USA > Wisconsin > The United States biographical dictionary and portrait gallery of eminent and self-made men, Wisconsin volume > Part 60
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as the peculiar manners and characteristics of the people of the several States.
He held the office of mayor of Janesville during the year 1871, and was a member of the city coun- cil for ten years ending in 1876. In politics, he was raised in the democratic faith, and has never varied his political creed.
Although not in communion he is an attendant on the services of the Congregational church, and is very generous in his contributions to religious and benevolent objects. He is a Master Mason, of West- ern Star Lodge, Janesville, No. 14.
During the reconstruction of the Wisconsin Insti- tute for the Education of the Blind, he was a mem- ber of the board of trustees, and in that capacity labored with characteristic zeal to promote the in- terests of the State and the welfare of the inmates.
On the Ioth of October, 1854, he was married to Miss Mary J., daughter of Job Barker, Esq., a farmer of Rock county. She was a very amiable and gifted lady, of delicate constitution, however, who became the mother of four children, one of whom died in infancy and two at the ages of four and six years respectively. The eldest daughter, Miss Lilla, a very lovely and promising girl, died at Jacksonville, Florida, in 1872, at the age of seventeen years, of consumption, induced by a cold. Mrs. Rogers died in Denver, Colorado, January 8, 1875.
On the 24th of October, 1876, he was married in Boston, Massachusetts, to Mrs. Caroline A., widow of the late Samuel Whitney, of Boston, and daugh- ter of Samuel Puffer, late of Westminster, Massachu- setts. Mrs. Rogers is a lady of refinement and high social position, of Puritan ancestry and strong re- ligious convictions. She adheres to the church of her fathers.
In personal appearance Mr. Rogers is striking, having a lithe, wiry frame and an intense individu- ality, which cannot fail to attract attention ; and while he has little of the learning that is taught in the schools, he has educated himself, till few men are better posted in the political and commercial history of the times. He has been a man of cease- less activity of body and mind, pushing for his ob- jective point with a vigor and perseverance which rarely fails to achieve success. His demeanor is largely dependent upon circumstances. In repose he is calm, dignified and graceful, entering into con- versation with the easy affability of a man who has seen much of the world. When aroused he speaks with great fervency, and, if confronted with opposi-
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tion which he deems unwarranted, his ever-charged battery of "sinewy Saxon" is plied with a vigor and precision not to be trifled with. Few men not in constant public life are more widely known throughout the State than he, and yet comparatively few know of the gentleness of the man in his domes- tic relations. His home is the abode of an elegant and generous hospitality, and no gentleman passes
his threshold without being made to feel himself welcome. In this respect he fully sustains the char- acter of his Irish ancestors, whose distinguishing characteristic is hospitality.
His untiring vigilance and business sagacity have brought him wealth, and he is thus enabled to " sit under his own vine and fig-tree," and enjoy, in quiet and affluence, the afternoon of life.
PROF. ALBERT WHITFORD, A.M.,
MILTON.
A' LBERT WHITFORD is the third son of Sam- uel and Sophia (Clarke) Whitford and brother of W. C. Whitford, president of Milton College, else- where sketched in this volume. He was born in Plainfield, New York, May 28, 1832. His father gave him such opportunities for education as he could afford, by sending him to the public schools and to Brookfield Academy in a neighboring town; but his death, which occurred in the fall of 1848, left the son at the age of sixteen years almost en- tirely dependent upon his own resources for educa- tion and support. Choosing the occupation of a teacher, he taught his first school in the winter fol- lowing his father's death. He received his college preparatory education in De Ruyter Institute, De Ruyter, New York, and at Alfred Academy, Alfred Centre, New York, which he attended at intervals during a period of six years, teaching generally in some district school the remainder of the time for a support. He graduated in the classical course at Union College, Schenectady, New York, in the class of 1857, into which he was admitted the previous year. Since then his life has been devoted to teaching. While preparing for his profession he always stood among the very best, if not at the head of his classes.
Immediately after graduating from college he be- came an assistant teacher in Milton Academy, Mil- ton, Wisconsin, which position he retained until the winter of 1863, when he entered upon his duties as superintendent of schools of Rock county, Wiscon- sin, to which office he had been elected the preced- ing autumn. He resigned this position, however, in the autumn of 1865 to resume his labors as a teacher by accepting the principalship of De Ruyter Insti- tute, which position he retained two years. He afterward filled the chair of mathematics of Alfred
University, New York, for four years; and for the last five years has filled the chair of mathematics in Milton College, Wisconsin.
