USA > Wisconsin > Walworth County > History of Walworth county, Wisconsin, Volume II > Part 70
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Patrick O'Leary and wife were the parents of two children, Arthur of this sketch, and Nora, who is now living in the city of Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Politically, the father was a Democrat, and he and his wife belonged to the Catholic church.
Arthur O'Leary, of this sketch, was reared on the home farm, where he worked when of proper age, and he received his education in the public schools of his district. When young in years he took up farming for a livelihood and has continued the same to the present time. "He is the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and ninety-three acres, which he has placed under excellent improvements and keeps well cultivated. In connection with general farming and stock raising, he makes a specialty of dairying. for
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which he is exceptionally well equipped. He keeps about twenty-eight cows, of a good grade. He has a pleasant home and many large and convenient outbuildings.
Politically, Mr. O'Leary is a Democrat, and he has been assessor of his township for about three years, to the satisfaction of all concerned. He is a member of the Catholic church and a faithful supporter of the same.
Mr. O'Leary was married in April, 1879. to Annetta Wilmer, a daugh- ter of Bernard Wilmer, a complete sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Five children were born to this union, namely : William, Benjamin, Anna, Ella and Arthur.
Mrs. O'Leary was called to her rest in 1893, and subsequently the sub- ject was united in marriage with Bridget Leonard, who was born in Wauke- sha county, this state, on January 6, 1857. She is the daughter of James and Margaret Leonard, both born in Ireland, where they spent their early lives, emigrating to America and locating in Waukesha county, Wisconsin, about 1853, later coming to Walworth county, and they spent their last days in East Troy township, having established a good home there. Mr. Leonard's death occurred in 1880 and his widow, surviving him twenty-nine years, died in 1909. They were the parents of six children, three of whom are still living. To the subject and his second wife one child, a son, James, was born on January 30, 1899.
JAMES W. FRASER.
Success has been achieved by James W. Fraser, farmer and stock raiser of East Troy township, Walworth county, because he has been persistent along legitimate lines and has been an advocate of twentieth-century methods, which he employs on his fine farm, as any one may readily ascertain even by a cursory glance over his well kept and well improved fields. He has given evidence of the outcropping of many of the sterling attributes of his sturdy Scotch an- cestors and while laboring for his individual advancement he has not been neglectful of his duties to his neighbors and the general public, and he is there- fore held in high favor by his wide acquaintances.
Mr. Fraser was born in San Joaquin county, California, on January 27. 1859, but nearly all his life has been spent in Walworth county, Wisconsin, whither his parents. Alexander and Julia Ann (Crites) Fraser, a complete sketch of whom appears on another page of this work, came.
James W. Fraser was reared on the home farm in this county where he
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assisted his father with the general work during his boyhood, and he received his education in the public schools and in the Milwaukee Normal. Early in life he turned his attention to farming and is now the owner of one of the excellent farms of East Troy township, which consists of three hundred acres, which he has placed under modern improvements and a high state of cultiva- tion, and here he carries on general farming and stock raising on a large scale, making a specialty of dairying, keeping a fine herd of cattle. He has a good home and substantial outbuildings and everything about his place denotes good management.
Politically, Mr. Fraser is a Republican and he has taken considerable interest in public affairs. He has served his township as assessor during sev- eral terms in a most creditable manner. He is also prominent in fraternal circles of the county, being a member of St. James Lodge No. 41, Free and Accepted Masons, also Camp No 575. Modern Woodmen of America, and No. 328, Mystic Workers.
Mr. Fraser was married on July 3. 1887, to Zella Warnington, a native of Rochester, Racine county, Wisconsin, having been born there on November 9. 1866. She is the daughter of William and Mariam (Grimshaw) Warning- ton, both natives of England, he born in Warwickshire and she in Yorkshire. They emigrated to Racine county, Wisconsin, when young and there were married, and settled on a farm in that county, and here they spent the balance of their lives, he dying in Waukesha county in 1901. His widow survives. Their family consisted of four children, two of whom are living. The father devoted his life to farming and in politics he was a Republican. To Mr. and Mrs. Fraser three children have been born, namely: Harrison Chester (de- ceased), George Alexander and Julia Ann Ruth.
