History of Dane County, Biographical and Genealogical, Part 75

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

USA > Wisconsin > Dane County > History of Dane County, Biographical and Genealogical > Part 75

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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Florence deceased. Mr. Post is a hard worker and has been unusually successful. He is a stockholder in the Wisconsin Brick company, which started operation near his home in 1905.

Peter J. R. Post is the very efficient and popular manager and treasurer of the People's Mercantile Association at Mt. Horeb, and it is to his superior business acquirements and close attention to affairs that the continued success of the enterprise is in a large measure due. Mr. Post was born in the town of Perry, Dane county. Wis .. November 15, 1867, and he is the eldest son of Law- rence Post, who is given an extensive review on another page of this volume. Our subject was reared in the town of his nativity, and as a youth assisted his father in the cultivation of the home farm. He received his education in the public schools and later fitted himself for a business career by taking a course in the North- western Business College at Madison, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1886. At the early age of sixteen years he began teaching in the public schools of Dane county and followed that occupation continuously until 1899, working on the farm during the intervals between terms. In 1894 he removed to the town of Berry, and while there was elected to the position of chairman of the town board, serving as such for three years. This fact becomes a greater tribute to his worth as a citizen when it is stated that he was elected on the Republican ticket in a strongly Democratic town. He purchased two hundred and thirty-nine acres in Berry, which he still owns, but in 1900 he removed to Mt. Horeb and accepted his present position with the People's Mercan- tile Association, and has served continuously in that capacity. since. Mr. Post was married on September 9, 1894, to Miss Mary W. Karn, born in Paoli but at the time of her marriage re- sided at Mt. Vernon, Dane county. She is the daughter of C. W. Karn, who now resides at Monroe, Wis., but who was one of the pioneer millers of this section of the state, operating a mill at Mt. Vernon ten years, and he now is in the same business in Monroe. To Mr and Mrs. Post there have been born two children: Juanita, born May 19, 1896, and Leona, born January 2. 1899. Our subject is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and his religi- ous faith is expressed by membership in the Catholic church, of which organization he is one of the local trustees. In politics, as has been indicated. he is a Republican. and has served as chairman of the town board in Berry and as president of the Republican committee of Mt. Horeb. The People's Mercantile Association is incorporated under the laws of Wisconsin and was organized for

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the purpose of carrying on a mercantile business. It is managed by seven directors, chosen from among the stockholders, and the directors in turn choose the other officials. At present the officers of the incorporation are: President, H. B. Fargo, of Springdale ; vice president. Frank Heuser, of Blue Mounds; secretary. Bennett Barton, and Mr. Post is the treasurer and manager. The corpora- tion is capitalized at $15,000, in shares of $5, $10, and $15 each. A model and modern general store is conducted, containing every- thing that the term would imply, and they also carry a line of agricultural implements, buggies, harness, etc. And they buy all kinds of farm products.

Horace H. Potter is a well-known citizen of Cambridge and has been a prominent member of the community for many years. The family resided in Rhode Island, where Nicholas Potter was born and grew to manhood. He married Zelphia Hopkins, a native of the same state, and their older children, Horace and Louisa, were born near Providence. About 1816 they moved to Cayuga county, N. Y., where they spent the residue of their lives. Seven children were born to them; Horace, Louisa, Lucy, Emily, Orelin, Ste- phen H. and George. Nicholas Potter lived with a sea captain and owned a farm in Cayuga county. Horace H., the oldest son was born near Providence, R. I., May 7, 1812, attended the com- mon schools in Cayuga county, learned the carpenters' trade and worked on the farm until he reached the age of twenty-one years, when he left home and began to work for himself. September 18. 1835, he married Miss Louisa M. Howell of Hector, N. Y., and with their young family they came to Wisconsin in 1856, locating on a farm of eighty-seven acres at Oakland, Jefferson county. This property they cleared and improved and Mr. Potter likewise worked at his trade. In New York Mr. Potter was active in or- ganizing and drilling the local branch of state militia and became a major. He was a Whig and then a Republican. In the new home in the west, Mr Potter never flagged in his zeal for the improve- ment of local affairs and held many town offices. With his family he has been associated with the Presbyterian church of which he was also trustee. Since 1901 Mr. Potter has lived with his son in Cambridge. Mrs. Potter died in October, 1902, eighty-six years of age. Four children were born to them. Emily, the oldest daugh- ter, died in October. 1841. Edward N., is a veteran of the twenty- ninth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, Company D. and resides in Oakdale, N. D. Franklin H., was born July 31, 1843, and died in August, 1865. He served in the First Wisconsin Heavy Artillery

