USA > Wisconsin > Fond du Lac County > Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, past and present, Volume II > Part 7
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In 1881 William Hall was united in marriage to Miss Mary Hess, a daughter of John and Mary Hess, and a native of Ashford township. Mr. and Mrs.
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Hall became the parents of four children: Michael, who was born on November 6, 1881 ; Agnes, whose birth occurred in September, 1883; Barthol, who was born in March, 1885, and who was accidentally killed by a windmill in 1901; and Elizabeth, whose birth occurred in May, 1892. The family are members of St. Martin's Catholic church of Ashford.
In politics Mr. Hall gives a general allegiance to the democratic party usually voting this ticket on national questions but reserving his independence of judgment in local affairs. He is deeply interested in general progress and eager to promote it although he has never sought public office. With enter- prise, energy and determination inherited from three generations of sturdy farmers he has worked hard and lived honestly so that he stands today as one of the straightforward and representative agriculturists of the county in which he was born.
GILBERT B. WEINSTOCK.
Gilbert B. Weinstock has attained success in the general merchandise busi- ness in Brandon, Wisconsin, by following a consistent policy of commercial integrity and high standards of honor. He was born in Rubicon, Dodge county, Wisconsin, on January 7, 1867, and is a son of Samuel and Fannie Weinstock. His father was a native of Germany and was born in Bavaria on May 30, 1823. He came to the United States in 1844 and located first in New York, where he remained until 1852. His residence in Wisconsin was established in that year, when he moved to Milwaukee where he was successful in business until 1861. He moved to Rubicon, Wisconsin, and established an independent butchering enterprise, also engaging in the shipping of cattle. In 1867 he moved to Brandon and followed the general merchandise business until the spring of 1889. In that year he retired from active life and moved to Milwaukee, where he is still residing.
Gilbert B. Weinstock was educated in the public schools of Brandon, grad- uating in June, 1882. He supplemented his education by a course in business college and when he was seventeen years of age established himself in the gen- eral merchandise business at Fairwater, Wisconsin. At this early age he became acquainted with the various details of a modern commercial institution, and during the two years' connection with his first enterprise gained a gratifying measure of success. He returned to Brandon eventually in order to take charge of a store of similar character operated by his father in this city and so valuable and important was the assistance which he gave that in January, 1888, he was offered a half interest in the business. In November of the same year the com- mercial section of the city of Brandon was destroyed by fire and the enterprise with which Mr. Weinstock was connected was a total loss. Samuel Weinstock retired from business at this time and Gilbert Weinstock commenced a large mercantile enterprise on his own account, hiring the Odd Fellows hall for this purpose until the business section of the city was rebuilt. He has been very successful in the enterprise which he founded and operated. In 1905 he incor- porated his business, taking into partnership all the clerks who had been in his employ for fifteen years. His store is one of the most attractive and prosperous mercantile enterprises of the city. The stock is kept well ordered and is artisti- cally arranged, and he keeps on hand a complete line of goods. Most of the suc- cess which Mr. Weinstock has made during his career is directly traceable to his own integrity in all of his business relations. His efforts in the promoting of his enterprise have also aided in the upbuilding and development of the town in which he operates. He is public-spirited and takes an active part in every movement looking toward the welfare of the community.
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Mr. Weinstock was married in Milwaukee, on February 3, 1892, to Miss Tessie Worms, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. Worms, of that city. Mrs. Wein- stock is an accomplished musician and before her marriage had attained an enviable reputation in this art. She and her husband are the parents of four children, Elsie, Fannie, Aimee and Gilbert B., Jr. In his political views Mr. Weinstock affiliates with the republican party of which he has been a member for many years. He has never sought public office but has held several village positions. He was school clerk of his district and he ably and efficiently worked in this capacity until his ill health compelled him to resign. He is a prominent Mason, belonging to the lodge at Brandon, the chapter at Waupun and the commandery at Fond du Lac. He belongs to the consistory and the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine at Milwaukee. He is prominent in the affairs of the Order of Odd Fellows and active in the Royal Arcanum. He is interested in charitable work and active in his support of all movements in this line. In the operation of his business enterprise he is a dominating power and is well versed in the various details of commercial activity. He understands economic conditions in their local manifestation and operates his store in accordance therewith. He has won success that comes from earnest work and in his career exemplifies to a great degree the commercial value of orderly and honest principles, and has gained his prosperity by adhering to them.
