USA > Wisconsin > Brown County > History of Brown County, Wisconsin, past and present, Volume II > Part 20
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
REV. MAX HENSEL.
The work of the Rev. Max Hensel counted with the moral forces which have had to do with the development and progress of Wisconsin. Nature endowed him with keen mentality and he wisely and worthily used the talents that were given him. He was born in Germany and during his infancy was brought to the United States by his parents, who established the family home in Milwaukee, where he was reared and educated, sup- plementing his high school course by study in a seminary. Liberal educa- tional training well qualified him for the life work to which he ever devoted his energies. He became a Lutheran minister and accepted his first charge at Platteville, Wisconsin, whence he went to Fond du Lac, remaining as pastor of the church there until the time of his death in 1904.
Mr. Hensel was well known in Green Bay, for it was here that he wooed and won his wife, she being a daughter of the Rev. Fred Eppling, also a minister of the German Lutheran church, of whom mention is made on another page of this volume. Her marriage to Mr. Hensel was celebrated in 1885 and they became the parents of six children, of whom five are yet living. The two eldest sons, Max and Paul, have followed in the foot- steps of their father and have become ministers of the gospel, devoting their lives to the salvation of their fellowmen. Another son is professor O. Hensel, of Saginaw, Michigan, and the younger children are Fred and Singard, in school. All of the children were given excellent educational advantages and have made good use of their opportunities.
Mr. Hensel was a man of strong mental force and of keen sagacity.
217
HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
In his dealings with the individual he displayed tact and kindliness and was greatly loved by the congregations among which he labored. He could use logic and argument effectively, make strong appeal to the emotions and at all times his teaching was permeated by a kindly spirit which rec- ognized that to err is human and to forgive divine.
ALBERT L. PLATTEN.
Albert L. Platten is the founder and president of the Platten Produce Company and has built up by industry and ability a flourishing and suc- cessful business from a small and humble beginning. He was born at Preble, Wisconsin, November 9, 1860, and is a son of John and Flora Platten. His father was a native of Germany who came to this country with his parents in 1842 and settled in the Wisconsin woods. Albert Plat- ten's father was one of the earliest settlers of Brown county and spent the early part of his life in America amid primitive conditions and hardships. He was obliged to clear his land of timber and to burn off the stumps but he gradually brought it to a high state of cultivation and eventually sold his holdings along with two other tracts of land which he had acquired during his life for a sufficient sum to enable him to retire from business and live in comfort during the remainder of his life. He never sought political preferment, preferring to devote his attention to his business and private affairs but he served in various township positions at different periods in his career. He died in 1895 and was survived by his wife until 1908. They were buried side by side in the Allouez cemetery.
Albert L. Platten's early educational opportunities were meager and limited by the primitive conditions of pioneer life. He attended the Green Bay schools until he was fourteen years of age when he laid aside his books to enter business life. He was employed in different capacities with three firms in Green Bay, remaining four years in each position. He entered the grocery business and carried on a store of his own for a short time before he finally became connected with the produce business with which he has been prominently identified for many years. In the begin- ning his enterprise was conducted on a small scale but it has gradually grown and developed along modern lines until it is today one of the largest concerns of its kind in Green Bay. Mr. Platten engages in the buying and exporting of all kinds of farm produce. His field of activity extends over the entire state of Wisconsin and he does an average yearly business of eight hundred cars of goods. On February 1, 1912, the business was incorporated under the firm name of The Platten Produce Company, with the following officers: A. L. Platten, president; J. P. Platten, vice presi- dent ; Howard A. Platten, secretary ; and George A. Platten, treasurer.
On June 6, 1887, Mr. Platten was united in marriage to Miss Agnes Huffman, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. P. Huffman, the former a pioneer resident and a prominent hotel owner of Green Bay. Mr. and Mrs. Platten are the parents of four children. Maude, a graduate of the high school
218
HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
and normal school of Green Bay, the wife of E. J. Malloy, residing at Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Howard, who was graduated from the Green Bay high school and is now employed by his father in the produce business ; Magdalene, who also attended the Green Bay high school, and is a grad- uate of the local business college; and Lawrence, who is now a student at the high school in this city. The family residence is at No. 420 Dousman street.
