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 33

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 33
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 33
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 33

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Hannah (Jones) Morris, and the second of a family of twelve children. In 1942 they emigrated to America and settled in Licking county. Ohio, where they resided until 1547. In that year they removed to Canada, and for eight years made it their home. During this time Mr. Jones worked at his trade, and also carried on a general farming business. In 1855 they returned to the United States, set- tling on a farm in La Crosse county, Wiscon- sin; this land was situated in Hamilton township, the tract covering eighty acres; this Mr. Jones improved, and as his means permitted. made additions to it, until at the time of his death he owned 220 aeres of as good land as lies within the borders of La Crosse county. The farm is well adapted to stock and grain, and produces any erop that can be grown in this Itaitude.

The death of this worthy citizen occurred May 7, 15$3, at the age of seventy-two years. In his religious faith he was a Unitarian, and he lived a consistent life according to this belief. He was a man of high and hon- orable principles, was possessed of superior business qualifieations, and was held in great regard by the entire community. His widow is still living, at the age of seventy-two years. To their forty-four years of married life, she brought every sweet and noble attribute to be found in a Christian wife and mother. This union was blessed by birth of six children: Mary is the widow of Timothy Jenkins, who died July 24, 1852; they had four children born to them: Ella, Anna, Lloyd and Blanche; Hannah is the second child, and Thomas, th

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third-born, died at the age of twenty-two years; Jolin and Samuel are both farmers by occupation; the latter was married December 22, 1886. to Miss Elsie Gear, a daughter of William and Fidelia Gear, honored and re- spected residents of La Crosse county; three children have been born to them: Ella, Edna and Elsie; Sarah is the youngest child of our subject and wife.

Mr. Jones was a man of intense energy and zeal, and gave a wonderful impetus to those enterprises to which he offered support. It is to sneh men that the present generation is deeply indebted for the advance of eiviliza- tion and the great possibilities of the future.

FOIIN KOLLER, grocer .- A careful re- view of the business houses of La Crosse develops the fact that the grocery estab- lishment of M. & J. Koller takes rank with any like establishment in the city, and that business is conducted on straightforward and conservative principles. Their stock embraces every commodity comprehended in the terms fancy and staple, imported and domestie gro- ceries, and their annual sales are very large. John Koller was born in Ripley county, lu- diana, but he came with his parents to La Crosse in 1868, and began working in his father's store, of which he is now joint pro- prietor. At the age of twenty-one he began business for himself, but after his father's death, in 1869, he elerked in the store of his mother.

He was married June 4, 1889, to Miss Margaret Weber, daughter of Nicholas and Elizabeth Weber, residents of La Crosse, where the father died in 1884, at the age of about sixty years, and the mother is still liv- ing. To Mr. and Mrs. Weber nine children were born, of whom Mrs. Koller is the second.

She has borne her husband two children: Helen and Elizabeth. Mr. and Mrs. Koller are members of the Catholic Church, and in his political views he is independent. In all his relations with his fellow men, Mr. Koller has borne himself with dignity and honor, and no establishment in La Crosse is more worthy of patronage than the grocery firm of M. & J. Koller.

LBERT P. CLARK, senior member of the firm of Clark & Clark, liverymen, 328 South Fifth street, was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin, January 7, 1858. IIis parents, Pennel L. and Martha L. (Kimball) Clark were natives of New York and Maine respectively. both being of English descent. They reared a family of three sons and two daughters: Mary E. married J. C. Saupie, a merchant of La Crosse; Florence became the wife of Joseph Morley and resides at Neills- ville, Wisconsin; Charles married Miss Jennie St. John, and is a resident of Alden, Minne- sota; he is station agent at that point, and owns a large farm adjoining the town; Will- iam died in childhood; Albert P., the subject of this notice, is the second-born. Heattended the public schools of this city and during his childhood had the misfortune to lose the sight of one eye; this retarded his progress in school, and in faet materially changed his plans for future work. Ilis first experience in business on his own account was in 1880, when he engaged in buying and shipping horses; he carried on this business for three years, and was then appointed a member of the police force of this city. Ilis father was Chief of Poliee for seven years and he served on the foree one year and a half. In 1885 he began buying and shipping live-stoek and carried on an extensive trade in this direction

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until 1sss. meeting with marked success. here married. Michael and John's sisters In the summer of Iss> he purchased a half interest in the livery business, in which he is now engaged, being associated with his consin, Frederic Clark. Their stable is one of the best equipped in the eity. They own twenty-two line horses and a large number of fine buggies and carriages.