WILLIAM SCHULTZ.
The qualities of diligence and thrift inherited from a long line of Teutonic ancestors have been the salient factors in the success of William Schultz, who owns and operates a well improved farm of two hundred acres located in Osceola township. His life record began in Germany on the 29th of June, 1853, his parents being John and Caroline Schultz, who passed their entire lives in the fatherland.
The first thirty years in the life of William Schultz were passed in his native country, his early advantages being as those of other youths who are reared in homes of the middle class. Having heard many remarkable stories of the suc- cess which had attended the efforts of his fellow countrymen who had emigrated to this country, he determined to set out toward the land of promise. Severing his connections in the old country, he took, in 1884, passage for the new world, accompanied by his young wife and three children. They landed in New York, coming direct from there to Fond du Lac county, which has since been their home. For two seasons after his arrival in this country Mr. Schultz worked out as a farm hand, thus acquiring sufficient means to begin farming for him- self as a renter. He cultivated leased land for twelve years, his efforts being so well remunerated that at the expiration of that period he was able to buy a hun- dred and twenty acres in Osceola township. He and his family resided on this place for ten years, during which time he applied himself to its further develop- ment. His undertakings prospered and he subsequently purchased a forty acre tract across the road, where he is now residing. On a later occasion he again increased his property by acquiring an additional forty acres, which makes his holdings aggregate two hundred acres. Mr. Schultz has wrought many improve- ments on his property during the period of his ownership, and holds title to one of Osceola township's valuable farms. He is very practical and exercises both intelligence and good judgment in the organization and direction of his activi- ties. His efforts have been ably sustained by Mrs. Schultz' capable management of the household affairs, such success as has come to this worthy couple being the result of much self-denial and hard work. Their days of struggle are now over, however, and they are well established in a comfortable home and annually
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realize from their farm an income more than sufficient for the needs of them- selves and family.
Mrs. Schultz' maiden name was Otelia Marquardt. She was born and reared in Germany and there they were married in 1881. Their family numbers ten, the three eldest of whom were born in Germany. In order of birth they are, Amelia, August, Augusta, Herman, Lena, William, Arthur, Oscar, Albert and Evaline.
The family is of the Lutheran faith and holds membership in the German church of that denomination. Mr. Schultz is highly esteemed among his fellow townsmen, as he has proven himself to be a worthy citizen and a thoroughly reliable and honorable business man, his success being recognized as the well merited reward of unceasing effort.
CHARLES BAUMHARDT.
Eighty acres of farm land in Eden township in a highly improved and flourishing condition give evidence of the successful agricultural activities of Charles Baumhardt, one of the representative and enterprising farmers of Fond du Lac county. Mr. Baumhardt is a native son of Wisconsin and it was in Eden township of that state that his birth occurred on August 9, 1859. His father was one of the sterling citizens of German birth, whose lives and activi- ties have done so much to make Fond du Lac county the flourishing and pros- perous section which it is today. He was born in Rhenish, Prussia, May 12. 1828, and received an efficient education in the public schools of his native coun- try. He served his period of enlistment in the Prussian army from 1848 to 1851 and spent three years thereafter in the fatherland. His brother had been in America for some years previous and wrote him convincing letters regarding the greatness of America and the many opportunities which it afforded to the industrious and active immigrant. Influenced by this Jacob Baumhardt crossed the Atlantic in September, 1854, and spent the first years of his American resi- dence in the state of Ohio. He was confronted by many obstacles in his attempt to gain a livelihood in a new country but conquered all difficulties and at the end of his career was one of the valued and representative citizens of Eden town- ship. His residence in Wisconsin began in 1855 in which year he made his way to Milwaukee and thence to Fond du Lac county by stage. He was employed in the stone quarries of the district for several years and it was in 1859 that he purchased forty acres of land on section 23, Eden township, and began the work of clearing and cultivating his property. He resided in the log cabin which was his first home for six years. When he had transformed his holdings into productive and fertile fields he disposed of his farm and purchased land on sec- tion 28, Eden township where he remained until 1893. In September, 1858, Jacob Baumhardt was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Brim, a native of Switzerland, and to them were born seven children: Charles, the subject of this review; Samuel; Frederick; Matilda; Carolina; Amelia; and one child who died in infancy. In 1893 Jacob Baumhardt removed to his second farm, erected a modern dwelling and resided there in comfort until his death which occurred in May, 1905. His wife survived him for two years and passed away on the 15th of July, 1907. Jacob Baumhardt was one of the representative and leading citizens of Fond du Lac county, and was for several years identified with its educational development as treasurer of the school district. He left behind him traditions of honor and uprightness and integrity in his relations to his fellow- men which are the distinguishing features in the life of his son.
