USA > Wisconsin > The United States biographical dictionary and portrait gallery of eminent and self-made men, Wisconsin volume > Part 3
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and desiring a larger field of action, he resolved to remove to the West; and accordingly, in 1869, after spending four months looking for a place to settle, established himself at Racine, Wisconsin, where he has since resided, building up an exten- sive practice, and making for himself a most worthy reputation as a skillful and successful practitioner.
In his political views, he was formerly a whig, but is now identified with the republican party. While living at Marlboro, New Hampshire, in 1865, he was elected superintendent of public schools. He is now filling his second term of office as vice- president of the Homœopathic Society of the State of Wisconsin, and is also a member of the Illinois Homœopathic Medical Association. Dr. Martin
has given much attention to self-culture, and by extensive reading and observation has acquired that knowledge of men and things which, with his excellent conversational powers, renders him a miost agreeable social companion. Prompt and decided in action, he is yet generous, liberal and courteous. His parents were Methodists, but he holds to the faith of the Presbyterian church. He was married on the 11th of May, 1859, to Miss Helen A. Albee, by whom he has one daughter living. Such is a brief outline of the life-history of one who, though having many experiences in common with others, has yet given an example of continued effort and will-power that entitles him to most honorable mention among our prominent self-made men.
HENRY PALMER, M.D.,
JANESVILLE.
H ENRY PALMER was born in New Hartford, Oneida county, New York, July 30, 1827. He is the son of Ephraim Palmer, a substantial farmer, who is still living at Edgerton, Wisconsin ; a prominent and public-spirited citizen, ever held in high repute, and honored by election to several important offices, both in his native State of New York and also in that of Wisconsin. His mother's maiden name was Abigail Brown.
When the lad was quite young, his father's health failed, and in consequence of this Henry was early compelled to undertake the management of the farm, which duty-very arduous for a youth-he faithfully and ably discharged.
His elementary education was obtained by at- tending the district school during the winters; the summer being occupied in working on the farm. He continued thus until he was nineteen years old, when he commenced a regular academical course, which was carried out partly at Whites- town and partly at Cazenovia Seminaries.
From early boyhood he had shown a strong predilection for the medical profession, stimu- lated by associating with several relatives who were physicians. In consequence, however, of limited resources, he was unable to gratify this preference, and several years were spent by him in teaching schools, in order to procure sufficient means to prosecute the study. His close applica- tion to teaching and his studious habits impaired
his health, and in 1849 he made a trip to the Arctic regions, as a means of its restoration.
In 1851 he entered the office of Drs. March and Armsby, at Albany, New York, both of whom were distinguished physicians, and professors in the medical college at that place. He applied him- self with intense assiduity to study, and graduated in 1854. Immediately after graduation he was appointed resident surgeon at the Marshall Infirm)- ary at Troy, which position he resigned after two years' occupancy.
Finding the ranks of the profession in the East well filled, he determined at length to try his for- tunes in the West, and removed to Janesville, Wis- consin, and established himself in practice there. He found the most able competitors in the city, but succeeded, nevertheless, in securing a large practice, which he has ever since retained and extended.
On the outbreak of the war, in 1861, Dr. Pal- mer offered his services, and was commissioned as surgeon of the 7th Wisconsin regiment. Shortly afterward he was assigned to the position of sur- geon of the "Iron Brigade," and discharged the duties of this place so faithfully and well that in the spring of 1862 he was commissioned as surgeon of United States Volunteers, and assigned to the highly important duty of building hospitals at Bal- timore. After getting several hospitals into suc- cessful operation at that place, he was transferred
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to York, Pennsylvania, where he superintended the construction of what was at that time the largest hospital in the United States, with a ca- pacity of twenty-five hundred beds. Here he remained in command of the military forces and in charge of the hospital for two years and a half, during which time he treated, with marked success, more than eighteen thousand sick and wounded, many of whom were from the battle-fields of South Mountain, Antietam and Gettysburg.
A few days before the battle of Gettysburg, the rebels planned the capture of York, and attacked the place with a large force. Surgeon Palmer, with only seven hundred convalescent men in the hos- pital, succeeded in holding the post until all the sick and wounded and government stores were removed beyond their reach. At this time he was taken prisoner, but escaped during the battle of Gettysburg, four days afterward, and immediately reoccupied the hospital, and filled it with the wounded from the battle-field.