CHARLEY E. ALTENBURG.
Although Charley E. Altenburg, long one of the leading farmers of East Troy township, Walworth county, but now living in honorable retirement. has passed his seventy-eighth milestone, he is hale and well preserved as to his physical appearance, and as far as that is concerned would never be taken by a stranger or casual observer, not cognizant of his advanced age, to be over sixty-five years old. if that. His memory is wonderfully retentive, and his mental faculties, indeed, seem to be in all respects unimpaired. This is all
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due, no doubt. to the fact that he has led a clean life, one consistent with virtue in his youth and sobriety and right thinking. He has kept busy during his mature years and has remained at home as much as possible, thus avoiding much of the worry and trouble in a general way that eventually contributes to one's breakdown in later life. In short, he has been wise enough to lead the "simple life" advocated by his great countryman, Wagner, which life, after all, is not only the most conducive to longevity, but also to the greatest degree of happiness and material gain.
Mr. Altenburg was born in Germany on April 13, 1834. He is the son of Gottlieb and Magdalena (Bense) Altenburg. both born and reared in the fatherland where, in fact, they married and spent their lives, never coming to America.
The subject was educated in Germany where he grew to manhood, and there he continued to reside until 1870, when he emigrated to the United States and located in Walworth county, Wisconsin, where, in order to get a start, he worked out by the month for a period of ten years or nearly so long. then, having, by economy, saved his money, he purchased forty acres of land in Waukesha county. Later selling this, he came to East Troy township, Wal- worth county, and bought seventy-five acres, which he sold in 1883 and bought two hundred and fifty acres which he still owns, and which he has brought up to a high state of improvement and cultivation; in fact, he has placed all the improvements seen today on it, rendering it equal to any of the farms of his neighbors. He has a commodious, modernly furnished home and good barns andI sheds, and he always keeps an excellent grade of live stock. Having ac- cumulated a competency through close application and good management, he is now living retired from the active duties of life, merely overseeing his farm- ing interests. He is deserving of a great deal of credit for what he has ac- complished, having made all he has through his individual efforts, starting out with nothing.
Politically, Mr. Altenburg is a Republican, but he has led a quiet life and has never been active in public affairs. In religious matters he belongs to the Lutheran church.
Mr. Altenburg was married in 1881 to Caroline Kroenke, a daughter of Carl Kroenke, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Three children were born to this union, namely: Henry, who works the home farm. was educated in the home public schools; Charley E., who was educated in the public schools, the East Troy high school and the Milwaukee Business College, and who became township clerk in East Troy township, is now en- gaged in farming in Dakota. The youngest child, Clara, married Otto
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Schrader, and her death occurred on December 17, 1907. leaving one child. The wife and mother dying in 1886, the subject was married in 1892 to Wil- helmina Brunke, a native of Germany.
JAMES DWIGHT BURGIT.
It is a matter of doubt which is the greater heritage, a distinguished name or a goodly estate. Some persons would choose one and some the other, depending wholly on their feelings and judgment combined. But when the two are sent down to descendants together, the permanent standing of such descendant in the community will never be questioned, so far as the heritage is concerned. The average citizen of the United States can hand down no greater heritage to his children than an unblemished reputation, as was done in the case of the late James Dwight Burgit, for a long stretch of years one of the most representative citizens of Walworth county, a man whom to know was to trust and admire, for he was genial, neighborly, kind and public-spirited, never failing to lend such aid as was possible in further- ing any principle of good. Such a life record could be very profitably studied by the youth whose destinies are matters for future years to determine.
Mr. Burgit was born in Tioga county, New York, on April 22. 1825. He is the son of Jacob Burgit, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.
