USA > Wisconsin > Brown County > History of Brown County, Wisconsin, past and present, Volume II > Part 28
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CHRISTIAN VAN DE SANDE.
Christian Van de Sande is sole proprietor of the Terrazzo Marble, Tile & Cement Vault Works at Green Bay, his place of business being located at the east end of the Walnut street bridge. Ile first came to this city in 1882, arriving here when a young man of nineteen years. His birth occurred at Kessenich, Belgium, February 7, 1863, his parents being John and Gertrude Van de Sande, both of whom died in their native village. In the family were thirteen children, six of whom are now living. Our subject and his brother, J. H., were the only ones to come to America but the latter died in Green Bay.
Christian Van de Sande obtained his education in the schools of Belgium, and attracted by the opportunities which he heard existed in the United States he came to the new world. Bidding adieu to his native country he sailed in 1882, landing at New York, whence he made his way to Minneapolis, Minnesota. There he secured employment as a section hand, but after six months came to Green Bay, where he has since made his home. He was also employed for several years in the breweries, in fact, did anything he could to make an honest dollar. After two years spent in America he returned to Belgium but soon again came to Green Bay. A short time afterward he went to Chicago and for about three years was a waiter at the Chicago Club. During that period he carefully saved his earnings until his capital was sufficient to enable him to start in business on his own account. It was in 1887 that he joined his brother, J. H., in the cement contracting business, in which he has been very successful. Returning to Green Bay he introduced the cement business in this city, being the first to successfully operate in that line in Green Bay, others having previously tried and failed. In 1911 he
CHRISTIAN VAN DE SANDE
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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
AUTOR, LEADX INET TILDEN TO ADLET IN.
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organized the T. W. Black Company, Inc., but it has since been dissolved. He is now carrying on business under the name of the Terrazzo Marble, Tile & Cement Vault Works, and in this connection has built up a business of large and gratifying proportions, doing excellent work and therefore meriting a liberal patronage. lle deals in interior marble, terrazzo, tile and mosaic floors, wainscoting, cement blocks and vaults of all kinds and also handles granite and marble-faced blocks for building purposes.
In Green Bay on the toth of November, 1898, Mr. Van de Sande was united in marriage to Miss Isabella Walley, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Walley, the former a carpenter and one of the old settlers of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Van de Sande now have two sons, Walter and Harold, both of whom are attending school. The family reside at 542 South Quincy street in the residence purchased by Mr. Van de Sande.
Independent in politics, he endeavors to support the man best qualified for the office and he is now acceptably serving as supervisor of his township, having been elected to that position in 1911. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, St. Joseph's Society and Brown County Contractors' Association, of which he is president. All this indicates the nature of his interests and his activities and points to hini as a representative and valued resident of the community in which he makes his home. He is indeed a self-made man, one who owes his advancement entirely to his own labors, careful management and determination. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world for here he has found the opportunities which he sought and in their improve- ment has made for himself a substantial position in the business world.
JOHN MARTIN FREDERICK GOOS.
John Martin Frederick Goos is instructor in gymnastics in the Green Bay public schools and also for St. Joseph's Academy and the Turner Society in the same city. He is a native German and has been trained in his profession, supplementing special knowledge by ability and experience and has gained a reputation as one of the most able and efficient trainers in physical culture in the city. He was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, November 5, 1865, a son of Carl and Johanna ( Böttcher) Goos. His father was born near Kiel and when he grew to manhood became an expert match manufacturer at a time when matches were made by hand. He enlisted in the Danish army from 1864 to 1866. The hostilities at this time were between Denmark on the one side and Austria and Prussia on the other and resulted in the annexation of Schleswig-Holstein by the German Em- pire. He was active in the Franco-Prussian war and showed marked bravery and ability during his term of service. He died in his native coun- try in 1873, at the age of forty-two. His wife is a daughter of Carl Böt- tcher, also born in Germany, who was superintendent of building and construction work in his native county. To Mr. and Mrs. Carl Goos were born five children: Maria, of Berlin, Germany; Augusta, who lives at Vol. II-15
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home ; Dora; Frederick, who is an officer on a German man of war; and John, our subject.
