USA > Wisconsin > Eau Claire County > History of Eau Claire county, Wisconsin, past and present; including an account of the cities, towns and villages of the county > Part 69
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Mr. Foster is one of few if not the only man in the United States who ever built a railroad without mortgaging it for a single dollar. In 1882 he built forty-five miles of railroad from Fair- child to Mondovi, which he used for hauling logs, and was the first road devoted to that purpose built in Wisconsin; it was chartered in 1886 and afterwards sold, and is now known as the Mondovi branch of the St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha railroad. His original log railroad, consisting of thirty-eight miles from
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Fairchild to Owen, where it connects with the Soo railroad, put in operation in 1905, was built by Mr. Foster for the N. C. Foster Lumber Company. In 1913 Mr. Foster began the building of an extension of the Fairchild & Northeastern railroad from Fair- child to Cleghorn, a distance of twenty-eight miles. In addition to his many other enterprises Mr. Foster is largely interested in the real estate, selling lands to actual settlers for the N. C. Foster Company, which are mostly located in Clark county, Wisconsin. These lands are principally sold to a thrifty class of Slavic people. Mr. Foster is a man of excellent character, pleasing per- sonality, and readily wins the good will and holds the confidence of those who come within the range of his influence. He is a man of genial, social temperament, loyal to his friends and true to whatever is noble and best in life, and to this, as well as his fair and honorable business methods and sound business princi- ples, is due his success. He was married in 1859 at Green Bay, Wis., to Miss Esther Stearn, and to them were born seven chil- dren, viz: Gilbert A .; Edward J .; Sarah, who married Cassaius Wilson; Carrie and Clara, twins; Willard, and Grace M. Carrie married George Winslow; Clara married Duncan, and Grace M. married Henry Thomas, second husband Hollen- berg, now living in Los Angeles, Cal., a widow.
Mons Wencesles Fournier, musical director and proprietor of Fournier's Dancing Academy and Auditorium, was born at St. Thomas, Canada, in 1853. His father, John Fournier, who was born in France, lived for a number of years in St. Thomas, Canada, and after his death in 1857 his wife and family returned to France.
After returning to Paris, France, with his mother in 1857, Mons Wencesles Fournier there received his education, and his musical and dancing instructions were received at Felix Le Coupee Conservatoire, and after his graduation in 1873 he came to America and for one year taught dancing in New York City; he then moved to Detroit, Mich., and was there engaged as musical director and dancing teacher, one of his pupils being the well-known dancing master Straus, of Detroit. After spending eleven years in that city he came to Eau Claire in 1894, where he has since been successfully engaged in the teaching of music and French and all branches of dancing. In 1900 he purchased his present auditorium, 100x150 feet in size, to which he has sub- segmently added 100x150 feet, making his hall, which is the only up-to-date building of its size in northern Wisconsin, a place for
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all large meetings. He has a model dining room, and the fine dancing floor is a pleasure for his pupils and those engaging the academy for private parties, etc.
In 1873 he married in Detroit Elizabeth Couet, of Saissons, France. Prof. Fournier is a member of the Independent Order of Foresters, and is also a member of the Catholic church.
George F. Fuller, retired, was born in Canada, June 24, 1837. His parents were of English descent and were born at Norfolk, England, where in early life they were married. George attended the schools in Canada, and his first occupation after completing his education was as clerk in a dry goods store. After a time he came to the United States and while at Buffalo secured em- ployment as a sailor on the great lakes, which vocation he fol- lowed for five years, and then came to Eau Claire and entered the employ of the Eau Claire Lumber Company. His next move was to Muskegon, Mich., whither he went with Elias and Easan Tarrant. He later purchased the interest of Mr. Kilpatrick, of the firm of Tarrant & Kilpatrick, and for nine years was a member of that firm. Disposing of his lumbering interests at the end of this time. Mr. Fuller went to Dunn county, Wisconsin, where he engaged in farming on a farm of 144 acres, which he had previously purchased and where he remained engaged in general agricultural pursuits, at which he was successful until 1909, when he retired. A Republican in politics, Mr. Fuller has held many offices of trust and for years was one of the school officers and at one time chairman of the town board.
