Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, past and present, Volume II, Part 33

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

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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY

Henry L. Lamb was married at his present home, in 1911, to Miss Anna Heller. He belongs to the Church of the Presentation, adhering to the Catholic faith in which he was reared. His stanchest friends are numbered among those who have known him from his boyhood, showing that his has been an upright and honorable life worthy of the esteem of those with whom he is brought into contact.

AUGUST F. MIELKE ..

August F. Mielke is one of the well known business men of Waupun, where he is engaged in the coal and wood business, his yards being among the largest of their kind in that city. He was born August 23, 1865, in Posen, Germany, and is a son of William Henry and Wilhelmina (Kasemann) Mielke, both of whom were natives of Germany and there celebrated their wedding. In 1866 William Henry Mielke emigrated to America, settling on a farm in the township of Ripon, Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, where he established his home and lived for many years. To Mr. and Mrs. William H. Mielke ten children were born: Julius, who resides at Fox Lake, Wisconsin; Julia, who married August F. Schultz, of Trenton township, Dodge county, this state; August F .; William H., who died in Trenton township at the age of thirty-five years; John F., who makes his home in Trenton township; L. Herman, of Waupun; Emma, the wife of Paul Ahnert, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Carl, who passed away at the age of two years; Bertha, of Waupun; and Alwine, the wife of I. Thomas Schup- pert, of Waupun.

August F. Mielke was reared in his parents' home and completed his ele- mentary education in the public schools at the age of sixteen years. He then engaged in work on a farm and in that employment continued for a period of nineteen years. In 1900 he moved to Waupun and for the following three years was engaged in the machinery business. At the end of that time he sold his interest in the business to Henry Landaal and immediately established himself in the coal and wood business, in which he has since continued and has met with gratifying success.

Mr. Mielke was united in marriage on the 13th of March, 1890, to Miss Mary Haase, a daughter of Charles and Wilhelmina (Wetzel) Haase, both of whom were natives of Germany and emigrated to America, settling on a farm in the township of Lomira, Dodge county, Wisconsin, in 1860. To Mr. and Mrs. Mielke three children have been born: Laura, born January 24, 1891 ; Anna, who was born on the 10th of March, 1893, and is attending the high school; and Dora, born August 7, 1898. Mr. Mielke and his wife and family are members of the German Lutheran church of Waupun. He is one of the well known and respected citizens of Waupun and a man always to be counted upon to do his part to advance the best interests of the community in which he lives.

ARTHUR J. KREMER.

Arthur J. Kremer is a member of the firm of Kremer Brothers, furniture dealers of Fond du Lac, who conduct the largest establishment of this character in the city at Nos. 36, 38 and 40 North Main street. ¡ The three brothers, Arthur J., Edward A. and Berthold J. Kremer, also conduct a drug store in Fond du Lac under the name of the Kremer Drug Company. Arthur J. Kremer was born in New Cassel, Wisconsin, on the IIth of February, 1870, his parents being James and Susan (Husting) Kremer, both of whom were natives of Luxem-

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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY

burg, Germany. When fourteen years of age James Kremer accompanied his parents on their emigration to the United States, the family home being estab- lished in New Cassel, Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin. There he grew to man- hood and learned the harness maker's trade, which he followed until within a few years of his death. After the death of his mother he and his father, Anton Kremer, took up their abode in the city of Fond du Lac, where he spent the remaining years of his life, passing away in 1890 at the age of fifty-three. Both James Kremer and his wife were devout communicants of the Catholic church. They were the parents of seven children, five of whom grew to maturity in this county, namely : Edward A .; Arthur J .; Hugo J. and Oscar J., both of whom are now deceased; and Berthold J.

Edward A. Kremer wedded Miss Josephine Serwe, by whom he had six children, as follows: E. Eugene; Margaret; Marie; Frances; Josephine, who is deceased ; and Paul. The father of this family has served in the capacity of city treasurer for two terms. Arthur J. Kremer married Miss Anna Leiten- berger. Hugo J., who passed away in April, 1911, had married Miss May Parker, of Duluth, by whom he had one son, John P. Oscar J., whose demise occurred in August, 1911, had married Miss Frances Trier and was the father of one daughter, Elizabeth. Berthold J. Kremer wedded Miss Esther Gardner, by whom he has three children : William, Susanne and Helen.