John Goos was educated in the public schools of Kiel, Germany. When he was still pursuing his studies the empress of Russia during a visit to her home in Germany offered to found and support a certain number of pupils in each district as a memorial of her visit to her childhood home. At Kiel Mr. Goos was one of the fourteen fortunate contestants selected by the judges of the contest and he received his clothing and full educational privileges which were paid for from the private purse of the Russian em- press. He made full use of every opportunity along this line and supple- mented his general courses by learning the trade of cabinet-making. During this time he also took up physical culture and later became a teacher of this science in Hamburg, where he was prominent as a member of the local Turn Verein. In 1887 he came to America and for some time acted as assistant instructor in the Turn Verein Vorwaerls of Milwaukee. Hle also followed his trade of cabinet-making for two and one-half years and then came to Manitowoc, where he obtained a position as instructor of gymnastics in the local schools. After four years and a half he went to Sheboygan and there for ten years taught physical culture. In 1904 he came to Green Bay as instructor in gymnastics in the public schools and also holds a similar position in St. Joseph's Academy and the Turn Verein. He has been deservedly successful on account of his early special training and his ability.
Mr. Goos was united in marriage to Miss Clara Groth, who was born in Cedarburg, a daughter of August and Johanna Groth, the former a retired wagon manufacturer and farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Goos have one daughter, Margaret, who was born in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, August 1, 1892, and who lives at home. Mr. Goos is a member of the Lutheran church and belongs to the Green Bay Turn Verein. He is a firm believer in the doctrine that increased efficiency results from perfect physical health and he is doing notable work in Green Bay in putting thousands of children in the way of acquiring "a sound mind in a sound body."
ROBERT BOELKE.
Robert Boelke, operating the family homestead in Glenmore township, was born in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, in 1859, and is a son of William and Bertha Boelke. The father was a native of Germany and remained in that country until 1848. Crossing the Atlantic in that year he came to America and settled first in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, where for twelve years he was interested with the Mann Brothers in the manufacture of chairs. At first he was foreman of the factory but afterward invested his money extensively in this business which was utterly destroyed by fire after a few years. He lost his entire fortune and moved to De Pere, from whence after a short time he came to Glenmore township and settled on the farm now owned by our subject. It was a tract of heavy timber land.
,
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surrounded on all sides by forests in which wild game was still plentiful. There were no roads through the district and but a few neighbors scat- tered afar, when William Boelke settled here among the earliest pioneers. Little by little the land was cleared and brought under the plow and the work of cultivation and development begun. Gradually the farm was brought to an excellent condition and it was one of the model properties of the section when the elder Mr. Boelke passed away. His wife, who was in her maidenhood Bertha Maas, makes her home with her son. They had four children : Robert. of this review; Minnie, who married Fred Meyer and who died in 1898; Bertha, who in 1900 became the wife of Fred Meyer ; and Ida, who married Charles Budde.
Robert Boelke was educated in the public schools of Two Rivers and has been active in the operation of the home farm from his early child- hood. He has it in excellent condition, well improved and highly developed and is numbered among the substantial and enterprising agriculturists of Brown county. He is a member of the Lutheran church and in politics casts an independent ballot, voting for the man whom he considers best fitted for the office, regardless of party affiliations.
JOHN P. HOGAN.
Railroad interests in Green Bay are well represented by John P. Hogan, freight and passenger agent of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company, which position he has occupied since 1906. He is a thoroughly trained and able railroad man and has learned his business through per- sonal experience in many different capacities. He is a native of Green Bay and was born on the old site of Fort Howard, May 31, 1874. His parents were Mathew and Mary Hogan, natives of Ireland, who came to Green Bay in 1865. They resided in New York city for a few years before coming to Wisconsin. His father's death occurred in July, 1896, and his mother resides in the family homestead.
