USA > Wisconsin > Wisconsin, its story and biography, 1848-1913, Volume VII > Part 15
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In politics Mr. Wegner has ever been found arrayed as a stalwart in the camp of the Democratic party, with well fortified convictions and with loyal zeal in behalf of the party cause. In 1886, only two years after he initiated the active practice of his profession, he was given signal mark of popular confidence and esteem, in that he was elected district attorney of Milwaukee county, an office of which he continned the efficient incumbent for the regular term of two years, within which his pronounced success as a trial lawyer in public serv- ice did much to heighten and solidify his professional reputation. In later years he has abated his activity along political lines, though unfaltering in his allegiance to the party of his choice. In earlier years he was a frequent delegate to the Democratic county conven- tions of Milwaukee county and also the state conventions of the party. He is an active and popular member of the Milwaukee County Bar Association and the Wisconsin Bar Association, besides which he is identified with the American Bar Association. Mr. Wegner has been an exponent of the highest ethical code of his profession and has dignified the same by his character and services. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, and is a member of Milwaukee Merchants' & Manufacturers' Association and the City Club. In the city of Chicago
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he is a member of the Illinois Athletic Club, and also holds member- ship in the Illinois Bar Association.
DR. F. J. ANTOINE. One of the well established and prominent phy- sicians and surgeons is Dr. F. J. Antoine, of Prairie du Chien, Wiscon- sin, where he has been located in practice since the completion of his medical training in Chicago in 1905. Dr. Antoine has given his best faculties to the work of his profession and the position he has gained in the years of his professional activity is one to which he is in every way entitled. As health officer for the city of Prairie du Chien for the past six years, he has been able to do something for his municipality, aside from his private practice, and is regarded as one of the valued citizens of the community.
Born on November 5, 1876, in the town of Belgium, Wisconsin, F. J. Antoine is the son of Celestin and Margaret (Barnich) Antoine. The father was a native of Belgium and came to America in the early fifties, accompanying his father, Francois Antoine, at that time. After the settlement of the family in Belgium, Wisconsin, Francois Antoine en- gaged as a mason, contractor and builder, taking up farming also, as a side issue. He was ever a devout Catholic and a man successful in the business of life. He secured an education rather better than the average in his youth, and as a result, took his place among the foremost men of his community. In polities he was a Democrat, and took an active part in the affairs of the party.
Celestin Antoine received a limited education in Belgium, where he was reared for the most part, and at the age of twenty he started out for himself. The first independent work the young man performed was in the lumber woods of Wisconsin, which then offered a ready field for the strong and able-bodied young men of that day. After a shore time he returned to the home community and there he married Margaret Barnich, and settled down to farm life. Dairying was his specialty, and he continned on the farm in that industry until he retired late in life. He was prosperous and successful in his business, and reared a family of fourteen children, of whom eleven are living.
F. J. Antoine, who was the second child of his parents, attended the public schools of his native community up to the age of sixteen years, after which he began attendance at the State Normal School at Osh- kosh, Wisconsin. He spent three years in that institution, then entered the Normal School at Valparaiso, Indiana. His first work thereafter was in an educational way, and he taught six successive terms in Ozaukee county, Wisconsin. Giving up his pedagogie work, he once more turned his attention to study, this time with the intention of fitting himself for the medical profession. His college attendance had been sufficient to prepare him for attendance at the Physicians & Surgeons College at Milwaukee, where he spent three years in careful study, and he then
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entered the College of Physicians & Surgeons at Chicago, from which he was graduated in 1905, with the degree of M. D. For a year there- after Doctor Antoine served as interne at the St. Francis Hospital at La Crosse, Wisconsin, after which he came direct to Prairie du Chien and established himself in practice here. Dr. Antoine enjoys an exten- sive practice, and is fast forging to the front in the medical profession of this district. He has been called to do public service, in the office of health physician as was mentioned in a previous paragraph, and in that capacity during his six years incumbency of the office proved that the best interests of the city were ever identical with his own. He is a member of the Crawford County and Wisconsin State Medical Societies, and of the American Medical Association.
