Otis, William L., Edgar L. and Franklin Grant.  Henry, the last born, died young.  Mrs. Ross died March 11, 1880.  June 30, 1881, Mr. Ross was married to Mary J. Rossitter, of Brooklyn.  By this marriage there were two children--John Henry and Luella.  Mr. Ross owns one of the fine farms of Exeter, containing 198 acres, on sections 8 and 9.  He also has thirty acres of valuable timber land on section 17.  His improvements are excellent, and the farm is in a good state of cultivation.  Mr. Ross has served as town treasurer, and was, in 1884, elected to the town board.

Dr. Augustus Ross was born in Ludlow, Vt., May 27, 1816, and married to Amanda Smith, Oct. 13, 1837, who was born in the same town May 26, 1818.  Mr. Ross became a botanical physician, commonly called in those days "Thomsonian."  In 1849 he came to the town of Exeter on a visit to his brother, Capt. Leonard Ross, and in 1855 brought his family here, and bought 100 acres of land on sections 16 and 17, making his residence on the latter, where he died Jan. 26, 1863.  His widow, in good health, in 1884, was residing on the homestead.  Dr. Ross was an able and good man.  In Vermont he had an extensive practice, in fact, had too much to do, causing him to desire a home life on a farm, hence he came west.  In this town, with the exception of attendance upon a few families, personal friends and relatives, he did no medical work.  His death was much regretted by all his acquaintances.  Their children were--Margaret, born July 8, 1839; Edgar H., born May 26, 1847.  He enlisted in the 3rd Wisconsin Volunteers, Capt. Flood's company; was wounded and taken prisoner near Harper's Ferry, and died of lock-jaw at Charleston, Va., Nov. 1, 1861; Joseph W., born March 18, 1843; Marion F., born Nov. 15, 1844; A.E., born Dec. 13, 1846; Ada E., born April 6, 1849; Columbus C., born April 16, 1851, and died April 13, 1855; Wilbur born March 29, 1854; Louisa A., born Jan. 27, 1857; and Carrie, born Nov. 24, 1862.  Wilbur Ross lives on the homestead with his mother.  He was married March 13, 1881, to Caroline Hallarbush.  They have two children--Myrtie May, born Feb. 1, 1882, and George A., born April 1, 1884.

William H. Ross, son of Capt. Leonard Ross, was born Sept. 8, 1840, in the old village of Exeter, where his parents resided a few weeks after their arrival in this town.  Mr. Ross is probably the oldest person living in the town who was born within its limits.  He lived with his parents until the death of his father, and remained with his mother until he enlisted in company H, of the 8th Wisconsin Volunteers.  His brother, Milton Ross, enlisted on the same day, Sept. 8, 1861, that being the day on which William H. attained his majority.  His mother had refused her consent previously.  His regiment was a part of A.J. Smith’s corps through the siege of Vicksburg and battles of Corinth, Iuka, etc.  He took part in the Red River campaign, and participated in twenty-seven battles and skirmishes.  He was a gallant soldier, and was discharged at the expiration of his term of enlistment, in September, 1864.  He was married Dec. 12, 1871, to Margaret Greidenwise, born in New Jersey in 1845.  They have had four children—Duane, Eldora, who died at the age of seven years; Bertha, who died at the age of four years, and Theron.  Mr. Ross owns a valuable farm of 160 acres on section 16, where he resides; also twenty acres of timber on section 17.

