USA > Wisconsin > Wisconsin, its story and biography, 1848-1913, Volumr VI > Part 14
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Judge Roberts continued his law course in the University of Mich- igan, and after his graduation, in 1882, located in Aberdeen, South Dakota, where he worked at carpenter business for a time, later going to Castleton, North Dakota, building elevators, for which he was paid twenty-five cents per hour, working thus week days and Sundays. In January, 1883, he went to Duluth, Minnesota, and while searching for a suitable opening noticed an article in a Duluth paper, written by James Bardon, which told of the opportunities to be found by aspiring youths in the city of Superior, Wisconsin. To this day, Judge Roberts maintains that this was the beginning of the change in his fortunes. Coming to this city in 1883, he opened a modest law office, but was far- sighted enough to realize that a remunerative law business would not come without a struggle, and to guard against any possible failure, with its accompanying financial embarrassments, had brought along with him his kit of carpenter tools. These tools still remain in excel- lent condition, having never been used to this day. The young legist's abilities were almost immediately recognized by the people of Superior, and in 1884 he was elected to the office of district attorney. In 1889 he received the appointment from Governor Rusk to the office of county judge to complete the unexpired term of the late Judge Richard Bar- don, and in the following spring was elected to succeed himself. He continued to be regularly reelected until January, 1902, and can point with a pardonable degree of pride, in that but one of his decisions was ever reversed by the Supreme Court. His legal opinions were widely quoted and the soundness and equity of his decisions were never ques- tioned. A hard student, a man of high scholarship, with a well-poised mind, ever ready with his legal knowledge, his was a representative of the highest type of judicial service. Throughout his life he has been an active, public spirited citizen, fearless in his positions, gaining enemies by his attitude as do all who have the courage of their convictions, but commanding respect by his splendid qualities of mind and heart. He was ever noted for his consistent impartiality and his great love of truth, and his great charity has caused him to be imposed upon by those who knew of his willingness to freely give of his legal knowledge where he was convinced that payment for such would be difficult. During his incumbency he probated many estates, and frequently saved bene- ficiaries thousands of dollars by wise counsel, offered in a spirit of friendliness, not as a lawyer, but as one whose kindness of heart prompt-
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ed him to give needed advice. It must not be supposed, however, that Judge Roberts has not been successful as a business man, for he has made wise investments and has accumulated a handsome competence.
Judge Roberts was married September 4, 1884, to Miss Kate Rhodes, who was born in Trempealeau county, Wisconsin, daughter of John and Mary Rhodes. She was educated at Winona Normal school and Cornell University and before her marriage was engaged in teaching school at Winona, Minnesota. She died May 2, 1899, at the age of forty-two years, having been the mother of eight children : Hugh M., Helen A., John R., Jessie L., Florence J., Morgan, David W., and Arthur O.
The modern family residence is situated at No. 210 West 3d street, Superior. With his children, Judge Roberts attends the Epis- copal Church, and his fraternal connections are with Superior Lodge No. 23, A. F. & A. M., and the local lodge of the Knights of Pythias, in the latter of which he has passed all the chairs. He was a member of the school board for four years, acted as a member of the library board for a period and in 1894 became an aspirant for Congress, but met with defeat in the party caucus.
E. L. SHIPPEE, prominent in manufacturing circles in Kenosha, has been a resident of this place since 1900 when he came here to accept a position with the Chicago-Kenosha Hosiery Co. He has advanced steadily in business activities since that time, and today has a leading place among the foremost manufacturing men of the community. Mr. Shippee is a native son of Illinois, born in McHenry county, that state, on February 17th, 1869, a son of L. J. and H. S. (Hayes) Shippee.
L. J. Shippee was a native of the state of Vermont, while the mother, a cousin of Ex-President Hayes, claimed New York as her birth state. The father came to Illinois in 1848 and was one of the early pioneers of McHenry county. He was a railroad contractor in Vermont, hav- ing assisted in building the Vermont Central Railway. After he came west he engaged in mercantile business in McHenry county, Illinois, carrying on that business successfully for some years, after which he turned his attention to farming. Still later he reverted to contracting and building, which business he continued up to the time of his retire- ment from active life. He was the father of seven children. Two sons and two daughters yet survive him. He held a number of county offices as a resident of McHenry county, and took a leading place in his community, where he was known as a man of sterling qualities and as an excellent citizen. He died in 1899.
