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 87
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James M. grew to manhood in Iowa, was educated in the common schools and began life as a farmer in his native state. He came to Eau Claire county in 1887 and settled on a farm of 190 acres in the town of Seymour, to which he has subsequently added until now his farm contains 230 acres of well cultivated land, improved with substantial buildings. From 1887 to 1906 Mr. Vance carried on farming operations on this farm. In the last named year he turned the management over to his son, Martin Roy, and since that time has given his sole attention to highway bridge contracting in northwestern Wisconsin, his operations extending over nine counties. This business was started by Mr. Vance in 1902 and for four years he carried it on in connection with his farming operations, but the business grew to such large proportions he finally turned his farm business over to his son, as stated above. Mr. Vance has always taken an active interest in social as well as civic affairs and has been many times honored by his friends for office. He was elected and served as chairman and clerk of the town of Seymour for about sixteen years. He was elected treasurer of Eau Claire county and served in that capacity during the years of 1905, '06, '07 and '08. In polities he is a Republican, while fraternally he is a member of Eau Claire Lodge, No. 112, A. F. & A. M.
On October 24, 1878, he married Miss Jeannette Rogers, daughter of Archibald and Agnes Rogers, natives of Dundee, Scotland, and pioncers of Waukesha county, Wisconsin. They have a family of five children living, as follows: James T .; John A., in business with father; Jesse George, Methodist Episcopal minister; Martin R., on farm, and Jennie D)., at home, and two deceased, Willard and Charles.
Henry Clay Van Hovenberg, deceased, one of the very early settlers of this part of Wisconsin, and closely identified with the primitive struggles of the city and county of Eau Claire, was
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horn September 25, 1831, in Schenectady county, New York, and was the son of Dewitt and Katherine (Beeker) Van lovenberg, and grandson of Rudolph and Lydia (Van Dyck) Van lloven- berg. He was educated in the county schools and the city of Schenectady, and in 1842 came west to Wisconsin with his parents and settled in Green Lake county. There Henry Clay Van Ilov- enberg followed the ocenpation of farming until about twenty years of age, when becoming allured by the current stories of Eau Claire, he came here in 1856, and for more than half a century made this his home. For five or six years after locating here, he followed the business of carpenter and joiner, also tak- ing up the work of millwright. Ile became associated with Mr. Flavius Mills, and they started the publication of the Chippewa Valley News, which in 1869 became the Eau Claire News, the publication of which was continued by them until 1870, when Mr. Van Hovenberg sold his interest to W. F. Bailey.
Mr. Van Hovenberg took an active part in the organization of the town government of west Eau Claire and was for many years engaged in the implement business with the late JJacob Strum, which business had been closed out somewhat prior to the death of Mr. Van Hovenberg. He was for many years largely interested in real estate in Ean Claire and was prosperous and successful in all his business ventures. He was prominent in the Congregational church, and at times conducted serviees at school houses and missions, and was a member of the New York Society of Cincinnati. His grandfather, Rudolph Van Hoven- berg, was one of the original members of the New York Society of Cincinnati, having signed the roll in 1783. A portion of his journal while with the Sullivan expedition is found in Cook's journals of the military expeditions of Major General John Sullivan.
In 1860 Mr. Van Hovenberg married Mary Eliza Pease, who died in 1873. To this nnion were born the following children: Dewitt JJoseph, who died September 28, 1913, at the age of 52 years: Mary Elizabeth married Ehi W. Keek, on December 29, 1908; Katherine was married June 15, 1899, to Harold Winthrop Brown and resides at Dover, New Hampshire: Margaret, who was married July 8, 1891, to Frank Asa Morrill, resides in Nor- wood, Massachusetts, and Karl Henry, who is a praetieing law- yer and a professor in the public schools of Chicago. In Septem- ber, 1880, Mr. Van Hovenberg was again married, this time to Mrs. Sarah Stinehfield Teague, who still survives and makes her
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home in the city of Eau Claire. Mr. Van Hovenberg died Jann- ary 3, 1910.
