USA > Wisconsin > Brown County > History of Brown County, Wisconsin, past and present, Volume II > Part 17
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49
HENRY VICTOR FABRY.
Henry Victor Fabry is a member of the Fabry Construction & Con- tracting Company of Green Bay and is thus a well known representative of industrial activity here. Honored and respected by all, no man occupies a more enviable position in business circles, not alone by reason of the success he has achieved but also owing to the straightforward and honor- able business policy he has ever followed. The company of which he is now a partner is operating more extensively than any other contracting company in northern Wisconsin and their high standing is indicated in the important nature of their work.
Henry V. Fabry was born in Green Bay, May 27, 1891, the only son in a family of four children, the others being Celia, Angelina and Virginia Fabry. His educational opportunities were those afforded by the public schools and when seventeen years of age he began working with his father, acquainting himself with every phase of carpentering in principle and detail. He thus qualified for the onerous duties that now devolve upon him and the responsibilities which have come to him since joining his father in their present partnership relation under the firm style of the Fabry Construction & Contracting Company. They are now among the largest builders in northern Wisconsin, employing on an average of forty- five men. Contracts of all kinds are awarded them and their building
182
HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
operations have covered a wide territory, while the evidences of their skill and handiwork are seen in some of the finest structures in this part of the state.
On the 6th of September, 1911, Henry V. Fabry was united in marriage to Miss Ida Eugenie Barrett, who was born in Green Bay in 1893, a daugh- ter of August and Josephine (Joachim) Barrett, the former a carpenter of Green Bay. Mrs. Barrett was a native of Belgium and came with her parents to the new world in early life. In the Barrett family were two sons and two daughters.
Mr. and Mrs. Fabry are numbered among the popular young people of Green Bay and theirs is a hospitable home, where good cheer abounds. They were both reared in the Catholic church. While interested in public affairs to the extent of giving hearty support to matters relating to municipal welfare, Mr. Fabry does not take an active part in politics. On the con- trary, he prefers concentrating his energies upon his business activities and, while he had the good fortune to enter upon a business established by his father, he has done much to further the relations of the firm and to his work brings practical knowledge, based upon actual activity in build- ing operations. His industry and determination falter not before obstacles and difficulties and the force of his character, combined with laudable ambition, has placed him in the prominent position which he now occupies.
JOSEPH H. SERVOTTE.
Joseph H. Servotte, a prominent contractor and builder in Green Bay, Wisconsin, carries on a business inaugurated by his father who was a pioneer carpenter in the early days of the city. He has added to the sub- stantial methods of building learned under his father's direction the new and artistic features of a more modern school and has contributed his share to the municipal beautification. He maintains his office and resi- dence at 638 South Van Buren street.
Mr. Servotte was born in the town of Lincoln, Door county, Wiscon- sin, March 17, 1862. He is of Belgian ancestry, his parents, Guillaume and Victoria (DeMaife) Servotte, having been born and married in the province of Brabant, Belgium. They came to America with two chil- dren about 1855 and the father followed the trade of carpentering in Green Bay for a short period before he removed to Door county. There he farmed with much success for seven or eight years but later again took up his residence in Green Bay, where he engaged in building and became one of the prominent representatives of his trade in the city. He was con- nected with building operations and erected some of the first residences in Green Bay, building the old home of Senator Howe and many other dwell- ings. He has also built many of the brick business blocks on Main and Washington streets. He died on July 21, 1887, at the age of seventy- three years, having long survived his wife who passed away in October. 1865. In his chosen profession Joseph H. Servotte has followed closely
JOSEPH H. SERVOTTE
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY 1
AUTOR, LEADX IND TKOŁA FOUNDATION
185
HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
in the footsteps of his father and built up a flourishing business, in the conduct of which his own enterprise and ambition have combined with his father's well known reputation to gain for him an enviable degree of success and prosperity. He was educated in the common schools of Green Bay and is one of the three surviving children born to his parents. His brother, Ernest W. Servotte, is also a carpenter and builder residing in Green Bay, and his sister Julia, the widow of Emil Brosteau, makes her home in the same city.
