USA > Wisconsin > Fond du Lac County > Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, past and present, Volume II > Part 56
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MATHEW S. BATCHELDER.
Modern farm methods are well exemplified in the agricultural operations of Mathew S. Batchelder, who has been engaged in the cultivation of the soil on section 3, Byron township, Fond du Lac county, since he was twenty-six years of age. His prosperity has grown with his experience and his methods of operation have become more scientific with the passing years. He now culti- vates one hundred and twenty acres of the finest farm land in Wisconsin and resides on the first property which he ever purchased. He is a native of Wis- consin, having been born in the township of Byron on February 29, 1852. His
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parents were Mathew and Elizabeth (Divers) Batchelder, the former a native of Genesee county, New York, and the latter of Batavia, New York. The father was born in 1816 and came west in 1846. He took up a homestead claim in this state and built a log cabin upon his holdings. He was the owner of eighty acres of land, half of which he cleared of timber and sold. He later re- moved to Kansas but after one year's residence in that state came again to Wisconsin in 1858. He and his wife were the parents of thirteen children. Jeannette, their eldest daughter, married Silas Warner, of Fond du Lac county, in 1857. He died in August, 1864, and was survived by his wife only two years, her death occurring in 1866. They were the parents of three chil- dren : Nettie, who died in 1864; Laura, whose death occurred in the same year ; and Frank, who is married and lives in Appleton, Wisconsin, with his wife and two children, Ethel and Roy. The second child was Irving, who was born in 1841 and died in 1858. Carlos was born in 1842 and died in 1844. Helen was born in 1844 and passed away in 1846. The next child was a son, James, whose birth occurred in 1848 and who passed away in 1850. Mary be- came the wife of Edwin Beebe, a carpenter of Fond du Lac county. He died in 1890 and was survived by his wife until 1901. They were the parents of two children: Della, who passed away at the age of four years; and Dayton, who is married and lives in Paw Paw, Michigan, with his wife and four chil- dren, Eunice, Elda, Dayton, Jr., and Esther. Thomas was born in 1847 and died in 1849. The next child of Mr. and Mrs. Mathew Batchelder was Helen, who was the second of that name in the family. She became the wife of James Walker, of Oakfield, Wisconsin, by whom she has eleven children : Lola, who married Oscar Hall, a cheesemaker in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, by whom she has one child, Nora; Eben, who is married and lives in Minne- apolis with his wife and one child, Richard Glen; Archie, who died in 1881 at the age of five years; Leon, who passed away in the same year; Elsie, who married Henry Linwood, of Oakfield, Wisconsin, and who now lives in Lex- ington, Nebraska, with her husband and two children, Mavis and Miner; Erma, who died in 1881 at the age of two years; Elda, who became the wife of Irv- ing Spillman, a machinist of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and who is now living at Anoka, Minnesota, with her husband and one child. Helen; Miner, who is engaged in the automobile business in Spokane, Washington; Phoebe who married Henry Faro, of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, by whom she has one child, Eugene; Bessie, who makes her home in Fond du Lac; and Lillie, who also resides in Fond du Lac. Mathew, the subject of this sketch, was the ninth child born to his parents. Millard was born a few years after his brother Mathew. Jason married Miss Alice Butler, of Fond du Lac, and they became the parents of two children, Leon and Verna. Harlo married Miss Cora Grif- fith by whom he has one child, Leo. Cassie, the youngest of the children of Mathew Batchelder, Sr., became the wife of Albert Hill, proprietor of the hotel at Green Lake, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Hill became the parents of two children : Helen and one child who died in infancy.
Mathew S. Batchelder received his early education in the public schools of his native township. He pursued his studies up to the age of twenty years and assisted his father in the work of the farm in his leisure hours. When he was twenty-six years of age he married and started life for himself, renting his present farm which he improved and operated successfully until 1887 when he acquired the title to the property by purchase. He is now the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of land in Byron township and has one of the most up-to-date farms in this section. It is equipped with the most modern and improved machinery and its barns and outbuildings have all been erected along progressive and scientific lines. Mr. Batchelder specializes in the rais- ing of high-grade stock and is now the owner of ten head of graded cattle and six fine horses. He is an expert in this line of activity and is thoroughly ac-
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quainted with the details of the care and breeding of stock. He is constantly adding to his herd and is rapidly developing this branch of his business into a productive enterprise.