John P. Hogan received his education in the public schools of Green Bay. He left high school at the age of fifteen and started immedi- ately in the railroad business. He obtained a position checking cars and worked himself up through various branches until he was promoted to his present position. During the time of his service as freight and pas- senger agent he has shown himself to be an efficient and able man in the position. He holds the most responsible office in the Chicago & Northwestern station and his systematic mind and thorough knowledge of his business have made his record successful and prominent.
On the 12th of November, 1905, Mr. Hogan was united in marriage in St. Joseph's church, Brooklyn, New York, to Miss Anna T. Murphy, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Murphy, well known residents of Green Bay. Mr. and Mrs. Hogan are the parents of two children, a daughter, Nan Frances, and son, John Mathew. The family reside in a beautiful home at 805 North Chestnut avenue.
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Politically Mr. Hogan is a firm believer in the principles of the demo- cratic party with which organization his father before him was affiliated. He is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, has held the position of grand knight in the Knights of Columbus and has been chief ranger in the Catholic Order of Foresters. He is a member of the Roman Catholic churrch. His success is the direct result of his hard labor and industry. He improved every opportunity which came to him during his career, and his conspicuous merit has gained him well deserved recogni- tion.
HERMAN ADOLPH ANSORGE.
Herman Adolph Ansorge, conducting an insurance agency at Green Bay, his native city, was born June 14, 1881, a son of Eugene Karl Ansorge. At the usual age he entered the public schools, therein pursuing his studies through successive grades until graduated from the high school. He next entered the employ of the United States Express Company, with which he continued for a year and subsequently spent two years in clerical work with the American Express Company. For one year he acted as secretary with the Murphy Manufacturing Company and in 1906 he was appointed to the position of game warden under Mr. Davidson, occupying that position for five years. He proved a capable and efficient officer, care- fully guarding the interests of the state in harmony with the game laws, and that he made a creditable record is indicated in the fact that in the summer of 1912 he was nominated by his party- the republican-for the office of general assemblyman, to represent the first district of Brown county. He is recognized as one of the active party workers and one of the local leaders in republican circles in this part of the state.
Mr. Ansorge was reared in the Catholic faith and his fraternal rela- tions are with the Elks lodge at Green Bay, in the membership of which he has many warm friends. He is widely known in the city where his entire life has been passed and he has the good-will and high regard of those who know him.
HENRY VANDEN BUSCH.
One of the most progressive, able and successful young farmers of Preble township is Henry Vanden Busch, whose fine property of ninety- two acres in this section is fully equipped for modern farming along prac- tical lines. It is one of the model agricultural enterprises in this part of Wisconsin and a material addition to the resources of the state, its owner being an important factor in the promotion of farm development. He was born April 1, 1872, upon his father's farm in Preble township and is a son of Louis and Mary (Broylens) Vanden Busch, natives of Belgium,
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who came to America in 1866 with their eldest son, Philip, who was then a child. They settled in Humboldt township and here bought forty acres of land covered with a dense growth of maple and other hardwood trees. With characteristic energy Mr. Vanden Busch applied himself to the task of clearing and developing this property. Upon it he built a small log cabin, in which three of his children were born. Eventually, however, he replaced this by a modern house, in which he resided until his retirement in 1902. In that year he bought city property in Green Bay but lived only two or three months after his arrival in that city. His widow is living at the age of seventy-four years.
Ilenry Vanden Busch is one of a family of six children. He went to the country schools in Humboldt township and when not engaged with his books aided in the work of the home farm. In 1898 he purchased forty acres of land and in the following year took up his residence upon it, remaining for three years. At the end of that time he purchased from his father-in-law a farm of one hundred and ten acres and developed and improved this until 1902, when he disposed of his holdings and moved into Green Bay, but in the following year bought his present farm of ninety-two acres in Preble township. This property is highly improved, provided with a good residence and barns, outbuildings and machinery, and all the equipment used in farming by modern methods. Mr. Vanden Busch engages in general agricultural pursuits and the attention which he has given to his farm has made it one of the finest and most desirable in the county.
