Welcome
To
Jo Daviess County, Illinois

State of Illinois map

The Wise Family

Contributed by Peggy Walwarth

Joseph B. Wise was born in PA in January 1813-17. He was one of the earliest pioneers of JoDaviess County arriving about 1832 and keeping a grocery store. He was the first man to discover lead ore at the Wise Diggings in the New California Mines. Successful at mining and fishing, he settled into farming for his remaining years. Rosanna Smith-Wise, daughter of John Smith and Margaret Heck-Smith, was born in Chester County PA on 6 March 1825/27. The Smith family arrived in Galena where John was a boatman on the Mississippi in 1837. Rosanna was a strong, hard-working woman.

Joseph and Rosanna were wed on 30 Jan 1845 in Galena IL and were married for 32 years, until Joseph's death. Rosanna married a second time to William L. Hope on 16 Oct 1879 in Galena, IL. Joseph died of Edema, 16 May 1877 at the family home in Rice Township on South River Road as did Rosanna on 3 April 1895. Both are buried in Galena's Greenwood Cemetery along with son Joseph and daughter Rosanna. Joseph's side of the stone reads, "Gone But Not Forgotten" and Rosanna's says: "She was a kind and affectionate wife, a fond mother and friend to all."

Children of Joseph and Rosanna Wise:

1. John. Wise: 26 Sept 1848 Galena-7 Mar 1933 Sioux City IA He was married to Elizabeth Green and had 3 daughters.

2. Joseph Wise: 19 June 1853 Rice Twsp-21 Mar 1885 Rice Twsp IL

3. Anthony N. Wise: 11 Oct 1855 Rice Twsp-21 Oct 1935 Plymouth MN. He married Eva E. Bennett and had 9 children.

4. Rosanna Wise: 1860-1863 Rice Twsp

5. Abraham L. Wise: 21 Aug 1862 Rice Twsp-7 April 1897 Minnewaukan ND. He married Anna B. Bahwell and had 7 children.

6. Virginia F. Wise: 1866 Rice Twsp-5 April 1917 Galena IL. She married Paul M. Gerlich and had 8 children.

Another son and daughter both died young.

Back Home