E. L. Shippee attended the public schools of McHenry county, up to the age of seventeen years, when he entered Beloit Academy at Beloit, Wisconsin. Finishing the Academy course he entered Beloit College and was graduated from that institution with the class of 1892.
Being strong and active physically and mentally, Mr. Shippee en-
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tered largely into the life of the college. He was a noted baseball and football player and was recognized as one of the foremost college ath- letes of his day.
For three years after leaving college he was engaged in teaching school in Northern Illinois. He then abandoned educational work for mercantile activities, and after two years in that connection became treasurer of McHenry county. In 1900 he came to Kenosha, to take charge of the credit and collection department of the Chicago-Kenosha Hosiery Co., known as the largest exclusive manufacturers of hosiery in America. He has continued with that concern, advancing steadily in positions of responsibility. In 1911 he became treasurer of the com- pany,-a position he still retains as a member of the corporation. He is also treasurer of the Kenosha Knitting Company, which was organ- ized and incorporated in 1909. While one of the youngest of Kenosha industries, this concern has shown remarkable development. Various kinds of knit goods are manufactured. A trade is supplied, extending from coast to coast. The integrity of the management is reflected in the confidence of the dealers.
Sprung from good New England stock, active, energetic, able to profit by experience, careful in his estimates and expressions of opin- ion, Mr. Shippee has been looked upon as a most excellent citizen and valued member of the community.
He was for five years a director in the local Young Men's Christian Association. He is a member of Kenosha Lodge No. 47, A. F. & A. M., and also of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Woodstock, Illi- nois. He is Republican in politics.
On October 10, 1900, Mr. Shippee was married to Miss Adeline C. Crumb, daughter of J. C. Crumb, a pioneer banker of Harvard, McHenry county, Illinois. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Shippee : Herbert Crumb, born on the 9th of December, 1905, and Llewellyn Hayes, born November 26th, 1909. Mrs. Shippee is treas- urer of the local branch of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
The family is one of prominence in Kenosha and enjoys a leading position in social circles of the city.
MARTIN BRETL. The combination of human attributes which yields success in many fields, although an unusual one, is embodied in the subject of this review. The department store business, grain, produce, finance-whatever he has turned his hand to, all have shown a bal- ance on the right side of the ledger, so carefully has he studied and so well has he wrought, while his prominence in public affairs and his popularity in social circles further evidence his versatility. Mr. Bretl's strides to success are the result of hard toil and struggle in his early days and his keen business methods and perseverance in later years. Terminating his studies in the district schools, he was
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not any too well provided with education with which to enter the great field of business endeavor, but his dauntless determination and indomitable spirit overcame all obstacles in his path, and today he finds himself in a position of prominence among the substantial busi- ness men of his adopted city.
Martin Bretl was born in Manitowoc county, Wisconsin, February 10, 1860, and is a son of Joseph Bretl, one of the early settlers of Manitowoc county, a farmer by vocation, later of Door county, and now a retired resident of Chicago, Illinois. The mother died at the time of our subject's birth. Martin Bretl remained on the home farm until reaching the age of seventeen years, and during this time attended the district schools for three winter terms, although the greater part of his education has been secured through reading and association with the business world. On leaving the farm he came to Algoma, in 1877, and here found employment in the general store of Samuel Perry, now deceased, with whom he remained for nine years. He began at a salary of twelve dollars a month. Upon leaving Mr. Perry, Mr. Bretl became a partner of E. Zander, and for two years conducted a store under the style of E. Zander & Company, and when his partner died he purchased the interests of his heirs and continued the business alone under the same style for some time. Later the business was incorporated under the style of M. Bretl Co., but after two years, in 1910, the building was destroyed by fire. Mr. Bretl has not reentered that business, although he rebuilt the store, which is now leased by him to the department store firm of Brey, Leishow & Company. Mr. Bretl became interested in the produce business in 1907, in which year he was one of the founders of the Algoma Produce Company, dealers in cheese, butter, hides, furs, eggs, etc., which has become one of Algoma's leading industries. Starting with a capital of $4,500, the business has since been incorporated with a capital of $30,000, and is now doing an annual business of over $1,000,000, maintaining five houses, the Main office being at Algoma and