USA > Wisconsin > Sauk County > A standard history of Sauk County, Wisconsin, Volume II > Part 61
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respected members of his community. To Mr. and Mrs. Kessler there have been born the following children: Carl, who is assisting his father in the operation of the home farm; Elsie, Jennie, Ernie, Aleck, Mareta, Florence, who is deceased; Ruth, Theodore and an infant, unnamed. Their children have been and are being given good educational advantages and are being trained to take their rightful positions in the life of the community and to conduct themselves in a manner which will be cred- itable to themselves, to their township and to their family.
WILLIAM ROECKER. In Westfield Township one of the farms that indicate the care and thrift bestowed upon it by its owner and represents a material asset of the entire county is that of William Roecker, who has lived continuously in that locality for nearly thirty years. Mr. Roecker came to Wisconsin when a boy of seven years from Germany, where he was born December 19, 1861. He is a son of Albert and Pau- lina (Blank) Roecker. His parents came to Sauk County in 1868, for several years rented land, and later bought the farm where their son, Edward, now lives. This contained eighty acres and the father built in the woods a log honse and by his own labors cleared most of the farm. He is still living there with his son at the advanced age of eighty-four. His wife passed away in 1907, at the age of sixty-eight. Their family of nine children were William, August, Augusta and Tilly, both deceased, Edward, Annie, Marie, Minnie and Henry.
William Roecker acquired his education in the common schools of Wisconsin. For about five years he lived with his parents at Portage and Casimir, but otherwise his home has been in Sauk County. Growing up as a farmer, he industriously took advantage of every opportunity to get a home of his own, and in 1889 bought eighty acres contained in his present homestead. Later he bought another forty and now has 120 acres under cultivation, improved with good buildings, including a barn 36 by 66 feet, which is one of the best equipped structures of the kind in the township. Mr. Roecker does general farming and has about twenty-seven head of cattle. He is a member of the Lutheran Church.
In 1886, several years before coming to his present homestead, he married Miss Mary Hasc. Their companionship was terminated by her death in 1889. She was the mother of three children: Herman, Martha and Marie, the last two being twins and both now deceased. In 1891 Mr. Roecker married Miss Marie Meier. She was born in Germany, March 22, 1869. Her father died in Germany and her widowed mother, Katrina Meier, brought her family to Sauk County in 1890 and died there in 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Roecker have had five children: Albert, deceased ; Emil ; Martha ; Erna, deceased ; and Elda.
FRED SCHOEPHORTER. In every community there is apt to be found a body of retired farmers, and very often they represent the most solid and substantial citizenship of the section in which they live. Many of those who live in Sauk County belong to old pioneer families and some of them, like Fred Schoephorter, a highly respected resident of Troy Township, may be classed as pioneers themselves. Having come here early, they have witnessed and helped to bring about the wonderful
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development this section of Wisconsin has enjoyed and their reminis- cences covering the period are both interesting and instructive. In Mr. Schoephorter's case recollection goes back even to another land, for his birth took place in Germany, March 25, 1845, and he was eight years old when the long ocean voyage was taken and the further over- land trip to the new home in the Wisconsin wilds.
The parents of Mr. Schoephorter were Carl and Maria (Millman) Schoephorter, natives of Germany who came to the United States in 1853 and made their way to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where they hired a conveyance that brought them to Sauk City. There were no railroads at that time in this part of the state and the traveling that people did was with oxen or horses as their preference might be. The weary travelers settled as soon as they could on the 120 acres which the father had secured from the Government, and never left it, both dying on the farm now owned by their son some twenty years ago. They came at a
time when many hardships had to be endured because of unsettled con- ditions, but they were brave and industrious and had not been expect- ing a life of ease, hence they went to work with a will and the time came, which their son is glad to remember, when they were able to take their ease at will. The 120 acres had to be cleared before it could be culti- vated and the father made use of oxen to break up the land.
Fred Schoephorter grew up on this pioneer farm and in boyhood attended the district schools. He has always followed farm pursuits and has always lived on the old homestead, having purchased the interests of his three sisters, he being the only son and the third in order of birth in his parents' family, the others being: Louise, who was the wife of Peter Engel and lived at Prairie du Sac; Mary, who married and lived at Cottage Grove in Dane County; and Caroline, who is the wife of Fred Hansmyer and lives at Cottage Grove.
