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 28

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 28
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 28
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 28

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AMES MCKINLEY, who is well known as the largest hay and hop grower of La Crosse county, has been a resident of Wisconsin since 1850. Ile was born in Craw- ford county, Pennsylvania, in February, 1827, and is a son of William and Nancy Mckinley. natives of Ireland. The father emigrated to this country in 1816, and in 1820, the mother sailed from the Emerald Isle for America. The father followed agriculture, and was known as an honorable, upright citizen. He died in December, 1840, at the age of sixty years; his wife survived him until 1880, when she died, at the age of eighty-four years. They were the parents of three sons and three daughters, James McKinley being the oldest of the family; three of the children

BIOGRAPHICAL. HISTORY

are still living, and are residents of La Crosse at the age of twenty-five years; she was a county. Our worthy subject was reared on most worthy woman, and greatly beloved by a farm, and before coming to Wisconsin gave a wide circle of friends. The second marriage his attention exclusively to agricultural pur- was May 25. 1864. to Miss Caroline Han- ton, a daughter of Joseph and Eliza Hanton of Canada. Three children have been born to Mr. Me Kinley and wife: Ella is a sucess- I'ul teacher of vocal and instrumental music; Horace is living on a claim in Oregon, and John is assisting his father on the farm. Both the father and mother are consistent members of the Presbyterian Church. snits. As before stated he came to Wisconsin in 1550. his objeet being to get Government land. Ile made the journey from Pennsyl- vania round the chain of lakes, landing in Milwaukee. In February. 1551. he bought Government land, the tract consisting of 200 acres in Ilamilton township; here he opened a farm, and in 1853 disposed of the same. going to the Black river pinery. He engaged in lumbering for ten or twelve years, and met with fair snecess: while in this business he employed about forty hands, but abandoned the enterprise to resume agriculture. lle located the Brown and Tripp farms, also the land on which the MeEldowneys settled; the greater portion of this was land granted sol- diers in the war of 1512. In 1863 Mr. Me- Kinley bought the farm on which he now resides; it contains 520 acres of excellent land, and is in a high state of cultivation and well improved with buildings of a most sub- stantial style. The hay erop of this farm averages about 300 tons annually, and is of a superior quality; thirty-two acres are set to hops, and the annual yield is between 30,000 and 35,000 pounds: the crop for 1891 was, however, a total failure: twenty aeres are . planted to corn, and a like amount to oats. About fifty head of hogs are fed every year. and from six to eight horses are kept on the place. The resid ence is large and convenient, and is very pleasantly located abont the cen- ter of the farm: the barns are capable of storing 250 tons of hay, and one of them stables fourteen head of horses.

ULIUS E. KIRCHEIS, one of the ris- ing young men of La Crosse, is a native of the German Empire, born August 24, 1862. Ilis parents. Julius E. and Fredericka ( Richter) Kircheis, were also of German birth, natives of Saxony. The father was a weaver by trade; he emigrated to the United States in September, 1866, bringing his family with him; he settled in La Crosse, securing em- ployment with the John Paul Lumber Com- pany, with whom he remained about nine years; he was next engaged in butchering for Frezier Bros., for a period of two years; abandoning this trade, he served as janitor of Germania Ilall until 1890, and since that time has been janitor of Armory Hall. He is a man of the strictest integrity of charac- ter, and is highly respected by a wide circle of acquaintances. Julius E. was but six years old when his parents came to the United States. He received his education in the public schools of La Crosse. and in the German Lutheran school; at the age of twelve years he found employment with the John Paul Lumber Company for four seasons; he then took a position with Semsch Bros., gro- cers, which he held four years. At the end

Mr. MeKinley was married first in 1559 to Miss Hannah A. Waller, a daughter of Nathan P. Waller of Pennsylvania; she died four years after her marriage, of consumption, of that time he determined to devote some

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further time to study. and spent one year under the instruction of professor Roese, in that gentleman's private school. On entering the commercial world again he worked a few months for John Rau, and then through in- fluential friends he received an appointment in the postoffice of La Crosse, which he held from 1879 to 1890. In March of the latter year he became city collector for the John Gund Brewing Company, and has discharged his duties with great satisfaction, not only to the company but also to the patrons.

