USA > Wisconsin > Brown County > History of Brown County, Wisconsin, past and present, Volume II > Part 41
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CHESTER G. WILCOX.
Chester G. Wilcox has been a resident of De Pere since 1870 and since that time has been actively identified with many of the leading business enterprises of the city. He was born in Milford, Oakland county, Michi- gan, May 29, 1848, on the day on which Wisconsin, his present home state, was admitted to the Union. He is a son of Levi S. and Isabella (Lambie) Wilcox, the former a native of New York and the latter of Scotland. The mother emigrated to the United States with her parents in 1831, making the journey across the ocean in an old-time sailing ves- sel, which required three months to reach the shores of the new world. The parents established their home in Michigan and later removed to Camden, Oneida county, New York, where they remained for some time,
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after which they settled at Lowville, Lewis county, that state, and there remained until 1881. In that year they came to Wisconsin and took up their abode at De Pere, where the father died at the age of seventy-eight and the mother passed away in March, 1911, at the age of eighty-six years.
Chester G. Wilcox was reared at home and received his early educa- tion in the public schools. later graduating from Bryant & Stratton's Busi- ness College. He came to Green Bay, Wisconsin, in 1865, and was there engaged in the harness business until 1868. In 1870 he returned to Wis- consin, locating at De Pere, where he engaged in the harness business with J. H. McDonald under the firm name of McDonald & Wilcox. In 1887 he bought Mr. McDonald's interest and continued the business alone for the following five years. In 1892 he sold out his harness business to his son, L. Sheldon Wilcox, and retired. In 1873 Mr. Wilcox began to deal in real estate in addition to his harness business and has since continued to handle property throughout his portion of the state. He has been vice president of the State Bank of De Pere and is now vice presi- dent of the National Bank of that city. He was one of the organizers of the Oneida Knitting Company, of which he is a director, and his son, L. Sheldon Wilcox, is secretary, treasurer and general manager of that company. Mr. Wilcox was for a number of years president and treas- urer of the De Pere Business Men's Association and was one of the or- ganizers of the De Pere Electric Light & Power Company, of which for some time he was manager. He was one of the organizers of the Artesian Water Supply Company of De Pere and has been active in all movements tending to the development and advancement of the city of De Pere. He also organized the first fire company in De Pere, the by-laws of which were written by his wife, and continued to be a member of that company until 1910.
Mr. Wilcox was united in marriage on June 15, 1871. to Miss Sarah Miller, a daughter of Godfrey and Caroline (Stewart) Miller. The par- ents of Mrs. Wilcox were among the first settlers on the west side of the Fox river at De Pere, where they took up land from the government. The mother is still living at the age of ninety-six years. The father set- tled on government land adjoining the land of the Stewart family, on the banks of the Fox river, and there died at the age of eighty-one years. Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox have two children: Levi Sheldon, born in 1873, who is married and has two children; and Guy, born in 1893.
Mr. Wilcox has been a lifelong and loyal democrat and has held va- rious offices in the gift of the people. He was a member of the city coun- cil of De Pere for three terms, his first election to that office having oc- curred in 1873. In 1878 he was elected county supervisor and continued in that office for thirteen consecutive years. Later he was reelected and served for one year. In 1880 he was elected to the Wisconsin state as- sembly and at one time was the youngest member of that body. In 1893 he was appointed by President Cleveland as postmaster of De Pere and continued as such for four and one-half years. In 1898 he was a candi- date on the democratic ticket for the state railroad commission. He has also been chairman of the Brown county central democratic committee
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and was a delegate to the national democratic convention at Baltimore in 1912. For the past twenty-five years he has been a member of the board of education of De Pere and for three terms served as president of that body. He is a director of the Brown County Fair Association, of which he was one of the organizers, having been one of the founders of the former fair association. He has also served as a director of the Wisconsin State Fair Association since 1896 and has been superintend- ent of speed for that association since 1898. In the midst of his active business career he has found time to devote attention to athletics and has the distinction of having defeated at Camden, New York, John Gray, who was the champion of Canada, in a hundred yard foot race, which he made in the remarkable time of ten and one-quarter seconds, and it is his challenge today that he can outrun any man of his age in the county. In 1876 he was captain and pitcher of the De Pere Baseball Club, which won the county championship of that year. Fraternally Mr. Wilcox be- longs to De Pere Lodge, No. 85, F. & A. M. He is one of the most active and enterprising men of Brown county and his business record has been one of credit to himself as well as usefulness to the city. He is a man who stands high in the councils of his political party and during his resi- dence in the state of Wisconsin has been continuously identified with the political interests of the state. He is in the midst of his active career and is numbered among the progressive, reliable and useful citizens of northeastern Wisconsin.
