Mr. Whittingham has made his mark in politics, though it was with no thought of personal benefit, except in a general sense, that he served his township in various official capacities, and also on the village school board. But during the passing years he had become well-known as a man of ability and character, as well as a staunch Republican, useful to his party, and so in 1916, he was elected as a member of the Assembly from this county and district and served as such with credit during the two terms of 1917-18, and 1918-19, having been re-elected
Whittingham, Byron (1919 & 1923)
Source: Wisconsin Blue Book (1919) page 508
Byron Whittingham (Rep.) was elected to the assembly in 1916 and was re-elected in 1913 without opposition. He was born in the town of Springvale, Columbia county, April 16, 1370, received a common school education and lived on a farm until 1394 when he engaged in the paint business at Pardeeville, where he served as assessor and street commissioner 2 years. From 1900 to 1905 he was engaged in the paint contracting business in South Milwaukee and then moved to Arpin where he has since been engaged in the general mercantile business. He was postmaster 10 years and has served as town clerk and member of the school board for several years.
Whittingham, Byron
Source: History of Wood County, Wisconsin (1923) compiled by George O. Jones, pages 641-642
Byron Whittingham, who in partnership with his son William owns a flourishing mercantile business in Arpin, was born in Springvale Township, Columbia County, Wis., son of Charles and Hannah (Smith) Whittingham. The parents had settled there about 1867, having come from England, their native land, with eight children, to establish a new home in a land of wider opportunity. But they had very small means and the land on which they settled was wild. It was necessary to procure food and clothing for ten persons, and soon for 11, for a son, John, was born, and the farm in its undeveloped state yielding nothing, neither present circumstances nor future prospects were such as to induce comfortable reflections. Still they struggled along for several years, the father and eldest son William working at whatever they could find to do that would bring in a few dollars. But the hard times of the early seventies came on and affairs became worse. Something had to be done, so it was decided that the father and the second son, Richard, should return to England, and try to earn money there, while the others should remain on the farm. The expenses of the journey were scraped together and early in 1870 Charles and Richard Whittingham went to England. There, sad to relate, the father died, and his death was soon followed by that of Richard. On their departure for the old country they had said their last goodbye to their loved ones, and the wife and mother found herself bereaved and left with nine children to take care of. These were, William, Charles, George, Sarah, Thomas, James, Frank, John and Byron, all born in England except John and Byron. Byron, the youngest, was born April 16, 1870, a few months after his father's return to England, so that parent and his own brother William he never saw. Some of the older children were able to be of use, and as by this time some progress had been made on the farm, the family continued to cultivate and develop it, and finally brought it into good condition and made of it a valuable property. Mrs. Hannah Whittingham died Nov. 13, 1899. Owing to the circumstances already described Byron's schooling was limited. He remained on the home farm with his mother until 1895, when he left it and went to Pardeeville, Columbia County, Wis., where he remained several years. Afterwards he spent four and a half years as a painter in Milwaukee. In 1904 he came to Wood County, and opened a general mercantile business at "Old Arpin," a mile east of the site of the present village. Appointed postmaster at the time he located there, he served in that office for ten years. In 1908 he moved with the village to its present site and built the store which he has since conducted, though he now leaves its active management largely to his son William, who is also his partner. He has attained a gratifying prosperity and is a stockholder in the First National Bank, of Wisconsin Rapids. Besides his success in business affairs, Mr. Whittingham has made his mark in politics, though it was with no thought of personal benefit, except in a general sense, that he served his township in various official capacities, and also on the village school board. But during the passing years he had become well-known as a man of ability and character, as well as a staunch Republican, useful to his party, and so in 1916, he was elected as a member of the Assembly from this county and district and served as such with credit during the two terms of 1917-18, and 1918-19, having been re-elected. He is a valued member of several fraternal lodges, including the Masonic Blue Lodge at Pardeeville, the Odd Fellows' Lodge at the same place, and Arpin Camp, of Modern Woodmen of America. He has held official position in all these lodges, in the I. O. O. F. Lodge passing through all the chairs. Mr. Whittingham was married, Nov. 15, 1891, to Marguerite M. Purves, who was born in Columbia County, Wis., Nov. 25, 1874, daughter of George and Rebecca (Babcock) Purves, and of Scotch descent, the father being a native of Edinburgh, Scotland. George Purves died in April, 1903, but his wife Rebecca (Mrs. Whittingham's mother), is still living, being a resident of Froid, Mont. She was born in Hoboken, N. J. Mr. and Mrs. Whittingham are the parents of two children, William and Percy P. William, who was born in 1892, in the very house and room that was the birthplace of his father, acquired a high school education in Columbia County, which was supplemented by a commercial course in the Wisconsin Rapids Business College. Since beginning business life he has been associated with his father, whose partner he became in 1913. On Feb. 22, 1914, he married Cora B. Hause, of Arpin Township, and he and his wife are the parents of one child, Rita L., born Oct. 14, 1915. He owns a good modern home in Arpin. Percy P. Whittingham was born April 16, 1902, and is a graduate of the Wisconsin Rapids High School, and the Stevens Point Normal School, and is now principal of Park Falls High School.
