USA > Wisconsin > Brown County > History of Brown County, Wisconsin, past and present, Volume II > Part 45
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Mr. Olsen was united in marriage to Miss Alma Johnson, a daughter of Rasmus Johnson, of Denmark. They are the parents of four children, Della, Christian, Lilly and Edna, all of whom are living at home. The family belong to the Danish Lutheran church.
Mr. Olsen gives his allegiance to the republican party but is not active as an office seeker, preferring to concentrate his attention upon the man- agement of his agricultural enterprise. With the exception of three years spent in Michigan he has maintained a continuous residence upon his farm
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since he came to America and has brought it gradually to a state of improve- ment and development which makes it one of the fine properties in New Denmark and which entitles its owner to a place among the representative farmers of his district.
FRANCIS VAN KESSEL.
Francis Van Kessel is prominently known as a bridge builder of Green Bay, in which business he has continued since 1905. He was born in Stiles, Wisconsin, September 14, 1875, and is a representative of one of the old and prominent pioneer families of this part of the state. His father, Frank or Francis Van Kessel, Sr., now living retired at Green Bay, was born in Hol- land in 1837 and was a son of Johannes Van Kessel, who followed farming throughout his life but died in 1839 at a comparatively early age. His wife bore the maiden name of Catherine Van Oscott and after the death of her first husband she became the wife of Henry Hendricks. By her first mar- riage she had two sons, Frank and John, the latter now deceased, and by her second marriage she had a son and daughter, but both have passed away. The family arrived in Green Bay in June, 1851, and Mr. Hendricks engaged in farming throughout his remaining days at the Bay settlement.
Francis Van Kessel, the father of our subject, was a youth in his teens when he arrived in Brown county. He was employed at draying between the ages of twelve and fourteen years and after coming to the new world he occupied a position as chore boy for fourteen months. Later he spent two years as a coachman and subsequently worked on a farm with his stepfather and in the lumber camps. He was thus engaged up to the time of his mar- riage. He worked for J. Eldredge at rafting and lumbering for twenty-two years and subsequently became proprietor of the Eldredge Hotel at Stiles, Wisconsin, which he conducted for seven years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Green Bay and rented what is now the Tremont House, which he conducted for three years. He afterward rented the American House for seven years but at length disposed of his interests in the hotel business and turned his attention to the conduct of a saloon at Preble, where he remained for ten years. His prosperity steadily increased by reason of his careful management of his business affairs, and at length he sold out and retired.
Frank Van Kessel, Sr., wedded Mary Leonard, who is now living at the age of seventy-four years. She is a daughter of Henry Leonard, who came to the United States in 1856, settling near De Pere, where he followed farm- ing. During her girlhood days she carried flour to De Pere, following the old Indian trail. Mr. and Mrs. Van Kessel are numbered among the vener- able couples of Brown county and he is today one of the oldest living hotel keepers in Green Bay. During the long years of his residence here he has become acquainted with all of the phases of pioneer life as well as the inci- dents which indicate a later development. In the early days he hauled freight by team to Escanaba, Michigan, before the Northwestern railroad
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was built to Green Bay, and he also drove over the old plank road to Apple- ton, Wisconsin. Hle relates many interesting incidents of the period in which Brown county was just emerging from pioneer conditions and as the years passed he took an active part in the work of general development and improvement. He is today numbered among the honored pioneers and worthy citizens of the county.
In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Van Kessel, Sr., were nine children, of whom the following are living : Anna, the wife of William Van der Brook, a railroad man of Green Bay, and the mother of four children; Mamie, the wife of John Engels, an engineer of Green Bay, by whom she has one child; Harriet, who married Peter Biebel, of Ridge Point, Missouri, and has one child; John, a grocer of Green Bay, who is married and has four children ; and Francis.
