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Dexheimer, Florence Chambers, 1866-1925 / Sketches of Wisconsin pioneer women
([1924?] )
Mason, E. C.
Mrs. William Vroman, pp. 171-174
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Page 172
were usual to the times and reached his destination, which was the Madison that was to be. Governor Dodge had been appointed Governor and he had made the village of BeL mont the place for the first session of the legislature. The great question to be decided was the location of the Capital of the new Territory. James D. Doty had early in the day explored the country about the four lake dis- trict and had early decided the center of that as the ideal location. He accordingly influenced speculators to buy in that locality and although there were sixteen other lo- cations as competitors, Doty's tact, energy and know- ledge won out and Madison was declared for by vote after a four week's session. "Thus ended" says a local his- torian, "one of the most exciting struggles ever exper- ienced in the Territory of Wisconsin". And to think that my father stood around with his hands in his pockets and saw it all. While James Doty is said to be the founder of Madison, he also gave it a name honoring the fourth president. My father returned to his home in eastern New York in the fall and remained there until he was again attacked by the western fever and considering him- self old enough to get married, hastened to the banks of that rapidly flowing and tempestuous stream, the Erie Canal, picked up his nineteen year old bride and brought her with him via stage, lake steamer, then stage again, from Milwaukee, landing in Madison on the 4th day of September, 1844. Then with little anxiety and the greatest assurance they assumed the title of "pioneers" and the responsibility . of taking care of themselves. The first step towards it being the purchase of land pursuant to their business of farming. They eventually became among the best known residents of the city of Madison and surrounding country. The subject of this sketch will now take her proper place at the head of the column. Harriet Field was. born in Durhamville, N. Y., May 27, 1824. Her mother,;4ncyW Newcomb, descended from a line of Baptist ministers. She married John Field, who dying quite young left her with three sons and two daughters. My mother was the eldest. She married Wm. Vroman and came to Wisconsin in 1844. She was of a 172
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