It was in 1905 that Arthur J., Edward A. and Berthold J. Kremer established their furniture business in Fond du Lac at Nos. 36, 38 and 40 North Main street, where they occupy two floors and basement. They carry an extensive stock of all the modern styles of furniture and their store is up-to-date in all its appointments. Theirs is the largest exclusive furniture. establishment in Fond du Lac and would be a credit to a city of metropolitan proportions. The Kremer brothers have lived in this county nearly all their lives and enjoy an enviable reputation as men of excellent business ability and unassailable integrity.

OTTO F. ZIMMERMAN.

Otto F. Zimmerman has been conspicuously identified with dairy and farming interests in Fond du Lac township for many years. He was born in Ashford, Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, on the 23d of March, 1859, and is a son of Ferdinand and Augusta Zimmerman. His father was born in Germany in 1822 and came to Wisconsin in 1850 where he bought forty acres of uncultivated land. He cleared his holdings of timber and built a log cabin in which he resided for' some time. Otto F. Zimmerman was born in this house, where the family lived until 1870 when the father built a modern residence in Ashford, where he lived until the time of his death in 1897. He gave up active business life in 1894 and spent his last years in honorable retirement. He and his wife became the parents of eight children: William M., who married Miss Annie Robertson and who now lives in Taycheedah, Wisconsin, with his wife and four children; Matilda, the wife of Richard Brightengross, of Fond du Lac, by whom she has ten children ; Gustave, who married Ida Keen, and who makes his home in Dodge county, Wisconsin, where he resides with his wife and two children; Henry, who wedded Miss Matilda Baumhardt, by whom he has ten children, all of whom are living with their parents in South Dakota; Otto F., of Fond du Lac, who married Miss Julia Rucks, by whom he has seven children; August, who was united in marriage with Miss Louise Hebner and who is now living in Mil- waukee with his wife and three children; Lizzie, who became the wife of Ernest Bixby, of Ashford, Wisconsin; and Emma, the wife of Gustavus Kastan, of Milwaukee.

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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY

Otto F. Zimmerman was educated in the public schools of Ashford and pur- sued his studies through the different grades until he was fourteen years of age. He then laid aside his books and assisted his father with the work of the farm for five years. At the end of that time he journeyed westward to Washington where he remained for eight years engaged in the cultivation of the soil. He returned to Fond du Lac for his marriage in 1890 but went back immediately to the west where he operated a general store and a farm for five years. In 1895 he again returned to Fond du Lac county and worked at farming in the employ of others until 1899 when he bought his present tract of land and has been extremely successful in its operation since that time. His farming is done along carefully planned and scientific lines and it is his constant endeavor to keep his agricultural knowledge abreast of the modern discoveries. He has recently made his dairy a special feature of his farm work and has built up an extensive trade in its products. He owns a very prosperous milk route and the number of his patrons is increasing steadily. His dairy is kept scrupulously clean and it is furnished with every modern sanitary equipment. Mr. Zimmer- man gives his personal attention to this department of the business and its rapid increase has justified the time and attention which he has given to its develop- ment.

On the 24th of January, 1890, Otto Zimmerman was united in marriage to Miss Julia Rucks, a daughter of Paul and Julia Rucks, prosperous farming people of Fond du Lac county. Mrs. Zimmerman's father was a native of Ger- many where his birth occurred in 1839. He came to America in 1866 and settled in Fond du Lac county where he bought forty acres of land. He improved his holdings and constantly added to them until upon his retirement in 1907 he was the proprietor of two hundred and forty acres of improved Wisconsin farm land. Mrs. Zimmerman's mother was also a native of Germany and was mar- ried in 1860. To Mr. and Mrs. Otto Zimmerman have been born seven children, Otis, Henry, George, Carl, Ernest, Conrad, and Elmer.

Politically Mr. Zimmerman is a stanch democrat and has always voted for the principles and policies of his party. He is a member of the school board and served as treasurer of that organization for three years. He was active for a similar period of time as road superintendent and in this capacity did ex- cellent and enduring work. He is a member of the Lutheran church of Fond du Lac. He is a successful and prominent man in this section of the country and has done much in the course of his life to promote the development and growth of the state of Wisconsin by adding to his individual progress.

WILLIAM H. FISCHER.

