USA > Wisconsin > Sauk County > A standard history of Sauk County, Wisconsin, Volume II > Part 51
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FRED W. SCHUTTE. Among the business men of Reedsburg who have been the authors of their own success and who have worked their way to positions of substantiality without the aid of outside influence or assist- ance, one who is well known is Fred W. Schutte, a member of the impor- tant department store firm of Stolte, Dangel & Foss Company. When he entered upon his connection with mercantile affairs Mr. Schutte began in a humble capacity, and the success that has attended his efforts should prove an incentive and encouragement to the youths of today who are compelled to start their battle with life with naught but ambition and determination to aid them.
Mr. Schutte was born on a farm in Westfield Township, Sauk County, Wisconsin, August 1, 1865. His parents, John and Elizabeth (Williams) Schutte, were born in Germany, where they were married in 1851, and about ten years later came to the United States, settling in 1861 on a farm in Westfield Township. After a few years on this property they sold out and bought a tract of 180 acres located in Reedsburg Township, to which they moved in 1867, and there succeeded in developing a valu- able and well-improved farm. In 1885 the father retired from active pursuits and moved to Reedsburg, where his death occurred in 1886, when he was sixty-seven years of age. The mother survived until 1898, and was seventy-three years old at the time of her demise. They were faith- ful members of the St. Peter's Lutheran Church, and in politics Mr. Schutte was a republican. There were five children in the family : William, Henry, Dora, Catherine and Fred W., of whom the first two named are deceased.
Fred W. Schutte received a country school education and passed his youth in assisting his father in the cultivation of the home farm. He felt, however, that a better future awaited him in mercantile lines, and when he was twenty years of age left home and secured his first experi- ence in business affairs, in the humble capacity of delivery boy in the
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employ of S. J. Dearholt. After about two years thus spent he was experienced enough to take up the duties of clerk with the firm of Webb & Schweke, with which concern he remained for about three years, then entering the employ of H. C. Hunt, of Reedsburg, in the same capacity. Two years later he transferred his services to the firm of Stolte, Dangel & Foss Company, an enterprise which had been founded in 1893, and in his new environment he rose rapidly, so that in about 1897 he was admitted as a member of the firm. He is now manager of the clothing department of this great business house, and is accounted one of the most experienced men to be found in his line in Sauk County. Mr. Schutte has made his own opportunities and luck or chance have not entered into the making of his success. He has a high standing in busi- ness circles, and as a citizen is ever ready to lend his support to worthy movements, giving freely of his time, energies and abilities. He is a republican, but has not entered actively into public or political affairs. With his family he belongs to St. Peter's Lutheran Church, and at this time he is serving in the capacity of secretary of the congregation.
On February 1, 1891, Mr. Schutte was united in marriage with Miss Anna Huebing, who was born at Reedsburg, February 18, 1866, a daugh- ter of Henry and Elizabeth Huebing, pioneers of Sauk County, who are both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Schutte have one daughter, Miss Elva M., who was born March 13, 1895. She is a graduate of the Reedsburg High School, attended the Milwaukee Normal School for two years, and is now teaching English at St. Peter's Lutheran School, Reedsburg.
MRS. GEORGE W. SMITH is head of one of the notable families of Bear Creek Township in the Lone Rock community.
She was born in this state in 1864, a daughter of J. and Alvina (Harris) Nichols. She became the wife of Mr. George W. Smith in 1882, and two years later they located on their present farm of 200 acres in Bear Creek Township. This farm has been completely developed and cleared under their management, and is now operated by Mrs. Smith, with the aid of her sons. They keep about fifty head of livestock and have a dairy of twenty-eight cows.
Mrs. Smith's children are Herbert, Henry, Walter, Wilbur, Grace, George and Earnest, the last two being deceased. The son Herbert mar- ried Grace Strang, of Little Willow, Richland County. The daughter, Grace, is the wife of Henry Christian, of Spring Green.
GRANT DRYER, a former sheriff of Sauk County, has lived within the limits of this county since his birth, and his name stands not only for efficiency and honor in public affairs, but also for success as a practical farmer and stockman.
