USA > Wisconsin > Wisconsin, its story and biography, 1848-1913, Volume V > Part 30
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of Illinois in 1902. Twenty-two months were spent as an interne in St. Mary's hospital in Chicago, and in 1904 he opened his office at 1558 Wabash Avenue, at which location he has been known to his large circle of patrons and friends ever since. For some time he was in partnership with Dr. William Hector, but since 1904 has been associated with Dr. Hector. He is a member of the surgical staff of St. Bernard's Hospital since the establishment of that institution. Dr. Donkle has charge of the medical examining board for the Chicago Private Chauffeurs Association, being also a member of its board of trustees. His professional associations are with the Chicago Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical Society, the American Medical Association, the American Surgeons Associa- tion, and with the American Medical Society at Vienna, Austria. While in the University of Wisconsin, Dr. Donkle was a member of the football team, and has been an interested follower of that sport ever since. During the summer of 1910 he went abroad, taking post graduate work at the great medical center of Vienna, specializing in surgical pathology, and spent two months attending lectures, and clinics in bone surgery under Professor Arthur L. Lane at London. He also attended surgery clinics at Berlin, Paris and in Rome. Since returning to Chicago in the summer of 1911, he has taken up his old practice, and has given increasing attention to surgery in which he ranks as one of the leaders in the city.
Dr. Donkle is affiliated with Golden Rule Lodge No. 324 A. F. & A. M. and is also a member of the Illinois Consistory, a thirty-second degree Mason, and the Medinah Temple of the Mystic Shrine. In politics he is a Republican. On November 29, 1910, Dr. Donkle mar- ried Francis Peterson, who was born at Butte Des Morts in Winne- bago county, Wisconsin.
In connection with the career of Dr. Donkle should also be men- tioned that of his brother, Dr. Alfred Donkle, a young physician and surgeon who was beginning a brilliant career when it was cut short by death in 1904. Alfred Donkle was born in Wisconsin in 1870, graduated from the University of Wisconsin with the class of 1897, took his medical degree at the medical department of the University of Illinois in 1902, and had already attained distinction in his pro- fession before death overtook him.
WILLIAM MCCLEARY SHERMAN. The sterling sons of New England have lived up to the best traditions of the gracious section of our na- tional domain in which they were reared and have left indelible and worthy impress upon the various other states of the Union. A scion of the staunchest of New England colonial stock, the late William McCleary Sherman came to Wisconsin in 1867 and it was given him to gain secure prestige as one of the representative business men and public-
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spirited citizens of Milwaukee, in which city .he maintained his home for many years and in which his name and memory are held in lasting honor. He was the father of Dr. Lewis Sherman, concerning whom individual mention is made on other pages of this volume.
William MeCleary Sherman was born at Rupert, Bennington county, Vermont, on the 21st of October, 1822, and thus he was nearly seventy years of age at the time when he was summoned to the life eternal, his death having occurred on the 21st of January, 1891, at Thomasville, Georgia, to which state he had gone for the benefit of his health. He was a son of Sterling and James Sherman, representatives of families that were founded in New England in the early colonial era. In both lines were found noble patriots who gave valiant service as soldiers in the war of the Revolution, even as the respective family names have stood exponent of the best of citizenship in the "piping times of peace," as one generation has followed another on to the stage of life's activities. The parents of Mr. Sherman attained to venerable age and the father devoted the major part of his active career to the great basie industry of agriculture.