Charles Baumhardt was reared upon his father's farm in Eden and went to school at irregular intervals in the district schools. He was active from his
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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY
early boyhood in the work of his father's farm and gained a thorough and efficient knowledge of agriculture by personal experience. He remained upon the homestead until he was thirty-six years of age and then bought his present farm of eighty acres where he has since resided. During the period of his occupancy his farm has greatly increased in value and its harvests grow more abundant with the passing years. He has increased the productiveness of his acres by judicious management and by a thorough knowledge of the economic value of the different kinds of grain and vegetables, using discrimination and employing scientific methods to that end.
In 1895 Charles Baumhardt was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Truan; a daughter of Edward and Henrietta Truan, natives of Germany, who came to the United States and settled in Eden township in 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Baumhardt are the parents of six children, Edward, Walter, Bernice, Viola, Francis and Lauretta, all of whom are living with their parents on the home farm. The family are regular attendants of the Methodist church and active in its affairs. Mr. Baumhardt has gained a reputation throughout Fond du Lac county as a man of broad-minded intelligence and exemplary character. He has improved his farm and increased its efficiency by the erection of convenient and thoroughly sanitary barns and outbuildings and has made a success of gen- eral agriculture. In developing his farm along progressive lines he has added materially to the wealth of Fond du Lac county.
GEORGE W. SARGENT.
George W. Sargent is engaged in the general hardware and tin business in Ripon and is well known as a strictly upright man, carrying on his rapidly grow- ing business along the most honorable commercial standards and the most pro- gressive lines of business expansion. He was born in Fond du Lac county, on March 12, 1867, and is a son of George W. and Hattie (Root) Sargent, both na- tives of New York state. Mr. Sargent's father came west in 1845 and his mother made the journey about the same time. They were married in Fond du Lac county and became well known in that section. The father engaged in general farming near the town of Alto and was active in this line until 1881. He had two chil- dren : Emma, now Mrs. Sage of Boyd, Wisconsin; and George W., the subject of this sketch. George W. Sargent was educated in the public schools of Brandon and attended the high school in that city. He laid aside his books at the age of seventeen to enter the employ of a tinner from whom he learned the trade and followed it for a short time. He then supplemented his high-school education by a course in a business college in Milwaukee and upon his graduation from
that institution established himself in business in Brandon where he remained for fifteen years. He built up a flourishing and prosperous enterprise during that period and laid the foundations of his present success. In 1907 he removed to Ripon where he bought the general hardware and tinsmithing store belonging to Mr. F. Merback, which he has been conducting with such gratifying success since that time, that it is rapidly becoming a flourishing enterprise.
On May 19, 1892, Mr. Sargent was united in marriage to Miss Leila Webster, a daughter of H. and Elmira Webster, of Lamartine. Mrs. Sargent has two sisters and one brother. To Mr. and Mrs. Sargent have been born two children : Howard, whose birth occurred May 27, 1896. and Ralph, born August 25, 1900. Howard was educated in the public schools of Ripon and is now in the third year of his high-school course.
Mr. Sargent gives his political allegiance to the republican party with which organization his father also affiliated. He is a Methodist and well known in church circles. His fraternal affiliations include his connection with the Ripon
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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY
organization of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in which he is past grand. He also belongs to the Ripon Lodge, F. & A. M., of the Masons. In all his com- mercial relations Mr. Sargent has displayed keen and judicious discernment and an ability to cope with the intricacies of a modern and rapidly expanding enter- prise while his private life is marked by genial, manly and wholesome activities.
