USA > Wisconsin > Fond du Lac County > Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, past and present, Volume II > Part 61
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Charles Beyer was reared to manhood on his father's farm and has always devoted his time and energies to the work of the fields. At the time he came into possession of his present farm, embracing a quarter section of land in Calumet township, only twenty acres thereof had been cleared and the task of clearing the remainder therefore devolved upon him. The entire tract is now under a high state of cultivation, and the many substantial improvements which adorn the property stand as monuments to the thrift and enterprise of the owner. The buildings are all modern and up to date and the place is lacking in none of the equipments and accessories of a model farm of the twentieth century. The success which has attended Mr. Beyer in his undertakings as an agriculturist is but the merited reward of his well directed industry, energy and capable manage- ment.
As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Beyer chose Miss Theresa Karpe, a daughter of Carl Karpe, of Plymouth, Sheboygan county. Their children, ten in number, are all at home and are named as follows: Elvira, Ruth, Meta, Dora, Marguerite, Sylvesta, Rosie, Adam, Emil and William.
In politics Mr. Beyer is a stanch republican, while his religious faith is that of the Lutheran church, to which his wife and children also belong. He has spent his entire life in Fond du Lac county and, as above stated, farm work has occu- pied his attention from his youthful days to the present, bringing him the pros- perity which is now his.
PATRICK FITZGERALD, JR.
Patrick Fitzgerald, Jr., who is carrying on general agricultural pursuits in connection with which he also engages in dairying, was born on the farm he owns and operates on the 22d of June, 1868. His father, Patrick Fitzgerald, Sr., was born in County Kerry, Ireland, whence he came to America in early manhood, locating in Wisconsin. There he subsequently met and married Han-
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nah Scannell, also a native of the Emerald isle. They began their domestic life in a log cabin on the farm on which our subject now lives. The father pur- chased this land, which was then in a wild state and diligently applied himself to its cultivation during the remainder of his life. The first buildings he erected on it were made of logs, but as his circumstances permitted, he replaced them with modern frame structures. Here both parents passed away, the mother's death occurring in 1868, at the age of thirty-five years, and that of the father in 1898 at the age of sixty-eight. Five children were born to them, of whom our subject is the youngest. In order of birth the others are as follows: Michael, Catharine, Genevieve and Mary.
The entire life of Patrick Fitzgerald, Jr., has been passed on the farm where he now resides. His boyhood was as uneventful as that of the average youth who is reared in the rural sections and educated in the district schools. He was early trained to the duties and work of an agriculturist and after the death of the father, purchased the old homestead from the other heirs, and has here continued agricultural pursuits with success. His fields, which are carefully tilled and kept in a high state of productivity by an intelligent rotation of crops, annually yield rich, golden harvests which well repay him for the labor expended in their cultivation.
Patrick Fitzgerald, Jr., who has never married, has his sister Mary keeping house for him. They are both communicants of the Roman Catholic church, as were their parents. Mr. Fitzgerald votes the democratic ticket.
JOSEPH STEFFEN.
Joseph Steffen has been a resident of Fond du Lac county during his entire life and is numbered today among its most useful and valued citizens. He has given his time almost exclusively to agricultural pursuits and his farm of ninety acres in Taycheedah township is in excellent condition and intelligently operated. He was born in Marshfield in 1869 and is the son of Jacob and Marguerite (Feltner) Steffen, natives of Germany. Their marriage occurred in America, whither the father had come in the early '50s. He settled in Fond du Lac county at an early date and is numbered among its pioneers. He helped to build St. Joseph's church and was otherwise active in promoting progress and development.
Joseph Steffen was educated in the public schools and when he laid aside his books, worked for a short time in a brewery. With this exception his ac- tivities have always been devoted to agricultural pursuits and he is today rec- ognized as an able and expert farmer. He owns ninety acres of land, the de- development and improvement of which are directly due to his own labor. He found his property in an undeveloped condition and was obliged to do most of the labor of removing the stumps and stones himself. He has now brought it to a high state of cultivation, has built upon the land fine barns, granaries and other outbuildings and has fenced and drained his fields. He is progressive and enter- prising and by intelligently directed agricultural labors guided by his business ability, has made his acres productive and his farm a model and lucrative en- terprise. He is a man who does not allow his private interests to absorb his attention to such an extent that they deprive him of an interest in the general welfare. He is always eager to promote any movement which will be of benefit to his fellow citizens and which will aid in the progress of his native section. He has been path master for five years and in this capacity has done excellent and able work.
