This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Sawyer, Holden, Bigelow Classification: biography Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.wisconsin.counties.dane/5663/mb.ashx Message Board Post: There is a biographical sketch in the "History of Dane County, Wisconsin-1880", under the 'Town of Blooming Grove' for H.M. Sawyer, farmer, Sec.34; P.O. McFarland; has been a resident of the town of Blooming Grove since September, 1847; he was born in Windsor Co, VT, July 1, 1833; his mother, whose maiden name was Clarissa Bigelow, died when he was 2 years old; and his father, Thomas Sawyer, came to Wisconsin with his family of one son and two daughters in 1847, and died in Blooming Grove, May 20, 1848; he was buried on the farm of his son, J.P. Sawyer, who had come to Dane Co. some time previous. H.M. Sawyer was married, May 18, 1859, to Rosanna Holden, a native of Canada East, born Sept 13, 1842; daughter of John and Rhoda Holden; has three children ---Lillian A., born Nov. 14, 1860; Ida R., Feb 1, 1869; and Alta G., Dec 19, 1873, all at home. He went to California in the spring of 1856; left New York on the 9th of March and spent ten years there, most of the time in the! mines. Was married while in California and returned to Wisconsin in 1866. Is a Republican, and has 80 acres of land. Mr Holden died in Canada, April 29, 1857, aged 64; and Mrs Holden Jan 24, 1846, aged 47.