USA > Wisconsin > Wisconsin, its story and biography, 1848-1913, Volumr VI > Part 32
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On January 12, 1886, Mr. Crumpton was married to Miss Rachel R. Hartman, of Philadelphia, and to this union there have been born two children: Doris H. and Kenneth.
CHARLES BENJAMIN CLARK. A former congressman and one of the founders and chief executives of the Kimberly-Clark Paper Company at Neenah, Charles Benjamin Clark began his carreer like many other successful Americans, as a boy looking for a job and taking the first work that he could get, and finding his opportunities as he went long.
Charles Benjamin Clark was born at Theresa, Jefferson county, New York, August 4, 1844. When eleven years old, his parents moved to Neenah, Wisconsin. His father was Luther O. Clark, who died in 1853. His widowed mother Theda (Tamblin) Clark, lived in Neenah, and was chiefly supported by her son Charles B., until her death on January 16, 1871, at the age of sixty-seven years.
At Neenah the boy had some additional educational advantages. At the age of sixteen, he started to work for Robert Hold at two dol- lars a week, in the Hold Furniture Factory. Mr. Hold later told how the future paper manufacturer came to him one day at Neenah, and
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applied for a job, but was at first told that no more help was needed. The boy, somewhat discouraged, looked around over the shop, and remarked that it was his opinion that among so many surely something could be found to employ his energies. This manifestation of spirit in the boy attracted Mr. Hold's attention, and after consulting with the foreman, it was discovered that one of the employes was to leave the following day, and therefore the place was promised to young Clark, but instead of waiting for the following day the youth insisted on being set to work at once, and was finally put to the task of bending chair- backs.
Not long afterwards the great national event of the Civil war gave a new turn to young Clark's energies. He was seventeen when the war came on, and in August, 1862, he went out as a private in Com- pany I of the Twenty-first Regiment of Wisconsin Infantry. Very soon afterwards came his promotion to lieutenancy of the company, and he made an excellent record as a faithful and gallant soldier. On his return to Neenah from the war, he went into partnership with H. P. Leavens and A. W. Patten, under the name Leavens, Clark & Com- pany, as hardware merchants on Wisconsin street. In April, 1870, Mr. Patten withdrew, and the firm became Leavens & Clark. About two years later Mr. Clark sold his interest, and then put all his means and energies into a new paper mill enterprise, under the name of Kimberly, Clark & Company, and destined in its subsequent development to rival all industries of the kind in the world. The original partnership was composed excellently for its purposes. Mr. Clark being a man of prac- tically inexhaustible energy, and had great constructive ability. Mr. Kimberly at the same time was very proficient as a buyer of stock, and also an excellent salesman, while Mr. Shattuck was an expert account- ant. Thus all three angles of the business were provided for and those three men divided the details of the concern among them in that way at first, though subsequently it became necessary to readjust the burdens of the rapidly growing concern. It is unnecessary to refer to the magnificent business developed under the name of Kimberly, Clark & Company, but it should be stated that the late Charles B. Clark was a moving spirit in that concern as long as he lived and to small degree its success is a monument to his remarkable foresight and judgment and energy.
In public affairs, beginning with his record in the Civil war as a soldier, he long had an active part and always as a worker for good government and the welfare of his community and state. For many years he was connected with the volunteer fire department of Neenah, serving as chief at one time. He also held a place in the city council and was three times elected mayor. In 1885 he was sent to the state legislature and in 1886 was elected to Congress by ten thousand major- ity. He was reelected in 1888, and after two terms of service in behalf
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of his district and state and the nation, which well justified a continu- ance of his honors, he was renominated, but "the red school house" issue was sprung in the state by the Democrats, and the entire Repub- lican party ticket was defeated, Mr. Clark along with the rest.
The late Mr. Clark died at Neenah, September 10, 1891, and with him there passed away one of Wisconsin's foremost men in industrial and political life. Incidentally it may be mentioned that his funeral was an occasion which precipitated a historic conflict into the Repub- lican party. Among those who mourned his passing and who attended the last rites were a host of friends from all parts of the state, among them men high in public affairs, including Senator Sawyer. Sena- tor Sawyer, in course of the day had a conversation with Robert LaFollette, then practicing law at Madison, and the interpretation placed upon that conversation aroused enmities and started a factional fight in the Republican ranks, from which originated the terms "Stal- warts and Half-Breeds," designating the two sides in a political strife which has not yet ceased in Wisconsin.
