Seventh Generation

49. Orrin H. BELCHER was born on 25 October 1832 in Whitehall, Cape Vincent Township, Jefferson County, NY.^1,9,12,13 (His given name is listed as "Orrin" on his gravestone, but was spelled as "Orren" on some papers written by his wife Caroline.)

(He could not be located in the 1850 Census.) He appeared in the census in 1852 in Richmond, Lennox County, Ontario, Canada.¹³ He was a "Servant" in the Calder household. His religion was listed as Wesleyan Methodist. He appeared in the census in 1860 in Cape Vincent Township, Jefferson County, NY.¹⁴ He and his first wife were living in the household of her father, Thomas Burkclough, and his occupation was "Laborer." Orrin served in the military in December 1861 in New York.^15,16 He served in Company B, 102nd Infantry. He appeared in the census in 1870 in Germantown Township, Juneau County, WI.^8,17 His occupation was "Farm Laborer." He appeared in the census in 1880 in Necedah, Juneau County, WI.¹⁸ His occupation was "Farmer." Orrin appeared in the census in 1900 in Cutler Township, Juneau County, WI.¹⁹ His occupation was "Farmer." He appeared in the census in 1910 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.^20,21 His household was in the 2nd Ward and his occupation was "Farmer, General Farm." His household consisted of him; his wife; their son, Rufus; and their grandson, Charles (age 19).

From the research of his great-granddaughter Lois (James) Bartels, at the Monroe County Register of Deeds office: "Orren Belcher bought an 80-acre farm in Tomah Township, one mile east of the city of Tomah, on April 7, 1909, from Otto Franz. It was then sold to Bertha McLeod on Feb 20, 1912. Description of the acreage was-Section 10, south half of the northeast quarter, township 17-Range 1N."

. He died on 9 April 1913 at the age of 80 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.^1,7 Orrin was buried on 12 April 1913 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.^1,15,22 in the Oak Grove Cemetery. (His given name is sometimes listed as "Orren," but his gravestone spells it as "Orrin."

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Orrin H. BELCHER and Caroline Elizabeth JENNINGS were married on 22 December 1861 in Lorraine, Jefferson County, NY.^{1,7,8,16,23,24} (Their wedding date may have been 23 January 1862.) Two weeks before they married, he enlisted in the Army to serve in the Civil War. He was married in his military uniform. He and his family lived in New York State until after Will and Emma were born. He came to Wisconsin, and later had his wife and children join him. They moved to Wisconsin to be near her father and sister, Alice. Caroline Elizabeth JENNINGS, daughter of George Henry JENNINGS and Harriet CLUTTON, was born on 2 February 1843 in Cape Vincent Township, Jefferson County, NY.^1,7,23,25 She appeared in the census in 1850 in Cape Vincent Township, Jefferson County, NY.⁸ She appeared in the census in 1860 in Worth, Jefferson County, NY.¹⁴ Caroline appeared in the census in 1870 in Germantown Township, Juneau County, WI.^8,17 She appeared in the census in 1880 in Necedah, Juneau County, WI.¹⁸ She appeared in the census in 1900 in Cutler Township, Juneau County, WI.¹⁹ Caroline appeared in the census in 1910 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.²⁰ She died on 29 November 1915 at the age of 72 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.^1,7,23,24,25

Obituary Notes: "Caroline Elizabeth Jennings was born Feb 2, 1843, in Jefferson Co., New York, and died Nov. 29, 1915 of heart failure, being therefore almost 73 years of age.

In 1861 she was married to Oren H. Belcher, who soon after went to the war. After his return in 1865 they moved to Wisconsin, settling as early pioneers in Juneau County, near Camp Douglas, until 5 years ago, they moved to a farm about 2 miles east of Tomah. Her husband died two years ago last April 9th at the age of 80 years.

She was the mother of 9 children, one having died in infancy and one, Florence Reynolds, of Osseo, died last April. The rest, with exception of one daughter, were in attendance at the funeral.

She leaves to mourn her loss 3 daughters, Mrs. Emma Larson of Packwaukee, Mrs. Orel Harrison of Packwaukee, and Mrs. Bertha McLeod, who took care of her in her old age; and 4 sons, W. H. Belcher of Woodstock, Ill., George Belcher of Tomah, Herbert Belcher of Vallard, Minn., and Rufus, who remained at home; one step-son, Eugene, and Charley, a grand-son, who lived with them, besides a number of other grand-children and great-grand-children.

Mrs. Belcher was of an energetic, kindly and helpful disposition. She was always active until about one week before her death when she was taken with a cold and confined to her bed. It was not thought she was dangerously ill until the day before her death, when the doctor pronounced it heart trouble. All was done to relieve her during her illness that loving hands could do but to no avail. She passed peacefully away at 6:45 Monday evening.

The entire family have the sympathy of the whole community.

Funeral services were conducted by Rev. I. E. Hoisington at their home Thursday afternoon and interment was made in Oak Grove Cemetery." She was buried in December 1915 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.^1,7,22 in the Oak Grove Cemetery.

Orrin H. BELCHER and Caroline Elizabeth JENNINGS had the following children:

Orrin H. BELCHER and Lauretta BARRACLOUGH were married about 1859.^7,14 Lauretta BARRACLOUGH, daughter of Thomas BARRACLOUGH and Olive UNKNOWN (BARRACLOUGH), was born about 1838 in New York.^14,29 (Her surname is spelled "Barclo" in the obituary of her husband.) She appeared in the census in 1850 in Rodman, Jefferson County, NY.³⁰ She appeared in the census in 1860 in Cape Vincent Township, Jefferson County, NY.¹⁴ Lauretta died about 1860 at the age of 22.^1,7,31 (Her name may have been "Loretta Barcliff.") (She died shortly after the birth of her son.)

Orrin H. BELCHER and Lauretta BARRACLOUGH had the following children: