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 74
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On April 29, 1855, he married Miss Barbara (Betz), who died in Eau Claire, in 1864, leaving four children, viz: Louise, wife of J. J. Auer ; Julia, wife of Teto Buebeler; Anna, wife of J. Derge, and Frank, deceased. Mr. Kneer later married Louise Hoeffner, and three children were born, viz: Emma, wife of Fred Raddatz; Dora, wife of Emil Rick, and Herman. Mr. Kneer was a member of the German Frieden Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, and filled all its offiees, having been its first Noble Grand. He was also president of the German Schuetzenverein.
Henry M. Knudtson,* the popular and well known real estate dealer of Eau Claire, was born in this eity April 19, 1872. His parents, Hantz and Marie (Eide) Knudtson, were both natives of Norway. At the age of twenty-two years. the father, who was a machinist by trade, eame to the United States and located in
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Eau Claire, where he was employed by the Northwestern Lun- ber Company, at Porter's Mills, for many years, as a saw filer and machinist. He married in Eau Claire and was a resident here for forty-six years. He died in 1910 at the age of sixty-six, and his wife, mother of our subject, passed away in 1909. They were the parents of four children, as follows: Ole is deceased ; Henry M., the subject of this sketch; John is engaged in the fire insurance business in Minneapolis, and Edward is deceased.
Henry M. was educated in the common and high schools of Eau Claire, and after graduating from the latter, he took a thor- ough business course in Minneapolis. In 1893 he returned to Eau Claire and engaged in the real estate business, first as a clerk, and in 1897 as a partner. He is now president of the Wisconsin River Land Company, which was incorporated under the laws of Wis- consin in 1885, with a capital of $50,000. He is secretary and treasurer of the Ideal Land & Loan Company, which was incor- porated in 1890 with a capital of $100,000. Mr. Knudtson is one of the successful business men of Eau Claire, progressive and influential, and has taken a great interest in the growth and development of the city and county of Eau Claire, in which he has large land interests. In addition to his business interests, he finds time to devote to other matters, and for the past four years has been secretary of the Luther Hospital. He is a member of the Eau Claire Club, the Knights of Pythias, the Young Men's Christian Association and the Lutheran church.
Mr. Knudtson married in Eau Claire, Miss Elise Selmer, daughter of Emar and Anna (Qvale) Selmer, and they have two children, Larl S. and Emar Knudtson.
Herman Kopplin,* whose whole life with the exception of four years, has been spent in Wisconsin, is a native son of the Badger state, having been born in Green Lake county, May 15, 1854, and is one of a family of seven children, born to August and Henrietta (Fracke) Kopplin, natives of West Prussia, who emigrated to the United States in 1849, and settled in Wisconsin. The father purchased a farm of 160 aeres of wild land six miles from Wausau, in Marathon county, which he cleared and im- proved and engaged in farming. In addition to his home farm he owned 20 acres, which is now situated in the city of Wausau. His parents eame to Eau Claire county in 1874 and settled on a farm of 160 acres in Lincoln township, which the father also cleared, and to which he subsequently added another quarter seetion, which he also improved, and there made his home until his death, which ocenrred in 1895 at the age of 82 years. Ile
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had a family of seven children-three sons and four daughters, as follows: Minnie became the wife of Charles Monte, is de- ceased ; Paulina, wife of Christ Dinke; Charles F. is deceased ; Mary is the wife of Crayton Reams; Bertha, the deceased wife of Herman Mittlestadt; Julius, who is the proprietor of the Com- mercial Hotel in Eau Claire, and Ilerman.
Ilerman Kopplin was raised in Green Lake and Marathon counties, this state, and after four years spent in the state of lowa, came to Eau Claire county in 1877, where he has since resided, engaged in general farming. His farm of 400 acres in Lincoln township, within half a mile of Fall Creek, is highly cultivated and exceptionally well improved, with a modern resi- dence, large and commodious barns and out buildings, equipped with modern appliances and up-to-date labor-saving devices. Mr. Kopplin is lavish in expenditure of time and money in improve- ments, and takes great pride in making his one of the most at- tractive and model country homes in Eau Claire county.
In 1878 he married Miss Charlotte Dehnke, by whom he has the following children : Edward; Laura, wife of HI. E. Steinbring, the present post master of Fall Creek; Ida, wife of August Greis; ('arl, Henrietta, Walter, Julius and one son, Herman, who was accidentally killed at the age of nine years. Mr. Kopplin is con- sidered one of the most energetie and influential citizens of Lin- col township. He is public spirited, kind hearted and generous and takes a keen interest in all publie matters and is always ready to support any movement for the advancement of his town and county.