He whose name initiates this memoir was afforded the advantages of the common schools of his native county and his early experience was that gained in connection with the work of the old homestead farm. He continued to be actively identified with agricultural pursuits until 1865, when he engaged in the general merchandise business and the manu- facturing of cotton, in the state of New York. In 1867 he left the Empire state and came to Wisconsin, to establish his home in Milwaukee. Here he engaged in the retail grocery business, for the prosecution of which he formed a partnership with Charles J. Russell. The store of the new firm was situated on Wisconsin street, and after a period of three years Mr. Sherman became associated with his brother. Professor S. S. Sherman. and the late Milo P. Jewett in the coffee and spice busi- ness, under the firm name of Jewett & Sherman. This enterprise proved successful and rapidly expanded in seope, so that eventually a stock company was formed for carrying forward the enterprise, which there- after was conducted under the title of the Jewett & Sherman Company. William Mc. Sherman continued as a heavy stockholder of this represen- tative corporation until the time of his death, and for a number of years prior thereto he had been president of the company. Through well directed endeavors along normal lines of business he gained substan- tial success, and his name having ever been synonymous with integrity and honor in all of the relations of life. He was a member of a family of seven sons and three daughters, and of the number four are now living,-Professor Sterling S. Sherman, who resides in the city of Chi- cago and who has attained to the patriarchal age of ninety-seven years. in 1913; Jesse Sherman, who is a resident of Salem. New York: and Miss Mary Sherman, who died in Milwaukee in 1913. There are also
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deceased C. A., O. B., H: O., Enoch, Mrs. Maria MeNitt and Mrs. Murdock.
Mr. Sherman was not only a careful and far-sighted business man but was also one whose genial nature, buoyant optimism and unvarying kindliness gained him friendships of inviolable order. He had an abiding interest in his fellow men and was ever ready to "do good by stealth and blush to find it fame." He gave support to well ordered measures and objects for the general good of the community and his entire life was guided and governed by the loftiest principles, while sympathy and tolerance were marked attributes of his character.
Mr. Sherman became a member of the Christian or Disciples' church when a young man and after a church of this denomination was founded in Milwaukee he continued one of its most loyal adherents and generous supporters during the residue of his life. He was the active elder of the church and also served long and effectively as superintendent of its Sunday school. He had the deepest affection for the children of the school under his charge and twice each year he generously provided spe- cial entertainment for them, the greater part of the incidental expense being defrayed by him and the annual Christmas observance and annual picnic trip to the Wisconsin Soldiers' Home being thus guaranteed by his liberalty. Both he and his wife were devoted church workers and they gave the funds which made possible the erection of the Christian church on the south side of Milwaukee, the same being known as the Church of Christ and constituting a noble and enduring monument to their memory. Mr. Sherman had well fortified opinions concerning matters of economic and governmental import and gave allegiance to the Republican party, with which he identified himself at the time of its organization.
On the 15th of February, 1843, in West Rupert, Bennington county, Vermont, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Sherman to Miss Hannah M. Lewis, and she survived him by fifteen years, her death having oc- curred, in Milwaukee, on the 31st of July, 1907, at which time she was eighty-seven years of age. She was a woman of gentle and gracious personality and was loved by all who came within the sphere of her influence. Of the four children the only one now living is Dr. Lewis Sherman, who has long been one of the representative physicians of Mil- waukee and of whom specific mention is made on other pages of this publication.
LEWIS SHERMAN, B. S., A. M., M. D. Engaged in the active prac- tice of his profession in the city of Milwaukee for more than forty years, Dr. Sherman has long held a position as one of the representative phy- sicians and surgeons of Wisconsin. As a citizen and as one of the expon- ents of his profession in the Wisconsin metropolis he is entitled to rec- ognition in this publication.
Lewis Showman.
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Dr. Sherman is a seion of staunch old colonial stock in New England, that cradle of much of our national history, and he claims the old Green Mountain state as the place of his nativity. He was born at Rupert, Bennington, county, Vermont, on the 25th of November, 1843, and is a son of William MeCleary Sherman and Hannah (Lewis) Sherman, both likewise natives of the same town of Rupert, where the former was born in 1822 and the latter in 1823, both families having been founded in New England in the early colonial epoch. The Doctor's great-great- grandfather, Reuben Noble, and also two great-grandfathers, Enoch Sherman and Luke Noble, were found enrolled as patriot soldiers of the Continental forces in the war of the Revolution, in which they went forth from Massachusetts. Another of the great-grandfathers, Job Wil- liam Cleveland, likewise represented Massachusetts as a valiant soldier of the Revolution, and through such worthy ancestral connections Dr. Sherman is of distant kinship with the late General William T. Sherman and the late Hon. Grover Cleveland, former president of the United States. The Doctor is the only survivor of a family of four children and further data concerning the family history are given in the memoir dedicated to his honored father on other pages of this publication, his parents having been residents of Wisconsin for a number of years prior to their death.
