USA > Wisconsin > Brown County > History of Brown County, Wisconsin, past and present, Volume II > Part 27
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
296
HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
No. 8, R. A. M .; and Palestine Commandery, No. 20. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows also counts him among its members of the Green Bay lodge and he belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, being identified with Green Bay Lodge, No. 259. Mr. Walter is a type of man which in commercial life, in finance, in social and fraternal circles, and through various other channels of activity is helpful in the progress of the rapidly growing city of Green Bay.
JOHN E. SHAUGHNESSY.
The Northwestern Hotel is regarded in Green Bay as one of the most modern and progressive institutions of its kind in the city. At its head and the active factor in its growth and development is John E. Shaughnessy. who in his up-to-date and progressive ideas of hotel keeping is carrying out the policy of his father, who erected the hotel and established its pres- tige. Mr. Shaughnessy was born at Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, March 25, 1857, and is a son of Patrick and Elizabeth Shaughnessy, both natives of Ireland. They left their native country before their marriage about the year 1848 and crossed the Atlantic to America. They lived in New York city for some years. They were married there and came to Fond du Lac on their wedding trip and remained in that city for some time. The father came to Green Bay as an employe of the Northwestern railroad. He was soon after joined by his family in this city and he continued in the service of the same railroad in the car-repairing department for sixteen years. At the expiration of that time he resigned his position and built the original Northwestern Hotel, of which his son is now proprietor. He was during his life a prominent figure in local politics. He served as a member of the city council and was active in the affairs of the county board. He died in 1898, at the age of eighty-one years. His wife survived him until 1899. They are both buried in the Fort Howard cemetery. They had four children : John E .; Margaret, the widow of Charles Cusson ; Mary, the wife of Tim- othy Brennan of Fond du Lac ; and one who died at the age of four years.
John E. Shaughnessy received his early education in the public schools of Green Bay. He laid aside his books at the age of sixteen to assist his father in the work of the hotel and became thoroughly acquainted with the various details connected with the operation of a hotel along modern lines. He grew up in the business and upon his father's death assumed con- trol of the enterprise, which was at that time rapidly growing and develop- ing. Under his administration a great many additions and improvements were made in the Northwestern Hotel. Its equipment was modernized and every new convenience tending to make hotel life more comfortable was promptly installed by Mr. Shaughnessy. He has by his energy, resource and thorough knowledge of the details of his business made the North- western Hotel one of the largest and most prosperous hostelries in Green Bay.
297
HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
On October 17, 1893, Mr. Shaughnessy was married in De Pere, Wis- consin, to Miss Sarah Norton, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Norton, of Rockland, the former a pioneer farmer in Wisconsin and a veteran of the Civil war. Mrs. Shaughnessy's parents are both deceased and are buried in De Pere. Mr. Shaughnessy and his wife are the parents of seven children : J. Hubert, a student in the Green Bay high school; John E. and Harold, who are attending the parochial school in Green Bay; Anastasia E., attending the local kindergarten and three who are deceased. The family reside in the Northwestern Hotel, where Mr. Shaughnessy has made his home for the last forty years.
In his political views he is consistently democratic and has taken all active part in local affairs for some time. He served for six years as president of the city council and was city treasurer of Fort Howard in 1890 and 1891. He held the position of alderman in Fort Howard for two terms, and on the consolidation of the cities was chosen to the same office in Green Bay, and has served in that capacity for eighteen years until 1912, with the exception of one term. He has made a record for him- self for honesty and efficiency. Fraternally he is a member of the Royal Arcanum and of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He is a devout adherent of the Catholic church and is active in the affairs of the Catholic Order of Foresters, an organization affiliated with that religion. Mr. Shaughnessy is one of the well known and highly esteemed business men in Green Bay. His modern methods have made his hotel a flourishing and prosperous institution and his integrity and broad intelligence have made his public service useful.
EDWARD I. BRAY.