Julius Kopplin,* resident and well known business man of Eau Claire, was born in Marathon county, Wisconsin, June 2, 1857. the son of August and Henrietta (Fracke) Kopplin, natives of West Prussia, who came to the United States in 1849 and lo- cated in Marathon county and engaged in farming, the father clearing a farm of 160 acres six miles from Wausau, and also twenty acres which is now in the limits of that city. In 1874 the family moved to Eau Claire county, settling in the town of Lin- eoln where the father purchased 160 acres of land on which he made all the improvements, subsequently purchasing 160 acres more which he also cleared and improved and continued to re- side in the town of Lincoln until his death in 1895, at the ad- vanced age of 82 years. ITis children were Minnie, deceased wife of Charles Montie; Pauline married Christ Dinke: Charles F. is deceased; Mary married John Reams; Bertha. deceased wife of Herman Mittelstadt, also deceased: Herman and Julius.
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Julius was reared in Marathon county, Wisconsin, Iowa, and the town of Lincoln, Eau Claire county. His education was ob- tained in the common schools, and be began life as a farmer in Lincoln township, following that vocation until 1882. He then engaged in the retail liquor business for six years in the town of Lincoln, and then went to Ashland, this state, and went into the same business there until 1890. In the last named year he came to Eau Claire and continued in the same business there for eighteen years. In 1906 with others, he purchased the Com- mercial Hotel property in Eau Claire, remodeled the building and now has one of the best hotel properties in the state, which is conducted on up-to-date principles.
Mr. Kopplin has been twice married; his first wife was Otile Bartz, of the town of Lincoln, by whom he had one daughter. Amanda, now Mrs. Anton Weizzenicker. Ilis second wife was Julia, daughter of Andrew Welke, also of Lincoln, by whom he had two children, both of whom are deceased. Mr. Kopplin is a supporter of St. John's Lutheran Church, of Eau Claire, of which both himself and Mrs. Kopplin are members. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and in politics is Independent.
John Morris Krogstad, chairman of the Brunswick town board and a well known farmer and stock raiser, was born in the town of Brunswick, Eau Claire county, April 21, 1879, of Norwegian parents. His father, IIans Krogstad, was born in Norway. Febru- ary 14. 1846, Emigrating to America in 1869, he came to Wis- consin and first settled at Tomah, where he remained one year and in 1870 came to Eau Claire and for eight years thereafter worked on the river as a driver. In 1878 he moved to the town of Brunswick and purchased a farm of 80 acres, 65 acres of which were covered with timber. He set diligently to work. and in ten years had the farm all cleared and improved. and had purchased an additional 40 acres. In 1889 he sold the farm and moved to Porter's Mills, Eau Claire county, and again worked on the river lumbering until 1899 when he purchased another farm of 120 acres in Brunswick township to which he subsequently added 40 more acres. Ile successfully carried on general farming until 1906 when he retired and the management of the farm fell to his two sons Alfred and John M. He married Caroline Gilstad, daughter of John Gilstad, of Norway, and they are the parents of the following children: Alfred; John M .; Carl Edward, who resides in Eau Claire; Henry Cornelius, a resident of North Bend, Oregon; Julius Oscar resides at Cameron, Wisconsin, and Amelia M., who was born in 1889, died in 1896.
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John M. Krogstad has spent his whole life in Eau Claire county. He received his education in the common and high schools and for five or six winter seasons, was variously employed in the lumber camps in and around Porter's Mills, working at farming during the summer months. In 1906 he took charge of the home- stead containing 160 aeres of land which he and his brother Alfred are now successfully carrying on, engaged in general farming and stock raising and looking after their parents in their deelining years.
In public affairs Mr. Krogstad takes an active interest and has filled several offiees among them being town elerk for one year, treasurer of the town of Brunswiek three years; supervisor two years and is now chairman of the town board. He is a man of genial social temperament and a lover of good cheer and is identified with various social, benevolent and fraternal organiza- tions, being a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Command- ery of the Masonic Order. the Knights of Pythias and the Mod- ern Woodmen of America.
Frederick W. Kromrey,* the popular real estate operator of Fall Creek, Eau Claire eonnty, was born near Samaczin, Provinee of Bromberg. Prussia, May 12, 1854, the son of Martin and Ottelie (Berthke) Kromrey, who came to the United States in 1862. first loeating in Marquette, Wisconsin, where the father was employed by the day until he had aequired sufficient funds to purchase 80 acres of land, 40 acres of which was improved and where the family lived for about five years. In 1876 he sold out and came to Eau Claire county and purchased 80 acres of wild land in the town of Seymour. He cleared and improved 70 aeres of it and died in 1895 at the age of 65 years. He had a family of thirteen children of whom nine grew to maturity, viz .: Fred- erick W .; Louis; Lonisa married John Gorman ; Herman ; Charles ; Edward; Matilda, wife of Albert Davis; Gustav and Emil.
