USA > Wisconsin > Dane County > History of Dane County, Biographical and Genealogical > Part 34
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George F. Gregg, a successful farmer of the town of Madison, was born at Brookfield, Waukesha county, Wis., July 13. 1864. He is the oldest child of Jefferson Gregg (see sketch) and Jennie (Parker) Gregg. George F. Gregg received his education at the schools near his home and later spent five years at the high school
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at Wauwatosa, Wis., from which he was graduated in 1887. In 1888 he started farming in Waukesha county and two years later caine to Dane county, purchasing one hundred acres of what was known as the Johnson farm one mile west of Forest Hill cemetery. Mr. Gregg is a Republican in politics, in which he has always taken a great deal of interest, and has been chairman of the town board. He is a member of the First Congregational church of Madison. On May 31, 1888, he married Hettie L., daughter of E. J. and Mary A. (Mitchell) Grover, and to this marriage have been born three children. Walter, Marian and Ralph. Mr. Gregg is a mem- ber of Madison Camp No. 365. Modern Woodmen of America. His farm is one of the best improved pieces of land in the county.
Jefferson Gregg, retired, was born in Milwaukee, Wis., August 15, 1836, his parents being of New England extraction. His father Hendrick Gregg, born in New Hampshire in 1807, was, after his father's death in 1816, taken to Stockbridge, Madison county, N. Y., where he grew to manhood. He married Clarissa M. Leland a na- tive of Massachusetts, and in 1836 came to Milwaukee and bought one hundred and sixty acres of canal land in Milwaukee county, cleared one hundred acres, and in 1852 sold it to the county for a "County Farm." He then bought about four hundred and forty acres near Elm Grove, partly improved, and from this tract he and his son Jefferson cut a large quantity of hard-wood timber, some of the trees being four feet or more in diameter. He served as as- sessor and chairman of the town board and took an active interest in political affairs as a Democrat. He was killed in 1881 while crossing the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad at Elm Grove. His wife died the same year. She was a devoted member of the Baptist church. They were the parents of the following children viz: Helen, deceased ; Jefferson the subject of this sketch ; Mary, deceased : Harrison a miner at Deadwood, S. D .; Sarah D., widow of Wells Coe, now living at Deadwood; George, who was killed at the battle of Murfreesboro in 1862; Ella. died in infancy ; Clara who married a man named Hanks, is widowed and is now living at Granville, Wis .; Lewis, a farmer near Elm Grove; and Katie, now the wife of D. K. Warren, of Wauwatosa, Wis. Jeffer- son Gregg received a limited education in the common schools, and continued to live with his parents until he was twenty-six years old. He then began farming for himself near Elm Grove, until 1866 when he removed to Chippewa county which was then a wild and sparsely settled country. This was in the pioneer days of that sec-
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tion. He located near Jim's Falls, established a school there, and took an active part in developing the county. He was the first school officer of the district. He followed farming there until 1870, when he returned to Elm Grove in 1884. In 1888 he removed to Dane county. Here he was actively engaged in farming for some years, when he retired and now lives at 412 Murry street, in the city of Madison, where he owns a comfortable residence, and also owns other property in the city. Mr. Gregg is a Prohibitionist in his political belief. He takes an active interest in public affairs having served as chairman of the town board of the town of Brookfield. and was for some time a member of the school board. In religious matters it is no flattery or exaggeration to say that he is one of the pillars of the Congregational church, in which he now holds the office of deacon. In November, 1862, he was united in marriage to Miss Rhoda J. Parker, and to this union have been born the follow- ing children: George, Hendrick, Mabel and John P. George and Hendrick are farmers in the town of Madison; Mabel is the wife of Lyman G. Wheeler, a prominent attorney of Milwaukee; and John P. is a traveling salesman and resides in Madison. All the children are well educated, having attended the state university or or graduated from high school. Mr. and Mrs. Gregg travel a great deal. They have spent two winters in California and two in Florida and Mrs. Gregg has spent one season in Europe.