The subject spent his boyhood in his native community, and when twelve years old, in March, 1837, he came to East Troy, Walworth county, Wisconsin. He had been educated in the public schools of Richford, Tioga county, New York, also went to school after coming to East Troy. He began life as a farmer and became owner of one of the choice farms of the eastern part of Walworth county, consisting of three hundred and twenty acres in East Troy township. He kept his land well improved and under a high state of cultivation, making a pronounced success of general farming and stock raising. He has always lived in East Troy, his farm being near the edge of the town, but he sold the farm and moved to a cozy home in East Troy and here he continued to reside until his death, July 12, 1911.
Politically. Mr. Burgit was a Republican, and religiously he attended the Congregational church, to which his wife belonged.
Mr. Burgit was married on April 25, 1858, to Ruth Ann Jackson, who was born at Florence Hill, Oneida county, New York, on September 6, 1837. She was the daughter of Joseph and Ann (Gardner) Jackson, the father a
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native of Wigton, Scotland, born September 2, 1810, and the mother was born in Malpas, England, in 1816. They emigrated to Oneida county, New York, in 1831, settling at Florence Hill, and there the parents established the family home. Her death occurred in New York on June 27, 1845. Mr. Jackson came to Illinois in an early day and thence to Eagle, Wisconsin, and his death occurred in Waukesha, Wisconsin, on September 24, 1885. His family consisted of five children, three of whom are living. He was a tailor by trade.
Mr. and Mrs. James D. Burgit had no children. This grand old couple celebrated their golden wedding in 1908. They were always popular with all who knew them, numbering their friends by the scores wherever they were known, for they were hospitable, genial and obliging, always looking out for the interests of others. Mrs. Burgit, a woman of beautiful Christian attributes, is still living in East Troy.
FREDERICK WENDT.
In presenting the following brief sketch of Frederick Wendt, now living retired from the active duties of life in his pleasant home in East Troy, we find that the battle of life has been well fought by this enterprising, self-made, foreign-born citizen. That he is endowed with financial abilities of no mean order must be admitted, yet there is added to this an honest determination of purpose and a kind heart, which has impelled him to help others while he was making a path to prosperity for himself. From an early age his de- sire has been to earn every cent needed in the prosecution of his business. He has always lived up to his principle ; and now as old age creeps on apace, with the ambition to accumulate not so strong on him as in earlier years, no longer being a necessity, free from embarrassing debts and with unen- cumbered property, he stands among the financially strong men of his town and township. He is plain and unassuming in manner and by reason of his noble character is frequently sought for as counselor and friend.
Mr. Wendt was born in Germany in 1856, the son of Frederick and Sophia Wendt, both born in Germany, where they spent their early lives. finally emigrating to America, and locating in Lafayette township, Walworth county, Wisconsin, in 1864. Later the father purchased sixty acres in Spring Prairie township and sixty-seven acres in East Troy township. Here they developed a fine farm and spent the rest of their lives, the father dying at the home of the subject in East Troy in 1899, his wife having died in 1892.
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They had but one child, Frederick, of this sketch. Politically, the father was a Republican, and a member of the German Methodist Episcopal church.
Frederick Wendt was reared on the farm and received his education in the public schools of Troy, Walworth county. When young he learned the harness-maker's trade, which he followed in East Troy, beginning busi- ness there in 1881 and continuing until 1886, when he purchased ninety-seven and one-half acres, which he still owns, together with the homestead of sixty- seven acres. He farmed for a number of years very successfully and he is now living in retirement, in his fine, modern residence, which he built on East Main street, East Troy. He also owns the building now used as a bakery, also another residence property. Politically, he is a Republican and he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Wendt was married in 1879 to Louisa Kebler, who was born in Spring Prairie, Walworth county, on August 8, 1856. She is the daughter of John and Ann (Decker) Kebler, both natives of Germany, where they spent their early lives, emigrating to Walworth county, Wisconsin, about 1853 and located in Spring Prairie township and there established a good home. He was a shoemaker by trade. His death occurred on August 12, 1895. and his wife died on February 14, 1897. Politically, he was a Republican, and a member of the German Methodist Episcopal church.
Mrs. Wendt grew to womanhood in Spring Prairie township and there received her education in the public schools.
