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 76
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Chris Luebkeman,* secretary, treasurer and . general man- ager of the Eau Claire Gas Light Company, was born in this city, May 26, 1875. His parents, William and Emily (Huebener) Luebkeman, who were both natives of Germany, came to the United States in about 1858, and in the early '60's came to Eau Claire where the father for several years was engaged in the manufacture of cigars. In 1884 he moved with his family to Madison, this state, and there embarked in the wholesale leaf tobacco business in which he successfully continued up to the time of his death in September, 1901, at the age of 65 years. He left a family of three children, viz .: William W., who is now de- ceased ; Minnie and Chris.
Chris Luebkeman, the subject of this sketch, grew to man- hood in the state of Wisconsin, receiving his education in the public schools of Eau Claire and Madison. Ile worked at the leaf tobacco business with his father until he reached the age of nineteen, and in the Fall of 1895 he returned to Eau Claire, the place of his birth and entered the employ of the Eau Claire Gas Light Company with whom he has since been connected in vari- ous capacities. In 1898 he became a stockholder in the company and has since that time been its general manager, secretary and treasurer. Mr. Luebkeman is a thorough business man and de- votes his attention closely to his own affairs and has achieved financial success. He is a stockholder in the Eau Claire National and the Eau Claire Savings Banks, and a stockholder, director and vice president of the Manitowoc Gas Company, of Manitowoc, Wisconsin. In fraternal matters he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Uniform Rank, K. of P.
On May 16, 1906, Mr. Luebkeman married Jennie A. Stang, daughter of Martin and Gundhile (Stensrud) Stang of Nor- wegian ancestry, and by her has three children: George. Francis and J. David Lnebkeman.
F. C. Magadance was born at Meridean, Wis., January 6, 1885. He moved with his parents to Mondovi, Wis., in 1890. where he attended the public schools until 1900. Nineteen hun- dred and nineteen hundred and one he learned the butcher busi- ness at Mondovi. After learning the trade he purchased his em- ployer's business and conducted the same until eighteen years of age. Then he sold his place of business and accepted a position on the road as a traveling salesman. He traveled until July 1, 1910.
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On July 19, 1910, he started the National Granite Company of Durand, Wis., which he still owns. On April 1, 1913, he bought the C. J. Crosby Granite Company of Eau Claire, Wis. This company is considered the largest and best monumental concern in northwestern Wiseonsin. Mr. Magadanee is sole pro- prietor of the National Granite Company, which is engaged in the manufacture and sale of high grade and artistic monuments, mausoleums and large granite work, in the manufacture of which only the best granites that can be obtained from well known quarries are used.
Thirty-seven salesmen are employed in selling monuments, mausoleums and granite work in Wisconsin and other states.
The company also deals in granite building fronts and inte- rior finishing.
Robert H. Manz, stockholder and manager of the Farmers' Co-operative Products Company, and an extensive land owner, of Eau Claire, was born in Waumandee, Buffalo county, Wis., Sep- tember 27, 1866; the son of John Henry and Dorothy (Ochsnev) Manz, and is of Swiss parentage. The father, who was born in Switzerland, followed the baker's trade until he eame to the United States in 1854, and located in Sauk county, this state, remaining there until 1856, when he moved to Buffalo county and followed farming during the balance of his life. He died in 1907. In 1861 he was appointed post master at Waumandee, and was one of the representative men of that seetion. The mother of our subject died in 1909. Of six children born to them three are deceased: Robert, Herman, and one who died in in- faney, unnamed. The others are: Henry, Robert II. and Emily, the wife of Jaeob Braem, a farmer of Buffalo county.
Robert H. was educated in the public schools and the La- Crosse Business College. Finishing his education he was em- ployed three years as traveling salesman for the Bangor Woolen Mills, after which he returned to the home farm in Buffalo county. He later purchased a farm of 232 acres in the town of Wheaton, Chippewa county, which he carried on until 1912, when he became associated with the Farmers' Co-operative Products Company as manager, at the same time carrying on his farm under an overseer. He also superintends the homestead farm in Buffalo county.
Mr. Manz has been an active man of affairs. Ile served seven years as town clerk of Waumandee. Buffalo county, and four years as chairman of the town of Wheaton. Ile now resides at 430 Union street, Eau Claire: is a member of the Modern Woodmen of
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America and of the Congregational church. lle married, in 1893, Miss Louisa Auer, daughter of Adam Auer, of Buffalo county, and they are the parents of four children as follows: Linda and Alvin are high school graduates; Walter and Keneth.