When Mr. Schoephorter was twenty-five years old he married Miss Caroline Mittie, and four children were born to them, as follows: Mary, who lives at home; Charles, who is a merchant in Prairie du Sac; Eli, who lives on a farm in Sumpter Township, is married, as is also his older brother; and Lizzie, who is Mrs. Henry Carmacker and lives in Cottage Grove. The mother of the above children died and subsequently Mr. Schoephorter married her sister, Augusta Mittie, and to this mar- riage there were also born four children, namely: Willie, who is a farmer and has a family and lives at Baraboo; Lidie, the wife of Simon Stibur, lives in Honey Creek Township; Julia, the wife of Henry Gasser, lives in Troy Township; and Henry, who resides on and operates his father's farm.
For many years Fred Schoephorter was one of the most successful farmers of Troy Township and kept active until 1906, when he retired, being fully justified when he could turn his affairs over to so capable a farmer as his youngest son. In political matters he has always been a republican but has never accepted any political office unless member- ship on the school board might be deemed such, for he has served six years in all as a school director. With the members of his family he belongs to the Evangelical Church, which is a strong organization in Troy Township. Mr. Schoephorter has seen many changes in agricul-
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tural methods, in manner of living and in a general progress along all lines, and he has accepted those of which he has been able to approve, but he has not altogether forgotten some of the old familiar customs which prevailed in earlier days. He is one of the best known residents of Troy Township.
WILLIAM A. STOLTE. In 1893 was formed the business of Stolte, Dangel & Foss Company, an enterprise which had its chief capital in the ambition of the members forming the concern. The records show that the venture in that year did a fairly prosperous business, and that in the fifteen years that followed it continued to add to its prestige and to gain in greater and greater degree the confidence of the buying pub- lic, so that in 1908 it was forced to enlarge its quarters. Today it is the largest department store in Sauk County, and thus it will be apparent to the merest layman that the personnel of this concern has been far above the ordinary. One of the guiding spirits of this Reedsburg con- cern, one who has brought it right to the forefront in the face of stern competition, who has had the courage to grasp opportunities and the foresight to see when these opportunities would come, is William A. Stolte, secretary and treasurer, who has won and retained for himself a leading position among Sauk County business men.
William A. Stolte is a product of the community in which his labors have been prosecuted and in which his success has been gained. He was born January 23, 1866, at Reedsburg, on the present site of the Hotel Stolte, a son of William and Dorothea (Meyer) Stolte, natives of Ger- many, where the former was born March 2, 1835, and the latter in Novem- ber, 1840. William Stolte came to the United States in 1861 and located in Westfield Township, Sauk County, and there met and married his wife, who had come here one year later, their honeymoon journey con- sisting of a ride in a wagon drawn by an ox-team. Mr. Stolte worked on a farm in Westfield Township for a time, but subsequently went to Kil- bourn, where he worked at the trade of tailor, which he had learned in his native land. After about three years he came to Reedsburg and embarked in the mercantile business under the firm style of Schweke & Stolte, this association continuing until 1869, the year of the hop crash. The shock of this calamity caused Mr. Schweke's death, but Mr. Stolte continued the business alone until 1887, when he retired. During this time he also conducted a liquor establishment, and from 1887 forward engaged in farming until 1911, when he gave up all active labors and lived quietly until his death, which occurred in 1913. Mr. Stolte was one of Reedsburg's most successful men of business, was one of the stockholders in the woolen mill, and built the Hotel Stolte, which he gave to his sons, one of whom, Edward G., was manager of the house at the time of his death, December 25, 1914. He was a democrat in politics and prominent in local affairs, serving at times as supervisor and treas- urer of Reedsburg, and took a leading part in religious work, being one of the founders of Saint Peter's Lutheran Church and afterwards of Saint John's Church, of which he was president at the time of his demise. Fraternally he belonged to the Independent Order, of Odd Fellows, and was very active in that order. Mr. Stolte was a son of
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George and Dora Stolte, who came to Reedsburg about 1864 and lived on a farm which was located within the city limits and which was owned by their son. They both passed away here. George Meyer, the maternal grandfather of William A. Stolte, fought in a number of the battles of the Napoleonic wars, including Moscow. He married Elizabeth Meyer and in later years came to America and located in Westfield Township, where both grandparents passed away. They had four children: Mrs. Stolte; Mrs. Charles Thies, with whom they made their home; Mrs. Carl Giffert ; and one son. William and Dorothea Stolte were the parents of ten children : Dora, who is deceased; William A .; Edward G., deceased ; Nannie; Louisa; Henry, who died in infancy; George; Lydia; Lena; and Freda.