Dr. Palmer is enthusiastic in the practice of his profession, and especially in the department of surgery, which he has made a specialty. While in the army he held high rank as one of the best operators in the service; the leading principle of his practice being what may be called conservative surgery -the never having recourse to amputation when it can by any possibility be avoided.
During Gilmore's raid into Maryland and Penn- sylvania, Surgeon Palmer organized a force of con- valescents and citizens, and effectually defeated the rebels in their efforts to destroy the railroads and government property, and was afterward (June 15, 1865) commissioned brevet lieutenant-colonel for faithful and meritorious service. In March, 1864, he was assigned to duty as medical inspector of the eighth army corps, and was engaged in the inspection of hospitals and in the exchange of pris-
oners until July, 1865, when he was ordered to Chicago, Illinois, with instructions to close up the medical department of Camp Douglas. This ser- vice finished, he retired from the army, having earned honorable reputation as a soldier, and by his medical skill and ability, a place in the front rank of the profession. On leaving the army, he returned to his practice at Janesville, where he is still (1875) actively engaged, doing a large and lucrative business.
In politics, he is a republican, but is too much absorbed in the duties of his profession to engage much in public affairs. The citizens, however, have twice elected him mayor of Janesville, as an evidence of their appreciation of his ability and worth. In religious matters, he is a member of the Baptist denomination. The Doctor takes a deep interest in every enterprise that tends to the pros- perity of the city where he resides, and is a stock- holder and director in several of the largest cor- porations in Janesville.
Dr. Palmer has been eminently successful; but his professional career may be said to have but fairly commenced. He is a man of strong frame, excellent and perfectly temperate habits, and of a good constitution ; with indomitable energy, and naturally a close student and careful observer. He has not always escaped detraction, but he has ever so borne himself that malice and jealousy have fallen harmlessly at his feet.
He was married in 1851 to Edna A. Hoyt, a lady of highly respectable parentage. They have had issue six children, four of whom, one son and three daughters, are still living.
But few men have risen so rapidly to a position of prominence and usefulness as Dr. Palmer. His life has been busy and eventful, and justifies the confidence that his future career will develop still greater value to the community.
GEORGE McWILLIAMS,
FOND DU LAC.
T HE subject of this sketch, a native of Mercer county, Pennsylvania, was born on the 11th of December, 1800; and is the son of George Mc- Williams, a farmer, and Naomi née Mitchell. He passed his early life in his native place, attending school during winters, and spending the summers
in farm work, and at the age of sixteen years entered upon an apprenticeship of four and a half years, to learn the carpenter's trade. At the ex- piration of this time he began work as journeyman, and soon removed to Painesville, Ohio, and there spent eight years working at his trade. In 1830,
Yim Williams
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going to Wisconsin, he settled at Green Bay, then in Michigan Territory. During the next thirteen years he was actively engaged at his trade, and during that time had the contract for many im- portant buildings in his section of country. He built the first Protestant mission buildings of Green Bay, for the education of half-breed Indians. He also was superintendent or architect for rebuild- ing Fort Howard, and was there engaged for four years. Having become largely interested in the Fond du Lac Land Company, he removed thither in 1843, and took charge of the business of the company. He has been a large dealer in real estate, and at one time owned a large part of the land where the city of Fond du Lac now stands. He has been very successful in all his operations, and by judicious investments and careful manage- ment has accumulated a large fortune. He has not, however, confined himself to his private af- fairs, but, in all matters pertaining to the growth and welfare of his city and State, has taken an
active part. He was a member of the first terri- torial legislature in 1836, and during a period of several years served as justice of the peace, at Green Bay, under an appointment by Governor Dodge. After removing to his present home, he was elected mayor of his city, two years after its incorporation. Mr. McWilliams has traveled ex- tensively over the United States, and being a man of close observation, he has gained, in this manner, a most valuable experience and practical knowl- edge of men and things.
Politically, he has been identified with the re- publican party since its organization.
Mr. McWilliams has never been identified with any church organization, and has never married; he is, however, a worthy member of the Masonic order.