ALEXANDER N. LA COMBE.
Alexander N. La Combe, division superintendent of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway in Green Bay, has a record of over a quarter of a century's continuous service in the employ of that corporation. He was born in the township of Duck Creek, July 19, 1866, and is a son of Alexander and Josephine La Combe. The family is of French origin but has been in America for many years. Mr. La Combe's father came to Wisconsin from Plattsburg, New York, in or about the year 1852. He settled in the Wis- consin woods and spent the early part of his life in that state in clearing tim- ber and burning stumps until he gradually brought his farm to a high state of cultivation. At one period in his life he served as mail carrier. The coun- try through which his route ran was in an extremely undeveloped and primi- tive condition. His work lay along the Indian trails and he often endured many hardships and privations and even dangers in the performance of his duty. He is still living in Green Bay at the age of eighty-five years, and has survived his wife since 1876. Her grave is in the Fox Hill cemetery.
Alexander N. La Combe received his early education in the public schools of Green Bay. He laid aside his books at the age of seventeen to accept a position as driver of an express wagon, which he held for one year. At the expiration of that time he entered the Green Bay Business College and was graduated from the course in telegraphy. He immediately entered the
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employ of the Northwestern system as telegraph operator at Powers, Michigan, and he has remained in the employ of this railroad during all his active life. He spent one year at Powers and was removed at the end of that time to Oconto, Wisconsin, where he spent two years and a half as telegraph operator in that city. He was next stationed at Mas- todon, Michigan, as agent, and from there was transferred to Nadeau, Michigan, as station agent, where he remained for two years and a half. His next position was in Norway, Michigan, where he remained two years. At the end of that time he was transferred as agent to Menominee, Michigan, and remained in that city for ten years. On July I, 1905, he was appointed to the agency of the Northwestern railway at Green Bay, and after three years' activity in this capacity was promoted to the position of assistant superintendent. Ile did able and efficient work in this office for five years and on April 1, 1912, was appointed to his present posi- tion as division superintendent.
Mr. La Combe was married on the 16th of October, 1888, at White- water, Wisconsin, to Miss Lella Tobin, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Tobin of Whitewater, Wisconsin. To their union has been born one daugh- ter, Ina Gertrude, now in her senior year at the Wisconsin State University. The family have a pleasant home in Green Bay, where they have a wide circle of friends. During the few months of his activity as division super- intendent for the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Mr. La Combe has done remarkable and efficient work. He is an expert in his line of business and his success is the natural outcome of his thorough knowledge and his extraordinary power of perseverance.
FRED M. LOFTUS.
Fred M. Loftus has been serving as superintendent of the Brown County Insane Asylum since 1897 and was for some years previously connected with the institution as an attendant. His long period of identification there- with has given him a knowledge of the needs of the patients under his charge, the capacity for understanding them and a rare success in caring for their interests. He is an able business man, shrewd, keen and system- atic and has administered the affairs of the asylum efficiently and capably. He was born in De Pere, November 5. 1871, and is a son of Thomas and Mary (O'Connor ) Loftus. The father was born in Ireland, and came to the United States when he was a young man, settling in De Pere, where lie followed the wagon-making trade until his death, which occurred in 1874. His wife survives him and is making her home with our subject. To their union were born three children: Fred M., of this review ; William, who lives in Montana ; and Thomas, who is connected with the railway busi- ness in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Fred M. Loftus was educated in the public schools of De Pere and after laying aside his books obtained a position as clerk in a business house in Green Bay, where he remained for two years, resigning in order to become an attendant at the Brown County Insane Asylum. He was identified with
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the institution in this capacity until 1897, when he was elected superintend- ent and is serving at the present time with constantly increasing success.
