USA > Wisconsin > Fond du Lac County > Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, past and present, Volume II > Part 27
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Dr. Bruno Schallern received his early education in the public schools of Ohio. He was graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Chi- cago in 1888 and took a post-graduate course in medicine at the University of
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DR. BRUNO SCHALLERN AND FAMILY
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Illinois. He attended the polyclinic in Philadelphia and took a special course in surgery and physical diagnosis. After his graduation he came immediately to Wisconsin where he practiced in Cooperstown and Kenosha. He was extremely successful in these cities and had built up an extensive practice and a local reputation when he removed to Ripon in 1892. Here he is a prominent figure in medical circles and his opinions carry great weight in the affairs of his pro- fession. He has built up a large following in his two special lines-surgery and diagnosis. He is often called in as consulting physician and his well tested ability and carefulness make him in great demand as a surgeon. He is deeply interested in everything which concerns the health of his community. He has acted as city physician of Ripon and as a member of the health commission of that city. He also was elected in 1898 mayor of Ripon and his work along public lines has always been marked by deep and exhaustive attention to detail, a thorough conscientiousness and an intense appreciation of his duty to his fellowmen. He has served as railroad surgeon for the Chicago & Northwestern line and his work in this capacity, added to his many other professional connec- tions has gained for him an increased following in the city of Ripon.
In 1879, Dr. Schallern was united in marriage to Isadore Easton, a daughter of Dr. D. J. Easton, a practicing physician of Manitowoc. Mrs. Schallern has one sister, Anna D., who is a resident of San Francisco, California. To Mr. and Mrs. Schallern have been born three children: Dr. Roy, who is associated with his father in practice; Reiner, who married Ola Monti, a daughter of Augustus Monti of Berlin, Wisconsin, and who conducts a hotel in Miami, Florida ; and Eugene.
Dr. Schallern gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and is always interested in public affairs. He is a devoted member of the Lutheran church, although his family give their allegiance to the Episcopal faith. Dr. Schallern is a member of the Masonic order and a member of the Ripon chapter. He is also prominent in the affairs of the Eastern Star and holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is one of the most prominent physicians in Ripon today. His medical practice is distinguished by a breadth of view which is necessary for a successful career as a physician.
He keeps his knowledge abreast of the times by deep and constant reading of the medical periodicals and books and his work has always been marked by a deep thoroughness and exhaustive care supplemented by a knowledge of human nature and of the necessities of the suffering and the sick.
THOMAS H. SMITH.
Thomas H. Smith, whose home farm comprises a valuable tract of eighty acres in Eden township, is also the owner of other farming property and enjoys an enviable reputation as a substantial agriculturist and representative citizen of this county. His birth occurred in Eden township on the 4th of May, 1864. His father, John Smith, who was born in County Meath, Ireland, in 1825, emigrated to the United States when a young man of twenty-five years. He spent one year in the state of New York and then made his way to Sheboygan, Wisconsin, work- ing on the railroad for a year. Subsequently he removed to the city of Oshkosh but soon afterward came to Fond du Lac and here worked for his board for about one year, taking care of a doctor's horse. Later he again worked on the railroad for a time and then came to Eden township, where his brother Patrick persuaded him to buy a farm of forty acres for one hundred dollars. The pros- pects were so discouraging, however, that he decided to return to Ireland and would have done so if his brother had not influenced him to make another effort Vol. II-12
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to establish himself in this county as an agriculturist. Abandoning his first farm, he bought another tract of forty acres in Eden township, erected thereon a log house, barn and granary and continued its cultivation throughout the re- mainder of his life. As the years passed success crowned his labors and he was long numbered among the substantial and enterprising citizens of his commu- nity. His demise occurred on the 25th of March, 1907, when he had attained the age of eighty-two years. In 1855 he had wedded Miss Mary McEnrowe, who was born in County Meath, Ireland, and who was but one year old when brought to this country by her parents, Edward and Elizabeth McEnrowe, who settled in Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin. Mrs. Mary Smith passed away on the home farm on the 30th of May, 1899. By her marriage she became the mother of ten children, six sons and four daughters.