Frederick W. was reared in his native county until he was fourteen years of age, receiving his edneation there. In 1868 he came to the United States and in 1875 to this county, loeating at Fall Creek. where he purchased 80 aeres of railroad land, cleared and improved it, and sold it in 1885. From that date until 1900 he was engaged in the agricultural implement business at Fall Creek, and during this period and for 25 years, sold threshing machines for the Minneapolis Threshing Machine Com- pany. Since 1909 he has been engaged in the real estate business and not only locally but has been and is an extensive dealer in North Dakota and Montana lands.
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Mr. Kromrey married, March 7, 1878, Amelia Zelmer, of Mar- quette county, this state, and a native of Germany. By this union he has had twelve children, viz .: Albert; Fred; John; Frank; Alta married Gustav Peuse ; Edward is deceased; Clara ; George; Freda; Ewald, and two who died in infaney. Mr. Krom- rey is a member of the Lutheran church and fraternally is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. As a resident of the village of Fall Creek, he at one time served an unexpired term as president of the village.
Leonard L. Lancaster,* pioneer and retired lumberman of Eau Claire, was born in Maxfield, Piscatauquis county, Maine, October 26, 1829, and is a son of Levi and Olive (Tourtelette) Lancaster, and comes from colonial stock. Ile received a eou- mon school and academic education in his native state and on attaining his majority, went to Michigan and there engaged in the lumber business for five years. In 1856 he settled in Eau Claire and here eontinned in the lumber business until 1861. On December 9, of that year, he enlisted in Company L, 2d Wisconsin Cavalry, was sent to Benton Barracks, Missouri, and later to Jefferson City, Missouri, where he remained until 1862, when he crossed the Ozark Mountains to Springfield. On July 4, 1862, he was at llelena, Arkansas, and later at Canton. White River, Arkansas post, Cold Water, Tallahasse, under C. C. Washburn. He returned to Helena and was at Memphis, Tennessee, under the command of General Grearson, and from there he marched with his regiment to Vicksburg, Mississippi, a distance of 800 miles, making the trip in fifty-five days. He was then transferred to General W. T. Sherman's command and took part in the capture of Jackson and Canton, Mississippi. Pearl river. Tombigbee river, and then returned to Vicksburg and Memphis, arriving there in 1865. Ile then went to Granada, Mississippi, and with 250 men captured General Forrest and 1,500 men, thenee went to Natchez and up the Red river to Alexandria where he became a leader of a so-called meeting to displace his lieutenant colonel for which he was court-martialed and sentenced to be shot by General Custer. At the last moment he was reprieved and his sentence changed to three years' banishment to Dry Tortugas, which. through the efforts of friends among whom was C. C. Washburn, was changed so that his release at the end of three months was brought about by order of General Sheridan. On his return Mr. Lancaster received transportation to Madison, Wisconsin, where upon his arrival he received a dishonorable discharge without
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pay. From there he had to walk home and so wasted was he by his hardships, only his dog recognized him. Later through the efforts of C. C. Washburn. and Congressman Humphrey, of Hud- son, Wisconsin, his dishonorable discharge was changed to one of honorable and he received back pay amounting to $1,000.00.
Mr. Lancaster married on April 12, 1851, Miss Sarah Holland, a native of Bangor, Maine, and daughter of Fredrick and Lydia (Croeket) Holland, whose mother was a deseendant of the famous David Crocket. The issue of this union was four children, viz. : Ella L., deceased wife of John Miller; Tirzah A; Carrie B., and Elmer E., who is deceased. Mr. Laneaster is one among the few surviving pioneers of Eau Claire. Ile is a Republican in politics, a member of the Odd Fellows and Eagle Post, No. 52, G. A. R., of Eau Claire. After the war, Mr. Lancaster engaged in the lumber business which he followed until 1900 when he retired and has since lived in retirement.
