An enterprising and public-spirited citizen of Walworth county who believes in doing his work well and in advocating right living in the home and society and purity in public life is Charles H. Wiswell, one of the leading farmers of Sugar Creek township. He was born in Lafayette township, this county, on February 17, 1865. He is the son of Philip Stephen and Mary Louise (Harriman) Wiswell, both natives of Walworth county, he of Lafayette and she of Geneva township. The paternal grandparents were Christopher Wiswell and Almira, daughter of Stephen Gano West and Rebecca Pike, all early settlers in this county. He was a native of Worcester county, Massachusetts, and his wife of Chenango county. New York. Here he followed farming for some time. He assisted in organizing the First National Bank at Elkhorn, and was for many years its president, and he was also interested in the hardware business for a number of years at Elkhorn. He was a prominent man in this locality and influential in business and public affairs. He was a stanch Republican, and held many township offices, and was a member of the county board. The maternal grandparents of the subject were Dudley and Mrs. Mary Howard ( ) Harriman.
Mr. Harriman was born in 1814 at Lachute, province of Quebec, of a Vermont family. He came early to a farm near Elkhorn, eastward, and died there in 1884. He was a sturdily-built man, full of sound common sense, a thriving farmer, and an excellent citizen. His wife, who was born Corbett, was married a second time in 1839. She was born in 1808 and died in 1889.
Philip S. Wiswell, father of the subject, was educated in the common schools of Walworth county and early in life began farming, later taking up merchandising, but at present he gives his entire attention to agricultural pursuits. His family consists of five sons and two daughters. He is a Republican and takes an active part in public affairs, and he and his wife have many friends throughout the county, having lived here all their lives.
Charles H. Wiswell, was educated in the district schools and the Elkhorn high school, and when a young man he took up farming, which he has since followed successfully, being now the owner of two hundred and five acres which he manages in a manner that l)rings large annual returns, having kept his place well improved and under a high state of cultivation, and he raises an excellent grade of live stock. He makes a specialty of dairying, keeping a fine herd of Holstein-Friesian cattle. He has been president and is a director of the State Long Distance Telephone Company, since its organization, and its large and growing success has been very largely due to his efforts and judicious management. He has been chairman of the township for the past three years, and has been .supervisor for several years. He is president of the Walworth County Agricultural Society, and also president of the Walworth County Farmers’ Protective Association, in which he has taken much interest and done a great deal for its usefulness and success.
Mr. Wiswell was married on March 19, 1889, to Julia R. Potter, daughter of Joseph Potter and Rosina Ellsworth. Her death occurred on October 5, 1902, and on September 8. 1903. Mr. Wiswell was united in Marriage with Anna E. Hart, and to this union two children have been born, Florence L. and Wyman W.
Politically Mr. Wiswell is a Republican, and is loyal to his party. He is also an active worker in fraternal circles, being a member of the Elkhorn Free and Accepted Masons, the Elkhorn chapter and council and the commandery of Delavan, Wisconsin, also the Modern Woodmen of America at Elkhorn and the Royal Neighbors of that city, and is now manager of the latter.
From: Beckwith, A.C. (1912). History of Walworth County Wisconsin