USA > Wisconsin > The United States biographical dictionary and portrait gallery of eminent and self-made men, Wisconsin volume > Part 15
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Where all behaved well, it may be regarded as invidious to call attention to individuals, yet it seems to me that I cannot discharge my whole duty in this report without pointing out for especial commendation the conduct of the 26th Wisconsin Infantry and its brave and able commander. The position of this regiment was such that the brunt of the attack fell upon it. The brave, skillful and determinate manner in which it met this attack, rolled back the onset,
pressed forward in a counter charge, and drove back the enemy, could not be excelled by the troops of this or any other army, and is worthy of the highest commendation and praise. It is to be hoped that such conduct will be held up as an example to others, and will meet its appropriate reward.
During the winter quarters of 1864 Colonel Wink- ler returned home to recruit for his regiment, and was married to Miss Frances M. Wightman, of West Bend, Wisconsin.
Upon the close of the war he was breveted briga- dier-general of volunteers "for meritorious services."
Returning to Milwaukee, he resumed the practice of his profession, soon taking a prominent position at the bar. In 1867 he became associated with the Hon. A. R. R. Butler. In 1872 he was a member of the assembly in the State legislature, and was the same year nominated for congress by the repub- licans in a largely democratic district.
In the spring of 1875 he was tendered the position of United States attorney for the eastern district of Wisconsin, but declined it on account of his large private practice. He is now a member of the firm of Jenkins, Elliott and Winkler, one of the leading law firms of the State.
DARWIN CLARK,
MADISON.
D ARWIN CLARK was born at Otsego, Otsego county, New York, May 12, 1812. His father's name was Isaac, his mother's, Eunice Clark. They were intelligent, respectable and pious. Mrs. Clark was a member of the Presbyterian church. The character of their son, Darwin, was formed under the influence of those qualities of his parents, and hence his success in business, his exemplary moral character, and his religious sentiments. He had a common school education in his native town, and after leaving school tanght during three successive winters. Before he attained the age of twenty-one he learned the trade of cabinet making. He immigrated to Wisconsin in May, 1837, and arrived at Madison on the 10th of June, at which place he made his permanent residence. He worked occasionally on the capitol as carpenter, and occasionally at his trade, and sometimes as clerk in a store, during two years. In the winter of 1840 he circulated a subscription for the purpose of buying books for the first Sabbath school established in Madison. In the spring of
1845 he commenced the furniture business, and has continued it to the present tiine. He is a religious man in his sentiments and uniformly attends the Episcopal church.
In politics he is, and has always been, a Democrat, unwavering in his devotion to the Union. He was the first treasurer of the then village of Madison. and filled the office three different years. He was president of the council and acting mayor of the city in 1860. He was alderman four years, commencing in 1858, and again in 1873, 1874 and 1875, in which latter year he was again elected president of the council. He married Sarah L. Goodnow, a noble wife and Christian woman, in September, 1848, and lived with her six years. In 1858 he married Fran- ces A. Adams, by whom he has two children, living with their parents. His grandparents on both sides were revolutionary soldiers; his father was in the war of 1812. Mr. Clark is what is commonly termed a self-made man. Nature makes all men; circum- stances develop them. Mr. Clark was fortunate in
Darwin Clark
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having parents to teach him the value of knowledge and the value of morals; hence, when he had the opportunity, he was teaching others, thereby indi- rectly teaching himself. The principles of action which have governed him through life were based upon the morals his parents taught him. He is a remarkable man, having many of the virtues which distinguish good men, and none of their vices. He
has by honest toil accumulated a comfortable inde- pendence; he has discharged the duties of many offices of honor, and some of them of pecuniary responsibility, and yet neither in his public duties nor in his private dealings has a shade of suspicion ever rested upon the escutcheon of his honor. Such men are the salt of the earth, and should be held up as models for all those who come after them.
GEORGE O. WEST,
WHITEWATER
T 'HE subject of this sketch was born at Charles- ton, New Hampshire, on the 29th of January, 1836, and is the son of Enoch H. and Lydia West. His father, a farmer by occupation, was highly esteemed for his many excellent qualities. His mother was a woman of estimable character, the influence of whose teachings and example early instilled into her son those principles of morality and uprightness that have marked his whole life.
