USA > Wisconsin > Walworth County > History of Walworth county, Wisconsin, Volume II > Part 71
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Doctor Mills belongs to the State Dental Society and the Southwestern Dental Association. Politically, he is a Republican, and while he takes more or less interest in public affairs he has never sought office.
Fraternally, the Doctor belongs to St. James Lodge No. 41, Free and Accepted Masons, the Order of the Eastern Star, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Royal Neighbors.
Doctor Mills was married on December 30, 1886, to Ida Duell, who was born in Wautoma, Wisconsin, September 18, 1864, the daughter of Millard and Adaline (Brown) Duell. Her father was a mason by trade and one of the early settlers of Wautoma. He and his wife are now both deceased. To the Doctor and wife four children have been born, named as follows : Mae, who married Rockwell Brigham, of Sharon, Wisconsin, has one child, Beulah ; Grace married Frank Wendt, a farmer of Troy township; Pearl was next in order of birth, and Ella was the youngest of the family.
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J. L. CRITES.
The methods of making money by the farmer are not confined, neces- sarily, to the mere cultivation of the soil, nor to the rearing of superior grades of live stock, although both of these are of the first importance. Very often an excellent opportunity is offered to make a few hundred dollars or even several thousand dollars in one transaction by the judicious buying and selling of other farms. But in order that the farmer may do this it is necessary for him to keep a good bank account, so as to be able to buy on short notice val- uable property that is offered at a sacrifice, which quite often occurs. The farmer of large means can do this without much trouble, but it is best for those of limited surplus cash to keep back near the shore. Many a man has made a fortune in this way while many another has been bankrupt. A safer plan is to work constantly and carefully from month to month, from year to year, earning gradually, for the result will be more satisfactory in the long run. This is the method followed by J. L. Crites, one of the conservative yet progressive farmers of East Troy township, Walworth county, where he has spent his life and where his ancestors lived and labored for their own and the county's welfare, the name Crites having been a well known one here since the pioneer days.
Mr. Crites, of this sketch, was born in East Troy township, March 23, 1873. He is the son of George W. and Sarah (Langmade) Crites, the father born in New York state and the mother in Pennsylvania. George W. Crites was young when, in 1842, he accompanied his parents, John and Elizabeth (Geiger) Crites, and here they spent the rest of their lives, having worked hard to establish a good home in the wilderness, and here the father of the subject devoted himself to farming, becoming the owner of two hundred and forty acres of land and was one of the substantial farmers of the community. Politically, he was a Republican. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. George Crites, all of whom are living at this writing. The death of the father occurred in 1881, when comparatively young, but his widow survives.
J. L. Crites, of this sketch, was reared on the home farm where he made himself useful in his boyhood, and during the wintertime he attended the public schools in his district. He decided early in life to make farming his life work, and he and his brother, William A., have become owners of the home place, consisting of two hundred acres, which they have kept well tilled and well improved, and they carry on general farming and stock raising suc- cessfully. They have kept the old home well improved and not permitted the
(92)
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land to deteriorate, in fact, have carefully rotated their crops and judiciously employed natural and artificial fertilizers until the land has not only retained its original strength, but has increased in value.
Politically, J. L. Crites is a Republican, but he has never been active in public affairs, nor sought office.
Mr. Crites was married on August 16, 1899, to Minerva Beers, who was born in Spring Prairie township, this county, on October 31, 1879. She is the daughter of John and Mary (Garfield) Beers, the father born in East Troy and the mother in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He is the son of John Beers, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume and to which the reader is referred for a fuller history of the Beers family. The parents of Mrs. Beers are now living in Spring Prairie township, and they have three children. The father is a Prohibitionist and active in the movement.
Two children, twins, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Crites, Dean and Dale, born January 21, 1907.
CARL F. KROENKE.
