Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, past and present, Volume II, Part 69

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

USA > Wisconsin > Fond du Lac County > Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, past and present, Volume II > Part 69

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

In his political views Mr. Riemer is a consistent democrat and has always been active in public affairs. While a resident of Green Lake county he served upon the school board for six years and for four years upon the township board. He is a member of the board of education in Fairwater and has evinced in the more public aspects of his life the same conscientiousness and ability which have made his business career successful.

JACOB C. BREYER.

Jacob C. Breyer is one of the well known business men of Waupun where he is engaged in the manufacturing business, being secretary and treasurer of the well known firm of Breyer Brothers, Whiting & Company, manufacturers of tanks, windmills and steel towers. He was born February 17, 1869, in Elba, Dodge county, Wisconsin, and is a son of Philip and Mary (Knarr) Breyer. The father was a native of Germany and emigrated to America at an early day, settling in Elba, Wisconsin. To Mr. and Mrs. Philip Breyer eight children were born : Fred W., who died in 1912; Albert G., of Waupun; Bertha, now Mrs. Wood, of Brandon; Jacob C., the subject of this review; Caroline, who became the wife of Earl Betts, and resides in Milwaukee; Emma, now Mrs. Austin, resid- ing in Elba; Mary, who married William Carpenter, and makes her home in Milwaukee; and Henry of Columbus, Wisconsin.

516

HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY

Jacob C. Breyer was reared in his father's home and completed his elementary education in the public schools of Elba at the age of eighteen. Immediately fol- lowing the close of his school years he removed to Minneapolis and was there engaged for some time in teaming after which he spent some time farming in North Dakota. He then returned to Fond du Lac county and was employed by the Althouse Wheeler Company, remaining with that firm for ten successive years. In 1902, in company with his brothers, Fred W. and Albert G., he organ- ized the Breyer Brothers Company and engaged in the manufacture of tanks, lawn swings and other farm home utilities, the making of lawn swings has, how- ever, since been discontinued. Two years later Robert Diedrich was taken into the company as a partner and some time later sold his interest to J. C. Breyer, the subject of this review. In 1906 Charles A. Whiting was admitted to a partner- ship in the firm, and the name at that time was changed from Breyer Brothers Company to Breyer Brothers, Whiting & Company. Mr. Whiting is recognized as one of the most practical windmill men in the country. The company has always done a thriving business and is forced many times during the year to work overtime in order to fill its orders. The firm has recently been incorporated, the present officers and directors being Albert G. Breyer, president; Charles A. Whiting, vice president; and Jacob C. Breyer, secretary and treasurer. Other stockholders, not officers of the company are Cora M. Breyer, Burt Whittaker and Charles A. Lapp.

Mr. Breyer was united in marriage December 27, 1897, to Miss Ora Hart, a daughter of Robert and Jane (Hart) Hart, who were early pioneers of Wisconsin and now reside in Marshall, Wisconsin. They had a family of three children : George W., who is a banker at Bryant, South Dakota; Ada, who married Mr. Putney, a conductor on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, and resides in Madison, South Dakota ; and Ora, who is the wife of the subject of this review. To Mr. and Mrs. Breyer one child, P. Donald, has been born, who is a student in the Waupun high school.

Mr. Breyer is affiliated with the republican party and he and his wife are members of the Congregational church. He is one of the well known and enter- prising business men of Fond du Lac county and a man whose business integrity is never questioned. As stockholder and officer of the Breyer Brothers & Whiting Company he has met with commendable success and is a man always to be found identified with every enterprise that will advance and improve the com- mercial, educational and moral conditions of the community in which he lives.

ANTON BRAUN.

Anton Braun, who engages in general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising in the vicinity of Taycheedah, was born on the farm where he now resides in 1883. His parents, John and Mary K. (Freund) Braun, were born in Germany, whence they came to America in the late '40s. Here the father subsequently acquired forty acres of land which is now owned by the mother and operated by our sub- ject. He diligently applied himself to the further improvement and cultivation of his place until he passed away in 1891. The mother is still living and con- tinues to make her home on the farm.

Anton Braun was educated in the local schools, passing his boyhood in very much the same manner as other youths in the vicinity. He assisted his father with the cultivation of the farm until the latter's death, since which he has had the entire management of the place. He is a diligent man of earnest purpose and closely applies himself to his work. His fields are carefully tilled and planted to such crops as are best adapted to the soil, and in connection with his diversified farming he engages in stock-raising and is meeting with very good success in

517

HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY

both lines of his work. He also does some dairying and at the present time is milking eighteen cows. He is progressive in his methods and the majority of the improvements on the place have been made by him and he has also increased the equipment.

