USA > Wisconsin > Brown County > History of Brown County, Wisconsin, past and present, Volume II > Part 44
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ANTON L. BURGAN.
Anton L. Burgan, hotel proprietor of Green Bay, possesses many of the sterling characteristics of the German people combined with the enterprise and progressiveness of the American, who finds that business opportunities are open to the energetic and ambitious. He was born in southern Prussia July 13, 1873, and was the only child of Mr. and Mrs. John Burgan. The father, who was a depot agent, was killed by accident in 1874 when about thirty-five years of age.
After leaving school Anton L. Burgan, still in his boyhood, worked upon a farm. He was but two years of age when the family came to America, establishing their home at Athens, Wisconsin, where it has since been main- tained. While working in the fields during the summer months Mr. Burgan devoted the winter months to his education. When twenty-five years of age he left home to go to Forest county, Wisconsin. He afterward engaged in general merchandising at Wabena for eight years and on the expiration of that period came to Green Bay, where he took charge of Hotel St. Paul, which is the largest and most extensive hotel in old Fort Howard. He is also interested in farm lands and his various investments and business activities are bringing to him gratifying returns.
In 1898 Mr. Burgan was married to Miss Alvina Ewan, who was born in Pennsylvania and is a daughter of Edward and Emilia Ewan. Mrs. Bur-
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gan passed away April 15, 1902, leaving two children, John and Alvina, now aged respectively thirteen and nine years. For his second wife Mr. Bur- gan chose Mrs. Emma Ludwig, a widow and a daughter of Louis and Emilia Zander, who were natives of Saxony, Germany. Mr. Burgan was reared in the Catholic faith. He holds membership with the Eagles and with the Moose, both of Green Bay, and he is secretary of the Retail Liquor Deal- ers' Association. In politics he is a republican and for fourteen years he has served as justice of the peace, his long continuance in office indicating clearly that his decisions are strictly fair and impartial. For seven years he served as president of the high school board of Wabena, resigning when he left that place to remove to Green Bay. In public office he has ever given proof of his fidelity and capability and in business affairs he has shown the pos- session of those qualities which are indispensable in the achievement of progress and prosperity.
L. G. SCHILLER.
Among the business enterprises of Green Bay is found the wholesale fisli and oyster house of the Johnson-Schiller Company, located at the foot of North Jefferson street. This is one of the old established commercial under- takings of the city, having been in existence since 1876. Year by year a lib- eral patronage has been accorded its proprietor and president, L. G. Schil- ler, for his business methods are reliable, his prices fair and reasonable, and his treatment of his patrons always courteous and considerate. He had been a resident of America four years ere he opened his present store. He was born in Brandenburg, Germany, September 12, 1848, and in his native country he acquired his education. Later he engaged in the grocery and wine business there and on crossing the Atlantic in 1872 made his way direct to Green Bay. He arrived here with but thirty cents in his pocket, but lack of funds is no disadvantage to the young man who has enterprise and deter- mination. He immediately sought and secured employment, accepting a position at twenty-five dollars per month, but after a short time his salary was increased to seventy-five dollars per month. Later he was sent upon the road at an increased salary, for his devotion to the interests of the busi- ness was recognized, as were his capability and keen insight. After four years he felt that his capital was sufficient to enable him to engage in busi- ness on his own account and since 1876 he has been mimbered among Green Bay's merchants, engaged in the wholesale trade as a dealer in fish and oysters. This old and well established house has ever been accorded a lib- eral patronage and the passing years have added to his success.
In Green Bay, on the 6th of April, 1874, Mr. Schiller was united in mar- riage to Miss Clara Asimont, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Asimont, the former a jeweler and one of the old time residents of the city. Mr. and Mrs. Schiller became the parents of ten children, of whom seven died in infancy, while those still living are: Gustave, a fish dealer in Minnesota ; Clarence, who assists his father ; and Julia, the wife of H. Kuhaupt. The
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family residence at No. 815 Cherry street was erected by Mr. Schiller in 1876.
