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 18

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 18
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 18
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 18

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Mr. Schick was married in Muscatine, Iowa, to Miss Mary Kendig, of that eity, daughter of John and Magdalena Kendig, natives of Pennsylvania and of German an- cestry. They have two daughters and one son: Nelly, Jennie and Frederick. The family worship at the Methodist Church.

USTAV STOLTZE is a member of the firm of Stoltze & Schick, architects, La Crosse, Wisconsin, and is prominently connected with the business interests of this city.

He was born in Goslar, province of Hano- ver, Germany, February 27, 1854, and grew to manhood in his native land, there receiving a college education. In 1872 he came to America and located in Boston. In 1878 he completed a thorough technical course of study in architecture there, after which for

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two years he applied himself to the practice physiology. Of this progenitor Ehner J. is of his profession and worked in the offices of a direct descendant. The ancestry generally had hardy constitutions and a large stature. and were long lived. Ware & Van Brunt and Roteh & Tilden. In 1850 he came West through an induce- ment from a Minneapolis firm of architecture, and remained in that eity until 1853. Then he spent two years in the employ of the Northern Pacifie Refrigerator Company. Re- tiring from that position in 1585, he came to La Crosse and opened up a business which he has since successfully conducted, having had Mr. IIngo Schick as partner since 199s. Their designs inchide all classes of building work. Among the many blocks erected by their firm may be mentioned the Ileileman Brewing Company's brewing building. the Odd Eellows Temple, the shops of the Chi- cago, Burlington & Northern Railway, ehapel and hospital for the Franciscan Sis- ters, La Crosse City Hall, residences of Stephen Gantert, J. I. Fruit, E. C. Dailey, and many others.

Mr. Stoltze was married in La Crosse to Miss Alma Wiggenhorn, daughter of Eugene Wiggenhorn. Mr. Stoltze is a member of the American Institute of Architects, and as a business man and a citizen he is respected by all who know him.

LMER J. TIEDEMANN, M. D., Ma- rine Surgeon of La Crosse, was born in Chicago, Illinois, August 10, 1861, a son of Anthony and Parthenia (Pieree) Tie- demann. Ilis father was a native of Ger- many, born near Berlin, and was a merchant; and his grandfather, Jacob Tiedemann, was a commander in the merchant marine of Ger- many. Many of the ancestors had marine ocenpations. Dietrich Tiedemann was widely and favorably known in the medieal profession as an influential authority in anatomy and

Dr. Tiedemann, our subject, grew to man- hood in Chicago, where he attended the pub- lic elementary and high schools. From the age of eighteen he taught school three years, and then, in his twenty-second year, he en- tered the old Ohio Medical College at Cin- cinnati, and a year afterward Rush Medical College at Chicago, where in 1885 he grad- nated. He opened out in practice at West Concord, Minnesota, and was prospering well, when, on account of injuries received, he was compelled in June, 1589, to abandon his practice there. Ile came to La Crosse and began to establish a practice which would not call him ont on trips of exposure. He is a member of the Minnesota and the Wis- consin State Medical Associations, and also of the local medical society. Is now marine hospital surgeon for La Crosse. Ile is a member of the 1. O. U. W. and of the Ma- sonie order, and both himself and wife are members of the Congregational Church.

Ile was married in Manston, Wisconsin, October 3, 1888, to Miss Jennie Halton Davis, a native of Baraboo, this State, and a daughter of Richard JIalton and Helen (Thompson) Davis. They have one son, Ian Davis Tiedemann.

COLONEL NELS R. NELSON, Super- visor of the Seventh Ward, La Crosse, although a native of Denmark, is thor- oughly identified with the best interests of this city, and is justly entitled to honorable mention in the history of La Crosse county.

Ile was born at Galthen, province of Jyl- land, Denmark, January 18, 1847, son of

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Rasmus Nelson by his marriage to Karan Johnson. His father was also a native of Galthen, and was a merchant of that place. His ancestors were for the most part agri- culturists, and for many generations had lived in that province. They were people of good station in life, had strong constitutions and were noted for their longevity. Our subject grew to manhood in his native town, and obtained a good common-school educa- tion, supplementing it with an academic course at Aarhus, which he completed in his seventeenth year. The year following he en- listed in the Danish army, and served in it with the war against Prussia, as Second Lientenant in its reserves. After the war he went to Aarhus and entered upon a three years' apprenticeship to the dry-goods trade. at the expiration of which time he came to America, landing in New York city, June 12, 1868. He located in Oconomowoc, Wis- consin, where he made his home until 1873. The next two years he spent at Sparta, from which place he went to Viroqua. In the fall of 1876 he accepted a position with J. W. Toms & Co., La Crosse, as traveling sales- man, and continued with them until the fall of 1879. At that time he engaged with Mons Anderson & Son, also dry-goods mer- chants, and traveled for them until July 1. 1881, when he severed his connection with the company. He next engaged with Straw, Ellsworth & Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the hat and cap trade, and remained in their employ until January 1, 1890, when he ac- cepted a position with the Goll & Frank Co., Milwaukee, in the wholesale dry-goods busi- ness, in which he is engaged at present.

