USA > Wisconsin > Fond du Lac County > Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, past and present, Volume II > Part 65
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HERMAN FRATZKE.
For almost twenty years Herman Fratzke has carried on general farming and stock-raising in Metomen township, operating a tract of land of one hundred and seventy-six acres, which constituted his father's homestead, for many years. He has now temporarily abandoned agriculture and has moved to the village of Fairwater but intends to resume his farm life in a short time. He is a native son of Wisconsin, having been born in Westfield, Marquette county, December 7, 1868, a son of Julius and Louisa (Koperlein) Fratzke, natives of Germany, the former of whom was born on the 28th of April, 1837, and the latter on August 8, 1842. The father came to the United States with his parents when
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he was eighteen years of age, settling first in Milwaukee and later in Westfield, where the family remained for five years. At the end of that time the grand- father of our subject with four of his sons moved to Minnesota, where each took up one hundred and sixty acres of government land. Julius Fratzke re- mained in Marquette county until 1880, when he settled on a farm in Metomen township, which his son is now operating. He purchased one hundred and sev- enty-six acres on section 20 and thereon resided until his death, on November 10, 1892. He had survived his wife since May 25th of the same year.
Herman Fratzke attended the district schools of Westfield and when not occupied with his books assisted his father in the work of the farm, thus gain- ing at an early age personal experience in agricultural methods and principles. After the death of his parents he bought out the other heirs and took entire. charge of the home place, carrying on general farming until the fall of 1911, when he rented the property and moved to the village of Fairwater. He has planned, however, to resume his agricultural pursuits in October. He special- ized in the breeding and raising of high-grade stock and operated a model and sanitary dairy, keeping a herd of graded Shorthorn cows for this purpose. He also raised blooded Shropshire sheep and this department of his enterprise was an important source of income to him. He owns one of the finest and most productive tracts of land in Metomen township and his farm is highly cultivated and equipped with all modern conveniences and accessories, including the latest machinery to facilitate the work in all departments of his agricultural pursuits. On March 6, 1893, Mr. Fratzke was united in marriage to Miss Eva Ebling, a daughter of Christian and Sophie Ebling, natives of Germany. Their mar- riage occurred in that country and they came to the United States in 1878, set- tling immediately near Richfield, in Washington county, where the father fol- lowed general farming. They remained upon their property for a number of years but finally moved to Fairwater, where they made their home with their children. The father died at the home of our subject in 1904 and the mother afterward moved to Mayville, where her death occurred in 1909. Both are buried in the Fairwater cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Fratzke became the parents of three children: Euliza, who was born February 20, 1897, and who is at- tending the Fairwater public schools; Eva, who was born on the IIth of Feb- ruary, 1900, and who is also pursuing her studies; and a child who died in infancy.
In his political affiliations Mr. Fratzke is a consistent republican but never seeks public office. He and his family belong to the German Lutheran church. His practical methods, his personal efficiency and his progressive tendencies have all united in making him a successful farmer and his prosperity has a solid foundation in his industry and ability. His life has been in all its phases up- right, straightforward and honorable and by intelligent and scientific cultivation of his excellent farm he has gained a comfortable fortune for himself and added to the resources of his section a model agricultural enterprise, the operation of which in all its departments is thoroughly modern, adequate and practical.
JOHN VICTOR LICHTENSTEIGER.
John Victor Lichtensteiger has for more than forty years been identified with the agricultural development of Osceola township, where he owns a hundred acres of land, which tract is numbered among the valuable properties of the community. He was born in Switzerland on the 24th of June, 1842, and is the younger of two sons of John and Susan Lichtensteiger. The parents were also natives of Switzerland, the father's birth having occurred in 1800 and that of the mother in 1804. They emigrated to the United States with their two sons. Edward and John, in 1847, landing in New York city, after spending twenty-
J. V. LICHTENSTEIGER AND FAMILY
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seven days at sea. Their destination was Wisconsin, and they continued their journey westward to Fond du Lac county. Here the father purchased eighty acres of land in the town of Ashford, adjacent to the Washington county line, and the family began pioneering on what was then the western frontier. Their first residence was a log cabin, which was as crude within as without, while its furnishings, largely home made were bare necessities. The barns and sheds for the stock were also built of logs and as well as the house did service for many years. Mr. Lichtensteiger together with such assistance as could be ren- dered by his two young sons, began clearing his land and placing it under cul- tivation. This was a tremendous undertaking to be accomplished with the few. implements he possessed and it consumed much time, but the soil was fertile and yielded crops that compensated for his hard labor. As his circumstances improved he replaced the buildings he had first erected with more comfortable and modern structures, added another forty acres to his holdings, and increased his equipment. Here the mother passed away in 1859, at the age of fifty-five years, and in 1865, the father returned to Switzerland to visit his old friends and the scenes of his early life. He prolonged his visit from year to year, and there he passed away in 1875.
