USA > Wisconsin > Walworth County > History of Walworth county, Wisconsin, Volume II > Part 68
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74
Mr. Wylie was married on June 7, 1846, to Jane Bristol, daughter of Henry Bristol and wife. She was a native of Schoharie county, New York, and was a representative of an old and highly respected family. Four chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wylie, namely: Susan, who married George Fairchild and moved to Everett, Washington, where her death occurred in August, 1911: Elizabeth, usually known as Libby, married Charles Knapp and they live in Lafayette township, this county; Nettie died in 1892; Hal- bert E, the only son, is told of in a separate sketch in this volume.
The mother of these children was called to her rest in December, 1890, and the father, George W. Wylie, was summoned to close his earthly accounts on March 26, 1893, after a long, useful and honorable career, his loss being distinctly felt by the entire county, for as a citizen he was public-spirited and enterprising, and as a friend and neighbor he combined the qualities of head and heart that won confidence and commanded respect-a genial, obliging. genteel gentleman in every sense of the terms.
CHARLES B. WILMER.
We should indeed be proud of the fact that there is no limit in this country to which natural ability, industry and honesty may not aspire. One born in the most unpromising surroundings and reared in the most adverse environ- ment may nevertheless break from his fetters and rise to the highest station in the land, and the qualities do not have to be of transcendent character to enable him to accomplish this result. It is more the way he does it and his skill in grasping the opportunities presented than to any remarkable qualities possessed by him. Accordingly it is found that very often in this country the chief executive of the nation or state and other high public officials possess no greater ability than thousands of others. They have simply taken better ad- vantage of their opportunities than their fellows. And this truth runs
1428
WALWORTH COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
through every occupation. The business man rises above his competitors merely by · taking advantage of conditions which others overlook or fail to grasp. The family represented by the subject of this sketch has always been classed with the best and thriftiest of the county.
Charles B. Wilmer, member of the popular and well known firm of Wil- mer Brothers, merchants, of East Troy, was born in Walworth county, Wis- consin, on April 11, 1869. He is the son of August Wilmer and wife, an old and highly respected family of the eastern part of the county.
The subject was reared to manhood here and he received his education in the public schools of the town of East Troy. He began his business career as clerk for the firm of Wilmer Brothers, and, learning the ins and outs of the business, he became a member of the firm in 1895, the name now being Wilmer Brothers & Company. They have a large, well arranged and attractive store in East Troy and always carry a splendid, carefully selected and up-to-date stock of goods.
Mr. Wilmer was married in 1895 to Nellie O'Leary, who was born in Hartford, Wisconsin, in 1872, and to this union one daughter has been born, Charlotte, whose birth occurred on September 8, 1909.
Politically, Mr. Wilmer is a Democrat, but he has never been an aspirant for office. He is a member of the Catholic church.
FERDINANT EBERT.
Walworth county, Wisconsin, has furnished comfortable homes for many of the enterprising citizens hailing from the great German empire, who have been settling within her borders since early pioneer days when the land was still the haunts of various tribes of Indians, the Objibwas, Chippewas, Sioux and others, and also the haunts of many species of wild denizens of the northern woods. We have always welcomed them, and this has been as it should be, for they have been courageous and not afraid of hard work, and have been of untold assistance to us in clearing the fertile soil of its heavy timber of pine, fir, tamarack and hemlock, and they, too, have helped build our substantial dwellings, comfortable barns and imposing business and public buildings. Few of these visitors from that alien land had any capital when they arrived, at least, very little, not enough to be of much conse- quence ; but they didn't need much, for they were strong in body and mind and did not hesitate at obstacles, and thus in due course of time they attained
·
I429
WALWORTH COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
a competency and a position of influence in the locality in which they chose to reside.
One of these earnest, honest and worthy pioneers is the venerable builder of the town of East. Troy, Ferdinant Ebert. He was born in Germany . on November 8, 1835. He is the son of Frederick and Charlotte (Brown) Ebert, both born in the fatherland, where they grew to maturity and were married and where the father spent his life. After his death his widow emigrated to America, locating in Walworth county, Wisconsin, where she spent the balance of her life, dying at an advanced age about 1891.
