USA > Wisconsin > Langlade County > History of Langlade County, Wisconsin, from U. S. government survey to present time, with biographical sketches > Part 55
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HISTORY OF LANGLADE COUNTY.
cle) and a Beaver. The family attends the Unity Evangelical Church.
During the World War, Mr. Goebel proved himself a very loyal citizen. His newspaper was active in
the support of the United States and its allies. One son, Harvey, was overseas, fighting with the 107th Trench Mortar Battery, Antigo's unit. Erwin was too young to enlist.
Mr. Goebel has never cared for public life but takes a very keen interest in all matters that affect the com- munity.
JOHN W. BROWN. President and manager of the Langlade County Abstract Company, with which he has been identified since coming to Antigo in 1905, was born on Long Island, New York, January 1, 1851, the son of John J. and Hester E. (Townsend) Brown. In October, 1857, with his parents, he moved to Wiscon- sin, locating at Kilbourn, Columbia County, where his father later became postmaster and still later, was there occupied as express and insurance agent. In 1876 the father moved to Chicago, there continuing un- til death claimed him in 1891, the mother passing away in the same year. Thus John W. Brown was for the most part reared in Kilbourn, Wisconsin, and there he attended the public school and the Methodist Institute. In 1861 he went to work for the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company, his work being that of billing clerk at Kilbourn. From that position he stepped into the employ of the bank of Kilbourn and the law office con- ducted by Jonathan Bowman. For seventeen years he was employed in that bank, advancing in those years from the post of clerk to bookkeeper and in 1876 be- coming Cashier in which post he served until 1886, when he was elected Register of Deeds for Columbia County. For four years he held that office, and then moved to Berlin, Wis., to take a position as cashier of the Berlin National Bank continuing therein from 1891 to 1904. In 1905 he came to Antigo, Wisconsin, to take charge of the business he is now conducting.
Mr. Brown was married in 1877 at Kilbourn, Wiscon- sin to Miss Lucia Pedelupe, daughter of the Rev. J. B. Pedelupe, who was a native of Marseilles, France, and whose wife, Adeline Creteil, was born in Paris. The father was a Minister of the Episcopal church. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Brown: Adeline, the eldest, was the wife of the late Harry Hendall Bassett, Professor of English at the Universi- ty of Wisconsin, to which union four children were born; Robert P., now deceased, survived by his wife, Emilida Baensch Brown, a daughter of Judge Emil Baensch of Manitowoc County, and two children; and John Townsend Brown, engaged in business in Antigo.
Mr. Brown is a member of the I. O. O. F. and is a Past Grand Master of Wisconsin and he is also Past Grand Representative of the state. He is also a mem- ber of the Modern Woodmen of America.
He was a member of the Board of Supervisors of Columbia County for five years, is a Republican in pol- itics and has appeared as a delegate to many state con- ventions. He was chosen census supervisor for the
Ninth Census District of Wisconsin in 1910. Mr. Brown is a member of the Wisconsin Historical Socie- ty. The Brown residence is at 911 Clermont Street, Antigo, Wis.
V. DR. J. N. PROKUPEK. Among the prominent pro- fessional men of Langlade County, who have made notable successes in their work in Antigo is Dr. J. N. Prokupek, who has his dental offices in the First Na- tional Bank building.
Dr. Prokupek was born on a farm in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin, the son of Jennie and Joseph Pro- kupek. He attended rural school and the Kewaunee High School from which he graduated in 1902. Dr. Prokupek was also a student at Stevens Point Normal. He worked his way, so to speak, through both high school and later through the Wisconsin College of Physicians and Surgeons, now Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wis., from which institution he graduated in dentistry in 1912. He worked in Milwaukee until that fall coming to Antigo, November 10, 1912. Dr. Prokupek opened offices in the First National Bank building where he is now enjoying an extensive and lucrative practice. He is a member of the Central Wisconsin, the Wisconsin State and the National Den- tal Associations. Before entering college, Dr. Pro- kupek taught school, four years in Kewaunee County and three years in Dorr County, Wisconsin, to enable him to continue his education. He is a member of the Delta Tau Chapter, Psi Omega Dental Fraternity to which he was elected in 1912. Fraternally, Dr. Proku- pek is affiliated with the Beavers Reserve Fund Fra- ternity, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Loyal Order of Moose, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the T. J. Sokol Society and Charter Oak Lodge, Knights of Pythias.
