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 19

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 19
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 19
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 19

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).

RED HEMKER, one of the progressive and enterprising citizens of Ilamilton township, is entitled to the following space in the record of the leading men of La Crosse county. He was born in Hanover, Germany, July 22, 1836, and is a son of Henry and Sophia (Elo) IIemker, natives of the German Empire. The father was a farmer by occupation, and followed his calling with rare intelligence. In 1866 he emigrated to America, and after his arrival in the United States came to La Crosse county, where he

lived with his children. Fred Hemker is the youngest of a family of six children. At the age of fourteen years he began to learn the trade of a brick and stone mason, and worked at this business fourteen years in his native land. In 1864 he determined to come to the United States, and carrying out this determi- nation we find him a citizen of Hamilton township. Here he worked at his trade for three or four years, and after his marriage in 1869 he settled on a farm of 220 acres, located in the La Crosse valley. This was wild land, entirely unimproved. but years of toil have converted it into one of the most beautiful and fertile tracts in the township. The principal crops are wheat, oats and corn. Mr. Hemker also does a thriving dairy busi- ness, keeping from twelve to fourteen head of eows. Ile has some good hogs of the Poland-China stock, and a few fine head of horses. His buildings are of good style, roomy and convenient; the residence is partly of solid and partly of veneered brick, and is situated on an attractive spot, commanding a view of this fertile valley. The cellar is one of the finest in the State, being ent in the solid rock. There is a thrifty young orchard, and all the surroundings are pleasing and homelike.

Mr. Hemker has been a member of the Town Board for six years, and in this capacity has done his community most efficient service. He is a man of good, sound judgment, is genial and courteous of manner, and a good representative of his fellow-countrymen. Ile is president of the Free-Thinkers' Society of Bostwick valley, and is one of its most ad- vanced members.

He was married in 1869 to Miss Wilhel- mine Wege, a daughter of Henry and Sophia Wege, residents of Hamilton township. Mrs. llemker is one of a family of five children: Fred, Lizzie, Mary, Dora and herself. She is

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a woman of kind, gentle disposition, and October 16, 1548, a daughter of Thorsten highly esteemed by a wide circle of acquaint- ances. To our subject and wife have been born three children: Emma, Fred and Alfred. Fred is overseeing the farm, and has displayed great aptitude for agricultural pursuits.

S AMUEL MATHESON, a general merchant at Bangor, was born in Nor. way, fourteen miles from Christiania, February 11, 1843, a son of Mathens Swan- sen, a native of Norway, who is now ninety years of age. Our subject was reared to farm life, and edueated in the common schools of his native place. Hle came to the United States in 1866, and first stopped two years in Dane county, Wisconsin, after which he removed to Trempealean county. Hespent the first seven years in this State in working on a farm during the summers and in the Inmber woods in the winters. In the fall of 1873 he began clerking in the store of A. II. Kneland, in Galesville, Trempealean county, and remained with him until 1876, when he and his cousin, John E. Johnson, engaged in the hardware business at Blair, theirs being the first hardware store in that place. Their building was destroyed by fire July 27, 1891. Mr. Matheson sold his interest in 1878, after which he owned and operated a farm two years, and then engaged in clerking in a wholesale hardware store two years at La Cros-e. In 1881 he went to Onalaska, Wis- consin. where he elerked one year, and in 1882 came to Bangor and engaged in his present business. He carries a full line of MeKenzie, a native of Scotland, was pressed general merchandise, having a capital stock of $5,500 and annual sales amounting to . $15,000.

Thompson, of Taylor, South Dakota. They have five children, four of whom still survive, namely: Lanra, born Angust 22. 1875; Inga C., August 14, 1580; Mollie B., December 2, 1853; and Thomas A .. August 1, 1886. The deceased. Fritehof, died at the age of five years. The mother died August 8, 1589. She was reared a Lutheran, but at the time of her death was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. She was an affec- tionate wife and mother, and her loss is keenly felt by her neighbors and friends. She was a devoted Christian worker, and a valu- able member of society. Our subject also was reared a Lutheran, and still holds to the mother church. He is a member of the M. W. of A.

