History of Dane County, Biographical and Genealogical, Part 23

Author: Keyes, Elisha W. (Elisha Williams), 1828-1910
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Madison, Wi. : Western Historical Association
Number of Pages: 998

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Minneapolis; Bernard M., depot master at Chicago; Ella, who died in her tenth year; and Margaret, the widow of W. H. Denison. By a previous marriage, on January 25, 1880, to William Sullivan, an engineer employed by the Chicago & Northwestern road, Mrs. Denison is the mother of three children. Ella Sullivan makes her home with her mother, and acts as her private secretary. She is a graduate of the Madison business college and an efficient and prac- tical book keeper. Maud Sullivan became the wife of E. W. Batch- elder of Pennsylvania and is the mother of one child, Dorothy. William H. Sullivan is an electrician working in Minneapolis. Mr. Denison's death occurred September 19, 1894. His widow has assumed charge of the business and it is prospering. Mr. Deni- son was a man of sound business sense and genial, kindly manner. His death cast a pall of gloom over all his friends.

Albert R. Denu, a young attorney of Dane county, and a mem- ber of the firm of Messerschmidt & Denu of Madison, was born in Dane county. April 9, 1877. He is a son of Philip and Albertine C. (Steffen) Denu, natives of Germany, who came to the United States in 1871, settling in Mazomanie, the same year. In 1891 the father removed to Madison and became an oil merchant, in which business he has been interested ever since. There were five chil- dren in the family, the subject of this sketch being the eldest. Emil H. is advertising manager of the State Journal, a daily paper, published in Madison. Willard R. is a druggist in Beloit. Autie L. is a member of the University of Wisconsin class of 1908. The other child died in infancy. Albert R. Denu is a graduate of the Madison high school in the class of 1895 and of the University of Wisconsin in the class of 1899, with the degree of B. L. Dur- ing the scholastic year of 1899-1900 he taught in the Madison high school and then went to Washington, where he entered the law de- partment of the Georgetown University. In 1903 he was gradu- ated with the degree of LL. B. and the following scholastic year was an instructor in the department of oratory in the University of Wisconsin. Since that time he has been engaged in the practice of law, and has been eminently successful. The firm as it is now formed was established in January, 1906. Mr. Denu practices in all the state courts and the federal courts within the state. While a student in the high school he was a member of the debating team which defeated a similar team from the east division high school of Milwaukee. Again while a university student he was on the two winning debating teams which defeated the Universities of Iowa and Illinois. During his course at Georgetown he repre-

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sented his school on the debating team which won from Columbia law school. In his senior year at the University of Wisconsin he was the winner of the final oratorical contest and represented his school in the incollegiate contest at Oberlin, Ohio. Politically he is a Republican. During the campaign of 1904 he took an active part. speaking in practically all the towns and villages of the county. He filled some of the engagements in Dane county, which Gov. R. M. La Follette was unable to meet. On numerous occasions he has delivered Fourth of July and Decoration day ad- dresses. At the present time Mr. Denu is a candidate for the Republican nomination for district attorney of Dane county. On November 22, 1905, he was united in marriage to Miss Adeline Belsham, a native of England who came to the United States with her parents when a small child. Her parents. Christopher and Hannah M. (Grounsell) Belsham, are now residents of Madison, the father being employed as a mechanic. Mrs. Denu is a mem- ber of the Baptist church. Her husband is considered one of the rising young lawyers of the community.

Clark B. Devine, M. D., is a promising young physician of Mar- shall. He was born in Oregon, Dane county, Jan. 12, 1879. His parents are Judson B. Devine. born in Pennsylvania, June 28, 1846, and Margaret (Kellor) Devine, a native of Canada, born April 14, 1854. His paternal grandfather. Dewitt Clinton Devine, a native of Pennsylvania, and five brothers, came west and all settled on farms in Oregon township, Dane county ; all of this family of young pioneers, with one exception, have died in their adopted home, and the father of Dr. Devine resides in the village of Oregon. His maternal grandfather came to Dane from Canada in 1856, and died in Wisconsin. Dr. Devine's father came to Wisconsin with his parents when he was a babe six weeks old, received his education in the common schools of the county and has practically spent his whole life within its boundaries. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party and has held various town offices. He married the widow of his half-brother, who had, at the time of her second marriage, one son; the subject of this sketch is the only child of the second marriage. Dr. Devine has received a liberal education having been graduated from the Oregon high school in June, 1895, from the University of Wisconsin with the class of 1900 and from Rush Medical College of Chicago, in 1903. He began his practice of medicine in Marshall, where he is meeting with success in his chosen profession. In politics, he follows the family trad tions and votes with the Republican party. On October 26, 1904, he was

