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 16

Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 938

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 16
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 16
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 16

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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one of the parents, who have never been seen or heard from thereafter. One instance is cited where the father brought his little boy, nearly naked, hungry and cold, left him in the asylum seven years, contributing nothing to his support, and stole him away in May, 1891!

This school is under the management of the Francisean Sisters of Perpetual Adora- tion, whose devotion to humanity and self- sacrificing interest deserves the highest commendation. The school is distinctively Catholic, admittance being restricted to chil- dren born of Catholic parents. The records of the sehool, which are carefully kept by Sister Petronilla, show many sad cases of neglect, abuse and desertion by parents and kindred.

One sad story told by the Sister is the fol- lowing: A boy was given by his father to a negro, and the child wept bitterly, fearing to go with the black man. A Franeiscan Father caine along, asked the negro the price of the child, and finally paid him 840 for the little sufferer. This child is now an inmate of the school, and has been sinee 1888.

In the school there are three rooms and three teachers, beginning with a kindergarten of little boys in dresses. The children are tanglt the elementary branches of both Eng- lish and German, ineluding drawing, book- keeping, civil government, calisthenics, Chris- tian doctrine, etc. The pupils are supported by collections taken up annually in the dio- cese and by the charitable assistance of the Sisters of St. Rose Convent, unless their keeping is provided for by their parents. Ten Sisters are employed in the building in the various departments, but do not receive any compensation for their services. The boys are taught to work, and are required to do such little chores as they ean perform.

Sister Bridget has been with the school

ever since it was established. Sister Benc- dieta is the present Superior. Sister Petro- nilla has taught in the school sinee 1884, and now has charge of the highest class in the in- stitution.

ST. ANN'S ORPHAN ASYLUM,

for girls, was erected in 1859, and September 20, of the same year, the orphan girls were transferred from Sparta, their fromer home, to the present building in La Crosse, which is in charge of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. The school opened with thirty-nine girls. Orphan children of Catholic parentage in the Diocese of La Crosse are admitted, though in cases of ex- freme necessity children of Protestant parent- age have been received.

The building is the property of St. Rose de Viterbo's Convent of the Franciscan Sis- ters, and is located just opposite St. Francis Hospital, on Market street. Children are re- ceived at all ages np to twelve years. They are fed, clothed and cared for, receiving eare- ful educational and religious training. At present seventy girls are in the institution, ranging in age from three to sixteen years. The average of inmates is now less than ten years. At the age of seventeen or eighteen girls are expected to go out and provide for themselves, though the asylum is always open to former oceupants, and they are taught to regard the institution as their home, and are welcome to it when siek or out of em- ployment. In case a surviving parent is able to contribute to the support of a child left in the institution, he is expected to do so; but in case the parent is unable to aid in her support, the institution provides for her entirely. Children left at the school may be reclaimed and taken away by parent or guard- jan at any time. In this regard the institu- tion is unlike the other schools of the same

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character, where a child must be surrendered uneonditionally before it will be accepted.

The building is furnished to accommodate 125 children. On the premises they are taught those things which in later lite will be most useful to those in their sphere-knitting. sewing, ironing, washing, cooking and general housekeeping being matters to which striet attention is given by competent instructors. Faney work, drawing and vocal musie are taught in connection with the other studies of the school. The course includes reading, writing, arithmetic, grammar, physiology, United States history, and church history with the catechism. They are taught to read German if desired.

ST. ROSE DE VITERBO'S CONVENT,

of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Ador- ation. The main building of this institution was ereeted in 1870, and in 1872 the north wing and chapel were added: in 1>74 the sonth wing was built, and in 1576 the Chapel of Adoration was completed. The main structure is 160 feet in length with project- ing wings, making a building which is an ornament to the city and a credit to the en- terprise and self-saeritieing spirit of the Sis- ters having the matter in charge.

