USA > Wisconsin > Langlade County > History of Langlade County, Wisconsin, from U. S. government survey to present time, with biographical sketches > Part 63
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The Jorgensen residence is at 216 Second avenue. Dr. Jorgensen is a member of the Knights of Pythias and Antigo Lodge No. 231 F. & A. M. He enjoys a lucrative practice in Langlade County and adjacent territory as well as being Chief Veterinary and Ser- geant in Battery "A," field artillery, Antigo's military unit.
CLAUDE CLIFFORD, Orchestra Leader, was born January 28, 1888, son of Eva and Charles Clifford. He attended the public schools of Antigo, his birth- place, after which he engaged in various occupations. He became interested in music at an early age and is now an expert drummer. Mr. Clifford organized Clifford's Orchestra twenty years ago.
He is married and has two children, Dorothy and Loretta. Mrs. Clifford was formerly Miss Mayme Weix, and the wedding was performed on November 19, 1908. The Clifford family reside at 130 Hudson street.
Clifford's Orchestra, popular and well known, has the following members: Claud Clifford, leader and drummer; Frank Janasek, cornet; Esther Fehring, piano; Mrs. Ruby Kimball, trombone. The orchestra has played at many events of local importance.
GEORGE W. SCHMITZ, Insurance Agent, was born February 22, 1890, the son of Elizabeth and Thomas Schmitz, early Antigo residents. He secured his edu- cation in the Antigo parochial schools and in 1908 graduated from the Antigo High School. He attended Culver Military Academy one year following his grad- uation. Mr. Schmitz then returned to Antigo where he entered the employ of the Antigo Daily Journal as Advertising Manager. Resigning this position he be- came manager of the Insurance Department of Morse & Tradewell from 1911-14. Since then he has been in business alone forming the George W. Schmitz Agency.
At the outbreak of the World War Mr. Schmitz en-
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tered the second reserve officers' training camp at Ft. Sheridan, August 27, 1917. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant November 27, 1917. Lieutenant Schmitz was promoted to First Lieutenant in July, 1918. He served at Camp Dodge, Iowa, and Decem- ber 13, 1918, was honorably discharged. June 15, 1920, he married Frances Zentner, daughter of F. T. Zentner, a former Cashier of the First National Bank
Corning, Ohio. Mr. Cody was also employed in the wholesale and retail meat market business conduct- ed by Mr. Holden. Here he worked from 1890 to 1893, when he sold out. He then went to Ashland, Wisconsin, where he took up employment as a loco- motive fireman on the Milwaukee, Lake Shore & West- ern Railway, which position he held until 1894. Mr. Cody then returned to Columbus, Ohio, again enter-
EDWARD CODY Former Chairman of the Langlade County Democratic Committee, President of the Cody Shoe Co., former City Treasurer of Antigo, Chairman of the Antigo Chapter, American Red Cross, and prominently identified with public activities during the World War, has been a resident of Antigo since 1901.
of Antigo. Mr. and Mrs. Schmitz have one child, Helene. George Schmitz is a member of the American Legion, the B. P. O. E., and K. of C. lodges.
EDWARD CODY, Postmaster, was born in New Lexington, Ohio, March 4, 1874. He attended the graded schools, finishing his education in 1890. In 1894 he took a commercial course in the Columbus Business College, Columbus, Ohio. When sixteen years of age he was employed by M. Holden, then en- gaged in the Furniture and Undertaking business at
ing the employ of Mr. Holden in his new grocery and meat market business at that place. He held this po- sition until 1901. While in Columbus he was Election Clerk in Precinct B, 9th Ward. In 1901 he came to Antigo, Wisconsin, bought out a shoe store and has been since in that business. He married Nellie J. M. Anderson, a grand-daughter of Niels Anderson, An- tigo's first merchant, March 31, 1902. In 1915 he was in- strumental in forming a corporation, known ; the Cody Shoe Co., of which he was made President. Mr. Cody was elected City Treasurer of Antigo in 1904,
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serving one term. He is a Vice President of the An- tigo Loan & Investment Co .; was Clerk of the Modern Woodmen for several years; held offices in the B. P. O. E. Lodge; went through the chairs of the K. of C. lodge, and is a fourth degree member of that order; was Chairman of the Democratic County Committee of Langlade County for ten consecutive years; a Di- rector and Treasurer of the Antigo Commercial Club, and Vice President of the Antigo Militia Company during the war. He is now Chairman of the Lang- lade County Chapter of the American Red Cross, which position he has held since its organization. He was one of the active committee members who put over all War Work in Langlade County. Sep- tember 1, 1921, he was elected State Treasurer of the Wisconsin Postmasters' Association. Mr. Cody has been postmaster of Antigo since February 24, 1915. Edward Cody played an important part in the organ- ization of Company G., Antigo's military unit in the World War.