Albert Ventzke, a representative citizen and substantial farmer, whose fine farm of 200 acres adjoins the village of Fall Creek, is another of Wisconsin's native sons, having been born in Marathon county, this state, and is the eldest of a family of seven children born to Albert and Minnie ( Wartleman) Ventzke. Of the others, Gustav is now in Montana; Minnie is the wife of Henry Wittmer; Emma is the wife of William Scheefelbin ; Laura is the wife of Julius Haas; Anna married Julius Kranz, and Ida, who is the wife of Reinhold Stobe. The parents were both born in the Province of Pommerian, Germany, and in an early day emigrated to the United States, settling in Wisconsin, where the father died at the age of 64 years. The mother still survives and is honored and respected by her many friends and aeqnaint- ances.
Albert received his education in the common schools and came to Eau Claire county in 1874. He has always been a hard work- ing man, energetic, thrifty and economical, and has carved his way to the top round of the ladder. His 200 acre farm, which for the most part is under a good state of cultivation and im- proved with a substantial and commodious dwelling, barns and other out buildings, makes an ideal country home, of which he may well be proud. He is engaged in general farming and stock raising, and uses the most modern methods in his operations. In politics he is independent and takes a lively interest in all public matters in his town and county. He is a member of the Lutheran church and contributes liberally to its support.
Mr. Ventzke married Miss Julia Stabenow, of Fall Creek, and they have an interesting family of three children, two sons and one daughter, named respectively, Herman, Amanda and Walter Ventzke.
Memory Victory,* one of the early settlers and highly re- spected citizens of Augusta, where he is now engaged in the grain business, is the son of Thomas J. and Eliza (Dodge) Victory, and was horn at Masena, St. Lawrence county, New York, April 3, 1833, and is named after his grandfather, Memory Victory, who, as did his other ancestors, followed agricultural pursuits in New England. Thomas Victory, father of our subject, left the state of New York with his family for the west in 1859, and the same year settled on a farm in Wisconsin, where he followed the life of a farmer until his death.
Memory Victory was raised on his father's farm, receiving a
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common school education. He followed the vocation of farming until 1870, when he engaged in the mercantile business which he followed until 1905 and again engaged in farming, and is now associated with his son in the buying and shipping of hay and grain. In 1870 he married Miss Elisa Crowles, a native of St. Lawrence county, New York, and they have had four children, only one of whom, Wallace O'Dell Victory, is living and in busi- ness with his father. Mr. Victory is a Democrat in polities and has held several local offices. He is a high minded, publie spirited man and takes a lively interest in all matters of benefit to his town and county.
Amos Ward, for forty-eight years a resident and highly re- spected citizen of Eau Claire, is a native of Canada and was born September 20, 1830. When a young boy he left Canada and from that time until 1866 lived in the states of Maine and Pennsyl- vania. For several years during his residence in Maine he was engaged in farming and shipbuilding. He lived nine years in Potter county, Pennsylvania, and from there he came to Wis- consin. arriving in Eau Claire August 15, 1866. Soon after his arrival here he entered the employ of the Daniel Shaw Lumber Company, with whom he remained until 1905, at which time the interests of this company were sold. During the civil war Mr. Ward enlisted in Company C. One Hundred and Forty-eighth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served two years. Ile was mustered out and honorably discharged at the close of the war in 1865. Ile is a member of Eagle Post, No. 52, Grand Army of the Republic, of Eau Claire, and for a number of years has lived in retirement.
Mr. Ward was married in the state of Maine to Miss Lydia M. Trott, by whom he has six children : Charles R., who is a prac- ticing physician in the city of Eau Claire and resides at home : Syntha; Eva J .; Louis, who is also a physician and resides at Bemidji, Minn .; Allen and Kate. His daughter Syntha married A. E. Henderson, a physician, and also resides at Bemidji, Min.
Samuel Welke,* of Lincoln township, is the only surviving member of a family of five children born to Gottleib and Mary (Steinke) Welke, in the Province of Posen, Germany. Ile was born on January 14, 1837; the other children were Theodore. Gustav, Robert and Julia, who married William Harding.
Mr. Welke attended the common schools of his native conn- try, where he remained until sixteen years of age, and in 1853 the family emigrated to the United States. Soon after arriving they located in Marquette county, Wisconsin, and there the par-
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ents spent the balance of their lives, the father dying at the age of 91 and the mother at 96 years of age. Samuel Welke remained with his parents in Marquette county seven years, and in 1861 moved to Eau Claire county and purehased 80 aeres of State Uni- versity lands, paying for same $2.50 per acre. The eity of Eau Claire at that time was only a small village, with one store and one hotel, and this was Mr. Welke's nearest trading point. Loyal to his adopted country, Mr. Welke in 1864 enlisted as a private under Captain Stocking in Company G, Forty-eighth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served for ten months, principally in Missouri. After his honorable discharge he returned to Eau Claire and resumed his farming operations, which have since ab- sorbed his time and attention. His farm, which is now being operated by his son, John, consists of 160 acres of highly cul- tivated and well improved land in sections 24 and 25, Lincoln township. The residenee and outbuildings are substantial and eommodious and the farming equipment is modern and up-to- date.