Jared Comstock Gregory, one of the prominent lawyers and citizens of Madison, Wis., was born January 13, 1823, in the town of Butternuts, Otsego county, New York. He was the eldest son of Ebenezer Gregory, Esq., and Millie (Maxwell) Gregory whose father, James Maxwell, was a revolutionary soldier. He was edu- cated at Gilbertsville academy, in his native county, and read law with Judge Noble, of Unadilla. He was admitted to practice in 1848, and began his legal career as a member of the Otsego county bar. Always a consistent adherent of the principles and policy of the Democratic party, he was its unsuccessful candidate for con- gress in the district where he resided in 1856, running far ahead of his ticket. The following extracts are taken from a review of his career. after his death, February 7, 1892, by the Hon. Silas U. Pinney, justice of the supreme court of Wisconsin and for twenty-one years his law partner :- "In the same year of his admission to the bar he was married to Miss Charlotte Camp, and they made their home at Unadilla, New York, until they settled in Madison, Wisconsin. in 1858. Three children of this marriage .- Stephen S. Gregory, one
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ci the prominent attorneys of Chicago; Charles N. Gregory, a mem- ber of the Wisconsin bar and a gentleman of very considerable at- tainments and reputation (at present dean of the college of law, at the University of Iowa) ; and an unmarried daughter, Cora W. Gregory,-with Mrs. Gregory, survive him. Upon his arrival in Wisconsin Mr. Gregory formed a law partnership with the writer, under the firm name of Gregory & Pinney, which continued for over twenty-one years,-other persons at different times being as- sociated with them,-in which they secured a large practice in important litigation and met with marked success. After July, 1879, he continued his practice with his son, Charles N. Gregory. under the firm name of Gregory & Gregory, until the time of his death, maintaining his former high position at the bar. From al- most the outset, on his arrival in Wisconsin, he took high rank as a lawyer and citizen, and soon formed extensive business and so- cial relations, and, being a gentleman of such public spirit, he soon became a popular and highly useful member of society in his local- ity and one of the most prominent citizens in the state. He took particular interest in educational affairs, and served with great fidelity for twelve years as one of the regents of the University of Wisconsin. He was of signal service in that capacity when the in- stitution was a feeble one of uncertain promise, and until it took acknowledged position and rank with the best educational institu- tions of the country. In 1873 he served with ability one term as mayor of the city; in 1881 he was the candidate of his party for member of congress in the Madison district,-the nominal ma- jority of the opposite party being nearly 4,000, but he was defeated by a majority of about 1,000. He was postmaster of Madison dur- ing the first term of office of President Cleveland, and gave great satisfaction, administering the affairs of the office in the most, creditable manner. He had often been mentioned in connection with other positions, and while taking an active interest in politi- cal affairs, he avoided rather than inclined to candidacy for office. It should be added that Mr. Gregory was a delegate from Wiscon- sin to the national Democratic convention held at Cincinnati in 1880, and was one of the vice-presidents of the convention. When Mr. Gregory settled in Wisconsin the condition of affairs in the west was unpromising and full of difficulty and embarassment. A great financial revolution had recently swept over the country and prostrated business interests. Litigation was abundant and more than usually unprofitable. There was more experi-
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ence than money to be obtained in practicing law, yet it was at this juncture that the services of a lawyer of quick business perceptions and sound judgment were of great value. .. . He negotiated and completed an early and therefore advantageous compromise of our city debt, which was an enormous burden in the estimation of men of that day He, with General George B. Smith, Judge J. C. Hopkins, General Simeon Mills, General David Atwood and others, was particularly active and useful in securing the location and build- ing of railroads to and through Madison. He was prominent in the struggle before the legislature for many years, in relation to railroad enterprises and the disposition of the land grants; and for a long series of years and at the time of death, he was the local attorney and advisor of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Com- pany, at Madison, and enjoyed its confidence in a very high degree. Mr. Gregory as a lawyer was a learned, wise and prudent counsel- lor and an efficient advocate in the trial of jury cases. He was an agreeable and entertaining speaker and gifted with the ability to perceive almost intuitively the considerations and motives that
influenced human conduct. He did not particularly devote him- self to the consideration of complicated legislation or the study of complicated legal problems, yet in all such cases his suggestions and general views were very valuable. He chose rather to adjust stich controversies and to devote himself more particularly to the non-contentious departments of professional life. He was emi- nently of gentle and peaceful disposition, disposed to settle and adjust controversies rather than litigate them; but when he felt compelled to a different course he was an antagonist of whom one had need to beware ..... In my judgment he belonged to that class of the profession who are extremely serviceable to their clients, and whose services do not always receive in public estimation the acknowledgement and recognition that fidelity, integrity and ability deserve. He was a man of many friendships, and I think he had no enemies. Mr. Gregory was an agreeable and instructive conversa- tionalist, and had mingled so extensively in social, business and professional circles that he had a large fund of interesting anec- dotes and experiences, which made his society attractive. He was fond of society life and its enjoyments, refinements and friendships. He was of kindly, sympathetic nature ; he adhered to his old friends and acquaintances with singular firmness, and was one of the tru- est of friends. He was a member of Grace Episcopal church, and
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all matters which pertained to the advancement of Christian work enlisted his active interest."