William A. Stolte was educated in the public and parochial schools. of Reedsburg, spent one year in the Reedsburg High School, and was confirmed in Saint John's Church. He was but thirteen years of age- when he began his connection with mercantile affairs, and to this line. his efforts have since been confined, with the exception of six years when he was engaged as a traveling salesman in selling hops. In March,. 1893, he became one of the organizers, with Frank A. Foss and Lonis Dangel, in the formation of the Stolte, Dangel & Foss Company, the new concern taking over the stock and good will of the Harris & Hosler Company. The business was in poor shape, but the new partners soon introduced methods and ideas that rapidly brought custom, and from the start the business grew and prospered. Changes were repeatedly made to accommodate the increased business, and for some years the business was conducted on the corner of Main and Walnut streets. The two-story department store now comprises the largest business of its kind in Sauk County, and employs in the neighborhood of fifty people. In connection therewith is operated a large cold storage plant, and a recently added feature of the business is a complete automobile depart- ment. Mr. Stolte has been secretary and treasurer of the firm since its inception, and by his foresight, acumen and natural ability has been a leading figure in the development of the enterprise. His standing in business circles is evidenced by the fact that he is president of the Com- mercial Club of Reedsburg, and in civic affairs he also takes a leading. part as a member of the city council. His political affiliation is with the democratic party. Fraternally he is connected with Reedsburg Lodge No. 157, Free and Accepted Masons; Reedsburg Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; the Order of the Eastern Star; the Modern Woodmen of America ; the Beavers; and the Knights of Pythias, all of Reedsburg. He is a member of Saint John's Lutheran Church, and has been presi- dent thereof since his father's death.
Mr. Stolte was married in 1894 to Miss Rosette J. Heyer, of Darien, near Delavan, Wisconsin. They have three children: Ruth, born in 1896, a graduate of Reedsburg High School and a junior at the Univer- sity of Wisconsin, who is greatly interested in the Young Woman's. Christian Association and religious work; Herbert A., born in 1898, a graduate of the Reedsburg High School, class of 1917, and now attend- . ing the University of Wisconsin ; and William A., Jr., born in 1904.
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SAMUEL ANDREWS. On the 17th of February, 1917, was summoned to the life eternal the soul of a man whose sterling integrity and most exemplary character have left an indelible impress upon the hearts of his fellow men. At the time when he was called from the scene of his mortal endeavors he was in his eighty-seventh year, and it may be said concerning him that "his strength was as the number of his days." The prestige which he gained as a fair and honorable man was the result of his own well directed endeavors and his success was on a parity with his ability and well applied energy.
Samuel Andrews, the subject of this sketch, was a native of Herford- shire, England, where his birth occurred August 1, 1830. IIis parents passed their entire lives in England and as a young man he decided to come to America. He landed in the harbor of New York July 4, 1849, and proceeded thence to Cleveland, Ohio, where he remained about six months. He then located in Baraboo, where in company with his brother, Andrew, he learned the trade of shoemaker. Andrew continued to reside in Baraboo but Samuel came to Ironton and here engaged in the shoe business in 1858. His partner in this enterprise was Jack Jessup, and they were together until the hop crash, after which Mr. Andrews con- ducted the growing business alone during the long intervening years until 1910, some seven years prior to his demise.
In 1887 Mr. Andrews purchased a farm of 140 acres 31/4 miles from Ironton. This farm is still in the possession of the family and for the past twenty years has been managed and conducted by a son, David James.
Mr. Andrews was a republican in his political proclivities and for fourteen years he filled the office of treasurer of Ironton Township with the utmost efficiency. In a fraternal way he was a member of Ironton Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, having been connected with that organization for fifty-six years. He was treasurer of the lodge for several years and was carried to his final resting place by a large delegation of Masons. With his wife he was a member of the Eastern Star for six years.
March 24, 1860, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Andrews to Miss Melissa Harrison, who was born in England, March 24, 1842, a daughter of George and Martha (Bottomly) Harrison. Mrs. Andrews' parents were natives of Bradford, Yorkshire, England, and they immi- grated to Massachusetts in 1848, at which time he came on to Sauk County and located a claim in what is now Lavalle Township. This claim consisted of forty acres, and here the family joined him two years later, in 1850. Mr. Harrison died in 1868 and his devoted wife died in 1870.
Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Andrews: Walter is now a resident of California; Martha, of Baraboo; George W., who lives in Baraboo; Eleazer maintains his home in Chicago; Joseph is likewise a resident of Chicago; Jane is the wife of John O'Gorman, of Duluth; David James runs the old homestead in Ironton Township; and Jane, Nancy and Arthur all died in infancy.
In community affairs Mr. Andrews was active and influential and his support was readily and generously given to many measures for-
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warded for the general progress and improvement. His life history is certainly worthy of commendation and of emulation, for along honorable and straightforward lines he won the success which crowned his efforts and which made him one of the substantial residents of Sauk County. Mrs. Andrews, who survives her beloved husband, is a woman of great kindliness of character and marked hospitality. She is a prominent mem- ber of the local chapter of the Eastern Star and her beautiful home in Ironton was the scene of many attractive social gatherings during the lifetime of her husband. Mr. and Mrs. Andrews were married nearly fifty-seven years when death called him.
ALBERT SCHULZE. On the fine old homestead which was founded by his father, Albert Schulze is now most successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising. He is a young man of sterling character, quick intelligence and exemplary habits and as such holds a high place in the esteem of his fellow citizens. The date of his birth was January 6, 1883, and he is a son of Henry and Lizzie (Lipkeman) Schulze, who came to America from Germany in 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Schulze were married in the old country and there became the parents of three chil- dren : Henry, William and Lizzie. In 1881 they came to Sauk County and located a homestead in the vicinity of Reedsburg, where Mr. Schulze was engaged in work as a carpenter for a number of years. For two years they lived in Lavalle Township but since 1891 they have been con- tinuous residents of the farm on which Albert now lives. This estate consists of 180 acres, and although the original buildings were con- structed of logs the present ones are fine examples of the substantial, modern farm buildings. Mr. Schulze retired from active participation in farm work in April, 1912, and is now living in comfort on the com- petence gained in his prime. He was born November 28, 1848, and his wife June 30, 1849. Four more children were born to them after their arrival in Sauk County, namely : Albert, Emil, Otto and Ida. Mr. Schulze has a genial and kindly personality and is greatly beloved by his family and many friends.
Albert Schulze grew to maturity under the invigorating discipline of the old home farm, in the work and management of which he early began to assist his father. He was educated in the Reedsburg schools. and since his father's retirement he has been manager of the homestead which he now owns. He is a practical farmer and has met with marked success in his endeavors. A republican in his political convictions, he manifests a deep and sincere interest in public affairs although he is not an active politician. He is a devout member of St. Peter's Church at Reedsburg and is a generous contributor to the charities of that insti- tution.
In 1905 Mr. Schulze was united in marriage to Miss Emma Wester- man, a native of Ironton Township, where her birth occurred March 10, 1883. Mrs. Schulze is a daughter of John and Katherine Wester- man, the former of whom is deceased and the latter is now living in Reedsburg. Mr. and Mrs. Schulze have seven fine children: Christel, Selma, Hilda, Alfred, Edna, Adena and Florence.
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HENRY GARSKE. The farming interests of Sauk County are very important, for this section of the state is noted for the fertility of its soil and the value of its agricultural lands. There was a time not so long distant when these fertile fields were covered with prairie grass or timber and when the wild animals held undisputed sway, but now all is changed and Sauk County has blossomed forth in a remarkable degree. Here are to be found inany intelligent, hard-working men engaged in farming, and some of these have passed their entire lives on their present lands. In this elass is Henry Garske, of Reedsburg Town- ship, who was born on the farm that he now owns, October 30, 1868, a son of Frederick and Amelia (Puhal) Garske.
The grandparents of Mr. Garske, William and Henrietta (Koplein) Garske, were born in Germany, and brought their family to the United States in 1855, settling in Reedsburg Township, Sauk County, where for many years they lived on the farm now owned by their grandson, although they died on the property owned by Henry Yost. They were industrious and honest farming people, greatly respected in their community, and both reached advaneed years, the grandfather being eighty-eight years old at the time of his demise. Their children, all of whom are deceased, were as follows: William, Ferdinand, Minnie,
Hannah, Frederick and Fredericka. The maternal grandparents of Mr. Garske, August and Henrietta (Schultz) Pufhal, were also born in Germany, and came to the United States with their children in 1857, locating in Reedsburg Township, where they rounded out their lives in the cultivation of a farm and the making of a home. Mr. Pufhal died when well advanced in years, and Mrs. Pufhal in 1890, when eighty- four years of age. They belonged to the sturdy class of honorable early settlers who assisted in the development of the great County of Sauk. They had three children : Gudima, Amelia and Ferdinand.