Mr. Schiller is a republican and that his worth as a citizen was soon recognized is indicated in the fact that five years after his arrival in the new world he was elected a member of the city council of Green Bay. His fraternal relations are with the Royal Arcanum, of which he is treasurer. with the Knights of the Maccabees and the Equitable Fraternal Union. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in the new world, for he here found that labor is sure of its reward and by untir- ing effort and capable management he has worked his way upward to pros- perity.
FRANK VANDEN BUSCH.
One of the most progressive and enterprising young farmers of Hum- boldt township is Frank Vanden Busch, who is operating a fine farm of ninety-two acres in that section. He was born on his father's farm August 4, 1878, and is a son of Louis and Mary ( Broyleus) Vanden Busch, natives of Belgium, who came to America in 1866. The father bought forty acres of land in Humboldt township and with characteristic energy began to clear the dense growth of timber which covered it. He built a small log cabin upon the farm, in which three of his children were born. Eventually, how- ever, he replaced this by a modern residence, in which he resided until his retirement in 1902, when he bought property in Green Bay. However, he lived only two or three months after his arrival in the city. His death was deeply regretted for it deprived Humboldt township of one of its most prominent pioneers and representative business men. The mother of our subject is living and has reached the age of seventy-tour.
Frank Vanden Busch attended the district schools of Humboldt town- ship and after completing his education worked upon his father's farm for some time. He spent two winters in the northern pine woods but with the exception of this period remained at home until his marriage in 1900. In that year he rented sixty acres of land from his father and one year after- ward purchased this property, to which he later added thirty-two adjoining acres. The house upon the farm was erected by the elder Mr. Vanden Busch, but the son has steadily carried forward the work of improvement and de- velopment along progressive and practical lines. Wherever he is known he is highly esteemed for he is loyal and progressive in matters of citizenship and in business affairs shows determination, purpose, careful management and keen sagacity.
Mr. Vanden Busch married, in 1900, Miss Theresa Ditris, a daughter of Louis Ditris, of Humboldt township, and they have five children, Kathe- rine. Theodore, Leonard, Lorenz and Elmore. The family are devout adher- ents of St. Mary's Catholic church.
Mr. Vanden Busch gives his allegiance to the republican party but has never been prominent in politics. For the majority of people, however, good
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citizenship does not consist of official duties so much as industry, reliability in business and a spirit more or less active in measures which are calculated to promote the general prosperity and to uphold the social and political insti- tutions of the community. Mr. Vanden Busch is generously endowed with all the qualities which the term implies and his career has been steadily identified with lasting and useful things.
EMANUEL BRUNETTE.
Emanuel Brunette, although one of the oldest native sons of Green Bay, is still, at the age of seventy years, actively engaged in the operation of the Duck Creek Stone Quarry, of which he has been sole owner for over forty years. The history of the family dates back to the earliest days of the set- tlement here. His paternal grandfather. Dominick Brunette. Sr .. was born in Little Moscow, Canada, in 1780, and in 1796, in company with four or five other French Canadians, came to Green Bay in the interests of the fur company, by which he was employed at seven dollars per month for five years. They had bags of flour and beads to trade with the Indians, carry- ing these bags on their backs with a strap around the head and traveling twenty or twenty-five miles per day. Their only means of transportation was a frail bark canoe and after many hardships and perils on the great lakes they were wrecked at "Death Door," about one hundred miles from! Green Bay. They camped on a little island for ten days, in the meantime getting pitch from the pine trees and mending their canoe with barl: from the birch, and they finally arrived in safety at Green Bay. Dominick Bru- nette, Sr .. continued as a fur trader for some years but after his marriage in 1871 to Miss Domitelle Grignon located on an old French claim on the west side of the Fox river in Brown county, where he engaged in farming until his death in 1862, at the age of eighty-two years. This claim was given his wife by her father and was to revert to her children at her death, but it was afterward lost by litigation. She died about 1847. They had three sons and nine daughters, all of whom are now deceased with the exception of John, a resident of De Pere.
Dominick Brunette, Jr., father of our subject, was reared in this local- ity when it was still a wilderness, being surrounded in early boyhood by many of the dangers and hardships incident to pioneer life. He served as a member of the home guard in defense of the white settlers against the Indians and was one of the surveying party that built the military road from Green Bay to Prairie du Chien. By occupation he was a lumberman and farmer and was also engaged in the contracting business in Green Bay. In 1850 he located on Duck Creek, where he made his home for half a century, dying there in 1900. His wife had passed away in 1882, and they were buried side by side in Duck Creek cemetery.