Ferdinant Ebert, of this sketch, was reared in Germany and there he received his education in the public schools and there he was married and continued to reside until 1871, when he came to the United States, and he and his wife came to East Troy, Walworth county, Wisconsin, in 1873 and here he has since resided. He learned the mason's trade early in life and. this he has continued to follow, being an expert in the same, and his services have always been in great demand, for he soon established a reputation for honesty in his work as well as keeping abreast of the times in all that per- tained to his trade. He has assisted in the erection of many of the substan- tial buildings in East Troy, including the bank building and the Catholic school, and the eastern part of Walworth county. He has also been engaged for many years in moving buildings, having met with continued success in both. He built, some time ago, a fine, modern and attractive brick dwelling which he occupies in East Troy.
Mr. Ebert is a Republican in his political beliefs, but he has preferred to lead a quiet life, rather than seek the emoluments of office. He and his family are members of the Lutheran church and faithful in their attendance on the same.
Mr. Ebert was married on October 13, 1864, in Germany, to Olereka Kreneck, who was born in Germany on October 26, 1839. She is the daugh- ter of Henry and Lena Kreneck, natives of Germany where they grew up and married and there Mr. Kreneck spent his life, dying there, after which event his wife emigrated to America, locating in Milwaukee in 1887.
Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ebert, named in order of birth as follows: Emil is deceased; Albert followed in the footsteps of his father and became a mason contractor and is located in East Troy, doing a good business : Mary was next in order of birth : William is deceased ; Martha was the next born : Henry, like his brother and father, is also a mason and con- tractor and is doing well in East Troy; Louise was the youngest of the family.
1430
WALWORTH COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
WALTER DICKERMAN.
It is proper to judge of a man's life by the estimation in which he is held by his fellow citizens. They see him at his work, in his family circle, in church, hear his views on public questions, observe the operations of his code of morals, witness how he conducts himself in all the relations of society and civilization and are therefore competent to judge of his merits and demerits. After a long course of years of daily observations, it would be out of the ques- tion for his neighbors not to know of his worth, for, as has been said, "actions speak louder than words." In this connection it is not too much to say that the several members of the Dickerman family have ever stood high in the estima- tion of their neighbors and acquaintances, for their conduct has been honorable in all the relations of life and their duty well performed whether in private or public life, and that they have ever been industrious, never waiting for some one else to do what they should accomplish themselves.
One of the best known of this worthy family of the present generation is Walter Dickerman, of East Troy. He was born in Beloit, Wisconsin, on August 1, 1881. He is the son of Harry and Mary (Dowd) Dickerman, the father born in DesPlaines, Cook county, Illinois, on June 26, 1855, and the mother was born on March 2, 1860. The father of the subject was the son of Frank Dickerman, who came to East Troy, Wisconsin, in 1856 and located on a farm and here his death occurred in 1908. His wife, Mary, died in 1905.
Harry Dickerman, father of the subject, was educated in the public schools and was a carpenter by trade, later in life engaging in the hardware business, which he began in 1870 and which he has continued to the present time, his well stocked store at East Troy being one of the best known in the county and has always been liberally patronized, drawing customers from remote sections of this and the adjoining county on the east. They carry a large and well selected stock of general hardware and farming implements, and the fact that many of their customers are of ten, twenty or thirty or more years' standing is evidence enough of the courtesy and fair treatment of this popular store. In 1905 Walter, of this review, and his brother, Kirk, entered the firm under the name of the Dickerman Hardware Company.
Politically, Harry Dickerman is a Republican, and while he has been a very busy man he has taken considerable interest in public affairs. He has been supervisor, treasurer and trustee of the village of East Troy. Fraternally, he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America.
Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Harry Dickerman, namely ; Walter of this review; Nellie and Kirk, all three living in East Troy.
1431
WALWORTH COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
Walter Dickerman was reared in East Troy and received his education in the local schools, and he has always lived here, and has spent his life in the store. Politically, he is a Republican, and he was treasurer of East Troy for a period of three years. Fraternally, he and his brother, Kirk, are Freemasons.