Colonel Nelson was married in Sparta, Wisconsin, to Miss Anna Pederson, and by her has had three sons and three daughters. Their oldest son, Robert, died and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery. Those living are

Paul, Klaudia, Kennet, and Agnes and Nora (twins). The Colonel is a member of the following fraternities: Norden Society, of which he has served as president on two dif- ferent occasions; the Normanna Lodge, I. O. O. F., having passed all the chairs of the order; and the A. F. & A. M., being a mem- ber of the Chapter. He is also a member of the Board of Trade of La Crosse. IIe and his wife worship at the Lutheran Church. In 1883 he was appointed by Governor Rusk as a member of his staff, and served until 1889. Is now serving his second term as Supervisor of the Seventh Ward, La Crosse.

ENRY ESPERSEN, although of Euro- pean birth, has thoroughly identified himself with America and her grand institutions, and for many years has been a prominent citizen of La Crosse, Wisconsin. Briefly stated, a review of his life is as follows:

Henry Espersen was born in Denmark, on the island of Bornholm, the home of the old " Vikings," in the town of Roenne, Feb- rnary 11, 1830, son of Christian Espersen by his marriage to Margaret Pearsen. His father was a watchmaker by trade, and carried on his business in Röenne till his death, which occurred in 1850 or 1851. The Esper- 'sens were generally artisans, although we find branches of the family in the pursuit of other interests. Neils Espersen, an uncle of the subject of our sketch, was honored by the King of Denmark. For inventions and im- provements in time-pieces he was made a Knight of the order of Danneboro and pre- sented with the golden cross of honor of that knighthood. As a race, the Espersens were of medium size, heavy built, hardy constitu- tions and long-lived. The Pearsens were

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merchantmen, and were favorably known in the Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin: in 1877 the marine interests of the Kingdom of was appointed by the President as Surveyor- Denmark.

The subject of our sketch was reared in his native land, and acquired a thorough knowledge of the watehmaker and jeweler's business. Ile had obtained a good education in the public schools, and had supplemented it with a training in the military schools of Elsinore, for the purpose of taking a eon- mission in the Danish army ; but, on account of the quota of officers being full, he turned his attention to his trade. After spending some time in Copenhagen he returned to his native island and continued there until after the death of his mother, when, in 1833, he came to America. He spent three years in New York city, and in 1856 located in Mi !- waukee, coming from there to La Crosse, in 1858. Ile has been engaged chiefly in real estate interests, building and improving city property.

Mr. Espersen was first married to Mrs. Cordelia (Bean) Burns, a native of Missouri, widow of Governor Burns. She died in 1867, leaving a son, Arthur Espersen, who is now a resident of Tacoma, Washington, engaged in the real estate business. Hle formed a second marriage with Miss Caroline Matilda Mead, a native of Brooklyn, New York, and a eonsin of ex-Governor Hoffman of New York city. By her he has two sons, Harry Larue and Frank Henry.

When Mr. Espersen came to America he had but one dollar in his pocket, and his present prominent and influential position is the re- sult of his own earnest efforts. He has served as Justice of the Peace for La Crosse on different occasions; as Street Commissioner and Superintendent of the Poor, the first officer in that capacity the city had; in 1875 was commissioned by the President as a Depnty Surveyor and to make allotments for

General of Dakota, and held the office until July, 1551; served as Registrar of the United States Land Office here, during President Arthur's administration. During the war Mr. Espersen offered his services in the field, and, they not being accepted, he took an ac- tive part in raising men and means in the furtherance of the Union cause. In 1874 he was appointed Assistant Sergeant at Arms of the Senate of Wisconsin, and served during the session.

In the summer of 1870, upon the occasion of his second marriage, Mr. Espersen paid a visit to the home of his nativity, and traveled through Germany, Switzerland and Scandi- navia.

