USA > Wisconsin > Brown County > History of Brown County, Wisconsin, past and present, Volume II > Part 7
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Father Emery left Tewksbury to take up again the difficult work of the missionary, this time in the south-in the sultry atmosphere of Texas. The labor on those sandy, sparsely inhabited plains was hard, the com-
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forts and conveniences of life were rare, but the self-devoted mission- ary manifested the undismayed spirit of the apostle, making himself all for all. In 1895 he became assistant pastor at Holy Angels church in Buffalo, New York, and for the following six years rendered eminent services in parochial work along with occasional missionary excursions. He then returned to Massachusetts to fill once more the old position in Tewksbury, whence he was called to accept the rectorship of the Uni- versity of Ottawa. The following is an extract from an article printed in the University of Ottawa Review in November, 1901. "Thus the new rector comes fully equipped in ripened qualities and in wide experience of the world for the successful discharge of his new and important obli- gations. Possessed of an imposing presence and pleasing address, he is bound to gain many friends in Ottawa. Earnest, enthusiastic in tempera- ment. he has shown himself at all times wide-awake, practical, painstak- ing, throwing himself heart and soul into his work. In his efforts for the training of youth he has invariably met with success. His devotion to the cause of higher education has been shown in the advocacy of a college at the University of Ottawa where candidates for the priesthood may secure all the benefits of a thorough university education. Belong- ing for a time to the famous school of Dr. Tabaret himself, he could not fail to imbibe something of that wonderful spirit, which, in founding this institution, aimed only at conducting it on the broad, all-embracing ideals of a Catholic university without regard to nationality or to party. By a simple but earnest inaugural address, Dr. Emery has won from the student body their confidence and cooperation." Next follows an account of the formal reception of the rector by the faculty and the students. After the usual introduction of a vigorous varsity cheer and music rendered by the Juniorate band, the students expressed sentiments suitable to the occasion in two addresses, English and French. The text of the English address, read by J. J. Macdonell, is as follows : "To Very Reverend Father Edward Emery, O. M. I., D. D., Rector of the University,
"Very Reverend Father :
"We, the students of the Catholic University of Ottawa, wish to ten- der you greeting and our heartfelt wishes for success. Most of us have had the opportunity of seeing and listening to you one year ago when you so efficiently conducted the students' retreat and we feel that we are al- ready acquainted. May that acquaintance blossom into lasting friend- ship and devotion to our Superior. We have heard of your labors in Tewksbury and Buffalo and we are confident that in our capital city you shall be equal to the burden of the task imposed upon you by religious obe- dience. We trust that our conduct as students under your fatherly care will not tend to make that burden heavier.
"And now while wishing you God speed in your new sphere of duty we cannot but revert for a moment to the loss which we have just sus- tained. We allude to your predecessor whose kindly spirit had endeared
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him to the students, and we are sorry indeed to know that sickness and pain have been his lot for some time past.
"But we know that the best way to comfort him is to extend to hiis successor the same good will and active cooperation that we have tried to manifest towards himself. Thus it is, Very Reverend Father, that we, one and all, profess our loyalty to this institution and its ideals; our loy- alty to you, who represent before us the great religious order which has charge of the destinies of old 'varsity.
"May God bless you and your work.
"The Students of the University of Ottawa."
Father Emery remained as rector of the University of Ottawa from 1901 until 1905 and in 1910 was chosen rector of St. Peter's church at Plattsburg, New York. Since 1911 he has served as' superior of the Ob- late Fathers at Howard, Wisconsin, and his duties in this connection have been discharged with consecrated and untiring zeal.
Father Emery was one of a family of ten children, as follows: Emma, Melvina, Clara, Edmond, Alphonso, Edward and four who died in infancy. In politics he is an independent democrat and fraternally is identified with the Catholic Mutual Benevolent Association. In his life he has ever ex- emplified the spirit of Him who came not to be ministered unto but to minister, and his labors have not been denied the full harvest nor the aftermath.
CHARLES F. KELLY.