HARLES W. MCKENZIE, a pioncer of the La Crosse valley, resides on seetion 6, range 5 west, Bangor township, La Crosse county. Ile was born in Waltham, Addison county, Vermont, a son of Abraham MeKenzie, a native of New Hampshire, but an early settler of this county, having located here in 1854. Our subject's mother. Sophia Brown, also a native of Vermont, was a daughter of the noted Phineas Brown, who came from Waltham, England, in an early day. Ile was the first settler in Waltham, Massachusetts, and also named the place, and years afterward he removed to Vermont and established and named the Waltham of that State. Our subjeet's grandfather, Alexander aboard a British man-of-war and sent to America as a British soklier; but his unele, John McKenzie, then second in command, refused to allow them to compel Alexander

Mr. Matheson was married December 19. 1974, to Caroline Thompson, who was born , to sigu the papers, and drew his sword to

Sari llithre

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emphasize his assertion. The captain finally exempted him, putting him ashore at Boston, when seventeen years of age. Ile at once enlisted on board an American privateer, where he served three years, and afterward two years on land, participating in the battle of Brandywine and many others. He was a personal friend of President Monroe, and died an honored eitizen of Waltham, Ver- mont. Our subject's parents had nine chil- dren, four of whom are now living, namely: Sophia, now Mrs. Burke; Sarah, who married Mr. Meader, and lives in La Crosse; and Belle, now Mrs. Carrigan, of Sparta, Wis- consin.

Mr. MeKenzie, our subject, was reared to farm life, and educated in the common schools of his native county, and also tanght school one term in Vermont. He came to Winnebago county, Wisconsin, in 1850, where he worked at the earpenter's trade the first summer, and the following winter taught school in Chester township, near Waupun, Dodge county, Wisconsin, and later taught two terms where Brandon now stands, in Fond dn Lae county. In Angust, 1851, he settled on his present farm of 200 acres, which he purchased from the State, and at once put up a log cabin and began to keep bach. The first night he had six Indians to stay with him, who were then numerous but peaceable. Ile made rails and fenced land the first winter, and in the latter part of the same season he went to La Crosse and with his oxen hauled the timber for the first dock ever built in La Crosse. In the fall of 1851 Mr. MeKenzie freighted goods from Sheboy- gan to La Crosse, eamping out at nights, which were made hideons by the howling of wolves, and the only weapons he possessed were an ax and a jaek-knife. In April, 1852, he returned to Oshkosh, and worked in a saw- mill at that place until the spring of 1854

and was also engaged in teaching school during the winters. He brought his wife to this place in June. 1854. and, the roof being gone from his cabin, they lived in the wagons three weeks, using the old cabin for a stable. IIe hauled humber from the Kickapoo valley. forty miles distant, and after reaching the mill the lumber was all engaged, and he begged permission to run the mill that night, and in that way secured enough lumber to load his wagons. He built a small frame house, which was the first one ever built in this vieinity.

Mr. Mckenzie was married in Waupun. April 10, 1852. to Lydia B. Roberts, a native of Vermont, and daughter of Samuel Rob- erts, now deceased. They have three chil- dren: Ida, now Mrs. Dr. Newton, of Bangor; Emma, and Mary, now the wife of Dr. Samuel Jones, of Minneapolis. Mr. Mckenzie was Town Treasurer one term, and also Superin- tendent of Schools two years. Socially he is a member of the A. O. U. W., and religi- ously of the Baptist Church. He attended the organization of the first Baptist Church in La Crosse valley, which occurred in Janu- ary, 1852, at the house of Deacon Samuel Smith, serviees being conducted by Elder William Card, who formerly preached in Fond du Lac and other points.

EVI WITHIEE, whose name has been known and honored in La Crosse county sinee 1853, is the descendant of sturdy New England ancestors. Ilis parents were Zachariah and Polly (Longley) Withee, na- tives of Maine, the father being of Irish line- age, and the mother of English extraction. Zachariah Withee was a farmer by oceupa- tion, and was a leading member of the agri- cultural community. lle was a soldier in