Charles B. Clark was married December 27, 1867, to Miss Carolina Hubbard, of Neenah. To them were born three children: Theda Clark, who married Wm. C. Peters, of Goshen, Ind .; Carolina Clark, who married Harry Lee Davidson, now deceased, and who lived at Montgomery, Alabama; and Charles Benjamin Clark, secretary of the Kimberly, Clark & Company, who lives at Neenah. The son recently married Miss Jessie Kerwin, daughter of Judge James C. Kerwin of Neenah. The son has followed in the footsteps of his father as a prominent business man, and has also done much in public affairs. He is the present Mayor of the City of Neenah and recently announced the gift of a hospital to Neenah through the money left by his sister, Mrs. Theda Clark Peters. The name of the institution is the Theda Clark Memorial Hospital.
HON. JOHN DENGLER. It would be difficult to conceive of a better illustration of the facility with which, under the liberal institutions of this great country, a man of ability and integrity, whether native born or of foreign birth and impressions, may rise to any station, perhaps among the most exalted, than is afforded in the history of the Hon. John Dengler, ex-mayor of La Crosse, and a citizen who for many years has been an important factor in the commercial life of the city. When Mr. Dengler came to this country, a rosy-cheeked lad of eleven years, he knew but little of the English language- only the rudiments-and his educational training continued only until his twelfth year, at which time he embarked upon a business career that has covered more than half a century of time. By attend- ing strictly to business and utilizing his meagre leisure time to advantage, he succeeded in gaining a good education and a foot- Vol. VI-18
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hold on the ladder of success, up which his rise was steady and continuous in the ensuing years. A sketch of his career, which is worthy of emulation by the youth of any land, follows:
John Dengler was born January 1, 1849, in Koenigswart, Austria, and is a son of Francis and Barbara (Dietl) Dengler. His father first came to the United States alone in 1856, but four years later returned to his native country and when he again came to America brought with him his two sons and one daughter. Locating for a short time in New York City, he was engaged in the retail shoe business in the metropolis, but soon removed to Reading, Pennsylvania, and there continued in the same line. Some years later he returned to New York and there his death occurred in 1894. He was the father of seven children, of whom four survive at this time. During his life Francis Dengler was known as a model citizen, honorable in all his dealings and possessed of many warm friends among his adopted countrymen. He was well posted in public affairs, took a keen and intelligent interest in the success of the Democratic party, and was a Catholic in his religious faith.
John Dengler attended the public and parochial schools of his native land, and continued his studies for a short period after being brought to the United States. When he was twelve years of age he began assisting his father in conducting his shoe store, but eventu- ally became apprenticed to the trade of cigar maker, which he fol- lowed in various parts of the country during the succeeding years, until 1880, that year seeing his advent in Wisconsin. Accepting a position as foreman in the cigar factory of John Pampanin, at La Crosse, he continued as such until 1884, when he accepted a similar position with Scott Brothers, and in the following year became pro- prietor of their establishment. A shrewd and capable business man, thoroughly conversant with every detail of his calling, he had soon built up a trade that extended all over the State, and in 1909 the con- cern was incorporated, under the corporate name of John Dengler Cigar and Tobacco Company. A full line of domestic and Havana cigars are manufactured in the company's large factory at La Crosse, and the famous "Winneshiek" and "J. D. Froutier" cigars are shipped to all parts of the United States. As the directing head of this great enterprise, Mr. Dengler has displayed acumen, foresight and executive ability of a high order, and the confidence in which he is held by his associates is evidence of the position he occupies in commercial circles of La Crosse. He has not confined his activities to his operations along this line, however, for his business interests are many, and he is looked to for counsel, support and leadership in a number of the city's prominent industries.