Such is a brief outline of the life-history of one who, beginning life without means, has worked his way up step by step, and stands now a worthy example of that success which may be attained by constant, persevering and honorable effort.
GEORGE W. CHITTENDEN, M.D.,
JANESVILLE.
G EORGE W. CHITTENDEN, physician, of Janesville, Wisconsin, was born in the town of Westmoreland, Oneida county, New York, on the 3d of February, 1820. His father, Jared Chittenden, was an extensive farmer, and, for many years, justice of the peace. He served in the Colonial army dur- ing the greater part of the war of the Revolution, as sergeant of artillery, having enlisted in 1775, and at the close of the war settled in Westmoreland about 1790, where he died in 1828. The mother of Dr. Chittenden was Asena Douglas, sister of Professor J. S. Douglas, of Milwaukee. She removed to Oneida county about 1790, when all that district was in its primitive, uncultivated condition, and almost a wil- derness. She was a woman of rare Christian virtues, and her wise and noble life, aided by careful teach- ing, exerted a powerful influence in moulding the characters of her children, of whom there were ten. She died in 1851.
The lad George worked on the farm until he was nineteen years of age, his education being obtained at the district school, and being as good as the circumstances allowed. He had always shown de- cidedly literary tastes, and at about this age began
an academic course, with a view of preparing for college. He continued so studying until the sum- mer of 1842, when he was fully prepared to enter college; but the limited means at his command compelled him to relinquish that design. He there- fore entered at once upon a course of professional study at the Albany Medical College, where he graduated in January, 1846. Later in the same year he removed to Chicago, where he practiced for a few months, and devoted considerable attention to the principles of the homœopathic school of medi- cine. In November, 1846, he settled in Janesville, Wisconsin, where he very rapidly acquired an ex- tensive practice. The next year he was elected vice-president of the Rock River Medical Associa- tion, embracing Wisconsin and northern Illinois, and in this capacity delivered the semi-annual ad- dress. On this occasion he reviewed the various medical systems, urging upon the profession the duty of investigating all systems, and adopting all truth.
About this time he commenced a series of prac- tical tests on the subject of homœopathy, which extended over several months, and at length became
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fully convinced of the value of the homoeopathic system, and felt constrained to adopt the practice of it. This involved a conflict between duty and interest. He enjoyed the confidence of the allo- pathic profession, and through their cooperation had acquired a goodly reputation as a surgeon. Thus, to adopt the practice of homœopathy was to invite ostracism from the association and alienation from the profession. It included also, as a necessary consequence, a severe struggle in order to establish it in the public mind, and to overcome the prevail- ing ignorance of its merits, and the prejudice then existing against it in the community. Notwith- standing this, the doctor, feeling confident of the ultimate success of the system, announced himself as a homœopatic physician, and entered upon homœopathic practice, laboring zealously for its propagation. His practice of the new principles was as successful as it had been while a member of the "old school," and soon became firmly estab- lished. As a means of still more completely pre- paring himself for the responsibilities of the prac- tice, he attended a course of lectures during the winter of 1849-50 at Philadelphia, and graduated in March, 1850, at the Homeopathic Medical Col- lege of Pennsylvania.
The Doctor has been a member of the American Institute of Homœopathy since 1857, with the ex-
ception of two years, during which his membership unavoidably lapsed. He has contributed quite a number of valuable articles to the medical journals. And he is as able in the department of surgery as in that of medicine, and has performed several capital operations, among them being amputation at the hip-joint and at the shoulder-joint.
In political matters, Dr. Chittenden takes sides with the republican party, though being in no sense a politician, and ever avoiding anything like polit- ical preferment. His religious views are liberal and practical, and he has throughout his career main- tained the highest reputation for strict honor and integrity. In his professional capacity he is one of the oldest and ablest exponents of the science of homœopathic medicine in southern Wisconsin, and is justly entitled to a prominent place among the best American physicians. Socially, also, he is highly esteemed, and in every relation of life he has well earned the sincere respect and perfect con- fidence of all good men.
In 1846 Dr. Chittenden was married to Miss Charlotte A. Wellman, of New York Mills. This estimable lady died at Janesville in 1847. In 1852 he espoused Miss Melissa J. Gillett, of Cortland, New York, a lady of a high order of attainments. He has issue two daughters and a son, the latter of whom is pursuing a course of medical studies.
