USA > Wisconsin > Dane County > History of Dane County, Biographical and Genealogical > Part 98
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Charles Waltzinger, proprietor of the "Bon-Ton," a confection- ery store at 19 North Pinckney street. was born in Madison, Feb- ruary 7, 1858. He is a son of A. F. and Elizabeth (Scherhamer) 60-iii
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Waltzinger, both natives of Prussia. The father came to the United States while still a youth. He opened and conducted for many years the only confectionery store in the Capital city and was the first man to bring a bunch of bananas to Madison. At the time of his death in 1901 he was probably as widely and well known as any man in the city. His wife was a member of the Catholic church. There were eleven children in the family. Charles, the first born, died at the age of six years. August F., is in the confectionery business in Madison. Elizabeth, now Mrs. A. C. Maas, resides in Madison. Henry J., makes Chicago his home. Minnie is the wife of William Askew of Madison. Louis is a tracer for the American Express company and makes Chicago his headquarters. Emma is the wife of John Hyland of Madison. Miss Amelia makes her home with the subject of this sketch. Louise is the wife of Mr. Walter Alford of the capital city. Bertha married George Boniface. After completing the course of study in the city schools Charles Waltzinger went into his father's employ. Subsequently he worked at the same business in New York, Bos- ton, Philadelphia. Providence, Baltimore, Buffalo and Detroit. After his return to Madison he was again employed by his father, but after a year or two joined a theatrical party, doing acrobatic "stunts." Three or four years of the time he was in New York and for a number of months traveled with the Forepaugh & Sells Brothers circus. On again returning to Madison he purchased his father's business and has been successfully conducting it ever since. He has at present a beautiful and well equipped store and does an immense business. Mr. Waltzinger was united in mar- riage to Miss Apoloma Fichten, a native of Madison, and daugh- ter of Hubert and Helen (Berhand) Fichten, natives of Germany. Mr. Fichten died at the age of sixty-six. Of the children in the family seven are still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Waltzinger has been born one son. August Frederick. Mrs. Waltzinger is a com- municant of the Catholic church. Her husband is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias. the Modern Woodmen of America and of the Order of Eagles. He is genial, courteous and hearty, and a great favorite among his many friends.
Colonel Clement E. Warner is a well-known farmer of the town of Windsor and a veteran of the Army of the Potomac in the Civil War. The family came to Wisconsin from New York in 1852. Samuel Warner, grandfather of Col. Warner, was born in Connect- icut. Samuel A. Warner, son of Samuel, was born in Otsego
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county, N. Y., there received his education and came to Windsor township in 1854. He owned a farm of one hundred and sixty acres and was prominent in the community. He was an ardent abolitionist and Republican. Mrs. Samuel A. Warner was, before her marriage, Miss Martha E. Simonds, a native of Rutland, Ver- mont. She lives in the town of Windsor, aged ninety-five years. Of her six children, but three are living. Her son, Clement E., was born in Batavia, Genesee county. N. Y., February 23, 1836, at- tended the home schools, the Sun Prairie Academy and the Uni- versity of Wisconsin in its early years and has always been en- gaged in farming since his return from the war. In March, 1864, he enlisted as captain of Company B of the Thirty-sixth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry and fought through the bloody Wilderness campaign at Spottsylvania, the North Anna river, Cold Harbor, Deep Bottom and Petersburg. At Deep Bottom, he was wounderd and lost his left arm. In the final assault on Petersburg, he was in action and was also present at the surrender of Lee at Appo- mattox, April, 1865. During that arduous year he was promoted from captain to major, lieutenant-colonel and colonel and finally mustered out in July, 1865. Since that time Colonel Warner has engaged in the peaceful occupation of farming and owns a three hundred acre farm on which he raises a considerable amount of stock. Poland China hogs and short-horned cattle, besides giving some attention to the growth of beets and general farm produce. He is a member of the G. A. R. and one of the trustees of the soldiers' aid fund of Dane county. In political affiliation a Repub- lican he has held various offices in the county. For twenty-one years he was superintendent of the Dane county poor farm and trustee of the insane asylum for twelve years. Two terms of the legislature saw him in his seat in the assembly and he was elected to the senate for one term. In February, 1867, he married Miss Eliza Noble, who was born in New York, daughter of Alanson Noble, who lived later in Beloit. Wis. Six children were born to Colonel and Mrs. Warner, Ernest W., the oldest son. is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin and a prominent lawyer of Madi- son, Wis. Edith M., attended Oberlin University in Ohio. Bes- sie also received her education at Oberlin ; Fannie graduated from the University of Wisconsin, as did her sister Florence and brother Julius. The last-named specialized in geology at the University. The family is identified with the Congregational church of which Colonel Warner has been a member for fifty years. He was one of
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the organizers of the Windsor Union Congregational church in 1854.