George passed his boyhood on his father's farm, receiving his education at Ackweth Academy, New Hampshire, where he pursued a full course of academical studies. His natural tastes inclined him toward a mercantile life, and accordingly, after leaving school, he engaged in buying wheat and in merchandizing. He continued in this business during a period of twelve years, and at the expira- tion of that time turned his attention to the produce trade, which he has since continued to follow with good success. In 1857 he removed to Monroe,
Wisconsin, where he was for two years engaged in selling goods. He then resumed the produce busi- ness, and three years later removed to Darlington, Wisconsin, where he resided until 1867, when he settled in Whitewater, his present home. He has dealt extensively in live-stock and wool, and during the last eight years has been the heaviest wool dealer in his State.
Politically, Mr. West was, until 1872, a supporter of the republican party ; at that time he became identified with the liberal movement, and supported Horace Greeley for the presidency. He has held several town offices, but has never taken any promi- nent part in politics, finding in his legitimate busi- ness full scope for the exercise of all his powers.
His religions training was under Universalist influ- ences, and he still adheres to the doctrines of that church.
He was married, March 18, 1857, to Miss Sophia C. Parks; they have one son and one daughter.
RICHARD RICHARDS,
RACINE.
T HE subject of this sketch, a native of Marion- ethshire, North Wales, was born on the 6th of August, 1818, and is the son of Griffith and Ann Richards. He received his early education in the common schools of his native place, and later attended an academy in Liverpool. After com- pleting his studies he engaged in farm-work with his father, and spent ten years in this occupation. At the expiration of this time he emigrated to America, arriving in New York city on the Ist of
June, 1841, thence he went to Ohio, and in the ensuing August settled at Racine, Wisconsin. Here he purchased five hundred and eighty acres of land, and since that time has devoted himself chiefly to his farming interests. In 1852, he turned his atten- tion to raising fancy stock and has now some of the finest horses in the West, the pedigree of three of which we append : "Swigert," foaled in the spring of 1866, is a brown stallion, and was bred by the late Robert A. Alexander, of Woodford county,
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Kentucky. He was got by Mr. Alexander's Nor- man dam "Plaudina," by " Mambrino Chief," grand dam, the Burch mare, by "Brown Pilot," dam of " Brown Pilot " by Cherokee, son of "Sir Archy." "Swigert " is a brother of " Blackwood," who has a record of 2:23 ; also a brother of "Lulu," who has a record of 2:142; also a brother of " Nashville Girl," record 2:20. "Rosalind," a sister of the dam of " Swigert," has a record of 2:212.
" Alden Goldsmith," foaled in the spring of 1874, a bay stallion, was bred by Alden Goldsmith, of Blooming Grove, Orange county, New York. He was got by "Volunteer," and he by Rysdyk's Hambletonian dam, "Maid of Orange," by Rys- dyk's Hambletonian grandam; dam by "Saltram," he by Webber's "Whip," he by Blackburn's "Whip," and he by imported "Whip." He is a brother of " Huntress; " also of "Gloster," " Abdallah," " Bo- dine," " Wm. H. Allen," and many others.
"Western Chief," foaled in June, 1871, a bay stallion, was bred by Geo. W. Ogden, of Paris, Bourbon county, Kentucky. He was got by Curtis' " Hambletonian ; " he by Rysdyk's dam, "Lady Ealenon," by "Mambrino Chief;" grandam, a thoroughbred mare, bred in Virginia and noted as a trotter.
Mr. Richards has also a fine herd of Durham cattle, and the finest lot of Essex and Berkshire hogs in the West. Besides he has a flock of two hundred and fifty sheep, mostly Spanish merinos, and at the exposition of 1867, in France, received a diploma and bronze medal for superior samples of wool.
He has been identified with the republican party since its organization, and in 1873 was elected to the State legislature.
He was married in February, 1841, to Miss Jane Evans, and they have two sons and three daughters.
A. W. RICH,
MILWAUKEE.