Andrew Mattison, deceased, during whose thirty-five years' residence in Ean Claire, worked himself to a prominent place in the hearts of his countrymen, was a sturdy son of Norway, and was born in 1851. Ile left his native land and came to the United States in early life and in 1874 settled in Eau Claire, where he lived until his death, which occurred April 10, 1909. Ile was a blacksmith by trade and followed this occupation dur- ing his lifetime, and by his honorable and upright dealings built up a large and prosperous business and became popularly known as one of the best workmen in Eau Claire.
He was married in Ean Claire to Miss Karen Buross and to them six children were born, viz: Charles M., Edward, Arthur, George, Victor and Sigurd. He was a loyal citizen, a kind hus- band and father, and took great pride in his home and family.
Arthur C. Mattison, an enterprising young business man of Eau ('laire, was born in this city, January 21, 1886; the son of Andrew and Karen (Buross) Mattison. Ilis father was born in Norway, in 1851, and came to America in 1863. In 1874 he came to Eau Claire, having learned the trade of blacksmith. After coming to Eau Claire he worked at his trade with Galvin, the blacksmith, for a time, and was later employed by lumber mills at his trade. He started a blacksmith shop of his own in North Barstow street and followed this occupation until his death in 1908. He married in Eau Claire Karen Buross, daughter of Christofer Buross, and they became the parents of nine chil- dren, as follows: Charles, who for twenty years, has been in the employ of the Standard Oil Company in Chicago; Edward and George, who are engaged in the sheel metal business in Chip- pewa Falls; Arthur, our subjeet; Sigurd, a jeweler of Eau Claire, and Vietor. Those deceased are: Emma, Matilda and Edward. Mathias Evanson, grandfather of Mr. A. C. Mattison, was born in Norway, where he spent his entire life. He had six children-four boys and two girls.
Arthur C., after finishing his edneation in the common and high schools of Eau Claire, taught school one year, then went to Chicago, where he learned the machinist trade, after which he learned the trade of tinsmith. Returning to Eau Claire he was in the employ of the Eau Claire Cornice and Heating Company for four years, and in February, 1912, purchased a one-half in-
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terest in the Eau Claire Sheet Metal works, who are now doing an extensive contract business. Mr. Mattison is a member of the Young Men's Christian Association, the Grace Lutheran Church, and the Civic & Commerce Association, while in polities he is independent.
The Eau Claire Sheet Metal Works was started in 1911 by George Jordan and Fred A. Gutsch, and was conducted by them until 1912, when Mr. Arthur C. Mattison purchased the interest of Mr. Jordan. They occupy the first floor and basement of a brick building, 30x70 feet, and mannfacture everything in the line of sheet metal.
Hector Mayheu, a resident of Eau Claire for thirty years, was bom in Canada, June 28, 1866, and is one of a family of six chil- dren born to Philomine and Celestin Mayheu. The others were Zotique, Celestin, Victoria, Philemene and Osias. The father died in 1870, when our subject was four years of age. The inother still survives and lives in Boileau, P. Q., Canada.
Mr. Mayheu came to Eau Claire in 1884, and for ten years was engaged in the lumber business. He later went into the saloon business on Water street, which he has followed for nine- teen years. Ile was married in 1899, at Chippewa Falls, to Miss Mary Lemay, and they have four children: Marie, Edwin, Jeanette and Ilector, Jr., all of whom were born in Eau Claire.
Mr. Mayheu is a member of St. Patrick's Church, and the Catholic Order of Foresters of Eau Claire.
Reynolds D. McAllister, the popular proprietor of the Me- Allister House, of Eau Claire, was born in the Province of New Brunswick, Canada, August 7. 1845. He came to Eau Claire during the balmy days of the lumber industry, in 1873. and for 10 years was engaged in the lumber business, and in 1884 he built the MeAllister Hotel, of which he has ever since been the genial proprietor. This hostelry is well known among the visitors to Eau Claire, and is usually overflowing with patronage.
On October 14, 1883, Mr. McAllister married Ellen G. Powers, to which union five children have been born : John M., Arthur M., Daniel E., Walter L. and Mary E.
Mr. McAllister holds membership in the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin and the St. Patrick's Church, of Eau Claire. He has never indulged in polities nor sought political preferment, pre- ferring the quiet of his home and family to the rabble of the political game.