John Griffiths, deceased, one of the pioneer printers of the city of Madison, was born in Shrewsbury, England, February 5, 1832. He was a son of William and Hannah (Ganon) Griffiths, also born in England. The father was a minister of the Methodist Episco- pal church who came to this country with his family about 1844, landing at New Orleans and coming up the Mississippi to Fort Madison, and thence to Madison, Wis. Both parents had brothers serving in the English army under Wellington who were killed at Waterloo. In the early days Mr. Griffiths was accustomed to sup- ply pulpits around the county. He and his wife both passed away in Madison. The public schools of Madison furnished John Griffiths with his scholastic equipment. upon the completion of which he served his apprenticeship as a printer. For many years he and ex-Gov. George W. Peck worked at the case together. When it became necessary to get recruits for the Union army dur- ing the Civil War, by conscription, Mr. Griffiths was drafted, but finding himself unable to leave his family he supplied a substitute. About 1870 he retired from the printers' trade and devoted his time to the management of his land interests, in which he was heavily involved. On June 15, 1871, he married Sarah M., daughter of Samuel and Cecelia (Lewis) Carman of Poughkeepsie, N. Y. The Lewis family were the founders of Poughkeepsie and a great great grandfather of Mrs. Griffiths, (on the maternal side) Col. L. D. Barnett, was the representative of Dutchess county in the Colonial Congress from 1717 to 1724. Samuel Carman was a phy- sician who came to Wisconsin in the hope of benefitting his health in 1853, and died here six years later. Mrs. Carman also passed away while a resident of Madison. Mrs. Griffiths' birthplace was Lakeville, Livingston county, New York. To Mr. and Mrs. Griffiths were born three daughters,-Anna, now living with her mother ; Mary Elizabeth, Mrs. Charles Palmer of Madison; and Katherine, Mrs. Harry Herd of Madison. Mr. Griffiths was af- filated with the Republican party of the state, but never held office. His death occurred August 17, 1905, at the home at 424 North Pinckney street, where the widow still resides.
John J. Grimm, proprieter of the old and well-known bookbind- ing concern, was born in Madison February 10, 1858. His parents were Gottlieb and Elizabeth (Krueger) Grimm, natives of Ger- many. Gottlieb Grimm was born March 16, 1831, and came to Mad-
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ison in the early forties. He was the first and for many years the only bookbinder of Madison. For several years he was a member of the city council and in 1875 was the city treasurer. He died Janu- ary 27, 1903. from a stroke of apoplexy. His wife, sixty-eight years of age, is still living in Madison. Of the eleven children of Gott- lieb and Elizabeth Grimm eight are still living,-John J .; Mary, Mrs. Augustus Nebel of Madison ; Mathilda, Mrs. Michael Dieder- ich, of Madison ; Elizabeth, Sister Devota, the mother superior at the Chippewa' Falls Catholic school; Crescentia, widow of Mr. Baudler, of Madison; Julia, Mrs. Thomas Revord, of Minnesota ; Amanda, Sister Theophila, in a Chicago Catholic school; and Anna M., at home. Rosalia, Mrs. Henry Kessenich, of Madison, died in June, 1906. John J. Grimm received his education in the schools of Madison. Upon the completion of his school work he went into his father's plant and learned the business. Later he was taken into partnership with his father and upon the death of the latter he assumed control of the entire business, which has grown to large proportions under his able management. On May 31. 1881. he married Margaret, daughter of Peter and Anna M. Zirkel. To this union have been born seven children,-Herman J., a druggist ; John P. and Henry G., who work with their father; Rosalia, at home; Matilda and Amanda school girls; and Frances X. Like their parents Mr. and Mrs. Grimm are members of the Catholic church. Mr. Grimm is a member of and treasurer of the Knights of Columbus.
Hon. Hans S. Grinde was a prominent business man and repre- sentative citizen of De Forest from 1874, when he came to the vil- lage, until his death April 20, 1892. He was born in Norway, the son of Sjur L. and Gertrude (Roisum) Grinde, and was brought by his parents to the United States in 1847. They located on a farm in the town of Windsor and there Sjur Grinde died in 1893 and his wife in 1895. Mr. Grinde was a blacksmith but devoted his energies principally to the care of his farm. Twelve children were born to the Grindes, eight of whom are living. The family are members of the Norway Grove United Lutheran church. Hans S. Grinde was born November 27, 1845, came to Wisconsin when he was two years old, attended school at Windsor and the Albion Academy and was an under-graduate of Luther College of De. corah, Iowa, and the University of Wisconsin. For a time he taught school and in 1874. came to De Forest, where he entered into partnership with Andrew Moldstad in a mercantile business.
