BIOGRAPHIES:  Noah D. COMSTOCK, Arcadia, Trempealeau Co., WI

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**Posted for informational purposes only -- the poster has no connection to 
this subject.

Noah D. Comstock, a pioneer settler of Arcadia, long passed away, but whose 
memory will remain green for many years to come, was born in Lowville, Lewis 
County, N. Y., Nov. 22, 1832.  In his native town he received a common 
school and partially academic education.  When 18 years of age he moved to 
Calhoun County, Mich., and one year later to Indiana, where he taught school 
until 1853.  In that year he crossed overland the great plains and mountains 
to the gold mines of California.  After working in the gold mines for two 
years, he returned east as far as Wisconsin and in 1855 became one of the 
first settlers of Arcadia.  He was town assessor in 1858, county treasurer 
in 1860, and re-elected in 1862 and 1864, was a member of the county board 
in 1868, and a member of the assembly from Trempealeau County in 1872, 1874, 
1875 and 1876; he also held other local offices and was elected state 
senator in 1882.  In 1868 Mr. Comstock was united in marriage to Ellen 
Comstock, a union of the happiest and brightest order, lasting for more than 
20 years.  But in time came the inevitable end, and after a long, patient 
and resolute struggle against the messenger of death, Noah Durham Comstock 
passed away on the morning of the 6th of June, 1890.  His death was 
regretted by all who knew him, for he possessed all the characteristics of a 
true and noble gentleman.  A man of great independence of character and 
stern integrity, united with rare ability, he had a warm heart and a 
remarkably unselfish and self-sacrificing dispostion, being ever ready to
lend his counsel and assistance to those in need.  In manner he was modest 
and retiring.  Void of all superstitious fear of death, his main study was 
to learn how to live -- how to utilize his narrow span of time here in the 
faithful performance of life's daily and hourly duties, indulging in no vain 
speculations as to the shadowy future.  Like the Hebrew sage, of whom Longfellow speaks in one of his shorter poems, he sought to be remembered "as one who loved his fellow man."  During his last sickness he was gentle and patient, and greatly appreciated all that was done for him.  He suffered much, but never complained, though he was conscious to the last, and when death came it was as a peaceful sleep.  At his own request, his funeral services were conducted by Judge A.W. Newman, of Trempealeau, and his remains were followed from his residence to the village cemetery by a large concourse of friends and neighbors who had come from nearly every part of the county to pay a last sad tribute of respect to one whom in life they had learned to honor and esteem.  To his wife and children he left the fragrance of an exemplary life and the honor of a stainless name.

--Transcribed from "The History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, 1917," 
pages 672 & 673.