John Athearn, of Algoma township, Winnebago County, Wisconsin, is a native of the old Pine Tree State of Maine, born in Waterville, June 19, 1840. His parents were Robert and Martha (Beckwith) Athearn, also natives of Maine, and were of old colonial ancestrv. Both families were prominent in colonial times and successful farmers there for many years.

Mr. Athearn, our subject, passed his boyhood days in the State of Maine, where he received a fair education.  In 1867 he was smitten with the Western fever, and in August of that year he came to Wisconsin and purchased his present farm of 140 acres in Algoma township, in section 16, where he has since made his home.   His farm is all under cultivation, well improved, well stocked and fully demonstrates the thrift and ambition of its owner.  Mr. Athearn carries on his farm in a businesslike manner and in addition to his successful farming, it furnishes a comfortable home for himself and family.  He also has a fine herd of Holstein dairy cows and does a large dairy business in connection with his general farming.

Mr. Athearn has never aspired to political office holding, his time being too occupied with his farm business, although for five years he served as chairman of the Town Board.  He is a Republican in political sentiment, and a member of the Nekimi Fire Insurance Company..

In November, 1865, Mr. Athearn was married to Miss Janie Weston, a native of the State of Maine, and daughter of highly respected New England parents.

Mr. and Mrs. Athearn have two children: Grace, the eldest, is now Mrs. Fred Thompson, of Columbus, Wis., and Lester .J. lives on the homestead.