Dr. Prokupek resides at 924 Fulton Street, Antigo, Wis.
ERNEST STRUBE. The late Ernest Strube, fath- er of Strube Brothers, Antigo painters and decorators, was born in Hanover, Germany, on August 31, 1859. He attended the schools of his native land and assisted his father in his baker shop until he attained his man- hood. At the age of twenty-one years he decided to im- migrate to America, to which nation he came the same year, 1879. Mr. Strube followed his trade of a painter and decorator in New York City and other places on the Atlantic coast. He had heard much of western United States and soon he moved to Sioux City, Iowa. Here he lived for a number of years. Mr. Strube came to Antigo, Langlade County, Wisconsin from Audabon, Iowa, in 1894.
An expert in his chosen field, he soon found a steady demand for his services. Before his death he has dec- orated some of the best Antigo residences and practi- cally all of the public buildings.
Mr. Strube was twice married. His first wife, Ber- tha Tott, a native of Holland, died in 1889. He re- married in 1892 to Mary Bartz a native of Sorau, Ger- many. The Strube children consisted of three girls and six boys; namely: Gustie and Bertha, deceased;
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HISTORY OF LANGLADE COUNTY.
Herman, who resides at 814 Fulton Street, Antigo, was united in marriage June 1, 1920 to Hulda Applekamp of Pratt Jct., Wis., and to which union two children, Paul and Irma, was born. George resides at 330 Dorr Street. He was united in marriage to Miss Annie Lansky of Antigo in 1915. One child, Morris, was born to this union. Ernest, Paul, Wilfred and Fred- erick all live at Manitowoc, Wis. Martha, a daughter, now Mrs. George Albright, is a resident of Antigo, Wis.
Ernest Strube passed away June 8, 1912 and lies at rest in the Antigo cemetery. He was an honored and respected citizen who enjoyed a wide acquaintance. Fraternally he was a member of the Mystic Workers of the World. He was a member of the Unity Evangeli- cal church of which congregation he was a pioneer.
JOHN F. UTNEHMER. Among the citizens of Langlade County, who are conspicuous pioneers and who have rendered distinct service to their community is John F. Utnehmer, the son of Charles and Sophia ( Douk) Utnehmer. He was born in Appleton, Outa- gamie County, Wisconsin, on June 25, 1879, the second of four children. When four years old he moved to Clintonville with his parents. In 1884 the family mov- ed to the Franklin District, Polar township, Lang- lade County. Here Mr. Utnehmer, as a boy and youth, aided on the farm during the rural school vacations. When twenty-one years old he started out in the world for himself, starting in at the bottom in the lumber business. He was engaged successively by Wunder- lich Brothers at Mayking, Norwood township, the T. D. Kellogg Lumber & Mfg. Company, at Polar, for three years; with the Crocker Chair Co., at Elton, Evergreen township; (he then spent four years on his farm in Polar township). The Utnehmer family then moved to Antigo where the subject of this sketch was employed by the old Antigo Lumber Company until they went bankrupt, then with the Tigerton Lumber Company at Tigerton and for four years with the Faust Lumber Company of Antigo. His occupation was that of a saw setter.
Mr. Utnehmer was chosen as a Night Patrolman of the Antigo Police Department on July 2, 1917, and has conducted himself admirably in that position. He has been instrumental in some of the most important cap- tures of "bootleggers" and other criminals in this sec- tion of the state, including the famous Hurley "boot- leggers" who attempted to pass through Antigo with thousands of dollars worth of wines and whiskey in 1920.
