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 17
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 17
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 17
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Mr. and Mrs. Roth had three daughters who died in infancy, and have three sons, namely: Joseph Matthew, Bernard Andrew and Arthur Henry.
OHN WARREN DAVIS. proprietor of a general transfer business in La Crosse, was born in Washington county, Maine, in the town of Wesley, June 27, 1537. a son of David and Phobe (Grey) Davis. His father was a merchant in early life, and spent considerable time in the merchant marine of the United States, making one trip to the Sandwich Islands. He died on a farm in Vernon county. Wisconsin. in 1553.
Mr. Roth, whose name heads this sketch, Mr. Davis, whose name heals this sketch, grew up in the town of Cooper, engaged in Inmbering in the pineries. In April. 1861, he came to Wisconsin. settling in Vernon supplemented his common-school education with a commercial course at the La Crosse Business College. Ilis first four years in business was as clerk in his father's store. county and engaging in farming. During The next six years he was in the employ of the war he enlisted, at Viroqua, in Company I, Forty-second Wisconsin Volunteer In- fantry, and was employed in provost duty to the close of the war. In 1970 he moved to La Crosse, where he has since been prinei pally engaged in contracting and in the trans- fer business. lle has served four years in the City Council, and is now serving his first term as County Supervisor from the Nine- teenth Ward of La Crosse. Thomas Hogan, as clerk and bookkeeper in the commission fruit trade. Later he was with Mons Anderson in the wholesale dry- goods trade, then with Matt Wois, wholesale dealer in cigars. Leaving this latter business in 1956, he formed a partnership with his younger brother, Frank. in the retail grocery trade, which he continued until May, 1590. In July, 1590, he became stock clerk for the Standard Oil Company, and it was while he ! At Viroqna, in 1963, he married Miss was engaged in this latter position that he | Georgia E. White, a native of Worcester, was elected City Treasurer. He is a mem- ber of St. Boniface Benevolent Society, having served it in official relations, and he and his wife are zealous members of St. Joseph's Church (Catholic). Massachusetts, and a daughter of William S. S. and Eunice (Bigelow) White The parents came to Wisconsin about 1959. lo. cating in Vernon county. For six years Mr. White was Register of Deeds of that county.
He was married in La Crosse, May 24, Mr. and Mrs. Davis have one son and three danghters, namely: Nettie, wife of Charles Conrow. a locomotive engineer; 1951, to Miss Mary Wiskirchen, a native of Milwaukee and a daughter of Matthew and Mary (Wüst) Wiskireben, from Prussia. William H. and May. Mr. Divis is a mem-
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ber of the G. A. R., of John Flynn Post, ' Henry. In 1890 George withdrew from the No. 77, in which he has held official posi- tions. He is also a member of North La Crosse Lodge, No. 90, F. & A. M., and with his family attends the Presbyterian Church.
JOHN GUND BREWING COMPANY, La Crosse. - La Crosse has reason to be proud of many of her early pioneers, who have done so much to win her a favorable reputation in their respective lines, and Mr. John Gund, Sr., of the John Gund Brewing Company, is not to be accounted the least ou the list. He was born in Baden, Germany, in 1830, and his father, George M. Gund, brought the family to America in 1848. They settled in Freeport, Illinois, where the father died of cholera July 29, 1850, and the mo- ther followed him to the grave three days later, of the same fell disease. John Gund, Sr., learned the brewer's trade in his native country, and after coming to the United States worked for two years in Dubuque, Iowa. From there he went to Galena, Illi- nois, rented a brewery and conducted the same until 1854, when he came to La Crosse. He built the first brewery in this city, on Front and Division streets, resided on the same lot, and carried on the business in a small way, though quite extensively for those days. In 1858, he, in company with G. Heilman, built the City Brewery and continued in partner- ship until the fall of 1872, when Mr. Gund sold out his interest to Mr. Heilman and commenced the erection of the Empire Brew- ery, which he still owns. In 1873 he made a trip to Europe and visited his old home.
The John Gund Brewing Company was organized and incorporated May 1, 1880, by John Gund, Sr., and his two sons, George and 13
firm, and Ilenry returned to La Crosse and took the position formerly occupied by George. The officers now are: John Gund, Sr., President; Henry, Secretary and Treas- urer; and John, Jr., Superintendent.
Mr. Gund has ample capital and credit to carry on his business, and the La Crosse beer has a reputation extending over a wide terri- tory. In view of the foregoing facts, it is with great confidence and pleasure that Mr. Gund's brewery is selected to represent the brewing industry of this section.