James W. McCann, logger and general contractor of Fau Claire, is a native son of Wisconsin, having been born in Wal-
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BIOGRAPHY
worth county, this state, November 21, 1859, the son of Patrick and Mary (Kerrigan) McCann, both of whom came from Ireland. The father came to the United States in 1845 and first located in the state of New York. Ile married at Hoosick Falls, and came to Wisconsin in the early fifties and was numbered among the pioneer farmers of Walworth county. In 1862 he moved to Monroe county, where he was engaged in farming until his death at the age of 72 years. He had six children who grew to ma- turity, as follows: John, who owns the old homestead, is a farmer and extensive land owner in the town of Wilton, Mon- roe county ; James W .; Ella, now Mrs. Hugh Rice; Joseph, Ed- ward and Frank, all residing in Wilton, except Joseph and James W.
James W. went with his parents to Monroe county when he was three years old, and there grew to manhood on his father's farm and attended the public school. In 1876, when 17 years of age, he came to Eau Claire and for eleven years followed the woods and rivers. In 1887 he located at Ashland and there en- gaged in general contracting which he has since followed. In 1898 he returned to Eau Claire county and made his home on his 160-acre farm in Union township, which he had owned for 25 years. During the present year, 1914, he sold his land and moved into the city of Eau Claire, where he is giving his whole attention to logging and general contracting in paving, sewer building and the buying and selling of timber and farm lands.
Mr. McCann married in 1886 Miss Clara Ransom, daughter of Anson B. and Lucinda Ransom, of the town of Union. Their family consisted of five children, four of whom grew to maturity, as follows: Lucy L. is the wife of Joseph Briskie; Nellie, now Mrs. P. J. Bolin; Grace is deceased, and Evelyn. In May, 1906, Mrs. McCann died, and on February 18, 1908, Mr. MeCann was again married, this time to Ella Amborn, daughter of August and Emma (Pfaff) Amborn, of Union township. In politics Mr. McCann is a Republican, and religiously he is a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church. He is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters and the Modern Woodmen of America.
James L. McCann,* whose whole life has been spent in the state of Wisconsin, was born in Walworth county. September 12, 1856, and came to Eau Claire with his parents when a small boy. His education was obtained in the public schools, and in early life he was employed at lumbering, an occupation he fol- lowed until 1884. For a short time after severing his connection with the lumbering industry, he conducted a hotel, giving up
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this line of business to open a livery stable in which he is now engaged and conducts the largest livery business in Eau Claire county. Ile keeps over sixty head of horses and his equipment is of the best, and besides making a specialty of funeral service, he carries on a general dray and transfer business. Mr. MeCann has also done some farming, owning and operating at one time 200 acres in the town of Wheaton, which he sold in 1905. He now owns a farm in Seymour township, consisting of 135 acres, and another of 80 acres in Sheldon.
Mr. McCann married Miss Eliza Deveraux, of Milwaukee. He is one of the public spirited men of Eau Claire, always ready to lend his moral influence and financial aid to any worthy enter- prise. He takes an active interest in public affairs, and for eight years served as a member of the county board from the 9th ward. In religious belief, he is a Catholic and a member of St. Patrick's Church.
Laughlin, McCann, father of James L., was born in Ireland in 1825, and died in Eau Claire, October 22, 1898. Ile married Mary Costelo and they reared a family of twelve children, as fol- lows: Bedilia, born July 7, 1853, died February 11, 1910; Ann, born February 3, 1855, died January 23, 1886; James L., born September 12, 1856; Mary, born August 12, 1859; Clarence, born July 12, 1861, died September 21, 1907; Patrick, born May 17, 1863; Peter, born April 18, 1865; John, born February 21, 1867, died at Maryville, Washington, March 29, 1913; Joseph, born November 8, 1869; Agnes, born November 1, 1871; William, born in November, 1877 and Jessie, born November 18, 1879, both died in infancy. Mrs. McCann, mother of these children, survived her husband until 1904, when she too, passed away, honored and re- spected by all who knew her.
Nicholas Deveraux, father of Mrs. James L. McCann, who for many years was a resident of Milwaukee, married Mary Schein (?) of that city, and they were the parents of eight children : Eliza, Bridget, Kate, Michael, Robert, Thomas, William and Mary. The mother died in 1907, and the father moved to Waukesha, Wisconsin, where he now resides.