CARL HEBER.
Carl Heber is one of the substantial and representative agriculturists of Empire township and has followed this line of occupation since he was twenty- one years of age. He was born and reared upon his father's farm `and carly became acquainted with many details connected with the cultivation of the soil. His birth occurred on the 22d of February, 1862, in Empire township, and is a son of Charles and Fronica (Huck) Heber, the former a native of Germany. Charles Heber left his native country when he was thirty years of age, and coming to America settled in Philadelphia where he maintained his residence for three or four years before he came west. He subsequently settled in Chi- cago where he was successful in the butcher business for a short period. When he left Illinois he went to Oakfield, Wisconsin, and immediately engaged in agriculture. During his residence in that city he married Miss Fronica Huck and eventually removed to Empire township where he purchased forty acres of land and improved and cultivated it until his death in 1906 when he was eighty years of age. His wife had died the year previous and was sixty- four years old at the time of her demise.
Carl Heber was one of nine children born to his parents and his childhood was spent upon the home farm. What education he received was obtained in the district schools of Empire township and his studies were often interrupted by the necessity of assisting his father in the development of his land. He early became acquainted withe the various details of modern and progressive agriculture and has carried on farming for many years along the principles mapped out by his father.
In 1908 Mr. Heber was united in marriage to Miss Lena Bothe, a daugh- ter of Ferdinand Bothe. The year after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Heber adopted a son, Monroe, who is living with his parents on the home farm.
Mr. Heber is a member of the Roman Catholic church and is a devout adherent of its doctrines. He belongs to that class of men who by integrity and ability make successful careers for themselves which influence progress and development.
CAPTAIN WILLIAM J. SEEVE.
Captain William J. Seeve has filled the position of sheriff of Fond du Lac county and is now serving as deputy sheriff. In this as in other connections, he has made a creditable record. He is one of the veterans of the Spanish- American war and in every relation of life he commands and merits the respect and confidence of his fellowmen. He was born in Fond du Lac, March 14, 1875, and comes of a family of German origin.
His paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Seeve, were both natives of Germany and always lived in that country. Their son William came from Germany to America about 1855 or 1856, settling in Fond du Lac, where he worked at the stone mason's trade, which he had previously followed in his native land. He wedded Minnie Kohlrausch, also a native of Germany, and
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a daughter of Frank and Doris Kohlrausch. Her father, who was a gun- smith by trade, died in Germany, after which her mother came to America and spent her last days in Fond du Lac at the home of her daughter, then Mrs. Seeve, passing away at the very advanced age of ninety-two years. In her family were three daughters and a son. To Mr. and Mrs. William Seeve, Sr., were born three children: Mary, who is the wife of Edwin Luhn, of Fond du Lac; Betty, who died at the age of twenty years; and William J. The father passed away in 1891, when sixty years of age, and his widow survives him being seventy-six years of age. Both were Lutheran in religious faith. William Seeve served as a soldier in the German army before he came to the new world and after his arrival on this side of the Atlantic was ever a loyal citizen of his adopted country.
Captain William J. Seeve has spent his entire life in his native city and in his youthful days was a pupil of the public and parochial schools here. He afterward worked at blacksmithing for seventeen years and in 1908 was elected to the office of sheriff, in which capacity he served one term, after which he became deputy to his successor, Charles H. Graham, who had previously served as Captain Seeve's deputy. Captain William J. Seeve enlisted for service in the Spanish-American war as a member of Company E, Second Wisconsin Infantry, with which he served all through the period of hostilities with Spain in the expedition to Porto Rico. He was appointed captain of the company about the close of the war and is on the retired list of the militia with that rank.
Captain Seeve resides with his mother at No. 526 West Eleventh street. In politics he has always been a republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He served as a member of the county board of supervisors in 1903-4 and in that position as in the office of sheriff he made a creditable record characterized by unfaltering devotion to duty and the prompt discharge of every task that devolved upon him.
OTTO SCHMIDT.
