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 83
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At the age of twenty-three years, Mr. Rogers married, in Erie county, Ohio, Miss Iney Tucker, a daughter of HI. Tucker. By this marriage two children were born: Richard II. and Lucy In 1860 Mr. Rogers was united in marriage with Rebecca Smith, daughter of Elisha and Julia Ann (Ashton) Smith, of Guernsey county, Ohio, and who came to Wisconsin and settled six miles south of Viroqua, in Vernon county, where the father engaged in shoemaking and farming. He was born on February 27. 1811, and died February 4, 1879. Julia Ann Smith, daughter of William and Mary Ashton, was born December 11, 1817, and died in Ver- non county in 1887. They had two sons who participated in the Civil War: William S., of the Third Wisconsin Cavalry, and Harrison, of the Eighteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry.
Mr. Rogers died January 17, 1895, at the age of eighty-five years, and left, besides his widow, two sons: U. Grant and John Murray. On January 16, 1904. Mrs. Rogers married George Bradley, and for more than fifty years has lived in her present home on section ten, in Sparta township.
Ernst Rogge, a lifelong resident of Monroe county, was born in the town of Oakdale, January 16, 1867. the son of Henry and Johanna ( Rester) Rogge, natives of Germany and Austria. respectively. The father came to America in 1856, and first located at Milwaukee, Wis., where he was employed as a laborer for a time, and later moved to Columbus. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted in Company D. Sixteenth Regiment, Wis- consin Volunteers, on October 7. 1861, and was transferred to Company E, same regiment. November 1, 1862, and mmstered out of service July 12. 1865. having served his country for three years, nine months and five days. Among the battles in which he participated were the battles of Shiloh, Corinth and Atlanta. He was a brave and gallant soldier, and was twice wounded. once severely while in the front ranks at Atlanta, Ga. After his discharge he returned to Columbus, where he was married the following year, and moved to Oakdale township. Here he pur-
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chased ninety acres of land, to which he added from time to time until he acquired about 220 aeres. He was one of the early set- tlers of the township, and there made his home until 1903, then moved to Tomah and passed the remainder of his life; he died on May 18, 1911. at the age of seventy-five years, eleven months and twenty-nine days. The mother still (1912) survives at the age of sixty-seven years. They reared a family of twelve chil- dren, eight of whom-three sons and five daughters-are living. He was a thrifty and progressive farmer and lived to enjoy the fruits of many years of toil and hardships in converting a tract of wilderness into the beautiful home he left.
Ernst attended the district schools until he was sixteen years old. and remained at home assisting in the management of the farm until he was twenty-seven. In 1894 he was married. in the town of Tomah, to Miss Amelia Pingel, daughter of Joseph and Mrs. Pingel. Mrs. Rogge passed away the same year of her mar- riage, and in 1898 Mr. Rogge again married, this time to Mrs. Anna Ott, daughter of John and Mrs. Hintz, of Oakdale. They have three children, viz. : Irene, Emma and Ernest. Mrs. Rogge is one of a family of five children, four girls and one boy. IIer parents came from Germany to Waukesha county in 1853, and moved to Monroe county in 1858.
In 1894 Mr. Rogge purchased a farm of 160 acres in section twenty. Wilton township, which has since been his home. He made many improvements, built a substantial barn in 1900. and a modern residence the following year, and the highly culti- vated state of his land makes his farm one of the most fertile and productive in the Slaten Creek valley. Two excellent wells operated by a wind engine supply his residence and barn with pure water, and in addition to general farming he makes a spe- cialty of dairying. He is independent in his political opinions and takes a keen interest in the affairs of his township. He served two years as town treasurer, was chairman of the town board for three years, and in February. 1912. was elected presi- dent of the Farmers' Creamery Association. Himself and family are members of the Lutheran church.
William F. Rogge, of Oakdale township, is a son of Henry and Johanna (Resler) Rogge, and was born in Monroe county, Wis- consin, on Angust 4, 1879. IIe obtained a good education in the district schools. attending until he was eighteen years of age. and lived at home until he was twenty-three. On June 3. 1903. he was married to Miss Henrietta Giesler, daughter of Robert and Matilda Giesler. Mr. and Mrs. Rogge have had four chil-
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dren, three of whom are now (1912) living, viz. : Agnes May, born November 1, 1904; Glacia Matilda, born February 20, 1908, and Norma Louretta, born July 6, 1910.