JOHN PALMER, Grocer, came to Antigo with his parents, Anna and Emanuel Palmer, in the year 1883, when Antigo was a village. He was born in Apple- ton, October 23, 1881. He attended the public schools and high school of Antigo. Mr. Palmer engaged in farming work for four years, following which he en- gaged in the painting business for nine years. In 1909 he went into the grocery business, corner of Sixth avenue and Superior street, with Wencel Sipek. This firm was dissolved upon the death of Mr. Sipek in 1916. Mr. Palmer since conducted the business alone as Palmer's Grocery.
The subject of this sketch was married June 11, 1908, to Albina Sipek. Four children were born to this union. They are Vernon, John, Dorothy, and Jane. John Palmer is a member of the Charter Oak Lodge, Knights of Pythias. The Palmer residence is at 429 Edison street.
FRANK P. VER BRYCK, pioneer locomotive engi- neer, has served as such for half a century on the Chicago & Northwestern railroad, first the Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western railroad and then with the former, when in 1893 the property of the Lake Shore system was sold.
Mr. Ver Bryck was born January 1, 1854, in Gran- ville, Milwaukee County, the son of Samantha and Ralph P. Ver Bryck. He was the fourth of five child- ren. When an infant he moved with his parents to the Town of Eden, Fond du Lac County, from where the family moved to the city of Fond du Lac. It was here that he attended the public schools. At the age of seventeen he started as a railroad fireman, January 13, 1871, with the C. & N. W. R. R. Co. Two years later, February 13, 1873, he was promoted to the rank of locomotive engineer which he still holds. In 1872 Mr. Ver Bryck moved with his mother to Oshkosh, Winnebago County, where he lived until 1878 when he was transferred to the Chicago Division. Here he piloted out of Chicago on various important branches.
He returned to Wisconsin in 1881, taking up his resi- dence at Manitowoc. It was then that he entered the service of the M. L. S. & W. R. R. Co. He moved from Manitowoc to Kaukauna, thence to Ashland, from where, in 1887, he came to Antigo. He has made Antigo his home since. Mr. Ver Bryck, on January 13, 1923, will have rounded out fifty-two years con- tinuous services as a railroad man, fifty of which were spent as an engineer.
He was married to Elizabeth Clifford, of Janesville, on February 3, 1875. Mrs. Ver Bryck passed away in Antigo on September 2, 1920. Her remains were laid to rest in the old Antigo cemetery.
F. P. Ver Bryck has been prominently identified with public activity in Antigo for many years. He served as an Alderman from the First Ward contin- uously for eleven years and was for a long time Chair- man of the Board of Public Works of Antigo. From these offices he resigned when they conflicted with other duties. Mr. Ver Bryck is a member of the B. of L. E., a 32nd degree Mason, and a member of the Mystic Workers. He resides at 323 Seventh avenue.
CLIFFORD B. KNAPP, Grocer, was born in Osh- kosh, Winnebago County, May 8, 1879, son of Geor- giana and Edwin Knapp. He began life as a printer at the age of fourteen years, working in the Byron Van Keuren publishing plant, the Allen & Weidner plant, Baker Paper Company, Castle-Pierce plant, at Oshkosh, until when he came to Antigo in November, 1913. He was employed in Antigo as make-up man in the mechanical department of the Antigo Journal and later as Foreman of The Herald job department, from which he resigned in the fall of 1920.