Thomas H. Smith acquired his education in the log schoolhouse of the home district, pursuing his studies during the winter months and working on the home farm during the other seasons of the year. He remained on the homestead until twenty-five years of age and then bought the place on which he now resides and which is the property that his father originally purchased in this county and later abandoned. He has made many substantial improvements on the farm and in its operation has won a gratifying measure of success. As his financial re- sources have increased he has augmented his landed holdings by additional pur- chase and now owns one hundred acres of the old Martin place, sixty acres of the Patrick Cusick property and thirty-eight acres of the old McDonald farm. For many years he has also operated a threshing outfit.
In 1892 Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Jane Dillon, a daughter of Michael and Bridget Dillon, both of whom were natives of Ireland, the former having been born in County Tipperary and the latter in County Louth. They were married in Connecticut and eventually settled in Eden, this county, where they spent the remaining years of their lives, Michael Dillon pass- ing away in 1895 and his wife on the 28th of July, 1907. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have three children, namely : Thomas Francis, Eugenia Irene and James Monroe.
Mr. Smith is a democrat in politics and has taken an active and helpful in- terest in public affairs. He has served as treasurer of Eden township for two terms and is now acting as supervisor for the third term. The cause of educa- tion has ever found in him a stanch champion and, with the exception of two or three years, he has served as clerk of the school board since attaining his ma- jority. He is a devout communicant of St. James Catholic church and one of its most liberal supporters. Fraternally he is identified with the Foresters and holds office in the local organization of that order. He is widely and favorably known throughout the county where his entire life has been passed, and he has been a witness of many changes which have occurred here.
WILLIAM BRENNAN.
William Brennan is a son of one of the pioneer farmers of Fond du Lac county and has himself been prominently identified with agricultural interests in this section since he arrived at manhood. He was born in New York city, April 14, 1846. His parents were Timothy and Mary (Connaughty) Brennan, who were natives of Ireland. The father came from County Galway, to Fond du Lac county when he was a young man. He bought one hundred and twenty acres of government land entirely covered with timber to the amount of eighty cords to the acre. He cleared his holdings and built a log hut. His son, William Brennan, was a baby one year old when his father removed to Wisconsin and was the first child to live in the little cabin. Timothy Brennan died in Wisconsin, March 5, 1892. He and his wife were the parents of nine children: Ann, who
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makes her home with our subject, the widow of Patrick O'Brien, formerly a prominent farmer of Empire, whose death occurred in 1897; Mary, the widow of Isaac Harons, who followed the butcher's trade and died in 1912; Adelia, who married Harry Bemis, a watchman; Ellen, the wife of Marshall Scribner, a California miner ; William, who is the subject of this sketch; James, whose death occurred in 1879. The next three children of Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Brennan were triplets of whom John and Timothy, are still living. The third was a sister who died in infancy. John is practicing law in West Superior, Wisconsin, and Timothy married Miss Mamie Schonnany of Green Bay and is engaged in the real-estate business. Catherine, who concludes the family, died when but four months old.
William Brennan was educated in a little log district school. He pursued his studies for six months out of each year from the time he was three years of age up to the time when he was fifteen. When he reached that age he left school and worked for his father upon the farm. When Timothy Brennan died in 1892 William bought out the interest of his brother Timothy in the home place and has been active in its operation ever since. He has been successful in his agricultural pursuits and by hard work, industry and study of scientific methods of farming, he has built up one of the model farms of Fond du Lac county.
In 1876, William Brennan was united in marriage to Miss Bridget Conaboy, a daughter of Michael Conaboy, a prominent and prosperous farmer of Lamar- tine, Wisconsin. She died in 1877. Mr. Brennan gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and has been active in the affairs of the local organiza- tion for many years. He has been a member of the township board and served as section supervisor for two years. He takes an active interest in educational affairs and has been treasurer of the school board for fourteen years. He is a devout member of St. Patrick's Catholic church and his religion is a vital force in his every-day life. During his long period of residence in Fond du Lac town- ship William Brennan has made many friends and his well known integrity and honesty of purpose have made him popular and well known in the district.
MAJOR EDWIN R. HERREN.
Like the majority of successful men, Major Edwin R. Herren made a hum- ble start in the business world but unfaltering enterprise, laudable ambition and initiative spirit have brought him to a place of prominence in commercial and financial circles. His constantly increasing ability has found expression in the conduct of important interests and he is now vice president of the First National Bank and one of the directors of the G. F. Sanborn Company, dealers in timber- lands in Wisconsin, Michigan and Oregon. This is a Wisconsin corporation, with its principal office in Fond du Lac.
