USA > Wisconsin > Fond du Lac County > Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, past and present, Volume II > Part 9
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Frank E. Steele was reared at home and educated in the public schools. When old enough he engaged in the real-estate and insurance business with his father, with whom he was also associated in agricultural pursuits. Since the death of the latter he has conducted the business alone, and is meeting with good success. He handles all lines of insurance and deals extensively in general real estate, making a specialty of farm lands. In April, 1906, he withdrew
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from agricultural pursuits and removing to Ripon, purchased a residence at the corner of Blossom and Houston streets.
On the 19th of August, 1905, Mr. Steele was married to Miss Anne Sippel, a daughter of James and Mary Sippel, farming people residing in the vicinity of Oshkosh, and to them have been born two children, Margaret and George F.
The family attend the Roman Catholic church, of which Mrs. Steele is a communicant, and fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His political views coincide with the principles of the republican party, but in local elections he often casts an independent ballot, giving his sup- port to such men and measures as he deems best qualified to subserve the highest interests of the community.
MICHAEL H. RYAN.
Michael H. Ryan, was born upon a farm in Eden township and has never left his native district nor his father's farm. He has been identified with agricultural interests of Fond du Lac county since attaining his majority and even in his youth was intimately acquainted with the methods and details connected with the culti- vation of the soil., He was born October 17, 1861, on his father's farm in Eden township, and is a son of Martin and Helen (McCann) Ryan, both natives of Ireland. Martin Ryan was educated in his native country and crossed the Atlantic to America in his early manhood. He remained two or three years in New York state and his marriage occurred at Troy. In 1847 he came with his wife to Fond du Lac county, locating in Eden township. There he spent the most of the re- maining years of his life engaged in agricultural pursuits, but retired from farm life a few years before his demise and gave over the management of his farm to his son Michael. He spent some years previous to his death as a resident of Eden and Campbellsport and passed away on the 4th of November, 1885, at the age of eighty-four years. His wife is still living and makes her home upon the family farm with the subject of this review.
Michael Ryan was educated in the district schools of his native township. He spent his early life assisting in the work of the farm and his manhood has been entirely devoted to the cultivation and improvement of the paternal acres. He has made extensive improvements during the time of his occupancy, has built modern and well equipped barns and has planted his farm in accordance with the most improved agricultural formulas. His energy and enterprise in the con- duct of his agricultural activities and his genial and kindly nature have gained for him many friends and have placed him in a prominent and representative position in the community life. He gives his allegiance to the republican party but has never held nor sought public office. He is a devout member of the Cath- olic church and his religion influences and beautifies his life.
FRED BABCOCK.
Fred Babcock, who for the past seven years has been engaged in the imple- ment business in Ripon, is one of the town's native sons, his birth having occurred on the 7th of December, 1858. He is a son of Ezekiel and Elvira (Smith) Bab- cock, natives of the state of New York, whence they came to Ripon in 1852. where they were later married. The mother accompanied her father, David Smith, who purchased some land in this vicinity which he cultivated for many years. He subsequently removed to Oasia, this state, where he was residing at the time of his death. The paternal grandfather, Joseph Babcock, who was a
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farmer and a veteran of the War of 1812, passed his entire life in the state of New York. Upon his arrival in this county in 1852, Ezekiel Babcock purchased one hundred acres of government land for which he paid two dollars and a half per acre. He engaged in the cultivation of his farm until he died on April 16, 1905. He had long survived the mother, whose death occurred on the 16th of March, 1886. Our subject is the youngest in a family of three, the two elder members of which, Blanche and Frank, are both deceased. The father was one of the well known pioneers of Fond du Lac county and always took an active interest in all political affairs, giving his support to the republican party. He served as chairman of the town board and was a member of the assembly in 1881 and 1882. His fraternal connections were confined to his membership in the Masonic order.