Samuel B. McCune,* who resides on section 15, Otter Creek township, is another native son of Wisconsin and is of Scotch- Irish ancestry. He was born in Fond du Lac county, November 18. 1862, to John M. and Mary J. (McConnell) MeCune, and is a grandson of Joseph MeCune who was descended from promi- nent Scotch and Irish families. The parents of Mr. MeCune were pioneers of this state, and ranked among the foremost citizens
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of their county. At the age of 62 years, the father died and the mother was burned to death by the explosion of a kerosene lamp.
Samuel B. was educated in the common schools of Wisconsin and has spent his whole life at farming. He owns a farm of 320 acres of good land in Otter Creek township, a large portion of which is under cultivation and well improved. Ile carries on general farming and stock raising and by his shrewd and econom- ical management since he purchased the farm, he has made it one of the most modern and model country homes in the county. Politically he is a Republican and believing in the principles of the Republican party, he takes an active interest in its affairs. Among the fraternal orders of which Mr. MeCune is a member are the Modern Woodmen of America and the National Fraternal League.
In 1886 Mr. MeCune married Miss Minnie Cook, and they are the parents of the following children: Frank, who married Miss Hazel Arries; Vera, now Mrs. Earl Ketchum: Cecil Cook; Verda May; Max; Hazel and Helen.
Frank McDonough, deceased, was one of that worthy class of sturdy men who wrought faithfully and well, and to whose work the county of Eau Claire and the Chippewa Valley owe much to their development. Coming to Eau Claire in 1863 without means, he worked his way to the top of the ladder, eventually realizing the fulfillment of his brightest hopes. His parents, Dennis and Rose (MeSloy) MeDonough, who were natives of the North of Ireland, eame to Canada in an early day where they established the family home and where at Ingersoll, Frank Me- Donough was born on April 2, 1846. ITis education was received in the common schools of his native country, and at the age of fifteen years, he was apprenticed to learn both the blacksmith and carpenter trade. For several years after his arrival in Eau Claire, he followed the occupation of millwright and finally be- eame identified with the Eau Claire Lumber Company, of which he was superintendent for many years, and in 1880 became a stockholder and director in the company.
Mr. MeDonough was in the best sense a thorough and prac- tical business man whose clear-cut, honorable methods, skillful management of affairs and sterling manliness in all his varied relations, made him a leader among his associates and a force for good in the community and city in which he lived. His life was clean, his motives pure, and no one could come within the range and sphere of his influence without recognizing the force of his strong personality and inherent manliness, elements of
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character which had much to do in securing to him the high place he held in business and commercial circles, as well as in his social and other relations. On January 1, 1888. he incor- porated what became known as the MeDonough Manufacturing Company. The factory was enlarged from time to time until it assumed large proportions, and the company manufactured all kinds of mill machinery. The demand for its well known goods came from all parts of the northwest, west and south. The suc- cess of the institution was largely due to his untiring efforts to build up this large establishment which employed many skilled workmen and was a benefit to the entire Chippewa Valley. He was its president and treasurer and the moving spirit in the con- cern. He was also a stockholder in the Chippewa Lumber and Boom Company, and the Eau Claire Street Railway Company. He was in truth a captain of industry and when times were ad- verse and misfortune seemed ready to crush him, his strong will and determination piloted him through the dangerous places and put him on a solid foundation. Ilis memory is cherished and kept in grateful remembrance for the important part he played in the commercial and material growth and development both of the institution with which he was so closely connected; and the city in which he lived.
Mr. MeDonough married, September 28, 1866, Miss Jennie Horan. daughter of Thomas Iloran, a resident of Canada. They had five children, as follows: Frank T., Catherine, Gilbert J., Mary and Violet. Politically Mr. MeDonough affiliated with the Republican party. Ile was a member of the Eau Claire common council for many years, was a member of several business men's associations and belonged to a number of benevolent and fra- ternal orders including the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin, the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He represented his district in the general assembly of the state, and at the time of his death, which occurred June 4, 1904, was serving as state senator from the 24th senatorial district.
