Historical Essay

Benjamin F. Church 1807-1887

Milwaukee pioneer, builder, public servant, born July 23, 1807, New Paltz, Ulster, N.Y., arrived Milwaukee 1835, "boss carpenter" in 1836 for Washington House, later Republican House. In 1844 he built Greek Revival family home, rescued in 1938 for a pioneer museum, added to National Register of Historic Places, 1972. West Ward trustee, 1844-1845, on Board of School Commissioners and ward assessor; founder, Royal Arch Masons Chapter 1; member, Milwaukee Old Settlers Club. Six children.

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[Source: Biographical Sketch, Federal Writers Project (Wis.), 1935-1942, WHS; Wisconsin magazine of history, Vol. 31; James S. Buck, Pioneer history of Milwaukee; Memoirs of Milwaukee County: from the earliest historical times, Vol. 1, ed. Jerome Anthony Watrous; Jaunts with Jamie, Milwaukee Sentinel, August 9, 1955; Antigo Daily Journal, July 12, 1935, WHS; Richard W. E. Perrin, Milwaukee landmarks: an architectural heritage, 1850-1950; Built in Milwaukee: an architectural view of the city; Laurie Muench Albano, Milwaukee County Parks; H. Russell Austin, The Milwaukee story: the making of an American city; Norman K. Risjord, The WPA Guide to Wisconsin: The Federal Writers' Project Guide to 1930.]