Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, past and present, Volume II, Part 20

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

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On the 23d of June, 1907, Bonduel J. Husting was married to Miss Kate Anderson, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Warren Anderson, of Eldorado town- ship. They have two children, Helen and Isabel.

Berthold J. Husting was reared in Mayville and was graduated from the high school there. He, too, pursued his law course in the University of Wis- consin, which he entered in 1897 and from which he was graduated in 1900. The same year he was admitted to the bar but did not at once engage in prac- tice. He was a professional ball player until 1902, when, after four years' experience in that line, he finished with the Philadelphia team under Connie Mack of the American League. In 1902 he came to Fond du Lac and entered into partnership with his brother Bonduel A., since which time they have practiced together. The firm occupies a prominent position in professional circles.

On the 27th of August, 1902, he married Miss Agnes Sternberger, a daugh- ter of Jacob and Francisca (Leute) Sternberger. She was born in Bangor, Wisconsin, and her parents were natives of Germany but became early settlers of Bangor, where her father died in 1889, at the age of seventy-one years. The mother is living, being a resident of Mayville. In their family were four chil- dren, of whom three yet survive: Mrs. Julia Ruedebusch, of Mayville; Carl, a resident of Milwaukee; and Mrs. Husting. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Berthold J. Husting have been born two children, Suzanne and John.

Berthold J. Husting is a member of the county board of supervisors and like his brother, is an ardent democrat. Both are recognized as leading workers in party ranks and their opinions carry weight in local political circles. They are devoting their attention, however, chiefly to their professional duties, which are of growing importance as well as of volume. They have been connected with much of the leading litigation tried in the courts of this district and the many verdicts which they have won favorable to their clients are proof of their ability and the care with which they prepare their cases.

JOHN W. SHEA.

John W. Shea is one of the enterprising and well known citizens of Eden township, Fond du Lac county, where he is successfully engaged in the cultiva- tion of his highly developed farm of eighty-seven acres. He was born July 4, 1852, and is a son of William and Mary (Leahy) Shea, both of whom were natives of County Kerry, Ireland. The father emigrated to America in 1842, settling first at Springfield, Massachusetts, where he took up work as a day laborer. He was a man of powerful physique, standing over six feet in height and was known among his associates as a well built and handsome man. He removed from Massachusetts to Wisconsin in 1853, settling in the town of

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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY

Osceola, Fond du Lac county, where he established his home. The land he purchased from the government and at that time it was covered with a heavy growth of hardwood timber, and the woods and surrounding country were filled with wild animals common to that part of Wisconsin. The deer could often be seen feeding upon the foliage of the trees he had recently felled. Wolves were abundant and ever constant in their stealthy habits and never failed to fill the evening air with the alarm of their savage wails. In this unbroken wilderness he built a log cabin in which he lived with his family and devoted his attention to the clearing and improving of his farm. He continued to maintain his home on that place during the remaining years of his life which closed in 1898.

Mr. Shea was united in marriage in Springfield, Massachusetts, to Miss Mary Leahy, who with her parents emigrated to America from Ireland in 1842. Mr. and Mrs. Shea became the parents of seven children: John W. our subject, who was born in Massachusetts, July 4, 1852; Daniel; Mary, who died at the age of fifteen; William; Katherine; Maurice; and Michael. The mother of this family passed from this life in September, 1911. Of their family Daniel and Michael still reside on the old homestead where they are engaged in general farming.

John W. Shea was reared at home and received his early education in the old log schoolhouse in the district in which he lived. He remained under the par- ental roof, and at the age of twenty-one years was compelled to assume the care and management of the home farm as his father became incapacitated to work as a result of an accident sustained in a runaway. At the age of thirty-one John W. Shea purchased a farm of eighty-seven acres in Eden town- ship where he established his home and has since continued to reside here, giving his entire attention to the care and operation of one of the most highly developed and beautiful farms in Fond du Lac county.

