USA > Wisconsin > Fond du Lac County > Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, past and present, Volume II > Part 31
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LOUIS J. FELLENZ.
When in the battle of life the city boy crosses swords with the country lad, the odds are against him. The early rising, the daily tasks, the economical habits of the country boy prepare him for the struggle that must precede ascendancy. Louis J. Fellenz is numbered among those who, born and reared to farm life, have established their worth in the city, gaining for himself a creditable position in the legal profession in Fond du Lac. His birth occurred on a farm in Ashford township, a half mile west of Campbellsport, November 29, 1882. The paternal grandfather always remained a resident of Germany but the grandmother, fol- lowing his demise, came to the new world and settled in Washington county, Wisconsin, spending her last days in the township of 'Kemaskum, where she died when more than eighty years of age. She had four sons, who died in
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Germany, while Mathias Fellenz of this family, and the father of Louis J. Fel- lenz, came from his native kingdom of Prussia to the new world. His boyhood and youth, however, were spent in Germany and his education was there ob- tained. The business attractions of the new world brought him to America and he settled first in Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, but afterward removed to Washington county, where he engaged in farming. He was twice married. In Washington county he wedded Miss Altenhofen, who died leaving a daughter, Mary, now the wife of John Opgenorth, a prominent farmer of the township of Kemaskum. For his second wife Mathias Fellenz chose Susan Beringer, who was born in Luxemberg, Germany, a daughter of John P. and Margaret (Lau- rant ) Beringer, who were natives of the fatherland but were of French descent and whose last days were spent in Germany. Following his second marriage Mathias Fellenz returned with his family to Fond du Lac county in 1879 and improved a farm in Ashford township, upon which he reared his children. He was long well known in connection with agricultural pursuits there, continu- ing his labors in that locality until death called him in May, 1897, when he was sixty-seven years of age. His second wife died January 2, 1908, also at the age of sixty-seven years. In their family were seven children who are living: John C., a resident of New London, Wisconsin; Margaret, who is principal of the school at Theresa ; Caroline, the wife of Charles Fleischmann, of Campbellsport ; Rose, at home; Catherine, the wife of Dr. H. J. Weld, of Campbellsport; Henry M., a practicing attorney of Fond du Lac; and Louis J., of this review. They also had two children, who died in childhood.
Louis J. Fellenz, spending his youthful days on his father's farm in Ashford township, early became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He attended the country schools and for a time was a pupil in the public schools of Campbellsport. Later he became a student in the Oshkosh Normal School, which he attended for two and a half years, completing his studies there by graduation in the class of 1902. He afterward engaged in teaching for two years, spending one year in a district school and the second year as assistant principal of the high school at Princeton, Wisconsin. He re- garded this work as an initial step to a professional vocation, for it was his desire to enter upon the practice of law and with this purpose in view he matriculated in the law department of the University of Wisconsin. He is num- bered among its alumni of 1907, and in the same year, following his admission to the bar, he began practice at Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, where he remained for two and a half years. He then came to Fond du Lac, where he has since practiced. Although one of the younger members of the bar he has gained a reputation which many an older practitioner might well envy, and if energy and industry can win success, it will be his.
Mr. Fellenz has many friends in the fraternal associations with which he is affiliated, his membership being in Fidelity Lodge, No. 9, K. P., and in the Elks lodge. His study of the political questions and issues of the day has led him to give his support to the republican party.
FRANK WILLIS.
Frank Willis is the son of English parents. By his industry he is now pro- prietor of one hundred and eighteen acres of the finest farm land in Fond du Lac county. He was born in England, on July 12, 1888, and is the son of George and Elizabeth (Star) Willis, both natives of that country. His father was a laborer in England and was obliged to work hard to make a bare living. He was the father of nine children : Bessie; Eli; Edward, who died in 1911; George; Arthur; Jessie; Frank, of this review; Albert; and Elizabeth.
