USA > Wisconsin > Wisconsin, its story and biography, 1848-1913, Volumr VI > Part 18
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Nehemiah Choate, second son in the family of Ebenezer was born at Ipswich, Massachusetts, in 1799, was gifted with a vigorous consti- tution, was early inured to toil, and the duties of the farm and the forest were no hardship to him. At the age of thirty he married Rebecca Kimball, who was born at Andover, Massachusetts, fifteen days before her husband's birth. For a homestead they bought land adjoining his father's farm, including the summit of Choate Hill. Farm life in Maine at that time was of primitive simplicity. The farm was made to yield all supplies of household wants. There was need of tillage and pasturage, of fuel and timber. Wheat and corn were grown for the table, flax and wool for the spinning wheel and the loom. Topographically also the farm was one to inspire an early life. In the clear atmosphere among the wooded hills, and with an inspiring view of the Presidential group of the White Mountains in the dis- tance, all the surroundings were those of quiet beauty and such as would inevitably leave their impress for good upon any human exist- ence begun and continued for any length of time in their midst. The little community of South Bridgton was one of intellectual and religi- ous culture, and Nehemiah Choate was one of the leaders, being the last surviving member of the Congregational parish, in which he was a charter member.
Such were the ancestry and the home into which Leander Choate was born. He was the second in a family of five children, and his older brother was lame from infancy, a circumstance which made it necessary that the second son become his father's help on the farm as early and as fast as his strength could be of service. The life was one of toil and more or less hardships, but the youth had inher- ited a good constitution and a ready spirit of helpfulness. There was little time left for schooling, and the schools were poor in equipment and instruction, there being but two short terms each year, one in the
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summer, when the boy was at work in the fields, and the other in the winter when the frigid character of the season handicapped attend- ance. To fill this gap, Leander Choate was fortunate in possessing a mother who was an experienced teacher, and who could supplement the work of the school, and in a mother's way supply its deficiencies. The home lessons were those of courage and self-reliance, and the circumstances of the family were calculated to enforce the instruction. At the age of seventeen the son undertook to relieve his father of the burden of debt which had been incurred in rebuilding the farmhouse, which had been destroyed by fire a few years before. The amount of the debt was some two hundred and fifty dollars. This he engaged himself to pay, if his father would relinquish to him his time, so that he could act for himself as if he had reached his majority. It was not an uncommon practice at that period for the son of a poor family to "Buy his time." as it was said. Farm labor at which he had his only training was poorly paid, the hours were long, and Leander Choate was anxious to open up other avenues of enterprise and at the earliest possible time get experience which would train his strong hands and stout heart and ready will for the larger things of life. In due time the debt was paid, and at his arrival at full age, he had valuable experience, his self-reliance and credit were strengthened in his neighborhood, but his supply of real money was probably very small. There can be no doubt that this experience of his early years directed his helpfulness in later life to worthy young men, who stood in need of friendly aid. He had realized the need of help in his own case, and had seen how much an earnest upright life is worth to the world.
When Leander Choate was twenty-one years of age, he entered the employment of Choate & Tolman, wood and coal dealers of Lynn, Massachusetts. The senior member of this firm was Alden Choate, his uncle. After a year and a half with this company, he purchased a parcel express route, between Boston and Charlestown. This busi- ness he carried on until 1857, when he removed to Wisconsin, and engaged in what was destined to be the work of his life. At this point the biographer, in explanation of the space devoted to the early years of Mr. Choate, quotes a remark made by the latter after he had reached the full tide of prosperity to the effect that it had cost him more effort to gain the first thousand dollars than to add many thou- sands that had come to him later.