Mr. Shea was united in marriage in 1880 to Miss Johannah Cavanaugh, whose parents emigrated from County Kerry, Ireland, in the early '50s. To Mr. and Mrs. Shea six children were born, Mary, Katherine Anne, Ella, Liza, Maurice and Rose. The mother of this family passed away in February, 1899, since which time the father has lived retired, making his home with his only son Maurice, who is actively engaged in the cultivation of his father's place, thus relieving the latter of as much care and responsibility as possible.

Mr. Shea is affiliated with the democratic party but independent in the exer- cise of his franchise with reference to local affairs. He has never allowed his: name to be used for any political office, preferring rather to devote his atten- tion to his personal interests. He and his family are members of St. Mary's Catholic church of Eden. Mr. Shea is one of the well known and respected citizens of Fond du Lac county in which he has spent the major portion of his life engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is interested in every public measure seeking the improvement of conditions and circumstances of the people and is in every way a most useful and desirable citizen.

BARTHOL W. JAEGER.

Barthol W. Jaeger, one of the active and progressive agriculturists of Fond du Lac county, has a farm of one hundred acres in Ashford, his native town- ship. He was born on July 10, 1871, upon his father's farm and is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Hess) Jaeger, natives of Germany. His father was. born in that country in 1845 and came to the United States in his infancy. His early life was spent upon his father's farm in Ashford township and he followed agricultural pursuits until he was seventeen years of age. At that time he enlisted in a Wisconsin regiment of heavy artillery, serving for four

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years during the Civil war. He was married after his discharge and settled upon the homestead where he cultivated the land until his death which occurred in 1885. His wife is still living and resides in Campbellsport in the sixty-third year of her life. To them were born eight children: John, who is deceased ; Barthol, the subject of this sketch; Lena; Mary, who has passed away ; John, the second of the name; Henry; Matthias; and William.

Barthol Jaeger received his education in the district schools of his native township and spent his boyhood upon his father's farm. When he was twenty- four years of age he rented the home place and for six years was active and successful in its operation. At the end of that time he purchased forty acres which constituted a portion of the homestead and began its cultivation. Here he is now residing, having met during the period of his residence with well deserved and gratifying success. He has added to his holdings at different times and his farm now consists of one hundred acres of fertile and produc- tive land. He has realized the value and importance of keeping pace with mod- ern advancement in agriculture and his progressive methods have been the strongest factors in his success. He has improved his property, built good modern barns and outbuildings and a comfortable and attractive home, and his enterprise is in every way up-to-date and efficiently conducted.

Mr. Jaeger was united in marriage in 1894 to Miss Helen Phiel, a daughter of Godlieb Phiel of Ashford township, in which section she was born. Mr. and Mrs. Jaeger became the parents of six children: Henry ; Leona; Arthur ; Alex- ander, who died in infancy ; Leo; and Emma. The family belong to the Roman Catholic church of Ashford.

In his political beliefs Mr. Jaeger is republican, and is interested in all that pertains to general progress and improvement. He was treasurer of the school district for six years and is an ardent supporter of the cause of educa- tion. He gives his encouragement to all movements looking to the advancement and growth of his native section and is broad-minded and public-spirited.

EDMUND BLEWETT.

While advancement at the bar is proverbially slow, steady progress has brought Edmund Blewett to an enviable position as a practitioner of law in Fond du Lac, where for eighteen years he has followed his profession. His success is due to determined purpose and natural ability, the former manifest- ing itself in careful preparation of his cases and in their clear and forceful presentation before the courts. He is one of New England's native sons, his birth having occurred in Roxbury, Connecticut, February 25, 1849, his parents being Thomas and Mary (O'Leary) Blewett, both of whom were natives of County Waterford, Ireland. The paternal grandparents were Edmund and Mary Blewett, the former a farmer by occupation. He died in Ireland in middle life, while his wife lived to be more than one hundred years of age, her death occur- ring in the village of Stamford, Connecticut. Their children were John, Mary, Thomas, Catharine, James, Pierce, Michael and Edmund. The maternal grand- father, Thomas O'Leary, was also a farmer and both he and his wife passed away on the Emerald isle when well advanced in years. Their children were Thomas, Mary, Andrew, Michael, John, Ellen and Bridget.