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and the G. A. R. Post of Cambridge is named in his honor. War- ren K., was born in New York in 1852, was educated in Jefferson county and lived with his parents on the farm until 1901 when they sold the old homestead and moved to Cambridge. Until recently Warren Potter was employed by Sutter Bros. as manager and to- bacco-buyer but he now owns with Daniel Scott the large grist and flour-mill of Cambridge which has been rebuilt by them and re- modelled to make a modern plant. Warren Potter was married December 18, 1875, to Miss Minnie R. Sweet, daughter of New- land Sweet and Jennie (Slagg) Sweet, of Albion, Iowa. Two chil- dren blessed the marriage. Ray H., born April 8, 1880, is manager for the Armour house at St. Louis. Genevieve, born in 1889, at- tends the Cambridge high school. For a number of years Mr. Potter has employed his spare moments in making a notable and interesting collection of Indian treasures, which contains many specimens of remarkable historical value.

Carl Prehn is a prosperous and well-known farmer who operates a large stock and dairy farm near Middleton. A native of Mecklen- burg-Schwerin, Germany, he came to America with his parents Fred- errick and Georgia (Schultz) Prehn when he was twenty-two years old. They were both born in Mecklenburg and lived there during their youth and early married life. Mr. Prehn was employed in ditching and laying drain tiles. In 1865, they embarked for America with six children, one daughter, Caroline, remaining in Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Prehn located in Middleton where they obtained a farm of forty acres which they improved and made their permanent home. Mrs. Prehn died in 1879 and her husband in 1895. Of their chil- dren, Frederika, the oldest married John Weisse of Madison, Wis. ; Mary and Johanna died; Crestina is Mrs. John Luth and Sophia is the wife of William Schulenberg of Cross Plains. Carl was born in November, 1843, educated in Germany and assisted his parents in clearing and working their Middleton farm for four years. After working a rented farm for himself for nine years he purchased the farm which is now his home, one hundred and sixty acres in sec- tion 8. All of the many improvments are due to his industry and he has an attractive and comfortable home. He is very much interested in the prosperity of the German Lutheran church and is actively en gaged in its work. A Democrat in political affiliations he takes no active part in politics though he has held several offices. In 1875 he was married to Miss Doretta Timmerman, daughter of Mr. Freder- ick Timmerman of Mechlenburg-Schwerin and they have nine chil-

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dren. Mary, the oldest daughter, is Mrs. William Krugler of Cot- tage Grove, Wis .; Minnie married William Dickman of Madison and the others, Henry, Lena, Emma, Amelia, Clara, Elsie, and John remain at home, the youngest children being still in school.

John S. Prescott, a successful farmer of the town of Deerfield, was born in the town of Deerfield, December 5, 1859. His parents were Andrew and Anna (Honve) Prescott, both natives of Norway, the father was born in December, 1826, and the mother in Janu- ary, 1830. Andrew Prescott came to this country in 1845, and his wife five years later. He resided in Chicago for a time, and froin there went to Mississippi and other southern states. After a five year sojourn in the south he came to Deerfield, bought forty acres of land, which now constitutes a part of the farm where the son resides, mar- ried and settled down. The subject's paternal grandparents came from Chicago and lived on a forty-acre tract adjoining their son's; later they went to Cambridge and passed the remainder of their days at the home of another son. Andrew Prescott kept adding to his original forty until at the time of his death he had two hundred and forty acres. Andrew and Anna Prescott were blessed with eleven children, six of whom are now living, Christene (Mrs. A. K. Hatte- berg), resides in the state of Oregon; Alfred (married Mary Lee), lives in North Dakota; John S., the subject of this sketch; William, (married Martha Gilbertson); Martha (Mrs. M. O. Braaten), Whitewater, Wis .; Norman, (married Mary Hattley), lives in Iowa. John S. Prescott remained at home until he was thirty-three years old, when he bought a portion of his father's farm and started life for himself. A brother and himself also conducted a clothing store in Deerfield village. After his father's death John bought out the other heirs and now owns the entire estate. Until 1902 he had always been a Prohibitionist, but in the election of that year he cast his vote with the Republicans and has since been a stanch believer in the principles of that party. His relig- ious affiliations are with the Norwegian Lutheran church. On Dec- ember 28, 1901 he married Martha, daughter of Anfin and Dönaat Gjerstad) Rekve, of Rekve, Norway. Mrs. Prescott first saw the light of day in Norway on May 13, 1879; her father was born December 1I, 1850; her mother, June 18, 1856. Her education was received in the public schools of Norway. With a sister and a brother, Mrs. Victor Haugan and Eric Rekve, she crossed the ocean in May, 1899. . The rest of the eleven children still live in Norway. To John and Martha Prescott have been born two children,-Adeline Deota, October 3, 1902; Alwood Alexander, November 13, 1903. Mr. Prescott is a

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member of the American Society of Equity. For thirteen years the father of Mr. Prescott was postmaster at Nava, the office being at his house. That was before the time of Deerfield village.

