Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, past and present, Volume II, Part 6

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

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It was in the spring of 1853 that Mr. Maxim was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Brindle, her father being Joseph Brindle, who was the first white male child born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, and who became a well known agricul- turist there. He was of Dutch descent and spent his entire life in the Keystone state. Mr. and Mrs. Maxim have three children. Frank, who wedded Miss Hannah Payne, resides on the old home farm and operates the same in connec- tion with his own property. He devotes his attention to the pursuits of general farming and stock-raising and also conducts a dairy business. Fred, is an exten- sive landowner and farmer of Tower City, North Dakota. Fern E., lives in Idaho. Mr. and Mrs. John R. Maxim adopted and reared an orphan, Stella, who is the wife of Joseph H. Dixon, one of Brandon's best known stock-breed- ers and agriculturists. A bond of friendship still exists between the foster parents and the once orphaned girl. Mr. Maxim once paid Mrs. Dixon a rare tribute in saying that he had never heard her speak a cross or unkind word to any living soul.

In politics Mr. Maxim is a stanch republican, having ever been unflinchingly loyal to the men, measures and principles of that party. He helped to build the Congregational church of Waupun township and both he and his wife hold mem- bership therein. They have an extensive circle of friends throughout the com- munity, for in all relations of life they have manifested those sterling traits of character which in every land and clime command confidence and regard.

WILLIAM J. REILLY.

William J. Reilly is one of the prosperous and enterprising agriculturists of Fond du Lac county and has met with a gratifying degree of success in this line of endeavor. He is of Irish lineage and his father, James Reilly, was the first of the name to settle in America. The father was born in County Galway, Ire- land, in 1825, and spent his youth in his native country. He came to the United States when he was twenty years of age and located for some time in New York. His residence in Wisconsin dates from 1847, in which year he came to Byron township, Fond du Lac county, where he worked on a farm for nine years. He was thrifty and ambitious and was soon able to purchase forty acres of land in Byron township. He, however, never lived upon this farm and in 1876 he removed to Eden where he purchased land which he improved and operated until his death in 1907. In 1877, at Fond du Lac, he married Miss Cecilia Mul-

HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY

ligan, a daughter of Thomas and Katherine Mulligan, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Boston, Massachusetts. To Mr. and Mrs. James Reilly were born three children: Katherine, now Mrs. John Flood; William J., the subject of this review; and Mrs. May Frances Rehorst.

William J. Reilly was born upon the home farm near Eden, March 5, 1879. He received his education in the district school of the township and worked from an early age upon his father's farm. After James Reilly's death his son William took entire charge of the direction and management of the one hundred and sixty acres which constituted the father's holdings and upon this tract of land he still resides. He has greatly improved the property by installing efficient and modern farm machinery, by building up-to-date barns and by carrying on his general agriculture in a progressive way.

On June 24, 1908, William J. Reilly was united in marriage to Miss Kath- erine Baumhardt, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Baumhardt. To Mr. and Mrs. Reilly three children have been born: Lawrence James, born on the 12th of April, 1909; Leo Francis, whose birth occurred October 23, 1910; and Mary, born on the 17th of January, 1912. Mr. Reilly and his entire family are devout adherents to the Roman Catholic faith and are regular attendants at St. James' Catholic church of Eden.

Politically he gives his allegiance to the democratic party. He always votes this ticket on national issues but reserves his judgment in local affairs, following the policy of voting for the best man regardless of party. He has served as school clerk for three years and has done able work in this capacity. He is one of the substantial and enterprising citizens of Fond du Lac county and his intelligent industry and discrimination combined with his knowledge of agri- cultural economics is rapidly gaining for him a high place in the farming com- munity in which he resides.

JAMES HODGE.