the branches at Kewaunee, Denmark, Gillette and Sawyer. The officers are B. Thiard, president; F. W. Liderd, vice-president ; E. F. Campbell, secretary and general manager; and Martin Bretl, treas- urer. Mr. Bretl is the largest stockholder, and devotes a large part of his time to the business, but concedes much of the success of the enterprise to the earnest and well-directed efforts of Mr. Campbell, whose knowledge of the trade is extensive and whose abilities have been proven beyond question. Mr. Bretl's connection with financial affairs dates back to the time when the Algoma Bank took over the interests of the Decker Estate, at which time he was made vice-presi- dent. He has seen the institution outgrow the old quarters and move to its present handsome building, one of the finest bank structures to be found in Wisconsin in a city the size of Algoma. The officials of
ausous. Pierce
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the Bank of Algoma are: August Froemming, president; Martin Bretl, vice-president; A. W. Hamachek, cashier, and J. F. Thiard, teller; and August Froemming, Martin Bretl, Benoit Thiard, William Nesemann, Sr., and M. L. Reinhart, directors. The capital stock and surplus amount to $52,000, and the men who are connected with the institution are all well known for their integrity and probity in busi- ness and financial life.
Although he is not a politician in the generally accepted use of the term, Mr. Bretl has been prominent in affairs which have had a direct bearing upon the interests of his city, and has served efficiently as a member of the council and in the office of mayor. Such are the interesting events in the career of a man who through business sagacity and acumen has risen to a commanding position in this locality's financial and industrial circles. He is a man universally liked by all who are acquainted with him. Although at all times a busy man he is always approachable. Publie-spirited and progressive, no movement for the real advancement of the city is launched that does not receive his active and hearty cooperation.
In 1882 Mr. Bretl was married to Miss Ella McCosky, daughter of the late Frank MeCosky. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bretl, namely: Lydia, who married Spencer D. Kelly, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and has one child, Gene Ellen; Frank J., who mar- ried Evelyn Martin and resides in Chicago, Illinois; and Raymond and Gertrude, who reside at home with their parents.
ANSON S. PIERCE. The history of Wisconsin's citizenship shows that the lumber industry developed many remarkable men, whose names would crowd any list short or long of the state's notables. It is like- wise true that men of exceptional resources, energy, and business en- terprise have been the chief factors in the development of the lumber interest. Especially in the later generation of lumbermen have ap- peared men of tried and seasoned ability and successful experience from many states and districts outside of Wisconsin, and have in- fused personal power and financial capital into the constant conflict with the giants of the forest in supplying the world's demand for lumber.
These men, aftercomers, as compared with those pioneer captains of the industry whose activities are rapidly becoming memories have brought with them new ideas and new methods. These modern rulers of Wisconsin's timber resources-and their number include promi- nently Anson S. Pierce of Rhinelander-have all been specialists, have all applied themselves to one branch of the complicated business in- volved in the manifold processes between a standing monarch of the forest, and the finished timber laid on the ground ready to become part of a building construction. Lumber history records few succes-
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sors in its line, disassociated from specialization; without research an exception is not easy to locate. Some devoted themselves exclusively to the manufacture of hardwood; some to rafting; some to planing- mill activities; some to engineering work, including the building of railroads, some of which were the nucleus of great transportation sys- tems; some to the exploitation of hemlock, of bass-wood, of Norway white pine. Of the last named a conspicuous specialist-conspicuous even among scores-who has accomplished big things in his particular line is Anson S. Pierce of Rhinelander.
With some exceptions-exceptions that are notable because of their rarity-those lumbermen who have made a marked impress upon their trade in this country have been easterners, by birth or by descent, and they have been graduated for the most part from the forested areas and commercial centers of the New England states, those of Maine especially. Such men scattered throughout the northern timbered country, culled therefrom its best in their line and then went south, and later to the Pacific coast, dominating the industry wherever they penetrated and elected to establish bases of action. A fairly faithful retrospect of this achievement in the lumber trade of those sections shows them to have been largely by lumbermen or friends of lumber- men of New England birth; and their record is being maintained ro- bustly by their virile descendants of today in all sections where lum- ber manufacture and distribution are industriously important.
