USA > Wisconsin > Wisconsin, its story and biography, 1848-1913, Volumr VI > Part 36
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43
1686
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN
years of age, at which time, with an open sail boat and the old "float- and-stone" system, then the approved method of net fishing, he began his operations. From that time on he has continued in his chosen calling, and his career has been crowded with many hardships and numerous exciting experiences, and has finally been crowned with success. He has kept abreast of the times, adopting the different methods as they have presented themselves, and discarding the old ways for the modern aluminum cork, steam lifters, gasoline lifters, steam tugs and gasoline boats. Although he began his career in the old school, he has been progressive and has always been ready to test new devices and give a trial to inventions. At the outset of his fishing experience he worked ten years for his brother, Michael F. Kalmbach, and then continued for different firms until 1893, when he embarked in business on his own account. He resided for many years in the old Washington Island home, which remained in the family name for forty-five years, but in the fall of 1913 disposed of it and has lived in Sturgeon Bay since 1893. Here he has gradually developed an excellent business. He not alone has his own boats, but buys most of the fish brought to this point, does both a wholesale and a retail business, and employs fourteen men, shipping annually on an average of 800,000 pounds of fish to various points. His mod- ern place of business is thoroughly equipped and is located on the bay, near the Sturgeon Bay side of the bridge. Mr. Kalmbach is an interesting conversationalist and has an inexhaustible fund of remin- iscences of the early days of fishing and sailing, his recollections and anecdotes all being drawn from life. Few men have been allowed to witness such wonderful changes and developments and to share in them and assist in bringing them about. He is one of the connect- ing links between the past and present of his time-honored vocation, and it is doubtful if there is a better known figure on this section of the coast.
In 1878 Mr. Kalmbach was united in marriage with Miss Dora C. Higgins, and to this union there have been born four children : Jessie, who married Wilfred Chase and resides at Madison, Wisconsin ; Mor- ris, who married May Carpenter and resides at Plymouth, this state; Mabel, who is now Mrs. William J. Spencer, of Sagamore, Michigan; and Ethel, a student in the University of Wisconsin, at Madison. All of the chldren have been given excellent educational advantages. Mr. Kalmbach is a charter member of the Royal Arcanum and E. F. U., of Sturgeon Bay. He and his wife are members of the Congrega- tional church, and their pleasant home is located on Church street.
HENRY CLINTON CASE. During thirty years of residence and active business connections with the city of Racine, Mr. Case has been identi- fied prominently with the business and civic activities of this vicinity.
1687
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN
For a number of years his offices in Racine have been the center of ยท a large real estate and insurance business, but in addition, he had also been connected with the manufacture of flour in this county, and his name has been associated with other business enterprises and civic positions which are a credit to his energy and public spirit.
Henry Clinton Case was born in Williamstown, New York, August 7, 1858. His parents were DeWayne and Eliza (Greenhow) Case, the father a native of Williamstown, and the mother of Kendall, England. The grandfather of Mr. Case was Jonathan Case, a farmer in New York State. The maiden name of his wife was Amy Lot, and they were the parents of a large family. Jonathan Case died when ninety years of age, and his wife also passed away in advanced years. The father of the Racine business man, De Wayne Case, spent practically all his life as a farmer. Up to 1884, his residence was in Williamstown, New York, but in that year he located at Racine, and con- tinued a citizen of this Wisconsin metropolis. He and the late Jerome I. Case were cousins. His residence during the years of his retirement was just south of the city limits of Racine on the lake shore. His church was Universalist, while his wife was a Presbyterian. The four children born to De Wayne Case and wife were: Frank D., of the firm of Case Brothers Flouring Mill, at Racine Junction; Henry Clinton ; George N., a bookkeeper in the Manufacturers Bank, and Lillie E., wife of J. P. Davies, of Racine.