John Victor Lichtensteiger was a lad of only five years when he accompanied' his parents on their journey to America .. He and his brother attended the dis- trict schools in the acquirement of an education during the winter months, and in summer they assisted about the farm, their duties increasing from year to year. By the time he had attained young manhood, Mr. Lichtensteiger was thoroughly familiar with the practical methods of tilling the fields and caring for the crops. At the age of nineteen years he learned the carpenter's trade, but he subsequently resumed his agricultural pursuits and after the father re- turned to Switzerland purchased the old homestead. He sold it in 1868, in- vesting the proceeds in forty acres of land in Osceola township, which formed the nucleus of his present farm. Later he increased his holdings by the pur- chase of an adjoining tract of sixty acres, all of which, during the period of his ownership, he has converted from wild land into rich, fertile fields. He has erected a comfortable residence, substantial barns and sheds and placed upon his farm various modern conveniences.
In 1863, Mr. Lichtensteiger responded to his country's call for troops by enlisting as a mechanic in one of the Wisconsin companies. He was ordered to Nashville, where he remained for six months. His period of enlistment having expired he returned home and he assisted his father about the farm that summer, . and in the fall reenlisted and returned to Arkansas. Seven months later he was honorably discharged and returning to Wisconsin resumed his agricultural pur- suits. He has ever since made his home on his farm, but of recent years, owing to his health, he has spent much of his time in California.
In 1867, Mr. Lichtensteiger was married to Miss Elizabeth Mathieu, a daugh- ter of Christopher and Victorine Mathieu, well known pioneers of Fond du Lac county. Practically her entire life has been passed in this locality, where she was born in Ashford in 1848. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Lichtensteiger numbered seven of whom Victorine, the fourth in order of birth, passed away at the age of two years. John, who was born on the 12th of August, 1868, mar- ried Lena Schaeffer, and resides at Campbellsport. Emma, whose birth occurred on the 22d of April, 1870, became the wife of Martin Knickel of Eden. Frank, who was born in 1872, is married and living in Iowa. Hermann is the fifth in order of birth. Henry married Mary Schaeffer. Charles, who is the youngest member of the family, married Agnes MacEro and they reside in Eden.
The family are communicants of the Roman Catholic church. The political views of Mr. Lichtensteiger coincide with the principles of the republican party, for whose candidates he casts his ballot at national and state elections, but locally he votes for the man he deems best qualified for the office. He was township supervisor for four terms and treasurer for two, while for two years he dis- Vol. II-28
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charged the duties of school clerk. Mr. Lichtensteiger has always shown him- self to be interested in all matters affecting the welfare of the community by supporting the various progressive movements introduced from time to time, the adoption of which he considered generally beneficial.
JUDGE NORMAN S. GILSON.
