USA > Wisconsin > Fond du Lac County > Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, past and present, Volume II > Part 23
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bought the home farm and upon this he has since lived, attaining a well de- served and gratifying success by his industry and intelligent activity.
In 1874, James McEvoy was united in marriage to Miss Mary Roche, and to them was born one daughter, Mary Agnes, who is now Mrs. Henry Stahl of Portland, Oregon. The first wife of our subject died in 1875 and three years later he was again married. His second union was with Miss Julia A. Ryan, a daughter of Patrick Ryan, who became the mother of eight children, Thomas J., William H., May L., Adaline, George, Emmett, Katherine and Frank, the lat- ter two of whom have passed away. The family belongs to St. James Catholic church, of Eden.
Mr. McEvoy affiliates with the democratic party and has served as district clerk for nine years. He has always been true and loyal in matters of citizen- ship and is well known in this county where he has resided from his early boy- hood. He has a. wide acquaintance and has won trust and good-will through a life which in all its phases has been upright, straightforward and honorable.
ROY L. MORSE.
Roy L. Morse is actively connected with a profession which has important bearing upon the progress and stable prosperity of any section or community and one which has long been considered as conserving the public welfare by further- ing the ends of justice and maintaining individual rights. He is now senior part- ner of the firm of Morse & Chadbourne, with offices in the Commercial National Bank building in Fond du Lac, where he has practiced continuously since 1907. He was born in Racine county, Wisconsin, March 8, 1870, and was named in honor of his paternal grandfather, Roy Morse, who was a native of Vermont and a farmer by occupation. In 1847 he removed westward to Racine county, Wisconsin, living three miles west of the city of Racine. He reached the very venerable age of ninety-six years and his wife, who in her maidenhood was a Miss Jones, died at the age of ninety-three. They had a large family includ- ing James B., Addison J., Charles, Josephine, Genie, Eunice and others. The first named, James B. Morse, was the father of Roy L. Morse and was born in Ohio but was only seven years of age when the family removed to Racine county, Wisconsin, where he was reared to farm life. Later he took up agri- cultural pursuits on his own account and to that work has devoted his time and attention to the present. Both he and his wife still reside on the old homestead in Racine county. The latter bore the maiden name of Jennie Smith, and is a native of England. Her father, Charles H. Smith, was born in the same country and became a minister of the Baptist church. About 1850 he crossed the Atlan- tic to America, settling in the east, but later brought his family to Wisconsin and became a pioneer resident of Racine county. For a considerable period he en- gaged in preaching in the city of Racine and vicinity. He died at the age of eighty years while his wife was ninety-two years of age at the time of her de- mise.
James B. Morse has always provided for the support of his family through agricultural pursuits, but at the time of the Civil war he put aside all business and personal considerations and went to the front in defense of the Union as a member of the Twenty-second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry with which he served for a long period and then received an honorable discharge. He is a Con- gregationalist in religious faith and is serving as deacon in the church in which he holds membership. Unto him and his wife were born four children: May. the wife of the Rev. Wallace M. Short, of Sioux City, Iowa: Roy L .; Dr. Sam- uel Morse, a practicing physician of Kansas City, Missouri ; and Harriet, who
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is a law student in the office with her brother. All the children are graduates of Ripon College.
Roy L. Morse was reared upon his father's farm in Racine county, Wiscon- sin, and supplemented his early education, acquired in the public schools, by study in Ripon College which he entered in 1886 when sixteen years of age. He was graduated therefrom in 1894, and with the completion of his prepara- tory course he went to Princeton. His law reading was directed by the Hon. Frank E. Clark, and in 1896 he successfully passed the examination that secured his admission to the bar. He then located for practice in Ripon, and while there residing was also for two years editor and proprietor of the Ripon Free Press. In 1900 he was elected district attorney which office he filled for four years, and in 1904 he was candidate for congress. In that year he removed to Fond du Lac where he has since practiced law and for a year or more has been associated with Frank W. Chadbourne under the firm style of Morse & Chadbourne. He is a strong advocate with the jury and concise in his appeals before the court. His prominence has come to him as the reward of earnest endeavor, fidelity to trust and recognized ability.
