USA > Wisconsin > Fond du Lac County > Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, past and present, Volume II > Part 37
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BENJAMIN GRIFFITH, JR.
Benjamin Griffith, Jr., is one of the younger representatives of the farming interests of Eldorado township where he is engaged in the cultivation of one hundred and fifty-five acres of land. He was born in this township in 1878, his parents being Frank and Mary (Ball) Griffith, of whom the mother is deceased.
Benjamin Griffith was a pupil in the district school near his father's home and after mastering the elementary branches of learning there he attended col- lege at Madison, Wisconsin, for a few months. He then returned home to take up the work of the farm and since the death of his mother he has lived with and taken care of his aged grandmother, who has now passed the ninety-third milestone on life's journey. He has always carried on farming and his labors find tangible evidence in his well tilled fields and the large crops which he an- nually raises. The farm comprises one hundred and fifty-five acres of fertile land.
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In politics Mr. Griffith is republican, supporting the men and measures of the party but not seeking office for himself. There have been no unusual or exciting chapters in his life history. His is the record of a young man who day by day carefully performs the duties that devolve upon him and conscientiously meets every obligation. Such men are the real worth of a community, and their value as citizens is widely acknowledged.
CARL F. HASS.
Germany has given to Fond du Lac county many sturdy, industrious and able men who are bringing their native thrift, economy and perseverance to the cul- tivation of fine farms which they own in this section. Prominent among men of this class is Carl F. Hass, who is operating an excellent tract of eighty acres on section 16, Springvale township. Here he carries on general farming, stock- raising and dairying and his experience and ability in these lines of activity have made him successful in all. He has lived in America twenty years, his birth having occurred in Germany on February 8, 1865. His parents were Michael and Wilhelmina (Wolfe) Hass, natives of the fatherland, where they lived and died. His father was a laborer and followed that line of occupation until his death which occurred on April 6, 1892. His wife survived him until 1908. To Mr. and Mrs. Michael Hass were born four children: Herman, who lives in Germany; Fredericka, the wife of August Weilde, of Germany; Wilhelmina, now Mrs. Ernest Fischer, also a resident of the fatherland; and Carl F., the sub- ject of this sketch.
Carl Hass attended the public schools of his native country and when he laid aside his books worked as a coachman for several years. In 1892 he determined to come to America, believing that the United States offered a greater chance for a successful career and because he could see no future for himself in Ger- many. He settled first near Ripon, where he worked as a farm hand for several years, moving to Rush Lake eventually, where he took up railroading. He saved his money and was soon able to rent a farm in the same section which he operated and improved until 1905 when he came to Springvale township and purchased his present property. He is the proprietor of eighty acres of land well developed and highly improved upon which he carries on general farming and stock-raising. He also operates a dairy on this land, keeping a herd of ten high-grade cows for this purpose. His farming has been always practical and, therefore produc- tive of good results, abundant harvests having each year rewarded his care and labor.
On May 8, 1892, Carl F. Hass was united in marriage, in Germany, to Miss Amelia Klatt, a daughter of August and Johanna (Briesemeister) Klatt, natives of Germany, where they live today, the father following the occupation of a laborer. Mrs. Hass is the third in a family of six children. Her brothers and sisters are: Augusta, Amistina, Louisa, Fred and Bertha, all of whom are resi- dents of Germany. To Mr. and Mrs. Carl F. Hass have been born six children, one of whom died in infancy. The others are: Anna, who was born on October II, 1893, at home; Ella, whose birth occurred on November 27, 1896, also at home; Martha, who was born on the 29th of March, 1898, and is a pupil in dis- trict school No. 3, Springvale township; Laura, who was born on December 16, 1902, and is attending school; and Walter, whose birth occurred on the 9th of October, 1905, and also attends school. The family are members of the German Lutheran church of Rosendale.