Mr. Knapp opened the Knapp Grocery at 208 Hud- son street April 20, 1921. He was married Septem- ber 27, 1906, to Clara Boeder, to which union three children, Wilton, age 14; Edward, age 7, and Robert, age 3, were born. Mr. Knapp is a member of the F. R. A., M. W. A., and typographical union of Antigo. He has held many offices in Antigo fraternal circles, and was once Secretary of the Antigo Central Labor Union.
NICHOLAS JOHN GREISCH, Antigo Merchant, was born at Appleton, Outagamie County, June 22, 1883, son of Catherine and Fred Greisch. At an early age he left for Milwaukee and Chicago, having completed the graded schools at Appleton. Young Greisch followed the machinist's occupation. Mr. Greisch came to Antigo from Wausau, Marathon County, May 1, 1904. He engaged at once in the retail tea and coffee business which he has followed with success for the past eighteen years. In 1911 Mr. Greisch built the Greisch building on Fifth avenue. Important additions were made to this two story brick structure in 1918. The Greisch building is a lasting monument to the integrity of the subject of this sketch.
November 24, 1918, N. J. Greisch married Martha Welnetz, to which union, one child, Mary Elizabeth, was born. Mr. Greisch is a member of the Knights of
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Columbus and is a member of St. John's congregation. In 1921 he was a member of the Antigo Board of Education. The Greisch business is located at 724 Fifth avenue.
Fred Greisch, father of Nicholas J. Greisch, passed away when his son was two months old. His remains are buried at Appleton. Mrs. Fred Greisch is still living in that city.
ticed law at Wittenberg, Shawano County, for two to three years; moved to Oshkosh where he stayed two years; and then, because of ill health, moved to Elcho, Langlade County, where he took up a 160-acre home- stead. For five years he improved his holdings, built fine farm buildings, engaged in logging opera- tions and farmed. His health regained, in 1904 he moved to Antigo, associating with his father in the
UICN. ARTHUR GOODRICK Unanimous choice of the 1.ang'ade County bar for Municipal Judge fol- lowing the death of Judge f. W. Ilogan. Judge Goodrick was re- turned to the bench by the people in April, 1921. Judge Goodrick enjoyed a lucrative law practice prior to his elevation to the bench.
HON. ARTHUR GOODRICK, Municipal Judge, was born at Northport, Waupaca County, Wisconsin, September 3, 1874, the son of Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Goodrick. He moved with his parents to New London and thence to Shawano, where he spent his boyhood. Ill health forced him from High School after com- pleting three years, and for one year he divided his time between his father's law office and recuperating from illness. The next year he entered Lawrence College, Appleton, and two years later returned to the law office of his father, where he studied law. In 1894 he took a special examination and was admitted into the Senior law class, University of Wisconsin, graduating in 1895. Attorney Goodrick then prac-
practice of law under the firm name of Goodrick & Goodrick. This partnership was dissolved July 12, 1917. Attorney Goodrick then practiced alone. Upon the death of Hon. T. W. Hogan, Municipal Judge of Langlade County, the Langlade County Bar Associa- tion, at a special meeting, unanimously recommended the appointment of Attorney Goodrick as Municipal Judge, and on December 9, 1919, Governor Emanuel L. Phillip appointed him to that important office. In April, 1921, Judge Goodrick was returned to the bench by the people of the county for a new term, defeating Attorney George W. Latta. With the ex- ception of being township Chairman of Elcho prior to his appointment as Municipal Judge, Judge Good-
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rick held no public office. At the time of his eleva- tion to the bench he had one of the most lucrative and largest practices in Northern Wisconsin and ac- cepted the Judgeship at a considerable sacrifice from a pecuniary viewpoint. While Municipal Judge he has fearlessly and ably upheld the dignity of the of- fice.