Hon. Ernest Noble Warner, is a native of Dane county. He was born in the town of Windsor. July 23, 1868, son of Col. C. E. and Eliza (Noble) Warner, the former a native of Batavia, N. Y., and the mother a native of Oneida county, N. Y. The parents still occupy the farm at Windsor, which has been their home throughout their mar- ried life. Mr. Warner took a preparatory course in the Madison high school. He received a degree from the academic department of the University of Wisconsin in 1889. In the fall of 1890 he entered the law department of the same institution. In 1891 he was admitted to the bar upon examination by the state board of law examiners, but con- tinued his work in the law school, and received the degree of LL. B. in 1892. He immediately entered upon the practice of his profession in Madison, and has continued it successfully since. Politically Mr. Warner is a stanch Republican. He has received numerous honors at the hands of his party. In 1892, the year of his graduation from the law department. he was the nominee of his party for the office of district attorney. In 1899 he was appointed law examiner in the office of the attorney-general and continued in that capacity until 1903. During these years he was doing faithful work for his party as secre- tary of the Dane county Republican committee, and also serving as a member of the city committee. In he fall of 1904 he was the nominee of the Republican party for the lower branch of the state legislature. Notwithstanding the bad split in the party that year Mr. Warner was eleced by a good majority. He easily took rank as one of the leaders of the assembly throughout the session of 1905. The state civil serv- ice bill, placing the appointive officers of the state upon a merit basis was championed by Mr. Warner. This measure became law and is acknowledged by persons high in authority on this class of legislation to be perhaps the most comprehensive and satisfactory civil service law enacted. All through the session he was one of the adminis- tration leaders on the floor and did much to carry through the house the measures to which his party was pledged. On behalf of the Re- publicans of the legislature he was selected to present the name of Hon. Robert M. LaFollette, as their choice for the United States senator. During many years Mr. Warner has delivered numerous public and political addresses throughout the state, and has contributed to news- papers and magazines articles on kindred subjects. On July 5, 1894 he was married to Lillian Dale Baker, daughter of Rev. John Uglow and Elizabeth (Dale) Baker. Mr. Baker was an early settler in Iowa county, Wis., and served throughout his mature years as local preacher
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of the Methodist Episcopal church. For a few years of his early res- idence in the state, 1837-1841 he was engaged in lead mining. He died in Madison, August 24, 1902, at the age of eighty-four, Mrs. Baker having died December 25. 1899, at the age of seventy-five. Mrs. Warner, was a classmate of her husband, graduating from the University of Wisconsin in 1889. For four years after graduation she taught in the schools of the state. To Mr. and Mrs. Warner, have been born three children: John Clement. July 9. 1896; Elizabeth Dale, June 23. 1900 : and Ernest Noble, Jr., December 2, 1905. Both Mr. Warner and his wife are members of the First Congregational church of Madison, taking an active part in its work. At present Mr. Warner is one of the trustees of the society. They are members of the University of Wisconsin Alumni Association, (Mr. Warner having served the Association for many years in an official capacity) and Mrs. Warner having served for one term as vice president. Mr. Warner belongs to the order of Sons of Veterans, Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica. Independent Order of Foresters and Defenders. He is a life member of the State Historical Society, a member of the State Civil Service Reform Association and a member and executive officer of the State Bar Association.
Wilber W. Warner, well-known citizen and business man of Madison, Wis., was born on July 24, 1850, at Lockport, Erie county, Penn., and is the son of William C., and Susan ( Partridge) War- ner. The father of our subject was born in Rome. N. Y., in 1813, where he grew to manhood and married. In 1852 he brought his family to Baraboo. Wis., where he was a well-known citizen for many years, serving as postmaster of the town under President Buchannan. In 1864. he went to Colorado and spent a number of years prospecting and locating mining properties. He died in Baraboo. July 24. 1882. In his mining work Mr. Warner was as- sisted greatly by his son (W. W.) who seemed to possess to a marked degree, the faculty of locating mineral deposits.