M ICHAEL KOLLER, of the firm of M. & J. Koller, grocerymen of La C'rosse, Wisconsin, was born in C'in- einnati, Ohio, September 24, 1551, to Michael, Sr .. and Christina (Haffenbreit]) Koller, the former of whom came from Germany with his family in 1545 and settled in Cincinnati. In this city he first worked in a star candle factory, and later began handling vegetables. which business he was following at the time of his removal to Ripley county, Indiana, in 1>56. Hle there settled on a farm and was an honest and industrious tiller of the soil. and, like the majority of Germans, succeeded in accumulating a comfortable competency. In 1568 the family came to La Crosse, Wis. consin, and in the same year established the business which is now conducted by his sons, Michael and John. By courteous treatment of their patrons, and from the fact that they keep a large and very choice selection of groceries, they have built up an extensive trade which is constantly on the increase. Both partners have had long experience and possess excellent facilities, influential con- nections and an intimate knowledge of the wants of the trade.

The subject of this sketch was married January 27, 1955, to Miss Mary Kindham- iner, daughter of Peter and Katharine Kind- hammer, who still reside in Germany. Mrs. Koller came to America in 1984, and was

are married as follows: Bosa, wife of Joseph Delfinich: Dora, wife of A. Seinsch: Ida, wife of Henry Will; and Clara, wife of JJohn Stanek. Mr. and Mrs. M. Koller have two children. Herman and Lonie. Mr. and Mrs. Koller are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Koller is independent in politics and generally votes for the man he considers best adapted to the office. The Koller brothers are shrewd and successful business men, and are in every way worthy the confidence of the people.

FROHIN RAU, president of the West La Crosse Lumber Company. - The situa- tion of La Crosse with reference to the lumber trade of this seetion has given the eity an importanee in this branch of business exceeded by that of no other industry, and one which has added in a large measure to her commercial reputation. The mention of this firm in lumber and building circles car- ries with it, for certain reasons, a prestige and confidence seklom enjoyed by any firm, and this is owing to the pluck, business capabilities and integrity of its members.

Mr. Ran was born in Württemberg, Ger- many, March 19, 1828, but in the fall of 1\52 landed at New York city, and later set- tled in Wooster, Ohio, where he was engaged in rope-making for four years, having learned the art in his native land. In 1856 he went to Galesburg, Illinois, where he opened a rope factory and ran it for twelve years, or until 1867, when he removed to La Crosse, Wisconsin, and opened a mercantile estab- lishment, which business he followed until 1590. with very good success. In the last mentioned year he became president and treasurer of the West La Crosse Lumber

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Company, and although their sales were very large in 1890 the low water of 1891 was much against them. Mr. Rau was one of La Crosse's most able Aldermen for fourteen or fifteen years, and served two years as City Treasurer; was also president of the Council in 1886 and acting Mayor. He was also County Supervisor for one term, and has always had the confidenee of the people, as his official career shows.

His marriage to Miss Sebelia Mere was consummated December 7, 1852, in Wooster, Ohio, to which place she came from Ger- many the same year of her marriage. They have two children: John R., Jr., who is secretary in a mill, was married to Miss Lydia Alder, by whom he has three children, Freddie, Bertie and Edie; and Mary, wife of John Thoeney, a stone-cutter and contractor of La Crosse. She died in 1882, at the age of twenty-eight years, two children, William and Charlie, surviving her. Mr. Ran is a member of the I. O. O. F., of which order he is one of the oldest members of the city, and he usually supports the principles of Democracy. With his quiet, unassuming manners, strict integrity and fine business qualifications, he has succeeded in building up an extensive and lucrative patronage, and he is well known and a great favorite among his cotemporaries.

Ilis parents, Caspar and Susanna Rau, came from Germany to La Crosse, Wisconsin, in 1874, after a short stay in Galesburg, Illi- nois. While visiting his son Jacob in La Crosse, in 1857, he was taken ill and died, at the age of sixty-three years, the mother of the subject of this sketch, whose name was Anna, having died when he was four years of age, and was buried in Germany. Of eight children born to them, all died in early child- hood but three. Daniel came to this country with his father, but at the end of six years

returned to Germany, where he yet lives. John Rau has one brother who was a resident of La Crosse for thirty years, but is now a resident of Wyeoff, Minnesota. Mr. Rau's father was first married in 1826, and his wife bore him seven children, his nion with his second wife resulting in the birth of one child. He has been a member of Deutscher Verein for over twenty-five years.