Charles F. Kelly is engaged in the clothing business in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and his store enjoys a reputation second to none, which has been built up by energy, circumspection, judgment and aggressiveness. MFr. Kelly was born in Chicago, in 1869, and is a son of Malachi and Theresa (Flynn) Kelly, the former a tanner of Chicago. Charles F. Kelly was educated in the parochial schools of that city and at fifteen years of age started to earn his own livelihood, working as a collector for a book concern. He later took up the study of chemistry, specializing in the chemistry of paint, and obtained a position as commercial traveler in the employ of the American Caseine Company, where his knowledge brought him immediate success. He later spent some time with the Heath & Milligan Company and abandoned the selling end of the business in or- der to study the chemistry of woolens. When he had finished his re- searches in this direction he became connected with the Gorman Woolen Company, prominent clothiers of Chicago, and traveled in their inter- ests all over the United States and Canada. He was one of the best sales- men in the employ of this large concern and had that detailed and thor- ough knowledge of goods which made him valuable and useful. His promotion was rapid and well deserved. He came to Green Bay in order to organize and open one of the many branch stores of the Gorman Woolen
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Company, and is well known and favorably regarded in this city as an able and upright merchant.
In 1896 Mr. Kelly was united in marriage to Miss Helen Butters of Chicago. He and his wife reside at 1005 South Jackson street and are well known and widely popular in Green Bay. Mr. Kelly's success is based upon honesty, ability and keen discrimination. Upon this founda- tion he has built a large and constantly increasing trade. His genial, kindly and courteous manner which attracts to him many friends and patrons has aided him in winning the greater success of universal esteem.
ALEXANDER JOHNSON IRWIN.
In the period when Brown county was emerging from a wilderness con- dition, when the seeds of civilization were being sown by an enterprising class of citizens, who recognized the opportunities of the west, Alexander J. Irwin took up his abode at Green Bay. He was born in Greensburg, Penn- sylvania, March 1, 1799, and was of Irish descent. His paternal grand- father Robert Irwin, Sr., was a soldier of the Revolutionary war. His fa- ther, Robert Irwin, Jr., was a native of Dublin, Ireland, and was only six months old when brought to America by his parents in 1776, the family set- tling in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, but afterward removing to Erie, that state. In later years he came west and settled in Detroit and a few years later made his way to Green Bay, Wisconsin. He was a carpenter by trade and utilized his knowledge of the business to provide for his family. In early life he married Catherine Singer, who was born in Carlisle, Pennsyl- vania and was one of the first American settlers of Green Bay. Unto them were born seven children.
Alexander J. Irwin was a young man of twenty-four years when, in 1823, he came to Green Bay with his brother, Robert, here residing until his death twenty-four years later. He was a prominent factor in many of the events which shaped the early history of city and county. He served as clerk of the United States district court for some time and in 1836 helped to organize the territory of Wisconsin. In this work he showed that his vision was broad, his judgment keen, his opinions sound and his labors of practical value. He was made an early member of the house of representa- tives of this state and he also took an active and helpful part in local affairs, being one of the early postmasters and also a member of the city council from 1837 until 1843, but private interests then caused him to resign and he did not again hold office until 1845, when he received presidential appoint- ment to the position of receiver of public moneys for lands in this district. As there were no banks here, he had to make trips from Green Bay to St. Louis, Missouri, on horseback in order to deposit his funds. This was a dangerous undertaking at that early day, necessitating riding through but sparsely settled districts, yet he was most true and loyal to his trust and his task was successfully accomplished. It was thought that the long drives caused an infection of his arm which resulted in his death after four
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ALEXANDER J. IRWIN
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months of illness, June 14, 1847. One of the old money bags he used, made of heavy cloth, is in possession of his daughter. He was a great humorist, hugely enjoying a joke, and he was the life of a crowd.
On the 2d of December, 1827, Mr. Irwin was married in Fort Howard to Miss Frances Pamelia Smith, a daughter of Reuben and Mary Cynthia (Roe) Smith. She was born November 8, 1809, in Saratoga county, New York, and was living at the garrison in Green Bay at the time of her mar- riage, having come to the Fort with her cousin, the wife of Major Henry Smith. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Irwin were born seven children: Mrs. Charles I. Wheelock, who died May 6, 1912; Mrs. Joshua Whitney, who died in March, 1909; Robert A., who died October 17, 1891 ; Mrs. Henry J. Turber, of Chicago, who died October 7, 1912; Harriet B., a resident of Green Bay ; Horace S., who died at the age of two years ; and Emilie V., also a resident of Green Bay. The wife and mother died on the 11th of January, 1880.