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married to Miss Alice J. Manson, who is a native of Texas, born Oct. 24. 1879. the daughter of Alexander P. Manson and Sarah, his wife, of Belleville. Wis. Dr. Devine is a member of the E. F. U. and M. W. A. and Beavers, and 's the examining physician for all these societies; he also belongs to the Royal Laborers and has acted in the same capacity for that association.

Michael Devine (deceased) was for many years a resident of Madison, well-known in the city. He was born in Ireland in 1827, son of Patrick and Catherine (Lonergran) Devine, both natives of Ireland. Mr. Devine commenced life as a railroad man and by faithful and untiring effort won for himself a comfortable home and an established position in the community, where he made many warm friends. In October, 1851, he married Miss Margaret Mull- downey, who was born in Ireland in 1834, daughter of Hugh and Mary (Whalen) Mulldowney. Mr. Devine was one of a family of eight children. Both Mr. Devine and his wife were confirmed in the Roman Catholic church, which Mrs. Devine regularly attends. Eight children were born to them; John (deceased). Josephine, who resides with her mother; Hubert Augustine, who married Mary Clarke and resides in Fond du Lac, Wis .; Katherine, who married Charles L. Wright and resides in Caro, Michigan ; Mary Alice res des with her mother; James Gilbert and Ephraim De Forrest are deceased; William Henry makes his home with Mrs. Devine. Mr. Devine was identified with the Republican party.

John Dickert is the efficient fireman and day watchman at the postoffice building in the city of Madison, and during his incum- bency of that position during the past twenty years he has proven himself worthy of the confidence imposed. He was born in the state of Bavaria. a part of the German Empire, on May 19, 1842, and is the son of John and Maria (Dauer) Dickert, both of whom were natives of the same country, the father having served in the regular army of Germany for about six years. Of the five children born to these parents, the subject of this review is the only sur- vivor. The father came to America with his family in 1852, and resided there for the ensuing ten years, when he removed to Madi- son, Wis. He remained in Dane county only one year, engaged as a farm hand, and then returned to New York, entered the busi- ness of gardening and resided there the remainder of his life. He and his wife have both been deceased for several years. John Dickert, whose name introduces this review, attended school in Germany until he was ten years of age, when he accompanied his parents to America. He then attended school in New York for a

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time, but when seventeen years old he began the battle of life, and after coming to Madison worked as an apprentice in a chair fac- tory for about two years. He then entered the service of the gov- ernment as a carpenter, enlisting for the term of six months, and at the expiration of that time returned to Madison and worked for. a furniture-manufacturing firm for one year. He then entered the employ of a firm in Madison, engaged in the manufacture of plows, and remained so employed for about four years. His next employ- ment was with the firm of Fuller & Johnson, and after eight years with that manufacturing institution he worked as a fireman in Fauerbach's brewery for four years. He then accepted the posi- tion he now holds, and has filled the same very acceptably, as is evidenced by his long employment therein. Possessing the frugal- ity so characteristic of his race, as a result of his years of toil he is surrounded with evidences of material prosperity. The first pur- chase he made in Madison was a lot in Fitch's addition to the city, which he sold later and bought another upon which he erected the beautiful home where he now resides. Mr. Dickert was married on May 22, 1866, to Margaret Breitenbach, who was born in the state of New York, Oct. 19, 1848, and whose parents, George and Margaret (Shuman) Breitenbach, were natives of Bavaria, Ger- many. Of the five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Breitenbach, four are living, viz: Margaret, who is the wife of the subject of this review; Theresa; Mary, who married S. B. Splonskowski; and Henry, who married Helena Hauk. Mr. and Mrs. D'ckert are the parents of nine children: Frank George, resides at home; Salome Mary, resides in the city of Madison; Louie M. L., resides at home; Henry Adolph, married Nettie Vetter and resides in Madison ; Mary T., resides with her s'ster Salome; Anton William, married Frances Morhauser and resides in Madison; Joseph John, Addie Catherine, and Francis T., reside at home. Mr. Dickert and family are members of the Roman Catholic church.