RICHARD MERTZ,
JUNEAU.
W HILE there are few phases in the lives of self-made men, of an emotional or sensa- tional character, there is yet a motive power, of en- ergy, enterprise, continuity and determination, wor- thy of careful study ; and often, if we shall look for the secret of men's success, we find it only in their continuity in following out a cherished purpose. The life-history of Richard Mertz, though present- ing many phases in common with the lives of other men, is yet marked by a rigid firmness and deter- mination to succeed so essential in the accomplish- ment of any purpose. A native of the city of Fulda, Prussia, he was born on the 7th of March, 1833, and is the son of Maxmillian Mertz, and Margret née Kircher. His father, a lawyer, was a prominent and influential man, and the recipient of many public honors. Richard received his education in the
schools of his native city, and after completing his studies, immigrated to America in 1849, and settled in the town of Shields, Dodge county, Wisconsin.
During the first year after his arrival, he employed his time in farm work, and for the next three years was engaged in a saw-mill. In 1854, he made the Dodge county abstract, and for eight years thereaf- ter was employed as clerk in different county offices. In 1862 he was elected register of deeds for Dodge county, and held that office during three successive terms, performing its duties in a most satisfactory manner. By strict economy and untiring industry he accumulated a small capital, and in 1869 established himself in the real-estate and insurance business. He continued in this till January 1, 1873, having in the meantime been again elected register of deeds. In 1875, forming a copartnership with Mr. William T.
Max Burger
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Rambush, he opened an abstract and real-estate office, conducting the business under the firm name of Rambush and Mertz.
Beginning life without money, Mr. Mertz has gradually worked his way up to a position of high public regard and social standing, and his honorable and fair dealing has attained that success that must
invariably follow noble effort. His political views are democratic.
In religion, he holds to liberal opinions, and is not identified with any church.
Mr. Mertz was married September 20, 1855, to Miss Josephine Hebyen, by whom he has three sons and two daughters.
MAX FUEGER,
MILWAUKEE.
AWRENCE AND MARGRET FUEGER were the parents of Max Fueger; he was born at Kuehleheim on the Tauber, Baden, Germany. He received a thorough common-school education. He had a wish, from boyhood, to become a brewer, and his father assisted him in his inclination. After leaving school he remained at home for nearly two years, working in his father's shop as cooper.
He then went to learn the brewing trade, with Mr. Max Faeth, with whom he remained two years. He then traveled and worked in different breweries for four and a half years, in the various towns of Wertheim, Heidelberg, Miltenburg, Wuerzburg and Bischofsheim. This was in accordance with the Ger- man law requiring three years' travel and journey- work before beginning any business as proprietor.
In July, 1847, Mr. Fueger came to New York, where he found work, and for a year and a half was employed in what was then the largest brewery in the country, on Washington street, in the old State's Prison building. In August, 1849, he came to Wis- consin and settled in Milwaukee, where he has since resided. He has been engaged in brewing all the time, and has worked in nearly all the large brew- eries in the city. He worked for Best and Co. for eleven years, eight years of which he was foreman. He has a thorough practical knowledge of his trade,
careful and watchful of the process. He succeeded in producing a very superior beer, that has given to Best and Co. a more than national name and reputation. They feel and generously acknowledge this fact, and have often expressed their indebted- ness to him.
Mr. Fueger left Best and Co. to purchase the in- terest of Benedict Caspari, in Obermann's brewery, and entered into partnership with Jacob Obermann, with whom he is still associated. The business has increased steadily, and their progress has been great and constant. When Mr. Fueger entered the business, they were occupying a small frame build- ing; they now have a large brick building, eighty feet long and forty feet wide, besides a large malt- house. Their business has become great and their capital has grown with the business.
Mr. Fueger was married in 1851, and has had three children -two sons and one daughter. The latter is married to Mr. William Heitmann, of this city; the eldest son died in 1873, at the age of fifteen.
Mr. Fueger was brought up a Catholic, but has since become more liberal in his religious views.
He attributes his success to his thorough knowl- edge of his trade, to an ever watchful attention, and the cooperation of an excellent wife.
