USA > Wisconsin > Fond du Lac County > Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, past and present, Volume II > Part 18
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MIKE GANTENBEIN.
One hundred and twenty-eight acres of land in Ashford township, Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, well improved and highly cultivated, is what Mike Gantenbein has contributed to the agricultural development of this section. His farm is situated near the village of Campbellsport and is one of the attractive properties of the township. Mr. Gantenbein was born in the district where he is now active, in 1856 and is the son of Christian and Marie (Roher) Gan- tenbein, natives of Switzerland. The father of our subject came to America with his wife in 1853 and purchased forty acres of land in Fond du Lac county which he cultivated and improved for some time. He afterward settled on the tract of land which his son is now cultivating, and followed farming until his death, in 1889. His wife died in 1878.
Mike Gantenbein was reared upon his father's farm and became acquainted with the details of agriculture by personal experience. He was educated in
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the district schools of Ashford township and has continuously resided in this section. He is now the owner of one hundred and twenty acres which consti- tuted his father's homestead and to the cultivation of this land brings a seasoned experience in the most practical methods of farming. His soil is fertile and productive and he gathers rich harvests every year as the reward for the intelli- gent care and labor which he bestows upon his place.
Mr. Gantenbein married Miss Lizzie Scheid, a daughter of Jacob Scheid, and to their union were born eight children: Christ and Rebecca, both of whom are living at home; Katie, who married Otto Schmidt; Johanna, the wife of Ernst Reinhardt; Mike, who married Barbara Schmidt; Lizzie, now Mrs. John Struebing; Emma, who married Robert Struebing; and Anna, who married William Senn. The family affiliates with the German Lutheran church. Mr. Gantenbein is a republican in his political beliefs, but has never sought public office, devoting his entire time and attention to the improvement of his farm. His place is intelligently operated and responds to the careful supervision and practical methods of its owner by increased fruitfulness, so that Mr. Ganten- bein is now classed among the enterprising and successful farmers of Fond du Lac county.
ANDREW DILLON.
Andrew Dillon, who is identified with the general agricultural and stock- raising interests of Eden township, owns and operates the farm where he was born on the 4th of August, 1868. His father, Michael Dillon, was born and reared in Tipperary county, Ireland, but in the early 40's he emigrated to the United States. The first year of his residence in this country was spent in Connecticut where he was married to Miss Bridget Kiernan, also a native of the Emerald isle, who came to America with her sister. In 1847, they came to Fond du Lac county and bought the farm in Eden township now owned by our subject. The entire tract was covered with a dense growth of timber, and after erecting thereon a small log cabin, Mr. Dillon set about clearing his land and placing it under cultivation. This section of the state was very sparsely settled at that time, and pioneering entailed innumerable hardships and priva- tions, but both Mr. and Mrs. Dillon were young and energetic, and despite the difficulties and obstacles they encountered never lost courage. As success came to them they were able to live better and later erected a more comfortable house closer to the road, and here their son Andrew, the youngest of their eight chil- dren, was born. Mr. Dillon was ambitious and enterprising and as his circum- stances warranted increasing his holdings by the purchase of other land in- cluding the tract opposite his homestead, on which he erected a modern house in 1883. There both parents passed away, the father's death occurring on the Ioth of February, 1895, at the age of seventy-two years, while the mother, who survived him until 1907, was eighty-two at the time of her demise.
Andrew Dillon was reared at home and educated in the public schools, which he attended until he was sixteen. After leaving school he assisted with the work of the home farm until 1902, when he and his brother James, who is now deceased, purchased the property from the other heirs. They engaged in co- operative farming until 1907, when Mr. Dillon bought his brother's interest. He is progressive and enterprising in his methods as is evidenced by the appear- ance and condition of the place. His fields are under high cultivation and an- nually yield large harvests that amply reward him for his labor. His buildings are kept in good repair and in 1909 he erected a large barn with thoroughly modern appointments.
In 1906, Mr. Dillon was married to Miss Josephine Ryan, a native of Eden
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township and a daughter of Thomas M. Ryan, a well known farmer in this vicinity, and to them have been born two sons, Raymond and Thomas.