Mr. Dengler has always been a stanch advocate of Republican principles and policies, and for a number of years has been prominent
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in the activities of his party in western Wisconsin. He was first elected mayor of La Crosse in 1889, serving in that office until 1891, and subsequently served three consecutive terms, or fourteen years, in the capacity of police and fire commissioner. In 1911 he again became the candidate of his party for the office of mayor, received the subsequent election, and acted in the capacity of chief executive until April 13, 1913, when he went out of office. To his official duties he brought the same close application, the same conscientious attention to detail, that characterized his business career and made it so suc- cessful. He gave the city a clean, sane, business-like administration which was marked by numerous municipal reforms. He has friends in all political parties, and his popularity is universal. Mayor Dengler is a member, consistent attendant and liberal supporter of the Catholic Church. His fraternal connections include the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Columbus, and socially he belongs to the German Society, the Frohsinn Singing Society, the German Central Society and the Third Ward Aid Society.
On June 7, 1893, Mr. Dengler was married to Miss Louisa Ver- vatt, whose parents were natives of Holland, and one son has been born to this union: John D., who is now deceased.
C. W. STANGE. Among the early residents of Merrill who have attained success and prosperity is C. W. Stange. A native of Ger- many, he has spent practically all of his life in this country, having been brought here as a mere babe. Mr. Stange has lived in Merrill since 1882, and has spent these years in hard work and conscientious attention to his business. That he has succeeded has been due entirely to his own efforts and he deserves much credit for his success. He is now the proprietor of a successful establishment, dealing in paints and oils and similar commodities, having conducted this business since 1906.
C. W. Stange was born in Germany, on the 28th of January, 1857, and when he was two months old his parents came to America. They located in Watertown, Wisconsin, and here Mr. Stange grew up. He attended the German Lutheran Parochial School in Watertown, and received a fairly good education. When he was fifteen years of age he left home and went to Racine where he entered the employ of a sash and door factory, in which his brother, A. H. Stange, was fore- man. The two brothers decided, in 1882, to come to Merrill, and here Mr. Stange found employment with the late H. W. Wright, who was operating a sash and door factory. He worked for Mr. Wright for five years, acting as foreman during most of this time, and in 1887 he left the employ of Mr. Wright to enter that of his brother, who had established a sash and door factory in Merrill. He remained
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in the employ of the A. H. Stange Lumber Company until 1906, when he purchased his present business.
This business was established by J. D. Stewart in 1886, and when Mr. Stange bought it, C. W. Howard was the owner. Mr. Stange owns the building at 413 West Main street in which his business is located and he deals in paints, oils, wall paper, coal, cement, lime and similar products, and has built up a flourishing business.
Mr. Stange was married in Racine, Wisconsin, in 1878, to Miss Mary M. Mitchell, a daughter of the late John Mitchell, of Racine. Mrs. Stange was born in Germany, but was brought to this country by her parents when she was only eleven years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Stange have become the parents of four children. The eldest, August W., was born in Racine, Wisconsin, in 1880, grew up in Merrill and is now engaged in assisting his father in the management of the paint store. He married Miss Helen Kowlowski, of Junction City, Wisconsin, and they have one child, Clarence. The three other children in the Stange family are George, Ida and Lee. Mr. and Mrs. Stange are both members of the Evangelical Lutheran church.
WILLIAM J. EBERT. One of the names justly celebrated throughout the Wisconsin Valley is that of William J. Ebert, for he was one of the very early pioneers of this region, coming here when the country was practically one great forest. He now makes his home in Merrill, Wisconsin, where he is the senior member of a prominent and success- ful general mercantile firm. Mr. Ebert is of German birth and the traits of his nationality show strongly. His sturdy fight for success, his willingness to work, his patience under difficulties, all are char- acteristics inherited from a long line of German ancestors. He came to this country as a boy and has made his success entirely through his own efforts, and although the struggle was a hard one for many years he won by his own efforts and his own strength of character for he was without money or friends upon his arrival in this country.