The specific and distinctive office of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments but rather to leave the per- petual record, establishing his position by the consensus of public opinion. A prominent citizen of Fond du Lac, one of long acquaintance with its history and its people, has said, "Every word of commendation and of praise that can be spoken of Judge Gilson will be well merited; his fellow townsmen honor him as few men are honored, and all have implicit trust and confidence in him." Eighteen years' service on the bench has inscribed his name deeply on the judicial history of the state. He is making an equally creditable record as one of the tax commis- sioners, and since his admission to the bar he has ranked with the leading lawyers of central Wisconsin. Aside from all public connections there are in him sterling traits of character and of manhood which win recognition and admiration from one's fellowmen, and without invidious distinction Judge Gilson may be classed with the foremost citizens of his part of the state. He was born in Middlefield, Ohio, March 23, 1839, and is a representative of one of the old New England families, tracing his ancestry to Joseph Gilson, who, about the year 1660, arrived in the new world from England. Among his descendants are those who partici- pated in the French and Indian war, the Revolutionary war and the War of 1812. Daniel Gilson, the grandfather of the judge, was a soldier of the Revolution, and after the attainment of American independence established his home in Ohio, both he and his wife passing away at Middlefield, that state. They had a large family which included Willard H. Gilson who was born in Vermont and was a little lad of six years at the time of the removal to the Buckeye state. The family home was established at Middlefield in 1817, and there the boy was reared to manhood, having such experiences and enjoying such advantages as the pioneer conditions of the district afforded. He became a farmer, devoting many years of his life to tilling the soil. About 1865 he removed to Garrettsville and there his remaining days were passed, his death occurring in 1889 when he was seventy-eight years of age. For a number of years he had survived his wife who passed away in 1880 at the age of sixty-three. She bore the maiden name of Sylvia L. Frisby, and was also a native of the Green Mountain state. Her parents were Luther and Lovina (Garry) Frisby who were also natives of Vermont and became early set- tlers of Mesopotamia, Ohio, where her father followed farming. At a later day they again moved westward, settling this time at Newburg, Washington county, Wisconsin, where Mr. Frisby died when well advanced in years. His widow sub- sequently removed to Milwaukee where her death occurred when she had reached the very advanced age of ninety-four years. They had several children including Sylvia L., who became the wife of Willard H. Gilson, and unto this marriage there were born seven children: Norman S .; Lucius F., now deceased ; Flavilla M., the wife of Porter S. Tinan of Garrettsville, Ohio; Franklin L., deceased : Lovina F., the deceased wife of R. S. Webb; Josephine, the wife of R. S. Webb of Ravenna, Ohio; and Anna S., the wife of W. A. Warman of the same place.
Norman S. Gilson while spending his youthful days in Middlefield, Ohio, mastered the elementary branches of learning taught in the public schools there. He also became a student in Farmington Seminary, and after putting aside his
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text-books engaged in teaching for one term. His early training for life was such as a farm gives. He became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops, but a professional career made an appeal to him and he determined to devote his life to other pursuits than agriculture. In 1860 he came to Wisconsin, settling in West Bend, and while teaching school there for two terms he devoted his leisure hours to the study of law in the office and under the direction of his uncle, Leander F. Frisby. For a brief period too he served as assistant postmaster of the town, but all business and personal considerations were put aside after the outbreak of the Civil war that he might espouse the cause of his country. He enlisted on the 17th of September, 1861, as a private of Com- pany D, Twelfth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for two years. The regiment, which was commanded by Colonel George E. Bryant, left Wisconsin on January II, 1862, and the following month was assigned to duty with Doubleday's brigade of the Department of Kansas. Two months were spent in active duty in Kansas and Missouri, and in April, 1862 the Twelfth Wisconsin was selected as one of the regiments to take part in the New Mexico expedition. The plan to proceed to that territory however was abandoned and the Twelfth Wisconsin was then stationed at Fort Riley and other points in Kansas until it was transferred to the Army of the Tennessee and assigned to duty in the district of Mississippi under General Isaac F. Quimby. Mr. Gilson was on detached ser- vice with the staff of General Robert B. Mitchell from June, 1862, until after the battle of Perryville when he returned to his regiment which later in the year was assigned to Ord's division in the district of west Tennessee. With the brigade under Colonel Bryant it took part in the expedition to Coldwater, Mississippi, in April, 1863, and participated in skirmishes in Hernando at Perry's Ferry and other points. In May, 1863, Mr. Gilson was promoted to the rank of sergeant major of his regiment. He participated in the siege of Vicksburg with the third brigade of the fourth division, Sixteenth Army Corps, Colonel Bryant being in command of the brigade at the beginning of the siege. Following the capitulation of Vicksburg he took part in the siege and capture of Jackson, Mississippi, and his splendid military record won him promotion in August, 1863, to the rank of first lieutenant of Company H, Fifty-eighth United States Colored Infantry, which was formerly the Sixth Mississippi regiment. He was soon promoted to adjutant and eventually became lieutenant colonel of his regiment.
