Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, past and present, Volume II, Part 10

Author: McKenna, Maurice
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago : Clarke
Number of Pages: 738

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Politically George H. Willie gives his allegiance to the republican party but his attention is absorbed by the pressing details of his work as a contractor and he pays very little attention to public affairs and never seeks office. He is a member of the Congregational church and is active in the affairs of that organiza- tion. He has attained a remarkable degree of success along business lines and is one of the many prosperous men who have contributed much to the com- mercial prosperity of Fond du Lac county.

JACOB SCHEID.

Jacob Scheid is engaged in the cultivation of one hundred and thirty acres of fine land in Ashford township and is achieving distinct success in farming. His methods are practical, systematic and productive of good results and he has gained a comfortable degree of success in agricultural pursuits and a growing prominence among his fellow citizens. Mr. Scheid is a native son of Fond du Lac county, having been born in Ashford township on September 27, 1855. He is the son of Jacob and Katherine (Schaub) Scheid, natives of Germany. The father came to the United States when he was fifteen years of age, making the journey across the Atlantic with his parents, Philip and Mary Scheid, who set- tled in Ashford township at an early date. Here Philip Scheid took up two hundred and forty acres of land, all of which was covered with timber and in an undeveloped state. He cleared his holdings and with the lumber thus ob- tained built a log shanty, in which he lived for a number of years. Eventually, however, he sold out to his son Jacob, the father of our subject. The latter operated the farm until 1899, when he retired from active life, selling the farm to his son Dan. Later he moved to Elmore, where he made his home until his death, which occurred in 1912, when he was eighty years of age.

HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY

Jacob Scheid was one of seven children. He received his education in the district schools of Ashford township and worked upon his father's farm until he was twenty-six years of age. At that time he purchased seventy acres in Auburn township, which he developed and improved for nine years. At the end of that time he sold his farm and rented land in Ashford township, later purchasing property in Campbellsport. Here he took up his residence, operating a box factory and sawmill for five years. He later discontinued the box factory and gave his entire attention to the conduct of the mill, which he ran success- fully until 1908. In that year he determined to return to farming and sold out his business interests in Campbellsport and purchased his present tract of land of one hundred and thirty acres in Ashford township. He has greatly improved his place, building in 1911 a fine new barn and operating his holdings along the most modern and progressive lines. He has made his acres productive by prac- tical work and is numbered among the enterprising and substantial citizens of his district. He is interested in every movement looking toward further progress and has a breadth of view and an intelligent grasp of conditions which are qualities of his undoubted public spirit.

In 1883 Mr. Scheid was united in marriage to Miss Mary Litscher, a daughter of John Jacob Litscher, of Ashford. They are the parents of six children, Mary, Emanuel J., Katherine R., Edwin J., Ruth and Marvin E. Mr. Scheid belongs to the German Reformed church of Campbellsport. He is a republican in his political beliefs and held the position as clerk of the school board for nine years, doing practical and progressive work in this capacity. In the business and agri- cultural activities of his life he has been successful because his methods have been practical and his standards of integrity high. He is a valuable addition to his community in the substantial success which he has achieved and in the pro- gressive qualities of his public spirit, and is a native son whose career is a credit to Fond du Lac county.

LOUIS BUSLAFF.

Louis Buslaff is identified with the agricultural development of Osceola township, where he owns a well improved farm of eighty acres. His birth occurred in Fond du Lac county on the 13th of October, 1859, his parents being Frederick and Caroline (Rahling) Buslaff. The father was born in Germany on the 27th of January, 1832, and there he passed the first sixteen years of his life. Together with his brother Ludwig he came to America in 1848, their des- tination being Wisconsin. He first located at Mayville, this state, where he finished learning the miller's trade, to which he had served an apprenticeship in the old country for a time. The next eight years he was employed in the McCarthy flour mill, located three miles west of Fond du Lac. During the latter period of his connection with this enterprise, in 1858, he was married to Miss Rahling, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Lubeka) Rahling, who came to Wisconsin in 1855. They first located at Empire but were residing in Osceola township at the time of their death. Mr. Buslaff was employed in various mills in this section of the state and for a time he also followed farming until he purchased in the '6os the mill at Waucousta, which he owned and operated for thirty-five years. There he passed away in January, 1901, at the age of sixty-nine years. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Buslaff numbered seven, as follows: William, who died at the age of two years; Louis, our subject ; Hattie; Dora; Alvin, a merchant at Waucousta, who is mentioned more fully elsewhere in this work; Frederick; and Caroline.

