John Inman, the pioneer, was born in Luzerne county, Pa., and came to Rock county as a land prospector. He bought a great deal of land east from Rock River and as far south as Afton, also some on the west side of the river, at $1.25 an acre. He later sold the entire property for $20,000 to a buyer from Chicago and went west. During the time he owned the property he cut a large hollow tree on what is now Court House park and from the hive in the tree salvaged about a barrel of good honey. He is buried in Washington state.
His first wife, Fannie Brandon, died when their son, John B. Inman, was two weks old and in the years to come the father and son married the Scidmore sisters. Thus the four men in the larger picture, which was taken in 1885 in the Blue mountains, Oregon state, were grandsons and nephews to John Inman, the pioneer.
The pictures were brought to the Gazette by Mrs. Ruth Wiltes, 331 Galena street, great-grandaughter of John Inman. There are four grandchildren of John Inman living in Janesville: Fred Inman, 715 Pleasant street; Charles Inman, 1221 Maple court; and Mrs. Amanda Cone, North Terrace street; and many other more distant relatives in Janesville and Rock county.