Joseph H. Servotte learned the carpenter's trade with his father and early determined to make the profession of building his life work. He entered the employ of Adolph Green, with whom he spent a short time before he became identified with the firm of Kendall & Robb, prominent builders of Green Bay. When his father died in 1887 Mr. Servotte started in business with his brother under the firm name of E. W. & Joseph HI. Servotte, builders and contractors. In 1906 he was appointed assistant manager of the Green Bay Planing Mill Company and after three years was promoted to the position of acting manager. He was an influential factor in the growth and expansion of that enterprise and under his direc- tion and control the concern gained a degree of success which it had not met before. Mr. Servotte, however, preferred an independent business life and on January 1, 1912, sold his interest in the Green Bay Planing Mill Company and severed his connection with that concern. 'He took up his former business of contracting and building and soon gained a large clientage. His prosperity is due entirely to his prominence in the build- ing line and to his undoubted talent and skill. The first contracts which he secured were the construction of the new Howe sale school at Green Bay, which plans called for a fifty-seven thousand dollar institution, and also the new Adams House for $21,000. These figures were exclusive of heating and plumbing.
From 1888 to 1906 Mr. Servotte was identified with the erection of some of the most important buildings in Green Bay, erecting the Polish monastery and the addition to Joannes Brothers wholesale grocery house, and to a portion of the Beaumont Hotel and St. Joseph's Academy. He erected St. Patrick's school and many of the finest and most handsome residences in the city. He is especially proud of the J. A. Jordan dwelling which was the first frame residence in Green Bay to be equipped with slate roof. The honies belonging to Thomas and Mitchell Joannes, A. M. Mur- phy, W. E. Kellogg, Captain Peterson and Mrs. W. O. Stone are all prod- ucts of his professional skill. He is one of the most prominent builders in Green Bay today and his undoubted efficiency secured his appointment as a member of the building committee which erected the new courthouse. He was also an influential factor in the erection of St. John's church and was on the building committee of that institution. He is identified with many societies relating to his chosen field of endeavor, and as president of the Brown County Building & Loan Association has done able and efficient work. He is a director of the Union Building & Loan Association and in this capacity has aided many of the less prosperous citizens of Green Bay in securing homes of their own.
186
HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
In 1891 Mr. Servotte was united in marriage to Miss Mary Teresa Lefebvre, a daughter of John B. and Albertina Lefebvre of Green Bay, who celebrated their golden wedding a few years ago and now live with our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Servotte have three children: Agnes, now in her junior year at St. Joseph's Academy; Josephine, who also attends that institution ; and William J., who is pursuing his primary education. The family residence is at 638 South Van Buren street.
Politically Mr. Servotte gives his allegiance to the republican party. He has served as alderman of his ward for three years and as county su- pervisor for the same ward for twelve years. At a supervisors' meeting on November 15, 1912, Mr. Servotte was elected one of the trustees of the Brown County Insane Asylum for a period of three years.
Fraternally he belongs to Green Bay Lodge, No. 259, B. P. O. E., and is trustee of the local organization of the Knights of Columbus, which position he has held since 1906. He has held the same office since 1909 in the Supreme Council, National Fraternal League of Green Bay and be- longs to the Green Bay Council, Royal Arcanum. He is a director in the bank of Green Bay, but this is his only business affiliation of importance outside of his building interests. IIe is a member of the Catholic church.
Green Bay is one of the beautiful cities of Wisconsin. It is platted and designed with an eye to harmonious relations. It has many fine old residences and numerous, convenient and artistic new ones. Its business districts, rapidly growing and expanding, can be favorably compared with most cities, and its public buildings are well designed, planned and built. As a builder who has done distinctive work along these lines, Mr. Ser- votte is regarded as in a measure responsible for some of this beauty and expansion, and the buildings upon which he has worked stand as monu- ments to his skill.
ERNEST JOSEPH LA TOUR.