After their marriage, Mr. Rogge purchased a farm of 260 acres in sections nineteen and twenty in the town of Oakdale, which he has since continued to improve and beautify until it is one of the ideal country homes in Monroe county. The soil is highly productive and the water supply comes from natural springs in the hillside. They have a comfortable residence and commodious outbuildings, and in connection with his general farming he carries on a profitable dairy business, and the place is well stocked with the best breed of cattle, horses, hogs, etc. He is thoroughly up to date with his farming methods and is a man of good judgment in other lines of business. He was one of the organizers of the Oakdale Creamery Association, is inde- pendent in politics, and uses his own best judgment when he votes. He is interested in the affairs of his town and county and favors all movements for their further development.
William Rondorf resides on the old homestead farm in Jeffer- son township, where he was born November 18, 1866, the son of Hilarius and Anna Maria (Schell) Rondorf, both natives of Germany. The father was born in Bergheim, a village in the district of Siegburg, Germany, December 23, 1828, and was the first one of that name to emigrate to America. The mother was born July 28, 1830; they were married May 18, 1851, in Berg- heim. Germany, and lived with his father until he died in 1854. On April 27. 1854, they left Antwerp on the sailing vessel "Leo- pold I," bound for New York. On their arrival here they came to Dane county, Wisconsin, where they became homeless and moneyless. Meeting a felloy countryman who sympathized with them, they were offered the hospitality of his home on the farm, where the father labored in the field and the mother in the house. Here they made their home until they had earned and saved suffi- cient means with which to purchase a small farm of eighty acres in Jefferson township, Monroe county, the farm being purchased June 1, 1860. They started from Dane county with an ox team. and after two days and nights on the road they reached their future home in the then new country. They built a small house. which has since been enlarged and improved. On February 19, 1865, he enlisted in Company K, Forty-sixth Regiment, Wiscon- sin Volunteers; the regiment was then stationed at Athens, Ala. At the early close of the war, he was discharged September 27. 1865, returning home October 12, the same year. Mr. Rondorf
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had received a liberal education in his native country, was a liberal reader, and was posted on all current events of the day. He was economical and thrifty. honorable and upright in all his dealings, of a genial social disposition, and made many warm friends. He was interested in all township matters, and hold many minor offices. He was assessor, clerk and treasurer of his town several years, and a member of the Masonic lodge, and in politics a Democrat. Ile reared a family of six children. all of whom are now living (1912). He had one daughter and five sons. viz .: Elizabeth, born June 16, 1852, in Bergheim, Germany, now lives at St. Joseph. La Crosse county. Wis. : JJoseph. born August 16. 1855, in Roxbury. Dane county, Wis .. resides near Neillsville. Wis., where he is engaged in farming: Henry, born October 26. 1858, in Perry, Dane county. Wis., is engaged in farming near St. Hilaire, Minn. : Ililarius, born February 23, 1862. in the town of Jefferson. this state, is engaged in the laundry business at Sta- ples. Minn. : William, born November 18. 1866, in the town of Jefferson : Mathias, born May 4, 1870, in the town of JJefferson, resides near Neillsville, engaged in farming. He lived to the age of sixty-two years, and died January 10. 1891. The death of the mother occurred March 22. 1890.
William received his education in the common schools, which he attended until his eighteenth year, and lived with his father until he died. He was married October 23. 1891, at St. Mary's church, to Miss Elizabeth Schmitz. Mr. Rondorf is one of the progressive and up-to-date farmers of his town, and keeps his farm of 200 acres in section sixteen well supplied with good horses, cattle and hogs. He is successful in his operations. is a Progressive Republican in politics, and he and his wife are mem- hers of the Catholic church.
Ephraim G. Root, who. after a residence in Monroe county of fifty-five years, died on January 12. 1912. was born in the state of New York in 1834. He came to Wisconsin, locating in Monroe county in 1857, and was among the earliest settlers; he has lived here ahost continuously since that time. During the gold excitement in 1859, he was one of a party from this vicinity to make the trip to Pike's Peak, and subsequently returning to Monroe county, he was married to Miss Ann Parker. daughter of John and Judith (Hicks) Parker, and immediately settled on the farm in Pleasant Valley. Greenfield township, where they resided until his death. He is survived by his wife and two adopted children. William II. Root and Mrs. Ella Hatch. all of whom reside at Tomah, and one sister who lives in Towa. two brothers
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in California. When Mr. Root came to Greenfield township, the country was in a wild state, with few settlers, and the privations and hardships experienced were many; but, like most of the hardy pioneers, he overcame all obstacles and prospered in the end. When he first located on his farm, he lived in a tent until his buildings could be erected: he cleared eighty acres, where he spent the rest of his life engaged in farming. He stood high in the esteem of his neighbors, was energetic and progressive, a kind neighbor and good citizen. interested in the affairs of his community, and was a man of genuine worth.