On April 10, 1878, Mr. Batchelder was united in marriage to Miss Medosha Treleven, a daughter of Joseph D. and Sarah (Shuttleworth) Treleven, both natives of England. Her father was born in Cornwall in 1814 and came to Wisconsin when he was twenty-one years of age. He bought a homestead claim of one hundred and sixty acres and improved and operated his holdings for some time. Mrs. Batchelder's mother was born in England in 1835 and was married in Byron township in 1851. To this union were born two chil- dren. The eldest one is Medora, whose birth occurred in 1855 and who later married Uriah Stroup, of Byron township, by whom she has had seven children : Francis, born in 1875: Lorabel, who died in 1877; Fred; Marabelle, who passed away in 1886; Marian; Everard U., who died in 1911; and Helen, who passed away in 1896. The other daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Treleven is Medosha, the wife of the subject of this review.
Politically Mr. Batchelder gives his allegiance to the republican party and takes an active and intelligent interest in the affairs of his community. He served as town chairman from 1889 to 1891 and has been justice of the peace for fifteen years. He also did able work for a long time as road supervisor and his public life has always been distinguished by marked ability and energy. Developing agricultural conditions have rapidly evolved a modern science from what was once a haphazard occupation. Mathew Batchelder has kept abreast of the times and his farm and its equipment are fitting representations of a high degree of modern and advanced development.
. JOHN ARTHUR LOOP.
John Arthur Loop owns and operates a fine farm of ninety-five acres on section 32, Springvale township. He purchased this tract of land in October, 1908, and during the four years of his management has made it one of the finest and best improved properties in the section in which he resides. Mr. Loop was born in Le Roy, Dodge county, Wisconsin, on June 2, 1868, and is a son of John M. and Emma (Kniver) Loop. His father was born in New York state and is of New England parentage. He followed agriculture in his native section for some years but came to Wisconsin at an early date, locat- ing near Iron Ridge where he married. Later he and his wife moved to Dodge county, Wisconsin, and in 1876 to Waupun township where they settled upon a farm where they still reside. The father is eighty-seven years old and still active although six years ago he abandoned farming. His wife was born near Iron Ridge, Wisconsin, and is of Pennsylvania Dutch parentage. To their union were born six children: Della May, the wife of John Brown, a farmer of Waupun township; John Arthur, the subject of this review; Frank Martin, who passed away in 1908 when he was thirty-seven years of age; Everett Levi, a farmer in Waupun township; Allen, who lives with his parents; and Mertie Luella, now Mrs. John Irwin of Waupun, Wisconsin.
John Loop attended school in district No. 6, Waupun township and worked at home until he was twenty-one years of age. He followed farming as a laborer for many years and when he was forty years old purchased his present farm. He operates it along progressive and modern lines and his long per- sonal experience as an agriculturist is a valuable asset to him. He engages in general agriculture but is principally interested in stock-raising. He has a dairy herd of eight full-blooded Durhams and Shorthorns, part of which
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are registered and his dairy forms one of the important branches of his enter- prise.
Mr. Loop was married on October 7, 1908, to Miss Edith Brinkerhoff, a daughter of Frank and Nancy Jane (Grennell) Brinkerhoft, of whom more extended mention is made elsewhere in this work. To Mr. and Mrs. Loop has been born one daughter, Grace Elizabeth, whose birth occurred on March 30, 1910. In his political affiliations Mr. Loop is a democrat upon national ques- tions but in local affairs retains an independent opinion.
HENRY NEHRING.
Henry Nehring, who for twenty-one years has been conducting a bottling establishment at 52 East Ninth street, Fond du Lac, is one of the enterprising citizens Germany has furnished this city. His natal day was the 25th of August, 1859, his parents being August and Henrietta (Richards) Nehring, who were likewise natives of Germany. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Nehring. William married Emilga Lindert of Dodge county, Wisconsin, where they reside, and to them have been born eight children: August, Wil- liam, Jr., Henry, Hugo, Amiel, Reynert, George and Herbert. Herman is mar- ried and living at Marengo, Wisconsin. Bertha became the wife of Carl Moede of Waukesha, where they continue to reside, and is the mother of five children : Charles, William, Annie, Olga and Hattie.
