USA > Wisconsin > Buffalo County > Biographical history of La Crosse, Trempealeau and Buffalo Counties, Wisconsin : containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States, with accompanying biographies of each; engravings of prominent citizens of the counties, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families > Part 11
USA > Wisconsin > La Crosse County > Biographical history of La Crosse, Trempealeau and Buffalo Counties, Wisconsin : containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States, with accompanying biographies of each; engravings of prominent citizens of the counties, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families > Part 11
USA > Wisconsin > Trempealeau County > Biographical history of La Crosse, Trempealeau and Buffalo Counties, Wisconsin : containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States, with accompanying biographies of each; engravings of prominent citizens of the counties, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families > Part 11
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polities he has ever been a Demoerat. Ile has many times been city delegate to county conventions. Mr. Holmes is pro- gressive and publie-spirited in his views, is a worthy and valued eitizen, and is respected by his many friends.
II. HOUGH. train-master on the Chicago, Burlington & Northern Rail- road, was originally from Connectiont. born June 29. 1845. His parents, Isaac 1. and Julia F. (Wilcox) Hough, were both na- tives of that State also, and the father was a manufacturer of tinsmith tools. He died in his native State at the age of forty-nine, and his wife received her final summons there at the age of fifty-four. They were the parents of five children, four of whom are yet living. P. H. Hongh received a good academie edn- eation in Connecticut, and on the 5th of Sep- tember, 1562, he enlisted in Company A, Twenty-fourth Connectient Volunteer In- fantry, for nine months, and served thirteen months under General Banks in the Depart- ment of the Gulf. His first engagement was at Irish Bend in Louisiana, and the next at Bayou Sara, Port Hudson. He enlisted when only seventeen years of age, there being only two younger in the regiment, but stood the service quite well, especially in marching, when he had more endurance than older men. He was discharged at Middletown, Connecticut, October 31, 1863. He then came West and located in Ogle county, Illi- nois, and engaged in telegraphy, having stud- ied it in the East, and eame West to secure a position. Hle located at Forreston, Illinois, had charge of a day office, and continued there sixteen years in the employ of the Illinois Central and Chicago & Iowa railroads. From there he was promoted to train dispatcher,
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and went to Amboy, Illinois, where he re- mained for five years. Ile then came to La Crosse (1886) and took the position of train dispatcher for the Chicago, Burlington & Northern Railroad. In 1888 he was pro- moted to chief train dispatcher. This posi- tion he held for two years, and was then promoted to train master, his present posi- tion.
In 1884 Mr. Hough married Miss Anna M. French, daughter of John French, of Kappa, Illinois. Mr. French died in 1878. at the age of fifty-nine years. The mother is still living. and is in her fifty-sixth year. Mr. Hough is a member of the Masonic order and of the G. A. R. Post at La Crosse.
ENRY B. KLICHI, 1301 Winnebago street, La Crosse, is a contractor and builder, and is one of the most prosper- ous in the city. He is an American by adoption, his native country being Bohemia, Austria. Ile was born in 1854, a son of Simon and Theresa Klich, also Bohemians by birth. They bade farewell to their country in 1872, and crossed the sea to the United States, lo- cating in La Crosse in 1872, where they still reside. Ilenry B., the third of a family of five children, began working at the brick- layer's trade in 1872, and for a few years he traveled up and down the Mississippi river from St. Paul to New Orleans. In 1875 he came to La Crosse, and here he has since followed the business of building and con- tracting. Up to 1886 he was employed as foreman for different contractors, but in that year began taking contracts on his own ac- count. He has erected a number of residences in La Crosse, the addition to the Eighth ward schoolhouse, and a number of other build- ings, including the Fay Hotel and Mitchel's
building on Third street. By his striet and honorable dealings he has won a reputation for substantial and reliable building that has placed him in the front ranks of his calling.
Mr. Klich was married in 1880 to Miss Mary Matejka, who was born in 1861, a daughter of John and Elizabeth Matejka. Her father died in 1891, aged sixty-four years. The mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Klich are the parents of five children: Henry, Amelia, Albert, Julia and Frank. All are at home comfortably and happily sit- uated. Mr. Klich is a member of the Build- ers' Association of La Crosse, and the International Progressive Association of Mansfield, Ohio, and belongs to the C. S. P. S., of which he has been an officer for many years.
