USA > Wisconsin > Walworth County > History of Walworth county, Wisconsin, Volume II > Part 33
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Andrew Kull and wife and John M. Kull came west in 1837 and settled in Walworth county, Wisconsin, when the country was new and sparsely settled. Andrew located in section 4, and John M. in section 21, Bloomfield township. At that time the first settlement had just been made, probably only two or three others having preceded the Kulls. Even after John M. Kull's children were old enough to remember, there were no fences to be seen on either side of the road between their home and Geneva, and the roads were merely old trails, the principal one being that between Fort Dearborn, or Chi- cago. and Madison.
John M. Kull was probably the first nurseryman in Walworth county, and was an expert in this line of endeavor. He was a lover of fruit trees and kept thoroughly informed on them and all questions of horticulture, and he did much to improve the orchards throughout this locality.
To John M. Kull and his first wife one daughter, Margaret, was born November 16, 1842, and one son, Andrew, was born on April 29, 1845. On August 14th, of that year, the wife and mother passed to her rest, when Andrew was only four months old. The subject's brother Andrew and wife had no children of their own, so they took the child and became much attached to him and adopted him, rearing him as their own. About two years later John M. Kull was united in marriage with Margaret Runkle, and eleven chil- dren were born to this union, named as follows: Anthony, who died when twenty-one years old; Susan married William Slaughter and died in Iowa; Agnes is the wife of George Stockwell and lives at Salem, Kenosha county, Wisconsin ; Charles J. lives at Lake Geneva, and a record of him appears here-
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in; Edwin O., who was graduated from Wheaton College, taught in the public schools for some time, is now farming in Bloomfield township; he was a mem- ber of the state Legislature in 1899 and 1900; Rose married Otto Ark and they live at Elkhorn; Philip, who lives at Beloit, was for years a resident at Genoa Junction ; John lives at El Paso, Texas; Gertie, who married Rev. Wheeler, formerly of Geneva, now lives at Stonington, Illinois: Frank is at Ord, Nebraska; Irene married John McDonald and she lived west of Elk- horn until her death, in February, 1904.
John M. Kull was not given to mixing in politics, but he took a deep interest in public affairs, especially in educational matters. He was thorough in all that he undertook and was a man who tried to carry into his daily life the precepts of the time-tried maxims of his forefathers, especially that of the Golden Rule, and he was therefore honored and respected by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. Mr. Kull's death occurred in 1881, at the age of sixty-seven years, his widow surviving until in December, 1891.
WILLIAM BAUMBACH, JR.
Having never been seized with the roaming desires that have led many of Walworth county's young men to other fields of endeavor and other states, where they have sought their fortunes, William Baumbach, member of the well-known and successful firm of builders and concrete manufacturers, of Lake Geneva, has been content to remain in his native community and here direct his efforts and he has met with encouraging success all along the line, being a young man of industry, perseverance and correct habits, believing in doing well whatever he undertakes and 'in dealing honorably and squarely with his fellow men.
Mr. Baumbach was born in Lyons township, Walworth county, May 15, 1873. He is the son of William and Minnie (Freitag) Baumbach. The father was born in Saxony, Germany, and he came to America about 1868, locating at the town of Springfield, Walworth county, Wisconsin. He was a weaver by trade, which he followed 'in the old country, abandoning the same for farming upon his arrival in America. He was twice married, and by his first marriage three children were born, Fred and Christ, and August, deceased. The foriner lives near Aberdeen, South Dakota, and the latter lives in Elko, Nevada. The first wife died shortly after coming to the United States, and the elder Baumbach then married Minnie Freitag, a native of Germany, born
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near the city of Hamburg. She emigrated to America about 1870 and located near Lyons, Wisconsin.
William Baumbach, Sr., purchased a farm on the road that connects Bur- lington and Lake Geneva, lying southwest of Lyons, and this remained the family home for about thirty years.
Five sons and four daughters were born to the elder Baumbach and his second wife, namely: William, Jr., of this sketch: George lives in Lake Geneva and owns a farm north of the city; Arthur lives at Boring, Oregon, near Portland; Augusta, wife of Max Roaker, lives a mile and a half east of Delavan; Lena married Howard Delap and they live east of Delavan; Julia is the wife of Arnold Pagle and they live in the village of Lyons; Frank lives in Lake Geneva; Florence died in childhood, January 6, 1899, when seven years old; Herman lives in Lyons. The mother of the above named children was called to her reward on March 14, 1906.