In the common schools of his native state Dr. Sherman gained his preliminary education and further scholastic progress was made through his pursuance of his higher academie studies in an academy in Washing- ton county, New York, and in Union College, at Schenectady. from which latter and historie institution he received in due time the degrees of Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts. In furtherance of his well de- fined ambition he finally entered the medical department of the Uni- versity of the City of New York, in which he completed the preseribed technical course and in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1870, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine.
In that year Dr. Sherman, who was then a young man of twenty-six. came to Wisconsin and established his residence in the city of Mil- waukee, which has continued to be the stage of his professional activities during the long intervening years. Earnest application and close study have marked his professional work from the days of his youthful and ambitious labors to the present day, when he stands as one of the leading representatives of his chosen calling in the state of Wisconsin. He is a member of the Milwaukee Academy of Medicine, and as an exponent of the benignant school of Homeopathy he is actively identified with its leading organizations, including the American Institute of Homeop. athy and the Wisconsin Homeopathic Medieal Society. Dr. Sherman is a man of advanced scientific proelivities and his study and investigation have covered a wide field. His prominence in this domain is indicated by his identification with the Wisconsin Natural History Society. the
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Wisconsin Archaeological Society, the Wisconsin Academy of Science, Arts and Letters, the Amercian Association for the Advancement of Science, and the Wisconsin Mycological Society of which last mentioned he is president. He is a member of the Wisconsin Historical Society. He is a member of the pharmacopoeia committee of the American In- stitute of Homeopathy and his labors in this connection have been of value to his professional confreres throughout the Union, as he personally prepared a large part of the extensive data appearing in the authoritative volume covering the field of Homeopathic pharmacopoeia. He has served as president of the Wisconsin Homeopathic Medical Society and he has the distinction of owning and conducting the only exclusive Homeopathic pharmacy in Wisconsin, his well equipped establishment being located at 448 Jackson street, Milwaukee.
Dr. Sherman has for many years given special attention to the study of botany, and at his pharmacy he has a large and interesting collec- tion of botanical specimens, as well as of specific scientific publications. A number of years ago he made a standing proposition to the effect that he would present five dollars to any person who would bring to him a plant growth, native to Wisconsin, which he would fail to identify by name and when standing at an appreciable distance from the ob- ject. It is sufficient to say that, though many attempts were made, no one succeeded in winning the money thus tendered,-a fact that vouches for the broad and accurate knowledge of the Doctor in matters per- taining to the- interesting science of botany. He has also given close attention to conchology and mycology, and in these lines also he has made a large and valuable collection of specimens. In the midst of the manifold exactions of his professional and business activities he has found time and opportunity to extend his reading and investigation to wide limits, has contributed much to the periodical literature of his profession and is the author of a valuable work entitled "Sherman's Theraputics," which has been translated into German and published in that language, besides another, entitled "Handbook of Pronuncia- tion." In 1889 he erected the substantial, three-story building in .which his pharmacy is quartered. He erected the Vermont apartment build- ing, named in honor of his native state. This fine structure, modern in design and equipment, is four stories in height, contains sixteen apart- ments, and is eligibly located on Mason street.
Dr. Sherman has been continuously concerned in maintaining a Homeopathic pharmacy in Milwaukee since 1872 and in this enter- prise he was originally associated with the late Dr. J. S. Douglass, who retired at the expiration of two years, by reason of his advanced age. Since that time Dr. Sherman has conducted the pharmacy in . an individual way and has kept the same up to a high standard, his professional offices also being maintained at his pharmacy, at 448 Jackson street. He is president of the Jewett & Sherman Company,
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which is successfully engaged in the importing of teas, coffees and spices and the manufacturing of baking powder, the headquarters of the company being at 289-91 Broadway.
His political allegiance is given to the Republican party, he has received the thirty-second degree in the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of the time-honored Masonic fraternity.
