USA > Wisconsin > Walworth County > History of Walworth county, Wisconsin, Volume II > Part 47
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John H. Fryer, of this sketch, was reared on the home farm and he
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received his education in the public schools and in Milton College. When a young man he went to Colorado, where he worked in the mines for two years, then engaged in the hotel business for two years, in Racine, Wisconsin. four years in Iowa and seven years in Whitewater. Here he also engaged in the insurance business for several years, in all of which he met with encour- aging success. For some time he was an organizer for the Independent Order of Foresters, then, on April 1, 1896, he was appointed postmaster at Whitewater, the duties of which he discharged for a period of four years in a manner that was eminently satisfactory to the people and to the depart- ment. He has been mailing clerk in this office for the past eleven years. still employed in that capacity, being very faithful in the performance of his duties. Politically, he is an unswerving Democrat, and has always been active in the party. He has been a delegate to state conventions.
Mr. Fryer is a member of St. John's Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons : Whitewater Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and the Knights of Pythias.
Mr. Fryer was married in 1878 to Alma Williams, a native of Walworth county and the daughter of N. D. Williams, who came to Whitewater, Wis- consin, in 1837, among the earliest pioneers. The wife of the subject died in 1884, and in 1886 he was united in marriage with Louisa H. Loucks, of Aurora, Illinois, by which union two children have been born: John A., who was educated in the public schools, and was graduated from the Whitewater high school, and who later spent two years in the University of Wisconsin. He is now a landscape architect at Rochester, New York, under the firm name of Trautmann & Fryer. The second child. Alma L., is now attending the high school in Whitewater.
T. A. KACHEL.
One of Walworth county's leading business men is T. A. Kachel, well known as one of the heads of the Wisconsin Dairy Supply Company, whose great success has been due in no small measure to his able management and judicious counsel. His methods have ever been progressive and he is quick to adopt new ideas which he believes will prove of practical value in his work. Indolence and idleness are entirely foreign to his nature, and owing to his close application to his business and his honorable methods he has won prosperity that is richly merited, while he enjoys the friendship and esteem of the people of Walworth county. He is a public-spirited citizen and with-
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holds his co-operation from no movement which is intended to promote public improvement. What he has achieved in life proves the force of his character and illustrates his steadfastness of purpose. By his own efforts he has advanced to a position of credit and honor in the business circles of this locality.
Mr. Kachel was born at Whitewater. Wisconsin. on August 4, 1806. He is the son of John and Frances Kachel, both born in Germany, where they spent the early years of their lives. He emigrated to the United States in 1849, locating at Heber. Wisconsin, having walked from Milwau- kee. He arrived in the new world without capital, but was a hard worker and ambitious, so in course of time he became very comfortably established. In the old country he had learned gardening and this he followed after com- ing to America, but general husbandry formed his chief work. He finally located at Whitewater. Walworth county, and his death occurred here in 1910. For many years he worked in the shipping department of the wagon factory at Whitewater, known as the Winchester Manufacturing Company.
The mother of the subject emigrated to America from the fatherland in 1851, coming direct to Port Agelston, Wisconsin, later to Whitewater. In this family were seven children, of whom five sons are still living.
T. A. Kachel received a good education in the Whitewater schools, and in 1883. when the Wisconsin Dairy Supply Company was organized at Whitewater, he sought and secured employment in the same and he has been connected with this concern ever since. He soon learned the ins and outs of the business, and three years later he became a member of the firm, taking the position as manager, his rise having thus been rapid. He con- tinued to discharge the duties of this important office in a manner that re- flected much credit upon his ability and fidelity, and to the eminent satisfac- tion of stockholders and patrons until 1893, when he became secretary and treasurer, and this position he still holds, giving his exclusive attention to the same.
This company manufactures machines and supplies for cheese factories. creameries and dairies, and, owing to the superior quality of their machines, a very large trade is carried on over a wide radius of territory and is con- stantly growing. They outgrew the old plant and established new modern buildings in 1896. The plant is superbly equipped with all modern machinery and appliances for the rapid and successful manufacture of the lines in which they deal. and only high-grade artisans are employed. Everything is under a splendid system and the plant would be a credit to any community.