Fred Babcock obtained his education in the public schools and Ripon College, having been a student in the latter institution for two terms. Having been reared on a farm he was early trained to the duties of the agriculturist, and devoted his energies to this vocation until 1905, when he withdrew from the work of the fields and turned his attention to commercial activities. He is agent for the John Deere line of farming implements, in connection with which he also car- ries buggies, harness, fences, sewing machines and a large variety of mechanical devices and appliances of different kinds needed by the agriculturist. His famil- iarity with general farming and extensive acquaintance among the country popu- lace have been of inestimable value to him in the upbuilding of the excellent patronage he now enjoys. Mr. Babcock is numbered among the substantial citi- zens and prosperous business men of the town. He owns a valuable and highly cultivated farm of two hundred and twenty acres in Ripon township in addition to realty interests elsewhere in the state.
On the 20th of March, 1886, Mr. Babcock was married to Miss Myra Corliss, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Corliss, and to them have been born two chil- dren : Blanche, who died at the age of two and a half years; and Avis, who is at home.
Fraternally Mr. Babcock is identified with the Masonic order, in which he has attained the rank of the commandery, and he and Mrs. Babcock hold mem- bership in the Order of the Eastern Star. His political allegiance he gives to the republican party and has served both as assessor and chairman of the town- ship. He is one of the town's estimable citizens, and is a worthy representative of an honored pioneer family, the members of which have for more than sixty years cooperated in forwarding the progress and development of the community.
FRANK HUCK.
By able and efficient management and by a systematic study of modern agri- cultural conditions Frank Huck has developed eighty acres of fertile Wisconsin land, of which he is the owner, into a productive and prosperous farm. He was born in the township of Empire, Fond du Lac county, May 18, 1866, and is the son of Charles and Catherine (Reikley) Huck, both natives of Germany. The father's birth occurred in that country in 1835 and his wife was born six years later, in 1841. He crossed the Atlantic to America in 1856 and settled in Empire township, Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, where he purchased a farm. A few years later he sold his original holdings and bought the land which he improved and operated until the time of his death, in March, 1912. He was one of the most prominent of the German residents of this section and was a leading and valued member of St. Mary's Catholic church. He was prominent in political affairs of the district for many years and served as supervisor with ability and efficiency. His widow still survives him and resides in Eden township. To them eight chil-
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dren were born: John, who died in infancy; Amelia; Frank; George; Charles; Henry; John II; and Mary, the wife of Eugene Bannon, of Campbellsport, and the mother of one child, Iolene Catherine, whose birth occurred January 24, 1909.
The public schools afforded Frank Huck his early educational opportunities. During his leisure hours he assisted his father in the work of the farm and became thoroughly acquainted with the most efficient methods of cultivating the soil. When he reached the age of twenty-two years he worked out for two summers in the employ of others and was then able to rent a farm near Eden, where he lived until 1904. He is a progressive, energetic and thoroughly intelligent agri- culturist and his efforts in the employ of others were so remunerative that in 1904 he was able to buy his present farm of eighty acres. He has greatly improved his holdings and under his direction and control a comparatively un- developed tract of land has been transformed into one of the most productive and fertile farms in Fond du Lac county.
In 1896 Mr. Huck was united in marriage to Miss Louise Seybold, a daughter of Joseph Seybold, a prominent resident of Eden. To them have been born two children : Violet, born November 20, 1900; and Margaret, born January 22, 1903. Politically Mr. Huck gives his allegiance to the democratic party on national issues but prefers to keep himself independent in local affairs. He votes for the man and not the party and while he takes an intelligent interest in the welfare of his community, has never sought office for himself. He is a devout adherent of the Roman Catholic faith and is a regular attendant of St. Mary's church of Eden. The progressive and enterprising way in which he has carried on his farming, his intelligent interest in modern and advanced methods and his un- doubted success in the cultivation of the soil have gained him a prominent place among his fellow citizens. He brings to his activities in his chosen walk of life a broad knowledge of the details of farming and advanced ideas regarding the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the grain and stock. His ener- getic and industrious career has been rewarded by a gratifying degree of suc- cess and he is today ranked among the best known and representative agriculturists in Fond du Lac county.
