USA > Wisconsin > Fond du Lac County > Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, past and present, Volume II > Part 87
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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY
His fields are planted to such crops as are best adapted to the soil; his specialty, however, is barley, and in connection with farming he raises stock. He is a hard-working man, as is substantially evidenced by the general appearance of his place, and highly merits such success as he is meeting with.
In 1904 Mr. Birschbach was married to Miss Mary Schneider, a daughter of Matthew Schneider, one of the well known residents of this vicinity, and to them have been born eight children : Edwin, who is seven years of age; Matthew, who has passed the sixth anniversary of his birth; Robert, who is five years of age; Martin, who has passed his fourth birthday; Marvelle, who is three years old; Alexander and Alfred, who have passed the second anniversary of their birth; and Philimena, who is a babe of ten months.
The parents are communicants of the Roman Catholic church, and belong to Mount Calvary parish. Politically, Mr. Birschbach supports the democratic ticket. He is prospering in his undertakings, as he works tirelessly early and late, constantly striving to attain the goal he has set for himself.
WILLIAM A. BECKER.
William A. Becker is one of the proprietors of what is known as the most successful saloon in Fond du Lac, his partner in the business being Andrew B. Ambelang. His birth occurred in Sauk City, Wisconsin, on the 24th of March, 1879, his parents being Adrain A. and Elizabeth (Zinc) Becker. The father was born in New Holstein, Wisconsin, in 1845, while the mother's birth occurred in Sauk county, this state, in 1857. Adrain A. Becker, a shoemaker by trade, has for the past twenty-five years served as bridge tender for Sauk City. Unto him and his wife were born six children, five of whom still survive, as follows: Anna, who is the wife.of Herman Doerr, a tailor of Baraboo, Wisconsin, and the mother of one child, Julius; William A., of this review; Josephine, who is employed as a clerk in Sauk City; Ena; and Clara, who gave her hand in mar- riage to Stanley Benger, a tinsmith of Sauk City.
William A. Becker attended the public schools of his native city until eighteen years of age and subsequently spent two seasons in a canning factory. During the following five years he was employed as a bartender and in 1904, in associa- tion with Andrew B. Ambelang, opened a saloon at Fond du Lac, which he has conducted with gratifying success to the present time.
As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Becker chose Miss Mate Malady, a daughter of Owen and Mary Malady, of Fond du Lac. They now have two children, William A., Jr., and Kathryn E.
In politics Mr. Becker is a stalwart democrat, while fraternally he is iden- tified with the Eagles and the Knights of Columbus. He also belongs to the Business Men's Association and is a communicant of St. Mary's church. His residence, which he owns, is at No. 28 East Johnson street, Fond du Lac.
CONRAD BRENNER.
Conrad Brenner is part owner of one hundred and twenty-six acres of land in Marshfield township, which for the past four years he has operated in conjunc- tion with his brother John. Together they have in a short time made the land productive to its highest point and improved their property and equipment, making their farm modern and valuable in all its aspects. It comprises a tract of land which their father formerly owned and in carrying on their agriculture they are adhering to the standards of progress and development which they
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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY
learned in their youth. Conrad Brenner was born in Germany in 1867 and is the son of Vincent and Christina (Schmitz) Brenner, natives of the fatherland. The family came to America about 1869 and settled in Fond du Lac county at an early date. The father took up land and followed agriculture for many years. His wife passed away in 1908.
Conrad Brenner was educated in the public schools of Fond du Lac county and has been associated with agricultural pursuits all during his active life. Even as a child he aided his father in the minor duties of agriculture and as he advanced in age became acquainted with the more responsible duties. He is now living with his brother upon one hundred and twenty-six acres of land in Marshfield township and is ranked among the progressive and enterprising agriculturists of the district. They have erected most of the buildings upon the property, have built the fences, put in drainage and have added labor-saving machinery. They are rewarded for their industry and intelligent activity by rich harvests every year and their farm is one of the most attractive and remun- erative enterprises in the township. Both Conrad and John Brenner give their allegiance to the democratic party but neither seeks public office. John Brenner was united in marriage to Miss Rosie Steffen, by whom he has four children, Anna, Leo, Regina and Walter. Anna is attending the Catholic school at Mount Calvary. The family hold membership in the German Catholic church of Mount Calvary. Conrad Brenner deserves great credit for what he has accom- plished in an agricultural way by reason of his intelligent activity. Fond du Lac county has profited by his honorable and upright life and may well be proud of so worthy a representative of its citizenship.