Mr. Kachel was married in 1897 to Mary Dunn, representative of an
Leia, Domalli and Sidella The Kachel family are Bisini obentiers
Another of the sterling Verwalteten, wit hey puse a Wall un copy Wisconsin, and here become well established which for at efforts a industrial way and at the same time bay Benefited the locality on a seceral way and won the good will and wooddepor of those with albumy be bas
men of the city of Whitewater in the future of which plane he has ever had unbounded faith.
Mr Coburn's birth oocurre ! in Vermont on lui _6. 1855 He - the age of Arm Band Christmas .. (Moore) Colour book patate- in Vormde each representing a fine old ancestry that took a prominent part in the adam of the colonial days in New England. These parents gren url and were blu- cater and the Owl Granice state, but finally left Vermont and came to Jenterson county. Wisconsin in. November, :8:5, and settled in a farny of eighty ocres. They went to work energetically and prospering added to thei- ground farm until they ow ned two hundred and fifty acres of aboutde land They moved to the city of Whitewater In the year 1881, retiring from active life and here lived quietly the rest of their days, the father dying on November 5. 1901. and the mother joined him in the silent land just a year later No em- ber 5. 1905
Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs Mirin D. Coburn of Isim only the subject Audison A Coburn. is now living The father was very successful as a general farmer and stock raiser. becoming one of the sub- stantial men bi his neighborhood Politically, he was a Republican and was always interested in party affairs. Out made no effort- to be a politician. Tu religious matters he was a Universalist.
Addison A. Coburn grew to manhood on the home farm, where he assisted with the general work ahont the place when a boy, and ile receiver his education in the public schools of bis shamndmit, and later averdini the Whitewater Normal School He started on kie for himself liy engaging m farming in Jefferson county He now awins the old homestead, four ound
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one-half miles from Whitewater. There he met with a large measure of success as a general agriculturist and kept the old home well improved and well cultivated. Accumulating a competency, he moved to Whitewater in the year 1905, retiring from the active duties of life, and here he has since resided, having a pleasant home. However, he finds diversion in selling automobiles, having an agency for some of the standard makes and most popular cars. His fine residence is at the corner of Main and Whitten streets.
Politically, Mr. Coburn is a Republican, and he was chairman of the town board for three years. In religious matters he belongs to the Congrega- tional church.
Mr. Coburn was married in 1876 to Alice Thayer, a native of Palmyra, this state, and to this union two children have been born, namely: Etta, who married Dr. H. C. Miller, and Orrie A., who is a dealer in live stock.
HENRY F. THIELE.
The name of Henry F. Thiele, of Whitewater, needs no introduction to the people of Walworth county, where he has lived for nearly three-quarters of a century, successfully engaged in business, as the result of rightly applied principles which never fail in their ultimate effect when coupled with integ- rity, uprightness and a congenial disposition, as they have been done in his case, judging from the high standing he has maintained among his fellow citizens whose undivided esteem he has justly won and retained, for his life has been one of untiring industry and honorable dealings with his fellow men. Now at four score years he is hale and hearty and still active in the affairs of life, this, no doubt, being due to his careful habits and right think- ing. There is much in his career that the youth could take valuable lessons from, if studied carefully, for, as those who knew him best will readily admit, he is a man of superior mould in many respects.
Mr. Thiele was born in Germany on January 23, 1832, and is the son of Henry and Caroline Thiele, who were born, reared, married and spent their lives in Germany. The father of the subject was a Liberal and his home was confiscated.
Henry F. Thiele, of this sketch, was reared in the fatherland. He was a student of the university, studying to become an architect, when he decided to come to America. In 1848 he came to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he clerked in a store and later took up contracting and building; he was also a
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cabinetmaker. In 1850 he moved to the town of Franklin, near Milwaukec, where he made his first_coffin, and today he enjoys the distinction of being one of the three oldest living undertakers in the United States, having been in the business sixty-two years.