The life record of Louis Buslaff began at Empire, his father then being connected with the Mountain flour mill, which was located at that point. He

HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY

was reared in Osceola township, however, and at the usual age began his educa- tion in district school No. I. Subsequently he assisted his father about the mill at Waucousta, remaining at home until he was twenty-one years of age. Soon after attaining his majority he started out to make his own way in the world, turning his attention to agricultural pursuits. For a year he cultivated a rented farm in Osceola township, but at the expiration of that time removed to Eden. He subsequently returned to Osceola, however, and here in 1892 he purchased sixty-six acres of land, which formed the nucleus of his present farm. The property was practically in a wild state but had been improved by the erection of a few crude buildings, including a log cabin. Mr. Buslaff tore these down and replaced them with a substantial frame house and barns, and he subsequently increased his holdings by the purchase of another fourteen acres. Close ap- plication and unremitting energy, intelligently applied, have enabled Mr. Buslaff to convert this place into one of the attractive and valuable properties of the township. Careful tilling and fertilization united with a systematic rotation of crops has brought his fields into a high state of productivity and they annually yield abundant harvests. In connection with diversified farming he engages in the raising of stock and dairying, his efforts meeting with good success.

In 1893, Mr. Buslaff was married to Miss Hattie Allen, a native of Eden township and a daughter of Thomas and Julia Allen, who removed to Wisconsin from Ohio. Five children have been born of this marriage in the following order : Rolland, who was born on June 1, 1894; Roena, whose natal day was December 20, 1895; Almon, who was born on the 27th of April, 1898; Clarence, whose birth occurred on May 30, 1903; and Wilfred, who was born on the 2d of February, 1906.

Mr. Buslaff is a republican and in 1895 was elected town clerk, in which capacity he served for two years. Prosperity has attended his efforts as the result of diligence and thrift, the salient factors of every successful career. He is leading a life of activity and enterprise as is evidenced by the appearance and condition of his farm, which stands as a monument to his well directed energies.

ORRIN F. LEWIS.

Orrin F. Lewis, who is now living retired, is well known in the business circles of Fond du Lac as for more than forty-three years he was identified with the industrial activities as a member of The Geddings & Lewis Manufacturing Com- pany. He was born in Warren county, New York, on the 17th of August, 1832, and is a son of Mathew I. and Betsey (Dodd) Lewis. The father was a native of Vermont, his birth having occurred on January 18, 1801, and the mother was born in the same state on the 23d of August, 1804. Mathew I. Lewis, who was a millwright by trade, removed to Wisconsin with his family in 1847, and on September 21, of that year, he located at Rosendale, this county, where he had purchased forty acres of land. He was ambitious and energetic and in connec- tion with the cultivation of his farm he also worked at the carpenter's trade. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis had five children, of whom our subject was the second in order of birth. Harriet married Stephen Crossman, a farmer of Fond du Lac county, who died in 1909, and to them were born six children, Julian, Harriet, Emma, John, William and Frank. Martha married Richard Gove, a farmer of Vermont and they have two children, Edgar and Martha. Mary became the wife of Elijah Hart, a farmer of Rosendale, and they had one child, Emma, who has passed away. Alanson, who married Martha Barber of Fond du Lac, con- cludes the family.

As he was a lad of fifteen years when he accompanied his people on their removal to this county, Orrin F. Lewis acquired the greater part of his educa-

MR. AND MRS. O. F. LEWIS

HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY

tion in the public schools of his native state. He followed various activities during his early manhood, but in 1866 he engaged in the farming implement and machinery business, which he followed with very good success until 1880. In the latter year he disposed of his interest and became associated with Mr. Degroat and Mr. Geddings in the purchase of the old Novelty Iron Works. For six years thereafter this plant was operated under the name of the Degroat, Geddings & Lewis Company, but at the expiration of that time Mr. Degroat sold his interest to his partners, who continued the business under the firm name of The Geddings & Lewis Manufacturing Company for ten years. As they were both men of marked sagacity, enterprise and diligence they met with suc- cess in the development of their business, which became one of the well estab- lished and thriving industries of the city. On the 12th of December, 1902, they both disposed of their interest, but the plant is still operated as The Geddings & Lewis Company.

