Hiram Sawyer (August 24, 1814November 24, 1888) was an

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

stonecutter, farmer, and

Wisconsin Wisconsin () is a state in the upper Midwestern United States. Wisconsin is the 25th-largest state by total area and the 20th-most populous. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake M ...

pioneer. He was a member of the

Wisconsin State Assembly The Wisconsin State Assembly is the lower house of the Wisconsin Legislature. Together with the smaller Wisconsin Senate, the two constitute the legislative branch of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Representatives are elected for two-year terms, ...

, representing Dodge County in the 1866 session.

Biography

Hiram Sawyer was born

Orford, New Hampshire Orford is a town in Grafton County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 1,237 at the 2020 census, unchanged from the 2010 census. The Appalachian Trail crosses in the east. History First called "Number Seven" in a line of Connect ...

, in August 1814. He was raised and received a basic education until age 15, when he went to work as an apprentice

stonecutter Stonemasonry or stonecraft is the creation of buildings, structures, and sculpture using stone as the primary material. It is one of the oldest activities and professions in human history. Many of the long-lasting, ancient shelters, temples, mo ...

. He followed that profession for 15 years until switching to agricultural work. In 1845, he went west to the

Wisconsin Territory The Territory of Wisconsin was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 3, 1836, until May 29, 1848, when an eastern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Wisconsin. Belmont was ...

to prospect for land. He purchased a tract of land in what is now the town of

Burnett, Wisconsin Burnett is a town in Dodge County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 919 at the 2000 census. The census-designated place of Burnett is located in the town, and the unincorporated community of Rolling Prairie is located partially in th ...

, in Dodge County; he brought his wife and children to live on the farm the following year. This farm was his primary residence for the rest of his life. He was involved with the

Democratic Party of Wisconsin The Democratic Party of Wisconsin is the affiliate of the Democratic Party in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It is currently headed by chair Ben Wikler. Important issues for the state party include support for workers and unions, strong public educa ...

, and was elected to the Dodge County Board of Supervisors, serving as chairman for the 1864 and 1865 sessions. In 1865, he was elected to the

from Dodge County's 3rd Assembly district, which then comprised the towns of Emmet, Clyman, Oak Grove, Burnett, and Chester, and the northern half of the city of Waterford. For several years in the 1870s, he served as a statistical correspondent for the

United States Department of Agriculture The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the United States federal executive departments, federal executive department responsible for developing and executing federal laws related to farming, forestry, rural economic development, ...

, reporting on the farms and climate in Dodge County.

Personal life and family

Hiram Sawyer was a son of Benjamin C. Sawyer and his wife Mindwell (' Sargent). Hiram had at least five brothers, three of whom also came to settle on farms in the town of Burnett, Wisconsin. Hiram Sawyer married Barbara Ann Wilson on February 14, 1837. They had twelve children, though one daughter died in infancy. Their eldest son,

Hiram Wilson Sawyer Hiram Wilson Sawyer (June 11, 1843September 14, 1922) was an American lawyer, Democratic politician, and Wisconsin pioneer. He was the first mayor of Hartford, Wisconsin, and was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing southern Wa ...

, also became a member of the

and served for over 20 years as a county judge in

Washington County, Wisconsin Washington County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, the population was 136,761. Its county seat is West Bend. The county was created from Wisconsin Territory in 1836 and organized in 1845. It was named after P ...

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Sawyer, Hiram 1814 births 1888 deaths People from Orford, New Hampshire People from Burnett, Wisconsin Farmers from Wisconsin Democratic Party members of the Wisconsin State Assembly County officials in Wisconsin 19th-century American legislators 19th-century Wisconsin politicians People from Wisconsin Territory