Carl F. Hass devotes his entire time to the operation of his farm. He is a fine example of the hard working self-made man, being entirely responsible for his own prosperity. He is one of the sterling and substantial men of Fond du
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Lac county and he seeks his success in a field of labor with which he has been identified during his entire residence in America and which has repaid his prac- tical methods and his well directed industry by constantly increasing prosperity. His farm is a credit to his own progressive agricultural methods and to his per- sonal judgment besides being a valuable addition to the resources of his section.
B. D. AND G. F. AUSTIN.
George F. Austin is engaged in the concrete contracting business in Eldorado, Wisconsin, and during the nine years of his identification with this line of activ- ity has built up a gratifying patronage which is a pleasant prophecy of future success. He was born in Eldorado township, August 30, 1873, and is the son of David and Mary Austin, the former a native of Wales and the latter of England. The father of our subject came to America and settled in Eldorado township in 1846 and there engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in 1886, when he was seventy-six years of age. His wife left her native country when an infant and came to. America, settling in New York state. She remained in that state for nine years, coming to Eldorado township when ten years of age. Her marriage occurred in this section and she became the mother of eleven chil- dren, of whom five are still living: David, Alice, Joseph, George F. and Byron.
George F. Austin was educated in the district schools of his native section and pursued his studies until he was twenty-one years of age. At that time he obtained a position in a flour mill at Eldorado and was identified with this busi- ness for five years. He then became a conductor in Fond du Lac but after four years returned to Eldorado, where he entered into partnership with his brother Byron in his present concrete contracting business. He has been steadily success- ful, his enterprise making a healthy growth. every year. He does general con- crete construction work but is especially interested in the building of silos, the farming section in which he resides offering him favorable opportunities in this line. He has been particularly successful in the construction of these buildings and has built numerous silos in Eldorado township. His business methods are known to be upright and straightforward and they are combined with his expert workmanship in the promotion of distinct and substantial success.
On June 4, 1902, George F. Austin was united in marriage at Oshkosh to Miss Addie Close, a daughter of Richard and Mary Close, of Eldorado town- ship. To Mr. and Mrs. Austin have been born five children: Harry and Har- ley, twins ; a child who died in infancy ; Douglas ; and Walter.
George F. Austin belongs to the Congregational church and is well known as a man of exemplary character. He votes with the republican party and is a firm advocate of its principles but has never sought nor desired public office, preferring to give his time and attention to his business affairs, which are capably conducted, making him one of the leading and successful contractors of his com- munity.
JOHN DONOVAN.
John Donovan is one of the prosperous farmers of the township of Friend- ship, Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, where he was born in 1859. He is a son of Michael and Mary (Donovan) Donovan, who were among the early settlers of Friendship township. He was reared in his parents' home and received his elementary education in his native section. He later engaged in farming and has
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continued in the pursuit of agriculture during his entire career as a citizen of Fond du Lac county.
John Donovan was united in marriage in Friendship township, in 1880, to Miss Catherine McArdle, who is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James McArdle. Her parents were early pioneer settlers of Fond du Lac county. Mr. and Mrs. Donovan are the parents of three children, namely: Frank, who is thirty-one years old; and Mary and Leo, who are twenty-seven and twelve years of age respectively. All are still under the parental roof. Mr. Donovan belongs to the democratic party and at one time was supervisor of his township. He and his family are members of St. Patrick's Catholic church. He is a man whose integ- rity in business has never been questioned and he has always been numbered among the well respected and most useful citizens of his part of the state.
EDWARD PERRIZO.
Friendship township and its surrounding districts have been noted for many years for their rich and fertile farm lands which are the source of much of the wealth and progress of that section of the country. A prominent farmer of Fond du Lac county and one whose life has contributed in a large measure to the furtherance of its agricultural resources, is Edward Perrizo, whose birth occurred in the town of Friendship in 1868. He is a son of Hubert Perrizo, who engaged in the cultivation of farm property during his active life. The son's educational advantages were limited. He attended the district schools of Friend- ship township and his life, since he laid aside his text-books, has been entirely devoted to his large farming interests. He lives upon the old homestead on which he was born and is responsible for all modern improvements thereon and the acquisition of new equipment which make it at the present time one of the most valuable and up-to-date properties of its kind in Fond du Lac county.