John F. Utnehmer was united in marriage on July 9, 1902, to Miss Clara Parsons, a daughter of Judge and Mrs. J. W. Parsons. Four children, Hattie, Walter, Oscar and Rueben, bless this union. The family re- sides at 157 Fred street. Mr. Utnehmer is a member of the Beaver's fraternity. His career has been one to reflect credit upon him as a citizen.
EDWARD F. KASKE. Among the younger busi- ness men of Antigo who has, by ability and perserver-
ance, forged to the front and conducts a highly success- ful enterprise is Edward F. Kaske, the son of Fred and Wihlemina (Brennecke) Kaske, pioneer Antigo resi- dents. Mr. Kaske was born March 5, 1896, in the city of Antigo. He attended the public schools of Antigo and the Antigo High School. He then engaged in rail- road work and various other business ventures until he opened up the Antigo Storage Battery Company shop at 611 Superior Street, Antigo, Wis., September 5, 1919.
Mr. Kaske was united in marriage to Miss Florence I. Kessen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Kessen of Bowler, Shawano County, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Kaske reside at 611 Superior Street.
Mr. and Mrs. Kaske are members of the Unity Evangelical Church.
'MICHAEL F. HELMBRECHT. Since in pioneer days the Helmbrecht family has played an import- ant part in the development of Langlade County. Michael F. Helmbrecht, a son of Joseph and Anna (Hartel) Helmbrecht was born November 5, 1897, in Peck township, Langlade County. He attended the Peck township rural schools after which he engaged in agriculture on his father's farm in Peck. Mr. Helm- brecht then entered the College of Agriculture, Uni- versity of Wisconsin, from which he graduated as an expert dairyman and manufacturer of cheese in Feb- ruary, 1918. He then went to Waterloo township, Al- lamakee County, Iowa, where for over two years he was in charge of dairy and cheese operations for the D. J. Murphy Cheese Company.
Mr. Helmbrecht then returned to Wisconsin and be- came proprietor of the Brookside Cheese Factory, Harrison township, Marathon County, which he pur- chased in 1920 from F. J. Jeske. Mr. Helmbrecht sold the factory to R. F. Pavlichek in 1922. He then ac- cepted a position as Manager of the Fernwood Dairy Produce Company, an Ackley township unit, with fac- tory located at "Woodcock's corner," west of Antigo.
June 29, 1920, Mr. Helmbrecht was united in mar- riage to Mary E. Sires, of Waukon, Iowa, to which union one child, Phyllis Jane, was born.
The Helmbrecht family attends St. John's Catholic church of Antigo and Mr. Helmbrecht is an active member of Antigo Council No. 1002, Knights of Colum- bus.
KARL BOERNER. In every community there may be found among its citizenship men who direct their lives in harmony with the old rule, known as that of the "Three P's-Push-Pluck and Perseverance." To this class Langlade County's only practical furrier, Karl Boerner belongs. Karl Boerner comes from a country in Europe that has produced some of the world's illustrious thinkers-in science, literature, phi- losophy, commerce, agriculture, state affairs and in economics. He was born in Einbeck, Province of Han- over, Germany, June 19, 1886, the son of Wilhelm and Christine (Eiland) Boerner. His early education was completed in Germany and then young Boerner follow-
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HISTORY OF LANGLADE COUNTY.
ed the skilled trade of his father and grandfather, that of a furrier. He is the third of three generations of old master furriers. Karl Boerner, his grandfather, was furrier to the Royal family of Hanover and the Duke of Cumberland; Wilhelm Boerner, his father, was awarded a Diploma of Honor in the Exposition of In- dustry at Hanover in 1876. Karl Boerner served in the Bavarian Army in 1887-90 at Nurenberg. Five years later, July 18, 1895, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Seeve of Brunswick, Germany. The mar- riage ceremony was performed at Magdeburg, Ger- many, where Karl Boerner's father-in-law resided. He was an inspector of railroads and is now retired from active life. To this union three children were born: Irmagarde, now Mrs. John Reckinger, of Antigo; Guenthner of Antigo and Richard, also of Antigo.