On the 12th of May, 1897, Mr. Morse was united in marriage to Miss Bea- trice Kellogg, a daughter of John and Gertrude (Jelleff) Kellogg, the latter a native of Canada. Her parents were early settlers of Ripon and a well known family there. Her father died in 1894 when about sixty years of age, since which time Mrs. Kellogg has come to Fond du Lac and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Morse, who is the younger of two children, her brother being Ernest Kellogg. By her marriage Mrs. Morse has become the mother of two children, Birney and Beatrice. Mr. Morse is well known in fraternal circles, holding membership in Fond du Lac Lodge, No. 140, F. & A. M., Fidelity Lodge, No. 19, K. P., and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His political sup- port is given to the republican party and he is one of its recognized local leaders, serving at the present time as chairman of the republican county committee, which position he has filled for two years. He believes it to be the duty as well as the privilege of every American citizen to exercise his right of franchise and support the political measures which he deems of greatest value to the government, and he recognizes the obligation of the individual to the community in which he lives. He is always loyal to the best interests of his home town, and in his life he has displayed those sterling traits of character which in every land and clime awaken respect and high regard.
THOMAS L. JOHNSON.
The name of Johnson has been well known in agricultural circles of Ash- ford township since 1848 when Peter Johnson left New York city, where he had settled upon his arrival from Ireland, and came to Fond du Lac county, and purchased a tract of land, unimproved and covered with timber. He was the first of the family to arrive in Wisconsin and was identified with the develop- ment and progress of Ashford township. His son Thomas L. Johnson, a na- tive of Fond du Lac county, is a worthy exponent of the principles and stand- ards championed by his father. He has been engaged in progressive agricul- ture all his life and is one of the successful and representative business men of the section in which he resides. He was born February 15, 1856, and is a son of Peter and Alice (Kelley) Johnson, natives of Ireland. His father was born in County Louth, near the city of Dublin, March 3, 1812, and came to the United States in 1846 settling first in New York city where he resided for two years, working during that time at the mason's trade which he had learned in his native country. In 1848 he came with his wife and one son, Henry, who was
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born in New York, to Fond du Lac county where he purchased two hundred and forty acres in Ashford township. The land was entirely unimproved and covered with timber and Mr. Johnson was obliged to build upon it a little log cabin in which he lived for a short time. He afterward erected a more sub- stantial log house and in this the rest of his children were born, Mary Ann, William, Barney, Katherine, Thomas L., of this review, Margaret, Alice, and John. Peter Johnson passed away upon his farm in Ashford township in 1899 when he was eighty-seven years of age. He had long survived his wife who died in 1879 when she was fifty-four years old.
Thomas L. Johnson received his education in a district school of Ashford township and his early life was spent upon his father's farm. He remained at home until 1886 when he went to Minnesota where he purchased land in Red- wood county. There he lived for several years and became widely known and greatly respected. He was interested in local politics and his influence with the public is evidenced by the fact that although he was the only democrat in his township he was elected supervisor by a large majority of votes. He served as school director there for a number of years and gained a prominent place in the affairs of the community. He left Minnesota in 1897 returning to the home farm in Ashford township. He then purchased his father's land, made sub- stantial improvements thereon and carried out a general policy of expansion and development. He recently, however, gave over the management of the land to his sons and is living practically retired, although he gives some of his time and attention to the operation of the Hillside Cheese Factory which he founded in 1906 and in which he is still interested.
In 1885, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Curran, a daughter of Farrel and Annie Curran and a native of Eden township, where she was born on November 18, 1859. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have six children, Henry Peter, George Farrel, Anna Alice, Agnes Margaret, Mary Charlotta, and Mildred Elizabeth.
Mr. Johnson gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and is in- telligently interested in public affairs, never seeking public office but always ready to do his duty toward his fellow citizens. In 1908 he was elected section supervisor and served with great ability and efficiency .. In the following year. he held the position of township chairman. His public life was distinguished by the same qualities of conscientiousness and high moral standards which have characterized his agricultural and business career and which mark him an upright and honorable business man and a loyal and public-spirited citizen. He belongs to St. James Catholic church of Eden and is widely known as a man of excellent character. He has practically retired from active life and has handed over the management of his farm to his sons who in their success as pro- gressive farmers are adhering to the standards of two generations of prosperous agriculturists.