HENRY OTTERY.
Henry Ottery is one of the progressive and representative farmers of Empire township and members of his family have been active in the agricultural and business development of Fond du Lac county for three generations. The line was founded in America by George Ottery, the grandfather of our subject, whose birth occurred in England and who came to the United States in the early '50s. His first settlement was made in New York and in that state he remained for about one year. He subsequently came to Wisconsin where he settled in Forest township, Fond du Lac county, on a farm. He developed his holdings and built a log cabin upon his property and was successful in the cultivation of the soil until 1882. In that year he bought a farm on which his grandson Henry is now residing and made his home in Empire township until 1894. He lost his sight in that year and was consequently obliged to retire from active life. He moved to the city of Fond du Lac where he lived until his death in 1907 when he was ninety years of age. His long life in America had been actively identified with agricultural interests and was an influential factor in the development of Fond du Lac county. His death removed from this district an enterprising and representative citizen whose traditions of honorable activity in the cultivation of the soil were carried on by his son Edwin James Ottery, the father of our subject. He came into possession of his father's land upon the latter's retire- ment in 1894 and here he lived for ten years, operating the farm and improving
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the soil until 1904. Although he was successful as an agriculturist Edwin James Ottery had always a leaning for commercial life and he subsequently removed to the city of Fond du Lac and engaged in the farm machine business in partner- ship with Mathew Hennen, under the firm name of Hennen & Ottery. This enterprise proved exceedingly successful and developed into a large industrial in- stitution. At the end of three years Edwin Ottery bought out Mr. Hennen's in- terest and sold a share of the business to Mr. Emil Miritz and the enterprise is still operating under the name of Miritz & Ottery. Edwin Ottery has always been interested in education and has held several offices in this line during most of his active career. He has done efficient work in a public capacity and has made his life count in a developing and expanding way in the promotion of mod- ern ideas of public education. He was at different times in his career director and treasurer of the school board and has held many township offices, such as chairman, treasurer and clerk. He married in 1880 Miss Georgia Wright, of Empire township and Henry Ottery, the subject of this sketch, is one of the three children born to their union.
Henry Ottery's birth occurred on June 28, 1885. He was reared upon the farm and received his education in the district schools of Empire township. This foundation was later supplemented by a course in the Fond du Lac high school and by one term in a business college. Henry Ottery had at this period in his career an ambition along commercial lines but after three years' activity in business in Fond du Lac his services were required upon the home farm and in 1907 he returned to Empire township, rented his father's holdings and has been active in their development and improvement since that time. He is a modern and progressive farmer bringing to his vocation a thorough knowledge of the scientific development of the methods of operation and an intelligent activity in the various departments of agriculture. He has been successful by reason of his common sense and practical knowledge and his prosperity has been a distinct addition to the resources of Empire township.
On November 25, 1907, Mr. Ottery was united in marriage to Miss Emma Glasow, a daughter of William and Lena (Holly) Glasow. Mrs. Ottery is of German descent and her birth occurred in the city of Fond du Lac. Mr. and Mrs. Ottery have two children: Edwin and George Henry, both of whom are at home. In his political views Mr. Ottery is a consistent republican and while he never seeks public office he has yet done efficient work as township supervisor which position he held from 1909 to 1911. He is a member of the German Lutheran church and well known in church circles. He has accomplished his public service as sincerely and as earnestly as he has performed the duties in connection with his vocation and his career has reflected credit upon his native section and brought prosperity to him.
ANTHONY REHORST.
Intelligent activity is a sure basis of success in any occupation and it is to his possession of this quality as a prominent factor in his character that Anthony Rehorst owes his present prosperity. He has operated a farm in Fond du Lac county near Eden for a number of years and is one of the best known agricul- turists in this district. He was born in Walworth county, in the southern part of the state of Wisconsin, on the 4th of December, 1847, and is a son of Theo- dore and Anne (Ossendorf) Rehorst, both natives of Germany. His parents were married in their native country and came to America in 1841, bringing with them their oldest son John, who later lost his life in the Civil war. The father settled first in Walworth county and here his family resided until 1856. He bought a tract of land there and actively engaged in its cultivation during
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the period of his residence thereon. He cleared and developed the land and afterward built a large farmhouse upon it in which he lived until the time of his death, September 13, 1895, while in his eighty-fifth year. His wife's death had long preceded his and occurred in 1888, when she was sixty-eight years old.
