<Researching: Frank Willard who married Violabelle Thompson in 3/23/1904 in Portage> 16 April, 2000 Dear Ellen, I didn't find Frank or Violabelle, but some of these Willards or Thompsons could have been ancestors, so I'm sending them along. Hope it helps. This information is from "Columbia County, Wisconsin in 1880." Richard D. Jenkins From the town of Courtland: GEORGE WILLARD [12-06-1811], Lewis, County of Sussex, England. George, the son of Richard & Sarah Willard, was married in 1834 to LYDIA C. ALLENDORF, who died [02-24-1877], age 68 years, 1 month & 24 days, daughter of Henry H. Allendorf. They had five children: Henry G.; Cordelia E., married Ebenezer Jones; Sarah Jane; Hiram; and George A. George had a second marriage on 10-12-1879 to MARY JANE SEVERANCE, daughter of Herman & Sabrina (Durkee) Severance of Vermont. His son, Hiram Willard, was a Civil War Veteran, {1st WHA, Battery M}. Section 20, 218 acres. From the town of Wyocena: FREDERICK YALE [07-24-1824], born Augusta, Oneida County, New York. Frederick was married 07-04-1855 in Kingston, Green Lake County, Wisconsin to CATHARINE S. DEY, who died [08-13-1879], age 44. <See also biography of Benjamin Dey, dates are in question>. They had two children: Kent; and Freddie. Frederick Yale had a second marriage on 02-24-1880 to HANNAH WILLARD, the daughter of George Willard, Vermont, who died [03-23-1878], in Springvale. Frederick Yale settled on his present farm in 1849. He started the first Lumber-yard in Pardeeville when the railroad was completed to that place. In 1877, he found a piece of native copper of his farm, which weighed 120 pounds. Section 26, 440 acres. From the city of Portage: ALEXANDER THOMPSON [05-26-1848], Glasgow, Scotland, the son of Ninnan & Mary Thompson of Fort Winnebago and Dekorra. Alexander was married on 12-18-1872 in Portage to SUSAN M. PURNELL, Norwich, Connecticut. They have one child: Mary Emma [05-19-1874]. Since 1870, he has engaged in the grocery business, dealing extensively in clover, timothy and field seeds. A.B. THOMPSON [08-06-1825], born in Smithfield, Providence County, Rhode Island, was married Nov. 1846 to THANKFUL HANDY, Smithfield. They had five children: Morgie A. married George W. Dusenberry of Portage; Philip F.; Alice G. married Frank A. Mathewson of Pardeeville; Frank B.; and Sarah, deceased. MISS JENNETTE THOMPSON [December 1857], born Buffalo, Marquette County, Wisconsin. Her parents, farmers, were counted of "Pure blood in the land of Burns." She has worked a year at the Corning House. WERT F. THOMPSON [1834], Colchester, Vermont, died [May 1865]. At his time of death, he was in charge of the Railroad Shops. Wert was married in 1860 to CORNELIA E. REED, Seneca County, New York, daughter of Warren S. Reed, who died [Jan. 1867]. Warren S. Reed began the Restaurant Business at the Depot, which, with enlargements, is now conducted by Mr. Fox. The brother of Mrs. Thompson, SAMUEL REED [01-10-1844] was married in June 1873 to JULIA CRANE, Mauston, Wisconsin. They have one child: Wert Thompson Reed [Sept. 1874]. Samuel Reed is a Railroad Engineer.