In this convent the various branches of edneation as well as music and the arts are taught to those desiring to become conse- erated to the work of the Sisters. There are 230 of the Franciscan Sisters belonging to this order. One hundred of these are em- ployed in La Crosse in the orphan schools, asylums and hospitals and eity parochial schools, Thirty six mission schools are sup- plied with teachers from the convent. In the building there is a class of fifteen young ladies, studying and fitting themselves for the work of teaching. Voeal and instru- mental music are taught by competent teach- ers, and many of the best protestant families

in the city are patrons of this department. Various instruments are taught. besides the piano and organ. In the art department the finest wax and needle work are done. All of the clothing, bedding, etc., used in the insti- tntion are made and kept in repair in the building, even to repairing shoes. Firing of the different furnaces and attending the heat- ing apparatus are done by the Sisters, besides the keeping of the extensive grounds and flower gardens. It is a most attractive spot and furnishes many shady nooks for study during the heated summer months. This convent is the general home for the Franeis- can Sisters of Perpetual Adoration within the diocese of La Crosse, and during vacation or when siek they return to this home.

Mother Ludovica is the present superior, a position she has held with eredit to herself and honor to the institution since January, 1852. She succeeded to this position on the death of Mother Antonia, who was the first superior, and to whose energy, tact and in- dustry the institution is greatly indebted. The convent is regularly incorporated under the laws of the State in the name of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. The chapel of P. A., as the name implies, is where the seriptural injunetion, to pray without eeasing, is faithfully complied with; two Sisters may be seen at devotion at any hour in the day or night; they remain at prayers one hour, when they are relieved by two others, they in turn being relieved after an hour's devotion, and so on, ad infinitum. This has continued for the last thirteen years, and at no period during that time has the constant devotion ceased for one moment. The chapel is one of the most beautiful it has been the privilege of the writer to visit. The altars and furnishings are elegant and artistic, while the room itself is simply architectural perfection.

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Sister Clara has charge of the music de- partment; she teaches the piano, organ, pipe organ, violin, harp, mandolin, zither, guitar, dnleimer, auto-harp, also vocal music. She has been with the institution since 1871, and has taught the music for ten years past. Sister Seraphine has charge of the Normal School connected with the convent. Ilere young ladies are fitted for teaching in the parochial schools and orphan asylums, under the jurisdiction of the church; she has occu- pied her present position for three years past, and has previously taught at different places under the anspices of the church for twenty years. Sister Bonaventure is assistant in the minsie department.

to Ontonagon, Michigan, and clerked in a store there for two years; at the end of that time he formed a partnership in the mercan- tile business with his former employer's brother, which existed until 1868, when he bought his interest and managed the store alone for a time; he then took another part- ner, to whom he finally sold the entire busi- ness. In the fall of 1868 he went to Escanaba, Michigan, engaged in mercantile pursuits which he disposed of in 1871, coming in that year to La Crosse. Here he became general agent for the Republic Life Insurance Com- pany, but this proving unsatisfactory he embarked in the milling business in partner- ship with John E. Davis, now of St. Paul, Minnesota. This relationship existed abont a year and a half, when Mr. Smith purchased the entire business and conducted it about one year alone, selling out and engaging in his present business. Ever since his resi- dence in La Crosse he has given some atten- tion to fire insurance in connection with his other interests. Ile is now giving his time exclusively to the business, and has a finely furnished office in the Batavian Bank Build- ing.

AMPTON B. SMITH, insurance, real- estate and loan agent, Batavian Bank Building, La Crosse, was born in Cool- spring township, Mercer county, Pennsyl- vania, February 26, 1838, and is the son of John W. and Susan (Bean) Smith, natives of Pennsylvania; the parents were born in the year 1800; the mother died in March, 1850, and the father survived until 1858. John Mr. Smith was married at Marquette, Michigan, to Miss Oriana Edwards, a native of Ellsworth, Mahoning county, Ohio. They are the parents of three children: Joseph Edwards, born September 13, 1867, at On- tonagon, Michigan, received his education in the La Crosse public schools, at Galesville University, and Lake Forest University; Anna E., born in La Crosse, January 24. 1872, received her literary and musical edu - eation at Morvyn House, Toronto, Ontario; William Ripley died at the age of thirteen months. W. Smith was a farmer, merchant and lam- berman, and never removed from his native State. The family consisted of five sons and three daughters: J. Irwin Smith, D. D., John G., Samuel F., Mary A., widow of Nathaniel Osborne; Nancy A., Louisa L., wife of A. A. Thomas, and Ilampton B., the subject of this biography; the remaining son died in youth. Hampton B. was educated in his native county, the latter part of his school days being spent at the academy at Mereer, Penn- sylvania. At the age of nineteen years he began teaching school, and was employed in The ancestors for many generations have been Presbyterians. Mr. Smith has been an both publie and private schools in Mercer and Alleghany counties. In 1859 he went elder of the church for many years. He is a

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member of the Nineteenth Century Club, a literary organization numbering thirty, of the Knights of Honor, of the Legion of Honor, of the Chosen Friends and the United Workmen. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party, although his sympathies are strongly with the Prohibition party. Ile served six years as Justice of the Peace in La Crosse and he was a member of the City any, enjoy a larger measure of recognition. Board of Escanaba, Michigan, during his residenee there.

