SHEBOYGAN HISTORY

Charles Waterman, Page 285

CHARLES WATERMAN, one of the old settlers of this county, is a native of England, having been born in Somersetshire, October 9, 1820.  He is the son of William and Sarah (Wolf) Waterman, who were natives of the same shire.  The mother was a distant relative of Gen. Wolf.  Both died in England, and of their four children, two came to the United States about the year 1852, and died in Montana.

    Charles Waterman learned the trade of a blacksmith, at which he worked as long as he remained in the Old Country.  In his native place he was married, March 29, 1945, to Miss Leah Stokes, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Hill) Stokes.  Mrs. Waterman, who is one of a family of ten children, of whom but two are living, was born in Somersetshire, December 26, 1815.  Her parents spent their lives in their native land.

    In 1854, Mr. Waterman, with his wife and two children, sailed from Cardiff, Wales, to New York.  They came on the vessel "Wales," and were six weeks making the voyage.  The vessel was loaded with railroad iron and carried twenty-two passengers.  After coming to this country, Mr. Waterman spent some eleven months in the State of New York, where he worked in and around the city of Poughkeepsie.  The next year, 1855, however, he came to Wisconsin, locating in the town of Plymouth, Sheboygan County, where he bought thirty acres of his present farm.  Not a three had been felled, but with characteristic energy he began to improve his place and make a home.  He built a round-log house, 17 x 22 feet, which still stands as a sample of the homes of forty years ago; and the roof, which is made of shaved shingles, is still good.  From time to time he has added to his landed possessions, until he now owns one hundred and thirty-three and one-half acres, of which he, assisted by his sons, has cleared about one hundred acres.

    Some seventeen years ago Mr. Waterman built his present residence, which is a comfortable farm house.  Here he and his wife hope to spend their remaining days.  Their family consists of three sons, the eldest of whom, William Henry, was for many years a successful teacher in the county, but is now a farmer by occupation.  He first married Dora Miller, who died of small-pox.  His present wife, by whom he has three children, bore the maiden name of Ann Manne.  He is now serving his third term as a member of the County Board of Supervisors, being a prominent young man in his township.  George W., the second son, is a carpenter of West Superior, Wis.  He married Barbara Kaestner, and has two children.  William, the youngest of Mr. Waterman's family, wedded Clara, daughter of C. B. Freyberg, a prominent lumber dealer of Sheboygan, and he is also a farmer of Plymouth Township.

    Side by side Mr. and Mrs. Waterman have toiled for many years, and as a result of their labor have secured a sufficiency of this world's goods to keep them in their declining years; but, better than that, they have the satisfaction of seeing their children useful and respected members of society.  Mr. Waterman and all his sons are supporters of the Republican party.