Mr. Dryer was born in Dellona Township of this county January 25, 1868, and except for the period he lived in the county seat has always had his home in that section. He is a son of James L. and Adeline Dryer, who came to Sauk County from New York State in 1864 and located a farm in Dellona Township. Their children were: Helen J., unmarried ; Etta, deceased; Bertha; John W., deceased; George, deceased; and
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Grant. The daughter Etta married Stephen Green, of Sauk County. Bertha is the wife of D. A. Bradley and lives at Denver, Colorado. Eva married O. J. Green, of Oklahoma.
Mr. Grant Dryer married in April, 1893, Blanche Weidman, daughter of Leonard L. Weidman, of Sauk County. They have three children : Hazel, Lila and Clifton. The daughter Hazel is the wife of Percy Bass, of Dellona Township, and has one daughter, Dorothy. Lila, who is unmarried, is a successful teacher in a school in the Village of Merri- mack. Clifton married Bessie Simpson and has a son, Grant.
Mr. Grant Dryer served a term as sheriff of Sauk County in 1909-10. He has always been an active republican aid a leader in any movement for the general welfare of his home community and county. As a farmer he owns 210 acres in Dellona Township. Fraternally he is affiliated with Knights of Pythias.
ROBERT GREENWOOD. One of the men whose lives have given char- acter to the agricultural and civic enterprise of Winfield Township is Robert Greenwood, the oldest resident of that section.
Mr. Greenwood is an Englishman by birth and parentage, having been born in that country August 14, 1839. He had five brothers and four sisters, and all of them are now deceased except himself and his brother Miles.
He arrived in the United States from his native land of England May 9, 1848, and since 1852 he has been an honored citizen of Sauk County, Wisconsin, with the exception of the two years when he served his adopted country as a soldier in the defense of the Union. He received his honorable discharge and returned to his home in Sauk County and this has since been his home. Farming has constituted his life's activities, and a number of years ago he acquired 120 acres in Winfield Township, which he has developed by the erection of good buildings and by the clearing up the land for cultivation. He follows general farming and stock raising and has a beautiful and valuable estate.
Mr. Greenwood married Eveline Miller. Their children are named as follows: James, Joseph, Vesta, Eva, Robert, Carrie, Benjamin and George. All of them were educated in the district schools of Sauk County. The sons, Joseph, Benjamin and James, are all members of the Masonic fraternity. Mr. Greenwood is an active republican in poli- tics and he and his son, Benjamin, and wife, are members of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church. His sons and daughters have grown to man and womanhood and are honored citizens of their communities and an honor to their parents.
GRANT WEIDMAN has spent his active career in Sauk County as a farmer, and is still employed in the management of his farm in Reeds- burg Township.
Mr. Weidman was born in Westfield Township of Sauk County March 31, 1866, a son of Alexander and Eleanor (McIlvain) Weidman and a brother of Samuel Weidman, whose achievements as a scientist and scholar have been noted on other pages.
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Grant Weidman grew up on his father's farm, acquired a public school education, and for many years has occupied his share of the old homestead in Reedsburg Township. The eighty acres in this farm he devotes to general agriculture and stock raising, and has done much to improve its equipment. He has a set of good buildings, including a barn 36 by 60 feet. Mr. Weidman is a democrat but has never sought any official honors in or out of the party. He is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America.
October 2, 1889, he married Miss Bell Flitcroft, who was born at Reedsburg September 13, 1867, daughter of John Flitcroft. John Flit- croft was born in New York State June 13, 1826. He married Regina Thomas, who was born in Canada November 4, 1829. In 1852 John Flit- croft arrived in Reedsburg Township, where he was one of the earliest pioneers and settled on land which as a result of long and continuous labor on his part was developed into a good farm. He died at his home August 24, 1888, his widow surviving him until August 12, 1916. There were four children in the Flitcroft family: Frances, wife of Byron Randall, of Reedsburg; Charles, who lives at Red Deer in Western Canada; Lillie, wife of Joseph Mepham, of Reedsburg Township; and Bell, wife of Mr. Weidman.
Mr. and Mrs. Weidman have two children. Harvey, the older, was born June 12, 1893, was educated in the Reedsburg High School, spent three years at Ripon College and then entered the School of Mines at Platteville, Wisconsin. In 1916 he served with the Wisconsin troops on the Texas border and in 1917 he organized a company and is now com- missioned a captain in the Fourth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, located at present at Camp Douglas preparing for a German campaign. The youngest son, Hubert, was born August 19, 1894, was educated in the Reedsburg High School, spent two years in Ripon College, and is a graduate of the School of Mines at Platteville. He was located at Paris Island in South Carolina, but is now at St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, South America.