He was educated in the religious faith of the Seventh-day Baptists, was received in childhood into one of their churches, and is still a member of that body of Christians.
He is by inheritance and conviction an opponent of slavery, and therefore a staunch and uncompro- mising republican. In all the great controversies of the last twenty years he has been found on the side of freedom and equality to all men.
He possesses a mind of very great quickness and strength. At the age of five years he began to learn to read, and in a few months had read several diffi- cult books, one of them being the New Testament. For twelve years thereafter he diligently occupied his time, when not working on a farm, in reading standard works in our language. Endowed with a most active memory, he could recall the substance, and in many cases the minutiæ, of the many works which he perused. He thus acquired a large fund of information, which he still holds for ready use. This habit of reading he has never abandoned, and is one of the best posted men on all the principal topics of discussion. Though filling the chair of mathematics in the college to the highest satisfac- tion of the institution, he is as fully qualified to teach the Latin or the Greek languages. He is perfectly at home before the students in the recita- tion-room, and never fails to win the good will and esteem of those under his instruction. They often speak of him as the model teacher. He excites a healthful and earnest interest in the studies which he teaches, and excels in the investigation of intri- cate questions, having the faculty of looking at a subject in all its parts and right through it to the
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very bottom. He confines his work principally to the class-room, but occasionally delivers lectures. These productions are characterized by a perfect mastery of his theme, by clearness and force of statement, and by an elevated and logical order of thought. His views on any question introduced in the recitation-room or among his more intimate acquaintances are always received as entitled to great weight, if not absolutely conclusive.
In personal appearance Professor Whitford is tall, of light complexion, spare in form, and apparently frail. He has great nervous energy, which he hus- bands and uses with the utmost care. He dresses in the plainest style, and gives little attention to the superficial graces of manner or speech. Naturally of a quiet, reflective turn of mind, his life-work has tended to confirm those traits, until now at the age of forty-four he is a very synonym in the community for a quiet, unassuming gentleman; unambitious for public preferment or the acquisition of wealth and fame. He finds happiness at his home, in his gar- den, with his books and his family, and in ample fulfillment of duty in a sincere devotion to his pro- fession, in an earnest effort to awaken in the minds of his pupils a desire to be men of culture and integrity. In general demeanor he is somewhat reserved, yet he has a genial sympathetic disposition and is as kind at heart as a child. He enjoys a good joke and good humor. Flashes of wit always find a hearty response from him.
He is well grounded in the faith of his church, and whoever enters into a contest with him, thinking to gain a logical victory over him, finds that this quiet, unassuming man, when aroused, is capable of doing valiant service in defense of his creed. He has facts and history at hand and uses them with a zeal and pungency that is refreshing and convincing. Nor is he less valiant in defense of his politics, or any other principles which he espouses. He is not only fully persuaded in his own mind, but ready and able to give a reason for the faith that is in him. His example is a benefit to his fellow-men, and his influence upon the young with whom he has been associated will be felt for many years to come.
He was married on the 31st of May, 1857, to Miss Chloe E. Curtiss, of East Troy, Wisconsin, who was also a teacher, and has since followed that occupa- tion as closely as the care of her children and other household duties would permit. She is a woman of superior mental endowments, to which she has added the most thorough culture. She has received the deserved honor of the second degree from Milton College. She excels as a teacher of mathematics. In personal appearance she is attractive, tall and graceful, and fills a high position in the community where she resides. They have four children, three sons and one daughter, named in the order of their birth : Anna Sophia, Albert Curtiss, William Henry and Alfred Edward, all of whom are being carefully educated for stations of honor and usefulness.
JEROME L. MARSH, SHEBOYGAN.
