USA > Wisconsin > Brown County > History of Brown County, Wisconsin, past and present, Volume II > Part 36
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HENRY HERRICK
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTON, LEWAY AND TIL. SAP : : 1,0ML.
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HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
clothing business to absorb his entire attention for he is a well known figure in other lines of business enterprise in Green Bay. He is a director in the Bank of Green Bay and his opinion is often sought and followed on questions concerning modern finance.
In 1890 Mr. Herrick was united in marriage to Miss Rosie Neze, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Neze, of Lincoln, Kewaunee county, Wisconsin. They are the parents of two children, Louisa and Emma, who reside with their parents at No. 1000 Walnut street, Green Bay.
Mr. Herrick keeps himself well informed upon local political issues al- though he never seeks public office. He is a member of the Roman Catholic church, and is identified with Green Bay Council, No. 617, K. C. His suc- cess has been attained by reason of his unfaltering determination, the faith- ful performance of his duties while serving in a minor capacity and his broad and intelligent direction of his activities in his more advanced pros- perity.
ARTHUR H. DU CHATEAU.
Arthur H. Du Chateau is secretary and treasurer of the A. Du Chateau Company, and has been identified with the business in Green Bay since 1898. The company has offices at 329 North Washington street, and is one of the most flourishing concerns of its kind in the city. Mr. Du Chateau was born in Union township, Door county, Wisconsin, January 5, 1864, and is a son of Abelard and Felicite Du Chateau. The family is of French origin but has been in this country for some time.
Arthur H. Du Chateau received his early education in the public schools of Wisconsin and left high school at the age of fifteen. He then entered Ripon College at Ripon, Wisconsin, where he remained for a short time, leaving this institution to go into business. In 1898 he became connected with the A. Du Chateau Company, wholesale liquor dealers, and was elected its secretary and treasurer.
Mr. Du Chateau is also a prominent factor in educational circles in Green Bay, where he has done much to promote the efficiency of the public schools. He is president of the board of education and has been a member of that body for eighteen years. He believes in specialized education and vocational training and it is largely through his influence that courses in manual training and domestic science have been added to the curriculum of the Green Bay schools. In connection with the public schools there is a department for the deaf and dumb, which was established some years ago, while Mr. Du Chateau was a member of the board, and has gradually grown, there being at first only one teacher, while now there are four. This department is at the Whitney school and the pupils come from the surrounding country. Mr. Du Chateau has been particularly active in seeing that this work has been carried on during the eighteen years that he has been a member of the board.
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On January 3, 1887, Mr. Du Chateau was united in marriage to Miss Florence Mann, a daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Mann, the former a practicing physician of Chicago. To our subject and his wife were born eight children: Arthur H., Jr., now cashier with the Continental Clothing House of Green Bay; Leon Raymond, house salesman for the Morley-Murphy Hardware Company; Abelard Leslie, who also holds a position as sales- man with the Morley-Murphy Company; Clarence F., a student in the Green Bay high school; Florence Felicite and Heloise Irene, who attend the same school ; Robert Duncan, deceased ; and Robert WV., now in the gram- mar school of Green Bay. The family reside at 332 South Webster street and have many friends in this city.
In politics Mr. Du Chateau is a republican. He is quite active and prominent in social affairs, having served as an officer of the grand lodge of the Knights of Pythias, to which he belongs, and having filled all of the chairs in the local lodge. He is also a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Yacht Club of Green Bay, filling the office of vice commodore in the latter organization. Mr. Du Chateau is a man of broad and liberal views, quick to grasp the details of a situation, and he is alive to the constantly growing need of more special training in the public schools of this country and has done his utmost to secure this advantage for the children of Green Bay.
HENRY CLEEREMAN.
Henry Cleereman, president and treasurer of the Cleereman Land & Lumber Company, has been a resident of Green Bay since 1901 and through- out the intervening period has given proof of the possession of those qualities of energy, ambition and diligence which are the chief factors in the life of the successful business man. He is a son of Henry and Cathe- rine (Clabots) Cleereman and was born in Belgium, June 17, 1854. His father died in 1884 at the age of seventy-one years, and his mother passed away in 1908 at the age of eighty-six years, both being laid to rest in Finger church cemetery at Preble, Wisconsin.