The family was a prominent one in military circles, which consti- tuted the chief element in society at that early period. They have all been members of the Episcopal church and Mr. Irwin's political faith was that of the democratic party. He was always a public-spirited man, very active in business and in public connections. He realized the fact that he was con- nected with Brown county during an epoch-making period in its history and he aided in laying broad and deep the foundation upon which the present progress and prosperity have been built. In manner he was gracious and kindly and wherever he went won a large circle of warm friends.
REV. FRED EPPLING.
One is apt, in thinking of the history of a community, to regard only its material development as manifest in its business interests and relations ; yet surrounding all this is the moral tone of the community, guiding the individual in his relations with his fellowmen and having its root in the teachings of the religious leaders. It is therefore imperative in this con- nection that mention be made of the Rev. Fred Eppling, a minister of the German Lutheran church, who not only in Green Bay but in other locali- ties exerted a wide influence on behalf of moral advancement. He was a Frenchman who was born in Strasburg, of which city his father, Frederick Eppling, was a merchant. The mother bore the maiden name of Sarah Erhardt and both were representatives of very prominent and noted families.
Spending his youthful days under the parental roof in Strasburg, the Rev. Fred Eppling began his education there and after coming to America pursued his studies on this side the Atlantic until 1849. Becoming imbued with high religious purpose, he determined to devote his life to the work of the ministry in the German Lutheran church and, preparing therefor, was appointed to his first charge in Cincinnati. He filled various pulpits after that and was considered a very brilliant man and a leading divine in his denomination. In fact he was a man of exceptional ability who made
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good use of his talents and his time and was actuated in all that he did by a desire to benefit his fellowmen.
In 1853 the Rev. Eppling was united in mariage to Miss Pauline Ludewig, who was born in Westphalia, Germany, in 1827, and is now liv- ing in Green Bay, being exceptionally active for one of her advanced years. Unto the Rev. and Mrs. Eppling were born seven children, all of whom still survive, namely: Mrs. Treichel, who is a resident of Plymouth, Wis- consin; Mrs. Frank, of Jackson, Wisconsin; Charles, living in Chicago; Mrs. Hensel, of Green Bay; F. Eppling, living in Sheboygan, Wisconsin; Mrs. Reinhartz, who makes her home in East Liverpool, Ohio; and Mrs. C. Mueller, of Escanaba, Michigan.
The husband and father passed away September 12, 1896, when in the seventieth year of his age, his birth having occurred on the 28th of October, 1826. His life was given to the service of his fellowmen and exemplified the spirit of Him who came not to be ministered unto but to minister. While he was a believer in the special teachings of his denomination, his Christianity transcended creed and dogma and reached out in an enduring sympathy to all mankind. In May, 1893, he came to Green Bay after having retired from the ministry and spent his remaining days here. His interest in his church, however, never abated, his faith growing stronger as the years went by, while his memory remains yet as a beneficial influ- ence in the lives of those who came under his teaching.
THOMAS PRINGLE.
Upon one hundred and thirty acres of land in the southwest corner of Howard township, near Duck creek bridge, on the Shawano road, Thomas Pringle is living retired in the seventy-first year of his age, rest- ing after the labors of a long, useful and eventful life. His fellow citi- zens esteem him for the valuable work he has done along agricultural development as a son of one of the pioneers in the settlement of this section.
He was born in Richmond, Virginia, August 19, 1842, a son of Joseph and Dorothy (Stoves) Pringle, natives of England, the former born in 1814 and the latter in 1816. The father came to America when he was twenty-eight years of age and settled in Richmond, Virginia, where he worked in the coal mines. In 1842 he came to Brown county, Wisconsin, and located in Howard township on land which was obtained as a home- stead claim. Upon this property he built a crude log cabin destitute of conveniences and heated only by a large fireplace, Mr. Pringle being too poor to buy a stove. His neighbors were the Indians, who were at that time numerous in the vicinity, and with them he soon became friendly and intimate. He was known familiarly and lovingly among them as "Old Joe Pringle" and when he died upon his farm in 1889 many who were his friends mourned his loss. His wife passed away in 1882. In their family were nine children: Jane; Thomas; Isabel; Mary, who died
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when she was seventeen years of age; Dora; Joseph; Susan; George, who died at the age of fifteen; and William, who died when eleven years old.