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

the war of 1$12, and for the service rendered He was a farmer and resided in Franklin his country received a land warrant. Ilis county till 1835, when he emigrated to Cook wife was one of the best of women, possess- county, Illinois. Later he went to Lake county, Ilinois. In 1851 he came to La Crosse county, and entered a farm near Onalaska, which he sold in 1975, and re- moved to West Salem, Wisconsin, in 1-76. Ile was County Commissioner for three years. and was Justice of the Peace at Onalaska for many years. Ile was honorable. prudent, and persevering in any cause he esponsed. and left behind him an untarnished reputation. ing that great breadth of character which enabled her to befriend the distressed and needy, and to give companionship to those of high estate. For over fifty years she and her husband were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church ; he died in 1576, at the age of eighty-two years; she passed away in 1871. at the age of seventy-four. Levi Withee was born in Somerset county, Maine, October 26, 1534, and is the fifth of a family of seven He was married to Harriet Ketchum, a native of Brooklyn county, Vermont. She died in Illinois, in February, 1951. His see- ond marriage was to Laurina Holden, who was born in Vermont in 1514. Nine chil- dren were born of his first marriage, only three of whom are living: Henry, the oldest, lives at Grant's Pass, Oregon; Mrs. Sarah Smith and Mrs. Lovisa Withee. Politieally Mr. Smith affiliates with the Republican party, and takes an active interest in all enter- prises tending to advance the city, county and State. children, only three of whom survive. Ile received his education in his native State, and was reared to the ocenpation of a fariner. The tide of emigration was sweeping west- ward. and the opportunities seemed so much greater to the young and ambitious man that in 1853 Mr. Withee found himself in La Crosse, Wisconsin, taking up the laborious life of the pioneer. He secure I employment with a lumber firm, and in 1859 was enable i to open a business on his own account, in Clark county, Wisconsin. Prosperity has attended his every a tion, and he has acen- To Mr. and Mrs. Withee has been born one child, Abner, a pupil of the La Crosse public schools. The parents are members of the Universalist Church, of which Mr. Withee is a trustee. In his politieal opinions he adheres to the Republican party. mulated a handsome estate. Hle is one of the large stockholders of the Island Mill Lumber Company, of the Abattoir of La Crosse, of the Electric Light Plant, and of the Gas Light Company. He has for several years been a member of the firm of Bright & Withee, a logging company, and of the La Crosse Farming Company. He is a man of excellent business ability, of sound judgment and keen foresight, and unusual executive ability.

Mr. Withee was married, June 3, 196%, to Miss Lovisa Smith, a daughter of Orange and Harriet (Ketchum) Smith, of La Crosse, Wisconsin. Her father was born in Franklin county, New York, October 11, 1800, and died near West Salem, Wisconsin, in 1854. and five daughters, and died August 1, 1834.

ETER KIENHOLZ. Clerk of the Cir- cuit Court of La Crosse county, was born in Brienz, eanton of Berne, Swit- zerland. November 25, 1840, a son of Peter and Magdalena (Schild) Kienholz. His father, a carpenter by trade, emigrated to America in 1856, settling in Shelby township, La ('rosse county, where he brought up a son

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Mr. Kienholz. our subject, was reared to farm life, and has continued therein until the present, in Shelby township. Ile was mar- ried in this county, to Miss Mary Hass, a native of Pomerania, Prussia, and a daughter of Frederick William and Henrietta (Ilass) Hass. Mr. and Mrs. Kienholz have three sons and one daughter: Jolin Peter, Lonisa, William Peter and George Edwin. Mr. Kienholz is a member of the Jefferson Club, and he and his wife worship at the German Reformed Church.

E. WHEELER, president of the Ex- change State Bank, and proprietor of

arose to a position commanding the honor and deepest respect of an advanced com- munity. Mrs. Wheeler was for many years a teacher in the higher grades in the schools of the South, and was one of the most suc- cessful of educators.

J. E. Wheeler, son of the above, was edu- cated in Racine C'ollege, where he was a class- mate of Governor Merriam, of Minnesota. Ile was graduated with the bonors of his class in 1870, and after this important event was engaged as teller in the bank belonging to his father in Columbus, Wisconsin. Ile remained there one year, and in 1971 went into the cattle trade in Kansas; in this venture he lost all he had on account of the prairie fires that raged that season and the severe winter which followed. The sheep business next engaged his attention in Colo- rado. There he was eminently successful, and in five years made as much as he had lost in the cattle trade.

O the Novelty Wood Works of North La Crosse, has been identified with the interests of La Crosse county since 1879, and is de- serving of more than passing mention. He is a native of the Empire State, born in Buf- falo, October 10, 1850. ITis parents, John In 1879 he purchased a large interest in the First National Bank of Colorado Springs, but sold this in order to give his attention to the settlement of his father's estate; this business required his time for five years. In 1888 he was elected president of the Ex- change State Bank, and in the fall of 1991 was re-elected to the office. The capital stock of this bank is $25.000. The vice- president is N. B. Holway; cashier, II. P. Magill, and teller, E. B. Nelson. Mr. Wheeler is one of the directors of the La Crosse Wal- lace Carriage Works, and is the owner and proprietor of the Novelty Wood Works; this is an important industry to the city of La Crosse, manufacturing lumber, lath, shingles, sash, doors, blinds, fancy hard-woods, and ar- ticles in wood for patentees. R. and Mary (Rockwell) Wheeler, came from the same State. The father emigrated to Wisconsin in 1858, and settled in Walworth county; he was connected with a bank there for three years, and then removed to Colnm- bus. He made a trip to Colorado with his son, our subject, and made investments in sheep, cattle, in the gold and smelting works, and other enterprises. Ile came to La Crosse in poor health, and died here September 19, 1881, upon the same day that President Gar- field passed away. His age was sixty-six years. His wife died in 1859, at the age of thirty-eight years. They were both consist- ent members of the Episcopal Church, and were people of rare culture and refinement. After Mr. Wheeler was forty-five years of age he mastered the Spanish, German and Mr. Wheeler owns two farms, one in Colo- rado and one in Walworth county, Wiscon- French languages. He began life with few advantages, save his own high purposes, and sin; the former is a milk ranch, con-