August Prien is a successful farmer of Morrisonville and is of Prussian birth. When a young man of twenty-one years he came to the United States with the family and lived at Watertown. Jef- ferson county, Wis. Christian Prien. his father, was born in Prus- sia in 1806, was educated in Germany and there marrried Miss Dora Walter, born in Germany in 1816. Seven children were born to the marriage ; Sophia, the oldest daughter, lives in Dakota ; Eliza and Mary resides in Minnesota ; Minnie makes her home in Climen township, Jefferson county, and Michael and Ernestina reside in Watertown, Wis. The family are reared in the Lutheran belief. Mr. Prien died in 1883 and his wife in 1897. Their son August, was born in Prussia. May 23, 1845, received his education in Ger- many and lived in Watertown. the first home of the family in Wis- consin, from 1866 to 1869. At that time he moved to Columbia county, rented a farm of two hundred and forty acres, and pur- chased it after six years of residence upon it. This was his home until 1875, when he came to Dane county and rented the farm which is his present home. In 1891, he bought eighty acres and in 1894, added one hundred and sixty acres to his purchase. so that his property now comprises two hundred and forty acres. Upon this he has built a large barn and other buildings and expended much money and care in general improvements. Mr. Prein is in- terested in stock-raising and has fine Galloway cattle and Chester White hogs. For two years he served the town as supervisor and is identified wtih the Democratic party. The marriage of Miss Fredericka Manka, to Mr. Prien, occurred October 14, 18:3, and three children blessed the marriage; Alfred, the oldest son, was born in 1815, attended the home schools and married Miss Emma Horn. He is a farmer of Vienna. Lena and Emil. the younger daughter and son, remain at the parental home. Mrs. Prien's par- ents, John and Mary ( Maas) Manka, were natives of Germany and came to Watertown, Wisconsin, in 1873, where they spent the resi- due of their lives. Of their family of five children. three reside in Watertown and one in Brazil. Their daughter, Fredericka, was born in Germany in 1843. Mr. Manka died in 1802 and his wife in 1884.

Henry F. Prien, a well-known business man of Middleton, was born in Middleton, April 26, 1860, educated in the village school and taught the trade of his father, John Prien. He worked at his

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father's forge until he reached the age of twenty years, when he spent a year in St. Paul and Minneapolis. Returning to Middle- ton, Mr. Prien was in partnership with his father until 1892 when he became under sheriff for two years. Always much interested in politics and a member of the Democratic party, he ran for sheriff in 1894 but was defeated. In 1897 the blacksmith shop was sold and a store building erected which, unfortunately, was burned. Nothing daunted, he immediately let the contracts for a new build- ing and now owns the two-story brick building known as the Prien block. He also deals in lands, dwellings, etc. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic Blue Lodge, No. 180, of which for twelve years he was master, and of the German Lutheran church. On Nov. 23. 1883, Miss Rosetta Pierstorff became his wife. Her parents were Charles and Eliza (Frahm) Peirstorff, who came to Dane county from Germany in 1852 and settled on a farm. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Prein, Augusta and Venora, both graduates of the Middleton high school. Augusta was married September 20, 1905, to Mr. Frank Hottman, of Madison.

John Prien, for many years a blacksmith of Middleton, retired since 1891. is a native of Germany. as were his parents before him. . Christian Prien and his wife (Julia Baack ) lived in Mecklenburg Schwerin, Germany, where their son, John, was born May 19, 1827. They spent their lives in the Fatherland but their three sons and daughter immigrated to America. Of these the oldest, Henry, located at Pheasant Branch and, like his father and brothers, was a black- smith. Frederick lived at Hartford and Marie (Airs. Bishoff) re- sides at Madison, Wis. John was the second son and left home at the age of twenty-five in a sailing vessel which was nine weeks en route. Its destination was New Orleans, whence Mr. Prien jour- neyed to Middleton. Wis., and went to work at his trade at which he was actively employed for fifty years. He has been always ac- tively interested in the welfare of the Lutheran church of which he was one of the founders. In political sympathy he is a Democrat. In June, 1853, he was married to Miss Rosetta Behm, daughter of Christian and Marie Behm of Westphal. Germany. Their six children are as follows: Minna, who married John Schroeder. a farmer of Middleton: Rosetta. Mrs. John Starck of Middleton ; Mary, who married William Pierstorff, and resides at Middleton ; Henry, who also lives at Middleton ; Bernhard. of Madison, Wis., connected with the Parkinson-Marling Co., and John C., the ticket agent for the C. M. & St. P. R. R. at Madison. Wis.