In 1979, Mr. Kircheis enlisted in the Gov- ernor's Guards, was made Corporal in 1880, Sergeant in 1881, Second Lientenat in 1882, First Lieutenant in 1883, and Captain, Octo- ber 7, 1SS4. This is the steadiest record of promotion shown by the company's books, and is probably unparalleled in the State. He is the most efficient captain the company has ever had, and much of its success has come through his enthusiasm, energy and military genius.

He was united in marriage March 14, 1883, to Miss Emma Jung, a daughter of John and Magdalene Jung. Of this union two chil- dren have been born: Julius and Fritz. Mr. Kireheis is a member of the Modern Wood- men, the National Insurance Society, the Ger- mania Society and the Concordia Society.

OFIN C. BURNS, wholesale fruiterer, La Crosse, Wisconsin, occupies a very prominent position in commercial circles. He was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin, Janu- ary 1, 1863, where he received his education. IIis first business venture was in his youth, when he embarked in the fruit business, sell- ing a peck of apples at a time on the street. The first business position he held was under J. A. Spier, whom he succeeded April 1, 18

1883. He has made the fruit trade a study, and the result has been a most satis- factory one. When he began in business for himself his capital was quite limited being a little less than $300. To-day his sales aggregate 8150.000 annually. Hle owns fruit ranches in California, where he raises and packs supplies for his Eastern trade. Ile handles all kinds of fine fruits, and does an exelusive jobbing business.

The growth of the fruit trade in the United States in the last decade has been a phenom- enal one, and with such a garden as the State of California it is difficult to predict the limits to which American enterprise will, carry it. Mr. Burns has been an important faetor in the promotion of this trade in his own State, and his success is not due alone to his business sagacity, but to his courteons, gentlemanly bearing, and to his high and honorable methods of carrying on the trade.

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B. HOLWAY .- Rarely enough do the surroundings of a lad correctly deter- mine what the man will be. How well this may be proven we have but to fol- low the career of the subject of this biography from his humble and nnaided beginning. His eighteenth birthday came, and, withont an education, he was forced to depend upon his muscle. He went to work in the woods at $10 per month. This pleasant pastime he vigorously pursned for more than seven years, during the latter part of which he kindly accepted an increase in his wages, his pro- ficiency having become apparent to his em- ployers. The best pay for any one month's work was $14, and this remuneration young Holway considered prineely. From this trifling pay he saved $1,100. In 1850 he was swept westward with the tide of gold

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

hunters, and spent three years of fairly profit- maiden name was JJones. The father was a able pursuit excavating in California dirt. native of Cape Cod, and a descendant of Puritan stock. Our subjeet is one of the most reliable. liberal and energetie of men, and has pursued a business policy that has won him the esteem and confidence of all those with whom he has had business or so- cial relations. After fully sating this ambition he turned his face to the East, and after some travel located in La Crosse, and engaged in the lumber business. In 1856 he purchased a half inter- est in a sawmill at Onalaska, in company with C. M. Nichols. This mill was destroyed by fire in 1>59. which terminated their business relations. This loss almost wrecked Mr. Holway, as all his means were herein in- vested.

C. ELWELL, who has for many years Having good credit he then went into the logging business, which he operated alone until 1564, when Abner Gile became his partner. In 1975 Mr. Holway purchased the Ross sawmill at North La Crosse, which was burned to ashes in the spring of 1877. Reverses were coming fast enough, but Mr. Ilolway knew no defeat. Ile immediately rebuilt upon the okl site, increasing the ea- pacity and furnishing the whole with improv- ed machinery and appliances. Two hundred hands are employed, and the annual transac- tions exceed a quarter of a million dollars. More than 20,000,000 feet of logs are sawed is 9,000,000 shingles and as many lath. been identified with the agricultural interests of La Crosse county. was born in Bennington county, Vermont. April 13, 1\27. and is a son of Chauncey and Lydia (Munn) Elwell, who were also natives of the Green Mountain State. The father was a carpenter and contractor by trade, and also managed a country hotel and enltivated a farm. He was the ninth of a family of twelve children, and died in Bennington county, Vermont, at the age of fifty years; his wife lived to be eighty-three years old. They reared a family of six children, our sub- ject being the second-born; P. Spencer, a during the season. and the additional ontput , younger brother, was for many years a resi- dent of La Crosse city, and held various county offices. C. C. Elwell received a com- land in Clark, Wood and Taylor counties, 'mon school education, and at the age of

Mr. Holway owns 25,000 acres of timber from which his mill is supplied with logs. He also owns about 2.000 acres of farming and grazing lands in Faribault county. Min- nesota.