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EV. FATIIER J. W. RITZ, pastor of St. John's Church, corner of Avon and St. James streets, La Crosse, is a native of Germany, born in Bavaria, Au- gust 18, 1859. Ile received his education in the " Fatherland," and after he had finished his theological training he was ordained a priest of the Roman Catholic Church. In 1883 he came to America, and soon after his arrival here he was assigned to duty as pastor of the Medford Church in Taylor county, Wisconsin. While stationed at this point he was instrumental in building new churches, and infused new life into many congregations to which he ministered. Ile had charge of six missions, Medford being the principal one; there he built a new edifice and established a parochial school.
Ile came to La Crosse in August, 1890, having been assigned to St. John's Church. Ilere he also has commenced the erection of a new church of modern design, 48 x 100
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feet. with a seating capacity of three or First lowa Volunteer Infantry, " The Bur- four hundred, the cost to be not less than $10,000. St. John's Catholic School is also under control of Father Ritz, the fall term of which opened with ninety-six chil- dren enrolled. Two teachers are employed to give instruction in the school. St. John's congregation was organized from a portion of the communicants of St. Joseph's Cathedral three years ago, and under the care of Father Ritz has steadily increased in interest and grown in numbers. He has devoted himself faithfully to the needs of those entrusted to his eare, and has proven himself worthy of the confidenee reposed in him by his superiors and congregation.
lington Blue-," and went ont to a long term of service. to enconnter hardships and pri- vations unknown to any life except that of the soldier. Before the end of ninety days he had seen the fall of one of the most promising officers, General Lyon, and had participated in the battle of Wilson Creek. Ile re-enlisted in the Twenty-fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served until the declaration of peace. Among the most noted engagements in which he participated may be mentioned the following: Vicksburg. Arkan- sas Post, Atlanta, Jonesboro and the great march to the sea. At Atlanta he saw Me- Pherson shot from his horse, and on the march under Sherman he barely escaped starvation. Hle paid $20 for a half-pint of rice, a rather dainty lunch for the price. Ile was in the city of Columbia, Sonth Caro- the arrival of the troops in the city the colored population manifested great joy. es- teeming it a day of jubilee. They were free in rendering service, and freely gave infor- mation, both desirable and undesirable. The citizens called for a guard, which was readily granted. At dusk, just as night was settling upon the city, a fire broke ont and spread rapidly. The engines were brought out, and soldiers and citizens made a common fight in subduing the flames, the work of ineen- ' diaries. It was a terrible, though magnifi- cent sight, and the sounds were as those of
APTAIN ALBERT J. HILL was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, April 14, 1541, a lina, when it was fired by the darkies. Upon son of George W. and Margaret (Wil- son) Ilill. natives of Johnstown, Pennsylva- nia. and Baltimore, Maryland, respectively. The father was a carpenter and contractor. and in 1842 removed to Burlington, Iowa. Ile was one of the most prominent and pro- gressive of the early settlers, and was highly esteemned by the members of the community in which he lived. He died April 5, 1958, aged seventy six years. His wife died in June, 1959. They had born to them a family of five children, the Captain and one sister being the only ones living at the present time. Albert J. received his education at | pandemonium; the eries of helpless women Burlington, Iowa, and learned the carpenter's and children, the clattering of horses through the streets, maddened by the flames, the shouts of the firemen, are beyond description, but were recorded on the memory of those witnessing the conflagration to remain there as long as life and memory exist. trade with his father. When President Lin- com made a call for 75,000 men to aid in putting down the rebellion, private interests sank into insignificance, and all hopes, all plans, all aspirations were abandoned that the country might be preserved from disintegra- Captain Ilill was at the Grand Review tion. Captain Hill enlisted in Company I, , at Washington, and was mustered out of the
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service at Davenport, lowa. Ile was never seriously wounded or taken prisoner, but had his hearing injured by the bursting of a shell. This trouble proved permanent, and is a source of annoyance to him even now.
After the elose of the war he had his first lessons as a pilot on the river, and since that time has been employed on the packets plying between St. Louis and St. Paul. Ile was married August 31, 1868, to Miss Fran- ces Chenoworth, a daughter of William and Althea Chenoworth, of Burlington, lowa. Mrs. Hill's father died when she was two years old, but the mother lived until some time in the '60s. There were four children in the family, Mrs. Hill and Mrs. Naney Morrell being the only surviving members. Captain and Mrs. Hill have one child, Eunice May, the wife of Thomas J. Madden, Chief of Police of Duluth, Minnesota. The parents are members of the Presby- terian Chureh. Captain Hill belongs to the G. A. R. and to the Pilot's Association; he takes little interest in politics, but votes with the Democratic party. After the injury received in battle he could have secured an honorable discharge, but, filled with the zeal of the patriot, declined to do so, and served through the rest of the war as a musician, his impaired hearing making it unsafe for him to do guard duty.
