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 23
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 23
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 23
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lieving the opportunities greater in America, he crossed the Atlantic and took up his resi- dence in the United States. He located at Highland, Iowa, and during the latter part of his life followed farming. The mother of our subject came to America in her girlhood. They reared a family of two sons and five daughters, William A. Imhoff being the sixth-born child. He passed his youth in Highland, and at the age of nineteen years began to learn the harness-maker's trade at Muscoda, Wisconsin. He completed his ap- prenticeship there, and in 1350 came to La Crosse, where he has since conducted a suc. eessful business. He manufactures all kinds of harness and saddles, and has established
Mr. Imhoff was married to Miss Theresa Schilling, a daughter of Rudolf and Johanna Schilling, natives of Germany. They have had born to them one son and two daughters: Idel, Emma, and William A .. Jr. The par- ents are members of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Imhoff belongs to St. Boniface's Society, to the Casino, and to the
property, owns a pleasant residence on State street and a good business block on Third street. Ile is a stockholder of the Inter-State Fair Association, and takes an active interest in those enterprises which are of publie benefit. He is a citizen in every way worthy
ICHAEL KRAATCHIVIL. manufac- turing confectioner, La Crosse, Wis- consin, is a native of Germany, born March 17, 1851, a son of Frank and Theresa (Kohlae) Kratchivil. His parents bade fare-
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well to the "Fatherland" in 1854, erossed the sea and took up their residenee in a strange country among a strange people. They settled in Washington township, Mil- wankee county, Wisconsin, about twelve miles from the city of Milwaukee. Michael was an infant when he was brought to this country, and here received his education. He learned his trade in Milwaukee and Chi- eago, and afterwards worked as a journeyman in many of the large cities in this country.
In 1881 he came to La Crosse and estab- lished himself in the eandy-manufacturing business in a small way. The excellence of his goods soon created a good demand, and by faithfully sustaining the high standard he has built up a trade throughout Wisconsin and Minnesota. He has two traveling sales- men all the year, and gives employment to thirteen skilled workmen.
Mr. Kratchivil was married in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Miss Annie Hale, who died, leaving two children, Katie and Elle. Mr. Kratehivil was married a second time, at La Crosse, Wisconsin, to Miss Emily Joslin. a native of this eity. They have no children. The first wife of our subjeet was a full com- munieant of the Roman Catholic Church.
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MIL BERG, superintendent of the de- livery department of the La Crosse Postoffice, and leader of the Normanna Sangerkor and Frohsinn, was born at Trond- jem, Norway, December 12, 1843, a son of Ebbe Berg, by his marriage to Christine (Lund) Berg. His father was an officer in the commissary department of the artillery of Norway, and is a descendant of agricult- ural ancestry. The general characteristics of the Bergs were large stature, hardy constitu- tion and long life. On the mother's side
the ancestry were Swedes, although she was born in Norway. They had seven sons and two daughters.
Mr. Emil Berg received his education in the public schools of Trondjem, and in early life showed a strong predilection for music. Ile however learned the furrier's trade in his native town. At the age of twenty-three years he came to America, loeating in Chi- eago, where he followed his trade one season, for which there was not sufficient demand. Then he engaged in upholstery, in the mean- time devoting his attention to music. His fine tenor voice and his love for the old Norse songs made him favorably known in the min- sieal eireles of that city, and in the fall of 1866 he organized the singing society named Nora, the first Norwegian singing society or- ganized in that eity. During the fall of 1868 it was merged into the Freja, Mr. Berg being elected leader of both societies.
In the spring of 1869 he came to La ( 'rosse. where he has sinee resided with the exception of four years in Decorah, Iowa, where he went to assume the leadership of the " Luren," a singing society. June 1, 1869, soon after his arrival in La Crosse, he was elected leader of the " Normanna," which position he held until 1880, excepting the four years men- tioned. In that year this society divided, half going with the Norden society and half working independently. Mr. Berg was elected leader upon being admitted to the Norden society, and held the position for several years, and as an appreciation of his labors was elected an honorary member of the Nor- den society. For several years he was also leader of the Sextten Harmonien, and at one time leader of the quartet Gauken, and for two years leader of the La Crosse Valley Singing Society at West Salem, this State. During the summer of 1859 the Norske Sangerkor was organized with Mr. Berg as
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leader, which society in the fall of 1590 joined the Normanna Sangerkor, and Mr. Berg was again elected to the leadership, which position be still holds. Since March 1, 1590, he has also conducted the German singing society, Frohsinn. Mr. Berg is un- doubtedly the oldest Scandinavian leader of song in the Northwest, if not in America: and it is to be hoped that he may live a great many years yet to labor in the field he is so admirably fitted to fill.
