USA > Wisconsin > Monroe County > History of Monroe County, Wisconsin, past and present : including an account of the cities, towns and villages of the county [microform] > Part 65
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Skirmishes: La Pax. Abra, December 7. 1899: Caramine. near Banna, December 9, 1899: Salsona, T. N., December 10, 1899; Manintin, I. N., December 11, 1899; Cabagoin Grande. December 22, 1899; Caban Garang. I. N., January 14, 1901.
December 7, 1899, defeated insurgent forees at La Pax. Abra, killing General Quesada, insurgent paymaster, and captured his money and payrolls.
Just prior to his leaving the Orient for America, his command presented him with a handsome diamond ring.
Upon his return to Wisconsin from the Philippines he was pre- sented with a beautiful solid gold medal by the state of Wiscon- sin. This medal was designed by Gov. J. O. Davidson and Gen. C. R. Boardman. Engraved on one side were the words: "Wis- consin-Distinguished Military Service." and on the reverse, "Presented to Capt. Frank L. French. Sparta, Wis .. late of the Thirty-fourth U. S. V., by act of the Legislature. 1901." His Sparta friends presented him with a handsome gold-mounted sword and scabbard, with a sole-leather trunk case for same. Captain French was tendered a commission in the regular army by President MeKinley, but decided to remain a citizen of Sparta.
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BIOGRAPHY
Joseph Gasper, a successful farmer who resides in section seven, Portland township, was born in LaPorte county, Indiana, November 9, 1858. Ilis parents, William and Lena (Green) Gasper, were natives of Germany, and after their marriage, came to Illinois and located in Chicago in 1848, which at that time was a small village. He first found employment in a brickyard, and after three years, moved to LaPorte county. Indiana, where he carried on farming for twelve years. In 1865 the family moved to La Crosse county, Wisconsin, and settled on 120 acres of wild land in Washington township which the father imme- diately set to work to clear and soon he erected a log house and some outbuildings which sufficed until the dawn of better days, and here they experienced the hardships of pioneer life and passed the remainder of their days. He died at Tunnel City, Monroe county, in 1886 at the age of seventy-four years, and Mrs. Gasper passed away in Washington township. La Crosse county, in 1882 at the age of sixty-three. They had a family of thirteen children, viz: Peter. deceased: John resides in Michi- gan City. Ind. ; Mary, now Mrs. John Keefer, lives at Michigan City: Kate and Mary are deceased: Nicholas lives in Michigan ('ity: Emma is deceased; Anna, wife of S. Strittmatter, of La Crosse county ; William, of Adrian township: John, who was a twin brother of our subject, is deceased, as is also Eliza- beth; John Henry is road master for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company, resides at Chillicothe, Mo.
In 1882 Mr. Joseph Gasper was united in marriage with Miss Clara Brecht, daughter and fourth child in a family of five children born to John and Katherine Brecht, early settlers of La Crosse county. The others are Katherine, wife of Amil Moser. of Cripple Creek. Colo .: Anna, wife of August Hunt, deceased ; Margaret. wife of C. F. Brown, resides at Desota, Wis., and John of La Crosse. To Mr. and Mrs. Casper have been born six children, viz: Laura, wife of Frank Zebell, of Portland township; Louisa, married Henry Whitehead, and resides at Bangor, La Crosse county ; John, Frank J .. William and Kath- erine reside at home.
Mr. Gasper received his education in the district school and remained on the home farm until twenty-four years of age when he started farming for himself on a rented farm. Seven years later he purchased 160 acres of land in Washington town- ship, La Crosse county and after four years, in 1892, he disposed of his interests in La Crosse county and purchased his present farm of 160 acres. 120 of which is under a high state of culti-
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vation. When Mr. Gasper first moved to his present farm, there were no buildings but an old log house; he has since erected a commodious dwelling, substantial barns, machinery shed, wind- mill and made other improvements. Besides general farming and dairying, he is engaged in raising Holstein-Fresian cattle and Poland-China hogs, and is one of the most progressive men of the community. At the age of eighteen Mr. Gasper started to run a threshing machine which he followed each season for seventeen years. He takes an active interest in the affairs of his township, has been supervisor for three years, chairman of the board one year, and treasurer for twelve years of school district number five and is now serving as clerk of school dis- trict number five of Portland township.