Otto Schmidt is one of the most progressive, energetic and successful farmers in Ashford township, where he is cultivating sixty acres of land and gaining recognition as a systematic agriculturist. He was born in Milwaukee, July 21, 1874, and is the son of Louis and Henrietta Schmidt. The family was founded in the United States by the grandfather of our subject, who was a native of Germany and who came on his wedding trip to America, settling near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he resided until the time of his death. Here Louis Schmidt, the father of our subject, was born.
Otto Schmidt is one of seven children born to his parents and is the only one of his family who came to Fond du Lac county. He attended the parochial schools in his native city and later learned the trade of brass molding. This, however, he was obliged to give up on account of ill health and he worked for some time as a monthly laborer upon the farms near Milwaukee. In 1893 he purchased forty acres in Ashford township, which he cultivated and developed until 1904, when he removed to Ozaukee county, near Cedarburg, remaining in that vicinity for four years. In 1908 he purchased sixty acres of land in Ashford township and here he now resides, having gained success in the four years of his activity as a general agriculturist.
Mr. Schmidt has been twice married. In 1897 he wedded Miss Dorothy Foerster, of Washington county, and they had two children, Lydia and Herbert. The mother of these children passed away in 1903 and the following year, Mr. Schmidt was again married. His second union was with Miss Katherine Ganten, a native of Ashford township. To this union were born two children, Esther and
1
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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY
Mildred. The family belong to the German Reformed church. Mr. Schmidt is republican in his political beliefs but is not an office seeker although in Ozaukee county he served for several years as clerk of the school board. He devotes his time entirely to agricultural pursuits and his farm is modern in its equipment and accessories and intelligently cultivated and developed, entitling him to rank among the progressive and successful men of his district.
FREDERICK SPRATT.
Frederick Spratt has been actively identified with financial interests in Ripon for many years and is now serving as cashier of the First National Bank, an institution the enviable and well established reputation of which is due in no small measure to the untiring efforts and business ability of Mr. Spratt who brings to his duties as cashier a logical and discriminating mind and a thorough knowledge of banking laws. Moreover, he recognizes and fully meets the ob- ligations and duties of citizenship and his labors have been a valued element in promoting public progress along various lines.
The parents of Frederick Spratt lived and died in England, where his birth occurred in 1852, his natal town being Salisbury. He was reared at home and after pursuing his studies in the public schools of London and Salisbury entered Oxford University. He spent some time as a successful teacher in England but gave up that profession to come to the United States in 1883. He immediately made his way to Ripon and two years afterward entered the employ of the First National Bank, with which institution he has been continuously connected since 1885. His promotion was rapid and he was soon appointed to the position of assistant cashier, and in 1902 he was made cashier, in which capacity he is now serving. The First National is one of the largest banks in Ripon, its deposits in the year 1912 amounting to nine hundred and seven thousand, five hundred and thirty-four dollars and fifteen cents. The bank is capitalized for one hun- dred thousand dollars and has a surplus of twenty thousand, while the undivided profits in 1912 were eighteen thousand, six hundred and fifty-three dollars and eighty-two cents. At the close of this year the bank had on hand United States bonds to the amount of one hundred and one thousand dollars and other bonds amounting to three hundred and sixty-one thousand, eight hundred dollars. The banking offices were entirely remodeled in the year 1908 and the capacity of the institution greatly enlarged. The bank building is the most commodious in Ripon, having a frontage of twenty-four feet and a depth of eighty-five feet, giving a floor space nearly seventy per cent greater than that of its former quarters. The building is a beautiful stone structure and is equipped with every modern convenience for the conduct of a banking business. The vaults and safes are constructed along most approved and modern lines and the public lobby is a beautiful example of interior banking decoration. The bank officials at the present time are : George L. Field, president ; Gard. Miller, vice president ; Frederick Spratt, cashier ; and W. R. Dysart, assistant cashier. These gentlemen, as well as the directors of the bank, are careful, prudent and representative business men who stand for progressive methods in banking affairs, realizing that the bank is most worthy of public patronage which most carefully safe- guards the interests of its depositors. Twenty-seven years' connection with financial interests of Ripon has won for Mr. Spratt an enviable reputation for it is known that the success and advancement of the First National Bank are due in no small measure to his efforts which are directed by high intelligence and keen business ability.
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