The parents are communicants of the Roman Catholic church, belonging to St. James' parish, and Mr. Dillon also holds membership in the Catholic Order of Foresters. He gives his political support to the republican party, and has served three years as supervisor of Eden township and one term as assessor. Having passed his entire life in this vicinity, Mr. Dillon is widely known and has many friends whose esteem and confidence he has held from boyhood.
ADOLPH ENGEL.
Adolph Engel, who has owned and operated a bottling plant in Fond du Lac for twenty years, was born in Germany on the 2d of November, 1850. He is a son of Frederick and Amelia (Engel) Engel, also natives of Germany, where for many years the father followed the trade of carpet weaver. Six chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Engel, as follows: August, who married Augusta Schultz, of Mansfield, this state, and has five children; Amelia, who died in 1909, and who was the wife of Emil Thomas by whom she had seven children, all of whom are residents of Merrill, Wisconsin; Herman, who passed away in 1892; Mary, the wife of William Folk, and the mother of five children, who resides in Seymour, this state; Adolph, our subject; and Renka, the wife of William Rocko of Minnesota by whom she has seven children.
The education of Adolph Engel was acquired in Germany, where he at- tended the public schools until he was thirteen and a half years of age. He was subsequently apprenticed in the carpenter's trade, completing his period of service when he was seventeen years old. On the 17th of October, 1867, he became a resident of Wisconsin, where he followed his trade as a carpenter with success until 1892, when he turned his attention to commercial activities and engaged in the bottling business. During the twenty years in which he has been identified with this enterprise Mr. Engel has met with success and has acquired some valuable property in addition to his home and his bottling plant.
Adolph Engel married Miss Augusta Kuba of this city and to them has been born one son, Herman, who is in partnership in business with his father. Mr. and Mrs. Engel are members of the Lutheran church, and the former is fra- ternally affiliated with the Sons of Herman. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party, which he has supported since granted the right of franchise. He possesses the sterling qualities of thrift and industry that characterize the ma- jority of the German people, and to this fact must be attributed the prosperity he is now enjoying, as he has made his own way since early boyhood.
GEORGE BAUMHARDT.
George Baumhardt is the owner of a valuable farm in Eden township in the cultivation of which he has been actively engaged for more than twenty-eight years. He was born in a little log cabin on the old homestead in this township on the 26th of September, 1859, his parents being George and Louisa (Louck) Baumhardt. They were born, reared and married in Germany, whence they emigrated to the United States with their two eldest children, Caroline and Martha. Upon their arrival in this country they first located in Henry county. Ohio, residing there for two years, during which time their daughter Louisa was born. They next came to Fond du Lac county, first locating in Byron, but
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eighteen months later the father bought a farm in Eden township, which he diligently cultivated until his death in 1899 at the age of seventy-five years. The mother was sixty-nine when she passed away in 1892.
George Baumhardt shared with his family the hardships and privations in- cident to pioneering and while still in his early boyhood began assisting with the farm work. His education was obtained in a little log schoolhouse, which he attended during the winter sessions. He remained at home and helped his father with the cultivation of the homestead until 1884, when he leased the place he now owns and began farming on his own account. These holdings comprise eighty acres and it was then the property of the father, who subsequently sold it to our subject. During the period of his ownership, Mr. Baumhardt has wrought extensive improvements in the place, and has since added one hundred and sixty acres to his original farm, making in all two hundred and forty acres. It is now one of the best equipped and most highly cultivated farms in the com- munity.
On the 6th of January, 1886, Mr. Baumhardt was married to Miss Susan Fitzgerald, a daughter of Thomas and Deborah Fitzgerald, a native of Eden township, where she was likewise reared and educated. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Baumhardt, but only six are living, one son, Thomas Leonard, having died in infancy. The others are as follows: Catharine, who married William Riley; George; Susan Margaret, the wife of Nicholas Kerrig; Edward; John; and Mary Viola. Mr. and Mrs. Baumhardt are members of the Roman Catholic church. In his political convictions he is an independent republican, and for twenty-four years he has been school treasurer. He is one of the ambitious and enterprising men of his township, and such success as has come to him is the result of his diligence and individual effort.
SAMUEL H. MARTIN, D. V. S.