Pardeeville - Wyocena Times February 1942
Byron Whittingham, 71 prominent Arpin merchant and former Wood County Assemblyman died at his home in Arpin at 5:30 pm
last Thursday February 5th following a severe heart attack last April which left him in weakned condition. An attack of pheumonia contributed to his death.
Born in the town of Springvale in Columbia County April 16, 1870 the son of Charles Whittingham and Hannah (Smith) Whittingham. Byron grew to manhood on the home farm. In 1895 he came to Pardeeville remaining here for several years and then he went to Milwaukee where he was employed as a painter. In 1904 he moved to Wood Co. opening a general mercantile store a mile east of the present site of the village of Arpin.
Mr. Whittingham was appointed postmaster in 1905 holding that office for ten years. In 1908 the family moved to the present village establishing a general store which is now operated by Mr. Whittingham's son William. Another son Percy operates a fox ranch in which the father was also interested.
In 1917 Mr. Whittingham was elected as Wood County's representative in the State Assembly serving two terms. He also served Arpin Township in various official capacities and was a member of the district school board. Fraternally he was affiliated with the Masonic Lodge, Modern Woodsmen and the Odd Fellows having held offices in all three. His membership in the Mason's and odd fellows began in Pardeeville. At the time of his death he was a member of the Wood County selective service board No. 2 at Marshfield.
On November 15, 1891 at Rio Mr. Whittingham married Marguerite Purves. They celebrated their golden wedding Anniversary last November.
Besides his wife and sons William and Percy both of Arpin Mr. Whittingham is survived by a grand daughter Mrs. Ray Hewitt of Cambridge WI. two great grandchildren and two brothers John of Neilsville and Tom of Fox Lake. The late Frank Whittingham of this village was a brother of the deceased.
Funeral services were conducted at Arpin on Monday February 9, at 10 o'clock in charge Rev. E.A. Finn of the Arpin Presbyterian Church. Masonic rites were also conducted by the Pittsville Masonic Lodge and bearers were chosen from Masonic brethren and members of the Eastern Star acted as flower girls. A number of the Masonic brothers accomanied the remains to Pardeeville and funeral services were held at the Lintner funeral home at 2:30 in charge Rev. Finn. The Masonic burial service was read by Past master William Thomas of Cambria and members of Pardee Lodge acted as bearers, while Eastern Star members acted as flower girls. A Masonic escort accompanied the remains to the Marcellon Cem. where burial took place with Masonic rites at the grave.
Mrs. Milt Van Natta sung " No Night There" at the service in Arpin while Mrs. M.C. Hepler sang " Beautiful Isle" at the service here. The floral tributes were many and very beautiful.
Relatives and friends from away who attended the funeral include, other than the widow and the two sons William and Percy of Arpin and their wifes, Mrs Ray Hewitt a grand daughter and husband and two children of Cambridge. Mr & Mrs. Thomas Whittingham of Fox Lake, Mr & Mrs John Whittingham of Neilsville, Mr & Mrs Garth Whittingham of Marshfield, Mr & Mrs Earl Gordenier of Bushnell Ill., Mrs Frank Whittingham of this city and Chester and wife of Beaver Dam, Mr & Mrs Geo. Purves of Wyocena, Melvin Griffin of Briggsville & Mrs. Amanda Stoll of Theinsville.
