USA > Wisconsin > Walworth County > History of Walworth county, Wisconsin, Volume II > Part 69
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To the subject and wife four children were born, all living. namely : Vernie Arthur, born June 5. 1895: Nathan John, born December 5. 1897; Agnes Pearl, born December 17. 1899: Velma, born July 14, 1906.
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WILLIAM BEERS.
We rarely find two persons in everyday life who attribute their success in their different spheres to similar qualities. Hard work and plodding in- dustry paved the way for one, good judgment and a keen sense of values for another, intuition and a well balanced mind for the third. . An admixture of . some of the qualities above named, emphasized by hard work, has been re- sponsible for the success of the subject of the present sketch in his battle for the spoils of victory, these winning attributes having descended from a sterl- ing ancestry who played no inconspicuous part in the early history of Wal- worth county, having done their share of the rough work necessary to re- deem the fertile land from the wild state in which the first settlers found it, and it is to such as these that we of today are greatly indebted for the good farms, the thriving towns and the good schools and churches to be found in every community.
William Beers was born in East Troy, Walworth county, Wisconsin, on the farm which he now owns, on May 24, 1856. He is the son of John and Mary (Crites) Beers, the father born in Pennsylvania, July 25, 1803, and the mother in the state of New York on June 18, 1819. They spent their childhood in their respective communities and were married in New York on January 1, 1839, and from there they emigrated to Walworth county, Wis- consin, in 1842, and took up eighty acres of land where the subject now lives. This they cleared and improved, undergoing the usual hardships and priva- tions incident to pioneer life. Later twenty acres was added to the place they had received from the government, thus making them a good farm, and here they spent the remainder of their lives, he dying in Honey Creek in 1886 and her death occurred on May 26, 1892. Politically, he was a Re- publican.
Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. John Beers, three of whom are living at this writing.
William Beers, of this review, was reared on the home farm where he assisted with the general work when a boy, and he received his education in the district schools, and early in life turned his attention to agricultural pur- suits and he has been very successful, being now the owner of one of the finest farms of his township, consisting of two hundred and forty-one acres, which he has placed under a high state of improvement and cultivation, be- lieving in adopting all twentieth-century methods conducive to the best re- sults. He carries on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale, and he has a pleasant, well kept home and large, convenient outbuildings.
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Politically, Mr. Beers is a Republican, and he has been more or less active in public affairs. He is now serving his second term as chairman of the township board. Fraternally. he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America.
Mr. Beers was married on December 23, 1879, to Adella Hulbert, who was born in Racine county, Wisconsin, on January 1, 1855. She is the daughter of Septimus and Sarah (Jennings) Hulbert, who came to Racine county, Wisconsin, about 1842, with the pioneer settlers from the East, and here they established a good home and spent the balance of their days, Mr. Hulbert dying in East Troy in 1911 at the home of the subject. The death of Mrs. Hulbert occurred in December, 1907. They were the parents of five children, of whom three are living. The father was a farmer by occupa- tion, and politically he was a Republican.
One child, a son, has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Beers, Raymond Ches- ter, whose birth occurred on January 17, 1887. He was educated in the public schools of East Troy and the high school there, later spending one year in the University of Wisconsin. He has adopted farming for a livelihood and he gives promise of much success in the future.
JOHN MITCHELL.
The subject of this sketch occupies a prominent place in the esteem of the people of the northeastern part of Walworth county and is universally re- spected, for as a business man, fair dealing is his watchword in all his trans- actions. Mr. Mitchell is a worthy representative of one of our excellent old pioneer families, members of which have figured more or less prominently in the affairs of the county for several generations, ever lending such aid as was their just due in furthering any movements having as their object the general upbuilding of the county in a material, civic and moral way. They have not been neglectful of their duty in any of the avenues of life and they have long ranked among our best farmers, being advocates of twentieth-century meth- ods in order to get the largest results from the minimum expenditure of labor. There is peculiar satisfaction in offering biographies of such people in a work of this nature.
