USA > Wisconsin > Fond du Lac County > Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, past and present, Volume II > Part 57
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Julius Koentop attended school in Germany and came to the United States in 1887, locating at Rosendale, Wisconsin, where he worked in the employ of his brother William for one summer. He worked out on farms for twelve years and with the thrift and economy which was his natural heritage saved sufficient capital to purchase his present farm on section 27, Springvale town- ship, comprising one hundred and fifty-two acres which he has been operat- ing since 1900. He carries on general farming and dairying. His dairy is up to date and the buildings are kept in a sanitary condition and are equipped with modern machinery. He manages his enterprise conservatively and it has now almost doubled its original value. He keeps a herd of sixteen cows, graded Shorthorns, for dairy purposes and his products find a ready sale in the Wis- consin markets.
On March 20, 1901, Mr. Koentop was united in marriage to Miss Mabel Wilkinson, a daughter of Byron and Ida (Harmer) Wilkinson, natives of
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Springvale township, where the father's birth occurred on the 25th of June, 1853, and the mother's on the 23d of July, 1855. The parents have been resi- dents of this section during their entire lives and are today living on a farm in the township. Mr. Wilkinson rents his land and is an active and intelli- gent agriculturist. He is numbered among the native sons of the section and has the distinction of being among the first white children born in Fond du Lac county, his father being one of the early pioneers. To Mr. and Mrs. Koen- top. have been born three children: Harold, who was born April 15, 1902, and who is now attending school in joint district No. 10, Springvale town- ship; a son, born in January, 1911, who died in infancy; and Margaret, born July 22, 1912. Mrs. Koentop is a native of Metomen township, where her birth occurred on the 21st of January, 1878. She remained at home until her marriage, which was solemnized in the Rosendale Methodist Episcopal parson- age. She is one of six children born to her parents. The others are: Carrie, who makes her home in Green Lake county, Wisconsin; Mina, now Mrs. Joseph Henning, of Eldorado township; Byron, who lives at home with his parents on the farm in Springvale township; Luella, a school teacher; and one child who died in infancy.
In his political affiliations Julius Koentop is a republican but is not an office seeker. He attends the Methodist Episcopal church, to which religion his wife also gives her allegiance. He keeps his farm in a good condition, is progressive and pursues a consistent policy of expansion and development. In attaining solid and substantial success he has aided in the evolution which is making agriculture a profession.
ROBERT HAENTZE.
Robert Haentze is manager of the Haentze Company, one of the oldest and best established greenhouses in Fond du Lac, with salesrooms and office located at 414 Linden street. He was born in this city on the 29th of February, 1868, and is a son of Ernest and Caroline (Beck) Haentze, natives of Ger-' many. The father, who was born January 17, 1839, emigrated to the United States when a youth of seventeen years, arriving in Wisconsin on the 15th of January, 1856. Here forty-seven years ago he established the business that is now being operated under the name of the Haentze Company. As he had but limited capital it was necessary for him to begin in a small way, but he was very successful, and when he retired he was using eight acres of ground, a large portion of which he had under glass. Four of his children, Robert, Ernest, Richard and Anna, are actively and financially interested in the busi- ness, which is in a thriving condition and is yielding good dividends. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Haentze numbered eight, Charles, Edward, Robert, Caroline, Ernest, Richard, Otto and Anna. Edward, the second son, is en- gaged in the practice of medicine in Philadelphia. Ernest married Katherine Staege of Kewaskum, this state. Richard married Minette Fisher of this city and they have four children: Helen, Clayton, Annaminette and one who died in infancy. Anna became the wife of Anthony Ferdinand of Fond du Lac.
The education of Robert Haentze was pursued in the public schools of this city until he had attained the age of fourteen, when he laid aside his text- books and began assisting his father. As the work proved to be congenial he decided to make it his life vocation and upon the retirement of his father he became manager. He has given efficient service in this capacity and the business is now in a flourishing condition.