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taining 4,000 acres, and pasturing 125 cows. in September. 1\79. and Mrs. Heinrich on September 21, 1580.

In 1874 he was joined in wedlock to Miss Alice Edwards, a lady of culture and a dangh- ter of J. L. Edwards, of Walworth county. Wisconsin. Three children have been born of this union: J. Russell, Herbert E. and Marie Adelaide. The parents are members of the Episcopal Church, and occupy a lead- ing position in social circles. Mr. Wheeler is a man of the most correct business meth- ods, is courteous and affable of manner, and enjoys the esteem of all classes of citizens. He has a beautiful home, where he has sur- rounded his family with all the comforts that our present civilization suggests,

ENZEL GRAMS, dealer in groceries, provisions, wines, liquors, etc., and Alderman for the Thirteenth Ward, La Crosse, was born in Teschen on the Elbe, Anstria, September 29, 1551, a son of August and Eleanora (John) Grams, who came to America in 1857, landing at New York city. Coming directly to La Crosse county, they settled on a farm in Greenfield town- ship, where the father died September 25. 1865, and is buried in Mormon Coolie come- tery. Of their family four sons and one daughter are living: Frank, a farmer of Eureka. Dakota: Anna, the wife of Michael Funk of La Crosse: and the three brothers, Wenzel, John and August, who constituted the firm of W. Grams & Bros., until 1886. when Wenzel bought the interest of his brothers, who later engaged in the manufact- ure of boilers at La Crosse.

In November, 1867, Mrs. Grams married Frantz Heinrich of Vernon county, Wiscon- sin, where they resided until 1575, when they removed to La Crosse. Mr. Heinrich died

Mr. Wenzel Grams, our subject, grew to manhood on a farm, leaving it September 10, 1875, to engage in mercantile business at the present stand. In 1997 he was elected Alder- man for his ward, and re-elected in the spring of 1891.

He was married February 22. 1979, at La Crosse. to Katharina Leisgang, a native of America and a daughter of John and Mary Leisgang, natives of Germany. They have one son and two daughters, namely: Camilla Katharina. born April 10, 1580 .: Leonora Mary, February 7, 1552, and Alfred Wenzel, August 30, 1586. George August, the youngest child, is deceased.

John Leisgang, the father of Mrs. Grams, was born in Bavaria, April 29. 1531. Hle came to this country with his parents about 1552, loeating at Milwaukee. He was a shoemaker by trade.

On December 15, 1857, at Hustisford Wisconsin, he married Mary Kartas, who was born near Trier in Prussia, June 22, 1835. She emigrated to America with her parents, arriving at Milwaukee October 6, 1852. To Mr. and Mrs. Leisgang were born five sons and four daughters, but one died in intaney and one at the age of thirteen years. Those living are Katherina, wife of W. Grams; Mary; Maggie, the wife of II. Schultz; Liz- zie, who wedded George Egelburg, of Mil- waukee; John, Frank and Charley, who live at home with their mother in La Crosse. Mr. Leisgang died at his home in La Crosse, July 26. 1586.

