USA > Wisconsin > The United States biographical dictionary and portrait gallery of eminent and self-made men, Wisconsin volume > Part 9
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JOHN W. HOYT, A.M., M.D.,
MADISON.
JOHN W. HOYT, A.M., M.D., of Madison, was born of New England parents, October 13, 1833, in the vicinity of Worthington, Franklin county, Ohio, to which place his father and mother, Joab and Judith Hoyt, removed from Montreal at the break- ing out of the war of 1812, and where his father still resides upon the farm he first purchased. He at- tended the select schools and academies in the neighboring village. He possessed a rare facility for acquiring knowledge, regularly carrying from nine to eleven studies, with daily recitations, and at
fourteen was not only prepared for college but had made proficiency in important branches not em- braced in an ordinary collegiate course of study. This rapid advancement had not been made without injury to his health, however, so that it was found necessary for him to devote the succeeding two years to outdoor labor on the farm, the winters being em- ployed in teaching neighborhood schools, and in study. He finally entered the Ohio Wesleyan Uni- versity, of which the late Bishop Edward Thomson was the president, and from which, notwithstanding
J.B. Parkinson.
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the continued delicacy of his health and the neces- ity for alternating study with labor, he graduated with honor at the end of the usual course. After leaving college he began the study of law with Hon. William Dennison, of Columbus, afterward gover- nor of Ohio, and postmaster-general of the United States, and a little later was found at Cincinnati at- tending both law and medical lectures. Finding medicine more to his taste than law he gradually gave it more and more of his attention, and gradu- ated as doctor of medicine in 1851. From this time forward until 1857, we find him at first engaged upon a work on materia medica and therapeutics, which he had been commissioned by an invalid professor to prepare for the press; next, a professor of chem- istry and medical jurisprudence, succeeding that distinguished jurist and scientist, Judge J. B. Stalls, of Cincinnati, and lecturing to large classes in two of the medical colleges of that city ; then organizing and managing the department of chemistry and nat- ural history in Antioch College, to which he was called by the partiality of Horace Mann, president ; continuing all the while his medical lectures, and at the same time managing a considerable estate at Yel- low Springs, including farm, mill, and quarries ; also taking an active part in the presidential campaign of 1856. It was also during this period (in 1855) that he made, in a paper read before the American Scientific Association, what he believed to be, and what probably was in fact, so far as this country is concerned, the first promulgation of the doctrine now known as the correlation and conservation of forces, and everywhere recognized as one of the most important advances made by science in this century. Forced by damaged health to seek a differ- ent climate he removed with his wife to Madison, Wis- consin, in 1857, engaging as he then thought tempo- rarily, in the editorial management of the " Wisconsin Farmer." The new role of agricultural editor com- manded a large share of his services for the ten years which immediately followed. With his efficient and fruitful labors in this field, and in the kindred work of managing the affairs of the Wisconsin State Agri- cultural Society, which were entrusted to him in 1859, the people of Wisconsin are familiar. Few of his fellow citizens are aware, however, of the great amount of extra labor he also performed during this period as public lecturer, leader in educational and social reforms, as industrial and educational repre- sentative of the State and United States, at interna- tional expositions, and in the writing and publication
of numerous books, pamphlets and official reports. And probably a still less number are aware that he was one of the originators and most efficient promo- ters of the national movement, which finally secured grants of land for the founding of colleges in the in- terest of agriculture and the mechanic arts ; that he was the originator of the proposition finally approved by congress which enabled each such college to ob- tain from the army a professor of military science and tactics without cost ; or that it was he who orig- inated, drafted and carried through the legislative measure which reorganized the University of Wis- consin, put it upon a proper university basis, and secured to it a gift of forty thousand dollars from Dane county, and the two hundred and forty thous- and acres of land granted to the State by the con- gressional act above mentioned. He was one of the prime movers in organizing the Wisconsin Editorial Association, and at different times has been its sec- retary and president. From the first organization of the United States Agricultural Society until the breaking out of the war of the rebellion, when its work was discontinued, he was vice-president. In the year last mentioned he was appointed by presi- dent Lincoln one of the United States commissioners to make arrangements for the representation of this country at the London International Exhibition of 1862, and was also put forward by the governors and boards of agriculture of the northwestern States, and