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 35

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 35
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 35
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 35

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is still conducting the business, and has a wide patronage of the best class of citizens.

was elected a member of the Board of Public Works, and by the board was chosen sec- retary.

He was married October 3, 1877, to Miss Theresa Schaffermeyer, a native of Minnesota; of this union seven children have been born: the eldest, Mary, died in infancy; Mary S., IFenry H., Annie Sophia, Peter, John and Joseph. Mr. Hahn is a member of St. John's Society, and was its first president. He belongs to the Washington Hose Com- pany, No. 2, of the City Fire Department. He and his wife both belong to St. John's Roman Catholic Church.

In his present official capacity Mr. Hahn has been of great service to the city, and has made the most of his opportunities to ad- vance her interests.

J. KELLY. The Board of Public Works of La Crosse, Wisconsin, con- sists of Edmund J. Kelly, President, Jacob Hahn, Secretary, and W. H. Tarbox. This board has control of all public works, and is empowered to make all contracts for the construction of bridges, walks, sewers, lighting of city buildings, etc. The wagon and foot bridge recently contracted for by the city is the largest on the Mississippi river except at St. Louis. The city has twenty and a half miles of water mains, and a little more than fifteen miles of macadam- ized streets. Three city buildings are being constructed in 1891: the city hall, at a cost of $40,000; a schoolhouse in the Tenth Ward, at a cost of $9,000, and an addition to the schoolhouse in the Sixth Ward, at a cost of

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$7,000. The city water system pays a good tional Guards, Company B. in which he is revenue over and above cost of operating. and the water supply is very superior.

Mr. Kelly is a native of Brownsville, Min- nesota, born July 24. 1557, and is a son of E. D. and Mary ( Frawley) Kelly reared a family of three sons and two daughters: E. D. and Mary (Frawley) Kelly, natives of Ireland; the parents emigrated to America James, Daniel M., Johanna. Elizabeth, and in their youth, and were married at Steuben- , Edmund J .; the eldest sister, Johanna, mar- ville, Ohio. in 1952. Edmund J. was edu- ried Thomas Blake, and resides in San Jose, cated in the public schools of Brownsville. | California; the brothers are residents of La Minnesota, and was graduated in 1975. He Crosse, while Elizabeth lives with her father. then engaged in teaching. and followed the The mother died when our subject was a lad of seven years; the father married a second time, and is again a widower. profession abont nine months. In 1877 he came to La Crosse, and embarked in the grocery trade, and atterward was employed by William Haynes in the retail grocery 22222 11212. trade. For one year he was billing and en- tering clerk in the wholesale house of J. J. Ilogan, and in 1952 he opened a grocery and provision store on his own account; this he conducted until the spring of 1891, when he elosed out the business.

In the spring of 1555 the people of La Crosse testified to their confidence in Mr. Kelly by electing him a member of the Com- mon Council: he served in this capacity for six years, and in I>91 he was selected a member of the Board of Public Works for a term of four years; he was immediately made president of the board.

serving his fourth year. He and his wife are members of St. Mary's Catholic Church, of which he is financial secretary.

HIOMAS HI. SPENCE, wholesale and retail dealer in drugs. paints, oils and glass, occupies an important position in commercial circles in this city, and is entitled to more than a passing mention. He is a native of the State of Wisconsin, born in Waukesha, August 3. 1851. and is a son of Thomas and Jane (Leslie) Spenee. llis parents were born near Belfast. Ireland, and emigrated to America about the year of 1845 or 1846; after spending some time in Brook- lyn, New York, they came to Wisconsin, and settled at Wankesha. In the latter years of his life, Mr. Spence was connected with the real-estate and loan business; he is a man of excellent education, and in his younger days taught school and served as a minister of the gospel.

Mr. Kelly was united in marriage, June 16. 1585. to Miss Mary Keaveny, a native of Ireland, who was brought by her parents to America when she was three years of age. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kelly: Mary, Edmund J .. and Harriott. Thomas H. Spence grew to manhood in Wankesha, and obtained a fair education in the common schools. At the age of thirteen years he was apprenticed as a drug clerk in the store of 1. M. White, where he remained seven years: during this time he acquired a thorough knowledge of the retail trade in all all of whom are living. Mr. Kelly is a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. and is connty delegate of the order: he be- longs to the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin, an insurance association, of which he is firancial secretary for this city; he isa mom- ber of the Third Regiment of Wisconsin Na- its details, and in March, 1971, he came to

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La Crosse to take charge of the store of John S. Lester & Co. He managed this business three years, at the end of which time he pur chased the stock, and has since maintained the high reputation of the house. His whole- sale trade extends throughout Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota and Dakota, over which ter- ritory he has two traveling salesman.