OUIS RUNCKEL, a successful druggist of La Crosse, is a native of Germany, born in Eckelshansen, on the river Lahn, in the province of Hesse Nassau, April 12, 1857. Ile is a son of George and Christina (Mengel) Runckel, who were also born in Germany; his father was an official of the German Government, serving in the Forestry Department, and his birthplace was Fridberg, near Frankfort-on-the- Main; the mother came from Berleburg, Westphalia. Louis Runckel had grown to the age of fifteen years before he took up the study of pharmacy, serving as apprentice three years, after which he passed an examination as assistant. Then he was prescription clerk at different places, and next extended his pharmaceutic and other studies at the University of Giessen. Ilis liter- ary education was received in the public schools of his own country, and when he took up his professional work he entered the University of Giessen, from which he was graduated, receiving his diploma from the Pharmaceutical and Me lical Department of his State. In 1866 he determined to come to America, and after arriving he settled in La Crosse, Wisconsin. One year later he established himself in the drug business which he has conducted with that intelligence which has brought success. He is thoroughly trained in all the details of

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pharmacy and chemistry, and, therefore, com- petent in his profession.

Mr. Runckel was united in marriage in La Crosse, to Mrs. Minnie Meeller, nee Ficker, a native of Saxony, and a daughter of Will- iam and Johanna (Sehaettler) Ficker, who are also natives of Saxony. To Mr. and Mrs. Runckel have been born two sons: Carl and Louis. By her former marriage Mrs. Runckel had three children: Adolph Moritz, of Winona, Minnesota: Olga, wife of William Fosc; and Adelbert Moeller, a member of the Wisconsin Bank Note and Lithographing Company.

Our subjeet is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and of the Ger- inania Society. He has won an enviable reputation in business circles, and is worthy of the confidenee reposed in him.

eonsin, is another of the many promi- nent citizens of German nativity, his birth occurring January 23, 1552, and is the son of John and Johanna (Burschel) Scheufler, both natives of Germany, where they passed their entire lives. The father was a teacher. and was principal of the public schools in Gudensberg, province Hessen Nassan, having a life position. He died before his time for a pension. He was also organist in the prin- cipal church of the city. and an excellent musician. Professor Edward Scheufler took his first lessons in music from him, but sub- sequently took lessons from Professor Will- iam Volkmar (known throughout the entire musical world). in piano and organ playing and in harmony. He then went to Stuttgart, studying at the Conservatory under the best professors at that place, and in 1871 came to

Ameriea, locating first at Wheeling, West Virginia, where he remained until September 9, 1800. Ile then came to La Crosse, and took charge of the Deutscher- Verein Sveiety. Hle also train> the boy choir in Christ's Epis- copal Church. is giving music lessons, and is one of the important acquisitions to the city. He was married on the 16th of June, 1574, in Wheeling, West Virginia. to Miss Matilda Tiemann, daughter of Henry and Sophia Tiemann, and a lady of refinement and intel- ligence. Her parents were also natives of Germany, but came to this country thirty-five years ago. and located in Wheeling, where their children were born. One danghter, Mary, became the wife of L. J. Bayha, cashier of the German Bank of Wheeling; a son, Charles, is deceased, and William is now a resident of Wheeling. Professor and Mrs. Scheufler are the parents of three interesting children: Carl, Ilarry and Lulu. Mr. Tie- mann died in 1858, at the age of eighty- five

ROFESSOR EDWARD SCHEUFLER, years, but Mrs. Tiemann is still living, and professor of musie at La Crosse, Wis -. makes her home with the Professor and his

wife. She is now seventy-three years of age, and has reached the age when tenderness, respect and reverence are due, and all of these she receives from those with whom she lives. Professor and Mrs. Scheufler are members of the Luthern Church, prominent members in society, and have many sincere friends. Professor is a member of Teutonia Lodge No. 3. A. O. U. W .. of La Crosse, and takes little interest in politics, voting for the man and not for the party. The Wheeling Intel- ligeneer of September 9, 1590, says: "Profes- sor Sehenfler came to Wheeling nineteen years ago, and has won his way into the hearts of his fellow countrymen by his genial manner, upright condnet and zeal in the ad- vaneement of the singing societies under his charge. Ile has been director of the Ger- mania since 1874, and of the Mozart and

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Beethoven since 1884. Besides these duties he was organist in the St. Jacob Church three years, Zion Church seven years, and St. John's Church seven years. St. John's Church presented him with a very handsome gold enameled ring, set with diamonds, and passed resolutions regretting his departure."

