Sheboygan County, Wisconsin Genealogy & History
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This News Article was transcribed & contributed by Kay R.


Sheboygan Press - April 5, 1929

(There is a picture of William Stanton)


The results of the vote on the Duncan referenda Tuesday meets with the approval of William Stanton, Sheboygan county's oldest citizen and probably the oldest man in Wisconsin, When interviewed by a Sheboygan county correspondent at his home in the village of Random Lake, Mr. Stanton said:

"I am pleased to know that the people of Wisconsin gave their version at the polls last Tuesday. Personally, I am a moderate drinker, but I do like a glass of good beer and have drunk of such practically all my lifetime. I am also an inveterate smoker, the pipe being my constant companion."

Mr. Stanton was born July 4, 1824, in Ireland. His parents came to America when he was a lad of six years and settled on a six-acre farm on the present site of South Milwaukee.

Both he and his father served in the Union army during the Civil war. His father was killed in action and his body was brought back to Milwaukee for burial.

For several years he traveled with the Forepaugh circus and while employed by the veteran showman he met the woman who later became his wife.

Years mean little to this centenarian who has reached his 105th year on this planet still in excellent health and physically able to perform a day's work equal to that of many men much younger in point of years.

Mr. Stanton looks forward with anticipation to his next birthday anniversary and declared that he will observe the occasion by indulging in a double celebration, one for his natal day and the other as Independence Day for the country for which he fought to preserve. His many friends in Random Lake, doubtless, will contrive to make that particular day one of the happiest this venerable gentleman ever experienced.

For some time Mr. Stanton has made his home with Mr. and Mrs. F. Nowack.

Sheboygan Press - July 3, 1929

William Stanton To Observe 105th Birthday July Fourth

(There is a picture of William Stanton)


William Stanton of Random Lake will celebrate his 105th birthday anniversary tomorrow on the same day that the country for which he fought to preserve celebrates its 153rd anniversary of Independence.

He has looked forward for a long time to July 4, for he says, "There's going to be a big day in Random Lake that day I'd like to talk over the radio." The centenarian is still hale and hearty, and after the winter season is over, he goes out to prune trees. Last winter he did chores for his room and board at the Ferdinand Nowack farm, but as soon as the roads dried out he had to get out "to make some money."

In his own words "Bill" says, "I was born in Ireland, July 14, 1824, and when six years of age came to America with my parents. My father bought six acres of land near what is now South Milwaukee. After my school years I worked where and whenever I could obtain a job. Work was not plentiful and wages were very, very low. For several years I traveled with the Adam Forepaugh circus and it was during that time I was married to the best little lady that I ever knew.

"This was one of the happiest events in my life. The sad events were her death and the death of my father. Dad was killed during the Civil war in which both he and I served Uncle Same in the Union army. I was detailed to escort his body from Memphis, Tenn. to Milwaukee, where burial took place. It was a sad, sad journey for me. But such is life. I found it to be intermingled with the sweet and the bitter."

After the results of the vote on the Duncan referendum were known last April, Mr. Stanton, when interviewed by a Sheboygan Press correspondent, said, "I am pleased to know that the people of Wisconsin gave their version at the polls last Tuesday. Personally I am a moderate drinker, but I do like a glass of good beer and have drunk of such practically all my lifetime. I am also an inveterate smoker, the pipe being my constant companion."

The aged man has made his home with Mr. and Mrs. F. Nowack at Random Lake for some time

Sheboygan Press - July 5, 1930

William Stanton 106 Years Old July Fourth Is Report

(This is almost exactly the same as the article of July 3, 1929)

Sheboygan Press - July 3, 1936

(There is a picture of William Stanton)

"Old Bill" Stanton Plans 112th Birthday Observance


William Stanton, 112, and the United States, 160, will celebrate their birthdays together tomorrow.

Old "Bill" Stanton from the town of Sherman is way over the 100 mark...

"Bill" probably met folks that fought in the Revolutionary war, the war for Independence.

It must warm "Bill's" heart and give him a thrill to think that he is celebrating his birthday on the same day that the country is celebrating hers. And to think that the country is only 48 years older than he is, and that the two of them, he and his country, grew up side by side.

Well, today, at any rate, Bill wasn't doing any celebrating. He was working the land behind a team of horses unmindful of the years he carried on his shoulders. Working like a man of 50 - that's how young "Bill" Stanton is - 24 years older than the state he lives in - figuratively speaking, old enough to be the father of Wisconsin.

"Bill" is an Irishman, and according to his figures, he was born in 1824. He came to this country at the age of six and settled on property that is now South Milwaukee.

He went to school for a year and assisted his father in farming their six acres of land. At the age of 15 he moved to the Michigan woods. He learned how to file saws and followed that work for a number of years.