ROBERT CANDLISH.
Robert Candlish has for eight years been successfully identified with the business interests of Fond du Lac as the owner of a furniture store and under- taking establishment located on South Main street. He is a native of Canada, his birth having occurred in the province of Quebec on the 15th of March, 1846, and a son of David and Mahaly (Sherwin) Candlish. The mother was also a native of the province of Quebec, but the father was born in Scotland on the 18th of December, 1809. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Candlish, of whom our subject is the youngest. Mrs. Isabella L. Buchanan, the eldest member of the family and an only daughter, has three children, Alexander, Albert and George, and lives in Montreal. William H. married Mary Graham of Mon- treal, in which city they reside, and has three children, Norman, Mahaly and Maud.
The education of Robert Candlish was obtained in the common schools of St. Lawrence, Canada, which he attended until he was fifteen years of age. He then laid aside his text-books and began his training for a business career as a clerk in a furniture store. Having resolved to follow this particular line of commercial activity, he intelligently applied himself to acquiring a thorough and comprehen- sive knowledge of every detail of the business. The firm he was associated with also maintained an undertaking department, in which he spent the usual period of service, thus qualifying himself for the duties connected with this branch of the business. In 1883, Mr. Candlish entered the employ of the Winnebago Furniture Company, but two years later he severed his connection with this enter- prise and went to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, as superintendent of the Oshkosh Fur- niture Company. He resigned his position with this firm seven years later, owing to the state of his health, and subsequently engaged in business on his own account at Rosendale, this county. He conducted the business there with very good success until 1904, when he disposed of his establishment and came to
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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY
Fond du Lac. Here he became associated with his son Frank in establishing a store on South Main street, where he has succeeded in building up a very good trade. He carries a complete line of furniture, carpets, rugs and pictures, and in connection maintains an undertaking department that is provided with every- thing usually found in an establishment of this kind.
Mr. Candlish chose for his wife Miss Julia Bellmer, of this city, and to them have been born five children: William N., who is married and has three chil- dren; Mrs. Ubena J. Sherrett, the mother of one child, living at Sullivan, this state; Carrie, who is a trained nurse at Woodstock, Illinois; Frank D., an elec- trician, who is installing telephone and telegraph equipment in Fond du Lac ; and Robert H., who is attending college.
The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church in which the parents hold membership and fraternally Mr. Candlish is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while he is a republican in politics. He has always led an active, diligent life and expends a great deal of energy in anything he undertakes. In the upbuilding and development of his present business he has been very suc- cessful, as he has rigidly adhered to a policy that commends him to the con- fidence of all with whom he has transactions, and has enabled him to establish a reputation for reliability that has proven to be a strong factor in promoting his prosperity.
GIBBON FITZGIBBON.
Gibbon Fitzgibbon, who has devoted his attention to general agricultural pur- suits throughout his entire career, operates the farm in Eden township on which his birth occurred, his natal day being October 10, 1860. His father, John Fitzgibbon, who was born in County Limerick, Ireland, in 1828, emigrated to the United States as a young man, settling first in New York, where he worked on the railroads. It was in the Empire state that he wedded Miss Mary Ary, a native of Ireland. She came to this country in company with her grandmother, Catherine Ary, who continued a member of the Fitzgibbon household throughout the remainder of her life, passing away on the farm in Eden township, this county, in 1901, at the venerable age of ninety years. During the period of their residence in New York, Mr. and Mrs. John Fitzgibbon became the parents of three children, namely: Thomas, who is a prominent physician of Milwau- kee; John; and Garrett, a well known medical practitioner of Chicago. In 1859 the family home was established in Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, John Fitzgibbon purchasing a tract of land in Eden township that was covered with timber. After clearing the property he erected thereon a log shanty and began the cultivation of the fields. As the years passed financial success rewarded his labors and he was eventually enabled to erect a splendid modern residence and substantial barns. When he passed away in 1901, after a residence of more than four decades in this county, the community mourned the loss of one of its substantial agriculturists and respected citizens. His wife was called to her final rest in 1905, when sixty-five years of age. Six more children were born unto them in this county, namely : Margaret; Gibbon, of this review; George Patrick ; James ; William; and Minnie.