T HE subject of this sketch, a native of Somos, Hungary, was born July 27, 1843, and is the son of Emanuel and Sarah Rich. He received his early education in German, Hebrew and Hungarian at a private school in his native country. When he had reached his tenth year he immigrated to Amer- ica in company with his parents, and arrived at New York October 24, 1853, and after remaining there until 1855, they removed to Cleveland, Ohio. Here he continued his education, attending the public schools for the period of three months. Subse- quently, in 1857, they removed into the wilds of Michigan, settling upon a farm in Saginaw county, where they experienced all the hardships and toil characteristic of pioneer life. Here they remained three years, at the end of which time they again removed and settled at Owasso, Michigan. From this time young Rich, now in his eighteenth year, was obliged to depend upon his own exertions for a livelihood. His father furnished him with about forty dollars' worth of goods and started him upon a peddling trip; but he considered this business by far too humiliating to his self-respect, and refusing to continue in it, worked his way to Detroit, and obtained a situation in a wrapping-paper house, with a salary of fifteen dollars per month. Becoming
dissatisfied in this position, however, he proceeded to Cleveland, his former place of residence, and was advised by his relatives and friends to resume ped- dling; but being unwilling to pursue a business which was so utterly distasteful to him, he obtained work upon a farm and nursery near the city at a salary of twelve dollars per month and board. In this position he continued for the period of six months, gaining, in the meantime, a superficial knowledge of the science of optics, to which he was greatly assisted by a friend, then engaged in that line of business, and by close study during his spare hours. Having saved enough from his earnings to supply himself with about forty dollars' worth of spectacles, he set out as a traveling optician, and after meeting with fair success in his travels over different parts of the country, arrived at Milwaukee in June, 1865. Here, in company with a friend, whom he met by accident, he opened an optical es- tablishment with a capital of eight hundred dollars, belonging equally to himself and partner, the firm being styled A. W. Rich and Co. This enterprise not proving as successful as he had anticipated, he abandoned it at the expiration of a year and a half, and saved from his capital, after paying all liabilities, the sum of four hundred and fifty dollars. Subse-
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quently, forming a copartnership with a fellow-coun- tryman, who was at that time a manufacturer of hoop skirts, he continued in that business for six months, at the expiration of which time, finding that his views and those of his partner greatly conflicted as regarded the manner in which the business should be conducted, the partnership was dissolved. A few months later Mr. Rich opened a part of the store now occupied by him for the sale of hoop skirts and corsets, and the manufacture of the former, conduct- ing the business with the assistance of one young lady the first year and two the second. By exten- sive advertising in the principal daily papers of the city, he brought his business prominently before the public, and found that it was steadily increasing. Afterward, in order to supply the demand for other articles of ladies' apparel, he increased his stock until it embraced a complete line of ladies' goods. The principles upon which he built up his trade were, to make one class of goods a specialty; to cater to the best class of trade by keeping choice goods and an attractive place of business; to make a fair profit and adhere to one price; to allow no accumulation of old stock : to advertise extensively, and to conduct all business transactions with the strictest integrity. Following these principles, his business increased from thirty-three to fifty per cent yearly, and his place of business increased from fourteen by forty feet to a large, double store, thirty by ninety, his employes in the store from two to twenty, while he employed from eight to twelve per-
sons in the manufacturing department. From eight thousand the first year, his sales had amounted to over eighty thousand the sixth, when, feeling that there was still room for improvement, he admitted Mr. I .. Silber as a partner in the business on the 15th of August, 1874, the firm being styled A. W. Rich and Co. Since that time such success has attended their efforts as to necessitate a change in their business quarters in order to accommodate the large stock of goods necessary for their jobbing trade. Mr. Rich's parents being Jews, he was nat- urally brought up to a belief in their religion, and is a consistent member of that sect. Having always possessed a natural taste for literary pursuits, he is well read in the English language, and is at present more proficient in that than in his own. He is a correspondent of several newspapers published in Milwaukee and other cities, and has been president of two literary societies; further, he has held leading positions in the Masonic and other organizations, in which he is much esteemed for his intelligence, ex- ecutive ability and liberality.
In politics he has always been a thorough repub- lican.
Mr. Rich was married February 13, 1871, to Miss Rosa Seidenberg, whose father is a large importer and manufacturer of New York city. Mr. Rich's business success may be attributed to a laudable ambition, a persistent determination to succeed, a careful attention to the wants of his customers, and energy and integrity in all his transactions.
