History of Langlade County, Wisconsin, 
from U. S. Gov't Survey to Present Time, with Biographical Sketches
Dessureau. Antigo, WI: Berner Brothers, 1922, p 330
Submitted by Cathy Kubly

Nathaniel R. BABCOCK, real estate dealer, was born in the town of Clayton, Winnebago County, Wisconsin, 20 January 1868, the son of Marvin and Malinda BABCOCK.  He received a common school education, after which he attended the Marshfield [Wood County, Wisconsin] High School.  His school days ended, young BABCOCK began to meet the vicissitudes of life.  He engaged in employment with a stave factory for two years at Marshfield, following which he was employed by the Vollmar & Krause general store.  On 27 June 1887 Marshfield was destroyed by fire.  Mr. BABCOCK then went to Warren [Marshall County], Minnesota [relatives there?], where he farmed for one year, 1888.  He returned to Marshfield, working a year in a hotel.  Thirty-three years ago, 1889, he drove a number of horses up to Langlade [Langlade County, Wisconsin] for Charles LARZELERE and Charles McFARLAND.  John GIBSON was the mail carrier on the Military Road.  He [John GIBSON or Nathaniel R. BABCOCK?] came to Antigo [Langlade County] from Langlade when much of the intervening country was a vast wilderness.  Returning to Marshfield, Mr. BABCOCK advised John HOLLEY, G. H. MAXWELL, and others interested, to locate the stave mill (of the Antigo Manufacturing Company) they contemplated, at Antigo, which they did in 1892.  He was in their employ until 1896; he assisted in clearing the land for the mill site; then associated with Joseph DUCHAC and WEBSTER, of Chicago [Cook County], Illinois, in real estate business.  Many settlers have been located in the country through his activities.  [The city of Antigo, Langlade County, Wisconsin, was incorporated in 1885.]

He [Nathaniel R. BABCOCK] was married to Miss Ellethra BEATTIE, Clayton Township, Winnebago County [Wisconsin], 06 September 1893.  One child, Orpha, was born to this union.  Miss BABCOCK is a graduate of the Antigo High School, 1918, Whitewater Normal, 1920, and is now a teacher in the Appleton [Outagamie County, Wisconsin] High School commercial department.  The BABCOCK home is at 232 Field Street.  Mr. [Nathaniel R.] BABCOCK has served as Alderman five years, on the Board of Education, as Chairman of the Building Committee of the present High School, and is now a member of the Park and Cemetery Board of the City of Antigo.