Dr. Samuel H. Martin, who is recognized as one of the leading veterinary surgeons who have practiced in Wisconsin and was state humane agent for nine years, was born in the city of Fond du Lac on June 9, 1859. His father was Samuel Martin, a native of Belfast, Ireland, who emigrated to the United States in 1851. He was a dairyman and veterinary surgeon and settled in Fond du Lac, being the first representative of his profession to locate in this county. The mother, whose maiden name was Mary Pinkney was born in Connecticut.
Dr. Martin was reared at home and educated in the public schools of Fond du Lac. In common with the majority of lads he early manifested a desire to see the world and so at the age of seventeen he left the parental roof and went west and during ten years spent in the land of opportunities took a course in veterinary surgery at the Iowa State Agricultural College, located at Ames, that state, being awarded his degree of D. V. S., in 1879. Returning to Wisconsin, he began practicing in Beaver Dam, where he resided for three years. At the ex- piration of that time he returned to Fond du Lac and opened a livery stable which he conducted in connection with the practice of his profession. He is a very capable man and met with such success that he acquired much more than a local reputation. In 1898, he disposed of his interests here and went to East Aurora, New York, to take charge of the stables of J. C. and Harry Hamlin. They were at that time the owners of some of the finest stables in this country and had eight hundred trotting horses. He remained in their service for five years and at the expiration of that period went to Philadelphia as veterinary surgeon and trainer for John M. Mack. Two years later he severed this connection and went to Pomfret, Connecticut, where for a year he served J. C. Harrison in the same capacity. At the end of that time he once more located in Fond du Lac and until
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a short time ago when he removed to St. Francis, Minnesota, was engaged in practice here, meeting with excellent success.
Dr. Martin married Miss Margaret Boulmus of Racine, Wisconsin, and both he and his wife are members of the Episcopal church. He belongs to the National Fraternal League, and in his political views is republican. During the first period of his practice as veterinary surgeon at Fond du Lac he was appointed state humane agent by Governor Upham, and served in that capacity for nine years. resigning his office when he went east. Dr. Martin is very highly esteemed in Fond du Lac, where he has passed the greater part of his life, and has many stanch friends, the majority of whom have known him from boyhood.
HERMAN A. MICHLER.
Herman A. Michler is the owner of a wagon and carriage shop located at 31 Third street, Fond du Lac, which he has been conducting with constantly increas- ing success for twenty-eight years. Not only has he won recognition as a capable and efficient business man, but he has also at various times been prominently identified with public affairs, and in the discharge of his official duties he has manifested the same qualities that characterize him. in his transactions in private life.
His birth occurred in Germany, on the 4th of January, 1862, his parents being William and Charlotte Michler, who emigrated to the United States in 1872. Their family numbered six, all of whom are living, our subject being the eldest. Otto, who is the next in order of birth, married Annie Guse, a daughter of William and Wilhelmina Guse of Fond du Lac, and they have five children : Martha, Max, Gertrude, Elmer and Dorothy. William C. married Louisa Wust, a daughter of Ferdinand Wust, and to them have been born four children: Ruth Arthur, Charlotte and Harold. Erma married William Bannasch of Fond du Lac, and they have one daughter, Valeria. Charles A. chose for his wife Eliza- beth Capella, a daughter of Herman Capella of Plymouth and they have one son, Willis. Albert, the youngest member of the family, is an invalid and has never married.
The first ten years in the life of Herman A. Michler were passed in the land of his birth, where he began his education. He subsequently continued his studies in St. Peter's parochial school of this city until he was a youth of fourteen years, when he laid aside his text-books and began his business training. During the succeeding three years he followed various pursuits, such as lads of that age usually engage in, and in that period became an apprentice in the blacksmith shop of Henry. Bloedel. When his period of service was ended, he entered the employ of Giddings & Lewis. He remained with them for a year and then took a posi- tion with L. F. Haas, for whom he worked for four years. It was his ambition to have a shop of his own, and although he had practically no capital he managed to acquire the necessary equipment and on the 22d of December, 1884, engaged in business for himself. From the very first he made it a point not to turn out any work that was not a credit to his establishment, and as he was a skilled mechanic, used good material and made prompt deliveries his patrons took delight in recommending him and his work, and as a result he rapidly built up a good trade. The policy he adopted on first starting out in business he has rigidly maintained, and as a result he has a well established and thriving industry and numbers among his patrons many of the leading citizens of both city and county whose names have appeared on his books for more than a quarter of a century. Mr. Michler is a man of enterprising and progressive methods and his shop is provided with a thoroughly modern equipment and is unquestionably one of the finest establishments of the kind in the county.
