USA > Wisconsin > Brown County > History of Brown County, Wisconsin, past and present, Volume II > Part 34
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Mitchel R. Nejedlo is truly a self-made man, for from the early age of nine years he has been dependent upon his own resources. He first worked at gardening in the employ of J. M. Schmidt for six years and subsequently was employed in a fish house, of which he eventually became foreman, acting in that capacity for three years. He then took up car- penter work in 1884 and devoted ten years to that occupation and to the millwright's trade, occupying positions as foreman along those lines. At length he turned his attention to merchandising, opening a grocery store as the head of the firm of Nejedlo Brothers, with which he continued for eight years. He then came to his present place and developed the Bay Beach summer resort, remaining here to the present time. He and his wife planted the first trees here and have transformed a swamp into one of the most beautiful resorts along the bay. He is one of the oldest and best known among the business men of this district. He saw in the present situation of Bay Beach opportunities which were unrecognized by others. He understood what might be accomplished there and set to work in the most systematic manner to drain the land, to beautify it and to improve the property in every way in keeping with the idea of making this an attractive and ideal resort. The result is well known, for this is the most popular resort along the bay.
Mr. Nejedlo was married to Miss Mary Dvorak, who was born March 4, 1871, at Francis Creek, Wisconsin, and is a daughter of Frank Dvorak, a farmer who settled at Cooperstown, Wisconsin, and later took up his abode on a small farm. He afterward removed to Francis Creek and it was there that Mrs. Nejedlo was born, the youngest of a family of seven children. It was in 1857 that Mr. Dvorak came to America. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Musil, is still living at the age of seventy-three years, but Mr. Dvorak passed away in 1882. at the age of sixty-one. To Mr. and Mrs. Nejedlo have been born three children : Emily Irene, born June 8, 1894; Harry, born July 16, 1897; and Earl, born Octo-
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ber 2. 1907. The parents are members of the German Lutheran church and are most highly esteemed and well-known residents of Green Bay and Brown county. As proprietor of the Bay Beach Hotel he has made many friends outside of this district among the guests, who have been his patrons, and wherever known his geniality and his sterling qualities have gained him esteem and respect.
JOHN ANTON KUYPERS.
John Anton Kuypers, a member of the firm of Heyrman & Kuypers. publishers of the Brown County Democrat and of the De Volksstem, has risen to his present position in the industrial world from that of a printer's devil for the Standard Printing Company. He showed such remarkable talent for the business and such rare qualities of hard work and intelli- gence that his rise was rapid and sure. He is a native of Holland, having been born in Oeffelt, March 2, 1869. His parents were Michael and Joanna (Emons) Kuypers, both natives of Holland. The father came to the United States in the fall of 1886, and the other members of the family arrived in New York city on January 25. 1886, coming at once to De Pere, Wisconsin.
John Anton Kuypers was educated in the public schools of his native country and pursued a course at the normal school in Boxmeer, Holland, where he also took up the study of French and German and for a few monthis added to this a course in English. He came to America with his parents in 1886 and immediately turned his attention to the printing busi- ness. On February Ist of that year he obtained employment with the Standard Printing Company in the capacity of devil, where his good work and unfailing good humor soon earned him promotion to the position of "typo." He remained with the Standard Printing Company in various capacities with increasing responsibility until December, 1889. During the last two years of his connection with that company he occupied the posi- tion of editor of the De Pere Standard, a newspaper published in the Dutch language. In January, 1890, Mr. Kuypers started in business for himself. He formed a partnership with John B. Heyrman and purchased the Brown County Democrat, which had been established in 1877. and shortly afterward they commenced the publication of a new Holland Catholic weekly. De Volksstem, which has the distinction of being the only Holland news- paper printed in the United States. Under the name of Heyrman & Knypers the partners also conducted a general printing establishment and were remarkably successful along this line. John B. Heyrman died in 1899 but his widow still keeps her interest in the business and it is today one of the largest and most prominent enterprises of its kind in the county. The circulation of the two papers has increased remarkably in the last few years. The Democrat now has a daily circulation of twen- ty-one hundred and the books of the De Volksstem show a weekly busi- ness of sixteen hundred paid subscriptions. Mr. Kuypers' position as edi-
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tor and manager of two of the largest newspapers in the district gives him a great influence. He is a director of the State Bank of De Pere.
