USA > Wisconsin > Walworth County > History of Walworth county, Wisconsin, Volume II > Part 7
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WALWORTH COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
PETER GUS PETERSON.
America has always held the gates of her entry ports ajar to the sons of Norway, and, having thus extended them a hearty hand of welcome and given them every opportunity to advance themselves after they got within our borders, they have come in large numbers from year to year and their substantial homes now dot the hills and plains of nearly every agricultural community of the Union and there is hardly a city of any importance in which we do not find their homes and places of business. Thus they have aided us in developing this vast western hemisphere and we have in turn benefited them. They were reared in a land where Mother Nature is some- what unkind, where the winters are long and the country rugged and none too fertile, as a rule, so that they have had to battle hard for the right to live, had to extend every energy for the food and clothing necessary to keep aglow the little flame of life. This has enabled them to win success in this country of ours where there are unlimited opportunities, for they do not halt at any obstacle or permit any adversity to swerve them from their course.
One of this hardy band is Peter Gus Peterson, a farmer of Sharon township, Walworth county, who began life with no capital, and by persever- ance and economy is the possessor of a good farm and a comfortable home. He was born in Norway on June 6, 1873. He is the son of Peter and Ellena (Olson) Peterson, the father a native of Sweden and the mother of Norway. They grew up in their respective countries and were married. They never came to America. The father devoted his life to farming, and was a quiet, hardworking man and known as an honorable citizen. His death occurred on January 10, 1890, his wife having preceded him to the grave on April 15, 1880.
Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Peter Peterson, named as fol- lows : Katherine, deceased ; Olaus, deceased ; Olena and Christina live in Chica- go ; Marens lives in Norway ; Emma lives in Chicago; Bernt lives in Norway ; Peter Gus, of this sketch.
Peter G. Peterson grew to manhood in Norway and received his educa- tion in the schools of his home community. He came to the United States in 1891 and went direct to Chicago. He learned the carpenter's trade in this country and this he followed for two and one-half years in Chicago. He turned his attention to farming and came to Sharon, Walworth county, Wisconsin, where he worked as a farm hand for about five years. Then he married on February 23, 1899, and bought a farm of sixty acres, which he retained only a short time. Selling this place, he purchased the farm of
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WALWORTH COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
sixty-seven acres where he now lives at the edge of Sharon. He has a very valuable and desirable place, which he has under excellent improvements and cultivation, and is successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising. He has a good home and good outbuildings, all of which he has made through his individual efforts, for he had to start in life empty handed, and, this being the case, he is deserving of a great deal of credit for what he has accom- plished. Fraternally, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen and the Equitable Fraternal Union.
Mr. Peterson was married to Mary Ann Smith on February 23. 1899. She is the daughter of Ira and Barbara Smith, a highly respected family and well known in the northeastern part of Boone county, Illinois, and are very well known in that part of the country. To Mr. and Mrs. Peterson three children have been born, named as follows: Rae Everett. Vivian Eleanor and Willard Russell.
CHARLES S. FRENCH.
Success comes to the deserving after all, though it seems sometimes that this is not the case. The man who puts forth the proper effort long enough and hard enough will achieve just about what he set out to achieve. This fact was realized early in life by Charles S. French, of Lake Geneva, another of the sterling New Englanders who have cast their lot in Walworth county, and by so doing have benefited alike themselves and us. His life record here has been especially characterized by the most absolute integrity of word and action, which has gained for him the unqualified respect of the entire community. Added to this is a spirit of good fellowship and geni- ality which has brought to him a large circle of warm personal friends. He was born in Burlington, Vermont, July 26. 1856. He is the son of Judge William H. and Ermina E. (Byington) French, the father a prominent man at Burl- ington, having for some time been judge of the court at that city. His widow survives and is making her home with the subject in Lake Geneva.
Charles S. French lived in his native city until he was ten years of age, then, his father having died, he and his mother came to Chicago, where they made their home until about 1868, then came to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and here they have since resided.
