USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Memoirs of Milwaukee County : from the earliest historical times down to the present, including a genealogical and biographical record of representative families in Milwaukee County, Volume II > Part 108
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Henry Miller, a well-to-do and progressive farmer. of the town of Oak Creek, living near South Milwaukee, was born at Biern, Germany, Feb. 14, 1850. His parents were Peter and Cath- erine (Klein) Miller, born in Germany in 1808 and 1810. respec- tively. They immigrated to the United States about the middle of
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the nineteenth century, located in the town of Oak Creek, in 1852, and took up 120 acres of land, all of which has been kept in the farm except four acres that were sold to the railroad. Peter Miller cleared his farm and became one of the most prosperous of the early set- tlers of the county. For fourteen years he was road overseer, was one of the men who always stood for progress and improvement, and he was an important figure in movements for town improve- ments. During his life Mr. Miller reared ten children, only five of whom are still living-three sons and two daughters. With his family he was a member of the Lutheran church. Mr. Miller passed over the great divide in 1885, after a life that was unselfish, up- right, and devoted to his fellow-men. His widow survived him only five years and passed to her long rest in 1890. Henry, the subject of this sketch, was reared on his father's farm and attended the public schools of the district, and after his studies were finished began to assist his father on the farm. He still owns 116 acres of the old homestead which his father cleared more than half a century ago. He has a fine home and is one of the progressive farmers who realize the value of modern methods, and he has installed all the improvements that he can use on his place. He takes an active in- terest in the policies of the Republican party, of which he is a stanch supporter, and with his wife, is a member of the Lutheran church. On June 20, 1872, he married Emma Schmidt, born in the town of Oak Creek, Jan. 26, 1851, the daughter of Adam and Julia eSchmidt, both of whom were born in Germany, came to the United States and located on a farm in the town of Oak Creek in 1850. Mrs. Schmidt was called from the cares of this life in 1864, and her husband died in 1877. They had five children-two sons and three daughters-all of whom are living. To Henry Miller and his wife have been born eight children: Lena, Charles, Henry, Julia, Oscar, Emma, Katie, and George, who have all been reared and educated on the fine old homestead which their father owns.
Lewis H. Goelzer, of Oakwood, Milwaukee county, is recog- nized as one of its most prosperous and substantial citizens. He is a native of Wisconsin, born at Oakwood, Nov. 13, 1872, the son of Jacob Goelzer, who was born at Franklin, Wis., and Mary Goelzer, a native of Germany. The paternal grandparents were Daniel Goelzer, of Bavaria, Germany, and Margaret (Weingard) Goelzer, who was born in Prussia. Daniel came to America in 1836, but returned the next year to marry, and when he brought his wife with him, located at Franklin, Milwaukee county. In part- nership with a Mr. Maher, he purchased one of the first sections of land in the township, directly from the government, the patent to which was signed by President Taylor. Subsequently Mr. Goelzer bought 208 acres additional land, which made him one of the largest landholders in the county. His wife died in 1868, and from that time he lived very quietly until called from the cares of life in 1900, at the hale old age of ninety-two years. During his life Mr. Goel- zer reared five children: Lucy; Lewis D .; Jacob, our subject's father ; Caroline, and Daniel. Jacob was reared on his father's
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farm near Franklin and became a farmer, owning 140 acres of land. In 1863 he married Mary Guetlich, whose parents were among the pioneer settlers of Milwaukee county. Seven children were born to this union : Emma, August, Caroline, Lewis, Ida and Katherine. Lewis, the subject of this sketch, received his educational discipline in the district and public schools of the town of Oak Creek, and then finished a course in the Oak Creek high school. When his studies were completed he engaged in farming and soon bought a place of his own, and he now owns 126 acres of the best land .in the county, where he does general farming. Mr. Goelzer is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party and always takes an active part in politics. When only twenty-four years of age he was elected to the responsible position of town clerk, which position he still holds.