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Frank Willis received his early education in the public schools of England but his opportunities along this line were extremely limited. He was obliged to lay aside his books at the age of fourteen years in order to earn a living for himself. He worked as a laborer in England for two years and at the age of sixteen left his native country for America and settled in Fond du Lac, Wiscon- sin. Here he found employment as a farm hand and worked for five years at the arduous duties which fell to his share. He was shrewd and economical by instinct and saved his money until at the end of five years he was able to pur- chase one hundred and eighteen acres which constituted the old Ingals place, and in 1909 started life for himself as proprietor of this property. During the three years in which he has operated his farm Mr. Willis has proved himself to be an industrious and able agriculturist. He has made many improvements in the short time and it has been his constant endeavor to operate his enterprise along modern lines. He specializes in the raising of high grade horses and cattle for the market and now he owns some fine stock. He keeps constantly on hand twenty-five head of cattle and four head of horses and is rapidly becoming suc- cessful in this line of activity.
On September 23, 1908, Mr. Willis was united in marriage at Fond du Lac to Miss Christina Ferdinand, a daughter of Jacob and Anna (Weber) Ferdinand, prominent residents of that city. The parents of Mrs. Willis were married January IO, 1882, and had five children : Frank S., who married Miss Anna Briti; Jennie, the wife of John Rody; Dorothy, who married John Bower; Christina, the wife of the subject of this review; and Leona. Mr. and Mrs. Willis are the parents of one child, Marie Elizabeth. In his political views Mr. Willis is independent and takes an intelligent interest in public affairs. He belongs to the Catholic church of Fond du Lac, in which faith he was reared.
GEORGE E. DICKINSON.
George E. Dickinson, for eleven years an active and prominent member of the bar in Brandon, Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, was born in Waterloo, in the same state, on September 17, 1854. He is a son of George B. and Lovina (Davis) Dickinson. The father was of old Yankee stock and was born near Albany, New York. He first worked along mercantile lines but later in 1857 followed farming for a number of years, engaging in making wagons at the same time. Eventually he abandoned that occupation to operate a general store in Waterloo, Wisconsin. He died in that city in 1886, on a farm which he owned just at the edge of town. He was among the earliest settlers in Wisconsin. When he came from the east to Milwaukee in 1834 there was during the first winter there but one white woman in the city. He was a resident when the first white child was born in Milwaukee and made that city his home for a number of years. He worked upon a boat for his passage from Buffalo to Milwaukee. His wife was a native of Ohio, of Welsh descent on her father's side, while her mother was of Mohawk-Dutch lineage. She lived in Waterloo with her husband for a number of years and died in 1891. They were the parents of six children : Mary, the wife of Thomas Ingle, of Modesta, California; George E., of this review ; Frank B., of Everett, Michigan ; Lulu E., the wife of O. O. Rolef- son, of Dodge county, Wisconsin; and two who have passed away.
George E. Dickinson attended school in Waterloo and supplemented his primary training by a course in the Painesville Business College at Painesville, Ohio. He remained upon the farm until he was twenty-four years of age but eventually, in 1879, went to Stone Bank, Waukesha county, where he taught school for one year. He farmed upon a tract of land in Dodge county and was successful as an agriculturist in that section for four years, following farming
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in the summer time and teaching school during the winter months. He moved to Jasper county, Missouri, where he taught for two years, and returned to Dodge county at the end of that time. In 1888 he purchased land near Hart- ford, Wisconsin, and operated his farm in that vicinity for four years. He eventually resumed teaching in the North Ward school in the city of Hartford, where he was principal for three years. He was interested in education and, determining to make himself thoroughly proficient in this line of work, he en- tered the Oshkosh (Wisconsin) Normal School and took a two-year course in pedagogy. In 1896 he came to Brandon as principal of the public schools and held this position with much success for three years. While teaching he had taken up a law course in the Sprague Correspondence School of Detroit and when he completed his work in 1901 he passed his state examination brilliantly and was admitted to the bar of Wisconsin. He opened an office in Brandon and has carried on a successful general law practice since that time. He is recognized as a strong and able practitioner and has remained always a close and earnest student of his profession. He prepares his cases with care and pre- cision and has been connected with some of the important local cases in his district. He carries on an insurance and loan business in connection with his law practice and this branch of his activities has also proved successful. He is a man who, without special educational or financial advantages, has made him- self a force and an influence in the legal circles of Brandon.