In his political views Mr. Platten keeps himself independent of party lines and policies. He takes an intelligent interest in public affairs and is active in any movement looking toward the commercial development of the city. He has firm faith in the industrial future of Green Bay and is prominent in the affairs of the Business Men's Association. He is well and favorably known in this city as a progressive and active business man who has founded his own career on the firm basis of strict integrity and worthy methods.
IVER J. TERP.
The institutions which have made Green Bay what it is today and which in the future will make it commercially more important still are the large industrial concerns which are the basis of its prosperity. Prominent among these and the most up-to-date in its particular line in the city is the Northern Paper Mills. Its secretary and treasurer is Iver J. Terp, who has been actively connected with paper making for a number of years. Besides his position in the Northern Paper Mills he is also vice president of the Astor Paper Company and has held that office since the organization of the company in 1910.
Mr. Terp was born near Kolding, Denmark, on the 3Ist of October. 1869, and is a son of Henry J. and Maren G. Terp, who came to this country in 1905 and are now living retired in Green Bay. Our subject began his education in the schools of his native land, but in March, 1888, came to America and settled in Brown county, Wisconsin. The first year he worked on a farm in Pittsfield, attending the Mills Centre public schools during the winter months. In March, 1889, he entered the Green Bay Business College, working for his board in the home of A. C. Robinson, then postmaster of the city. He finished his course and because of his proficiency was made assistant teacher in the college. He was afterward offered and accepted the position of assistant postmaster, but owing to strenuous objections by older postoffice employes he was obliged to assume a minor clerkship instead, and he therefore remained in the postoffice but a short time, resigning in order to accept a position with the Interior Lum- ber Company of Interior, Michigan. At the close of the lumber sawing season he returned to Green Bay and took up the study of stenography in the business college. His capital being limited, he again utilized a chance to work for his board, this time at the Charles House. As a faithful student and tireless worker he made good progress, and in April, 1891,
IVER J. TERP
CHE HAT TRH. PUBLIC LIET!
--
221
HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
obtained a position as stenographer in the employ of M. J. McCormick, agent for the Northwestern Fuel Company as well as steamboat lines. His advancement was rapid and at length he became a partner of Mr. McCormick and was appointed agent for the steamboat companies on the latter's death, holding that position for two years. In 1901 he became one of the organizers and a stockholder in the Northern Paper Mills and was chosen secretary of the company. In 1905 he was elected treasurer of the company and has since acted as both secretary and treasurer. In the beginning the Northern Paper Mills employed about thirty people but, as its trade expanded rapidly the number has since been increased until there are now over one hundred people in its employ. For several years Mr. Terp was secretary and a director of the Brown County Building and Loan Association. Since the organization of the Astor Paper Company in 1910 he has been its vice president.
Mr. Terp has been twice married, his first wife being Mamie Mickel- son, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Mickelson, early settlers of Brown county. They were married on the 5th of February, 1895, and three years later, in 1898, Mrs. Terp passed away, leaving one child, Helen, now attend- ing the East high school of Green Bay. On the 4th of April, 1900, Mr. Terp married Miss Matilda Mickelson, a sister of his first wife, and to them have been born three children, one of whom, Leal, died in infancy, the others being: Evan, now attending the public schools of Green Bay; and Lois, a student at St. Joseph's Academy.
The family have a pleasant home at No. 1144 South Monroe avenue. which was erected by Mr. Terp in 1910. He and his family are devoted members of the West Side Moravian church and are highly esteemed in the community. He is independent in politics and is prominent in fraternal circles, being a Knight Templar Mason and is now serving his second term as master of the blue lodge. Industrious, conscientious efforts persever- ingly applied, Mr. Terp asserts are the keys to success, within the reach of any and everyone who is willing to pay the price.
PETER CHRISTENSEN.
Peter Christensen has been identified with agricultural interests in Brown county since 1879 and in the course of thirty-three years has brought his one hundred and five acre farm near New Denmark to a highly improved and developed state and has gained a place in the front ranks of progressive agriculturists. He was born in Denmark in 1855, a son of Christ Jensen and Matta (Jacobson) Christensen.