By his first wife Mr. Gund became the father of five children: Louisa, wife of Charles Mitchel, of La Crosse; Emma, wife of William Lorning, of Milwaukee; George, Henry and John, Jr. The mother of these children died May 18, 1880, when not quite fifty years of age. The daughter, Emma, died in 1884, wlien about twenty seven years of age. Mr. Gund's second marriage occurred in Europe in the year 1885. Mr. Gund is highly regarded in trade circles as an honor- able business man, who has gained the entire confidence of his numerous customers, and once to form business relations with him is to be a permanent customer.
HENRY GUND,
secretary and treasurer of the Gund Brewery Company of La Crosse, Wisconsin, is one whose authority on all matters connected with this business, together with his wide experience and popularity, eminently fit him for the important and responsible position that he holds. Ile was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin, March 2, 1859, and is the son of John and Louisa Gund, both natives of Ger- many, the father born in Baden and the mother in Würtemburg. (See sketch of John Gund, Sr.) llenry Gund received a good practical education in the public schools of La Crosse, and began business for himself in
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1580, as member in the John Gond Brewing Company. He went to Minneapolis in 1852. was former manager in that eity and con- dneted a large ageney. While a resident of that eity he was the head of a building and loan association, and was a prominent and representative citizen. He remained there from 1881 until 1890, and then returned to La Crosse and has been secretary and treas- urer of the brewing company since. He was married in 1855 to Miss Nora Johnson. daughter of Andrew Johnson, of Minneapo- lis, who is now retired. To Mr. and Mrs. Gund have been born three interesting chil- dren: Emma, Lonisa, and an infant son. In polities Mr. Gund advocates the principles of the Democratie party, and socially is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity. He is a thorough business man and sustains a high ' celebrated on the Sth of January. 1590. Iler
reputation in commercial circles, and is re- spected by all who know or ever had dealings with him.
JOHN GUND, JR.,
one of the prominent business men of La Crosse, and general superintendent of the Gund Brewing Company, is a native | resident of La Crosse, born April 13, 1862. Ilie parents, John and Louisa Gund, were both natives of Germany. (See sketch of John Gund. Sr.) John Gund, Jr., received bis primary education in the public schools of La Crosse, and finished in one of the promi- nent colleges of New York. First Scientific Station in the Art of Brewing. He gradu- ated at the end of a year, as he had had some advantages of the kind before going. Brew- ing has always been his business, and in that he has been very successful. He became a partner of the John Gund Brewing Company in 1882, and he is at present general super- intendent of the same. The ontput of this brewery is 50,000 barrels, per year, and they employ from sixty-five to seventy hands the Dr. Aydelott was president. When they ar-
year round, not including coopers, agents and teamsters. The buildings cover about five aeres in all. This is one of the principal in- dustries of the city and the largest brewery in the Northwest, outside of Milwaukee. Their goods go all over Wisconsin, Iowa, Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska and Illinois. When twenty-five years of age John Gund, Jr., was elected Alderman for a term of four years, but resigned atter serving three and a half years, on account of having moved out of the ward. He has been and is now director in the Inter-State Fair. Ile was first director of the United States Brewmasters' Associa- tion for three years, but resigned owing to press of business. Mr. Gund selected Miss Carrie Bohin, of Winona, Minnesota, as his companion in life, and their nuptials were father was formerly connected with the Bohm manufacturing establishment of St. Paul, Minnesota, one of the largest in the North- west. In politics Mr. Gund is a staunch Democrat.
RRIN L. SMITH, who is engaged in the insurance, loan and real-estate busi- ness, La Crosse, Wisconsin, was born at Galena, Illinois, December 6, 1829. Ilis parents removed to the State of Ohio when he was an infant six months old, and resided in Cincinnati until he was sixteen years old; thenee they went to New Orleans, and three years later eame north to St. Louis; 1851 found them in La Crosse, Orrin L. being twenty-one years of age. Hle pre-empted a quarter section of land on the wild prairie where Winona Junetion is now located. lle received his education in Cincinnati in the public schools and in the college of which
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rived in La Crosse in 1851 there were but six shanties here, and about 300 Winnebago Indians were camped in the neighborhood. In 1852 Mr. Smith went to his farm, and re- mained one season. In 1856 he sold the farm for $800, and within the last five years one- half the land has been sold for $15,000 for railroad purposes !