CHARLES F. SHELDEN. With the exception of two years spent in Minnesota and the period of his service as a soldier of the Union during the Civil war, Charles F. Shelden has been a resident of Sauk County since 1855, the greater part of this time having been passed at Reeds- burg, his present home. For many years he was engaged in mercantile pursuits, and a large portion of his energies has been devoted to dis- charging the duties of public positions, but he is now retired from business and official activities and is enjoying the repose and comfort that reward the efforts of the energetic and industrious.
Charles F. Shelden was born in Oneida County, New York, Septem- ber 2, 1841, and is a son of DeWitt Clinton and Maria (Smith) Shelden, natives of the Empire State. In 1845 they struck out for the West, their destination being Walworth County, Wisconsin, where they made their home for ten years, the elder Shelden being engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1855 the family place of residence was changed to Sauk County, where the father purchased a farm, which he improved, and on which the family lived until 1862, when they moved to Reedsburg.
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Here the parents rounded out long and useful lives, the father dying at the age of seventy-six years and the mother when seventy-nine years of age. DeWitt C. Shelden was a republican in politics, and he and Mrs. Shelden were members of the Congregational Church. They were the parents of the following children: Caroline and Ezekiel B., who are deceased ; DeWitt M .; Charles F .; Kirk W., who is deceased; and Amy Gardner.
Charles F. Shelden received his early training on the home farm and received his education in the country schools. The Civil war found him ready and. anxious to serve his country, and January 27, 1862, he was accepted as a private of Company A, Ninteenth Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, with which regiment he served until the close of the war, with the exception of about six months when he was on detached duty on an army gunboat. He received his honorable discharge January 27, 1865, after having made a most creditable and honorable record as a soldier, having taken part in numerous important engagements. When he returned the young soldier remained on the farms of the community for several years, and then went to Cottonwood County, Minnesota, where he purchased a farm. Two years of residence there convinced him that he could better himself in his former residence locality, and accord- ingly he returned to Sauk County and settled at Reedsburg, where, not long afterward, he was appointed assistant postmaster, a position which he retained for ten years. He was also express agent for a like period, following which he embarked in the mercantile business, conducting a general store with success for several years. He also acted in the capacity of justice of the peace for thirty-three years, during which time he estab- lished a commendable record for fidelity to duty and capable handling of the matters that came to him for adjustment. In 1880 he erected a commodious and comfortable residence on South Pine Street, and here he has since made his home, the past several years having been passed in quiet retirement. Mr. Shelden is one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of his community and has taken an active part in many of the movements that have served to make for civic develop- ment and betterment. His political support has always been given to the republican party. In Masonry he has risen to a high rank, being a member of Reedsburg Lodge No. 157, Free and Accepted Masons ; Reedsburg Chapter No. 561, Royal Arch Masons; and St. John's Com- mandery No. 21, Knights Templar. He belongs also to the Grand Army' of the Republic.
Mr. Shelden was married in 1868 to Miss Isabel Hood, of Racine, Wisconsin, and they are the parents of two children : Walter D., M. D., one of the brilliant and eminent physicians and surgeons of Rochester, Minnesota, is connected at that city with the famous Mayo brothers. He married Byrd Hunter and has two sons, Charles Hunter and James Thomas. Mabel is the wife of W. D. Whitney, of Minneapolis, Minne- sota, a member of the firm of Twin Cities Rapid Transit Company. They have one daughter, Mary Isabel.
ANTON SCHLOSSER is one of the oldest and best known business men of Spring Green. For over twenty years he was in the general mer-
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chandise business there, but has since given up the role of merchant and is now devoting himself to his duties as village clerk, notary public and as an insurance man.
Mr. Schlosser has spent most of his life in Wisconsin. He was born, however, in Koenigshofen, Bavaria, Germany, October 15, 1857. In 1867, at the age of ten years, he came to America with his parents, Gus- tav and Lona (Gerstner) Schlosser. They all located in Merrimack Township of Sauk County, where his father was an active farmer for two years. He then removed to Sauk City, and making his home in that village followed his trade as carpenter the rest of his life. He died in Sauk City in 1877, at the age of fifty-six. His widow survived him nearly thirty years, passing away at Sauk City in 1906, at the age of eighty-two.