William H. Root, the adopted son of Ephraim G. Root, was born in the Adirondack mountains, in Warren county. New York, on October 3, 1864, and Gen. Ethan Allen was his great- great-unele. le was adopted at the age of two years. Ile remained on the home farm in Greenfield township until 1892, when he removed to Tomah and engaged in the mercantile busi- ness, and since 1901 has been employed in the rural mail service. During the war with Spain, Mr. Root served in Company K, Third Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteers, until the close of the war, having been with his regiment in Porto Rico. He is a mem- ber of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Woodmen of the World, and the Mystic Workers of the World.
On November 3, 1885, Mr. Root was married to Miss Dora Vandervort, daughter of J. B. and Anna (Melntyre) Vandervort, of Tomah. They were natives of New York state, and on coming to Wisconsin first located at Oconomowoc, but later moved to La Grange township, Monroe county. To Mr. and Mrs. Root have been born four children, viz. : Ilelen married D. R. Richmond, of Grundy Center, Iowa, and Vivian, who lives at home. Those deceased are Elsia and Janet E.
John T. Scantleton, general merchant of Cataract, Monroe county, is a native of the Empire state, and was born at Brook- lyn, N. Y., JJanuary 22, 1855. He is a son of James and Bedelia (Thomas) Seantleton, natives of Ireland. They came to New York before marriage, and when the subject of this sketch was but one year old they removed to Chicago, where they remained until they came to Monroe county, in the early fifties, and the father engaged in the milling business at Sparta, where he con- ducted the MeClure mill. It was in 1874 that he located in Cata- raet, and in company with John Moffat continned in the milling business until their plant was destroyed by fire. At that time our subject, in company with his father, purchased Mr. Moffat's interest in the business. and together they reconstructed the plant
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and successfully continned the business until their buildings were again destroyed by fire in 1911. Mr. Scantleton, father of our subject, died in March. 1910, at the age of seventy-five years, and his widow, mother of Mr. John Scantleton, passed away in May. 1911, at the age of seven-seven years.
John Scantleton, our subject. is the eldest of a family of five children, two of whom are now living, the subject and one sister. Theressa, wife of John H. Levis, of Black River Falls, Wis. Mr. Seantleton received his education in the schools of Sparta, and early found employment in the mill with his father and con- tinued at that occupation for two years after coming to Cataract. In 1877 he purchased the general store he now conducts, from J. H. Rathbun, which he successfully carried on until 1888, when he sold the business to Frank Martin and moved to Millston, Wis., where for eighteen months he was engaged in the same line of business. Returning to Cataraet at the end of that time, he purchased his former business, and has since continued in general merchandising.
In 1875 Mr. Scantleton was united in marriage with Miss Emma Martin, daughter of John and Anna Martin, early settlers in Lafayette township. Two children were born to this union : Gracie, deceased, and one who died in infancy. Mrs. Seantleton died in 1884, and in 1885 he was married to Miss Susie Martin, sister of his first wife. They had one son, John M., now a student at the Chicago Medical College. Mr. Seantleton has been actively identified with his township, and for several years served as treasurer, and during the Cleveland administration was post- master at Cataract. He is a lover of sports and fine horses.
Joseph Schaitel, who resides on his farm in section twenty, Wells township, is the son of Michael and Antonia (Webber) Schaitel, and was born in the town of Wells, Monroe county. Wis., March 27, 1864. His parents emigrated to America from Germany in 1851, and upon arriving in this country went to Indiana, where they lived one year, then moved to Monroe county, where the father homesteaded and purchased 400 acres of land in Wells township. Ile moved to Monroe county with a yoke of oxen, and was six months on his journey. Here he established the family home and reared a family of eleven chil- dren, our subject being the fifth in order of birth. He was a successful general farmer and always kept the farm well stocked with good horses and sheep. He was well thought of in his community, and took an active interest in the affairs of his town. He was supervisor of his town and for two years was
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school elerk. He lived to the age of sixty-two years, and died in 1898. His widow, mother of our subject, survives at the age of seventy-six years.