AMES I. LAMB is a member of one of the best known and most deservedly pop- ular establishments in La Crosse, the firm in Lamb & Bekel, who are wholesale dealers in fruits and prodnee. Their transactions are conducted upon a large scale and their connections are of the most substantial and gratifying character. Mr. Lamb was born in Madison county, New York, in 1554, in which State his parents, Silas and Rhoda L. (Tuttle) Lamb, were also born, but are now residents of Fayette county, Iowa. The father has devoted most of his life to farm- ing and the raising, buying and selling of stock, and as he has lived in his present county since 1858, he is well and favorably known. He became the father of three children: Ehner, residing in Waterloo, Iowa, business; Lottie, wife of Henry Wilsey, of La Crosse, and James I., who received his initiatory training in Fayette, and afterwards entered the Upper lowa University, where he completed his course with the class of '74. Ile then turned his attention to civil engin- eering, but three years later began merchan- dising in Fayette, which business received his attention for one year. He spent abont the same length of time in Sheldon, after

which he embarked in the wholesale fruit business in Sioux City. but at the end of two years, or in 1955, he came to La Crosse, sinee which time he has successfully followed his present calling. His is, by common consent, the most reliable and best known house of the kind in the city, none maintaining a higher reputation for integrity, and few, if The members of the house are keen, intelli- gent business men, thoroughly eonversant with all the requirements of the trade and eminently popular in meeting all its demands. They deal in all kinds of green fruits and vegetables, and their business is constantly and rapidly inereasing. Mr. Lamb was mar- ried in 1854 to Miss Georgia lines, by whom he is the father of one ehild, Lloyd. Mr. Lamb takes little interest in polities and usually easts his vote for the man he con- siders most deserving, rather than in the in- terest of any party. He is a member of the K. of P., and he and his wife move in the highest social eireles of La Crosse, in which city they are well known and have many friends.

YOILN FOX, proprietor of the Tivoli Hotel and pleasure garden, the most popular resort of its kind in the city of in which city he is engaged in the grocery La Crosse, Wisconsin, was born in Bavaria, Germany, on July 25, 1828. He is the eldest of nine sons and one daughter born to John M. and Ilarriet Fox. Of this family of children, George, Hans and our subjeet, came to America in 1853. George enlisted shortly after President Lincoln's call for 75,000 men, and although dangerously wounded three times would not take a discharge. Ile always said he would not give up until the last " Reb." was in the ditch. He was in the army of the

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Potomac in the " Iron Brigade," and was one of the bravest of the brave. He was killed in the battle of Gettysburg, when thirty-four years of age. Hans Fox was in America four years and then returned to Germany, via Great Britain, and while at Dover, Eng- land, was attacked by thieves, had his skull fractured, and was robbed of much money, his watch and chain, etc.

John Fox, in early life studied two and a half years for the ministry of the Lutheran Church. He then abandoned that pursuit, and learned the blacksmith trade, at which he worked six years in the old country, and fonr and a half years in the United States, being one year and a half in Pittsburg, two years in Dubuque and one year in La Crosse. lle then learned the trade of mason, because he could not get work as a blacksmith, following the same sixteen years. He built the Tivoli Hotel in 1882, and has been proprietor here since; and although he met with reverses in the way of fires, ete., he is nicely fixed now, and always has his house well patronized. Ile has held the office of Alderman four dif- ferent times, was Constable two years, held the office of Coroner four years, was Street Commissioner two years, and for one year was Poor Commissioner. He has been Assistant Chief of the fire department for five years, and for eight years was foreman of the Third Ward Fire Company.