In 1910, Mr. Braun was married to Miss Mary Lindl, a daughter of John and Margaret (Rueth) Lindl. They were also natives of Germany, whence they emigrated to Wisconsin in 1832, first locating in Jefferson county, where for several years the father engaged in teaching school. One child has been born of this marriage, Roman, who is a babe of ten months.

Mr. and Mrs. Braun are communicants of the Roman Catholic church, belong- ing to St. Peter's parish. He is one of the hard-working, enterprising young agriculturists of the community, the result of whose energies is to be noted in the appearance of his well-kept fields and the improvements he is annually making in the farm.

WATSON E. BRISTOL.

Watson E. Bristol was one of the founders and organizers of the Bank of Oakfield and holds the position of cashier in that institution. It has grown from a humble beginning to one of the largest banks in Fond du Lac county and its expansion along modern and progressive lines is the direct result of the honor- able principles of business integrity upon which it was established and which have been steadily adhered to during the fourteen years of its existence. Mr. Bristol as cashier has displayed a broad knowledge of financial conditions and the principles of banking and has been a dominating factor in the prosperity of the institution with which he is connected. He is a native son of Oakfield township and was born March 28, 1871. His parents were Abel and Abigail (Thompson) Bristol, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of New York. The father was born December 19, 1829, and came to Oakfield town- ship in 1853. He taught school for three years during the winter months and farmed in the summer seasons. He was prosperous and successful and at one time was one of the prominent agriculturists of his section but was in the mer- cantile business at the time of his death, which occurred on March 25, 1891. His wife was born in New York state, February 27, 1833, and now makes her home in the village of Oakfield with her daughter, Mrs. C. G. Morgan. Mr. and Mrs. Bristol had six children, Clarence A., Jennie I., Nettie A., Fremont J., Flora A. and Watson E.

Watson E. Bristol was educated in district school No. I of Oakfield town- ship and supplemented his fundamental learning by a course in the Oshkosh State Normal School. He then entered Mann's Business College in Fond du Lac. He later acquired the knowledge of telegraphy and for four months worked at this occupation and then spent one term in school at Hillsdale, Michi- gan, after which he returned to Wisconsin and worked in his father's cheese factory at South Byron. After a few months he entered the employ of G. W. Watson in the conduct of a general store in that section and was successful in this line of activity until 1891, when his father died and our subject inherited an interest in the Bristol-Morgan Company's general store at Oakfield. He immediately returned to his native section and took up his duties along this line, gaining prosperity and prominence as an upright and straightforward business man. In 1905 the name of the company was changed to the Cowles-Carpenter Company and of this organization Mr. Bristol is now the treasurer.

In 1898, while he was still active as a general merchant, Mr. Bristol joined his brother, F. J. Bristol, and his brother-in-law, C. G. Morgan, in the establish- ment of a banking enterprise. They invested no capital but, having the confi-

518

HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY

dence of the people their success was rapid from the beginning. Some time afterward they contributed one thousand dollars, which was spent for a burglar and fireproof safe. Within a short time their deposits amounted to one hundred thousand dollars. Later the bank was incorporated under the laws of the state of Wisconsin with a capital stock of fifteen thousand dollars, which was soon increased to twenty-five thousand. The officers of the institution are: F. J. Bristol, president; C. G. Morgan, vice president; and W .. E. Bristol, cashier. The enterprise is rapidly expanding along the modern, progressive and up-to- date lines and the bank now handles over one hundred and sixty thousand dol- lars in deposits. It owns the property and building in which its business is con- ducted. The lot has a frontage of sixty feet on Main street and one hundred and twenty feet on White street and is situated on the busiest corner in the vil- lage within two hundred and fifty feet of the center of the incorporation. The building with its furniture and fixtures is valued at over seven thousand dollars.