Edward I. Bray, manager of one of the large hotels and cafes of Green Bay, Wisconsin, is a wealthy and successful man. His money was inherited and has given him an opportunity to display judgment and wisdom in its careful administration. His success is the product of his own ability and has been attained by earnest and upright labor. Mr. Bray is today one of the foremost figures in the social life of his city, and judged by the highly developed standards of modern times is a prosperous man and a valuable citizen. He was born in Green Bay on April 21, 1885, and is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Isadore Bray. The family was founded in Wisconsin by the grandfather of our subject who came with his father and brother to this state in the early days of its settlement. They remained here a short time and later established a trading post in Illinois on the site where the Chi- cago postoffice now stands. They dealt in furs and laid the foundation of Mr. Bray's present fortune. Dominick Bray, the brother of Edward Bray's grandfather, was a government surveyor operating in South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming and Colorado. Later he was employed as a scout dur- ing the Sioux Indian war and was in North Dakota at the time of General Custer's disaster. After the war he was placed in charge of the Rosebud
298
HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
Indian agency and issued rations until the time of his death on December 6, 1911. His father came to Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, from St. Louis, Missouri, and died in that section leaving a large estate.
Isadore Bray was born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and was engaged in the lumber business, working in the northern pine woods for a number of years. He later followed farming in Brown county and was successful as an agriculturist until 1895. In that year he came to Green Bay and estab- lished himself in the blacksmith business which he is following at the present time. He is now fifty-four years of age and his wife is in her fifty-sixth year. She was born in Franklin county, New York, and is a daughter of Mitchel and Matilda Santy. Her parents came to Green Bay over half a century ago and settled in Big Suamico, later removing to Pittsfield township, where the father lived retired. He was among the carliest settlers in Brown county and lived in the first house built in Green Bay. To Mr. and Mrs. Isadore Bray twelve children were born: Louis Washington : Minnie, the wife of Elmer Philips; F. Washington ; Irwin, deceased; Edward, the subject of this sketch; Albert, who resides in California : Grace, at home; Ida, the wife of Frank Cornier, of Green Bay; Altia, deceased ; and Gertrude, Addie and Vivian, at home.
Edward Bray received his education in the public schools of Brown county, Wisconsin, and has followed the restaurant business since his boyhood. He early became acquainted with the details of efficient man- agement of such an establishment and built up a business of his own which became one of the important enterprises of this kind in the city. He later expanded his activities and is now manager of a large hotel and cafe to which he is giving his time and supervision. He is public spirited and interested in the growth and development of the city in which he lives. He has assisted in much of the work of expansion along business lines, and as the manager of an intelligently operated enterprise is numbered among the substantial and progressive citizens of his state.
He is a member of the Roman Catholic church and belongs to the Loyal Order of Moose. Judged by every modern standard Mr. Bray is a suc- cessful man. He has accomplished his prosperity by detailed and thor- ough knowledge of every aspect of his business, by personal supervision and attention to its details and by practical and intelligent labor.
JOSEPH GOTTO.
Joseph Gotto is prominent in business, fraternal and political circles of Green Bay and his life activities have constituted an influence for prog- ress along many lines. He may well be termed a self-made man, for his advancement is the direct outcome of his energy. determination and laud- able ambition. He is now living in comparative retirement, although for some time he has occupied the position of steward of the Elks Club, in which connection his services are highly commended by his brethren of that order.
MR. AND MRS. JOSEPH GOTTO
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
AUTOR, LENAX AND TILDEA TO ADAI INI
301
HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
Mr. Gotto was born in Belgium, April 25, 1837, a son of John Joseph and Elinora (Mansart) Gotto. The father, who was born in Belgium in 1805, came to America with his wife and three children in 1871. He joined his son, who sixteen years before had located in Green Bay, and made his home in that section until his death. His wife passed away in 1890 at the age of ninety-three years. They were the parents of eleven children, five of whom are still living: Joseph; Anatalie, the wife of Max Morey, of Michigan ; Florentine and Theofeld, both of whom are residing in Bel- gium ; and Eli, a resident of Green Bay.