In the carly part of the year 1870 the Normanna society had an active membership of thirty or more, and at that time was the only singing society known beyond their im- mediate neighborhood. May 17. 1872. the Normanna assisted Ole Bull in his concert at Madison, given for the purpose of creating a fund for the establishment of a Scandinavian library at the State University there.
In 1574 Mr. Hoppe was elected leader of the Normanna, and served for a year. From 1875 to 1878 the society lay dormant, but in the last named year it obtained a new lease of life and re-elected Mr. Berg leader. In 1850 E. B. Rynning was elected leader, and served several years. In the fall of 1890 the Norske Sangerkor and the Normanna united and elected Mr. Berg leader. The society is at present in a flourishing condition, having thirty two active members and fifty-five hon- orary.
Mr. Berg has been a member of the I. (). O. F. for the past twenty-two years, having passed all the chairs, and is also a member of the encampment; and he has served the order in many of its offices. Being District Deputy Grand Master, he represented the lodges here at the Grand Lodge on different occasions. August 1, 1870, he was appointed delivery clerk at La Crosse Postoffice, and served through all the grades of office here up to his present position. Although he has a number
of times been offered municipal office, he would never accept them.
Mr. Berg was married in La Crosse, to Ella Ranber. a native of Norway and a daughter of Andrew Ranber by his marriage to Miss Sophie Naess, who came to America in 1$53, settling in Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Berg have one son and two daughters, namely: Ebbe, a mereantile clerk of bright promise; Ragna and Nora.
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LBERT V. FETTER, contracting plumber, steam and gas fitter, ocenpies a prominent place in commercial eireles in La Crosse county, and is entitled to the following space in the history of her leading men. Ile was born near Fountain City. Buffalo county, Wisconsin, April 22, 1566, and is a son of Ferdinand and Dorothea (Eller) Fetter, natives of Germany. The tather was a lawyer by profession, and emi- grated from Prussia to America when a young man, locating at Fountain City, Wis- consin, where for many years he was favor- ably known as a member of the legal pro- fession. h. the latter years of his life he became a resident of Alma, Wisconsin, and was County Judge of Buffalo county at the time of his death, which occurred October 16, 1876. lle was a man of unquestioned integrity, and dischargel the duties of his office with a fidelity that won bim the highest esteem of the people. Of his Family, four sons and two daughters survive: Norman is the associate editor of West's Law Publish- ing House. St. Paul, a lawyer by profession; Albert V., the subject of this notice; Harvey J. is a civil engineer by profession, and is now chief engineer of the Duluth Terminal Railway Company; John P. is also a eivil engineer, employed by the Northern Pacific
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Railroad Company; Hannah and Ella M. are |a resident of La Crosse: Bridget is the wife the two daughters.
Albert V. spent his early youth in Alma, Wisconsin, and at the age of fourteen years started ont to meet the responsibilities of life. He first engaged as a clerk, and was thus occupied for several years. Ile then became interested in steamboats, but he abandoned this enterprise in 1888 to estab. lish the business in which he is now engaged. In this undertaking he has been more than usually prosperous, and has won an enviable reputation as a progressive and substantial citizen. He is a charter member of the La Crosse Builders' Exchange, and belongs to the La Crosse Board of Trade. In 1891 Mr. Fetter joined E. T. Mueller in business for the purpose of manufacturing a patent tool to be used in the plumbing business.
Our worthy subjeet was married in La Claire, Iowa, to Miss Mae Orwig Ililbourne, a native of that place and a danghter of John and Kate Hilbourne, natives of the State of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Hilbourne's maiden name was Schreiner.
of George Higgins, an engineer of St. Louis, Missouri; Maggie is the wife of John Lark- ins; T. W .: Annie, wife of Peter Pauls; Walter J. died at Bismarek, Dakota, leaving a wife and one son; John C. died in Dubuque, leaving a wife and two daughters; they had buried four children in infancy; Thomas W. is the subject of this biographical sketch.