John Mitchell was born in Spring Prairie township, this county, Novem- ber 5, 1862. He is the son of Edward and Sarah (Burton) Mitchell, both natives of England, the father born in Yorkshire on March 22, 1834, and the mother on August 15, 1841. The paternal grandparents. William and Chris-
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tina (Chanley) Mitchell, were also natives of England, his birth occurring there in 1811, and there they grew up and were married, and there the death of the grandmother occurred in 1853, after which the grandfather married Mary Hargrave, in Spring Prairie township, Walworth county, Wisconsin, whither he had emigrated in 1858, and here he spent the balance of his life, dying in 1893, his wife having preceded him to the grave in 1890.
Edward Mitchell, father of the subject, spent his boyhood in England and received his education in the public schools. He was reared on the farm and when a young man took up farming for a livelihood in East Troy township. Walworth county, having accompanied his father here in 1858. He first secured fifty acres, to which he later added one hundred and thirty- five acres, then added forty acres. He placed this land under excellent im- provements and cultivation and laid by a competency through his close appli- cation and good management, and he is now living retired from the active duties of life in his pleasant home in East Troy township.
Five children, four sons and one daughter, were born to Mr. and Mrs. Edward Mitchell. Politically, he is a Republican, and has taken considerable interest in public affairs. He has been supervisor for five years in succession, filling the office to the satisfaction of all concerned.
John Mitchell was reared on the home farm where he made himself useful in his boyhood days and he received his education in the country dis- trict schools and the East Troy graded schools, and early in life he took up farming for a vocation. He is now the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres which he has kept well improved and well tilled and on which he carries on general farming and stock raising successfully. He has a pleasant home and a good set of outbuildings. He makes a specialty of raising Holstein cattle.
Politically, Mr. Mitchell is a Republican, and in religious matters a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which his father and mother are members and also the grandfather before him. Edward Mitchell, the father, was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war, having enlisted in February, 1865, serving until the close of hostilities. He is now a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
John Mitchell was married on November 23. 1886, to Elizabeth Castle. who was born in England on September 12, 1857, the daughter of Edward and Mercey (Warren) Castle, both born in England, the father on April 8, 1820, and the mother on March 3, 1819, and there they grew up and were married, and the father died there on March 14, 1875. In 1880 Mrs. Castle emigrated to America, and located in Walworth county, Wisconsin, and here
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she spent the rest of her life, dying on December 1, 1910, at the advanced age of ninety-one years. They were the parents of five children, three of whom are living.
To John Mitchell and wife three children have been born, the first dying in infancy ; the second in order of birth was Mercey Pearl, whose birth oc- curred on November 27, 1891 ; the youngest, Edgar Warren, was born on September 26, 1895.
JOHN L. FUNK.
One of the leading agriculturists of East Troy township, Walworth county, is John L. Funk, who is one of the worthy native sons of the county, having been content to spend his life on the home farm, well knowing that no better opportunities for a man of his inclination could be found in any other locality. He has ever had the interests of his county at heart and, while promoting his own welfare has done much toward the bettering of conditions in general in his community. His career has been one of close application, uncompromising integrity and he is highly regarded by all who know him, consequently is well deserving of a place in his county history.
John L. Funk was born on the farm where he still resides, in the town- ship mentioned in the preceding paragraph, on February 7, 1850. He is the son of Jacob and Catherine (Hamm) Funk, both natives of Germany, the father born in Wurtemberg. July 12, 1808. and the mother on March 30, 1811. Jacob Funk was six years of age when his father died and thus in early life he was thrown upon his own resources, and when young learned the tailor's trade in his native land. In 1829 he emigrated to America, locating in Bos- ton, and there he was married on February 21. 1836, and in 1838 he came to Wisconsin and took up one hundred acres, now owned by the subject in East Troy township, which he developed from the wilderness and here spent his last days, becoming very well established, his death occurring on August 16. 1886, and his wife died on December 1. 1890. Their family consisted of eight children, of whom four are living. In politics he was a Republican, and he and his wife were members of the German Methodist church, and he . took much interest in the work of the same. The first sermon of this denom- ination was preached here in his log cabin. He continued his trade of tailor in connection with farming.