had the approval of the president, for the posi- tion of chief commissioner. Congress failed to make an appropriation, however, and he finally went to London as commissioner from Wisconsin, in which capacity as well as by his reports upon the exhibi- tion and upon subsequent travels he rendered good service to the country. In 1866 he was commis- sioned by the governor of Wisconsin as one of the State commissioners to the Paris Universal Exposi- tion of 1867, and was chosen by his associates to act as president of the commission. In the per- formance of these duties he entitled himself to the grateful acknowledgment of the State and received as a recognition of his services a medal from the French emperor. Later, he was also appointed a commissioner of the United States to the Paris Ex- position, and entrusted with the preparation of the commission's report to the government on educa- tion. In order the better to qualify himself for this very important task, he traveled in all the countries of Europe, acquainting himself personally with the various national systems and with all classes of in-
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stitutions. The results of these travels and labors was a large volume printed by order of the govern- ment, abounding in important information and criti- cal discussions which have been pronounced of great value. The distinction gained by this work and by the addresses and lectures delivered in the interest of education, more especially his advocacy of the claims of university education, and his proposition for the establishment of a great American university, led to his being unanimously called by the National Educational Association, in 1869, to the position of chairman of a national committee on an American university, in which capacity he still continues to labor most zealously and efficiently. In 1870 he was instrumental in organizing the Wisconsin Acad- emy of Sciences, Arts and Letters, an association of investigators which has enlisted the sympathies and active cooperation of the most prominent men of the state, and has since gained an honorable footing in the scientific and literary world. Of this institution Dr. Hoyt has been the president from the beginning. At about the same time he accepted for a time the position of secretary in the Chicago Historical Society, which large and prosperous institution he was instrumental in reorganizing and putting upon a broader and more satisfactory basis. The holding of these three important and laborious positions at one and the same time-head of the National uni- versity movement, and of the Academy of Sciences, and managing officer of the Wisconsin State Agri- cultural Society and of the Chicago Historical So- ciety -sufficiently illustrate the unusual abilities as an organizer and executive officer which have char- acterized his career. Suffering from overwork he resigned his position in the Historical Society in the spring of 1871, and devoted such time as he could spare from his remaining official duties in traveling in the western States and Territories. In 1872 he also resigned the secretaryship of the State Agricul- tural Society, feeling that twelve years of uninter- rupted service as its practical manager entitled him to a release, and having also in view the acceptance of the presidency of the Topeka, Fort Scott and Memphis Railway Company, to which he had been called by its directors, but which he finally declined. In the spring of 1873 he was appointed to represent the United States at Vienna, as honorary commis- sioner, and spent the entire season at Vienna, ren- dering very important service to the country- first, in assisting to organize the American department, then as American juror, then in the distinguished
position of president of the International Jury for Education, a jury embracing some of the most learned representatives of all civilized nations; then as one of the three executive commissioners, and finally for a time acting commissioner-in-chief of the Amer- ican department. At the conclusion of these im- portant labors he received the formal thanks of American exhibitors, of the Imperial Commission, and of the Austrian Ministry. The following win- ter was spent, by authority of the United States gov- ernment, in an inspection of the technical schools of Europe, as a means of enriching the report on education, which he had been chosen by the Amer- ican commission to prepare and submit to the gov- ernment. In the discharge of these duties, he made a third general tour of Europe. Upon his return to America, in the spring of 1874, he received from the emperor of Austria the distinguished honor of knighthood, including a decoration with the Com- mander's Cross of the Imperial Order of Francis Joseph. New and unsolicited honors also awaited him on his return to Wisconsin, including the offer of the presidency of a western college, the position of chief of the geological survey of Wisconsin, and the position of railroad commissioner for Wisconsin. The last named he finally accepted, and it has added to his reputation by the marked ability and fidelity with which he has met its responsibilities. Later in the season of 1874 he was appointed by the governor commissioner of water routes between Wisconsin and the seaboard, and as such officer has been active in promoting the Fox and Wisconsin river improve- ment, and the enterprise of constructing a ship canal between the waters of Georgian Bay and Lake Ontario.