Henry Cleereman was but two years old when brought by his parents to the new world. He never had any educational advantages, his knowledge being acquired in the school of experience. He was but a young lad of five years when he began splitting shingles and later he assisted in the farm work during the summer. From 1881 he has been in the logging and lumber business, first with his brother, William, and later they took into partnership Jule Connard, but in late years he has purchased both of their interests, and now the business is conducted under the name of The Cleereman Land & Lumber Company, directed entirely by Henry Cleere- man and his sons. They are having gratifying success and Henry Cleereman serves as president and treasurer. The corporations' principal office is at Cornell, Michigan, where they own sixty forty-acre tracts of the finest timber land in Michigan. They also have a hundred acre farm on the
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place, the soil of which is so fertile that they are breaking records as to yields per acre.
Henry Cleereman is also a stockholder in the Green Bay Barker Com- pany and is a director and stockholder in the Farmers Exchange Bank. He displays sound judgment in the control of his interests and in placing his investments and as the years go by he is gaining the reward of well directed labor.
In St. John's church at Green Bay, October 31, 1881, Mr. Cleereman was married to Miss Louise Draye, a daughter of Anton and Theresa (Bourgignon) Draye. Her father came from Belgium in 1872 and, accepting a position as gardener, continued therein until his death, which occurred in September, 1909. when he was ninety-two years of age. His widow survives at the age of eighty-nine years. Mr. and Mrs. Cleereman are the parents of six children: Henry, who is a graduate of a business college : Annie, at home; Anton and Hubert, both of whom are college graduates; William, a student in the high school; and Irene, who is also attending school. Mr. Cleereman erected a home at No. ILIO Willow street and in addition he owns other property in the city. The family are adher- ents of the Catholic church and in politics Mr. Cleereman is a republican, but, while he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, he does not seek nor desire office, preferring to give his entire attention to his business affairs. The occupations which claimed his attention in youth have constituted his life work and his long connection with lumber manufacturing has enabled him to secure maximum results with minimum efforts, which is the secret of all success in business.
C. ALVIN SCHNEIDER.
C. Alvin Schneider, who is successfully engaged in the photographer's business at 310 North Washington street, is a native of Green Bay, his birth having occurred March 27. 1880. His father. F. W. Schneider, was born and reared in Niederschelden, Germany, whence he emigrated to the United States in 1868, locating in Green Bay in 1874. A photographer by profession, he subsequently engaged in that business, establishing the gallery now owned by his son, which he conducted until 1911, when he with- drew from active work. In this city June 1, 1876, he was married to Miss Elmina Nuss, a native of Pennsylvania, who located in Brown county a few months before her marriage. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Schneider, of whom our subject is the eldest. The only daughter, Mabel, who is the second in order of birth, is a bookkeeper and accountant, while the younger son, Fred, is a traveling salesman. F. W. Schneider is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America and is clerk of the local camp of the latter organi- zation.
In the acquirement of his education C. Alvin Schneider attended the public schools of this city and was prominent in athletics, being a member
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of the first foot ball team of the East Side high school. Having resolved to adopt photography for his life vocation, upon terminating his student days he entered his father's gallery, remaining until he had become profi- cient in the various processes of his art. He subsequently left home and was engaged in business in various places until 1911, when he returned to Green Bay and purchased his father's gallery. He is prospering in his undertaking, as he has not only succeeded to the business established by his father, but is building up a following of his own and is continuously adding the names of new patrons to his books. His work is very uniform and manifests a careful study of the profession, which has resulted in a thorough knowledge of its scientific principles united with an appreciation of general artistic values and effects. His gallery, which is favorably located. is furnished appropriately and well equipped. Mr. Schneider is the pos- sessor of more than average mechanical skill as evidenced by his studio, which is provided with various accessories and appliances contrived by him in his effort to achieve distinctive artistic effects. He is very accommodating in his treatment of patrons, and takes infinite pains to please and satisfy all.