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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

John C. Prien, passenger and ticket agent of the Chicago, Mil- waukee & St. Paul Railway Company at Madison, was born Decem- ber 10, 1872, in Middleton, Dane county. He is a son of John and Rosetta (Behm) Prien. He received his education in the public and high schools of his native village, being graduated at the high school in 1891. Upon the complet on of his high school course he entered the employ of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company, and learned telegraphy, and in 1892 served six months as relief oper- ator. The same year he came to Madison, having been appointed clerk in the East Madison station of that road. This position he held until November 1, 1904; when he was promoted to be passenger and ticket agent of the Madison stations. His promotion has been rapid, owing to the efficiency with which he fills positions of trust. Politic- ally he is a Democrat, and as such has several times been elected alder- man from the third ward. In 1905 and 1906 he served as president of the council, and is a member of all the important committees. In re- ligious matters both Mr. Prien and his wife are members of the German Lutheran church. Mr. Prien is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Knights Templar, of which order he is captain-gen- eral of the commandery; of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and of the Modern Woodmen of America. On September 10, . 1900, he married Francisco, daughter of George A. Speckner, of Madison. To this union has been born one child, Eliza, born April 27, 1902. During his fourteen years residence in Madison Mr. Prien has come to be recognized as one of the most upright citizens of the community, and as a public servant he commands the re- spect and admiration of all, irrespective of party.

Andrew Proudfit, one of the prominent citizens of Madison, Wis., during the early days, was born in Argyle, Washington county, N. Y., August 3, 1820, son of James and Maria J. Proudfit; his grandmother, Mary Lytle, was the first white woman born in the town of Salem, Washing ton county, N. Y. During the Revolution- ary War, she displayed her courage and loyalty to the colonies by going forth with a team and a load of wheat six miles, to feed the patriot army. Until the age of fourteen Andrew attended the common school at Argyle, when he was thrown upon his resources for the means of livelihood. After clerking in a store at Argyle for a time, he came to Wisconsin in 1842, bringing with him his mother, sister and a younger brother, and settled on a farm in what is now Waukesha county. After clearing the heavy timber and working the land for two years, he engaged a man to work the

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farm, and took a position as book-keeper and salesman for Shepard & Bonnell of Milwaukee for two years; he then went to Delafield, Wis., where he built and ran a flouring-mill, in connection with a country store, for nine years. He came to Madison in 1854 and made his permanent residence at the capital city. While in Dela- field he was chairman of the board of supervisors for two terms, and was then chosen one of the commissioners for the improve- ment of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers. After coming to Madison he represented Dane county in the state senate during the sessions 1858-59; was mayor of the city of Madison for two terms, 1869- . ?1, and was long prominently identified with many of the public improvements and prominent business enterprises of the capital. He built a portion of the present capitol building in 1864; two wings of the State Hospital for the insane in 1866 and 1867; was for many years vice-president of the First National bank : a director in the Madison Gas Company, and in the Park Hotel; and one of the original forty-six members, and the vice-president, of the old "Madison Business Board." This last named organization was formed of prominent pioneer citizens of Madison in 1869 to pro- mote the completion of the C. & N. W. Railroad from Footville (about fifty-five miles south of Madison) to the capital. This ob -. ject once accomplished. the club ceased to exist. Mr. Proudfit married Elizabeth Ford. a native of Cambridge, Washington county. N. Y., in September, 1840. and they were the parents of seven children, only three of whom now survive. Mrs. George B. Hopkins, of New York city, A. E. Proudfit, who resides at the old homestead on Washington Avenue. Madison, and conducts a lum- ber and real estate business, and Frank F. Proudfit, now in business in New York city. Mr. Proudfit was a faithful attendant of the Protestant Episcopal church, and was allied politically with the Democratic party. He was known as a practical, upright business man, of sound judgment and indomitable perseverence. His death took place November 12, 1883.