George L. Dickinson, a prominent farmer of Alb'on, is the son of William Dickinson, one of the first settlers of the town, and re- sides upon the farm, which was the original home of the family in Dane county. William Dickinson was a native of Yorkshire, Eng- land, born in 1820, and was a merchant in Yorkshire. He was twice married. his first wife being Miss Mary Bogthroyd, also of Yorkshire. Five children were born to the marriage; Elizabeth, the wife of S. Humphrey of Edgerton; Ann, the wife of J. D. Spike of Edgerton; Isaac (deceased) ; Sarah, the wife of George Vickers of Edgerton; Martha, Mrs. James Stewart of Edgerton.

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Four children blessed the second marriage; Weetman, who mar- ried Miss Lucy Esgar and lives in Edgerton ; George L., who lives on the old farm; Louisa (deceased) ; Laura, who married Dr. J. L. Holton of Edgerton and with whom Mrs. Dickinson resides. Wil- liam Dickinson came to Albion in 1841 and obtained a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in section 14. Indians and wild game were plentiful but neighbors were few in number. Farm produce was hauled by teams to Milwaukee and many other difficulties had to be overcome. School advantages for the children were meagre. George L. was born in Albion, February 27, 1865, attended the dis- trict school of Albion and always worked upon the farm. Mr. Dickinson died in 1875 and George, his son, purchased the old homestead and has since resided there. He has made many im- provements, erected new buildings, etc. He carries on an exten- sive general farming business but is especially interested in stock- raising. Shropshire sheep are bred by him and he has a fine herd of cattle. Mr. Dickinson makes a study of modern farming meth- ods and is very successful. May 18, 1898, he married Miss Eliza Otto of Hebron, daughter of Julius Otto of Jefferson county. One daughter, Arma Louisa, blessed the marriage. Mr. Dickinson is a member of the Republican party but is not ambitious to hold of- fice. He is school treasurer of the district in which he lives. The family are all devoted adherents of the Primitive Methodist church, which was the denomination of their father in England.

Charles J. Dodge is proprietor of the Eclipse Creamery of Wind- sor and owner of a one half interest in creameries at Keyser, Token, Lodi and Stewart, of all of which he is manager. He came to Windsor in 1890 and has ever since been prominent in the busi- ness circles of the community. The family are of Connecticut descent ; Chester Dodge, grandfather of Charles J., was born in Connecticut and married Miss Martha Cone, also of Connecticut. They lived in Jefferson county, N. Y., and later near Pulaski, Os- wego county. Their son, Marcus W. Dodge, was born in Jeffer- son county. N. Y .. August 21, 1821, was educated in the home schools and married Miss Julia Ann Hendrickson, who was born near Richland in the same county, January 15, 1823. In 1854, they came to Lake county, Ill., and bought a farm near the village of Barrington. Mr. Dodge died in 1894 and his widow still lives in Barrington, eighty-three years of age. Eight children were born to them and s'x sons are now living. Mr. Dodge was a Republican and actively interested in local politics in Barrington, where he held several offices of trust. The family was identified with the

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Baptist church. Charles J. Dodge, son of Marcus W., was born at Cuba. Lake county, Ill., Oct. 12, 1856, attended school in the village of Barrington, Cuba township, and graduated from the Cook county normal school. He began to teach when he was but fifteen years of age and continued in this profession for thirteen years, seven years in the common schools and six years as principal of the high school at Barrington. He then came to Windsor and engaged in the creamery business in which he has been very suc- cessful. Mr. Dodge is still interested in school and educational affairs and has served on the Windsor school board for nearly six- teen years and is also a member of the board of the Windsor town- ship free high school, on which he has served for seven years. Mr. Dodge is a member of the Republican party. August 21, 1878, he married Miss Elizabeth Wilson, who was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, Aug. 12, 1855, daughter of George and Mary (Craig- mile) Wilson, who came to Cook county, Ill., in 1858 and settled upon a farm. To Mr. and Mrs. Dodge were born five children; Florence Adele, Charles Wilson, Mary Louise, Anna Edith, Chester Lyman. The family attend the Congregational church. Mr. Dodge is a member of the local branch of the Modern Wood- men.

