Niran Haskell Withee (June 21, 1827 – July 2, 1887) was an American businessman, Republican politician, and Wisconsin pioneer. He served two years in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing Clark County and neighboring areas. He is the namesake of Withee, Wisconsin.

Niran H. Withee
Engraving by F. G. Kernan
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the ClarkLincolnTaylorWood district
In office
January 6, 1879 – January 3, 1881
Preceded bySolomon Nason
Succeeded byMyron H. McCord
Personal details
Born(1827-06-21)June 21, 1827
Norridgewock, Maine, U.S.
DiedJuly 2, 1887(1887-07-02) (aged 60)
La Crosse, Wisconsin, U.S.
Resting placeOak Grove Cemetery, La Crosse, Wisconsin
Political partyRepublican
SpouseLouisa Adelaide Wood
Children
  • Niran Haskell Withee
  • (b. 1868; died 1952)
  • Genevieve Withee
  • (b. 1870; died 1871)
  • Infant Girl
  • (b. 1874; died 1874)
  • William Wood Withee
  • (b. 1875; died 1955)
  • Theodore Owen Withee
  • (b. 1880; died 1950)
Signature

Biography

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Born in Norridgewock, Maine, Withee settled in the village of North La Crosse, Wisconsin, in 1852.[1][2] He was in the logging and lumber business. In 1868, Withee served as president of the village of North La Crosse. In 1870, Withee settled on a farm in the town of Hixon, Clark County, Wisconsin, and also owned a house in La Crosse. He was one of the owners of the Island Mill Lumber Company and was also involved in the railroad business. Withee served on the Clark County Board of Supervisors and was county treasurer. In 1879 and 1880, Withee served in the Wisconsin State Assembly as a Republican. He died at his home in La Crosse, Wisconsin on July 2, 1887.[2][3][4][5] The Wisconsin village and town of Withee was named in his honor.[6]

Personal life and family

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Niran Withee was a son of Zachariah Withee and his wife Polly (née Longley). Zachariah Withee was a veteran of the War of 1812 and received land as a reward for his service. Levi Withee was one of seven children.[1] His younger brother Levi Withee also worked as a lumberman in the La Crosse area and was a member of the Wisconsin Legislature.

Niran Withee married Louisa Adelaide Wood.[2] They had five children, though two died in infancy.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Biographical History of La Crosse, Trempealeau and Buffalo counties, Wisconsin. Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company. 1892. pp. 205–206. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Nelke, David Inman, ed. (1895). The Columbian Biographical Dictionary and Portrait Gallery of the Representative Men of the United States, Wisconsin Volume. Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company. pp. 512–516. Retrieved September 18, 2024 – via Internet Archive.
  3. ^ "A Somerset Man". Somerset Reporter. Skowhegan, Maine. July 20, 1887. p. 2. Retrieved September 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Truesdell, J. A., ed. (1880). Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin. Secretary of State of Wisconsin. pp. 509–510. Retrieved September 18, 2024 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ Obituary, Clark County Republican Press (Wisconsin), July 7, 1887
  6. ^ Callary, Edward (2016). Place Names of Wisconsin. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin Press. p. 300. ISBN 978-0-299-30964-0.
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Wisconsin State Assembly
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the ClarkLincolnTaylorWood district
January 6, 1879 – January 3, 1881
Succeeded by