Thomas Blewett, father of Edmund Blewett, spent his youthful days in his native country and there learned the trade of wiredrawing. When a young man he came to America, settling first in New York city, where he followed his trade for a time and then removed to Roxbury, Connecticut, where he continued in the same line of business. In 1855 he came to Wisconsin and purchased land in Eldorado township, where he cleared and improved a farm and reared

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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY

his family. Upon that place he continued to make his home until his death, which occurred in March, 1894, when he reached the ripe old age of eighty- five years. For six years he had survived his wife, who passed away at the age of eighty-two. Both were members of the Catholic church. Their family numbered six children, of whom four reached adult age: Edmund, the sub- ject of this review; Michael, of Jamestown, North Dakota; Andrew, who also resides in Jamestown; and Pierce, of the same place.

Edmund Blewett has been a resident of Fond du Lac county from the age of six years. He was reared upon his father's farm and attended the district schools of the neighborhood. After putting aside his text-books his entire at- tention was given to the work of the fields until he reached the age of twenty- four years, when he went into the pine woods of northern Wisconsin on the Shioc river and engaged in timber work and in log driving on the river. He spent twelve seasons in that way and was then called to public office, being elected county clerk of Fond du Lac county, in which position he creditably and acceptably served for four years. On his retirement from office he began farming on his own account in Oakfield township and was thus identified with agricultural pursuits for eight years. At the end of that time he was appointed deputy clerk of the court and served for four years, during which period he became interested in the law and began studying with the purpose of some day engaging in practice. In 1894 he was admitted to the bar and at once opened an office in Fond du Lac, where he has since remained. His clientage has grown in volume and importance as the years have passed by and he is well known in the work of the courts as one who holds to a high standard of pro- fessional ethics and gives unfaltering devotion to the interests of his clients.

On the IIth of November, 1873, Mr. Blewett was married to Miss Catharine Casey, a native of Racine county, Wisconsin, and a daughter of James and Mary (Reburn) Casey, who were natives of Ireland but became early settlers of Racine county. Subsequently they removed to Iowa, taking up their abode near Prairie du Chien, where both died at an old age. Their other children were Maria, Margaret, Sarah M., John and Thomas.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Blewett five children have been born: E. Reburn, who is now in Oregon; Robert L., a practicing attorney of Seattle, Washington, who married Ernestine White; Catharine L., the wife of E. C. Kelly, a resident of Everett, Washington; and two who died in childhood. The parents are communicants of the Catholic church and Mr. Blewett also holds membership with the Catholic Order of Forresters and the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin: His political allegiance has always been given to the democratic party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He is loyal to its principles and in matters of citizenship he stands for progress and improvement, cooperating in all the movements which he deems of benefit to the community at large, For more than a half century he has lived in Fond du Lac county and its history is largely familiar to him, while his own life record is known to the majority of his fellow townsmen and commends him to their confidence and regard.

PAUL W. THIEL.

One the record of county officials who have ably served their fellow towns- men in caring for public business is found the name of Paul W. Thiel, serving as register of deeds of Fond du Lac county. He was born in Ripon, Wisconsin, January 23, 1880. The family name indicates his German lineage. His pa- ternal grandparents both died in Germany when well advanced in years. They had cleared a large farm and to provide for their support the grandfather had cultivated a small farm which he owned. His son Fritz Thiel was born in

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Posen, Germany, and was reared and educated in that part of the country, there remaining until he attained his majority, when he decided to try his for- tune in America. On crossing the Atlantic he took up his abode in Ripon, where he learned the mason's and plasterer's trades. He has since continued in those lines of business and has now been a resident of Ripon for about forty-eight years. He married Johanna Maas, who was born in the province of Pommern, Germany. Both are consistent members of the Lutheran church and they are very widely and favorably known in Ripon, where they have lived for almost a half century. Fritz Thiel was the founder of Company D of the national guard of Ripon, which was organized in 1879 and of which he served as first lieutenant for twelve years. Unto him and his wife were born seven children, of whom three are living: Hugo E .. a resident of Ripon ; Paul W .; and Alfred E.