At Rosendale on the 3Ist of December, 1856, Mr. Lewis was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary A. Murray, a daughter of George Murray, a farmer of that community. She was born in the town of Bedeque on Prince Edward's Island on the 20th of December, 1833. She accompanied her people on their removal to Illinois in 1845, and from there they later came to Wisconsin, making the journey in a covered wagon. They were ten days making the trip and Mrs. Lewis drove a herd of cattle all the way from their Illinois home to their des- tination at Rosendale. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lewis, as fol- lows: George, Carrie, Charles, Arthur and Herbert.

In religious faith the family are Baptists and Mr. Lewis is a thirty-second degree Mason belonging to the Knights Templar and the Consistory. He is a republican in politics and while living in Rosendale was a member of the board of supervisors for two years and for six or seven years he held the office of constable. Mr. Lewis led a life of activity and business enterprise for many years, meeting with success in the promotion of his interests, and is now able to spend his latter days in well earned rest and enjoyment.

HENRY IMMEL.

A native of Germany and a man who was for many years prominently con- nected with agricultural interests in Empire township is Henry Immel, now living retired in his beautiful and commodious home on Third street, Empire City, and widely known and popular among his many friends. He brought to his occupation his national qualities of industry and perseverance and they add to those personal characteristics which make him an honorable and widely beloved citizen. He was born in Germany on April 26, 1864. His father, John Immel, . was also a native of Germany and came to the United States in 1870. He im- mediately located in Fond du Lac county where he purchased sixty acres of un- improved land and for fifteen years lived upon the place in a log cabin which he himself erected. He cleared his acres and eventually built a modern house and barns upon his property, and became one of the substantial and enterprising citizens of Fond du Lac county. He lived upon his original holdings until his death in 1895 in the seventy-fifth year of his life. He was survived by his wife until 1897 when her death occurred at the age of fifty-nine years. To Mr. and Mrs. John Immel were born eleven children, Adam, George, John, Henry, Chris- topher, William, August, Herman, Eva, Katherine and Elizabeth.

Henry Immel came to America with his parents when he was a child and received his early education in the German school of Forest township. His childhood was occupied with studies and minor labors on his father's farm. When he was nineteen years of age he went into the northern pine woods during Vol. II-5

HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY

the winter months but in the summer time assisted his father on the farm until his marriage, when he was twenty-five years of age. He then began to work for himself and made his home in Empire township where he rented a large farm and operated it for one year. At the end of that time he was able to purchase eighty acres in that township to which he eventually added eighty more. He was active in the cultivation of these one hundred and sixty acres until he removed to Fond du Lac with the intention of retiring. However, his residence in Fond du Lac was maintained only two years. At the expiration of that period Mr. Immel again returned to his farm and purchased more land in Empire town- ship. He bought the one hundred and thirty-three acres known as the Edwards farm and here he lived and successfully cultivated the soil until 1911, when he bought a residence on Third street in the city of Fond du Lac and retired from active life. He is well known and popular in the city in which he makes his home. His farm is under the management of his sons who are carrying out in its operation the honorable traditions begun by their father.

In 1889 Mr. Immel was united in marriage to Miss Emma Hansen, a daugh- ter of Christopher and Mary Hansen who came from Germany and settled in Calumet, Wisconsin. To Mr. and Mrs. Immel five children have been born, Paul, Dailia, Lillie, Mabel and Carl.

Mr. Immel gives his allegiance to the republican party and votes this ticket on national issues although in local affairs he casts an independent ballot. He belongs to the German Lutheran church and upholds its doctrines. He is one of the honored and representative citizens of Fond du Lac county, and the rest which he is now enjoying rewards a life of well directed efforts in a worthy line of activity.