William J. Ebert was born in Germany on the 23rd of July, 1837. He was left fatherless early in life, his father dying when he was a child of five. He lived in Germany until he was nineteen years of age and then in company with his mother he set sail for America. It was a strange experience to the young German boy for he spoke little English and the country was bewilderingly different from his father- land. However he succeeded in making his way to Watertown, Wis- consin, reaching the place in August, 1856. He remained there for a year and then, in 1857, came to Marathon county, Wisconsin, where he located on a farm near the town of Berlin. At the time the country was heavily timbered, and there are many people living who know what a task the clearance of such a farm as the one which Mr. Ebert located, must have been. Although just a youth he was undeterred
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by the enormity of the task and forthwith started in to clear his land. Later he built a fine house, replacing the cabin which he first lived in, and he also built big barns and other farm buildings, improving his place from year to year until he had made it one of the finest farms in the county. He owned a tract of 280 acres and here on this farm he lived for about forty years. His son, August Ebert, now lives on the old place.
The only break in his prosperous farming career was when the Civil war broke out and the call to arms was issued. Although Mr. Ebert had not been in this country very long, he had become thoroughly imbued with a love for the nation, and like most Germans was a good soldier, in consequence of which he enlisted in the army. He served for eight months as a soldier in Company "B," of the Seventeenth Volunteer Infantry of Wisconsin, being in General Sherman's com- mand and one of the men who made the famous march from Atlanta to the sea. He was a participant in the Grand Review in Washington at the close of the war.
It was in 1897 that Mr. Ebert left his farm and came to Merrill to live. Here he opened a general mercantile establishment at 407-409-411 Grand Avenue, the firm being known as W. J. Ebert and Sons, and he has been in this business ever since, meeting with much success. Among his other business interests he is a stock holder in the Merrill Veneer Company and he is also a stockholder in the Lincoln County Bank.
Mr. Ebert was married on the 10th of March, 1863, to Miss Amelia Bartell, a native of Germany. On the anniversary of their wedding day in 1913, their golden wedding, they celebrated the occasion by a splendid banquet given at the Badger Hotel in Merrill at which one hundred and twenty-five relatives and friends sat around the board. Among them were nine of the children of the host and hostess and the occasion will long be remembered not only because it was unique, but because of the spirit of love and friendship that emanated from the venerable couple who had spent so many years together.
Mr. and Mrs. Ebert have become the parents of thirteen children, and of this large family only one is dead, and all those living are married. The eldest, John, was born and reared on the farm in Mara- thon county and is now with his father in business. Minnie is the widow of Ernst Hoffman. Annie died at the age of twenty years. Henry is living in California. August makes his home on the old farm. Otto also lives in California. Bertha married Robert Zamzow and lives in California. Theodore is in the store with his father and brother. Ida became the wife of Paul Dumdie and lives on a farm in Marathon county, Wisconsin. William lives in Merrill. Emma married Ernst Hoeckendorf and makes her home in California. Clara is Mrs. Albert Ralard of New Mexico. Herman, the youngest, is in Merrill. Mr. and Mrs. Ebert have thirty grandchildren. In a short time Mr. Ebert
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and his wife will move to Santa Cruz, California, to spend their remain- ing days.
FREDERICK J. SMITH. In the allotment of her personal gifts, nature, however generous, seldom confers upon one individual superior excel- lence in more than one line of endeavor. The qualities that go to make up the successful lawyer seldom make for eminence in the field of finance; the prominent banker is not always he who wins prosperity in the marts of commerce and trade; the courtesy and refinement which make one a leader in social life may unfit him for the stern conflicts which business requires of its votaries. Yet, in the character of Fred- erick J. Smith, of Merrill, Wisconsin, are found in rare proportions, all of these elements. In the course of his active and diversified life he has shown himself an able lawyer, a successful business man, a finan- cier whose judgment and foresight have gained him the confidence of bankers all over the state, and a useful and genial member of social circles.