Frank X. Pschorr, a thrifty and well known carpenter and con- tractor, whose home is at 533 West Johnson street. Madison, was born in Sauk county, Wis .. May 2, 1863. His parents. George and Elizabeth (Brachtendorf) Pschorr, were natives of Germany. The father had been a millwright in his native land and after coming to his new home followed the same vocation, together with farming. He died in 1865 when the subject of this sketch was but two years old. The mother immigrated to Dane county with her parents in 1848. Her father was a farmer owning fifty acres of land, whose

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nearest market for many years was Milwaukee, the trip being made with oxen. Mrs. Pschorr died June 4, 1904, at the age of seventy- seven years. She and her husband were both communicants of the Catholic church. Of their seven children five are still living. Max is a Dane county farmer. Tracy is the wife of George Blumerick, a resident of Chicago. Adelaide is the wife of John Hoven, a Kos- suth county, Ia .. farmer. Tharsilla is Mrs. Leonard Vetter ; her husband is a mason. The other two were Matilda, Mrs. John Knetchtges, who died in her thirty-first year; and Louie, who died . when forty-four years of age. Frank X. Pschorr received what education the common schools of the town of Roxbury afforded and then started in to learn the carpenter's and cabinet maker's trade with Joseph Gaukel. Up to 1899 he "hired out" and his labors carried him to many different parts of the continent. He was in Texas for seven months and in Kansas for two years. Eighteen years ago he returned to Madison and formed a partner- ship with John Hoffman under the firm name of Hoffman & Pschorr and the concern has been in the front rank of builders and carpenters ever since. The firm's specialty is the erection of dwellings and a goodly portion of the residences erected in Madi- son within the past few years are monuments to their handiwork. Their business extends all over the county. On September 12. 1893, Mr. Pschorr married Miss Mary Schadauer, a native of Madi- son, and a daughter of Edmund and Antonia Schadauer, the former now an employe of the Frederickson Brothers, and the latter deceased. Mrs. Pschorr is the eldest of the six Schadauer children. Ida, the second, is the wife of Thomas Devine, a locomo- tive engineer on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad, whose home is in Madison. Julius F., who married Theresa Baltes, is a printer in the Democrat office. Henry is a clerk working in a Madison store. The other two are Teresa and Eleanor, the latter the wife of Charles Habermann, a cigar maker of Madison. Mr. and Mrs. Pschorr have two children, Adaline Marie and Edmund Joseph. They are communicants of the Holy Redeemer Catholic church. Mr. Pschorr is distinctively a self-made man. Left fath- erless at a tender age, he has fought his life's battles unaided and has risen to a position of influence and prosperity of which he may well be proud.

Osmon Olson Qualey, a well known farmer of Deerfield, was born in Sanding, Norway, in February, 1835. He was a son of Ole Osmonson and Ingeborg (Buernson) Qualey, natives of Sand- ing, Norway. The paternal grandfather of the subject was killed

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in the Swedish War in the early part of the nineteenth century. Osmon O. Qualey received a somewhat limited education in the schools of Cottage Grove. After his arrival in America in Septem- ber, 1846. he worked at common labor for five years; then farmed with his father several seasons, and later bought the place of his father. Twenty years later he sold the place and moved onto the farm where he still resides. Despite the fact that Mr. Qualey has been badly handicapped in his struggle of life by a serious trouble with his eyes, he has managed to keep his place clear of debt and keep step with his neighbors in the matter of improvements. Dur- ing the war Mr. Qualey was drafted, but being unable to leave home he paid a substitute $200 to take his place. Politically he is a Democrat but has never held office. His religious affiliations are with the Norwegian Lutheran church. On June 11. 1860, he married Ella N .. daughter of Nels and Rhoda (Starkson) David- son of Deerfield. Mrs. Qualey was born in Norway, December 11, 1831, and her education was all received there. To Mr. and Mrs. Qualey have been born seven children. Ole Johanas, March 15, 1861; Ingeborg Sophia, August 20, 1862 ; Helen, deceased. Febru- ary 11, 1864; Anna Maria, August 25, 1866, now Mrs. Henry Stephens of Chicago; Martha. August 28, 1869 ; Louisa. August 18. 1823; and Nels, January 4, 1875. Of Mr. Qualey's five brothers and sisters three are living, Ingeborg, the wife of Hi Overson of Vernon county. Wis .; Mary, widow of David Nelson of Deerfield ; and Gunneld, now Mrs. Halvor Nestester, of Glenwood. Minn.

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History of Dane County, Biographical and Genealogical, Part 75

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