Frank C. Lanua, proprietor of the Fall Creek Lumber Com- pany, was born in Kingsburg. East Prussia, Germany, Mareh 26. 1859, the son of Charles Lonis and Minnie (Janert) Lanua. who came to the United States in 1872, loeating at Pine Grove Furnace, Ohio, where the father died in November. 1873, at the age of 48 years, leaving a widow and four children. Alvina married Peter Frailie ; Theresa married John Sperry; Ida married Lonis Lust, and Frank C., onr subject, who was raised in Ohio from thirteen years of age, and who began life as a laborer. Ile came to Eau Claire county in 1883, where he was employed in the lumber yard until November, 1901, when he located at Fall Creek and asso- ciated with J. E. Zetzman, he embarked in the lumber business under the name of The Lanna Lumber Company. This partner- ship was dissolved later and Mr. Lanna remained as manager for the Wilson and Weber Lumber Company for three years, and acted in the same capacity for the North Star Lumber Company two years. Since 1912 he has been in the lumber business alone, under the name of The Fall Creek Lumber Company, carrying one of the most complete stocks in the county, and is considered one of the most progressive men of Fall Creek, and supporter of every enterprise pertaining to the village and county.
Mr. Lanna was three times married; his first wife was Augusta, daughter of Martin Arnsdorf, of Eau Claire, by whom he had two danghters. Ida and Minnie, who is the wife of Albert Carlson. His second wife was Minnie Schwartz, and his present wife, Marie. daughter of Daniel Zempel, a pioneer of Lincoln township. Mr. Lanua is a member of the German Lutheran church. He
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served as a member of the board of trustees of Fall Creek one year, and in politics is a Republican.
Albert Larson,* dealer in furniture and house furnishing goods, Eau Claire, is a native of Norway, and was born July 11, 1864, the son of Albert and Thora (IIanson) Larson. He re- mained in Norway, attending the common schools until he was fifteen years old, and in 1879 came to the United States, first locating in Trempealeau county, Wisconsin, where he had two uncles, Peter Nelson and A. M. Amuslund, who came to America in 1858 and were among the pioneer farmers of Trempealeau and Eau Claire counties. Peter Nelson enlisted in a Wisconsin regi- ment and served as a soldier in the Civil War.
Mr. Larson worked three years on a farm in Trempealeau county, then came to Eau Claire and secured employment with the Daniel Shaw Lumber Company, with whom he remained eight years. He was next employed as a clerk for two years, and was then engaged in the restaurant business for four years, after which he was for twelve years manager and collector for the American Wringer Company, of New York. He then pur- chased their business in Eau Claire in which he is still engaged, but makes a specialty of household and house furnishings, having at this time, 1914, two stores on Grand avenue west, and Gallo- way street on the north side.
On April 11, 1894, Mr. Larson married Otelia, daughter of Abraham Olson, a native of Norway and pioneer of Trempealeau county, who met his death in the fire at the Hobart House in Eau Claire, at the age of 63 years.
Mr. and Mrs. Larson are the parents of four children. viz .: Lloyd, Thomas, Raymond and Gladys. Mr. Larson is up-to-date in his business methods, and enjoys the confidence of the com- munity for his honorable and upright dealing. He is a member of Grace Intheran church, the I. S. W. A. and the Sons of Nor- way.
Andrew Larson,* a prominent business man of Eau Claire and popular as a contractor and manufacturer of all kinds of concrete building material, was born in Sweden, June 29. 1861, where he lived, obtained a good common school education and was variously employed until he reached the age of twenty, and in 1882 he came to America, and for two years made his home in the state of Michigan. He came to Ean Claire in 1884 and for several years was engaged in lumbering. In 1897 he started in the concrete business, and by his energy, thrift and straight- forward business methods, has built up a large and profitable
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business. He manufactures all kinds of cement and concrete building material, which besides being extensively used in Eau Claire, is shipped to many outside points. The business is con- ducted under his personal supervision, and employs about twenty men the year 'round.
Lewis Larson, father of our subject, reared a family of eight children, viz .: Andrew, Charles, John, Edward, Carrie, Annie, Hilda and Erick, all of whom except the latter who is employed by his brother, Andrew, reside in Sweden.
Mr. Larson married Miss Alma Johnson, also a native of Sweden, and they have four children, all born in the city of Eau Claire, viz. : Esta, Victor, William and Edith.
Mr. and Mrs. Larson and family are members of the Swedish Lutheran church, and Mr. Larson is a member of the I. S. W. A., of Eau Claire.