In 1899 Mr. Vanden Busch was united in marriage to Miss Philipine Van Ermen, a daughter of Louis and Johannah Van Ermen, and they became the parents of five children, Frederick, James, Joseph, Harry, and Annie, who died in infancy. The family belong to the Catholic church. Mr. Vanden Busch gives his allegiance to the republican party and is at the present time treasurer of his school district. He is interested in every- thing pertaining to the progress of his section along material, intellectual and moral lines, and movements for the public good never seek his aid in vain. Moreover, in his business career he has demonstrated the value of progressive methods when combined with perseverance, determination and unquestioned integrity, and he enjoys to a gratifying extent the trust and confidence of those with whom he has been associated in business or social relations.
EDWARD PRESTEEN.
Edward Presteen, farming eighty acres of land in Glenmore township. where he is numbered among the most progressive and enterprising young agriculturists, was born in Peshtigo, in 1882, a son of Fred and Kate (Swartene) Presteen. He received a public school education and since laying aside his books has lived in various parts of Wisconsin, first in Green Bay, where he worked for a teaming company, and then in Rock-
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land, where he carried on general farming. Finally he settled upon his pres- ent property, which he has brought to an excellent condition by his able management.
In 1906 Mr. Presteen was united in marriage to Miss Lottie Davis, a daughter of David and Mary (Jenkins) Davis, and they are the parents of two children: Ileythe, who is four years of age; and Geraldine, aged two. Mr. Presteen is a member of the Methodist church and his wife is a devout adherent of the Baptist religion. He gives his allegiance to the republican party and keeps himself well informed upon local and national issues although he is not personally active as a politician, preferring to concentrate his attention upon the management of his farm, which is one of the well improved properties in Glenmore township.
AUGUST SCHAUER.
Practical and successful farming finds a worthy representative in August Schauer, who owns two hundred and seventy acres, constituting the farm which his father operated in pioneer times, and who has besides other im- portant holdings throughout Brown county. His agricultural attainments alone would entitle him to a place among the important and valued men of his section but farming forms only one of Mr. Schauer's useful activities. He is interested in local expansion and in growth along lines of public im- provement and commercial development, being one of the reliable and public-spirited men of this part of the state.
He was born in Scott township, February 22, 1860, and is a son of Melcher and Clara (Larscheidt) Schauer, natives of Germany. Represen- tatives of the family have farmed in Wisconsin for three generations. The family was founded in this state by the grandfather of our subject, who in pioneer times purchased eighty acres of wild land in Scott township and upon it built a crude log cabin, in which he made his home while carrying forward the work of development. After three years, however, he passed away. His wife survived him until 1882 and made her home upon the farm which he had improved. Melcher Schauer, the father of our subject, was born in Germany and was seventeen years of age when he came with his parents to the United States. For some time he followed milling but event- ually came into possession of the home farm, upon which he built a fine modern house to replace the little cabin, erected barns and necessary out- buildings and installed all the machinery necessary to the conduct of a model farm. From time to time he added to his holdings and at his death, which occurred on August 26. 1909, owned three hundred and eighty acres of the finest and most productive land in the township. He married Miss Clara Larscheidt, who was born in Germany and who came to America with her parents in her early years, settling in Preble township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Melcher Schauer became the parents of ten children. The mother of our subject passed away in October, 1891.
AUGUST SCHAUER
THE NEW YORK ! PUBLIC LIEKA !!
:
AJTOK, LENO TILDEA IN ! !