JOSEPH A. CLARKE, M.D.,
WHITEWATER.
J OSEPH AMES CLARKE, a native of Stowe, Vermont, was born on the 23d of September, 1814, and was the son of Jonas Clarke, a farmer, and Sarah née Fuller. His boyhood, differing little from that of ordinary farmer boys, was passed in his
native town, where he received a good English education and assisted his father in his farm work. The narrow routine of farm life, however, was ill adapted to his tastes, and he early decided to de- vote his life to the medical profession. Removing
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to Townsend, Sandusky county, Ohio, at the age of seventeen, he soon afterward began the study of medicine with Dr. Lathrop, of Bellevue, Ohio, where he remained three years. At the expiration of that time, in 1839, drawn by the superior induce- ments which it offered to young men, he removed to the West and settled at Whitewater, Wisconsin, and at once engaged in that practice which gained for him an extended influence and a most honor- able and worthy reputation, and which continued up to within a short time of his death. In 1848, after pursuing the regular course of study, he graduated from Rush Medical College, of Chicago.
As a physician, he was eminently fitted for his calling, both by his native endowments and liberal acquirements. Devoted to his work, he thought of it only as a means of helping his fellow-men, and of developing his own noble self. He gave much attention to self-culture; and, by his wide range of reading and close observation of current events, he gained a fund of knowledge which, combined with his excellent personal qualities, rendered him a most agreeable social companion.
Dr. Clarke was a man of clear mind, sound judg- ment, and remarkably successful in his profession. He was proverbial for his integrity, and during all
the years of his practice retained the confidence and esteem of his patrons and of the profession. Confining his attention strictly to his professional work, he found no time, nor had he the desire, to engage in political or other outside matters, except to perform his duties as a true citizen. In his polit- ical sentiments he was identified with the republican party. Though not a member of any church organi- zation, he was a firm believer in Christianity, and had the highest appreciation of Christian integrity and true practical godliness. In conversation with a friend one week previous to his death he said: "I have done many things in my life to regret, but my trust is in Christ, who is 'the resurrection and the life.'" After a long and useful life he quietly and sweetly fell asleep on the morning of May 3, 1873, mourned by many warm personal friends and a large circle of acquaintances.
Dr. Clarke was married on the 2d of July, 1840, to Miss Mary Jane Steadman, daughter of Willis and Sarah C. Steadman, of Courtlandville, New York. Mrs. Clarke is a woman of most excellent qualities, and cheerfully endured with her husband the toils and self-denials that attended their pioneer life. Their union was blessed with four affectionate children -one son and three daughters.
SANGER MARSH,
WHITEWATER.
T "HE subject of this sketch, a native of Alexan- der, New York, was born on the 27th of Au- gust, 1815, and was the son of Wolcott Marsh, a farmer by occupation, and Lucy Hart. He passed his boyhood and youth on his father's farm, receiv- ing a thorough English education in the common schools, and in Wyoming Seminary, at Alexander. After attaining his majority, Mr. Marsh found the occupation of farming ill suited to his tastes, and resolved to turn his attention to mercantile pursuits. He accordingly started for Boston, his father fur- nishing him funds for defraying his expenses. On his way an incident occurred which was always a source of pleasure to him, and is well worthy of record. In settling his bill at the first hotel where he stopped, he gave the landlord, as he supposed, a five-dollar note, but did not discover his mistake until he ar- rived at the next town. He then wrote to the hotel keeper, who answered refusing to refund the money.
Twenty-one years afterward, while Mr. Marsh was residing in Whitewater, Wisconsin, he received a letter from an attorney notifying him that he had, by will, come into possession of a piece of land in Chica- go, Illinois; the reason given was, that it was an act of restitution, the party making the will being the land- lord above mentioned. After spending a short time in Boston, finding that his health was becoming im- paired by close confinement, he removed to New York and established himself at Nunda, in the dry- goods and grocery trade. Here he conducted a successful business till 1845, when he removed to Attica, Wyoming county, and there spent one year in the same line of business. At the expiration of this time, closing up his affairs, he removed to the West, and settled at Whitewater, Wisconsin. He at once opened a mercantile business, and during the next ten years conducted a prosperous and widely influential trade ; and at the end of that time, having
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