Besides these several responsible positions of rail- road commissioner, commissioner of water routes to the seaboard, president of the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, chairman of the National University Committee of the National Educational Association, and vice-president of the American Social Science Association, all of which he holds at present, and each of which has its responsible duties, he main- tains active connection with many more private affairs, each commanding thought and effort, and is also known to be engaged upon some literary plans that involve much difficulty and protracted labor. Doctor Hoyt is in stature five feet ten inches high ; weighs one hundred and sixty-five pounds; is sym- metrical in form, graceful in manners and of agree- able address. Notwithstanding some constitutional
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delicacy he is a person of great physical strength, with a nervous energy and power of endurance found only in rare combinations of organism and intellect. His paternal grandfather was remarkable for these traits as a soldier in the revolution, and his father, notwithstanding the hardships incident to the war of 1812, and a pioneer life succeeding, is still living, at the age of eighty-nine years, in the full enjoyment of physical and intellectual vigor, upon the estate of his first married-life home. Dr. Hoyt's lectures, speeches, reports, books and plans, are notably sys- tematic. The readiness and clearness of his per- ceptions, with the logical and analytical methods of his procedure, make him an habitual organizer. Labors thus conducted may therefore be not only multiplied, but must of necessity have the elements of strength. Comprehensiveness is a marked trait. He sees broadly, surveying a subject from every available standpoint, and reserving judgment until satisfied that no phase or important element has been
overlooked. The State University, the State Acad- emy of Sciences and his plans for a National Uni- versity are evidences of these truths. He cherishes kindly sentiments toward all, and gives a helping hand to whatever has for its aim the good of man- kind. A strong sense of justice, tempered by charity for human frailties, is illustrated by his daily life.
His marriage, at the early age of twenty-three, with Miss Elizabeth O. Sampson, of Cincinnati, Ohio, has given to his home the blessing of two beautiful children, sons of such promise as minister to a father's pride and make the hope of the world ; and whose mother, in all the relations of life, has proved herself worthy of companionship in his in- tellectual attainments, and is the inspiration of all his aims. Broad and penetrating in his views and profound in his sympathies with all real reforms, whether in material, social or political affairs, he is of necessity an untiring worker for the good of his country and the progress of the race.
AMOS J. W. PIERCE, MILWAUKEE.
T HE world's successful men are those who, with persistent determination, have insisted upon themselves : they are men who, instead of turning their thoughts outward to external helps, have stud- ied carefully their own powers, and by casting them- selves upon their own resources have been enabled to stand erect in the strength of independent man- hood. As a representative of this class, he whose name heads this sketch is worthy of honorable men- tion. A native of New Jersey, he was born near Philadelphia on the 7th of May, 1832, the son of Louis F. Pierce and Maria née Jones. His parents, though in humble circunstances, were highly re- spectable people, but both died during his child- hood. His educational advantages were limited to those offered by the common schools, but having an excessive fondness for study and reading, he care- fully improved all his leisure, and in this manner acquired a liberal English education. From the age of nine years until he attained the age of four- teen he attended school; and at this latter age, going to Philadelphia, engaged to work for a ship chandler. He served in this capacity during a period of two years, engaged in various kinds of employment, and at the expiration of that time
accepted a clerkship in a retail grocery store, where he remained until 1856. By fidelity, observation and strict attention to his work he acquired a good business education, and having accumulated of his hard-earned savings one hundred dollars, he deter- mined to try his fortune in the West. Accordingly, removing to Wisconsin in 1856, he settled at Mil- waukee, his present home. During the twenty years of his residence here he has been engaged in busi- ness most of the time on his own account, and in his varied career has been uniformly successful. By fair dealing and careful management he has accu- mulated an ample competence, and lives in the en- joyment of universal esteem.
Politically, he has never been a strong partisan, and although he has always supported the republi- can party he is so little hampered by party ties that he can support for office him whom he deems most worthy, regardless of political prejudice.