Mr. Welke was married to Wilhemina Wing, and they have four children, two sons and two daughters. John resides on the home farm, which he carries on with good suceess; Fred lives in Altoona, this county; Julia married Charles Kisler, and Emma is the wife of William Grant. A member of the Lutheran church, Mr. Welke contributes liberally to its support. He has been a resident of Eau Claire county for more than half a century and has not only seen but has taken an active part in the trans- formation that has taken place in the county from a wild and uncultivated state, inhabited by wild game and beasts. to one of fine farms and lovely homes. He has also taken an active in- terest in the public affairs of the county and has always been ready to co-operate in any movement which he has considered for the improvement of the county.
James P. Welsh, chief of the fire department of Eau Claire, was born in Eau Claire on March 22, 1865. His father, James Welsh, was born on Prince Edwards Island in the year 1838 and was a lumberman by trade. He eame to Eau Claire in 1857, being one of the very early settlers, and was employed by various companies for a time, then became connected with the Eau Claire Lumber Company, with whom he remained for about forty years, during that time being in charge of sorting works on the Eau Claire river. His death occurred on June 14, 1897, at the age of fifty-nine years. Mrs. Welsh, mother of our subject, was Miss Mariah Beckwith, who was born in Dane county, Wisconsin,
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February 22, 1841. They had a family of eleven children, viz: James P. (our subjeet), John, William, Edward, Kattie, Peter, Arthur, who are all deceased; Frederick is connected with the Eau Claire fire department; Ella is married to Charles Halblieb, a conductor on the Omaha railroad; Albert is a gas fitter in Eau Claire, and Frank is a railroad conductor. Mr. Welsh was a stauneh Democrat in polities and a member of the Catholic church. He was buried in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Eau Claire.
James P. obtained a good common school edneation and his first employment was with Charles Alber, of Eau Claire, where he went to learn the trade of furrier, but remained at this work only about six months, then went to work in the grocery store of Bonell & MeGraw, and later in the store of N. J. MeIntyre, remaining in this latter position about two years. From 1882 to 1889 he worked at the lumbering business in its various branehes, and on September 1, 1889, he became connected with the Eau Claire fire department in the eapaeity of pipeman ; on November 1, 1891, he was made superintendent of firm alarm; on May 4, 1899, he was appointed eity electrician; May 4, 1901, was ap- pointed fire warden; May 4, 1905, was appointed assistant chief, filling all four positions at one and the same time; November 2, 1906, he was appointed ehief, at which time he resigned the above four offices and has since been at the head of the department, where he has proven himself a most worthy official. At this date he has given more than twenty-five years of an unbroken service in the fire department.
Mr. Welsh is independent in his polities, is a member of the Catholic church and the Catholic Knights of Wiseonsin. He was married on May 27, 1890, to Miss Evelyn Van Strattum, daughter of A. H. Van Strattum, of Appleton, Wis., and five children have been born to them, as follows: Vernona E .. Evelyn, William W., Dorothy and Patricia, who died in infancy.
Albert J. Wenzel,# president and general manager of the Wenzel Broom Company, of Eau Claire, was born at Angusta, this county, February 13, 1873. His father, Julius Wenzel, was born in Germany, and in 1872 he married Pauline Wagner, and the same year came to America. He settled at Augusta and en- gaged in farming, an oeenpation he has followed all his life. He is now, 1914, residing on his home farm and has reached the age of seventy-eight years, and is a member of the German Lutheran Church. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wenzel, as fol- lows: Albert J., the subject of this sketch; Emil F., treasurer of the Wenzel Broom Company; Anna ; Bertha, who keeps house
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for her father, and two children who died very young. The mother of these children died April 2, 1911.