John L. Funk, of this sketch, was reared on the home farm where he assisted with the general work during the summer months, and when a youth learned the shoemaker's trade, at which he worked for about four
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years, but farming was his principal business from the start. He received such education as he could in the early schools. As stated, he remained on the home place of one hundred acres, which he has kept well improved and under an excellent state of cultivation, and to which he has added twenty acres in this township, and he also owns twenty acres in Spring Prairie town- ship. In connection with general farming and stock raising he makes a specialty of dairying. He keeps thoroughbred Durham cattle, and is very successful with his live stock and dairy.
Politically, Mr. Funk is a Republican, but has little aspiration to be a leader in public affairs. He has been a director in the Farmers Mutual Life Insurance Company. Fraternally, he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and the Royal Neighbors of Honey Creek.
Mr. Funk was married on February 22, 1877, to Caroline Schmidter, who was born in Spring Prairie township on May 22, 1849. She is the daughter of Louis and Amelia (Mannert) Schmidter, a complete sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. To Mr. and Mrs. Funk have been born five children, all living and named as follows: Emma, Otto, Walter, Nellie and Roy.
NATHANIEL SCHMIDTER.
One of the successful farmers of Walworth county whose labors seem to have been rightly directed through the course of an industrious and honor- able life is Nathaniel Schmidter, who, by his genial and kindly attitude to those about him, has won and retained the good will and respect of his neigh- bors and acquaintances, who are necessarily many in view of the fact that he has spent his life right here at home, which, most will agree, is the best place after all.
Mr. Schmidter was born in Spring Prairie township, this county, on October 3, 1855. He is the son of Lewis and Amelia ( Mannert) Schmidter. The father was born in Switzerland and the mother was born in Germany. They emigrated to America when young and while yet single, and were married in Boston. Later they came on west and located in Spring Prairie township, Walworth county, this state, in 1837, among the pioneers. Here they found a wilderness indeed, but had the sagacity to foresee a great future for the country, so by hard work and economy they established their home, undergoing the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life. They owned a farm of one hundred and twenty acres and on this they spent the
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balance of their lives, the death of the father occurring on February 28. 1881. at the age of seventy-one years, his widow surviving many years, dying on January 27. 1899. at the age of seventy-seven years.
Thirteen children were born to Louis Schmidter and wife, seven or whom are living at this writing. Politically, the father was a Republican, but pre- ferred to lead a quiet home life, rather than seek public leadership. He belonged to the German Methodist Episcopal church, in which he did a great deal of good as a local preacher. He was a useful man in his community, was well known and highly esteemed by all.
Nathaniel Schmidter. the immediate subject of this sketch, was reared on the home farm where he worked hard when a boy, and in the winter months he attended the district public schools. Early in life he took up farming for a livelihood, and he is now the owner of eighty acres, which he has placed under good improvements and on which he engaged in general farming and stock raising.
Politically, Mr. Schmidter is a Republican, and in religious matters is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Schmidter was married on March 5. 1884. to Mary Mohr, who was born in East Troy township. this county. November 19. 1861. the daughter of Christopher and Wilhelmina ( Krell) Mohr, both born in Germany, where they grew to maturity, and from which country they emigrated to America in early life, and located in Walworth county, Wisconsin, in June, 1861, locating on a farm in East Troy township and here spent the rest of their lives, the death of the father occurring on April 1, 1879. and the mother died on March 17, 1908. Their family consisted of seven children. all of whom are living. Politically. Mr. Mohr was a Republican, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. To Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel Schmidter five children have been born, named as follows: Hazel. George. Lulu Maud. Horace and Mary.
JOSEPHUS ATKINSON.