William Baumbach, Sr., continued farming about two years longer, then, about 1908, retired from active life and is now living quietly in his cozy home in Lyons.
William Baumbach, Jr., the immediate subject of this sketch, remained on the home farm until twelve years of age, when he began working out at farm work by the month. Being thus so tender in years, his experiences were conducive of much good in the way of inspiring in him courage, fortitude and self-reliance which have, no doubt, been largely responsible for his later-day success. He continued in this kind of work until he was about twenty-four years old, then learned the mason's trade and also took up cement work. Early in 1906 he went into partnership with Edward C. Reinert and Herman Malsch, under the firm name of Reinert, Malsch & Baumbach, a record of which appears in a separate article herein. The subject has been in this busi- ness ever since and has been largely responsible for the great and growing success of the firm, which is well-known throughout the southern part of the state.
Mr. Baumbach was married on April 19, 1899, to Ida Rector, who was born and reared in East Troy, Walworth county. She is a daughter of Francis and Jennie (Morrison) Rector, the father from Duanesburg, New York. He was the son of Mathew Rector and Susan ( Macomber ) Rector. Mathew Rector was of Pennsylvania-Dutch stock on his father's side and of Scotch-Irish on the mother's side of the house. Francis Rector was a sailor in his youth, both on the lakes and on the sea. He lived in Milwaukee before his marriage, while sailing on the Great Lakes. In 1868 he married Jennie Morrison, a native of Delhause Mills, Canada. After his marriage he lived at
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Dephere for a time, then located at East Troy, Wisconsin, and made that his permanent home, although he continued sailing on the lakes until about 1880. He now lives at East Troy. Mr. and Mrs. Baumbach have one son, Herbert. who was born on June 25, 1902.
Mr. Baumbach is a man of rugged physique, direct in manner, self-made, diligent and business-like in all his undertakings. He takes active manage- ment in the erection of many buildings, some of them large public structures, and his work is always conscientiously and satisfactorily done.
WILLIS P. HOLCOMB.
No more progressive agriculturist could be found within the limits of the territory embraced by the present volume than Willis P. Holcomb, who was born at Concord, Jefferson county, this state, September 22, 1855, the son of Webster and Julia ( Brown) Holcomb. The father was a native of Water- town, Jefferson county, New York. The Holcombs came originally from Holland, several generations ago. The mother was from Erie county, Penn- sylvania, and she came with her parents, Rufus and Syrena (Peck) Brown, to Medina county, Ohio, and she came on to Wisconsin about 1854. Webster Holcomb came to Jefferson county, Wisconsin, in 1845, and settled in section 17, Concord township, in pioneer times, and entered land from the govern- ment. When he was but sixteen years old he aided in the defense of Sack- ett's Harbor against the British in the war of 1812. His father, John Hol- comb, was also a soldier in that war. Webster Holcomb was married in New York to Abigail Perkins, and they became the parents of ten children. After the death in 1854 of his first wife he was married to Julia Brown, of which union only one child was born, Willis P. Holcomb, subject of this sketch.
The subject was reared on the home farm in Jefferson county, and in 1878 he was united in marriage with Edith Knapp, daughter of Bartholomew and Eliza (Shephard) Knapp. The mother came to Walworth county, in pioneer times, as a bride with her first husband, John Whittaker, about 1840. She walked from Milwaukee, and she and the party of several people of which she was a member pitched their camp where the Methodist church at Concord is now located. She was the second white woman to locate in that vicinity. She was born near London, England, and when seven years old came to north- ern New York and lived in the Catskill mountains, also for a time at Quebec. Here in Wisconsin Mr. Whittaker died, leaving her with two children. Her
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parents had been people of wealth, and when her mother came to America she had been so little used to doing her own work that she was almost as helpless as a child, trying to do housework in the new country. She was twice mar- ried, her second husband being Bartholomew Knapp, who was born at Schenec- tady, New York, and later came to Medina county, Ohio, and from there to Wisconsin about 1846, and located at Concord. There Mrs. Holcomb's par- ents followed farming and spent most of their lives, the father dying in 1865, when Mrs. Holcomb was four years old. The mother, a woman of strong characteristics, remained on the home place and raised her six children in comfort and respectability. Two other children had died in childhood. The mother's last years were spent in Clark county with a daughter. There Mrs. Holcomb grew up and was married.