Dr. Antoine was married on February 11, 1900, to Miss Rose Marie Garvey at Racine, Wisconsin. She was reared in Prairie du Chien and educated in St. Mary's Academy at Omaha, Nebraska. One son has been born to the doctor and his wife.
THOMAS G. DICKINSON. The younger generation of Racine business men has no more successful representative than the present Assistant Superintendent of the Prudential Insurance Company of America. Mr. Dickinson began as a solicitor with this company, and by force of ability, and because of the showing of actual business produced, was promoted, and now has the management of the office at Racine. The volume of business transacted through this office is very gratifying and compares well with similar offices stationed elsewhere in the United States, and is altogether a fine reflection upon the enterprise and ability of Mr. Dick- inson.
Thomas G. Dickinson is a native son of Wisconsin, and was born in the city of his present residence on the third of January, 1884. His parents are George H. and Eliza E. (Davis) Dickinson. The founder of the family in this state was Thomas Dickinson, the grandfather, who was born in Somersetshire, England, and became a settler in southern Wisconsin before the close of territorial days. Finally he located in Racine, and stood high among the early business men and citizens of this place. For some years he was secretary of the old Racine Gas Light Company, and was also a stockholder and director in the old Racine Bank. George H. Dickinson, the father, was born in the city of Racine, and took up the calling of lumber scaling, being for a number of years in the employ of the Mitchell Lewis Wagon Company. He died April 3, 1903. His widow is now making her home with her son, Thomas G.
Thomas G. Dickinson, as a boy, attended the public schools of Racine, and after finishing his studies in the high school, took a course in the Racine Business College. His ability as a student in the business col- lege was such that on completing his course, he was engaged there as an instructor, and also as an outside manager and solicitor for the insti-
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tution. He then learned the trade of ship building with the Racine Boat Company, and was connected with that well known firm for some time. From these occupations, he finally directed his attention to life insurance, and took service as agent with the Prudential Insurance Company, whose local headquarters were than, as now, in Racine. The Home Office of the Prudential is at Newark, New Jersey, and as well informed persons · know, this is one of the largest and most substantial American insur- ance companies.
In 1908 Mr. Dickinson became Assistant Superintendent under the general superintendency of J. P. Zimmerman of Milwaukee. The five years in which he has had the management of the Racine office have been productive of a large volume of business, and give fine promise of still better success in this field in subsequent years. Mr. Dickinson was mar- ried on the twentieth of May, 1909, to Miss Sadie McLennan of Racine. Mrs. Dickinson is a native and was reared in the city of Racine. They are the parents of one son, Thomas George, Jr. The family home is at 213 Franklin street. Fraternally Mr. Dickinson is affiliated with Racine Lodge No. 18, A. F. & A. M.
OSCAR MARION FRITZ was born in Milwaukee on March 3rd, 1878. His parents were Theodore and Dorathea Glatz Fritz. He was educated in the schools of that city and for three years was engaged in commercial employments. In 1901 he was graduated from the College of Law of the University of Wisconsin and was admitted to the bar. In July, 1901, he became associated with the law firm at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, con- sisting of Warren D. Tarrant, Theodore Kronshage and Francis E. Mc- Govern. After the appointment of Mr. Tarrant as Circuit Judge, the firm was reorganized by taking in Walter D. Corrigan and Mr. Fritz as partners.
Upon the death of Judge Tarrant, Governor McGovern, on June 3, 1912, appointed Mr. Fritz Circuit Judge of Milwaukee county. The appointment received the general endorsement of the local bar and the people at large as evidenced by a two-to-one vote for him in the judicial elections held the following April: .
Judge Fritz was married August 30th, 1902, to Miss Ena Lorch of Madison, Wisconsin, and has a son, Marion Theodore Fritz.
CAPTAIN WILLIAM MITCHELL LEWIS. While Wisconsin does not rank foremost among the states of the Union in the production and mann- facture of automobiles, yet in recent years the industry has had impor- tant developments, and some of the very largest plants are situated with- in the limits of this state. One of these is the Mitchell-Lewis Motor Company, manufacturers of automobiles, auto trucks and farm wagons, located at Racine. This is a big concern, and has had a rapid growth, and an almost phenomenal increase of sales during the last several years.