John L. Holm, one of the old residents and prominent citizens of Oakwood, Wis., was born in the town of Oak Creek, Milwaukee county, April 20, 1874. His parents were John and Mary Holm, who were born at Mecklenberg, Germany, July 13, 1825, and in 1834, respectively. The paternal grandparents, John and Dora Holm, immigrated to the United States at an early day and located near Worth, Ill., where the grandfather lived until 1873 and the grandmother until 1893. The father came to Milwaukee county in 1853, and there met and married his wife, in 1857. Seven children were born to this union: Henry, Helen, Dora, Ida, Emma, Mary, and John, who is the subject of this review. The father was a Republican, and with his wife was a member of St. John's Lutheran church. The elder Mrs. Holm passed away on Sept. 2, 1891. John received his preliminary education at the public schools of the town of Oak Creek and then attended the high school at Oakwood, where he graduated with credit, and he has since had charge of his father's farm. He has never specialized, but does general farming on his fine farm of ninety-four acres. Mr. Holm was united in marriage on June 10, 1908, to Miss Carrie Zimmermann, who was born in Racine county. She is the daughter of Valentine and Minnie (Miller) Zimmermann, of Caledonia. Mrs. Zimmer- mann died in March, 1894, and her husband still resides at Caledo- nia. They had a family of eight children-six daughters and two sons. Mr. Holm is a Republican, and while he always takes an active interest in politics has never aspired to office. Both he and his wife are members of St. John's Lutheran church.
Benjamin Baden, a popular resident of Milwaukee county and one of its substantial farmers, is a native of the county, born at Franklin, Feb. 16, 1861, the son of Peter and Johanna Gertrude (Schliegh) Baden, both of whom were born in Holland, in 1819 and 1818, respectively. The father of the subject of this sketch came to America in 1844. He remained in New York city, two years later he was joined by his wife, and then moved to Milwaukee during the early days of settlement. Peter Baden located in Franklin and bought the farm where his five children were born. He cleared his land and became one of the best farmers of the county, having
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learned farming in Holland. On Feb. 8, 1899, he was called from the cares of life, and is survived by his wife-the partner of the hardships and triumphs of an existence on the frontier-only two years, as she died on March 1, 1901. During their lives both Mr. and Mrs. Peter Baden were members of the Reformed Luth- eran church. Benjamin, the subject of this sketch, received his educational training at the public schools of the town of Frank- lin and as soon as his studies were finished engaged in farming. He soon bought a place for himself and he now owns 120 acres of the finest land in the county. Mr. Baden does general farming and runs a large truck form, where early vegetables are raised for the
Milwaukee market. Mr. Baden is a member of the Republican party, in which he takes an active interest, and he has held several public offices; from 1896 to 1906 he was supervisor of the town of Franklin, and in 1906 was re-elected to the same position. Besides the time devoted to this, he is a director of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company of the towns of Franklin and Oak Creek. On March 26, 1885, Mr. Baden was married to Jennie, the daughter of Josiah and Elizabeth Breker, both early settlers of Milwaukee county. Five children have been born and reared on their par- ents' farm : Peter E., Elizabeth, Carrie, Herbert, and Jeanette, all of whom are living. The family are all members of the Reformed Lutheran church.
Frederich H. Schmidt, of Oakwood, Milwaukee county, is a native of Wisconsin, born at Franklin, Nov. 3, 1860, the son of Frederich and Rosina (Knoell) Schmidt. The father was born in Alsace-Lorraine, that beautiful country which lies between Germany and France, and the mother was a native of Germany. Our subject's paternal grandfather, Frederick Schmidt, and his wife, Mary Ann Schmidt, emigrated to America from the Father- land in 1845, and came to Wisconsin at the time so many of the sturdy sons of Germany were opening up and developing the territory. They took up land in the town of Franklin, cleared it, and engaged in farming until they died. Mr. Schmidt was called from the cares of life in 1875 and his widow survived him only three years. Frederich's maternal grandparents were Henry and Mar- guerite Knoell, who were among the early settlers of the town of Franklin, locating here in 1844. They became farmers and con- tinucd to live there all their lives. Mr. Knoell died in 1868 and his wife in 1873. Our subject's father came to Wisconsin with his parents in 1845, when fifteen years of age, and after working on his father's farm for several years bought a place of his own and mar- ried Rosina Knoell. Ten children came to bless this union, of whom only three are now living. Mr. Schmidt was a Republican in politics and always took an active part in local affairs. He was chairman of the county board for about fifteen years and supervisor for several terms. Both he and his wife were members of the Lutheran church, the faith of their fathers. Mrs. Schmidt died in 1886, and from that time her husband lived very quietly, until he too was called on the long journey from which no traveler