Mr. Loftus married Miss May Finnerty and to their union were born three children: Edna, fourteen years old; Dorothy, aged nine; and Alice, aged four. Mr. Loftus is prominent in fraternal circles of Green Bay, holding membership in the Order of Elks, the Knights of Columbus and the Royal Arcanum. He is also identified with the Order of Moose and the Green Bay Benevolent Society, his genial and kindly characteristics gaining him popularity and many friends. He does not affiliate with any particular political party, voting according to personal convictions. He served as jus- tice of the peace for six years and is a notary public. He is a devout believer in the Roman Catholic religion. His business capacity is evidenced by his efficient conduct of the affairs of the institution with which he is connected and his upright character makes him conscientious in the per- formance of his duties and fully alive to the responsibilities of his difficult position.
LOUIS G. INDRA.
Louis G. Indra, senior partner of the West Side Garage, located at 151 North Broadway, Green Bay, Wisconsin, has been identified with that enter- prise since September, 1909. He is a master mechanic and is well acquainted with the intricacies of the most delicately balanced machinery and is an expert on automobile construction. He was born in Green Bay, February 2, 1879, and is a son of Anton and Emily Indra. His father came from Germany in 1856 and located in Green Bay where he engaged in the butcher business until his death in 1895, at the age of fifty-six. He is buried in Woodlawn cemetery and is survived by his widow and six children: Teresa, who is residing at home; Emily, a teacher in the public schools of South Dakota; Clara, who became the wife of Frank Huber, a master mechanic for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company ; Henry L., former partner in the Green Bay Foundry and Machine Company, who is now living retired; Louis G., the subject of this sketch ; and Lydia, who is holding the position of bookkeeper in a Green Bay business house and resides at home.
Louis G. Indra received his education in the public schools of Green Bay which he attended until he was sixteen years of age. He then entered the employ of the A. M. Duncan Machine Company where his talent for mechanics and his industry and integrity soon made him successful. He remained with that institution for three years, and after one year of rest in his native city he entered the employ of the Green Bay & Western Rail- road Company as a machinist and spent seven years with that organization. From 1905 until 1909 he followed his trade in the employ of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, resigning this position to form his present partnership in the operation of the West Side Garage. This undertaking has proven exceedingly prosperous in its three years of existence. It owes much
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of its flourishing condition to the expert mechanical knowledge of Louis G. Indra and his well known reputation for integrity and uprightness.
On June 26, 1901, Mr. Indra was united in marriage to Miss Edith Finnegan, a daughter of William and Ella Finnegan. Mrs. Indra's father was at one time proprietor of the William Finnegan Brick Company which is now operated under the name of the Barkhausen Brick Company. He died February 21, 1909, and is buried in Woodlawn cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Indra are the parents of three children, Genevieve, Louis William and John, the two latter pupils in the public schools of Green Bay. The family reside at 508 South Ashland avenue in the pleasant home which Mr. Indra erected.
Mr. Indra is independent in his politics, preferring to vote for the man whom he considers best fitted for the position, regardless of party affilia- tions. He is a member of the Grace Lutheran church and active in the affairs of that organization. He is a shrewd and discriminating business man, and during the time of his connection with the West Side Garage has developed the enterprise from a small beginning to its present flour- ishing condition. Ile founded the business and erected the building in which it is operated. He has equipped his garage with every modern improvement and is conducting its affairs with energy and intelligence.
OLDENBURG & KRIPPNER.
Louis Oldenburg and Edwin M. Krippner are members of the firm of Oldenburg, Krippner & Company, owning one of the oldest and largest furni- ture stores in Green Bay, founded in 1870 by Gerald Oldenburg, whose son is now president of the company. Their place of business is at Nos. 311-313 North Walnut street, where they have been located since 1907.