Frederick J. Smith was born at Mauston, Juneau county, Wisconsin, January 7, 1870, and is a son of S. W. and Jane E. Smith. His early education was acquired in the country schools in the vicinity of Maus- ton, where he was subsequently graduated from the high school of that place, and then entered the Milwaukee (Wisconsin) Normal School. He completed his schooling in the law department of the University of Wisconsin, at Madison, and immediately after his graduation therefrom, in 1896, came to Merrill. After his admission to the bar, he formed a professional partnership with Hon. George Curtis, Jr., and Judge A. H. Reid, under the firm style of Curtis, Reid & Smith, a connection that continued until 1901, when Mr. Curtis was appointed to membership on the State Tax Commission. Succeeding this, Mr. Smith, with Judge Reid and A. T. Curtis, established what was considered one of the strong legal connections of Lincoln county, but this firm was dis- solved in 1907, and until 1909, Mr. Smith was engaged in practice alone. In that year his brother, A. H. Smith, who had been connected with the legal department of the Great Northern Railway, at St. Paul, Minnesota, came to Merrill, and the present firm of F. J. & A. H. Smith was formed. This combination has become recognized as one than which there is no better exemplar of the restless, yet substantial ability and the never-failing resourcefulness of the rising lawyer of today. Both of these brothers have been prominent in public life, A. H. Smith being district attorney of Lincoln county, while Frederick J. Smith is city attorney of Merrill.
Frederick J. Smith is president of the Lincoln County Agricultural Society, and the owner of extensive farming lands in this region. His business connections include the presidency of the Smith Hardwood Lumber Company and a directorship in the Merrill Publishing Com-
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Theodor of Mayan
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pany, publishers of the Merrill Daily Herald. Since 1908 he has been president of the German-American State Bank of Merrill, and through his wise management, sound judgment and keen foresight has made this one of the most substantial banking institutions of Northern Wisconsin. He is popular in social circles of the city, and is connected fraternally with the Masons, the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Modern Woodmen of America.
In 1900 Mr. Smith was married to Miss Ella Spring of Merrill daugh- ter of Larett Spring, and they have one child, Evelyn.
THEODORE J. MEYERS. At the time of his death on November 13, 1903, Theodore J. Meyers was regarded as one of the wealthy men in Kenosha. His accumulations represented the result of a splendid integrity, and a business judgment which was almost unique in its sureness. Those who are acquainted with the city's growth, are familiar with the many monuments to Mr. Meyers' enterprise. He did a great deal of building and development in the city, and his public spirit often led him to undertake improvements which were as much, if not more, in behalf of general welfare than for his personal advan- tage. Kenosha lost one of its ablest citizens in the death of Mr. Meyers.
His birth occurred at the little village of Somers in Kenosha county, November 13, 1850. He had only a common school education in the city of Kenosha, and at an early age took up the practical work of life. He was the first man in Kenosha, to establish a contract team- ing business, and developed that to prosperous proportions before he sold at the end of eight years. Soon after he married he and his wife opened a hotel known as the City Hotel, and that was operated successfully under their joint enterprise for nineteen years. In the meantime Mr. Meyers had made himself a factor in public affairs. He served as deputy sheriff, and afterwards was honored with election to the office of sheriff of Kenosha county for one term. On retiring from the sheriff's office, Mr. Meyers engaged in the livery business, and offered exceptional facilities in that line for many years. In fact he continued the business until the time of his death, although many other enterprises took much of his attention.
There are a large number of building both private and business in Kenosha, which were erected during the lifetime of Mr. Meyers. One of the largest of these is likewise the most conspicuous structure in the business history, known as the Meyers Block and now known as the Public Service Building. His investments were in various fields, and he owned several farms, and engaged extensively in stock raising. It was Mr. Meyers who originated the City Heating Plant, and he also planned the site for the New Post Office at Kenosha. At
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the time of his death his real estate holdings alone appraised the sum of about one hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
Mr. Meyers was a man who early assumed the serious responsi- bilities of life, and at the age of twenty years was married. His wife before her marriage was Miss Anna C. Klinkhammer of Kenosha. She came from Germany with her parents when eight years old, locat- ing first at Somers, and later at Kenosha. Mr. and Mrs. Meyers became the parents of five children, two being deceased, Frederick C. and Abbie. Those living in Kenosha are Louise F., Gertrude A., and Charles A. The family are members of the Catholic church, to the work and activities of which the late Mr. Meyers contributed generously during his lifetime, and he also subscribed a generous sum to the prosecution of charitable work of various kinds. In politics he was a strong Democrat, and was a man of such leadership as to make his influence felt in many directions in this city, where his memory is kindly cherished.
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