OHN DENGLER, eigar manufacturer and formerly Mayor of La Crosse, was born in Koenigswart, in the German part of the Kingdom of Bohemia, Austria, January 1, 1849. His father, Francis Deng- ler, was a boot and shoe merchant. His mother's maiden name was Barbara Dietl. Their ancestry were people of good physical constitution and long-lived, and were meehan- ies, generally blacksmiths. In 1856 Franeis Dengler eame to America, landing at New York city, and the next year brought the family over.

Mr. John Dengler grew to manhood in New York city. At the age of eleven years he entered a cigar manufactory, became an apprentice at the age of thirteen and a jonr- neyman at fifteen. He was employed in New York city until his twenty-ninth year, during which time he served as foreman of different factories, always in an amicable relation, those under his superintendeney never being dis-

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posed to "strike." In 1878 he came West and spent some six months at St. Paul, and in 1879 located at La Crosse. lIere he was superintendent of John Pamperin's cigar manufactory until 1884, since which time he has been engaged in the business on his own account. He began business for himself in a small way, for a time employing but two hands; but his trade has kept steadily grow- ing with the constantly increasing demand for his goods. ITis business has grown to snch proportions that at this writing, in 1891, he gives employment to upwards of fifty em- ployces, and the produets of his factory find a ready market in many of the principal towns and cities of Wisconsin, Minnesota and lowa.

Being thoroughly Americanized, Mr. Deng- ler takes a lively interest in all public ques- tions, both national and State. He is a sup- porter of the Republican party, and has done mueh efficient work in the interest of that organization, though he has never sought political distinetion for himself, preferring to devote his time to the promotion of his business interests. In 1889 he was elected Mayor of the city of La Crosse, and faith- fully discharged the duties of his office.

Mr. Dengler is essentially a self-made man, and his business snecess is due to his own industry, energy and strict integrity in all his eommereial transactions.

He is a member of a number of social or- ganizations.

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ILBUR I. DUDLEY, one of the re- liable farmers and stock-raisers of La Crosse county, was born at Guilford, New Haven county, Connecticut, March 31, 1849, and is a son of William L. and Phebe Dudley, old and respected residents of La

Crosse county. Ile received his education in the common schools, at the La Crosse Valley Seminary, West Salem, and at a business college in Chicago, taking a three months' course at the latter place. Ile began the business of life as a farmer, and has sinee followed agriculture. In 1856 he came West with his parents, who were among the pio- neers of the county, and in his youth ex- perienced many of the privations and trials incident to lite on the frontier. He now re- sides two and a half miles southwest of West Salem on a valley farm of 300 aeres; the land is in a high state of enltivation, and the improvements are of a most substantial character. The residence, which is built of brick, is a large and convenient dwelling, and has a charming site, overlooking the fertile farms which streteh in every direction. Mr. Dudley raises grain, hay and hogs; he plants

from sixty to eighty acres to corn, a little more to oats, and fifty to sixty aeres to hay. Although he raises large numbers of hogs, he also has high-grade eattle and horses. Ile is a pronounced type of the progressive farm- er, and has been very successful in all his undertakings.

He was married October 9, 1876, to Miss Marion A. Bailey, a daughter of George E. and Ellen A. Bailey, honored residents of Mansfield, Massachusetts. Mr. Bailey is an inventor of considerable notoriety, being a patentee of an oven sold extensively in this country, and patented in England. Mrs. Dudley is one of a family of six children, of whom she is the oldest; Carrie married Alexander McRea; Hattie is the wife of Clarence Boylston: George P. married Miss Mary Burkenhead; Frank II., who is in the bakery business with his father, and Sadie.

To Mr. and Mrs. Dudley have been born five children : George W., Lillian L., Phebe E., Walter B. and Sherman L. The parents

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are members of the Congregational Church. Mrs. Dudley is a woman of intelligence and culture, and was a successful teacher for several years prior to her marriage. Our worthy subjeet is a Republican in his poli- tics, and is a stanch supporter of the temper- ance movement.

SAAC EMBERSON, blacksmith, and the present Alderman for the Seventh Ward, of La Crosse, was born in Bergen township, Vernon county, Wisconsin, July 24, 1559, a son of Andrew and Carrie (Holverson) Em- berson. His father was a native of Norway and came to America when a young man, locating first in Virginia and afterward mov- ing to this State, and died September 24, 1890, leaving four sons and two daughters. The mother died in 1866.

Isaac. as he grew to manhood, learned the blacksmith's trade. In 1880 he came to La Crosse.

