USA > Wisconsin > The United States biographical dictionary and portrait gallery of eminent and self-made men, Wisconsin volume > Part 7
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James lived with his grandfather until he was thirteen years of age, at which time he went to an uncle's, where he received thirty dollars per year and two months' schooling. He continued thus employed, dividing his time between study and farm work, until he attained his twentieth year, when he engaged in teaching. Closing his school at the age of twenty-one, he spent the next two years in work and study, and at the expiration of that time, made an agreement to take care of his grandfather and mother, working their farm, and to 6
receive the same as his own after their decease. At the end of four years he sold his interest in the farm to his youngest uncle, for one thousand five hundred dollars, and purchased a farm at Mount Holly, Vermont, where he spent four years. During this time he turned his attention to the study of medicine, and afterward, renting his farm, accepted a clerkship in the store of his uncle, A. B. Bullard, and employed his spare time in his studies. Later he sold his farm, and moving to Plymouth, Ver- mont, there continued his studies and began the practice of his profession. After three years he removed to Middleton, Vermont, and there opened his practice, and at the same time pursued three courses of lectures under Dr. Middleton Goldsmith, and graduated from the medical college in 1855, with the degree of M.D. Mr. Hemenway was led into the study of medicine by the fact that his family was predisposed to consumption, and he, him- self, had been obliged on several occasions to abandon work on account of ill health. The year
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following his graduation, he removed to Delavan, Wisconsin, and established himself in the practice of his profession, in partnership with Dr. O. W. Blanchard. At the end of one year the partnership was dissolved, and since that time Dr. Hemenway has built up a large and remunerative practice, and gained a wide reputation as a skillful practitioner. Although he has had a very extensive practice, he is not wealthy, from the fact that he has been a poor collector, making it a rule never to press any one for money.
He was brought up under Baptist influences, and is a worthy member of that church.
In politics, he was formerly a whig, but is now identified with the republican party. He is one of the township board, though he has never aspired to office, preferring the peace and quiet of his pro-
fessional and domestic life to political honors and emoluments.
Dr. Hemenway was married on the 26th of Janu- ary, 1843, to Miss .Mary Harrington, of Ira, Ver- mont, daughter of Joshua Harrington. Of their two children, the eldest died when two years of age. The other is the wife of Samuel M. Parish, general agent of the Chicago Life Insurance Company.
The doctor has given special study to lung diffi- culties, and is known for his skillful management of such cases.
Physically, he is five feet seven inches in height, has a light complexion and blue eyes, and weighs one hundred and thirty-eight pounds. He possesses excellent personal and social qualities, and by his generous, upright life has endeared himself to a large circle of warm and true friends.
SILUS U. PINNEY,
MADISON.
S ILUS U. PINNEY, present mayor of Madison, was born in Rockdale, Crawford county, Penn- sylvania, March 3, 1833. His father, Justin C. Pin- ney, was a native of Becket, Berkshire county, Mas- sachusetts, and came from there to Crawford county, Pennsylvania, in 1815. His mother's maiden name was Polly Ann Miller, and a native of Crawford county, Pennsylvania, and of German descent. His father, with his family, removed to Wisconsin in 1846, and settled in what is now the town of Wind- sor, Dane county, but which was then a part of the town of Madison. The country was then new and sparsely settled, and the subject of this sketch, hav- ing received a good common-school education, found it necessary to give his attention to other subjects than books for a considerable time. He had, how- ever, the advantages which some private instruction could give, and such self-instruction as only leisure moments could afford. He was, however, princi- pally occupied in improving and cultivating his father's farm. He was pretty well supplied with books, and a great reader, and had a very excellent memory, so that whatever he gained, even in the most general or imperfect manner, he was able to retain and utilize. He taught a district school three winters. When about seventeen years of age, hav- ing acquired a predilection for the legal profession, he began the study of the first text-books, and kept
it up, as well as his occupation on the farm and in teaching school would permit, until April of 1853, when he entered the law office of Vilas and Rem- ington, in this city, as a student. From that time to the present he has devoted his time and attention almost exclusively to the law. In February, 1854, he was admitted to practice in both the circuit and supreme courts of the State, and afterward in the federal courts; and in May, 1854, he entered upon the active duties of his profession in the city of Madison, where he has been so engaged ever since.