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For his wife and helpmate, Mr. Michler chose Miss Eliza Abel, a daughter of Frederick and Anna (Kayser) Abel of Fond du Lac, and to them have been born three children, Louisa, Walter and Margaret.
The family are members of the Lutheran church of which Mr. Michler is one of the trustees, and in politics he is a democrat. He has served as a member of the board of county supervisors and also as alderman from his ward, while for several years he was a member of the school board. He is a stockholder in the Citizens State Bank and has been a member of the board of directors of this institution ever since its organization in 1911. The prosperity that has at- tended the efforts of Mr. Michler has not come easily nor has his career been without obstacles and defeats, these, however, have only proven incentives to yet greater effort on his part and his years of unremitting diligence have at last been crowned with success.
TIMOTHY ALOYSIUS HARDGROVE, D. D. S.
Dr. Timothy Aloysius Hardgrove, a practicing dentist of Fond du Lac, is one of the best known and most prominent members of the profession in this county. He maintains his offices in the Commercial National Bank building and has his residence at No. 103 Third street. His birth occurred in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, on the 7th of July, 1874, his parents being Timothy and Bridget (O'Loughlin) Hardgrove, both of whom are natives of County Clare, Ireland. His paternal grandparents, Henry and Mary (Hines) Hardgrove, passed away in Eden township, Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, the former dying at the age of ninety-six and the latter at the age of seventy-five. Henry Hardgrove fol- lowed general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career. He was a man of strong character and deep practical education. Unto him and his wife were born thirteen children, namely: Frank (a daughter), John, Henry, Bridget, Timothy, Mary, Elizabeth, Ellen, Richard, George, Jane, Margaret and one who died in early life. Peter and Bridget (O'Dea) O'Loughlin, the maternal grandparents of our subject, were early settlers in Taycheedah township, this county. Peter O'Loughlin served as county surveyor for a number of years and was a well educated and highly cultured Irishman. He passed away at the age of sixty-two, while his wife was seventy-three years old when called to her final rest. Their children were as follows: Catharine, Bridget, Susan, Mary, Mar- garet, Joseph, Peter, Michael, Patrick, Terrence, Gilbert, Ella and one who died in early life. Peter O'Loughlin, the father of this large family, was an agricul- turist by occupation.
Timothy Hardgrove, the father of Dr. T. A. Hardgrove, was six years of age when taken by his parents to Toronto, Canada, while subsequently the family removed to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He grew to manhood in Forest township, Fond du Lac county, where his parents had taken up their abode among the early settlers. In early manhood he devoted his attention to farming but later came to Fond du Lac and was there engaged in the grocery business for a time, while later he served in the capacity of chief of police for a few years. Sub- sequently he conducted a grocery establishment at Eden and afterward served as under sheriff for a few years. He gives his political allegiance to the demo- cracy and has long been an active factor in the local ranks of his party, having served as chairman of the town of Eden for many years and also as postmaster for a number of years. At the present time he is engaged in farming on a small scale at Eden. Mrs. Timothy (O'Loughlin) Hardgrove previous to her mar- riage was a teacher and is a person possessing noble traits of character and a splendid education. Both he and his wife are devoted communicants of the Catholic church and are numbered among the valued and esteemed citizens of the community. They have six children, as follows: Joseph, who is superintendent and principal of the high school at Manawa, Wisconsin ; George, an undertaker of
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Fond du Lac ; Timothy A., of this review ; J. Gilbert, an attorney of Milwaukee, Wisconsin : Mary, who is an assistant librarian of the Fond du Lac public lib- rary; and Ella, who follows the profession of teaching in Minneapolis, Minne- sota.
