USA > Wisconsin > Fond du Lac County > Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, past and present, Volume II > Part 59
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Joseph Carberry was born in Friendship township and was a son of Charles and Mary (McDebitt) Carberry. His early education was received in the pub- lic schools of his native township and he was a graduate of the high school of Fond du Lac county. He has followed the career of farming since he entered upon his active life. His methods are efficient, his equipment modern, and his in- terest in his chosen field of labor has been unwavering since he commenced his business activities in 1888. In that year he settled on a farm in Empire to the cultivation of which he gave his energies and talents, when he removed to his ancestral homestead of Carberry Corners. The fertile fields surrounding the house have improved under his direction and control to a remarkable extent. His talent for farming is inborn, and the success in this line is a result of a natural tendency toward agricultural pursuits and hard work in the development of the resources which he has at hand. He is well known in local circles and held the position of town clerk for six years, making a record in that office which has sel- dom been equalled. He is a charter member of the Wisconsin National Guards. His career since its beginning has been marked by great industry and an appre- ciation of the value of uninterrupted labor which is the foundation of all true success.
IRWIN D. SMALLEY.
Irwin D. Smalley, who owns and operates a farm in Friendship township, is one of Fond du Lac county's enterprising and progressive agriculturists. He was born in this county in 1880 and is a son of Delos and Avena (Velie) Smal- ley. The father was a native of Orange county, New York, and the mother was born in Milwaukee. They came to Fond du Lac in 1878, making this county their home.
After leaving high school Irwin D. Smalley attended the Northwestern Uni- versity Dental School, at Chicago, Illinois, after which he qualified himself for the dental profession in the Milwaukee Dental College. Soon after being awarded his degree he engaged in practice in Watertown, this state, and also in Milwau- kee, but eight years ago he gave up the practice of his profession and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, .which he is following with gratifying success. He is diligent and enterprising in whatever he undertakes and is directing his ac- tivities with the intelligence and foresight that invariably bring prosperity.
The lady who now bears the name of Mrs. Smalley was known in her maiden-
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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY
hood as Elizabeth Mason, and is a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Mason. Mr. and Mrs. Smalley are the parents of one son, Roland, who is nine years of age. They are held in high regard in the community where they reside and are accorded the hospitality of the best homes.
BENJAMIN F. MOORE.
Indelibly inscribed on the pages of Fond du Lac's history is the name of Benjamin F. Moore, who in pioneer times became allied with the work of de- velopment in this part of the state. For more than a half century he was closely associated with business affairs in Fond du Lac and his labors were of far-reaching and beneficial effect, contributing to public progress and prosperity as well as to individual success. He was honored and respected wherever known but most of all where he was best known, for his life measured up to the highest standards of manhood. In him there was nothing sinister or any- thing to conceal and his frankness and cordiality of address indicated a man ready to meet any obligation of life with the confidence and courage that come of conscious personal ability, right conception of things and an habitual re- gard for what is best in the exercise of human activities. It has often been remarked that no man has done more for the advancement of Fond du Lac county and his memory is still cherished by all who knew him. He was one of New England's native sons, his birth having occurred in Clinton, Maine, July 10, 1819. He represented one of the old families of that section of the country, tracing his ancestry back through generations of sturdy pioneers, men who in strange lands and amid adverse circumstances carved their own way and made their fortunes. The first representatives of the name in this country were among the early Puritan residents of Massachusetts, having come from Andover, England, and taken part in founding the town of that name in Massa- chusetts. This was about the year 1684 and the emigrant ancestor bore the name of Abraham Moore. He was the father of Lieutenant Joseph Moore, who received a grant of land of five hundred acres located at Chelmsford, Massachusetts. He was probably the first settler on the site of the present city of Lowell, Massachusetts, where the family was represented through several generations. A small portion of the original grant is still in possession of members of the family.