After his marriage Willis P. Holcomb and wife lived on the home place for about five years. In 1884 he sold the farm at Concord and moved to Walworth county and bought a farm in sections 10, and II, Geneva township, known as the old Chase farm, and there he has lived ever since, keeping the place well improved and well cultivated.
Three sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Holcomb, named as follows : Willis Roy, born on September 10, 1879, married Annie Volrath and they have two children, Verna Geneva and Edith Louise; Mr. Holcomb lives at Excelsior, Minnesota, engaged in the dairy business, but owns a fine farm in Wyandotte county ; Newell Webster, the second son of the subject, was born on July II, 1882. He married Opal Arnsmeier and they are engaged in farm- ing, about eight miles east of Judy, Illinois, across the state line in Wisconsin ; they have one daughter, Myrleh Leone; Ellery Channing, third son of the subject, was born on August 14, 1890, and he is at home with his parents. Willis P. Holcomb is a member of the Modern Woodmen, and his wife be- longs to the Mystic Workers.
HARLEY C. NORRIS.
The examples such men as Harley C. Norris, efficient and popular county treasurer, furnish of patient purpose and steadfast integrity strongly illus- trate what is in the power of each to accomplish. By a straightforward and commendable course he has made his way to a respectable position in the affairs of Walworth county, winning the hearty admiration of the people and earning a reputation for industry, public spirit and wholesome living.
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Mr. Norris was born in Sugar Creek township, this county, on February II, 1855. He is the son of John A. and Julia M. (Richardson) Norris, the former a native of England, his father being accidentally killed when he was a child, after which the lad was taken by his grandparents to raise. When seven years old he was brought to America and he grew to manhood in Ohio and there married Julia M. Richardson. She was a native of Connecticut, and when she was a young girl she accompanied her parents to Ravenna. Ohio, near Cleveland, where she lived until her marriage.
John A. Norris and wife were among the very early settlers of Sugar Creek township, this county, and there they entered land from the govern- ment, established a good home where the family continued to reside until about 1868, when they moved to Elkhorn, where the father spent the rest of his life, having farmed up to his removal to the county seat. He engaged in the hardware business here the rest of his life, his death occurring in 1890, his wife having preceded him to the grave in 1874. Back in the early days he took considerable interest in public affairs of his community and held some of the local offices. After the death of his first wife he married Sarah Hickson and one child was born to them, Arthur J., who now lives at Madi- son, Wisconsin. Mrs. Norris also lives in that city.
By the first marriage of John A. Norris, five children were born, named as follows : John E. remained unmarried and died in California; William R. died unmarried in Elkhorn; Harley C., of this sketch; Daniel R. lives in the Ozark region in Missouri; Elizabeth is the wife of George B. Spoor and lives at Cordova, Illinois.
Harley C. Norris, of this sketch, spent his childhood on the farm. He was twelve years old when the family moved to Elkhorn. Here he attended the public schools, and then began clerking in his father's hardware store, finally assuming the business and remaining there until 1904. For four years he was secretary of the Walworth County Agricultural Society. In the fall of 1908 he was elected on the Republican ticket to the office of county treasurer, which he now holds, discharging the duties of the same in a manner that reflects much credit upon himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned. He has held a number of other offices, such as village treasurer of Elkhorn for four years, president of the village board of trustees, later mayor for two terms and he was city clerk for four years, in all of which he proved to be a most conscientious and faithful public official. He has also been in the county and local organizations of the Republican party.