He is a director and stockholder in the Exchange State Bank of North La Crosse. On the organization of that institution in 18ss, he was elected vice-president, which oflice he still holds; he is also a stockholder in the Batavian Bank.

twenty-one years entered upon the occupation he has followed through life, farming. It was in the year 1552 that he came to La Crosse county and settled on a farm, where he now resides; he has experienced the hardships and deprivations incident to the life of a pioneer, but he had willing hands and a courageons heart, and as time went on over- came all obstacles that presented themselves. He has a beautiful farm of 160 acres, only forty of which had been broken when he pur- chased the tract of Thomas Leonard. He

Mr. Holway is a native of the Pine Tree State, born at Madison, May 5, 1821, a son of Zaccheus and Azuba Holway; his mother's has a convenient house, with barns, sheds

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and cribs for the care and protection of live- stock and the storing of grain; he is fond of fruit culture, and has surrounded himself and family with many of the comforts of modern civilization.

Mr. Elwell was married in the State of New York, March 4. 1851, to Miss Catharine Preston, a daughter of Joseph and Sallie (Bowen) Preston, of Monroe county, New York. Joseph Preston died March 3, 1848, at the age of sixty-six years; his wife died April 25, 1830, aged forty-five years; they reared a family of eight children, of whom Mrs. Elwell is the youngest. To Mr. and Mrs. Elwell has been born one child, Ida, who married Prof. E. S. Tilson, a native of Vermont. He was for a number of years the principal of the high school of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin; his death occurred July 2, 1878. at the age of thirty-five years. Mrs. Tilson makes her home with her parents; she, too, is a teacher by profession; at the age of fourteen years she began to teach school in La Crosse county, and at the age of nineteen graduated from Ripon College. She has a highly cultivated literary taste, is a writer of no mean ability, often invited to give an essay at publie assemblies. She and her parents are members of the Congrega- tional Church; for more than thirty years her father has been treasurer and clerk, but she has relieved him of the labors attaching to the clerk's office.

Mr. Elwell is an ardent Prohibitionist, and has great faith in the final success of his party. Ile is a man of deep integrity of character, and has the respect and confidence of the community.

Joseph Preston was a farmer in New York, and resided about twenty miles from Roches- ter; he gave the land for the Erie canal, that is, the portion which was necessary to make the cut through his farm. He was one of

the pioneers of Monroe county, New York, and was possessed of those staunch character- isties which won him the good will of the entire community. Ilis son Daniel, now living in Cleveland, served with distinction in the late war.

JENRY LEBBER. There are a number of young business men in La Crosse county, Wisconsin, who by their push and energy have been successful in their dif- ferent callings, and foremost among these is Henry Lebber, who first saw the light of day in Germany in 1563. His father died in Germany in 1873, but the mother is still living and makes her home there. Henry Lebber came to the United States in 1882, worked three months in New York city in a grocery store, and then came to La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he worked on the farm for one year. He subsequently worked at the carpenter's trade five years, after which he bought a lot in West Salem and erected a good two-story brick building, 26 x 70 feet. which he nses for business and dwelling. The large hall on the second floor is used for public purposes. Ile has an excellent billiard hall, and also deals in liquors. He is a pushing and enterprising young merchant, and is deservedly popular with all with whom he has dealings. Ile was married in 1889, to Miss Emma Horstman, daughter of Henry and Mary (Schaffer) Horstman, who reside in La Crosse. Mr. and Mrs. Lebiber are the hsppy parents of one child, Mary. They hold membership in the Lutheran Church of Bostwick Valley, and are liberal contributors to the same. In politics Mr. Lebber is a Democrat. He is publie-spirited and is always ready with energy and means to push forward any enterprise for the benefit of

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his town and county. By his good manage- 1857, and Mr. Leete was married to Miss ment and excellent business aenmen he has raised a good foundation for a fortune and is on the highway to suceess.