CHRISTIAN LINDE, M.D.,
OSHKOSH.
C' HRISTIAN LINDE, a native of Copenhagen, Denmark, was born on the 19th of February, 1817. He graduated at the Royal University of Copenhagen in 1837, and attended the hospitals there till 1842, when he had to leave on account of political difficulties.
He immigrated to the United States, and on the 17th of July arrived in Wisconsin, and purchased two hundred and eighty acres of land, where the Insane Asylum now stands, near Oshkosh. His intention was to engage in farming, hunting and trapping, and not to engage in the practice of his profession. During the next four years he endeav- ored to give his attention to his farming interests,
but was called to Green Bay so often, to attend to professional duties, that, in 1846, he left his farm and established himself at that place, and engaged in his profession. In the following year, having sold his farm, he removed to Oshkosh, his present home, and purchased a tract of land where the city now stands. During the next two years he was engaged in active practice, and at the expiration of that time began hunting, trapping, speculating, and dealing in furs. He employed himself in this manner till 1858, in the meantime attending to his professional work; and, being the only surgeon then in northern Wis- consin, was called upon to perform some most diffi- cult surgical operations. In 1858 he discontinued
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his other business, and resuming his practice at Osh- kosh, has since given it his chief attention.
A prominent and enterprising man, he has always taken a leading part, and now stands among the foremost of his profession in Wisconsin. During the late civil war he was examining surgeon for Winnebago county. Dr. Linde was, at one time, president of the Winnebago County Medical Society, is now an active member of the State Medical So- ciety, and also of the American Medical Association, and has been chosen as a delegate to the medical convention to be held at Philadelphia during the present year (1876).
His career throughout has been marked by perse- verance and public-spiritedness; and, settling in Wisconsin at an early day, as he did, his name is coupled with many incidents of interest connected with the history of that State. In 1842 he was the only surgeon in northern Wisconsin, E. B. Wolcott being the only other one in the State. He was, in truth, one of the pioneers, and found, in his new home, ample opportunity to gratify his natural taste
for hunting, trapping, and other kindred occupations connected with pioneer life. He helped to cut the first road from Oshkosh to Fond du Lac; and, be- ginning thus when the State was new, he has grown up with it, and in his practice has kept pace with the growth of other improvements.
His political views are democratic; and he is not identified with any church organization.
Dr. Linde was married in 1843, to Miss Sarah Dickinson, who died in 1849, leaving one son. This son, a promising physician, is a graduate of Rush Medical College, of Chicago, and is now in partner- ship with his father, the firm being C. and F. H. Linde. On the 15th of May, 1858, Dr. Linde mar- ried his second wife, Miss Huldah Henning, by whom he has one son and three daughters.
Such is a brief outline of the life-history of one who, by his own exertions, has risen from compara- tive obscurity to a position of high social standing and public trust, and made for himself a name that shall live in the memories of all who have known him.
HENRY M. MENDEL,
MILWAUKEE.
H ENRY M. MENDEL, clothier, of Milwaukee, was born in Breslau, Germany, on the 15th of October, 1839-son of Moses and Henrietta Mendel. His education was received in the high school of his native city. While yet a boy he was thrown upon his own resources, and at the age of fourteen he sailed for America, landing in New York, where his stay was brief; from thence he came to Milwaukee, where he arrived on the 24th of August, 1854, and found employment as clerk and book- keeper in a clothing store, which position be retained five years. Leaving the store he entered the office of register of deeds as copying clerk, where he remained two years and a half, the latter part of the time acting as deputy, after which he returned to his former position as book-keeper. In 1865, with a partner, he started in the wholesale hat and cap busi- ness, the firm name being Stein and Mendel, and was very successful in building up a large and profit- able trade. He continued this business five years, when he sold his interest to Mr. Stein, and entered the wholesale clothing house of S. Adler and Brother, as partner, under the firm name of Adler, Mendel
and Company. Here his early training in a clothing store, together with his ripe experience in the job- bing trade, and a fixed principle as to business hon- esty, enabled him to contribute new energy and influence to an already well-known establishment. Success followed his efforts as before, so that it may be said of Mr. Mendel, though starting at the bottom round of the ladder, beginning with the drudgery of clerkship and working his way up through the various grades rising therefrom, he has enjoyed the smiles of fortune and experienced few of her frowns, but may, in a far greater measure than can be stated here, consider his success as the results of an ener- getic business disposition, coupled with honesty of purpose and principle. He is an excellent musician, and took a lively interest in the Milwaukee Musical Society, holding various official positions therein. While he was president of the society the present Academy of Music was rebuilt, which is a spacious and substantial structure, internally a monument of art and beauty, reflecting great credit upon the man- agement of the society, and especially upon its exec- utive head. While this society was groaning under
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a crushing burden of stock as well as floating debts in the years 1870 and 1871, a plan was formed by prominent citizens, among whom were Messrs. Jacobs, Fridersdorf and Mendel, as executive com- mittee, whereby this indebtedness might be can- celed, which, by their combined energy and pluck, was entirely successful.