Joseph Gotto was educated in the public schools of his native country but his & intages in that direction were limited. When twelve years of age he became a laborer in the fields and was thus employed until 1855, when at the age of eighteen years he came to the United States. making the journey with friends. He located in the Belgian settlement of the town of Green Bay, now a portion of the city of Green Bay, and later took up his abode in the city, where he worked as a general laborer until 1859. In that year he went to Michigan, where he obtained employment in a sawmill and worked for some time. After returning to Green Bay he canvassed goods through the city and outlying districts and later became a clerk in a dry-goods store belonging to Sam W. Earl, with whom he re- mained for seven years, gaining during that time a knowledge of modern business methods and conditions. His careful expenditure also enabled him to save a sum sufficient to establish himself in the hardware business and for five years he continued in that line of trade but in 1873 disposed of his store in order to engage in general merchandising. His judicious discrimination and his experience in salesmanship soon brought him a grati- fying patronage and for two years he ranked ,among the successful gen- eral merchants of the city. In 1875, however, he went to Colorado, where he successfully carried on mining at Silverton until 1881. The capital ac- quired during that period enabled him to establish a shoe store at Green Bay and again he met with success in its conduct. After disposing of that business he carried on farming for a year and then returned to the city, where for four years he again conducted a hardware store. His building was then destroyed by fire and he retired from commercial pursuits. In 1902 he was elected to his present position as steward of the Elks Club and in the ten years of his activity in this connection he has brought his powers of administration to bear upon the successful conduct of the affairs of that organization.
On the 15th of February, 1857, Mr. Gotto was united in marriage to Miss Josephine M. Van der Vest, who was born in Belgium on July 3. 1834. She is a daughter of Anton and Antoinette (Tasinier ) Van der Vest and came to America in July, 1855. Her parents located in Green Bay, where her father followed cabinet making and farming. To Mr. and Mrs. Gotto have been born five children. Elnora is the wife of Dan D. DeVroey, of Green Bay, by whom she had eight children, namely : Daniel J. : Louis; Frank A. ; Myrtle : Lillian, the wife of Herman Greiling ; Eva. the wife of Louis Daggett; Leslie; and William, who is deceased. Flora is the wife of John L. Pond, of New Mexico, and has become the mother
.
302
IIISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
of eleven children, as follows: Frank; Ben; Arthur; Earl; Murriel; John; Florence ; Ella, the wife of Fred Moore; Lillian, the wife of Floyd Davis ; and Rowland and Ethel, both of whom are deceased. Jules and Augustine Gotto, twins, have both passed away. Josephine is the deceased wife of Antone Meunier, by whom she had three children : Joseph Il .; Rosamond, who gave her hand in marriage to Clement W. Runnoe ; and Antone, de- ceased. Joseph Gotto has five children, eighteen grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
On the 15th of February, 1907, Mr. and Mrs. Gotto celebrated their golden wedding, on which occasion more than five hundred friends and relatives gathered in the city hall to participate in that happy event, which was a notable one in Green Bay, being the second celebration of the kind ever held in the city. They were the recipients of many hearty congratula- tions as well as material expressions of good will, and from the Elks Club they received one hundred dollars, this being an expression of the respect and esteem entertained for Mr. Gotto by his many friends and associates. in that order. He has long been an active worker in its ranks, as he has been in Green Bay Lodge, No. 21, F. & A. M. with which he has held mem- bership for forty-three years. In both these orders he holds life member- ships. In the first named, as a compliment and mark of appreciation by its members and in the second by the rules of the order, lie having been a member in good standing for thirty-three years. In politics he is a stanch republican, firmly believing in the principles and policies of that party. He is one of the earnest local workers in its behalf and as a member of the city council of Green Bay did efficient service for municipal improvement from 1871 until 1872. Mr. Gotto has all the adaptability and the force of personality which distinguish men who have risen from hard conditions. He is straightforward, upright and honorable and possesses those char- acteristics which are the essential qualities of public spirit.
FRANK KOENIG.
Frank Koenig is a native son of Brown county and one of the most progressive and enterprising young farmers in Glenmore township. He lias eighty acres of land, constituting the family homestead, and is carrying on the work of improvement and development along modern and progres- sive lines. His birth occurred in 1885 and he is a son of August and Eliza- beth ( Bins) Koenig. The father came to this section of Wisconsin in 1882 and settled on the farm which his son is now operating. Upon this prop- erty was a small house which he repaired, eighteen feet wide and twenty- four feet long, but this dwelling has since been replaced by a fine modern residence. When the elder Mr. Koenig settled upon the property it was covered with heavy timber. Acre by acre this land was cleared and put under the plow and the work of improvement and development carried on. The father was active in its management only a short time before his health failed and he was obliged to give up agricultural pursuits. For
303
HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
fifteen years he was an invalid and died in March, 1899. The mother was twice married. Her first husband was Peter Reuschenbach, who died a short time after their marriage, leaving a daughter, Elizabeth, who mar- ried Philip Matzke, a farmer in De Pere township.