It was approximately 50 or 60 years ago that he came to Random Lake. He has been in and around this section of the country almost continually since that time.

According to all of the rules, "Bill" should have met his Maker many years ago, or at least, now that he has passed the 100 mark, a mark seldom reached, it would seem that he should be content to sit back in a corner and marvel at all the things he has seen, heard, and done.

But, "Bill" must be up and doin'...

His mind must be overflowing with memories. At one time or another he has traveled with circuses - worked on innumerable farms - fought with his father in the Civil war - filed saws - worked as a lumber jack - trimmed trees for a living.

But to enumerate all of his many jobs and experiences during his lifetime would fill a good-sized volume. Suffice it to be said, old "Bill," is still alive, still healthy, and still "up and doin' " despite the 112 years of life that have gone before him.

Lima News - Lima Ohio - July 5, 1936

Man Observes His 112th Birthday At Sheboygan


Sheboygan, Wis., July 4 - (AP) - William Stanton, residing near Sheboygan, celebrated what he said was his 112th birthday today as the nation observed its 160th. Stanton said he was born in Ireland in 1824, came to the United States at the age of six and settled in Wisconsin.

He still prides himself on being able to work "like a man of 50."

Hammond Times - Hammond, Indiana - December 14, 1937

Seeks Pension At 113; Finds He Isn't A Citizen


Chicago, Dec. 14 - On file with the federal old age pension here yesterday was the application of William Stanton, who gives his age as 113.

But, Stanton has to wait a while before he'll be eligible for assistance, because after living in the United States since 1830, he has just discovered he is not a citizen.

He was born, he told pension officials, at Rosscommon, Ireland, on July 4, 1824. For years and years he has been living near Sheboygan, Wis., making his living as a farmhand.

When he applied for his pension it was discovered he was not a citizen. This surprised Stanton greatly, for he has been voting since way back in 1875.

"Why," he exclaimed, "I always thought I was a citizen. I guess I just took it for granted.."

Fortunate for Stanton, the law provides for cases like his through the "misinformation act." When a person can show he was misinformed concerning his citizenship status, he may apply for second papers, instead of first papers.

The immigration department has decided he qualifies under the act. Fred J. Schlotfeldt, district director of naturalization and immigration, said Stanton will get his final papers at the next naturalization hearing in Sheboygan.

Sheboygan Press - May 19, 1939

(There is a picture of William Stanton)

"Bill" Stanton, Probably The Oldest Resident Of Wisconsin, Passes Away This Morning


Random Lake, Wis. - (Special) - "Dynamite Bill" Stanton is dead.

Probably the oldest person in the state, Mr. Stanton passes away this morning at 4:30 o'clock at the Oscar Weinhold home, north of Adell, where he had lived for the past 12 years. He had been ill several months.

Just how old Mr. Stanton was is not known accurately. He himself had given the date of his birth as July 4, 1824, in Ireland, which would make him 114 years old. However, other in the vicinity have claimed he would be 107 years old on July 4.

He first settled in Milwaukee as a boy of 6. Then he moved to the Michigan woods and finally to Sheboygan county, where he had resided for the past 50 or 60 years.

Became Citizen

Last year, on April 14, Mr. Stanton became a citizen of the United States in the circuit court here. He answered the questions of the examiner in a remarkably strong voice. When Judge Henry A. Detling heard him say he had been in this country for over 100 years, he observed:

"These Irish are tough, you know."

"Dynamite Bill," had become almost a legendary figure around here. No close relatives of his are believed to be alive. His wife is believed to have died about 75 years ago.

On the occasion of his 106th birthday, July 4, 1930, Mr. Stanton said:

"I was born in Ireland, July 14, 1824, and when six years of age came to America with my parents. My father bought six acres of land near what is now South Milwaukee. After my school years I worked where and whenever I could obtain a job. Work was not plentiful and wages were very, very low. For several years I traveled with the Adam Forepaugh circus and it was during that time I was married to the best little lady that I ever knew.

Rites Saturday

"This was one of the happiest events in my life. The sad events were her death and the death of my father. Dad was killed during the Civil war in which both he and I served Uncle Same in the Union army. I was detailed to escort his body from Memphis, Tenn. to Milwaukee, where burial took place. It was a sad, sad journey for me. But such is life. I found it to be intermingled with the sweet and the bitter."

Mr. Stanton was rarely seen without his pipe. He was fond of fishing and hunting and spent much of his time outdoors. Up to the time of his last illness he had been in excellent physical condition, considering his extreme age.

Last rites for the patriarch will be held Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the D. G. Wilk Funeral home here. Interment will be in the Swan cemetery, three miles northwest of Adell. Friends can view the body at the funeral home from tonight on.


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