W. W. Warner was prepared for the University of Wisconsin at the collegiate institute. Baraboo. He entered the university with the class of '77. but left the same in his sophomore year. He be- came a clerk and traveling salesman for H. N. Clark, music dealer of Madison, and in 1875, Mr. Clark failing, our subject succeeded to the business, which he reorganized and placed on a strong basis. This business he has since conducted with uninterrupted success to the present. the establishment being one of the largest in this section of the state in its line, and one of the oldest business houses in any line in the city. In 1883 he was awarded a gold medal by
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the Wisconsin Agricultural Society for his fine display of musical instruments at the state fair.
Mr. Warner has served as a member of the city water board, and rendered valuable service to the city in that capacity and along the line of municipal improvement and economy. On May 13, 1875. Mr. Warner married Medora A., daughter of Sherman W. Finster, of Pulaski, N. Y., and to them a son, Paul S., has been born, who is associated with his father in business.
Justin S. Waterman is one of the highly respected citizens of the village of Oregon, and although a comparatively young man he can look back upon an extended and successful business career. He was born in the state of Connecticut, November 12, 1854, and was the only child of J. S. Waterman, Sr., and his wife, Clara J. (Sug- den) Waterman. The father was born in Vermont, and the mother was of Scotch descent, but her place of birth is unknown to her son, as the parents died when he was but four years of age. Being thus left an orphan at so tender an age, and with neither brother nor sister, he was taken care of by a kind-hearted uncle, Charles Waterman, who reared him to manhood. It is but fitting that our subject's benefactor should be given more than a passing mention here. Charles Waterman was born October 13, 1822, in Orleans county, Vermont, and afterward resided in Springfield, Mass., and Windsor Locks, Conn., being in business at different times in each of these places. He came to the town of Oregon, in Dane county, Wis .. in 1849, and in May of that year bought what became the Waterman homestead, a farm of two hundred acres. The first survey for a village plat was made not long thereafter, under Mr. Waterman's direction and on part of his land, and in 1858 he opened and for two years conducted the Oregon Exchange hotel, it being the first hostelry in the village. For two years, beginning in 1860, he was engaged in the mercantile business, and in 1862-3 was a contractor in grading the Chicago & Northwestern Railway from Oregon to Madison. He was in the livery business at Oregon from 1874 to 1880, and the remainder of his business career was devoted to farming. In politics he was a Democrat, and filled the positions of justice of the peace, and collector, and for six years was deputy sheriff of Dane county. During his incumbency of the latter position he was shot and seriously wounded by a horse-thief whom he was endeavoring to arrest-an incident that will be re- membered by the older residents of the county. J. S. Waterman, to whom this memoir specially refers, received his education in the common schools of Dane county, and at the age of nineteen years
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started in life for himself. He first began in the business of buy- ing and shipping live stock, and followed that line very success- fully for a period of sixteen years. Since about 1889 he has de- voted his attention almost exclusively to farming, with the usual adjunct, stock-raising. In the latter business he has more than a local reputation, as he has raised a great many blooded horses, and has shipped stallions to all parts of the United States, the Ger- man coach stallions being his specialty. He is the owner of two hundred and eighty-seven acres of land, two hundred acres of which are within the corporate limits of the village of Oregon, and the entire tract is well improved, being either under cultiva- tion or devoted to grazing purposes. At this place Mr. Waterman has made his home for forty-two years, and no one is more favor- ably known or more highly respected than he and his estimable wife. He was married on April 27, 1873, to Miss Anna T. Ozburn, daughter of William T. Ozburn, deceased. Mrs. Waterman is of Scotch-Irish descent and her parents came originally from Penn- sylvania. They lived a number of years in Illinois, but moved to Dane county about 1885, Mrs. Ozburn now living with her daugh- ter in Oregon. Mr. Waterman is a Democrat in his political views, and in religious matters unites with the Presbyterian church. No children have been born to Mr. Waterman and wife.