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Gilliam Carson
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The business, like many other automobile concerns, has developed from a plant which originally manufactured bicycles as its principal output.
William Mitchell Lewis became one of the leading manufacturers of southern Wisconsin, and is prominent in social and civic circles, was born in the city of Racine, and as a boy received his educational training in its public schools. His early training and preparation were for the profession of law, and he graduated from the Yale University Law School with the class of 1891. During his university career, he took a very prominent part in athletics, and played at center on the famous Yale Eleven of 1890. With the outbreak of the Spanish-American war he became captain of Company F of the First Wisconsin Volunteers, and saw service under Major General Fitzhugh Lee, in the Seventh Army Corps.
After this military experience Captain Lewis returned to Racine, and became general manager of the Wisconsin Wheel Works, a concern that has been engaged in the manufacture of bicycles, that being about the climax of that industry. With the practical use of the automobile, and the extension of its manufacture, this company soon engaged in automobile manufacture, at which time the name was changed to the Mitchell Motor Car Company. Mr. Lewis was active manager of this business, which grew rapidly, and a magnificent plant was erected, and is still used as the permanent home of the present com- pany. In 1910 occurred the consolidation of the Mitchell Motor Car Company and the Mitchell Lewis Company, under the present title of the Mitchell-Lewis Motor Company.
The interest which Mr. Lewis displayed in athletics during his school and college days has been continued into more recent years, and he is a ready supporter of clean sport in all its forms. He has been interested in the extension of play-grounds and wholesome outdoor facilities for the use of the young generation, and has given for this purpose to his native city the athletic field and playground which is known as "Lewis Field." Mr. Lewis in 1910 was a candidate for the Republican nomi- nation for Governor of Wisconsin. As a leader in business and civic affairs, he has many varied associations with the social life of the state and is a member of the following clubs: The Engineers' Club of New York City, the New York Athletic Club, the Chicago Athletic Associa- tion, Milwaukee Athletic Club, Milwaukee Press Club, University Club of Chicago, and is President of the Racine Country Club. Mr. Lewis was also recently initiated into the Order of Knights of Bohemia, an inner circle of the Milwaukee Press Club, an honor reserved only for the patrons and very highly esteemed friends of the club.
WILLIAM CARSON. The death at Eau Claire in 1898 of William Carson closed the career of one of the earliest settlers in the state of Wisconsin, a man well known throughout this region from the terri-
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torial times, and whose life and services were such as should be an inspiration to the living. The creator of important industrial enter- prise, a man of wealth, his life emphasized the truth that enterprise and wealth are not inconsistent with the highest standards of char- acter and conduct. He was the type of pioneer whose name and biography should properly have a place in this history of Wisconsin.
William Carson was born at Inverness, lower Canada in 1825, and of Scotch ancestry. At the age of eleven years, in 1836, alone in the world, he set out for the United States and arriving in Cambridge, Massachusetts, made his first serious venture at earning his own way, and although only a child in years he succeeded. His determination was ripened by a brief experience in the east to learn the broader field of opportunity in the west. In 1837, William Carson became a resident of Illinois, in the southern part of the state. After a short time he went to St. Louis, and in 1838 to Wisconsin territory. His age then was thirteen, and his first employment was in the lumber camps near Prairie du Chien. His alertness and his foresight, and apprecia- tion of opportunities about that time came into evidence, when he filed a claim upon ground where the present city of North Eau Claire is built, and in 1839 sold his claim at a handsome profit. That was one of the first ventures which started him toward a large success. His work continued in various lines, but principally in lumbering, and all the time he was carefully saving his money with a view to a future investment. In 1840 William Carson located in Eau Galle, Wisconsin, where in partnership with Henry Eaton and George C. Wales he was one of the factors in the operation of a large sawmill. The firm of Wales, Carson & Eaton became well known in lumber circles, and the mill which cut about ten thousand feet of lumber each day was one of the biggest in capacity of that period. Carson and Eaton later bought out Mr. Wales' interests, and continued to operate on a large and successful scale. Finally Mr. Carson bought out Mr. Eaton's interests, and with E. D. Rand as partner the firm of Carson and Rand came into existence. They operated the mill up to 1874, when it was deemed advisable to discontinue the business because timber had become so scarce that the mill could only be run at a loss. How- ever, they continued the operation of their flouring mill and store in Eau Galle. In 1874 Mr. Carson moved to Ean Claire, to take over the management of the Valley Lumber Company, in which he and Mr. Rand had bought a large interest, and of which he had been elected treasurer and president. That was perhaps his leading position in the business world for a long number of years, though at the same time his official connection and investment in other enterprises were of an important nature. He was interested in the Rand. Lumber Company, and the Burlington Lumber Company, both at Burlington Iowa, and in the Carson-Rand Company of Keokuk, Iowa. Mr. Carson