Henry C. Case's mother, whose maiden name was Eliza Greenhow, was a daughter of John Greenhow, the latter a native of England, immigrating to America about 1884, locating in New York State. He was a minister of the Gospel, and later editor of the Canastota Herald, and subsequently of the Hornellsville Tribune. With the latter paper he continued as editor until the time of his death, at which date he was succeeded by his son, William Henry, who has since conducted the paper. John Greenhow, who lived to be upwards of eighty years of age, married first Jane Bailey, of Kendall, England. There were three daughters by this marriage. The second wife of Mr. Greenhow was Mary Frodsham and by their union was born one son and two daughters.
Reared at Williamstown, New York, Henry Clinton Case attended the public schools, and at the age of eleven became self-supporting. He began practical life as an apprentice at the printer's trade, which occupation he followed for three years. For nine years, subsequent to that, he was a clerk in a general store, and with this varied, rather de- tailed experience as preparation, he came west in 1883, locating in Racine, where he became connected with the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company. The service of this important industrial enterprise of Racine continued for seventeen years. At the end of that time, in 1900, he formed a partnership with William Henry Miller in the real
1688
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN
estate business, a partnership which continued until March 18, 1905, at which date he opened offices of his own in the Old Times building, on the northwest corner of Monument Square and Fifth Street. The business conducted by Mr. Case the first six months aggregated sixty transactions, a record which probably has been unexcelled by any individual real estate man in this city. Lines of insurance and a loan department have since been added to his business enterprise, and he has conducted a large and important business in these lines. With his brother, Frank D., he is associated in the manufacture of flour at Racine Junction, their enterprise there being known as the Junction Flouring Mills. They have specialized in grain and rye feed, and have done a large amount of custom grinding.
In recent years Mr. Case gained some local note as owner and pro- prietor of the well known "Ever Green Hall," a summer resort on the south side of Racine, which was conducted on the temperance plan. The hall had courts and balconies around the first and second stories, contained one of the best dancing floors in the state and was the center, during the summer months, of numerous picnic and dancing parties from Milwaukee, Kenosha, Racine and other popular centers hereabout. The establishment acquired its particular fame because of the absence of alcoholic drinks, none of which were sold in the building or on the grounds, and the success of the enterprise is convincing evidence that such an institution can be conducted on a moral plan, and without resort to the usual beverages which are found in such places. This resort was situated on a ten acre tract of land, about a quarter of a mile south of Racine College, on the Lake Shore road, which is known as Evergreen Drive, and reached by the Milwaukee, Racine & Kenosha electric cars. This property has since been sold to the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company.
In politics Mr. Case is a Republican, but has manifested special interest and citizenship in support of educational institutions and movements. Since 1902, he served as district clerk of school district No. 13. He has also served as secretary of the Business Men's Associa- tion. His beautiful home with its surrounding of ten acres of ground, is located on the Lake Shore, adjoining Racine College, and is one of the most attractive estates in the vicinity of Racine, and his domestic life there has been that of a typical American business man, a center of kindly and cultured activities. Mr. Case was married in 1905 to Miss Henrietta M. Zierke, of Racine, and the children are Clinton D .; IIen- rietta A., and Ethel A.
GUSTAV BUCHHEIT. A native son of Watertown, Jefferson county, and a scion of one of the best known and most sturdy pioneer families of this thriving and attractive city, Mr. Buchheit has here attained to distinctive precedence as one of the representative members of the bar
1689
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN
and forceful trial lawyers of this section of the state, and as a citizen of progressiveness and substantial influence. In his character and achievement he has well upheld the honors of the name which he bears and he is well entitled to specific recognition in this history of his native commonwealth.