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returns, Jan. 30, 1896. Frederich, Jr., the subject of this review, was reared on his father's farm and received his educational training at the public schools of the town of Franklin. After finishing his studies, Mr. Schmidt engaged in farming, and has since successfully continued in that vocation. He owns and manages one of the large truck farms that supplies the Milwaukee market with garden vegetables. He combines truck farming, general farming and stock raising, owning some of the finest pure-blooded Jersey cows and Duroc hogs, and he is now one of the substantial and pro- gressive farmers of the county. He is a stanch member of the Re- publican party, and while he takes an active interest in politics, his busy life leaves him no time for public office. On June 5, 1888, Mr. Schmidt was united in marriage with Philopina Knoell, a native of the town of Franklin, born there on Sept. 14, 1868, the daughter of Valentine and Philopina (Zimmermann) Knoell. Mrs. Schmidt's father came to Franklin in 1836, with his parents, who took up land and lived there all their lives. When he grew to man- hood's estate he married and reared his family in the some locality where he was reared. Mr. Knoell's wife, Miss Zimmermann, came to Franklin in 1838 and there her parents were farmers. They lived to see the county become one of the most important and thickly populated in the state, though it was a virgin forest when they took up land. To our subject and his wife five children have been born to comfort them in their declining years : Sadie L., My- ron, Winifred (deceased), Fred (deceased), and Orin. The fam- ily are members of the Lutheran church.
Lieut .- Col. Jerome A. Watrous, United States Army, was born in Conklin, Broome county, N. Y., Sept. 6, 1840. When four years old his parents removed to Wisconsin. Four years later, his father, Capt. O. J. Watrous, died, and his mother and her children re- turned to York State. The subject of this sketch worked on a farm for his board and clothes and three months of schooling each winter, until he was fifteen. At sixteen he taught school one term in Pennsylvania, and in 1857 he returned to Calumet county, Wis. He taught school the winters of 1858-59; attended Lawrence Uni- versity part of a term, then began his career as a printer, and a few months later as an editor. He was an editor and publisher at Appleton when the Civil war broke out, and he enlisted under President Lincoln's first call, but the company, like thirty others, was not ordered to camp. He again enlisted, under the next call, and was mustered in on July 16, 1861, as a private in Company E, Sixth Wisconsin infantry. The following winter he was made ord- nance sergeant of a brigade, and after the battle of Antietam was advanced to ordnance-sergeant of a division. He re-enlisted at the end of three years, was made sergeant-major of his regiment, and a little later, first lientenant and adjutant, finishing his service as adjutant-general of the "Iron Brigade" on the staff of Gen. John A. Kellogg. His horse was shot under him at the battle of Gravelly Run, Va., March 31, 1865, and he was captured and taken to Libby prison. For service in the last-named battle he was
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brevetted captain. Upon muster out, May 15, 1865, the young officer returned to his calling as an editor, first on the Jackson County Banner. In 1866 he was county superintendent of schools, and that fall he was elected to the state legislature from the counties of Jackson and Clark. He declined a re-nomination, and in 1869 became one of the editors and proprietors of the Fond du Lac Commonwealth, and was one of the founders of the present Daily Commonwealth. In 1870 he was the Republican candidate for Congress in that district. In 1879 he became one of the editors and proprietors of the Milwaukee Telegraph, and for fifteen years was its editor, during which time he served as collector of customs for the Milwaukee district, and also as department commander of the Grand Army of the Republic. He served as colonel and later as brigadier-general on the staff of Gov. J. M. Rusk. At the opening of the Spanish-American war General Watrous tendered his ser- vices to both the governor of the state and the president. On June 15, 1898, he was commissioned a major in the regular army and served on the Atlantic coast until June, 1899, when he was made chief paymaster of the Department of the Columbia, on the staff of Gen. W. R. Shafter, with headquarters at Portland, Ore. The following year he was assigned to duty at Manila. Six months later he was made chief paymaster, Department of the Visayas, and in December, 1901, when the four departments were consolidated into two, Major Watrous became chief paymaster, Department of the South Philippines, on the staff of Maj .- Gen. J. T. Wade. In September, 1904, he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel, United States army, and retired for age. Since then he has followed his old calling as writer and now resides at Whitewater, Wis. Colonel Watrous has been a Thirty-third degree Mason since 1888.