Ile obtained a good education in Dubuque, and early in life began elerking in a grocery store; subsequently he was employed in a saloon and billiard hall, and in 1556 he came to La Crosse, where he carried on the saloon business until 1889. He then embarked in the embalming and undertaking business, and has met with fair success.
Mr. Cummings was married in Dubuque, Iowa, to Miss Phebe Reah, a native of Iowa and a daughter of David and Sarah J. (Blake) Reah. Of this union two sons and two daughters have been born: Bertha, Andrew D., Stella and Ambrose. The parents are members of the Roman Catholic Church. while Mr. Cummings belongs to the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin and to the Ancient Order of Ilibernians.
HOMAS W. CUMMINGS, funeral di- rector and undertaker, La Crosse, Wis- consin, is a native of the State of LORENS SCHILDMANN, of the firm of Weide & Schildmann, saloon-keepers, La Crosse, was born October 31, 1855, in Westphalia, Germany, in the town of Bielefeldt. His father, William, who had married Elsabeth Eberfeldt, was a carpenter by occupation and came to America in 1856, with his family, locating at Quiney, Illinois. Four years afterward he moved to Sank City. Wisconsin, and three years after that, in 1862, to La Crosse, where he has since made Illinois, born at Galena, November 15, 1854. Ilis parents, Andrew and Catherine (Murphy) Cummings, were natives of Ireland, but in 1849 they bade farewell to the beautiful "Emerald Isle" and sailed away to America. The father was a grocer by trade, and carried on a thriving business in Dubuque, Iowa, from 1856 until the time of his death, which occurred in June, 1865. Ile and his wife reared a family of four sons and four daugh- ters: Mary married Richard O'Brien, a his home. He reared two sons and three merchant of Independence, Iowa; Simon is danghters.
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Mr. Schillmann, whose name introduces adopted mother country have been of a very this sketeh, grew to manhood in La Crosse, pleasant character. obtained a fair edneation in the common school, and has since been engaged in keep- ing a saloon. He has served four years as Alderman of the Eighth Ward; has been chairman of the Committee on the Poor, and member of the Committees on License and Ilealth. He is a member of the Society of the Sons of Hermann, of the Dentseher Verein and also of the Third Ward Aid Society.
Ile married Miss Margaretha Dahnell, a native of Germany and a daughter of Freder. iek and Margaretha Dahnell. They have two sons and three daughters, namely: Emma, Louisa, Walter, William and Florence Minnie.
HOMAS HANSEN, a contractor and bnilder of La Crosse, is one of the char- ter members of the Builders' Exchange of that city, and has been prominently ident- ified with her building interests since 1569, when he emigrated to America. Hle was born in Norway, near Lillihamer, March 1, 1844, and is the son of Ilans and Carrie (Jensen) Thomsen. His father was a farmer and merchant: his death occurred in 1859.
Thomas Hansen learned the carpenters' trade in his native country, and in 1569, as before stated. crossed the sea to America, believing that the opportunities afforded in the new world were greater than those of the old. After landing he came direet to La Crosse, and here established himself in the contracting and building business. He is also a millwright, and for several years he he has made for himself an enviable reputa- followed this occupation throughout Minne- sota, Dakota, Nebraska and Wisconsin. Ilis efforts have been rewarded with a fair measure of success, and his relations with his newly . success of the organization.
Mr. Hansen was married in Norway to Miss Elisabeth Eriekson, and of this union eight children have been born: Henry, the oldest, a promising young man, died at the age of nineteen years ; those living are: Louisa and Iilla, five ehiklren having died in child- hood.
OUIS N. NELSON is one of the most skilled painters and decorators of Li Crosse, where he has resided since 1ss. Hle was born in Madison, Wisconsin, Novem- ber 24, 1862, and is a son of Thomas A. and Lena (Grendley) Nelson, natives of Norway. The parents were born in Skien, about 120 miles from Christiania, and emi- grated to America in 1853 or 1854. Other members of the Nelson and Grendley families also crossed the sea, and the greater number settled near Milwaukee, although branches of the Grendley family are scattered over Wis- consin and Michigan.