The ancestry of Anson S. Pierce goes back to New England and to revolutionary times. It goes farther, to the passage of the family to this country from England in the historic Mayflower and to indis putable direct descent from Sir Walter Raleigh. The Pierce migration was always to the west. The first of the name to whom records in this country give prominence is Charles S. Pierce, grandfather of Anson S. Pierce. In his generation he achieved some fame as a strong political leader in New York City. To him is accredited ability (with- out the accompanying stigma of later years) to control the contem- porary political situation in the metropolis. His son was Charles S. Pierce, who was the first of the name known to have been identified with the lumber trade. He conducted a sawmill enterprise in the vicinity of Buffalo, New York, and sold lumber at wholesale. He is said to have been the patentee of the first two-block shingle machine ever invented. His wife, the mother of Anson S. Pierce was Elizabeth (Becker) Pierce, who was born in Coopertown, New York, July 29, 1831, and died April 16, 1869. In Buffalo, New York, was born Anson S. Pierce, December 22, 1859. He spent practically all his first thirty years in his native city, attending its common schools and high schools. At the conclusion of his school days, with characteristic energy, he entered at once into the ranks of bread-winners. At seven o'clock on the morning following his last day in school he was at work for a local
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lumber firm, with which he served an apprenticeship of one month. F. H. Goodyear & Company then took him in their employ, but after a year, he became connected with a lumber manufacturer at North Tona- wanda, New York, as traveling salesman. That was his vocation for some years, and during that time he became a thoroughly practical lumber man, well grounded in all phases of the business. Following the family tradition, Mr. Pierce next came west to Rhinelander, Wis- consin, where he opened an office for the North Tonawanda principals. He acquired an interest in their business in Wisconsin, pushed the firm's trade, and in every way proved himself an aggressive and valu- able man both to his company and to himself. About 1903 he had be- come thoroughly established in the lumber trade of Wisconsin.
At that time the natural resources of the Wisconsin lumber area were regarded as practically unlimited, and with his exceptional acumen Mr. Pierce determined to concentrate his attention and activi- ties to that phase of specialization which since has and now does give him much prominence in the northern lumber trade-specializa- tion in white pine. Intelligent, continuous review of trade conditions convinced him that in handling exclusively the higher grades of white pine lay big business possibilities, and with a man of Mr. Pierce's mental caliber, determination meant prompt action. He began to ac- cumulate and handle the best white pine cut, at first almost experi- mentally, but as the consuming trade learned that his years at Rhine- lander, where he had entered into business exclusively on his own ac- count, were a certain source of the choicest grades of white pine, his business grew to an extent that would have embarrassed the resources of a less resourceful man. It has reached a point where he now han- dles an average of about twenty million feet of white pine lumber of the highest grade. This output is shipped largely to the east, and a large proportion of it goes to satisfy an export trade, which Mr. Pierce has developed through cultivation of a reputation for handling only the better qualities of white pine.
Mr. Pierce guarded his reputation as a dealer in high grade white pine so jealously that in a short time after he undertook a special brand, his trade largely took care of itself, and allowed him oppor- tunity for attention to other woods. In 1908 he organized the firm of Danielson & Pierce. The chief industry of this concern is the han- dling of hardwood lumber, and it has turned over the stock of northern mills to the extent of between five million and six million feet each year. It has offices in Rhinelander, and a branch office in Chicago. The Pierce product in both white pine and hardwood are recognized wherever introduced as of always reliably high grade and faithful to all representations made of them. The foresight that induced Mr. Pierce to specialize has resulted in the establishment of a reputation
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that insures success in his constantly enlarging business with domestic and foreign consumers.
A feature of the Pierce business at Rhinelander complementing the high character of the stock carried is the ability of the yard to meet the demands immediately upon their receipt.