EV. JOSEPH B. WIEDMANN, Reetor of St. Joseph's Cathedral, La Crosse, was born in Westphalia, Prussia, No- vember 19, 1855. In 1851 his father died, and in 1868 he came with his mother to America, locating at Fountain City, Buffalo county, Wiseonsin. The next year he entered St. Francis Seminary at Milwaukee, and con- tinued his studies until 1879, when he was | proves no exception to the rule.
ordained priest by Bishop Heiss of La Crosse diocese, and was assigned to the pastorate of St. Patrick's Church at Sparta, Wisconsin, where he remained till June 19, 1881, when he was appointed to his present position. During his pastorate here in La Crosse he has made improvements upon the church property to the extent of $30,000, and not a dollar of debt remains. St. Joseph's Cathe- dral is a magnificent edifice, erected in 1869. Its present value, including organ, altars and furniture, is estimated at $60,000.
HRIS. ADOLPH, one of the steam- boat captains of the Mississippi river, was born in the State of Iowa in 1850, a son of Chris. and Matilda (Bahrenfuss) Adolph, natives of Germany. The parents bade farewell to their native land in 1864, and crossed the sea to America, settling in Iowa; there the father died in 1874, but the mother still survives, and has reached the age of seventy-two years. Chris. Adolph, Jr., had the advantage of a few terms of schooling, but at an early age sought employment on the river. He was engaged in rafting lum- ber until the beginning of the use of steam for that purpose; he was then employed on the boats, and worked through all the positions until he reached the head of the business. He has now been in the employ of McDonald Bros. for about twenty years, a fact which attests his efficiency and a due apprecia- tion of his services. He was among the first to pass with boats up the Black and Chip- pewa rivers to the lumber regions. He has experienced all the phases of life on the river, and has endured all the privations inci- dent to his occupation. The work of a pio- neer in any line is not an easy one, and the life of the pioneer in the lumber regions
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Mr. Adolph was united in marriage, in times it has been over $100,000. Mr. An- 1ss5, to Miss Mary Miles, a daughter of drews was married in Chicago, Illinois, in Calvin and Julia Miles. of Ox Bow, Jackson ISS1. to Miss Lonia 1. Harmon, daughter county, Wisconsin. Mr. Miles was a soldier of Chauney and Mary Harmon.
in the late war, and did gallant service for his country from 1561 to 1565. lle is now engaged in farming, and is prominently identified with the agricultural interests of Jackson county. Mr. and Mrs. Adolph have had born to them one child. Chris., Jr .. De- cember 20. 1859. They are both consistent members of the Lutheran Church.
M GILO J. PITKIN, collector for the La Crosse Gas- Light Company, was born at Fort Madison, Lee county, Iowa. August 28, 1839, a son of James and Lucy (Austin) Pitkin, natives of Connecti- eut and New York respectively. The father was a farmer by occupation, and he also worked at the carpenter's trade. In 1>17 he 1. ANDREWS, supply agent for the Chicago, Burlington & Northern Railroad, and a successful business man of La Crosse, Wiseonsin, first saw the light of day in Greenfield, Massachusetts. in 185s. llis parents, James and Mary Il. (Pratt) Andrews, were natives also of the Bay came with his parents to Summit county. Ohio, and remained there until 1535, when he made a prospecting tour through the great Northwest, seeking a home. Ile settled in Fort Madison, and when the subject of this notice was an infant of thirteen months the mother died. aged twenty years. lle was State. The parents moved to Chicago, Illi- one of the earliest pioneers of Iowa, and nois, in 1866. and here the father engaged in experienced many of the privations and hardships attending life on the frontier. Ile was a man of the highest principles, hon- ored and respeeted by a wide circle of aequaintanees. the printing and blank-book business for some time. Mr. Andrews received the rudi- ments of an education in the public schools of Chicago, and supplemented the same by a course in the high school of Greenfield, Massachusetts. In 1552 he engaged with the Chieago, Burlington & Quiney Railroad, in the construction department, and remained in that about one year, when he was promoted to the purchasing department. He was in the Chicago office a short time, and was then sent to the St. Paul office. From there, in
Milo J. came to La Crosse in 1554, reeeiv- ing his edueation in the common sehools. lle is one of the pioneers of the city, and has witnessed many changes since he became a resident of the straggling hamlet on the banks of the Mississippi. Having deter- mined to master the printer's trade, he entered the office of the Republican and con- 1886, he was transferred to La Crosse, Wis- , tinued there until 1561, when the dark clouds consin, to take charge of the supply depart- ment of the Chieago, Burlington & North- ern Railroad at this place, and has sinee had full charge of that department of the road. This department carries a stock of about $50,000 worth of material, and at various
of war began to skirt the horizon. Private enterprise was crippled and so abandoned for a time. Ile responded to the call for 75,000 men, and became a member of the La Crosse Light Guard, which was attached to the Iron Brigade of the West; his regiment belonged
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the third child. The parents are members of the Congregational Church. Mr. Pitkin is a Mason, being Tyler of the Blue Lodge, Gnard of the Chapter, and Sentinel of the Com- mandery. He is a member of the Wilson Colwell Post, G. A. R. In polities he is a Republican, and an ardent supporter of the principles of that party. In all the walks of the battle at Rappahannock Station and life he has borne himself with great credit and honor, and he and his wife have the Gettysburg, where he was taken prisoner. highest esteem of the community in which they live.