Judge Goodrick is a member of the Commandery and other Masonic bodies, and the M. W. A. He was married to Miss Birdie Smith, of Chicago, Illinois, October 14, 1896, and they make their home at 402 Fifth Avenue, Antigo, Wis.
F. A. MILLARD, once a prominent Antigo Merchant, was born January 14, 1861, in Neenah, Wiscon- sin, the son of Johan and Susan Millard. At the age of six he moved to New London, Wisconsin. He resided on a farm for five years, returning then to a farm near Neenah. Leaving the farm, Mr. Millard was engaged in various clerical positions in Neenah with four concerns. He then went to Oshkosh, Winneba- go County, for a year and a half, and January 1, 1882, he came to Antigo, as one of the city's pioneers. Employed by L. D. Moses, Moses & Gray, Hessel & Leykom hardware, the Antigo-Edison Electric Light Company, then in the painting and papering business. Mr. Millard ended thus a variation of occupations by purchasing the Dan Mahoney stationery store which he operated for seven years. He then went to the Wolf River country engaging in logging for a year; returned to Antigo, buying out Harry Hopkins' sta- tionery business. He has been engaged in the same business since. Mr. Millard sold his interest in the Millard & Hartford book store and on August 1, 1922, he moved to Madison, Wisconsin.
F. A. Millard married Winnie B. Williams, pioneer Antigo woman, April 30, 1886. Two children were born to this union, Robert D., a University of Wisconsin graduate, and University of Pennsylvania graduate in the medical department. Doctor Robert Millard is now at Queen Hospital, Honolulu, H. I .; John Millard, younger son, is a University of Wiscon- sin student.
Mr. Millard is a member of the Masonic, E. F. U., Beavers, and F. R. A. fraternities .. Their Antigo residence was at 614 Eighth avenue.
HARRY E. RADTKE, Real Estate Dealer, was born at Caroline, Shawano County, Wisconsin, May 9, 1897, son of Gustav and Louise Radtke. He attended the graded schools after which he worked at various oc- cupations, driving for a doctor, worked as timber cruiser for his father, engaged in the manufacture of cheese, becoming manager of the W. A. Stanton fac- tory, at New London, Wis., purchased a cheese fac- tory at Bear Creek, Outagamie County, returned a year later to cruising and surveying with his father. Two years later he entered the employ of the Holub Real Estate Co., Wausau, Wisconsin. A year and a half later he came to Antigo opening the Radtke Real Estate Agency, with offices in the First National Bank building. Mr. Radtke is a member of the B. P. O. E.
GEORGE JOHN FRANZ, Antigo Merchant, was born April 23, 1870, near Nova Kdyne, Austria, the son of Mary and James Franz. While a boy he at- tended the public schools of Nova Kdyne for five years. He then entered the great spinning mills of Nova Kdyne and for four years was connected with the spinning and weaving departments. The desire to cross the Atlantic and settle in America was strong in his breast. This hope was realized when he land- ed at Baltimore, Md., September 27, 1884. He went to Milwaukee, worked in a factory, and then moved to Kewaunee. After working for a year on a farm he went to Rib Lake, Marathon County, where for a short time he was a sawmill worker. Mr. Franz returned to Milwaukee and worked twelve years in a tannery and twelve years for the Gem Hammock & Fly Net Company as foreman.
He came to Antigo, Wisconsin, June 12, 1914, pur- chased a property at Elm street and Third avenue, sold it and then bought his present property at Fourth avenue and Deleglise street. Mr. Franz since en- gaged in the retail grocery business at that location. He was married September 22, 1910, at St. John de Nepomac church, Milwaukee, Wis., to Maria Neuwirth. Five children, three girls and two boys, were born to this union. They are Maria, Anthony, Georgia, Harrietta, and Alice. Mr. Franz's father died in Austria in 1884. His mother died in Chicago in 1912. The Franz family attends St. Mary's Catholic church.
