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KENOSHA COUNTY
Lyman FAY, an enterprising and highly respected farmer of Kenosha County, residing on section 32, Wheatland
Township, is a native of the Buckeye State. He was born on the 16th of June, 1834, in Cuyahoga County, and is a
son of Joseph M. and Sophronia A. (BRAINARD) FAY, the former of Scotch lineage and the latter of Irish
extraction. Joseph FAY was born in New York, 31 July 1804, but was reared to manhood in Cuyahoga County,
Ohio, upon a farm. His education was limited and in his youth he learned the cooper's trade, which he followed for
some time. In 1828 he led to the marriage altar Miss BRAINARD, a native of Connecticut, born 27 May 1806. They
began their domestic life in the Buckeye State, their means being limited and there resided until 1841, when they came
to Racine County and afterward to Kenosha County, locating upon the farm where our subject now resides. The
country round about was all wild and uncultivated and the work of development and progress seemed scarcely begun.
Mr. FAY entered one hundred and twenty acres of land from the Government which he at once began to improve and
in the course of time fertile fields where yielding to him abundant harvests. The first home was a cabin 18x22 feet and
still stands, one of the few landmarks of pioneer days that yet remain. However, the family resides in a more
commodious and modern residence which was erected some years since. Mr. FAY was a man of prominence in this
community, widely and favorably known. He gave his support to the Republican party and in his religious views he
was a Universalist. His wife Sophronia A. died 14 March 1885, and was buried in Wheatland Township cemetery,
where a handsome monument was erected to her memory. He survived his companion of so many years until the 24th
of July 1889, when he died and was buried beside her. Unto this worthy couple was born a family of seven children,
five of whom are yet living, Clarissa and Sylvanus being now deceased. Andrew, the eldest, makes his home in
Wheatland Township; Lyman, of this sketch, is the fourth in order of birth; Mary is the wife of Nathan T. WILCOX, a
farmer of Spencer, Iowa; George H. is mentioned elsewhere in this work; and Florilla is yet living in Iowa. Our subject
came with his parents to Kenosha County when a young lad and has here since made his home. Under the parental
roof he was reared to manhood and remained with his father until his marriage, which was celebrated 31 December
1858. The lady, who is now Mrs. FAY, bore the maiden name of Clarissa J. BRAINARD. She was born in
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 12 June 1842, and is a daughter of Elmore and Beulah (BRAINARD) BRAINARD, who are
of English extraction. Soon after his marriage, Mr. FAY purchased severnty acres of land on section 29, Wheatland
Township, and began farming on his own account, there making his home for twenty-three years, when in 1881, he
sold out and purchased the old FAY homestead, where they are now living. The parents and one son comprise the
household, Ulysses S. being now a young man of twenty-three years, who resides with his parents and aids in the
operation of the home farm. In political sentiment, Mr. FAY is a Republican. As every true American citizen should
be, he keeps well informed concerning the issues of the day, but has never sought or desired public office. He is public
spirited and progressive, true to every duty of citizenship and showed his loyalty to the Government during the late war
by serving for ten [p 784] months as a member of Company A, First Ilinois Light Artillery. The day of his enlistment
was 6 October 1864, and he received his discharge on the 10th of July, 1865.
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Portrait and Biographical Album, Racine and Kenosha Counties., Wisconsin - Lake City Publishing Company, 1892 -
p 783-784
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