On January 25, 1872, Mr. Fuller was married to Miss Jennie Powell, daughter of John and Margaret Powell, natives of Wales. (For more extended notice of the Powell family, see Clinton Moses sketch elsewhere in this volume.) To Mr. and Mrs. Fuller thirteen children were born: Minnie, Elizabeth, Thomas, Abbie, Laura, John, Edward, Jane, Janette, Barwick, Grant Fuller, and two deceased.
Fred H. Gadsby, the well-known and popular druggist of Ean Claire, the proprietor of two stores, one at No. 201 North Bar- stow street and the other at No. 308 South Barstow street. is a native of Gilbertsville, Otsego county, N. Y., and a son of John H. and Helen L. (Hurlbutt) Gadsby, natives of Otsego and Alle- gany counties, New York, respectively, who settled in Eau Claire in 1875 and aided much in the development of the city.
Mr. Gadsby was educated in the public schools of Eau Claire and in the University of Wisconsin at Madison, where he was graduated in pharmacy in the class of 1885. In 1889 he embarked
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in the drug business at 201 North Barstow, where he has been in business nearly three decades, and has also conducted a branch store at No. 308 South Barstow street since 1907, and has suc- ceeded in building up a large and successful trade at both stores.
John H. Gadsby, who for forty years has been a resident of Eau Claire, was born in Gilbertsville, N. Y., September 18, 1829. Ilis education was acquired in the academy located in his native town.
Ile followed the business of tailor for many years, coming to Eau Claire in 1871 as cutter in the tailoring department of the general store of G. A. Buffington & Co., on Water street, and was in their employ a number of years, afterward entering the same business on his own aecount. Ile is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and one of the oldest members of the order of Free and Accepted Masons in the state.
On September 22, 1856, he married Ilelen L. Hurlbutt at Alle- gany. N. Y., she being also born at Gilbertsville, N. Y., August 14, 1832. She is also a member of the Methodist church.
They have two sons living. Thomas L. and Fred II., both prominent druggists of Eau Claire. In co-partnership with their mother under the corporate name of The Gadsby Company. two drug stores are conducted in this city by the two brothers.
Adelbert Gates,* enterprising and progressive farmer of Otter Creek, whose postoffice address is Osseo, Wisconsin, came west from Allegany county, New York, where he was born November 13, 1853, a son of William and Sophia (Edwards) Gates, and is descended from sterling old New England families, and from Stal- wart English stoek on the Gates side, which at an early period in the history of New England, was transplanted from the mother eountry to New Jersey and later on, members of the family be- came residents of New York state. Saxon Gates, grandfather of Adelbert. was one of the influential men of his time, and highly respected in his community. During the Revolutionary War, and also in the war of 1812, members of the Gates family played an important part.
When Adelbert was three years of age, his parents came west to Wisconsin with their family and settled in Eau Claire county in 1856, on a farm near the village of Fairchild, where the father died at the age of 62. After the death of his father, our subject lived with his mother and carried on the farm where he still resides. The mother passed away at the age of 79 years, honored and respected by all who knew her. They had two sons, Adel- bert and William and were both members of the Methodist church.
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The father who took an active interest in public affairs of his county, was a Republican in politics and held many local offices in Fairchild township. Mr. Gates, who is a bachelor. owns 43 aeres of well improved land where he lives and carries on general farming, and 43 aeres three miles east of Augusta. He has been a life long resident of Eau Claire county, and has seen it trans- formed from a wild and desolate state to one of productive farms and elegant homes.
John B. Gilbert,* traveling salesman and expert for the h- dependent Ilarvester Company, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, was born in Eau Claire, February 9, 1882. His parents, Andrew and Inga (Sosted) Gilbert, were both born in Norway. ITis father came to the United States in 1868, and first located at Detroit, Michigan. Ile later moved to Chicago, Illinois, and during his residence there, passed through the great fire of 1871, and in this connection we might add that Mr. Gilbert has now in his pos- session a much cherished relie in the shape of a china cup which he saved from this eonflagration, and which he later saved from the burning of his home in the town of Brunswick, this county. some years ago. In the late '70's. he came to Eau Claire and entered the employ of the Valley Lumber Company, remaining with this firm until the Fall of 1884, when he purchased a farm of 160 aeres in the town of Brunswick, cleared and improved a part of it, erected a new dwelling and there made his home until 1901, when he disposed of his interests and moved to Chippewa county where he subsequently purchased another traet of 160 acres in the town of Wheaton where he now resides. Ilis family consisted of eight children, as follows: Anna. wife of John F. Johnson ; John B .; Carl E., deceased ; Arthur G .; Lloyd E .; Wil- liam S .; Mabel and Florence.