Wikipedia link:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byron_Whittingham
Mr. Whittingham has made his mark in politics, though it was with no thought of personal benefit, except in a general sense, that he served his township in various official capacities, and also on the village school board. But during the passing years he had become well-known as a man of ability and character, as well as a staunch Republican, useful to his party, and so in 1916, he was elected as a member of the Assembly from this county and district and served as such with credit during the two terms of 1917-18, and 1918-19, having been re-elected
Whittingham, Byron (1919 & 1923)
Source: Wisconsin Blue Book (1919) page 508
Byron Whittingham (Rep.) was elected to the assembly in 1916 and was re-elected in 1913 without opposition. He was born in the town of Springvale, Columbia county, April 16, 1370, received a common school education and lived on a farm until 1394 when he engaged in the paint business at Pardeeville, where he served as assessor and street commissioner 2 years. From 1900 to 1905 he was engaged in the paint contracting business in South Milwaukee and then moved to Arpin where he has since been engaged in the general mercantile business. He was postmaster 10 years and has served as town clerk and member of the school board for several years.
Whittingham, Byron
Source: History of Wood County, Wisconsin (1923) compiled by George O. Jones, pages 641-642
Byron Whittingham, who in partnership with his son William owns a flourishing mercantile business in Arpin, was born in Springvale Township, Columbia County, Wis., son of Charles and Hannah (Smith) Whittingham. The parents had settled there about 1867, having come from England, their native land, with eight children, to establish a new home in a land of wider opportunity. But they had very small means and the land on which they settled was wild. It was necessary to procure food and clothing for ten persons, and soon for 11, for a son, John, was born, and the farm in its undeveloped state yielding nothing, neither present circumstances nor future prospects were such as to induce comfortable reflections. Still they struggled along for several years, the father and eldest son William working at whatever they could find to do that would bring in a few dollars. But the hard times of the early seventies came on and affairs became worse. Something had to be done, so it was decided that the father and the second son, Richard, should return to England, and try to earn money there, while the others should remain on the farm. The expenses of the journey were scraped together and early in 1870 Charles and Richard Whittingham went to England. There, sad to relate, the father died, and his death was soon followed by that of Richard. On their departure for the old country they had said their last goodbye to their loved ones, and the wife and mother found herself bereaved and left with nine children to take care of. These were, William, Charles, George, Sarah, Thomas, James, Frank, John and Byron, all born in England except John and Byron. Byron, the youngest, was born April 16, 1870, a few months after his father's return to England, so that parent and his own brother William he never saw. Some of the older children were able to be of use, and as by this time some progress had been made on the farm, the family continued to cultivate and develop it, and finally brought it into good condition and made of it a valuable property. Mrs. Hannah Whittingham died Nov. 13, 1899. Owing to the circumstances already described Byron's schooling was limited. He remained on the home farm with his mother until 1895, when he left it and went to Pardeeville, Columbia County, Wis., where he remained several years. Afterwards he spent four and a half years as a painter in Milwaukee. In 1904 he came to Wood County, and opened a general mercantile business at "Old Arpin," a mile east of the site of the present village. Appointed postmaster at the time he located there, he served in that office for ten years. In 1908 he moved with the village to its present site and built the store which he has since conducted, though he now leaves its active management largely to his son William, who is also his partner. He has attained a gratifying prosperity and is a stockholder in the First National Bank, of Wisconsin Rapids. Besides his success in business affairs, Mr. Whittingham has made his mark in politics, though it was with no thought of personal benefit, except in a general sense, that he served his township in various official capacities, and also on the village school board. But during the passing years he had become well-known as a man of ability and character, as well as a staunch Republican, useful to his party, and so in 1916, he was elected as a member of the Assembly from this county and district and served as such with credit during the two terms of 1917-18, and 1918-19, having been re-elected. He is a valued member of several fraternal lodges, including the Masonic Blue Lodge at Pardeeville, the Odd Fellows' Lodge at the same place, and Arpin Camp, of Modern Woodmen of America. He has held official position in all these lodges, in the I. O. O. F. Lodge passing through all the chairs. Mr. Whittingham was married, Nov. 15, 1891, to Marguerite M. Purves, who was born in Columbia County, Wis., Nov. 25, 1874, daughter of George and Rebecca (Babcock) Purves, and of Scotch descent, the father being a native of Edinburgh, Scotland. George Purves died in April, 1903, but his wife Rebecca (Mrs. Whittingham's mother), is still living, being a resident of Froid, Mont. She was born in Hoboken, N. J. Mr. and Mrs. Whittingham are the parents of two children, William and Percy P. William, who was born in 1892, in the very house and room that was the birthplace of his father, acquired a high school education in Columbia County, which was supplemented by a commercial course in the Wisconsin Rapids Business College. Since beginning business life he has been associated with his father, whose partner he became in 1913. On Feb. 22, 1914, he married Cora B. Hause, of Arpin Township, and he and his wife are the parents of one child, Rita L., born Oct. 14, 1915. He owns a good modern home in Arpin. Percy P. Whittingham was born April 16, 1902, and is a graduate of the Wisconsin Rapids High School, and the Stevens Point Normal School, and is now principal of Park Falls High School.