James Hodge was born in Fond du Lac county and is a son of a pioneer in its settlement. He is one of the best known farmers in Auburn township where he was at one time an extensive land owner, although he has now disposed of his holdings with the exception of twenty acres upon which he lives. He was born in Wisconsin, August 27, 1868, in Osceola township and is a son of Richard and Sarah (Knapp) Hodge. His father was a native of New York state and followed the trade of a stone mason in that section. He married there and came with his wife to Osceola township in the early days of its settlement, taking up a tract of wild land which he improved and cultivated. He also followed his trade and was the builder of most of the stone walls in Eden and Osceola townships which were erected at that time. During the last eight or ten years of his life he resided in Auburn township where his death occurred when he was sixty-three years of age. He was twice married. By his first union with Miss Sarah Knapp, the mother of our subject, he had six children : Amy, born in Warsaw, New York; Emily, born in Wyoming, that state; Mary, who was born in Osceola, Fond du Lac county, and died at the age of nineteen months; Samuel, who passed away when he was twenty years of age; James, the subject of this sketch; and George, who died at the age of twenty-three. After the death of his first wife Richard Hodge married Miss Sarah Thompson of Canada, and two sons, William and John, were born to this union.

James Hodge spent his boyhood upon his father's farm and at an early age became acquainted with the details and methods of agriculture. He spent three winters working in the lumber camps in the northern part of the state and when he had attained his majority rented land in Sheboygan county which he operated

HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY

for one year. At the end of that time he moved to Antigo but lived there only two months when his father died and he returned to Fond du Lac county. Here he rented land and for five or six years was successful in its cultivation. When he was twenty-seven years of age he purchased one hundred and nineteen acres in Osceola township and after operating this farm for two years he moved to the village of Newcastle where he lived for two years. In 1907 he purchased one hundred and thirty-eight acres in Auburn township and carried on general agriculture upon this property for some time. He has now, however, disposed of most of his holdings, retaining only twenty acres on which he is residing. He has been successful as a dealer in farm lands, being an expert judge of values and having a comprehensive grasp of modern conditions. In 1908 he pur- chased four hundred and thirty-three acres in Virginia intending at that time to live in that state. He later, however, abandoned this idea and has placed the Virginia farm under the care of a manager.

In 1889 Mr. Hodge was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Bast, a daughter of Nicholas and Minnie Bast, natives of Germany. She came to America with her parents when she was only one year old and remained at home until her marriage. Our subject and his wife had two children: Minnie, who was born on August 7, 1890, and married Gilbert D. McDougall, of Dundee, Wisconsin ; and Richard, whose birth occurred on March 16, 1892, and who married Miss Harriet Finholt. Mrs. Minnie (Bast) Hodge passed away in 1895 and in 1899 Mr. Hodge married Mrs. Mary Jacobitz.

Although intelligently interested in public advancement and progress Mr. Hodge has never sought public office. He is a Mormon and serves as a mis- sionary in his church. He has a wide acquaintance in the section in which he resides and is highly esteemed and respected. His business methods are up- right and straightforward and they have combined with his long experience and his detailed knowledge of agricultural methods in the promotion of a distinct and substantial success.

FRANK C. ENGEL.

Frank C. Engel has given his energies and activities all during his life to agriculture, cultivating one hundred and twenty acres of land. He was born on the adjoining home farm, on which his brother William lives. His success is evidence of his well directed and intelligent efforts. He is of German par- entage and his father, John Engel, was born in the fatherland in 1852. He was educated in his native country and came to America with his father, Peter Engel, when he was ten years of age. The grandfather of our subject settled with his family in Fond du Lac county and his son John worked out upon the neighboring farms as a laborer. He was ambitious and economical and was soon able to purchase eighty acres of land near Taycheedah, where he was suc- cessful as an agriculturist until 1906 when he retired from active life and bought property in the city of Fond du Lac where he now resides. His wife in her maidenhood was Miss Barbara Will, and to their union were born nine children : Barbara, deceased; and John, Frank C., Annie, Herman, Bertha, Katherine, William and Emma.