Fraternally. Mr. Schneider is affiliated with the F. & A. M. lodge, the Elks, Modern Woodmen of America and Equitable Fraternal Union. He is also a member of Powhatan Club, a purely social organization. He enjoys a wide and favorable acquaintance among the citizens of Green Bay, where he is held in high esteem both in social and business circles.
LEOPOLD JOSEPH LEFEBVRE.
For many years Leopold Joseph Lefebvre was connected with commer- cial interests in Green Bay as proprietor of a grocery and feed store and the success which he achieved was the merited reward of earnest, persistent labor. He made good use of his time and opportunities and at length, with a com- fortable competence, retired from business to spend his remaining days in the enjoyment of a well earned rest.
He was born on the 6th of April, 1839, in St. Jerry, in the province of Brabant, Belgium, and there pursued his education which was all in French, the language spoken by the people of that district. The reports which reached him concerning the opportunities in America proved most alluring and he determined to try his fortunes on this side of the Atlantic. On the 20th of February. 1856, he took passage on the sailing vessel David Wattley, with sixty-five days in making the passage to New York. Mr. Lefebvre at once continued his westward journey, his first location being at Chicago, where he remained until April. He then removed to Brussels, Door county. Wisconsin, settling in the wild woods, there being not even a wagon road through the district to his home. Everything was wild and undeveloped and gave little promise of rapid progress in the future. In 1860 he went south to Louisiana, where he was living at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war. He was pressed into the Confederate service and participated in the
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LEOPOLD LEFEBVRE
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTON, LENAX AM TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
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battle of Vicksburg. Sustaining a flesh wound in the right leg, he was at once taken to a hospital where the ball was removed. He afterward re- mained in the hospital as nurse and aided the surgeons in their practice.
When the war was over Mr. Lefebvre returned to Wisconsin, settling at Green Bay, where he secured a clerkship in a hardware store, owned by a Mr. St. Louis, and later he was employed in the feed store of George Hos- kinson for several years. Subsequently he was with the firm of Klaus, Case & Company, in a general store until their place of business was destroyed by fire. Mr. Lefebvre learned bookkeeping and later secured a situation with the American Express Company. When he severed his connection with that corporation he embarked in the feed business in the Beaumont House with a partner but subsequently purchased his interest and became sole pro- prietor. He erected a business block on Adams street, where the Nejedlo Brothers are now located, and there for many years he conducted a grocery and feed store, carrying a large stock and meeting with a growing trade which made his business a most desirable one.
On the 20th of February, 1889, just thirty-three years after he had em- barked for America, he started on a trip to Europe for the benefit of his health and when he again came to Wisconsin he resumed the management of his store, which he conducted until 1891. He then retired, after which he spent most of his time in travel. In 1894, accompanied by his wife, he again went to Europe, where he remained for seven months, visiting the principal cities of that continent but spending most of the time in Paris. In 1895 lie erected a palatial home on Cherry street, into which he moved on the 14th of August, 1895 which was not completed, however, until the 23d of Septem- ber of that year. In the meantime he visited Fargo, North Dakota, and pur- chased a farm, after which he returned and completed his new home, now occupied by his widow, Mrs. Margaret Lefebvre. There he was comfort- ably and pleasantly situated at the time of his death, which occurred on the 19th of February, 1896, his remains being interred in Woodlawn cemetery. His had been a well spent life, characterized by usefulness, activity and honor, and wherever known he was held in the highest esteem for his many good traits of heart and mind. For seventeen years, from 1874 to 1891, he was a member of Kimball's silver cornet band of Green Bay, playing the bass horn. He was a great lover of flowers, birds, music and children, keeping as high as fifty-five canaries at one time, while his yard was full of flowers.
