History of Marathon County, Wisconsin and representative citizens, Part 80

Author: Marchetti, Louis. cn
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago : Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1042

USA > Wisconsin > Marathon County > History of Marathon County, Wisconsin and representative citizens > Part 80

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Kurt A. Beyreis was educated in the public schools of Holton, in the Medford High School in Taylor county, and the Northern Indiana Normal school at Valparaiso, Indiana. After leaving the above institu- tion in 1896 he began to teach the district schools and continued for

884

HISTORY OF MARATHON COUNTY

fourteen years and during this long period became well and favorably known over the county. In 1910 he was elected to the office of clerk of the circuit and municipal courts, on the democratic ticket, and sub- sequently was reelected and has served continuously since January I, 19II.

On October 7, 1903, Mr. Beyreis was married to Miss Mary Feala, a daughter of John Feala. Her death occurred July 5, 1911, and three children survive her: Myrtle, aged eight years; Gertrude, aged six years; and Arthur, who is three years old. Mr. Beyreis was reared in the Lutheran faith. He belongs to the Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Eagles, and also to the Commercial and Wausau Clubs.

NICHOLAS H. ZENDER, proprietor of the Crystal Hotel, at Wausau, situated on Third street, directly opposite the Marathon County Court House, an admirable location, has been in the hotel busi- ness here for ten years and his reputation as a host extends all over this section. He was born at New Riegel, Seneca county, O., September 12, 1861.

Nicholas H. Zender was reared and educated in Ohio and when he came West in 1885, he remained a resident of Chicago, Illinois, until November 20, 1886, when he came to Wisconsin and has been a resident of Wausau ever since. For about sixteen years he was in the retail " liquor business, after which he purchased the Crystal Hotel which he has made one of the leading hostelries of the city. It is a commodious brick structure, equipped with electric lights and steam heat, with baths and other conveniences, the same applying to the annex, in which there is provision for the entertaining of those guests who prefer buffet privileges. He conducts here also a cigar stand, billiard parlor and an excellent lunch room, the hotel proper being operated on the European plan. In every way possible Mr. Zender contributes to the comfort of the traveling public and his house is generally full of guests.

Mr. Zender belongs to the Odd Fellows, Eagles, and to the Elks. In politics he has his own opinions but for business reasons is not active. He is unmarried.

MICHAEL ANGEL HURLEY, who, for thirty-nine years was a member of the Marathon county bar in active practice but now retired, was universally recognized as a leader of the same, being an able advo-

885

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

cate and unusually gifted in oratory. He was born in the village of Bytown, in Ontario, Dominion of Canada, October 22, 1840, a son of William and Mary Hurley. His maternal grandfather was an officer in the Scotch Grays, a noted regiment in the British army which par- ticipated in the battle of Waterloo, where he lost his life. William Hurley was a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, and in early man- hood came to Canada and there became a railroad man. About 1841 he moved to Ogdensburg, N. Y., and there his death occurred in 1850.

Michael Angel Hurley was but ten years old when his father died and as his mother was an invalid he was practically, at that early age, thrown entirely upon his own resources. During his father's lifetime he had been carefully instructed and no doubt the father so impressed the child with a love of learning that aroused an ambition which the son cherished through many hardships until he secured the educational training that opened up the life career in which success crowned his efforts. After a comparatively short period in the public schools neces- sity made him seek some way of earning money, finding work as a sailor on the great lakes the first to come to hand, and with the money so earned he laid the foundation of his educational fund. In the fall of 1856 he secured employment in a sawmill at Schofield, Wisconsin, and remained until he had earned $400 and then secured a position at Stevens Point where he could work for his board and lodging and still have time for study. He was methodical and practical in his arrange- ments, engaging a local clergyman to direct his Latin studies, having learned his first verbs under his father, and another local scholar to teach him Greek, while, under the principal of the Stevens Point High School, he pursued a course in mathematics and in other higher branches. This plan he followed for several years, during this time occasionally teaching school as well as studying. In 1861 he secured a situation as a hotel clerk in Chicago, and while there took private lessons with the instructors in the old Chicago University.