Mr. Norris was married in 1879 to Alice W. Allen, daughter of Lucius and Juliet (Barnes) Allen. She was born in East Troy. this county, where
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her parents had settled in an early day, coming here from Ohio. Mr. Allen was originally from Pawlet, Vermont, and Juliet Barnes was a native of Ohio. Mr. Allen was a descendant of the Brewsters of "Mayflower" fame. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Norris: Edwin L., born July 8, 1880, and Lucius A., born February 10. 1890. The former lives at Min- eral Point, Wisconsin, and is express messenger for the Wells Fargo Com- pany ; the latter is attending the State University. Fraternally, Harley C. Norris is a member of Masonic order, having attained the Knight Templar degree : he also belongs to the Modern Woodmen.
DEWITT STANFORD.
Among the men of influence in Walworth county, who have the interest of their locality at heart and who have led consistent lives, thereby gaining definite success along their chosen lines is DeWitt Stanford, the present able and popular superintendent of the county farm. He has long been regarded as one of our most progressive agriculturists and public spirited citizens. He is managing the fertile fields of the county with that care and discretion which stamps him as a twentieth-century farmer of the highest order, everything indicating excellent system, good judgment and taste as well as executive ability.
Mr. Stanford was born at Elkhorn, this county, July 13, 1851, and is the son of Squire and Cynthia (Bassett) Stanford, the former born in 1819 in Portage county, Ohio, and there he married Cynthia Bassett, who was born in Litchfield, Connecticut, and from there came to Ohio when she was fourteen years of age. In 1846 these parents came to Racine county, Wisconsin, and located at the village of Rochester, but the following year came on to Elk- horn, Walworth county, buying a farm near there. Squire Stanford was a carpenter and builder by trade and he followed the same for many years here, building the present court house at Elkhorn in 1874, and a great many houses and other structures all over this part of Walworth county. He employed a large number of men and carried on an extensive business, in which he was very successful and became well known as a contractor. Politically, he was a Republican and took an active interest in public affairs, and he held various offices in village and township, always with much satisfaction to the people. His family consisted of five children, four sons and one daughter, namely : DeWitt, of this review: Clinton, Alma B., Vactor B. and Halbert E. P. The
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death of Squire Stanford occurred on May 8, 1893, his wife having preceded him to the grave in 1887.
DeWitt Stanford grew to manhood at Elkhorn and learned to be a builder under his father, having assisted him with his various duties when but a boy, attending the public schools in the winter time. He devoted his atten- tion exclusively to this line of endeavor front 1871 to 1903, covering a period of thirty-two years, during which time he turned over many big jobs in various parts of this locality, and here will stand for generations to come many monu- ments to his skill and conscientious work as a builder. In 1879 he went to Fergus Falls, in northwestern Minnesota, and there he and his brother Clin- ton formed a partnership in the contracting business and they erected nearly all the public buildings there. Remaining there until 1890, he returned to Elkhorn and has remained in this county. For a number of years he was a member of the city council at Fergus Falls, acting mayor one year and a half, and he was a member of the school board and held other positions, always to the satisfaction of the people and with credit to himself. After returning to Elkhorn Mr. Stanford continued building in connection with farming on his place in the edge of Elkhorn. He has also taken much interest in public affairs here, and was mayor of Elkhorn for two years and a member of the city council for some time. In March, 1903, he became superintendent of the Walworth county insane asylum and poor farm, which position he has held to the present time, discharging his duties in a most acceptable manner and winning the hearty approval of all concerned.
Mr. Stanford was married on January 24, 1875. to Dora Bell, daughter of William H. Bell, who came from New York to Walworth county, Wiscon- sin, in 1852 and he located first at Hart Prairie, but in 1867 came to Elkhorn.
HERMAN SCHUTT.
The subject of this sketch, who figures as one of the leading farmers of Linn township, is very favorably known over Walworth county, although he has not long been a resident of the same, but since coming here he has demon- strated his desire to be an upright and loval citizen and attend strictly to his individual affairs, assisting in promoting the general upbuilding of his com- munity when occasion demanded.
Herman Schutt was born in the city of Stralsund, in Pommern, Kreis Fransburg. Germany, on May 22, 1864, and is the son of Gustave and Johanna (Brumshagan ) Schutt.