On December 24, 1891, Mr. Bristol was united in marriage at Oakfield to Miss Etta E. Paine and to this union have been born two children: Ethel E., a daughter, who married E. F. Baley, proprietor of the Wonewoc Telephone Company ; and one son, Fern. Mr. Bristol is a republican in his political be- liefs and actively and intelligently interested in local affairs. He never seeks to evade the obligations of citizenship and when called upon to serve his fellow citizens is always ready to accept the responsibility of public office. He was one of the incorporators of the village of Oakfield and is now village treasurer. He was the second president of the village and twice elected to fill that office. There is hardly a line of legitimate activity in which his name is not known and hon- ored. He is treasurer of the Cowles-Carpenter Company and holds a similar position in the Oakfield Elevator Company and the F. J. Bristol & Sons Com- pany. He is secretary of the Oakfield Telephone Company, having held this position since 1901, and is similarly connected with the Oakfield Light & Power Company. Since 1904 he has served as secretary of Oakfield Town Mutual Fire Insurance Company and is a stockholder in the Consolidated Highland Creamery Company. He is interested in educational matters and is treasurer of joint school district No. I. He is secretary of the Spiritualist Society and is treasurer of the State Association. In fraternal circles, too, he is well known and widely popular. He holds the position of secretary in the Oakfield Lodge of the Masonic order and is clerk in the local organization of the Modern Wood- men of America. He is secretary of Rebekah Lodge, No. 123, and treasurer of the Western Wisconsin Camp Association.

Mr. Bristol is a man of resourceful business ability who looks beyond the present into the needs of the future and utilizes the means at hand toward the furtherance of his own success and the prosperity of the many enterprises with which he is connected. In all his dealings he is thoroughly reliable and honor- able and a worthy representative of that class of citizens who constitute the most forceful element of any community.

WILLIAM J. FENELON.

William J. Fenelon is one of the well known and influential citizens of Wau- pun, where he has for many years been engaged in the butcher business. He was born on the 25th of October, 1836, in Cuba, West Indies, and is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Fenelon. The father is a native of Ireland, his birth having occurred in County Carlow. At an early period in his life he emigrated to America and subsequently established his home in Wisconsin, where he spent the remaining years of his life. He had a family of six children, F. F., Bridget, John, Daniel, William and Mary.

519

HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY

William J. Fenelon was reared at home and received his early education in the public schools of Rosendale. He started in life for himself at the age of thirteen as an employe in the lumber camps and on the river, at which occupa- tion he continued until eighteen years of age. He was engaged in lumbering in the forests of Wisconsin and continued in that business until he was twenty- three, after which he took up the life of a sailor and devoted four years of his time to sailing, for a time on the great lakes and also on the salt water. He then engaged in the butcher business in Waupun and for the past thirty years has continued to give his entire attention to that occupation.

In 1887 Mr. Fenelon was united in marriage to Miss Nora Brown, who was born in 1857 and is a daughter of John and Katherine (Collins) Brown, who were the parents of nine children: John, who died in 1877 in Minnesota; and Nora, Mary, Kate, Edward, Lucy, Margaret, James and William. To Mr. and Mrs. Fenelon seven children have been born: Robert, who died at the age of twenty-two years; James, who was born August 14, 1889; John, who was born November II, 1890; Daniel, April 27, 1892; Arthur, March 3, 1893; Mark, December 27, 1895; and George, August 18, 1898. James Fenelon, the second of the family, married Josephine Houhense on the 17th of June, 1910. She is a daughter of John H. and Frances Houhense and by her marriage has become the mother of one child, Nora, who was born on the IIth of February, 19II. Mr. Fenelon and his wife and family are members of the Catholic church of Waupun. He is one of the well known and influential citizens of Fond du Lac county and as a resident of that part of Wisconsin he has consistently given his influence to the advancement of every enterprise intended to improve the condition of the people.

JOHN AND WILLIAM O'BRIEN.

John and William O'Brien are numbered among the representative and pro- gressive agriculturists of Osceola township and were for some time associated with their two brothers, Frank and Timothy, in the management of their father's farm in that district. Their interests are now separate but they keep up a har- monious association in the cultivation of two adjoining farms. They are of Irish parentage, their father, John O'Brien, having been born in County Clare. He came to the United States when a young man and settled in New York state and there married Miss Mary Lynch, a native of County Tipperary. They remained in New York state until after the birth of their eldest son, James, but in 1856 came to Wisconsin and settled in Osceola township. Here the father bought a tract of wild land, unimproved and undeveloped. He built a log shanty upon his holdings and in this the family resided for many years. The father directed his ambitions and energies to making his farm productive and fertile. He replaced his original log cabin with a modern and commodious dwelling and built substantial barns and outbuildings. He equipped his farm with all the modern labor-saving devices on the market and operated his prop- erty until 1905 when he retired from active life and is now living with his son William. He rents his holdings in Osceola township and has entirely given up his connection with agriculture. He is now in the eighty-ninth year of his age and has survived his wife since 1900, in which year her death occurred when she was sixty-seven years old.