OSEPH RIESE, a popular business man, eigar manufacturer, and leader of the Gateway City Band, at 1109 South Fourth street, La Crosse, Wisconsin, was born in Austria Jannary 26, 1852. and is the elder of two children. Frank. the other son, married, and in August 1887, went to Wash- ington State, where he resides at the present time. He owns a farm and deals in stock, but in connection is also engaged in the real- estate business. Ile has traveled a great deal, is genial and courteous, and has many warm friends. The parents of these boys, Frank and Anna (Wanner) Riese, were both natives of Austria, and the father was a prosperons farmer. The latter eame to America in 1864, bought about 200 acres in La Crosse county, and is residing here at the present time. He sold 120 acres of the original tract. Mr. Riese is an excellent farmer, strictly honest and upright, and keenly alive to the best in- terests of the farm. IIis wife died when but thirty-two years of age. Joseph Riese worked on his father's farm during his boy- hood, and was in his thirteenth year when he came with him to America. At the age of eighteen he began learning his trade, and has followed this ever since, starting his business in La Crosse, Wisconsin, in the year 1870. He has resided in this eity ever since, and, on an average, manufactures about 200,000 cigars annually. He employs about five hands at present, but sometimes employs about a dozen

or more. Ilis work gives a high degree of satisfaction, for he adheres strictly to just methods, handles only reliable stock, and produces nothing but first-class goods. Mr. Riese studied music in Austria, beginning in his ninth year, and has been leader of the Gateway City Band for more than twelve years. He is a natural musician and plays on all the instruments in the band, besides several others. Ile can compose musie, and has some very excellent pieces of his own execution. Ile has arranged for a number of concerts. He is as efficient in vocal as instrumental music, and his band is one of the best in the State, receiving frequent calls for discoursing music at fairs, conventions, funerals and gatherings. Ile is a useful man in his calling, is progressive in his views and well to the front in all enterprises for the good of the city.

Mr. Riese was married November 17, 1873, to Miss Katie Eiden, of La Crosse county, and this union has been blessed by the birth of five children: Joseph P., assisting his father in the manufactory; Emma: Lena, died at the age of ten years; Emaline and Katie. Mr. Riese is a member of the I. O. O. F., and the Sons of Hermann. In the lat- ter organization he has held nearly all the offices. Ile is also a member of the Concordia Aid Society, the Germania Musical Society, and is a member of the Board of Trade. Ile is an esteemed and valned citizen.

AMES H. MCDERMOTT, manager of the La Crosse branch of the Independent Oil Company, located on Third street, La Crosse city, Wisconsin, was born in the Keystone State, Lycoming county, July 21, 1862. Ile is the son of John and Catherine (Downs) MeDermott, natives of the Emerald

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

Isle, who are now living in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The parents came to this country when young, were married here, and here the father has followed his trade, con- tractor on stonework, up to the present time. He and wife are now about fifty years of age. Of the four children born to this union, all live in Pennsylvania except James H. The latter. the eldest of the family, was educated in the common schools of Pennsylvania, and when ten years of age began working with the present company, and the Standard Oil Company in different places in Pennsylvania, Dakota, and Minnesota, being with the latter company in Dakota and Minnesota. He is well posted in all the details of the business, and spent several years with one of the re- fineries at Chester, Pennsylvania. He came to La Crosse, Wisconsin, and opened out the present business in 1590. for the Independent Oil Company. Previous to this he had re- sided at St. Paul for five years, and was also on the road for several years. He has had experience in all departments of the oil busi. ness, first in the oil department, then in the office, and afterwards on the road as salesman. He began business in La Crosse in September 1890, and this has been steadily increasing until it foris now one of the growing enter. prises of the city. There are ten employees, and they do business in Wisconsin, Minne- sota and lowa. The home office is in St Paul and branch offices are in La Crosse, Waterloo, lowa. Minneapolis and Duluth, besides numerous agencies established in Dakota, Michigan and Iowa. They have sale stations also, some of the latter in both North and South Dakota.