Anthony Rehorst was one of seven children. He received his early educa- tion in a little log schoolhouse in the neighborhood of his father's farm near Eden. He was reared at home and was familiar with the details of farm life at an early age. He worked upon his father's holdings during his youth and early manhood and it was not until he was thirty-six years of age that he pur- chased the interests of his brothers and sisters in the home farm and began its management for himself. He has been identified with agricultural interests in the vicinity of Eden all during his active life. He has made many improve- ments upon his property, has erected modern barns and outbuildings and has operated his holdings along the most approved agricultural principles.
On January 1, 1874, Mr. Rehorst was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Conley, a native of New York state and a daughter of Patrick and Katherine Conley, who came from Ireland in 1857 and settled for a short time in New York. They later removed to Wisconsin and located in Eden. To Mr. and Mrs. Rehorst have been born six children, four of whom are still living, Frank, George, John and Albert. Clara and Emma are deceased. Frank is an oper- ator in the Eden telegraph station, George is a clerk in the Milwaukee post- office, and Albert is residing at home. John spent two years at the University of Valparaiso, Indiana, and was graduated with the degree of M. D. from Mar- quette University, Milwaukee, in 1911, after which he removed to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he is now engaged in St. Joseph's Hospital.
Anthony Rehorst gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He has served as town assessor of Eden for two years and has recently closed a long period of service as clerk of the school district. He belongs to St. James' Catholic church of Eden and is an active worker in its behalf. He is one of the substantial and enterprising citizens of Fond du Lac county and his life's labor has been valuable to its development.
HENRY PFEIFER.
Henry Pfeifer is cultivating eighty acres of productive soil in Empire township and has been so engaged since he was twenty-one years of age. He is practical in his methods and consequently successful, and he has gained a com- fortable degree of prosperity and a growing prominence among his fellow citi- zens. He was born September 13, 1883, in Forest township and is a son of John and Margaret (Seibel) Pfeifer. His father was a native of Germany who came to the United States when he was seventeen years of age, settling at once in Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin. He brought to his career in the new world sturdy virtues of thrift and industry as a national inheritance. He had but little money upon his landing but has now attained a comfortable competency. In the early days of settlement in Wisconsin he worked upon the farms of Fond du Lac county in the summer, being employed by the month. The winters he spent in the copper mines of this section and spent his early manhood in hard and poorly paid labor. He was, however, industrious and economical and was eventually able to buy a tract of land in the township of Forest. It was in 1875 that he made his first purchase and he is now living upon the property bought at this time and is recognized throughout Fond du Lac county as a substantial and representa- tive citizen. He married in Wisconsin, Miss Margaret Seibel, whose father came from Germany at an early day and settled in Empire where his daughter was born. Mr. and Mrs. John Pfeifer reside upon their farm in Forest township.
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Henry Pfeifer is one of five children. His birth occurred on his father's homestead September 13, 1883, and his education was acquired in the district schools of Fond du Lac county. His early youth was spent in assisting his father in the labor of the farm and in gaining a practical working knowledge of the details of agriculture. When he was seventeen years of age he left home and went to Fond du Lac where he worked in the shops of the Wisconsin Central Railroad and was also active in mercantile lines for several years. When he had attained his majority he returned to Empire, buying eighty acres of land in that township and began his agricultural career. He was successful from the beginning and his present prosperity is based on continuous endeavor along de- veloping lines. He added to his holdings in 1909 forty acres adjoining his original property and his farm then comprised one hundred and twenty acres, of which he has since sold forty acres.