Mr. Dickinson was married on May 28, 1878, to Miss Fannie A. Donaldson, a daughter of William A. and Mary A. (Hart) Donaldson. Her father was a native of Vermont, of Yankee lineage, and followed the trade of a machinist during his life. His wife was a native of New York state and was also of New England descent. Mrs. Dickinson's father enlisted in the Civil war in a Pennsyl- vania regiment. His wife came west and located in Illinois, whence she later removed to Hartford, Wisconsin, and she died in Brandon in 1899. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dickinson has been born one son, A. Roy, a farmer of Fond du Lac county. He married Miss Nina B. Hitchcock, of Brandon, and three children were born to their union: Lorna Belle, whose birth occurred on June 23, 1908; a child who died in infancy; and George E., who passed away on September 23, I9II, when a year and a half old.
Mr. Dickinson is a republican in his political beliefs and has served at dif- ferent times in various local offices. He was village clerk of Brandon for six years and justice of the peace for four years. He is now serving in the latter capacity and does able and efficient work. He belongs to Brandon Camp, No. 3237, M. W. A., but this forms his only fraternal affiliation. He is a self-made man with all the energy, will power and dominant force of personality which belongs to his class. He has worked ably and well, influencing his destiny by his honorable character, and now when he has achieved success has attained with it prominence and esteem which are an evidence of the firm foundation upon which he has constructed his house of life.
JAMES RICHARD SALES.
Cattle and horse-raising is rapidly becoming an important industry in Fond du Lac county and is the principal cause of the success and prosperity of many of the residents of that district. James Richard Sales does a flourishing business along this line in connection with his general farming and is one of the successful men in the agricultural field in Fond du Lac county. He was born in Ireland, on March 16, 1859, and is a son of John and Jane (Bruce) Sales, natives of that country. His father was born on the 17th of March, 1835, and spent some years in Ireland. He was married in his native country but came to America
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on July 4, 1861, working as a lumberman after coming to this country. He lived in New York until 1863, when he came to Fond du Lac to work in the lumber mills. He and his wife were the parents of two children: Henry, who died in infancy; and James R., the subject of this sketch.
James Richard Sales was educated in the public schools of Fond du Lac county but laid aside his books at the age of sixteen to take a position in a lumber mill. Here he worked until he was eighteen years of age, when his family moved upon the Sexsmith farm at Waupun and remained there for three years before they returned to Fond du Lac. Mr. Sales worked at farming in the employ of others until 1898. He had saved his money and in this year was able to buy eighty acres of the finest land in Fond du Lac county and has been active in its cultivation since that time. He has made a success of his farm- ing and has carried it on along progressive and scientific lines. He gives his personal attention to its details and has built up and developed his holdings to a remarkable extent in the fourteen years of his occupancy. He makes a specialty of the breeding of Holstein cattle and has a herd of sixteen head of pure breed. He also is active in the breeding of thoroughbred horses and keeps eight pure- blooded animals on his farm. He has been successful and owes his prosperity to his thorough knowledge of his business and his attention to the matter at hand.
Mr. Sales was married in Empire, Wisconsin, to Miss Paulina Maney, a daughter of Joseph Maney, a stone mason and bricklayer of Empire. Her par- ents were prosperous farming people of that place and acquired extensive prop- erty in the northern part of Wisconsin. The father died in 1887 at the age of sixty-one years, and the mother, May (Ceis) Maney, survived him until 1892. They were the parents of ten children, five of whom are still living: Robert, John, Eliza, Paulina and Clara. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sales have been born eight children, five of whom still live: Eva G., who married Freeman Roblee, of Lamartine, by whom she has four children, Isabella P., Dorothy M., James F. and Edward F .; Eleanora E .; Edward J .; Esther J .; and Olon J.
In his political views Mr. Sales is a republican but has never sought public office. His interest in the cause of education led him to accept the position of treasurer of the school board and he did remarkable work in this capacity for three years. He is a member of the Methodist church and is today one of the prominent and able men of Fond du Lac county. He has a scientific knowledge of the care and breeding of stock and his prosperity is based upon his thorough efficiency.
JACOB THOMSEN.