The name of Atkinson has long been an honored one in Walworth county, in fact since the pioneer epoch when here was inaugurated the march of prog- ress in material. civic and moral lines, and the worthy representatives of this sterling old family have continued to add luister to the name through their wholesome living, their public spirit and their industry, for they have ever advocated progress along all lines, not laboring merely to selfish ends and to their own advancement-always to be found associated with every movement
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which promised an addition to the community's wealth and wellbeing. One of the best known of the present generation is Josephus Atkinson, farmer and stock raiser of East Troy township, a man who has succeeded well at his chosen vocation because he has sought to employ advanced methods and has never permitted the grass to grow under his feet. Mr. Atkinson was born in East Troy township, this county, on November 20, 1853. He is the son of William and Sarah ( Houthwait ) Atkinson, both born in England, where they grew up, were educated and married. From there they emigrated to the United States, coming on to Walworth county, Wisconsin, in an early day, and settling on a farm of fifty-seven acres in East Troy township, which they later sold and bought forty-seven acres, and here they established a good home and made many friends, and lived the rest of their lives. the father dying in 1886 and the mother in 1900.
Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. William Atkinson, only two of whom are living at this writing. Politically, the father was a Republican, but not very active in public affairs. He and his wife were members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church.
Josephus Atkinson, of this sketch, was reared on the home farm where he assisted with the general work when of proper age, and he received his educa- tion in the public schools of his home district. He has devoted his life to farm- ing and is now the owner of an excellent farm of two hundred and forty acres. which he has kept well improved and well cultivated, rendering it one of the choice farmsteads in East Troy township, and on this he has made a success as a general farmer and stock raiser. He has built here a modern and attractive dwelling and a substantial barn, and has all the convenient outbuildings and up-to-date farming machinery that his needs require. He also owns very valuable and desirable property in the town of East Troy where he lived for a period of five years. He keeps an excellent grade of live stock, at present a herd of seventy cows, making a specialty of dairying. for which he is excep- tionally well equipped .
Politically, Mr. Atkinson is a Republican and he has always taken the in- terest of a good citizen in the welfare of his township and county. although having little desire to be a public man. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Atkinson was married in 1882 to Minnie Kabliskie, who was born in East Troy, July 7. 1862. She is the daughter of August and Henrietta ( Fuss ) Kabliskie, both natives of Germany. They grew to maturity in their native land. emigrating, single. to Wisconsin about 1852 and they were subsequently married in Milwaukee; they settled on a farm of forty acres in Walworth
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county, which they later sold, then bought one hundred and twenty acres. They became well established here and spent their remaining years in this county, his death occurring in 1908, at the age of seventy-two years, his wife having preceded him to the grave in 1877, when comparatively young. They were the parents of seven children, five of whom are living. Politically, Mr. Kabliskie was a Republican, but led a quiet home life. He was a member of the Lutheran church.
. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson, all living, named in order of birth as follows: Ray, Malam, Lottie, Earl, Mabel and Glenn.
ALEXANDER FRASER.
Born on the far-away heights of bonnie Scotland, the picturesque land, familiar to us principally through the versatile descriptions of such immortals as Scott, Burns and Miller, but spending the major part of his life in Walworth county, Wisconsin, Alexander Fraser, a well known and venerable citizen of East Troy township, is worthy of special mention in a volume of the nature of the one in hand, being truly a pioneer and active in the subsequent develop- ment of the locality. His long life of usefulness and charitable acts has won for him the sincere affection of almost every man, woman and child in his township, and of many of those living in townships adjacent. His early in- dustry has resulted in his possession of a neat competence, and while he still enjoys the glow of the golden rays of the sun of life that must eventually set behind the horizon of the inevitable, he shares that enjoyment with no stint in the companionship of the members of his family and his wide circle of friends, won through his residence here of nearly three quarters of a century.