Emil Gerke,* who now resides on section nineteen. Sparta township, is one of the wide-awake and enterprising young farmers of Monroe county, was born in La Crosse county. Wis- consin, May 31. 1882. the son of Fred and Dorothy (Clements) Gerke. The father, a native of Germany, came to the United States when fifteen years of age, located in La Crosse county. Wisconsin, where he married, and there spent the greater part of his life engaged in farming. He was one of the representative citi- zens of La Crosse county. a kind father and husband. and at the time of his death, which occurred June 24. 1911, at the age of sixty years, held the confidence and esteem of his wide circle of friends. Mr. and Mrs. Gerke had a family of seven children. as follows: Frank lives at La Crosse. Con Peter is on the home farm, Louisa is the wife of Edward Smaltz, of Bangor. Wis .; Christina is the wife of Frank Kirschner. of La Crosse county : Emma is the wife of Charles Stark and resides in Sparta township; Sophia and Maggie reside at home with their mother.
Emil Gerke attended the district schools at La Crosse county. and remained on the home farm until he was fifteen years of age. During the next seven years he was variously employed at farm work, his last employer being William Cassel, who died on June 1, 1904, and in 1905. Mr. Gerke purchased the farm. which he has since successfully carried on, and has made ex- tensive improvements. He has built a barn, 36 by 96 feet. erected a sito, windmill, and made other improvements. The land is under a high state of cultivation. from which he reaps an abundant harvest each year.
On July 24, 1906, Mr. Gerke was married to Miss Lena Leek, daughter of Fred and Amelia (Paiz) Leek. of Sparta township. Mrs. Gerke died in November. 1911, leaving besides her worthy
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husband, two children named Clara Amelia and Dorothy Hulda. In religious faith Mr. Gerke is a member of St. Patrick's Catholie church of Sparta.
Henry F. Gerke, one of the influential and successful farmers of Ridgeville township, was born in Hanover, Germany, Septem- ber 12. 1846, the son of II- O. and Sophia (Klingo) Gerke. Mr. Gerke emigrated to America in 1866 and located first in Mil- waukee, where he worked out at odd jobs, and made his home with his uncle, Gus Kling. He remained there three years, then came to Tomah and remained one year with a sister, then went to Olmstead county, Minnesota, where he remained for a time, then in 1871 returned to Monroe county and purchased 160 acres of land in seetion two, Ridgeville township; he later sold eighty acres of land to his brother, but since has acquired by purchase, additional acres until he now owns 320 acres in sections two and three.
Being thrown on his own resources at an early age, Mr. Gerke started out in life with nothing but his native ability, and has by hard work, thrift and economy worked his way to a commanding position of influence in his town. When he purchased the home- stead, where he now resides, the land was raw and in a wild state ; he erected a modest house in which he lived for fifteen years. and set diligently to work to clear and improve his land. He worked hard and overcame many obstacles, and in the end gained success. In 1909 he built a large and commodious residence, and with his large lawn and handsome shade trees, all set out with his own hands. his well built barn and outbuildings, makes his one of the ideal country homes in Ridgeville township. Mr. Gerke takes pride in making his farm one of the best in the county, and keeps it well stocked with Percheron horses and Durham cattle. He uses the latest up-to-date methods in his farming operations, and his place is well supplied with modern labor-saving devices. Mr. Gerke is one of the solid men of his town and is well known as one of the public spirited and successful citizens. He is active in all matters of interest in his community. and secretary of the German Mutual Insurance Company, which was organized in 1876, and incorporated in 1895. Its total assets are $8,990.37, and in every way on a sound foundation. Winand Mullenburg is its president. In politics Mr. Gerke is independent, while in religious matters he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church.
Mr. Gerke was married at Oconomowoc, Wis., in October, 1871. to Miss Dorothy Winzenburg, whose parents also came from Ger- many. Mr. and Mrs. Gerke have a family of eight children, as
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follows: Henry W., Lena. Rudolph. Hermenia. Fred. Mary, Ferdi- nand and Julius.
William H. Gerke, a successful German farmer of Wilton township, and owner of about 460 acres of fine farm land. is the son of Henry and Sophia (Cling) Gerke, natives of Germany, where the mother died. and William was born on June 5, 1856. He came to America with his father in 1869 and first located in Tomah, but after a short time moved to the town of Adrian and later to Ridgeville, where the father died in 1873. William worked as a farm hand and attended school until he was seventeen years old. He was a steady and economical young man, and through his faithful efforts. he managed to acemmlate sav- ings sufficient to purchase a 100 acre farm in Wilton township in 1877, to which he added from time to time, including a half section, which he purchased in North Dakota, until he now owns abont 460 acres. He has made many lasting and valuable improvements on his farm in way of cul- tivation and buildings. In 1883 he erected a new modern resi- dence and the following year a commodions barn and other out- buildings to correspond. He makes a specialty of dairying and raises the best grade of stock of all kinds. He is a Democrat in polities, was treasurer of the town of Wilton for two years, chairman of the board for four years, school treasurer for twenty- three years and a member of the Lutheran church.
