History of Vernon County, Wisconsin. Together with sketches of its towns and villages, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens.

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HISTORY OF VERNON  COUNTY.
Nixon.    They also have two children—Mercy J. and Raymond.
Irvin C. Nixon settled in Stark town in 1864. His land is on sections 28 and 29. When he bought the land it was quite heavily timbered, but he has cleared a good part of it and has it under a good state of cultivation. He first built a log house on section 29, but has since built a neat frame house on the same section which he now occupies as a residence. He was born Aug. 2, 1825, in Belmont Co., Ohio. When fourteen years of age his parents moved to Morgan county, in the same State, living there two years, then removing to Washington county. He was married Jan. 1, 1850, to Sarah A., daughter of Samuel and Leahvina (Van Clief) Smith. They remained in Washington county, where he owned a farm, until 1864, when he sold his farm and came to Stark. They have had four children, three of whom are liv¬ ing—Edgar T., Irvin D. and Ross K. Irvin is town assessor. Mr. Nixon has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church since 1854 and ^as the first class leader of the Stark Chapel class.
William Bacon came to Stark town in 1865 and purchased a farm of William Evans on sec¬ tion 17, which he has since made his home. He is a native of Ohio, born in Washington county. May 31, 1819, where he was raised to agricul¬ tural pursuits. He was married, in 1844, to Mary A., daughter of Samuel and Leahvina (Van Clief) Smith. He purchased land in Washington county and made that his home until coming to Stark town in 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Bacon have one child—Laurana—who makes her home with her parents. The family are members of the Star Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church.
Samuel Smith, superintendent of Star Chapel Sabbath school, was born in Luzerne Co., Penn., Oct. 6, 1800. In 1814 his parents moved to Ohio, locating in Delaware county, where they were early settlers. His father bought timber lajid and Samuel assisted him in clearing a
farm. They lived there seven years, when his father sold out and moved to Washington county.' Samuel made his home there with his parents until 1823. He was married in that year to Leahvina Van Clief, born in Washington county in 1804. Mr. Smith bought the Van Clief farm in Waterford, Washington Co.,Ohio., which was one of the first farms opened in Washington   county.    He remained there until
1865, when he sold out and came to Vernon county, settling in Stark town, where some of his children were living. He bought a farm on section 17, Stark town, living there until 1872, when he sold and moved to Stark, where be bought a house and lot. He has since completed the house and now makes that his home. In 1874 he purchased a farm on section 32. He rented this farm until 1881, when he sold it. Mrs. Smith died in 1865, leaving him five children— Mary A., now the wife of William C Bacon ; Sarah, the wife of. I. C. Nixon ; Jesse, Ange¬ line, wife of Henry Hank ; Leahvina, wife of Charles   Miller.    He   married   in   November,
1866, Sophia Heaston, who was born in Rich¬ mond, Va. When quite young her parents moved to Ohio, settling in Columbus, where she lived until 1865, then came to Vernon county. Mr. Smith united with the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1850. Soon after he was elected superintendent of the Sabbath school. He is said to be the oldest Sabbath school superintendent in the world. His health is re¬ markably good ; he is not in the least hard of hearing, and has never worn glasses.
Rev. Robert S. Mockett was born in Kent county, England, June 11, 1810. When eighteen years of age he joined the Methodist Episco¬ pal Church, and while yet a young man was engaged in the ministry. He did not devote his whole time to preaching, however, being also engaged in the boot and shoe trade. In 1850 he came to America, spending one year in New York city, after which he went to Mil¬ waukee, Wis. He there engaged in the boot and shoe  trade,  preaching occasionally   until