ILLIAM W. LEETE, who has been identified with many of the leading enterprises of La Crosse county, is a native of New Haven county, Connecticut, born September 28. 1553. His parents. William P. and Zaida E. (Goodrich) Lecte. were natives of the same State: the father was a farmer and also taught school: he came to La Crosse valley in 1558, purchased forty acres of land, paying $10 an acre therefor. and finally opened a farm of 150 acres. He was one of the early settlers of this valley and endured the privations of frontier life. He held many of the local offices, discharging his duties faithfully and efficiently. Before his death he owned 220 acres of fine farming land, which he sold, purchasing lifty acres one and a quarter miles From West Salem in 1881. Ile died May 7. 1556, aged sixty-tour years ; his widow is still living ; she is a woman who has borne her share of the burden in the settlement of this country. and cheerfully braved the dangers and privations of life in the far West. Our subject is one of a family of eight children: Sherman, who has been prominently connected with the educational interests of La Crosse county, married Miss Chloe Sherwin, and they have two children: Robert and Mary; Joseph was married to Miss Ellen J. Pitkin, and five children were born to them: Lney, Darwin, Herbert. Dwight and Helen; the mother died in Jan- mary. 19 xx; the second marriage was to Miss Edith Dana: George married Miss Sarah Callahan, and one daughter was born to them, named Lizzie; the mother died in May

China Pearl: Mary died at the age of twenty- three years: she was a successful teacher, and had entered the profession in her seventeenth year: William W. is the next in order of birth; Zaida is the wife of the Hon. Charles White, of Minnesota: Frank married Miss Zaida Moran, who died three months after their union; he was engaged in teaching in the Government school of the Sandwich Is- lands, and had some commercial interests there; his death occurred August 30, 1891; Charles died at the age of twenty years.

Mr. Leete has been successfully engaged in the profession of teaching: winning the esteem and affection of his pupils and the confidence of the board and patrons, he has made the profession a labor of love. He tanght for eight years in his own district, and accomplished very satisfactory results, Of late years he has given more especial atten- tion to agriculture and kindred occupations. He is now president of the Farmers' Co- operative Creamery, located within three- quarters of a mile of West Salem ; this enter- prise was inaugurated in February, 1891, and April 1 of that year he took charge of the business. During May and June the mann- facture was from 6,000 to 7,000 pounds of butter weekly; the value of such an establish- ment in the midst of a rich farming country can scarcely be estimated, furnishing, as it does a market for a large agricultural product.

Mr. Leete was a resident of Minnesota from 1878 to 1884; during that time he occupied a position on the town board which he resigned upon his return to La Crosse county. He isa man of advanced views, and has contributed liberally of his means to the support of public enterprises.

He was married September 28, 1891, to Miss Kate Collins, a woman of rare intelli- gence and refinement and a daughter of .1. P'.

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and Jennie Collins, natives of the State of New York, but for many years past residents of Vigo county, Indiana; they are now mak- ing their home in Duluth, Minnesota. They reared three children: Nettie, wife of L. O. Randall; Mrs. Leete and Nellie. Mr. and Mrs. Leete are the parents of four children: Ruth, Zaida, Carrol and Howard. Politically our subjeet is identified with the Prohibition party.

EORGE EULER, Alderman of the Eighteenth Ward of the city of La Crosse, Wisconsin, was born March 22, 1852, at Waldlaubersheim, in the municipality of Windesheim, district of Krenznach, regeney circuit of Coblenz, Germany. He obtained a common-school education in the evangelical school of his native birthplace, which he attended from his fifth year until he became fourteen years of age, at which time he was confirmed in the Evangelical Communion Church at Waldlanbersheim. On the completion of his school course in 1866, he worked several years for Surveyor Mattes, and subsequently found employment on farms and in vineyards. In 1870, at the age of eighteen years, and shortly prior to the Franco-German war, Mr. Euler emigrated to America, arriving at La Crosse, Wisconsin, April 1, of the same year. Ile worked as a laborer the following summer until the fall, when he visited his uncle, Adolf Iluett, near Alma, Buffalo county, Wisconsin, where he attended school for the purpose of learning the English language. In the spring of 1871 he returned to La Crosse, and was employed by Thomas Shimmins in hauling stone. In May he had the misfortune to break one of his legs, and thereby was confined to his bed for three months, after which he resumed

work. In November, 1871, in company with his brother, Philip Enler, he went South and found employment in the cotton fields of Arkansas. In December, of the same year, Mr. Euler contracted a severe sickness, and went to St. Louis, Missouri, to obtain treat- ment in a hospital, where he remained until the latter part of January, 1872, when he returned to La Crosse and found employment as a laborer. September 1, 1872, he obtained a position as clerk in the grocery store of Philip Knoth, where he remained until July 1, 1873. From July 6 until November 6, he worked on the farm of a Mr. Poss in Trempealeau county, and November 10 re- snmed his clerkship with Mr. Philip Knoth, where he remained until June 10, 1874. June 24, of the same year, he was engaged by John Gund, Sr., to conduct the delivery business of the then Empire Brewery, which has since been organized into the John Gund Brewing Company, by the joining of the sons of George, Henry and John Gund, Jr., and which position Mr. Euler hekt continu- ously until the present time.