One of the thrifty German farmers of East Troy township, Walworth county, is Carl F. Kroenke, who believes in doing his work well and never permitting the grass to grow under his feet. He is not only a very careful tiller of the soil, but also understands stock raising, looking carefully not only to the selection of live stock, but to the feeding, watering, salting, stabling and the best time of marketing. It is true that the best farmers study the market quotations of stock in the principal cities, and by so doing very often receive the reward of their watchfulness in a much more satisfactory price for their products. This is true of the grain products as well as those of the stock yards. The subject manages thus not only to get good grades of stock, but also to get the best prices, and he therefore has established a very comfortable home and has a good farm, which, although not so large in acreage as some of his neighbors, yet it is so well managed that abundant harvests are reaped from year to year as a result of his vigilance and good management.
Mr. Kroenke was born in Prussia, Germany, in 1868. He is the son of Carl and Charlotte (Meier) Kroenke, both born in Germany, the father in 1836 and the mother in 1830. There they grew to maturity and were married and spent the early part of their lives, emigrating to East Troy township, Walworth county. Wisconsin, in 1881 and settled on a farm, which the subject of this
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sketch now owns, seventy-four acres. The father is now living with his daughter at Linden, Wisconsin, his wife having died in 1894. They were the parents of seven children, two of whom are living at this writing. Politically, the father is a Republican and he is a member of the Lutheran church. He has been a hard working man and has lived a quiet, honorable life.
Carl F. Kroenke, of this sketch, grew up in Germany and received his education in the public schools there. He also attended the public schools in East Troy township after coming here with his parents, being at that time thirteen years of age. Early in life he turned his attention to farm- ing and has made this his work to the present time, and he is now success- fully operating the homestead, which he owns, carrying on general farming and stock raising. He has kept the place well improved and well tilled and he has a good home and outbuildings. Politically, he is a Republican, but has never been especially active in public affairs. In religious matters, he belongs to the Lutheran church.
Mr. Kroenke was married in 1895 to Bertha Ortmann, who was born in Prussia, Germany, January 7, 1867. She is the daughter of Ludwig and Caroline (Rohleder) Ortmann, both born in Germany, he in 1839 and she in 1837, and there they grew to maturity and were married and there she spent her life, dying there in 1883. After this event Mr. Ortmann brought his family to the United States and settled in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His family consisted of seven children. He was a carpenter by trade and known to be a very skilled workman. His death occurred in 1906.
Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kroenke of this sketch, namely : Curt, born December 3, 1896, and Alma, born January 14, 1899. Our subject is a hard worker, a neighborly and genial fellow, who knows a good joke when he sees one and enjoys it.
FRANCIS A. BENNETT.
In all the relations of life Francis A. Bennett, one of the substantial and well known citizens of East Troy township, Walworth county, has proved sig- nally true to every trust. He has spent his life in this state, believing that for one of his bent no better place could be found in which to fight out the battle of existence, and he has been very successful all along the line, building up, through his close application and careful management. a valuable landed es- tate and accumulated a competency, so that, now the snows of old age have
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begun to settle on him, he can spend his last years in peace, quiet and plenty, at the same time enjoying the good will and esteem of all who know him, for his life has been exemplary in its relation and he has sought to be of some service to the world, while.laboring for his own advancement.
Mr. Bennett was born in New Berlin, Waukasha county, Wisconsin, August 2, 1845. He is the son of Ezra and Amanda (Rathbone ) Bennett, both natives of the state of New York, where they spent their childhood and attended school, and from that state they came to Wisconsin in an early day, locating in Waukesha county where they found a wild country and there they endured the usual privations of newcomers, but eventually became very com- fortably established through their industry and economy, having taken up government land, thus literally hewing out their farm from the great forests. The mother died in New Berlin. In his political relations the father was a Republican and, leading a quiet, home life, never sought office. He belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church. His family consisted of five children, Frank A. of this review being the only one living.
The subject of this sketch was reared on the home farm. on which he began working when only a boy, for in developing a home in this state in those days there was plenty for all to do. He received his education in the public schools of his home district. He has always followed farming. He came to Troy township. Walworth county, in 1873, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of good land, and on this he lived until 1895, when he moved to East Troy township and bought the splendid farm he now owns, consisting of two hundred and fifty acres, on which he has placed most of the improve- ments and which he has under a high state of cultivation, carrying on general farming and stock raising on a large scale and in a most successful manner. He has made a specialty of breeding Poland-China hogs, and for many years was rated as one of the leading farmers and stock men in northeastern Wal- worth county. He is now living practically retired from the active duties of life and rents his farm. He has an attractive home and everything about his place denotes thrift.