He has ever been and still isa democrat, and · has avoided rather than sought political preferment.
In religion he has 'no sectarian views, but has for many years attended and contributed to the support of the Presbyterian church in this city.
He began his career in life single-handed and alone, with no capital but his own industry and such qualifications in point of learning as he had acquired for engaging in the profession of his choice, and hence he very early learned to depend upon himself. Self-reliance has been the source of his success.
In 1858 he was city attorney for the city of Mad- ison, and an unsuccessful candidate for district attor- ney of the county. In 1865 he was a member of the common council, and in 1869 an unsuccessful candidate for attorney-general of the State on the democratic ticket.
Chaves aMais trong
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In April, 1874, he was elected mayor of the city of Madison, and in November of that year was elected a member of the legislative assembly from the Madison district, and in April, 1875, was re- elected mayor of Madison without opposition. In 1865 he prepared and attended to the publication of the sixteenth volume of Wisconsin "Reports," and in 1870 was appointed special reporter by the supreme court to report and publish the decisions of the ter- ritorial supreme court and the first supreme court of the State. extending over a period from 1836 to June, 1853, and which are embraced in three vol- umes, known as "Pinney's Wisconsin Reports," the last of which is now in press.
In March, 1856, he was married to Mary M. Mul- likin.
Mr. Pinney, although scarcely arrived at mature manhood, is in some respects a remarkable man, and has acquired distinction in his profession. He has quick perceptions, a subtle power of discrimination, a sound, practical judgment, and a wonderful mem- ory. He is destitute of that power of oratory which
appeals to the passions and electrifies the masses. In the discussions of legal principles in the presence of the court he is lucid in his statements, logical in his arguments, and forcible in his conclusions. He speaks without apparent effort, in plain, simple lan- guage, without ornament to divert the mind from the subject matter, and without obscurity to conceal it. It has been his good fortune to be employed in some important cases, involving large amounts of money and property, among them the case of the Amory will, involving about one million of dollars. This case was tried in the United States circuit court in Chicago, in 1874, before Judge Davis, of the su- preme court of the United States, and Judge Drum- mond, of the circuit court of the United States for the seventh circuit, in which Mr. Pinney displayed such a thorough knowledge of the law, the evidence and the faets as to elicit from the court and the bar very high terms of commendation. He has a bright future before him, and if he continues to be true to himself he will reach a high eminence at the bar and on the bench.
CHARLES A. WEISBROD,
OSHKOSH.
C HARLES A. WEISBROD, a native of Prussia, was born at Simmern, in the Department of Coblentz, on the 5th of April, 1824, and is the son of Phillip W. Weisbrod and Catherine née Mayer. His father, a baker by trade, was an energetic and enter- prising man, and became a well-to-do land-owner.
After completing his primary education, Charles attended the Gymnasium at Treves, and afterward the Polytechnic School and University at Berlin for three years and six months.
He early developed a taste for professional life, and during the first three years after leaving school employed his time in civil engineering, and also spent three years as lieutenant of engineers in the reserve.
In 1849, being then twenty-five years of age, he immigrated to the United States and settled at his present home in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Having de- cided to enter the legal profession, he at once began the study of law, giving himself with vigor to his work till 1852, when he was admitted to the bar. He at once began the practice of his profession, and laid the foundations of his present extensive and
influential business. Aside from his professional duties, he has held many positions of responsibility and public trust. In 1854 he was elected clerk of the circuit court for a term of two years. He was also alderman during a period of five years, begin- ning with 1853. In 1867 he was elected school commissioner ; was a member of the Baltimore con- vention in 1872, and participated in the nomination of Horace Greeley for president; in 1874 was ap- pointed, and in 1876 reappointed, one of the board of regents of the State Normal Schools.