Edwin R. Herren was born in Ashtabula, Ohio, December 22, 1838, a son of Robert and Caroline (Hill) Herren, who were natives of New York and Con- necticut, respectively. His paternal grandparents were Isaac and Catherine (Frayer) Herren, who were natives of Ohio, the former of Scotch descent, while the latter came of Mohawk Dutch ancestry. They had a large family including Robert, Abraham, William, John, Henry, Simon, Catherine and Laura. The maternal grandparents of Major Herren were Edward and Caroline Hill, na- tives of Connecticut and of English lineage. Edward Hill was a shoemaker by trade and died in Ohio in 1851, when eighty-two years of age. They had a large family which included Edward, Horace, Bactor, Hiram, Marvin, Eliza and Caro- line .:
Robert Herren, the Major's father, was a cooper by trade and after his mar- riage, engaged in merchandising in Ashtabula, Ohio. He went to California in
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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY
1850 by way of the Isthmus of Panama but in 1852 returned to Ashtabula, and in the spring of the following year came to Wisconsin, settling about two and a half miles from Beloit, where he carried on farming. He afterward took up his abode in that city and there engaged in the grain and produce business. On his father's death he once more went to Ohio and settled on the old homestead. Subsequently he returned to Wisconsin, and made his home in Kilbourn in 1858. There he engaged in the grain business until he removed to Luverne, Minnesota, where he conducted a lumber business to the time of his death, which occurred in 1894, when he was seventy-nine years of age. His wife survived him and passed away in 1902, at the age of eighty-five years. They were of the Epis- copalian faith and Robert Herren was at one time identified with the state militia of Ohio. Their family numbered five children, namely :. Major Edwin R .; Ellen Adell, the deceased wife of Thomas B. Coon; Julia, the wife of Hurlburt Man- chester, of Geneva, Ohio; Herbert E., a resident of Milwaukee; and Addie, of Ogden, Utah.
Major Edwin R. Herren was a resident of Ashtabula, Ohio, until fourteen years of age and when a youth of sixteen became a pupil in the public schools there. He accompanied his parents on their removal to Beloit, where he attended the academy and afterward secured a position in the postoffice, in which he re- mained for a year. He then returned to Ohio but two years later again canie to Wisconsin and was a resident of Kilbourn, occupying a clerical position there in the office of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company. After nine months of service he was assigned to the position as agent at Iron Ridge and acted in that capacity until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when in 1861 he and Joseph Bailey raised a company for duty at the front. These were all men from Kilbourn and vicinity and Mr. Herren was chosen lieutenant, while Mr. Bailey became captain. The company was organized for three months' service but the quota was full and so they reorganized for three years, or during the length of war, becoming Company D, Fourth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. They left this state in July for the purpose of joining the Army of the Potomac and participating in the battle of Bull Run, but the action was precipitated and the battle fought before they reached that place. The regiment then remained in Baltimore, guarding the railroad until February 19, 1862, when they were sent to Newport News. On the 5th of March of the same year they sailed with two other regiments for Ship Island in the Gulf of Mexico, having been as- signed to General B. F. Butler's New Orleans expedition. They remained at Ship Island and in that vicinity until the fall of Fort Jackson and Fort St. Philip, when they were ordered to New Orleans, arriving there on the Ist of May, 1862. They were the first land forces to enter the city and they took possession of the custom house. Major Herren was actively engaged in service until May, 1863, when he was wounded, his right leg being shot off in the battle of Port Hudson. In the meantime he had been promoted to the rank of captain and as such was mustered out, while later he was brevetted major for gallant and meritorious service. He made a great sacrifice for his country but he did it willingly, and throughout his entire life has manifested the same spirit of loyalty to his nation and her welfare.