Emanuel Brunette was born in Green Bay, June 5, 1842, and obtained his education in the public schools of Fort Howard, which he attended at intervals until eighteen years of age. During his boyhood he worked by the
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day or month as a logger, shingle maker, sawyer or farmer. At the age of eighteen he joined his father in the lumber and milling business, but for over forty years has now given his attention almost exclusively to stone quarry- ing, during which time he has built up an excellent business. For about sixteen years he engaged in boating, hauling lumber, shingles, etc. It was in 1872 that he bought the Duck Creek Quarry, which is modernly equipped including steam drills and chiseling and polishing machines, and the prod- uct turned out is of the best. Although now seventy years of age, Mr. Brunette is still a hard worker, rising at 6 A. M. and working until 6 P. M. He climbs to the fourth story of a building without exertion and walks a 4-inch beam as steady as a youth. His quarry is one of the largest and best known in Brown county and has supplied the stone for many of the most important buildings in Green Bay and surrounding cities. Mr. Brunette is also interested in the real-estate business and has a large number of building lots in various parts of Green Bay, which he is improving and selling. He also owns a large farm, in the operation of which he takes great delight, and has been engaged in general contracting, while at present he has in course of construction a large modern warehouse. He is a man of good business and executive ability and usually carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.
On the 21st of April, 1867, Mr. Brunette was married, at Duck Creek, to Miss Teresa Walker, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Walker, who located here in 1848. Her father died in 1893, but her mother is still living at the age of eighty-six years. Of their eight children six are living, while Kate and Mary were burned in the Peshtigo fire in 1871. Those living are : Mary, a resident of Duck Creek ; Teresa, now Mrs. Brunette; Margaret, the widow of William Donlevy and a resident of Green Bay; Arthur, of Duck Creek : Fred, of Marinette ; and James, of Chicago.
Mr. and Mrs. Brunette have become the parents of fourteen children, namely : Minnie, who is the widow of F. C. Clabots and resides with her parents ; Sarah, the wife of Albert Strassburger, who is prominent in insur- ance circles in Oshkosh; Margaret, the wife of Harry Gillen, of Ashtabula, Ohio; Abigail, the wife of Benjamin Massey, a printer of Green Bay; Roland S. and Emanuel F., who reside on the old homestead near their father's quarry ; Roy, who is engaged in the grocery business at Duck Creek ; James, at home ; L. Lemuel, who had just completed his law studies at the time of his death in 1900. and was a large, powerful, athletic young man ; George A., who was drowned in 1882, at the age of fourteen years ; Norine, who died in 1908 and was buried in the Fort Howard cemetery; and three who died in infancy. The family residence is at No. 321 South Washington street, Green Bay.
Throughout life Mr. Brunette has taken an active interest in the affairs of his native city, especially in its commercial development. Since casting his first vote for George B. McClellan he has been a stanch supporter of the democratic party and served as chairman of the town of Howard for seventeen years. He was also a school director, was supervisor for fifteen years, and for ten years was postmaster at Velp, his daughter Margaret acting as assistant. For many years he has been a trustee of the Catholic
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church and his influence in religious matters is very strong. He is still a dominating factor in the business life of Green Bay and personally manages his quarry. His warehouse is being built from the stone taken from the quarry, and the postoffice, city hall and high service water tower in Milwau- kee were also made from the same stone, while many of the buildings of Green Bay, including the city hall, are of the same material. In the course of a long and useful career Mr. Brunette has shown himself possessed of rare ability, integrity and honorable business methods and he has promoted the interests of Green Bay by the development of a large and substantial industry.
JAMES REED.