In 1895 Mr. Kuypers was united in marriage to Miss Anna C. Heyr- man a daughter of his partner, John B. Heyrman of De Pere. They have one son, Harold, who was born in 1897. Politically Mr. Kuypers gives his allegiance to the Democratic party and has attained a remarkable de- gree of prominence in public affairs. He was one of the Democratic presi- dential electors in 1912. For several years he was a member of the city council of De Pere and mayor of the city from 1902 to 1906. He has been a member of the park commission of De Pere since his appointment in IgII and has been secretary of the local board of education since 1909.
One of the vital influences in the life of John A. Kuypers is his reli- gion. He is a prominent member of the Catholic church and takes an in- tense interest in the fraternal organizations affiliated with it. He has served several terms as president of De Pere Branch, No. 46, Catholic Knights of Wisconsin. He is a charter member of Columbus Court, No. 315. Catholic Order of Foresters, and has served two terms as chief ranger in this organization; was trustee of the State Court for two terms; and has been state chief ranger of Wisconsin since 1903. He is prominent in the affairs of the Knights of Columbus and is past grand knight of Green Bay Council, No. 617. He also holds membership in St. Joseph's Society of De Pere. Mr. Kuypers brings into his business life the sturdy Dutch qualities of steadiness of purpose and concentration of ambition and these have raised him from a humble position to an active figure in industrial and religious circles. He is president of the Master Printers' Association of Brown county and vice president of the Wisconsin Editorial Associa- tion.
CHRISTIAN SCHWARZ.
Christian Schwarz, known in Green Bay as the father of the planing mill business in this section of the country, has been a resident of this city since 1853, coming to America from Thueringen, Germany, his birth hav- ing occurred in the town of Schwarzburg, Rudelstadt, February 7. 1834. He is a son of Michael and Elizabeth Schwarz, both of whom died in their native town of Saalfelden, near Rudelstadt.
Christian Schwarz was educated in the schools of his native country but laid aside his books at the age of fourteen and during the following four years assisted his father in the labors of the farm. He came to America on a sailing vessel, landing in New York after a voyage of forty- nine days. He had two dollars in his pocket when he reached America and was obliged to obtain work in New York city and later in Buffalo in order to provide means for the journey further west. In the winter of 1852-3 he cut cord wood for forty-three cents a cord on what is now the site of Buffalo, but in the following spring secured a position on one of the steamers plying between that city and Chicago. On one of the
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various trips which this steamer made to different points he left the ves- sel at Mackinaw Island and obtained passage on a propellor which came to Green Bay, landing in this city in June, 1853. Mr. Schwarz' first po- sition here was in the employ of a little brewery, where he earned six dollars a month and his board. After a short time he was offered a posi- tion in a sawmill at Oconto, at a salary of fourteen dollars a month and board. He followed this business until the winter, when he went to the northern woods of Wisconsin and obtained work in a logging camp at the same salary, but in the spring this was increased to sixteen dollars. He followed the occupation of logging until 1854, when he returned to Green Bay and started in business as a house carpenter. In 1861 he commenced contracting, carrying on the business until 1865, when he formed a partnership to operate a little planing mill which had the dis- tinction of being the first plant of the kind in the county. Mr. Schwarz did not give up carpentering and contracting however but carried on that business in conjunction with his planing mill for a number of years. The little planing mill had been run by a Mr. Tucker, who had only a sur- facing machine and a matcher, and was purchased by Mr. Schwarz and his partner, Theodore Kemnitz, in 1865. The following year they ad- mitted John Voigt, who came from Buffalo, to a partnership in the busi- ness, the last named being an inside man, while Mr. Schwarz did much of the outside business, buying the lumber, etc., and Mr. Kemnitz the building. In 1866 they received the contract for the erection of the old courthouse at Green Bay, which was completed the following year. They were in business together until IS78, when Mr. Kemnitz withdrew, but Mr. Schwarz and Mr. Voigt remained in partnership until 1887, when the firm was dissolved and each man took his share of the business, the lum- ber yard and all running accounts falling to the share of Mr. Schwarz. In 1866 they had erected a larger mill, which is now the property of the Diekman Manufacturing Company, making sash and doors and operating in connection a large lumber yard. In 1888 Mr. Schwarz returned to Ger- many, where he spent eight months, but on again coming to Green Bay at the end of that time resumed control of the lumber yard and also did a little logging. In 1890 he formed a corporation, of which he became presi- dent and general manager, and erected a planing mill in Green Bay, which is still operated under the name of the Green Bay Planing Mill Company, although the personnel of the company has changed. Mr. Schwarz has met considerable loss by fire, his plant at Fort Howard being entirely de- stroyed at one time and again, on the 17th of August, 1896, the mill was burned at a loss of thirty-four thousand dollars. It had been his intention to retire from business about that time, but as the stockholders decided to rebuild he volunteered to remain with the company until after the erection of the plant and did not retire until February, 1897. During that year he again visited his old home in Germany, having four times returned to that country-once in 1869 and again in 1888, 1897 and 1906. On the last two trips he was accompanied by his wife.
