USA > Wisconsin > Brown County > History of Brown County, Wisconsin, past and present, Volume II > Part 35
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
WILLIAM MOGENSON.
One of the most substantial, enterprising and successful farmers in Den- mark is cultivating one hundred and seventy-three acres of land which constituted his father's original purchase upon arriving in America and which is about the only farm in this section that has not changed ownership in fifty years. Upon this property William Mogenson was born in 1864. a son of Henry and Sena ( Larsen ) Mogenson, natives of Denmark, Europe, who came to America in 1856 and settled in Brown county upon a farm which has been the family home since that time. The land was covered with timber and the father of our subject was obliged to clear the trees before beginning the work of cultivation. There were few people in the neighborhood and the conditions of living were extremely primitive. With
€
WILLIAM MOGENSON AND FAMILY
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LEMAX AND TABEA FONDATIONL
389
HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
singleness of purpose and well directed energy, however, he applied him- self to the development of his farm, erecting the necessary buildings and eventually brought his property into excellent condition.
William Mogenson was educated in the public schools of his native sec- tion and has lived upon the homestead since his birth. He has one hun- dred and seventy-three acres of land upon which he does general farming and has met with a success which is the reward of earnest, sincere and intelligent work.
Mr. Mogenson married Miss Minnie Maas, a daughter of Ernst Maas, and they have five children: Henry, Ernst, Bertram, Clarice and Vernon, all living at home.
Mr. Mogenson is a member of the Seventh Day Adventist church. He gives his allegiance to the republican party but has never been active as an office seeker, preferring to concentrate his attention upon the affairs of his farm which are ably conducted, making him one of the influential agricul- turists of the section ir which he resides.
WILLIAM H. TIELENS.
No farmer in Brown county has achieved greater success in agricultural pursuits than William H. Tielens, whose attractive property comprises two hundred acres of fertile and productive land. Since the beginning of his career he has been engaged in tilling the soil and through his own industry and enterprise has risen to prominence as a farmer. He was born upon the homestead June 15, 1867, and is a son of William and Johanna ( Soquet ) Tielens, natives of Belgium. Their marriage occurred in that country and they afterward came to America, settling in Bay Settlement, near Green Bay, where they resided for six months. At the end of that time the father purchased sixty acres of uncultivated land in Humboldt township. When he had paid for this property his remaining resources consisted of five dollars, and this he invested in a sack of flour and an ox and began his agricultural career in America. Upon his property he cleared a small space and from the lumber cut built a log cabin, in which he resided until he erected the fine house which is now upon the property. From time to time he added to his holdings and became one of the extensive landowners in this part of Wisconsin, developing and cultivating a fine farm of two hun- dred acres. He gradually became identified with the public life of the district in which he resided and for twelve years served as township chairman, while for three decades, until his death, he filled the office of clerk of the school board. Although he had but little schooling in his childhood, he supplemented this deficiency by broad reading and deep study in his later years and became known as one of the most liberally educated men in Brown county. For practically the last twenty years of his life William Tielens, Sr., was afflicted with paralysis. He died in 1901, when he was seventy-two years of age, and his death was the occasion of widespread regret throughout the section in which he had lived for so
390
HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
many years. His wife survived him until April, 1911, and died at the age of seventy-nine.
William H. Tielens attended the district schools of Humboldt town- ship until he was thirteen years of age and spent the next ten years working upon his father's farm. When he was twenty-three years of age he began his independent career, buying forty acres of land, which con- stitute a portion of his present farm. To his original holdings he added from time to time as his financial resources grew until his property now comprises two hundred acres. He has brought the fields to a high state of cultivation and through the use of modern machinery and the employ- ment of progressive methods in tilling the soil and caring for the crops he has won a degree of prosperity which places him in the front ranks of progressive farmers. He is extensively interested in business enter- prises connected with general agricultural pursuits and for the past eleven vears has been a director in the New Century Cooperative Creamery at New Franken.