He was married April 29, 1851, to Miss Mary E. Simonton, of Ohio. At that time his family were living in St. Lonis, and be- fore going to La Crosse he took his wife to her home in Ohio. After coming here he entered the employ of Smith, Rublee & Simonton as bookkeeper and salesman, a position which he held until the spring of 1854, when he became elerk on the steam- boat Doctor Franklin, which was sunk in the Mississippi river the same season. The next two seasons he was elerk of the Lady Frank- lin, and the rest of his river life was on the Royal Arch, Granite State, Greek Slave, and War Eagle, belonging to the Galena and Minnesota Packet Line, and the Fall City, which was owned by La Crosse capital. The last-named was sunk in Lake Pepin.
In 1859 Mr. Smith left the river, and for ten years following handled fuel in La Crosse. In 1869 he was elected City Clerk, and held the office three years. Ile was clerk of the International Hotel for two years, and spent one year as clerk in the employ of the Black River Improvement Company. He was bookkeeper for the David Laws omnibus and transfer line until the spring of 1882, when he removed to Brookings, Dakota Ter- ritory; there he managed the Commercial Hotel one year, returning to La Crosse at the end of that time. Ile re-entered Mr. Laws' employ, and held the same position until the summer of 1886. In September of that year he removed to Sherwood, Franklin county, Tennessee, where he owned a hotel situated
in the Cumberland mountains. In 1890 he disposed of this property and came back to La Crosse. Soon after he engaged in the real-estate, loan and insurance business, which he has conducted with marked success.
Mrs. Smith is a native of Warren county, Ohio, born November, 1532. Three children have been born to our subject and wife: For- est J. was born January 22, 1853, in La Crosse, Wisconsin ; he is now bookkeeper and clerk in the employ of the Black River In- provement Company, and secretary and treas- urer of the East Fork Improvement Com- pany and of the Lumberman's Exchange; Eva M. married Matt. T. Wimsey, of La Crosse, and Frank O. married Miss Minnie Lamb; he is a journalist by profession.
Mr. Smith is a member of the I. O. O. F., and has filled all the official positions of the lodge, which he has frequently represented at the Grand Lodge and in the Grand Encamp- ment of Wisconsin; is a member of the A. O. U. W., and has passed all the chairs of this lodge. He is also secretary of the Pioneers and Old Settlers' Association in La Crosse county. Politically he has been a life-long Republican, and is a zealons supporter of the issues of that organization.
TEPHEN MARTINDALE, loan and insurance agent, 326 Main street, La Crosse, was born at Tinmouth, Ver- mont, June 9, 1823, and is a son of Stephen and Diantha (Kent) Martindale, who were also natives of the " Green Mountain " State. The father died in Wallingford, Vermont, in 1847; the mother removed with her daughter, Mrs. Lueinda M. Hill, to Beloit, Wisconsin, about 1854, and there she passed the remain- der of her days. There was a family of four daughters and two sons: Caroline D., wife of
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Daniel Roberts, died in 1855; Angeline T., married Charles N. Mattoon, D. D., both dying in 1885; Lneinda M., married I. Mun- son Hill; Huldab S. resides with Mrs. Hill; Stephen is the fifth in order of birth, and Cephas K., the youngest, a sneeessful phy- sieian, is deceased.
years, and was also a student at Cayuga Academy, Aurora, New York, for one year; he next entered Middlebury College, Ver- ment, where he pursued a classical course. and was graduated in 1847. Having chosen the profession of law for his life work. he entered the National Law School at Ballston, New York, and studied under the noted Pro- fessor James K. Fowler; he was graduated in 1548, having done a portion of the work re- quired before entering this school. His father was also a graduate of Middlebury College, being a member of the class of 1808, and both his father and paternal grandfather were soldiers in the war of 1812, the latter being a Colonel and the former a line officer. His grandfather also fought in the Revolu- tion, and although a mere child rendered gal- lant service.
Mr. Martindale began the practice of law at Wallingford, Vermont, but soon after- ward decided to remove to the West, and in 1×49 he located in Racine, Wisconsin. In IS54 he came to La Crosse, where he has since resided. About twenty years ago he returned to his native State to look after his wife's estate, and remained there two years. He has spent several years of his life in the mercantile and lumber trades, but the last two decades have been devoted to the loan and insurance business.
father. the first declaration of independence given to the world was drafted. by virtue of which Vermont stood independent of the world for fourteen years. The Kent family trace their genealogy to Chancellor Kent.