Mr. Pierce finds his greatest pleasure in his home. He has a beau- tiful residence in Rhinelander and has also built a summer home on Moen's Lake. Mr. Pierce's marriage was the culmination of a pretty little romance. In 1903, while in Denver, Colorado, Mr. Pierce was taken ill, and so seriously that his illness required the attention of a trained nurse, Clara P. Severson, a resident of Denver, and a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. Her gentle ministrations were so effective, that, as Mr. Pierce expressed it, he "gave her a life job" beginning with their wedding six months after the acquaintanceship was formed. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce have one daughter, Florence. Politically Mr. Pierce is a Republican, but has shown no evidence of political aspira- tion. Though too busy to indulge much in recreation he occasionally yields to a hobby for blooded horses. He delights in outdoor life, and secures it largely through the use of two high-power automobiles and power boat. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, and has al- ways made his religion practical in the conduct of his business.
AUGUST FROEMMING. The standing of every community is meas- ured in large degree by the character of its financial institutions, for unless they are stable and possess the confidence and support of the people, the credit of the municipality and its citizens is impeached. The Algoma Bank, of Algoma, Wisconsin, is an institution which grew out of the needs of its locality, and was organized by men of im- pregnable business and financial standing, whose interests have been centered in it and whose honor and personal fortunes are bound up in its life. Among these men is found August Froemming, its active directing head, and a decided factor in the business life of Algoma as the senior partner of the large grain firm of August Froemming & Son. Mr. Froemming is one of his community's self-made men. He was born in the Province of Pomerania, Prussia, Germany, October 6, 1842, and is a son of Carl and Engel (Schultz) Froemming. The par- ents, with their son and daughter, emigrated to the United States in 1857, and first located at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where the father died shortly afterward, leaving the family in straitened financial cir- cumstances, and the widow subsequently took her children to what was then Wolfe River, and located on a farm in the woods of Kewau- nee county, where her death occurred.
August Froemming was a lad of fourteen years when he accom- panied his parents to America. He had attended school in his native land and had there been confirmed, and after coming to this country
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spent a short time in the schools of Milwaukee. The death of his father, however, curtailed his education, and he early started to work to assist his mother in running the household. He was about seven- teen years old when he came to Kewaunee county, and at that time Wolfe River (later Ahpanee, and now Algoma) was a small hamlet. With youthful enthusiasm and energy he started to clear the timber from the eighty-acre farm, and there continued to follow agricultural pursuits for some fourteen years. Disposing of his property at the end of that period, he came to Algoma and opened a small general store, which he conducted for twenty-one years, building up an excel- lent business. This enterprise he sold to George Warner, and for two years enjoyed a well-earned vacation, visiting points in California and other places of interest. It was not in Mr. Froemming's nature to remain long idle, however,-his spirit was too energetic-and he soon longed for the activities of business life. Accordingly, upon his return to Algoma he established himself in the grain business, and in this, as in his other ventures, he has met with gratifying success. Subsequently, when his son Frank was admitted to the firm, the style became August Froemming & Son, and as such it has continued to the present time, having won high standing in the grain trade in Wis- consin. At this time a branch is maintained at Forestville, which is managed by Frank Froemming, while the father remains in personal charge of the Algoma house. At the time the Bank of Algoma took over the interests of the Decker Estate, which included a string of banks which had been long established at Sturgeon Bay, Algoma and other Northern Wisconsin points, Mr. Froemming was elected presi- dent, and in this capacity he has continued to act to the present time. He has popularized the coffers of the institution, and his known integ- rity and honor have gained and retained the confidence of the public. Recently, this bank erected a handsome building, of stone, which is second to none in the state for a city the size of Algoma. This bank, established in 1881, has been under the supervision of the State Bank- ing Department since 1898, and is a United States depository for Postal Savings Funds. The statement of the bank's condition as stated April 18, 1912, was as follows: Resources: Loans and Dis- counts, $440,191.77 ; Overdrafts, $3,430.02; Bonds, $61,000.00; Furni- ture and Fixtures, $2,980.00; Real Estate, $3,550.00; Cash, Cash Items and Due from Banks, $75,517.62; Total, $586,669.41. Liabilities : Capi- tal Stock, $25,000.00; Surplus, $27,000.00; Undivided Profits, $728.54; Deposits, $533,940.87; Total, $586,669.41. The officials of the insti- tution are: August Froemming, president; Martin Bretl, vice-presi- dent; A. W. Hamachek, cashier, and J. F. Thiard, teller; and August Froemming, Martin Bretl, Benoit Thiard, William Nesemann, Sr., and M. L. Reinhart, directors.
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