EMIL C. KRAEMER.
Emil C. Kraemer, an abstract and loan broker of Fond du Lac, doing busi- ness at No. 71 South Main street, while his residence is located at No. 424 South Marr street, was born June 22, 1881, in the city which is yet his home, his parents being Charles and Amelia (Kobs) Kraemer, both natives of Germany. The father grew to manhood there and came to America about 1871, settling in Fond du Lac, where he has since lived. Here he has been employed in various ways. He wedded Amelia Kobs, whose father was a casket-maker. He came with his family to the new world, settling in Fond du Lac, where he spent his remaining
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days, reaching the very advanced age of ninety-five years, while his wife was about the same age at the time of her demise. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kraemer have been born four sons and a daughter: Herman J., William R., Frank F., Emil C. and Elsie, the wife of A. W. Zickert, all living in Fond du Lac.
Emil C. Kraemer was reared in Fond du Lac and attended the public and parochial schools and also a business college. He started in business as a clerk in a crockery store of W. & J. E. Mason but later secured a position in the abstract office of C. L. Encking, who died in 1899. At that time Mr. Kraemer and H. W. Newton formed a partnership and continued in the abstract business together until 1906, when the latter retired, since which time Mr. Kraemer has been alone, conducting an abstract and loan business. He has secured a good clientage and his success is due to his systematic methods, his thoroughness and his trustworthiness.
On the 18th of October, 1905, Mr. Kraemer was married to Miss Martha Mueller, a daughter of Louis and Ernestina (Dins) Mueller. Mrs. Kraemer is a native of this city but her parents came from Germany and making their way into the interior of the country were early settlers of the town of Osceola. They had a family of several children but only two are now living, the son being Otto C. Mueller. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kraemer have been born two children, Bernice E. and Arlyle E. The parents are members of St. Peter's Lutheran church, in the work of which they are actively and helpfully interested. Mr. Kraemer gives his political allegiance to the republican party which he has sup- ported since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has repre- sented the old eighth ward on the board of county supervisors and for two years he was city assessor but he has always preferred to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs, in which he has made continuous progress, having reached a most creditable position for one of his years. He has a very wide acquaintance in this, his native city and enjoys the warm friendship of nearly all with whom he has been brought in contact.
HENRY ROOT POTTER.
Henry Root Potter has been president of The Commercial National Bank since its organization in 1901. He is a son of James G. and Eliza A. (Root) Potter and was born in the city of Fond du Lac, October 31, 1861. His grand- father, General John Potter, prominent in the Pennsylvania state militia during the Mexican war, 1847-48, and his grandmother, Amelia Burnside, cousin of General Ambrose Everett Burnside, of military fame, governor of Rhode Island from 1866-69, also United States senator from Rhode Island 1875-1880, came to Wisconsin in the early '50s and settled in Fond du Lac. Having capital, he be- came interested in the large industries of the state. Mr. Potter's father, James G. Potter, enlisted in the First Wisconsin Volunteers, 1861-65, being made a lieutenant in the regular army at the close of the Civil War, which office he resigned on account of ill health.
Henry Root Potter received his education in the schools of the city, and in 1880 entered the employ of the A. K. Hamilton Lumber interests, in time being promoted to the position of secretary and manager, which position he held until 1891, when purchasing the interests of A. K. Hamilton, he organized the Fond du Lac Lumber Company. In 1904 Mr. Potter disposed of his lumber interests, and since that time has devoted his attention to his duties as president of The Commercial National Bank; secretary and treasurer of The Haber Potter Thea- ter Company, which company owns the Henry Boyle theater; secretary and treasurer of The Fountain City Supply Company ; secretary and treasurer of The
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Northern Casket Company; and secretary and treasurer of The Fond du Lac Church Furniture Company, also serving on the directories of The P. B. Haber Printing Company and The Sand Rock Water .Company, of North Fond du Lac.