Mm H Lockwoode:
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was connected with several large lumber companies in Wisconsin, and was looked upon as one of the representative lumbermen of the state. He was stockholder and vice president in the Eau Claire National, Bank, and deeply interested in any enterprise that affected the wel- fare of the city where he made his home for so many years. During the decade between 1874 and 1884 he lived in St. Paul, Minnesota, but returned to Eau Claire, where his death occurred in 1898. In politics the late Mr. Carson was a staunch Democrat, was very active in all campaigns but refused to support his party in its contest for free silver in 1896, and never under any circumstances would accept the nomination for office,
As a pioneer, William Carson had made a reputation for his pro- gressive ideas, and for the innovation which he introduced. He it was who brought the first horse into the Chippewa Valley, and sowed the first wheat there. He also built the first house that boasted of plas- tered walls in the Chippewa Valley. He was one of the most inter- esting of the early settlers of Wisconsin, and one of the men whom the younger generation loved to remember, for he was among those who helped to make this state.
CHARLES W. LOCKWOOD. For many years one of the prominent business men in the city of Eau Claire, Charles W. Lockwood has been engaged in some phase of banking during his career in this city, has been successful, is a man of splendid mental equipment, and well endowed with practical business sense. He is now closely connected with two of the largest and most prosperous financial institutions in Eau Claire, and his position makes him an influential figure in the business world.
Charles W. Lockwood is the son of William H. Lockwood, who was born in the city of New York in 1824. The latter received his education in his native city, and after leaving the common schools graduated from the University of New York class of 1847, and Union Theological Seminary, class of 1851. His profession was the ministry with the Presbyterian church and his first charge was at Coventry- ville, New York. For some years he was located at Lowville in the same state, and in 1864 moved to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where as minister in charge of the first Presbyterian church, he was among the prominent leaders in his denomination in that part of Wisconsin. Rev. William Lockwood, was pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Eau Claire, until 1890, and in that time became very popular and widely beloved, both in his own church and among all classes. In 1890, occurred his retirement from the active work of the ministry, and he lived quietly until his death in 1897. During his years as a resident of Eau Claire, he was actively engaged in other work than that of the ministry, and for four years served as county superin- Vol. VII-9
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tendent of schools. Rev. Lockwood voted the Whig ticket, until the dissolution of that party, and then became an ardent supporter of the principles for which the Republicans stood sponsor. He was a strong advocate of anti-slavery principles, and always a fighter, when there was any opportunity. In 1857 Rev. William H. Lockwood married Mary Waters, who was born in the state of New York in 1832, and died in 1904. Two children were born to their marriage. Of these the older is Charles W. Lockwood, and the younger is Catherine, who became the wife of Lawrence G. Moon.
Charles W. Lockwood was born in Lowville, Lewis county, New York, on the sixteenth of July, 1859. He was only a lad when his father moved to Wisconsin, and his education was chiefly acquired in the schools of Eau Claire. When the course was completed in the public schools, his practical experience and training was continued in a position of minor importance with the Bank of Eau Claire. At that time he was eighteen years of age, and by persistent application and industry worked his way up to the position of cashier. From 1885 until 1897, he was behind the cashier's window of the bank, was con- sidered one of the best men for the place that the bank had ever had, and undoubtedly had much to do with the prosperity of the institution during these years. In 1897 Mr. Lockwood transferred his interests to the Eau Claire National Bank as director and vice presi- dent, and holds both those offices at the present time. In 1906 he was one of the men who organized the Eau Claire Savings Bank, becom- ing its vice president and has acted in that position ever since.