William H. Fischer, residing at No. 99 Harrison place in Fond du Lac, has served as city detective for the past six years. His birth occurred in Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, on the 26th of March, 1864, his parents being William and Hannah (Gessert) Fischer, both of whom were natives of Beuern, Germany. His paternal grandparents, Henry and Annie Marie (Borbie) Fischer, emigrated to the United States with their family and settled in Sheboygan county, Wis- consin, where they spent the remainder of their lives, Henry Fischer reaching an advanced age. Their children were as follows: William, Henry, Christ, Paul, Anna and Mary. Conrad and Charlotte (Loubenstein) Gessert, the maternal grandparents of our subject, were natives of Germany and became early settlers of Sheboygan county, this state, where they passed away at an advanced age. Conrad Gessert was an agriculturist by occupation. To him and his wife were born Hannah, Lena, Fred, William and Adam Gessert.

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William Fischer, the father, was seventeen years of age when he came to this country, locating in Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, where he grew to man- hood, was married and reared his children. He followed farming until 1877 and spent the remainder of his life as a hotel proprietor at Plymouth, where his demise occurred in 1891, when he had attained the age of fifty-eight years. His religious faith was that of the Lutheran church, while his political allegiance was given to the democratic party. For a number of years he served as marshal of Plymouth. He was twice married, his second union being with Miss Mary Keenan, by whom he had one son, Albert, who is a resident of Plymouth. Unto William and Hannah (Gessert) Fischer were born thirteen children, six of whom survive, as follows: William H., of this review; Theresa, the wife of William Brechtel, of Marinette, Wisconsin; Elizabeth, the wife of John Bertche, of She- boygan, Wisconsin; Louis, who is a resident of Plymouth, this state; Emma, the wife of Bert Metzger, of Plymouth; and Robert, living in Sheboygan.

William H. Fischer was reared to manhood in Plymouth, this state, and at- tended the public schools in the acquirement of an education. After putting aside his text-books he learned the butcher's trade in Milwaukee and also fol- lowed that occupation in Plymouth for a short time. In 1892 he came to Fond du Lac and here he worked at his trade for a time. For the past twelve years, however, he has been on the police force and for six years has held the office of city detective, discharging his duties in this connection in a highly satisfactory and commendable manner.

On the 7th of June, 1885, Mr. Fischer was united in marriage to Miss Emma Horst, a native of Chilton, Calumet county, Wisconsin, and a daughter of John and Louisa (Knabe) Horst, both of whom were born in Germany. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Fischer, Mr. and Mrs. Knabe, were early settlers of Calumet county, where they passed away at an advanced age. Their children were five in number, namely : Louisa, Anna, Amelia, Gustav and another daugh- ter. The parents of Mrs. Fischer also took up their abode among the early settlers of Calumet county, this state. Unto them were born four children, as follows: John; Gustav; Minnie, the deceased wife of Henry Kruge; and Mrs. Emma Fischer. John Horst, the father of Mrs. Fischer, died in Chilton when still a comparatively young man. His widow afterward married again, becom- ing the wife of C. F. G. Wernicke, by whom she had four children, Alfred, Fred, Ida and Agnes. Mrs. Louisa Wernicke was called to her final rest in 1909 at the age of seventy-two years.

To Mr. and Mrs. Fischer have been born five children, as follows: Walter L., who is a machinist by trade; Della, who resides at home; Lulu, who passed away at the age of five years; and twins who died in infancy. The parents attend the services of the Methodist church. Mr. Fischer gives his political al- legiance to the democracy, while fraternally he is identified with the Eagles. He has many friends in Fond du Lac county, among whom he is highly es- teemed and respected.

WILLIAM McFARLAND.

William McFarland has been prominent in agricultural circles of Fond du Lac for over a quarter of a century but has now sold his holdings with the ex- ception of a small farm on section 23; where he is living in well earned retire- ment after an active and useful life. He was born in the township of Eden, Fond du Lac county, on June 27, 1853, and is a son of George and Esther L. (Somes) McFarland. His father was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and came to America in 1832. He was a quarryman in his native country but when he located in Wisconsin he bought a tract of land in Eden township and engaged