to the old First Corps of the Army of the Potomae. He participated in the battle of Blackburn's Ford, and afterwards in the first battle of Bull Run; he was in many skirm- ishes fully as dangerous to life and limb as a battle. Ile was also at Fredericksburg; was in Burnside's march in January, 1863; took part in the battle at Chancellorsville; was in White Sulphur Springs, and later was at He was taken with others to Richmond, thence to Belle Isle, where he was held two months before he was paroled. It was then eight months before he was exchanged, and after this event he rejoined his command at Cold Harbor. He was honorably discharged June 30, 1864, having served his country faithfully and gallantly for three years and two and a half months. While a prisoner he suffered all the agonies of the military eaptive, and while in field service he had a sunstroke from which he has never recovered. On account of this he was confined in the hos- pital which was improvised in the Eighth Street Methodist Episcopal Church, Wash- ington, District of Columbia.
After the declaration of peace he returned to his printing-press in La Crosse, and followed this vocation until twenty years had passed away; then on account of close confinement abandoned this work, and since that time has been in the employ of the La Crosse Gas- Light Company.
Mr. Pitkin was married July 24, 1864, to Miss Marie Louise Rogers, daughter of Joshua H. and Jane Rogers, of La Crosse, and of this union three children have been born: Arthur J. is in the employ of the United States School Furniture Company, of Chi- cago; he married Miss Mary L. Reed; Louis IIarvey is with the firm of Cargill Brothers, at Spring Valley, Minnesota; Louise R. is ! Sarah is the wife of Ole Frederickson, and
OUIS WENSOLE, commercial traveler for the firm of Cahn, Wampold & Co., Chieago, was born in Norway, August 2, 1849, and is a son of Simon and Randine Wensole, natives of the same country. The father emigrated with his family from Nor- way in 1867, and after his arrival in the United States proceeded to Wisconsin, set- tiing at Stevenstown, La Crosse county ; thence he went to West Salem, and in two years he came to North La Crosse; he next removed to Minneapolis, where he carried on a shoe- shop for ten or twelve years; he afterward returned to Stevenstown, and again came to La Crosse; he is a superior workman and ranks among the best. Before coming to America he was engaged at the same trade, and had a shop at Lille-Hammer. IIe and his wife are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. They are people of mueh force of character, and have reared their children to lives of industry and honor. They have a family of nine: Christian, the oldest son, served his king five years, and during that time received injuries from which he never recovered; he died in 1872, at the age of twenty-eight years; John died in childhood;
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the mother of five children; Louis is the sub- ject of this notice; John is a resident of Minneapolis, and married Miss Mary Jensen; Bertha; Ole, deceased; Otto, who also died at the age of twenty-eight years, was a printer by trade: he married Miss Tillie Jensen, who died in 1959; Julia is the wife of Andrew Jolinson, and the mother of one child.
Lonis Wensole acquired an education in dissolved partnership. Since that time Mr. his native land, and came to America in August. 1865; during the summer he worked with his father in the shoe shop, but in the winter he availed himself of the opportunity of continuing his studies in the common , ord in commercial circles. As a citizen he is above reproach, is genial and companion- able, and is in every way worthy of the con- fidence reposed in him.
Mr. and Mrs. Wensole are the parents of four children: Stewart Monroe, Oscar Alfelt. Louis Howard Robin and Lucretia Antonia. The parents are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church, and Mr. Wen- sole belongs also to the Masonic order, being here he was taken ill, and lay siek for two ' a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandry. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party. bnt takes no active interest in the movements of that body.