James Reed, who is serving his second term as a supervisor in the town- ship of Green Bay, was born in Manitowoc county, this state, on the 17th of January, 1868. His father, Thomas Reed, was born in Dublin, Ireland, whence he emigrated to America in early manhood, first locating in Canada. There lie met and married Miss Mary Mullins, a daughter of Timothy and Mary Mullins. During the early period of their domestic life Mr. and Mrs. Reed crossed the border into the United States, settling at Cooperstown, Manitowoc county. There the father acquired some land and diligently devoted his energies to diversified farming and stock raising during the remainder of his active life. He passed away in the month of July, 1897, at the age of sixty-eight years. The mother, who survived him until 1903, was close to the age of sixty-five years at the time of her demise. The paternal grandfather was Dennis Reed. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Reed numbered five, those beside our subject being as follows: Michael, who is a railroad conductor residing at Green Bay ; Catherine, the wife of Patrick Hogan also a resident of Green Bay ; Anna, who married George Farley, of Iron Moun- tain, this state; and Mary, who became the wife of H. Brown, of Marinette, Wisconsin.
James Reed was born in a pioneer home and as such grew up amid the primitive conditions incident to life in the rural sections of Wisconsin at that period. He was given the advantage of a common-school education, subse- quently turning his attention to farming. He was early assigned regular duties about the fields and barns, and by the time he had attained his matur- ity was thoroughly familiar with the practical methods of agriculture. He remained at home until he was twenty years of age and then came to Green Bay, where for a time he worked as a laborer. Later he engaged in draying and, after five years, in contracting. As he is a man of tireless energy and persevering methods he met with success in the latter undertaking, with which he was identified for seven years. His prosperity is well merited as it is the result of honest labor and that determination of spirit which invari- ably leads its possessor to the goal of his ambition. Three years ago he came to his present place, where he is now actively engaged in business, although his political affairs absorb a large portion of his time and attention.
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Mr. Reed was reared in the faith of the Roman Catholic church, of which his parents were devout members. In matters of citizenship he is public-spirited, taking an active interest in everything that affects the wel- fare or progress of the city. His political allegiance is accorded the demo- cratic party, whose candidates receive his unqualified support. Mr. Reed has inherited the pleasing personality, genial nature and loyalty to principle and friends, which characterize the Celtic people generally, and naturally he has hosts of stanch friends and is undeniably one of the most popular men in his circle.
JOSEPH WINDHAUSER.
For many years Joseph Windhauser has been engaged in the butcher business in Green Bay and has recently added to his activities by establishing one of the finest bowling alleys and buffets in the city. He was born Feb- ruary 13, 1876, in Manitowoc county, a son of Mathias and Amelia ( Ber- schin ) Windhauser, natives of Germany. His father was born in the Rhine Province, near Trier, and came with his wife and family to America in 1870. settling first in Chicago, where he remained for one year, following the shoemaking trade. When he came to Green Bay he established himself in the retail shoe business and owned and operated a general store of this character for twenty years. Eventually, however, he disposed of his hold- ings and is now living retired in this city in the seventieth year of his age. The father of our subject was twice married. By his first union he had two sons, John and Jacob. To him and his second wife were born seven child- ren: Joseph, the subject of this sketch; Bernard, who is serving in the United States navy, on the ship Massachusetts: Charles, a shoe merchant in Green Bay ; Emma, who married L. Schober of Preble township : Cath- erina, the wife of T. Olsen, of Madison ; Clara, who is teaching school in Green Bay ; and Edith, who lives at home. The mother of our subject had two children by a former marriage, Louisa and Sophia.
Joseph Windhauser was educated in the public schools of Manitowoc county and farmed for some time before he came to Green Bay. Imme- diately after his arrival in this city he established himself as butcher, con- ducting an enterprise in his first location for four years. Afterward he opened his present place of business and has been active and successful since that time. In 1910 he established the bowling alley and buffet, with the operation of which he is at present identified and has conducted this in addition to his other activities for two years. His business ability and his experience have brought him a gratifying patronage in both his enter- prises and he is ranked among the successful business men of the city.
Mr. Windhauser was united in marriage to Miss Hilda Christenson who was born in Denmark, Wisconsin, November 4, 1885, a daughter of Ole and Hannah ( Peterson) Christenson. They have one daughter, Hazel, who is eight years of age. Mr. Windhauser was reared in the Roman Catholic
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religion. He is prominent in the affairs of the Green Bay Benevolent Asso- ciation, and the Order of Eagles. He is straightforward, upright, and possessed of business ability, and these qualities he has made effective in the conduct of his two flourishing enterprises.