Thomas Pringle acquired some education in a little log schoolhouse in Howard township but his advantages along this line were limited to two winters' attendance. He entered upon his studies when he was fourteen years of age and completed them at the age of sixteen. After laying aside his books he worked as a farm laborer in the neighborhood, receiv- ing a salary of eight dollars per month. In 1862 he enlisted in the Seven- teenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, under Captain McAfee, which com- pany was afterward transferred to the First Illinois Light Artillery. In this he served for three years and five months and encountered many of the sufferings and hardships incident to the Civil war, being confined for some time in Libby prison. On July 10, 1865, he was honorably dis- charged and returned immediately to Howard township, working for his father one year. He then invested the money which he had earned dur- ing his military service in farm land, purchasing fifty-five acres, while his father bought sixty-five, their combined holdings forming one of the finest agricultural properties in the section. This farm they operated together until the death of Joseph Pringle, after which the subject of this review carried on general farming alone. He now owns one hun- dred and thirty acres, having purchased seventy-five acres of Indian land some time ago. His success has come as the natural result of hard work and efficiency and has rewarded a life of persistent effort and honorable dealing. For some time he gave his entire attention to the cultivation of the soil and to the raising of high grade cattle and although he is now living retired he still owns fifteen head of high grade Holstein cattle and four horses.
On the 28th of November, 1868, Mr. Pringle was united in marriage at Sturgeon Bay to Miss Rosie Campbell, a daughter of Robert and Mary (Rollette) Campbell, pioneers in the settlement of Brown county, where the father is, numbered among the prosperous and representative agri- culturists. Mr. and Mrs. Pringle have eight children : George W., an electrical engineer of Peoria. Illinois, who married Lena Michelson. of Mill Center, by whom he has one daughter, Helen; Roy J., who is the proprietor of a sanitarium in San Francisco, California; Edna S., who married Duncan McIntosh, a farmer of South Hanson, Massachusetts, by whom she has four children, Ruth, Ruby, Roy and Roland; Robert C., operating the homestead for his father, who married Cora Cole, of Marsh- 'field, by whom he has two children, Carroll and Marion; Thomas E., an electrical engineer of Chicago, who married Ella Vollrath, of Ohio, by whom he has one child, Thomas Jr .; Elsie R., who became the wife of Edward Nye, of Madison, Wisconsin; Fred R., who died at the age of nine years; and Ernst E., who is teaching in an academy in Massachu- setts.
Mr. Pringle gives his allegiance to the republican party and cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. He is interested in the cause of educa- tion and served as clerk of district school No. 2 of Howard township for four years. He has given all of his children excellent advantages along
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this line, sending them through college and well equipping them for their various occupations in life. He belongs to the Seventh Day Adventist church and is known as a man of exemplary habits. He labored to make his farm modern and up-to-date in every particular and to increase its fertility and productiveness, so that he now has one of the finest agricul- tural properties in Brown county.
DAVID MCCARTNEY.
David McCartney passed away in 1898. He was one of Green Bay's most venerable citizens, honored and respected wherever known and most of all where he was best known. From the time when he started out in the world on his own account his life was one of usefulness and activity, resulting to the benefit of the community in which he lived as well as in the attainment of individual success. During the later years of his life he was a prominent banker of Green Bay, founding, organizing and conducting what is now known as the McCartney National Bank.
He was born September 14, 1814, near Belfast, in County Down, Ireland, his parents being William and Isabella ( McCreary ) McCartney, who came to the United States about 1820. bringing with them their son and daugh- ter. They settled in Guernsey county, Ohio, and afterward became resi- dents of Belmont county, that state, where the father engaged in farming until his death. The mother passed away some years afterward in Mon- mouth, Warren county, Illinois.