The subject attended the normal school at Whitewater and, deciding on a legal profession, began the study of law in the office of John A. Smith and
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WALWORTH COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
was admitted to the bar in 1879, soon afterwards becoming a partner of John A. Smith, and they practiced together until the death of the latter. He has practiced alone in Lake Geneva ever since, enjoying a liberal patronage and taking a high rank among the leading attorneys of this part of the state. He has kept fully abreast of the times in all that pertains to his profession and is known to be a careful. painstaking and learned counsellor, and he has figured prominently in important cases in this locality for many years.
Taking an active interest in public affairs, Mr. French has held a num- ber of local offices within the gift of the people, always to the eminent satis- faction of all concerned. He was mayor of Lake Geneva for four terms when a young man, giving the city an administration such as it has seldon had in its history. He was postmaster here for eight years, and for a number of years was president of the board of education, and years ago was also clerk of the village.
Mr. French organized the Equitable Electric Light Company at Lake Geneva in 1897 and he has been president of the company ever since, its large and rapidly growing success being due very largely to his judicious advice and counsel.
The subject was united in marriage with Ida W. Newberry, who was born in Chicago, and who is the daughter of Capt. Oscar E. Newberry, a lake captain, and Nellie (Loomis) Newberry. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. French, namely: Eleanor E. married Howard Beckwith and lives in Lake Geneva; Mary E. is at home with her parents; Charles W. lives at Jerome, Idaho; Harry L. lives in Chicago ; Sidney B. is at home.
Mr. French has long been prominent in Masonry, being a Knight Templar and a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He was high priest of the local chapter for a period of twenty-three years, a record, we believe.
CYRUS A. MATTESON.
The family, whose name appears above, have enjoyed prestige as lead- ing citizens of Walworth county since the early days, being familiar with the scenes and conditions of pioneer life, the parents of the subject knowing full well what it meant to establish a new home far removed from the advantages of advanced civilization in a wide-stretching forest through which the wolves prowled and deer roamed, and they became inured to hard work and knew how to appreciate toil at its true value, and members of this sterling
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WALWORTH COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
old family have played well their parts in the work of transforming the county from the wild state in which the Indians left it to one of the choice agricultural sections of the state.
Cyrus A. Matteson, farmer, of Sharon township, was born in the town of Darien on December 30, 1861, and he has spent his life. in Walworth county. He is the son of Johnson and Laura (Franklin) Matteson, natives of the state of New York, where they spent their earlier years, received their education in the old-time public schools, and there they were married, and lived until 1844 when they came to Walworth county, Wisconsin, and settled in Darien township, taking up one hundred and sixty acres from the govern- ment, which they improved into an excellent farm and there resided until 1896, when they retired from active life, and moved to a cozy home in the town of Darien where the father still resides, his wife having died in May, 1908.
Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Johnson Matteson, one of whom died in infancy; those living are, Mrs. George Fiske, of Delavan; Cyrus A., of this sketch; Frank lives in Darien, where he is engaged in con- tracting; John lives in North Geneva, Wisconsin; Mrs. Clara Chesebro, of Beloit, Wisconsin; Mrs. Marion McKenney lives in South Dakota.
Cyrus A. Matteson, of this sketch, was reared on the home farm where he worked during the summer months, attending the Darien schools in the winter time. He has devoted his life to farming. He is now the owner of one hundred and ninety acres of productive and well improved land, one hundred and ten acres of which lie in Sharon township and eighty acres in Walworth township. He has been very successful as a general farmer and stock raiser.
Politically, Mr. Matteson is a Republican. He was school treasurer for a period of twelve years, during which time he discharged his duties very faithfully and acceptably to all concerned. Fraternally, he belongs to the Modern Woodmen.
Mr. Matteson was married on October 12, 1887, to Amy Putnam, . daughter of George W. and Eliza Putnam, a highly respected family of Darien. Here Mrs. Matteson grew to womanhood and received her educa- tion in the common schools of the community in which the family has long resided.
To Mr. and Mrs. Matteson five children have been born, named as fol- lows: Edith, Alta, Cyrus, Johnson and Marion, who died when four years old.