Mr. Buchheit was born in Watertown on the 17th of July, 1874, and was the fourth in order of birth in a family of five sons and five daughters, all of whom are living. He is a son of William and Helena (Weis) Buchheit, the former of whom was born in the kingdom of Bavaria, Germany, and the latter in Prussia and the marriage of whom was solemnized in Watertown, Wisconsin. William Buchheit was reared and educated in his native land, whence he immigrated to the United States in 1849. After remaining for a brief interval in the state of Massachusetts he came to the west and numbered himself among the pioneers of Wisconsin, a state which shall ever be greatly indebted to the German element of citizenship that has proved most potent in fur- thering its civic and industrial development and upbuilding. For a time after his arrival in Massachusetts Mr. Buchheit worked in woolen mills and established his permanent home at Watertown in 1850. Here he eventually built up an extensive enterprise as a dealer in grain, flour and feed and all kinds of farm produce, and with this line of business he was long and prominently identified, with specially large operations in the buying and shipping of grain. For fully sixty years he was a resident of Watertown, a self-made man of exalted integrity and great business acumen, and few if any citizens have wielded greater influ- ence in connection with the upbuilding of the city, which was a mere village at the time he here established his home. In 1878 he became president of the Bank of Watertown, and he continued as the efficient and valued chief executive of this institution up to the time of his death. He was loyal and public-spirited as a citizen, earnest and liberal in his support of measures and enterprises projected for the general good of the community, and specially versatile in the promotion of industrial and other business activities of value. In 1889 he erected a malt house in Watertown, and in this connection he conducted a substantial business until 1897, when he sold the plant to the American Malting Company. Thereafter he lived virtually retired until his death, which occurred on the 23rd of May, 1911. Mr. Buchheit was a man of strong intellectuality and broad views, genial and whole-souled, and ever considerate and kindly in his association with his fellow men. He was a personal friend of many of the leading men of the state, including Senator Vilas, and Carl Schurz, both of whom were his valued and intimate friends, and the death of whom was a source of distinctive bereavement to him. He outlived many of his honored contemporaries of the pioneer days in Wisconsin and passed to eternal rest in the fullness of years and in the high regard of all who knew him. He was one of the builders of
1690
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN
the present city of Watertown and the entire community mourned his loss when he was summoned from the scene of life's mortal endeavors. His widow still resides in Watertown, at the age of seventy-seven years, and is held in affectionate regard by all who have come within the sphere of her gracious and gentle influence. In politics Mr. Buchheit gave a staunch allegiance to the Democratic party.
Gustav Buchheit gained his preliminary education in the public schools of Watertown and supplemented this by a four years' course in Northwestern University, in this city. This institution he left in 1889, and in preparation for the work of his chosen profession he then entered the law office of Hon. Harlow Pease, one of the leading lawyers of the state then; and later the law department of the University of Wisconsin, at Madison, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1895 and from which he received his degree of Bachelor of Laws. He forthwith opened an office in his home city and here he has since been engaged in the active and successful practice of his pro- fession, in which he retains an enviable prestige. He served as city attorney from 1899 to 1902 and was again elected by the people by a large vote in 1912 and still holds this office, and his status in the community sets at naught any possible application of the aphorism that "a prophet is not without honor save in his own country."
Mr. Buchheit has been one of the most loyal and zealous workers in the progressive wing of the Republican party and has been specially active as a supporter of Hon. Robert LaFollette. In his progressiveness and liberality as a citizen he stands exponent of the same loyalty as was manifested by his honored father, and he is a popular factor in the busi- ness and social circles of Watertown. He is affiliated with the local lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and Lincoln Lodge Knights of Pythias, and is a member of the Jefferson County Bar Association and the Wisconsin State Bar Association and for ten years vestryman of St. Paul's Episcopal church, Watertown. He is married and father of one son who was named William Buchheit in honor of his grandfather.
