WELCOME V. FISK, from Lenawee County Biographical Album, 1909


WELCOME V. FISK, a pioneer farmer now residing in quiet retirement at his palatial home in Clinton, where he has lived for nearly sixty years, came here with his father May 24, 1830. He was born in York Township, Livingston Co., N. Y., on the 29th of June, 1823.


The parents of our subject were Benjamin B. and Lydia (Aldrich) Fisk, natives of Connecticut and of New England parentage. Benjamin Fisk was reared in his native county and there learned the trade of a blacksmith. They were united in marriage in 1816, and after the birth of two children, Cyrus B. and Leander, they removed to the township of York, Livingston Co., N. Y., where the father followed his trade for some time, during which three more children were born to them, namely: Welcome V., Horace and Gen. Clinton B. In 1830 the family came across the Lake in the u Peacock," which had a very stormy voyage, landing in Detroit at the end of eight days. When the family arrived in what is now the village of Clinton, the father had about $1.50, and in order to secure a lot on which to erect a shop, the first in the place, he had to trade some cloth and bedding, and had only got a fair start in life in this new country when death called him to his final reward, his demise occurring from typhoid fever Sept. 28, 1832. He was an honest and upright man, a Universalist in religion, and in politics his sympathies were with the Democratic party. He was the first of the early settlers buried in this place.


The mother of our subject was born on the 1st of April, 1796. After the death of Mr. Fisk, she was a second time married, in 1 841, to Deacon William Smith, of Jackson County, Mich., who died in 1844. In 1846 she became the wife of Rev. Robert Powell, with whom she lived for about thirty years, and survived him four years, making her home with her son, Horace A. Fisk, whose family made her declining years quiet and peaceful. She was laid to rest at the ripe age of eighty-three years. She was one of the pioneers of this section, nobly discharging the onerous duties that fell to the lot of those who braved the hardships of this country at an early day. She was a consistent Christian, quiet in her deportment and yet strong in the hour of affliction. The community honored her and Christians reverence her name, while she has left to her descendants an example worthy of their emulation. Mrs. Fisk became the mother of one child after her arrival in Clinton, Benjamin W., who died young in 1840. The eldest son, Cyrus B., died in 1846, three years after his marriage; his wife and child had died before. Leander took to wife Mrs. Fannie (Ellis) Wilson, and is a merchant in Oakland, Cal. He was for years connected with the Fargo Express Company. Horace A. married Jane Brown, and owns a good farm in Bridgewater Township, Washtenaw County. Gen. Clinton B. Fisk, now in Sea Bright, N. J., is a well known temperance advocate and a prospective candidate for the Presidency. He was married Feb. 13, 1850, in Coldwater, Mich., to Jenetta C. Crippin.


Our subject lost his father early in life and had only limited opportunities, earning his own living since ten years of age. When a boy he learned the | trade of a mason, though he never followed it | much, as his inclinations led in other directions. While in Detroit on their way to this county, he had an experience which nearly proved fatal. While crossing the stream near the landing to see a bear show, he accidentally fell in, and remained for some time before he could be rescued. He was removed to the hotel, and with proper treatment was with difficulty resuscitated. He remembers to-day as distinctly as if it occurred yesterday, the feeling experienced by a drowning man. This adventure has been a constant reminder to Mr. F. that life is uncertain. He was on another occasion since coming to Clinton nearly drowned while bathing, since which he has learned the art of swimming, and thinks it a duty of parents to teach their children to swim. Mr. Fisk was actively engaged in business for forty years in Clinton. During twelve years he was connected with E. G. Cook, who is now doing business in Tecumseh, and during this time they bought largely of wool and all articles of farm produce. Prior to this he had been engaged with his brother, Gen. Clinton B., for several years, conducting a general store. He is now, in company with an extensive firm of stock-raisers, carrying a ranch of 1,600 acres of land in what is known as North Park, Col. They have a fine herd of nearly 2,000 head of cattle.


On the 13th of March, 1850, Mr. Fisk was married in Clinton to Miss Amanda M. Vaughn, a native of Varysburg, N. Y., who came to Michigan | with her mother when fifteen years of age. She received a good education and followed the profession of a teacher for some years; her death took place March 13, 1866. She became the mother of four children, two of whom are living, Frank and Grace. Frank married Nellie Meyer, of Newton, Iowa, where he makes his home, and travels for a Chicago house; Grace is the wife of Porter C. Smith, who conducts the meat market in Clinton, and they have three children—Eva B., Leander V. and Willie P. The name of Mr. Fisk's deceased children were, Leander D., the first born, who died at the age of sixteen months, and a second son of that name who died in April, 1884. He had married, in San Francisco, Cal., Miss Almeda Ross, who is yet living in that State.


Mr. Fisk was a second time married, in Clinton, toward the end of 1866, to Mrs. Mary C. (Felton) Vaughn. She was born Jan. 2, 1830, and came from Clarence Hollow, near Buffalo, York State. She died at her home in Clinton, this county, June 18, 1887. By her former marriage she had two daughters—Mary E. and Eva C. The former married Willis G. Mami, and resides in Newton, Iowa, where he owns a wagon factory. The latter married Charles M. Hinsdale, also of Newton, Iowa; Mr. Hinsdale travels for a Chicago furnishing house. Mr. Fisk is a member of the Episcopal Church at Clinton, as was also his last wife; he is a life-long Democrat.