On the 21st of September, 1886, in Green Bay, Mr. Lefebvre was mar- ried to Miss Margaret Parent, a native of this city and a daughter of Dennis J. and Margaret (Jourdain) Parent, both now deceased. Her father, who was a wagon maker by trade, came to Green Bay from Detroit in 1837 and assisted in various public enterprises in this city. He died on the 30th of January, 1885. He was married in Green Bay, February 3, 1836, to Miss Margaret Jourdain, whose ancestors removed from France to Canada at an early day. His father, Joseph Jourdain, was born in Canada but when a young man came to Green Bay and later removed to Neenah, Wisconsin. He married Margaret Gravelle and both died in Green Bay, at the home of their daughter Mrs. Susan De Quindre. In their family were two sons and seven daughters, all of whom are now deceased, including Mrs. Parent, the
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mother of Mrs. Lefebvre, who was born November 1, 1812, and died March 26, 1899. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Parent removed to a farm in the Green Bay settlement in 1841. They had nine daughters and one son and also an adopted son, but of this family only three now survive, namely : Susan, the widow of Abraham Houle, of the Bay Settlement ; Ellen J., the wife of Frank Durocher, of Kaukauna, Wisconsin; and Margaret, now Mrs. Lefebvre. Our subject and wife had no children but their home was always open to their many nieces and nephews. Mrs. Lefebvre is a member of the Green Bay Historical Society and has many friends in this city.
FRANK H. HOBERG.
One of the oldest manufacturing concerns in Brown county and one of the largest of its kind in the city of Green Bay is the immense John Hoberg Company, manufacturers of paper from silica fiber. The firm has been in existence since 1892, when it was founded by the father of the subject of this sketch. At its head, directing its policies and managing its varied and intricate affairs is Frank H. Hoberg, president and general manager of the company, who is carrying out the honorable traditions of upright and worthy business methods handed down to him by his father. Under the efficient management of Frank H. Hoberg the business, already large when it came into his hands, has extended its capacity and increased its output to a remarkable degree. It is now the largest concern of its kind under one roof in the state of Wisconsin and its rapid success has a solid foundation in the firm's financial methods and the commercial integ- rity of its officials and directors.
Mr. Hoberg of this review is a native of Wisconsin, his birth having occurred at Sheboygan, October 26, 1869. His parents were John and Lastine Hoberg, the former of whom was the founder of the magnificent business of which the son is the head today. It has had a continuous existence in Wisconsin since 1892 and in Green Bay since 1895. The first factory was put in operation by John Hoberg in Kaukauna, Wisconsin, and later, in 1895. a more extensive plant was erected in Green Bay. The business was established for the purpose of manufacturing tissue papers but later extended its activities to the making of toilet papers, napkins, and specialties of various kinds out of silica fiber and this paper is its present product. John Hoberg during his life was very active in local democratic circles although he never sought public office for himself. He died from an accident in July, 1904, at the age of sixty-three years, and is buried in the Catholic cemetery at Sheboygan, Wisconsin. The family is of German origin and was founded in this country a generation ago by the father of the subject of this sketch.
Frank H. Hoberg received his primary education in the public schools of Sheboygan, laying aside hir books at the early age of sixteen years to assist his father in a general store which the latter owned at that time.
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Ilis next position was as clerk in the Frank Geele Hardware Company and in this connection he remained for eight years. At the expiration of that period he removed to Kaukauna, where in conjunction with his duties as clerk in the postoffice he also acted as assistant under his father, who was appointed postmaster under President Cleveland's administration. On account of the failure of his health Mr. Hoberg was obliged to spend a year in southern California, where he engaged in the hardware business during that period. When he returned to Green Bay he entered his father's employ as a traveler. The business was then in its infancy. It employed about twenty people and was housed in very small quarters and had very primitive equipment. It was, however, successful from the beginning and was incorporated in 1893, John Hoberg, the father of our subject, being the second president. Frank II. Hoberg retained his posi- tion as traveling man with this company for five years. His success was remarkable and his advancement rapid. Four years before his father's death he was elected to the position of president. To this was added in 1904 the office of manager and in these two capacities he is now acting. Since the foundation of the company it has increased to nine times its original capacity. Additions have been made to the buildings and as the volume of business increased many employes have been added to the staff. Mr. Hoberg now has working in his plant one hundred and eighty people. The factory covers two acres of ground and is the largest concern of its kind in the state of Wisconsin. Much of its prosperity and success is due to the remarkable business instinct of Frank H. Hoberg, who has made many improvements and over twenty patents, affecting the business. The responsibility for the entire conduct of the immense plant rests upon his shoulders and he has proved himself amply able to cope with the many difficulties incident to the carrying on of a large and growing concern. The present officers of the John Hoberg Company are: Frank H. Hoberg, president and general manager; Mrs. Lastine Hoberg, vice president ; and Henry Gothe, secretary and treasurer.