In the year 1876 was solemnized the marriage of Dr. Sherman to Miss Mary R. Tuttle, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, in which state she was born and reared. Of this union have been born four children, concerning whom brief data are given in conclusion of this review : Miss Gertrude remains at the parental home; Leta was the next in order of birth; Helen, who was formerly an able and popular instruct- or in the Milwaukee-Downer College, is now employed in connection with the national pure-food department, in the city of Washington; and Lewis, Jr., the only son, is treasurer of the Jewett & Sherman Company, of which his father is president, as already noted in this context. All of the children were afforded excellent educational ad- vantages, as is shown by the fact that all were graduated in the Uni- versity of Wisconsin. On the 26th of January, 1913, Lewis Sher- man, Jr., was united in marriage to Miss Erminie Rost, daughter of Frank Rost, a representative citizen of Milwaukee. The marriage cere- mony was performed at St. James' church and the bridal tour of the young couple comprised a journey around the world. The home of Dr. Sherman is at 176 Mason street. Mrs. Sherman died in 1911.
W. H. BERRAY. Since 1897 postmaster at Wautoma, Mr. Berray is one of the veteran newspaper men of Waushara county and vicinity, having learned the art preservative when a youth, and having been a publisher and editor at Wantoma for over a quarter of a century. He has likewise been a leader and influential factor in local affairs, both through his paper and personally.
W. H. Berray, senior member of the firm of Berray & Holt, publish- ers of the Waushara Argus, a weekly newspaper issued at Wautoma, was born December 15, 1864, in Wautoma, a son of W. H. Berray, who was born in New York State and was a carpenter and builder by trade, having located in Wautoma, Wisconsin, about 1860. His death occurred in 1887. The senior Berray married Hannah Bartlett of New York State. Of their three children one is deceased, W. H. is the third and Oscar lives at Deadwood, South Dakota.
Mr. W. H. Berray received his education in the common schools of Wautoma, grew up in the town and early became acquainted with the printing trade and the newspaper business. In 1886 he bought an inter- est in the Waushara Argus, and in 1905 became a partner with Mr. Holt in that enterprise. They conduct an np-to-date country newspaper. keep its news columns elean and fresh, and maintain a vigorous editor- Vol. V-17
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ial policy in behalf of good government and local improvement. Mr. Berray was appointed postmaster at Wautoma, June 1, 1897, and has served continuously in that office for the past sixteen years. He is a supporter of the Republican party, and fraternally is well known in Masonry, from the Blue Lodge to the thirty-second degree of Scottishi Rite, also being a member of the Mystic Shrine.
On February 2, 1887, Mr. Berray married Sue A. Tennant of Wau- toma. Her father, Gilbert Tennant, was one of the early settlers of Wautoma.
JAMES WICKHAM. As judge of the circuit court, James Wickham is well known and liked through a large circle of acquaintances and friends. A native son of Wisconsin he has spent all of his life within her borders and has given much of his time outside of his profession as well as within, to the service of the state and her people. Possessed of scrupu- lous honesty and a fine sense of justice his friends and enemies unite in declaring him one of the most competent men who has ever sat on the circuit court bench in this district.
Judge Wickham comes by his ready wit and his ability to grasp a situation honestly, for he is the son of Irish parents. His father, Pat- rick Wickham, and his mother, Catherine Quigley, were born in County Wexford, Ireland. Patrick Wickham came to this country as a young man and landed in New York City. Here he was married to Catherine Quigley. They removed to Cleveland, Ohio, and later came west to Whitewater, Wisconsin. They eventually settled on a farm in Rich- land county, Wisconsin, and here they spent the remainder of their days, Mr. Wickham giving all his attention to the care of his farm. He was a Democrat in politics and held a number of township offices. Both Mr. Wickham and his wife died during the same year, 1894. They became the parents of seven children, but of this number only two are living, Thomas, who makes his home in Texas, and James, who was the next to the youngest.