The firm of Choate & Tolman removed from Massachusetts to Wis- consin, and Leander Choate went with them. The new field was suited to his tastes and to his training. He knew what lumbering was in Maine, the conditions were but little different in Northern Wisconsin. He was employed to oversee the work in the woods. The young lumber- man's genius for contrivance enabled him to master all matters of de-
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tails, as fast as they arose. He made himself conversant with every de- partment of the work, from the cutting to the marketing. The men with whom he was associated were most of them from Maine. They had helped to exhaust the resources of the western part of that state, and they were ready to do the same for northern Wisconsin and Michi- gan. It was the longer range of Mr. Choate's vision that led to his success. Although he was running mills almost as long as he lived, yet he began early to buy timber for investment. He foresaw the rapid increase in the value of these lands and the profits of husbanding resources for future needs.
When Leander Choate began business for himself in 1862 he became associated with Mr. James M. Bray. The firm of Bray & Choate continued in business until the death of Mr. Bray, only a few months before the death of his junior partner. Owing to the infirmity of the senior member, the burden of managing the diverse interests of the company had for a number of years fallen heavily upon the shoul- ders of Mr. Choate. They had mills on the Wisconsin and the Oconto River, and at Choate, Michigan. In the nineties their average annual cutting was forty million feet. At that time, Mr. Choate was also interested in the Lake Shore Company at Tomahawk Lake, which cuts twelve million a year. All this time Mr. Choate's policy was to buy timber for holding, not for marketing.
In addition to these lumbering operations, which would have been enough to employ, if not to tax, the energies of almost any man, Lean- der Choate had been president of the Wolf River Lumber Company, vice president of the H. W. Wright Lumber Company, vice president of the Merrill Boom Company at Merrill, Wisconsin. He was president of the Choate-Hollister Furniture Company, vice president of the San- ford Logging Tool Company, and president of the Oshkosh Log and Lumber Company. He was also connected with the Oshkosh Water Works Company, and the Wisconsin Electric Railway Company.
At the time of his death Mr. Choate was president of the Oshkosh Savings and Trust Company, president of the Davis-Hansen Company, president of the Co-Operative Coal & Ice Company, president of The Oshkosh Grass Matting Company, president of the Wegner Fuel Com- pany, president of the Coal Briquette Machine Company, president of The Oshkosh Clothing Manufacturing Company, vice president of the Oshkosh Logging Tool Company, vice president of the Oshkosh Muslin Underwear Company, stockholder in the Wolf River Paper and Fiber Company of Shawano, stockholder in the Schmit Brothers Trunk Company, trustee of the Oshkosh Public Library and trustee of the First Congregational church of that city.
The industrial enterprises and the public interests in which Leander Choate bore so heavy a responsibility, testify to that esteem in which he was held among men of affairs. His fellow citizens, who had known
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him intimately for many years, could well say of him that "He was one of the leading citizens and one of the best friends of Oshkosh." Honesty was the cardinal virtue which marked his life. He was integ- rity personified. He lent his aid to many worthy enterprises and to many men. He was thoroughly interested in all that pertained to the business welfare of the city. There was never a project mentioned that did not receive his support, moral and financial, if it was worthy of support at all. Morally, he was as clean as a man can be. He was courteous, unassuming, and, above all, he was charitable. I never heard him speak ill of any one. He loved his fellowmen, and always displayed the true Christian spirit."
In his financial relations the strength of Mr. Choate's character was recognized. To what extent he held the confidence of his associates may be seen from the number and the importance of those trusts ยท which he had in his keeping. He was president of the Commercial National Bank of Oshkosh, of the National Bank of Manitowoc, and of the First National Bank of Stoughton; vice president of the First National Bank of New London, director of the Marine National Bank of Milwaukee, of the First National Bank of Marshfield.
One who had been very close to him in business relations said for publication at the time of his death: "Modest, unassuming, quiet, retiring, willing to trust humanity for humanity's sake; charitable in his estimate of men; a man of broad ideals, ready to engage in large enterprises, possessing an intuitive discernment wonderfully remark- able; a man whose judgment was eagerly sought by men engaged in new projects, particularly, in development of new countries, timber- lands, saw mills, railroad and like enterprises-such a man was Leander Choate."