John B. was raised on the homestead farm in Brunswick town- ship and there attended the common schools. In 1903 he entered the employ of the International Harvester Company as an expert and traveling salesman with whom he was associated for eleven years. In the winter of 1914 he severed his connection with the above company and accepted a similar position with the Inde- pendent Harvester Company, of Minneapolis, a position he still retains.
Mr. Gilbert has been twice married, his first wife was Olga Elsie, daughter of Peter and Anna (Nelson) Hagen, of Eau Claire, by whom he had two children, viz .: Survivus and Marie Bertha. His present wife was Hilda Peterson, daughter of Ole and Rena (Hoven) Peterson, of Colfax, Wisconsin. Mrs. Gilbert
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is a member of the Lutheran church, while Mr. Gilbert holds membership in the I. S. W. A., the Ean Claire Gun Club and the I. C. M. A.
James A. Grinsel," the popular liveryman of Eau Claire, is a native born citizen, his birth having occurred July 16, 1869, and is the only son born to James S. and Jane (McGuire) Grinsel.
James S. Grinsel, father of James A .. came to Eau Claire in 1857. Ile engaged in the lumber business on his own aceount, which he safely conducted for sixteen years. In the Fall of 1880. he opened a grocery store on First avenue, which he carried on for nine years; he then removed his place of business to Grand avenue and for five years did a thriving business. Ile married Jane McGuire, of Canada, and had one child, the subject of this sketch. After thirty years of business activity. he retired in 1894. He took a prominent part in all publie matters ; was publie spirited and generous, and at his death which oeeurred Septem- ber 16. 1902, was mourned by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. He, as well as his wife, whose death occurred November 16, 1900, were devoted members of St. Patrick's Church. Ile had one brother, John, also a resident of Eau Claire and who served as mayor of the eity one term in 1886. Ile also served as alderman two terms and in 1900 moved to the state of Washington.
On January 1. 1901, James A. engaged in the livery business in partnership with J. M. Signer. At the end of five years, in 1906, Mr. Grinsel purchased his partner's interest, and since that time has conducted a first class up-to-date livery and boarding sales stable. Ile makes a special feature of funeral service, keeps open day and night and no hetter stable ean be found anywhere than that conducted by Mr. Grinsel. He married Miss Nellie C. Bulger, daughter of James Bulger, of Eau Claire, and they have eight children. viz. : Helen, Gladys, Margaret, Arthur, Flor- ence, Signor, John and Loraine. Mr. Grinsel is a member of St. Patrick's Church, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of Columbus.
William Gilchrist, deceased. who in his day was one of Eau Claire's best eitizens, was a native of Scotland, born February 8, 1860, and lived there until 1880, when he emigrated to Canada and remained there one year, then eame to the United States and located at Eau Claire in 1881. Ile was a mason by trade, and many of the finest buildings in the city bear the marks of his handiwork. He was an energetic and conscientious worker and a loyal citizen, well liked and mueh sought by his many
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friends and acquaintances. Mrs. Gilchrist, deceased, who was Marion Aitken, was also a native of Scotland, and they had a family of four children, viz: William, Margaret, James and Marion. William Gilchrist, the popular implement dealer of Eau Claire, married Mrs. Cora Ludwig, of Elk Mound. James Gil- christ married Miss Kathryne Steihr, of this city.
Mr. Gilchrist was a liberal contributor to the support of the Second Congregational church, and his death, which occurred on July 9, 1903, was mourned by the entire community.
Mrs. Gilchrist was a liberal contributor to the support of the Second Congregational church, and her death, which occurred February 22, 1914, was mourned by the entire community.
Edward Robert Godding, deceased, who for many years was a well-known druggist of Eau Claire, was descended from a prominent New England family and was born in Gardiner, Me., June 14, 1859. His primary education was received in the com- mon schools at Gardiner, and while yet a young man he went to Boston, where he was employed by a Mr. Kelley as clerk in the latter's drug store. Obtaining a fair knowledge of drugs while thus employed, he later entered the Massachusetts Pharma- ceutical College, from which he was graduated when 22 years of age in 1881. Hle came to Eau Claire the same year, and soon after his arrival purchased the drug business of Mr. Thwing and from that time on until 1884, when his place of business was de- stroyed by the great flood, did a flourishing business. Undaunted by the losses he had sustained and being imbned with the thrift, sagacity and broad common sense inherited from his New Eng- land ancestors, he formed a partnership with Mr. Chickering and continued in business. Hle later became associated with Mr. Carey and thus continued the drug business under the firm name of Godding & Carey. This arrangement continued in existence until Mr. Carey moved to New Richmond, and ever after Mr. Godding was in business alone, his drug store being located for a number of years prior to his death at Grand avenue East and Sonth River street.
