From History of Walworth County Wisconsin by Albert Clayton Beckwith, Vol. II, 
Publ. 1912 - Page 999-1000
 
JAMES W. BABCOCK.  All will agree with the biographer that it is a fine thing 
to be able to spend one's life on the old home place but few, through some 
ruling of fate, are permitted to do so.  But the very atmosphere there seems 
different from that we encounter elsewhere, and the earlier associations and 
impressions received in boyhood are lasting and have, usually much weight in 
shaping our careers.  James W. BABCOCK, of Troy township, has been fortunate 
in this respect, in that we find him today on the place where he was born, and 
which he owns, just northwest of Troy Center, his birth having occurred here 
on January 18, 1852.  He is the son of James and Lovey (ROBERTS) BABCOCK, both 
born in Vermont, where they spent their early lives, coming to Walworth 
county, Wisconsin, in 1840, and locating on the subject's farm, being among 
the pioneers, and here they established a rude home which in due course of 
time gave way to a comfortable one.  The father owned eighty acres here.  
Later he built a store house in that vicinity, and there he spent the balance 
of his life, dying in 1865, his wife having preceded him to the grave in 
1860.  They were the parents of five children.  The father of the subject 
married again, and had two children by his second wife.
 
James W. BABCOCK was reared on the home farm and received his education in the 
early schools.  He has always farmed and with the exception of three years 
spent in Vermont, has lived in Troy township, this county.  It was immediately 
after the death of his father that he went to Vermont.  He now owns the home 
place of one hundred and twenty-three acres, which he has kept well improved 
and which he has farmed successfully.  He has built new barns and other 
necessary outbuildings.  He is a breeder of Guernsey cattle, and he also 
carries on dairying, being well equipped for the same.  He retired from the 
active duties of life in 1906 and now lives comfortably in the splendid new 
dwelling which he erected in 1906, which with other substantial building 
occupies three acres of one corner of the farm.
 
Mr. BABCOCK was married in 1876 to Mary McGEE, who was born in East Troy, 
daughter of Pat and Mary (DONLEY) McGEE, both natives of Ireland, who came as 
very early settlers to East Troy, Wisconsin, and there they lived on a farm.  
They were the parents of eight children, three of whom are still living.  To 
the subject and wife the following children have been born: Elmer, Marion, 
Willie and Jessie, all deceased; Flora, who married Ray COMBES, lives on the 
home place, and they have two children, Lovey and Elizabeth; Lovey married Ray 
LACEY, of East Troy.
 
Mr. BABOCK is a Democrat and he was once township treasurer.  His wife belongs 
to the Catholic church.
 
The subject's oldest child, Elmer, married Gertrude PARSONS of Eagle; they are 
both now deceased, and their only child, Fay, lives with the subject and 
wife.  Marion BABCOCK, the subject's daughter, married Greeley PARSONS, the 
latter still living.  One daughter was born to them, Marion, who now lives 
with her grandparents on the PARSONS' side, her mother dying some years ago.
 
Submitted by Carol