As a member of the staff of General Davidson he was assigned to duty as judge advocate of the Natchez district, and in 1865-6 was judge advocate for the Department of Mississippi, serving on the staffs of Major General Osterhaus and Major General Thomas J. Wood. Although his regiment was mustered out in 1865 he was retained as judge advocate for more than a year by direction of the secretary of war on account of the trial by court-martial of Captain Freder- ick Speed, who was charged with criminal carelessness in overloading the steamer Sultana with paroled prisoners whereby eleven hundred of them lost their lives when the vessel sank near Memphis, April 27, 1865. Colonel Gilson represented the government on that occasion, which was the most famous military trial held on the Mississippi during the war. On the 12th of June, 1866, he was mustered out and was honorably discharged at Vicksburg. President Johnson brevetted him colonel of the United States volunteers "for efficient and meritorious service," and with the close of his military duty he returned to Wisconsin to resume his in- terrupted preparation for the bar.
In 1866-7 Judge Gilson was a student in the law school at Albany, New York, and following his graduation in the latter year was admitted to the bar. In 1868 he came to Fond du Lac where he opened a law office. No dreary novitiate awaited him. He soon won recognition as an able and learned lawyer who was faithful and conscientious in the preparation of his cases and gained a high stand- ing as an attorney. His clientage constantly grew in volume and importance and he came to be regarded as the peer of the ablest members practicing in the courts of this district. He was first called to office when in 1874 he was elected city
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attorney, and he filled the office of district attorney for the years 1877-8. In March, 1880, the democratic party named him its nominee for the position of judge of the fourth judicial circuit, and he was elected by a majority of more than eight thousand .. No higher testimonial of his splendid judicial record can be given than the fact that in 1886 he had no opposition for the office, nor again in 1892. In 1898 he declined to become a candidate for another term and retired from the bench after eighteen years' service as circuit judge. From the outset of his professional career his record has reflected credit upon the history of the Wisconsin bar. The zeal with which he has devoted his energies to his profession, the careful regard evinced for the interests of his clients and an assiduous and un- relaxing attention to all the details of his cases, brought him a large business and made him very successful in its conduct. His arguments have elicited warm commendation not only from his associates at the bar but also from the bench. He was recognized as an able writer and his briefs showed wide research, careful thought and the best and strongest reasons that could be urged for his contention. Judge Gilson has great respect for the dignity of judicial place and power, and no man ever presided in a court with more respect for his environments. As a result of that personal characteristic the proceedings were always orderly upon the part of everyone-audience, bar and the officers from the highest to the lowest. His opinions are fine specimens of judicial thought, always clear, logical and as brief as the character of the case will permit. He never enlarged beyond the necessity of legal thought in order to indulge in the drapery of literature. His mind during the entire period of his course at the bar and on the bench has been directed in the line of his profession and his duty.
In 1899 Judge Gilson was appointed a member of the Wisconsin tax commis- sion, and so served in the latter part of that year until the Ist of May, 1911, when he resigned. He was chairman of the commission from December 1899 to the time of his resignation. His judicial training and experience proved of much benefit in settling many vexed questions before that commission, and again he made an unassailable official record.
On the 17th of October, 1905, Judge Gilson was married to Miss Laura B. Conklin, a daughter of Lanty Conklin and Maryette (Bristol) Conklin. Mrs. Gilson was born in Canada near Niagara Falls, and her parents were natives of New York. She is a member of the Congregational church and Judge Gilson's membership relations extend to Fidelity Lodge, No. 19, K. P. He is also a mem- ber of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Loyal Legion and the Society of the Army of the Tennessee, and thus maintains his deep interest in and pleasant rela- tions with his old army comrades. In every relation of life he has measured up to the highest standards of manhood and of citizenship. A broad and liberal-minded man, his entire life has been devoted to the best interests of his fellow townsmen, individually and collectively. His activities have indeed been a serviceable element in the world's work, and while he has never courted publicity, the simple weight of his character and ability have carried him into important relations.