Gibbon Fitzgibbon obtained his education in the district schools of the neighborhood and in early life also became familiar with the duties and . labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist as he assisted in the work of his father's farm. He has spent his entire life on the homestead place in Eden township and since his mother's death has operated the same on his own account. This is a neat and well improved farm, carefully cultivated and displaying in its attrac- tive appearance the energy and diligence of the owner. In religious faith Mr.
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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY
Fitzgibbon is a Catholic, belonging to St. Mary's church at Eden. Having resided in this country throughout his entire life, he is well and favorably known here and his straightforward and honorable dealings have won for him the warm regard and esteem of all with whom he has been associated.
OSWALD SONNENBERGER.
The farming interests of Eldorado township find a worthy representative in Oswald Sonnenberger, who was born in Oshkosh, in 1866, and who for several years has been engaged in cultivating a good tract of land upon which he now resides. His parents were Frederick and Friedericke (Schroeder) Sonnen- berger, both of whom were natives of Germany. After coming to America they spent most of their days in Wisconsin and the father was living in Fond du Lac county at the time of his death, which occurred in 1896.
During boyhood Oswald Sonnenberger entered the public schools of his native city and after putting aside his text-books took up the more difficult lessons to be learned in the school of experience. He was first employed in a sash, door and blind factory for about five years, but at the end of that time took up general agricultural pursuits, to which he has since given his attention. He followed farming at Blackwell for about five years and then sold his property there, after which he purchased land on section 1, Eldorado township, where he now lives. He cultivates this carefully and systematically with the result that his crops are large and his income substantial.
Oswald Sonnenberger was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Bergman and they are the parents of six children, as follows : Harvey, aged sixteen years ; Carl, thirteen years; Edward, twelve; George, ten; Esther, eight; and Laura, four. Politically Mr. Sonnenberger is a democrat but while he believes the principles of that party contain the best elements of good government he does not seek nor desire office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. He attends the Lutheran church and his influence is always given on the side of right and progress, and justice and truth.
JOHN D. COON.
There is now living on a small twenty-five acre farm in Fond du Lac town- ship a genial and kindly old man seventy-one years of age, whose history has been intimately connected with the agricultural upbuilding of this section and who has many delightful reminiscences of the early pioneer times. He was born in Chenango county, New York, on the IIth of February, 1841, and is a son of Abraham and Esther (McCall) Coon, both natives of New York. The father was a shoemaker by trade and left his native state and settled in Fond du Lac county in 1858. He followed his occupation in that section until 1879, when he purchased a farm in Lamartine township. In 1881 he removed to Fond du Lac township, where he made his home until his death. Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Coon were the parents of ten children: Frank, who died in 1894; William, whose death occurred in 1852; Nancy, who passed away in 1890; Sarah, the wife of Hiram Pendell; Dr. D. N. Coon, who makes his home in Fort Madison, Iowa; John D., the subject of this review ; Adaline, who married Captain J. H. Taylor, of Fond du Lac; Helen, who died in 1857; Horace, whose death occurred when he was nineteen years of age; and Martha, now the wife of W. W. Mead.