The last named assisted his father in the conduct of his hotel business until eighteen years of age and afterward was employed in a table factory for five years, working as a cabinet-maker. Again he returned to the hotel business, but left the trade to take up painting in the employ of the United States government on Plum Island. Once more, however, he became con- nected with hotel interests as clerk and so continued until his father sold out. He afterward engaged in clerking in a clothing store for a time and for two years conducted a saloon. He next followed railroading as a bridge builder and in 1905 established business in that line on his own account. He is doing excellent work in that connection and his success is well merited, bringing to him substantial returns.
Mr. Van Kessel was married to Adella Delforge, a native of Green Bay, and a daughter of August Delforge, a master plumber who is now deceased. Her mother bore the maiden name of Adolphine Bino and is now living in Green Bay. Mr. and Mrs. Van Kessel have become the parents of three children : Earl, nine years of age ; and Adella and Dale, twins, seven years of age. The Van Kessel family has long been well known and prominent in this section of the state and the name has ever been associated with general progress and improvement here, for the work instituted by the father in pio- neer times has been carried on by the son and both have taken active and helpful part in all that pertains to general improvement and progress.
FRED L. SAUNDERS.
The geographical position of any city has a great influence upon the indus- tries which rise up within its borders. The position of Green Bay upon one of the largest of the many natural harbors formed by Lake Michigan along the coast of Wisconsin creates a natural market for the products of the boat builder. One of the most prominent men in this line of activity in this city is Fred L. Saunders who has his offices at No. 954 McDonald street, where he has been located since 1908. He is a native of Green Bay, having been born in that city January 15, 1877, and is a son of John and Mary (Fournier) Saunders. The father came to Brown county in 1850
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and engaged for many years in the wholesale fish business in Green Bay. He is a stanch republican and served for six years as alderman from the eighth ward. He is the father of eleven children: George M., prominent in the wholesale fish business in Green Bay ; Fred L. ; Louise, who married George Anderson, a traveling salesman for the Barkhausen Oil Company ; John Il., engineer on a government boat : Esther, a milliner in Green Bay ; Minnie, who married Arthur Peterson, an engineer on the Chicago, Michi- gan & St. Paul Railroad ; Mabel, who married John Ketter, foreman of the Booth Fish Company in Chicago; Charles, who is engineer of a cold storage plant in Green Bay ; Samuel, a machinist; Grace, a graduate of the West high school ; and William, a student in the high school at Green Bay.
At the usual age Fred L. Saunders entered the public schools of his native city but left them at the age of sixteen to work with his father in the fish business. He spent five years in this occupation, after which he attended the Green Bay Business College for some time. Upon his graduation from this institution he again went into business with his father and they soon added a boat-building department. This branch of the business grew rap- idly and Fred L. Saunders was soon obliged to devote his whole attention to boat building. He now has on hand more orders than he can fill. He builds schooners, private yachts, large lake steamers, motor boats and even row boats. His boats are of superior construction and modern and efficient equipment. There is a constant call for the work produced in his shipyard and his business is increasing year by year.
Mr. Saunders resides with his parents at the family homestead, No. 817 West Mason avenue, in Green Bay. He is one of the most prominent of the younger generation of business men in his native city.
WILLIAM FREDERICKSEN.
William Fredericksen is now living retired at Green Bay, deriving his income from well placed investments. He was born in Copenhagen, Den- mark, on the 18th of August, 1860, a son of John and Anna (Nelson) Fredericksen. The father devoted his entire life to farming and passed away in 1890 at the age of eighty-five years, while the mother died in ISS4 at the age of fifty-six. In their family were fourteen children but only two are residents of America, Louis Fredericksen as well as William having come to the new world.
The period of his early youth William Fredericksen devoted to the acquirement of his education and then gave his attention to farm work until thirty years of age, when the opportunities of the new world proved to him an irresistible attraction and he bade adieu to friends and native land, pre- paratory to crossing the Atlantic. On landing on American shores he started at once for Green Bay and was employed at railroading by the St. Paul railway. For four years he worked as a bridge carpenter and later engaged in the saloon business for six years. He then opened a hotel and
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saloon in West Green Bay in 1894 and has since been its proprietor although he is living practically retired, leaving the management of the hotel to others.
