This file part of www.watertownhistory.org website

 

Alanson Boomer,

L E Boomer

and

Boomer’s Dam

 

Alanson Boomer

 

Alanson Boomer, farmer, Secs. 9 and 8; P.O. Watertown; born Feb. 14, 1815, in Jefferson Co., N.Y.  On June 6, 1836, he came to Wisconsin and remained in Milwaukee, prospecting for about a year.  In August, 1837, he located, temporarily on a school section in Waukesha, but left in December and came to Watertown Township, Jefferson Co., and took up a claim of two quarter-sections.

 

L E Boomer

 

At the Government sale the land was bought in his brother’s L. E. Boomer’s name.

 

Mr. Wood

 

The land was all wild, but Mr. Wood, who had squatted on one of the sections and whom they bought out, had built one of the earliest log houses erected in the township, in which Mr. Boomer lived till 1841, when he went back to New York; from that time till 1845, it was in the hands of a tenant; then Mr. L. E. Boomer came West and took possession. 

 

Indians used frequently to come to trade, but they had no trouble with them, never even had anything stolen, which Mr. Boomer attributes to keeping whiskey away from them and treating them as honorably as he would white men.  At one time his brother anticipated trouble and wrote to the Governor, who sent arms to the settlers, but fortunately it proved a false alarm.

 

Boomer Dam

 

In 1849, Mr. L. E. Boomer built a dam and saw-mill, and made bricks as well as farming. 

 

Alanson Boomer

 

In January, 1858, Mr. Alanson Boomer bought his brother out after being East sixteen years.  He built himself the handsomest farmhouse in the county, in 1861, and also erected all the barns and outbuildings; he now owns 350 acres of land, and raises principally wheat, oats, barley and corn, and makes a specialty of fattening stock, keeping about forty head constantly ready for the market.  Married Miss Lydia Van Wormer, of Watertown Township, January 12, 1862; they had one little boy who died when 1 month old; he has since adopted two children, the first a boy [editor’s note:  Mason], who was drowned when about 8 years old, and then a little girl named Alice, now living.  He was Ward Supervisor two years.

 

Derived from: The History of Jefferson County, Wisconsin by C. W. Butterfield, 1879

 

1897

   Jefferson County Union, 07 02 1897

 

Another old and well known resident, of Watertown, Alanson Boomer, has been called to his final abode.  He died Friday morning at 4 o’clock.  Mr. Boomer was 82 years of age and had been a resident of Wisconsin for sixty-one years.  He had been ill since Thursday.  He leaves two daughters, Mrs. Chas. A. Vanghan, of this place, and Mrs. M. Douglass, of Waterloo.  The funeral was held Sunday afternoon at two o’clock.  Services were conducted at the house by Rev. G. C. Weisa.  Alanson Boomer, wife Lydia and son Mason are buried in Oak Hill Cemetery

 

 

Cross-References:

No 1:  Boomer Street named in honor of the Boomer clan