William McLean Colladay (April 12, 1809 – September 26, 1893) was an American carpenter, farmer, Republican politician, and Wisconsin pioneer.
[1] In the spring after his arrival, he obtained work as a carpenter in the neighboring settlement of Stoughton, walking the six mile commute each morning and evening.
He constructed the first frame house in Stoughton, the first bridge across the Rock River between Madison and Janesville, and the first saw and grist mills in southeast Dane County.
[1] After satisfying the requirements of the Homestead Law, he settled down on his land in Dunn and began cultivating it for farming, which was his principle occupation for the rest of his life.
[1] Colladay became involved in local affairs as a justice of the peace, and joined the Republican Party when it was organized in the 1850s.