In 1894, Mr. Steffen was united in marriage to Miss Christiana Hoehl, a na- tive of Marshfield, and to their union were born ten children : Rosa; Julia ; Alma ; Ida; Martha Marie; Oscar Michel; Susie; Rufina; Emma Anna and Oleva.
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Mr. Steffen is a member of St. Peter's German Catholic church, to which his wife and children also give their allegiance. He has many friends in the section in which he resides, who esteem him for his upright and worthy qualities. Many changes have taken place in development during his period of residence in Fond du Lac county, of which he has been an interested witness, and in many an active participant, while by his able operation of his own enterprise he has aided in the work which has brought about modern conditions of prosperity.
NICHOLAS GILGENBACH.
Nicholas Gilgenbach, whose time is occupied in the operation of a farm of eighty-eight acres in Taycheedah township, well deserves recognition among the progressive and enterprising agriculturists of his community. His birth occurred in Germany, November 2, 1859, his parents being Peter and Mary (Mand) Gilgenbach. The family arrived in Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, on the 15th of August, 1862, and settled in the town of Taycheedah.
Nicholas Gilgenbach was employed in the lumber woods during his early manhood and subsequently worked at the mason's trade. He lived across the road from his present farm for sixteen years and then removed into the town, where he resided one year. The farm of eighty-eight acres on which he after- ward located and where he now resides has been in his possession for the past two and a half years. He has made several improvements on the property, erecting a shed and also building an addition to the house. His principal crops are barley, oats and corn, which he sells to local dealers.
Mr. Gilgenbach has been married twice. In 1885 he wedded Miss Anna Lohn, by whom he has three children, namely: Julius, a young man of twenty- five years; Edward, a youth of eighteen; and Isabelle, who is fifteen years of age. For his second wife he chose Miss Maggie Halfmann, a daughter of John Halfmann. To them have been born four children, as follows: Dora, a maiden of ten; Leo and Gregor, who are five and two years of age respectively ; and Marie, who is one year old.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Nicholas Gilgenbach has supported the men and measures of the democracy, believing firmly in the principles of that party. Both he and his wife are devout communicants of St. Peter's German Catholic church. His salient characteristics are such as have won for him the unqualified respect, esteem and good-will of his fellowmen.
CHARLES H. WALKER.
Charles H. Walker is one of the well known business men of Waupun, Wis- consin, where he is successfully engaged in the milling and land business. He was born in Newburg, Ohio, now Cleveland, August 8, 1846, and is the son of Levi O. and Jane A. (Powers) Walker, the former a native of New York and the latter of Vermont. Hiram Walker, an uncle of our subject, Seymour Wilcox and family and John N. Ackerman moved to Wisconsin in 1839, settling in what is now the city of Waupun, in Fond du Lac county, at which place Seymour Wilcox in that early day built the first hotel. It was not until 1848 that Levi O. Walker brought his family to Waupun. The farm upon which Hiram Walker located in Wisconsin is now all within the city limits of Waupun and covered with the vari- ous buildings of the city, except sixteen acres of the original homestead. When Levi O. Walker came to Wisconsin he bought the farm from his brother, Hiram,
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and upon that place he continued to be engaged in general farming until the time of his death, which occurred in 1852. His wife, who survived him for many years, passed away at her old home in Waupun on February 23, 1907, at the age of ninety-six and one-half years. She was a member of the Disciples church, and was a daughter of Captain Powers, who served in the Revolu- tionary war. To Mr. and Mrs. Walker six children were born; Hattie A., de- ceased; George W., a resident of Seattle, Washington; Gideon, Nathan and Levi, all of whom are deceased; and Charles H., of this review.
Charles H. Walker received his early education in the public schools of Wis- consin. For many years he has been engaged in the stock business in Waupun and has also been the owner and proprietor of farms located in various parts of the Dakotas. For the past five years he has given his attention entirely to business in connection with the buying and selling of farm lands in North Dakota and Minnesota.