Mr. Tielens married, in 1888, Miss Pauline Horkman. a daughter of William Horkman, of Scott township, and they have five children, Peter, Josephine, Frank, Edward and Joseph. Mrs. Tielens is a charming and cultured woman and by her quiet industry and steady helpfulness has been of material assistance to her husband in the accomplishment of his success. The family are devout adherents of the Humboldt Union Pres- byterian church.
Mr. Tielens is prominent in political circles of Brown county and for twelve years was township treasurer, in which office he acquitted himself with distinction and ability. He is well known throughout Humboldt town- ship for his many fine qualities of mind and character.
PETER JORGENSEN.
Peter Jorgensen is cultivating a fine tract of land of forty acres in New Denmark, constituting the farm upon which he was born and with the development of which he has been associated from his childhood. He is a practical and successful agriculturist, having founded well deserved pros- perity upon experience and efficiency. He was born in 1880, a son of Ole and Mary (Jacobson) Jorgensen, natives of Denmark, Europe, in which country their marriage occurred. They crossed the Atlantic to America in 1871 and settled down in Ishpeming, Michigan, where the father worked in the mines. In 1878 they moved to New Denmark, and settled on a farm which the father cleared and cultivated for a number of years. Both are still living in this town.
Peter Jorgensen was educated in the district schools of his native town- ship and from his eary childhood has been identified with agricultural pursuits, first as assistant to his father in the work of the farm and then as proprietor of the homestead. He is now cultivating the forty acres originally owned by his father. Upon this he does general farming and
391
HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
by persistent care and intelligent methods has brought the property to an excellent condition.
In 1905, Mr. Jorgensen was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Pahnke, and they have two children, Alice and Wallace. The family belong to the Lutheran church. Mr. Jorgensen is independent in his political views and while not active as an office seeker is interested in the progress of his native section. He is well known in New Denmark where he has spent his entire life as a progressive, enterprising and deservedly successful farmer.
HANS J. HANSEN.
With the exception of three years spent as a railroad employe Hans J. Hansen has been identified with progressive farming during the entire period of his active career and is today one of the most enterprising and substantial agriculturists of Denmark. He has a fine property of eighty acres, fifty-three of which are under cultivation, and has developed it from an unimproved tract into a productive and fertile farm. Mr. Hansen was born in Denmark in 1871, a son of Christ and Carrie Marie Hansen, natives of that country. The father came to America in 1893.
Hans J. Hansen was educated in the public schools of his native coun- try and his life in America has been spent in general agricultural pursuits with the exception of three years as an employe of a local railroad. He now owns eighty acres which was all timber land when it came into his possession but which is today an excellent and intelligently managed farm, its attractive condition evidencing the owner's care and skill.
Mr. Hansen was united in marriage in 1902 to Miss Nickoline Madsen and they became the parents of seven children, Sigrid, Thorkild, Albert, Helga, Ella, Carl, and Eva, all of whom live at home. The family belong to the Lutheran church. Mr. Hansen is one of the well-known farmers in the section in which he resides and his methods have always been practical and productive of good results. He understands the elements of farming and upon his experience and efficiency has built up his success.
OLIVER LE MERE.
In 1909 Oliver Le Mere retired from active life after a period of identification with agricultural and business interests in Marinette county. He now makes his home in Green Bay, where he has a wide acquaintance and many friends. He was born in Canada, July 25, 1852, and is a son of Louis and Olive ( Mitchell) Le Mere, natives of Canada. They were the parents of ten children, seven of whom are living, including our sub- ject : Napoleon, of Garden Bay, Michigan ; Marie and Ora, both of whom reside in Canada; Margaret; and Joseph and Peter, both residents of Canada.
392
HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
Oliver Le Mere attended school in the Dominion and after he laid aside. his books farmed until he reached the age of sixteen, when he came to Stephenson, Michigan. Here he carried on general agricultural pursuits for fourteen years, later coming to Marinette county, where he was engaged in the saloon business for ten years. At the end of that time he again took up farming, following this line of occupation until his retirement in 1909. In his agricultural labors he was always influenced by new and progressive ideas and pursued a constant policy of improvement. He never allowed any modern development making for progress and efficiency to escape his notice and as a result his farm was well cultivated and in excellent condi- tion.