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August Schauer worked upon his father's farm until he was twenty- four years of age and received a limited education in the public schools of his native district. When he laid aside his books and left the farm he worked in Schmidt's flour mill for nine years, having a half interest in the enter- prise. This mill was finally destroyed by fire January 17, 1891, and im- mediately afterward Mr. Schauer removed to Green Bay, where in part- nership with his brother, Peter, he purchased the Tremont House and aided in its management for two and one-half years. During this time he took an active interest in county politics and in 1896 was elected sheriff of Brown county, serving ably in that capacity for two years. When he left that office he resided in Green Bay for some time and then bought a farm of two hundred and eighty acres in Door county, which he developed and improved for four years. Eventually, however, he returned to Brown county and bought the family homestead of two hundred and seventy acres, which he has since developed and improved along modern and progressive lines. In 1912 he also purchased the old Feindeisen farm consisting of one hundred and fifty-five acres. which he is now improving.
In 1886 Mr. Schauer married Miss Katherine Heim, a daughter of Michael Heim and a native of Green Bay. They have seven children, Peter, Killian, Otto, Raymond, Marie, Francis and Caroline. The family belong to St. Killian's Catholic church.
Mr. Schauer has never neglected his public duties and gives his alle- giance to the democratic party. He has always been interested in the cause of education and is now in the sixth year of his service as school treas- urer. He has important business relations in New Franken. being manager of the New Franken Creamery and a stockholder in the New Bank at New Franken. His family is one of the oldest and most prominent in Brown county and Mr. Schauer is a worthy representative of the same. Upon his farm he has steadily carried forward the work of improvement, studying agriculture as a systematic science, and in the various relations of his life has proved himself an intelligent, shrewd and public-spirited man. Suc- cess has not narrowed his activities nor confined them to one line but has rather broadened his interests while giving him added opportunity to make them effective.
CARL MEIER & COMPANY.
Carl Meier & Company, florists, of Green Bay, are operating- one of the largest concerns in their line in Brown county and are noted for the integrity of their business methods. The partners in the enterprise are Carl F. W. Meier and Otto A. Schroeder, both of whom are natives of Germany and both of whom learned their trade through efficient training in their native country. They have the true German love of flowers and an intelligent knowledge of their care and cultivation, and they have made their enterprise successful and prosperous during the thirteen years of their association. The senior member is Carl F. W. Meier, who was born in
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Greifswald, Pomerania, April 14, 1865, and is a son of Christopher and Frederika Meier. His father was a tailor and followed his trade in his native land. He came to America and settled in Green Bay, where he died in 1907, and he is buried in the Woodlawn cemetery, this city. His wife's death long preceded his and she is buried in her native country.
Carl Meier received his early education in the public schools of Ger- many, in which country he learned the florist's trade. He was engaged in this line of activity in his native country for eight years and attained remarkable success and recognition. In 1895, at a very large flower competi- tion which was held in the city of Greifswald, Mr. Meier won first prize of the city, two bronze medals, two silver medals and four diplomas for superior flowers and exhibits, and also won as a prize a valuable clock. In 1896 he crossed the Atlantic to America and settled in Green Bay after having spent two years in work in a pulp mill at Oconto Falls, Wisconsin. Immediately upon his arrival in this city he entered the florist business as an employe of Mr. Rheinke, with whom he remained for about two years. He then started in business for himself and succeeded rapidly until his florist shop is now the largest in Green Bay.
On October 9, 1887, Mr. Meier was united in marriage in Greifswald, Germany, to Miss Louise Schroeder, and they became the parents of two children. One died in infancy, and the other, Clara, is now married to Otto Schroeder, who is a partner in the business of his father-in-law. Mr. Meier is independent in politics and never allows his judgment to be biased by party lines. He holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is active in the affairs of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He also belongs to the Equitable Fraternal Union. He has taken out his full naturalization papers as an American citizen and is a loyal supporter of the institutions of his adopted country. He resides with his daughter at 328 Pine street and is widely popular in the social circles of Green Bay. The business which he founded has grown and flourished to a remarkable extent. He has an expert knowledge of the care and cultivation of flowers and plants and has developed his business along scientific lines. In 1908 he took his son-in-law, Otto A. Schroeder, into the firm as junior partner, and the busi- ness is now operating under the name of Carl Meier & Company.
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