Anton Schlosser lived at home with his parents until he was fifteen, and then began making his own way in the world. He had a limited public school education, but was a boy of natural industry and of keen observation and good habits. Thus he was prepared to make a favorable impression and win promotion when he started as a boy clerk in a store at Black Hawk in Sauk County. He remained there accumulating experience and earning a living for five years. The proprietor of a store at Spring Green was S. M. Harris, and he next clerked for him five years. In the spring of 1882 Mr. Schlosser, capitalizing his experience, opened a general stock of merchandise at Spring Green and soon had a profitable trade. In 1883 he took in as a partner Albert Held, under the name Schlosser & Held. In 1894 Evan Davis joined the firm, under the name Schlosser, Held & Davis. In 1900 Held & Davis sold their interest to J. A. W. Sprecher and William Bonham, and the title of the new firm was Schlosser, Sprecher & Bonham.
In 1904 Mr. Schlosser sold his interest in the store, which in the meantime had grown and prospered, to Eli Schoephorster, and after that he lived retired from business entirely for two years. In 1905 Mr. Schlosser went to Broadhead in Green County and bought an interest in a general store from the Stair Brothers. He had as partners in this enterprise Henry Jones and Henry Schwartz, the firm being Schlosser, Schwartz & Jones. Mr. Schlosser also moved his family to Broadhead, but in 1906 he sold out and returned to Spring Green. For about ten years he had no special business connections except as representative of several insurance companies, but in 1916 he became village clerk and now gives most of his time and attention to that office. He has also served as village assessor five years. He is secretary of the Inter County Fair Association. Mr. Schlosser is a member of the Congregational Church, is treasurer of his Lodge of Odd Fellows and a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.
On February 24, 1881, he married Miss Rosina Diehl, of Troy Town- ship, Sauk County. Mrs. Schlosser was born in that locality February 24, 1862, and was married on her nineteenth birthday. Her father, Ludwig Diehl, was a farmer in Sauk County and is now deceased. Her inother's maiden name was Carolina Fey. Mr. and Mrs. Schlosser have two children : Pearl C., at home, and Irene, a graduate of the White- water Normal School and now a teacher in the Reedsburg public schools.
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ANTHONY S. WINCKLER, of Reedsburg, is enjoying a well earned retirement at the age of past fourscore. He knows both the modern and the pioneer life of Sauk County, which he has known for over fifty years. In business he has been prospered, in patriotism he tested his loyalty by three years of service in the Civil war, and his influence has always gone to the betterment of his community.
Mr. Winckler is a native of New York City. He was born on Broad- way, February 12, 1836, and spent some of his early childhood in that city. He knew Broadway when it was little more than a highroad above Thirtieth Street, and from that small metropolis he was transferred by the removal of his parents to the veritable wilderness of Wisconsin. His parents were Gotlieb and Henrietta (Warner) Winckler. His father was born in Germany in 1799, was educated in the old country and learned the trade of baker at Heidelberg. He came to America when about sixteen years of age, and worked at his trade as baker in New York City for a number of years. Subsequently he and his brother Andrew engaged in building flatboats and operating them from the headwaters of the Ohio at Pittsburg down the Ohio and Mississippi to New Orleans. Subsequently he resumed the bakery business in New York City, where he married Miss Warner, who was born there in 1809. In 1852 Gotlieb Winckler brought his family west to Wisconsin and secured a tract of Government land in Marquette County. After doing some development work he sold this and about the beginning of the Civil war moved to Dane County. For several years he lived in Sauk County, but went back to Dane County, and from there went west to Nebraska and bought a fine farm in that state. Again he pulled up and went to the far Northwest in Oregon, where he operated a fruit ranch until his death in 1881. His widow died at Oregon City in 1891. They were the parents of eight children, including Anthony S .; Nicholas, who fought in the same company in the Civil war with his brother and for many years followed farming near Reedsburg, where he died in 1913; Maria, who lives in Oregon; Andrew, deceased.
Anthony S. Winckler gained most of his education in New York City. He was sixteen years of age when the family came west to Mar- quette County, Wisconsin, and for a time he attended school at Dakota Village in Waushara County. He also taught school, and had a very successful record in that vocation. At the beginning of the Civil war he was township superintendent of schools.