Mr. Le Mere was united in marriage to Miss Eva Detienne, who was born in Brown county, May 25, 1859. She is a daughter of John B. and Barbara (Baker) Detienne, the former a native of France and the latter of Wisconsin. John Detienne came in his early youth to Green Bay and his family is one of the oldest in this section. He took up a government land claim and followed farming until his death, which occurred in May, 1912, when he was eighty-five years of age. To Mr. and Mrs. Le Mere were born the following children: Charles, who had two children; Eva, now two years of age; one who died in infancy ; and David, who lives at home .. Mr. Le Mere does not affiliate with any political party. He was reared in the Roman Catholic faith but now holds himself independent of any par- ticular sectarian view. He is well known in the section in which he has resided for many years as an honest, straightforward and upright man.
STEPHEN ATKINSON.
The name of Atkinson is closely associated with the material progress and with the general development of Brown county. At different times Stephen Atkinson owned various farms in this county and was extensively engaged in buying, selling and shipping stock. The importance of his business affairs brought him to a prominent position in public regard. A native of Ireland, he possessed many of the sterling characteristics of the Celtic race. He was born near Sligo and remained a resident of the Emerald isle until 1862, when he came with his family to America. Making his way into the interior of the country, he settled in Brown county, Wis- consin, and took up the business of buying, selling and shipping stock, extending his efforts in that connection until he was thus extensively engaged. From time to time, as opportunity offered, he made judicious investments in property and became the owner of many farms in the county, to the supervision of which he gave his attention during his later years. He was enterprising, energetic and determined, carrying forward to successful completion whatever he undertook, and that his opinions were sound and his judgment reliable is indicated in the success which attended his labors.
In matters of citizenship Mr. Atkinson manifested public-spirited interest and his cooperation could always be counted upon to further any move-
HENRY M. ATKINSON
393
HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
ment for the general good. He ever stood for progress and improvement and his aid was a valuable factor in the attainment of measures of greatest worth to the community at large. He possessed a spirit of independence that was manifest in his political connections, for he would not bind him- · self to party ties, voting independently as his judgment dictated. He fully recognized and met his obligations to his fellowmen and was very charita- ble, giving freely where aid was needed. His religious belief was indicated by his membership in St. Patrick's Catholic church.
Ere leaving his native country Mr. Atkinson was married to Miss Eleanor Finnegan and seven of their nine children were born in Ireland, of which number six are living, namely: Mrs. Gleeson, of Green Bay ; Thomas, a resident of California ; Edward, living in Escanaba, Michigan ; Margaret, the wife of John Cochran, of Escanaba. Michigan; Jennie, the wife of Dr. B. W. Jones, of Vulcan, Michigan ; and Eleanor, the wife of C. J. Laughren, of Deming, New Mexico. John Atkinson, one of the deceased sons, is mentioned at length in the following sketch. Henry, the oldest son, who has passed away, was born in Ireland, March 17, 1854, and was about seven years of age when the family came to the United States. When but sixteen years of age he was sent by his father to Negaunee, Michigan, to handle cattle and merchandise which was sent to him by the latter. Although a youth only in his teens, he showed remarkable ability for his age and made a wonderful success from the start. Alert of mind, versatile, industrious and energetic, he soon became interested in various other important propositions, including railroad work. He then con- ceived the plans for the organization of the Metropolitan Lumber Com- pany of Michigan, with mills at Metropolitan and Atkinson, Michigan, in which business other members of the family later became also interested. He became president and general manager of the lumber company and thereafter devoted his time exclusively to that trade, securing an extensive patronage for the undertaking and making it a very profitable venture. After his death the lumber business was taken in charge by his brother T. G. Atkinson until the end of its charter. Henry Atkinson married Margaret L. Brown, of Negaunee, Michigan, and remained an honored and valued factor in business and social circles of Green Bay up to the time of his death, which occurred while he was on a business trip to Chicago. Mr. Atkinson was generous to a fault, and was known for his great charity. At the time of his death the American Lumberman paid him the following tribute: "Few men at so early an age have attained to such wonderful success. Everything he ever undertook prospered, and if he had lived a few years longer he would have been one of the wealthiest lum- bermen of the country." The widow later married W. S. King, of Memphis, Tennessee. The eldest daughter of the Atkinson family is Bessie, who has been married twice, her second husband being T. P. Gleeson. Her first marriage took place in Marinette, Wisconsin, when she became the wife of Richard Edward Quinn, of Chicago, and to them was born a daughter, Eleanor Atkinson Quinn. Mrs. Quinn, at Marinette, in July, 1899, became the wife of Timothy Gleeson, who was born in New York and was engaged in the music trade in Green Bay, conducting a store for fifteen years. He is now living retired from active business, he and Mrs. Gleeson occupying
394
HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
an attractive and comfortable home in Green Bay, where they have a large circle of warm friends, Mrs. Gleeson having spent practically her entire life in this city.