Benjamin F. Moore was a son of Colonel Herbert Moore, who was born at Chelmsford in 1766. His youthful days were spent in a region where oc- curred some of the most interesting events that figure in the history of the Revolutionary war. He witnessed some of the incidents of the battle of Lex- ington and his recollection of the red-coated British soldiers as he first saw them lingered with him to the end of his life. The early military scenes which he witnessed and the tales which he heard of the heroic struggles of the mem- bers of the patriot army so awakened his own interest and zeal that he ran away from home when but a youth of sixteen and enlisted with the Continental troops, remaining in the service until the close of the war. He was one of the soldiers of the victorious army that Washington disbanded at Cambridge after its splendid mission had been accomplished. At a later date he saw further military service when troops were called out to suppress Shay's rebellion and once more he was on active duty in the War of 1812, commanding a regiment of troops stationed at Fort Edgecomb to protect the settlers of that portion of the Atlantic coast region from the depredations of British privateers. Shortly before the close of the eighteenth century Colonel Moore established his home in what was then known as the province of Maine and became a prominent and influential citizen of the town of Clinton and afterward of Winslow, to
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which place he removed. He was engaged quite extensively in supplying the agents of the Spanish government with ship timber and other products brought to this country by the trading vessels of that period.
Benjamin F. Moore was a lad of but five years when the family removed from Clinton to Winslow. He was the tenth among thirteen children, twelve of whom reached adult age. He acquired his education in private schools of Winslow but when about thirteen years of age, owing to the death of his mother and to financial reverses which overtook his father, he was unable to continue his education as had been planned and, leaving the academy at Water- ville, where he was preparing for college, he went to Augusta, Maine, and accepted the position of "devil" in the printing office of the Kennebec Journal, which paper was afterward edited by the Hon. James G. Blaine. He made rapid advancement in mastering the printer's trade and had become quite pro- ficient as compositor when he left the Kennebec Journal after a little less than a year's service and went to Philadelphia to enter the employ of his elder brothers, who were there engaged in the dry-goods business. Four years were spent in that city, at the end of which time he went to New York, where he entered the employ of still another brother, who was a merchant of the metrop- olis. In 1841, however, he left the east with Wisconsin as his destination, making the trip in company with a brother-in-law, who was the possessor of considerable capital and who admitted Mr. Moore to a partnership in a busi- ness established at Taycheedah, about three miles from the present site of Fond du Lac, although Mr. Moore at that time had no capital. Wisconsin was still under territorial rule and the city of Fond du Lac had not yet been founded. The system of navigation, too, was developed to only a slight degree and it required eighteen days for Mr. Moore to go from Green Bay to Taycheedah with a stock of merchandise which he and his partner had brought from the east. It seemed that the seeds of civilization had scarcely been planted in this part of the state, for a large portion of the territory was still occupied by Indian tribes and the red men were among the best patrons of the Taycheedah store. However, the trade of that establishment extended over a wide area of country and the business was successfully conducted until 1846, when Mr. Moore sold out. In the meantime his ready recognition and appreciation of opportunity had led him to extend his efforts into other fields. He became interested in the manufacture of lumber and built the first sawmill on Wolf river at the outlet of Lake Shawano. The first steamboat to navigate Wolf river was sent up under his direction and at his expense to clear the river of obstructions and open up navigation between Lake Winnebago and the lumber camp which he established. The trip was not entirely free from disaster and, in fact, there were unusual difficulties to encounter and overcome. On one occasion, when opposite the outlet of Lake Shawano, the main crank of the engine of the little steamer broke and a trip across the country to Green Bay was necessary to secure a new one. Two strong men were picked out to make the trip on foot and they returned to Lake Shawano with a crank, having carried it the entire distance strapped to a pole which rested on their shoulders. The lumber en- terprise not proving profitable at that time, Mr. Moore sold his mill and for some years was interested mainly in real-estate transactions in different parts of Wisconsin. In 1853 he became a part owner of a small steamer sailing on Lake Winnebago and a little later he purchased the Plytona, which he refitted. It had previously been operated at a loss by its former owner but it soon became a profitable undertaking to Mr. Moore. Later from time to time he purchased other boats until he had a fleet of seven steamers sailing on the rivers and lake. He disposed of these in 1857 and afterward gave his attention to various busi- ness enterprises, most of which brought him substantial success. In 1874, however, he concentrated his energies at Fond du Lac, joining with other enterprising men in purchasing the La Belle Wagon Works, which up to that time had not proven a good investment. Excellent business management and
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carefully formulated plans, however, soon wrought a change in this connection and Mr. Moore purchased the entire plant and guided its destiny in such a manner that it became one of the large and profitable productive industries of this part of the state. In 1880 he reorganized the business as a stock com- pany, of which he became president, and when a few years later he desired to retire from active business he sold his interests, realizing a handsome fortune for this enterprise, which he had developed into one of mammoth proportions. In the meantime his labors had been crowned with substantial success, placing him among the most prosperous residents of his part of the state.