In 1901 Mr. Fredericksen was married to Miss Mathilda Johnson, whose birth occurred in Manistee, Michigan, in April, 1877, her father being John Johnson, who was one of the pioneer settlers of this part of the state. Mr. Fredericksen was reared in the faith of the Lutheran church and he belongs to the Moose of Green Bay and to the Ansgar Society, in which he has held the office of trustee. He is the owner of Ansgar Hall and this, with his other investments, brings to him a good income. Whatever success he has achieved has come to him as the direct result of business enterprise and ability. He is well known among the Danish people of this district and has a wide circle of friends, by no means limited to the representatives of his own nationality.
CHARLES P. BOLAND.
Charles P. Boland, who is prominent in insurance circles in the city of Green Bay as well as throughout the state, was born November 24, 1887, the son of Patrick H. and Bridget E. (Hayden) Boland, who are men- tioned at greater length in connection with the sketch of John M. Boland. Charles P. Boland attended the public schools of Fort Howard but on account of impaired eyesight he had to give up the pursuit of his educa- tion for a part of one year and remained from school an entire year to assist his father, graduating, however, on the 22d of June, 1907. While at school he was active in athletics and literary work and held several offices on the track team and in the Lyceum. Although several excel- lent positions were offered him when leaving school, he preferred to engage in the extensive pursuit of agriculture and operated in timber lands and real estate.
In the fall of 1909 Mr. Boland took a position with a sugar refining company for a brief period and subsequently took a course in the Green Bay Business College, finishing in the spring of 1910. He then followed various occupations for brief periods, but always dealt in real estate. His next position was that of business manager for William J. Hess, a manufacturer of brass goods, stump pullers, boilers, etc., which business he conducted successfully, and later left his employ to go into the insurance business, and accepted the position of district manager in the Green Bay district for the Time Insurance Company of Milwaukee, which company is the oldest and the most reliable in Wisconsin. Prior to the date that Mr. Boland took charge the business of the company was small and the col- lections trifling. The company had for several years been seeking a com- petent man to take hold of their business and promote their interests, and under Mr. Boland's management the business of the company has become thoroughly established and has grown to be the largest of the kind in this section. The success of our subject is largely due to his earnest, indefatigable application to his business. Mr. Boland's company
HENRY J. BOLAND
CHARLES P. BOLAND
EDMUND P. BOLAND
JOHN M. BOLAND
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LEMAX AND ? ¿ DEAP D . ADA FIONA
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writes a policy that absolutely protects in case of disability and sickness and their contracts are straight open, easy to read and easy to under- stand. They give the fullest protection for practically all occupations and have thousands of satisfied claimants and policy holders in the state. The business is increasing rapidly in this district under the able manage- ment of our subject. Mr. Boland personally supervises all of the work and he conducts his agency with a force and energy which bring him tang- ible results. He is a most genial young man, affable and kindly, of shrewd business acumen and inexhaustible industry. He obtains results along every line of effort to which he devotes himself. He is one of the young- est men in the business in this state but, regardless of that fact, he is able to compete favorably with anyone in his line, disregarding age or experience. In a competitive list published by the company, showing the twenty-five best business getters of the state with the amount of business acquired in the year 1912, Mr. Boland is included on the roll of honor which is made up of a few of the most successful agents.
Mr. Boland occupies, in connection with his brothers, all engaged in their respective lines of business, a suite of rooms in the Minahan build- ing. His political affiliation is independent and his business pursuits so occupy his time and attention that he has found no time for active partici- pation in political action. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum of Green Bay and makes his home with his parents at No. 934 Kellogg street, on the west side. If the success he has attained in his business thus far is a fair indication of what the future holds in store for him, he will attain remarkable results in the commercial circles of his native city as well as elsewhere, bringing him prosperity and financial independence and helping in the expansion and growth of the city."