The family has ever been one of prominence since Stephen Atkinson arrived here a half century ago. He and his wife immediately won the ' warm regard of those with whom they came in contact and as the circle of their acquaintances broadened the number of their friends increased. Mrs. Atkinson passed away on the 9th of April. 1889, and Mr. Atkinson sur- vived her for little more than a year, his death occurring April 30, 1890.
JOHN ATKINSON.
It is meet that mention should be made of John Atkinson in connection with the business development of Green Bay, for through a long period he was an active factor in the Metropolitan Lumber Company and while thus engaged in commercial pursuits made for himself a most creditable name and position among the progressive and representative business men of Brown county. He was born in the vicinity of Sligo, Ireland, in 1857, and was, therefore, about five years of age when he came with his parents to the United States in 1862. He was a son of Stephen and Eleanor (Finnegan) Atkinson, also natives of the Emerald isle, whence they came to America, establishing their home in Brown county. The work of development and improvement was being carried steadily forward here and the Atkinson family became factors in further progress. John Atkinson pursued his education in the Fort Howard school and when the period of his youth was passed joined his brother Henry and other mem- bers of the family in the conduct of a lumber business under the name of the Metropolitan Lumber Company, at Atkinson, Michigan. They oper- ated quite extensively in that line, their ramifying trade interests covering a wide area, while the extent of their sales brought them a gratifying annual income.
John Atkinson also became a very extensive landowner of this section, having fourteen hundred acres in this part of the state. He recognized the fact that real estate is the safest of all investments and as opportunity offered he added to his holdings until his aggregate possessions made him one of the largest landowners of the district. A few years prior to his death he retired from active connection with the lumber business, spend- ing his time upon the old homestead farm now included within the city limits of Green Bay.
Mr. Atkinson was married in Iron Mountain, Michigan, to Miss Han- nah Brown, and they became the parents of three children, Mary Lucile, Margaret and Henry Stephen, who are with their mother in Green Bay and attend the Catholic schools. In 1904 Mrs. Atkinson with her children moved to their modern and handsome home at 927 south Monroe avenue, where she now resides in what was formerly the Simon J. Murphy home.
Mr. Atkinson passed away March 29, 1903, when a comparatively young man, and his death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret.
395
HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
He was a member of the Catholic church and contributed generously to its support. In every relation of life his record measured up to the high standards of manhood and citizenship, for he was progressive, enterprising and reliable in business, public-spirited in his support of measures relative to the general welfare and loyal and true to the ties of home and friendship.
JOHN CHRISTIAN ROCKSTROH.
John C. Rockstroh is conducting a bakery and ice cream parlor in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and in his management of a large and rapidly expanding enterprise is evidenced his qualities of integrity and business discrimina- tion, which have brought him a large and increasing patronage. He was born in Jefferson, Jefferson county, Wisconsin, August 9, 1860, and is a son of Fred and Margaret (Reiss) Rockstroh. The father was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1824 and came to America when he was twenty-four years of age. He was a baker by trade and established a shop in Pittsburg, where he was successful for some time. Later he removed to Jefferson, Wiscon- sin, opened a bakery and after operating it for a number of years went to Appleton, where he engaged in the same line of occupation until his death in 1892. His wife was a native of Bavaria, Germany, where her birth occurred in 1838. Her parents were George and Margaret Reiss, who came to Jefferson, Wisconsin, in the early days of its settlement and here her father followed farming. To Mr. and Mrs. Rockstroh were born seven children, of whom four are living beside the subject of this review, namely : Charles, who is a salesman residing in Appleton, Wisconsin ; Lina, the wife of George Stockmar, of Sheboygan; Emma, the wife of William Storch, of Appleton; and Elizabeth, the wife of A. J. Beach, a merchant of Welcome, Wisconsin.