George C. Watson, a prominent nurseryman of Stoughton, has attained to marked success in his chosen sphere of endeavor and is one of the well known and nighly esteemed citizens of Dane county's second city. Mr. Watson was born at Milden Hall, Suffolk county, England, June 19, 1841, and is a son of William H. and Charlotte (Kent) Watson, who immigrated to America in 1848, making Wis- consin their destination. They settled in Dunkirk township, Dane county, where the father purchased six hundred acres of government land, paying one dollar and a quarter an acre, the patent to the pron- erty being signed by President Zachary Taylor. Mr. Watson re- claimed three hundred and fifty acres of th's heavily timbered tract and here continued to make his home for many years, finally remov- ing to Rock county, where he died at the age of eighty-three years, his wife having preceded him into eternal rest. They became the par- ents of n'ne children, namely: Samuel, William, George C., Charlotte, Frances, Edward, Alfred, Emily, Mary-Ann. Charlotte is the wife of James Taylor : Emily is the wife of Moses Chidester ; Mary Ann is the wife of Rev. George W. Burdick ; and Frances is the wife of Albert Martin. George C. Watson was reared to the sturdy discipline of the pioneer farm, early beginning to contribute h's quota to the work of
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the same, and being afforded the advantages of the common schools of the locality and period, and later finishing his education at Milton College. He has passed practically his entire life in Dunkirk town- ship. On attaining to his legal majority he engaged in farming in this township. continuing his operations as a general agriculturist until 1882, in March of which year he removed to Stoughton and engaged in the nursery business, to which he has since devoted his attention and in which he has been most successful. In politics he is a stanch sup- porter of the cause of the Republican party, and served one term as clerk of Dunkirk township and later as alderman of the city of Stough- ton. October 16, 1867, Mr. Watson was united in marriage to Miss Mary Gilbert, daughter of Samuel A. and Charlotte M. (Clark) Gil- bert, who came to Wisconsin from Oswego county. New York, in 1844, first settling in Kenosha county and later becoming pioneers of Dun- kirk township, Dane county, where they passed the closing ycars of their lives. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Watson : Willis L .: Albert E. : George R .: Alfred A .: Maude L .; Lucius H. Four are still living. Albert E., having died in infancy and George L .. in young manhood. Maud L. is the wife of Thomas Derrickson. Mrs. Watson's father was born in Tolland county, Connecticut, and her mother in Scriba, N. Y. Samuel A. Gilbert was a son of George O. and Theodora (Gilbert) Gilbert, the former of whom was a son of Colonel Samuel Gilbert, who commanded a regiment during the War of the Revolution. He was a son of Samuel Gilbert. of Keene, New Hampshire, who was a son of Samuel Gilbert, of Hebron. Connecti- eut, the latter being a son of Sir Matthew Gilbert, of England who was lieutenant governor of Connecticut colony in 1662. The maternal great grandfather of Mrs. Watson was Judge Sylvester Gilbert, a brother of Colonel Samuel Gilbert. previously mentioned. Judge Gil- bert served several terms in Congress, having been, when first elected. the youngest member of the house of representatives and the oldest member when he was again elected to that body, many years later.
William Weber is the owner of one of the beautiful farms lying on the shores of Lake Monona and in close proximity to the capital city, his place being at the western end of the lake and comprising seventy-one acres. Mr. Weber is a native of the Badger state, having been born in the village of Oak Creek, now South Milwaukee, Wis- consin. August 17. 1849. and being a son of James and Caroline (Gower) Graham the former of whom was born in Scotland and the latter in Germany. He was an infant at the time of his father's death. and has always born the name of his mother's second husband, Mr. Weber. He received very limited educational advantages, as a boy
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attending in a somewhat irregular way, the public schools of his na- tive village, and early beginning to depend upon his own resources. He has won success through his own efforts and is now in indepen- dent circumstances. He has been a resident of Dane county for the past thirty-one years and has made his farm one of the most attrac- tive in this section of the state, the same being under a high state of cultivation and improved with good buildings. Mr. Weber gives his political support to the Republican party, and both he and his wife are members of the German Lutheran church. October 14, 1875, he was united in marriage to Miss Fredericka Kepka, daughter of Fred- erick and Sophia (Stoll) Kepka, both native of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Weber have four children whose names, with respective dates of birth, are as follows: William Herman, January 5, 1877: Carl Fred- erick Daniel, January 14, 1883: Caroline Sophia, June 1, 1889; and Elsa . Emma, February 18, 1892.