Mr. Christensen was educated in his native country and was twenty- four years of age when he came to America. In 1879 he purchased his present farm of one hundred and five acres of unimproved land near New Denmark, which he has improved and cultivated since that time. His labors have been rewarded by success which has come gradually and as a direct result of his energy and industry. He has seen the development of Vol. II-11
222
HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
this section of the state from a district which was mostly timber woods in which could be found a large amount of wild game, and he has given his energies and activities to making his holdings productive and valuable.
Mr. Christensen was united in marriage to Miss Inga Thomsen, a daughter of Jens Thomsen, and they have seven children : Theodore ; Agnes, who married Andrew Nelson; Ida; Nora; Viggo; Edward; and Ella. The family belong to the Danish Lutheran church.
Mr. Christensen is a democrat and is serving at the present time as town clerk and justice of the peace, having held the former office since 1889 and the latter since 1887. He is interested in the progress and devel- opment of his seetion and active in local political circles, where his public- spirit has been useful and effective.
ANTON BASCHE.
Anton Basche, the oldest shoe merchant in Green Bay, has been living retired in the city for nine years. He has reached the age of seventy- seven and in 1909, when he celebrated his golden wedding anniversary, he was surrouned by forty-two direct descendants. He is a pioneer in the settlement of the city and has seen it grow from an unorganized village into one of the most important communities in Wisconsin, and was for some time a contributing factor in its development. Mr. Basche was born in Germany, April 5, 1835. His father, Joseph Basehe, left his native country in 1840 and came with his family to Green Bay, where he estab- lished a shoe-making shop on Washington street, near the Chicago, Mil- waukee & St. Paul depot. At that time the inhabitants of Green Bay num- bered fifteen hundred. The mother of our subject was Anna Marie Schmitz, who died in Green Bay in June, 1893. She had long survived her husband, who died before the beginning of the Civil war. In their family were four children besides the subject of this review: Catherine, the wife of Jacob Jucker ; Michael, deceased ; Peter, who lives in Baker City, Oregon ; and Fred W., of Green Bay.
After completing a rather limited education Anton Basche learned the shoe-making trade and also studied musie in Green Bay. After his fath- er's death he remained with his mother and the entire responsibility of her support and that of his younger brothers and sister devolved upon him. Eventually he established himself in business in partnership with Henry Duville. They located first on Washington street but later removed their business to the Kellogg Bank building. The enterprise expanded rapidly along systematic and practical lines and soon became one of the important shoe houses in the city, a great deal of its growth being due to the energy. enterprise and discrimination of Mr. Basche. In 1903 he abandoned his connection with the business and has since been living retired in Green Bay.
Mr. Basche married Miss Elizabeth Kriescher. who was born in Euskirchen, near Cologne, Rheinprovince, Germany. November 4, 1810.
223
HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
She is a daughter of John Amandus and Anna Marie ( Filz ) Kriescher, natives of that section, who came to America in 1845 and located in Dodge county, Wisconsin, where the father farmed for five years. Later he moved to Bay Settlement and there engaged in general agricultural pursuits in connection with the conduct of a blacksmith shop. Both have passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Basche became the parents of thirteen children. The eldest daughter, Clara, is the widow of W. Holzknucht. She has ten children and two grandchildren. George lives at home. Anna married Charles Klaus of Jamestown, North Dakota, and they became the parents of one child. The fourth child born to Mr. and Mrs. Basche is John. Katherine became the wife of Emil Van Dyke, of Plymouth, Wisconsin, by whom she has eight children. Mary married Michael Maloney and they became the par- ents of eight children. Henry P. wedded May Coppersmith, of Green Bay, and they have three children. Arthur married Mary Sweeters, of Green Bay, and they became the parents of four children. Frank X. married Nellie Abbott and to their union were born two children. W. J. married Carrie Van Duren, and they have four children. Charles H. wedded Cecelia Denhike and lives in Milwaukee. Herman F. married Mollie Forster and they reside in Memphis, Tennessee. The youngest child of this family is Anton B., who married Hilda Stubee, of Green Bay. Mr. Basche's direct descendants number at the present time forty grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The family are devout adherents of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Basche and his wife celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on May 10, 1909. Their many friends in the city and vicinity came upon that day to congratulate them and to wish them joy, for both are widely popular and Mr. Basche's integrity, honesty and sterling traits of mind and character have made him honored and respected wherever he is known.