John C. Rockstroh was educated in the public schools of Appleton, Wisconsin, and after laying aside his books engaged for a short time in cigar making. After two years spent in this occupation he learned the bakery business and in 1880 removed to South Bend, Indiana, where he followed this line of activity for some time. He later spent one year at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and one year in Winona, returning to Appleton, where he married. In 1887 he opened a bakery business in Green Bay and is still engaged in the operation of this enterprise. He is the oldest baker in the city and has gained prominence and prosperity by a long career which has never been marred by any suspicion of business dishon- esty. He conducts a bakery and ice cream parlor and his enterprise is constantly expanding along progressive and modern lines. He is a member of the Wisconsin Association of Master Bakers.
Mr. Rockstroh was married in 1882 to Miss Bertha Maria Bentz, who was born in Pomerania, Germany, in 1862 and is a daughter of August and Fredericka (Bergin) Bentz, both natives of that province. The father followed farming for a number of years in his native country and came to America in 1870, locating in Appleton, Wisconsin, where he died. To their Vol. II-19
396
HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
union were born five children and of this number three, beside the wife of our subject, are living, namely: August, whose home is in Grand Rapids, Wisconsin; Fred, who resides at No. 1280 Twelfth street, Mil- waukee ; and Emelia, who married John Kline, of Colorado. To Mr. and Mrs. Rockstroh has been born a daughter, Amanda, and a son, Karl.
Mr. Rockstroh affiliates with the Lutheran church. He is active in fraternal circles, holding membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Equitable Fraternal Union and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is also prominent in the affairs of the Royal Arcanum and is serving as a member of the legislative committee of the Master Bakers Association of Wisconsin. He is the oldest baker in Green Bay and each year of his activity has made him increasingly prosperous. He brings to his business life sound principles of integrity and intelligent industry which have dominated his career from its beginning to its present suc- cessful issue.
HENRY HERRICK.
Henry Herrick, proprietor of the Herrick Clothing Store is an active force in the commercial development of Green Bay. He maintains this enterprise at No. 200 North Washington street and is carrying on a con- stantly enlarging and expanding business. He was born at West Bend, Wisconsin, in 1870 and is a son of Joseph and Mary Herrick. The father was a wagonmaker by trade and followed that occupation successfully in Kewaunee county, whither he had removed in 1882. He subsequently abandoned the line of activity to which he had been accustomed and farmed for many years prior to his death.
Henry Herrick was reared in Kewaunee county and educated in the coun- try schools of his district. He remained at home until he was twenty-five years of age and engaged in general agriculture in the employ of others. His residence in Green Bay was established in 1895, when he entered the clothing business as a clerk in the employ of Cole & Son. He has never severed his connection with this line of activity since his arrival in this dis- trict but always regarded his clerkship merely as a preliminary step to en- gaging in business for himself. He supplemented this period of clerkship in the employ of Cole & Son with a few years in the De La Porte Clothing Store. In 1904 he established a business of his own at the corner of Wash- ington and Cherry streets and conducted it under the name of the Herrick Clothing Store. He started in a small way but early inaugurated a policy of fair dealing, honor and courtesy in all business relations and this policy he has maintained throughout his increasingly successful career. He was soon obliged to enlarge his premises and is now the proprietor of one of the larg. est and most commodious stores in Green Bay. His energies have always been directed along progressive and modern lines, his stock is always kept up-to-date and well arranged and his success has been the logical result of his judicious management and well directed labor. He does not allow his
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.