lle was married in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1854, to Miss Anna Barbera, by whom he had fourteen children, those living being: William, married Olga Miller; Edda, clerk- ing; John, in Seattle, Washington; Charles, clerking in a hardware store in Chicago; Minnie, wife of Thomas Brook; Louisa, wife of Charles Sprague of Chicago, engaged in the real-estate business; and Bertha, wife of Mr. Casson; and Julia, a student in Chicago. The mother died March 7, 188S, at the age

of fifty-seven years. Mr. Fox's second mar- riage occurred August 14, 1890, to Mrs. Anna HInssing, of La Crosse. Hle is a mem- ber of the 1. O. O. F., and has been secretary of the I. O. O. F. Mutual Life Insurance of Wisconsin, the past sixteen years. Ile has passed through all the chairs of that order, and has been a delegate twice to the (frand Lodge. Ile has also been a member of the Turner's Society since 1857, and a member of the Germania Society. In politics he is independent. During the war and until Horace Greeley ran for the office of Presi- dent, Mr. Fox was a Republican, but sinee then he has been Democratic and independ- ent. Mr. Fox is a very popular man, and when he ran for office he got votes from both sides. While he was mason and contractor he built some of the largest stone buildings in La Crosse, viz .: Gund's Brewery, City Engine House, Heasley's Block, Scharf & Ring's Block, Funk's Foundry, Heilman's Malt House, Mitchel's Brewery and Rau's Block. In 1863, Mr. Fox was in the Provost Marshal's office, and was recruiting officer at the same time, recruiting seventeen men. He is a well-known and highly respected pioneer citizen, strictly honest and possessing inany good qualities.

BNER GILE, a well-known and highly respected pioneer of La Crosse county, was born in the State of New York, January 3, 1820, and is a son of Nathan and Lydia (Yates) Gile, natives of Vermont. The father followed agricultural pursuits all his life; his death occurred in New York, to which State he had removed in 1851, at the age of eighty-four years: his wife died two years later, aged eighty-two years. They were for many years consistent members of the

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Baptist Church. They reared a family of ten children. of whom Abner Gile was the fourth- born. He resided in New York until 1843. and during the latter years of his residence there was engaged in farming. He then removed to Waukegan, Lake county, Illinois, where he operated a sawmill, built piers and docks in the lake, and purchased land which he cultivated until 1850. In that year he went to California, but returned twelve months later. Hle resumed his agricultural pursuits until November, 1554, when he came to La Crosse, and embarked in the lumber trade, in which he has been actively engaged ever since. Ile owned at one time an interest in the La Crosse Lumber Company, but has dis- posed of the same. Ile was one of the pro- jeetors and builders of the Linseed Oil Mill of La Crosse, a most serviceable industry to the city; it gives employment to twenty persons, and consumes raw material from Wisconsin, lowa, Minnesota and Dakota; its products are shipped to all parts of the civ- ilized world, and the present year the amount of seed ground will be 175,000 bushels. The daily expense of the mill is about $100, which sum is distributed almost exclusively among citizens of La Crosse. Mr. Gile is also a stockholder in the Abattoir of La Crosse, another important industry. Ile owns stock in the Batavian Bank, of which he is vice- president. He has a farm of 1,200 acres in Minnesota, and has other investments in various enterprises in the city and county. He is a man of superior business qualifica- tions, and every enterprise which has re- ceived his support has not fallen short of success.

and coachman's house. The house is eighty feet in length and forty in width, besides the porch and drive. It is two and a half stories above the basement. A room in the half story is large enough to accommodate fifty or sixty couples in a dance. The house is built on the latest plans, with all the modern con- veniences.

On the first story are six rooms besides the hall, and three alcoves. The sitting room is 22 x 32, the parlor, 16x20; Mr. Gile's private room, 18x15; wardrobe and bath room; kitchen, 16 x 14; breakfast room, 12 x 14; dining-room, 18 x 24. In the sec- ond story are eight rooms.

It is safe to say that Mr. Gile is well fixed and has a residence perhaps the most beauti- ful and complete in this portion of the great Northwest. The name of the residence, Pas- adena, has reference to a fancy town near Los Angeles, California, and is said to mean "Queen of the Valley."

The barn is in keeping with the house. Both are built with pressed brick and heated by furnaces. The barn has room for the coachman's family, for ten or twelve horses, three cows, besides abundance of room for storing feed.