Mr. Lockwood is a member of several fraternal and social orders. His most important affiliation is with Eau Claire Lodge, No. 112, A. F. & A. M., and also with the Knights of Pythias. He is deeply inter- ested in historie matters, and is a life member of the Wisconsin State Historical Society and also belongs to the Wisconsin Society of Chi- cago. In politics, Mr. Lockwood is a Republican. On the seventh of December, 1891, Mr. Lockwood was married to Fannie W. Carson, a daughter of William and Mary Edmonds (Smith) Carson. Mrs. Lockwood was born in Eau Galle in Dunn county, Wisconsin. To her marriage with Mr. Lockwood were born three daughters and one son, as follows: Mary, Frances, Virginia, and William.
ALEXANDER J. KEITH. During the past half century the name Keith has been prominently associated with business and civic activities of Eau Claire. As bankers, lumbermen, farmers, and men of affairs, the Keiths have always associated themselves with active phases of business life, and are men whose influence has served to guide and preserve the better end of a community's usefulness.
Alexander J. Keith, one of the well known firm of Keith Brothers at Eau Claire, was born in his present home city, Eau Claire, Wiscon-
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sin, a son of John J. and Agnes (Barland) Keith. The father was born at Keith, Scotland, and his death occurred February 13, 1892. The mother, who was a native of Jacksonville, Illinois, was married in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and is still living in this city. The father was a grad- uate of the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, and at the age of twenty- one left his native land and emigrated to Canada, first locating in Mont- real, where he became associated with a wholesale hardware house. Subsequently he moved to Ottawa, Canada, and was employed by Mr. Gilmore in the lumber business there until 1862. It was in that year that he transferred his home to Eau Claire, and thus identified himself with this town when it was a small and comparatively unimportant place among the commercial centers of Wisconsin. Here he became associated with Stephen Marston in a general merchandise business, and was subsequently with the Spafford & Clark Banking House of Eau Claire. Still later he was connected with the Eau Claire Lumber Com- pany. He served as an accountant with all these firms, and in 1882 on account of failing health he bought a farm two and a half miles east of Eau Claire, where he spent his last days in the quiet pursuits of agriculture. In politics he was a Democrat. Agnes (Barland) Keith, the mother, received her early education at Knox College at Galesburg, Illinois. She was a daughter of Rev. Thomas Barland, who was born in Scotland, was a graduate of the University of Edinburgh, came to Illinois and located at Jacksonville, and then in 1853 removed to Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He was a pioneer minister of the gospel in this city, and in 1855 brought his family to this state, so that among the pioneers of Eau Claire there is none older and enjoying more distinc- tion in its varied association with the life of this community than that of the Barlands. From her home in Eau Claire, it was necessary for Mrs. Agnes Keith, in order to attend school at Galesburg, Illinois, to travel by steamer down the Mississippi River as far as Burlington. Iowa, and thence across country by coach to central Illinois. At that time there were no railroads across that state. Mrs. Keith is one of the few pioneer women left in Eau Claire at this time. The four children born to the late John J. Keith and wife were as follows: Mrs. Edward Strong; Thomas B., whose sketch is elsewhere in this work; Alexander J .; and Agnes, the wife of Dr. Richard F. Werner of Eau Claire.
Mr. Alexander J. Keith received his early education in the common public schools and the high school at Eau Claire, and when he began his business career in 1889 it was as a clerk with the Chippewa Valley Bank of Eau Claire. He became assistant cashier and served the bank with efficiency and fidelity for fourteen years. In 1903 was organized the present firm of Keith Brothers, composed of Alexander J. and Thomas B. Keith. Their business is in timber and farm lands, and they are also interested in several large logging and saw milling indus- tries in Portland, Oregon. Mr. Keith and his brother have numerous
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