From Chicago Mr. Hurley went to Berlin, Wisconsin, where he entered upon the study of law under the direction of Thomas Curran Ryan, and in 1869, at Dartford, Green Lake county, Wis., was admitted to the bar, and after his admission to the bar he formed a partnership with O. S. Silver, and later he formed a partnership with G. D. Waring and subsequently he was elected district attorney both of the city of Berlin, Green Lake county, and served one year in that office, when he resigned in October, 1873, came to Wausau, in the following month

886

HISTORY OF MARATHON COUNTY

forming a law partnership with Willis C. Silverthorn, the latter of whom subsequently was elected judge of the Sixteenth Judicial Cir- cuit. The firm of Silverthorn & Hurley became one of great legal prominence and gained reputation throughout this entire section during much successful litigation that passed through its hands. Notable was the case of the Gogebic Iron lands, in 1881, the owners of which engaged this firm to recover the titles which had been lost through tax titles. The consequent litigation was carried on through great and masterly skill by this firm and brought success to their clients and a one-fourth interest to the firm. Having reason to be grateful for the work accom- plished by Mr. Hurley in this case, these clients did him the honor of naming the present city of Hurley, Wisconsin, to perpetuate his name. In 1883 Mr. Ryan became a partner in the firm and in 1886 G. D Jones was admitted. In 1889 Mr. Hurley organized the Hurley Gold Mining Company, in California, and moved there to take charge of his interests and for two years engaged in the practice of law at San Fran- cisco. In the fall of 1897 he returned to Wausau and re-entered his old firm, and in 1898, when Mr. Silverthorn was elected to the bench, the firm was reorganized as Ryan, Hurley & Jones, and since the retire- ment of Mr. Ryan, has continued as Hurley & Jones, although, for the past five years, Mr. Hurley has only looked after his individual interests. Perhaps the state has no lawyer who has a superior knowledge of fundamental law than has Mr. Hurley and his address before the Wis- consin State Bar Association is held as a classic by the bench and bar of this state.

On June 16, 1874, Mr. Hurley was married to Miss Clara H. Leon- ard, a lady well known in social and philanthropic circles here. For several years she has served as president of the Ladies' Auxiliary Society and Advancement Association of Wausau. Mr. and Mrs. Hur- ley have had two sons, Fred and Judd, the former of whom died while the family resided in California. They are members of the Presby- terian church. In years past Mr. Hurley has responded to calls from the republican party for active campaign work, yet he has never sought nor desired political preferment, his profession claiming his entire time and interest. He has served as a member of the board of law examiners, appointed by the Supreme Court of Wisconsin, and is president of the Wisconsin State Bar Association. He is treasurer of the Northern Chief Iron Company. In times of public calamity or when private charity has been necessary, no one has been more ready or will-

HERMAN J. ABRAHAM

889

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

ing than has Mr. Hurley to assume responsibility. He has long been a member and liberal supporter of the Wausau City and the Wausau Country Clubs.

HERMAN J. ABRAHAM, sheriff of Marathon county, is well known in public, military and business circles at Wausau, of which city he is a native. His birth took place here February 14, 1870, and he is a son of Wil- liam F. and Hannah Abraham, both of whom were born in Germany. ' They came to Wausau in 1869 and the father engaged in manufacturing brick. His death occurred April 19, 1891, at the age of fifty-seven years. . He organ- ized the old Germania Guard, of which he was first lieutenant until he retired in 1884, a man well posted in military life as he was a veteran of the German- Austrian War of 1866. The mother survived until August, 1898. They had three sons and one daughter.

Herman J. Abraham attended the public schools at Wausau until old enough to be self-supporting and then continued his education in the night schools. For eighteen years he was foreman of the Curtis & Yale Company at Wausau. Inheriting perhaps his father's taste for military life, Mr. Abraham, who is now a major in the W. N. G., enlisted in Co. G, 3rd Inf., October 4, 1889. He was appointed corporal, September 5, 1890; sergeant, May 7, 1891; commissioned second lieutenant, January 7, 1892; commis- sioned first lieutenant, September 11, 1894; commissioned captain, January 14, 1896; commissioned captain Wisconsin Volunteers, May 11, 1898; par- ticipated in all the engagements with the 3rd Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers during the Spanish-American War ; mustered out with his regiment, January 4, 1899; commissioned captain W. N. G., March 28, 1900, with date of rank from January 14, 1896; commissioned major, May 15, 1910. His shooting record as a soldier reflects exceeding credit upon him in every contest. From 1891 until 1894 he was a member of the state and regimental teams; winner of the Falk Skirmish Medal in 1894; member of the state and regimental teams from 1895 to 1896: and winner of the Holway Diamond Medal in estimating distances in 1908. Major Abraham has been a lifelong Democrat and his loyal services have been shown appreciation. On January 1, 19II, he was appointed under sheriff of Marathon county, and in 1912 was elected sheriff on the Democratic ticket. A man of unflinching courage, proved valor and fortified by experience in the office of under sheriff, he seems exceptionally well fitted for the responsible office of sheriff. Personally he has friends in every section of the county. He has attended two General

890

HISTORY OF MARATHON COUNTY

Manoeuvres, in 1908 at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana, and in 1912 at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin.