Mr. Haentze was married in Empire to Miss Mary J. Binning, and they reside at 406 Linden street. Fraternally Mr. Haentze is affiliated with the Benevo-
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lent Protective Order of Elks, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Loyal Order of Moose, and both he and Mrs. Haentze hold membership in the Rebekahs. He votes the republican ticket and for five years was alder- man from the seventh ward, while for a year and a half he was president of the council and he served on the school board for a year. Mr. Haentze is a very capable man and conducts his business transactions in such a way as to win and retain the respect of all who have dealings with him.
RUSH H. LEE.
Rush H. Lee, a member of The Fond du Lac Automobile & Tire Com- pany, located on South Main street, was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, on the 9th of May, 1849. He is a son of Gay W. and Emily (Crocker) Lee, the father a native of Vermont and the mother of the state of New York. The father, who was a merchant, located in Wisconsin in 1845 and here he passed away in 1850. Four children were born of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Lee, our subject being the third in order of birth. Lauretta E., who is the widow of Isaac Adriance, a farmer of the town of Eden, Wisconsin by whom she had one daughter, Emily, is a resident of Fond du Lac. Phidelia, who is the next in order of birth, makes her home in this city. Allie E. lives in Los Angeles, California, and was married to S. S. Denniston, who died in 19II, and was a farmer of Fond du Lac county. They had one daughter, Fannie.
The greater part of the life of Rush H. Lee has been passed in Fond du Lac county, in the public schools of which he pursued his education until he was a youth of nineteen years. He then discontinued his, lessons and be- gan his business career as a traveling salesman and was for 25 years associated with. B. Wild & Company. He was identified with wholesale houses at various times, remaining on the road for thirty-six years in all. Resigning his posi- tion in 1909, he opened the Fond du Lac Automobile Company and later formed a partnership with Henry Schwartz of Fond du Lac, known as The Fond du Lac Automobile & Tire Company. This enterprise has prospered from the first and is now numbered among the thriving activities of the city. Mr. Lee is a very capable business man and has met with more than average success in his undertakings and in addition to his business is the owner of a nice home in Fond du Lac and several other pieces of property.
Mr. Lee married Miss Etta Treleven, a daughter of John Treleven, a farmer of this county. They are both members of the Congregational church and fra- ternally he is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. His political support he accords to the men and measures of the republican party, but has never been connected with municipal affairs in an official capacity. Mr. Lee is well known in this county and is held in high esteem in both business and social life by a large circle of friends.
GEORGE F. YERK.
George F. Yerk is engaged in the blacksmith business, owning a well equipped shop of this character in Brandon where he has been active since 1904. He was born in Mackford township, Green Lake county, on March 31, 1861, and is a son of Frederic and Minnie (Roopnoc) Yerk, natives of Germany. The father was a farmer and came to the United States in the early '60s, making his first settlement in Alto township where he followed general agriculture. He later went to Green Lake county where he purchased eighty acres of land upon
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which he has since remained. His wife came to America about three years after his arrival in this country and located in Green Lake county. They were the parents of four . children: George F., the subject of this sketch; Bertha, the wife of William Meinke, a farmer of Wood county; Frank, a hardware merchant of Brandon; and Henry, who is operating the old home farm.
George Yerk was educated in the district schools of his native section and took up the study of engineering when he had completed his regular course. He came to Brandon in order to accept a position in the employ of Wheeler & Brandon, later leaving this field of activity in order to work as a threshing machine operator. In 1904 he established his present blacksmith shop and has given his attention to this business since that time. His trade has steadily grown, having a firm foundation of success in Mr. Yerk's industry and intelligent activity. He has a large and constantly increasing patronage, show- ing that the work which he does is done well. Prosperity has come to him because he has worked diligently to obtain it. He has a comfortable home in the village and is interested in public progress, being a stockholder in the local telephone company. He believes in the future of Brandon and is anxious to do his part in promoting it although he gives most of his time and attention to conducting his business in a modern and progressive way.