To Mr. and Mrs. Wendt four children have been born, namely: Wal- win F., who is farming in East Troy township, was educated in the East Troy high school; Herman G., who was educated in the high school in East Troy, is also engaged in farming: Franklin C., also educated in the East Troy high school, is farming on the old home place ; Elfie C., who was gradu- ated from the East Troy high school, married Herbert Wales, and lives near Elkhorn.
LAWRENCE CLANCEY.
A man of marked business enterprise and capacity is Lawrence Clancey. of the town of East Troy, Walworth county, and he carries forward to success- ful issue whatever he undertakes, never permitting himself to lose sight of the modern methods of the business world. His popularity is well deserved, as in him are embraced the characteristics of an unbending integrity, unabating energy and industry that never flags. The earlier years of his life were spent in agricultural pursuits, in which he won success as a general farmer
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and stock raiser, not being surpassed by any of his neighbors. He is a repre- sentative of one of our honored old families, members of which have labored for the general upbuilding of the county in material, civic and moral affairs since the pioneer epoch, standing ready at all times to do their full share in the work of pushing forward the wheels of civilization, and thus the Clancey family is eminently eligible in every way to receive conspicuous mention in a work of the nature of the one at hand.
Mr. Clancey was born in East Troy, Walworth county, Wisconsin, on April 11, 1861. He is the son of Michael and Mary (O'Brien) Clancey, both born in Ireland, where they grew to maturity and they were married in America. They emigrated to New York in 1850, remaining in the East six years, then coming on to Walworth county, Wisconsin, in 1856 and located in East Troy township on twenty-six acres. From this humble beginning they prospered through hard work and able management until they became the owners of five hundred acres of valuable land, and became well established, one of the substantial families of the eastern part of the county, in fact. Here the father spent the rest of his life, dying in 1897, his widow surviving until 1906.
Politically, Michael Clancey was a Democrat, and in religious matters he was a loyal Catholic, a good and highly respected citizen, who made a host of friends after locating here.
Lawrence Clancey of this sketch was reared on the home farm where he worked hard as a boy, and he received his education in the public schools. He followed farming and school teaching, each with a marked degree of success, until 1898, carrying on general farming and stock raising extensively, then he sold out and moved to the town of East Troy, where he engaged in the hardware business, under the firm name of Lacey & Clancey, and he has continued the same to the present time, having built up a large and con- stantly growing trade with the town and surrounding country, their custom- ers coming, many of them, from remote localities, for they know that here they will receive honest and courteous treatment. They have a neatly kept store and they always carry a large and very carefully selected stock of gen- eral hardware and farming implements.
Politically. Mr. 'Clancey is a Democrat and he has been active in party affairs for some time. He has been assessor of East Troy township for several years, filling this position with credit to himself and to the utmost satisfaction of all concerned. He was chairman of the town board for two years, and he has been village president for several years, and supervisor of the village for some time. He is now supervisor and clerk of the high school.
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He has done much for the permanent good of the town of. East Troy, whose interests he has at heart and which he seeks to promote in every way possible. As a public servant he is cautious, faithful and honest, as well as progressive.
Mr. Clencey was married in 1887 to Mary Wilmer. daughter of Bernard Wilmer, a prominent citizen of this county whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. To Mr. and Mrs. Clancey three children have been born, named as follows: Bessie, John and Edward.
JOHN RICHARD GRAYDON.
One of the best remembered men of the eastern part of Walworth coun- ty, whose memory is revered by a host of friends and acquaintances among whom be labored, was the late John Richard Graydon, who spent his energies through a life of strenuous endeavor to make the most of his opportunities as well as to assist as best he could his neighbors and friends to improve their condition. In all the relations of life he proved signally true to every trust. He possessed a sociable nature and by his genial and kindly attitude to those about him, he won the respect and confidence of everyone. He was known as a careful and able business man and one whose integrity of purpose was beyond question.
Mr. Graydon was born at Otis, Indiana, on November 14, 1862. He is the son of William and Sarah Graydon, natives of Canada, where they spent their earlier years, coming to Indiana when young. The father is deceased and his widow is still living in Indiana. The elder Graydon was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war.