Henry Nehring, who is the second in order of birth passed the first fifteen years of his life in his native land, where he acquired the greater part of his education. At the age of fourteen he laid aside his school books and one year later, in 1874, he emigrated to the United States with his brother William. Wisconsin was their destination, and as he did not have a trade, Mr. Nehring worked as a farm hand in Dodge county until he was twenty-one. In order to acquire a better knowledge of English he attended school at such times as he could during that period, thus becoming more familiar with the language and customs of the country. Soon after attaining his majority he went to Mil- waukee and entered the employ of John Graf, where he learned the bottling business. He was an ambitious young man of earnest purpose and applied himself diligently and conscientiously to the discharge of his duties. Recogniz- ing his trustworthiness and reliability when ready to open their establishment at White Rock Mineral Springs, the firm made him manager of their plant. He retained this position for six years, but having decided that if he could successfully conduct an enterprise of this kind for others he could do equally well for himself, he subsequently resigned his place and came to Fond du Lac. Soon thereafter he bought the H. W. Eton bottling works at 52-54-56 East Ninth street, in the conduct of which he has met with excellent success. He was thoroughly familiar with the work and in the operation of his plant and in his business transactions adopted a policy that won him the confidence and continuous patronage of those who favored him with their orders. He carries a complete line of all kinds of soft drinks.
Mr. Nehring was married while residing in Milwaukee to Miss Lena Hafe- man of that city, and to them have been born six children, three sons and three daughters: Adolph, Theodore, Henry Jr., Lydia, Alma and Esther.
The family manifest their religious views through their membership with the Lutheran church, while fraternally Mr. Nehring is affiliated with the Mod- ern Woodmen of America. He is also a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, while he maintains relations with his competitors through his connec- tion with the Bottlers Association. Politically he is a stanch supporter of the democratic party. Mr. Nehring is highly deserving of commendation for the
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success he has achieved, as he began his life in the United States as a farm hand and has through his own diligence and perseverance won an honored and respected position in the business circles of this city, where he has many friends and is held in high regard.
JOSEPH H. DIXON.
Joseph H. Dixon has been a resident of Fond du Lac county all his life and his interests have been closely allied to those of the section in which he was born. He has been a farmer in Springvale township from an early age, never having followed any other pursuit and while he is now making his residence in Brandon is yet active in the supervision of his lands. He is one of the well known sheep breeders in the district and makes a specialty of this branch of activity, which he carries on upon a fine farm of eighty-one and one-third acres in Metomen township. Mr. Dixon was born in Fond du Lac on May 30, 1863, and is a son of John and. Isabelle (Murrey) Dixon, both natives of England. The father of our subject was born on August 10, 1831, and with his brother, Joseph, came to the United States at an early date, coming via Fond du Lac, Brandon being there destination. He worked for the Chicago, Milwaukee, & St. Paul Railroad at the time it was being constructed. He afterward obtained employment on a farm near Picketts and by strict economy was able in 1857 to join his brother in the purchase of forty acres in Spring- vale township on section 30. He kept adding to his holdings from time to time until he owned three hundred and sixty acres of productive land, well improved and in excellent condition. Upon this property he remained until the spring of 1898 when he retired from active life and moved to the village of Brandon where he died in 1904. His wife was born in England on the 28th of August, 1838. Their marriage occurred in 1861. The mother of our subject was a daughter of Daniel and Jane Murrey, natives of England, who came to America in the early '50s settling in Springvale township upon a farm. Daniel Murrey remained upon his original holdings until his death which oc- curred in 1862. His wife survived him ten years, dying on the 18th of Octo- ber, 1872. To Mr. and Mrs. John Dixon were born four children: Joseph, the subject of this review; Jennie, who is deceased; William, who is engaged in farming in Metomen township; and Anna, the wife of Leonard Engle, a re- tired farmer of Brandon.