Frederick Garske was born January 13, 1834, and had about reached his majority when he accompanied the family in its journey to the United States. Like the other members of the family, he chose farming as his life work, and it was he who purchased the eighty-acre farm which is now owned by his son. Throughout his life agricultural pursuits con- tinued to occupy his attention, and as he was an industrious man, with good business ability, he made his labors pay and at the same time occu- pied a substantial place in his community. His death occurred in 1899. Mrs. Garske, who was born November 6, 1845, still survives him and is now a resident of Reedsburg, where she has many friends and is highly esteemed. She is the mother of five children : Albert, Augusta, Henry; Annie and Frederick.
Henry Garske's entire life has been an agricultural one. Born in the country and reared amid agricultural surroundings, his earliest boy- hood remembrances are connected with the homestead, where he assisted his father while not attending the district schools. When he came to choose his life work it was natural that he should select farming, and in this and stock raising he has found complete success. On the homestead farm, of which he became the owner through purchase in June, 1917, he has good buildings and up-to-date improvements, and his operations are carried on in a modern and progressive manner, backed by good busi-
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ness management. Hard-working, industrious and thrifty, he has become one of the well-to-do men of his locality and enjoys the universal respect of his community. Politically he is independent of party lines, and has not sought public preferment. He belongs to the Lutheran Church and contributes to its movements.
Mr. Garske was married in 1912 to Miss Ida Schwanz, who was born in Reedsburg Township, Sauk County, in 1880, daughter of William and Amelia Schwanz, a sketch of whose career will be found in the review of Louis Schwanz, elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Garske are the parents of one son : William, born November 3, 1915.
SAMUEL WEIDMAN. There is something singularly appropriate in the fact that a county with such marvelous geological resources as Sauk should produce at least one man eminent in the science of geology and recognized by his work and attainments throughout the country.
Samuel Weidman, whose home has been at Madison for many years, was born at Westfield in this county, October 11, 1870, a son of Alex- ander and Eleanor (McIlvaine) Weidman. His parents were both born in Ohio, and his paternal grandparents, of Pennsylvania German origin, were Samuel and Mary (Schenk) Weidman. Mr. Weidman is descended in the sixth generation from Martin Weidman, who came from Durlach, Germany, and settled in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, as early as 1733. Martin Weidman received his patent to a grant of land of 385 acres in what is now Clay Township, Lancaster County, signed by Wil- liam Penn, on October 6, 1733, with the consideration named therein of fifty-nine pounds nineteen shillings and six-penee. Mr. Weidman's paternal grandfather, Samuel, a great-grandson of Martin, was born in Lancaster County in 1790 and lived for many years in Summit County, Ohio. He was a pioneer in Sauk County and bought much land in West- field and Reedsburg townships, and died in 1863 at the home of his youngest son, Samuel, in the Town of Reedsburg. Alexander Weidman and wife were married in Sauk County in 1859, and at the time of his death in 1897 he owned 240 acres of land in section 36, Reedsburg, and section 1, Westfield, now in farms owned by three of his children. Alex- ander Weidman, born in 1832, was a democrat originally but for many years voted independently. He served two years in the Civil war, 1861-63, being a member of Company A, Nineteenth Wisconsin Regi- ment. His wife, Eleanor (MeIlvaine) Weidman, born in 1833, in Wayne County, Ohio, was the daughter of John McIlvaine, of Scotch-Irish descent, who was born in 1788 in Washington County, Pennsylvania, and removed to Ohio in 1820. Mrs. Weidman lives with her son, Clifton, on the home farm and is in good health and vigor at the age of eighty- four years. She is one of the oldest pioneers of Sauk County. Alex- ander Weidman and his wife had seven children: Vernie, Mrs. Charles . G. Waltz, living in California; Henry, who has eighty acres of the old homestead in Reedsburg; Grant, who owns another eighty acres of the old farm in Recdsburg; Edna, deceased; Clifton, who has the third share, eighty acres, of the old farm in Westfield; Samuel ; and Angie, who died at the age of ten years.
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