On October 27, 1844, occurred the marriage of Benjamin F. Moore and Miss Eliza M. Conklin, a native of New York, who had come to Wisconsin with her parents a few years before. Mr. and Mrs. Moore became the parents of ten children, nine of whom survived the father: Edwin M., of North Adams, Massachusetts; Henry C., who resides in Fond du Lac; Alfred L., who makes his home in Moline, Illinois; C. Herbert, living in Spokane, Washington; James M., residing in Portland, Oregon; George, of New York city; Mrs. Mary M. Wyatt and Mrs. Jessie M. Steenberg, both of this city; and Mrs. Augusta M. Hiner, living in Chicago. In 1846 Mr. Moore established his home in Fond du Lac and there continued to reside until his death, which occurred February 18, 1904. Through the long years of his residence here he had become recognized not only as one of the foremost citizens of Fond du Lac but also as one of the leading men of the state. . He had a personal acquaintance and warm friend- ship with such men as Governor J. D. Doty, Morgan L. Martin, Solomon Juneau, Byron L. Kilbourn, George H. Walker and others whose names are inseparably associated with the history of the state. Mr. Moore was at one time a member of the state legislature, serving in that body in 1853. On the organization of the republican party he joined its ranks and was one of its stalwart advocates, yet he was in no way a politician, preferring to do his pub- lic service as a private citizen. He concentrated his energies upon business affairs which constantly grew in volume and importance, and while carefully conducting his individual interests he was also active in his support of projects to which are directly traceable the growth and upbuilding of the city. He was a man of kindly spirit, ever honorable and straightforward, regarding it more as a matter of religion to aid his fellowmen than to observe religious forms and ceremonies. Upright and manly actions constituted his life, an example that any might well follow. All through his business career he followed constructive methods, never taking advantage of the necessities of another but improving every opportunity in a way that not only brought to him individual success but also promoted general prosperity.
AUGUST P. RUH.
August P. Ruh, who is conducting a drug store at 179 South Main street, Fond du Lac, was born in Hartland, this state, on the 21st of April. 1875. He is a son of the Rev. M. P. and Anna (Monsen) Ruh, both natives of Norway. The father who emigrated to the United States in 1850, first located in Min- nesota, but later he went to St. Louis, where he completed his education and qualified himself for the Lutheran ministery. The mother came to this coun- try in 1866, and here she met Mr. Ruh, to whom she was married on the 12th of May, 1867. To them were born six children, our subject being the fourth in order of birth.
The early education of August P. Ruh was acquired in the public and high school of New Lisbon, Wisconsin, his course being completed in the college at Decorah, Iowa, in 1890. He then took up the study of pharmacy under
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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY
Professor R. E. W. Sommers, now at Marquette College, Milwaukee. He passed the state board examination in June, 1898. He then became the pre- scription clerk for C. S. Little of Appleton, staying with him for two years, going from there to Wautoma where he engaged in the drug business for a year and a half. He disposed of his store there and coming to Fond du Lac, he together with W. A. Sallade bought his present place of business at 179 South Main street. He bought Mr. Sallade's interest in December, 1910. He is in a good location, has an attractive store and keeps a full line of drugs and such sundries as are usually to be found in drug stores, is the Rexall agent for his city, and enjoys a large and constantly increasing patronage. Mr. Ruh is an active member of the Business Men's Association and gives his full indorse- ment to the various progressive movements they inaugurate. In his political views he is republican, believing that the principles of that body are best adapted to forward the welfare of the country.