Louis Oldenburg, senior member of the firm, was born in Green Bay. December 6, 1866, a son of Gerald and Margaret Oldenburg. The father, a native of Germany, was attracted to the United States by the excellent busi- ness opportunities here and in 1849 came to Green Bay. In 1870 he estab- lished the furniture business with which his son is now connected. He was popular and prominent in local political circles and served for several terms as county supervisor. He promoted many public projects, helped build the road to Duck Creek, to which point all the citizens of Fort Howard went in order to vote in the early days; planted trecs about the old courthouse in Green Bay ; and was one of the organizers of the Green Bay Turn Verein. He died in 1890, at the age of seventy-four, and was survived by his wife until 1900, when she passed away at the age of sixty-two. Both are buried in the Fort Howard cemetery.
Louis Oldenburg acquired his early education in the public schools of his native city and left high school at the age of fifteen to enter the Green Bay Business College, from which institution he was graduated the follow- ing year. He immediately went to the west, where he engaged in business until 1890 and then returned to Green Bay, having been called thither by
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
AIDA LENOX AND
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LOUIS OLDENBURG
E. M. KRIPPNER
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASICA, LETAX AME TILDEA MOS PHONE
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the death of his father. He immediately entered the furniture business which Gerald Oldenburg had founded, and worked for several years as a clerk in that institution. His elder brother, Otto N. Oldenburg, was at that time head of the concern and Louis Oldenburg worked in his employ until the spring of 1908. In March of that year the brother died and the entire charge of the enterprise came into the hands of the subject of this sketch. He entered into partnership with E. M. Krippner and under the firm name of Oldenburg, Krippner & Company, they are now operating one of the most successful and flourishing concerns in the city of Green Bay.
Edwin M. Krippner holds the position of secretary and treasurer of the company and has been active in that capacity since 1907. He is a native of Green Bay, where he was born March 13, 1872. His parents were B. J. and Barbara Krippner. The father came to this city in 1871 and has followed the machinist's trade since that time. He is now the oldest active machin- ist in Green Bay, and makes his home at No. 210 South Maple street, this city.
Edwin Krippner received his early education in the public schools of his native city but laid aside his books at the age of sixteen and started as an apprentice with the W. N. Weiler Clothing Company. He later entered the employ of the Detinne Brothers Clothing Company, and from 1893 until 1906 was associated with the firm of Krippner & Kaye, merchant tailors of this city. He severed his connection with that concern September 6, 1906, and from that date until December of the following year he was in the employ of the firm of Schaub Brothers, leading merchant tailors of Chicago. In December, 1907, the furniture firm of Oldenburg, Krippner & Company was organized with Mr. Krippner as secretary and treasurer, and he has been active in the management of the affairs of that concern and a dominating influence in its business policies since that time.
On June 21, 1897, Mr. Krippner was united in marriage to Miss Bessie M. Graver, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Graver, of Chicago. He and his wife are the parents of three children: Philip and Dorothea, now pupils in the Green Bay schools; and Barbara. The family resides at No. 609 Howard street, this city, and are well known and widely popular in social circles of Green Bay. Mr. Krippner is independent in his political views and always votes for the man regardless of his party. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and belongs to Medinah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Chicago. He is past exalted ruler of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Mr. Krippner is loyal to his native city and is active along many lines of its development. He is prominent in the Green Bay Commercial Club. is a director of the Green Bay Base Ball Club, a well known figure in the local yacht club and a member of the Modern Brotherhood of America. He is one of the active and prominent men of the business and social circles of Green Bay.
He and his partner, Louis Oldenburg, have promoted the success of one of the largest furniture houses in the city. They have always worked in harmony and their association has been pleasant and profitable since its com- mencement in 1907. They are progressive men with modern ideas of indus- trial development. They are keenly interested in the upbuilding of their Vol. II-22
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enterprise and give their time, energies and remarkable business talents to the promotion of its growth. Their success has been rapid, but it is the inevitable result of concentrated energy and industry in any line of activity. They are among the men in Green Bay who are in a large measure respon- sible for its flourishing growth, and their business career has done much to increase the prosperity and wealth of the city along honorable and worthy lines.
DOMINICK M. HAGERTY.