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in agriculture until his death, on February 9, 1865. His wife was a native of Greene county, New York, and is still living in California at the age of ninety- two years. Mr. and Mrs. George McFarland were the parents of ten children : Emeline, who married Christopher Temple, a prominent farmer of Fond du Lac, and passed away in 1910, leaving five children, Fannie, Carrie, Hattie, Bertie and Charles; Phebe, the wife of Henry Hamilton, a land speculator of California, by whom she has five children, Henry, George, Frank, Albert and Wilhelmina; George, of California, who married Miss Helen Moody, by whom he had two children, only one of whom, Hattie, is still living; Charles, a suc- cessful gruit grower of California; Lucy, the wife of Martin Marcuson, who was formerly a sailor but is now engaged in the cultivation of fruit in California ; William, of this review; John, a practicing physician in Centerville, Iowa; Lor- enzo D., the owner of a California fruit ranch; Wilbur, who died in early child- hood; and Elmer, now engaged in the livery business in Springfield, Minnesota.

William McFarland was educated in the district schools of the township of Eden but laid aside his text-books at the age of sixteen years. He immediately took charge of the farm which had been left to his mother upon his father's death and was active in its operation until his retirement in 1908. After a few years he purchased the old homestead from his mother and cultivated the soil for himself until 1908, when he sold his holdings and moved to the town of Fond du Lac. During the long period of his activity as a farmer Mr. McFar- land was remarkably successful. He improved the soil along scientific agricul- tural lines, added extensively to the buildings upon his land and installed im- proved machinery. He cultivated his holdings to their highest point of efficiency and productiveness and gave his personal attention to the details of the work.

In 1888 Mr. McFarland was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Stoldt, a daughter of Henry and Johanna (Hansen) Stoldt. Mrs. McFarland died in May, 1890, leaving two children: Nina, who died February 13, 1912; and Lela, who is now living with her father. Mr. McFarland gives his political allegiance to the republican party and served as district clerk of Eden township for several terms. He is not affiliated with any fraternal association, preferring to keep himself entirely independent of such organizations. He holds membership in the Baptist church of Fond du Lac county. Mr. McFarland gained his success comparatively early in life and was enabled to retire when he was fifty-seven years of age, his prosperity having come rapidly although it was the natural result of his remarkable industry and his many talents. He is now living on a small farm on section 23, near Fond du Lac. He is well known in social circles of Fond du Lac as an upright and honorable man and he has many friends in this district by whom he is respected and esteemed for his strict integrity and his worthy life.

JAMES LAMB.

For a half-century, or the entire period of his life, James Lamb has been a resident of Fond du Lac county and has made his home in the town of Friend- ship, where his birth occurred in 1862. He represents one of the old pioneer families, and his parents were Nicholas and Anna (McDermott) Lamb, natives of Ireland. The father came to Fond du Lac county in 1845 and the tract of land upon which he settled was wild and unimproved, but with characteristic energy he began to clear away the trees and brush and converted the wilderness into productive fields. Year after year this labor was carried on with good re- sults, Nicholas Lamb continuing to engage in general farming to the time of his death, about twenty years ago. He was interested in the welfare of the com-

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munity and for one term served as school clerk. His wife long survived him and passed away about 1910.

James Lamb spent his boyhood and youth on the old homestead, early be- coming familiar with the work of the fields and the best methods of caring for crops. The summer months he largely devoted to farming while the winter seasons were given by him to the acquirement of an education in the district schools. He never sought to withdraw from active connection with the occupa- tion in which he was reared. On attaining his majority he resolved to make farming his life work and he now takes care of eighty acres of land which he has brought under a high state of cultivation and on which he has made many modern improvements. His farm work is conducted along progressive lines and the sale of large crops each year brings to him a substantial income.

In his political views James Lamb has always been democratic, stanch in his advocacy of party principles yet never seeking office. He was reared in the Catholic faith and is a member of St. Patricks church. He is well known as a member of one of the old families of the county and the work begun by his father in pioneer times has been continued by the son with the result that he is now the owner of an excellent farm, highly improved, and his labors are an element in the agricultural progress of this part of the state.

JOSEPH HUTTER, SR.