From childhood his religious training has been under the influence of the Methodist church, and uniting with that body at the age of twenty, he has since continued a worthy, active and zealous mem- ber. He was married on the 28th of March, 1859, to Miss Anna Curry, an estimable lady, full of wo-
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manly virtues, in whom he has found a fond, true and devoted wife. They have two sons and two daughters, all of whom are living at home. Mr. Pierce is preëminently a self-made, business man. Thrown upon the world at an early age, he devel-
oped that spirit of self-reliance and those habits of industry, economy and integrity that have so sig- nally marked his career; and with these he has gradually worked his way to his present standing as a thorough business man and an honorable citizen.
A. WARREN PHELPS,
MILWAUKEE.
A. WARREN PHELPS is a son of Daniel and Levica Phelps. His ancestors on both sides were lineal descendants of the Pilgrims who settled in Massachusetts. His grandfather, at the time of the outbreak of the revolutionary war, was a farmer in New Hampshire. He went to Boston when hostil- ities were about to commence, to bring away a can- non. Concealing the cannon in his farmer's wagon by covering it with straw, he brought it away in safety, and it was afterward used with good effect against the enemy. His mother was a descendant of Gen- eral Warren, who fell at Bunker Hill, and was also a cousin of Daniel Webster.
Warren was born August 11, 1829, at Fort Cov- ington, New York. He came with his parents to Wisconsin in 1838, and they settled in Johnstown, where they remained one year, and then removed to Milwaukee. Warren received his education chiefly in Milwaukee from private tutors, and finished at Dr. Buck's private academy. He had always had a desire to be a banker, but this desire has not been gratified.
After leaving school he worked for his father, who was a tanner, and he learned that business, and when he was twenty-one years old he hired out to the Graeffenberg Medicine Company, and traveled for them two years, selling their medicines. Not liking
that business, he accepted a situation as book-keeper in the hardware store of S. Shepard, where he re- mained one year and a half. Afterward he kept books for J. C. Gridley for six months, and subse- quently he acted in the same capacity for Benjamin Bagnall until 1857, when he was admitted a partner in the lumber business, and continued in this busi- ness until 1870. He then engaged in the coal trade with S. L. Elmore, under the firm name of Elmore and Phelps. This partnership continued until 1875, when it was dissolved, and the business has since been carried on by Mr. Phelps alone.
Mr. Phelps has been eminently successful; has excellent business qualifications, and is guided by prudence and integrity.
Although he does not mix much in politics, he has been elected to the city council of Milwaukee in 1871 and 1872 ; also member of the State legis- lature during the year 1874. As a business man, he bears a high reputation and is very popular.
In 1855 Mr. Phelps was married to Miss Delight Bartlett, a lady of excellent womanly qualities, by whom he had four children, two of whom are still living, but bereft of their mother while yet young. In 1869 Mr. Phelps was married to Miss Carrie Sumner, of Southbridge, Massachusetts, by the Rev. Charles Sumner, who is a brother of Mrs. Phelps.
FERDINAND KUEHN,
MADISON.
F ERDINAND KUEHN, State treasurer, was born at Augsburg, Bavaria, in the year 1821, and received in the public schools and colleges of that place a liberal education. In his fifteenth year he entered as an apprentice in a banking house at Augsburg, and received later a situation in a banking house in Switzerland, which he resigned
of his own accord after four years, to follow the promptings of his love for liberty. In the year 1844 he emigrated to America, and came without delay to Wisconsin, where he settled in Washington county, a few miles north of Cedarburg, to enjoy the blessings of a country life. He led a laborious though a happy life. In the summer of 1846 Mr.