Edward Perrizo was. married in 1897 to Miss Melvina Marcoes, a daughter of F. C. and Josephine (Roy) Marcoes, both old residents of Coonsfall, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Perrizo have five living children : Eva Josephine, aged four- teen years; Adais Genevieve and Edwin Francis, twins, aged twelve years ; Alida Melvina, in her tenth year; and Leo Wilford, aged eight. Bernadette Catherine and Hubert died in infancy.
Edward Perrizo gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. He is prominent in educational work of Fond du Lac and held the position of dis- trict clerk of the school board for many years. He is a member of the Roman Catholic church of the Presentation and is prominent in the Catholic Order of Foresters. He has been a farmer during all his life and practical experience in the details of the business which he gained in boyhood has made his mature life prosperous and successful.
ALVIN T. CURTIS.
Alvin T. Curtis is one of the well known and desirable citizens of Fond du Lac. He is proprietor of a retail grocery store in this city at No. 220 Military avenue. He was born in Rosendale township, November 22, 1864, and is the son of Thomas R. and Wealthy A. (Leathrop) Curtis, the father being a native of Maine and the mother of Vermont. Thomas R. Curtis, the father of the subject of this review, was reared at home and with the family removed to Fond du Lac, settling in the township of Rosendale, this state, in 1849. His wife came to Wisconsin in 1847. Their respective families were engaged in
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farming. Thomas R. Curtis, in the early '7os, removed from the town of Rosendale to the city of Berlin, in Green Lake county and there died in August, 191I, at the age of eighty-five, his wife preceding him to her reward beyond in January, 1907, aged seventy-one years. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis were both lifelong members of the Baptist church.
Alvin T. Curtis was reared on his father's farm in the township of Rosen- dale and received his early education in the public schools and later graduated from the Berlin high school. As a young man he engaged as a clerk in a grocery store in Berlin, this state, and continued to follow that occupation for a num- ber of years. He then removed to Waupaca, at which place he was employed in a general store. In the year 1898 he removed to Fond du Lac and for several years was identified with the Badger Sewing Company of this city. Later re- tiring from this business he accepted a position as traveling salesman and for the past eight years has been engaged in the retail grocery business at 220 Military avenue.
Mr. Curtis was united in marriage to Miss Isabel Collins, in April, 1889. Mrs. Curtis is a daughter of Joseph W. and Mary (Oliver) Collins, the latter a daughter of John W. Oliver. Mrs. Curtis was born in New York city, her parents being natives of the Empire state. The family removed to Berlin, this state, in the '80s, and later removed to Chicago, at which place her mother con- tinued to live until the time of her death. Her father later returned to Fond du Lac where he now resides. He is a veteran member of the New York militia. To Mr. and Mrs. Collins three children were born: Alfred, Isabel and a son who died in infancy. To Mr. and Mrs. Curtis one child has been born, Marian Frances, at home with her parents.
Alvin T. Curtis is affiliated with the republican party and is a member of Fidelity Lodge, No. 19, Knights of Pythias, a member of the Commercial Travel- ers Association and of the Modern Woodmen Camp. He and Mrs. Curtis are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Curtis is universally re- spected by all and one who gives constant and diligent attention to all matters of business with which he is connected. His influence and help can be relied upon at all times to advance the social and moral betterment of the community in which he lives.
JAMES JONES.
James Jones is identified with farming in its modern and progressive aspects and in his operation of a tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres in Spring- vale township, Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, is doing active work in the ad- vancement of agriculture. He was born in Somersetshire, England, on July 24, 1865, and is a son of John and Ann (Jones) Jones, both natives of the same shire. His father was a farmer and followed that line of occupation for a num- ber of years. Mr. Jones' parents were married in Somersetshire and are living on a farm in that, district. His father has reached the age of eighty-four years and for the past few years he was proprietor of a hotel at Godney, in Somerset- shire, but has recently sold out his interests to a son-in-law and is now living retired. His wife has attained the age of seventy-five years. Unto them were born nine children, namely: William, who died in England in 1910; Richard, of Kingston, Wisconsin; James, of this review; John, a resident of England ; Sarah, the wife of Edward Sheppard, of England; Charles, also making his home in the British Isles; Rhoda, the wife of Charles Wheeler, who resides in that country ; Mary, who married S. Puddy, of England; and Jesse, who likewise lives in the land of his nativity.