Albert J. was raised on the farm and attended the common school. Starting out in life for himself, he found employment first in the planing mills of various companies, among them being the Rice Lake Lumber Company, N. C. Foster & Company and the Iron River Lumber Company. Later he went west and worked at the earpenter's trade in Oklahoma and Arkansas. He was a member of the firm of Red Rock Land & Lumber Company, and was also engaged in the manufacture of wagon spokes in Okla- homa. Returning to Eau Claire, he followed carpentering for several years during the summer months and assisted in erecting furnaces in the winters. In 1912, associated with his brother, Emil F., he started in a small way in the manufacture of brooms, and on June 13, 1913. the Wenzel Broom Company was ineor- porated under the laws of Wisconsin with a capital of $30,000.00. he being president and manager of the company and his brother, Emil, treasurer.
Mr. Wenzel married Amelia Zank, daughter of Christ Zank. of Augusta, and one son, Henry, was born. Mrs. Wenzel died September 3, 1910, and was buried at Red Bank. Arkansas. On November 16, 1913, Mr. Wenzel again married. taking for his second wife, Emma Sehaek, who died on March 16, 1914, and her remains laid to rest in Eau Claire cemetery. Mr. Wenzel is a member of the German Lutheran church, of which he is trustee, and politically is an independent Republiean.
Charles F. West has attained a position of prominence in publie life as well as in the business circles of Eau Claire. He is a native son of Wisconsin and was born in the town of Bruns- wiek, county of Eau Claire, January 24, 1863, of German parent- age. ITis father, John West, was born in Germany and was one of the pioneer settlers of Eau Claire county. having come here in 1854. He was a farmer by occupation and owned 320 acres of choice land in Brunswick township. He married Charlotte Roech, and to them two children were born, Charles F., the sub- jeet of this sketeh and Mary W., who is the wife of F. W. Wol- tersdorf, who is associated with Mr. West in the cigar business. They have one child. Hazel. The father died October 11. 1883. and is survived by his widow and the two children.
Born and reared on a farm. Charles F. received his education in the public schools, and in 1879 started in the eigar business. Ile is a member of the popular and well known firm of West & Woltersdorf, manufacturers of Havana and domestic cigars.
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Their factory at 770 First avenue, Eau Claire, is an important center for the manufacture of high grade eigars, some of the best brands in the country coming from their factory. The popular brands made by them include the Mascot and Ean Claire Crooks and Mildeza of the 10c grade, and the San Rexo. Miss West, Lit- tle Mascot in 5e goods. Their business covers the whole North- western Wisconsin and their already large trade is constantly increasing.
Mr. West was united in marriage with Miss Louise Schriner. of Sand Lake, New York, and they are the parents of 5 children, viz. : Charles F. Jr., deceased ; Ruth M., deceased; Lulu, deceased ; Charlotte M., and Frederick J. Among the fraternal and benev- olent societies of Eau Claire with which Mr. West is connected, may be mentioned Freeden Lodge, No. 254. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias. Equitable Fraternal Union and the American Yeomen.
In public affairs he is no less aetive and influential than in business, and has for many years been identified with the Demo- cratie party. He is chairman of the 10th Congressional district, and also chairman of the Eau Claire county Democratie eentral committee, has been assessor for ten years, and is now, 1914, candidate for postmaster of Eau Claire.
Charles Westberg,* shipping clerk for the Dells Lumber Com- pany of Eau Claire, who resides on his farm in Brunswick town- ship, was born near Gothenburg, Sweden, March 29, 1857, the son of Erick and Annie (Anderson) Westberg. The father was a well-known farmer near Gothenburg, where he and his wife spent their lives. They were the parents of seven children, who are all now deceased excepting Charles, our subject.
Charles received his education in the publie schools and re- mained at home, assisting his parents in the farm work until 1881, when he came to America, landing first in Philadelphia. Hle came West to Wisconsin and located at Eau Claire, and for nineteen years was employed by the Northwestern Lumber Com- pany in and around their mills at Porter's Mills. In 1900 he moved to the city of Eau Claire and was engaged in grading hum- ber for the same firm six years, being continuously in their em- ploy for twenty-five years. In 1906 he became connected with the Dells Lumber Company as shipping elerk and still holds that position. In 1909 he purchased the Campbell farm of 80 acres in Brunswick township, where he resides with his family, his son, Warner Westberg, having charge of the farming operations.