George Dodge, farmer, stock-breeder and highly respected citi- zen of Roxbury township. was born in the township of Lyme, Jef- ferson county, N. Y., on March 14, 1828. His parents were Wil- liam King and Mary Ann (Hubbard) Dodge, the former of whom was born in Block Island (an island in the Atlantic ocean, about twenty miles from the mainland of the state of Rhode Island, of which Block Island is a part), the date of his birth being Novem- ber 7, 1797, wh'le the mother was born in the state of New York. March 9, 1800. They were married in Jefferson county, N. Y., and lived there for a number of years afterward, the father's occu- pation being that of a farmer. In 1844 they migrated to Wiscon- sin, locating first in Jefferson county, the place of settlement being on Rock river, but in 1847 they changed their abode to Waukesha county, and two years later came to Dane county and established a home on one hundred and sixty acres of forest land that they preempted from the government by soldiers' land warrant. Here they lived the remainder of their lives, both surviving to a good old age and enjoying in their declining years the fruits of their pioneer struggles. The mother died August 8, 1881, and the father on June 29, 1887. A large family of children was born to them, seven of whom reached manhood and womanhood, and four are

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yet living. The parents were both devout members of the Metho- dist church, and died in the faith that had been a comfort to them during life. George Dodge, son of these honored pioneers, and the immediate subject of this review, attended the schools of Jef- ferson county, N. Y., until he had reached the age of sixteen years, and then he accompanied his parents to their far-away home in the Badger state. After coming to Wisconsin he added to his store of knowledge by attending for a time the primitive schools of Waakesha county, but the demands of existence in that early day precluded the thoughts of any extended scholastic training, and his attention was early given to farming. He came to Dane county with his parents in 1849, and Roxbury township has been his home and farming his vocation during all of the intervening years. Industry and frugality, guided by a high order of intelli- gence, have accomplished the result that is always the portion of those virtues, and Mr. Dodge. is recognized as one of the sub- stantial citizens of the county. He owns a fine farm of two hun- dred acres, and aside from general farming devotes considerable attention to the breed'ng of Poland-China hogs, short-horned cat- tle and Shropshire sheep. In politics he is a Republican, but the desire for official position has never been his 'and so-called public honors have never lured him from the "even tenor of his way." The religious faith of his parents is the one to which he adheres, and he and his wife are valued members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was married on May 1, 1853, to Miss Ellen Alecia Brereton, who was born in Kings county, Ireland, November 30, 1833. She is the daughter of George and Ellen (Huelette) Brere- ton, both of whom were of Irish birth. Mrs. Dodge's parents mi- grated to Canada. in 1849, and there the mother d'ed on December 28 of the following year. In 1852 the family came to Dane county, Wis., settling in Roxbury township, where the father died on Feb- ruary 12, 1853. There were born to these parents nine children, three of whom died in Ireland before the emigration of the family, and the other six came to America with their parents and are still living. To George Dodge and wife there have been born nine chil- dren, as follows: Edwin (deceased), Mary Ellen, William Edwin, . Martha Elizabeth, (deceased). George Brereton, Willoughby King, Mary Ellen, Adaline Harriet, and John Abner.

Edward Donkle, deceased, was for many years a leading farmer in the town of Verona, and later a highly respected citizen of the city of Madison. He was born in Mercer county, Pa., March 17, 1833, and was one of the eight children of Peter and Lydia Donkle,

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natives of the same county and state. Six of the children men- tioned are living, Caroline, Mary and Henry residing in the town of Verona; Emaline, who is now Mrs. Reuben Myers, resides in the same town ; Catherine, who is now Mrs. Matts, lives in Kansas ; and Betsey, who is now Mrs. Nye, has her residence in Verona. The subject of this review attended the public schools in Penn- sylvania, and also one or two terms after the removal of the family to Wisconsin, he being but twelve years of age when his parents became residents of Dane county, in 1845. Beginning his inde- pendent career he formed a partnership with one of his brothers, and together they purchased several yokes of oxen and began breaking new ground and making it ready for cultivation. They continued this occupation for several seasons, and also bought a a threshing machine outfit, which avocation they followed eleven consecutive autumns in partnership with two brothers-in-law, Messrs. Nye and Myers. In 1858 our subject bought eighty acres of land adjoining one hundred and fifty acres, which comprised his father's homestead, and he resided thereon about six years. In the meantime he purchased the family homestead, or rather the interests of the mother and the other heirs in the same, as the father had previously died. Mr. Donkle and family resided on the old homestead until 1894, then purchased a house and lot at 532 West Wilson street, Madison, and later sold his farm. He also purchased two full lots in Wingra Park, where he erected two beautiful resi- dences, one of which Mrs. Donkle occupies, the other being the residence of her daughter and son-in-law, while the property on Wilson street is leased to tenants. When the tocsin of war was sounded and a call for men was made to preserve the integrity of the nation our subject was one of those who offered his services to the government. On September 2, 1864, he enlisted as a private in Company K of the Forty-second Regiment Wisconsin Infantry and served with that command until June 20, 1865, when the war being ended, he was mustered out with his regiment. He was en- gaged in guard duty during his entire term of service and was stationed for the most part at Springfield, Ill. Mr. Donkle was married on January 1. 1857, to Miss Martha J. White, born at Hartford, Washington county, N. Y., November 1, 1839. She is the daughter and one of nine children born to Stephen and Mary P. (Smith) White, the former being a native of New Hampshire and the latter of Massachusetts. Of these nine children three only are l'ving: Martha J. is the widow of the subject of this review; Sarah is the widow of Mr. Richard Blackburn and lives in the