On March 15, 1877. he was married in Wilton to Miss Caroline Behrens. danghter of Fred and Mina Behrens, both natives of Germany, who came to America in 1867 and located in Wilton on a farm of 140 acres in section five, where they lived until 1897; the mother died two years previous. Mrs. Gerke is one of a family of twelve children, two of whom are living. Her people were members of the Lutheran church.
Mr. and Mrs. Gerke have had a family of twelve children. eleven of whom are living. viz. : Fred. born June 10. 1877 : Gusta. born April 26, 1880: Lizzie, born October 13, 1882: Willie, born November 18, 1883: Carrie, born November 18. 1885 : Julius, born August 8, 1887: Clara, born August 9. 1889: Albert, born October 12. 1891: Ida. born May 17, 1893: Johnny. born April 18. 1896. and Ella. born February 24. 1900.
Arthur N. Getman*, a progressive farmer of section nine. LaGrange township. is a native of Monroe county. and was born on the farm where he resides on August 23. 1868. the son of Will- iam and Fidelia (Vandervort) Getman, who were also natives of Wisconsin. having been born in Waukesha county. this state.
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They came to Monroe county in 1866 and settled on the farm where our subject now resides. The farm at this time being mostly wild land. the father started to improve the place and establish the family home. He erected a small frame house, 16 x 20, which for a few years was used as a dwelling, which was afterwards remodeled and changed to a convenient and sub- stantial residence. Ile cleared the timber and made other improve- ments as conditions and circumstances afforded. following his trade of shoemaker in the meantime. He was possessed of that thrift and progressive spirit common to his German-Scotch ances- try. and at the time of his death, which occurred on January 6, 1884. at the age of forty-two years. had his land under a good state of cultivation and was held in high esteem by his many friends. His widow still survives and is now the wife of M. L. Johnson, of LaGrange township. By a previous marriage to Al Featherly, she had one son. Albert Featherly, who now resides at Seattle. Wash. In the Getman family there are five children, viz. : Arthur N .. Harry lives in Michigan. Frank resides at Tomah, Jennie is the wife of Pete Richerson, of Ohio, and Lester, who lives at Evanston, Ill.
Arthur N. spent his boyhood on his father's farm. attending the district school. He early found employment with the Good- year Lumber Company and was thus employed by them and others for about seven years. In 1888 he purchased the homestead farm and has since continued to make that his home. He has cleared ten more aeres, erected all the present buildings and otherwise made many lasting improvements. Mr. Getman is one of the hustling men of Monroe county and is wide awake to all matters pertaining to the betterment of his town and county. He has been school treasurer of his distriet for seven years: has been overseer of highways and is now serving as township treasurer. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.
On January 27, 1891, Mr. Getman was married to Miss Hattie Steele, of Valley Junction, Wis. Their children are Deeda, wife of Harry Sucat. of Grant township: Katie. Jennie. Wallace, Edgar and Ruth Getman.
George Gilbertson*, one of the wide awake native sons of Monroe county, was born in the town of Leon. October 24, 1870. and is the son of Ole G. and Rebecca (Peterson) Gilbertson. both natives of Norway. The father came to America in 1865, and located in the Leon valley. where he worked as a farm laborer for three years. He then bought a homestead right to 160 acres of land. title to which he obtained from the
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Government. There he made his home for forty-two years. In his family were nine children, eight of whom are now living, viz .: George. Mary, Anton, Oscar, Milton, Emma. Otto and Albert. He received a good common school education in his native country, was a great reader and kept himself well posted on all current events. In polities he was a Republican and a leader in the affairs of the party, and exerted a powerful influence in the Leon valley, and was an intimate friend of the Hon. JJohn R. Jones, and the two were considered stalwarts. He was chairman of the Repub- lican county convention and for many years chairman of the township committee. and was a delegate to many conventions. He held the office of assessor of the town of Leon for twenty years. and in religious matters he was affiliated with the Lutheran church. as is his widow. Born February 9. 1843. he died October 11, 1911. His wife, mother of our subjeet. was born December 11. 1846. and still survives.