OWEN FITZPATRICK.

Though more than a quarter of a century has passed since Owen Fitzpatrick was called to his final rest, he is still remembered by many of the older residents of Fond du Lac county as one of its substantial agriculturists and esteemed citizens. His birth occurred in County Carlow, Ireland, on the 3d of March, 1800, his father being Owen Fitzpatrick, Sr. He attended school in his native land, gaining a broad and liberal education. In August, 1850, he emigrated to the United States, locating at Watertown, Wisconsin, where he purchased a farm and operated the same successfully for a period of fifteen years. In 1865 he came to Fond du Lac county, locating six and a half miles north of Waupun, on Winter's prairie, where he purchased a tract of eighty acres and made his home until 1877. In that year he disposed of the property and removed to Springvale township, on a hundred and sixty acre farm on section 8 which is now the home of his daughter Bridget. He resided thereon until 1886, when he leased the place and took up his abode in Ripon, where his demise occurred on the 27th of April of that year.

In 1840, in County Carlow, Ireland, Mr. Fitzpatrick was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Murphy, a native of that county and a daughter of Arthur Murphy, who was a farmer by occupation and passed away on the Emerald isle. The death of Mrs. Fitzpatrick occurred on the farm in Waupun township, this county, on the 19th of May, 1874. By her marriage she had become the mother of six children. Catharine is the wife of William Fenelon, a retired agriculturist of Ripon, Wisconsin, by whom she has the following children : Margaret, John. William, Kathryn and Eugene. Mary, who gave her hand in marriage to John Gormley, a farmer of Jefferson county, Wisconsin, is the mother of five children, Catharine, Jennie, John, William and Edwin. James passed away on the 10th of July, 1900, when fifty-six years of age. Margaret is the wife of William

HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY

Mathews, a retired agriculturist of Colton, California, by whom she has four children, Margaret, William, Mary and Frank. Owen, a twin of Margaret, died at the age of three years. Bridget is the only child born in America, her birth occurring on a farm near Watertown, Wisconsin, on the 26th of November, 1850. After the demise of her brother James she returned to the home farm on section 8, Springvale township, where she still resides, leasing the property. She is a devoted communicant of the Roman Catholic church of Springvale township and is a lady whose many excellent traits of heart and character have endeared her to all with whom she has come into contact.

Owen Fitzpatrick was a stanch democrat in politics but never sought nor desired public office as a reward for his party fealty. Both he and his wife were members of the Catholic church and reared their children in that faith. The period of his residence in Fond du Lac county covered more than two decades and he gained a wide and favorable acquaintance within its borders.

HOLLIS N. AKIN.

Hollis N. Akin, who is engaged in the furniture and undertaking business in Ripon, was born in Sheboygan county, this state, on the 15th of March, 1865, and is a son of Edson and Adeline (Acker) Akin. They removed from the vicinity of Cleveland, Ohio, to Wisconsin during the pioneer days and here the father engaged in farming until his death. He was survived by the mother, who subsequently removed to Ripon, where she passed away. They were the parents of five children, two sons and three daughters.

Reared at home, Hollis N. Akin was educated in the common schools of Plymouth, Wisconsin. After laying aside his text-books, he engaged in farming until 1896, when he went to Sheboygan and worked for his brother, who is an undertaker, for two years. At the expiration of that time he accepted a position with McMahon & Furnace of Ripon, continuing in their employ for three years. Feeling fully qualified to enter upon a business venture of his own he then opened a store in the Hazen block. He carries a well assorted stock of furniture, rugs and pictures, and in connection maintains a fully equipped undertaking de- partment. His business is conducted in accordance with modern commercial methods, and as the quality of his goods is fully commensurate with the prices he is building up a very satisfactory trade, numbering among his patrons many of the best families in the town.

In 1896 Mr. Akin was united in marriage to Miss Maude Crowther, a daughter of W. S. Crowther, and to them have been born two children: Gordon, who died in 191I, at the age of thirteen years ; and Marian, who is living at home.

Fraternally Mr. Akin is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is leading an active, enterprising life, and in the development of his business is exercising the intelligence and foresight that gives assurance of constantly increasing success.