John R. Graydon was reared on the home farm in Indiana and there assisted with the general work when a boy. He received his education in the public schools of his native community and in Valparaiso University. When a young man he went to Chicago and there learned the ice manufactur- ing business, becoming superintendent of the Knickerbocker Ice Company, where he remained for some time. He came to Eagle, Wisconsin, in 1898 and there built an ice plant, and there engaged successfully in the ice business until 1907, when he came to East Troy, Walworth county, and built a fine home on Beulah avenue and here he continued to reside until his death, on December 10, 1910. He had been very successful as a business man, being a good manager and applied himself closely to his work, and through his individual efforts he accumulated a competency.
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Politically, Mr. Graydon was a Republican, and while he took a good citizen's interest in public affairs he never sought office. Fraternally, he was a Freemason and a member of the Beavers.
Mr. Graydon was married on July 30, 1891, to Elizabeth L. Booth, who was born in Elmwood, Illinois. She was the daughter of Ferdinand D. and Mary Ellen (Eslinger) Booth, the father a native of Hartford, Connecticut, born in 1838, and the mother's birth occurred at Middleton, Ohio, in 1844. Mr. Booth came to Peoria county, Illinois, when a child with his parents, Louis and Harriet Booth, and there the parents spent the balance of their lives.
The father of Mrs. Graydon was a dealer in horses and he went to Texas where he became interested in irrigation, and there his death occurred on June 20, 1898. His widow survives. They were the parents of seven chil- dren, five of whom are living at this writing.
Politically, Mr. Booth was a Republican, fraternally a Freemason, and religiously a Congregationalist. To Mr. and Mrs. Graydon two children were born, Arthur John and Margaret Etola.
ORLIN H. MILLS, D. D. S.
The profession of dentistry has a worthy exponent in Walworth county in the person of Dr. Orlin H. Mills, of East Troy, who, because of his skill and long years of practice here is well known throughout this locality and who ranks high among his professional brethren in the southern part of the Badger state, for he was, it seems, well adapted by nature for this vocation, being, in the first place, a student, so that he has kept well abreast of the times in everything that pertains to his work, and he is also the possessor of those personal traits which one must have in order to be popular with the masses. He is a man who can be depended upon, and his hundreds of patients know that they can repose the utmost confidence in him and rely upon his judgment. His is also of a sociable nature and an optimistic one-he believes in finding the silver lining to every cloud, maintaining that all clouds have such, and that the obstacles we daily encounter on the road of life should but serve to arouse our combative nature, and cause us to accomplish more rather than yield to the perverse rulings of fate.
Doctor Mills was born in Dearfield, Manshara county, Wisconsin, on July 1, 1862. He is the son of Charles and Phoebe (Wright) Mills, the
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father born in Canada and the mother born in Pennsylvania. The former was young when he accompanied his parents, Alfred and Ruth Mills, from Canada to Manshara county and settled on a farm when the country was new, and through hard work they established a good home and there the parents spent the rest of their lives. Grandfather Mills was a ship carpenter by trade.
Charles Mills, father of the subject, was reared in Waushara county, this state, and when young learned the blacksmith's trade, also that of wheel- wright, and he lived in the town of Deerfield until the commencement of the Civil war, when he enlisted in the Nineteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry and served faithfully through many trying campaigns and hotly-contested battles until his death, 1865. His widow survived him many years, dying in 1892. They were the parents of three children, two of whom are living. Mrs. Mills was again married, her second husband being Daniel Kingsley, of Pennsylvania, and to this union one daughter was born, who is still living.
Dr. Olin H. Mills was reared in Deerfield, Wisconsin, and there re- ceived his early education in the public schools, from which he was graduated. Early in life he took up the study of dentistry in an office at Plainfield, Wis- consin, with Dr. M. L. Brown who had taken a post-graduate course in the dental department of Northwestern University, from which department the subject was graduated with the class of 1899. Soon afterwards he came to East Troy, Walworth county, and opened an office which he has since main- tained, enjoying a very liberal patronage, his office being thoroughly equipped with all modern appliances and furnishings to insure prompt and high grade service.
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