John O'Brien was born on the Ist of October, 1863. He was educated in the neighboring district schools and was familiar with agriculture in its various branches from his early childhood. As a youth he assisted his father with the work on the farm and for many years was active in its management in conjunc-

520

HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY

tion with his brothers. In 1903 he removed to the farm which he now operates and has been extremely successful along progressive lines since that time.

In 1901 John O'Brien was united in marriage to Miss Mattie Coyne, a daugh- ter of John and Mary Coyne, the latter of Lamartine township, this county. Mrs. O'Brien is a charming and hospitable woman and has been an efficient aid to her husband in his agricultural career.

Actively interested in the agricultural development of Osceola township, where he operates a farm adjoining that of his brother John, and a man who is thoroughly acquainted with agriculture in its various branches, is William O'Brien, whose birth occurred on the 25th of March, 1876. He, like his brother John, was born on the home farm and received his education in the district schools. He has been associated with agriculture in Fond du Lac county all during his active life with the exception of two years, during which time he operated a cheese factory at Beechwood and another factory of a similar nature in Osceola township. His industrial career was successful but he never regarded it as a permanent occupation. At the end of two years he again returned to the home farm and in conjunction with his three brothers, Frank, John and Timothy, managed and operated his father's holdings for some time. In 1894 the brothers separated and William and Frank bought the two hundred, nine and one half acres which they now operate. They have been extremely success- ful in the conduct of this enterprise since that time. They bring to their agri- culture a thorough and practical knowledge of its many details, which insures their prosperity and abundant harvests. They have improved and developed their holdings along lines of scientific expansion and their farm is today repre- sentative of the results of modern methods in general farming. The father at one time purchased the farm adjoining and this is now owned and operated by John and Timothy O'Brien.

William O'Brien was married on June 24, 1904. to Miss Rose Rach, a daugh- ter of John Rach, who is prominent among the old settlers of Osceola township. Mr. and Mrs. William O'Brien are the parents of four children: Mary, whose birth occurred on July 3, 1904; George, born on Christmas day, 1905; Gene- vieve, whose natal day was December 5, 1908; and John, born on the 27th of October, 1910.

William O'Brien gives his political allegiance to the democratic party but has never sought public office. He belongs to the Roman Catholic church and his religion is an active force in his life. Agricultural interests of Osceola township and of Fond du Lac county find worthy representatives in John and William O'Brien. They have steadily and continuously increased their success along developing lines and their two farms stand forth as indisputable evidence of their prosperity.

FRANCIS M. COFFEEN.

Francis M. Coffeen, who engages in the general mercantile business at Peebles, was born in Watertown, New York, in 1847. His parents were Henry and Nancy (Lanpher) Coffeen, likewise natives of New York state, the father having been the first white boy born in Lewis county. The family removed to Wisconsin in 1850, taking up their residence in Fond du Lac county. The father, who was a cloth finisher, followed his trade until he came west, but thereafter his energies were devoted to agricultural pursuits. He purchased a farm located on what was then known as McClure's hill and diligently engaged in its cultivation until his death in 1872.

Francis M, Coffeen, who was a child of only three years when he removed to this county with his parents, has passed practically his entire life in Wiscon-

521

HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY

sin. He was educated in the common schools and in his early manhood he followed farming, but he subsequently engaged in cheesemaking. He was iden- tified with this industry until eighteen years ago, when he turned his attention to commercial activities and has ever since been conducting his present store. He carries a good assortment of general merchandise, and as he conducts his busi- ness honestly has built up a large trade in the surrounding farming communities. Since purchasing the store he has greatly increased the stock and he has also en- larged the building to meet the requirements of his business. In connection with his business he is also acting as station agent and postmaster.

In 1892 Mr. Coffeen was married to Miss Frances J. Robbins, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Palmer) Robbins, and to them has been born one son, Fay- ette M., who is a youth of eighteen years and is assisting his father in the store.

The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and the political support of Mr. Coffeen is accorded to the republican party. Both Mr. and Mrs. Coffeen are members of the Equitable Fraternal Union, at Neenah, and of the National Fraternal League at Green Bay. He is a diligent and enterprising man of earnest purpose, whose energies are entirely concentrated upon the develop- ment of his business, and as his methods are such as to commend him to the confidence of the people, he is prospering.