Louis N. Nelson grew to manhood in Madi- son, Wisconsin, where he learned his trade from his father, who was a prominent painter and decorator in that eity. In 1955 he came to La Crosse, a- before stated; after arriving in this eity he formed a partnership with (). J. Oyen; this relationship existed until 1890, when it was dissolved by mutual consent. Since that time Mr. Nelson has conducted the business alone, and has met with marked snecess. Thoroughly well fitted for his line of work and possessed of those sterling traits of character which win and hold confidence, tion among the business men of La Crosse. He is a member of the Builders' Exchange of La Crosse, and is deeply interested in the
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He was married in Madison, Wisconsin, to partner in the establishment. He later formed Miss Margaret Agnes Connell, a daughter of Thomas and Margaret Connell, and of this union one son has been born, Lonis T.
M ONS ANDERSON. - America is in- debted to all the nations of the earth for her inhabitants, and no country has contributed a more upright, honorable class of citizens than has Norway, the birth- place of Mons Anderson, one of the most highly respected residents of La Crosse, Wis- eonsin. He was born at Valders, June 8. 1830, a son of Anders and Mary (Knudson) Anderson, both of whom were natives of Nor- way. His father was a farmer by ocenpation, and died when our subject was but a lad.
During his boyhood he was educated in the common schools, and at the age of sixteen (being the oldest in the family) he bade fare- well to his friends and the pine-clad hills of his native land, and sailed across the sea to America, locating after his arrival in Mil- waukee. IIe was fortunate in securing em- ployment with Hon. Daniel Wells, a member of Congress from Milwaukee, and then pro- prietor of the City Hotel. He remained in Mr. Wells' employ for three years, two of which he was a student in Prof. Balk's school. He spent one year as a salesman in the groeery store of Herbert Reed, giving entire satisfaction to his employer and win- ning many friends among the customers.
a partnership with W. W. Ustick. which continued one year. Ile was then alone for some years, his next partner being S. E. Oleson, with whom he was associated for two years.
Then Mr. Anderson successfully continued the business alone for several years, while his two sons were being fitted for the responsi- bility of the increasing trade.
In ISS5 Mr. Anderson took both of his sons into the company, the firm then being known as Mons Anderson & Sons. Ilis oldest son, Alfred H., acquired a large interest in what was then Washington Territory, and it soon became apparent that it required his personal attention, so he withdrew from the firm, and moved there to take charge of his own interests. It was then thought advis- able, as being the popular system, to organize into a stock company, to be known as The Mons Anderson Company, which was done in January, 1891. Samuel W. then became the mainstay of his father in the management.
His tine block on the corner of Main and Second streets has been built from time to time as the business demanded, being always ahead of the town. It has been a common remark that he has the largest establishment of its kind in America in proportion to the population. He has been in active business forty years, and is to-day the oldest business man by many years, on the Mississippi river, above Galena.
The question would naturally arise in the reader's mind, "Why did not Mr. Anderson move to a larger place many years ago where his enterprise and push could be appreei- ated?" His answer would be, that he would rather be a leader in the eity of La Crosse than a follower in some larger city.
Observing the necessity of capital to achieve suceess in the older Eastern cities, he determined to push farther West, and, at- traeted by the commercial prospects of La Crosse, he came to this city when it was a small village, in 1851. Ile first engaged as clerk in the store of S. T. Smith, which was At the present time, Mr. Anderson em- located on Front street, and in 1853 became a , ploys traveling men by the dozen. and employs
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
in his factory and store by the hundreds. of the manufacturing department, and many others.
Ilis goods find a ready market in Western Wisconsin and in Minnesota. Iowa, Kansas. Nebraska, and the Dakotas, and the annual output exceeds a million dollars.
The writer was shown through the various departments of the manufactory and ware- houses, and was surprised at finding such a mammoth establishment in a city the size of La Crosse. From offices to engine room, every department evinces neatness and order and the striet business methods that prevail therein.
It is one of Mr. Anderson's characteristics, that he always wants his customers and visi- tors to be happily disappointed and find it more extensive than represented or expected.
One feature worthy of remark. is that Mr. Anderson started out in an early day to have strictly one price, and every one treated alike. and to have goods represented as they were. This is the key to his success. At one time he did a wholesale dry-goods, retail dry-goods and millinery, and retail clothing business. Ilis retail dry-goods and millinery traffic was the second largest in the State.