Mr. Mendel is still a young man, and has a prom- ising future before him. He has a thorough, semi-
classical education, and cultured manners and tastes, which makes him a valued member of the very best society.
In religious faith he is a Jew, with broad and liberal views.
In politics he is a republican.
On the 19th of February, 1869, he was married to Isabella, daughter of David Adler. They have three children, two sons and one daughter.
JAMES H. THOMPSON, M.D.,
MILWAUKEE.
T THE biographical sketch of Dr. James H. Thompson, one of our ablest medical officers of the volunteer army during the war, will be best illustrated by official testimony of his· valuable ser- · vices. His life may be said to have been devoted to public usefulness and duty, and has called forth expressions of appreciation from all the departments in which he served. The incidents of his experi- ences would no doubt be very interesting, but our limits will compel us to confine ourselves to the man.
James H. Thompson was born September 4, 1835, at Foxcroft, in the State of Maine, and received his preliminary education at the academy of his native town. For a time he taught school, and then en- tered Bowdoin College ; graduated from the medical department of that institution in 1859, and com- menced the practice of his profession, in copartner- ship with Dr. W. H. Allen, at Orono, Penobscot county, Maine. In 1860 he went to New York city, and pursued his studies at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, and attended hospital clinics.
In 1861 he returned to his native town, and was married to Mary Elizabeth, only daughter of Hon. John G. Mayo, of Dover, Maine.
In October, of the same year; he was examined by the medical examining board of the United States army, and so satisfactory was his examination that Dr. John Bradbury, one of the examiners, gave Dr. Thompson the following letter :
To Col. Geo. F. Shipley, Portland, Maine.
Dr. James H. Thompson, of Orono, has just passed a most satisfactory examination before the examining board. I have known him for many years, as student and practi- tioner. He has always had an unblemished moral reputa- tion, and we have met with no man more eminently quali- fied for a medical officer of your regiment than he.
Respectfully,
JOHN C. BRADBURY. Member of Exam. Board.
In November, 1861, Dr. Thompson was commis- sioned assistant surgeon of the 12th Regiment of Maine Volunteers, and full surgeon on the 5th of December of the same year. He served with his regiment and in hospital at New Orleans, Baton Rouge, the first Red River expedition of General Banks, and at Port Hudson, with distinction, until August, 1863, when his health failed and he was compelled to go North on furlough, after having voluntarily given up a furlough, previously granted, in order to participate in the siege or capitulation of Port Hudson.
Dr. Thompson was on the steamer at New Orleans, en route for home, on sick leave, when news of the repulse of our forces at Port Hudson reached him. He immediately changed his destination to the front instead of home. On reaching Baton Rouge, he found that all the wounded had been brought there. The hospital accommodations were very limited. Dr. Thompson organized the Church Hospital, the patients of which gave expression of their apprecia- tion of his skill and urbanity, and regretted the necessity of his departure.
In a letter from Dr. Reed, medical director of the right wing, United States forces, referring to I)r. Thompson's services, he says : "Whether in charge of his regiment upon the field, or in charge of gene- ral hospital, he has always thoroughly performed his work. Entirely capable and reliable, cool, prudent, and highly energetic, I regard Dr. Thompson as one of the ablest men it has been my fortune to meet."
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