Mr. Yerk was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Lefler, a daughter of Gollip and Amelia Lefler, natives of Germany. The father was a farmer who came to the United States at an early date and settled in Alto township for a time, later removing to Green Lake county where he rented land for some time and later bought sixty acres upon which he remained until his death which occurred in 1897. His wife is still living upon the farm. They were the par- ents of two children: William, who is engaged in farming in Green Lake county ; and Augusta, the wife of our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Yerk have three children: Erwin, born June 3, 1899; Mable, who was born July 24, 1904; and Emma, whose birth occurred October 8, 1910.
In his political beliefs Mr. Yerk is a consistent republican and always votes the party ticket. He is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran. church of Brandon. His success has been gradual but steady and is founded upon up- right methods and honorable standards. He has gained that prosperity which results from earnest and well directed effort and he is accounted among the leading business men in the village.
JOHN W. ROSENBAUM.
John W. Rosenbaum, organizer and president of the Rosenbaum Construc- tion Company, has been identified with the building interests of Fond du Lac for the past eleven years, and is regarded as one of the foremost contractors in the city. He was born in Forest, this county on the 8th of April, 1877, and is a son of John and Louisa (Weber) Rosenbaum, natives of Germany. The father, whose natal year was 1849, emigrated to the united States with his parents, who located in Wisconsin in the vicinity of the town of Forest, about 1852. There he was reared to manhood and subsequently met and married Miss Weber, who came to this country with her people when a child of ten years. The grandparents in both lines were farming people, as was also the father. Two sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rosenbaum, the elder of whom, Charles, who is now engaged in the practice of dentistry at Milwaukee, was born in 1873 and married Gertrude Brost of Fond du Lac county.
Reared on the farm where he was born, in the acquirement of his educa- tion John W. Rosenbaum attended the public schools of Forest until he was a youth of fourteen years. He then laid aside his text-books and gave his en-
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tire attention to the work of the farm in which he had been assisting his father from early boyhood. He went to work at the carpenter's trade at the age of nineteen and three years later he engaged in contracting and building in the country. Feeling that he was fully qualified to engage in business on a more extensive scale at the expiration of that time he came to Fond du Lac and opened a business as a general contractor. As he is enterprising and diligent and conducts his transactions in a strictly honorable and straightforward manner he met with success from the first and in February, 1912, he organized the Rosenbaum Construction Company. He is president of this enterprise, while Paul Sielaff is vice president and John Sommerfeldt, secretary and treasurer. The company fill their contracts in a prompt, systematic manner, employ the services of skilled mechanics and give their personal supervision to every order, and as a result they are accorded an extensive patronage and are building up a profitable business.
Mr. Rosenbaum married Miss Rose Jahn, a daughter of William Jahn, a well known tailor of this city, and to them have been born three children : Chester, Louis and Eileen.
The family are members of the Lutheran church and he is a member of the Aid Association of the Lutherans, the Royal Order of Moose and the Equitable Fraternal Union. He also belongs to the Business Men's Association and is vice president of the Builders Exchange of Fond du Lac. His political sup- port he accords to the republican party. Mr. Rosenbaum has been alderman from the seventh ward for two years, and in 1909 was elected to the office of supervisor of the same district, which office he now holds. In addition to his fine business he owns some property in the city, including a very pleasant residence at 69 East Eleventh street, which is the family home. Mr. Rosen- baum possesses the thrift and energy as well as the determination of pur- pose that characterize the German people, and to this fact must be attributed much of the success that has attended his efforts.
BURR W. DAVIS.