WILLIAM JACOB GIESE, Manager Beverage Plant, was born in the Town of Shields, Marquette County, April 18, 1890, son of Mary and William Giese. He attended District No. 4 rural schools, same township, following which he engaged in farm- ing on his father's farm until 1904, working on Albert Giese's, a brother's farm, in 1905. He then worked successively as timekeeper, Red Granite Monumental Co., six months. He was then called to Shields township because of his mother's illness; came to Antigo in June, 1906; September, 1906, called to Shields township because of his mother's death. While in Antigo has been employed as cement con- tractor for W. A. Stewart. Mr. Giese aided in con- struction of Court House, High School, and other public works. He worked with the Paine Lumber Co. in the fall of 1906, with his brother John Giese in Shields township, Marquette County, during that winter and in 1907; returned to Antigo working with A. Goldberg grocery department; September, 1907, with M. Krom & Son, until spring of 1908. His father died April 30, 1908, and Mr. Giese then went from Marquette County to Abbotsford where he hired out as a fireman on the Soo. He made his student trip to Minneapolis and decided that railroading was not to his desire.
He then engaged as solicitor for Kaisser & Johnson, wholesale grocers, Minneapolis, returning September 19, 1908, to Antigo. October 8, 1908, he opened An- tigo Cash Grocery as Vice President of corporation. In spring 1913 he entered employ Charles Hanzel,
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wholesale liquor dealer, where he was employed until July 1, 1918. Then entered Antigo Furniture & Un- dertaking Co., staying with them studying undertak- ing, until May 18, 1919. June 1, 1919, took up posi- tion as F. R. A. district manager, which he resigned December 5, 1921, to take over Antigo office of Taylor Beverage & Candy Co., Rhinelander, Wis.
Mr. Giese was married November 20, 1912, to Hen- rietta Meidam. They have two children, Marion Elizabeth and Melbourne James. Mr. Giese is a mem- ber of the K. C., F. R. A., Owls lodges. He is a member of St. John's congregation. The Giese resi- dence is at 916 Eighth Avenue, Antigo, Wis.
JOSEPH G. WIRIG, prominent citizen, was born in Oakland township, Jefferson County, May 23, 1871, son of Barbara Heidelman Wirig and Adam Wirig. He moved from the farm to Ft. Atkinson, Jefferson County, at an early age. Here he attended the public schools, after which he entered the employ of the Northwestern Manufacturing Company, of that city. At the age of seventeen, 1888, he began as an appren- tice to learn blacksmithing, which he has since fol- lowed. Mr. Wirig resided at Ft. Atkinson until 1889 when he went into northern Wisconsin, working at Gagen, named after Dan Gagen, pioneer fur trader. He then went to Eagle River, Vilas County, where he followed his trade for three years. Mr. Wirig then moved to Antigo where he has since been. He was a blacksmith for fifteen years for Laughlin & Kelly and was about twelve years with Leonard Freiburger. He then went into business alone, in 1917. He was a member of the original Antigo Wagon Works.
Mr. Wirig was married October 30, 1895, to Annie Richey and they have three children, Nora, a teacher ; Ruth, a nurse; and Marres, a medical student at the University of Wisconsin.
Mr. Wirig had served with credit as Supervisor and Alderman of the Sixth Ward, the latter seven years, and for three years as a member of the Board of Edu- cation. The Wirig residence is at 339 Virginia street.
NATHANIEL R. BABCOCK, Real Estate Dealer, was born in the town of Clayton, Winnebago County, January 20, 1868, the son of Malinda and Marvin Bab- cock. He received a common school education after which he attended the Marshfield High School. His school days ended, young Babcock began to meet the vicissitudes of life. He engaged in employment with a stave factory for two years at Marshfield, following which he was employed by the Vollmar & Krause general store. At this time, June 27, 1887, Marshfield was destroyed by fire. Mr. Babcock then went to Warren, Minnesota, where he farmed for one year, 1888. He returned to Marshfield, working a year in a hotel. Thirty-three years ago, 1889, he drove a number of horses up to Langlade for Charles Larze- lere and Charles McFarland. John Gibson was then mail carrier on the Military Road. He came to Antigo from Langlade when much of the intervening country was a vast wilderness. Returning to Marshfield Mr.