On March 25, 1895, Sheriff Abraham was married to Miss Alvina Pieper, a daughter of Ludwig Pieper of Wausau, and they have three children : Douglas, Adaline and Gordon.

PAUL SEYMOUR, the genial proprietor of the Adams House, a first class hostelry, located on the corner of Jackson and Fourth streets, Wausau, has additional business interests, owning a saw mill with steam power at Nutterville, Marathon county, Wisconsin. Mr. Sey- mour was born in the town of Easton, Marathon county, July 4, 1870, and is a son of Nelson and Hattie Seymour, who came to Marathon county among the early permanent settlers.

Paul Seymour grew to manhood in the town of Easton and assisted his father in the care of the home farm of sixty-six acres. This property subsequently became his own and after selling the same he moved to Nutterville, where he purchased the mill and for eight years also con- ducted a store. On June 20, 1911, he took charge of the Adams House, Wausau, and from that time on patrons of this hotel have found com- fortable and pleasant conditions surrounding them, with an excellent meal service and at very reasonable rates. Mr. Seymour is justly pop- ular with the traveling public.

Mr. Seymour married Miss Jennie, an adopted daughter of Daniel Hardy, and they have four children: Earl, Grace, Roy and Elmer. Mr. Seymour is identified with the fraternal order of Eagles and belong also to the Germania.

EDWARD GENSMANN, a prosperous general farmer residing in the town of Main, owns 160 acres of fine land, 100 of which is cleared and ten acres of which is used by the state for a horticultural station. Mr. Gensmann was born at Wausau, Wisconsin, January 1, 1876, and is a son of Jacob and Amelia (Wilde) Gensmann.

Jacob Gensmann and wife were both born in Germany but came to Wausau prior to their marriage and now live in comfortable retire- ment in that city. During his active years he was a lumberman. Their children are: Jacob, William, Emma, wife of Paul Gebhardt; and Henry, Edward, Matilda, Leo and Lydia.

Edward Gensmann obtained his education in the public schools and afterward, up to ten years ago, followed logging as his business, since

891

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

which time he has been engaged in farming. On the land selected by the state as an experiment station, apple, plum and cherry trees were set out in 1897, and their experimental culture has shown that the climate and situation will produce the finest of apples and plums.

In 1902 Mr. Gensmann was married to Miss Hulda Machel, who was born in Marathon county, a daughter of Herman and Tena (Schultz) Machel, farming people in the town of Main. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Gensmann are: Matilda, wife of Albert Borchart ; Emil, Robert and Edward; Emma, wife of Anton Kluetz; and Clara, Herman and Walter. Mr. and Mrs. Gensmann have three children : Leo, Norman and Elmer. Politically Mr. Gensmann is a democrat and is a member of the town school board. With his family he belongs to St. Stephen's Church at Wausau.

ADOLPH KNOEDLER, who has conducted his harness making shop at Mosinee, Wisconsin, since 1892, is a representative business man and substantial citizen of the place. He was born in 1861, in Wur- temberg, Germany, and is a son of Jacob and Rosena ( Egender) Knoedler. The father of Mr. Knoedler was a small farmer in Germany and there he died. The mother still resides in the old country as do all of their ten children except three who came to America and one who died while serving in the German-French War in 1870-I. They were named: Joseph, Cieirack, Floren, John, Cresenzia C., Casper, Antone, Adolph, Julia and Carl.

Adolph Knoedler attended the German schools as is obligatory, and then learned the harness making and upholstery business before he was twenty years old, when he came to the United States. He located at Fort Dodge, Iowa, and worked there at his trade until 1888, when he went to Wausau, Wisconsin, where he was in the employ of George Lindsey, and from there in 1892, came to Mosinee. He has always been an industrious, careful man, one who thoroughly understands his busi- ness and has enjoyed excellent patronage. Mr. Knoedler has made property investments here and is one of the stockholders in the local telephone company. In politics he is a Republican and has served one term as a member of the town board and two terms as assessor.