John D. Coon was educated in the common schools of his native state but laid aside his books when he was seventeen years of age. He worked in the saw
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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY
and shingle mills of Wisconsin for two years and then learned the carpenter's trade On November 16, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Fourteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served with much ability during the Civil war. He was under General Grant at Shiloh, Tennessee, Corinth, Mississippi and at the siege of Vicksburg and was present at the engagement at Natchez, Mississippi. When his first term expired he reenlisted and after a short period at home joined Sherman's forces on the famous march to the sea and served under that general at the capture of Atlanta. He took an active part in the battle of Nashville and afterward joined the Army of the Gulf. He served until the close of the Civil war and was honorably discharged with the rank of orderly sergeant at Mobile, Alabama, October 9, 1865. He returned in that year to Fond du Lac county and engaged in the sawmill business until 1884. He then bought a farm in Lamar- tine township, where he lived until 1900. In that year he removed to Clark county, where he purchased land and lived for two years, after which he made his home in Fond du Lac for about a year. At the close of that period he came to the farm where he now lives and which he has cultivated along scientific lines, making many improvements during the course of his career.
On the 28th of November, 1867, Mr. Coon was united in marriage, in Fond du Lac, to Miss Helen J. Gregg, a daughter of Charles and Mary (Denniston) Gregg, both natives of New York. The mother died in that state and the father came immediately to Michigan, where he lived until 1872. In that year he settled in Wisconsin and lived in Fond du Lac until his death in 1875. John Coon and his wife have been the parents of seven children : Lena R .; Charles ; Arthur J. ; Nellie ; John R., Jr .; May E., who died December 18, 1905; and Edith, who died March 8, 1898.
In his political affiliations Mr. Coon is consistently a republican and is a firm believer in the principles of that party. His loyalty has been rewarded by several public offices and he served as chairman of the township of Lamartine for three years. He held the office of assessor for a like period of time and was a member of the city school board for three years. He was elected city assessor and did able and conscientious work in this capacity during the five years of his service. His public life has always been distinguished by high ideals of per- sonal service and he regards a political office as a trust reposed in him by his fel- low citizens. He is a member of the E. A. Brown Post, No. 130, G. A. R. He is now in the seventy-second year of his age and is taking a well earned rest. He is one of the most popular citizens of Fond du Lac township and is living out the evening of his life among his many loyal friends.
NICHOLAS GIEBEL, JR.
Fond du Lac county numbers among its citizens many sturdy sons of the soil who were born and reared upon the acres which they are now cultivating and who are carrying on their farming along expanding lines of development inaugurated by their fathers and grandfathers. Nicholas Giebel is an agricul- turist of this sort and is now active in the cultivation of one of the finest farms in Empire township.
He was one of seven children born on the old home farm, his natal day being September 14, 1883. He received his education in the district schools of Empire township but was obliged to lay aside his books at an early age to assist his father in the work of the farm. He became acquainted with the various details relating to the tilling of the soil and before he had reached manhood was a progressive and able farmer. At the age of twenty-one he started in active life for himself and worked during the winters in the northern pine woods. He spent the summers upon the farm and has never entirely given up agricul-
NICHOLAS GIEBEL, JR.
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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY
tural pursuits at any period in his career. When he was twenty-eight years of age he definitely abandoned his calling in the timber lands and rented his father's farm. There was a beautiful home upon the property built by the father. Mr. Giebel has been active in the operation of his father's farm since he took charge and in the intervening time has made improvements on the barns and outbuild- ings and added materially to its up-to-date equipment. He has served as road- master of Empire township for one term and was for four years clerk of the school district. He is at present acting in this capacity and has made a record for himself for honesty, efficiency and intelligence in public office. He is one of the representative agriculturists of Fond du Lac county and in the public capacities in which he has served his township has met with the approval of the public.
JOHN B. BECHAUD.