FRED J. CARPENTER.

Fred J. Carpenter has for the past eight years been successfully engaged in business as a member of the firm known as The Cowles-Carpenter Company, con- ducting a general store at Oakfield. His birth occurred at Rockbridge, Richland county, Wisconsin, on the 22d of December, 1869, his parents being Silas L. and Clara (Smith) Carpenter, natives of New York and Vermont respectively. The father, who was born in the year 1839 and removed to Richland county, this state, in 1859, followed farming throughout his active business career, retiring in 1904. His wife, who arrived in Richland county when a young girl, passed away in the year 1879. They had six children, as follows: LeRoy; Alice; Fred J., of this review ; Alma; Nellie, whose demise occurred in 1905; and Edith.

Fred J. Carpenter attended the district schools of his native county until sev- enteen years of age and subsequently spent two terms in the agricultural depart- ment of the University of Wisconsin at Madison. After putting aside his text- books he worked in creameries until 1902 and during the following two years conducted a creamery of his own, selling out in 1904. In that year he entered into partnership with F. L. Cowles in the conduct of a general store in the village of Oakfield, where, as a member of The Cowles-Carpenter Company, he has since carried on a successful and growing mercantile enterprise. The concern was organized for twenty-five thousand dollars and carries a stock valued at twelve thousand dollars. The liberal patronage accorded the establishment is due to a large and well selected line of goods, reasonable prices and straightforward busi- ness dealings. Fred J. Carpenter has various other interests, being a stockholder in the Oakfield Elevator Company, the Highland Creamery Company, the F. J. Bristol & Sons Company and the Oakfield Light & Power Company.

On the 18th of June, 1902, at Oakfield, Mr. Carpenter was united in marriage to Miss Edna King, a daughter of John and Augusta (Moses) King of that place. Her father is an agriculturist by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter have two children, Earl F. and Thelma E.

In politics Fred J. Carpenter is a stanch republican, being convinced that the principles of that party are most conducive to good government. He served as a member of the Oakfield council for four years and was clerk of the school board for three years, ever discharging his official duties in a highly commendable

522

HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY

manner. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, the Eastern Star, the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Rebekahs and the Modern Woodmen of America. ' In religious faith he is a Methodist .. Upright and honorable in all life's relations, he is highly respected and esteemed in the community where he resides.

THEODORE HERRLING.

Theodore Herrling, who engages in general farming and stock-raising in Friendship township, was born in Germany on the 3d of January, 1840, and is a son of Theodore and Wilhelmina Herrling.

The education of Theodore Herrling was begun in the schools of his native land and completed in those of Friendship township. He was reared to agricul- tural pursuits, which he followed until the call came for troops in the early years of the war, when he offered his services to the country of his adoption and went to the front as a private in the First Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He enlisted at Fond du Lac, September 16, 1861, as a member of Company K, commanded by Captain Thomas H. Green, and with his regiment participated in the battle of Perryville, where their loss was two hundred and four out of four hundred and seven engaged. He was with his regiment at Stone River in December, 1862, and January, 1863, and there his lower extremities were para- lyzed from exposure to cold rains and over-exertion. On the 16th of October, 1863, he was discharged for disability and returned home with his comrade, George Stewart, who had been wounded in the arm at Chickamauga and had received a furlough. At that time Mr. Herrling weighed only ninety-three pounds and, being unable to walk, Mr. Stewart took him under his well arm and carried him in and out of the cars. Upon his return to Wisconsin he obtained a position as stationary engineer, which he held until his marriage. He subse- quently turned his attention to farming and has ever since followed this voca- tion with a good measure of success. His place is known as Lakeside Farm and is one of the attractive and valuable properties of the township. Mr. Herrling is a man of intense activity and business enterprise, as is manifested by the general appearance and condition of his fields and buildings as well as his stock. During the long period of his ownership he has wrought extensive changes in his farm, on which he has placed all of the improvements .. He has a comfortable residence, large, commodious barns, substantial outbuildings and fences, and all are kept in repair and present a thrifty and prosperous appearance. As his circumstances have warranted he has installed at different times various modern · conveniences, and his equipment includes everything deemed essential by the agri- culturist of the present time.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, past and present, Volume II, Part 69

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