The present firm of Felker and Weisbrod was formed in 1866, and by prompt and energetie action its business has become one of the largest in north- ern Wisconsin, and each year adds largely to its increase. While they do a general law business, they have given special attention to bankrupt cases, in which they have been very successful, and in several instances have paid the creditors in full, with interest.
In his religious views Mr. Weisbrod is liberal, and not connected with any church organization. In politics he is identified with the democratic party,
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but is liberal in his views, and always exalts the man above the party.
He was married on the 18th of April, 1849, to Miss Elizabeth F. Goetz, by whom he has three sons and four daughters. His son Albert W. Weisbrod graduated from Michigan University in 1870, and afterward spent two years in Europe in the study of law, and upon his return home was admitted to the bar at Oshkosh in 1874. On the Ist of January, 1875 he took an interest in his father's business, and is at present a member of that successful firm.
Mr. Weisbrod, beginning life with little means, has gradually worked his way from comparative obscu- rity to a position of high social standing and public regard; and in the success that has attended him presents an example of integrity, energy and enter- prise well worthy of emulation. He possesses excel- lent personal and social qualities; and while he is highly respected by all who know him, he is most esteemed by those who know him best. He is sur- rounded with all the comforts of a happy home, and lives in the enjoyment of an ample competence.
JOHN WESLEY PIXLEY,
MILWAUKEE.
H OW a man uses money-makes it, saves it, and spends it-is perhaps one of the best tests of his practical wisdom and character. The record of John Wesley Pixley's life, which has been passed in attaining wealth by industry and prudence, and expending the most part of it in secret acts of benevolence and charity, is a truly noble one. Al- though money ought by no means to be regarded as the chief end of man's life, neither is it a trifling matter, to be held in philosophic contempt, repre- senting as it does to so large an extent the means of physical comfort and social well-being. Indeed, some of the finest qualities of human nature are intimately associated with the right use of money, such as happiness, generosity, honesty, justice and self-sacrifice.
John W. Pixley was born on the 19th of Janu- ary, 1811, at Hillsdale, Columbia county, New York. He was one of the early pioneers of Mil- waukee, having arrived, with his brother Maurice, in May, 1836. Maurice was born on the 15th of October, 1800, and was, therefore, about eleven years older than John. They were the sons of John Pixley, who had held the office of high sheriff of Columbia county, and was a gentleman much re- spected and esteemed in that section of the State for the probity of his character.
On arriving at Milwaukee in 1836, the brothers, who possessed sufficient capital for the purpose, at once entered into copartnership and engaged in a mercantile business, under the firm name of M. and J. W. Pixley. Their building was near the corner of East Water and Wisconsin streets, adjoining the old trading-post of Solomon Juneau. They con-
tinued thus for some few years, when their father died and John was required at Hillsdale to settle his estate. He did not, however, remain longer than was necessary to transact the business, and then re- turned to Milwaukee. Shortly afterward Maurice removed to his former home in Hillsdale, withdraw- ing from partnership with his brother. In about a year after, John Wesley Pixley closed his mercan- tile business and turned his attention to real-estate speculations and advancing money. By his fore- sight and business capabilities he managed to amass a handsome fortune.
He was in many respects a very peculiar man. Although holding very firm political views, he would not allow himself to become a prominent politician, and would accept no office. In his habits he was particularly unassuming and quiet, strongly dislik- ing ostentation or assumption in any form whatever. Although his heart overflowed with charity and compassion, in the broadest sense, the world knew very little of it. Only a few very intimate friends became aware of the large amounts he was yearly expending in helping the truly needy and distressed. His gifts did not take the form that would bring his name before the public, but it has been since com- puted that for the last twenty years of his life, he has expended in his unobtrusive manner as much as seventy-five thousand dollars; but it never will be known to any one the large numbers of heavy hearts that have been lightened and the dismal homes that have been made bright and happy by the true benevolence of this one man. Although he rarely gave through the agency of any charitable institution or solicitor, his time and money were ex-
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pended in finding out proper objects on which to shower his bounty.
" He had a tear for pity, and a hand Open as the day for melting charity."
In all business transactions Mr. Pixley was the soul of honor, and his word was always "as good as a bond."