Joseph Dixon attended the district schools and spent four winters in the public schools of Brandon. He supplemented any defects in his education by wide reading and constant application and in this way fitted himself for teaching. He followed this occupation for four winter terms in the district schools but even- tually abandoned it in favor of farming. He remained with his parents until his marriage which occurred in 1894 at which time he moved upon a portion of his father's homestead where he remained for three years carrying on gen- cral agricultural pursuits. At the end of that time he moved back to the old home and took charge of the operation of the farm for his father. In 1898 he moved to Brandon renting the property in Springvale township and for two years he made his home in the village. He returned, however, at the end of that time and was active in general farming upon the homestead until 1904 when he purchased the property in Brandon where he now lives and again moved into the village. He remained this time for two years coming in 1906 back to the home place which he operated and improved until 1910 selling it in that year in order to establish himself permanently in Brandon. In the same year he purchased eighty- one and one-third acres in Metomen township and he gives a general super-
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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY
vision to the extensive sheep breeding which is carried on upon this property. Mr. Dixon has been interested in this line of activity for over twenty years and has now one of the finest flocks of registered Shropshires and Hampshires in the county. For almost a quarter of a century he has never missed exhibit- ing his animals at the county and state fairs and has won many valuable prizes which were generally larger than those given to many of his competitors. Mr. Dixon is one of the substantial and representative men of Fond du Lac county. His life is active, useful and honorable and in the conduct of his business af- fairs he has won that success which comes as a reward of energy, efficiency and well directed labor.
On September 19, 1894, Mr. Dixon was united in marriage to Miss Stella Maxim, an adopted daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Maxim, well known resi- dents of Springvale township. Mrs. Dixon was born on June 5, 1872, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and remained at home until her marriage. She and her husband have four children: Grace, born January 14, 1896, who is attending high school; Edith, who has passed away; Joseph H., whose birth occurred May 13, 1900; and Alvin J., born April 17, 1902, at home.
Joseph Dixon is well known in Brandon as a public-spirited citizen. He gives his allegiance to the republican party and never refuses public office, although he never seeks political preferment. He served as assessor from 1908 to 1909 and was town clerk for three years. At the next election he was a candidate for the same office but was defeated by Mr. Madigan. After the latter had served one term Mr. Dixon was elected over him by three votes and served for two years with such competence and conscientiousness that his fellow citi- zens were almost unanimous in their demand that he accept the nomination for a third term. This, however, Mr. Dixon refused to do. He is interested in the growth and progress of the village in which he resides and is an eager sup- porter of the local enterprises. He served on the board of trustees in Brandon one year and a half and is at present secretary and one of the directors of the Farmers Elevator Company and president of the Farmers Creamery Company. He is a man of varied interests, shrewd, keen, and with an active business in- stinct which has won him success and prosperity in many different fields. He has been prosperous as a farmer but has not at any time allowed himself to become detached from the interests of his fellow citizens, striving always to do his duty and to keep up social intercourse with his friends.
WILLIAM E. SMITH.
William E. Smith is the proprietor and manager of the Bijou, one of the most popular and best patronized moving picture theaters in Fond du Lac. He is a native of this state, his birth having occurred in the city of Milwaukee on the 15th of March, 1859, and the eldest child born of the marriage of Joseph and Fredericka Smith. The father was born and reared in Switzer land and there he also learned the carpenter's trade. In his early manhood he emigrated to the United States, locating in Milwaukee, where for many years he was actively and successfully engaged in contracting and building. As he was a skilled and competent workman and a reliable business man he was ac- corded many important contracts, and had the distinction of erecting the first buildings for both the Schlitz and Blatz breweries. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, those beside our subject being as follows: Herman, who is a resident of Fremont, Nebraska; Henry, who lives at Cushing, Okla- homa; Frank, of San Diego, California; and Charles, of Twin Falls, Idaho.
Reared at home, William E. Smith pursued his early education in the pub-
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lic and Holy Trinity parochial schools until he was thirteen years of age. He subsequently enlisted in the marine corps and served four years on the old Andrew Johnson revenue cutter, which was then stationed in Milwaukee har- bor. In 1876, he left home and went to Fremont, Nebraska, where he again became a student in the public schools, continuing his studies for three years. At the expiration of that time he went to Kansas and learned the printer's trade. After following this vocation for five years, he returned to Fremont and for seventeen years was foreman of the Fremont Tribune. From there he came to Fond du Lac and founded the Trade Bulletin, which journal he edited for three or four years. He then withdrew from newspaper work and purchased a penny arcade, which he conducted for five years. In the mean time, motion pictures were becoming very popular and readily recognizing that this was something more than a fad and was going to be the popular amusement of the future, Mr. Smith established the Bijou. This is a very at- tractive theater and no expense has been spared in its equipment. Both pic- tures and music are above the average to be found in houses of this kind, and as a result he enjoys an excellent patronage.