Babcock advised John Holley, G. H. Maxwell and others interested, to locate the stave mill (of the An- tigo Manufacturing Co.) they contemplated, at An- tigo, which they did in 1892. He was in their em- ploy until 1896-he assisted in clearing the land for the mill site-then associated with Jos. Duchac and Webster, of Chicago, Ill., in real estate business.
Many settlers have been located in the country through his activities.
He was married to Miss Ellethra Beattie, Clayton township, Winnebago County, September 6, 1893. One child, Orpha, was born to this union. Miss Babcock is a graduate of the Antigo High School, 1918, White- water Normal, 1920, and is now a teacher in the Ap- pleton High School commercial departmer.t. The Babcock home is at 232 Field street. Mr. Babcock has served as Alderman, five years on the Board of Education, as Chairman of the Building Committee of the present High School, and is now a member of the Park and Cemetery Board of the City of Antigo.
OTTO G. NOLTE, Shoe Merchant, was born in Winnebago County, January 18, 1881, the son of Kath- erine and A. C. Nolte. He attended the public schools of Oshkosh, where he moved with his parents when two years old. Leaving school he began office work in a wholesale shoe house from which he was promoted to stockman in the same business. He came to Antigo in November, 1903, and entered the employ of the First National Bank as a bookkeeper. He rose from bookkeeper to Assistant Cashier, resigning in April, 1921, to take over the Herbst Shoe Store, 811 Fifth avenue, which he has since owned.
Mr. Nolte was married to Euphemia Hill, daughter of the late George W. Hill, pioneer merchant and former Antigo Mayor, October 3, 1905. One son, Dexter George, was born to this union. Mr. Nolte is a member of the Elks lodge and the Masonic orders. The Nolte family reside at 319 Seventh avenue.
FREIDERICH GOTTFRIED GUNKEL, Antigo Baker, was born at Sollstedt, Province of Sachsen, Germany, December 3, 1868, son of Johanna and Heinrich Gunkel. He attended the schools of Soll- stedt until he was fourteen years old, after which he began to learn the baker trade, and for three years was in a bakery in Berlin, capital of Germany. When seventeen years old he came to America, October 10, 1903. For five years he engaged in his business at St. Louis, Mo., and on November 2, 1908, came to An- tigo where he has since conducted Antigo's oldest bakery establishment, 506 Superior street.
He was married to Othelia Bork, August 30, 1900, Berlin, Germany. Two children bless this union- Gertrude and Alfreda. Mr. Gunkel has made ex- tensive improvements in his bakery from time to time. It is well patronized.
LOUIS FRANK PETERS, Plumber, was born in the city of Wausau, Marathon County, April 19, 1883, the son of Antonette and Hugo Peters, natives of
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Germany. They came to Wisconsin early in the '60's settling in Milwaukee, later coming to Wausau, where they have since resided. Louis Peters received a common school education and at an early age learned the plumbing trade. He became a master plumber, or plumbing contractor, on April 5, 1904. April 15, 1904, he came to Antigo, where he has since lived. Mr. Peters was married to Christie Summ, September 17, 1907. One son was born, Marlowe Hugo, July 25, 1909. Louis F. Peters is an active member of An- tigo Lodge A. F. & A. M. No. 261, Antigo Chapter, Antigo Commandery No. 61, and the Tripoli Shrine of Milwaukee. He is a member of Antigo Lodge No. 662 B. P. O. E., also a member of Charter Oak Lodge, No. 150, Knights of Pythias. The Peters fam- ily reside at 419 Lincoln street.
CHARLES W. FISH. No better resume of the life of Charles W. Fish, one of the leading manufac- turers of Wisconsin and often referred to as the largest individual lumber operator in the United States can be told than the following, which appeared in a current issue of THE AMERICAN LUMBERMAN in 1918 :
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