James Henry McElroy, son of Patrick and Ellen (Crowley) MeElroy, is another one of the prominent farmers of Brunswick township, where he has resided since 1890. He was born at Mukwonago, Waukesha county, Wisconsin, June 11, 1855. He was educated in the common schools of his home town, and as he grew to manhood, worked on the farm for his parents. He was later employed by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail- road at construction work between Milwaukee and Eau Claire, and at the age of twenty-six, in 1881, he located in Eau Claire
FRANK MCDONOUGH
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and for several years was employed at lumbering. He farmed two years in Grant county, North Dakota, and in 1890 purehased the Aaron Wright and a part of the Helwig farm, comprising 160 acres, in the town of Brunswick, Eau Claire county, where he has since lived engaged in general farming and stock raising, at which he has met unusual success. He keeps a fine herd of milch cows, and does an extensive business in manufacturing butter for private parties in Ean Claire, for which he always receives the highest price.
Mr. MeElroy is one of the prominent and successful men in his section, public spirited, kind hearted and ever ready to lend a hand to those in need, and takes a commendable interest in all matters pertaining to his town and county. Ile is a Democrat in polities and has been honored as a member of the board of supervisors of his town. In religious affiliations he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
In 1881 Mr. MeElroy married in the town of Waukesha Miss Lydia A. Churchill, who was born in Wankesha county. Wiscon- sin, a daughter of Hiram De Forest, of New York state, and Mary A. (Howard) Churchill. Their children are Cora May, who married Chester Merrill. of Eau Claire; Minnie Belle, wife of Vietor Thomas, lives in Superior. Wis., and has one ehild Pearl; Iva Iona married Lloyd Winter, an expert butter maker of Eau Claire; James Henry Jr. married Margaret Bavaira, they reside in Brunswick on their farm, and has two children, Ralph J. and Ileine : Mabel Viola, born May 11, 1900, resides at home.
Hugh Jocelyn McGrath, whose death occurred November 7. 1899. from the effects of a gun shot wound received at the battle of Noveleta. Philippine Islands, was born at Fond du Lac, Wis .. April 8. 1856, and came with his parents to Eau Claire in 1859. Ile was educated in the publie schools of Ean Claire. and the University of Wisconsin. In 1876 he was admitted to West Point Academy and was gradnated in 1880, and joined his regiment. the 4th United States Cavalry. the following September, at Fort Reno, Okla., afterwards spending two years at the infantry and cavalry sehool at Fort Leavenworth. Kan., and for three years was instructor in military scienee at the University of Wiseonsin. During the Apache Indian trouble, Major MeGrath served in New Mexico and Arizona against Geronimo and other Apache chiefs. He was later stationed at Walla Walla, and at the time the Spanish-American War opened, was located at Vancouver Barraeks. He immediately asked for active duty, was promoted from Captain of the 4th Cavalry to Major in the volunteer en-
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gineers, and was sent to Jacksonville, Fla., where he was assigned to the 7th Army Corps, on the staff of General Green, later go- ing to Havana, Cuba, where he was ordered to layout the camps for the 7th corps, and there he remained until the corps was dis- banded. He was then sent to the Philippines, where he joined his regiment, the 4th Cavalry, having sailed from San Francisco on May 25, 1899, arriving at Manila about May 30.
Major MeGrath was married May 1, 1886, to Miss Lillian Blair, a daughter of General Blair, of Leavenworth, Kan. They had one son, Charles Blair MeGrath. Major MeGrath's second marriage was at Savannah, Ga., November 11, 1898, to Miss Mary Carson, daughter of Hon. William Carson, of Eau Claire. Major MeGrath was a young man full of zeal and chivalry, a live, wide- awake officer, a man for emergencies, and would undertake any- thing he was commanded to do by his superior officers. Nothing was impossible with him. He had a fine presence, and made a fine impression; in short, he was a model soldier.
Professor Dean C. Worcester, member of the Philippine Com- mission, in an interview on October 20, 1899, declared that Major (then Captain) MeGrath was one of the greatest heroes in the Philippines. "It was at Calamba," said Prof. Worcester, "an important town in Laguna de Bay, that was taken by Lawton. While the troops were in front of this town and in the face of a hot and furious fire from the Filipinos, it was found necessary to cross a stream that was swelled with recent rains, until it was most diffienlt to get over. There were neither boats nor rafts, but on the opposite side, and directly under the rifles of the Filipinos were two canoes."
"At that juncture, the hero revealed himself in the person of Captain MeGrath of the 4th Cavalry. He did not wait for orders, nor did he call for volunteers. Ile stripped and plunged into the whirling stream and came back half an hour later with two canoes. There were some bullet holes in the canoes by the time he got across with them, but they were made to serve the purpose of transporting a storming party across the stream, and the trench was taken. It was the most daring thing I ever witnessed, and I believe the most daring action that has come to my notice."
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