Mr. MeDermott was married November 10, 1%%%, to Miss Rose Mulholland, daughter of John Mulholland of Watertown. Dakota. The father was hotel proprietor in his town but sold out and is now in the real estate

business. He is City Assessor of his town. llis six children are grown to mature years. To Mr. and Mrs. MeDermott have been born three children: Leah and Leal (twins) and Mary Ellen. Mrs. McDermott is a member of the Episcopal Church. She was formerly a teacher of established reputation, and is a lady of intelligence and refinement. Although quite a new accession to the business eireles of La Crosse, Mr. McDermott is well versed in his business, and stands high socially and morally among a large and inereasing circle of acquaintances. For want of time he takes very little interest in polities.

BON. THEODORE RODOLF, one of the early settlers and a highly respected citizen of La Crosse county, died at his home in La Crosse, February 12, 1892. He was a native of Switzerland, born in the can- ton of Argovia, October 17, 1951. He de- voted his earlier years to acquiring an educa- tion, and was a student in a college of Aaran, the capital of his native canton, and also in the University of Zurich. His parents, Fred- erick and Emerencia Rodolf, emigrated with their family to America in 1533; the father died of yellow fever soon after landing in New Orleans, and in 1834 the mother with her children removed to Wisconsin, and set tled on a farm in La Fayette county. There was a family of nine children, seven of whom are now deceased. In 1840 Theodore Rodolf went to Mineral Point, where he engaged in the mercantile business, and also dealt in the products of the lead mines. Thirteen years later he came to La Crosse, where he assumed the duties of Receiver in the land office by appointment of President Pierce. He held this position by reappointment of President Buchanan until 1861. After that

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time he was largely engaged in insurance and real-estate operations. While a resident of Mineral Point he was prominently iden- tified with all the public movements of that city. He was a member of the Board of Supervisors of La Crosse county four years, and was chairman of the Board for one year. Hle was Mayor of the city in 1868 and 1870 and a member of the Legislature during the same years. He received the Democratic vote for Speaker the second term, but was defeated, the Republicans being in the ma- jority. Ile was Democratic candidate for Presidential Elector at large in 1864, and the same party's candidate for Elector in the sixth district in 1868, the Republicans in both cases being in the ascendant. He was also Democratic candidate for State Senator in 1876. Hle was a life-long Democrat, was one of the leaders in Western Wisconsin, and was well known throughout the State. IIe was a prominent member of the I. O. O. F., and in 1875 he was Grand Master of the State. He represented the Grand Lodge of the State at the meeting of the Grand Lodge of the United States held in Philadelphia in 1876.

Mr. Rodolf was reared in the Reformed Church of Switzerland, but was never identi- fied with any religions body in America. Hle was married in 1839 to Miss Marie Ann Thomas, of New Orleans, and to them were born twelve children, five of whom are now living. Four died within as many weeks of diphtheria. Theodore F., the eldest son, is now deceased. The others are: Julia : Emily. wife of William Servis; Edward G .; Cora M., wife of Mayor Copeland; and Stella, wife of B. F. Bowen, of Orlando, Florida. Mr. Rodolf's illness began with injuries received from a fall on the steps leading to the Batavian Bank. After this accident he never recovered his health, and died February is forty-nine years of age. Their children

12, 1892 after a long illness. The City Council attended his funeral in a body, and drafted resolutions of sympathy and respect. The mayor's chair was draped in mourning, and the pall-bearers, six in number, were all ex-mayors. During all the years of his resi- (lence in La Crosse county, he left an indeli- ble impress upon the growth and progress of the most worthy enterprises of the com- munity.

PETTEL BROS., photographers, La Crosse, Wisconsin .- The last few years have wrought wonderful changes for the better in the artist's and photographer's art, and those citizens of La Crosse who have not had their portraits taken are much behind the times. There is perhaps no establish- ment in the city that shows more conspien- onsly the rapid development and improvement of the methods of prodneing portraits, than that known as Spettel Bros. A. F. Spettel is a native born resident of La Crosse, Wis- consin, his birth occurring August 7, 1566, and is the son of Joseph and Mary Spettel, the father a native of Germany, and the mother of Dayton, Ohio. Joseph Spettel, who was a ship builder, came to America in 1861, and followed his trade in New York for a short time. Subsequently he was in Milwaukee for a year and then went to Day. ton, Ohio. where he married. During the war he traveled all through the South in the employ of the United States, repairing boats, and after cessation of hostilities returned to Milwaukee, where he resided for several years. Ile then came to La Crosse, Wiseon- sin, and has been a resident of that city for the past twenty-six years. He is now fifty- nine years of age and is retired. The mother

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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