T HE subject of this biography, a son of Luther and Laura (Frisbee) Marsh, was born in Eliz- abethtown, Essex county, New York, January 20, about 1820. His father died when the son was about one year old. Soon afterward the family moved to Chautauqua county, in the western part of the State, and at seven years of age Jerome went into the office of the "Fredonia Censor," then con- ducted by his uncle, Henry Frisbee ; after remaining there about seven years he entered a job office in Rochester for a short time, and afterward worked in the office of Weed and Sprague, publishers of the "Anti-masonic Enquirer," in that city. Removing to Michigan City, Indiana, he spent one season there, setting up, as a journeyman printer, the first
number of the first newspaper printed in that place. Later he spent about three years in Peoria, Illinois, printing the "Champion." Removing to Ottawa, Illinois, he established a democratic paper; because he was pledged to support the regular nominees the leaders of the party withdrew their support, and he was soon stripped of all he had. He removed to Platteville, Wisconsin, in 1841, and spent several years there and at Lancaster engaged in the news- paper business, except during two or three years which he spent on a farm in Grant county. He afterward went to Madison and worked about two years as a printer in the office of the "State Jour- nal."
In January, 1871, Mr. Marsh settled in Sheboy-
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gan county, purchased the "Sheboygan Falls Her- ald," moved it to the city of Sheboygan, and there, with his only son, continues to publish the paper under the firm name and style of J. L. and Geo. Marsh, the son having most of the editorial manage- ment. December 26, 1873, the subject of this sketch received the appointment of postmaster, and still holds the office (r877).
In politics, he was formerly a democrat, but with- drew from that party about 1856, and for twenty years past has acted heartily with the republicans.
In 1847 Mr. Marsh was married to Miss Melissa Moore, of Platteville, Grant county, Wisconsin. They have three daughters, and one son already mentioned. One of the daughters, Dora, is the wife of George T. Sumner, a rising attorney of She- boygan; another, Laura B., assists her brother in writing for the "Herald," and also corresponds
for some of the Chicago dailies; and the youngest, Nellie M., is a clerk in the postoffice.
While residing in Grant county Mr. Marsh held the office of county treasurer two years-the only political office of any consequence, except his present one, that he has ever held. As is seen, from early boyhood he has passed nearly all his years in a printing-office, entering fifty years ago, and his experience has been very like that of most publishers of country newspapers.
Mr. Marsh is now in comfortable circumstances, surrounded by all the members of his family. He is assiduous in the discharge of his official duties, courteous and obliging, and is highly esteemed by all.
His son George, who was educated at the State University at Madison, though not a graduate, is, like his father, a hard worker and an excellent jour- nalist.
GEORGE W. FAY, M.D.,
MENASHA.
T' HE subject of this sketch, a son of Jonas and Mary (Barnes) Fay, is the youngest of a family of twelve children, and was born at Royalton, Ver- mont, February 22, 1823. His father, a farmer by occupation, died when George was six years old. He remained at home, steadily working on the farm, until his eighteenth year, gaining what knowledge he could in the district school during the winters, and at brief intervals of leisure during the other seasons. His mother, who died when he was sev- enteen, was an excellent manager of affairs, an affec- tionate and considerate woman, and did all in her power to encourage and assist him in his endeavors to gain an education. At the age of eighteen he began teaching in the school in which he had been edu- cated, and continued there and in other districts six seasons. During this period he prepared for college, but finally abandoned the idea of entering, and com- menced reading medicine when about twenty years old. He attended lectures in the medical depart- ment of Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hamp- shire, and graduated in 1847.
Beginning his professional practice at Hardwick, Caledonia county, Vermont, he remained there about three years, and in 1851 removed to Wisconsin. After prospecting for some time he settled for one year at Fond du Lac, and on the 4th of July, 1852,
first cast his eye on Menasha, then a village of about four hundred inhabitants. Determining upon this as his future home, he at once opened an office, and during the last twenty-five years has continued actively in practice, except during the war of the rebellion, when he was engaged in his country's service.
In the autumn of 1862 Dr. Fay went into the army as assistant surgeon of the 32d Regiment Wis- consin Volunteers. He had full charge of the regi- ment in his sphere a little more than two years, and was then detailed to take charge of the post hospital at Dalton, Georgia, and in that position, and a simi- lar one in other hospitals, he served until he left the service in April, 1865.
Returning to Menasha he again resumed his prac- tice, and has made for himself an excellent reputa- tion, alike as a surgeon and general practitioner.
February 1, 1875, Dr. Fay was appointed register of the land office, and is discharging its duties with the utmost fidelity, at the same time keeping up, to a large extent, his professional visits, being aided in the register's office by his eldest son, George A. Fay.