This comprehensive characterization of the man shows many of his qualities. It leads easily to the opinion expressed by another of his fellow citizens on the same occasion : "He was kind and just, and he accepted the paternal role for more than one young man in Osh- kosh for many years. It was his habit to assist young men who were anxious to start in business. More than one successful business man of this city owes much to Mr. Choate, though he has repaid all monetary loans. He was always ready to give audience to any ambitious young man if this one appeared to be square, and he was a good judge of human nature. He was himself so honest and square that he endeav- ored to attribute these qualities to others. It was a very rare thing for him to speak a word of censure of any one. He tried to palliate and excuse others' faults."
Besides his many business associates who testified to the eminent qualities of his ability and personal integrity, one who had known him intimately in other relations than those of the business world, was his pastor, who said: "One of the characteristics of Mr. Choate's life
.
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that profoundly impressed me was his unassuming, unostentatious nature. I was also impressed with the absolute integrity and honor that marked all his business and social relationship. I have met with many instances of his financial and sympathetic helpfulness. I know young men who have told me that they owed their start in life to Mr. Choate's kindly financial aid. All his benefactions were marked by modesty, and there are innumerable instances of his aid that were known only to himself and his beneficiaries.
"Although he had an undemonstrative nature, he was at heart a deeply religious man, broad and generous in his conceptions of religion and life. He was an attendant at the services of my church, and took an earnest interest in everything that pertained to the welfare of that organization. He was the chairman of the advisory committee of the new church edifice and did much towards that enterprise."
The public press of the state gave much space in both the news and editorial column to the life and services of Leander Choate. The Daily Northwestern said editorially: "The announcement was made this morning that Leander Choate had passed away. Mr. Choate was one of the real leaders in business circles, and in business activities, and his passing will make a difference that will be noticed and felt by many.
"For over a half century, Mr. Choate had resided in Oshkosh, coming to this place when it was nothing more than a struggling vil- lage in the western wilderness. He and Oshkosh grew up together, as it were, and their success and eventual prosperity were accomplished along the same general lines and conditioned on the same general characteristics. Mr. Choate was always known as an earnest and sincere worker, faithful and progressive, and ever ready to help others succeed at the same time with himself. Many a business man has had reason to thank Leander Choate for a helping hand extended in time of need, while his charities and benefactions were many and con- scientiously generous.
"Personally, Mr. Choate was modest and unassuming, mild man- nered and companionable to a marked degree, and he has a host of friends who have placed a high valuation on his friendship. He will be missed perhaps as much as any resident of Oshkosh; yet, in con- templation of the full fruition of his long and useful life there can be no cause for regret other than the usual one, when we hate to see our good friends and representative citizens called away. His record is finished, however, and it is a record to be proud of, and to stand as an example for others. For he was a good citizen, a kind and con- siderate friend, and a man who helped to make the world brighter for others."
Leander Choate was married December 19, 1858, to his cousin, Adeline Pratt Choate, daughter of Alden and Mary Ann (Sherman)
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Choate. The children of their marriage, with records of birth and death are as follows: Iola Amelia, born June 10, 1860, died December 24, 1862; Frank Lee, born May 21, 1864, died December 20, 1888; George, born August 25, 1867, died July 27, 1877; Lulu, born October 30, 1875, died May 16, 1889; Ona Irene, born November 13, 1878, died November 12, 1888. Only one child grew to adult years, and he with two others were taken from the happy family circle within the brief period between November, 1888, and May, 1889. To help him bear this heavy load of sorrow, there walked through their married life of more than fifty years, close by his side, the devoted wife and mother of his children, supporting him with the strength of woman's nature. On the occasion of their golden wedding, December 19, 1908, the press of the city spoke for the whole community in saying of Mrs. Choate : "His estimable wife has always been prominent in club work and in all lines of endeavor, in which public spirited and whole-souled women take interest. Both have been tried and true, and both enjoy the confidence, esteem and unbounded respect of the members of the com- munity in which they live."
It would burden the pages of this work and entail much repetition to quote further from the many eulogies and resolutions and indi- vidual expressions of esteem which appeared at the time of Leander Choate's passing. Sufficient has been said to indicate that a great man was taken from a community where he had lived fifty years and where his enterprise and character had much enriched, and it will appropriately conclude this article to quote a few paragraphs from a memorial address delivered at the Elks Memorial Service.