HerKuchen
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Kuehn directed his steps to Milwaukee. There he occupied for a short time a position as clerk, but soon learned cigar making, to be independent. For four years he remained in this business, but often during this time served as traveling book-keeper, when he assisted friends in Kenosha and Racine in keeping books, and from whence, after a delay of some days, usually on Saturday evenings returned on foot to his home and family. Then no railroads carried passengers, and not always did a steamboat land at the right time. Mr. Kuehn was taken away from the cigar shop by his friend Geisberg, who was then city treasurer, and gave him a permanent situa- tion in his office, and he thereby entered a sphere more in accordance with his abilities. During the years 1849, 1850 and 1851, he was engaged in this office under the named treasurer; 1852 under Lucas Seaver; 1853 under Alex. H. Johnston; in 1854 he was elected treasurer with a great majority, and in 1855 without opposition. He was accustomed to transact all the business of the office in person, and without the help of deputies. In this situation he had a chance to gain a great number of friends and acquaintances. In 1856 he declined another nomination, but accepted the election as councilor of the sixth ward, and entered at the same time into business relations with the late Senator Charles Quentin. The following two years he served as councilor, and later as school commissioner of the sixth ward, and was elected comptroller in 1860 with a great majority. After having spent nearly seventeen years in the service of the city, Mr. Kuehn withdrew himself from public life in 1866, and established a business of his own - later in con-
pany with Mr. Ott-consisting chiefly in taking care of the property of non-residents and selling real estate. During the first six years of Mr. Kuehn's residence in America he struggled very hard to obtain a comfortable living for his family and himself. His labors were greatly alleviated by the cheerful aid rendered him by his wife. His success, however, is attributed to his unremitting attention to his business, to his punctuality in com- plying with his engagements, and to his conciliatory and obliging manners, in corroboration of which we quote the following from the valedictory and in- augural address of his Honor John I. Talmadge, mayor of the city of Milwaukee :
Of the city comptroller, Mr. Kuehn, who now, after six years' service in the public interest, retires from the position he has so ably filled, more than common mention should be made. The adjustment of our former financial embar- rassments and the present solid basis of our finances is due to him more than to any other. To the discharge of the important, intricate and perplexing duties of his office he has brought an indefatigable industry, a ripe business ex- perience and an incorruptible integrity. He carries with him in his retirement the universal confidence of the com- munity and the warm personal regard of every good citizen.
In 1873 Mr. Kuehn was elected State treasurer on the Reform ticket, receiving a most flattering home indorsement, and entered upon the discharge of the duties of the office on the 5th of January, 1874. His family life has been extremely happy. He has been married thirty years, has five children, four sons and one daughter. Three of his sons are in independent positions-one in Milwaukee, one in Madison and one in Stockton, California. He and his wife enjoy fine health, and bid fair to live many years of usefulness to their country and of happiness to their friends.
SAMUEL KLAUBER,
MADISON.
S AMUEL KLAUBER, merchant and capital- ist, was born December 10, 1823, at Mutters- dorf, Bohemia. His father's name was Simon Klau- ber; his mother's, Barbara Klauber. His father brought him up to business. He was a produce merchant in his native town. Samuel had a com- mon-school education. His taste was always to be a merchant. He has always been a very industrious man. After leaving school he went to buying goods for his father. This he followed until he left for Amer- ica, on the 22d of August, 1847, and landed at New S
York on the 28th of October. He remained in New York one year. He peddled dry goods with a pack to make a living. He came to Wisconsin in 1848, and settled at Lake Mills. There he kept a grocery store, with a man by the name of Brill. He re- mained there until the spring of 1851. He left there with the intention of going to California, but fell in with his former partner, Mr. Michelbacher, who wished him to take a stock of goods to Madi- son, Wisconsin, which he did, and has lived there ever since. He commenced business with a capital
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of three hundred dollars, which he made at Lake Mills, occupying a small frame store, sixteen by forty feet, employing two clerks. He sold the first year twenty-three thousand dollars' worth of goods. His business increased all the time from year to year. The number of hands employed in 1874 were fifty. The amount of capital now employed in this house is seventy thousand dollars. One store is thirty-three by one hundred and twenty feet, and four stories high; the other is twenty-two by one hundred and thirty-two feet. The amount of sales in 1874 was two hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars. In 1872 he formed a partnership in Milwaukee, under the firm name of Levi Klauber, Adler and Co., as dealers in groceries, dry goods, clothing and carpets. He has always been successful
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