After the war Major Herren became associated with J. E. Dixon & Sons at Kilbourn in a general merchandising business but in 1866 their store was de- stroyed by fire and they afterward removed to Davenport, Iowa, where they con- ducted a dry-goods business. At length Major Herren severed his connection with that undertaking and became associated with the Sickels & Preston Hard- ware Company of Davenport, with which he continued until after the great Chi- cago fire of 1871. He then removed to Chicago and became a partner of C. H. Cronkhite in the manufacture of sash, doors, blinds and interior finishings, un- der the firm name of Cronkhite & Herren. This relationship was maintained until 1873, when Major Herren sold out to his partner and went to Stevens
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Point, Wisconsin. There he engaged in the lumber business until 1890, when he came to Fond du Lac as secretary and treasurer of the Winnebago Furniture Manufacturing Company, with which he continued until January, II, 19II. He then sold his interest in that business and later enjoyed a brief period of rest and retirement from commercial interests but is now associated with the G. F. San- born Company, extensive dealers in timberlands in Wisconsin, Michigan and Oregon. This company operates largely in the different states and the business is a growing and profitable one. Mr. Herren is also largely interested finan- cially in the First National Bank of Fond du Lac and is its vice president. He is still active in business although now seventy-three years of age and in spirit and interest he seems yet in his prime.
On the 29th of December, 1863, Edwin R. Herren was married to Miss Margaret Dixon, a daughter of James E. and Margaret (Paubst) Dixon. She died January 14, 1867, at Davenport, Iowa, and on the 14th of December, 1871, Major Herren was again married, his second union being with Miss Anna A. Yeomans, who was born in Syracuse, New York, and is a daughter of Solomon and Eliza Ann (Boardman) Yeomans, who were also natives of the Empire state and lived for some years in Catskill and afterward removed to Rochester. They had a family of four children, Julia, Louise, Anna and a son who died in infancy. Four children have been born to Major and Mrs. Herren: Francis B., who is with the Lackawanna Fast Freight Line Company in Chicago; Anna Louise, the wife of Charles Louis Gaspar, of Fond du Lac, by whom she has one child; and Edith Maria and Julia Eliza, who are both at home. Major Her- ren and his children are Episcopalians, while Mrs. Herren was reared in the Baptist religion. He belongs to Fidelity Lodge, No. 19, K. P., and also to the Loyal Legion, of which he is at present commander. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party until 1896 when, not in harmony with his party's attitude on the money question, he joined republican ranks, with which he has since been connected. He has filled various local offices and his fidelity to duty has contributed largely to public progress and improvement. For many years he was a member of the city council, also of the board of supervisors and the board of education. For twelve years he was a member of the Fond du Lac board of education and for eleven years of the library board. He has ever stood for progressive citizenship and for advancement along all those lines which con- tribute to the welfare of the individual and of the community. He has never sought public preferment but the simple weight of his character and ability have carried him into important relations and wherever he is known he is honored because of a life that has been well spent and that has constituted a cause for good in the community in which he lives.
JACOB GERHARD.
Jacob Gerhard is one of the highly respected citizens of Fond du Lac where he is engaged in the general wholesale and retail baking business, located at 22 Main street. He was born on March 3, 1871, in that city, and is a son of Jacob W., and Elizabeth (Steiger) Gerhard, both of whom were natives of Germany. Jacob W. Gerhard was born in 1832 and at the age of nineteen years emigrated to America. On arriving in the new world he spent his first year in New York, after which he removed to Milwaukee, where he remained for three years, and then removed to Fond du Lac, where he established himself in the bakery busi- ness in 1861. He continued to give his entire attention to his business and dur- ing all the active years of his life he was uniformly successful. He retired from business in 1895 and thereafter continued to reside in Fond du Lac until the time of his death, which occurred in 1907. He was united in wedlock to Miss Eliza-
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beth Steiger, who was a native of Germany and emigrated to this country at the age of twenty-three years. In their family four children were born: Emma and Lena, both of whom reside in Fond du Lac; Karl, who died at the age of nine months ; and Jacob, the subject of this review.
The last named was educated in the German-English Academy and later took one year of high school work, after which he pursued several courses in the business college of Fond du Lac, pursuing his studies in the night sessions of that institution. At the age of fourteen he became an employe in his father's bakery and continued in that employment for a period of about eleven years. In 1895 his father retired from business and at that time Jacob Gerhard became the owner and proprietor of the establishment which he has since continued to operate. The bakery is located at No. 22 Main street and three modern and up-to-date delivery wagons are required to take care of the city trade. The wholesale department of his business has been a gratifying source of income and is steadily increasing its volume of trade. The Gerhard bakery goods now reach the central and western part of the state and wherever they are sold their quality is such as to maintain a popular demand from the consumer.