Frank Engel was born on the home farm December 10, 1872, and at an early period in his career became intimately acquainted with agricultural life in its various details. He attended the district schools during the winter but gave his summers and leisure hours to assisting his father in the cultivation of the soil. He remained at home until 1898 when he purchased eighty acres which comprise his present farm and later added forty acres thereto. Mr. Engel is responsible for all the improvements which have been made upon his property and has built a modern and conveniently equipped house, new barns,

HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY

silos and outbuildings, and has shown himself to be a man possessed of pro- gressive and scientific tendencies along agricultural lines.

In 1899 Mr. Engel was united in marriage to Miss Maggie Feyen, a daughter of Henry and Annie Feyen of Taycheedah. Mr. and Mrs. Engel are the parents of three children: Amanda, whose birth occurred on the 16th of June, 1902; Harry, who was born August 31, 1904; and Dorothy, whose birth occurred November 29, 1909. Mr. Engel and his family hold membership in St. Michael's Catholic church of Forest township, and their name is well known in church circles. In national politics Mr. Engel is a democrat but keeps an independent judgment on local issues. The farm which he is cultivating is one of the valuable properties of Empire township and is thoroughly equipped in all its appointments for the conduct of a modern agricultural enterprise.

HENRY MERJAY.

Henry Merjay is one of the estimable citizens and prosperous agriculturists of Osceola township, where he owns and operates a farm of two hundred acres. He was born in Luxemburg, on the 5th of June, 1865, and is a son of Edwin and Margaret (Gaul) Merjay. The father, who was a carpenter by trade, was also a native of Luxemburg and the mother of Belgium. They passed their entire lives in the old country, the mother's death occurring when our subject was a child of nine years, and that of the father when he was a youth of seven- teen. Their family numbered three.

The boyhood and youth of Henry Merjay were passed in his native land. At the age of twenty years he came to the United States in search of his for- tune, landing in New York city. Upon his arrival in this country his capital consisted of one cent, but he had no fears or apprehension about the future, as he was young and strong and was determined to succeed. He continued his journey to Chicago, where for a time he worked out by the month. From there he came to Fond du Lac county and obtained work as a farm hand, thus acquiring a practical knowledge of American agricultural methods. He had early been trained in habits of thrift and industry, which he diligently practiced, and at the end of a year was able to begin farming for himself as a renter. He first leased an eighty-acre tract and after cultivating it for three years re- moved to the place he now owns. Here he continued to farm as a renter for another three years, acquiring during that period the money necessary to pur- chase the place. It then bore little resemblance with its crude log cabin and barns and neglected fields to the well kept and attractive farm now known as the Merjay homestead. He readily recognized its possibilities, however, and energetically went to work to develop it in a systematic and capable manner. The result is to be seen in his highly cultivated fields, which annually yield abundant harvests, the substantial fences, well constructed buildings and his equipment. The early years were hard to overcome and fraught with all the hardships and discouragements that assail the man who is struggling to gain a foothold in the world with insufficient capital. Each year showed a marked advance, however, and in 1900 he was able to improve his place by the erection of a comfortable residence and large, commodious sheds and barns. He is very proud of his farm, which contains two hundred acres of land and is an attractive and valuable property.

Mr. Merjay has been ably assisted in his undertakings by his wife, who economically and judiciously manages the household affairs. Her maiden name was Eugenia Krell, and she was born in Belgium on the 26th of June, 1866, her parents being Frank and Theresa (Badeau) Krell, who passed their entire lives in the old country. She emigrated to the United States alone in

HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY

1890, coming direct to Osceola township, and here on January 7, of the follow- ing year, she and Mr. Merjay were married. They have become the parents of four children: Anna, who was born on the 7th of July, 1893; Henry, whose birth occurred on December II, 1895; Viola, who was born on the 14th of February, 1898; and Kathryn, whose natal day was November 15, 1901.

The family are communicants of the Roman Catholic church and belong to the Lady of Angels parish of Osceola township. Mr. Merjay enjoys the full rights of citizenship, but has never identified himself with any political party, giving his support to such men and measures as he deems best qualified to subserve the highest interests. A man of diligence and enterprise he is highly esteemed in the community, where he has shown himself to be a worthy citizen, while in matters of business he is very honorable, conducting his transactions in a straightforward upright manner.