Timothy A. Hardgrove, whose name introduces this review, was reared in Eden, Wisconsin, and attended the public schools of that place. After putting aside his text-books he learned the cooper's trade and also worked at farming. In 1897 he came to Fond du Lac and for a short time was employed as a hotel clerk. Having determined upon the practice of dentistry as a life work, he studied that profession under Drs. Hildreth and Gillett and subsequently en- tered the Chicago College of Dental Surgery, which institution conferred upon him the degree of D. D. S. After his graduation he remained a dental practi- tioner of Chicago for eight years and then returned to Fond du Lac, where he has since maintained his offices and where he is enjoying a liberal and lucrative practice. While a resident of the western metropolis he was a member of the teaching staff of dental surgery in the Chicago College of Dental Surgery. He is now lecturer of special pathology in Marquette University of Milwaukee. Dr. Hardgrove is a member of the executive council of the Wisconsin State Dental Society and a member of the board of censors of the Fox River Valley Dental Society and also belongs to the Fond du Lac Dental Society. Of the two last named organizations he has served as president.
On the 19th of June, 1902, Dr. Hardgrove was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Veronica McKenna, a young lady accomplished in music and of high intellectual attainments and a daughter of Maurice and Nellie (Fagan) McKenna. Her paternal grandparents were Maurice and Mary (Mullane) McKenna and her maternal grandparents were John and Mary (Cody) Fagan. Unto Dr. and Mrs. Hardgrove have been born three children: Maurice A., Joseph McKenna and Mary Elizabeth. Attractive social qualities have gained Dr. Hardgrove a host of friends and his position is one of distinctive preferment in both social and professional circles.
WALTER J. HOBBS.
Walter J. Hobbs is one of the stockholders of the Ripon Produce Company and manages their creameries here and at Marshfield. He was born at Win- ooski, Sheboygan county, this state, on the 2d of June, 1867, and is a son of Joseph J. and Susan (Henry) Hobbs, natives of England. The parents came to America with their parents in early life and located in Sheboygan county during the pioneer period. The father, who was a merchant, was for thirty years engaged in business at Winooski, but disposed of his store in 1897 and now lives retired at Brandon, this state. The mother, however, has passed away, her death having occurred in June, 1884. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph J. Hobbs, all of whom are living with the exception of two. Joseph J. Hobbs was actively interested in politics in early life and is one of the fore- most citizens of his community.
The education of Walter J. Hobbs was obtained in the public schools of his native county, where he passed his boyhood and early youth. In 1885, he came to Fond du Lac county and took a position in the cheese factory of Daniel Jones, in whose employ he remained for six years. At the expiration of that period, in 1891, he went to Brandon and bought the creamery and cheese factory of Charles Hazen, in the operation of which he was associated with his brother A. H. Hobbs. He met with good success in the conduct of this enterprise but he disposed of it in 1903 and purchased the farm of Norman Miller, located in the vicinity of Ripon. His entire time and energy was devoted to the devel- opment of this place during the succeeding four years, and then he sold it and
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bought stock in the Ripon Produce Company. Mr. Hobbs is thoroughly familiar with the operation of creameries, owing to his long experience in this connec- tion, and since he has been associated with this company has had charge of their local plant and also the one at Marshfield, but he resides in Ripon.
On the 24th of April, 1895, Walter J. Hobbs was married to Miss Mary A. Cole, a daughter of Alamanda and Louisa Cole, early settlers of Dodge county, whence they later removed to Brandon. Mr. and Mrs. Hobbs have one son, Glenway, who is attending high school.
The family attend the services of the Congregational church, in which Mrs. Hobbs holds membership. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows. He votes the republican ticket, but has never been identified with municipal affairs, although he is public-spirited in matters of citizenship and takes a personal interest in the progress and development of the community.
WILLIAM F. WEBER.
William F. Weber, editor and publisher of the Nordwestlicher Courier and the Daheim at Fond du Lac, was born in Wuertemberg, Germany, in the village of Schwendi, October 3, 1851, his parents being Carl and Victoria (Weber) Weber, both of whom were natives of Germany. The latter was a daughter of Michael Weber, a carpenter and contractor, who died in that country in middle life. The father, Carl Weber, was in the government service in Ger- many for a number of years, and there passed away in 1855 at the age of forty- nine years. His wife survived him and came to America in 1872, settling first in Chicago, but in 1874 she removed with her son to Fond du Lac and lived with him until her death which occurred January 24, 1907, when she had reached the age of eighty-four years, four months and four days. Both were members of the Catholic church. They had but two children, the daughter being Mary, the deceased wife of Henry Bormann, a resident of Hammond, Indiana.
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