In all public affairs he was no less active and influential than as a business man and a believer in higher and better educa- tional advantages. He took the time from his business to repre- sent the fifth ward of the city on.the board of school commis- sioners, of which body he was president for two years. IIe was a member of the Eau Claire Lodge, No. 112, A. F & A. M., of Eau Claire Commandery, No. 8, Knights Templar, and Eau Claire Chapter, No. 36. R. A. M .. and a devoted member of the Episcopal
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church. He was called from earth on September 25, 1910, and now that he has gone it only remains to pay him the poor tribute of words to say that his was a well spent life, that he was ener- getic, firm, reliable in all his dealings, revered by his family, respected and trusted by all who knew him. His character and his work were a blessing to the community in which he lived, and he left to his successor the best of all inheritages-an honest name.
In 1882 Mr. Godding married Miss Emma McGowan, to whom two sons were born, Edward L. Godding, employed by Wisconsin Telephone Company, and Frederick C. Godding, employed by the Branstad Drug Company at Eau Claire.
Frederick H. Graham, president of the Atlas Manufacturing Company of Eau Claire, was born in Wellsville, N. Y., February 25, 1855, son of Hiram P. and Mary J. (Cowen) Graham, and comes of Scotch-Irish lineage. Charles Graham, grandfather, and Samuel Graham, great grandfather of Frederick HI., were both natives of Buckland, Mass. Hiram P. Graham, the father, was born in Windham, N. Y., March 29, 1820, and received his edu- cation in the common and select schools of his native town. He later learned the trade of millwright, and in 1844 went to Canada, where he followed his vocation for eight years. From 1852 to 1856 he was engaged in the lumber business in Allegany county, New York, and in the latter year came to Eau Claire, where he was in the employ of the Eau Claire Lumber Company for about four years. In the fall of 1857 his family joined him, and about this time with his brother-in-law. Robert Tolles, he purchased a foundry and machine shop, which they operated under the firm name of Graham, White & Co., until the plant was destroyed by fire in 1875. In the fall of the same year they rebuilt their fac- tory, shops, etc., which have been in continuous operation since under the name of the Phoenix Manufacturing Company, and in which concern the Graham family still retain an interest. IIe was also for many years president of the Dells Lumber Company, and when the village of Eau Claire was organized he was made a trustee, and when it was made a city he was elected its first mayor. In 1862 he was appointed sheriff by the governor to fill the unexpired term of his predecessor, who had enlisted as a soldier in the civil war. In 1874-75 he represented his district as state senator, and in 1888-89 was postmaster of Eau Claire and was prominently identified with city affairs up to the time of his death in 1902, at the age of 82. He left a widow and two children, Fred H. and Julia, widow of George T. Thompson.
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Frederick H. Graham came to Eau Claire in 1857, where he was reared to manhood. He was graduated from the graded schools of Eau Claire in 1873, and later spent one year at the State University at Madison. For twenty years he was treasurer of the Phoenix Manufacturing Company and for ten years secre- tary of the Wisconsin Refrigerator Company, and since 1906 has been president of the Atlas Manufacturing Company.
Mr. Graham has been twice married: first in 1882 he married Isabell, daughter of James H. and Elizabeth (May) Noble, of Athens, Pa., and they had two daughters, Catherine, wife of Percy L. Lyford, of Vancouver, B. C., and Elizabeth, wife of Louis T. Dwight, of Burlington, Ia. His present wife was Kate McLeod, daughter of John and Mary McLeod, of Eau Claire, and they have one daughter, Mary. Mr. Graham is president of the Philharmonie Society and secretary of the Eau Claire Country Club.