In politics he is of whig antecedents. He aided in organizing the republican party in Winnebago county, and has cordially acted with it to the present time (1877). He cherishes his politics with the same
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sincerity that he does his religion. He is a commu- nicant in the Methodist Episcopal church, and a man of very pure character. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity.
The wife of Dr. Fay is a daughter of Amos Rob- inson, who was, in his day, a leading man in Royal- ton, Vermont. They were married on the 14th of April, 1847, and have four children. The only
daughter, Ida M., is the wife of Lorenzo H. Jones, station agent at Amherst, Wisconsin.
Dr. Fay attributes much of his success to the in- fluence, example and teachings of his mother, whose memory he cherishes very tenderly. She encouraged him in his studies, instilled into his young heart cor- rect moral and religions principles, and aided him in laying a good foundation for a noble character.
JOSEPH SCHLITZ,
MILWAUKEE.
JOS OSEPH SCHLITZ was born at Mayence, on the Rhine, May 15, 1831. He was the son of John and Lonisa Schlitz. His father was a speculator in wine. Joseph was educated in his native city. After attending school for four years he studied book- keeping, and subsequently kept the books of one house for four years. He did this from choice, as he had a desire to understand book-keeping thoroughly.
In the year 1855 he came to Milwaukee and en- gaged in the business of brewing, and in the year 1858 he purchased a brewery of August Krug, of which he has since been the proprietor, and has conducted the business with marked success. Mr. Schlitz was a man of great business capacity, and has, by his energy and foresight, amassed a large fortune. He was a gentleman much beloved and very popular.
On the 27th of April, 1875, Mr. Schlitz sailed on the steamship Schiller, for the purpose of visiting his brothers in Mayence, his native city. On the 7th of May the ill-fated steamer was wrecked off the Scilly Islands, and Mr. Schlitz was lost. Proper steps have been taken to recover the body, but unsuccessfully. At the time of his death Mr. Schlitz was president of the Schlitz Brewing Company, vice-president of the Second Ward Savings Bank, secretary of the Brewers' Fire Insurance Company of America, of
which he was one of the founders. He was an active member of the United States Brewers' Asso- ciation, secretary of the Milwaukee Brewers' Associ- ation, member of the Merchants' Exchange; was also a Mason and member of various other lodges and societies. From each of these bodies letters of con- dolence, speaking in the highest terms of the de- ceased, and lamenting his untimely death, were addressed to his widow. His loss was felt as a gen- eral calamity.
Such was the business exactness of Mr. Schlitz that before his departure for Europe he made a last will, in which he provides that the extensive brewery shall be carried on under the same firm name- Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company -and under the management of August, Henry, Edward and Alfred Uihlein, who have been associated with the deceased and possessed his entire confidence.
In 1858 he was married to Miss Anna Maria Weis- mann. He was brought up a Catholic, and was a member of that church. In politics he was a demo- crat, but was never a strong partisan.
He was a man of general information, had traveled much in the United States and in Europe. The universal sympathy so widely felt is a tribute honor- able to the memory of the deceased and gratifying to surviving friends.
SAMUEL GALENTINE, M.D.,
NEENAH.
I "HE subject of this sketch, a native of Monroe county, New York, was born February 13, 1817, and is the son of Jacob and Kezia (Bergen) Galen- tine. His maternal grandfather served under Gen-
eral Washington during the revolutionary war, and had a brother who was captain of a New Jersey company. Bergen Heights, New Jersey, was named in honor of this family. His father, a tailor by trade,
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Dr. chility.
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served in the war of 1812, and was held a prisoner of war ten months, in the hands of the British, at Halifax.
Samuel attended school during the greater part of his boyhood and youth, and commenced teaching at the age of nineteen, an occupation which he fol- lowed for several winters, continuing his literary studies during the rest of the year. He began the study of medicine about 1839, and attended medical lectures at Castleton, Vermont, where he graduated in June, 1842. After practicing about seven years in Livingston county, New York -first at Mount Morris and later at Nunda-he in October, 1849, removed to Neenah, Wisconsin. There he practiced four years, after which he returned to Nunda and remained until 1860, when he again settled in his former western home, where he has since continued to reside, performing the labors of a large practice. He enjoys the highest confidence and respect of his neighbors for his skill in the healing art, and for the elevated tone of his character.