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town of Verona; and Marietta is the widow of William Donkle and resides in Verona. Stephen White, the father, came to Dane county in 1848 and purchased forty acres of land in the town of Springdale, where he resided many years, but later he sold this farm and resided with his daughters until his death about 1875. The mother was born in 1800 and died in the town of Verona in 1890. To Edward Donkle and wife there were born seven chil- dren. Orlin S. married Miss Melissa Myers and resides in town of Verona; Sarah A. married Myron Brown and resides in the city of Madison; Mary F. married William Burmeister and re- sides at Wingra Park; Horace B. is deceased; Judson married Margaret Henderson and resides in the town of Verona, where he is a successful merchant; Alfred D. F., deceased. had just com- pleted a medical course in Chicago prior to his death, had received his diploma and was nearly through with his hospital training; Lucius B. is a practicing physician and surgeon in Chicago; he makes a specialty of surgery. The subject of this review was a Republican in his political affiliations, and his religious faith was expressed by membership in the Baptist church of which he was a deacon several years, as were also his two brothers, Henry filling that office at the present time. He had strong opinions on the temperance question and was at one time a member of the order of Good Templars. Two of his sons are enthusiastic members of the Masonic order.

J. B. Donkle, postmaster and general merchant of Verona, was born in Verona township, October 19, 1871; he is the son of Ed- ward and Martha (White) Donkle, the former being a native of Mercer county, Pa., and the latter of New York. His grand- father, Peter Donkle, of old Pennsylvania stock and originally of German descent, came to Wisconsin at an early date, bringing his family and settling in Dane county, where he remained until h's death. His son, Edward, was born March 17, 1833, and reared on the farm, adopted farming as his own vocation, and continued in it until about 1891, when he retired from active work and made his home in Madison, where Mrs. Donkle resides at the present time. They had a family of seven children, O. S. Donkle, of Verona ; Sarah, married M. F. Brown of Madison; Fyetta, married William Burmeister of Madison; Horace, deceased; J. B., the sub- ject of this sketch; Alfred, deceased ; Lucius, a physician of Ch - cago. Mr. Edward Donkle was a staunch Republican in his poli- tics, and in sympathy with the prohibition movement. He died May 2, 1902. His wife was born November 17, 1839, and is still

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living. Mr. J. B. Donkle was reared in Verona township, edu- cated in the public schools and in Wayland academy, Beaver Dam. When he finished his school education, he occupied himself with farming for four years; at the end of that time he entered into the general mercantile business in which he is at present engaged; he has also other interests outside of his store, as he has been post- master of Verona since March 5, 1898, is a director of the bank of Verona, and has interests in the Mt. Vernon telephone company. He was married December 28, 1898, to Miss Margaret M. Hender- son, who was born in Salina. Kansas. Her father, James P. Hen- derson, is a native of Scotland, and now a resident of Verona. Mr. Donkle belongs to the Republican party, and also to F. & A. M., No. 5, of Madison, and to the Modern Woodmen of America. One child born to the union July 16,. 1905, died February 17, 1906.

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History of Dane County, Biographical and Genealogical, Part 23

Author: Keyes, Elisha W. (Elisha Williams), 1828-1910 Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Madison, Wi. : Western Historical Association Number of Pages: 998

Author: Keyes, Elisha W. (Elisha Williams), 1828-1910
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Madison, Wi. : Western Historical Association
Number of Pages: 998