Joseph Schaitel was reared on the farm and attended the distriet school. At the age of twenty-five years, he left the home farm and for six years was engaged in the saloon business at Melvina. At the expiration of that time, he returned to the farm and purchased 260 acres of the old homestead, where he now lives in a comfortable home. Since purchasing the place, he has added a new barn, 30x50 feet, and substantial outbuildings, including a silo, ereeted in 1911. He now wants to go into regis- tered stock, his choice being Holstein cattle; he has a fine herd started now. He also wishes to raise Percheron horses. He has a fine drove of sheep and fine hogs.
On May 6. 1895, he was married to Miss Tenna Leibel, daugh- ter of Wenszel and Frances Leibel. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Schaitel, six of whom are now ( 1912) living, viz .: Paul, Johnnie, Robert. Joseph, Francis and Carlton. Mr. Schaitel is numbered among the successful and prosperous farm- ers of his town, and is a public-spirited and influential citizen. He and his wife are members of the Catholic church.
Mr. and Mrs. Leibel, parents of Mrs. Schaitel, emigrated to America from Germany, and after arriving in this country located at Norwalk, and after about one year Mr. Leibel was employed at Tunnel No. 3, and continued at this work until he injured his eyesight, after which he moved to the town of Jefferson, where he established the family homestead, and purchased 160 acres of land and reared a family of nine children, as follows: Mrs. Anna Bridenbach, of Eagle, Wis .; Rudolph, of La Crosse, Wis .: John, on the homestead farm; Mrs. Mary V. Ruden, at C'ashton; Mrs. Sehaitel ; Mrs. Frances Hornung, of Baraboo, Wis .. and Kather- ine Leibel, of Seattle, Wash., and two deceased. The father was a successful and hard-working farmer. He lived to the age of fifty-eight and died May 12, 1887. His widow. mother of Mrs. Schaitel, survives at the age of seventy-seven, and since 1901 has been an invalid.
Paul Schaller, of the firm of Gross & Schaller, prominent drug firm of Sparta, is a son of Henry and Mary (Gahler) Schaller, born on June 17, 1867. His parents emigrated to this country from Germany when they were both about seven years of age, with their parents, and both families settled in Dodge county, Wisconsin. Mr. Schaller, father of Paul, came to Sparta in the early fifties, and was one of the pioneers of that section, and
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Sparta's earliest cabinetmaker. He still resides in Sparta. Mrs. Schaller passed away at the age of forty-one years.
Paul Schaller is the youngest child of a family of five chil- dren. The others are: Nina, wife of Dr. W. T. Sarles, of Sparta; Mary, wife of J. HI. Fernerhough, of Sioux Falls. S. D .: Henry F. W., of Watertown. S. D., and Wendell. deceased.
Mr. Sehaller received his education in the public schools and the Chicago College of Pharmacy, graduating from the latter with the class of 1891. receiving a thorough course of six years, and began his business career as clerk for Crane & MeClure, at Sparta, which position he held for six years, and then engaged with T. H. Spencer, of La Crosse, for a time. Ile then went to Madison and spent one year, and in 1895 came to Sparta and purchased the interest of W. P. Palmer in the drug business with Mr. Gross, since which time the firm has been Gross & Schaller.
In 1897 Mr. Schaller married Miss Brittomarte Woodward, daughter of John Woodward, of Platteville, Wis.
P. W. Schmitz,* a native of Monroe county, was born on the old homestead April 10. 1877. the son of William and Sophia (Mickels) Schmitz. The father was born in Germany. August 12. 1841, and came to America with his parents in 1858. His father. Henry Schmitz. grandfather of our subject. located in the town of Wells. in Monroe county. and purchased a farm of 160 acres in sections eighteen, seven and eight, where he resided until his death. William Schmitz. father of P. W .. was the oldest child of a family of ten children. nine of whom are now living. He was twice married and by his first wife. Katherine Mickels. had two children. By his second wife. Sophia Mickels, he had ten children. the sub- ject of this sketch being the fifth child in order of birth. The father was a highly respected citizen and prominent in his com- munity. He was chairman of the town board. assessor for four years, supervisor and for several years a director on the school board. Hle was a successful farmer and owned at the time of his death. which occurred in 1905. 288 acres of land in Wells town- ship. His widow. Sophia Mickels, who was born June 27. 1847. is now living with her son in Monroe county.
