W. M. Tomkins

Source: History of Northern Wisconsin: Containing an Account of Its Settlement, Growth, Development, and Resources, an Extensive Sketch of Its Counties, Cities, Towns and Villages, Their Improvements, Industries, Manufactories, Biographical Sketches, Portraits of Prominent Men and Early Settlers, Views of County Seats, Etc. Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1881. p. 73

W. M. TOMKINS, lawyer, Ashland, was born in England, near London, Feb. 24, 1845. He came to America in 1850, and moved to southwest Wisconsin, where his father was a Methodist preacher, and moved from place to place. He died in 1870. Mr. Tomkins took three terms at Bronson Institute, and was in the junior course of the State University, when he was compelled to leave in order to support the family. In 1870, he entered mercantile life in Adamsville, in Iowa County, and afterward went into a grist-mill, but sold out to his partner, and in April, 1873, came to Lake Superior. He came on foot from Duluth to Ashland, and on arriving went to work with ax and shovel to clear the town site. He was appointed Town Clerk in 1873, and also filled the offices of Deputy County Clerk and Justice, at the same time commencing the study of law. He was elected Town Clerk in 1874-5, and was admitted to the bar. He was elected District Attorney in the Fall of 1875, and Superintendent of Schools in 1878. He is now Deputy County Treasurer, practicing attorney and real estate and abstract broker. He married, in 1872, Miss Elizabeth A. Pierce, of Iowa County. They have three children—A. Pierce, G. Webb and W. Clark. Mr. Tomkins belongs to the Masonic order.