HON. IRVINE LUTHER LENROOT. The lives of public men, especially in America, where so many have carved out their own careers with no inherited official positions or unearned fortunes to help them, are exceed- ingly interesting as well as instructive to those who feel concerned in the welfare of their country ; particularly so when these publie men are the makers and expounders of the country's laws. A brief summary of such a one's efforts, his successes that have so outnumbered his fail- ures, may very profitably engage the attention of every reader, and assuredly will arouse the interest which attaches to one who has steadily advanced from one step to another, each one being still higher than the last. No more notable example comes to mind than one of Superior's
1691
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN
most ,distinguished citizens, Hon. Irvine Luther Lenroot. It is a long step from the rude logging camp in the Wisconsin forests to the halls of the United State Congress, but this advance has been made in thirty years through the stages of preparation so thorough that the making of a statesman was the educating of the man along a hundred different channels.
Irvine Luther Lenroot, a type of the best American the State of Wis- consin can offer, traces his immediate ancestry to Sweden. He was born in Superior, Wisconsin, January 31, 1869, and is a son of Lars and Fred- ericka R. (Larson) Lenroot, natives of Skone, Sweden. His father learned the trade of blacksmith in his native land, and in 1854 emi- grated to the United States, the following two years being spent in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1856 he came west to Polk county, Wis- consin, and subsequently he located in the city of Superior, where he established himself in business as a blacksmith. With excellent foresight and unbounded confidence in the future of the city, he began investing his earnings in Douglas county real estate and improving his city property, and by 1862 had so thoroughly established himself in the confidence of the citizens of this place that he was elected a member of the original board of trustees of Superior City, now com- prised in the Second Ward of Superior, and at the time of his death was the last member of that body. When the new town of West Su- perior came into existence, Mr. Lenroot erected a number of tenement buildings, which rapidly increased in value, and following this he was engaged in a number of logging ventures. A man of business talents of a high order, he had the ability to grasp opportunities as they came within reach, but while so doing ever maintained an unsullied reputation for absolute integrity, and no man was held in higher esteem by his associates. A Republican in politics, he was one of the early sheriffs of Douglas county and served in various other official capacities, and in his death, which occurred in 1898, when he was sixty-six years of age, his city lost a citizen who had rendered his community signal service in numerous ways. He was married in Wis- consin to Miss Fredericka R. Larson, who died at the age of sixty- eight years, and they became the parents of six children, Irvine L. being the fourth in order of birth, and four are now living.
Irvine Luther Lenroot was educated in the public schools of Su- perior and Parsons Business College, at Duluth, Minnesota, and at the age of eighteen years entered upon his business career in company with his brother, Louis, in cutting and dealing in logs. About three years later he disposed of his logging interests and became a stenog- rapher in the office of Ross & Dwyer, one of the leading law firms of Superior, and in the next year went to Minneapolis, where he was a teacher in a shorthand school for some time. On his return to Su- perior he took charge of the collection department of Ross Dwyer,
1692
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN
and also served for a time as city stenographer. His experience in these capacities served to prepare him for the appointment, in 1893, to the office of official reporter for the Superior Court of Douglas county, of which he was the incumbent for several years. While engaged in these various activities, Mr. Lenroot had been assiduously prosecuting his legal studies, and in 1897 he was admitted to the bar, of which he has been a distinguished member ever since, devoting his attention to that branch of the profession pertaining to real estate and taxation. He holds a deservedly high reputation in the esteem of his confreres, and for three years was secretary of the Douglas County Bar Association.
Mr. Lenroot entered upon his political career soon after attaining his majority, when he was made a member of the Republican City Committee, and subsequently he became chairman thereof, leaving that position to become chairman of the county committee, a position he held for four years. In 1900 he was sent to the State Assembly. Mr. Lenroot succeeded himself twice in the Assembly, and during his last two terms was speaker of the House. He was known as one of the working members of that distinguished body, and was an active supporter of the Railway Taxation Bill and the famous Primary Elec- tion Bill, both of which were enacted into law largely through his efforts. In 1908 Mr. Lenroot was elected to Congress from his district, was re-elected in 1910, and on November 5, 1912, again was the choice of the people of his section. His record in that body has fulfilled the predictions and promises made by his service in the Assembly of his State, and he has continued to devote himself whole-heartedly to the public welfare. He belongs to the Masonic and Pythian fraternities.