Mr. Smith married Miss Alice Matson a native of England and a daugh- ter of one of Fond du Lac's pioneer settlers, and to them has been born one son, Fremont, who is married and engaged in the printing business in this city.
In matters of faith Mr. Smith is a communicant of the Roman Catholic church, and Mrs. Smith is an Episcopalian. Fraternally Mr. Smith is affiliated with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, Knights of Pythias, Royal Arca- num, Equitable Fraternal Union and Royal Highlanders. He is a public-spirited man and belongs to the Business Men's Club, giving his cooperation and in- dorsement to its various movements. In politics he is a republican. Both Mr. and Mrs. Smith are most estimable people and enjoy an extensive and favor- able acquaintance among the citizens of Fond du Lac where they have many friends.
FRANK G. HENSKE.
Frank G. Henske, junior member of the firm of Henske & Son, which ope- rates one of the largest contracting and lumbering enterprises in Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, was born in Brandon, this state, on July 17, 1876. He is a son of Fred and Amelia (Welk) Henske, both natives of Germany. His father was born on April 7, 1849, and followed the trade of cabinet-making in his native country until he was twenty-three years of age. At that time he came to the United States, locating first in Trenton township, Fond du Lac county, where he lived upon a farm. He followed agriculture upon his original place of settlement for two years and then went to Waupun, Wis- consin, where he engaged in cabinet-making. He came to Brandon and worked at his trade in the employ of Mr. Herman for several years. He later took up independent carpenter work and was successful in this until 1897, when he joined with his son in the operation of their present extensive lumber enter- prise. He is still an active and hearty man and prominent in business and polit- ical life. He has been a member of the Brandon village board for several terms and he and his wife are well known in religious circles as members of the Lutheran church.
Frank G. Henske is an only child. He was educated in the public schools of Brandon and at an early day learned the carpenter's trade under the able supervision of his father. He followed this line of occupation until 1897, when
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he joined his father in their present contracting and building business. The enterprise is operated under the name of Henske & Son, and is one of the larg- est establishments of this kind in Fond du Lac county. Mr. Henske is its directing manager and the controlling figure in its policy. He has given much of his time and attention to expansion of the business with which he is con- nected along modern and progressive lines, and to the increasing of its output and enlarging . of his mill. In all of these ambitions he has achieved success and is representative of high standards of business honor and morality.
In 1906 Mr. Henske was united in marriage to Miss Rosie Vedder, a dauglı- ter of August and Sophia Vedder, the former of whom was a native of Germany, born on May 27, 1829.
Politically Mr. Henske gives his allegiance to the republican party. but has never been an office seeker. He is interested in the Brandon Telephone Com- pany, in which he holds the office of vice president. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company of Brandon, Wisconsin, and is interested in the promotion of any movement looking toward the future welfare of his section. He has sought his success along commercial lines and has gained the reward of his industry and energy in increased business efficiency. He is energetic, straightforward and honorable and measures up to the highest stand- ards of his own code and of present-day business ethics.
JULIUS KOENTOP.
Julius Koentop owns an excellent farm on section 27, Springvale township, comprising one hundred and fifty-two acres of well improved land, and is here carrying on general farming and operating an extensive and carefully managed dairy. He was born in Germany in March, 1870, and is a son of August and Jennie (Hoft) Koentop, natives of the fatherland. The parents came to the United States in 1890, locating in Rosendale township, Fond du Lac county, where they made their home with their daughter Amelia, the wife of William Holland, who is a prosperous farmer of Springvale township. They were both past seventy when they came to America and made the long journey in order to be near their children in the last years of their lives. The father died November 30, 1900. He had been active and prosperous in Germany, where he followed farming until the time of his removal to the United States, when he retired and enjoyed a well deserved rest until his death. His wife survived him three years, dying on June 5, 1903. To Mr. and Mrs. August Koentop were born six children, four of whom are living: William, of Rosen- dale, Wisconsin; Julius, the subject of this sketch; August, of Springvale town- ship; and Amelia, who married William Holland, of the same section.
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