He is a charter member and one of the organizers of the Wisconsin Un- dertakers' Association, which was organized over thirty years ago, and he was president of the same two terms. He is a member of the National Un- dertakers' Association, and he has attended the meetings of the association for twenty-nine years. He was appointed a delegate in 1911, but was unable to attend on account of failing health.
In 1852 Mr. Thiele went to Ft. Atkinson, and in 1855 came to White- water, this county, where he has since resided. In 1854 he began the manu- facture of coffins and during his career as undertaker he has buried over ten thousand persons, and is still actively engaged in business at the age of eighty. years. For several years he was also engaged in the manufacture of sashes. He has been very successful in whatever he has turned his attention to and he understands every phase of the undertaking business. He has been a life-long Democrat, but has never aspired to office. He is a member of Janesville Commandery, Knights Templar, in the Masonic order, also the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. He also belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic at Whitewater as a social member. He is a musician of no mean ability and has been a member of several bands, and in connection with his undertaking business he has car- ried all kinds of musical instruments.
Mr. Thiele was married on May 27, 1854. to Barbara Loetz, who was born in Germany on September 5. 1836, at Delavan, Wisconsin, at the home of his brother, Herman Thiele, who was a civil engineer at the time of the building of the Racine & Milwaukee railroad. The brother of the subject was engaged as civil engineer with headquarters at Portland, Oregon, and he was killed by the Indians and was buried at Portland. Barbara Loetz was the daughter of Michael and Barbara Loetz. natives of Germany, from which country they emigrated to the United States in 1847, where the mother died in 1854, and the father died in Whitewater in 1888 at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. They were the parents of twelve children, three of whom are living. Her brother, Joseph G. Loetz, is a resident of Jefferson. Wisconsin, and a prominent politician of Jefferson county, having held im- portant political positions there.
Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Henry F. Thiele, namely :
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Henry, deceased; Jennie, deceased; Frank, deceased; William was next in order of birth; Frederick, who served in the Spanish-American war on the famous battleship "Oregon," was at both Santiago, Cuba, and at Manilla, Philippine Islands. He was also in the Chinese Boxer war. He has been in the United States navy for fourteen years and is now in the ordnance department. The four younger children of the subject are Clara, Joseph, Anna and Elizabeth.
EDWARD ENGEBRETSEN.
The man who has made a success of life and won the honor and esteem of his fellow citizens deserves more than passing notice. Such is the record, briefly stated, of Edward Engebretsen, well known citizen of the town of Whitewater, Walworth county. By a life of persistent and well applied energy and commendable industry led along the most honorable lines, he has justly earned the right to conspicuous mention in a work of the province assigned to the one in hand, along with the other progressive and public- spirited men of the county who have made their influence felt in their re- spective communities. And because of his unswerving honesty in all his dealings with his fellow men his generous and kindly nature, he has won and retained a host of warm personal friends throughout the locality long honored by his citizenship.
Mr. Engebretsen was born in Whitewater, Wisconsin, April 8. 1854. He is the son of Andrew and Esther ( Evensen) Engebretsen, both born in Skien, Norway, where they were reared and educated, and where they spent their lives until 1849, when they emigrated to the United States. The father was a millwright by trade. He located in Walworth county and helped build most of the early mills in Delavan, Whitewater and other local- ities here. He was associated with a Mr. Montague, the leading millwright of this part of the country for many years, and they did a large business. The mother of the subject came to Palmyra, Wisconsin, with her parents, Even and Guneld (Haroldsdaughter) Evensen Gulset. This family settled on a farm in the vicinity of Palmyra, and there built a log cabin which still stands. Later the family moved to Stoughton, Dane county, this state, where the death of the father occurred on September II, 1876, at an ad- vanced age, his birth having occurred on October 30, 1798. His wife was born on October 30, 1798, and she died on November 22. 1877.