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The subject grew to manhood in Germany, working on a farm in his youth. He spent three years in the German army, according to the custom in that country. Believing that his rise would be more rapid in the United States, he emigrated to Cleveland, Ohio, in the year 1892, and lived there one year, then came to Walworth county, Wisconsin, and located in Walworth township, and here he worked out for about four years, then rented a farm in sections 20 and 29, Linn township. After remaining on this place three years he went to Illinois in which state he spent four years, then returned to the farm in Linn township, which he purchased and began farming for himself. He has an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which he has brought up to a high state of improvement and cultivation and on which he carries on general farming and stock raising in a successful manner, keeping a good herd of cattle. He also follows dairying, being exceptionally well equipped for this line of endeavor. He ships his milk to Chicago where he finds a very ready market.
Mr. Schutt was married in February, 1896, to Minnie Voss, daughter of William and Johanna (Strandt) Voss. She was born in Stralsund, Pom- mern, Germany, and she was a baby when her parents brought her to America. They located in Linn township. Walworth county, Wisconsin, and the father owned the farm where she and Mr. Schutt now live. The death of the father occurred in 1894. Her mother lives in the village of Walworth. A full sketch of the Voss family appears on another page of this work.
Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Herman Schutt, namely : August, Ernest, Erna and Irma. Mr. Schutt and family belong to the Ger- man Evangelical church of Walworth.
Mr. Schutt is a splendid specimen of physical manhood and he is a hard worker and well informed citizen on current events, fond of home and family, a good neighbor and faithful friend, according to those who know him well.
EDGAR M. JOHNSON.
The life of such a man as the late Edgar M. Johnson is well worthy of emulation by the youth standing, as Longfellow wrote, "Where the brook and river meet," meaning the small stream of childhood with life's larger flood, often likened to a river. This is so because Mr. Johnson was a man who set a good example. his habits having been exemplary and he was also a man of courage, industry and strict integrity. Thus he was held in high esteem by all who knew him, being for years one of the worthy citizens of Walworth county.
THE NEW YOFF PUBLIC LIBRAD
ASTNE, ENN TILDEN TO DA
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Mr. Johnson was born in Bennington, Vermont, September 20. 1846, and he was therefore one of that hardy band of New Englanders who came here in the early history of this section of the Badger state and took a leading part in its development. He was the son of Parsons and Roxanna ( Little- field ) Johnson, who came to Beloit, Wisconsin. in 1855, when the subject was nine years old. and there the parents spent the rest of their lives, the father dying about 1896, the mother surviving .until 1910. having reached the ad- vanced age of eighty-nine years.
Edgar M. Johnson was educated in the public school- and the prepara- tory department of Beloit College. He worked for a time in the hardware store of Hibbard & Spencer, of Chicago. He then attended the Bryant and Stratton Business College in Chicago, and after finishing the course there, he secured a place with the board of public works of that city. He then went to Silverton, Colorado, where he engaged in the banking business for some time. He came to Whitewater, Wisconsin, in 1883 and organized the Second National Bank, of which he was president until the time of its consolidation with the First National Bank. He was also vice-president of both banks before the consolidation. He was very successful as a business man, was by nature an organizer and promoter. could foresee with remarkable clearness the future outcome of a present transaction, and he made few mistakes. He Lecame one of the financially solid and influential business men of Walworth county. Accumulating a handsome competency, he retired from the active affairs of life about 1896. and his death occurred in 1898, at his fine residence on Main street, where Mrs. Johnson still resides.
Politically, Mr. Johnson was a Republican and he was a leader in local affairs. He was a delegate to the national convention in St. Louis. He was one of the regents of the State Normal School at Whitewater. Religiously. he was a member of the Congregational church. He was a Freemason.
Mr. Johnson was married in 1869 to Harriet Keep, who was born in Beloit, Wisconsin, the daughter of Judge John M. and Cornelia ( Reynolds ) Keep. They were married at Westfield, New York, and came to Beloit. Wisconsin, in an early day. where he became one of the leading members of the local bar and was at one time a judge. He helped lay out the town of Darlington, Wisconsin, and it was largely through his influence that the rail- road was brought from Warren to Mineral Point, this state. He was prom- inent in this part of the state for a number of years, influential in public affairs and a lawyer of the first rank. His death occurred on March 2. 1861. Politically, he was a Republican. . His family consisted of nine chil- dren, two of whom are living. His widow survived until 1895.
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