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WALWORTH COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
J. H. REDENIUS.
Clearly defined purpose and consecutive effort will inevitably result in the attaining' of a due measure of success, but in following out the career of one who has attained success by his own efforts there comes into view the intrinsic individuality which made such accomplishment possible, and thus there is granted an objective incentive and inspiration, while at the same time there is enkindled a feeling of respect and admiration. The qualities which have made J. H. Redenius one of the prominent and successful men of Walworth county have also brought him the esteem of his fellow men, for his career has been one of well directed energy, strong determination and honorable methods. It would be hard to find in this section of the great Badger state a more progressive, scientific and industrious agriculturist and stock raiser than he, and his career is well worth considering by the youth just entering upon his life work along similar lines, for it abounds not only in lesson but also in incentive.
Mr. Redenius was born on September 18, 1853, in Tazewell county, Illinois, the scion of a sterling old family of the Sucker state, being the son of Hiram L. and Gertien J. (Gerdes) Redenius, natives of Ost Friesland, Germany, from which country they emigrated to the United States when young and located in Woodford county, Illinois, where they engaged suc- cessfully in farming. The father was a man of strong characteristics and he lived the latter part of his life retired, his death occurring in Woodford county, Illinois, about 1860. His family consisted of four children, namely : Ellen. Johanna, Hiram L. and J. H. of this review.
The subject grew up on his father's farm and assisted with the general work about the place when a boy, receiving what education he could in the district schools. He left his native state and came to Wisconsin when a young man, buying a farm in Darien township, and here he prospered by hard work and good management, being now the owner of one of the most desir- able farms in the township, consisting of four hundred acres in section 14. He has brought it up to a high state of improvement and cultivation. In connection with general farming he always keeps an excellent grade of live stock, of which he is known to be an excellent judge. He has a large, sub- stantial and attractive home and good, convenient outbuildings. Every- thing about the place indicates thrift, prosperity and that a gentleman of excellent taste has its management in hand. He is also the owner of seven hundred and ninety acres of very valuable land in Richmond and Delavan town in Walworth county.
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WALWORTH COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
Mr. Redenius was married on February 9, 1875, to Richie Folkers, the representative of an excellent family, and to this union have been born nine children, all living, namely : Dora J., J. G., H. W., Carl F., W. W., Johanna G., Esther Ethel, George A. and Henry Bryan.
Mr. Redenius is a Democrat and, while not a public man, he is interested in whatever tends to promote the interests of his party and the community in general. He is a member and liberal supporter of the Lutheran church.
ADAM SMOK.
One of the successful farmers of Sharon township, Walworth county, Wisconsin, who has worked hard for that which he now possesses, and knows how to appreciate the true dignity of labor and to place a correct esti- mate upon the value of money is Adam Smok, who, although born under alien skies and reared to customs other than ours and taught to revere a flag different from our vaunted stars and stripes, nevertheless is loyal to our institutions and, in fact, is, after all, about as much of an American as any of us. Walworth county has indeed been fortunate in securing such a large number of men of his nationality and type, for they have certainly done much for this locality. But this has not been a one-sided affair, for we have offered them great inducements to come and till our land, in that we have furnished them as rich soil as might be found anywhere and at such figures as they could all afford to buy, and while they have been developing the same we have, under the aegis of our state codes, thrown about them.every protection. They have appreciated this and have made good citizens and we are glad to have them with us. One of this worthy number is Adam Smok.
Mr. Smok was born in Germany on October 4, 1863. He is the son of Adam and Caroline Smok, both born in Germany, where they grew to ma- turity and received their education in the common schools and there were married. They are still living in the fatherland.
Adam Smok, the subject of this sketch, grew to manhood in his native land and there received his educational training in the public schools and there he spent his early life. When about thirty years of age, in 1893, he, having failed to find the opportunities in his native land that one of his ambition would naturally desire, set sail for the western republic, coming direct to Walworth county, Wisconsin. He first settled in Walworth county and, being short of funds, began working out by the day in order to get a
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WALWORTH COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
foothold here. He saved his money, and later rented a farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres in Sharon township and here he still resides, having made a success as a general farmer and stock raiser, keeping the place well tilled and everything in tip-top shape.