Peolin P. Havens was born in Hartford, Washington County, New York, May 1, 1803. In his youth he learned the blacksmith trade, at which he became a master workman. At the age of twenty-two years he left home, and for the next ten years worked at his trade in different parts of the State. The last work which he did, as a hired man, was in New York City.
In 1835, he went from there to Evans, Erie County, and worked in a shop of his own several years. He went from Evans to Orleans county, and in 1845 came to Wisconsin, and worked at blacksmithing two years in Evansville. In the fall of 1849 he came to Exeter and bought 240 acres of land. The village plat of Dayton was made by him at the time of his purchase. He opened the first blacksmith shop in that part of the town, in 1847. He was at one time interested in the water power at Dayton. Mr. Havens was married in Erie County, New York, to Betsey A. Phillips, who was born in Niagra County, New York, January 23, 1812. She died in Exeter, December 29, 1872. The children born to them were - Luther, who was born in 1835 and died March 11, 1866, from disease contracted while a prisoner at Andersonville. He was a member of the 8th Wisconsin
regiment; Harriet, born in 1836, is the wife of James Morris, of Milwaukee; Forrester, born April 10, 1838, now owns the old homestead, and his father lives with him; Livonia, born in 1840, died at the age of four years; Albert P., born in 1843, was a member of the 42nd Wisconsin Volunteer regiment. Mr. Havens has led an active and useful life. Now in his declining years he has the confidence and respect of many warm friends. Forrester Havens, who now lives upon the homestead farm, was married Jan. 3, 1865, to Elizabeth Ellis, daughter of Mark Ellis. They have three children - Jessie, born in 1866 ; Aldulah, born in 1870; and Theodore, born in 1876.

part of
p. 857

Marion F. Ross was born in Ludlow, Vt., Nov. 15, 1844.  He was married Nov. 4, 1866, to Alma J. Gassett.  She was also a native of Ludlow, Vt., born Oct. 16, 1844.  She came west with her parents in the spring of 1854.  They settled in the town of Exeter, on section 10.  They now live a retired life in Belleville.  Her brother Julius lives on the homestead.  Mr. and Mrs. Ross commenced housekeeping with his mother after marriage, living there about two years, then followed a residence of about eight months in Galesburg, Ill.  Returning to this county Mr. Ross bought a farm on section 31, town of Brooklyn, where he resided until the fall of 1882, when he sold out and bought his present fine farm on sections 3 and 4, of the town of Exeter, containing 302 acres.  They have five children—Archer F., born in 1868; Lucius A., born in 1875; Curtis H., born in 1873; Mabel A., born in 1875; and Vernon M., born in 1881.

Calvin Morse and his brother, Elias C., came to Exeter in 1854, arriving May 1. Their father, Milton M. Morse, came the next month, and settled on section 15, where he purchased 160 acres of land, upon which he still resides.  Mr. and Mrs. Milton M. Morse were married Sept. 8, 1831.  Their son, Elias C., lives with them on the homestead.  They have one daughter living -- Mrs. Frances Byington, of Juneau county, in this state.  Calvin, the subject of this sketch, was born in the town of Hamburg, Erie Co., N.Y., Aug. 10, 1832.  He made his home with his parents till Aug. 15, 1862, when he enlisted in company F, of the 31st Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served gallantly until June 20, 1865.  He took part in the Atlanta campaign, following Sherman's banners to the sea and up through the Carolinas.  He was present at the review of Sherman's grand army in June, 1865.  After the war, he continued to reside with his parents until 1872.  He was married in that year, to Mrs. Martha A. Dunham, a soldier's widow.  Her former husband, Willard H. Dunham, was a member of the 13th Michigan Volunteers, and died in the hospital at Washington, D.C., in May 1865.  She was born in the town of Wheeler, Steuben Co., N.Y., and is a daughter of Asa Wilson, who died in this town in 1864.  Her mother is now the wife of Robert Turner, of Belleville, Dane county.  Her brother, John Wilson, served in the 68th regiment of Indiana Volunteers, and died in 1874, from disease contracted while in the service.  Mr. and Mrs. Morse have no children.  Their residence is on section 15, where he has a finely improved farm of 100 acres.  Mr. Morse was sheriff of Green county in 1879-80.