May 29. 1877, he married Miss Minnie Johanna Sewerin, of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and they have had four children: Emma Elizabeth Frederika, born March 7, 1878; Johann Frederich Wilhelm, born April 11, 1881; Wilhelm Berthold, born March 2, 1883; and Arthur Philip, born July 17, 1891. March 7, 1882, Mr. Enler joined the Third Ward Aid Society, and has ever since been an active member of the same, serving on various committees, and has held the office of Collector from September 9, 1885, until August, 1887, when he was called to assume the duties of Comptroller until in May, 1858. He was then chosen Financial Secretary of the same society, which office he holds at the present time. In the spring of 1891. when the population of La Crosse had nearly

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reached 30,000 inhabitants. he was nominated lived with his mother at Quitzero. and re- by the Democratic caucus for Alderman of the Eighteenth Ward, and was elected as such April 7, 1991. for a term of four years. The territory constituting the Eighteenth Ward was from the center of Sixth street to the center of Tenth street, east and west, and south from the center of Jackson street to the south line of the city limits. In the capacity of Alderman Mr. Enler is the Chair- man of the Board of Health and also a mem- ber of the Committees on Water Works and Ilealth. In 1973 he became a member of the German Lutheran Congregation of this eity, and April 3, 1881, joined the insurance branch of the same congregation, and has retained his membership in both up to the present time.

Ilis father, Jacob Enler, was born March 14. 1512. in the village of Krieg.feld, Bavaria, Germany. He attended the evan- gelieal school from his titth to his fourteenth year, and afterward worked on farms. In 1530 he moved to Prussia, in the district of Coblenz, and in 1842 settled in Waldlaubers- heim, where he followed farm work. Hle was married in January, 1549, to Miss Katherina Jacobus, and February 5, 1549, their son Philip was born, and George was born March 22, 1852. Philip Euler came to America in 1867. and in May of the same year settled in La Crosse. . In Angust, 1872, Jacob Euler and his wife lett Germany for America, arriving at La Crosse about Sep- tember 1. The father died February 9. 1987, at the residence of his son George. and his widow, who was born on August 11, 112, has found a home, since her hus- band's death, with the family of her son. George Enler.

Carl Sewerin, the father-in-law of George Euler, was born in Rostow, Germany. May 9, 1831, and after the death of his father he

ceived his communion in the Evangelical Lutheran Church at Demmin. in 1545. October 1. 1851, he married Miss Maria Lowitz, who was born April 12, 1527. October 5. of the same year, Mr. Sewerin entered the military service of the Second Infantry Regiment of King Frederick Will- iam of Prussia, and was honorably discharged in is54. The following named children were born to this union: Caroline, born in Novem- ber. 1-55. died at Pittsburg in December, 1\62; Minnie, born July 10, 1558; Fred- ericka, born January 15, 1860: John and William, twins, born November 29. 1865, and William died January 10, 1566. Mr. Sewerin left his native land in October, 1861, and came to America, first locating at Pitts- burg. and in the early part of 1562 came West to La Crosse. where he has since resided. llis wife died July 10, 1577, in this city, and his son John died July 16, 1891, leaving a widow and daughter, Ida.

MANUEL MARKLE .- This honored gentleman is one of best known citizens of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and his long residence within its borders and his well known habits of industry and perseverance have won for him a wide eirele of friends. By all he is considered to be a model farmer, neat and progressive, and of decided views in conduet- ing all his operations, and he has met with the substantial success which all concede is well merited. He was born in Ohio in 1837, but his parents, George and Elizabeth ( Mil- ler) Markle, were Pennsylvanians, although they were married in the Buckeye State in 1836. In 1543 he sold his farm in Ohio and moved to Putnam county, Indiana, and about eight years later, or in 1551, he moved

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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