AUGUST LUEDTKE.

The name of Luedtke is well known in Ashford township, where members of the family have lived for three generations, each adding something to the progress of the agricultural development of the section. The family's present representative, August Luedtke, is one of the progressive and enterprising young agriculturists of Ashford township and his farm of two hundred and eighteen acres, well improved and highly developed, is distinctly modern in every particular. August Luedtke was born May 26, 1885, in Lomira, Dodge . county, Wisconsin, and is a son of August and Mary (Grantman) Luedtke, natives of Germany. The family was founded in Wisconsin by the grand- father of our subject, John Luedtke, who settled in Milwaukee at an early date and after four years' residence in that city moved to Fond du Lac, where for three or four years he conducted a broom shop. He later purchased ten acres in Lomira township, where he cultivated the soil for ten years. At the end of this time he bought twenty acres in the same section and moved upon this farm, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits for a short time. He afterward sold this tract of land and after two years' residence with his oldest son Fred, purchased six acres from his youngest son August, upon which he lived until his death, which occurred in September, 1910, when he was ninety-two years of age. His wife, Frederica Luedtke, passed away in 1903, when she was seventy-eight years old. August Luedtke, the father of our subject, was one of two children born to his parents. His birth occurred in Germany, August 5, 1857, and he came to America with his parents when he was still a child. As a boy he worked in his father's broom factory and when he was twenty years old purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Lomira township, upon which his death occurred in 1902. He was a pro- gressive and enterprising agriculturist and brought his land from a slightly im- proved state to an excellent and highly developed condition. He married Miss Mary Grantman, who was born in Germany in 1854. She died on July 28, 1906, leaving nine children, Annie, Martha, Henry, Mamie, August, Lydia, Louie, Edward and Seymour.

August Luedtke received his education in the district school of Lomira and from the time when he was fourteen years of age has been earning his own livelihood. He worked first upon his father's farm, gaining at an early date an excellent training in agricultural pursuits. From the time he was fourteen until he reached the age of nineteen he was employed by his uncle, Henry Grantman, in general stores in Eden and Lomira. At the age of twenty-one he purchased two hundred and eighteen acres of land in Ashford township, which constitute his present farm, and he has since that time given his entire attention

HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY

to this land's improvement and development and has brought it into an ex- cellent condition.

On October 7. 1908, August Luedtke was united in marriage to Miss Tillie Zahn, a daughter of August and Augusta Zahn, of Eden. They have two children : Harvey, born October 16, 1910; and Royal, born January 5, 1912. The family belong to the Evangelical church of Lomira. Mr. Luedtke is one of the most progressive and up-to-date young farmers in Fond du Lac county and is at the present time erecting one of the finest residences in that section. In his business affairs he has retained the best elements of the more conserva- tive principles of his father and grandfather, building upon a foundation of honor and integrity, an enterprise which is modern, progressive and up-to-date in every particular, the efficient operation of which entitles him to be ranked among the individual agricultural forces in local development.

MICHAEL L. MCCULLOUGH.

Michael L. Mccullough has long been identified with the commercial in- terests of Campbellsport, where he is conducting a general mercantile establish- ment, which was founded by his brother James thirty-eight years ago. The family, as the name would suggest is of Irish extraction, the father, Michael Mccullough, having been born and reared on the Emerald isle, his natal year being 1815. He emigrated to the United States in his early manhood, settling in Dutchess county, New York. There he was subsequently married to Ann Carry, a native of Ireland, her birth having occurred in County Meath in 1824. Together with their two eldest sons, Thomas and James, they came to Wiscon- sin in 1849, and here they passed the remainder of their lives, the father's death occurring in 1895 and that of the mother in 1897. Agricultural pursuits always engaged the energies of Mr. Mccullough, and upon his arrival in Fond du Lac county he purchased a tract of wild land in Auburn township. Here the family lived in very much the same style as other pioneers, their first resi- dence being a crude log cabin, which was provided with nothing but the absolute necessities in the way of furniture. Mr. Mccullough diligently applied himself to the development of his farm during the remainder of his active life, meeting with a fair degree of success. He continued to make his home there until 1894. when he came to Campbellsport and built a residence, and here he passed away the May following, having attained the venerable age of nearly eighty-one years. The mother was seventy-three at the time of her death, which occurred in Campbellsport. They were the parents of eight children, the two eldest of whom were born in New York. In order of birth the others are as follows : Anna, Mary J., Katherine, Michael L., Isabelle, and Ella. They are natives of Fond du Lac county.