George, the subject of this sketch, was reared on the farm and attended the district schools until he was fourteen years of age. He then found employment on the farm for $15 per month, and so well did he attend to the duties assigned him. his salary was soon raised to $18 and finally he received $25 per month. Being economieal and saving he soon accumulated quite a sum of money which be placed in a bank at Sparta. During financial difficulties the bank failed and his earnings were lost, which neces- sitated his commencing anew, and by hard work and economy he soon overcame his misfortime. He started farming on his own account and for thirteen years worked a rented farm, at the end of that time, in 1911. he purchased 200 aeres in the town of Leon, where he now resides. He is a progressive and successful general farmer and makes a specialty of raising a good grade of cattle and hogs. and is considered one of the well-to-do farmers of his section. In politics he is a Republican and takes an active interest in the affairs of the party. while in fraternal matters he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Brother- hood of American Yeoman.
He was married in Leon to Miss Ella Olson, daughter of Peter Olson. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gilbertson, viz. : Herman, born September 22. 1899; Chester, born January 24, 1901, and Roy. born August 2. 1904.
John H. Gilliland, who resides on his farm of 213 acres in the town of Leon, where he was born August 18. 1857. is a son of A. II. and Sarah (Sherlock) Gilliland. both natives of Ireland. The father came to America when a young
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BIOGRAPHIY
man and first located in the state of New York, where he was employed at farm work for several years, five years of the time being spent in the employ of one man. Beginning life as a poor boy he worked his way to independent circumstances. Ile left the state of New York for the West, going first to Iowa, but not finding that state satisfactory to his idea, he set out for Wisconsin. Taking boat at Dubuque he came up the river to La Crosse, and overland from the latter place to the Leon valley, arriving at his destination about 1850; being impressed with the then new coun- try. he purchased 300 acres of land and set to work to improve its condition and establish a home. To his original "pur- chase he added from time to time until he had acquired 720 acres, disposing of a part of the land, he owned at the time of his death. which ocenrred in 1885. 600 acres. He was married at about the time he came west and had a family of four children, two of whom are now living, viz. : Mary A .. who is the widow of Dr. W. B. Morley. resides at Shell Lake, Wis., and John II .. our subject. On arriving in the Leon valley he built a small shanty on the river. where his family lived, until circumstances permitted of the erection of a comfortable residence close to the village, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a successful farmer and breeder of cattle, hogs and sheep, and during his lifetime took an active interest in politics, being an active worker in the ranks of the Democratic party. His educational advantages were limited, but by constant reading, became self-educated and was well posted on all live sub- jects of the day. His wife, mother of our subject, who was a lady of many womanly virtues. died in September, 1883, loved and respected by her large circle of friends.
John II. attended the district school until he was twenty years old, and spent one winter in the public schools of Sparta. He remained with his parents until their decease, and then remained on the homestead farm for a time. and on August 23, 1887, was married at Sparta to Miss Elizabeth Lennon. Mr. Gilli- land's farm of 213 acres, lies three-quarters of a mile from the village of Leon, and is one of the good farms of this valley. He is one of the successful and progressive general farmers of that town, and his modern residence, erected in 1890, and substantial barn, built in 1895. together with other improve- ments, makes his one of the splendid country homes of the valley. In politics a Democrat : he is active in the affairs of his party and has held several local offices. He has been town clerk. and for several years school treasurer.
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To Mr. and Mrs. Gilliland have been born three children, viz. : Carl Glenn, a graduate of Annapolis Naval Academy. now ensign on the battleship Arkansas; John Forrest, at home. and Margaret E. Gilliland.
Mrs. Lizzie Gilliland, wife of Albert E. Gilliland. deceased. and a daughter of Henry Van Etten, of Monroe county, was born December 12. 1868, in the town of Leon. She was educated in the common schools of the county, and was married in 1890 at the age of twenty-two years to Albert E. Gilliland. To them were born four children. three of whom are now (1912) living, viz. : Roy A .. born February 19. 1894: Alexander. born August 4, 1901, and Hazel, born January 11. 1907.
Albert E. Gilliland was a son of A. II. and Sarah (Sherlock) Gilliland, natives of Ireland. He was born September 18. 1860, in Leon. Wis. His education was acquired in the common schools and at La Crosse Business College. He was reared on his father's farm and remained with his parents during their lifetime. His mother died in 1883 and the death of his father occurred October 29. 1885.