Thomas Green was born in Derbyshire, England, March 8, 1841. His father, Joseph Green, with his wife and seven children, came to the United States, in 1851, coming directly from New York to Rock County, and locating in the town of Porter, where they bought a farm. There he lived until April, 1854, when he sold out and came to Exeter, where he bought the mill property from A.D. Kirkpatrick. He enlarged this mill, refitted it with new machinery, and successfully operated it until 1866, when he rented it to his son, Thomas, the subject of this sketch. The children who came to the United States with the parents were - Thomas, John, who died in Dane County, in 1877; Richard, produce dealer, at Middleton, Dane County; Mary, deceased, wife of W.B. Norris, of Topeka, Kansas; William, now in trade at Albany; Chautry, who died in this county, in 1884; and Isaac, now a resident of Dedham, Iowa. Born in this State, were Herbert, (now in Albany); George, who lives in Dakota; and Frank, who lives on the old homestead farm in this county, town of Exeter. Joseph Green was one of the prominent citizens of this part of the county, always foremost in all work which would advance the interests of his village. He was a member of the M.E. Church, and a consistant, honest Christian man. He died February 28, 1881. His widow, Ruth Green, survives him, and lives in the village of Dayton. Thomas Green succeeded to the mill property, by purchase, from the estate of his father, in the spring of 1881, and is now (1884) proprietor of the same. He was in the army a little more than four years, a member of the 8th Wisconsin Volunteers, known as the "Eagle regiment." He was a gallant soldier, as his comrades testify. The family did loyal service during the war, for, John Green went out as captain in the 37th regiment, and was promoted to colonery; another brother, William, rose from the ranks to a lieutenancy. September 17, 1866, Thomas Green was married to Isabella Beattie, who was born in Northumberland, England, January 20, 1840, and came to this country, with some friends, in 1861, the year following, came to Monroe, and lived with a brother until her marriage. They have four children - Maggie, Ida, Jessie and Charles. Mr. Green owns fifty-two acres of improved land on section 11, bought from his father's estate. This with the mill property, gave him title to 105 acres. He is an energetic, reliable business man.

Frank B. Green, son of Joseph and Ruth Green, was born May 17, 1859.  He was married to Emma B. Jordan, Jan. 4, 1882, who was born in this town, Aug. 7, 1859.  Mr. Green lives on the farm formerly owned by his father.  This place is located on section 11, and contains 108 acres.  Mr. and Mrs. Green have one child—Mabel Mary, born July 4, 1883.

Arad Ross was born in Ludlow, Vt., April 8, 1808, and was brought up on a farm.  After attaining his majority, he ran a peddling wagon about four years, selling dry goods, notions, etc.  Then, shortly after being married, he went to farming.  His wife was Hannah Batchelder, who was also a native of Vermont, born Sept. 29, 1803.  They were married Feb. 28, 1832.  With his wife and five children he came west in 1854.  The children were—Abel E., now in this town; George H., David B., who lives in the homestead with his father; Hannah M., wife of Robert Richards, of Belleville, Dane county; Thomas A., of Belleville, and George, who served in the 46th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteers.  Thomas A. served in the 5th Wisconsin regiment during the last two years of the Rebellion.  The family first settled on section 6, in 1854, where Mr. Ross bought 326 acres of land, made a farm and lived there two years, but not being able to give his children the desired school advantages, he sold out and moved to Mount Pleasant, renting there two years, and bought his present place, located on section 36.  The original purchase was 200 acres; he now owns 100 acres, the care of which is in the hands of his son David B.  His wife died March 1, 1872.

David B. Ross was born in 1840, and has always lived with his father.  He was married Feb. 6, 1866, to Sarah Dodge, a daughter of Everett Dodge, a settler of Albany in 1845, and now a resident of Washington Co., Kansas.  Mrs. Ross is an only child.  Her mother died in 1852.  Her maternal grandfather, J. Davis, came from Wyoming Co., N.Y., and was one of the early settlers of Attica.  Mr. and Mrs. David B. Ross have five children—Linda C., born in 1867; Percie H., born in 1871; Irvie D., born in 1873; Myrtie E., born in 1876, and Luta M., born in 1883.