On October 26, 1892, Mr. Hoberg was united in marriage in Sheboygan to Miss Marie Brauer, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dietrich C. Brauer, the former an old resident of Sheboygan, who is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Hoberg are the parents of two children : Helen, a student at St. Joseph's Academy in Green Bay; and Leroy, attending the military academy at Delafield, Wisconsin. The family residence is at No. 1008 Cherry street and is a center of hospitality and good cheer for the hundreds of friends of Frank H. Hoberg and his family.
Mr. Hoberg is prominent in many different lines of activity in Green Bay and his keen business judgment and sound discrimination make his opinion upon commercial matters in constant demand. He keeps himself entirely independent of party lines and partisanship and votes for the man and not the party. He is a prominent Catholic, and an active member of the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Order of Forresters. His power of organization and his command over men have been valuable assets to him in his present important position as president and manager of the largest tissue paper mill in Wisconsin. He is responsible for practi-
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cally all the improvements which have been made in the structure and equipment during the last few years and during his administration has changed the whole aspect of the building and made it a most complete and modern structure. His many friends in this city delight in his rapid rise and his undoubted success.
JOSEPH SCHNEIDER.
Joseph Schneider is prominently identified with business, agricultural and political interests of Scott township, for he is successful in the con- duct of a fine modern hotel in New Franken and in the operation of an ex- cellent farm of forty acres nearby. He is also ably discharging his duties as township clerk and has won prominence in all these different fields of activity because he has steadily adhered to high standards of efficiency and has promoted his interests along modern and practical lines.
He was born in Brown county, January 7, 1877, and is a son of Mathias and Margaretta (Weinfurther) Schneider, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Austria. His father came to America in the early '50s and settled immediately in Scott township, Brown county, where he took up a tract of timber land, which he improved and developed for a number of years. Upon it he built a crude log cabin and made this his home until his death in 1879, when he was fifty-eight years of age. After the death of her first husband, the mother married Joseph Kelnhofer. She died March 20, 1906, when she was fifty-four years of age.
Joseph Schneider was reared in his stepfather's home and attended the parochial schools of his native district during the winter months. In the summer time he aided in the work of the farm but at the age of seventeen learned the mason's trade, which he followed for six years. In 1900 he rented the hotel in New Franken and was so successful in its conduct that after two years he purchased the property and has since given much of his time to its management. He has made it an excellent modern hotel, fully equipped with all the conveniences and accessories necessary to the com- fort of his guests and ably controlled along business lines. In 1907 Mr. Schneider purchased the Hemmen farm of forty acres near the hotel and has been active in its operation since that time. For four years he owned a butcher shop in New Franken, which he has since sold. During the course of years his ability and force of character have carried him forward into important business relations in New Franken, among which may be men- tioned his identification with the New Franken Creamery Company and the New Franken Telephone Company.
In 1900 Mr. Schneider was united in marriage to Miss Frances Koll- ross, a daughter of Antone Kollross, of Humboldt township. They have four children, Joseph, Dorothy, Clements and Bernadetta. The family are devout adherents of St. Killian's Catholic church.
In official circles, too, Mr. Schneider is well known and prominent. He takes an active interest in the affairs of his locality and gives ready cooper- ation to all the movements which have for their object general growth and
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