Green Bay has a fair proportion of retired men-men who for many years were closely associated with industrial, commercial or public interests in the city and in the management of their affairs won the success which now permits of honorable rest after labor. To this class belongs Dominick M. Hagerty, a native son of the city and for many years prominent in the hotel and theater business as well as in political and social life. His retire- ment does not mean inactivity as he is still regarded as one of the great forces in municipal progress and one of the leading and representative men of the city. He was born in February, 1863, a son of John Hagerty, whose birth occurred in Kilmetag, Ireland, in 1828 and who came alone to America in his early years, settling in Cherry Valley, New York, where he worked as a laborer. In 1848 he came west to Green Bay and here estab- lished the first draying business in the city. Being a man of ready business instincts he recognized his unusual opportunities in the conduct of an enter- prise which was at that time a novelty and he made full use of his advan- tages, finally adding to his activities by driving stage between Green Bay and Escanaba, Michigan. Later he abandoned both lines of activity and became prominent and successful in the hotel business. For some time he conducted the New England House and in 1865 bought the corner where the Minehan building now stands, showing in this purchase his clear per- ception of values and business foresight. Upon it he erected the City Hotel, which he managed until 1871 and in 1876 built the American House and operated it in connection with a livery business until 1878, when he retired. He was prominent for many years in local democratic politics and was always an active worker for his party. Ile died February 4. 1807. Ilis wife was in her maidenhood Miss Ellen Flatley and to their union were born twelve children, six of whom are living: Michael, of Chicago; John and Thomas, both of whom reside in Green Bay; Dominick, of this review ; Maggie, the widow of Henry J. White, of Green Bay; and Mamie, who also makes her home in that city. The mother of our subject is living at No. 408 Webster avenue.
Dominick M. Hagerty was educated in the public schools of Green Bay and after completing his studies clerked in a grocery store for eight years. After that he engaged in the hotel and livery business with his brother, succeeding his father upon the latter's retirement. For eleven years he followed this occupation and then spent four years as oil inspector. at the
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same time engaging in the insurance business, an enterprise which he man- aged until 1902. He evidenced in all of these various activities the energy, enterprise and keen business acumen which were the foundation of his success. He also was interested in the Bay Beach Amusement Company and at one time owned the steamer, The Bell, operating it with a partner until 1895, when he sold out his interest. He had previous to that time become connected with the management of a vaudeville theater. the Royal, and in three years made this enterprise profitable and important. He did not abandon his connection with it until his retirement, having earned rest by useful work in the past.
On December 20, 1890, Mr. Hagerty was united in marriage to Harriet Ann Taylor Kerr, a daughter of James and Betsy (Dickie) Kerr, the former retired printer and journalist of Green Bay. To Mr. and Mrs. Hagerty three children have been born: Mildred, aged nineteen, who is a graduate of St. Mary's Academy and Chicago College; Mercedes, aged eight: and Kerwin, aged six. The family are members of the Roman Catholic church.
Mr. Hagerty is well known in local democratic politics and is an active worker in the interests of his party, having served as a delegate to many important state and congressional conventions. He is well known in the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Although he is retired Mr. Hagerty is yet numbered among the foremost citizens of Green Bay, since his interest in public affairs has in no way lessened. No movement which has for its object general advancement and improvement seeks his cooperation in vain and he is justly accounted a factor in progress. Having early learned to value his opportunities and to appreciate the purpose of life, he has by a career of activity and usefulness won rest and an enviable position in the regard of his fellowmen.
ARCHIBALD M. DUNCAN.
Archibald M. Duncan was formerly a well known representative of industrial activity in Green Bay, where he is now living retired. He was at one time proprietor of a foundry and machine manufacturing plant and in that connection built up a gratifying business that enabled him in due time to put aside further cares. He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, January 23, 1853, a son of John Duncan, a native of Fifeshire. Scotland, who died Jan- uary 9, 1907, at the age of eighty years and six months. He was left an orphan when very young but was reared in the land of hills and heather, and there maintained his residence until he came to America with his wife and family. lle was then twenty-five years of age. He had married Mar- garet McCune, of Glasgow, and while in his native country he had learned the trades of a machinist and iron worker. After reaching America he first located at Milwaukee, where he worked at the machinist's trade for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad in their shops, remaining there for fourteen years. He made the first locomotive ever constructed in a machine shop in Wisconsin. He continued a resident of Milwaukee until
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