Hello, everyone... Migration trails are of interest to all of us who are family historians. Here is a bio. for a man who became noteworthy in Wisconsin. He was born and raised in Rensselaer County, NY! You just never know where our ancestors can turn up! Enjoy. Susan Willig ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The following biography of ALBERT FILKINS has been posted to the LACROSSE Co WIGenExchange Bio-Bin along with nearly 20,000 others nationwide. http://www.genexchange.org/bioregco.cfm?state=WI&county=LaCrosse Biography of ALBERT FILKINS SOURCE: Biographical History of LaCrosse, Trempealeau and Buffalo Counties, WI. Lewis: 1892, p 367 One of the pioneers of LaCrosse County, having settled here as early as 1856. He is a native of Rensselaer County, NY, born 16 Feb 1830, and is a son of Peter and Ann ELiza (VAN DER COOK) FILKINS. His father was a farmer, and served as a soldier in the war of 1812; his grandfather, Jacob FILKINS, alos followed agricultural pursuits and was probably a descendant of the English family bearing his name, who settled in this country in colonial days. Ann Eliza VAN DER COOK was a daughter of Gilbert VAN DERCOOK, who served in the war of 1812; his progenitors belonged to the Knickerbocker stock of NY. Albert FILKINS was reared in the Empire State, and obtained a fair education in the common schools. At the age of 22 years, he began to learn the carpenter*s trade, and worked throughout the State of NY as a journeyman. He spent one year in Belvidere, IL, and in the spring of 1855 came to LaCrosse, and the following year located here permanently. He erected, among many other structures, the Exposition Building, the Wheel & Seeder Works and the State street engine house. Mr. FILKINS was married in this city, to Miss Mary E. PIERCE, a native of Saratoga County, NY, and a daughter of Philip and Parmelia (HULING) PIERCE, who emigrated to this county from the State of NY about the year 1854. To Mr. and Mrs. FILKINS has been born one son, Rockwell E. FILKINS, who is associated with his father in business. Our worthy subject is a member of the Builders* Exchange, and used every effort to assist in its organization and to make it a permanent affair. He belongs to the First Baptist Church, to which he contributes a liberal support. Submitted by: Cathy Kubly Email: ckubly9527@aol.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Susan Laursen Willig Susan@GenExchange.org Assistant National Coordinator, USGenExchange: http://www.genexchange.org/us.cfm NYGenExchange State Coordinator http://www.genexchange.org/state.cfm?state=ny Washington County Coordinator: NYGenExchange http://www.genexchange.org/county.cfm?state=ny&county=washington NY Counties Open for Adoption: http://www.genexchange.org/counties.cfm?state=ny