Ile was married here, to Miss Agnes Hughes, a native of St. Mary's, Ontario, Canada, and a daughter of Patrick and Cath- arine Hughes. Mr. and Mrs. Emberson have two sons and one daughter, namely: Mary Olive, Andrew Russell and James Murray. The third child, Jacob, is deceased.

IELS GUSTAV HILLESTAD, County Treasurer of La Crosse county, was born at Drammen, near Christiania, Norway, October 29, 1845, the son of Hans and Martha Hillestad, farmers. At the age of fifteen years he was apprenticed as a clerk in a general mercantile store at Tonsberg. In 1866 he came to America, settling here in La Crosse and engaging as a clerk until

1882, and since as a partner with Christian Pederson, in elothing and furnishing goods, enjoying a successful trade. Being an active worker in the political field, as a Demoerat, he was elected in 1890 to his present respons- ible position, already named, by a handsome majority, in a county which has generally been Republican. He is a member of the Norden Society, has been one of the efficient officers of the Normanna Sangerkor, was one of the charter members and is at present the treasurer. He is also the treasurer of the I. O. O. F., Normanna Lodge, No. 260.

ILLIAM LOHMILLER, agent of the Chicago & Northwestern Rail- way Company at La Crosse, and manager of the La Crosse Fuel Company, was born in New York city, April 23, 1844, a son of John W. and Elizabeth (Hoerner) Lohmiller. His father was a native of Sar- bruck, France (now Alsace, Germany), was an architect and builder, and came to America in 1829, when a young man, locating in New York city, where he was married. His wife was born near Johannisberg, Bavaria, Ger- many. In 1856 John W. Lohmiller came to Wisconsin, locating at Fort Atkinson, where he brought up five sons, all of whom are still living.

William, whose name heads this sketch, learned the drug trade, following it in Madi- son and Fort Atkinson for about twelve years; was then agent for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company at Sparta nearly fifteen years, and finally he came to La Crosse, in 1885. In 1887 he organized the La Crosse Fuel Company, of which he has since been the manager. Ile is a Thirty- second-degree Mason, being a member of Oriental Consistory and also of the Mystic

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Shrine. Ile is also a member of the Royal Arcanum, A. O. U. W., and of the Interna- tional Association of Ticket Agents. He and family attend worship at the Congrega- tional Church. At present he is an Alder- man of the Fourteenth Ward of La Crosse, for term ending 1895.

He was married in Chicago, in 1871, to Miss Charlotte Ilickox, a native of Wisconsin and a daughter of Lyman Hickox, of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. Mr. Hiekox settled in this state from Syracuse, New York, in 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Lohmiller have three sons, viz .: Leavenworth William, a young man of bright promise and now a clerk in the freight office of the Chieago & North- western Railway Company, and a partner in the stationery business of Fred Leach & Co .; Royal Kasson and Calvin Arthur.

- OIIN ALOYS RENGGLY, M. D., City Physician of La Crosse, was born in the town of Sehmerikon, in the canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland, December 27, 1827, son of Anton and Therese (Keller) Renggly. His father was a farmer by occupation. We find these people belonging probably more to Entlebuch in the eanton of Lucerne. The subject of our sketeh was reared in Zurich, Switzerland, and studied medieine there and at Vienna, Austria, completing his studies at the age of twenty-four years. He prac- ticed his profession at Zurich till 1866, when he came to America and direet to La Crosse. Ilere he has sinee continued to reside, en- gaged in a medical practice.

Dr. Renggly was married, in Zurich, Swit- zerland, to Miss Louise Arbenz, by whom he has one son, Alfred, a bookkeeper by profes- sion. During the years 1883, '84 and '85 the Doctor held the office of city physician,

which position he is now filling. Ile has also served the city as Supervisor of its schools. Ile is a member of the I. O. O. F., and is medical examiner for the lodge to which he belongs.

C. IFERRINGTON, yard master for the Chicago, Burlington & Northern Railroad at North La Crosse, was born in Clyde, New York, in 1853, and is a son of John and Julia (Strong) Herrington, natives of the Empire State. They removed to Chi- eago in 1866, and there passed the remainder of their days; the father died in 1871, at the age of fifty-nine years, and the mother sur- vived him fourteen years, passing away at the age of sixty-nine years. Young Herrington attended the common schools of Chicago until he was fourteen years of age, when he entered the employ of the Chicago, Burling- ton & Quiney Railroad Company; he began work in the machine shop, where he was for eighteen months; then he was fireman on a locomotive for three years, at the end of which time he was promoted to the switching department: there he continued seven years, giving complete satisfaction to the company; he was next promoted to the position of yard master for this company at Chicago, where he was until 1886; he was then sent to La Crosse to take charge of the Chicago, Bnr- lington & Northern yards. He has always rendered the railway company the most ethi- eient service, and his merits have not been without recognition. Although young in years he is old in the railway business, having devoted twenty-three years to the varions positions he has been called upon to fill.