In 1886 Mr. Knoedler was married to Miss Mary Alice Keefe, a daughter of William H. and Catherine (Kennedy) Keefe, of Halder, Wisconsin. Mrs. Knoedler has the following brothers and sisters: Maggie, John, Martin, Kate, Celia and William. Kate is the wife of

892

HISTORY OF MARATHON COUNTY

Albert Paronto, and Celia is the wife of Garry Hughes. Mr. and Mrs. Knoedler have one daughter and two sons. Daisy May, who is the wife of Walter Guenther, and they have three sons, Charles, Jacob and William. The family belongs to the Catholic church. Mr. Knoed- ler is a member of the Knights of Wisconsin and president of the same; belongs to the Knights of Columbus at Wausau; is president of the Fraternal Relief Association, and is secretary of the Catholic Relief Society of Mosinee.

LOUIS DEININGER, who is one of Marathon county's well known and highly respected men, resides on his valuable farm of 160 acres lying in section 26, town of Cassel, was born at Mckeesport, Pa., April 2, 1859, and is a son of Anson Michael and Maggie (Herly) Deininger. Anson Michael Deininger was born in Germany and was sixteen years of age when he came to America and went to work in coal mines in Pennsyl- vania. He married Maggie Herly, who was also born in Germany, and they had seven children, four of whom yet live. Louis was about seven- teen years old when the family came to Marathon county and located on the present home farm. At that time the entire tract was covered with heavy timber but the father, with the help of his sons cleared ninety acres. The father put up a residence on the site of which Louis Dein- inger later built the present comfortable brick residence. The parents died on this farm, the father living to the age of ninety-two years.

Louis Deininger attended the schools of Burnham, Pa., but after · coming to Marathon county found little time for books, work awaiting him on the farm and in the woods and in the saw mill at Mosinee. He here carries on general farming and on this place all his children have been born. He married Miss Annie Golbach, who was born in the town of Cassel, a daughter of Albert Golbach, and they have three children: Joseph, Rudy and Mary. The family belongs to St. Mary's Catholic Church. Mr. Deininger is a stockholder in the Edgar-Cassel Telephone Company, in the State Bank at Marathon City, and in the Marathon City Brewing Company. While never active in political life Mr. Dein- inger is a well informed man concerning public matters, and never fails to cast his vote for the Democratic party.

ALBERT J. FEHLHABER, president of the Berlin Farmers Mu- tual Fire and Lightning Insurance Company, of the town of Berlin, and since February 18, 1895, postmaster of the village of Naugart,

893

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

Wisconsin, is one of the representative men of this section of Marathon county and is proprietor of the leading general mercantile store at Naugart. He was born in the town of Berlin, October 2, 1869, and is a son of August and Amelia (Plisch) Fehlhaber.

After attending the public schools in his native town, Mr. Fehlhaber became a student in the Wausau High School and later in the Wausau Business College, after which he taught school for six years, in the towns of Maine, Rib Falls and Stettin. After his marriage he was a clerk in a store at Wausau for one year and then purchased his present store at Naugart, which was formerly conducted by William F. Beilke. He carries a large stock of staple merchandise and does a heavy busi- ness. Although the mercantile enterprise keeps him quite busy, he has found time to serve acceptably in a number of public offices, being secretary of the local board of health, and since October 1, 1908, has been a justice of the peace. As above stated, he became postmaster in February, 1895, and now has a rural route connection which was estab- lished May 15, 1904, the carrier being Henry W. Jehn, who covers over . twenty-five miles of territory. One daily mail is received at Naugart. Since October 1, 1908, Mr. Fehlhaber has been town clerk of Berlin, having been elected without opposition. He is also secretary of the Naugart Telephone Company. His position as the head of the Berlin Farmers Mutual Fire and Lightning Insurance Company is one of re- sponsibility, this organization carrying many risks through this section. It was incorporated December 27, 1875, with forty-seven mem- bers, the first officers being Albert Wendorf and A. W. Schmidt. The present officers are: Albert J. Fehlhaber, president; Frank Marth, vice president : F. G. Radloff, secretary; William F. Lemke, treasurer ; Frank Reinke, Marathon county assessor, and Fred Kleinschidt, Lin- coln county assessor. The following, Gust Bauman, Wm. Geise, and Joe Woller make up the board of directors, elections taking place an- nually, three members being elected for three years.

Mr. Fehlhaber was married to Miss Amelia Beilke, of Berlin, and they have two children: Lydia, who is assistant clerk in the postoffice ; and Francis, who is in school. The family belongs to the Lutheran church, Mr. Fehlhaber being a member of its board of trustees.

NICHOLAS J. SCHLAEFER, senior member of the firm of N. J. Schlaefer & Son, bakers, at Wausau, has been interested in this line here since the fall of 1908 and is a representative business man of the city.