John B. Bechaud, vice president of the Bechaud Brewing Company, in the organization of which he assisted forty-one years ago, is well known in fra- ternal and business circles of Fond du Lac, where he has passed the greater part of his life. He was born in Germany on the 3Ist of October, 1846, and is a son of John P. and Josephine (Tillman) Bechaud, who emigrated to America with their family in 1851. Upon their arrival in this county they located in Fond du Lac, where for four years the father conducted a hotel. He subsequently removed with his family to a farm located in this county which he cultivated for twelve years, and afterward withdrew from active work and lived retired until his death in 1876. The mother survived him for many years, her death occurring in 1909. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. John P. Bechaud, four of whom are living, our subject being the second in order of birth. Adolph married Elizabeth Kraemer and they have six children, Louisa, Josephine, Au- gust, Adolph, Jr., Lottie and Elizabeth. Armand, who is a druggist at Chehalis, Washington, married Bertha Zimmerman of Fond du Lac, and they have four children, Erma, Royal, Pierre and Wilbur. Frank H., who is the youngest mem- ber of the family and is secretary of the Bechaud Brewing Company, is men- tioned at greater length elsewhere in this work.
The first five years in the life of John B. Bechaud were passed in his native land. Soon after the family located in Fond du Lac he entered the public schools where he pursued his studies until he was twelve years of age, and then laying aside his text-books he assisted his father in the cultivation of the farm. He followed agricultural pursuits until 1871 when he joined his brothers Adolph and Frank H., in the organization of the Bechaud Brewing Company. He has since been vice president of that concern in the development of which he has been a factor.
John B. Bechaud married Miss Mary Kraemer and to them have been born seven children: Josephine, who married Martin H. Nelson of this city, by whom she has two children, Josephine Marie and Jean Bodil; Ida, the wife of Marshall H. Boudry, a barber of this city, by whom she has three children, Marshall O., Ursul Marie and Alice Ida; Rudolph, a druggist of Fond du Lac, who married Mary Mauthe; Louis, a resident of Fond du Lac, who married Margaret Beyer, of Princeton, Wisconsin; Armand, who married Jennie Wilke and resides in this city ; and Amelia and Pierre, who are living at home.
John B. Bechaud is one of those who responded to the country's call during the Civil war and went to the front as a private in the Sixth Michigan Volunteer Cavalry in 1864, serving until the close of hostilities. He was subsequently transferred to the First Michigan Cavalry and sent out west to patrol the plains for protection of settlements from Indian depredations, receiving his discharge
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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY
at Detroit, Michigan in 1866. He votes the democratic ticket, is well posted and takes an active interest in all public matters. Fraternally he is affiliated with both the chapter and commandery of the Masonic order, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Eagles and the National Union. He has always led an active, diligent life and highly merits such success as has come to him as it is the result of honest and persistent effort.
ARTHUR A. BRIGGS.
Arthur A. Briggs is one of the enterprising and successful young agricul- turists of Taycheedah township, where he owns a hundred and fifty acres of land, which he is devoting to general farming, stock-raising and dairying. He was born in Nebraska in 1883, but is descended in both lines from well known pioneer families of this section, his parents, J. W. and Elmira S. (Adams) Briggs, having been born and reared in Fond du Lac county. They resided for a time in Nebraska, but now make their home in the village of Taycheedah.
There was no unusual occurrence in the boyhood and youth of Arthur A. Briggs to distinguish his early life from that of the average lad who is reared in the country. He completed his education at Oshkosh and early became fa- miliar with the duties and responsibilities of the agriculturist by assisting his father with the work of the fields and care of the stock. He began farming for himself on his uncle's place, which he rented for four years. At the ex- piration of that time he purchased his present holding, and has since applied himself with unremitting energy to its further cultivation and improvement, his efforts in this direction being rewarded with varying success. His fields are devoted to diversified farming in connection with which he also raises stock, making a specialty of dairying. Intelligent methods diligently and persistently followed have brought him the usual rewards, and he is becoming recognized as one of the capable and prosperous young farmers of his community.
For his wife and helpmate Mr. Briggs chose Miss May Peebles a graduate of Fond du Lac high school and for some time a student at Lawrence college. She is a daughter of Sanford Peebles, for whose grandfather the town of Peebles was named. They were married in 1907 and are the parents of one child, who is now two years of age.
Mr. and Mrs. Briggs attend the Methodist Episcopal church, and his polit- ical allegiance he gives to the republican party. He stands high in the estima- tion of his neighbors and fellow townsmen, among whom he has won the reputa- tion of being thoroughly reliable and trustworthy.
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