His death, which occurred on the 18th of August,
1874, was keenly felt by his many friends whom his good qualities had made for him, and also by those who had been relieved by his kindness. He died unmarried, and his remains were followed to the Forest Home by a great number of the old settlers, who loved him for the good deeds he had done, and admired his quaint, old-fashioned, sterling integrity.
JOHN A. BENTLEY,
SHEBOYGAN.
T HE subject of this sketch, a native of Kings- bury, Washington county, New York, was born on the 27th of January, 1836, and is the son of Cornelius Bentley and Mary née Brayton. His parents, well-to-do farmers, were highly respected in their community, and took special care in training their children to habits of industry and morality. He passed his boyhood and youth in his native place, dividing his time between farm work and attending the common school. At the close of his preparatory studies he began the study of law with Judges Rosencrans and Ferris, of Glens Falls, teach- ing during a part of the time to defray his expenses. After his admission to the bar, in 1857, he estab- lished himself in his profession at Glens Falls, and conducted a practice with varied success until March, 1859, when he removed to Wisconsin.
Settling in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, he remained one year, and at the end of that time removed to his present home in Sheboygan. Here, forming a copartnership with Judge William K. Gordon, he con- ducted a successful practice during ten months, at the expiration of which time the firm was dissolved and Mr. Bentley began a practice on his own ac- count, which he continued with good success until
1869. . At this time associating himself with Mr. William H. Seaman, under the firm name of Bentley and Seaman, he began that practice which has grown in influence and extent year by year up to the pres- ent time (1876), since which time he has given most of his attention to the interests of the Sheboygan and Fond du Lac Railroad, of which he was president for upward of two years.
Aside from his regular business, he has shown a public-spiritedness, and been interested in many enterprises tending to the welfare of his State and city, and been honored by his fellow-citizens with positions of public trust. In 1864 he was elected to the State senate on the republican ticket. In 1876 he was appointed commissioner of pensions, in place of Colonel Gill, of Madison, resigned.
He was married on the 5th of September, 1861, to Isabella J. Peat, by whom he has one son.
Mr. Bentley is eminently a self-made man, begin- ning life without money. His career has been marked by a gradual growth, and at the present time he is widely known as a thorough business man and financial manager, and is a gentleman of high social standing, respected by all, and most highly esteemed by those who know him best.
THOMAS H. BROWN,
MILWAUKEE.
'HE subject of this sketch, a native of Milwau- kee, Wisconsin, was born on the 3d of April, 1839, and is the son of Samuel and Clarissa Brown, both of whom were consistent church members, and descended from early settlers of New England. The father, a builder by occupation, erected the
first church in Milwaukee, and the mother was the first white woman who came to that place. Thomas' early life was surrounded by good influences, and he then imbibed those habits of industry that have characterized his subsequent career. He received his education mostly at Beloit College, and, although
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his native tastes inclined him toward mechanical pursuits, at the close of his studies he spent eight months in the study of law. At the expiration of that time, in 1861, going to the oil regions in Penn- sylvania, he at first engaged as a common laborer, working for his board. His employers, however, soon saw that he was qualified for a higher position, made him superintendent of their operations, placing in him the most implicit confidence, and authorizing him to draw upon them for thirty thousand dollars at a time. At the end of six years he had accumu- lated a large fortune, but lost it in an unfortunate investment. Returning to his home in Milwaukee, he became a member of the firm of Salsman, Brown and Fowler, wholesale hatters, a position which he held for three years. Withdrawing from the busi- ness at the end of that time, he associated himself with his present partners, Messrs. J. P. and Julius Wechselberg, under the firm name of Wechselberg, Brown and Co., and organized the present Novelty Carriage Works. The business was begun by the Wechselberg brothers, on the corner of Milwaukee and Michigan streets, in 1860, their only capital being their reputation as thoroughly qualified busi- ness men. Doing most of their work themselves, in a small frame building, their first year's products amounted only to a good livelihood. In 1864 they removed to Second street, where their trade gradu- ally increased till September, 1871; at that time a new impetus was added to the business by the ad- mission to the firm of Thomas H. Brown, the sub- ject of this sketch. On the Ist of January, 1875, . her has one daughter.