Mr. Wensole was married December 28. 1576, to Miss Clara A. Simenson, a daughter of Ole Simenson, deceased; her mother. whose maiden name was Anna JJorginnie, is still living, a resident of La Crosse; Matilda. | They removed to Carroll county, Illinois, in the wife of Ole Larson and Mrs. Wensole are the only surviving children.
schools of this country; he worked for his board with Abraham Pruett, but in the spring he went down the river to Daven- port, Iowa, where he was employed as a elerk in a hotel. When he had saved a little money he invested in a small stock of no- tions: this was a profitable investment, and as soon as he had $100 saved up he came back to La Crosse to visit his parents. While months; upon his recovery he seenred a posi- tion as clerk in the store of John L. Grun of West Salem, remaining there three and a half years. He was next engaged in the same capacity with Mons Anderson in La Crosse for three and a half years, and it was during this period that he gained his experi- enee in business from an American stand- point; he next took a position as clerk in the Boston One Price Clothing House at Minne- apolis, but in eighteen months returned to La Crosse.
In June, 1551, Mr. Wensole started out as a traveling salesman for the firm of S. Mann Austrian, Wise & Co., of Cleveland, Ohio, with whom he remained nine years; the first six years he received a salary, and the last three years he had an interest in the business. The firm removed to Chicago, and at the end of three years Wensole has been with his present firm, which is one of the oldest and most promi- nent in this line of business. He has been very snecessful, and has made an enviable rec-
CAPTAIN ALLEN M. SHORT, of one of the Mississippi river steamers, was born in Carroll county, Illinois, in 1847, and is a son of Ira and Eliza ( Higgins) Short. The father was born in Tioga county, New York, in 1803, and the mother in Tren- ton county, New Jersey, in 1514. They were married in the State of New York in 1829. and reared a family of nine children, all of whom are living at the present time. 1841, making the entire journey by ox-team in true pioneer style. There they resided
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many years, loved and respected by all the settlers. In 1864 Mr. Short started to Cali- fornia with a valuable team, but as he was never heard from afterward it is supposed that he was murdered for his team and the money he had with him. Mrs. Short died in 1884, aged seventy years. Four of the sons of this family served with distinc- tion during the civil war.
Allen M. Short attended the common schools of his country until he was thirteen years of age, when he was thrown upon his own responsibilities, and began the battle of life for himself. The first work he did was on a farm, and he remained there two years, at the end of which time he enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-seventh Hlincis Vol- unteer Infantry; he was sent direct from camp to Georgia, and joined General Sher- man's army on its march to the sea, taking part in all the engagements of the march, and returning through Georgia. His regiment was retained in the service until January 20, 1866, when they were mustered out at Savan- nah, receiving their discharge and pay Feb- ruary 7, 1866.
When peace was declared, and he was left free to follow his own inclinations, Mr. Short secured employment on the steamer Pearl, and continued on that boat until he became pilot and master. In 1866 he bought an in- terest in the Pearl, and has owned an interest in other vessels since that date. In 1872 he connected himself with the Davidson Lumber Company, and has been in their employ con- tinuously since that time, a testimonial to his faithful and efficient service.
Mr. Short was united in marriage, in 1872, at La Crosse, to Miss Nellie Congdon, a daughter of G. R. and Diana (Fleming) Cong- don, natives of New York and Ohio respect- ively. They were married in Ohio in 1848, and are living in La Crosse. They have
reared a family of seven children. To Mr. and Mrs. Short have been born two children : Clinton L. and Gracie Fleming. The family belong to the Baptist Church. Mr. Short is a member of the G. A. R. of La Crosse.
Clinton L. Short was clerk of the boat of which his father is master in the season of 1891 and 1892. He aspires to the position of captain, and will doubtless attain it in the course of a short time.
Mrs. Short is of American ancestry for several generations, her great-great-grand- parents coming over in the Mayflower. Her great-grandfather, Peter Fleming, served eight years in the Revolutionary war, and was married in Redstone Fort, on the bank of the Ohio river, near Wheeling, West Vir- ginia, by Rev. J. D. Finley, a Presbyterian clergyman. W. P. Fleming, her grandfather, was born in 1791, a short distance from the fort, and was called for service during the war of 1812-'14, but peace was declared be- fore his company was called into action. Ile was married the same year to Eleanor Collins, a native of the eastern shore of Maryland, who emigrated, with others, to Ohio when sixteen years old. They endured the hard- ships of a frontier life, rearing a family of ten children, of whom the youngest was Mrs. Short's mother.
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