H. J. HARTGERINK.
H. J. Hartgerink is one of the enterprising and successful business men of Waupun, and as president of the well known Palma Shoe Company he is devoting his entire time to the interests of that corporation. He was born in Alto township, Fond du Lac county, April 16, 1863, and is a son of John and Katie (Lohuise) Hartgerink. The paternal grandfather emigrated to America with his family at an early day, establishing his home in Chicago where he continued to live during the remaining days of his life. After his death his widow removed with her family to Fond du Lac county and settled upon a farm and there continued to live until the time of her death which occurred when our subject was about three years of age. John Hartgerink, the father of our subject, was born in Holland in 1842, and with his parents came to the United States, settling in Chicago for a short time before moving to a farm in Fond du Lac county, since which time he was continuously engaged in agricul- tural pursuits until he retired from active life. His wife passed away in March, 1910. They became the parents of seven children, all of whom are living.
H. J. Hartgerink was reared at home and received his early education in the public schools of Wisconsin. He remained under the parental roof until nineteen years of age at which time he went to Milwaukee and there learned the carpenter and builder's trade, after which he returned to Waupun and engaged in the building and construction business in which he continued for a number of years during which time he built many of the public buildings and residences of that city. He also organized with Mr. Schaler, the Schaler- Hartgerink Umbrella Company with which he was identified for some time and in 1903 sold his interest in the business. In 1904 he became one of the principal stockholders in the Palma Shoe Company of Waupun, of which corporation he has since been the president and has devoted his entire time to its interests. The Palma Shoe Company is a Wisconsin corporation capitalized for fifty thousand dollars and opened its doors for business on October 6, 1904. The principal offices and manufacturing plant are installed in a building thirty- six by one hundred and twenty feet, three stories high, and require in its manu- facturing department twelve thousand, nine hundred and sixty square feet of floor space in addition to the room used for the steam power plant which is also installed under the same roof. The company employs seventy to eighty skilled operatives and five traveling salesmen. The Palma Shoe Company manufactures three and one-half and four dollar men's shoes exclusively, using no assembled parts in their work but manufacture their product from full leather to the finished product. The plant has an output of eighteen hundred
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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY
pair of shoes per week. The officers of this well known and successful manu-" facturing company are H. J. Hartgerink, president; William E. Caldwell, vice president; Oscar Hanisch, director; Samuel Darling, superintendent; and Thomas M. Turner, secretary and treasurer. The company has been very successful since its organization, and under its competent management is placed by public opinion among the most reliable and prosperous institutions of its kind in Wisconsin.
Mr. Hartgerink was united in marriage on November 20, 1885, to Miss Mary Elizabeth TeLinde, a daughter of Wessel and Anna (Newell) TeLinde, both of whom were among the early settlers of Fond du Lac county. To Mr. and Mrs. Hartgerink two children have been born, Mary Elizabeth and William, both of whom are under the parental roof. Mr. Hartgerink has served as alderman for his ward for four years, and he and his family are members of the Reformed church. Mr. Hartgerink is among the best known and highly respected citizens of Fond du Lac county, and is a man whose integrity in all business transactions has gained the unreserved confidence of the people with whom his business has brought him in contact. He is always to be relied upon to identify himself with every measure of public interest seeking the fur- ther improvement of the people, and he is in every way entitled to be num- bered among the most useful and successful citizens of the state.
FRANK G. IMMEL.