they removed to their present quarters, No. 182 and 184 Third street, where they occupy a four-storied building, fifty by a hundred feet, with a two-storied store room, twenty by forty feet. The business at the present time employs thirty hands, involves a capital of thirty thousand dollars, and has an annual product of fifty thousand dollars. The reputation of the Novelty Carriage Works, although wide, is rapidly growing -a fact which is attributable wholly to the enterprise and careful management of its pro- prietors, combined with the excellent quality of work produced. To their light work, of buggies and sleighs, they have given special attention, and by the superior quality of their goods in this line have made for themselves an enviable reputation. Mr. Brown's practical experience with business men, united with his native mechanical tastes, has ren- dered him a most valuable acquisition to the firm, and much of its present high standing is due to his enterprise and business ability.
Politically, he is identified with the republican party, though he has never found time for, nor has his ambition led him to desire, political distinctions.
His religious training was under Congregational influences, and although he is still attached to that denomination he is not a member of any church organization.
Mr. Brown has been twice married : first, on the 26th of December, 1866, to Miss Emma J. Fowler, who died in August, 1868; on the 12th of Novem- ber, 1872, he married Miss Alice L. Davis, and by
EDWARD G. RYAN,
MADISON.
E DWARD G. RYAN, present chief-justice of the supreme court of Wisconsin, was born at New Castle House, in the county of Meath, Ireland, November 13, 1810, the son of Edward Ryan, Esq., of New Castle House, and Abby, his wife, daughter of John Keogh, Esq., of Mount Jerome, near Dub- lin. He was the second son of a second son, born and educated in the full sight of wealth, but inherit- ing no share of it beyond its refining influences and an instinctive pride of character more honorable than rank and more valuable than gold. He was educated at Clongone's Wood College, where he went in 1820, and where he remained until the con-
pletion of the full course, in 1827. Having made some attempt to study law before leaving his native country, he came to the United States in 1830 and resumed his studies in New York, supporting him- self, meantime, by giving lessons in private schools. He was admitted to the bar in that city in 1836; came to Chicago in the fall of the same year; prac- ticed law there until 1842, when, suffering from mi- asmatic disease, he felt compelled to change his residence for the sake of his health; accordingly, in the latter year, on the occasion of his marriage with the daughter of Captain Hugh Graham, he removed to the city of Racine, in this State. He
Ghost Brown
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continued in the practice of his profession at Racine until the fall of 1848, when he removed to Milwau- kee, where he now resides.
Mr. Ryan was prosecuting attorney for the Chi- cago circuit, in Illinois, in 1840 and 1841; was a member of the first constitutional convention in Wisconsin, in 1846; was city attorney of Milwaukee in 1870, 1871 and 1872, and was appointed to his present position in June, 1874. Praise and censure founded upon personal opinion have no place in these pages. Biography is not only a written history of individual life, it is also a record of human char- acter. Therefore, while I would not flatter Neptune for his trident, nor Jove for his power to thunder, I should be unfaithful to my trust if any record I · might make of Mr. Ryan failed to concede to him the rank he holds as one of the most remarkable men of his time. His person is not remarkable; he is five feet ten inches in height, weighs one hundred and eighty pounds, neither of robust nor delicate frame, but muscular, sinewy and capable of long continued labor. His movements are quick and his step elastic; his head projects forward beyond his body, this gives him the appearance of stooping- only the appearance, however, as his body is erect. His complexion is florid, indicating health; his hair is light, slightly tinged with red; his eyes combine the mingled hues of blue, gray and black, they are large, brilliant and expressive, which, together with his complexion, indicate a sanguine, bilious temper- ament, verging upon the atrabilious. When seen at the bar, prosecuting a lawless libertine for the violation of female virtue, you would deem his eyes those of a Basilisk; when seen, however, in the quiet of a Sabbath afternoon, leading his little daughter by the hand to the Episcopal Church, where he worships, you would deem his eyes blue, beaming with pity and with love.
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