Census: 1880 Clintonville, Waupaca Co., Wisconsin: age 37

Res. 1889 Clintonville, Waupaca Co., Wisconsin

Admitted 1859 - Alfred, New York.

Theresa Fidelia (Collins) Oviatt 1842-1923
"The Journal-Telephone", Milton Junction, Wisconsin, Thursday, Jan. 18, 1923, p 1.
Theresa Fidelia Collins was born in Alfred, N. Y., March 12th, 1842. Her father was Dr. John Collins, one of the pioneer doctors of Allegany county. Her mother was Catherine Burdick Collins. She was the youngest of six children, the oldest being the only sister, who was the mother of Mrs. A. S. Maxson. When she was 9 years old her father died and she and her mother made their home with a married brother, Lorenzo Collins in Alfred. At the age of eighteen she was baptized and united with the Alfred S. D. B. church. She attended Alfred University and at the age of 20 was married to William Henry Oviatt of Smethport, Penn.
They lived at Smethport about three years and then moved to Milton, Wis., where Mr. Oviatt began the study of medicine with his brother-in-law, Dr. Daniel Babcock. They both united with the Milton Seventh Day Baptist church in 1866. Dr. Oviatt finished his medical course and located at Utica, Wis., where they both united with the Utica Seventh Day Baptist church. In 1876 the family moved to Clintonville, Wis., where they lived until 1892, when they moved back to Milton and about a year later in Milton Junction where they lived till Dr. Oviatt's death in 1899.
Since then Mrs. Oviatt has made her home with her three children who survive her, Mrs. Belle Thomas, of Milton, Mrs. Kittie Gessler, of Bangor, Wis., and Will Oviatt, of Chicago, who have tenderly cared for her in her declining years. She had perceptibly failed in strength for the past six months, but has kept up and about the house till a few days after New Years when she was taken very ill with heart trouble and died eleven days later at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Thomas, in Milton, at the age of 80 years.
While a resident of Milton Junction, Dr. Oviatt helped to organize Friendship Chapter No 46, Order of the Eastern Star, and he and Mrs. Oviatt served at chaplain for several years.
She was a faithful Seventh Day Baptist, a loving mother, a good neighbor, and a bright and interesting companion, and will be sadly missed in the homes which she has brightened by her graceful presence for so many years.
Farewell services were held at the home of her daughter, Mrs. W. D. Thomas, in Milton, at 1:00 o'clock on January 17, and at the home of her niece, Mrs. A. S. Maxson, Milton Junction, at 2:30. Pastors H. N. Jordan and E. D. Van Horn conducted the services.
Burial was in the cemetery at Milton Junction.

Census: 1880 Clintonville, Waupaca Co., Wisconsin: age 40, physician

William Henry Oviatt 1839-1899
"The Weekly Telephone", Milton Junction, Wisconsin, Thursday, June 8, 1899, p 4.
Dr. W. H. Oviatt passed away last Friday evening at 8 o'clock. He had been suffering for some time from catarrh of the stomach, but it was not until two weeks before his death that he took to his bed. Early last week he showed evidence of improvement which somewhat encouraged his family, but on Thursday evening he again became worse and failed until death came to his relief.
William Henry Oviatt was born in Smethport, Pa., Dec. 8, 1839, and at that place his early life was passed. After receiving his education at the academy there, he was apprenticed as a printer in Ironton, Ohio, and worked on various papers in that state. In the winter of 1862 he returned to Smethport, and took the foremanship of his uncle's paper, the McKean County Democrat, the first newspaper established in that county. While visiting in Alleghany county New York, he became acquainted with Miss Theresa F. Collins to whom he was married on June 5, 1862, at Alfred, N. Y. They took up their residence at Smethport, and two years later came to Milton, Wis. Here Mr. Oviatt began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Daniel Babcock, followed by a course of lectures at Rush Medical college. Desiring to have his family near him, however, he transferred his studies to the Buffalo (N. Y.) Medical college, his wife's relatives residing near that place. He was graduated from that institution in 1869, and again returning to the west, located at Utica, Dane county, where the doctor built up a lucrative practice. In 1876 the family moved to Clintonville, in this state. This was comparatively a new country and offered a wider field for the doctor, and it was not long before he had gained a practice that extended over a wide territory. He retained this until he left Clintonville to come to Milton in the Winter of 1892. In the following spring he and his family located at Milton Junction where they have since resided, the doctor continuing his practice and for a time conducting a drugstore.
Six children were born to Dr. and Mrs. Oviatt, three of whom died in infancy. Those who survive are Mrs. W. D. Thomas of Milton, Wis., Mrs. Frank B. Gessler of Bangor, Wis., and W. C. Oviatt of Milton Junction, Wis.
Dr. Oviatt was a member of the S. D. B. church which he joined while residing at Utica. He joined the order of F. and A. M. in 1866, in which he maintained a deep interest. He organized the Eastern Star Chapters in Clintonville and at Milton Junction.
As a physician he ranked high. His first duty always was to his patients and his faithfulness to them, even when he himself was sick, has been a matter of remark. No one can measure the suffering he has relieved, the kindness he has done ill humanity; and while his death has occasioned a severe loss to the community, it is consoling to know that he is now in the enjoyment of that sweet peace and rest for which his busy life gave little opportunity.
The funeral was held at his late residence on Monday at 2 o'clock. Rev. G. W. Burdick preached the sermon. The funeral was in charge of the Masonic lodge, assisted by the Eastern Star Chapter. The floral offerings were numerous and most beautiful. The remains were interred in the Milton Junction cemetery beside those of his three children.