Politically, Mr. Bennett is a Republican, of the progressive wing, and he has long manifested much interest in public affairs. He was chairman of Troy township, and also treasurer, filling these offices in a satisfactory manner to all concerned. Fraternally, Mr. Bennett belongs to St. James Lodge No. 41, Free and Accepted Masons, and he believes in carrying into his everyday life the precepts of this time-honored order.
In the month of October. 1874, Mr. Bennett was married to Celia S. Kling, who was born in Troy township on December 6, 1850, and there she
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grew to womanhood and received her education in the common schools. She is the daughter of J. R. and Emily ( Bliss) Kling, who came to Troy township in the early forties as pioneers, when the vast stretches of forest were the haunts of Indians and wild beasts and the cabins of settlers were few and far remote. They finally went to Woodbine, Iowa, where they both died. Their family consisted of eight children, of whom seven are living in 1912. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bennett of this sketch, named as follows : Blanche, Gertrude ( deceased ) and Ruby.
JOHN SPAIGHT.
The life of the subject of this review has been such as to bear aloft the high standard which has been maintained by his father, who was one of the early residents of this section of the Badger state, and whose life was signally noble, upright and useful, one over which falls no shadow of wrong in word, thought or deed. Such was the type of men who laid the founda- tion and aided in the development of this state, and to their memories will ever be paid a tribute of reverence and gratitude by those who have profited by their well-directed endeavors and appreciated the lesson of their lives.
John Spaight, successful farmer of East Troy township, Wisconsin, was born here on April 14, 1853. He is the son of James and Hanora (Hayes) Spaight, natives of Ireland, from whence so many of our thrifty, courageous citizens came, and there they spent their childhood days, emigrat- ing to the United States in 1850, locating in Vermont where they were mar- ried and started life, coming on to Wisconsin in 1851, locating in East Troy township, where the father purchased forty acres of new land, and, setting to work with a will, he prospered, later buying one hundred and seventy-five acres, the farm where the subject now lives. On this he spent the balance of his life, dying in 1897, at the age of eighty-one years, his widow surviving him a number of years, dying on February 7. 1906, when about eighty years old. They had become very well established through their industry and econ- . omy, and had a hand in the general development of the community. Besides his home place, Mr. Spaight also bought one hundred and twenty acres in Lafayette township. They were devout members of the Catholic church.
John Spaight was reared on the home farm and there he began working in the fields when but a boy, for in devoloping a farm in Wisconsin in his early life required the assistance of all the family. He received such education as
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he could in the district schools of his community, school No. 6, in East Troy township, and early in life turned his attention to farming for a livelihood, and he has been very successful as a general farmer and stock raiser, owning now a well improved and well cultivated farm of one hundred and seventy- five acres. He keeps a good grade of live stock, and he has a pleasant home.
Politically, Mr. Spaight is a Democrat, and he has held a number of the township offices, being now in his second term as township treasurer, the du- ties of which he has discharged most faithfully and satisfactorily. In relig- ious matters he belongs to the Catholic church.
Mr. Spaight was married in 1893 to Mary Murphy, who was born in East Troy, this county, November 18, 1863, and here she grew to woman- hood and received her education in the public schools. She is the daughter of Dennis and Mary ( Pepper) Murphy, both natives of Ireland, from which country they came to Walworth county, Wisconsin, in an early day and here became very comfortably established, and they are now living on a good farm in Troy township. Politically, Mr. Murphy is a Democrat, and a member of the Catholic church.
To Mr. and Mrs. Spaight five children have been born, named as follows : Raphael, Nora, Veronica, Marguerite (deceased) and Rose.
JOSEPH POTTER.