Upon the organization of the State Board of Pharmacy in 1882, Mr. Spence rendered most efficient service in perfecting the plans of that body, and served as its president for two years, his period of service covering six years. Ilis quarter of a century's experience in the profession has well qualified him for the responsible position he tills, and his care- ful and correct habits of filling prescriptions has won the confidence of a wide circle of physicians. His wholesale establishment at No. 119 North Front street is a three-story building, and the retail trade is carriedl on at No. 303 Main street, in a spacious and well- lighted room.

The business has increased rapidly, sixty per cent. of the growth being in mail orders, showing that the reputation of the store is reaching far beyond local circles. A large business is done in Parry's family medicines, which are prepared and sold exclusively by him; he also owns the "White Beaver's" popular medicines. Success is the just re- ward of the persevering industry and high and' honorable dealing of such men as Mr. Spence.

He was married at Portage, Wisconsin, to Miss Ada Wyckoff, a native of Pennsylvania, a lady of clever literary attainments, a gradu- ate of Elmira College, New York, and a daughter of Samnel and Angeline (Burchard) Wyckoff. One son has been born of this union, Elbert Wyckoff.

National Bank. He is one of the incor- porators of the Jobbers and Manufacturers. Union of La Crosse, and has been Treasurer of the Royal Arcanum several years.

GID HACKNER has been a resident of the United States since 1850, and is one of the most enterprising and prosperous citizens of La Crosse county, Wisconsin. lle was born in the village of Fordheim, on the river Schwarzach, in the Kingdom of Bavaria, December 27. 1856. His parents. John and Crecentia (Kapfer) Ilackner, were also natives of Germany; the father died in 1879; he was a farmer by occupation. Our subject passed bis youth in his native village, obtaining a good education in the common-schools, which was supplemented by a collegiate course at Eichstadt. He then began to learn the trade of altar-building, and for this purpose spent two years in the art schools of Munich, study ing drawing and wood-carving. He worked at his trade in different cities in his native country, and in October, 1580, he emigrated to America, coming almost immediately to La Crosse. Here he has been prominently identified with the building interests; he employs twenty-three skilled workmen, and does an annual business of $15,000.

Mr. Hackner was united in marriage at La Crosse, to Miss Julia Kracklauer, a native of Freistadt, Germany, born January 2, 1557, and a daughter of Paul and Katrine Krack- lauer. Mr. and Mrs. Hackner are the parents of three sons and four daughters: Lizzie, Ju- lia. Katie, John, Annie, William and George. They are both members of the Catholic Church. Mr. lackner belongs to the St. Boniface Society, to the Catholic Knights of

Mr. Spence is a stockholder of the Inter- , Wisconsin, to the Diocesan Life Insurance State Fair Association and of the La Crosse | Company, and to the Casino. lle is also an

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active member of the Board of Trade of La ment of the business, and under his wise C'rosse.

In 1982 Mrs. Hackner, mother of our sub- jeet, came to America, and makes her home with her son, the Rev. Willebald Hackner. priest of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church at Fountain City, Wisconsin.

MIL TRAUGOTT MUELLER, seere- tary and treasurer of the G. Heileman Brewing Company, was born in the eity of La Crosse, Wisconsin. Jannary 5. 1858, and is a son of Trangott and Emma (Raseman) Mueller, natives of Chemnitz, Saxony. The parents were married in the "Fatherland," and emigrated to America about the year 1\52. The father was a baker by trade, and carried on this business after settling in La Crosse. until the time of his death, which occurred September 13. 1869. Ilis remains were interred with all the honors of the Deutsche Verein, of which he had been a member for many years; he was a charter member of the La Crosse or- !

Lutheran Church. The family consisted of two sons and two daughters: Frances M.,

Emma, wife of Matthias Keller: Otto, a | he went to Milwaukee, and there formed a surveyor and draughtsman; and Emil Trau- gott, the subject of this notice.