Walter Dickerman was married in 1905 to Myrna Rossmiller, a native of East Troy township, this county, where she grew to womanhood and received her education. She is the daughter of William and Minnie Rossmiller, a highly respected family of this township.
BERNARD WILMER.
Life is pleasant to live when you know how to make the most of it. Some people start in life as if they had weights on their souls, or were afraid to make the necessary effort to live up to a high standard. Others, by not mak- ing the proper study of the conditions of existence, or by not having that blessed trainer, a good and intelligent mother, are side-tracked at the outset and never seem thereafter to be able to get back again on the main track. Much depends on the start, just as it does in a race. The horse that gets the best start, all other things being equal, will almost invariably win the race. So in the race of life; if you are properly started with suitable grooming, such as good educational and splendid home training, you will lead in the race in after years and enjoy every minute of your existence. Such home influences were thrown around the subject of this sketch in his early years. Both father and mother were people of unusual intelligence and both led lives of singular purity.
Bernard Wilmer, member of the popular mercantile firm of Wilmer Brothers, of East Troy, Walworth county, was born on July 7, 1845. He is the son of Bernard Wilmer, Sr., and wife, a worthy old pioneer family of this locality. The subject was reared and educated in this community and he began life as a farmer, which he continued with success until 1871, when the firm of Wilmer Brothers was organized, and he has since been connected with the same, no small part of its success and prestige being due to his energy, judicious counsel and conscientious and honest treatment of the thousands of patrons of this well kept, carefully stocked and superbly managed store.
Politically, Mr. Wilmer is a Democrat, but he has never been specially active in public affairs. He and his family are Catholics and faithful in their support of the mother church.
Mr. Wilmer was married in September, 1875, to Eliza Boyle, who was
1432
WALWORTH COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
born in Cohoes, Albany county, New York, in June, 1854. She is the daugh- ter of John Boyle and wife, a highly esteemed family of this county, a complete sketch of whom appears in another part of this work. The union of the sub- ject and wife has been without issue.
GEORGE H. SMITH.
The subject of this review enjoyed distinctive prestige among the enter- prising men of Walworth county of a past generation, having fought his way onward and upward to a prominent position in the circles in which he moved. and in every relation of life his voice and influence were on the side of right as he saw and understood the right. He was always interested in every enter- prise for the welfare of the community and liberally supported every movement calculated to benefit his fellow men. Although the last chapter in his life drama has been brought to a close by the "angel with the backward look and folded wings of ashen gray," who called him to a higher sphere of action, his influence is still felt for good in the community long honored by his residence and he is greatly missed by hosts of friends and acquaintances, for he was a man in whom the utmost confidence could be reposed, scrupulously honest in all his dealings with his fellows, always making good his promises, was kind and obliging, especially to the unfortunate and a man whom all respected and admired.
George H. Smith was born in Andover, Vermont, on August 17, 1827. He is the son of Sewell and Nancy ( Mancer) Smith, who spent their youth in New England and married there in 1823. In 1841 the family came to Wal- worth county, Wisconsin, and settled in East Troy, then a straggling village. where the elder Smith engaged in merchandising, on the site where the bank now stands, and there he continued successfully in business until 1855. He was the first postmaster at East Troy. He lived retired several years before his death, which occurred in 1881 at the advanced age of seventy-eight years, his widow surviving until 1884, dying at the age of eighty-one years. Sewell Smith built the store where Marshall & Son are now located. Politically, he was a Republican; but he never sought office, though he held several local offices, having been the first township clerk, and he was chairman of the board of supervisors and was also treasurer of the town.
Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Sewell Smith, five sons and two daughters, of whom five are living. George H. Smith was fourteen years
I433
WALWORTH COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
old when he came to East Troy township, this county, and here he grew to manhood and attended the early day schools here. In 1852 he went to White- water and there engaged in business as a member of the firm of Sewell, Smith & Sons, returning to East Troy in 1855 and here engaged in business, but in the same year he again went to Whitewater, and was in business there until 1868, then returned to East Troy, where he continued in business until 1897 when he sold out to Marshall & Zinn. He had been in partnership with his brother, C. W. Smith, under the firm name of C. W. Smith & Company, which enjoyed a large trade with the surrounding country. From 1897 until his death, in February, 1903, Mr. Smith lived retired. He had been very successful as a business man and left considerable property at the time of his death. The death of his wife occurred in September, 1904.