WILLIAM E. MOORE.
William E. Moore, yardmaster of the Chicago & Northwestern Rail- road in Green Bay, was born in Waupun, Wisconsin, July 6, 1871. His grandparents were pioneers in the settlement of this state and died in Wisconsin in early times. His father, Robert Moore, was born in Belfast, Ireland, and came with his parents to America when he was nineteen years of age. For some time he followed farming near Cedar lake but left his property in that vicinity at the outbreak of the Civil war, when he enlisted for three months' service. He later reenlisted for three years but was discharged on account of ill health. Six months later, however, he rejoined the Federal army but was again compelled to give up on account of illness. He married Miss Jane Gregg, who now lives at The Arlington in Riverside, California. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Moore had three children besides the subject of this review : Mabel, who lives at home; Mary, the wife of C. W. Mathews; and Fannie, the wife of Tom Smithers, of California.
224
HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
After completing his education in the public schools of Waupun, Wil- liam E. Moore farmed until he was twenty years of age and then became connected with the St. Paul Railroad, serving as brakeman in Aberdeen, South Dakota. After a year and a half he resumed farming and continued in that line for two years but at the end of that tinie again became con- nected with railroading, on a branch running out of Milwaukee for one year. He was switchman on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad for five years and was then transferred to the Ashland division as conductor but after eight years resigned in order to accept a similar position with the Rock Island Railroad on the El Paso division. However, at the end of one year he resumed his connection with the Northwestern Railroad and in 1911. was made yardmaster at Green Bay, which position he now fills. discharging his duties in a prompt and systematic manner. He has founded his success in the various departments of railroading upon long experience and efficiency and is regarded as one of the most reliable and trustworthy representatives of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad.
Mr. Moore was married in Milwaukee, to Miss Lottie Normington, who was born February 22, 1876, in Duplainville, a daughter of James and Char- lotte (Cook) Normington. Her father was for many years actively engaged in farming in Duplainville but is now living retired. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have two children: Luetta, who is seventeen years of age and a student in the high school; and Donald, aged ten, who is also attending school.
The family are devout adherents of the Congregational church and Mr. Moore was one of the trustees at Kaukauna. He is a director in the Young Men's Christian Association and belongs to the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks, the Independent Order of Foresters and the Order of Railway Conductors of Green Bay. The city numbers him among its most valued residents, for in all the relations of life he has been found honorable and upright and worthy of the high esteem in which he is held.
MARTIN DANTINNE.
Since Martin Dantinne was sixteen years of age he has made his home upon the farm which he operates today. He has seen Brown county develop from an uncultivated district into one of the finest farming sec- tions in Wisconsin and from his early childhood has been identified with the work of reclamation. No farmer is better known in Humboldt township, for in the accomplishment of his success he has steadily adhered to pro- gressive and practical methods and has made his farm a model enterprise. Mr. Dantinne was born in Belgium, October, 8, 1844, and is a son of Phillip and Mary Theresa Dantinne, natives of that country. His father was born in 1817, and in 1856 came with his wife and three children to the United States. He settled immediately in Green Bay township, Brown county, where he purchased twenty-nine acres of land covered with timber. With resolute energy he set himself to put this property into condition for culti- vation, clearing the trees and grubbing up the stumps. Upon it he built a
225
HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
log cabin, where he resided for four years, after which he sold the farm and bought forty acres of land in Humboldt township. Here he first erected a small cabin, which subsequently gave way to a more pretentious home and gave his entire attention to the development and cultivation of his holdings, to which he later added, until his death in 1887, when he was seventy years of age. His wife died in 1882, aged seventy-four.