JOHN M. BOLAND.
That the world belongs to the young man, and that this is the age of the young man's opportunity, is evidenced in the career of John M. Boland, the eldest of four brothers who are all successfully engaged in business pursuits in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He is secretary, treasurer and manager of the Fox River Land & Loan Company, and an officer and director in a number of other important companies. Although only twenty-eight years of age he has succeeded in attaining a position of the utmost importance and prominence in the commercial life of his city, and has reached this goal unaided, surmounting difficulties as they arose, en- tirely through his own efforts.
John M. Boland attended the public schools of Green Bay and gradu- ated from the West Side high school, June 27, 1902, and later from the Green Bay Business College. His high school and business college courses, how- ever, form but a small part of his general education. He made it a point to prepare himself for a business career, and exemplifies, by his wide and accurate knowledge of business principles and business law, the fact that
Vol. II-24
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a man may be in business and go to college at the same time, for he has taken thorough University Courses in many lines, including real estate, insurance and banking. While still in high school, he had, during vaca- tion periods and other leisure moments interested himself in the real-estate business and had acquired a goodly knowledge of this line before graduat- ing. Shortly after leaving high school he organized the Fox River Wood & Coal Company. He taught school for a while in District No. 3 in Howard township. Brown county, giving at the same time a portion of his attention to other interests. He gave up his position as a teacher when he incorporated the Fox River Land & Fuel Company, forming a partnership at that time with William Finnegan, the veteran brick maker of Brown county, now deceased. About three years later, upon the death of Mr. Finnegan, the father of our subject and his brother Edmund P., became interested in the business which was conducted in this way until 1908.
The concern had gradually developed into a more particularly real- estate and loan business, and about this time the fuel business was dis- continued and the real-estate and loan business made the principal depart- ment of the company. The name was changed to that of the Fox River Land & Loan Company, which is the firm name under which the busi- ness is now conducted.
The company has its commodious offices in the Minahan building, and does the largest real-estate and loan business in the county. Its won- derful success is largely due to the activity, energy and business judgment of our subject. The scope of the business includes the buying and selling of real estate for cash and on commission ; the loaning of money on real estate and the selling of real-estate mortgages, upon which the firm guar- antees the payment of interest when due and the payment of the principal at maturity. In addition to its extensive real-estate and loan business, the firm also handles fire, accident and liability insurance, and this branch of it's business has expanded in a truly remarkable manner.
Mr. Boland is active in local politics and has been honored with elec- tion to the office of City Assessor, in which capacity he serves at this time. He is a member of a number of fraternal organizations, in all of which he takes an active part.
lle is president and one of the organizers of the Wisconsin Asso- ciation of real-estate brokers. He is secretary and one of the organizers of the Green Bay Real Estate Board, and vice president and a director of the Real Estate Seller corporation of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. These connections serve as an indication of the important place he holds in real- estate circles. He is a director and was one of the organizers of the Badger Casualty Company, of Green Bay, a $100,000 corporation, which is the largest exclusive health and accident company of Wisconsin. He is also interested in several banks, insurance companies and manufacturing concerns, local and otherwise.
He is a native son of Green Bay, having been born November 12, 1884, his parents being Patrick H. and Bridget Eleanor (Hayden) Boland. His father, at one time was a captain on the Great Lakes, was a pioneer
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settler of Green Bay and followed agricultural pursuits from early in the 'Sos until his retirement in October, 1911, since which time he has enjoyed in well-merited rest, the fruits of his former toil. In the family there are four sons : John M., Edmund P., Charles P. and Henry J., all of whom, with the exception of the eldest, our subject, live with their parents in the comfortable new home at 934 Kellogg street.
On September 2, 1909, Mr. Boland was married at Florence, Wiscon- sin, to Miss Katherine Jean McDonald, a daughter of Ranald and Wil- helmina ( Woempner ) McDonald, old and respected residents of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Boland make their home at 501 Cherry street, where they extend a warm hospitality to their many friends.