Mr. Boerner first visited Antigo in 1891 and stayed here for three years, then leaving for Chicago, Ill. He returned to Antigo in 1915 and has since had his furrier offices in the Molle building. He resides in Antigo township, just a short distance from the business sec- tion of Antigo.
The subject of this sketch has followed his profes- sion in Denmark and Sweden, the land of his nativity and in the United States and is an expert furrier.
He is a member of the Unity Evangelical Church and holds the office of Congregational Secretary. He has served as Justice of the Peace and as a school clerk in the district in which he resides in Antigo township. He is an officer in the Antigo rural telephone company.
Mr. Boerner can vividly recall many reminiscences of happenings in Antigo during his first business career here. He has made two visits to Europe since coming to America. Mr. Boerner is held in high regard as a citizen by a wide acquaintance which the present and coming generations can not do better than to emulate.
JULIUS BELOW. It is not always the men of a community who make the greatest clamor and who take the prominent places who contribute the most to the solid growth and development of a community. It is, rather, an undisputable fact that some of the quiet, steady-going and persistent men have left more indeli- ble marks upon their home town than a showy individ- ual. Among these reliables is none other than Julius Below, pioneer tailor and chiropractor. He studied his Chiropractic profession in Elizabeth Hospital. Mr. Below was born in Greminz, Germany, March 29, 1858, the son of Freida (Von Bork) and August Below. He attended the public schools of his birthplace and then learned the tailor trade and the profession now known as Chiropractics. Mr. Below immigrated to the United States, April 27, 1881, and worked in New York City thirteen weeks before coming to Oshkosh, Winnebago County, Wisconsin, where for seven years he followed his chosen field of endeavor. May 10, 1884, he was united in marriage to Minnie Herrssen, then of Osh- kosh, but a native of Germany. To this union eight children were born, namely: Walter of Antigo; Freida, now the wife of Dr. A. G. Tohey, Oshkosh, Wis .; Dor- othy, now Mrs. Eugene Schidt, Elmhurst, Wis .; Wil-
liam, of Antigo; Erna of Antigo; Leo of Belle Plaine, Iowa; Herbert of Antigo. Werner, a son, is deceas- ed.
The Below family attend the Unity Evangelical Church and the parental home is at 802 Lincoln Street, Antigo, Wis. Mr. Below has his offices in the Albers building. He is a member of the Modern Woodman of America and the Mystic Workers of the World. Leo Below served in the World War and Herbert Below was ready to embark for camp when the Armistice was signed.
Mr. Below was the third tailor to locate in Antigo, the others being Gustav Ulrich and F. Manthey.
Mr. Below learned his Chiropractic profession in Elizabeth Hospital, Polzen, Pommen, Germany.
PETER J. DUNN, a prominent railway conductor and a pioneer Antigo resident, was born in Montello, Marquette County, Wisconsin, April 1, 1881, the son of Della (Fox) and Daniel Dunn. At the age of five he moved with his parents to Antigo, then a little city, one year old. He attended the public and par- ochial schools and graduated from the Antigo High School with the class of 1898. Twelve pupils grad- uated at that time. He then engaged in clerical work for the Chicago & Northwestern railway, began later as a brakeman and worked his way up to the rank of a conductor, which position he now holds. Mr. Dunn was united in marriage to Margaret Huhn, a daughter of Jennie (Marx) and J. Huhn of Clinton- ville, Wisconsin, on January 7, 1914. To this union four children were born as follows: George, James, Davorn and Alice. Mr. Dunn and family attend St. John's Catholic church of Antigo, and he is a mem- ber of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen and the Knights of Columbus. He was appointed a member of the Advisory Board of the City of Antigo by Mayor Charles J. Hanzel in 1920.