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James Jones attended school in his native county and helped his father upon the home farm until he was seventeen years of age. At that time he came to the United States, having been influenced in making this move by his brother Richard, who had come to America three years previously. Richard had writ- ten to his younger brother glowing reports of the agricultural advantages Wis- consin afforded and when James Jones crossed the Atlantic he settled immedi- ately in Fond du Lac county. He took up farming in Eldorado township, work- ing in the employ of others for about three years. He there married and rented a tract of land in Rosendale township, which he brought to a high state of devel- opment in the fifteen years of his occupancy. He was ambitious and energetic and by strict economy was able to save enough money to buy a fine farm of one hundred acres in Lamartine township, upon which he resided for two years. In 1910 he sold his holdings in that section and rented one hundred and sixty acres from Charles Pagel, upon which he is now residing. He carries on gen- eral farming and is well versed in all the details relating to the planting of the grain and the cultivation of the soil. He is extensively engaged in stock- raising, selling his cattle and horses in the markets of Wisconsin. He also operates a large dairy, keeping seventeen cows for this purpose. He follows the most modern and progressive principles of agriculture and is known throughout Fond du Lac county as a substantial and representative citizen.
On March 25, 1887, Mr. Jones was united in marriage to Miss Alice Auttery, a daughter of William and Betsy Auttery, both natives of Somersetshire, Eng- land. Mrs. Jones' father followed farming in his native country and resumed this occupation when he came to America, cultivating a tract in Empire town- ship, Fond du Lac county. He and his wife were among the earliest settlers in this district and they both died upon their original farm, the father passing away in 1892 and the mother in. 1900. They were the parents of five children, as fol- lows: Julia, deceased; Emma, the wife of Edward Abbs, of Eldorado town- ship, this county; Jane, who married Fred Abbs, of Fond du Lac city ; Henry, of Medford, Wisconsin; and Mrs. Jones. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jones have been born four children, namely : Jesse, born July 4, 1889, who lives with his parents and assists in the operation of the home farm; Irene, born June 18, 1890; How- ard, whose birth occurred in September, 1895 ; and Mabel, who was born in 1897.
In his political affiliations Mr. Jones is a consistent republican and deeply interested in local affairs although he never seeks public office. With his family he attends the Congregational church in Brandon and is a stanch supporter of this organization although he does not hold membership. He belongs to the Brandon Camp of the Modern Woodmen of America, his only fraternal affilia- tion. He is one of the sterling and substantial citizens of Fond du Lac county and he seeks his success in a field of labor, with the details of which he has been familiar since his boyhood and which has repaid his practical methods and his well directed industry by constantly growing prosperity.
JOHN F. SCHAFER.
John F. Schafer owns a farm of a hundred and sixty acres in Fond du Lac township, in the cultivation of which he has been successfully engaged for many years. He was born in Forest township on the 17th of March, 1875, and is the youngest child of Charles and Katie (Olesgar) Schafer. The father was born in Germany on the 20th of August, 1842, but was reared in Wisconsin, having been a child of only seven years when he emigrated to the United States with his parents, who located in Forest. There he acquired his education and was trained to agricultural pursuits under the capable supervision of his father, ulti- mately becoming one of the most successful farmers of this county. He began
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his independent career as an agriculturist on a sixty-acre tract of land, the cul- tivation of which proved so lucrative that he was subsequently able to increase his holdings until he owned four hundred and eighty acres of good land. He still makes his home in this county, although for several years he has been living retired. The mother of our subject, who was also a native of Germany, passed away in 1879. Their children numbered four, those beside our subject being as follows: May, who became the wife of Martin Engals of Forest, who is en- gaged in farming in Osceola, this state, and by whom she is the mother of six children; Charles, who is a farmer in Forest; and Anna, who married Gottlieb Glensing, a farmer of St. Cloud, by whom she has three children.