Early realizing that industry and perseverance constitute the basis of all honorable success, Jacob Thomsen has depended upon those qualities to bring him to the creditable position which he occupies in business circles of Fond du Lac. He is president of the Thomsen Decorating Company, to which is ac- corded an extensive patronage, owing to the excellence of their work and the promptness with which orders are dispatched. He was born in Holstein, Ger- many, in the city of Brunsbuettel, October 3, 1837, a son of John Thomsen and a grandson of Matthias Thomsen, who were natives of Germany. The latter was a carpenter by trade and he married Miss Margaret Kruse, by whom he had four children, John, Henry, Detleff and Hans Frederick. The father of these children passed away at the age of seventy-seven years. His son John Thomsen learned and followed the carpenter's trade. He was twice married, his first wife being Anna Severin, also a native of Germany and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Severin, who were farming people of that country in which they spent their entire lives. Her father reached the advanced age of ninety
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years. He had several children including John, Harder, Elizabeth, Katharina and Anna. The last named became the wife of John Thomsen and died in 1841 when but twenty-six years of age. Mr. Thomsen married again, his second union being with Miss Anna Von Pastel, and they had one son, John Daniel. The two children of his first marriage were Matthias and Jacob.
The latter was reared in the land of his birth, pursued his education there and afterward learned the trade by decorating and papering, serving a regular apprenticeship of three years. It was in 1869 that he bade adieu to friends and fatherland and came to the new world, spending six months in New Holstein, Calumet county, Wisconsin. He then removed to Fond du Lac where he was employed at his trade for a brief period and afterward established a business on his own account in partnership with Adolph Schulte. After two years' con- nection he bought his partner's interest and conducted the business alone until a recent date when he admitted his children to a partnership. The business was incorporated in 1908 with a capital of seventy-five hundred dollars, the present officers being Jacob Thomsen, president and treasurer; John H. Thomsen, vice president ; and Gustav Thomsen, secretary. They do all kinds of painting and inside decorating for houses, churches and other buildings, and they also handle wall paper and painting materials. Their patronage is steadily growing and the volume of their business is now large and gratifying.
Mr. Thomsen was married in Fond du Lac, October 3, 1872, to Miss Carolina Siercks, a daughter of Henry and Margaret (Burnsen) Siercks, who were na- tives of Germany and became early settlers of Calumet county, Wisconsin. Both died in Fond du Lac when well advanced in years. They had two children who reached adult age, Gustav Henry and Carolina. The latter was born in Calumet county and by her marriage has become the mother of two sons and three daughters: John H., who married Litta Ecke and has two children, Carl and Louise ; Marie, the wife of W. R. Plank, by whom she has a son, Lloyd; Emma and Dora, who are assisting their father in the store; and Gustav.
Mr. Thomsen is independent in politics. He belongs to Fond du Lac Lodge, No. 140, F. & A. M., Goethe Lodge, No. 112, I. O. O. F., and the Turners' Society. Both he and his wife attend the Presbyterian church. His long resi- dence in Fond du Lac covered forty-two years and brought him a wide acquain- tance and he is regarded here as a most highly respected citizen. In all his business transactions he has been found thoroughly trustworthy and he keeps abreast with the advancement that is being continually made in his line of work, while his salesrooms show the latest styles in wall paper. His decorating work, too, is of a most artistic quality and to him have been awarded contracts for decorating some of the most beautiful homes of Fond du Lac.
AZEL B. HAMILTON.
The death of Azel B. Hamilton in 1878 deprived the legal profession of Ripon of an able and conspicuously successful member. Mr. Hamilton had practiced law in this city since 1861 and had built up a clientage composed of many friends and followers who entrusted their legal affairs to his well tested ability and knowledge. He was born in New York, March 22, 1817, and was a son of Zane Hamilton, a native of Greenbush, New York, who was born there April 25, 1774. Azel B. Hamilton received his early education in the public schools of his native state. He determined to make the practice of law his life work and to accomplish this ambition he entered the offices of his uncle, Judge Hamilton of Schoharie, New York. When he had completed his studies he was admitted to the bar and began practicing as an attorney in the state of Wisconsin. He moved to Ripon in 1861 and was prominently identified with the legal profession
AZEL B. HAMILTON
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in this state until his death. In 1846 Azel B. Hamilton was united in marriage to Miss Caroline C. Mesick, a daughter of Henry I. Mesick. She was born in Albany, New York, in 1822, and is now living. Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton were the parents of three children: Frank H., who lives in Albany, New York; Henry, who died at the age of thirty years; and Margaret H.