It was on the 8th of November, 1856, that Mr. Schwarz was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Freytag, a daughter of Christopher and
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Christiana Freytag, who came to America from Germany on the same vessel with our subject. On the 8th of November, 1911, Mr. and Mrs. Schwarz celebrated the fifty-fifth anniversary of their marriage. To them were born three children: Emma, who lives at home; Carrie, the wife of E. Becker, a master mechanic in the employ of the Chicago & North- western Railroad; and Louise, the wife of Philip Lucas, who is secretary to the superintendent of schools of Milwaukee. They also have an adopted son, Herman, who is now engaged in the drug business in Milwaukee. The family residence is at No. 232 South . Broadway.
Since coming to Green Bay Mr. Schwarz has always taken an active interest in the upbuilding and development of the city and for many years during early manhood served as alderman from his ward. He also filled the office of mayor for one term in 1880 and was elected city treasurer in 1865. He is a director of the Citizens' National Bank of Green Bay and is a member of the Lutheran church. In all the relations of his life he has been found true to every trust reposed in him and he has the con- fidence and respect of those with whom he has been brought in contact.
ARTHUR A. CHARBONNEAU, M. D.
Although little more than a year has passed since Dr. Arthur A. Charbonneau arrived in Green Bay he has won a notable and enviable position among the medical practitioners of the city. He has well appointed offices in the Minahan building and is specializing in surgery and diseases of women, having particularly qualified for those branches of practice. He was born in Ishpeming, Michigan, December 8, 1884, and is a son of John and Sarah Charbonneatt. The father, who came from Montreal, Canada, to this state in 1882, has long been connected with railroad inter- ests. The family is of French origin, as the name indicates, and the par- ents of our subject are still residents of Ishpeming.
In his native town Dr. Charbonneau acquired his early education, pur- suing his studies there to the age of seventeen years. He then entered the postoffice in 1901, in a clerical capacity, and so continued until 1904. How- ever, during that period he studied through certain high school semesters and at length won his diploma. He afterward resigned his position in the postoffice as registry clerk and entered the medical department of the University of Illinois-the College of Physicians and Surgeons-at Chi- cago. There he pursued his studies until he had completed the full course and was graduated in 1910. winning his degree of M. D. For a time he practiced his profession in connection with the County Hospital of Los Angeles, California. While in that city he was a member of the faculty and a teacher of surgery in connection with women's diseases in the hos- pital and was graduated from that institution. He possessed special liking for surgical work and availed himself of every opportunity to attain per- fection therein. He worked hard, attended many different clinics and soon became a master of the component parts of the human body. He also
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A Charbonneau. IMGO,
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early developed special proficiency in diagnosis. He did not regard his education as completed when he graduated in Chicago in 1910 but has remained a close and discriminating student of many subjects bearing upon his profession and has continuously advanced in efficiency through his wide study and experience.