Mr. Mneller received a good education in 1 the common schools, which was supple- mented by a thorough commercial course. At the age of fifteen years he took charge of the books and did general elerking at Green- wood, Wisconsin, where he remained four or five years. He then returned to La Crosse, where he clerked until 15-1. accepting in that year a position as assistant manager and bookkeeper of the Heileman Brewing Com- pany. In 1534 he took the general manage-

direction the establishment has increased its output to 21.000 barrels per an num. He is one of the most active members of eommer- cial circles, and has always given a cordial encouragement to those enterprises which have had for their object the best interests of the community. Hle is a member of the Deutsche Verein, and enjoys the friendship of a very wide circle of acquaintances.

Mr. Mueller was married in this city to Miss Louisa Heileman, a daughter of Gott- lieb Heileman, whose history appears else- where in this volume. Of this union four sons and a daughter have been born: Walter, Alfred, Erwin, Otto and Jennie. The parents are worthy and consistent members of the Lutheran Church.

OTLIEB HEILEMAN, deceased, was born in Germany, Jannary 6, 1524, and was a son of Casper and Fredericka (Meyer) Heileman, both of whom died in the " Fatherland." They had a family of eight children, four sons and four daughters; two ganization. He was also a member of the ; sons and a daughter are all that survive.

Mr. Heileman emigrated to America in 1532, and for a year resided in Philadelphia: thenee

partnership with Gotlieb Meyer, one of his own countrymen. They carried on a bakery for five years, and at the end of that time Mr. Heileman came to La Crosse and em- barked in the brewing business with JJohn Gund. This relationship existed fourteen years, when Mr. Gund left the business on Third street; Mr. Heileman, however, con- tinned to manage the business until his death, which occurred February 19, 187S. Hle built an extensive establishment on Third street, and the business conducted there gives employment to a large number of men.

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June 28, 1858, he was united in marriage to Miss Johanna Bantle, a daughter of Lud- wig and Cathrina (Sigel) Bantle, natives of the same German province. Mr. and Mrs. Bantle had a family of five sons and three daughters, Mrs. Heileman being the fourth in order of birth. The father died at the age of seventy years, and the mother at the age of sixty-one years. Jacob, their oldest son, is deceased, but the others are all living, and citizens of the United States. Mrs. Heile- man came to this country in 1852, and spent four years with her brothers in New York; thence she went to Milwaukee, where she was married. Mr. and Mrs. Ileileman are the parents of eight children: Louisa, wife of E. T. Mueller; Lena married D. Reinns, and is the mother of one child, Charlotte; Emma is the wife of George Zeisler, a brewer of La Crosse, and they have a family of four children-Georgia, Ida, Emma and Henry; Minnie married William Linker, and their only child, Alfred, died at the age of nine months, in 1891; Paulina is at home; Henry is vice-president and superintendent of the Heileman Brewing Company; Ida and Jen- nie are also at home. The mother and chil- dren are all members of the German Lutheran Church. Mr. Heileman was a man of genial manner and kindly disposition, winning many friends. He lived a quiet, contented life with his wife and children, and enjoyed the confidence of all who knew him.

HEODORE KIENAHS is engaged in one of the most delightful as well as | profitable occupations, that of a florist. He is a native of the country that has pro- duced some of the most successful gardeners, born at Sterlitz, Prussia, thirty miles north of Berlin, September 17, 1859. His parents, , there until April 13, 1880, when he went to

Heinrich and Fredericka (Jaricho) Kienahs, emigrated to America in 1866, and located in La Crosse where they now reside. They have reared a family of one son and three daughters: Theodore, the subject of this biographical sketch; Mary, wife of Anton Kroll of Shelby township. La Crosse county; Line, wife of Otto Diminler of Eau Claire, Wisconsin; and Annie, wife of William II. Luening of La Crosse.

Mr. Kienals received his education in the common-schools of La Crosse, and in early youth began the study of the occupation of his father who was also a florist. Ile has been very prosperous in this enterprise, and has contributed his share to the development and extension of the trade. Ile is a mem- ber of the Germania Society, and of the Board of Trade of La Crosse.