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The parents of the subject came to this country single and they were married here in 1853. They became the parents of two sons and two daugh- ters, all living at this writing. Upon his marriage the father of the subject settled in Whitewater and there followed his trade of millwright and car- penter, which; he followed the rest of his life. He became very well-to-do and owned lands in the vicinity of Whitewater and Palmyra, also in Dane county and Waupaca, this state. Politically, he was a Republican and he was a member of the township board of Whitewater township for several years. He was an active member of the Lutheran church. His death occurred on July 6, 1907. His widow survives, still living at Whitewater.
The subject was reared in Whitewater and there received his education in the public schools, also attended Mrs. Marsh's select schools. He began life for himself as a clerk, and he engaged in the grocery business with Albert Bridge for two years, then he bought the interest of Mr. Bridge. continuing the grocery business successfully for a number of years, later adding dry goods, and still later other lines until he carried a large and carefully selected stock and enjoyed a liberal trade with the town and sur . rounding country, continuing the mercantile business from 1876 to 1903. when he sold out and was not actively engaged in business until 1909 when he established the dry-goods firm of Engebretsen Company, in which the sub- ject's oldest son, Lee, is a partner. They have a large, well arranged and popular store and are doing a large and growing business.
The subject is an extensive land owner, being the possessor of two hundred acres in Waukesha county, one hundred and thirty-three acres in Jefferson county, not far from Whitewater, and four hundred and eleven acres in Wood county. He is a stockholder in both banks of Whitewater. He is also a stockholder in the Plattsville Bank, and one of the organizers of that institution. He has been very successful in whatever he has turned his attention to, being a keen observer, a man of wise discretion and fore- sight, by nature an organizer and promoter, and the possessor of rare busi- ness acumen.
Politically Mr. Engebretsen is a Democrat, and has been more or less active in public affairs, lending his support whenever it was needed to fur- ther the interests of the community. He was mayor of Whitewater for two terms, during which time he did much for the permanent good of the city and managed the office in a manner that reflected much credit upon himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned. He was the first treasurer of
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Whitewater City and was the city's second mayor; he was also the village treasurer for two years.
Fraternally, Mr. Engebretsen belongs to the Freemasons; he has been a Mason since he was twenty-one years old, and he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He belongs to Janesville Commandery No. 2. Knights Templar.
Mr. Engebretsen was married in 1878 to Florence Steele, who was born in Jefferson county, Wisconsin, May 8, 1858. She is the daughter of Hugh and Mary (Marsh) Steele, early settlers of Jefferson county, Iowa. They are now both deceased. Five children have been born to the subject and wife, named as follows: Pearl, deceased; Lee, Fenton, Willis and Ruth.
Hugh Steele, mentioned above, was born near Bainbridge, Scotland, August 18, 1824, and his wife, known in her maidenhood as Mary Marsh, was born at Hatley, Canada, April 4, 1824. They emigrated to Jefferson county, Wisconsin, on July 23, 1850, and settled in Cold Spring township on eighty acres, on which they established the family home, and, having prospered, added to the original eighty until they had one of the choice farms of the county, consisting of three hundred and thirty acres. Later selling a portion of this, they purchased a small farm of eighty-six acres in the same township. The father died on May 16, 1898. and the death of the mother occurred on July 7. 1887. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Steele, four of whom are living at this writing, namely: Newton R., of Whitewater; Herbert B., also of Whitewater; Mrs. Engebretsen ; Albert, deceased; Clarence, of Cold Springs, Wisconsin. Politically. the father was a Republican.
CHARLES A. H. SPRACKLING.
One of the deserving native sons of Walworth county, whose life work has reflected credit upon the same, is Charles A. H. Sprackling, of White- water. In looking over his life record we are reminded of the fact that there could be no more comprehensive history written of a city or county. or even of a state and its people, than that which deals with the life work of those who, by their own endeavor and indomitable energy, have placed themselves where they well deserve the title of "progressive," and in this sketch will be found the record of one who has outstripped the less active and less able plodders on the highway of life, one who has not been subdued by the many
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obstacles and failures that come to every one, but who has made them step- ping-stones to higher things and at the same time that he was winning his way in the industrial affairs of life gained a reputation for uprightness and honor; in fact, all who know Mr. Sprackling intimately will say that his word has always been as good as the bond of many and that he has been faithful to every trust reposed in him.