WILLIAM J. NAST.

William J. Nast, the popular young cashier of the bank at Eden, has in this capacity displayed business qualifications highly commendable in one of his years. His birth occurred on the home farm near Marblehead, this county, on the 13th of October, 1886, his parents being William and Christina (Smith) Nast. On another page of this work appears a sketch of the father, who is the president

HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY

of the Nast Brothers Lime & Stone Company and also acts as chief executive officer of the bank at Eden.

William J. Nast, one of a family of three children, obtained his early education in the district school at Marblehead and later pursued a course in the Fountain City Business College. In 1908 he went to Chicago, where for two and a half years he held the position of bookkeeper with the Wisconsin Lime & Cement Company, in which concern his father is largely interested. After returning home he made his way to Fond du Lac and there worked in the Commercial National Bank for a few months. Subsequently he went to Kewaunee, Wisconsin, as manager of the branch of the Nast Brothers Lime & Stone Company. When the bank at Eden was organized he became its cashier and has since ably served in that capacity, discharging the duties devolving upon him in a prompt and efficient manner.

On the 22d of December, 1910, Mr. Nast was united in marriage to Miss Clara Gustin, a native of Iowa and a daughter of William Gustin. In politics Mr. Nast is independent, supporting men and measures in preference to party. He and his wife are estimable young people and have a wide circle of friends in this locality.

MATTHIAS E. THEISEN, JR.

In 1854 Matthias E. Theisen with his wife and his daughter Mary came from his native country, Germany, across the Atlantic to America, settling in Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, where he took up timber land .. He founded the Theisen family in Wisconsin, where for three generations its representatives have been prominent as general farmers. Matthias E. Theisen, Jr., is today cultivating a fine tract of eighty acres of land in the section where his grand- father settled in pioneer times and is adding to the respect and honor in which the family name is held throughout Fond du Lac county. He was born February 5, 1881, and is the son of John and Francesca (Thelen) Theisen. The family was founded in America by the grandfather of our subject, Matthias Theisen, who was born in Germany in 1823. In that country he married Miss Elizabeth Sebanaler and with his wife and his oldest daughter settled some time later in Ashford township, Wisconsin, where he took up wild land covered with timber. He cleared the property, built a crude log shanty upon his holdings and in this home all of his other children were born with the exception of the father of our subject, whose birth occurred on the voyage from Germany to America, on June 24, 1854. The Theisen family lived on their original farm in Ashford township for ten years and then moved to Lomira, where the grandfather pur- chased land and carried on general agricultural pursuits for forty years. He was aided by his sons in the clearing of his one hundred acres and at the time of his retirement was one of the representative and substantial farmers of his district. In 1897 he abandoned active life and with his wife moved to Campbellsport, where they resided until 1905, when the grandmother of our subject passed away at the age of seventy-two. Matthias Theisen has since that time made his home with his children.

John Theisen, the father of our subject, grew up upon his father's farm and aided from his early childhood in the work of its cultivation. As a boy he was known as one of the most energetic workers in the county, accomplishing as much as any man from the time he was twelve years of age. He remained upon the home farm until his marriage and then purchased eighty acres in Ashford town- ship and began its clearing and cultivation. He built a fine modern house upon the property, erected barns, granaries and other buildings and in 1902 added eighty adjoining acres to his place, which he has since given to his son Matthias.

HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY

In 1879 John Theisen was united in marriage to Miss Francesca Thelen, a daughter of Frank and Barbara Thelen, who came to Wisconsin about the year 1850 and were among the earliest settlers in Ashford township. In this section the mother of our subject was born on December 27, 1859. Mr. and Mrs. John Theisen became the parents of five children, Matthias, Michael, George, John and Isabel. Mr. Theisen belongs to St. Matthew's Catholic church of Camp- bellsport. He gives his political allegiance to the democratic party but has never sought nor desired public office.

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Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, past and present, Volume II, Part 10

Author: McKenna, Maurice Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago : Clarke Number of Pages: 738

Author: McKenna, Maurice
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago : Clarke
Number of Pages: 738