Martin Dantinne studied in the public schools of Belgium until he came to America with his parents. In Brown county he attended the district schools for a short time but his advantages along this line were very limited, for he was obliged to lay aside his books at an early age in order to aid in the clearing of the timber upon his father's farm and to work at making shingles. After the death of his father Mr. Dantinne of this review inherited the home farm of one hundred and twenty acres and he has since given a great deal of his attention to its further development and improve- ment. The modern house in which he lives was already upon the property but he has made substantial changes in the outbuildings, machinery and equipment. His methods are practical and, therefore, productive of good results and he is numbered among the men who by virtue of their position in agricultural circles are establishing standards of operation.
In 1867, Mr. Dantinne married Miss Julia Jonet, a daughter of Nicholas Jonet, a native of Belgium, who came with his family to Wisconsin in 1855. Mr. and Mrs. Dantinne had twelve children, Alexander, Emil, deceased ; Anton, Martha, Agnes, Julia, Phillip, Louis, Theresa, Henry, David and Marie. The family are devout adherents of the Roman Catholic church.
Mr. Dantinne is a stanch republican and is interested in the public life of his section, especially along educational lines, and for many years did able work as clerk of his school district. His principal attention, however, has been given to the management of his farm. Since the beginning of his career he has been identified with agricultural pursuits and for over fifty years has lived upon his present property, and in its operation he has gained that efficiency which is the result of experience. No man in the township has attained more prominence and success in agriculture than has Mr. Dantinne and no man has better deserved prosperity.
LAWRENCE J. LARSEN.
Lawrence J. Larsen, one of the prominent young farmers of Denmark, Wisconsin, was born in the section where he now resides in 1884, a son of Jens and Marie ( Roger ) Larsen, natives of Denmark, Europe. The father came to America in 1872 and settled first in Neenah, where he remained for a short time, working at farming in the employ of others. Eventually he came to Denmark and settled upon the property now owned by the subject of this review. He set about its clearing and cultivation and erected a number of buildings, bringing his farm to an excellent condition. He is living upon his original farm, making his home with his son. His wife died in 1905.
226
HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
Lawrence J. Larsen was educated in the public schools and has spent his entire life upon the farm. He owns one hundred and twenty acres and rents the forty acres adjoining, doing most of the work of the fields hin- self. By pursuing a constant policy of expansion and by adhering steadily to progressive and systematic methods he has made his property one of the model agricultural enterprises of the section and gained for himself a reputation for efficiency and ability in the conduct of his affairs. He him- self cleared about ten acres of his land and erected a barn and silo which have added greatly to the value of his property.
Mr. Larsen married Miss Elida Johnson and they have two children: Eugene, aged three ; and Earl, aged one. The family belong to the Danish Lutheran church. Mr. Larsen gives his allegiance to the republican party but has never been active as an office seeker. At twenty-eight he is yet in the ascent of his career but his past attainments and his present prosperity promise well for greater success in the future.
GEORGE D. NAU.
George D. Nau is managing owner of the Nau Tug Line at Green Bay, which he established in 1893. In the conduct of his business, careful man- agement and straightforward dealing have been strong elements in the at- tainment of gratifying success. Green Bay numbers him among its native sons, his birth having occurred, March to, 1863. His parents were Lambert and Margaret (Houle) Nau, who came to Green Bay in 1852. The father conducted a grocery store here and was also a vessel owner. He died in 1880, having for about three years survived his wife, who passed away in 1877. The family, as the name indicates, is of German origin.
George D. Nau acquired his education in Green Bay and was graduated from the high school with the class of 1880. He then took charge of his father's estate and gave much of his time to the conduet and management of the grocery store and also the supervision of the vessel interests until the estate was settled in 1898. In the meantime, however, he had established the tug line and is doing raft towing. He also uses his boats in bringing pulp for the Green Bay & Fox River Valley Paper Mills. He has the largest tug line in the whole Green Bay distriet and his business is one of extensive and gratifying proportions, returning to him a substantial annual income. Mr. Nau is also the president of the Green Bay Paper & Fiber Company and is one of the directors of the Northern Paper Mills. He is likewise a director of the Citizens National Bank and of the Lummi Bay Packing Company of Washington state. His interests are thus extensive and varied, his invest- ments having been judiciously made, while his energy and enterprise bring to him a measure of success that places him among the men of affluence in Brown county. In addition to his industrial and commercial interests he owns realty, having four residences in Green Bay in addition to the one which he occupies.
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.