Ernest Joseph La Tour is proprietor of the Richmond Sanitary Clothes Cleaning Shop and Tailoring Establishment, French dry cleaners and dyers of Green Bay. This business is conducted along modern and progressive lines and the excellence of the work done insures his continued patronage and success. Mr. La Tour is a native of South Dakota, born October 21, 1889. His father, Joseph La Tour, is a gardener now living in Preble township, this county, at the age of fifty-six years. He came to America with his parents when seventeen years of age, the family home being established at Brussels, Wisconsin, where the grandfather, Malcolm La Tour, followed farming to the time of his death. Joseph La Tour was reared to that occupation, which he followed for some years and also . worked in a sawmill. Subsequently he removed with his family to South Dakota, where he carried on agricultural pursuits for nine years and then returned to Wisconsin, taking up his abode in Preble township, Brown county, where he is engaged in gardening, his products because of their size and excellence finding a ready sale on the market. His wife. who
187
HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
bore the maiden name of Marie Geniesse is a native of Kewaunee county, Wisconsin, and is still living. In their family were nine children: Leona, the wife of E. Looze, of Beloit, Wisconsin; Rachel, the wife of A. Libert, of Green Bay; Louisa, the wife of A. Lentz, of Beloit; Ernest J .; Homer, of Green Bay; Jeanette, Sarah, Fanny and Joshua, all at home.
In his boyhood days Ernest J. La Tour attended the public schools and when he started out in life learned the tailor's trade, with which he was connected for six years. He next engaged in the grocery business in Green Bay and ultimately became associated with the Richmond Sanitary Clothes Cleaning Shop and Tailoring Establishment, French dry cleaners and dyers. This business was organized in 1911 and is being successfully conducted under the management of Mr. La Tour, who is the proprietor. The work is done according to the most scientific sanitary methods and he has built up the largest cleaning and clothes pressing establishment in the city, his success being attributable to excellent work and honorable business methods.
On the 27th of August, 1912, Mr. La Tour was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Watermolen, who was born in Green Bay, October 6, 1891, and is a daughter of Henry and Theresa Watermolen, in whose family were three children: John, of Green Bay; Jennie, the wife of Warren Spofford, of this city; and Mrs. La Tour. The last named was reared in the Catholic faith, as was her husband, and to its teachings they have ever been loyal. He is an enterprising and progressive young business man, well known, and his ambition and energy are bringing to him a gratifying measure of success.
EDWARD J. ALLEN.
Edward J. Allen is proprietor of the Green Bay House, one of the oldest hotels of the city, of which he has had charge since 1911. He was born August 6, 1877, in the Bay Settlement of Wisconsin, a son of Philip Allen, a native of Belgium, now living in Preble township, Brown county. The father was brought to America when seven years of age by his par- ents, who took up their abode in Humboldt township, this county, but afterward removed to Preble township, where the grandfather long fol- lowed farming. Philip Allen was reared to general agricultural pursuits and after attaining his majority wedded Mary Dart, also a native of Belgium, who was brought to this country when a year old by her parents, Philip and Wilhelmina Dart, who established their home in Robinsonville, Wisconsin, where Mr. Dart followed farming. Philip and Mary Allen became the parents of ten children: Charles, now living in Preble town- ship; Julia, the wife of T. Berceau, of Green Bay; Joseph, also of this city ; Edward J .; August, of Milwaukee ; Flora, the wife of Florian Disteal, of Green Bay; Rosa, the wife of Isaac Sprudel; Anna, the wife of Joseph Joshart, of Green Bay; Julius and Harry, both of Preble township.
Edward J. Allen is a self-made man, having started out in life on his own account when a lad of thirteen years. He made his initial step in the
188
HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
business world as an employe in a sawmill in this city and later he was connected with the Ebeling flour mill for three years. He afterward worked for three years in the Nejedlo grocery store and also spent a similar period with the Heis Milling Company. He was also with the wholesale grocery house of Joannes Brothers for nine years and thus gradually worked his way upward, each change made indicating an advanced step in the business world. At length he opened his present hotel, called the Green Bay House, thus becoming proprietor of one of the oldest established hostelries of the city. It is well equipped and his patronage is now large and gratifying.
Mr. Allen was united in marriage to Miss Flora Simonet, who was born in Belgium in 1875 and was a little maiden of seven summers when brought by her parents, Emanuel and Catherine (Dart) Simonet, to the United States, her father becoming a farmer in the vicinity of Green Bay. Mr. and Mrs. Allen have become parents of four children: Clarence, born September 26, 1899: Arthur, January 24, 1901; Edwin, April 23, 1902; and Norbert, February 7. 1912.
Edward J. Allen was reared in the Catholic church, to which he has always adhered. He has membership with the Catholic Knights of Green Bay and his entire life has been passed in this city or section of the state, so that he has a wide acquaintance. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, for he started out in life empty handed and only by persistent, earnest labor has he reached the position which he now occu- pies in the business circles of the city.