AUGUST BOYCE.
August Boyce, foreman for the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Com- pany at Green Bay, was born in Belgium in 1867. His father, Frank Boyce, born in 1837. remained a resident of that country until 1871, when he came with his family to the new world, making his way to Wrightstown, Wiscon- sin. He followed farming in that locality until 1879 and then removed to Detroit, Michigan, where he spent a year. He was afterward successively a resident of Milwaukee, Rockland and De Pere, Wisconsin, taking up his abode in the last named place in 1898. There he followed gardening and trucking for four years, after which he removed to Rudolph, Wisconsin, where he carried on farming until the time of his death in 1906. He was ever diligent and determined and whatever success he achieved was the direct result of his own labors. He married Paulina P. Thress, a native of Belgium, who died in 1911 at the age of seventy-one years. In their family were ten children, of whom six are living: August ; Henry, a resident of Chicago : Mary, the wife of L. Loudy, of Wood county, Wisconsin ; Louis, also of Chicago: Rosa, the wife of A. Rentmeister, of Wood county, Wis- consin : and John, of Oneida, Wisconsin.
August Boyce was but four years of age when brought by his parents to the new world. He lived in different localities as the family removed from place to place, and after he had acquired his education he followed farming at Wrightstown, Wisconsin, up to the time of his marriage. He then became connected with railway interests, working as car repairer for five years and, entering the employ of the Northwestern Railway Company, he has continued in active connection therewith to the present time. Gradu- ally he worked his way upward, his efficiency. industry and fidelity winning him promotion, until 1906, when he was appointed car foreman of the Green Bay division. He is numbered among the old and valued employes of the road, enjoying in full measure the confidence and respect of those whom he represents. He is also interested in the real-estate business, having made judicious investment in property here and negotiating purchases and sales for others.
In 1890 Mr. Boyce was married to Miss Josephine Rodaer, who was born February 28, 1870. a daughter of J. B. and Katherine Rodaer, who came from Belgium to the new world in 1856. The father followed farm- ing in Preble township but is now deceased. The mother, however, is living in Green Bay at the advanced age of eighty-two years. To Mr. and Mrs. Boyce have been born three sons: Frank William, who was born in 1892 and is now connected with the railroad service : John H., who was born in 1893 and is piece work inspector with the Northwestern Railway Company ;
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and Henry G., who was born in 1896 and is a student in the high school. The eldest son married Myrtle Dolan. The family are communicants of the Catholic church and Mr. Boyce holds membership with the Catholic Knights of Green Bay. His wife is a member of the Altar Society of the church and is also affiliated with the Lady Foresters. His political allegi- ance is given to the democratic party but he never seeks or desires office, his time being fully occupied by his business affairs, his close attention thereto winning him the advancement which has brought him to his present responsible position.
PETER OLSEN.
Peter Olsen is the owner of an excellent farm of eighty acres in New Denmark, which he has brought to a high state of improvement and devel- opment. He came to this section in the early days of its settlement and practically his entire life in America has been spent in agricultural pursuits, his success coming gradually but as the natural result of his industry and experience. He was born in Denmark in 1867, a son of Lars and Anna (Edvenson) Olsen. The father came to America with his family in 1871 and settled upon forty acres of land in New Denmark. He cleared the timber and, assisted by his son, Peter, erected the necessary buildings and brought the enterprise to a high state of development.
Peter Olsen was only four years of age when he came to America with his parents and he received his education in the district schools. His advantages along this line were limited, for he was obliged to walk two miles to the schoolhouse and he worked upon the farm when not engaged with his books. His childhood was spent amid scenes of pioneer settle- ment for his father came to New Denmark at a time when the district was but slightly developed and most of the land was covered with heavy timber in which a great deal of wild game could be found. When he grew older Peter Olsen went to Michigan, where he spent three years working in the mines, returning at the end of that time and settling upon his father's farm, where he has since remained. Forty acres of his land comprised his father's original purchase in Brown county and to this Mr. Olsen has added forty adjoining acres and the farm is one of the most productive in this part of the state. It has fine outbuildings and other improvements, its excellent condition being due to the care and labor which its owner bestows upon it.
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