George Wilbur Peck, the sixteenth governor of Wisconsin, was born in Henderson, Jefferson county, N. Y., on Sept. 28, 1840, the son of David B. and Alzina Peck. When he was three years of age his parents removed to Wisconsin and settled near Whitewater, and in the schools of that vicinity the future governor received his early educational advantages. In 1855 he entered the office of the Whitewater Register as an apprentice, and when he had mastered his trade worked as a journeyman on various papers in the state, finally becoming foreman of the Watertown Republican. He then served for a time as hotel clerk at Janesville, remaining there until the proprietor failed in 1860, and then established the Jefferson County Republican. In 1863 he disposed of his interests and re- moved to Madison, where for a time he was engaged as a type-set- ter on the Wisconsin State Journal. Later in the same year he enlisted as a private in the Fourth Wisconsin cavalry, and after the cessation of hostilities was mustered out as a lieutenant. Upon his return to the state he started the Ripon Representative, but sold it in 1868 to go to New York to accept an editorship on Pomroy's Democrat. Three years later Mr. Peck returned to Wisconsin and became the editor of the La Crosse branch of the same paper, and in 1874 purchased a half interest in it. The same year he started
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Peck's Sun, which he removed to Milwaukee in 1878. While in La Crosse he served one year as chief of police of the city, and during the legislative session of 1874 he was chief clerk of the assembly. Peck's Sun became famous after it was removed to the Cream City, its paid circulation at one time being 80,000. Mr. Peck was not again active in politics until 1890, when he was elected mayor of Milwaukee on the Democratic ticket by a majority of 6,000 votes. In the fall of the same year he was nominated for governor by the Democratic state convention and was elected by 28,000 plurality. Two years later he was again nominated and again elected, by 8,000 majority. In 1894 he was his party's can- didate for governor, but with the balance of his party throughout the Northwest, went down in defeat. Ten years later, in 1904, he again became his party's choice for the gubernatorial nomina- tion, but failed of election. Thus it will be seen that Mr. Peck has the unique distinction of having been four times a candidate for governor of the commonwealth. He is well known throughout the country through his humorous writtings. In 1860 Governor Peck was united in mariage to Miss Francena Rowley, of Delavan, Wis. Since his retirement from office he has lived retired in Milwaukee.
William Bertram .- The lives of the self-made men of this century seldom furnish incidents of romance : it is energy and per- severance that give them distinction, not circumstances. One who has fought a good fight and come to the front is the man who heads this sketch. William Bertram was born in Germany on Nov. 25, 1848, and is a son of August and Wilhelmenia (Metz) Bertram, who were born in Germany in 1813 and 1807, respectively. His father was a farmer in the Fatherland, and reared two sons and one daughter. The family were Lutherans, and in that faith the father died in 1868, leaving the wife and three children. The brave mother took up the battle of life and reared her children; when they had reached maturity the cares of life slipped from her shoul- ders and she passed to her long rest in 1886. Our subject re- mained in Germany until he was thirty-four years of age, when he came to the new world to make his fortune, and located in Wis- consin. Immediately after his arrival in this country he worked on a farm for six months as a laborer, while he learned the English language. Within four years, by industry and care, he had accumu- lated enough capital to buy a farm in Milwaukee county, and he is now the proud owner of seventy-one acres of excellent farming land where he has introduced many of the improvements and modern methods of conducting a farm. Mr. Bertram has not confined him- self to any one line, but does general farming. He is a stanch Re- publican in political allegiance, and with his wife is one of the will- ing workers in the Lutheran church. Mr. Bertram was married on Feb. 9, 1874, to Marie Lacher, a native of Germany, born there in 1846, the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Reder) Lacher. They have five fine children : Martha, Otto, Lizzie, Max and Charlie.