On May 13, 1886, Mr. Potter was united in marriage with Miss Clementina B. Russell of Natchitoches, Louisiana, foster daughter of the Right Reverend J. H. Hobart Brown, first bishop of the Episcopal diocese of Fond du Lac. Their only child, a son, Hamilton Potter, died in infancy.
Mr. Potter belongs to Fidelity Lodge No. 19, K. of P., having served as grand chancellor of the state in 1900. He is also a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. As a citizen, he has served as alderman, supervisor, city treasurer and county treasurer, and has been president of the park board from 1902 until the present time. The city of Fond du Lac is indebted to him for the beauty and growth of the park system, the continuous drive from Park avenue through Lakeside park to Main street having been accomplished by his untiring energy.
RAYMOND C. FAIRBANK.
Raymond C. Fairbank, attorney at law and justice of the peace, qualified for the profession by a thorough course in the University of Wisconsin and has since his graduation and his admission to the bar, in 1902, been here engaged in prac- tice. He is one of the county's native sons, his birth having occurred in Fond du Lac township, January 25, 1870. His parents were Byron M. and Almira E. (Spafford) Fairbank, the former a native of New York and the latter of Ver- mont. The paternal grandfather, Joseph Fairbank, lived in the Empire state until 1844 when he came to Wisconsin and the following year settled upon land in Waupun township. The tract was wild and unimproved but he converted it into rich fields and there reared his family. He was not only one of the valued pioneer settlers of the community and a progressive farmer, but also a worthy county official who for many years served as county surveyor. He married Hannah Chapin and unto them were born three children who lived to adult age -Byron M., Chester M. and Frank M.
Byron M. Fairbank was a lad of only four years when his parents arrived in Fond du Lac county, settling, as previously stated, on the Waupun township farm in 1845. There he was reared to manhood and for many years he engaged in farming on his own account. He also filled the office of county surveyor, occupying the position for five terms. He wedded Almira E. Spafford, the daughter of David and Olive (Crocker) Spafford. Her father was a native of the Green Mountain state and devoted his life to farming and school teaching. He became an early settler of Fond du Lac township and contributed to the pioneer development and progress of the county within the borders of which he continued to reside until called to his final rest at the age of eighty-four years. His wife was sixty-six years of age when she passed away. In their family were four children : William, who died as a soldier of the Civil war ; Almira E. ; Laura, who is the wife of Joseph Trigg; and Edwin J. Of these Almira became the wife of Byron M. Fairbank and in the course of years their family numbered six children : Henry E., who is living in Plainfield, Wisconsin; Laura, the wife of Clarence Odekirk, of Monticello, Wisconsin; Raymond C., of Fond du Lac ; Marcia A., the wife of Frank Hubbard, of Los Angeles, California; Alfred F., who makes his home in Plainfield, Wisconsin; and Edith H., who died at the age of twelve years. The father of these children passed away on the old home farm in 1901 when sixty-one years of age and is survived by his wife. He was a mem- ber of the Baptist church and served as one of its trustees. He filled the office
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of town clerk as well as that of county supervisor and was always a trust- worthy man under any condition and in any emergency. Mrs. Fairbank also holds to the faith of the Baptist church and shares in the high regard in which her husband was uniformly held.
Raymond C. Fairbank had the usual experiences of farm life during the boy- hood days spent upon the old homestead in Waupun township. He was a pupil in the district school near his home and also in the Waupun high school and later he pursued a course in the Dixon (Ill.) Business College. Entering busi- ness life he traveled for four years for the Northwestern Yeast Company but desirous of entering upon a profession took up the study of law in the Univer- sity of Wisconsin and was graduated therefrom in 1902. The same year he was admitted to the bar and began practice in Fond du Lac where he has since re- mained. In 1907 he was elected justice of the peace and is now serving for the third term. His decisions are strictly fair and impartial, being based upon the law and the equity in the case and the fact that he is the incumbent in that posi- tion for a third term is indicative of the public confidence reposed on him.
