Bio: Preston, Rolla (History - 1840)

Contact: Janet Schwarze

Surnames: PRESTON SMITH HOLLENBACK DOWNER

----Source: Biographical History of Clark and Jackson Counties, Wisconsin, published by The Lewis Publishing Company, 1891 Pages 149 - 150:

ROLLA PRESTON, a farmer residing on Section 35, Hixton Township, Jackson County, was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, May 17, 1840, and is a son of James and Ruby (Smith) Preston, natives of New York State. The parents were united in marriage in Detroit, Michigan, and in the year 1837 emigrated to Wisconsin, and settled in Milwaukee in 1841 they removed to Racine, Wisconsin, and later went to Sheboygan. In 1861 the father came to Jackson County, where he passed the remainder of his days his death, however, occurred in Madison, Dakota, November 24, 1889, while he was making a visit in that place. His age was eighty-six years he was a carpenter by trade, and also followed the business of a millwright. He held many of the minor public offices, and was a leader in his community. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church she died in St. Paul, Minnesota, February 1, 1888, at the age of seventy-eight years. She was the mother of three children: James M., Rolla and Fannie L.

Rolla Preston was reared in the town of Cascade, Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, and in the year 1861 he came to Jackson County, where he has since made his home. He owns 280 acres of land, 100 of which are in a high state of cultivation. In early life he followed the mason's and plasterer's trade, but the greater portion of his life has been spent in agricultural pursuits.
In February, 1865, Mr. Preston joined the army as Corporal in Company H, Forty-eighth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He saw service in Missouri and Kansas, and on the plains, keeping peace among the Indians. The exposure and privations of camp life told upon his health, and he has never fully recovered his usual strength. In his political belief he affiliates with the Republican party. He is a member of the William Moore Post, No. 92, G.A.R., at Black River Falls.

The first day of March, 1863, was a day memorable in the history of our subject, as it was then he wedded Miss Elizabeth R. Allen. Mrs. Preston was born in Elmira, New York, June 18, 1845, and is a daughter of Ira B. and Mary A. (Hollenback) Allen. Her parents settled in Jackson County, Wisconsin, in 1855, two miles east of the town of Hixton there they lived for many years in 1874 they removed to Virginia, and the father died there April 10, 1886, at the age of sixty-nine years. The mother then returned to Wisconsin, and died at Sechlerville, Wisconsin, June 20, 1888, at the age of sixty-six years.

Mr. and Mrs. Preston have had born to them two children: Frank R. and Ruby A. Frank married Miss Lillie Downer, and they had one child, Nina. Ruby A. married Mr. Kimball Berry, a farmer residing in Jackson County.

PRESTON SMITH HOLLENBACK DOWNER