Mr. Martindale was united in marriage October 11. 1555, to Miss Catharine J. How- ard, a native of Benson, Vermont, born in 1825, and a daughter of Major Edward S. and Anna (Meeker) toward. Of this union
Stephen Martindale received his education in the common schools of Vermont and at Surr Seminary, which he entered at the age of seventeen years: there he spent three , two sons and one daughter have been born: Anna II., Stephen, Jr .. and Edward Seymour lloward. Mr. Martindale has never been an office seeker, and dates first presidential vote back to Henry Clay: he has always been a stanch supporter of Republican principles
Mr. Martindale has now in his possession deeds and records pertaining to the family estate, which date back 200 years, and the family dates its American origin to 1685.
D. FOX. hotel proprietor, La Crosse. Wisconsin .- A city has always among its distinguishing features one which persons of all degrees thoroughly understand and appreciate, namely, a homelike and elegantly appointed hotel. La Crosse has many establishments of this kind, a note- worthy one being the Cameron House, con- dueted by W. D. Fox and D. P. Smith. Mr. Fox was born in Ontario county, New York, December 6, 1826, and is a son of George and Huldah (Sheldon) Fox, natives of Con- nectient and New York respectively. He received his education in the common schools, and at the age of twenty years went to Ohio, soon after removing to Wisconsin; there he was engaged in the milling business for ten years. Later he turned his attention to the hotel business, and has kept hostleries all
At the house of his maternal great-grand- along the line of the Chicago, Milwaukee &
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St. Paul Railroad; first he was at Portage, where he remained twenty-five years and had an enviable reputation.
In March, 1880, he came to La Crosse to take charge of the Cameron House. Here everything will be found necessary to the fit- ting up of a high-class hotel, and the cuisine bears deservedly a high and wide-spread re- putation among the best classes of the travel- ing publie. During the past decade Mr. Fox has also been connected with the lumber interests here, and has found them quite re- munerative. He has associated with him in the hotel business D. I'. Smith, possessing qualifications that especially fit him for the management of a hotel.
ILLIAM NEADFELT, one of the most reliable agriculturists of Hamil- ton township, is the subject of the following brief biographical sketch. He is a native of Germany, born November 12, 1862, and is a son of Dietrich and Dora Neadfelt. The father emigrated with his family to America in 1869, and after his arrival in the United States located in La Crosse county, Wisconsin. Dietrich Neadfelt died May 15, 1890, aged fifty-eight years; his widow is still living, at the age of sixty-three years. Seven children were born to them, four in the "Fatherland " and three in America. Upon coming to this country our subjected invested in 160 acres of land, and later made another purchase of 160 acres in the same township; this land he has brought to a high state of cultivation, and is improved with large and convenient buildings. Mr. Neadfelt has given especial attention to the raising of live-stock, and has some excellent
grades on his place; he raises oats, corn, hay, wheat and barley, harvesting bountiful crops; the farm is well watered, and is one of the most desirable in the community.
In 1884 he was united in marriage to Miss Mena Imgarten, a daughter of German par- ents who still live in their native land. Of this union five children have been born: llenry, Fred, August, Eda and Mary. The parents are members of the Bostwick Valley Lutheran Church. Mr. Neadfelt is a worthy representative of his countrymen who came to America, and with no capital excepting that with which Nature has endowed him, accomplish the most gratifying results. By good management, energy and industry, he has accumulated a competence, and is sur- rounded with all the comforts invention and intelligence can produce.
IIenry Neadfelt, brother of our subject, resides with him, and renders him good ser- vice on the farm; two sisters, Mary and Dora, are both married and live in this country; the former was wedded to Dietrich Radins- laben, and the latter to William Byer.
ICHOLAS S. RICE (originally Reis), of the firm of Wheeler & Rice, Novelty Works, La Crosse, was born in Madison, this State, July 12, 1858, a son of Frederick and Christina (Neuman) Reis. His father, a wine-grape grower, was born on the Mosel, Prussia, and came to America when a young man, locating at Madison, where he died, in 1858. His wife was born at Eiffel, near Cologne.
Mr. Rice, our subject, left Madison at the age of fourteen years, lived one year and a
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half at Yankton, Dakota, and in the fall of 1874 came to La Crosse. Having learned the glazier's trade, he followed it here twelve years, for Segelke, Kolhans & Co., then joined the firm of Lovejoy Bros. & Co., with whom he was connected until December, 1558, when J. E. Wheeler purchased the in- terest of the Lovejoy Bros., forming a part- nership with Mr. Rice, and they are now enjoying a good trade. Mr. Rice is now Alderman for the Fifteenth Ward, serving his first term; and he is a member of the Society of Modern Woodmen and of the Con- cordia Society.