The Dunn residence is at 508 Deleglise street.
Daniel Dunn passed away on December 25, 1904, and he lies buried in the Antigo cemetery. His wife is still living on Deleglise street.
The identification which the late Daniel Dunn has with the city of Antigo was for its best good. The Dunn family possess many qualities of excellence and are respected for the high character of their cit- izenship.
PETER PETROWSKI. A pioneer Antigo resident, who has been employed by the old Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western Railroad and the Chicago & North- western railroad for years, was born in Offen, German Poland, on April 16, 1855, the son of Carrie (Ossows- kae) and Jacob Petrowski. He attended the parochial schools of Offen after which he secured employment on the railroad entering Offen. In 1881 he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Zolodawske of Offen. The following year, Mr. and Mrs. Petrowski sailed from the native land to the United States, coming direct to Lang- lade County, Wisconsin. They settled at Antigo. Mr. Petrowski thereupon secured employment with the
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Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western railroad and work- ed for that concern until its purchase in 1893 by the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company. He will be pensioned for faithful and honorable service in 1924.
Mr. and Mrs. Petrowski had eleven children, two of whom are deceased. They are Peter and Frank. The chirdren living are Benjamin, John, Francis, Ellen, Mary, Carrie, Olga, Agnes and Mae, now Mrs. George Schlobasky of Fond du Lac, Wis.
The Petrowski family attends St. Hyacinth's Catholic church of Antigo. They have a fine home at 414 Doersch street, Antigo. The citizens of the United States of Polish descent are as patriotic as any native born American. When the call to arms went forth in the United States the sons of Mr. Petrowski responded. John and Benjamin both served their country gallantly. John was in a hos- pital before and after his overseas experiences. John enlisted in March, 1918, serving a year overseas with the 112th Machine Gun Batallion of the 29th Divis- ion in the Alsace and Meuse Argonne battles, the most terrific in which American infantrymen partici- pated. He was honorably discharged in July, 1919. Benjamin served with Co. L. 125th Michigan Infan- try. He was wounded in the arm by machine gun bullets while in the Meuse Argonne sector. He was also shell shocked as a result of his war services and is now in the U. S. hospital, Maywood, a suburb of Chicago, Ill.
JOHN HOLLEY. Langlade County, it has been fittingly said, owes her greatest and best develop- ment to those men who have given their time and lives to the cultivation of the then waste places of the county and those who have aided in the commer- cial and industrial growth of Antigo, the county-seat, and its vicinity. One of the citizens of Antigo whose energy, sagacity and industry has enabled him to aid in the up-building of an important commercial enter- prise, The Antigo Manufacturing Company, is John Holley.
John Holley was born in Ballycairn, Waterford County, Ireland, on March 15, 1847. As a boy Mr. Holley spent some time in the land of his nativity coming to the United States after the death of his mother. He imigrated to this country with his father, three brothers and two sisters, settling at New Orleans, Louisiana. When the father died the sisters and brothers separated and gradually became scattered to different points in the south. John Holley spent part of his boyhood days in Kentucky from where he went to Cincinnatti, Ohio. From Ohio he came north to Wisconsin and took up residence with a sister, who had previously moved to Menasha, Winnebago Coun- ty, Wisconsin. He made his first trip into Northern Wisconsin when he was a lad of sixteen. At that time he came to Merrill, called Jenny then, and floated a raft of logs down the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers. This trip was a long and dangerous one over falls and rapids but at the elapse of six weeks he had
safely arrived at his destination, St. Louis, Mo. Fol- lowing this hazardous experience Mr. Holley spent some time as a pilot on the Great Lakes and subse- quently engaged in the timber industry in the great "pineries" of Northern Wisconsin, Michigan and Min- nesota. After his marriage to Miss Mattie Babcock of Neenah, Winnebago County, Wisconsin, in 1885, Mr. and Mrs. Holley moved to Marshfield, Wood County, Wisconsin, where Mr. Holley engaged as foreman in the manufacturing plant of Ex-Governor William H. Upham. In 1891 he came to Antigo, then six years old as an incorporated city, and in company with two brothers-in-law, H. A. Babcock, of Neenah, George Maxwell and G. K. Meneely, started the Antigo Manufacturing Company.