Paul W. Thiel spent his boyhood and youth in his parents' home in his native town and was graduated from the high school there. He then followed brick laying and plastering for several years and has ever led a busy, active and useful life. His fellow townsmen, appreciative of his worth and ability, called him to public office in 1910, electing him register of deeds of Fond du Lac, the duties of which position he assumed on the Ist of January, 191I.

On the Ist of May, 1906, Mr. Thiel married Miss Louisa Behm, a daugh- ter of William and Henrietta (Beck) Behm. Mrs. Thiel was born in Ripon and her mother was also a native of Wisconsin but her father was born in Germany. They became early residents of Ripon, where they still make their home and for many years Mr. Behm served as street commissioner there. Two children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Thiel, Roy W. and Paul A.

The parents hold membership in the Lutheran church and are loyal to their professions. Mr. Thiel belongs to Ripon Lodge, I. O. O. F., and the Benevo- lent Protective Order of Elks at Fond du Lac. He is likewise connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party. Moreover, he has an interesting military chapter in his life record, having been a member of the Wisconsin National Guard at Ripon for twelve years lacking ten days, during which period he was advanced through successive ranks until he became commander of the company, serving as its captain for three years. He has never been content to sit still and await devel- opments but has been on the alert to promote individual and public progress and in public office is proving most capable and faithful.

HERMAN SCHROEDER.

Agriculture in these modern times is expanding into a progressive science. Obsolete methods have been abandoned and cumbersome machinery · has been replaced by improved devices. Today a man who seeks success as a farmer must bring to his activities an alert and progressive mind, a practical knowledge of agricultural methods and an ability to keep pace with the growing expan- sion and development. A farmer of this class is Herman Schroeder, active in the operation of one of the most prosperous and substantial farms in Empire township. Herman Schroeder is of German parentage and his father, Fred

Schroeder, was a native of Mecklenburg. It was he who founded the family in America. He came to the United States when he was a young man and settled in 1864 in Milwaukee where he remained for two years. In 1866 he bought forty acres of land in Forest township and set about to improve and develop it. He built upon his holdings a log cabin in which he resided for two years before he came to Empire township where he rented a small farm. He was successful in agricultural pursuits in this district for five years and at

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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY

the end of that time purchased eighty acres in the same district. He improved and operated his land until 1904, built a good house upon his property and erected a fine barn. He increased the yield of his acres by scientific methods and brought his fields to a high state of productiveness before his retirement in 1904. In that year he moved to Fond du Lac where he built a beautiful and commodious home where he resides on Sherman street. Fred Schroeder was married to Miss Henrietta Peters, a native of Germany, who crossed the At- lantic to America with her mother at an early date. They became the parents of eight children.

Herman Schroeder was born in Milwaukee, July 12, 1868, and received his early education in the district schools of Empire township. He has been a farmer since his early childhood and the practical experience which he gained as a boy upon his father's farm has been a vital factor in bringing about his substantial prosperity of today. When he was fourteen years of age he left the homestead upon which he had been reared and in the employ of others engaged in farm work. He worked by the month until he was twenty-three years of age and gained a thorough working knowledge of agriculture in all its aspects. In 1891 he was enabled to rent a farm in Empire township and carried on its cultivation in this capacity for six months. At the end of that period his financial condition was such that he was able to buy the large farm in Empire township which he is now cultivating. He has made extensive im- provements upon his property, has erected many new outbuildings and his prac- tical activities have been productive of a gratifying degree of prosperity.