Cheerful and optimistic by nature with a conservative yet constructive business mind, keen and resourceful and of unquestionable integrity, he has won the confidence and respect of all who know him.
He is an expert in appraising property and has done much in this line for some of the most prominent individuals and companies in the state.
It may be said that he has attained his high position in the commercial life of Green Bay through constant study of conditions using his oppor- tunities as they have come to him and branching out in every way. Through his activity along various lines of endeavor he has not only gained pros- perity for himself. but has contributed greatly to the well-fare and the growth of the city in which he was born, and he has been an important factor in the industrial, commercial and financial life of his community.
EDMUND P. BOLAND.
Edmund P. Boland, who is connected with his brother John M. Boland in the management of the Fox River Land & Loan Company, one of the important business institutions of the city of Green Bay, is the second son of the marriage of Patrick H. and Bridget E. ( Hayden) Boland, old settlers of Green Bay, who are natives of Ireland and now make their home on the west side, of whom more extended mention is made in con- nection with the sketch of John M. Boland. Edmund P. Boland was born on the old homestead in the city of Green Bay, April 9, 1886. At the usual age he entered the public schools and passed through consecutive grades until his graduation from the West Side high school in 1904. He supplemented his education and prepared himself for a commercial career by a course in the Green Bay Business College, from which he was graduated in 1904. Theoretically prepared for business life he then joined his elder brother, becoming interested in the Fox River Land & Loan Company, which institution handles the largest business of this character in the city and county. Besides placing loans, buying and selling real estate for themselves and their clients they conduct the largest insurance agency of the city. Edmund P. Boland, although he has been active in business for only six years, has made a decided success in business circles
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and has largely been the means of increasing the business of the company with which he is connected.
Mr. Boland votes with the republican party. Although only twenty- six years of age he enjoys the distinction of being the youngest man ever elected to the city council of the city of Green Bay, being elected April 2, 1912, defeating J. E. Shaughnessy by fifty-nine votes. The latter gen- tleman held his office for about twenty years and had never before been defeated, which fact speaks well for the popularity of our subject and the confidence reposed in him by the public. Mr. Boland celebrated his twenty- sixth birthday by taking the oath of office and his seat in the council cham- ber on April 9, 1912. His fraternal affiliations consist of membership in the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Columbus, and the Powhatan Club, being popular in all of these organizations. By geniality, cordiality and consideration he has made 'many friends and these qualities have combined with his business interests and energy to make him widely and favorably known in his native city.
HENRY J. BOLAND.
Henry J. Boland, the fourth son of Patrick H. and Bridget E. ( Hayden) Boland, and the youngest of the four brothers who are so remarkably suc- ceeding in their business pursuits in Green Bay, was born on the old home- stead, January 19, 1890, and still makes his home with his parents. He was educated in the public schools of Green Bay and graduated from the West Side high school in 1908. While in school he was greatly interested and became very prominent in athletics, having been a member of the regular track team every year while in school. After his graduation he was for a time employed as agent for the United States Express Company at Oneida and later worked in the office of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Com- pany, but in June, 1910, became associated with his brothers in the Fox River Land & Loan Company which stands as the foremost of its kind in Green Bay and Brown county. Mr. Boland was given charge of the insurance de- partment and he is still active in this position, having during the few years, in which he has had charge, increased the scope of the business wonderfully -- so wonderfully that today the insurance department of the Fox River Land & Loan Company handles the largest amount of general insurance in the city. Mr. Boland takes a deep and active interest in his work and the increase in the business is largely due to his industry and aggressiveness, combined with a tact and geniality of manner which make friends for him wherever he goes.
Even before attaining his majority he had studied public and political questions and his preference led him to embrace the principles of the demo- cratic party when he was granted the right of franchise, and he has become a stanch adherent of this organization since attaining his majority. His fraternal relations are with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Catholic Order of Foresters and the National Fraternal League, in each of which he takes an active interest. He was one of the organizers of the Wal-
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