The plant was the first manufacturing plant in Antigo to establish a ten hour day and a weekly pay system. Later the company purchased the Henry Sherry Company at Kent and operated a small mill there for a number of years. A mill was operated at Mattoon, Shawano County, Wisconsin, by the same concern for several years. The Antigo Manufactur- ing Company originally manufactured staves, head- ing and broom handles but now is engaged in the manufacture of broom handles only.
The Holley family reside at 303 Sixth Avenue. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Holley, as follows: Morris, the eldest, died in infancy; Malin- da, now Mrs. Newton Rosenheimer, of Kewaskum, Washington County, Wisconsin; Mary, now Mrs. Er- nest Johnson, of Iron River, Michigan; and Harriet, who resides with her parents in Antigo. During the long career of John Holley in Langlade County, he has ever possessed the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens and in a work of this character de- serves honorable reference.
CARL OLSEN. Among the men of Langlade County who have won the confidence and esteem of their fellow men by the ability they have displayed while engaged as a public servant, none are better known than Carl Olsen, of Elcho township, the pres- ent Highway Commissioner of Langlade County. Commissioner Olsen was born at Larvik, Norway, Sep- tember 26, 1872, the son of Ole G. Olsen and Trena Christoferson Olsen. During his boyhood he attended the public schools of Norway. When but eighteen years of age he imigrated to the United States, arriv- ing in this country in September, 1890. He settled at Rhinelander, Oneida County, Wisconsin, where he en- gaged in sawmill work and was employed on the Wis- consin river in the lumbering industry. He stayed at Rhinelander until January, 1900, when he then moved to Elcho township, where he has since resided. He lived in Elcho village for about three years working for the Jones Lumber Company as a carriage rider and also worked in their lumber yard. He then pur- chased eighty acres of land northeast of Elcho and has, with his family, lived on that property since. For four winters he logged extensively for Richardson Brothers, of Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin.
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HISTORY OF LANGLADE COUNTY.
Mr. Olsen was married at Rhinelander, Wisconsin, on November 27, 1897, to Emelia Warg, to which union nine children were born-seven sons and two daugh- ters, namely, Delia, Orville, Clarence, Friedolf, Edwin (deceased), Rudolf, Emil, Edward, and Inez.
Mr. Olsen is a member of the Elcho Lodge of the Mystic Workers of the World. The family attends the Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Olsen has held the position of County Highway Commissioner since January, 1917, being elected at the November, 1916, session of the Langlade County Board. During his administration the roads of the County have been de- veloped to a higher degree of efficiency than at any time previously.
LYMAN A. STEFFEN, M. D. The name of Stef- fen has been identified with the progress of Antigo for nearly forty years and will continue for many years to come, no doubt, to be synonomous with good citizenship and civic advancement. Dr. Lyman A. Stef- fen was born July 20, 1887, in Antigo, Langlade Coun- ty, Wisconsin, the son of Dr. I. D. and Effie L. Stef- fen. As a boy Dr. Steffen attended the public schools of Antigo, then but a few years old as an incorpor- ated city, and in June, 1905, he was graduated from the Antigo High School. He entered the University of Wisconsin in the fall of 1905 and until the fall of 1908 he was with that institution. While there he was chosen a member of the Apha Delta Phi fraternity. He then entered the medical department of the Uni- versity of Chicago, being there from 1908 to 1910. The next two years, 1910-12 he spent at the famous Rush Medical College, from which he graduated in June, 1912. While at Rush he was honored with mem- bership in the Alpha Kappa Kappa medical fratern- ity. Following his graduation the young medic served for nearly a year as interne at St. Anthony de Padua Hospital in Chicago.
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