Mr. Gilliland was one of the solid, enterprising and successful general farmers of Leon, and took pride in breeding and raising good horses. and his farm of 300 acres. 140 acres of which was under a good state of cultivation and improved with a substantial residence and outbuildings. He stood high in his community and enjoyed the confidence of all who knew him. He was an honorable, upright citizen, fond of his home and family, and his death, which occurred August 1. 1911. was mourned by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
Rev. John George Glaeser, pastor of the St. Paul's Lutheran church of Tomah, one of the finest churches of this denomina- tion in Monroe county, was born at Platteville. Wis .. November 24. 1865, the son of JJohn and Barbara (Gilbert) Glaeser. both natives of Germany. The father emigrated to the United States in 1852 and first located at Pottsville. Pa .. where he lived two years, working the while in the coal mines at that place, removing thence to Platteville. Wis .. where he acquired sixty acres of land which he tilled and where the family lived for fifty years. In 1907 he retired from active labor. and with the mother now lives in Platteville. he at the age of seventy- five and she at the age of sixty-seven years.
Rev. Glaeser's early education was received in the parochial schools: at the age of fifteen, he entered the Northwestern Uni- versity at Watertown. Wis .. a Lutheran institution, where
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BIOGRAPHY
he acquired a four year classical course, which was supplemented by a course of two and one-half years at the Intheran seminary at Milwaukee. He was ordained and became pastor of the Lutheran church at Paris, Kenosha county, Wis .. December 26, 1887 ; in 1889 he accepted a call from the church at Town of Berlin, Marathon county, Wis., and remained in charge of that church for ten and one-half years. JJanuary 11, 1900, he accepted the pastorate of the Lutheran church at Tomah, and has since been its popular and efficient pastor. This church is a beautiful edifice with a seating capacity of six hundred and fifty. Under the present pastorate, the church, parochial school and Young People's Society are all in a most flourishing condition.
Rev. Glaeser is a member of the Board of Home Missions of the Lutheran Wisconsin Synod; a member of the Board of the Northwestern College of Watertown, Wis., and Visitator of the Southwest Conference. On June 27, 1889, he was united in marriage with Miss Frances Schultz, of Milwaukee. They have an interesting family of five children, viz: Frances is a teacher in the schools at Racine, Wis .: Martin is attending the college at Watertown; Beata is employed by Burrows & Son in Tomah: Gilbert and Angelica are at home and are in attendance at school.
William C. Gould, prominent among the farmers of Greenfield township, resides in section twenty-four, where he is successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising. His birth occurred near Watertown. Jefferson county. N. Y., May 12. 1861. the son of Charles and Frances (MeQuillian) Gould, who were also natives of New York state, and who came to Wisconsin in 1867 with their family, and took up and homesteaded 80 acres of wild land in section two, Greenfield township, which was afterwards sold to Nehemiah Oakley, and the family moved to another farm in the southern part of the township where they resided for eighteen years, when the father moved to the village of Norwalk, and for nine years conducted the Norwalk hotel. He died there in 1899 at the age of sixty-five years ; his widow, mother of our subject, passed away in September, 1911, at the age of seventy- two years. Daniel Gould, a brother of Charles, came to Monroe county, and for a time kept a hotel at Tunnel City. A sister, Lucinda, and aunt of our subject, is the wife of Orland Woodard, of Dodgeville, Wis.
William C. Gould is the eldest of a family of eight children, all of whom are living except Charles who is deceased; the
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others are Ella, who married Tra Seibold, of Tunnel City; Adel- bert, of Norwalk: Mattie is the wife of Theodore Lotterman, of Crandon. Wis .: Francis is the wife of Vent Wallace, and lives in Ontario, Wis. : Harbert and Horace reside in Sparta, and Celia is the wife of Adolph Holderman. of Norwalk.
Mr. Gould received his education in the public schools and remained on the farm until he was sixteen, when he began for himself and was variously employed until he reached the age of twenty-eight years, when he rented a farm in Greenfield township and successfully conducted the same for some thirteen years. In 1904 he purchased his present farm of eighty acres, which is fitted out with all modern farming equipments and presents an up-to-date appearance. He has remodeled his residence and built a large and commodions barn in 1909 and has since added other improvements. Mr. Gould takes an active interest in the affairs of his town and county; for the past five years he has been a member of the side board; has been clerk of the school district two years, and in social circles he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Mystic Workers. On May 25, 1891. he was married to Miss Mary MeMullen, daughter of Joseph MeMullen, of New York State, who about fifty years ago came to Tunnel City, but later moved to Dodgeville, Wis.
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