Frank Koenig was educated in the district schools of this section and was reared upon his father's farm, thus becoming at an early date familiar with the details of progressive agriculture. He married Miss Lillie Van Denheuvel, a daughter of Albert and Alice (Willard) Van Denheuvel, the former a farmer in De Pere township. Mrs. Koenig is one of a family of eight children born to her parents. The others are: Cecilia, who mar- ried Peter Literman ; Agnes; Eva ; Esther ; Marlin; Raymond; and Robert. Mr. and Mrs. Koenig have two children, Allen and Harry. The family are members of the Roman Catholic church.
After his marriage Mr. Koenig assumed entire control of the manage- ment and direction of the homestead, making practical use of his early experience and bringing his farm to an excellent condition. He has fifty acres cleared and under cultivation and has built besides the modern dwell- ing, in which he lives, a substantial addition to his barn, so that his property is now one of the most attractive farms in this section of the county.
ST. JOSEPH'S ACADEMY.
St. Joseph's Academy, one of the strong Catholic educational institu- tions of Brown county, had its origin in Green Bay in 1897. In that year, at the request of Rt. Rev. Bishop Messmer, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Canondelet, Missouri, opened an academy for girls in Green Bay, occupy- ing the frame building which stood at the corner of Madison and Mil- waukee streets. Here on the 7th of September the first nine students pre- sented themselves and were graciously received by the superior. Year by year the number of pupils increased until it soon became evident that the academy must have larger quarters. Consequently, in August, 1902, the present property known as the Kellogg Place was purchased and after a few alterations the school was removed to its new home. Before two months had passed the continued growth in attendance made clear the fact that still more room was needed and an addition to the building was begun. It was ready for use in September, 1903, at which time the enrollment was fifty pupils in the academic department and sixty in the department of music. In the fall of 1905 the superior applied to the University of Wis- consin to have the school placed on the accredited list. Accordingly, in October, after a visit by Professor Tressler, this was done. The music department about the same time was placed under the supervision of Pro- fessor Mentor Crosse, a musician of international renown. At the begin- ning of the school year of 1908 a department of domestic science was established. In the autumn of 1909 the number of pupils had increased to one hundred and fifteen and the superior and her advisers felt that it was necessary to have a new academy, whereupon plans were made and con-
30
HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
tracts given for the erection of a large brick building. The cornerstone was laid June 9, 1910, and the building was ready for occupancy the follow- ing year. The present enrollment of the academy is one hundred and seventy-five pupils. The present superior. in charge of St. Joseph's Con- vent and St. Joseph's Academy came to Green Bay in 1898 and has been superior since 1909. A thorough course of study, such as usually consti- tutes the curriculum of a preparatory course, is here taught and the teach- ers are bending every effort to maintaining the high standards of the school and promoting its work.
CARL HERRMANN.
Carl Herrmann has founded a well deserved success in the book-binding business upon long experience, efficiency, and conservative principles. As proprietor of one of the oldest binderies in northern Wisconsin he enjoys an important position in business circles of his section. He has been identi- fied with his present occupation since his early youth. His father followed the same business, taught his son its details and methods, leaving upon his death a well established enterprise which Carl Herrmann's industry and energy have made more prosperous still. He has that claim to the re- spect and esteem of his fellow citizens which lies in the promotion and upbuilding of an important and valuable enterprise and he has used his undoubted ability to further not only his individual success but also the commercial expansion of his section. He has been a resident of Green Bay since he was six years of age but was born in Erlangen, Germany, February 9, 1860, a son of John and Julia (Woelz) Herrmann, natives of that country. His father's birth occurred in 1821 and in 1866 he came to. America, settling in Green Bay, October 5. of the same year. In this city he took full charge of the Advocate Book Bindery and continued his. identification with its management and direction until his death which oc- curred in 1892. The mother of our subject was born in Weikerschem, Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1819. She and her husband had two children. John C., the brother of our subject, is now a carriage trimmer in Chicago ..