A venerable and honored citizen of Elkhorn, now living in retirement after a long and busy life, spending his old age in quiet and in the midst of plenty as a result of his earlier years of strenuous endeavor is Joseph Potter, a man of substantial worth, and who as an agriculturist ranked among the most enterprising in the township of Lafayette, whither he came when Wal- worth county was in its infant stages of development, but having the sagacity to foresee a great future here, decided to remain, and thus he has been of bene- fit to the community in general.
Mr. Potter was born in 1823 in Beakman, Dutchess county, New York. He is the son of Robert K. and Sarah ( Pine) Potter, both natives of Con- necticut, the father born in 1791 and the mother in 1793, and there they spent their earlier years, finally moving to Dutchess county, New York, and in 1843 they emigrated to Walworth county. Wisconsin, going by rail from Roches- ter to Buffalo, thence by boat to Milwaukee, where they secured a team and drove from there to Walworth county. The family settled in Lafayette
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township, about three miles north of Elkhorn. Here they bought a farm of two hundred acres, on which was some grain and live stock, but was poorly improved. Here Robert K. Potter worked hard, placed his land in fine condition and established a good home, continuing general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale. He finally sold out to his second son, Joseph, and moved to Elkhorn, retiring from active life, and later moving to Lyons, where he spent the remainder of his days, dying in 1883, his widow surviving until 1888, each reaching ripe old ages. He was a Republican, and he has served as supervisor of Lafayette township.
Joseph Potter, of this sketch, grew to manhood in Dutchess county, New York, and there received his education in the public schools. When about twenty-four years old he rented his father's farm which he operated a few years.
In 1853 Mr. Potter was united in marriage with Rosanna Elsworth, daughter of Stuckey and Nancy Elsworth, natives of Otsego county, New York. To this union seven children were born, four of whom are still liv- ing, three sons and one daughter. The wife and mother passed away in 1869 and in 1872 Mr. Potter was united in marriage with Caroline H. Ran- dall, and to this second union two children were born.
Joseph Potter came to Walworth county in early manhood and here he has since made his home. He finally purchased his father's farm of two hundred acres and has kept it under a high state of improvement and culti- vation, and for many years carried on general farming and stockraising on an extensive scale. In 1902 he rented his farm and moved to Elkhorn, where he has since resided, having retired from active life.
Politically, Mr. Potter is a Republican, having always been loyal to his party. He was supervisor of Lafayette township and also chairman for some time, filling these offices most satisfactorily. Mrs. Potter is a member of the Baptist church.
FRANK MCKENZIE.
Frank Mckenzie, of Geneva township, is one of Walworth county's enterprising farmers, and a worthy representative of an excellent old family. He has been pleased to spend his life here, having been born in Lafayette township, this county, on October 14, 1869. He is the son of Murdock and Dena (Walbrant) Mckenzie. The father was born in Glasgow, Scotland, where he spent his boyhood, emigrating to America about 1842, at the age
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of about fifteen, his birth having occurred on July 5, 1827. His mother was a McGregor and she died when he was a child. He was the youngest of the family and he came to America with his half brothers and sisters. They located first in New York, then lived in Canada, coming from there to Wal- worth county in 1842, and here Murdock Mckenzie began working on Os- borne's farm in Lafayette township, adjoining Troy, and there he continued working for a number of years. The place reminded him of his homeland and he in time bought it. He also bought two adjoining farms, making three hundred and seventy-five acres. He married Dena Walbrant, daughter of John and Mary Walbrant. She was born in Germany and when a small child came with her parents to Troy township. this county, and here she grew to maturity, attended school and lived until her marriage. Her parents spent the rest of their lives in Troy township.
The Mckenzie family consisted of eight children, namely : George died when thirteen years of age; the rest are living: Alexander, of Troy; John. who has a farm in Spring Prairie township, is retired and lives in Elkhorn : Mary is the wife of Fred C. Wiswell, who conducts a livery barn at Elkhorn : Frank, of this sketch: Dena is the wife of L. E. Ellsworth, of Geneva town- ship; Sibylla is the widow of Jedadiah Peck, deceased, and she lives in Elk- horn : Fred married and lives at Spring Prairie.