OLIVER LA PLANT.
The pioneers in Wisconsin and the men who were born and reared in the state in pioneer times are the men to whom credit is due for the es- tablishment, development and upbuilding of one of the most fertile farm- ing sections in America. By their labors and efforts in the early days they founded a commonwealth and blazed the way for coming generations. Among the great individual forces in the accomplishment of this work may be mentioned Oliver La Plant, a native of Brown county and the son of one of the very earliest settlers in Scott township. For over half a century he has been prominently identified with agricultural interests of this section and at the age of seventy-two has in no way lessened his activ- ities or usefulness. During all these years he has evolved a model farm from a tract of timber land and has spent his entire life in the further de- velopment and improvement of his property, so that his labors have been constantly constructive and of general value. He has also another claim to honor and respect because he is a veteran of the Civil war.
Mr. La Plant was born on his father's farm in Scott township, April 5, 1840, and is a son of John and Katherine (Bandwine) La Plant. The father was born near Montreal, in the province of Quebec, Canada, and came to the United States in 1836, settling in Wisconsin among the very
A
OLIVER LA PLANT
THE NEW YORE PUBLIC LIBRARY
MIJA, LENOX ANE
191
HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
earliest settlers. He took up a tract of land in Scott township, which he cleared, developed and improved for a number of years. Upon it he built a log cabin and resided in it while he carried forward the work of cultiva- tion. Upon this farm he passed away at the age of sixty, when Mr. La Plant of this review was only twelve years of age. His widow afterward mar- ried Henry Laendry. She died in 1880, when she was sixty-one years of age.
Oliver La Plant is one of a family of eight children. His childhood was spent upon his father's farm and he received a limited education in the public schools of the district. When he was twenty-one years of age he offered liis services in defense of the Union as a member of Company F, Thirty-second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and he served with credit and distinction until the close of the war. He marched with Sherman through Georgia to Savannah and was honorably discharged at the close of hostilities. After he was mustered out he returned to Wisconsin and when he was twenty-eight years of age bought twenty acres of undeveloped land. With characteristic energy he cleared the timber, built a log cabin and de- veloped and improved his holdings for some time. Eventually, however, he sold this property and bought the home farm of eighty acres which he lias cultivated ever since. From time to time he made improvements and changes, added barns and outbuildings, and in 1887 erected a fine modern · brick house and equipped it with all the necessary conveniences and acces- sories. For over fifty years the work of development has been steadily carried forward along practical and systematic lines, and the property shows the result of care and labor in its excellent condition.
Mr. La Plant married in 1865 Miss Mary Champo, and they became the parents of twelve children, ten of whom are still living, namely: Odeal. Martha, Rosanne, Fabian, Edward, Moses, Oliver, Mary Anne, McClaire and Margaret. The family are devout adherents of the Holy Cross Catho- lic church. It is to men like Mr. La Plant, who faced the hardships and privations of pioneer life that Wisconsin owes its present wealth and pros- perity. At seventy-two he has earned retirement but is yet laboring, inter- ested still in the work of development begun when he was a boy. His pros- perity has been great and it has an added importance as a contributing fac- tor in general growth, so that his life has been more than individually use- ful and valuable.
JOSEPH HERMAN BINS.
Joseph Herman Bins, engaged in general blacksmithing at Green Bay, was born in Humboldt township, Brown county, May 5, 1870. His father, John Bins, was born in the district of the Mosel, Germany, and is now living in Green Bay at the ripe old age of seventy-five years. He came to America with his parents when twenty years of age, the family settling at Green Bay, where they were among the first German residents. The grandfather purchased a tract of land in Preble township and followed
192
HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
farming throughout the remainder of his life. John Bins assisted his father in the cultivation and development of the old home place up to the time of his marriage. During the Civil war he joined the army, serv- ing for three years, after which he became ill and was discharged. He then returned to Green Bay and purchased a farm. At the same time he and his brother entered the lumber woods, where he worked through the winter months, making his home in Humboldt township. As time passed on, he became recognized as one of the substantial and worthy residents of that locality, where he lived until 1902, when with a comfortable com- petence gained through earnest labor he retired. He had wedded Mary Simmons and to them were born six children, of whom three are living, namely : Joseph H .; Anton, who occupies the old home place ; and Mrs. Florence Shmits, living in Green Bay.