Carl Herrmann was educated in the public schools of Green Bay and when he was a child studied book-binding under his father. When he laid aside his books he entered the bindery and soon earned advancement and promotion. He was taken into partnership and upon his father's death became sole proprietor of what is regarded as the oldest plant of its kind in the northern part of the state. Although steadily adhering to the stand- ards of efficiency and industry which he learned in his youth he is progres- sive and modern in his ideas and tendencies and his business has expanded rapidly, making him one of the successful men in Green Bay. The pros- perity which has come to him is well deserved and has for its basis ability and experience, made practically effective by hard work.
305
HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
On the 14th of May, 1889, Mr. Herrmann was united in marriage to Miss Rachel Sheller, who was born April 27, 1858. Her father, Louis Sheller, was one of the pioneers in the settlement of Green Bay and at- tained a position of importance in the city. He was identified with the organization of many public enterprises, prominent among which may be mentioned the Green Bay fire department. Mr. and Mrs. Herrmann be- came the parents of two children: Fred, who is twenty-one years of age and well known as an electrician; and Walter, who is eighteen years old and employed in the city engineering department.
Mr. Herrmann gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has always been an active worker in the interests of that organization. He has held various important public offices and in all has distinguished himself by his ability, efficiency, and constructive power. He was chief of the fire department in 1890 and was one of the organizers of the present paid fire department in Green Bay. From June, 1895, to 1902 he served upon the board of health and was appointed to his present position as United States gauger in the Wisconsin district in May, 1903. His life is one of activity and usefulness and has been characterized by the qualities which make success. He is active in promoting the growth and develop- ment of his section and eager to advance the general welfare, his business qualifications constituting an even balance with his public spirit.
CHARLES J. CHLOUPEK, M. D.
Dr. Charles J. Chloupek has been prominently identified with the pro- fession of medicine in Green Bay since January 1, 1901. He has his offices at 1236 Main street and is rapidly gaining an eminent position among his professional brethren. He was born at Francis Creek, Manitowoc county, on the 7th of April, 1874, and is a son of Joseph and Mary Chloupek. His father was one of the earliest settlers in Manitowoc county and his life was intimately connected with pioneer times in that district. The country was nothing then but wild forest and Joseph Chloupek was obliged to go to Green Bay for his mail. He settled on a farm near Francis Creek, in 1848, felled the timber and cleared the land and was active in its cultiva- tion for many years. He is now living retired at Manitowoc. He and his wife were the parents of six children: John, judge of Manitowoc county ; E. L., engaged in the practice of law in San Francisco ; Charles J., the sub- ject of this sketch; Edward HI., a civil engineer and forester at Seattle. Washington ; Anna, who became the wife of Anton Kumbalek and is re- siding at Two Rivers, Wisconsin ; and Laura, who married John Baun and is living in the same city. Mrs. Joseph Chloupek died on October 18, 1910.
Dr. Charles J. Chloupek received his preliminary education in the coun- try schools of Manitowoc and later attended the high school in that city. He entered Marquette University in 1897 and was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1901. He started in the practice of his profession in Kewaunee, Wisconsin, where he remained for twenty months and came to Green Bay
306
HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
in 1903 and established his offices at 1236 Main street, where he has been doing a constantly increasing practice since that time.
On October 30, 1901, Dr. Chloupek was united in marriage to Miss Henrietta Pitz, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis K. Pitz, the former a civil engineer in Manitowoc. Dr. Chloupek and his wife reside at 1014 Pine street, Green Bay, and are popular in social circles. Politically the Doctor gives his allegiance to the democratic party but beyond casting his vote at each election takes no very active part in public affairs. He is prominent in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows but has no other fraternal affiliations. He gives his entire time and attention to keeping his medical knowledge abreast of the times. He is a deep reader and an original thinker and takes a prominent part in the affairs of many medical societies. He is a member of the Fox River Valley and the Brown County Medical Societies, being president of the latter organization in 1910, and also holds membership in the American Medical Association. He brings to the practice of his profession an intelligent and liberal mind, a keen appre- ciation of the requirements of medical ethics and a sympathy with the pain and suffering of the world which his talents have done much to relieve.
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.