"Leander Choate knew the sunshine of a cheerful disposition and the shadow of adversity, the joys of friendships and the sadness of estrangement, the hope of children and the disappointment of their deaths, the gratification of success, and the bitterness of defeat, the reason of a strong mind, and the passion of great desires, the love of truth and honesty, and the hatred of deceit. He knew the days of beautiful promise, and unbounded ambition. The gloomy nights of sorrow and baffled hopes; the melancholy seasons of disease, waiting, and death. He experienced the childish joys and pleasure of a farm- er's son, the ambitions of an early pioneer with an empire to build, the responsibilities of vast enterprises, the memory in old age of a great life's work; and, lastly, like the brave, courageous man that he was, he went to meet his Maker.
"Leander Choate exemplified, as few men have, the teachings of our great order, Charity, Justice, and Brotherly Love. His life should be an inspiration to us all.
"To those who knew him only in his public life, who knew him only by reputation and report, who were not so fortunate as to share his acquaintance, his friendship, or his love; their loss, while not to
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be compared with.ours, is a serious one. This community is the richer for his having lived in it. This city, this county, and this state are larger and more prosperous for his having lived in them. Our stand- ards of citizenship are higher. We have more faith in the honesty and in the integrity of mankind, especially of successful business men. No man can live so pure and unselfish a life for more than half a century and fail to be a benefit to every man, woman and child in his vicinity.
"Leander Choate's greatest legacy is the beautiful lesson of his life and all the world must be the better for it. To those of us who have known his helping hand, to those of us that have been benefited by his wise counsel, and his sound advice, to those of us who have had the inspiration of his faith, his goodness, his honesty, and his charity, the loss is irreparable. We must find consolation in the one thing left to us-memory. Memories, those sweet-voiced spirits of the past, remain with us to cheer us in our time of need. They help us to remember the lessons taught by his unselfish life. They strengthen us to emulate and profit by his example. Their name is legion, and they are priceless.
"They do not ask who have known his past, 'Do such men really live ?' One might better ask, While memories last, 'Do such men ever die ?' "
ALPHONSE PIERRE. For twenty years Alphonse Pierre has been engaged as a grain dealer in Oconto, and the passing of those years has been sufficient to gain for him a place of no little prominence among the business people of the city and county. He is the owner of a large grain elevator at this point as well as the owner of three mam- moth grain warehouses and a feed mill, all in Oconto, and all consid- ered, his operations have been of an order well calculated to give him a leading place in business circles of the city. Mr. Pierre is a native son of Wisconsin, born in Door county, on June 13, 1864, and he is the son of Frank and Angeline (DeKiser) Pierre, both born in Belgium.
Frank and Angeline Pierre came to Wisconsin in 1858, settling on a Door county farm, there continuing for many years. They pros- pered, and in time felt themselves able to retire from business so that for some years past they have been living quietly at Beaver, in Mari- nette county, Wisconsin.
Alphonse Pierre continued on the Door county farm with his par- ents until he was seventeen years of age, and his education was gained in the country schools. His first work was in a printing office at Sturgeon Bay, where he filled the undignified post of "devil" to the proprietor of the shop, and he held that post for a year or more.
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In the meantime his father had entered into the flour mill business at Brussells, in Door county, and the boy gave up his work in the printing office and returned home to help in the mill, in which he continued until he first came to Oconto in 1866. Settling here, he established a small feed store, conducting the same more or less successfully for two years, and then withdrawing from the enterprise and going to Minneapolis, where he identified himself with the grain business in varied capacities. He remained there for several years learning much of the elevator business, in fact, thoroughly familiarizing himself with the enterprise, and in 1893 he returned to Oconto and established the business that has with the passing years assumed the most generous proportions and brought to Mr. Pierre a considerable wealth and position in the city. In 1903 he purchased a large grain elevator, the same having a capacity of 15,000 bushels, the elevator then being located at Green Bay, Wis- consin. In the summer of that year he moved the elevator to Oconto, floating it down Green Bay, a most unprecedented method of moving freight elevators, but one that proved most successful in his case. His entire business career has been characterized by initiative and enter- prise, and his success is the result of his sturdy application to business and the constant adherence to business principle of the highest order, so that he is not indebted to the elements of chance or luck for any of his successes in his business career.