Azel B. Hamilton was active in the practice of his profession up to the time of his death. He became well known in legal and social circles of Ripon as an able lawyer and a genial, kindly and upright man. His life had that usefulness which is inseparable from earnest and successful endeavor and his death was a distinct loss to the legal profession of the state of Wisconsin and to Mr. Hamil- ton's many loyal friends in Ripon.
MRS. MARY L. KEENAN.
The history of Fond du Lac county contains a record of no man who has done more to promote the agricultural development than has one woman of the district, Mrs. Mary L. Keenan, who is now the owner of one hundred acres of fine farm land and is bringing to its cultivation an instinct for business and an executive ability beyond the common order. She was born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, March 20, 1865, and is a daughter of Michael and Rose (Kelly) Corcoran, natives of County Meath, Ireland. Her father came to America in 1848 and her mother one year later. They were married in New York in 1849 and settled in Fond du Lac in 1850. They made the journey to Wisconsin by the Great Lakes to Sheboygan and from Sheboygan to Fond du Lac by wagon. The trip was made under primitive conditions, the wagon was crude in con- struction and had only dry-goods boxes for seats. Michael Corcoran was a stonemason and bricklayer and built up a very prosperous business along this line in Fond du Lac before he died in 1901. His wife survived him until 1910 when she passed away at the age of eighty-one years.
Mrs. Keenan was educated in the public schools of Fond du Lac but laid aside her text-books at the age of fifteen years to assist her mother in the work of the house. She remained at home until her marriage, on March 12, 1891, Michael E. Keenan, who was born in New York and came to Wisconsin in his infancy. He was educated in the public schools of this state and was an ex- tensive lumber and sawmill proprietor for many years. Upon his marriage he bought one hundred acres of fine farm land in Fond du Lac county and was active in its operation until his death. He was for several years tax collector of this district and did efficient work in that capacity. When her husband died Mrs. Keenan took over the entire management of the farm, giving her personal supervision to the cultivation of the soil and the care of the stock. Her work during the past few years has added materially to the importance of her hold- ings. She has improved and developed her fields of grain until her harvests are among the most abundant in the district. She has added improved farm machinery and has been interested in every new development along this line. She is one of the most prominent women in Fond du Lac county today and her prominence is the result of her intelligent activity and her shrewd business in- stinct.
During her husband's life Mrs. Keenan was always interested in the conduct of her home and the rearing of her children. She left the operation of the farm to her husband and occupied herself in many duties incident to her life as a wife and mother. She had six children: John M., who died in infancy; James F. and Thomas C., who are now assisting their mother in the operation of the farm ; Mary R., Francis W. and Catherine R., all of whom are living at home. Mrs. Keenan's life is an example of the power of dominating energy and deter- Vol. II-14
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mination in the shaping of a career. Upon her husband's death she was left to carry on his work and she faced the world cheerfully and hopefully. She brought to the performance of her unaccustomed duties. a brave heart and a high courage and her life has been the evidence of her success.
WILLIAM DESTEESE.
William DeSteese is engaged in the real-estate, insurance and collection busi- ness in Fond du Lac and in this connection has secured a liberal clientage, energy and determination winning him a measure of success that has placed him in a prominent position in the business circles of the city. Moreover, he is entitled to mention in this volume as one of the veterans of the Civil war and he has a wide acquaintance throughout the state as a member of the Masonic fraternity. He was born in Burlington, Racine county, Wisconsin, April 14, 1850, his par- ents being Levi and Elizabeth W. (Williams) DeSteese. The paternal grand- father of our subject died in Tioga county, New York; when past middle age, while his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth DeSteese, lived to the very advanced age of ninety- eight years. They were parents of thirteen children and the grandfather had been previously married and had twelve children by his first wife. The maternal grandparents of our subject were William and Mary Williams, who came from Wales and settled at Port Byron, New York, where Mr. Williams passed away in middle life, his wife, however, reaching the remarkable old age of one hun- dred and two years.
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