The natal day of Michael L. Mccullough was September 15, 1856. He was born and reared amid conditions that developed .the representative type of the American citizen: those rugged characters whose fearlessness, determination and unflinching purpose enabled them to surmount all obstacles and achieve their ambition, the subduing of the west. His early years were not distinguished from those of the average youth of the period. As a lad he attended the village school, completing his education with a commercial course pursued in a busi- ness college at Fond du Lac. He subsequently taught for a year, and then returning home engaged in farming for a similar period. Commercial activities, however, had a greater attraction for him than those offered in any other line of work, and he later turned his attention to mercantile pursuits with the deter- mination of making this his life vocation. In 1882, he came to Campbellsport and entered the employ of his brother, who was here engaged in the general

HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY

mercantile and grain business. He was manager of his brother's store until 1894 and was then taken into partnership. The brothers were associated in the conduct of this enterprise until the death of James McCullough on the 7th of February, 1910, since which time the store and grain business has been under the sole management of our subject.

Michael L. Mccullough is a communicant of the Roman Catholic church. He votes the democratic ticket and has figured prominently in local politics during the period of his residence here, having served for two terms as presi- dent of the village and he has also been school clerk of District No. 3, of Town Auburn. He is an energetic man, capable and resourceful and in the discharge of his official duties manifests the same qualities that have distin- guished him in his business career, and enabled him to achieve the success he is enjoying.

WILLIAM HALL.

William Hall has been identified with progressive farming in Fond du Lac county since he began active life and in his scientific cultivation of two hun- dred and five acres of land which have been in his family for three generations,. is following well tested and well established methods. He was born upon his father's farm on November 7, 1856, and is a son of Michael and Agnes (Jaeger) Hall. The family was founded in America by the grandfather of our subject, William Hall, who left his native country, Germany, and came to America, settling in pioneer times in Fond du Lac county. Here he joined his sons, Mat- thias and William, who had settled two years previously on a tract of wild timber land in Ashford township upon which they had built log shanties. He aided them in their agricultural pursuits and also followed his trade of carpen- tering. He died in 1869, at the age of eighty-five years. He had four sons : Michael, the father of our subject; Matthias; William; and Henry.

Michael Hall was born in Germany in 1829 and came to the United States with his parents in 1848 when he was nineteen years of age. He aided his father in the work of clearing and developing land and always worked upon the home farm. He married Miss Agnes Jaeger, a daughter of Barthol Jaeger and to their union were born eleven children: William. the subject of this sketch; Annie; Michael; Peter; Helena; Barthol; Henry; Frank; Agnes; Christopher ; and Leonard.

William Hall received his education in the district schools of his native township and worked upon his father's farm until his marriage which occurred in 1881. Following this event he rented land in Ashford township and after one year purchased a farm in the same section upon which he carried on gen- eral agriculture along modern and progressive lines. Ten years afterward he rented from his father the home farm and five years later purchased it. This farm comprises two hundred and five acres, is well improved and highly culti- vated, and is among the flourishing enterprises of its kind in the county. With the sentiment which usually attaches to the place of one's childhood, Mr. Hall took a keen interest in remodeling the buildings and in adopting progressive methods which have made the home farm equal to any of the newer properties in the section. His father in 1875 built a fine stone house and to this the son has added porches and various other improvements. He does general farming and dairying, keeping a fine herd of cows for the latter purpose and has been successful in both branches of his enterprise, because his methods have always been practical and his work thorough.

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Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, past and present, Volume II, Part 6

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

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