P. W. had the advantages of a limited schooling. attending the distriet school until his twelfth year. He remained on the home farm, assisting in tilling the soil. until October 22. 1901. when he married Miss Agnes Schmitz. a daughter of Peter Schmitz, of St. Joseph's Ridge, and a native of Germany. Her father died in 1883. and the mother survives at the age of sixty- six years. After his marriage our subject started out for himself
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and is now known as a snecessful farmer and one of the progres- sive citizens of the town of Wells. To Mr. and Mrs. Schmitz have been born four children, viz .: Elizabeth, born December 6, 1902; Frank, born March 10, 1904; Sophia, born March 4, 1905, and Geniveva, born October 31. 1909.
August Schlaver," who departed this life Tuesday, December 5, 1911. and who had prepared to enjoy a long life of continued usefulness, was attacked by a fatal malady and, although he made a good fight and was determined to the last that he would over- come its remorseless attacks, the final call came just as he was making plans to go to Colorado for the winter, in the hope that the climate might aid him in his fight for life. He was born in the province of Posen. Germany, December 3, 1863, and came to the United States with his parents in 1870. The family settled on the farm now owned by Otto Schlaver, and there August grew to manhood. He attended the Hogue district school and remained on the home farm until his marriage. when he located in Burns township. La Crosse county. on a rented farm, which he conducted for five years, when he purchased 160 acres in Sparta township, to which he later added 100 acres. The improvements at that time were unsuited for a man with the progressive disposition of Mr. Schlaver. and under his careful management he had erected all the buildings now on the farm, consisting of a commodious dwelling, large and substantial barn, silo and other outbuildings. Ile was never satisfied unless working to improve the farm. He was a high-minded, public-spirited gentleman, kind and generous and ever mindful of the comforts of his family. Ile was alive to the interests of the community and active in public matters. He was interested in the Rockland Creamery, of which he was at one time manager. The roads of the town of Sparta, together with the inspiration and example they created and set for Monroe county and vicinity, will stand as a sturdy lasting momment to him who was the moving spirit in their construction. He was a pioneer in this movement for good roads. and the vitality and effort, the time and money he put into this work, cannot be esti- mated. As chairman of his town, an office he held for five years. to the time of his demise, being a member of the side board for years prior to that time. his work was very efficient and note- worthy. but it is particularly by his road improvements that he will be remembered.
Mr. Schlaver was united in marriage April 17, 1887, with Miss Augusta Richert, daughter of Frederich and Louisa (May) Rich- ert, of Sparta. They were born near Berlin. Prussia, and came
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to America when Mrs. Schlaver was but three years of age. In 1868 they settled in Sparta, where the father for a time was em- ployed in the paper mills of O. I. Newton Sons Company. and where he remained until a short time before his death, when he went to live with Mrs. Schlaver, where he died. Mrs. Schlaver's mother is also deceased, both he and she living to the age of seventy-four years. Mrs. Schlaver is the ninth child of a family of ten children. Those besides Mrs. Schlaver who are now living are: Lonisa, the wife of Herman Yankee. Mary. Fred, Angust and William. Those deceased are: Minnie. Carl. Carrie, and one who died in infancy. To Mr. and Mrs. Schlaver were born five children : Ella, a graduate of the Sparta high school, has been engaged in teaching for the past six years: Laura and Theodore. who reside at home, and Lillian and Arthur, who are deceased.
Otto Schlaver,* one of the enterprising farmers of Sparta township, is a native of Germany and was born March 28. 1870. son of Angust and Henrietta (Leek) Schlaver. When Otto was but a few weeks old his parents. in the spring of 1870. came to the United States. Upon their arrival in this country they came 10 Wisconsin and settled in Monroe county on the farm in section nineteen. Sparta township, where our subject now resides. He was a man of genial temperament, kind hearted and liberal. and was held in high esteem by his many friends. He died April 5. 1902. at the age of sixty-nine years. Mrs. Schlaver. mother of Otto, still survives and enjoys good health at the age of seventy- six years. John Schlaver. paternal grandfather of our subject. came from Germany to the United States and settled in Sparta township about 1852. on a large tract of government land. owning at one time what now comprises the farms of Otto Schlaver. Leonard Herbst and Mrs. August Sehlaver, Jr .. and here made his home until his decease. Ilis wife, grandmother of Otto, lived to the ripe age of ninety-two years. Charles Schlaver. half brother of August Schlaver, Sr .. is still a resident of Sparta township. There were five children in the family of August Sehlaver. Sr .. three daughters and two sons: August, who is now deceased : Otto: Augusta. the wife of JJohn Iuppler, of Sparta : Einna. wife ol Fred Sunday. of Leon township. and Bertha is the wife of Con Koehler, of Erskine, Minn.
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