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After two years Mr. Grinde engaged in the lumber business and also owned a grain elevator. For years he was employed by the railroad company as station agent at DeForest. Always active in political life he was elected by the Republican party to the state legislature in 1886 and also served the town as clerk and the county as treasurer from 1888 to 1890. May 18, 1873, he married Miss Carrie Engeseather, who was born in Vienna, Dane county, Wis., July 27, 1851, daughter of Michael and Synneva (Menes) Enge- seather, natives of Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Engeseather came from . Norway to Dane county in 1845 and located on a farm in Vienna in 1847. Here they spent the residue of their lives and Mr. Enge- seather died in 1893 and his wife in 1905. Eleven children were born to them and four are living. The family was prominent in the First Lutheran church. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Grinde; G. Josephine, Seward C., Joseph M., Arthur I., Lau- rence A., Hattie C., Sadie M. and Hazel C. The family is identi- fied with the First Lutheran church of Norway Grove. Mr. Grinde was a valued member of the community and was devoted to its best interests for the eighteen years of his life among its peo- ple and at his death left many friends.
Lars S. Grinde owns one of the largest farms, consisting of four hundred and sixty-three acres, in the township of Vienna. Mr. Grinde is a native of the town of Windsor, of which his parents. Sjur L. and Gertrude (Johnson) Grinde were pioneers. They were both born in Norway and came to Windsor in 1846, where they obtained a farm of four hundred and eighty-three acres. Of this property their son Lars owns three hundred and sixty-three acres. Mr. Grinde was a blacksmith as well as a farmer. Eight of their twelve children are living. Lars S. was born in the town of Windsor, Dane county, May 27, 1848, attended the home schools and the University of Wisconsin and has always engaged in farm- ing. When he was twenty-one years of age he began work upon the farm which has since been his home and where for a number of years he has carried on an extensive farming business. Considera- ble stock is raised upon the farm. Mr. Grinde is an adherent to the principles of the Republican party but not an office-holder. On November 7, 1872, Mr. Grinde married Miss Ingeri Johnson, who was born in Norway, December 28, 1848, daughter of Peter John- son (elsewhere mentioned) and sister of Nels Johnson, a sketch of whose life is published in this work. Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Grinde. Sjur L., the oldest son is elsewhere
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mentioned. Peter Gifford, born March 28, 1875, was educated in the Stoughton Academy and De Forest high school, and is a hard- ware merchant in De Forest. Leonard Austin, born September 23, 1876, died in 1882, aged six years. Joseph Idell was born December 31, 1877, and died October 22, 1883. George A., born February 15, 1880, was graduated from the Luther College of Decorah, Iowa, and now a student at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Chi- cago. Gertrude Louisa, born July 21, 1882, was graduated from the Lodi high school in 1902 and is engaged in teaching. Leonard A., born February 25, 1883, attended the De Forest high school. Ida Josephine born October 5, 1884, was also graduated from the De Forest high school and is a teacher. Joseph Herman, born January 11, 1886, and Mabel Jorine, born May 10, 1887, are seniors in the De Forest high school. John E., born July 14, 1889, died in 1892, aged three years. Eugene L., born October 6, 1890, is the youngest son. The family attend the First Lutheran church of De- Forest.
Sjur L. Grinde, a very successful young business man of Wind- sor township, is deserving of special mention in a work of this char- acter, for although young in years he has adready made an impress upon public affairs and won for himself the universal respect and esteem of the community in which he lives. He is a native of Dane county, having been born in the township of Vienna on November 4, 1873. He is the son of Lars S. and Emma (Johnson) Grinde, the former being also a native of Dane county, while the latter was born in Norway, but as the parents are given special mention upon another page of this publication a repetition in this connection is not necessary. Sjur L. Grinde received his education in the com- mon schools of his native township, and added to the knowledge thus gained by taking a course at the Stoughton academy. Upon reaching manhood he decided upon the occupation of a farmer and followed that ancient and honorable vocation until 1901, in which vear he removed to Morrisonville and engaged in the stock busi- ness. His intelligence, integrity and natural adaptability to the business, united with an unflagging industry has won for him an enviable success and given him a high standing for one of his years. In politics he has always adhered to the principles of the Republi- can party, and in recognition of his personal merit he has been called to fill the position of supervisor, representing. Windsor town- ship upon the county board. In religious matters he also takes the interest of a good citizen, and he and family are consistent mem-
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bers of the First Lutheran church of De. Forest. Mr. Grinde was married on November 15, 1899, to Miss Bertha Linde, daughter of John P. Linde, who is given further mention on another page of this volume, in the sketch devoted to A. P. Linde. Mr. and Mrs. Grinde are the parents of three children: Lillian Irene, Ghea Dina Estelle, and Thedora Johannes.