George H. Smith was married in 1856 to Anneliza Burgit, who was born in Tioga county, New York, on July 27, 1829, the daughter of Jacob Burgit. a complete sketch of whom is to be found on another page of this work.
Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. George H. Smith, namely : Ida C., who lives in East Troy, and Warren E., who is a resident of New York City. The former was educated in the public schools of Whitewater and the East Troy high school, graduating from the latter; she was also graduated from the Ladies' Seminary at Oconomowoc. She made a specialty of painting and music and has long been very successful as an artist, her fine work being admired wherever shown, having much natural ability in that line. She is a lady of culture, education and refinement and a favorite with a wide circle of admiring friends.
AUGUST WILMER.
It is signally consonant that in this work be incorporated at least a brief resume of the life and labors of August Wilmer, who has long been one of the influential citizens of Walworth county, in fact thas spent his life here, being a connecting link with the pioneer period in which he spent his childhood and of which he has many interesting reminiscences. Through his loyal efforts the town of East Troy and surrounding locality have reaped lasting benefits, for his public-spirit and exceptional business capacity have been directed along lines calculated to be for the general good. A man of forceful individuality and marked initiative power, he has been well equipped for the larger duties of life and for leadership in his community, while his probity of character and his genial personality, obliging nature and every-day common charitableness have
I434
WALWORTH COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
gained for him universal esteem and friendship in the town and county where he has made his home for a period of sixty-nine years.
Mr. Wilmer was born in East Troy township, Walworth county, Wiscon- sin, on March 10, 1843. He is the son of Bernard and Elizabeth ( Waltring) Wilmer, both natives of Germany, the father born in Hanover in 1809 and she in Prussia in 1813. There they spent their earlier years, he emigrating to the United States in 1835 and settled in Boston, Massachusetts, and there he was married. In 1840 he came to Walworth county, Wisconsin, with the pioneer element, then setting in strongly from the Eastern states to the North- west. He located in East Troy township, three miles east of East Troy, securing one hundred and twenty acres, to which he added until he had one hundred and sixty acres, and here he developed a large, fine farm and became one of the influential men of his community. His death occurred in the vil- lage of East Troy in 1892, his wife having preceded him to the grave in 1887. They were the parents of four sons and four daughters, all still living but one son and one daughter.
Bernard Wilmer was a Democrat and he and wife belonged to the Cath- olic church. His father, William Wilmer, was a native of Germany and there he spent his early life, finally emigrating to New Orleans, Louisiana, about 1843. He ascended the Mississippi river in a steamboat to Quincy, Illinois, then came on to Walworth county, Wisconsin, purchasing a farm in East Troy township, where he spent the rest of his life, dying in 1860. His wife, Adelaide Wilmer, died in Quincy, Illinois, the same year in which his death occurred, 1860.
August Wilmer, of this sketch, was reared on the home farm where he worked when he became of proper age, and he received his education in the public schools and the German schools, also a commercial college in Milwaukee. He farmed in the summertime and taught school in the winter months for seven terms, and in 1868 he engaged in merchandising with Theodore Haller, and in 1871 the well known firm of Wilmer Brothers was organized, and in 1895 the son of the subject, Charles B., became a member of the firm, the name then being changed to Wilmer Brothers & Company, and they have continued successfully to the present time, enjoying a large trade with the surrounding country, carrying at all seasons a complete and carefully selected stock of gen- eral merchandise.
The subject and his brothers, Bernard, own a farm of one hundred and twenty acres one mile north of East Troy, and the subject is now living prac- tically retired from the active duties of life, having, by his thrift and industry, accumulated a competency.