Mr. Smok was married in Germany and brought his family with him to America. On May 16, 1911, Mr. Smok was united in marriage with Mrs. Lena Sein, who had been previously married, having two children by her first husband, Carl, who lives at home, and Rose, who died on January 17, 1907.
Mr. Smok spent three years in the German army in his youth. He be- longs to the German Lutheran church, and he is a member of the Mystic Workers.
LEWIS G. BROWN.
The legal profession in Walworth county has an able representative in the person of Lewis G. Brown, of Lake Geneva, one of the leaders of the younger members of the bar, whose success since locating here has won him many warm friends and admirers in the city and county-in fact, he has spent his life in this community, being the representative of an excellent family, members of which have ever sought to promote such movements as have for their object the general betterment of the locality.
Mr. Brown was born in the city of Lake Geneva on March 4. 1876. He is the son of William and Emma E. (Lewis) Brown, both natives of Wal- worth county and here they grew up, received such education as the early schools afforded and here they were married.
Lewis G. Brown grew to manhood in Lake Geneva and received his edu- cation in the public schools, then took a course in the Northern Indiana Law School, from which he was graduated in 1897, when twenty-one years of age. having made an excellent record for scholarship. He returned to Lake Gen- eva and the same year began the practice of law, which he has continued ever since, with ever-increasing success, until today he has a wide clientele and figures prominently in the local courts. He has ever been a profound student and has kept well abreast of the profession in all that pertains to it.
Mr. Brown has taken an interest in public affairs, and he has been city attorney of Lake Geneva for about nine years, although he is a Democrat and Lake Geneva is very strongly Republican. This would certainly be criterion enough of his high standing in his home city and of the confidence reposed in
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WALWORTH COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
him by the people. He was nominated by his party in 1910 as a candidate for district attorney, having previously been nominated for the same position.
On June 29, 1901, Mr. Brown was united in marriage with Florence DeMain, daughter of Robert and Mary (Haswell) DeMain. She was born on a ranch in Oregon. Her parents had lived in Walworth county before emi- grating to that state, her father having died when Mrs. Brown was an infant, then her mother brought her back to Lake Geneva where she has since resided. To Mr. and Mrs. Brown has been born one child, a daughter, Daphne.
Fraternally, Mr. Brown belongs to the Knights of Pythias in Lake Geneva. He has always been active in politics and he has assisted many of his friends, those he deemed well suited for the various offices sought, in land- ing many political plums. He is regarded as a local leader of his party. As an attorney he is painstaking, honorable and courteous to the court in the trial of cases. He believes in thorough preparation and in doing things when the right time comes for action.
FRED MALSCH.
One of the best known men of a past generation in Walworth county and one of the most highly esteemed was the late Fred Malsch, a man of strong characteristics and a high sense of honor, also a man of kind and generous disposition and public spirit,-a man whom to know was to respect and admire. He was born in Saxe-Meiningen, Germany, February 13, 1832, and there he lived until 1867. Following in the footsteps of his father. he learned the trade of mason, in which he became very skilled. In 1867 he came to America and located at Lyons, Walworth county, Wisconsin, where he worked at his trade. He was married in 1869 to Christina Rader, daughter of Frederick and Anna ( Kelschner) Rader and a native of the same locality in Germany in which the subject was born. Her parents had died when she was thirteen years of age, and she came to America in 1868. She came to Lyons, this county, and was living at the same place in which the subject was staying when they met.
In 1870 Mr. Malsch and wife moved to Springfield. Wisconsin, and in 1876 moved on a farm which they rented for two years, then went back to Springfield. While on the farm he continued to work at his trade, and this he followed as long as he was able to work.
Mrs. Malsch had been married in Germany and two children had been born to her in that country, and one of the children and her husband died
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WALWORTH COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
there, the other child, Mary, having accompanied her mother to America, and here she married Fred Rown, and lived until her death in 1897.
Mrs. Malsch had two children by her second marriage, Herman and Andrew, both of whom live in Lake Geneva, and are very well situated in reference to material things.
The death of Fred Malsch of this sketch occurred in May, 1890, after an honorable career, throughout which he did his duty faithfully in all the relations of life, winning the good will of all concerned. His widow is living in her own cozy home in the town of Springfield. She is a faithful member of the Lutheran church, as was also Mr. Malsch.