Burr W. Davis is one of the respected and well known citizens of Waupun, Wisconsin, where he is engaged in the general banking business and enjoys the distinction of being the oldest banker in the city in which he lives. He was born in Mackford township, Green Lake county, Wisconsin, in 1855, and is the son of Trayton and Velois (Cahill) Davis. The father was a native of England, and with his parents emigrated to America, settling in Ohio in 1844, and one year later the family removed to Mayville, Dodge county, Wisconsin, where they es- tablished their home. The father was by occupation a well-blaster and contractor. He later moved to Green Lake county and in 1902 he took up his home in Wau- pun, where he continued to live until the time of his death, which occurred in February, 1912. The maternal grandparent, P. Cahill, settled in Wisconsin in 1845 at Alto, in Fond du Lac county, where he purchased government land and was there engaged in farming. Trayton Davis and Velois Cahill were married in Metomen, Wisconsin, and they became the parents of four children. Burr W., the eldest child, is the subject of this review. Ralph F. is the secretary and treas- urer of the John M. C. Marble Company of Los Angeles, California, and is also engaged in buying and selling mortgages. Lynn is engaged in the drug business in South Dakota. Mrs. Cundall, who completes the family, is a resident of Cali- fornia. Mr. Davis was a loyal and active member of the democratic party and a man of influence in the local councils of that political organization. Fraternally he was a member of the Masonic lodge. He was one of the well known and enterprising citizens of Wisconsin and was numbered among the most influential pioneers of Green Lake and Fond du Lac counties.
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Burr W. Davis was reared in his parents' home and received his early educa- tion in the public schools, and later attended Ripon College at Ripon, Wisconsin. Immediately following the close of his school life he was engaged in teaching school for several years, after which he opened a general store at Markesan, to which he gave his undivided attention for a number of years. In 1888 he removed to Waupun and became cashier of the First National Bank. In 1889 he purchased an interest in the bank and since that time has been identified with the successful operation of that well known financial institution. The National Bank of Wau- pun was organized in 1885 as the First National Bank. In 1905 Burr W. Davis, C. A. Shaler, W. E. Caldwell, C. E. Hooker and L. D. Hinkley, now deceased, purchased a controlling interest in the bank, at which time it was reorganized un- der the name of the National Bank of Waupun, with a paid-up capital stock of fifty thousand dollars, having a surplus of thirty-six thousand dollars. The new management has enlarged and remodeled the bank in all its appointments and it is now one of the best equipped institutions of its kind in southeastern Wiscon- sin. Burr W. Davis served as cashier of the bank from 1888 until 1910, at which date he was elected president and in that capacity devotes his entire time and attention to the interests of the banking business, and has the distinction of being the oldest banker in the city of Waupun.
In 1880 Mr. Davis was united in marriage to Miss Adella Cross, a daughter of Allen and Lovina (Robinson) Cross, the latter of whom was a cousin of Hor- ace Greeley. Mr. and Mrs. Davis became the parents of one child. Allen Burr, who died in infancy and the mother passed away in 1890. In 1895 Mr. Davis wedded Miss Lillian K. Hooker and to this union two children were born, Trayton H. and George Cundall.
Mr. Davis is a member of the republican party and has been treasurer of the board of public works and also treasurer of the library board for the past ten years. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic lodge and chapter, of which he has been the secretary. He is also a member of the State Historical Society and of the Wisconsin Archaeological Society. He is especially interested in the early Indian history of the country and has done much original research work in the Indian mounds so widely distributed throughout the central and southern por- tions of Wisconsin, having made many maps of these ancient monuments of the prehistoric period of the Indian race, of whose history he enjoys the distinction of being one of the reliable and well known authorities. He was a member of the national monetary commission in November, 1910, and was treasurer of the Bankers Association for several years. Burr W. Davis is one of the widely known, successful business men of Fond du Lac county and is numbered among the most useful citizens of his state. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are members of the Episcopal church.
SANFORD S. PEEBLES.
For more than sixty-one years Sanford S. Peebles has been a resident of Fond du Lac county and during this period has witnessed much of the growth and development of this section of the state, ever manifesting deep interest in what has been accomplished and rejoicing in the progress that has been made. He rep- resents one of the old pioneer families, his father, Ezra Peebles, having arrived here in 1847. Here he continued to reside throughout his remaining days, his death occurring in 1900. He was a native of Lewis county, New York, and, at- tracted by the opportunities of the new and growing west, came to Wisconsin casting in his lot with the early settlers of Fond du Lac county, at a period when there were still evidences of Indian occupancy and when the work of develop- ment and progress seemed scarcely begun. He married Margaret Van Valken-
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berg, and they established their home upon a farm which was the birthplace of their son, Sanford S. Peebles, whose natal year was 1851. At the usual age he began his education in the district schools and his early training was that of the farm boy who works in the fields through the summer months and devotes the winter seasons to the acquirement of an education. He was about twenty-six years of age when in 1877 he established a home of his own through his marriage to Miss Amanda S. Charles, a daughter of John and Marinda Charles. Her people lived in Empire for a time and then removed to Taycheedah, Wisconsin, where the father died in 1900. The mother is now living with her son-in-law, our subject.