Pardeeville - Wyocena Times February 1942
Byron Whittingham, 71 prominent Arpin merchant and former Wood County Assemblyman died at his home in Arpin at 5:30 pm
last Thursday February 5th following a severe heart attack last April which left him in weakned condition. An attack of pheumonia contributed to his death.
Born in the town of Springvale in Columbia County April 16, 1870 the son of Charles Whittingham and Hannah (Smith) Whittingham. Byron grew to manhood on the home farm. In 1895 he came to Pardeeville remaining here for several years and then he went to Milwaukee where he was employed as a painter. In 1904 he moved to Wood Co. opening a general mercantile store a mile east of the present site of the village of Arpin.
Mr. Whittingham was appointed postmaster in 1905 holding that office for ten years. In 1908 the family moved to the present village establishing a general store which is now operated by Mr. Whittingham's son William. Another son Percy operates a fox ranch in which the father was also interested.
In 1917 Mr. Whittingham was elected as Wood County's representative in the State Assembly serving two terms. He also served Arpin Township in various official capacities and was a member of the district school board. Fraternally he was affiliated with the Masonic Lodge, Modern Woodsmen and the Odd Fellows having held offices in all three. His membership in the Mason's and odd fellows began in Pardeeville. At the time of his death he was a member of the Wood County selective service board No. 2 at Marshfield.
On November 15, 1891 at Rio Mr. Whittingham married Marguerite Purves. They celebrated their golden wedding Anniversary last November.
Besides his wife and sons William and Percy both of Arpin Mr. Whittingham is survived by a grand daughter Mrs. Ray Hewitt of Cambridge WI. two great grandchildren and two brothers John of Neilsville and Tom of Fox Lake. The late Frank Whittingham of this village was a brother of the deceased.
Funeral services were conducted at Arpin on Monday February 9, at 10 o'clock in charge Rev. E.A. Finn of the Arpin Presbyterian Church. Masonic rites were also conducted by the Pittsville Masonic Lodge and bearers were chosen from Masonic brethren and members of the Eastern Star acted as flower girls. A number of the Masonic brothers accomanied the remains to Pardeeville and funeral services were held at the Lintner funeral home at 2:30 in charge Rev. Finn. The Masonic burial service was read by Past master William Thomas of Cambria and members of Pardee Lodge acted as bearers, while Eastern Star members acted as flower girls. A Masonic escort accompanied the remains to the Marcellon Cem. where burial took place with Masonic rites at the grave.
Mrs. Milt Van Natta sung " No Night There" at the service in Arpin while Mrs. M.C. Hepler sang " Beautiful Isle" at the service here. The floral tributes were many and very beautiful.
Relatives and friends from away who attended the funeral include, other than the widow and the two sons William and Percy of Arpin and their wifes, Mrs Ray Hewitt a grand daughter and husband and two children of Cambridge. Mr & Mrs. Thomas Whittingham of Fox Lake, Mr & Mrs John Whittingham of Neilsville, Mr & Mrs Garth Whittingham of Marshfield, Mr & Mrs Earl Gordenier of Bushnell Ill., Mrs Frank Whittingham of this city and Chester and wife of Beaver Dam, Mr & Mrs Geo. Purves of Wyocena, Melvin Griffin of Briggsville & Mrs. Amanda Stoll of Theinsville.
Wikipedia link:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byron_Whittingham
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