WILLIAM H. LOCKWOOD.
A worthy representative of that type of American character and of that progressive spirit which promote public good in advancing individual pros- perity and conserving popular interests, was the late William H. Lockwood, for many years one of the leading farmers of the southeastern part of Wal- worth county, operating successfully a fine farm just east of Lake Geneva. The study of such a life never fails to offer much of pleasing interest and valuable instruction. His character was exemplary and he enjoyed the good will and esteem of a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.
Mr. Lockwood was born at Saratoga, New York, October 23, 1836. He was the son of Zephaniah Lockwood, who lived to be ninety-one years old, and he had a brother, Jonathan, who lived to one hundred years of age and another brother, Leonard, died from an accident when ninety-nine years old, both his legs having been cut off by a train. A fourth brother, James, died at the age of one hundred and one years. This is, indeed, a remarkable record for one family.
When William H. Lockwood was four years old, the family came to Walworth county, and his father, Zepheniah, entered land from the govern- ment, lying about a mile east from the postoffice in Lake Geneva. Here Will- iam H. grew to manhood amid pioneer conditions and in 1861 he went to California, later to Nevada, where he engaged in mining and other enter- prises for thirty years, with a varying degree of success. He had as business partner for over twenty years Thomas Reilley, formerly of Linn, this county, now of Chicago. While at Eureka, Nevada, Mr. Lockwood became a charter member of the Masonic lodge at that place.
MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM H. LOCKWOOD
THE NE PUBLIC
ASTOK, LEKU. TILDEN FOUNDA !!!
THE NEW PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOK, LEROX TILBEN FOUNDATIONS
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WALWORTH COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
In 1890 Mr. Lockwood returned to Lake Geneva to take charge of his father's affairs, and after the death of the elder Lockwood he remained on the old homestead, which he converted into a model farm.
In September, 1885, Mr. Lockwood was united in marriage with Mrs. Janet Van Barry, deceased. She has a son, John A. Barry, Jr., who is now in business in Milwaukee. Mrs. Lockwood is the daughter of Philander K. Van Velzer and wife, a sketch of whom will be found on another page of this work.
The death of Mr. Lockwood occurred at home on November 20, 1910, after several years of ill health. He was held in high regard by all who knew him and was respected everywhere for his many sterling qualities. His home was known for its hospitality and he and his wife helped many poor families of Lake Geneva.
Mrs. Lockwood, who is a woman of many sterling qualities of both head and heart, still lives on the home place, which she operates in an able manner. This valuable place has been the home of the Lockwoods ever since it was taken from the government. The active work of the farm is done by Mr. Lockwood's nephew, William E. Lawton. He was born November 16, 1873, on the Lockwood farm, and is the son of G. G. Lawton and Martha E. ( Lock- wood) Lawton. His father was a farmer and contractor. William G. Law- ton's parents are both deceased. He grew up on the farm with his grand- father, succeeding him at his death in the management of the place, and he has been very successful as a general farmer and stock raiser.
Four of Mr. Lockwood's brothers survive: Ulysses, of Williams Bay; Tepheniah, of Oregon; Franklin, of Washington, and Jonathan, of Cali- fornia.
OTTO YOUNG TERRACE.
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The tourists and all other visitors to the Lake Geneva region carry away with them an indelible impression of the Otto Young Terrace, at the east side of Geneva bay, probably the most magnificent and imposing piece of archi- tecture in Walworth county.
Approaching it along the lake shore by way of walks lined with broad lawns and flowers on the one hand and the clear sparkling water on the other, one comes to a terrace about two hundred feet long, built up with a split boulder wall eight feet high, the terrace enclosed at the top with a fence of (53)
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stone, the posts being turned and carved and overlaid with a dressed stone railing. From the grassy terrace broad stone steps lead up to the beautiful archways entering on the porch. The porch, eighteen feet wide and the full length of the house, is, like the structure itself, built of Bedford oolitic lime- stone, beautifully finished with hand carving in the stone, carving that shows superior workmanship.
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