1435
WALWORTH COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
Politically, Mr. Wilmer is a Democrat and he has been more or less active in party affairs. He was chairman of the town board for six years and presi- dent of the village for four years, and he was treasurer of the school district for nineteen years. He always gave eminent satisfaction as a public servant, and has done much for the permanent good of East Troy. He is a member of the Catholic church.
Mr. Wilmer was married in 1868 to Mary Ann Boyle, who was born in Scotland in May, 1842, the daughter of John and Mary Boyle, who emigrated to America when Mrs. Wilmer was a child and settled in the state of New York, where they remained until 1860 when they came to East Troy, Wal- worth county, Wisconsin, where they spent the rest of their lives on a farm. They were the parents of two daughters, Mary Ann, wife of the subject, and Eliza B., both living.
To the subject and wife two children have been born, namely: Charles Boyle Wilmer, a member of the firm of Wilmer Brothers & Company, and Mary, who married Dr. T. J. O'Leary, of East Troy, and her death occurred on June 17. 1910, leaving two children, Mary and Genevieve.
ARTHUR HENRY BARTHOLOMEW.
It is proper that the descendants of the old settlers, those who cleared the land of its primitive woods, should see that the doings of the earlier years are fittingly remembered and recorded. It was said by one of the greatest historians that those who take no interest in the deeds of their ancestors are not likely to do anything worthy to be remembered by their descendants. Arthur Henry Bartholomew, well known farmer of East Troy township, Walworth county, is a scion of one of the early families of this locality, many of whose worthy characteristics he seems to have inherited, for he believes in keeping busy and in doing what he can in furthering the interests of his community, at the same time so guarding his conduct as to merit the confi- dence and respect of his neighbors and friends.
Mr. Bartholomew was born in this township on October 23, 1867. He is the son of John and Catherine (Grunewalt) Bartholomew, both born in Roserodia, Hessen, Germany, the father's birth occurring on February 6, 1835. and there they grew to maturity. They emigrated to the United States in 1855, locating in East Troy township, on a farm with Henry Grune- walt. Later selling out, he bought eighty acres of land in Troy which has
1436
WALWORTH COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
remained in possession of the family ever since, and here the elder Bartholo- mew spent the balance of his life, dying on May 14, 1907. His wife was born in February, 1837, the daughter of Henry Grunewalt, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this work. To the parents of the subject eleven children were born, all of whom, with one exception, are living. Politically, John Bartholomew was a Republican and he was confirmed in the Lutheran church, but in 1858 he joined the Methodist Episcopal church, of which his wife was also a member.
Arthur H. Bartholomew was reared on the farm where he began work- ing when but a small boy, and in the winter time he attended the common schools of his district, in East Troy township, and early in life he turned his attention to farming for a livelihood. He has met with encouraging success all the while and is now the owner of an excellent farm of one hun- dred and eighty-three acres in this township, also eighty acres of valuable land in Price county, Wisconsin, also an interest in the old homestead. He carries on general farming and stock raising, making a specialty of dairying. He has brought his place up to a high standard of improvement and cultivation. He has a pleasant home and everything about his place denotes thrift and good taste. He finished a splendid set of buildings on his farm in 1912, which now makes his place rank with the best in the community.
Politically, Mr. Bartholomew is a Republican and while he takes the interest of a good citizen in public affairs he has never sought to be a leader in public affairs. He attends the Methodist Episcopal church.
On July 12, 1894, Mr. Bartholomew was united in marriage with Birdie Luella Keyes, who was born in Spring Prairie township on the farm now owned by the subject. She is the daughter of Nathaniel and Jane Anna (Flint) Keyes, both natives of New York, and the father came to Walworth county, Wisconsin, with his parents, Nathan A. and Fanny Keyes, who set- tled in East Troy township, when the country was little developed, and here, through hard work and economy. they became very well established and spent the balance of their lives. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Bartholomew were early settlers of Walworth county, and they both died in Spring Prairie township. In this township the parents of Mrs. Bartholomew were married. and they owned the farm where the subject now lives. The father died on June 25, 1901, the mother having preceded him to the grave in 1883. They were highly respected people and were very well established here.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.