As the country developed and the city grew, his wholesale operations steadily in- creased, making it necessary that some of the minor interests should be dispensed with. In 1585 he closed ont his retail establishments, and since that time has been doing a whole- sale dry-goods and manufacturing business. . Mr. Anderson attributes his success in a measure to the fact that when he gets trust- worthy employees he manages to retain them in his service. Among those who have served him long and faithfully. are Mr. A. T. Van Valkenburg: the old veteran "L'unele lohn" Halvorson; his trusted bookkeeper, Mr. Lonis Streeter, who is secretary and treasurer of the present firm; Mr. Fred Hamfgaarn, manager
Mr. Anderson has not only witnessed the growth of La Crosse from a mere hamlet to the beautiful city it now is, but has actively participated in all that pertained to its ma- tured advancement. Ile has built up a business which is an honor to himself and a credit to the city. As the city has grown, and competitors have entered the field. he has maintained his superior position in com- mercial circles by the excellence of his goods and his uniformly courteous and honorable dealing. He is a man positive in his con- victions, and of marked characteristics and unusual ability. While his life has been one. of busy usefulness, its cares have set lightly upon him. for he retains his youthful vigor and activity in a marked degree. Courteous alike to customers, employees or strangers, he is the highest type of the genuine Ameri- can business man and gentleman, whom to know is a pleasure.
In his pursuit of wealth he has 1.ot been unmindful of the comfort of his employees, nor has he been wanting in public spirit. Ile is a liberal contributer to those enterprises which are calculated to benefit the eity. either morally or intellectually. System and good judgment are noteworthy features of all his operations, and his integrity rendered his credit "gilt-edged," not only at home but abroad. He has accumulated a handsome competence, and enjoys the highest regard of the social and commercial world in which he moves.
ILLIAM WIELE. of the firm of Wiele & Schildmann, proprietors of a saloon in La Crosse, was born in Penskowo, in the province of Posen, Ger- many, March 21. 1559, a son of William and
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Amanda (Hein) Wiele. Ilis father was a farmer, and his paternal grandfather a dis- tiller by trade, but mostly engaged in farm- ing. On the maternal side his forefathers were generally millers.
Mr. Wiele completed his apprenticeship in the grocery trade and came to America in 1878, locating in Alleghany county, Penn- sylvania, near Pittsburg, where he was a farmer for a short time. Next he was for a short time at Albert Lea, Minnesota, keeping a saloon, and finally, in 1581, came to La Crosse. Here, for four years he was employed at Heileman's brewery; next he was clerk for a year for Mr. Wehansen in the cigar trade; then was mail carrier about a year; and then for a year was clerk for John Schil- ling, a clothing merchant; and since 1886 he has been conducting a good saloon. In 1591 he was elected Supervisor for the Third Ward. He is a member of the Germania Society, has served as its president ; has been secretary of the Liederkranz; has passed all the chairs in the society of the Sons of Herman; and is one of the stockholders in the Inter State Fair Association. He is a public-spirited and enterprising citizen.
HARLES A. BARTZ is one of the many successful contractors and build- ers of La Crosse, and is also one of the many honored citizens for whom America is indebted to Germany. His birth-place is Polnow, about thirty miles from Berlin, and the date of his birth is October 3, 1855. Ilis parents, John and Phillipena (Schwartz) Bartz, emigrated to the United States and settled in La Crosse. The father was the owner of a considerable amount of property; his death occurred here in 1877, and his wife passed from this life in 1859.
Charles received his edneation in the com- mon schools, and in his youth chose the busi. ness of contracting and building for his occupation in life. In 1551 he became iden- titied with the building interests of La Crosse, and has won his share of the patronage of the city and surrounding country. Among the many buildings he has erected may be mentioned the residences of Stephen Gantert, Samnel Anderson, J. J. Fruit, and Alderman Neumeister. He is a member of the Build- ers' Exchange, was an early advocate of its establishment, and assisted very materially in its oganization. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen and of the Progressive National Union. He is deeply interested in the prosperity of his fellow-craftsmen and may be relied upon to protect and sustain their interests.
ARL LUDWIG BORRESON. of the firm of Borreson Bros., general grocers, La Crosse, was born in the city of Lil- lehammer. in Eastern Norway, January 30. 1842, a son of Borre Hansen Borreson, by his marriage to Elizabeth Lundgren, who was of Swedish descent though born in Norway. The forefathers of the Borreson line were generally engaged in the professions, especial- ly that of teaching. The father of our sub- ject, however, was an architect, and also served the public as Justice of the Peace and Mayor of the city. He ended his useful and active life in his native city, Lillehammer, in 1878, at about the age of seventy years.
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