In 1893, Mr. Schroeder was united in marriage to Miss Wilhelmina Neu- mann, whose birth occurred in Germany on September 6, 1872. She is a daugh- ter of August and Wilhelmina (Kreuger) Neumann, who left their native coun- try in 1883 and made their residence in America in the township of Eden. They are now residing in Byron township where they are well known and prominent. To Mr. and Mrs. Herman Schroeder have been born four children: Arnim, Bernhard. Edward and Viola. Mr. Schroeder holds membership in St. Peter's church of Fond du Lac and has been active for many years in its affairs. He gives his allegiance to the republican party and has been prominent for some time in local politics. He served for two years as treasurer of his township and was section supervisor for four years. He is now clerk of the school district and has carried on successful and intelligent work in this capacity for fifteen years. He has served for even a longer period as roadmaster of Empire and his record in office has been marked by ability and honorable enterprise. His political career has been conducted with energy, ability and honor, and progressive principles have always directed his public life as they have animated and controlled his private activities.

X EDWARD W. PHELPS.

Throughout his entire professional career Edward W. Phelps has been a resident of Fond du Lac, his practice at the bar of this city covering twenty- eight years. He early recognized the fact that diligence and perseverance are as essential in professional as in industrial or agricultural lines and through the employment of those qualities he has made continuous progress. The county numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in the township of Byron, on the 9th of December, 1864. His father, Calvin P. Phelps, was a native of New York and the son of a farmer of that state. In 1846, however, he became a pioneer settler of Fond du Lac county, removing from Cayuga county, New York, where he had been reared on the old home- stead farm, to the town of Byron, which was then undeveloped and unim-

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proved. In the midst of the forest he began to clear a piece of land and there built a log cabin, in which he lived in true pioneer style, but as the years passed by the comforts and conveniences known to modern civilization were added and the little pioneer home was replaced by a modern frame residence. He occupied the farm until about 1869, when he removed to Fond du Lac, where he engaged in the insurance business until advancing years caused him to put aside business cares. He died in 1897, at the venerable age of eighty-five years. In early manhood he had wedded Miss Polly Beach, also a native of the Empire state. Her parents removed westward to Michigan and settled in Washtenaw county. Mrs. Calvin P. Phelps survived her husband for about a decade and died in 1907, at the age of eighty-six years. Both attended the Con- gregational church, leading earnest Christian lives and were throughout the community in which they lived held in the highest esteem. Calvin P. Phelps served as a member of the county board, and at various times filled a number of township offices. In their family were six children: Amelia, who became the wife of J. C. Heckert but is deceased ; Erastus . F., living in Denver, Colo- rado; Mary J., the wife of A. D. Clarke, of Algona, Iowa; Martha A., the wife of A. A. Shepherd, of Milwaukee; Sarah, who was the first wife of A. A. Shepherd and died in 1893; and Edward W. The eldest son was a soldier of the Civil war, serving throughout the period of hostilities in the Twenty-first Wisconsin Regiment.

Edward W. Phelps has made his home in Fond du Lac from the age of four years. He attended the public schools, whereby he acquired a good pre- liminary education, and then with the desire to become a member of the bar matriculated in the law department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, from which he was graduated with the class of 1884. The same year he was admitted to the bar and opened an office in Fond du Lac, where he has since practiced. The zeal with which he has devoted his energies to his profession, the careful regard evinced for the interests of his clients and an assiduous and unrelaxing attention to all details of his cases have brought him a large business and made him very successful in its conduct.

On the 18th of September, 1888, Edward W. Phelps was married to Miss Alice M. Thompson, a daughter of Joseph R. and Ellen Bond (Fuller) Thomp- son. Mrs. Phelps was born in Byron township, while her parents were na- tives of Maine. Her parents became early settlers of Byron township, but subsequently took up their abode in the city of Fond du Lac, where they re- sided for a number of years, the father passing away here. The mother after- ward removed to Lincoln, Kansas, where her death occurred October 9, 1911, when she was seventy-one years of age. Her remains were brought back for interment in Reinzi cemetery. Edward W. Phelps belongs to Fidelity Lodge, No. 19, K. P., and also to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, in both of which organizations he has many friends. His political support is unfalter- ingly given to the democratic party and for six terms he has filled the office of | city attorney. That he has been again and again chosen for that position is unmistakable evidence of his capability and fidelity. Those who know him- and he has a wide acquaintance-entertain for him warm regard, and he is accounted a leading attorney and representative citizen of Fond du Lac.

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Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, past and present, Volume II, Part 20

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