On the Ist of August, 1911, Dr. Charbonneau arrived in Green Bay where he has since remained, specializing in surgery and diseases of women. He is also instructor in St. Mary's Hospital at Green Bay along those two lines, for which he is thoroughly qualified, being conversant with the most improved scientific methods of practice. He has become well known not only in Brown county but in Michigan and other states from which his patients come. His practice not only covers Green Bay but is drawn from a large surrounding territory and to him are brought many cases of a most difficult nature which have failed to find relief from the attention of other physicians. He is a frequent contributor to medical journals and his writings are always received with interest by the pro- fession, showing much original thought. He has an excellently equipped office, supplied with all modern appliances, instruments and devices for advancing professional work, and his practice, especially along surgical lines and the diseases of women, is particularly large and gratifying. He belongs to the Brown County Medical Association and his close conformity to a high standard of professional ethics has won for him the regard of his fellow practitioners.
REGINALD M. BURDON, M. D.
Dr. Reginald M. Burdon has been practicing his profession in Green Bay, since July, 1906, and during the short period of his residence in this city has built up a flourishing and lucrative practice. He was born near Green Bay, June 7, 1874, and is a son of Stephen and Adelaide (Howard) Burdon. His father came from England in the days of the Wisconsin pioneer settlement and made a home for himself and family. He cultivated the soil for many years and was one of the most progressive farmers of the district. He was very prominent in agricultural affairs and was one of the founders and organizers of the Brown County Agricultural Society. He died in 1880 and is buried in Fort Howard cemetery. His wife survives him and is living on the old homestead.
Reginald M. Burdon received his primary education in the public schools of Green Bay and was graduated from the high school in that city in 1892. He early determined to make the study of medicine his life work and in pursuit of this ambition he entered the offices of Dr. J. R. Minahan, one of the prominent physicians of Green Bay, and studied medicine under his able instruction for three years. He then entered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania and was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1899. He went immediately to Houghton, Michigan, where he practiced for some time. In 1906 he removed to Green Bay and has since
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resided and practiced in this city. Dr. Burdon has well deserved the degree of success which has been his. He is a true doctor regarding his calling as an opportunity to serve his fellowmen. He studies constantly and keeps his mind alive to every new phase of medical science and his success is the fitting reward of his constant endeavor. He holds membership in the Brown County Medical Society, the Fox River Valley Medical Society, the Wisconsin State Society and the American Medical Association, where effi- cient work in his profession has gained him recognition among his fellow practitioners.
In August, 1906, Dr. Burdon was united in marriage in Houghton, Michigan, to Miss Louise Lang, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Lang, prominent residents of that city. Dr. and Mrs. Burdon reside at No. 501 West Walnut street, Green Bay, and are widely popular in the social circles of the city.
In his political views Dr. Burdon is never influenced by party lines or policies, preferring to judge for himself on national and local issues. He is a Blue Lodge Mason and prominent in the affairs of that organization. His professional life has always been marked by careful and conscien- tious thoroughness. He is never actuated by the small or material motives and gives aid and support wherever needed. worthy men.
EUGENE PINCHARD.
Eugene Pinchard is a partner in the firm of Pinchard Brothers, con- tractors and builders, of Green Bay. In this connection he has been promi- nently associated with business interests here and there are many evidences of his skill and handiwork to be seen in the leading buildings of city and county. A native of Wisconsin, he was born in Kewaunee county, January 29, 1874, his parents being Constant and Augustina ( Schmidt ) Pinchard. The father, a native of Brussels, Belgium, came to America when a young man, taking up his abode at Walhain, Wisconsin, where he spent his remain- ing days, devoting his attention and activities to farming and butchering. He died in 1875, at the age of fifty-nine years, and is survived by his widow, who occupies the old homestead. In their family were nine children, of whom eight are living, namely : Charles, Eugene, Lewis, Oliver and August, who are all associated in building operations in Green Bay ; Odelia, the wife of Gustave Jacques : Hortense, the wife of Joseph De Kester, and Celina, the wife of Joseph Weary.
In his youthful days Eugene Pinchard became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the farm lad. He worked on the old homestead until twenty-one years of age and then, thinking that he would find other labor more congenial than agricultural pursuits, he began learning the carpenter's trade in Green Bay, being associated with his brothers in that line of activity. Twelve years later the five brothers formed a part- nership and have since engaged in the general contracting and construction business, which they have carried on in and near Green Bay since 1904.