Charles William Grosser, deceased, died in 1903 while in the prime of a vigorous manhood, and at a time when he had emerged from the poverty that enthralled his youth and caused his pros- pects to be anything but encouraging. He was born at Camp Douglas, Wis., on October 22, 1861, and was one of seven sons of Charles Grosser and wife, the parents being immigrants from Ger- many. The subject of this review received a limited education in the schools of Camp Douglas, and at the early age of fifteen years left home and began his independent career. He first worked as a farm hand by the month and day, and continued so employed until 1880, in which year he located in the city of Madison and for four years worked as a helper on the Science Hall building of the Uni- versity of Wisconsin. He then removed to the town of Fitchburg and worked as' a farmer for L. E. Stone for a period of one year, after which he returned to Madison, where he worked as a laborer for two years. He then removed to the farm upon which his widow now resides, in the town of Dunn, and there followed the occupation of farming until his death, May 9, 1903. Since that sad event Mrs. Grosser has continued to manage the farm, renting the fields to other parties and retaining for her own use a small tract for gardening purposes. The maiden name of Mrs. Grosser was Amelia Lipke. She was born in the city of Madison, May 22, 1864. and is one of seven daughters born to William and Louisa Lipke, former residents of Madison. Of these seven daughters but two are now living: Gusta, who is the widow of Henry W. Beglinger and resides in the city of Madison, and Amelia, who is the widow of the subject of this review. Of the seven sons in the Grosser family all are living, excepting Charles, our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Grosser became the parents of two children, Lillian and Sadie, both of whom reside at home with their mother. Mr. Grosser was a Democrat in his political affiliations and his religious faith was ex- pressed by membership in the German Lutheran church, to which his wife and daughters also belong.
Carl F. Gruendler, an enterprising carpenter and contractor of Madison, was born August 6, 1857, in Germany on the Rhine.
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His parents were Fred and Hannah (Schweickert) Gruendler, both natives of the Vaterland. The father's vocation was that of farm- ing, and he followed it all his life. He passed away in his sixty- ninth year and his wife while in her sixty-eighth. Of the eight children there are but two survivors, Rose, the only other beside the subject of this sketch, making her home in her native land. . A brother Fred, immigrated to the United States in 1892, and four years later succumbed to typhoid fever. His widow, Anna (Ko- pitch) Gruendler, returned to Germany with her two children after his death. Carl F. Gruendler received what education the schools of his native land afforded and learned his trade across the water. Up to 1882, the year of his immigration to this country, he "hired out." His first location was in Madison, and he has been a useful citizen of the community ever since. For twenty years after his arrival he worked for contractors and in 1892 "set up" in business with a partner. After four years he assumed the management of the business alone. His specialty is the building of residences, of which a great many in Madison are monuments to his skill and handiwork. In 1883 he was united in marriage to Wilhelmina Schmieder, a native of the German empire, and a daughter of Stephen and Louisa (Hauser) Schmieder: She crossed the ocean alone in 1883, her mother following in 1897. The latter now makes her home on a farm in Dane county with another daughter, Mrs. Rosa Koltes. There were eight children in the Schmieder family, of whom six are living. Louisa, Mrs. Schallich, resides in Cali- fornia. Carl Schmieder lives in Calhoun, Wis. Matilda, wife of Daniel Hoover, and Amelia, wife of Adolph Kuelling, live in Ger- many. Mr. and Mrs. Gruendler have six children. Charles John is a press-feeder, living in Madison. Fred H. is a machinist work- ing for the Scanlan-Morris company. Adolph Victor is employed in the German American bank. The others are Rosa Louisa, Al- bert Victor and George. Mrs. Gruendler is a member of the Holy Redeemer Catholic church. Her husband is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, the Turnverein and the Maenner- chor. A modest, retiring but substantial citizen he has won the re- spect of all with whom he has come in contact.
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