Portage County Historical Society

Matthew Wadleigh

From the “Commemorative Biographical Record of the Upper Wisconsin”
Chicago; J. H. Beers & Co. 1895

MATTHEW WADLEIGH, a citizen of whom any State might be proud, a man whose presence might benefit any community, and whose name would reflect honor upon any office or station, is one of the many loyal and industrious men in the Dominion of Canada has sent to the Western States.

A native of the Province of Quebec, he was born September 26, 1821, in the town of Hatley, county of Stanstead, a son of Samuel and Mary (Evans) Wadleigh, the father a native of Sutton, New Hampshire, and a farmer by occupation, the mother of Vermont. Samuel Wadleigh was killed by accident when our subject was but two and a half years old, and the widowed mother subsequently married Jonathan V. Pool, of Stanstead, also a farmer. Young Matthew remained on the home farm in Canada with his mother and step-father until he was nineteen years old, at which time he commenced agricultural pursuits for his own account on the old homestead, which was partly inherited by him, subsequently making himself sole proprietor of the estate by purchase of his mother’s and sisters’ interests. On this farm he continued until he was thirty-five years old, when, in 1857, he came to the Upper Wisconsin Valley, first locating at Jordan, afterward, about the year 1860, moving to Stevens Point, where he began merchandising for ten years conducting a general store in connection with lumbering, in which latter industry he is still largely interested. On coming to Portage County, Mr. Wadleigh formed a partnership with his father-in-law Lemuel P. Harvey, and together they erected a sawmill on the Big Plover River, some six miles from Stevens Point. Mr. Harvey dying in 1859, Mr. Wadleigh then bought from the heirs of the deceased their interest in the business, and conducted the mill and lumber business alone for several years, at the end of which time he purchased what was known as the McGreer property at Jordan, consisting of mill and lands, at the same time receiving into partnership Mr. Walker, the firm name being Wadleigh Walker, who subsequently bought property adjoining the McGreer mill, consisting of lands and water-power, which lying on the opposite side of the river gives them control of the water-power at that point. The firm continued until Mr. Wadleigh bought out his partner’s interest, and he has since carried on the business alone, the Jordan mill being still in operation. Our subject has bought and entered pine lands to a considerable extent, and everything pertaining to the lumbering business; in fact, during his long residence of nearly forty years in this section of the State, he has proved one of the most active of business men. He took a deep interest in the bringing of the Wisconsin Central railroad to Stevens Point, and when the charter was granted for the building of the road Mr. Wadleigh was appointed one of the incorporators, to fill a vacancy; also on the organization of the Wisconsin Central Railroad Company he became one of the directors, remaining as such for many years, finally resigning. Indeed it is a matter of fact that he was the most active of all those interested in getting this road to run to Stevens Point, his time and influence, from the very first surveys (which were under his personal charge and direction), being given with enthusiasm toward the consummation of the much desired acquisition. In politics he is a Democrat, though up to the Greeley campaign he was a Republican, and has served the city of his adoption as alderman and mayor.

In the county of Stanstead, Province of Quebec, Canada. Mr. Wadleigh was married to Miss Judith Harvey, by whom he had five children, as follows: Henry M., married Lora Ellis, and lives at Stevens Point; Mary L., now deceased, was the wife of A. J. Agnew; Lucy C. is the wife of A. G. Cate, and lives at History of Amherst. Wis.; Charlotte Elizabeth married F. G. Kerwin, and is now deceased; Eva Maria (deceased) was the wife of W. W. Hazeltine.