On September 21, 1881, Mr. Walker was united in marriage to Miss Lucy Wight, a daughter of Johiel and Rachel (Sloper) Wight. The parents settled in Waupun in 1854 and the father was there engaged for many years in general farming and stock-raising. To Mr. and Mrs. Walker has been born a son, John W., now in the employ of the Allis-Chalmers Company of Milwaukee. He re- ceived his elementary education in the schools of Waupun, and later pursued his studies at Lawrence University, Appleton, Wisconsin, after which he completed a commercial course of instruction.
Mr. Walker is affiliated with the progressive wing of the republican party, and is a member of the Equitable Fraternal Union, of Waupun, being one of its charter members. He is one of the pioneers of Dodge county and has been as- sociated since the beginning of his active business career with many of the busi- ness enterprises which have contributed to the development of one of the richest agricultural sections of central Wisconsin. He is a man highly respected among his friends and associates and is among the best known citizens of his county and state.
JAMES L. SORENSON.
James L. Sorenson, a successful merchant of Oak Center, has conducted a general store during the past four years and also acts as notary public and postmaster of the town. His birth occurred in Neenah, Winnebago county, Wisconsin, on the 27th of November, 1875, his parents being Andrew and Cecelia (Lund) Sorenson, the former a native of Vamdrup, Denmark, and the latter also of that country. Andrew Sorenson emigrated to America and set- tled in Cedar Falls, Iowa, in 1870. At the end of three years he went to Neenah, Wisconsin, where he embarked in the flour and feed business, con- ducting the same for twelve years. He passed away in 1910 at the age of sixty- five years. His wife, who took up her abode in Cedar Falls, Iowa, in 1871, is living at the age of sixty-seven years. They were the parents of three children. Samuel K., a machinist of Racine, was married but lost his wife in 1902. Chris- tina gave her hand in marriage to L. C. Hansen, a bookkeeper of Chicago, and is now the mother of three children, Martha C., James M. and Paul R.
James L. Sorenson, the second child in the family, pursued his education in the common schools of Neenah until fourteen years of age. Subsequently he was employed as a printer for three years and then spent a year as ·sales- man in the store of Marshall Field & Company in Chicago. During the next seven years he was engaged as a paper hanger, painter and decorator at Neenah, Wisconsin, later becoming a general merchant of that place. He was next employed as a mail carrier for six years and subsequently spent a year as clerk in the postoffice at Neenah, while for two years he owned and
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operated a farm. In 1908 he opened a general store at Oak Center and has since conducted the same with gratifying success, carrying a stock of goods valued at fifty-five hundred dollars. He owns the building, the dimensions of which are twenty-eight by ninety feet and which is two stories in height. A liberal patronage is accorded him, for he carries an extensive and attractive line of goods at reasonable prices and does all in his power to meet the de- mands and wishes of the public. His success is well merited, for it has come to him as the reward of industry, enterprise and energy. His wife owns a tract of forty acres of land in Oakfield township which he gave her as a gift. He acts as secretary of the Oak Center Cooperative Dairy Company and is widely recognized as a man of sound judgment and excellent business ability.
Mr. Sorenson has a creditable military record. In 1901, at Neenah, he en- listed for three years' service in Company I, First Wisconsin National Guard, holding the rank of first sergeant until honorably discharged in 1904. During the years 1903, 1904 and 1905 he acted as drillmaster, at Neenah, of Com- pany E of the United Boys Brigade of America, the local organization com- prising sixty or sixty-five Sunday-school boys of the Presbyterian church.
On the 21st of August, 1903, at Chicago, Illinois, Mr. Sorenson was united in marriage to Miss Anna Hansen, a daughter of Marquard and Martha Han- sen of that city. Our subject and his wife have three children, Geraldine M., Marquard A. and Roy R.
In politics Mr. Sorenson is a stanch republican. He is serving as clerk of the school board, also acts as postmaster at Oak Center and is likewise a notary public. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias, while his religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church. His entire career has been characterized by high ideals and noble principles and in every relation of life his record has ever measured up to a high standard of honorable manhood.
GEORGE PETRI.
