Zerah Mead was born at Rutland, Vermont, June 4, 1800; from 1825 to 1832 worked a woolen factory at Waddington, St. Lawrence county; married Fama, daughter of James Mott and Abigail Barnum, October 6, 1832; came to Whitewater in 1837 and bought land in section 15. He was one of the several justices of the peace appointed by Governor Dodge for the county in 1838 and became aged and gray in that office. A son, James M. Mead, died in military service at Helena in 1863. Squire Mead was assemblyman in 1852, having defeated Willard Stebbins. He died March 23, 1875. Mrs. Mead was born November 17, 1813; died April 30, 1898.