ROF. AUG. FR. SOBOTKA, the prin- cipal teacher in the St. Wenceslaus' School, was born at Polna, Bohemia, Angust 10, 1859, and is the only child of Frank and Lonisa ( Fiala) Sobotka, also natives of Polna, Bohemia. The father was a farmer and market gardener, and later added a meat market to his business; he died of cholera in 1866, but his wife is still living, and resides in her native land. Professor Sobotka was educated in his own country ; he first entered a school at Olmutz, where he pursued the lower studies, as a class-mate of Rev. Father Rynda, the present pastor of St. Stanislaus' Bohemian Church, St. Paul, Minnesota. IIe spent four years in the seminary for teachers at Troppan in Silesia, from which institution he was graduated in June, 1878. October 28th of the same year he was employed as a teacher at Lubna, Bohemia, and remained

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Geisshubel, Bohemia, where he taught until Angust 4. 1554. In that year he emigrated to America, landing in the city of New York. From that time until April, 1>>>, he was em- ployed in St. Stanislaus' School at St. Paul, Minnesota, and also served the church of the same name as organist. lle came to La Crosse in 1988, and was installed as teacher in the school above mentioned: he is also church organist. He received his musical education at the seminary in Troppan, the capital of Silesia, making himself a master of both vocal and instrumental music. He has a large elass in music to which he can devote only his evenings. He is Notary Pub- lie, represents some of the leading insurance companies of the country, and acts as corres- pondent of Consul HI. Claussenius of Chicago.

Professor Sobotka was united in marriage . ing the public schools of his native town, and November 13, 1584, to Miss Mary Pojman, a native of Polna, Bohemia; they have had born to them four children: Angust, Mary, and Louisa are living; Emanuel died in St. Panl. The parents are communicants of the Roman Catholic Church. The Professor is president of the Second Bohemian Roman Catholic Union of the State of Wisconsin; he is also a member of the order of Bohemian Knights, and St. Wenceslans' and St. John's Societies of La Crosse.

EORGE S. NICHOLS, captain and pilot on the Mississippi river, was born at Galena, Illinois, in 1955, to George C. and Mary A. (Payne) Nichols, the former of whom was born in England and at the age of seven years became a sailor boy. After remaining on the ocean for a number of years he came to Galena, Ilinois, some time in the year 1535. and engaged in river navigation, soon being promoted to the position of pilot.

He was in La Crosse in 1538, and was one of the Government employés who moved the Indians from La Crosse to a point on the Minnesota river, after which he was employed for a number of years on Government snag and other boats in improving the navigation of the northern portion of the Mississippi river. Hle took the only boat to Black River Falls that was ever taken to that place and navigated the Mississippi river until 1853, when he retired. He was considered one of the best pilots on the river, and was thor- onghly trustworthy and capable. He is now residing at West Salem in his sixty-seventh year of age, content to rest upon the laurels he has won, and in the enjoyment of a fair income, the result of many years of toil. George S. Nichols spent his youth in attend-

the first work he did in the way of earning his own living was as a farm hand in 1973. In 1575 he went to work on the river and learned piloting under the able instruction of his father, which business has been his chief means of livelihood ever since. He has been remarkably successful in this line of work and for the past eight years has been in the employ of one tirin, which fact speaks in elo- quent terms as to his efficiency and reliabil- ity. He was married in 1874 to Miss Har- riet J. Lawton, daughter of Jacob Lawton, of Carthage, Illinois. A family of three chil- dren have blessed their union: William, Mand Evangeline and George, all of whom still remain under the shelter of the parental roof. Amid the active duties of his career he has found time to cultivate the finer and gentler feelings and in his private and domestic rela- tions. he has exemplified the character of a true and good man. He and his family are attendants of the Baptist Church, and he is one of the men who is working to bring Wisconsin into the line of Republican prin-

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ciples. Genial and hospitable in his inter- course with those around him, he has a host of warm friends and his career thus far in lite has been above reproach.

- DIN J. OYEN, one of the rising young business men of La Crosse, Wisconsin, is an American by adoption, his native country being Norway, where he was born May 21, 1865. He is a son of Lars and Anna (Seillstad) Oyen, who were also natives of Trondjem, Norway, Mr. Oyen is by trade a gilder and modeler, and whose ancestors for many generations had inhabited Vaage; they were an agricultural people. In 1970 the family of our subject emigrated to Amer- iea, and after their arrival in the United States located at Madison, Wisconsin, where the two sons and three daughters grew to maturity. l'eter A. remained in the old country and attended college, passed examina- tion, and is a candidate for a professorship in the State Geological Department of Norway. Odin J. received his education in the common schools, and at the age of fourteen years be- gan the study of his profession, that of a decorator. He spent six years in Madison, and then went to Chicago for the purpose of taking an advanced course; he became a stu- dent in theArt Institute and during the time spent in this excellent school made three prize drawings.