Frank G. Immel is the owner of a productive farm in Fond du Lac county evolved by his father out of level prairie land and situated within a convenient distance of the town of Empire. He has been active in agricultural circles of this district for many years and is one of the most prominent representatives of that occupation in the township. He is of German ancestry. His father, Joseph Immel, was born in Darmstadt, Germany, and spent his boyhood and youth in that country. When he was twenty-four years of age he came to America, settling immediately in Fond du Lac county where he spent one year working on farms in Empire township, laboring by the month. By thrift and intelligent economy he accumulated enough money to purchase eighty acres of wild land which his son is now cultivating. He built a log cabin upon his holdings and lived in it with his family for many years. He subsequently bought eighty acres adjoining his original farm and moved into the house which was then on that place. He lived in Empire township until his death in 1885, when he was sixty-three years of age. His wife in her maidenhood was Miss Mar- garette Smith, a daughter of Frank Smith, one of the pioneer settlers of Fond du Lac county. To Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Immel were born eleven children, Eliza, Jetta, Frank G., Emily, Louis, Henry, Lena, Katherine, John, Hannah and Mamie.
Frank G. Immel was born in the log cabin which was his father's first dwelling in America, his natal day being April 23, 1863. The old Berhide school afforded him his early educational opportunities and his studies were pursued in the winter while the summer months were spent in assisting his father in the work of the farm. When he definitely laid aside his books he spent nine winters in the northern pine woods and gained a fair degree of suc- cess in lumbering. When the father died three sons, Frank, Louis and Henry, purchased from the estate one hundred acres and operated them in association with each other for ten or twelve years. They brought the land to a high state of cultivation. About 1895 Frank G. Immel purchased the interests of his two brothers in the property and became sole owner of the tract of land which he is now farming. He carried out the policy of scientific and modern agricul-
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ture inaugurated by his father, and by his intelligent and capable labors soon made his property a model farm. In 1910 he built a beautiful house on it equipped with every sanitary convenience and in this he is now living with his family. Five years ago he erected a barn upon this property which is one of the largest and finest structures of its kind in Empire township. He engages in general farming and dairying and has been successful in all lines of agricul- tural activity. His soil is rich and productive on account of the labor and effort he has spent upon its improvement. He does an extensive business in dairy products, keeping high-grade Herefords, while a neighboring cheese factory uses his output of milk. It has been his aim and accomplishment always to keep his farm up to a high standard of modern development.
In 1898 Frank G. Immel was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Grienert, a daughter of Ernest and Matilda Grienert, pioneer settlers of Calumet county. Mr. and Mrs. Immel have five children: Milton, born March 24, 1900; Mabel, whose birth occurred July 3, 1901; Ruth, born on the 14th of July, 1903; Mil- dred, whose natal day was October 18, 1905; and William, born on the 18th of June, 1908. Mr. Immel belongs to the Methodist church of Forest township and is well known throughout the district as a man of exemplary public and private character. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party, but has always refused public office, believing in the efficacy of worthy private endeavor in promoting the public welfare.
B. PICKART.
B. Pickart is one of the sturdy and upright sons of Germany whose standards of life and labor are affecting the quality of citizenship and the rate of agricultu- ral development in Fond du Lac county. His parents were among the pioneers in the settlement of this region and he himself is numbered among its early resi- dents. He is now operating a fine farm comprising ninety acres all cultivated and improved and by his systematic methods of agriculture is making definite additions to the resources of this section. He was born in Germany in 1844 and is the son of Joe and Anna Margaret (Eters) Pickart. The parents left their native country in 1846, when Mr. Pickart of this review was only two years of age, and settled first in Port Washington, Wisconsin. After a short period of residence in that place they came to Fond du Lac county, where the father took up a government claim and was active as an agriculturist until his death.
Mr. Pickart was educated in the public schools of Johnsburg and has been acquainted with the details of the operation of a farm since his early childhood. He aided his father in the planting and harvesting and in the caring for the stock and grain, and the personal experience and knowledge of methods gained at this time has been an important item in his present success. He is operating ninety acres of land which was formerly owned by John Schmitz, his father-in-law, whose estate was divided in 1891, when Mr. Pickart purchased the interests of the other heirs and kept the property in its original state. He has erected several buildings upon his land and has made needed improvements from time to time. He does general farming and the land, being rich and fertile, returns excellent harvests as the result of his progressive and scientific methods. His life has been one of industry and progressiveness, guided by systematic and honorable business methods and his success is an evidence of the qualities of his mind and character rightly directed along high standards.
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