Mr. Westberg has been twice married. His first wife was
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Tillie Borg, who is now deceased. She was the mother of three children : John A., an engineer on the Northwestern railroad, Nora and Tillie. For his second wife Mr. Westberg married An- nie Johnson, daughter of John Johnson, of Eau Claire, and the following children have been born: Leonard. Warner, Escall, Arthur, Ruth and Chestea.
Mr. Westberg is a Lutheran in religious belief and con- tributes liberally to the support of the church, and is a Repub- lican in politics.
Samuel S. Wethern,* of Union township, is one of the wide- awake, prosperous and thrifty farmers of Eau Claire county. HIe was born at New Portland, Somerset county, Maine, Novem- ber 22, 1861. His parents, Samuel Gonld and Asenath (Quint) Wethern, were both natives of Maine and of Welsh and Scotch- Irish descent, and at this writing (1913) the father is still living at the age of 81 years, making his home in Los Angeles, Cali- fornia.
Samuel S. spent his youth in Maine, receiving his education in the common schools. Becoming interested in the possible fortunes to be made in Wisconsin, when he reached the age of twenty, in 1881, he came to Eau Claire county where he soon found employment as driver for the Daniel Shaw Lumber Com- pany, which position he held for five years, and for the next two years ocenpied a like position with Jobn Jacobs and at the same time did some farming. He purchased a farm of 148 acres of raw timber land situated in the town of Union in 1886, and the following year by himself cleared and improved twenty acres, working a part of the time by moonlight to accomplish his purpose. He subsequently added to his original purchase until he now owns 257 acres of well improved and highly culti- vated land, all of which has been reclaimed from its wild state and subdued by Mr. Wethern. ITis buildings are substantial and commodious and he keeps his place well stocked with good horses, cattle and hogs and uses in his farming operations the most modern and up-to-date methods, and by his shrewd and economical management since he purchased his farm he has made it one of the most attractive country homes in the county.
On April 4, 1888, Mr. Wethern was married to Miss Margaret McMillan, a lady of charming personality and daughter of Alvin and Sophia (Hunter) McMillan, natives of Nova Scotia and prominent pioneer settlers of Eau Claire. To Mr. and Mrs. Wethern have been born three children. viz .: Floyd, Charles and Margaret Asenath.
NELSON C. WILCOX
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A man of prominence and public spiritedness, Mr. Wethern takes a commendable interest in all public affairs and is always ready to assist in furthering any movement which tends to the development and advancement of his town and county. Ile served as chairman of the Union town board for thirteen years and is now serving his second term as chairman of the Eau Claire county board and was a member of the committee ap- pointed to select a site for the Eau Claire county training school for teachers. Politically Mr. Wethern is a Republican, while fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of Pythias.
Nelson Chapman Wilcox, deceased, who for many years was prominent among the leading citizens of Eau Claire, Wis .. was a native of New York state and was born in Oneida county on January 1, 1836. He was the only son of Reuben and Louisa (Chapman) Wilcox. Reuben Wilcox was born in Connecticut in 1796 and lived to the age of 85 years. Nelson Wilcox' mother died at the age of 28 years, when he was 10 months old. The early ancestors of Mr. Wilcox were of English descent and came to the United States early in colonial times.
Nelson C. was reared on his father's farm, attending the dis- triet school and assisting in the farm work. When he reached the age of 19 he entered the Oxford Academy, where he com- pleted his education. At the age of 20, in 1856, he came west to Eau Claire and was employed by the firm of Chapman & Thorp, both of whom were his uncles. He remained with them until 1861 and then engaged in business with W. J. Bridges. At the end of two years he disposed of his interests and went to Massa- chusetts on account of the ill health of his wife. Returning to Eau Claire, he went into the logging business, which he fol- lowed until 1867, then disposed of his interests and again went East with his wife. At the end of one year he returned to Eau Claire, but did not again engage in business until 1880, when, associated with G. B. Chapman and B. J. Churchill, he opened a general store under the firm name of G. B. Chapman & Co.
Mr. Wileox married in 1861 Miss Frances A. Blanchard, a native of Chautauqua county, New York, and who died in 1868. On June 28, 1870, he was married again, this time to Mrs. Angie T. Bellinger, by whom he had three children, viz: Roy P., born June 30, 1873, a prominent attorney of Eau Claire; Nelson J., born January 27, 1875, an attorney-at-law in practice at Min- neapolis, and Thorp J. Wilcox, half owner of the Linderman Box & Veneer Company, born May 20. 1877.
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