He resigned that position to enlist in Company G of the Thirty- second Wisconsin Infantry in 1862. With that regiment he served until the close of hostilities. He was in the last battle of the war, when Sher- man met Johnston's army at Bentonville, North Carolina. Though he was never severely wounded he had some narrow escapes. Several times his hat was punctured by bullets, and one bullet scarred the top of his head, causing the loss of considerable blood and making him extremely sick, though only temporarily keeping him out of the ranks. He served with the rank of first sergeant in Company G.
After the war Mr. Winckler located in Sauk County and became actively engaged in farming in Reedsburg Township. He left his farm in 1893 and removing to the City of Reedsburg was for four years book-
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keeper with the Morgan Building Company. He then became one of the organizers of the State Bank of Reedsburg and filled the post of assistant cashier in that institution for ten years and is still one of the bank's directors. For the past seven years Mr. Winckler has lived a retired life. His home is at the corner of Third and Myrtle streets.
For many years he was actively identified with the republican party, but for the past ten years has given his support to the prohibition move- ment. He is devout in the performance of his religious duties, is active in the Baptist Church, and for over forty years has taught a Bible class in the Sunday School. He is also one of the honored veterans of the war and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
Mr. Winckler was married in 1862 to Miss Emily Tredwell of Wal- worth County, Wisconsin. They were the parents of two children : Eva, who died in infancy ; and Belle, who is the wife of Charles Risley. Mrs. Winckler died in 1906. On July 19, 1908, he married Miss Janettc McIntosh, of Sauk County, and of sterling Scotch ancestry. Her par- ents were Laughlin and Catherine (Cameron) McIntosh, who settled in Sauk County as early as 1851. Her father acquired a tract of Govern- ment land and developed it into a splendid farm, but spent the last twenty-five years of his life at Reedsburg, where he died in 1910, at the age of eighty-two. His wife passed away in 1907, aged seventy-two. Mrs. Winckler was one of a family of nine children: James and Ann, both deceased ; Katie ; Thomas ; Joseph, deceased ; Mrs. Winckler ; Lizzie ; John, and Mirren.
JACOB VAN ORDEN, president of the Bank of Baraboo, has been con- tinuously identified with that institution and at the same time with the commercial life of the city for more than forty years.
While the details are fresh in mind some reference should be made to the history of this institution even at the risk of some repetition. As far back as 1856 a stock company comprised of Simeon Mills and Terrell Thomas owned and operated a banking institution at Baraboo for several years and then Mr. Mills dropped out and Mr. Thomas continued alone until 1873. In that year the business was succeeded by the First National Bank of Baraboo. This in turn gave way in 1880 to the Bank of Baraboo, under a state charter. Mr. George Mertens was the first president of the State Bank and J. Van Orden was cashier. While Sauk County has had a remarkable growth and development within the last forty years, the Bank of Baraboo has not failed to keep pace with developments. It is one of the strongest banks in Southern Wisconsin, with total resources of about $2,000,000, with capital stock of $100,000, and with deposits of over $1,500,000.
The Van Orden family have been identified with Wisconsin since the year 1849, when Wisconsin was still in its infancy as a state. Jacob Van Orden was born at Neosho in Dodge County August 13, 1856, a son of Lucas S. Van Orden, a native of New York State. His father on coming to Wisconsin spent a brief time in Milwaukee and then became an early settler at Neosho in Dodge County. He erected the first flour mills in Neosho, and was a highly respected citizen and business man until his death in 1858. For two years he served as register of deeds.
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His wife was a native of Ohio, and survived him more than half a century.
The only child of his parents, Jacob Van Orden was educated in district schools and for three years in Ripon College. He was eighteen years old when in 1874 he came to Baraboo, the year after the organiza- tion of the First National Bank. He entered this institution in a nominal capacity which might best be described as general utility boy and clerk. His duties involved sweeping out the banking room in the morning, run- ning errands, and any other work which might be required by his super- iors. He possessed more than average ability, was industrious, and these faculties under the guidance of a determined purpose to become a banker brought him steady promotion. At the end of six years he was handling the responsibilities of cashier in the reorganized Bank of Baraboo, and his services in that position were continuous for more than thirty years, much of the time with the active management of the bank's affairs. Recently Mr. Van Orden succeeded H. Grotophorst as president of the Bank of Baraboo. Mr. Van Orden is well known among Wisconsin bankers, has participated in the meetings and associations of the state's financiers, and is thoroughly informed on the broader aspects of finance.
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