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Their patronage has steadily increased from the beginning and they have done much important work. One of the largest buildings erected by them is the West Side high school. They also built the First National Bank building at Menominee, Michigan, and the new high school building at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. They likewise erected the Bayview Beach Hotel, including the dancing pavilion connected with the hotel. They were the builders of the new residence of Dr. Fairfield, the well known Fisk resi- dence, the Douglas block on Pine street in Green Bay, the sulphite mill of this city which was erected at a cost of one hundred and thirty thousand dollars, the new church at Walhain, Wisconsin, the Grace Presbyterian church at Green Bay, the First Baptist church, and at present are engaged in the building of an addition to the depot of the Green Bay & Western Railroad Company, while other contracts which they are now executing are the St. Mary's Hospital and the Morley & Murphy warehouse. Something of the extent and importance of their business is indicated by the fact that they have fifty employes. They are among the most prominent con- tractors of this part of the state, their high standing in their chosen calling being indicated in the splendid character of the buildings which they have erected.
Eugene Pinchard was married in 1898 to Miss Catherine Van Kaster, a native of Brown county and a daughter of Joseph and Theresa ( Boulet ) Van Kaster. The father is deceased but the mother survives. Mr. and Mrs. Pinchard have six children : Leland, Loretta, Elizabeth, Elvira, Roland and Catharine. The family attend the Catholic church and Mr. Pinchard is a liberal contributor to its support. He holds membership with the Brown County Contractors Association and with the Brewers Benevolent Society. He has never had any regret over the fact that he left the farm and turned his attention to carpentering. In connection with his chosen trade he has steadily worked his way upward and today occupies a commanding posi- tion as a leading contractor and builder, possessing technical and practical knowledge and skill which have placed him in the front rank among the representative builders of this section of the state.
CHARLES DE CLERC.
Charles De Clerc has been interested in the care and cultivation of flow- ers all his life. He learned his business when he was a young boy in his native country, Belgium, and has followed it continuously ever since. He is now operating a floral nursery at the military reservation and has a retail store at 107 North Adams street in Green Bay, where he has carried on business since 1907. Charles De Clerc was born in Belgium, December 16, 1869, and is a son of William and Elizabeth De Clerc, who never left their native country where they died and are buried.
Charles De Clerc received his education in his native country, where he learned the various details connected with the cultivation of flowers and trees. He left school at the age of fifteen and worked for some time as a
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florist in Belgium before he came to America going directly to Green Bay via New York. He obtained employment in the greenhouse belonging to William Larson and remained there for seven years, obtaining practical experience along the lines of his profession which was very valuable to him afterward. He subsequently was appointed superintendent of the Fort Howard cemetery and held that position for eight years. During this time Mr. De Clerc bought ten acres of land just outside the city and had started a business in fruit trees, flowers and vegetables. His scientific knowledge of these things, his care and patience and his intense love of outdoor life and nature made his success certain and his progress rapid. He now operates both his nursery. at the military reservation and his retail store in Green Bay. His business is the largest of its kind in the city and is grow- ing in volume every year.
On February 2, 1903, Mr. De Clerc was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Burdane, whose parents are prominent residents of Green Bay. Our subject and his wife have two children, William and Loyal, and are liv- ing in a beautiful home which Mr. De Clerc erected some time ago.
Politically Mr. De Clerc gives his allegiance to the republican party but takes no very active participation in public affairs. He is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and belongs to the Royal Arcanum. He is also prominent in the Modern Woodmen of America and holds membership in the Green Bay Turn Verein and in the Loyal Order of Moose, being also active in the affairs of the Travelers Protective Asso- ciation. He is a devout member of the Roman Catholic church, in which faith he was reared and in which he has also educated his children, and is prominent in the Knights of Columbus, a fraternal organization affiliated with his religion, and is well known in church circles in Green Bay. His business has been successful because it was founded on the broad lines of honesty and ambition. He built it up from small beginnings to its present volume. He erected all his own greenhouses and all the conservatories in the Fort Howard cemetery, and his love of flowers and plants has made him successful in their care and cultivation.
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