T. W. CHAPLEAU.
T. W. Chapleau is the proprietor of the Chapleau Oyster House at the cor- ner of Main and Third streets in Fond du Lac and for a number of years has figured as one of the representative and enterprising business men of this, his native city. He was born July 16, 1870, his parents being Thomas W. and Jennie (LaPointe) Chapleau. The father was born in St. Therese, Conte de Terbonne, Canada, in 1842, and was a cousin of the eminent jurist, J. A. Chap- leau, who was at one time a member of parliament and died several years ago. Thomas W. Chapleau was reared in Canada and was there educated. In 1865,
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leaving his native land, he came direct to Fond du Lac and worked for eleven years in Meyer's mill. He then went to California but after remaining for a year on the Pacific slope returned to Fond du Lac and opened the Chapleau Oyster House, which he conducted until it was taken over by his son, T. W. Chapleau, of this review, about eighteen years ago. The father has been a very successful business man and is the owner of extensive real-estate interests in Fond du Lac, having made wise and judicious investment in property that brings to him a good return. He was married April 9, 1867, in this city, to Jennie LaPointe, who was born April 25, 1839, and is of French extraction as was her husband. Her parents were George and Julia B. (Odette) LaPointe. The former, born in 1815, died in 1898, and the latter, born in 1819, passed away in 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Chapleau are the parents of four
children, of whom the subject of this review is the second. Virginia Mary, the eldest, born January 2, 1869, was married April 23, 1893, to John Bradley, of Port Huron, Michigan, and they are now living at Tacoma, Washington, and have three sons: George T., who was born July 22, 1901; Richard R., born July 23, 1903; and James, born July 30, 1905. Julia Amelia, born April IO, 1875, was married September 6, 1898, to William H. Miller, of Fond du Lac, and they have four children: Robert T., who was born October 20, 1900; Ellen V., born July 10, 1902; Stella D., born February 8, 1904; and Margaret, born November 4, 1905. George W. W., born May 3, 1880, and now a city mail carrier of Fond du Lac, was married November 4, 1908, to Miss Bessie Case, of Fond du Lac and they reside on Seventh street.
T. W. Chapleau, whose name introduces this record, and who is commonly called "Fred" by his legion of friends throughout the city, pursued a course of study until he had passed through consecutive grades and had become a high- school student in Fond du Lac. After putting aside his text-books he took up the work of railroad telegrapher and was the first operator at the new North- western depot at Milwaukee, and also the first at the Lower Geyser Basin Hotel, now the Fountain Hotel, in the Yellowstone National Park. He followed teleg- raphy from 1887 until 1894, when he returned to this city and identified him- self with the Chapleau Oyster House, of which he is now the popular propri- etor. He has made this a favorite resort with the public, maintaining high standards of excellence in the service rendered to the public and his prosperity is well merited. His property holdings include a fine home at No. 154 West Second street.
On the 8th of June, 1898, Mr. Chapleau was married to Miss Mary Kelroy, of Byron, Wisconsin, who was born in Ashford, this state, July 14, 1874, and is a daughter of Michael and Margaret (Clarke) Kelroy. Her father was born in Ireland and when a boy of ten years came to the United States. He located at Ashford, Wisconsin, residing there until about 1876, when he removed to Byron and took up his abode upon the farm where he is still living at the age of seventy-six years. On the 14th of January, 1862, he was married to Miss Marguerite Clarke, at Wayne, Washington county, Wisconsin. She was born in Cleveland, Ohio, April 9, 1844, and is a daughter of John Clarke, a native of Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Kelroy celebrated their golden wedding in January, 1912. They have ten children, namely: Mathias, born February 28, 1864; John P., born March 2, 1868; Michael Charles, born April 2, 1870; James Henry, born April 2, 1872; Mary Agnes, now Mrs. Chapleau; Francis Joseph, born September 11, 1876; Nellie Margaret, born November 18, 1878, who is the wife of William H. Mead, of Byron, Wisconsin; Sarah Agatha, born August 24, 1881, the wife of Dr. R. G. Raymond, of Brownsville, Wisconsin; William, born January 24, 1884; and Edmond Charles, born October II, 1886. To Mr. and Mrs. Chapleau have been born four children, as follows: Margaret V., born January 6, 1900; Wilfred T., born August 27, 1901; Edward F., born August 12, 1903; and Eleanor M., born March 22, 1906. All are yet at home.
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