David McCartney was a little lad of only about six years at the time the family crossed the Atlantic to the new world. His education was largely acquired in the country schools of Guernsey county and in his youth he learned the stone-cutter's trade, being in the employ of his uncle, John Mc- Cartney, at the time of the building of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. Sub- sequently he was employed by another uncle, James McCartney, on the con- struction work of the Philadelphia & Columbia Railroad, afterward a part of the Pennsylvania Central Railroad. Subsequently he was engaged on the construction of the Lake Erie & Pittsburg Canal and thus was closely as- sociated with public improvements in the east.
Mr. McCartney was married in 1836, in Coshocton county, Ohio, to Miss Elizabeth Heslip, after which he took up the occupation of farming in that county. For about eight years he continued to engage in agricultural pur- suits and then turned his attention to milling and merchandising in Hendrys- burg, Belmont county, Ohio, at the same time engaging in stock buying and general trading. He later turned his attention to railroad construction and was awarded contracts on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, the Central Ohio and the Hempfield Railroad, now a part of the Baltimore & Ohio system. This line was built in 1854-5 and the failure of the company resulted in a loss of eighty thousand dollars to Mr. McCartney. In the latter year he went to Barnesville, Ohio, where he conducted a steam gristmill and a sawmill. In 1865 he removed to Wisconsin, settling at Oshkosh, where he operated
DAVID MCCARTNEY
THE NEW Y VY PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LEMBX 24B TIMEA FOUNDATIONA.
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two steam sawmills for two years. He then sold out and removed to Fort Howard, Wisconsin, becoming largely interested in lumbering, sawmilling and other enterprises involving the utilization of thousands of acres of pine lands. He operated two sawmills after coming to Fort Howard, one at Laney about eighteen miles out and one at Medford. In these ventures his son-in-law was interested with him. He was a man of excellent business ability, forceful and resourceful, who seemed always to recognize an oppor- tunity and to know how to utilize it to the best advantage. Moreover, he had the power of coordinating seemingly diverse elements into a harmonious whole. In 1882 he severed his connection with all these enterprises and es- tablished the McCartney Exchange Bank, a private institution, at Fort Howard. This he successfully conducted under the original organization for a decade, when in 1892 he reorganized the business as a national bank, capitalized for fifty thousand dollars. It has had a successful existence con- tinuously, being founded upon a safe and progressive public policy.
Soon after organizing the bank, or in 1884, Mr. McCartney began to in- vest in lands in Thomas county, Georgia, and became in time the owner of seventy-four hundred acres in that section. His judgment was sound, his discrimination keen and his undertakings were crowned with success. His business activities were largely of a character that contributed to public pro- gress and prosperity as well as to individual success. Ile built the first street railway on the west side of Green Bay and then gave all of the children a a free ride- the first many of them had ever had. He also established the first electric light plant here.
During the Civil war Mr. McCartney gave substantial evidence of his loyalty to the Union cause and was appointed a brigadier general in the Ohio State Militia and also a United States provost marshal, serving in the latter capacity for a year and a half. During the famous Morgan raid into Ohio he was in command of one thousand militiamen at Barnesville, Ohio, where he successfully guarded a long railroad bridge over which were taken daily a large amount of supplies for the Union army. In times of peace he was equally loyal to his country and was the champion of all those progres- sive measures that have constituted vital forces in the city's upbuilding.
Mr. McCartney was twice married and by his first union had three chil- dren : William, deceased : Ellen, the deceased wife of W. Humphreyville : and Thomas Jefferson, a resident of Thomasville, Georgia. The mother of these children passed away February 17. 1845, and in 1847 Mr. McCartney married Miss Laney Eliza Harris, of Ohio, by whom he had the following children: Elizabeth, who married Thomas Whelan, but both are now de- ceased ; Emma Belle, a resident of Green Bay ; and Laney Viola, deceased. Again death entered the household when the mother was called on the 3d of June, 1884.
Both Mr. and Mrs. McCartney were faithful and devoted members of the Presbyterian church, with which he was identified throughout his en- tire life. He built and presented to the congregation the First Presbyterian church of Fort Howard, erected at a cost of about eight thousand dollars. In the midst of his extensive and active business affairs he always found time for the duties of citizenship and for his moral obligations. To him life
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