John F. Schafer was reared at home and educated in the district schools of Forest township, which he attended until he was fourteen. He then laid aside his text-books and from that time until he had attained his majority gave his undivided attention to the operation of the home farm. During the next year he worked out as a farm hand, but at the expiration of that time he entered the employ of the Rueping Leather Company, with whom he remained for six years. In 1903, he purchased the farm which he owns at the present time and once more turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, in which he has met with a good measure of success. His fields are in a high state of productivity and annually produce abundant harvests, which well repay him for the labor expended in their cultivation. The buildings on his land are substantially constructed and in good repair, everything about the premises evidencing competent supervision and capable management. He has twenty-four head of cattle and six horses, while his equipment comprises everything deemed essential by the modern agricul- turist.
On the 23d of November, 1897, in the city of Fond du Lac, Mr. Schafer was married to Miss Annie Erche, who passed away in 1902, leaving two daughters, Minnie T. and Edna A. On the IIth of May, 1905. Mr. Schafer was married to Miss Mary Schnitz. She is a daughter of Peter and Maggie Schnitz, pros- perous farmers of this county, who emigrated from Germany thirty-two years ago. To Mr. Schafer and his second wife have been born five children, Arthur C., John S., Rosella A., Irving L., and Elmer M.
Mr. and Mrs. John F. Schafer are communicants of the Roman Catholic church. The political support of Mr. Schafer is given to the republican party and for the past three years he has been efficiently discharging the duties of road supervisor. He is one of the progressive and public-spirited men of the township, who take an active interest in local affairs and he cooperates in promoting the development of the community, where he is held in high esteem.
ORRIN C. STEENBERG.
For many years Orrin C. Steenberg occupied a prominent place on the stage of public activity in Fond du Lac, not by reason of the fact that he sought that position, for he was ever modest and unostentatious, but because his splendid business qualifications and his sterling worth of character placed him there. Honored and respected by all, no man occupied a more enviable position in commercial and financial circles of the city owing not alone to his success but to the straightforward business policy which he ever followed. He held to high ideals in his trade relations, in his private life and in his duties of citizenship and he left an ineffaceable impress upon the history of the city. He was born near Ithaca, Tompkins county, New York, August 12, 1837, a son of Elias and Getty (Clement) Steenberg, both of whom were natives of New York, the for- mer of Holland and the latter of English descent. They were the parents of two sons and two daughters: Orrin C .; Fred I., who died in January, 1912;
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Amelia, the wife of John C. Callahan, a resident of Mechanicsville, New York; and a daughter who died in Mechanicsville.
Orrin C. Steenberg eagerly embraced every opportunity for acquiring an edu- cation and was graduated from Union College, at Schenectady, New York, with the class of 1861. He then took up the profession of teaching, his first work in the class room being in a military academy at Tarrytown, New York. In the same year he was offered the principalship of the high school at Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and came to this city, where he continued to reside until his demise. A year served to demonstrate his ability as an educator and at the end of that time he was elected city superintendent of schools, which position he continued to occupy for eight years. It is a matter of general knowledge that Mr. Steen- berg did more to further and promote the interests of the public schools during their formative period than any other citizen of Fond du Lac, introducing a sys- tem, the beneficial effects of which are still felt. He is believed to have been the first one to recommend compulsory attendance at school of all children of school age. He did this in the public report of the school board of 1867 when he said: "Can a community ignore the moral welfare of five hundred of its children? If they are diseased, either physically or mentally, hospitals or asy- lums would be provided for them ; were they criminal, prisons would be built for them. Argument seems unnecessary. In the minds of those who have the future good of our city at heart, there can be but one conclusion. It is the duty of the city not only to provide means by which our youth may become good citizens, but by its authority to constrain those who are too young or too ignorant to appreciate or employ those advantages."
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