Mr. Sprackling was born in Whitewater township, this county, on Janu- ary 27, 1863. He is the son of George and Susan (Hewlett) Sprackling, who were both born in England. He was the son of Absolom Sprackling, who was also born in England and who came to America and located in Whitewater township, Walworth county, Wisconsin, where he took up one hundred and sixty acres of land from the government when the country was new. Forty acres of this original farm is still in possession of the family. The father of the subject was a farmer and he owned one hundred and eighty acres of land, which is still owned by the family. His death occurred in 1876, and his widow is now living with their son, Charles A. H., of this sketch. Politically, the father was a Republican.
Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. George Sprackling, four daugh- ters and two sons, one of whom died in infancy.
The subject was reared on the home farm and there made himself gener- ally useful in his boyhood days. He received his education in the public schools of his neighborhood and when young engaged in farming for a live- lihood and this has been his main life work. However, for many years he was an implement dealer in Whitewater, enjoying a large trade with the surrounding country. For ten years he was in the employ of the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company, of Racine, Wisconsin, and he spent one year with the Nichol & Shepard Company. He became quite an expert in the imple- ment business and gave his employers the utmost satisfaction.
The Spracklng estate consists of one hundred and eighty acres, which the subject owns, and he also has eighty acres in Wood county, this state, two hundred and forty acres in South Dakota, and eighty acres in Florida, also valuable property in Whitewater. He has been very successful in a business way, having been a persistent worker and a good manager.
Politically, Mr. Sprackling is a Republican, and he has long been active and influential in local affairs. He was at one time alderman of his ward in Whitewater. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic order and the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.
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Mr. Sprackling was married on March 25, 1885, to Jennie J. Smith, daughter of Joseph and Julia (Tipple) Smith, an old and highly honored family of Walworth county, Grandfather Smith having taken up land in Richmond township from the government, when the country was new and here the family became well established and well known.
To Mr. and Mrs. Sprackling one child has been born, named George Morris, whose birth occurred on January 24, 1888. He is now engaged as railway mail clerk. He was educated in the public schools and the high school at Whitewater. He took the civil service examination in 1907.
JOHN W. DENISON.
One of the best known and most representative of Walworth county's business men of a past generation was the late John W. Denison, of White- water. He was essentially a man of affairs, sound of judgment and far-see- ing in what he undertook, and with scarcely an exception every enterprise to which he addressed himself resulted in liberal financial returns. He began life poor in the world's goods, but rich in what is of far more value than material wealth, a sound mind in a sound body. He possessed concentration of purpose and energy that laughed at restraint : keen foresight and the rare executive ability that made everything undertaken accomplish the purpose for which intended. To these qualities were added scrupulous integrity, honesty and uprightness in all dealings with his fellowmen and an honor in keeping with the ethics of business life, while behind all and controlling all were the great principles embodied in the Golden Rule, without which no man, how- ever great his wealth and however distinguished his name, can be truly suc- cessful.
Mr. Denison was born in Durham, Greene county, New York, April 6, 1819. He was the son of John and Martha (Coe) Denison, both born in Connecticut, the father on October 14, 1778, and the mother on July 21, 1781. They spent their earlier days in Connecticut, but their last years in the state of New York, the father dying on September 18. 1853, and the mother on October 5. 1852.
John W. Denison grew to manhood in New York and there received his education in the public schools. On March 9. 1854, he was united in marriage with Mary .A. Perkins, and they remained in the Empire state
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until 1857, when they came to East Troy, Walworth county, Wisconsin, and there Mr. Denison engaged in the mercantile business, also bought wool extensively. He remained there until the fall of 1866 when he came to Whitewater and engaged in the manufacture of paper, under the firm name of Denison & Farmer, which, under his able management, grew to large proportions, their plant being up-to-date in every respect and managed under a superb system. Mr. Denison continued this business until he had accum- ulated an ample competency and retired from the active duties of life, selling out his paper interests, and the last years of his life were spent quietly in his beautiful home in Whitewater, where his death occurred on September 8, 1897. His widow is still living here.
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