Mr. Ilerrington is a member of the Knights of Pythias of La Crosse, and holds the office of Keeper of the Seals and Records.

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In 1875 he was united in marriage to Miss ' and to the satisfaction of his fellow townsmen. Susie Clark of Chicago, a daughter of Ilugh Ile and his brother John are independent in their political views, voting for the man rather than the party. Both are members of the Lutheran Church. John is unmarried. and Elizabeth (Campbell) Clark; her father was a contractor in Chicago; both are now deceased; the father died in 1567, aged forty- five years, and the mother in 1886, at the age of sixty nine years. To Mr. and Mrs. Herrington have been born five children: George, Frank, Norman, Bessie and Ethel; Frankie died at the age of two years and ten months, his death being a sore trial to the parents.

CHNELL BROS .. brick manufacturers, La Crosse, one of the most noted and successful concerns in this part of the State, extensively engaged in the manufacture of brick, is that conducted by Schnell Bros., (Philipp and John), who have owned and operated the Schnell Bros. briek yards for the last five years. They turn out from 1,200,000 to 1.500,000 bricks per year and sell the same in La Crosse. These brothers are doing a good business and are energetie and industrions citizens who are a credit to any community. They are well liked by their business associates. Their parents, Frederick and Marguerette Schnell, were na- tives of Germany and came to the United States in 1570. The father is still living, on an adjoining farm, but the mother received her final summons in 1959, at the age of sixty. three.

L. DUDLEY, a citizen of La Crosse county, has borne his share of the bnrden that falls to the lot of the pioneer; he has aided in preparing the way for the march of civilization and progress, and it is to such men that the present gener- ation is indebted for the rare educational fa- eilities and the many opportunities afforded both in agricultural and commercial life. Ile was born in New Haven county, Connectieut, October 26, 1516, and is a son of William and Deborah (Lee) Dudley, natives of Con- neetient. llis father died in the State in which he was born, at the age of sixty-five years; the mother, a most noble and lovable woman, died in 1527, aged forty-four years. Both were exemplary Christians, and devout membersof the Congregational Church. They reared a family of two sons and five dangh- ters, three of whom are living.

W. L. Dudley was reared on his father's farm in Connectient, and agriculture has been his principal occupation through life, and in this calling he has been deservedly snecessful. In his youth he worked for a period of three years in a comb factory, and he was very highly spoken of by his employ- ers. Ilis motto in life has been. " Keep thy word sacred and inviolate," and a life accord- ing to this precept has brought its reward.

Phillip Schnell was married in 1882, to Miss Lena Feyen, daughter of Nicholas and Katie Feyen, natives of Germany who came to La Crosse about 1858. To Mr. and Mrs. In 1856 he emigrated to Wisconsin from Connectient, and settled in LaCrosse county; the following year his family made the jour- ney, and as his health was greatly improved Schnell have been born three children: John, Charles and Philipp. Mr. Schnell has been called to serve his town in a number of posi tions and has done so with credit to himself , by the change, they decided to remain. He

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has been very wise in his investments, and now owns several hundred aeres of land, a large portion of which is as fine as lies within the borders of the county; his improvements are of a substantial character, his residence is delightfully situated, and he is surrounded with all the comforts of the day. His farmi is well adapted to the raising of grains and live-stock, and he is numbered among the most reliable farmers of the county.

Mr. Dudley was united in the holy bonds of matrimony November 10, 1841, to Miss Phebe A. Ives, a danghter of Daniel and Elizabeth Ives, of New Haven county, Con- necticut. Her father died when she was a young girl, but her mother lived to be over eighty years old. Of this union two sons and two daughters were born. Caroline married John Aldrich, and they have had seven children; Walter W. resides in Chicago, married Miss Elizabeth Beecher, and they are the parents of one child, Graee; Wilbur 1., a sketch of whom will be found on another page of this volume, and Jennie L., wife of Ilenry D. Griswold, who died leaving four children; she was a worthy member of the Congregational Church and a woman of un- usual foree of character.

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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