In 1543 Mr. Gile was joined in marriage to Miss Mary E. Smith, a daughter of Orange and Mary (Ketchum) Smith, and to them have been born two children: Elsie D., wife of Robert A. Scott, and Wales Eugene, born December 14, 1563, who was killed when nine years of age by the accidental firing of a pistol in the hands of a hoy friend. The mother died in September, 1877, aged fifty- three years.

The residence of Mr. Gile deserves more than a passing notice, as it is one of the finest Politically Mr. Gile is identified with the Republican party, and has ever been a strong adherent to the principles of that organiza- and most expensive in the city. The lot fronts on Main street 210 feet, and on West ave nuo 250 feet, and contains the residence, barn tion. As a pioneer settler and a loyal citizen,

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he receives the highest respect of all who know him, and is in every way worthy of the regard in which he is held.

UGUSTUS STEINLEIN, Police Jndge of La Crosse, was born in the city of Treves, on the Rhine, Prussia, Septein- ber 26, 1823, the son of Francis Joseph and Margareth (Herrig) Steinlein. Ilis father, a teacher, was employed by the Government all his life from his seventeenth year to his seventieth, when his son, the subject of this sketch, brought him to America in 1872, and he spent the remainder of his life with his son Augustus, and his daughter, Mrs. Anna Wortmann, dying in Brooklyn, New York, at the age of about eighty-one years. Of his family two sons and three danghters live in America, while one son and one daughter re- main in the old country, the son in Berlin and the dangliter in Treves.

Mr. Steinlein, whose name heads this sketch, completed his schooling in the gym- nasium of Treves, taught school two years in his native country, and in 1844 came to America, landing at New York city with but 50 cents in his purse. His first employment was in the printing honse of Henry Ludwig & Co., Vesey street, New York, three and a half years. Ilis acquirement of the English language was so rapid that he was appointed proof-reader in English and German. In 1856 he came to La Crosse county, pur- chasing 120 acres of Government land, and following farming here six years, but de- voting the winter seasons to the Nordstern. which he had helped to establish. In 1862 he became a partner in the business, and was connected with that paper two years, when he was elected Register of Deeds for the county, and held that office four years, and .

since that time he has been Justice of the Peace. From 1879 to 1886 he was a mem- ber of the Board of Education of La Crosse, and from 1870 to 1885 Poor Commissioner. In the last civic election he was chosen Po- lice Judge. During his official career he has married 2,300 couples!

Mr. Steinlein has ever been a liberal con- tributor to the press of the city, and is ae- knowledged to be the " poet laureate" of his city and State. lle has issued two beautiful editions of a collection of rare poetical gems, and is about issuing another volume. 1Ie is a member of the Germania Society, and an honorary member of the Third Ward Work- ingmen's Society.

He was married in New York city to Mrs. Louisa Doelger, a native of Germany, born at Frankfurt-on-the- Main, and they have one son and five daughters, namely: Louisa, wife of Joseph Yeck; Francis Joseph, a cigar manufacturer and Justice of the Peace; Au- gusta, widow of Frank J. Toeller, who died when City Attorney of La Crosse; Hannah, wife of Henry Linker; Paulina, now Mrs. Louis Tillmans; and Emma. wife of Frank Bartel.

JOSEPH ROTH. Treasurer of the city of La Crosse, was born in this eity, Decem- ber 29, 1857, a son of Andrew and Mar- garet (Neth) Roth. His father was born July 31, 1824, at the village of Karbach, near Würzburg, Kingdom of Bavaria. Ile was a tailor by occupation, and after his mar- riage to Anna Bauer he came to America, in 1552, settling first in Southern Indiana, at Lanesville, near New Albany. His wife died at that place, leaving no children. In May, 1855, for his second wife he married. at Lanesville, Indiana, Miss Margaret Neth, and

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by this union had twelve children, of whom five sons and three daughters survive.

In December, 1955, he came to La Crosse, where he engaged in business as a merchant tailor, and afterward in general merchan- dising. In 1564 he entered the eracker and bakery business in partnership with Frank Gutgesell. In 1873 he sold out to his part- ner and engaged in the grocery trade until 1578, when he retired from business. Janu- ary 14, 1>84, he died, and was buried under the honors of St. Boniface Benevolent Society. which he had assisted very materially in or- ganizing, and he was in full communion with St. Joseph's Church (Catholie). He had served his church as trustee, and was a worthy offi- cial of the society which honored his funeral.

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Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn Publication date: 1892 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Lewis Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 938

Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 938