Joseph Hutter, Sr., is the president of the Hutter Construction Company, doing a leading contracting business in Fond du Lac. Many of the most beau- tiful and important structures of the city stand as monuments to his skill and ability and his business has increased with the passing years until it is now one of large volume. Mr. Hutter was born in Bavaria, Germany, June 17, 1848, and is a son of John and Barbara (Bendel) Hutter, who were natives of that country. The father was there reared and there learned the weavers' trade. He came to America with his family in 1854 and after living for a year in New York removed westward to Sauk county, Wisconsin, where he engaged in farm- ing. Death called him in 1898 when he was eighty-four years of age. Long before he had lost his first wife. They were the parents of a large family of whom four reached adult age: Andrew and John, both deceased; George, who is living in Spring Green, Wisconsin; and Margaret, of Waterbury, Connecticut. After the death of his first wife Mr. Hutter married Barbara Bendel and they had three children : Michael, a resident of Iowa; Joseph; and Gustina, the wife of Louis Bettinger, of Spring Green, Wisconsin.

Joseph Hutter was but six years of age when brought to America by his parents and upon his father's farm in Sauk county he was reared, dividing his time between the work of the fields, the duties of the schoolroom and the pleas- ures of the playground. He lived at home until he had attained his majority and was then married. In 1871 he came to Fond du Lac county, settling in Mount Calvary in Marshfield township. There he learned the masons' trade, working for one firm for five years. He then started in business for himself and for the past thirty-five years or more he has engaged in contracting. His position as one of the foremost contractors of the county is indicated in the large number of substantial and beautiful buildings which he has erected in Fond du Lac. He has built thirty churches, including St. Joseph's Catholic church and chapel. He was also the builder of the high school, the Henry Boyle Theater, the Commercial National Bank, Armory E, the Catholic Home for the Aged, St. Agnes Hospital, St. Agnes Convent, St. Mary's Springs Academy, Grafton Hall. the Sisters of the Nativity Home, Bishop Grafton's library and chapel, and many

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other important buildings together with school buildings, stores, residences and all the public garages of the town.

On the 19th of September, 1869, Mr. Hutter was married to Miss Barbara Prounold, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, and was a little maiden of ten or twelve years when brought to America by her parents, George and Barbara Prounold, who settled in Sauk county, whence they removed to Fond du Lac county about 1880. They took up their abode at Mount Calvary where the father died at the age of eighty-four while the mother reached the age of seventy- eight. Their children were: Sebastian, Mary Barbara, Bernhard, Kate, Gusta, and Ignatius, who is a priest near Milwaukee. Mr. and Mrs. Hutter had thir- teen children. Mary is the wife of Nicholas Schmitz and has a daughter, Del- phina. Frances, who was a sister in the St. Agnes Convent, died at the age of twenty-four years. John, who married Hannah Miezen, of Mount Calvary, is a contractor and builder. Christina is a sister in St. Agnes Convent. Joseph, who is in partnership with his father, married Anna Waldenbach and they have two children, Oliver and Adolph. Anna is at home. Kate is the wife of John Broker, living at Muskogee, Oklahoma, and they have two children, Leo and Corinne. Rose is the wife of Edward Noon, of Muskogee, and has one living child, Francis. Ignatius, Albert and George are in partnership with their father. Two of the children died in early life. The mother, Barbara (Prounold) Hut- ter passed away in April, 1912. The family are members of St. Mary's Catholic church in which faith they were reared. Mr. Hutter belongs to the Knights of Columbus, to the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin, and St. Joseph's Benevolent Society. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party, but he never seeks nor desires office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. He thoroughly mastered his trade, became an expert workman and by reason of his business and executive ability was enabled to enter and win for himself a creditable position in the contracting field. Thoroughly advanced in the great mechanical and scientific principles which underlie his work and ap- preciative of that which is artistic in design and coloring, he has erected for the city some of its finest and most useful buildings.

JOHN JAMES GREEN.

John James Green, living in Fond du Lac township where he owns twenty- four acres of the finest land for farming and dairying purposes in the district, is interested in the raising of high-grade cattle. He was born in the town of Byron, February 14, 1862, and is a son of Michael and Sarah (Lane) Green, both natives of Ireland. The father came to America in 1852 and settled in Baltimore in the following year. He remained in that city until 1858, when he came to Wisconsin and settled in Fond du Lac township, where he bought forty acres of land and cultivated and improved it until the time of his death, in 1865, when he was thirty-five years of age. He and his wife were the parents of four children: Mary E .; Katie, who married Thomas Irving, a prominent railroad man of Fond du Lac, who died on August 9, 1904; Sarah M., the wife of Michael Morrison, a molder of Milwaukee; and John James, of this review.

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Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, past and present, Volume II, Part 33

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