Murdock McKenzie was a home man and was not interested in public affairs. His death occurred on April 10. 1892. his wife having preceded him to the grave on February 14, 1881.
Frank Mckenzie lived on the home farm in Lafayette township until he was twenty-one years old, then started out in life for himself. He went to California and spent two years in the fruit orchards there. When a young man he traveled over the country a great deal, east and west. and, being a close observer, was greatly benefited thereby, returning to Walworth county in two or three years. He remained here about eight years, spending most of the time on the farm with his brother.
The subject was married in 1904 to Martha Zabel. daughter of Carl and Alvina Zabel. She was born in Germany and when a year old was brought to this country by her parents, who located in Milwaukee, later mov- ing to East Troy, Walworth county, where their daughter Martha was reared and lived until her marriage with Mr. Mckenzie. These parents now live at Mukwonago, Wisconsin. They are the parents of the folowing children : Wanda is the wife of James Langley and lives in Beloit, this state; Martha, wife of Mr. Mckenzie, of this sketch; Lena married Paul Schinke and they live in Lafayette township. near Elkhorn; Elma is the wife of George Am-
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mon and lives at Springfield ; Elizabeth is at home with her parents; Arthur lives at Mukwonago; Herman lives at Springfield; Paul is at home with his parents.
Mr. Zabel is a carpenter by profession and he also owns a farm at Muk- wonago.
After his marriage Mr. Mckenzie began farming for himself in Lafay- ette township and there he continued general farming and stock raising for seven years. He bought a farm in sections 8 and 17, where he owns one hun- dred and twenty acres. He moved there in March, 1911, and he has kept the place well improved, and has a good home. He keeps an excellent grade of live stock. He has a fine orchard and everything about his place denoted care and good management. Mr. and Mrs. McKenzie have two children, namely : Laverne, born October 25, 1905, and Lawrence, born December 20, 1908.
SHERMAN ULYSSES PHELPS.
One of the progressive and public-spirited citizens of the village of Wal- worth, who has been content to spend his life in his native county, is Sherman Ulysses Phelps, a man who would have, no doubt, succeeded wherever he chose to cast his lot, for he has many innate characteristics that never fail to win in the battle of life, such as courage, fortitude and persistence in the face of ad- versity and inauspicious environment.
Mr. Phelps was born in Sharon township, Walworth county, June 25, 1867. He is the son of David and Mary (Auchampaugh) Phelps. The father was born at Sharon Springs, Canajoharie county, New York, and was the son of George and Catherine (Eckerson) Phelps. He came to this county with his parents some time prior to 1850, the family locating on a farm in Sharon township and there they lived until old age rendered it necessary for them to retire from the farm and move to the village of Sharon, where they died.
David Phelps lived on his father's farm until the commencement of the Civil war, early in which he enlisted in Company A, Twenty-fifth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and remained in the service three years, gallantly taking part in many battles and campaigns. After the war he returned to Sharon township and resumed farming. Before beginning his military career he had married a daughter of Myron and Christina Aucham- paugh. She was born at Sharon, this state, where her parents had
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located upon their arrival from the East, on a farm in the early days, and here they spent the rest of their lives. The daughter grew up amid pioneer conditions and later in life related how when a child she fre- quently heard the wolves howl about the farm.
After the war David Phelps continued farming near Sharon about ten years, then bought what was called the Stafford farm at Delavan lake and that has been his home ever since, with the exception of the year 1890, when he went to the village of Howard and opened a restaurant which he ran for about two years; however, he even then spent most of his time on the farm.
Four children were born to David Phelps and wife, namely: Carrie, who is living at Rockford, married Joseph Hatch and they have two children, Bessie and Arthur, both now living at Delavan; Sherman U., the immediate subject of this sketch; George lived at Melvina, Wisconsin, on a farm until his death, on December 19, 1911 ; he had married, but had no children; Ed- ward lives on the home farm; he married Abbie Hunt, who died in 1904 leaving one son, Evolyn. David Phelps still lives at Delavan, having been very successful in his life work and is spending his declining years in quiet.
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