894

HISTORY OF MARATHON COUNTY

He was born at Krisdaun, Germany, August 21, 1862, and is a son of Philip Schlaefer.

The parents of Mr. Schlaefer emigrated to America when he was young. They landed at New York and crossed the country as far as Chicago, Illinois, remaining there for two months or until the father had selected a farm in Washington county, Wisconsin, to which they then moved and lived on the same for several years. Later the family removed to a farm in Buffalo county and that continued the homestead for twenty years, the father owning this property for twelve years, when Nicholas J. purchased it and after owning it for eight years sold and then moved to Arcadia, Wisconsin. He went into the grain buying business for the W. W. Cargo Company, of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and after two years at Arcadia moved to Sherwood, and after three years there, to Appleton. In 1889, after two years there he came to Wausau and here was engaged in carpentering until 1908, when he went into the baking business, for which he has well equipped, sanitary quarters and finds constant employment in his plant for three skilled bakers.

Mr. Schlaefer was married February 3, 1885, in Buffalo county, Wisconsin, to Miss Elizabeth Theisen, and the following children have been born to them: John, who is associated with his father, was mar- ried September 17, 1912, to Clara Eskar; William, who is manager for the Paulsen Shoe Company, at La Crosse; Ida, who entered a convent and died in 1910 when aged twenty-three years; Erna Adelia, who died in 1909, when aged eighteen years; Clemence; Jacob, who died when aged five months ; and Cecilia, Mary, Nicholas, Marcella and Charles. The family belongs to the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Schlaefer is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters and also of St. Joseph's Society and has long been identified with the Eagles.

ALBERT JOHNSON, a well known resident of the town of Maine, where is situated his farm of 120 acres, was born in Norway, June 16. 1858, and is a son of John and Gena (Johnson) Johnson. In 1870 they came to Wisconsin and spent the rest of their lives in Waupaca county, where the father was a farmer. They had the following children: Cor- nelia, Anna, Albert, Gena, Tena, John and Lollie.

Albert Johnson was in his twelfth year when the family came to America and settled in Waupaca county, Wisconsin, where he remained until he was sixteen years of age and then came to Marathon county. Here he found plenty of work in the woods although it was very la-

895

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

borous, and he continued to work as a hired hand at logging until he was about twenty-five years old. Then he went into partnership in the logging business with Dennis Donohue and they continued together for twelve years. Mr. Johnson then went to Boyd, Wisconsin, where he bought a farm and lived on it for four years and then sold to ad- vantage and came to the one he now has in the town of Maine. The farm was cleared, but Mr. Johnson improved it and remodelled the buildings and now has a very comfortable home, and carries on general farming and is meeting with very satisfactory results.

In 1895 Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Minnie Liljequist, who was born at Wausau, January 20, 1872, a daughter of John and Alice (Johnson) Liljequist. The parents of Mrs. Johnson were born and married in Sweden and after coming to the United States lived for one year in New York and then came to Wausau, where he lived two years and then moved to Kelley, Wisconsin, where he followed farming and logging. Mr. Liljequist had eighteen years of medical practice in Sweden, but never had any diploma. He spent one year in Karlskrona, and one year in Malmo, Sweden, in hospitals studying medicine. After this he worked 18 years in a soldiers hospital caring for the sick. When his family came to Wausau there was only one building on the west side of the river and although not having a diploma he was ever ready to help or relieve the sick. Many a broken bone he set, healed old wounds, ex- tracted teeth, etc. Here he followed logging and farming. They had five children older than Mrs. Johnson: Mary, Frank, Charles, Alma and Oran, and three younger: William, Alice and Lawrence. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have two children: Albert and Hazel. They attend the Pres- byterian church at Wausau. Mr. Johnson casts his vote with the Re- publican party.

WILLIAM A. PAFF, who is a well known business man of Wassau, dealing in cement, lime, sand, sewer pipe, etc., with office at No. 216 Third street and with warehouse on Shingle street, was born in this city, June 17, 1870, and is a son of Jacob and Sophia (Doell) Paff. The father was born in Germany and when he came to the United States in the winter of 1848-49 he located at Wausau and here was engaged in a general mercantile business until in the early seventies, when he sold. His death occurred at Wausau.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Marathon County, Wisconsin and representative citizens, Part 80

Author: Marchetti, Louis. cn Publication date: 1913 Publisher: Chicago : Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1042

Author: Marchetti, Louis. cn
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago : Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1042