O. TOLLEFSON, farmer, Barre Mills, Wisconsin. Although a compara- tively young man Mr. Tollefson has

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risen to a position in agrienltural affairs in La Crosse county which many older in years and opportunities might envy. He is the only son of six children born to Ole and Mary Halverson (Strand) Tollefson, natives of Norway. The parents emigrated to the United States in 1852 and went first to Kosh- kolong, Wisconsin, where they remained two years. In 1854 they removed to La Crosse eonnty, Wisconsin, where their only son, T. O., and five daughters were born. The father and mother and three daughters are now re- siding in La Crosse. One daughter is living in Menomonie, Dunn county, Wisconsin, and another in Trempealean county of this State. T. O. Tollefson attained his growth in his native county and was married in 1880 to Miss Lisette Wege, a native of Germany and the daughter of Henry and Sophia Wege, also natives of that country. Mr. Wege died in Germany in 1861, at the age of fifty years; and his widow, with five children-Lisette, Minnie, Fred, Mary and Dora-eamne to the United States, settling in La Crosse county. She is now residing with her daughter Min- nie. Mary is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Tollef- son's marriage resulted in the birth of three children: Arthur R., Orrin J. and one de- ceased, unnamed. They are worthy members of the Lutheran Church of Bostwick Valley and liberal contributors to the same. Mr. Tollefson has held a number of local positions and has filled them in a creditable and satis- factory manner. He is the owner of a fine farm of 230 acres, all valley land, and has it nnder a good state of cultivation. He has a large farm house, a stone-basement barn cap- able of stalling eight head of horses and forty head of cattle, and is one of the prominent stoek-raisers of the township, keeping a good grade of horses, cattle and hogs. llis sur- roundings indieate thrifty, energetie and capable management. Ile is a public-spirited

citizen and gives his hearty support to all worthy enterprises for the advancement of the county. In politic- he affiliates with the Republican party.

D. GOODRICH, station agent for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail- way Company, at West Salem, was born in Rutland county, Vermont, March S, 1835, and is the son of Mason and Sarah C. (Dana) Goodrich, natives of the " Green Mountain " State. The father was a black- smith and machinist by trade, and followed this occupation until 1859, when he came to Wisconsin and engaged in agricultural pur- suits in Dane county; later he removed to Sun Prairie, and there purchased a shop and resumed his trade. He died in 1869, at the age of sixty-three years; his wife died in 1856; they were consistent members of the Congregational Church. They reared a family of five children, four of whom are still living: Henry enlisted in 1862, in Com- pany K, Thirty-third Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, was soon afterward taken ill and died, at the age of twenty-two years; A. D., the subject of this notice, had been engaged in agricultural pursuits two years when he abandoned this work, and enlisted in the same company and regiment as his brother. HIe was in many of the most noted engagements of the war, and did valiant and faithful ser- vice in the eanse he had espoused. Ile was on duty for three years, and in this time par- tieipated in sixteen battles: Cold Water, Mississippi; the siege of Vicksburg for thirty days; Jackson, Mississippi, for two days; Pleasant Hill Landing, Louisiana; Ft. De Russy, Louisiana; Yellow Bayou, Louisiana; Cane River, Louisiana: Marksville, Lonisiana; Tupelo, Mississippi; Old Town Creek, Louisi-

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ana: Nashville, Tennessee, two days; the siege of Mobile and Spanish Fort, tor fifteen days; Camargo Cross Roads, Clautierville, Bayou Boef and Coushatte Chute. He enlisted as a private, and was first promoted to the ofliee of Orderly Sergeant, and later to the First Lientenancy, a position he had filled eight months before the close of the war. He was honorably discharged August 14, 1865, but was mustered out of the service in July, har. ing served three years to a day. He was never wounded or taken prisoner, and endured the exposure and privations fairly well. At Tupelo, Mississippi, he received a sun-stroke, in July, 1564; this eaused him considerable discomfort, and in conseqnenee he now has a pension from the United States Government. After the cessation of hostilitie- he returned to his home and took np farming, which he pursued until 1569. In that year he began working for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company. and for twenty-two years has been in their employ: he has been agent at De Forest, Windsor, Arlington, M- and West Salem, making a record as an efficient, courteons and capable officer. As a citizen. his loyalty can never be ques- tioned, and he is a liberal supporter of home industries.

Mr. Goodrich was united in marriage in 1561, to Miss Lydia A. Walker, a daughter of Amos J. Walker. of Whiting, Vermont; one child was born of this union, Bessie, who is now the wife of Carroll Cook; Mr. and Mrs. Cook are the parents of one child. Mrs. Goodrich died in September, 1962, at the age of twenty-six years. She and her husband had determined that she would better go to her parents in Vermont and remain there during his term of service in the army, but she was taken ill and died the day they had set for her starting on the journey. The daughter Bessie was then taken to her grandparents,

and still resides in Vermont. Mr. Goodrich was married a second time in the fall of 1867. when he was united to Miss Josephine Van Wie, a daughter of John and Emeline Van Wie, of Windsor, Wisconsin. Five children have been born to them: Emma, Julia, who died at the age of ten years; Clarence, John and Edna. Clarence is engaged as night operator in his father's office. Mr. Goodrich is a member of the Ma-onie order and of the Union Veteran Legion of La Crosse. Politi- cally he affiliates with Republican party.

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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