Abel E. Ross, son of Arad Ross, was born Oct. 15, 1832, and came west with his father, and lived with him most of the time until his marriage with Rosina Redmond, Feb. 24, 1857.  He owns a well improved farm, on section 36, consisting of 100 acres, where he lives.

George F. Ellis lives on section 14, on the farm bought in the spring of 1855 by his father, Mark Ellis, of Alonzo Jordan. This farm contains 200 acres, forty acres being on section 22. Mark Ellis was born in Eckington, Derbyshire, England, in 1803. His father, the grandfather of George, died in 1811, and the grandmother while Mark was an infant. Mark Ellis learned the trade his father had acquired - sickle making - and worked at it until his marriage in 1828 with Mary Watts. He then became a farmer, and lived as a renter on one farm twenty-two years. All the children were born there. Their names were - Olive, wife of Joseph Jackson, of Belleville, Dane County, Wisconsin ; she died in 1876 ; John, who lives in Fillmore County, Minnesota ; William, who died in this town in 1863 ; Arthur, who died in Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory, in
1872 ; Thomas, now living in Green County ; Elizabeth, wife of Forester Havens, of the town of Exeter ; George F., and Mary, wife of Edwin Jordan, living near Evansville. In the summer of 1850 Mark Ellis and his family came to the United States, landing at New York City, and coming directly to this State, reaching Janesville (Rock County) July 10. He rented a farm the next spring of Judge Gibbs, and the next year of Judge Bailey, and in 1853 of Wait Wright, lived there two years, and came to Exeter in 1855 and bought a farm, where he died September 4, 1878. His wife died September 11, 1870. George F. Ellis and Flora Fitts were married October 26, 1869. She is a daughter of Francis and Harriet Fitts, now residents of Belleville. Mr. Ellis is one among the best citizens of the town, is a good farmer, and a man of many excellent
qualities.

Alonzo Jordan brought his family from Chittenden County, Vermont, in 1850, and made his home near Dayton, on the place now owned by George F. Ellis. Mrs. Clarinda Jordan, his first wife, died in Vermont, March 5, 1848, leaving four children, who were a part of Mr. Jordan's family when he settled in the town of Exeter. They were - Frances, the deceased wife of Warren Hill ; Alonzo P., Edwin T., who now lives in Rock County ; and Eliza, wife of Frank Edwards. In January, 1849, the year before coming west, Mr. Jordan was married to Charlotte Parker, a native of Franklin County, Vermont, born March 14, 1827. Before leaving Vermont, one son - Lucius O. - was born to them, and afterwards, in this town, were born - Wilber, who now lives in Belleville. Volney, who was married to Minnie Prucia, and has three children - Frank, Belver Pearl, and an infant daughter, now living in Dayton ; Emma, wife of Frank Green, and Fred, who now owns the homestead, and was married to Mary, daughter of Charles and Ann Parkin, November 27, 1883. Alonzo P. Jordan, the oldest son of Alonzo Jordan, was married June 11, 1865, to Frances Hunt, daughter of Homer and Mary Hunt. She was was in Dresden, Ohio. Her parents came to this town in 1866, and have since that time lived with Mr. and Mrs. Jordan. Mr. and Mrs. Jordan have two children - Lizzie May, born in 1870, and Charles Homer, born in 1873. Mr. Jordan owns 105 acres on section 26. Lucious O., the first born of Alonzo Jordan by his marriage with Charlotte Parker, owns 100 acres of land where he resides on section 26. He was married October 8, 1872, to Angeline Vest, daughter of Henry Vest, residents of Eau Claire, Wis. Her mother died when she was quite young. They have seven children - Alonzo W., Emma A., Charlotte A., Orphia, Orlando, Lucius and Lewis, (twins). In 1856 the father, Alonzo Jordan, sold his place near Dayton, and moved on 160 acres of land he had previously bought on section 26, where he lived until his death, which occurred February 12, 1872. The homestead is now the residence of his widow and his son, Fred, who owns the property.

To be continued