George Petri, one of the worthy native sons and representative agricul- turists of Fond du Lac county, was born on the farm in Forest township which has always been his home, his natal year being 1858. His parents, Jacob and Elizabeth (Dilling) Petri, both of whom were born across the Atlantic, came to the new world in the late '50s and were married in this county. At that time the father acquired the property which is now in possession of our subject, erecting the log cabin which still stands on the place. The country was but sparsely settled and largely undeveloped at that time, most of the land was covered with timber and practically no roads had been built. At the time of the arrival of Jacob Petri there were only two ox teams in this section. In preparing the land for cultivation, the early settlers hitched oxen to a thorn apple tree and thus dragged the ground. Mr. Petri cut a great deal of the timber from his place and eventually developed an excellent farm, which he operated with good results. He passed away in 1884, having for ten years survived his wife, who was called to her final rest in 1874. The community was thus deprived of two of its substantial and esteemed pioneer settlers whose labors had been of value in the work of development and upbuilding here.
George Petri was reared on the home farm and early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist as he assisted his father in the work of the fields. He aided materially in clearing the land and since the demise of his father has cultivated the same independently. The property embraces fifty-five acres, and most of the improvements thereon stand as monuments to the thrift and enterprise of the present owner. Owing to his well directed energy, his labors as an agriculturist have been attended with
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success and he has long enjoyed an enviable reputation as a substantial and representative citizen of the community.
In 1880 Mr. Petri was united in marriage to Miss Barbara Krammer, a daughter of Conrad Krammer, of Empire township, this county. They have four children, as follows: William; Fred, who wedded Miss Frances Konen; Barbara, who is the wife of Robert Bower, a cheese manufacturer of Eden; and Walter.
Politically Mr. Petri is a stanch adherent of the republican party, being convinced that its principles are most conducive to good government. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the German Lutheran church, to which his wife and children also belong. He has spent his entire life in Fond du Lac county and still has vivid recollections of the period when In- dians camped for weeks at a time within a short distance of the home farm. Deer still roamed through the forest, and his childhood was spent in a region where many other evidences of pioneer life were found. With the passing of the years, however, he has witnessed a wonderful transformation as the work of progress and improvement has been carried steadily forward, and what was once a wild and undeveloped region is now a thriving and prosper- ous agricultural community.
HENRY BORCHARDT.
One of the many enterprising and successful farmers who are making Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, one of the most fertile and productive sections in the middle west is Henry Borchardt, who is farming twenty acres of land which he owns and who rents annually from eighty to one hundred acres for agricul- tural purposes. He was born in Manitowoc county, Wisconsin, August 9, 1874, and is a son of Herman and Amelia (Thurow) Borchardt, more extended mention of whom is made on another page of this volume.
Henry Borchardt was educated in the public schools of Kewaunee county, Wisconsin, and came to Fond du Lac county with his parents when he was seventeen years of age. He began his agricultural life by working on neighbor- ing farms in the employ of others. He, however, learned the stonemason's trade and followed this in conjunction with his agriculture until 1910. It was in 1901 that he bought his present farm. His original purchase comprised a home set in the midst of five acres of land on section 27 of Springvale township. To this he added in 1907 fifteen adjoining acres and has brought this property to a highly developed state. He rents annually from eighty to one hundred acres and carries on general farming, specializing in the breeding and raising of high-grade stock, which he sells in the Wisconsin markets. His dairy constitutes one of the important branches of his enterprise and he gives to its operation his personal attention and supervision. He keeps a herd of nine Jersey cows for this purpose, six of which are registered stock. He is one of the most progressive and enterprising of the younger generation of farmers who are bringing to their agriculture modern and progressive standards and are responsible in a great measure for the evolution of farming into a science.
On April 10, 1901, Henry Borchardt was united in marriage to Miss Mary Henker, a daughter of Gustave and Sophia (Schultz) Henker, natives of Germany. Her parents came to the United States over forty years ago and located near Ripon, Wisconsin, where the father worked upon a farm for sev- eral years. He eventually purchased land and now owns an excellent tract intelligently improved and cultivated. His holdings are located a mile south- west of Ripon and there he and his wife make their home. To Mr. and Mrs. Borchardt have been born three children: Martha, who passed away when she
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was three months old; Carl, born November 2, 1906; and Reinhold, whose birth occurred June 4, 1910.