Henry Laycock,* retired contractor and builder of Eau Claire, was born in Yorkshire, England. March 14, 1842. Son of Ralph and Ann (Granger) Laycock. He was reared to manhood in his native country, attended the common schools, and served an apprenticeship at the general masons trade. After mastering his trade which his father and grandfather before had followed, he, in 1861, set sail for the United States. Landing in New York City, he remained but a short time, but in August of that year went to Toronto, Canada, and was employed at his trade for two years. In 1863 he returned to the States and located at Sterling, Illinois, resuming his labors as a mason until the Spring of 1864, when he enlisted as a soldier in the Civil War, as a mem- ber of Company C, Eight Illinois Cavalry. He participated in several skirmishes, and was later on detailed duty in Virginia, chasing General Mosby and protecting the commissary depart- ment. After eighteen months of service he was honorably dis- charged at Benton Barrack, Missouri, paid off in Chicago, and returned to Sterling. Ill.
Soon after his return from the war, he embarked in business for himself as a contractor and builder, remaining at Sterling until 1870, when he removed to Chippewa Falls, Wis., and con- tinued in business there. In 1878 he came to Eau Claire, where he has since resided, and was actively engaged in business until 1895, when he retired. During the latter year he erected the Laycock block, on Barstow street, a handsome two story brick structure, with a frontage of 155 feet and a depth of 125. The ground floor contains four large store rooms, while the second floor is used for office purposes.
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In 1872 Mr. Laycock married Miss Margaret E., daughter of Thomas Brewer, of Albany, Illinois, by whom he had two chil- dren, Ida and Ira, both of whom are now deceased. Mrs. Lay- cock died September 1, 1912. Mr. Laycock is one of Eau Claire's progressive and most respected citizens. He owns a handsome residence on the west side, Eau Claire, and a pleasant summer cottage at Lake Chetek. He is a 32d degree Mason, being a mnem- ber of Eau Claire Lodge, No. 112, Eau Claire Commandery, No. 8, Knights Templar and Eagle Post, No. 52, G. A. R. He served as alderman of the sixth ward of Ean Claire two terms and repre- sented his ward on the county board one term. In 1908 he was elected a member of the legislature from the first district of Eau Claire and under the new appointment was elected repre- sentative from Eau Claire county in 1912. Politically he is a Republican.
Edward J. Lenmark, cashier of the Eau Claire National Bank, was born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, November 5. 1872, son of Christian J. Lemmark and Sophia (Peterson) Lenmark. His father was born in Christiana, Norway, January 9, 1847, a son of John and Christena (Veland) Hanson Lenmark, natives of Chris- tiania Stift, Norway. Christian J. Lenmark received a common school education in his native city, and at the age of fourteen, entered the Inmber mills where he worked as filer for a time and then learned the trade of millwright and cabinet maker which he followed until he had attained his majority. In 1868 he came to the United States, first locating in IIndson county, Minnesota, where he was employed for about one year as a farm hand.
In 1869 he came to Eau Claire, where for four years he was in the employ of the Ean Claire Lumber Company. On Jannary 1, 1885, the Eau Claire Furniture Company was organized, and eighteen months later Mr. Lenmark was elected its president, holding that position until 1898, when he embarked in the un- dertaking business on his own account and later the firm was known as C. J. Lenmark & Company, November, 1911, it was changed to Lenmark & Sons, under which style the business has been carried on since the death of Mr. Lenmark, which occurred on May 3, 1913. On February 11, 1870, Mr. Lenmark was married to Miss Sophia Peterson, of Christiania, Norway. Ten children were born of their marriage; five boys and five girls; Charlotte M., wife of P. O. Bruden; Edward J .; Martin, deceased ; P. Oscar; Clara S .: Hnlda C., deceased; A. Borghild; Carl R .; Aaron, and Dagmar C. Mrs. Lenmark's death occured December 31, 1896.
Edward J., our subject, was reared in Eau Claire and educated
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in the public schools after which he took a business course in one of the colleges of the city. After his school days were over he entered the employ of William A. Teall in the insurance business where he remained about two years. In December, 1892, took a position as clerk in the Eau Claire National Bank, and on Janu- ary 19, 1906, he was appointed to the position of cashier which he still retains. In polities he is a Republican. October 20, 1897, marked the marriage of Mr. Lenmark to Miss Josephine Ander- son, who was born and reared in Wisconsin, and the one child of this union is a winsome little daughter. Mary Edarle.
P. Oscar Lenmark, proprietor of Lenmark & Sons, funeral directors, was born in Eau Claire, July 29, 1877, and is one of a family of ten children, born to Christian J. and Sophia (Peter- son) Lenmark, both natives of Norway. Of the others. Edward J. is cashier of the Ean Claire National Bank; Martin is deceased ; Charlotte married P. O. Brudens, a traveling salesman: C'lara, (Hulda), deceased; Boighild; Dagmar; Carl and Aaron.
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