In February, 1888, he came to La Crosse and established himself in business, which he has conducted with marked success. He is a master of his art, and has accomplished most gratifying results. Among the buildings on which he has been employed, may be men- tioned the United States Government Build- ing, the Theater, the La Crosse County Court- house and many private residences. Ile is

an active member of the Builders' Exchange, one of the largest and most prosperous soei- eties of the city. He also belongs to the Norden Society and to the Board of Trade. The Inter-State Fair Association is another organization, which has received from Mr. Oyen a liberal support. Ile is a man of sterling traits of character, and is well worthy of the confidence reposed in by the entire community.

A. GROSS, contractor and builder, oc- cupies a prominent position among the members of his craft, and is entitled to more than passing mention in this record of the lives of the men who have aided in the de- velopment of the industries of La Crosse county. Frederick A. Gross was born in the city of Flatow, Prussia, December 3, 1863, and is a son of Frederick A. and Amelia (Schutz) Gross. ITis father was a brick manufacturer in early life, but devoted his latter years to agricultural pursuits. He and his wife reared a family of three sons and four daughters.

In 1882. Frederick A., Jr., emigrated to America; he was educated in his native country, and there acquired a thorough knowledge of the carpenter's trade. The first year of his residence in the United States was spent in Tomah, Wisconsin, and in 1883 he eame to La Crosse. One year later he embarked in the business which he has con- ducted so successfully, and with such gratify- ing results. He has made for himself a reputation as a trust-worthy and eapable builder, and has established a reputation for high and honorable dealing. Ile erected the business block of M. Funk, corner of Fourth and Pearl streets, and a handsome residence for the same gentleman; he built the Chicago. Burlington & Northern car shops, Chicago,

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Burlington & Northern passenger depot at Dubugne, the schoolhouse in the Tenth Ward. and the approach to the La Crosse bridge spanning the Mississippi river at that point, at a cost of $60,000; this last is a very fine piece of work and retlects great credit upon Mr. Gross. He has now a contraet for build- ing a $30,000 re-idence for N. B. Holway.

lle was united in marriage to Miss Mary Gruber, a native of La Crosse and a daughter of John and Barbara Gruber, natives of Bavaria, Germany. To Mr. and Mrs. Gross have been born two sons and one daughter: Alma, Frederick, and William. The parents are members of the German Methodist Church, Mr. Gross being a member of the board of trustees of Zion Methodist Episco- pal Church. Mr. Gross is also a member of the La Crosse Board of Trade.

Emily C. Berg, daughter of Andrew and Anna Berg. who were natives of Sweden, both born abont the year 1531. The fruits of this union were tive children. Byron being the eldest. The other> are: J. Elmer, died in 1576; Katie, residing with her mother, and our sub- ject: Charles E., died in 1579: and Carrie M .. also living with her mother. In 1872 Mr. De Force with his family moved to San Joaquin county, California, and there he re- sided until his death in 1555. Afterwards the mother and children returned to La Crosse county, Wisconsin, locating at West Salem, where the mother bought a lot and built a house with the money she seenred as widow, from Lodge No. 105, A. O. U. W., of Lodi, California, being beneficiary of the late MIr. De Force. She now has a pleasant and com- fortable home for herself and family, and is aided in her support of the children by her son Byron, who works on the farins in the summer and teaches during the winter months. The latter, on the 24th of May, B YRON DE FORCE, West Salem, Wis- eonsin, one of the successful educators of the county, is a native of La Crosse county. Wisconsin, his birth occurring June 19. 1569, and the son of JJ. Porter De Force, who was born at North East, Pennsylvania, in 1541. In 1856 the father removed to La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he worked at the carpenter trade until 1862, when, filled with a patriotie desire to aid his country, he en- listed in the Second Wisconsin Cavalry, fol- lowing the fortunes of that regiment through its four years' service. In December, 1862, while participating in the battle at Prairie Grove, he was slightly woundel, a ball from the enemy grazing his cheek. Returning to 1859, became one of the charter members of the W. J. Phillips Camp. No. 45. Sons of Veterans, and was elected Captain of the camp two terms in succession. This year he is Captain of the camp. He was appointed Aid-de-Camp on the staff of the Colonel commanding the division, and was Assistant Division Inspector in 1590. Ile inspected the Robert Hughs Camp at La Crosse in that year, and was sent to Dodge county in Sep- tember, 1591, to organize a camp at that place. He has not missed a single meeting of his camp since its organization. He was a delegate to the Division Encampment at La Crosse in 1991. Mr. De Force and his sister Kate are members of the Congrega- La Crosse at the expiration of his service, he tional Church of West Salem, but the mother again resumed his work as a carpenter and buikler.

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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