William Wernick is the owner of a large farm in the township of Windsor and an old resident of the community. Gottlieb and Louisa (Wolf) Wernick, his parents, were natives of Germany and spent their entire lives in the Fatherland. Gottlieb Wernick served in the war between Germany and France in 1812 and at his death in 1877 was eighty-five years of age. Mrs. Wernick died in 1824. Four children were born to them; Caroline, Henrietta Al- bertine and William, of whom William is the only survivor. Wil- liam Wernick was born in Germany February 25, 1823, received his education in Germany and came to the United States in 1852, twenty-eight years of age. He soon decided to make Dane county, Wis., his home and obtained a farm of 80 acres from the govern- ment and worked in the pine woods to pay for it. To this prop- erty he added from time to time until his farm comprised three hundred and fifty-two acres. Mr. Wernick carries on an extensive general farming business and raises considerable stock. He is al- ways actively interested in local affairs and has served as super- visor in the town of Windsor. He is a Democrat in his political sympathies. Mrs. Wernick is also. a native of Germany and was before her marriage. Miss Matilda Schneider. Mr. and Mrs. Wer- nick were married June 1, 1860, and their marriage has been blessed by eight children; Albert, the oldest son, is a successful farmer ; Emil resides in Hillsboro and is the president of the state bank of that city ; Louisa is the oldest daughter and Agnes next to her in age ; Matilda is the wife of Fred Meixner; Richard is deceased ; Willie also a farmer and the youngest daughter is AAugusta. Mrs. Wernick was prominent in the Lutheran church, which her family
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attends. She died January 26, 1896. Mrs. Wernick was the daugh- ter of Emmanuel and Theresa (Golmoka) Schneider, both of whom were born in Germany and Mr. Schneider spent his entire life there. After his death in 1856, his wife came from Windsor and lived there from 1870 to her death in April, 1874.
Christian Wessel, is now living retired in the city of Madison, having a pleasant home at 308 South Patterson street. His vocation during his entire active career was that of farming, and that he made a success of his operations is evidenced in the competency which he gained. Mr. Wessel is a native of the province of Westphalen, Ger- many, where he was born November 5, 1838, being a son of John and Mary (Glentmeier) Wessel, who passed their entire lives in that pro- vince, the father having been a farmer by occupation, and having served three years in the Union army during the Civil War. Mr. Wessel was reared and educated in his fatherland, where he remained until he had attained the age of seventeen years, when, like many another of his worthy countrymen, he set forth to win such fortune as could be gained through personal effort in the great American repub- lic. He landed in New York city in 1855, and in that state soon found employment on a farm devoted almost entirely to the cultiva- tion of broom corn, and he continued to be concerned with agricultural pursuits in the old Empire state until the time when the integrity of his adopted country was thrown into jeopardy through the outbreak of the Civil War. His loyality was of no uncerta'n nature, for in the autumn of 1862 he enlisted as a private in Company C, One Hundred and Fifty-third New York Volunteer Infantry. He proceeded to the front with his command, and took part in a number of the import- ant engagements of the great conflict between the states, including the battles of Pleasant Hill and Markville, La., and Cross Lanes, in which last engagement the troops had to march and fight three abreast. In this engagement he was severely wounded, being sent to the Chest- nuit Hill hospital, in the city of Phiadelphia, where he was confined seven monhs. He continued in the service int'l the close of the war, having received his honorable discharge in the autumn of 1865. After being mustered out he returned to the farm, where he remained until the following spring, when he was married. Shortly afterward, in the summer of 1866, he started with his bride for the state of Wisconsin. They located in Sauk county, where he farmed rented land for the first two years, after which he purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty actes, in Troy township, that county, where they resided unt.Î he sold the property and removed to Dane county, purchasing a farm in Blooming Grove township, near the capital city. There he was
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successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1895, when he re- moved to the city of Madison, where he has since lived practically re- tired, still retaining possession of his farm. He has stood for loyalty of the highest type as a citizen, as did he when following the old flag on the battle-fields of the south, and he is held in high regard by all who know him. He is a stalwart supporter of the principles of the Republican party, is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and both he and his wife are members of the German Methodist Episcopal church. March 29, 1866, Mr. Wessel was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary L. Hugo, daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth Hugo, who were born in Westphalen, Germany, as was also Mrs. Wes- sel. Mr. and Mrs. Wessel have one child, Carrie Louisa Mary, who was born May 5, 1872, and who is now the wife of George Voit. of Blooming Grove township.
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