James Wickham was born in Richland county, Wisconsin, on the 31st of January, 1862. He spent his youth on the farm, living a healthy existence, and growing up with a clear, strong mind as well as a strong body. He received his elementary education in the common schools of Richland county and in the Richland Center high school. He taught school for fourteen months commencing at the age of 17 years, at a salary of $22 per month. He afterwards matriculated at the Univer- sity of Wisconsin, entering the law department. He was graduated from this institution in 1886 and soon after came to Eau Claire and opened a law office. He soon had a flourishing practice and devoted his time exclusively to this practice until the first of January, 1910, when he went on the bench as circuit judge of the 19th judicial circuit, hav-
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ing been elected to this office in April, 1909. He had formed a partner- ship with Frank R. Farr, under the firm name of Wickham and Farr, in June, 1889, and his election to the bench made it necessary to sever this relationship. From 1898 to 1905, inelusive, with the exception of the year 1899 he held the office of city attorney of Eau Claire. His practice at the bar consisted, principally, in the trial of contested cases in the state and federal courts. His extensive practice, both in the trial courts and in the appellate courts, particularly fitted him for the position which he now holds.
Judge Wickham has been twice married, his first wife being Ida Hos- kin, a native of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. This marriage took place on the 10th of August, 1891, and four children were born of this union, as follows: Arthur, William, Catherine, and Walter. Mrs. Ida Wickham died on December 28tl1, 1904. Helen Koppelberger, a native of Canada, became the wife of Judge Wiekham on the 28th of November, 1908.
REINHART MEYER. One of the prosperous industries which are giving distinction to Merrill as a manufacturing center is the R. Meyer Box & Veneer Factory, the proprietor of which is Reinhart Meyer, for many years identified with the agricultural activities of Lineoln county, and also prominent in civic and political affairs. Mr. Meyer has operated the factory since 1909. It was established by his brother Emil Meyer about 1904, and Reinhart bought the establishment several years ago. He employs about thirty men, and the output comprises cheese boxes, fruit and other kinds of crates, and has a wide distribution over this section of Wisconsin.
Mr. Reinhart Meyer has lived in Lincoln county since 1893, and his home was on a farm in the town of Corning until 1911, when he moved to Merrill. His Wisconsin residence dates from 1891, and he worked on a farm in Dodge county for a year or two. He was born in Ger- many, February 1, 1874, a son of Herman and Amelia Meyer. His early years were spent in his native land, where he acquired the substantial education afforded to German children. "When he was about seventeen years old, he and his father came to America, and three months later they were followed by the mother and another son. They came direet to Dodge county, Wisconsin, where the son Reinhart found work on a farm, and it was through the avenue of hard work at wages that Rein- hart Meyer got his start, and finally achieved independence. In 1893 the family all eame to Lincoln county, settling on a farm in the town of Scott. The father still lived there. For two seasons Reinhart Meyer worked on the farm in Dodge county, and during one winter attended school.
Three years after moving to Lincoln county, in the fall of 1896, Mr. Meyer married Louisa Meyer, a daughter of Gottleib Meyer, of the same name, but no relationship. Her father was a farmer, and Reinhart Meyer
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was employed on the farm, and began married life there. When he took charge the estate comprised only one hundred and sixty-eight acres of land, and Mr. Meyer subsequently bought a section of six hundred and forty acres, which he developed and made one of the best country estates in Lincoln county. This farm was sold in December, 1911, and since February, 1912, the family have had their home in Merrill. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer are the parents of four children, namely : Hattie, Walter, Edna and Theodore.
Mr. Meyer was appointed by Governor McGovern as a delegate to the second annual drainage congress to meet at New Orleans, but on account of business was unable to attend. Of his public services it should be mentioned that he served as chairman of the town of. Corning prior to his removal to Merrill. He is now representing the Sixth Ward in the Merrill City council, and was a member of the Board of Public Works, during 1912. He also gave service on the school board, and as school clerk in the town of Corning for several years.
GEORGE BENJAMIN MILLER was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Novem- ber 29, 1881, and is the son of Andrew Galbraith and Martha E. (Good- win) Miller, and the great-grandson of the late Judge Andrew Galbraith Miller, who was appointed Associate Judge of the territory of Wiscon- sin in November, 1838, and who gave long and faithful service on the bench of the eastern district of Wisconsin, resigning from his office in 1870, soon after which he passed away.
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