Mr. Pierre was married on February 28, 1892, to Lucy, a daughter of the late Samuel Brazeau, one time a well known merchant of Oconto, a member of the firm of Brazeau Brothers, who were established in business here as early as 1870. To Mr. and Mrs. Pierre have been born seven children, who are named here in the order of their birth : May ; Esther ; Ruth; Agnes; Alphonse, Jr .; Gabriel; and Helen Javita.
Mr. Pierre is a member of the National Grain Dealers' Association, and his fraternal relations are maintained as a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Equitable Fraternal Union.
A man of excellent character and standing in his community. Mr. Pierre takes a prominent place in the administration of civic and politi- cal affairs of the city, and is now a member of the Board of Supervisors, serving the west ward of the city of Oconto on the board. He is a suc- cessful and enterprising man, well established among his fellow men, and in every way entitled to a place in a historical and biographical work of the nature of this publication.
CLAUDE E. ARMSTRONG, M. D. For twenty years Dr. Armstrong has quietly performed his round of professional services and duties at Oconto and in Oconto county, and is not only one of the oldest but one of the most highly esteemed practitioners of that state. A physician cannot live and practice his calling for twenty years in one locality without possessing a faithful character and a high ability and skill,
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qualities which have contributed to make the splendid type of family physician known both in literature and in actual life.
Claude E. Armstrong began practice at Oconto in the fall of 1893. The doctor is a graduate of the medical department of Northwestern University at Chicago, with the class of 1883. His first practical work in his profession was at Lomira in Dodge county, Wisconsin, where he remained a year and a half. During the following five years he was connected with the State Hospital for Insane at Mendota, where he was for a time second assistant physician and then first assistant physi- cian. From the hospital he moved to Fond du Lac, and after a few months to his old home town of Oakfield in Fond du Lac county, where he was for a short time in partnership with Dr. William Moore. From there he moved to Oconto, where he has since enjoyed a large patronage, and a substantial position in the community.
Dr. Armstrong was born in Sussex, Wisconsin, August 18, 1861, a son of Rev. William C. and Eliza Turner Armstrong. His mother was born in London, England, while the father was a native of West Vir- ginia, and devoted his life to the ministry of the Episcopalian church. The grandfather was a physician. The Rev. William C. Armstrong died in 1888, and the mother passed away when her son Claude was six months old. Claude E. Armstrong was reared at Oakfield, in Fond du Lac county, and also spent part of his youth at Waupaca, where he attended the high school. On leaving school at Waupaca, he entered medical college, and for thirty years has been continuously devoted to his professional work.
In 1889 Dr. Armstrong married Emma Penewell, of Stoughton, Wisconsin. Four children were born to their union, mentioned as fol- lows: Marie Adele, who died at the age of three and a half years; June, who died when two weeks old; Claudine E., and William. Dr. Armstrong has membership in the Oconto Medical Society, which he has served as president; in the Fox River Medical Society, and the Wisconsin State Society. The doctor is affiliated with the Masonic Order, and worships in the Episcopal church.
M. H. MOULD. A banker at Baraboo, Mr. Mould represents a pioneer family of Sauk county, started out when a boy to make his living by hard manual labor, and has for a number of years been one of the leading bankers in this section of the state. For several years he held the position of president of the First National Bank, but now is its cashier and active manager. The First National Bank of Baraboo was founded in 1885, one of its organizers having been T. M. Warren. It was reorganized in 1905, and at that time Mr. Mould assumed the active management of the office of cashier. The First National is in many ways a representative institution being owned and controlled by seventy-five persons, all of them prosperous business men and farmers
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