Joseph H. Bins is indebted to the public school for the educational privileges he enjoyed and when his school days were over he worked with his father until he reached the age of sixteen years, when he began learning the blacksmith's trade at New Franken, Wisconsin. He came to Green Bay with Joergen Hanson and was associated in business with him for two years on Broadway. He was again upon the home farm for a brief period and later established a blacksmith shop in this city. He followed black- smithing and other trades to the time of his marriage. after which he con- centrated his energies upon the work of the smithy, opening a shop at Bay Settlement, Wisconsin, where he continued for five and a half years. He next returned to Green Bay and since 1898 has conducted his shop on Broadway, carrying on general blacksmithing, horseshoeing and repairing. His work is of excellent quality and his industry and enterprise are the source of growing and substantial success.
Mr. Bins was married to Kollett Gilling, who was born in Belgium and was seven years of age when brought to America by her parents, Francis and Mary Gilling, the former a dealer in produce. Mrs. Bins was born October 22, 1872, and by her marriage has become the mother of six children: Flossie Mary, seventeen years of age; Grace, sixteen: Elsie, fourteen; Walter Francis, thirteen; Amanda, eleven; and Eleanora, seven years of age. Mr. Bins was reared in the Catholic church and is a mem- ber of the Holy Name Society. He also belongs to the Royal Arcanum and in politics is independent. He is a well known representative of indus- trial activity here, and energy and determination have been the basis of whatever success he has enjoyed.
RENE A. M. VAN CROMBRUGGE.
René A. M. Van Crombrugge, consul for Belgium at Green Bay, with consular jurisdiction over the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin, was born at St. Josse-Ten-Noode, Brussels, Belgium. April 29, 1880, a son of Victor and Catherine (Vander Smissen) Van Crombrugge, the former a retired postmaster of Brussels. In the pursuit of his education in his native
-
193
HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
city R. A. M. Van Crombrugge attended the Athenee Royal d'Ixelles and was graduated on the 31st of July. 1897. He became connected with a stockbroker's office, in which he spent five years, and was an employe in one of the largest banks of Brussels for six years. He has been a resident of the United States since January 26, 1907, the date of his arrival in New York. He was employed as bookkeeper by the Joannes Brothers Company, wholesale grocers of Green Bay, Wisconsin, until May, 1912. He then went on a visit to Belgium, from May, 1912, until August 15. Leaving the Joannes Brothers Company he joined the Carpenter Cook Company, whole- sale grocers at Menominee, Michigan, as salesman, with residence at Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Ere coming to the new world Mr. Van Crombrugge was married in Brussels on the 12th of August, 1905, to Melanie Hortense de Moor, a daughter of Jacques and Hortense De Raeve. The children of this mar- riage are Georgette, Lucien and Prudence.
Mr. Van Crombrugge holds to the political policy advocated by the progressive party, being liberal in his views to the extent of advocating independent action when the announced policy of any party stops short of improvement. He is a man of scholarly tastes and habits who speaks and writes the English, French, Flemish and German languages fluently and is largely conversant with the best literature of various countries. He is now concentrating his energies upon his consular duties and since his appointment on the 30th of July, 1909. has given his attention to the interests of his country and her people in the states of Minnesota and Wis- consin, with offices at Green Bay.
FRANK L. GABRYSZEK.
Frank L. Gabryszek, one of the promising young business men of Green Bay who is rapidly becoming prominent in local politics, is a native of Brown county, having been born in Poland, Eaton township, on the 3d of September, 1882. He is a son of Stanislaus and Catherine (Gniotowski) Gabryszek, natives of Poland in Germany. His father was born in Mroczau, Posen province, October 16, 1847, and came to America about the year 1870, settling immediately in Brown county, Wisconsin. Here he worked in a sawmill although he had learned the baker's trade. Later he spent three years in Menominee, Michigan, and upon his return to Wisconsin settled upon his farm in Eaton. After five years he removed to a farm in Flintville. Wisconsin, where he lived four years. Then he moved to Green Bay, where he passed away in 1907. His wife still survives and makes her home with the subject of this review. In their family were six chil- dren: Julius, who resides in Milwaukee; Louis and Walter, who make their home in Green Bay; Frank L., the subject of this review; Edward, of Green Bay; and Joseph, who is attending school in St. Paul, Minnesota.
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.