In his political affiliations Henry Borchardt is a consistent republican but has never been an office seeker. He and his wife affiliate with the German Lutheran church of Rosendale. He is an intelligent and efficient farmer, inter- ested in his work and desirous of improving his land in the most modern way, and has added something year by year to his own prosperity and to the methods of practical and productive agriculture.
GEORGE SEYBOLD.
George Seybold, devoting his time and energies to general agriculture pur- suits, resides on section 12, Eden township. He was born in Eden township on March 24, 1862, his parents being Joseph and Catherine Seybold. The father, a native of Germany, crossed the Atlantic to the United States as a young man, settling first in the state of New York, where he was married. In 1857 he came to Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, purchasing land in Eden township and erecting a shanty thereon. After disposing of that property he purchased the tract of sixty acres on which he has resided to the present time, first clearing the land and then erecting a log cabin. It was in 1890 that he built the modern and attractive residence in which he now lives. As his financial resources in- creased, owing to his untiring industry and able management, he augmented his holdings by additional purchase, becoming an extensive land owner. He has reached the venerable age of eighty-three years, while his wife is five years younger. During the period of his residence in this county, covering fifty-five years, he has won and maintained an enviable reputation as a prosperous agricul- turist and representative citizen. Unto him and his wife were born eight chil- dren, one of whom has passed away. The others are as follows: Joseph, George, Mary, Louisa, John, Frank and Katherine.
George Seybold was reared to manhood on the home farm, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. The work of the fields has claimed his attention throughout his entire business career, and he is now engaged in the operation of a tract of eighty acres on section 12, Eden township, annually harvesting good crops which find a ready sale on the market.
George Seybold is a republican in politics but has never sought nor desired public office as a reward for his party fealty. In religious faith he is a Catholic. being a devout communicant of St. Mary's church at Eden. Upright and hon- orable in all the relations of life, he enjoys in large measure the friendship and kindly regard of those with whom he has been brought in contact.
VERNER M. WEEKS.
A worthy representative of one of Fond du Lac's honored pioneer families is Verner M. Weeks, the president of the Fountain City Supply Company and state representative of the Dupont Powder Company. His birth occurred in Orange county, New York, on the 29th of December, 1866, and he is the youngest son of Benjamin F. and Nancy (Kelly) Weeks. The father, who was a goldsmith by trade, was also a native of Orange county, having been born in the town of Monroe, but the mother was of Scottish birth and emi- grated to America in 1848. Four sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Weeks,
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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY
Thomas, Benjamin, Verner M. and Daniel. Mr. Weeks' uncle, Thomas S. Weeks, was a pioneer settler of Wisconsin, having located in Fond du Lac in 1849. He was for many years prominently identified with local business and political circles and by reason of his enterprising and progressive methods did much to forward the city's development. Resourceful and capable as well as trust- worthy and reliable he inspired confidence in all who knew him and became a leader of his party. He was at one time a member of the state assembly, and also served as alderman and mayor, while for many years he held a seat on the board of county supervisors.
Verner M. Weeks was reared at home, receiving his education in the public schools of Middletown, New York, and also in the Wallkill Academy. After completing his education he took a position in a large saw factory, remaining there for four years. At the expiration of that time he supplemented his early education by a course in the Eastman Business College, thus acquiring a more thorough and comprehensive knowledge of modern commercial methods. He was next employed as assistant steward in the Homeopathic Hospital for the Insane, but he gave this up at the end of two 'years and came to Fond du Lac. Here he engaged in business with his uncle, T. S. Weeks, whose interest he acquired by purchase in 1890 and took in as a partner F. G. Hurlbut. The enterprise was thereafter conducted under the name of Weeks & Hurlbut, until they disposed of it twelve years later to R. A. Horton. Mr. Weeks is a persevering man of diligent methods and as he has always intelligently concen- trated his forces upon the achievement of a definite purpose has prospered in his undertakings. The success of the Fountain City Supply Company must largely be attributed to his powers of organization and executive ability, while he has manifested equal efficiency through his capable direction of the interests of the Dupont Powder Company, in the capacity of state representative.
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