George D. Breed (1879)

Birth: December 29, 1839

Death: April 13, 1931 (Age 91)

Burial: Hillside Cemetery (Chilton, Calumet County, Wisconsin)

Col. Breed was a son of Russell and Rebecca Congdon Breed and was born in Town of Lincklaen, Chenango County, New York, on December 29, 1839. When a child his parents went to Cleveland, Ohio by way of the Erie Canal, on steamboat to Milwaukee and then by ox-team across the southern counties of Wisconsin to the present site of Chilton. On Feb. 2, 1852, the Breeds settled in the territory which several years later became Chilton. Col. Breed continued to operate a farm here after the death of his parents. On April 17, 1864, he married Miss Eliza A. Fadner of Town of Charlestown. Breed also had one child, a daughter, Mrs. Blanche Hogue (Milwaukee) and several grandchildren. The ceremony was performed in Chilton. On Feb. 11, 1865, Mr. Breed enlisted in Co. H, 48th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. His was the first infantry regiment to be sent across the plains in Indian country. He was detailed chief clerk of the forces in Johnson County, Kansas, and after serving eleven months, was mustered out of service and returned to his farm near Chilton. He became an important figure in civic affairs and held many offices. He was elected county clerk in 1874. He was instrumental in having the City of Chilton incorporated and served as its first alderman. He later was mayor, alderman, member of the board of education and for 14 years postmaster of Chilton. 

Col. Breed was one of the charter members of the first GAR post organized in Calumet County in 1867, and later was organizer and commander of the Chilton post. He also was chairman of the county republican committee, delegate to the national convention in 1896, elected on the national ticket, a colonel under Governors Upham and Scofield and active in the affairs of his home community.