WILLIAM E. FINCHER, a prosperous young farmer of Oregon, is a Pennsylvanian by birth. Both he and his parents, Joseph and Dorothy (Losh) Fincher, were natives of Lycoming County, Pa. His father and two brothers served in the Civil War; his father, who was a farmer and horse dealer, died when he was eight years old and his mother the following year, both in Pennsylvania, leaving a family of six children, Margaret, (Mrs. Waltz, deceased); Sarah (Mrs. Day), of Pennsylvania; Clara (Mrs. Fry) of Williamsport; William E., the subject of this sketch; Frank, of Oregon; Catherine of Oregon.

All the children were born and educated in Pennsylvania and lived there until they reached maturity.

Mr. Fincher was thrown upon his own resources at an early age, and began taking care of himself when he was only fifteen years old. He followed various occupations but principally the care of trotting horses; at one time he had a retail milk-route.

In 1897, when he was twenty-three years old-he was born January 2, 1874--he came to Oregon, Dane county and began farming; he bought a farm of one hundred acres upon which he has rebuilt the fences and made other improvements, and which is run for general agricultural purposes.

Two years after coming to Oregon he married Miss Laura Williamson, daughter of John and Phoebe (Bethel) Williamson, of Oregon Township, who was born in the same place. They have one child, Raymond Franklin, born on the home farm.

Mr. Fincher is a Republican, and although comparatively a new comer-among the native born and the pioneers of the fifties-has entered heartily into the life of his chosen home, serving on the school board and winning the esteem of the community by his friendly spirit and neighborly offices.

1906 History of Dane County, Wisconsin, p. 285-286.