The Atlas Manufacturing Company. In 1906 the Atlas Manu- facturing Company was incorporated with a capital of $10,000, and commenced the manufacture of Graham Gem refrigerators and Atlas baby bath tubs, and has had in its employ an average of six men. The demand for these popular brands of goods is now constantly increasing. orders coming in from all parts of the United States, and the outlook for the future is bright and promising. The present officers of this concern are F. II. Gra- ham, president; J. II. Brooks, secretary and treasurer.
Hiram P. Graham, deceased. Standing prominent among the representative men of Eau Claire was Hiram P. Graham. He was born in Windham, N. Y., March 29, 1820. He was reared in his home town, where he received not only a physical training but also a moral education which was of an inestimable benefit to him in fashioning a successful career. Ile received his edueation in the common and select schools and early in life learned the trade of millwright. In 1844 he went to Canada, where he followed the same occupation for eight years, when he returned to Allegany county, New York, and engaged in the lumber business, purchas- ing a mill, which he operated for four years. The adventuresome spirit of the times made itself felt in Mr. Graham, and in 1856 he was induced to come to Eau Claire by the Eau Claire Lumber Company, in whose employ he remained some four years. The opportunities offered in Eau Claire were so much greater for advancement than in the East he decided to make this place his future home, and accordingly moved his family here in the fall of 1857. Ile was desirous of entering into business for himself.
HIRAM P. GRAHAM
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and in company with his brother-in-law, Robert Tolles, bought a planing mill, which they operated under the firm name of Graham, White & Company until it was destroyed by fire in 1875. In connection with this plant they had a foundry and machine shop. In the fall of the same year they rebuilt their factory, shops, etc., and continued the business as if nothing had occurred. The con- cern was organized into a stock company, known as the Phoenix Manufacturing Company, and as such has earned a name that is well known throughout the United States and foreign countries.
Mr. Graham was for many years connected with the Dells Lumber Company, of which he was president as well as being president of the Phoenix Manufacturing Company. He was finan- cially successful and the high esteem in which he was held by the citizens of Eau Claire proved that his life's work was appre- ciated. Ilis fellow citizens in Eau Claire and the State of Wis- consin showed their confidence in him and their appreciation of his worth by electing him to various offices. In 1862 he was ap- pointed sheriff of the county by the governor to fill out the unex- pired term of his predecessor, who had enlisted in the Civil War. When the village of Eau Claire was organized he was made one of the trustees and when the village was incorporated as a city he was elected its first mayor. He was appointed postmaster by President Cleveland and filled that office during the years of 1888 and 1889.
On February 1, 1848, while living in Canada, he married Miss Mary J. Cowen, a very estimable young lady of rare womanly graces and domestice virtues, who was born March 2, 1826, at Troy, N. Y. Their two children who grew to maturity are Mrs. Julia Thompson and Fred H. Graham.
The financial success of Mr. Graham was traceable to his fair- ness, honesty and integrity. He was not a strong partisan-such mnen seldom are-but his patriotism and desire for good and honest government prompted him to vote for the best men nom- inated. Such a life is a model for the young man who is some- times tempted, amidst the only too great degrees of loose com- mercial morality, to think that success depends upon methods unapproved by conscience and public opinion. Mr. Graham achieved success and maintained his honor unspotted. Ile was well known in Eau Claire for his unswerving truth and probity. His career was in every respect one of credit to himself and to the city in which he so long lived and was so well known and his death, which occurred on January 24, 1902, was a great loss to the business and social interests of the community.
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Frank C. Gruber,* the well known confectioner and ice eream manufacturer of Eau Claire, where he was born November 4, 1875. His parents, Thomas and Rosalia (Rosenfeldt) were natives of Austria Hungary. The father, who was born in the town of Johannsthal, near Vienna, came to the United States on his wed- ding tour in 1870. He was a carpenter by trade, having served his apprenticeship in his native country. He came to Eau Claire, where he followed carpentering and finally engaged in contraet- ing. He formed a partnership with Mr. F. Ihle, under the firm name of Gruber & Ihle, which partnership continued for about thirty years. After the dissolution of this firm Mr. Gruber con- tinued in the contracting and building line until his death at the age of seventy-six years. During the many years of business he built a number of churches and fine residences in the Chippewa valley. He was a member of the German Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, La Crosse Association and the Sacred Heart Society. Of six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Gruber three are now living : Frank C., the subject of this sketch ; Thomas, a tea and eoffee salesman, and Sarah, wife of a papermaker of Eau Claire. Those deceased are Mary, Clara and Ann.
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