In 1894 Mr. Gerhard was united in wedlock to Miss Louisa Justen, of Fond du Lac, who is a daughter of John and Mary Justen. Mr. and Mrs. Gerhard have four children, Elizabeth, Marie, Jacob W. and Karl. Mr. Gerhard is a member of the Turners and the Business Men's Association. He is one of the most progressive, up-to-date and successful business men in Fond du Lac and is everywhere known among his friends and associates as a man of integrity in all of his business transactions.
DAVID KNICKEL.
David Knickel is a native son of Fond du Lac county and has been identified with agricultural pursuits in Eden township since his early childhood, first as assistant to his father who was a well known farmer, and later as an independ- ent agriculturist. He is numbered among the men whose activities are making a distinct advance in local agricultural development and in the cultivation of his fine tract of one hundred and thirty acres is not only attaining prosperity but is adding to the resources of his section.
Mr. Knickel was born in Eden township on November 25, 1855, and is a son of Martin and Charlotte (Gudex) Knickel, natives of Germany, where they were reared and educated and where their marriage occurred. The father of our subject was born on April 2, 1816, and came to the United States with his wife and his eldest son, born in 1851, settling immediately in Eden township where he took up forty acres of government land. It was in an undeveloped state and Martin Knickel gave his entire time and attention to its improvement. He built a log cabin upon his holdings and here his other children were born. In this house he lived until his death which occurred on May 16, 1887. His wife survived him many years, dying on September 10, 1909, when she was eighty- seven years of age.
David Knickel was reared at home and received his education in the dis- trict schools of his native township. He worked upon his father's farm until he had reached the age of twenty-nine when with his brother William he pur- chased the one hundred and sixty acres which constituted the homestead. This tract of land they improved and operated for two years, selling it at the end of that time to the other heirs. They then purchased eighty-seven acres in Ash- ford township upon which they lived for eight years when David Knickel sold out and removed to his present farm of one hundred and thirty-eight acres which he purchased at the end of that time. He has made valuable improve-
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ments from time to time, building a fine large barn upon his premises and erect- ing five years later a modern and up-to-date residence equipped with all the comforts and conveniences of an attractive home. In this house he lives with his family and is assisted in the work of the farm by his two sons.
In 1886 Mr. Knickel was united in marriage to Miss Magdaline Oppermann, a daughter of August Oppermann of Auburn. To this union were born four children : Olga, who died. in infancy ; Lillian; Martin; and William. Mr. Knickel affiliates with the German Reformed church.
In his political views the subject of this sketch is a consistent republican and served as supervisor of Eden township from 1884 to 1886. He has been school clerk and treasurer of the board of education for fifteen years in Eden and Ash- ford townships and is now a school director. He is a stockholder in the Bank of Campbellsport and is, in all the various relations of his life, enterprising, pro- gressive, straightforward and honorable.
GRANT M. THOMAS.
Grant M. Thomas is successfully identified with industrial interests in Fond du Lac as the secretary and treasurer of a concern engaged in the manufacture of overalls, to which line of activity he has given his attention for the past fifteen years. His birth occurred in Berlin, Wisconsin, on the 13th of June, 1873, his parents being German L. and Harriett (Willis) Thomas, who were natives of Vermont and New York respectively. In 1858 the father came to Wisconsin, settling on a farm in Green Lake county which he subsequently purchased. He is now residing at Berlin, Wisconsin. His wife, who came to this state in 1859, was called to her final rest in 1897. Unto them were born seven children. Dav- enport W., who makes his home in California, wedded Miss Margaret Heald, of Berlin, Wisconsin, by whom he had six children, namely: Nellie; George, who passed away in 1911; Daisy; Harry; Arthur, whose demise occurred in 1906; and Belle. Addie C. is the wife of W. W. Collins, of Fond du Lac, by whom she has two children, Zolitta and Elizabeth. Lillian is the wife of Fred Kleiber, a fruit farmer of Berlin, and has three children: William, Lefa and Frederick, Jr. The Misses Mabel S. and Mary E. Thomas own a dry-goods store at Berlin, Wisconsin. Grant M., of this review, is the next in order of birth. Eugene C., who is a merchant of Princeton, this state, wedded Miss Martha Bartol, of Berlin and has one child, Catherine.
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