He was married in La Crosse, to Anna Schubert, who was born at Anscha, Austria, a daughter of Wenzel and Theresa (Siege- mund) Schubert, who came to America in 1873, settling in La Crosse. They have four sons and one daughter: Ernest, Henry. Walter, Anna and Emil.
HARLES ASA HUNT, Chief of the Fire Department of the city of La Crosse, was born at Carthage, Jefferson county, New York, May 23, 1859, a son of Orville E. and Esther F. (Crook) Hunt. His father, a native of Massachusetts, was a com- mercial traveler by occupation. The ancestry of this family have been New Englanders for generations past. Mr. Hunt's mother was a daughter of Ilorace Crook, of New York State.
Mr. Hunt grew up to manhood at Inde- pendence, Iowa, whither his father had moved and where he was an extensive carriage- maker for many years. In addition to his education at the public schools, young Charles pursued a course of commercial study, and then engaged in commercial life, at the age of sixteen years. At eighteen he
entered upon business for himself, at Inde- pendence, and also carried it on at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In 1535 he came to La Crosse, where he has since been a merchant. Ile has been a member of the fire department three years; is also a member of Official Lodge. No. 27. Knights of Pythias, holding now therein the office of Keeper of the Records and Seal: also a member of the So- ciety of Modern Woodmen of America and of the Ancient Order of Druids.
Hle was married in Chicago, to Miss Lizzie E. Blanchard. a native of Philadelphia and a daughter of George W. Blanchard, a commis- sion merchant of that city. They have one son, by name Eugene Dale.
HARLES H. MARQUARDT, M. D., is a native of Germany, born in the village of Nemrin, province of Pomerania, January 6, 1855, son of Frederick and Augusta (Baumann) Marquardt. His father was a shepherd by occupation, that being the general occupation of the Marquardts-men of hardy constitutions and medinm stature. They were of the Lutheran faith and tena- eious of their religious principles. In 1868 Frederick Marquardt came to America and established his home at La Crosse, where he has been engaged as a laborer in lumber yards. He has reared three sons and three daughters.
Charles II. grew to manhood in this city, obtained a fair schooling in Germany, and engaged as an apprentice in the drug busi- ness after arrival in La Crosse. In 1874 he went to Philadelphia and entered the Phila- delphia College of Pharmacy, where he was graduated in 1576. Hle then went to Coun- eil Bluff's, Iowa, took charge of a drug store and began reading medieine under the tutor-
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age of Dr. Henry Osborne. After remaining there three years he returned to Philadelphia, entered Jefferson Medical College, passed three years in study and graduated in 1882. That year he returned to La Crosse and be- gan the practice of medicine, in which he has sinee been successfully engaged. From 1884 to 1890 he served as eity physician; from 1883 to 1889 as a member of the Pension Board; and for several terms as a member of the School Board. He is now examiner for the Germania Life Insurance Company, the Michigan Mutual Life Insurance Company, and associate examiner for the Equitable Life Insurance Company; is also examiner for the German branch of the Catholie Knights of Wisconsin. He is a member of the State Medieal Society, and has served the La Crosse County Medieal Society as its viee-president.
Dr. Marquardt was married, in Hokah, Minnesota, February 26, 1889, to Miss Franees Burkart, a native of Houston county, Minnesota, by whom he has a danghter, Sophia.
UGO SCHICK, of the firm of Stoltze & Sehiek, architeets, L Crosse, Wiscon- sin, was born in Bidjow, Northern Austria, January 30, 1855, son of Joseph and Annie (Letshouer) Schick. Soon after the birth of Hugo his father, a merchant by occupation, removed to Vienna and there earried on his business till about 1880. On both sides of this family tree we find them descendants of an old-time ancestry in Aus- tria. The house in which Mr. Sehick was born is elaimed to have belonged to this family for over seven generations. As a gen- eral rule they were people who followed mer- eantile pursuits.
The subject of our sketch was the sixth born in a family of four sons and three daughters, of whom one daughter is deceased. He grew to manhood in his native land and there obtained a good education in the publie schools, subsequently taking a thorough course of study in the Polytechnical School and Academy of Arts of Vienna, completing his studies at about the age of twenty-two, and graduating in a regular course of archi- tecture. He spent three years in office work in Vienna, and in 1880 eame to America; was two years in New York city, two years in Chicago, and two years at St. Paul, coming to La Crosse in 1886. Here he became as- soeiated with Mr. Stoltze, and has since been engaged in a very successful business. Among their works here may be mentioned the Chieago, Burlington & Northern Rail- way depot, Tillman Bros'. Bloek, schools, churches, City Hall, ete., etc.
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