Mr. Fraser's birth occurred in Scotland on May 8, 1830, the son of James and Elizabeth (Campbell) Fraser, both born in Scotland, where they grew up and were married, and from there they came to America in an old-fashioned sailing vessel in 1839 and settled in Walworth county, Wisconsin, purchasing here one hundred and sixty acres. Adding to this as he prospered, he became the owner of four hundred and forty acres of fine land and was one of the lead- ing pioneer farmers of the county and an influential man in the affairs of the county, and here he spent the rest of his life. They were the parents of eight children, only one of whom, Alexander, of this sketch, is living.
Alexander Fraser was nine years old when he was brought to Walworth county and here he grew to manhood and assisted with the general work on the
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home farm, and here he received his education, such as could be obtained in the pioneer schools, for the country was then new and the settlers had to devote most of their attention to the development of the wild land into produc- tive farms.
The subject made the arduous overland journey across the great western plains to California in the gold-fever days, and there he remained ten years. engaged for the most part in shipping water to the miners, from 1850 to 1860. He tells many interesting incidents of those early times and conditions in the then wild West. Returning to Walworth county, he resumed farming, which has been his chief life work, and, having managed well and applied himself very assiduously to his work, he is now the owner of one of the choice farms of East Troy township, consisting of three hundred and forty acres, where for many years he has carried on general farming and stock raising on an exten- sive scale, making a specialty of breeding Merino sheep and shorthorn cattle, the latter being especially admired for their superior quality.
Politically, Mr. Fraser is a Republican and he has long taken more or less interest in public affairs. He has been chairman of the local school board for several years. He is president of the Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company, which position he has held since the same was organized, in fact he has been very largely responsible for the great success of this popular local institution, which has been successfully operating since 1875 and now covers quite a radius of territory. Mr. Fraser and wife belong to the Congregational church.
Mr. Fraser was married on May 20, 1850, to Julia Ann Crites, who was born in Genesee county, New York, on May 18, 1831. She is the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Geiger) Crites, both natives of Pennsylvania. This family came to Walworth county, Wisconsin, in 1842 and settled among the early residents of East Troy township, on a farm of two hundred and forty acres, and here became well established and spent the rest of their lives, the father dying in 1877 and the mother in 1876. Their family consisted of eight children, three of whom are living in 1912.
To Mr. and Mrs. Fraser two children have been born, namely: Frank L., who lives at home and is assisting in operating the homestead, and James W., who is farming in East Troy township. They were both educated in the local schools and are both very comfortably situated in reference to material affairs, being good workers and of proper integrity.
Mr. Fraser is a man whom to know is to respect and admire, for he has always shown a kind and obliging disposition and an unswerving honesty.
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ARTHUR O'LEARY.
It is indeed hard to find among our cosmopolitan civilization people of better habits of life, taking it all in all, than those who originally came from the fair Emerald isle. The descendants of those people are distinguished for their thrift, consecutive industry, patriotism and honesty in dealing with their fellow men, and these qualities in the inhabitants of any country will in the end alone make that country great. When, with the qualities enum- erated above, are coupled the other qualities of sound sense, tact and wit which all the Celtic descendants possess, there are afforded such qualities as will enrich any land and place it at the top of the countries of the world in the scale of elevated humanity.
One of the second generation of this excellent people in this country is Arthur O'Leary, a successful farmer of East Troy township.
Mr. O'Leary was born in the state of New York on June 30, 1853. He is the son of Patrick and Ann (O'Rourk) O'Leary, both born in Ireland where they spent their early childhood, but both emigrated to the United States while yet single, during the years 1847 and 1848. and they were married in New York. He was born in county Carey and she in county Wexford. In 1853 they came to Walworth county, Wisconsin, and pur- chased a farm in Troy township, Patrick and his brother, John O'Leary. buying eighty acres. They farmed together until 1865 when the former bought out the latter, and in 1866 Patrick bought forty acres more of Will- iami Tobin. In 1881 he purchased eighty acres, thus becoming well estab- lished and prospering, and he spent his last days in East Troy township, his death occurring on November 10. 1903, at the advanced age of eighty-six years, his wife also reaching a ripe old age, dying on June 17, 1903, when eighty-eight years old.
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