In 1905 Mr. Pfeifer was united in marriage to Miss Grace Galligan, a daugh- ter of Seymour and Ann Galligan of Osceola, Wisconsin. To Mr. and Mrs. Pfeifer have been born two children, Myron and Raymond, living at home.
Mr. Pfeifer gives his allegiance to the republican party and keeps himself well informed on questions of the day. He is serving as town treasurer of Empire township to which office he was elected in 1910 and during the two years of his identification with this position has made a record for himself for honesty and efficiency in the service of the people. He is one of the representative agricul- turists of Fond du Lac county and his success, based upon integrity and scientific knowledge has been distinct and substantial since the beginning of his career.
GEORGE H. WILLIE.
George H. Willie is a prominent contractor in the city of Fond du Lac and is well known throughout the county as an able, conscientious and artistic worker. He is a native of Wisconsin, born in Fond du Lac, February 10, 1867. His par- ents were John Henry and Elizabeth Catharine (Von Heine) Willie. His father was born in Hessen, Germany, January 17, 1835. He came to America, arriving at New York, May 7, 1855. After a short period of residence in that city he went to Chicago, Illinois, where he married Miss Elizabeth von Heine on Oc- tober 29, 1863, the Rev. Keuchen of the German Lutheran church performing the ceremony. She was born in Hanover, Germany, March 3, 1843. She came. to America in the fall of 1857 and landed in New Orleans where she remained for one year. In 1858 she came to Chicago and there later met Mr. Willie. John Henry Willie spent ten years in Chicago and at the end of that period came with his wife to Fond du Lac, arriving on the day President Lincoln was assas- sinated. They were the parents of six children: Emma Marie, born November 25, 1864, who married Thomas Warren, November 19, 1890; George Henry, the subject of this sketch; Edward John, whose birth occurred December 14, 1870; John August, born January 13, 1874, who married Miss Anna Roselia Jahn, July 22, 1901; Frank Christopher, born August 5, 1877; and Charles Frederick, born November 12, 1881, who married Roselia Augusta Jahn, December 27, 19II.
George H. Willie was educated in district school No. 2, Fond du Lac town- ship and pursued his studies until he was eighteen years of age. He laid aside his books to work upon a farm and remained there until he was twenty-two years of age. In 1889 he gave up agricultural work to learn the painting and paper hanging business and in this work he continued for eleven years. He later learned the carpenter's trade which he followed for a short time and then took up his present occupation of contracting and building. He is one of the most prominent men in his field of labor in Fond du Lac county. He brings to his occupation an original ability which is a valuable asset to him in his business.
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He is his own draftsman and he plans and designs all the work which he does. His conspicuous ability along this line has gained him many patrons and he has built some of the finest residences and. office structures in Fond du Lac county. In the course of his career he has accumulated a comfortable fortune which he has invested judiciously in local enterprises. He owns three residences and several building lots in the city of Fond du Lac and also holds title to eighty acres of timber land in Oneida county, Wisconsin. His rise has been rapid and his success has been remarkable since he entered the contracting busi- ness. He is today one of the substantial and prosperous men of the city of Fond du Lac and is well known as one whose cooperation can be counted on in any movement to promote the welfare of his section.
On February 26, 1900, George H. Willie was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Jane Hounsell, a daughter of Samuel and Mary A. (Goding) Hounsell, residents of Fond du Lac. Mr. and Mrs. Hounsell recently celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. Their history extends back to pioneer times in Wisconsin. Mr. Hounsell was born in England, August 9, 1837, and came to America when he was ten years of age. In the fall of 1847 his parents landed in Southport, now Kenosha, Wisconsin, and in the following year Mr. Hounsell went to work on a farm near Salem. His early history is full of interesting experiences inseparably connected with the growth and development of a new region. He early became familiar with the hardships incident to a life in a log cabin and with Indian depredations. In 1856 he bought eighty acres of land in Crawford county and this he improved and operated for some time. Mr. Hounsell is a stanch republican and has been connected with that party since he cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. He and his wife are numbered among the most prominent residents of Fond du Lac where they have many friends and are well known in social circles.
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