He is a member of the Presbyterian church, and an elder of the same. In politics, he was formerly a whig; latterly he has been identified with the repub- lican party, but does not let politics interfere with professional business.
About 1870, at the urgent request of his fellow- citizens, he consented to accept the presidency of the village, and served in that capacity two years. He belongs to the Odd-Fellows fraternity, but rarely attends its meetings.
Mrs Galentine was Miss Ann M. Alden, a native of Caldwell, on Lake George, but residing at the time of their marriage, May 22, 1844, at Tuscarora, Livingston county, New York. They have had four children, one of whom, Alice S., is now living.
Dr. Galentine is the oldest medical resident of Neenah, and, although he has passed his sixtieth birthday, is still engaged in active practice. He enjoys good health, is erect and sprightly, and gives promise of years of usefulness in his profession.
MOSES MEEKER, M.D.,
MINERAL POINT.
M OSES MEEKER, who figured more conspic- the United States treasury ten per cent of all the lead which they mined and smelted. He disposed of his lead works in Cincinnati, and in company with Colonel Cole started from that city for the mines, making the journey on horseback via St. Louis. The trip was a long, trying and dangerous one, as Indians infested the country all along the route and the rivers were without bridges. After enduring many hardships the site of the Indian vil- lage, now the city of Galena, was reached on the 12th of November, 1822. There were then about thirty white persons in the settlement and several hundred Indians. Dr. Meeker at once explored the region, examined the lead which had been found and determined to engage in the enterprise of min- ing. After arriving at this decision and making some necessary preliminary arrangements, he mounted his horse and returned to Cincinnati, arriving there on the 8th of January, 1823. He then entered into correspondence with John C. Calhoun (at that time secretary of war), gave him his opinion of the lead mines and suggested what he considered the proper course to be pursued in working them. The corre- resulted in the issuance of an order to Colonel Bom- uously than any other person in the early history of the lead mining region of southern Wis- consin, was born in New Jersey, June 17, 1790. He received an academic education in his native State, and in 1817 settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he engaged in the manufacture of white lead. In the spring of 1822 it became necessary for him to visit St. Louis, Missouri, for the purpose of purchasing a stock of pig lead, as the supply at Cincinnati had been exhausted. While there he became acquainted with Colonel James Johnson, of Kentucky, who took an active part in the war of 1812 and afterward served a term in Congress. This gentleman informed Dr. Meeker that he was about fitting out an expedition to the lead mines on Fever river, where Galena, Illinois, now stands. Becoming interested in the enterprise Dr. Meeker determined to close out his business in Cincinnati and join the expedition. About that time there appeared an advertisement in the papers that President Monroe proposed to lease to individuals each a half-section of land on the Upper Mississippi river for mining purposes, the lessees to give a bond and security in ten thousand : spondence was submitted to President Monroe, and dollars to the government that they would pay into
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ford, head of the ordnance department, to allow Dr. Meeker to build furnaces, make other improvements and operate the mines; and that he should not be interfered with until some action of Congress had been had on the subject. The required bond of ten thousand dollars was executed and approved. Dr. Meeker next purchased a substantial keel-boat, with an outfit costing seven thousand dollars, en- listed several families in Cincinnati (forty-three per- sons in all), and on the 5th of April, 1823, started for the scene of his future operations via the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, a distance of about six hun- dred miles. Among the passengers on the keel- boat were two young men named respectively Cap- tain Orin Smith and Captain Smith Harris, who afterward became distinguished and wealthy steam- boat owners and commanders on the Mississippi river. The company arrived at Galena on the Ist day of June, 1823, having made the trip in eighty- nine days. His first year in Galena was devoted to building houses and furnaces. In the month of August of the same year he had the census of the village taken, and the population amounted to sev- enty-four whites and five hundred Indians. In the spring of 1824 the furnaces were completed and smelting commenced. The product of smelted ore during the first year was four hundred and twenty- five thousand pounds. In the autumn of 1824 Dr. Meeker returned to Cincinnati for his family and a year's supply of provisions for the settlement, return- ing in the latter part of the year. His efforts were attended with remarkable success, and through his advice the government adopted new plans in leas- ing the mines and in collecting rents, and many sub- stantial improvements were made in the manner of operating the works.
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