On the 30th of December, 1896, Mr. Fairbank was married to Miss Julia Alice Russell, a daughter of Lewis W. and Alice (Crofoot) Russell. They have one child, Nelson Russell. The parents are members of the Congregational church and Mr. Fairbank belongs to Fidelity Lodge, No. 19, K. P. He is also connected with the Equitable Fraternal Union, the Moose, the Buffaloes, the Modern Brotherhood and the Fraternal Order of Rangers. His political alle- giance is given to the republican party and he always keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He stands for loyalty and progress in citizen- ship and in his law practice and his work in the justice court holds to a high standard of professional ethics.
CHESTER ARTHUR BALSON.
Chester Arthur Balson is one of the respected and well known farmers of Fond du Lac county where he is successfully engaged in the cultivation of a highly developed farm of sixty acres. In addition to his general farming inter- ests he makes a specialty of raising thoroughbred Buff Orpingtons, and his chicken industry is one of the most successful of its kind in Fond du Lac county. He was born May 31, 1887, and is a son of John and Azuba (Braman) Balson. The paternal grandfather was James Balson, who was born in Corn- wall, England, in 1807, and emigrated to America at a very early period in the history of Wisconsin, settling on a farm of eighty acres of government land lo- cated in the town of Byron, south of the city of Fond du Lac on the Milwaukee road. To him belongs the distinction of having built the first shack in that part of the county which he used as a domicile for his family. He later built a very comfortable log cabin which has the distinction of having been the first house built in the township of Byron. There he remained, developing and improving his farm until the time of his death. The father settled in Wisconsin in 1842 at the time his father located in Fond du Lac county, and has since continued to live upon the old homestead. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Azuba Braman, is a native of Ohio, her birth having there occurred in 1845. She re- moved to Wisconsin when a small child and later settled in Fond du Lac where she celebrated her marriage in Byron township on the 17th of May, 1868. To Mr. and Mrs. Balson ten children were born. Alvin, an agriculturist of Byron township, married Marion Shortt, of Oakfield, and they have become the parents of three children, James, William and Charles. Alice, now the wife of James Shortt, a civil engineer, is a resident of Indianapolis, Indiana. Norman J. is a carpenter by trade and married Miss Mae Stenberg, of Fond du Lac. Frank,
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who is engaged in farming in Fond du Lac township, married Miss Demmis Ewer, and to them four children were born, Warren, Blanche, Gladys and Hazel, the last named passing away in 1908. Florence became the wife of Henry Rucks, a farmer of Fond du Lac. She was called upon to mourn the loss of her hus- band April 2, 1907. She had become the mother of three sons, Henry, Walter and John, and one daughter, Frances. Mary G. was united in marriage to Wil- liam Muehlenbein, a native of Germany, now operating a farm in Byron town- ship, and to them one child, Hugo M., was born. Millie became the wife of Albert Ladewig, a carpenter of Fond du Lac, and to that union four children were born: Holly; Edward; Elmer, and Chester Arthur who passed away in 1902 at the age of three years. Mr. and Mrs. Ladewig are residents of Indi- anapolis, Indiana. Charles L. resides at Stevens Point, Wisconsin, and is em- ployed as fireman on the railroad. He married Miss Bessie E. White, of Camp- bellsport, and they are the parents of two daughters, Alice and Ruth. Cynthia is the wife of Grant James Gilbert, a carpenter, and they reside at Richmond, In- diana. Chester Arthur, of this review, is the last in order of birth.
He was reared in his parents' home and received his early education in the public schools of Fond du Lac county. At the age of fifteen years he went to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he pursued a course of business instruction and im- mediately following the completion of his studies in that city he returned to Fond du Lac and engaged in work on his father's farm. Since the retirement of the latter from active business cares Chester Arthur Balson has had complete charge of the operation of the farm in which he has been very successful.
On the 7th of April, 1909, Mr. Balson was united in marriage to Miss Essie Abel, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Abel, the former a retired farmer of Fond du Lac county. Mr. Balson is a member of the independent wing of the democratic party and he and his wife are communicants of the Methodist Epis- copal church. He is one of the enterprising and useful citizens of the county in which he was born and where he has since continued to live. He is among the well known men of the younger class of farmers, and in his chosen vocation is making a marked success.
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