Fred Gennerotsky, one of the well-known farmers of the town of Franklin, is a native of the Badger State, born in the town of
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Greenfield, Milwaukee county, Aug. 23, 1871, the son of Henry and Caroline (Tetzlau) Gennerotsky. The father was born at West Faher, Germany, and the mother is a native of the same country, born there in 1835. They determined to avail themselves of the opportunities offered in America, and bade adieu to the Fatherland and sailed for the new world. After landing they came west and were among the first settlers in the town of Greenfield, Milwaukee county, where the subject of this sketch was born. This first farm Henry Gennerotsky sold and bought sixty acres of land in Franklin, where Fred still lives. Mr. Gennerotsky cleared his land, built a new home, and was just settling down to enjoy the sunset years of his life, when he was summoned by the Angel of Death. His wife still lives, having counted her three-score-years- and-ten, and she is a hale old lady of seventy-three years of age. She bore eleven children, of whom only four are now living. Both she and her husband were members of the Lutheran church. Fred, the subject of this sketch, was given the benefits of an education in the parochial and public schools of Milwaukee county. After finishing school he returned to his father's farm to care for the family and manage the property, and after his father's death as- sumed the entire control of the estate of sixty acres, which he is still in charge of. So far his life has been devoted to the happiness, welfare and comfort of others. In January, 1905, he married Ella Torkamp, the daughter of Herman and Minnie Torkamp, of the town of Franklin. Mrs. Gennerotsky's mother died some years ago, but her father still conducts his farm in Franklin. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gennerotsky-Herman and Her- bert-both sturdy boys who delight their fond parents' hearts. Mr. Gennerotsky is a Republican in politics, and with his wife he belongs to the Lutheran church.
Joseph Stubenbeck, an honored citizen and prosperous farmer of Milwaukee county, was born in Milwaukee on Oct. 5, 1845, the son of Ferdinand and Minnie Stubenbeck, who were natives of Germany. They immigrated to the United States about the middle of the Nineteenth century and located in Milwaukee. Joseph was descended from a long line of sturdy Germans, and after completing his studies in the public schools engaged in farming. He was in- dustrious, paid strict attention to the details of all the farm work, and to-day is regarded as one of the most substantial farmers of the county. Mr. Stubenbeck is a Democrat, gives unqualified in- dorsement to the principles of that party, and with his family is a devout member of the Catholic church, in which he was reared. His wife was formerly Miss Hattie Kohla, the daughter of Joseph and Regina Kohla. Two children were born to this union, George and Willic. Mr. and Mrs. Stubenbeck are well known in the county, and nowhere is a more gracious hospitality dispensed than at their home.
August Voeks, one of the sturdy sons of the "Vaterland" who have done so much for the building up of Wisconsin, was born in Prussia, Germany, Jan. 6, 1834, the son of Jule and Marie Voeks,
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who were born and reared in the same country, and where they re- sided all their lives. August, the subject of this sketch, received his education in the public schools of his native land, and after finishing his studies became a farmer. He heard of the great opportunities presented in America, and immigrated to this country when eight- een years of age, landing in Milwaukee on June 28, 1852. Within a short time he went to work as a farm hand, seven and a half miles north of Milwaukee, but was not content to remain a paid em- ploye for any length of time, and by care he was able to save up enough capital to buy a piece of land of his own. At different times he has added to his land and now owns one of the finest farms in the county. Mr. Voeks is a stanch Democrat, takes an active interest in politics and local affairs, and at the present time is super- visor and school treasurer. On Sept. 7, 1857, he married Miss Annie Kruger, and eleven children have been made welcome and reared on the homestead in Milwaukee county: Fred, William, Emma, Louis, Otto, Louise, August, Henry, Minnie, Pauline and Carrie. Mr. Voeks and his family are communicants and willing workers in the Lutheran church.
Lawrence Gengler, one of the best-known and most useful citi- zens of his years and occupation, was born in the town of Granville, Milwaukee county, Sept. 5, 1875, son of John and Barbara Gengler. The parents were natives of Germany who immigrated to America, the land of promise to so many sturdy sons of the "Vaterland", and they located in Milwaukee county at an early day, where they carved a farm from the wilderness, and established a home. There their children were born and reared in a home supplied by the gen- erous hand of nature. Lawrence, the subject of this sketch, was reared to manhood on his father's farm and obtained the rudiments of a practical education in the schools of his native town. Sub- sequently he attended Milwaukee College, where he finished a course with great credit. After leaving college he engaged in farming, in which vocation he has since continued. Mr. Gengler has met with success in his chosen life-work, due to his untiring energy, attention to the details of his farm, and his up-to-date methods, which have brought him twofold profits. On Nov. 8, 1900, Mr. Gengler was united in marriage with an estimable young lady and four children have been born to bless this union: Arthur, Rhea, Lydia and Sedonia, who all lead happy, care-free lives on their father's farm. Mr. Gengler is a stanch adherent of the Democratic party and al- ways takes an active interest in politics. Both he and his wife are devout Catholics, and members of that church.
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