Mr. and Mrs. Peebles began their domestic life upon the farm and as the years passed three children were added to the household, Ethen C., Ella May and Edna M. The eldest daughter is the wife of A. A. Briggs, and they have a little daughter, Gladys Eleanor, two years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Peebles have many friends in the community and the hospitality of the best homes of Taycheedah township and this part of the county is freely accorded them.
For many years Mr. Peebles has resided upon the farm which is now his place of residence. It is situated on section 31, Taycheedah township and comprises one hundred and sixty acres of rich and arable land. He has placed many modern improvements on the farm, including substantial and commodious buildings, and he is classed with the leading and representative stock-raisers of the county, being widely known as a breeder of Holstein cattle and Percheron horses. He has purchased some thoroughbred stock and has gained an enviable reputation by reason of his success in this direction. His opinions upon the subject are largely accepted as authority by his neighbors and that he is a practical business man is indicated by the success which has attended his efforts. His son, Ethen C., is in- terested with his father in the raising of pure-bred stock, being an equal partner in the business. After completing a high-school course, he studied a short time in the State University at Madison. The other children have all been high-school students and the eldest daughter, having graduated from the high school, pur- sued a short course in the Lawrence University at Appleton, Wisconsin. The family are all members of the Methodist church, taking an active and helpful in- terest in its work and upbuilding. Mr. Peebles belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Equitable Fraternal Union and the Fraternal Union of Green Bay. Throughout his life he has manifested qualities which have won for him high regard, which have gained for him success in business and which have etablished him as one of the representative and leading residents of his community.
JAMES MURRAY.
James Murray is one of the well known and respected citizens of Waupun where he is successfully engaged in the general practice of law. He was born August 22, 1877, and is a son of Edward and Annie (McKowen) Murray, both of whom were natives of Ireland. The paternal grandfather was Patrick Mur- ray, who emigrated to the United States, settling first at Waupun in the early '6os, but later established his home on a farm near Fox Lake, where he con- tinued to live until the time of his death. The maternal grandfather was John McKowen, who emigrated to America from Ireland and settled in Watertown, Wisconsin, in the early '50s, where he engaged in farming to which pursuit he continued to give his attention the remaining years of his life.
Edward Murray was one of the respected citizens of Waupun, in which city he maintained his home until the time of his death which occurred in March, 19II. His widow still resides there. To Mr. and Mrs. Edward Murray three children were born: Mrs. Garland, who resides in Minnesota; James, of this review ; and John.
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James Murray was reared at home and received his early education in the public schools of Waupun. After completing his elementary studies, he took up the study of law under Captain Hooker of Waupun, and later was graduated from the law department of the Wisconsin University at Madison with the class of 1903. Immediately following his graduation from the university, he opened an office in Waupun where he has since been successfully engaged in the general practice of his profession.
Mr. Murray was united in marriage June 15, 1908, to Miss Nellie Carey, of Fond du Lac, a daughter of John and Mary (Rohan) Carey, and to them two children have been born, John Edward and Maurice.
Mr. Murray is independent in politics, giving the benefit of his support to the party which he believes represents the best interests of the people. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and has been chairman of the county board for the past two years and also a member of the board of supervisors for eight years and has served as court commissioner for the past seven years. He is also a member of the school board of Waupun, and he and his wife are members of the Catholic church.
James Murray is one of the well known and successful attorneys of Fond du Lac county and a man who devotes his attention strictly to the practice of his profession. He has the esteem and confidence of all his friends and associates, and is among the most useful men of his part of the state.
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