On January 22, 1890, Mr. Lenroot was married to Miss Clara Clough, daughter of the late Solon H. Clough, an early resident of Superior, who was for many years judge of the Circuit Court, and a sketch of whose career appears elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Lenroot have two daughters: Katharine and Dorothy.
JUDGE SOLON H. CLOUGH. Among the many distinguished men who honored both bench and bar in Wisconsin for many years, none is recalled with more sincere esteem or profound respect than the late Hon. Solon H. Clough, who, in 1864, was elected the first judge of the Eleventh Circuit Court. His long judicial connection with the courts was marked by unusual learning, exceeding dignity and im- partial decisions on every question. When he passed away he left descendants who may justly take pride in finding his life and services perpetuated in the annals of the State and section he served so long and so well.
Solon H. Clough was born in Madison county, New York, August 31, 1828, and there commenced his educational training in the com-
John L. Hanry
1693
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN
mon schools. Following this he attended Fulton Academy and Ham- ilton College. The succeeding three years were spent in teaching school in the South, and in 1850 he returned to New York and for some time was engaged in reading law in Fulton. On his admission to the bar, he entered upon the practice of his profession in Oswego county, but in 1857 left his native state and came west to Hudson, Wisconsin, where he soon formed a partnership with H. C. Baker, the veteran of the St. Croix county bar. In the course of time they built up a large professional business and firmly established themselves in the confidence of the people and in the respect of their confreres. In 1864, Mr. Clough removed to Polk county. In that year the Eleventh Circuit was created, and he was made judge, remaining in Polk county for some five years. He subsequently removed to Superior, where he was re-elected Circuit judge, and at the close of his second term of office returned to Hudson and became a member of the legal firm of Clough & Hayes. Again returning to Superior, Judge Clough was appointed, early in 1882, Circuit judge to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Judge Barron. At the close of this term he was elected to the position, in which he served until 1889. His death occurred April 28th, 1910.
Judge Clough's record established beyond question his strict im- partiality, unfailing courtesy and quiet patience. Although not as expeditious as some of his fellow members of the bench in disposing of the cases on his calendar, none surpassed him in firmness of purpose or love of justice, and he at all times maintained the high dignity of his office. The best traditions of the judiciary found in him a worthy representative, and in his death his county lost one who was popular alike with lawyers and fellow-members. In political matters Judge Clough was a Republican, and his religious belief was that of the Bap- tist Church.
Judge Clough was married at Fulton, New York, to Miss Kate E. Taylor, and to this union there were born three children, of whom two survive. One, a daughter, Clara, is now the wife of Congressman Irvine L. Lenroot, of Superior.
JOHN LEWIS HANEY. During more than fifty-five years John Lewis Haney has been a resident of Wisconsin, and his business activities have gained him a substantial position among the influential men in commercial, industrial and financial lines in the Badger state. As the directing head of large and prosperous business enterprises, he is contributing materially to the welfare of the cities of Algoma and Kewaunee, and his ever-ready assistance in the promotion of bene- ficial movements has gained him the name and reputation of an excel- lent citizen. Mr. Haney was born at Batavia, New York, August 6, 1856, and is a son of Thomas and Margaret (Clancy) Haney. The
1694
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN
family came to Kewaunee county, Wisconsin, in 1858, and settled on a farm in Kewaunee county, but the parents later moved to Manito- woc county, where both passed away. They were the parents of three children : Michael C., who is deceased; John Lewis; and Mary, a resident of Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
John L. Haney spent his boyhood on the home farm, and secured a good education in the district schools and the Green Bay Business College. A thrifty and industrious youth, by the time he reached the age of twenty years he had saved $175, and with this capital entered into a partnership with his brother, Michael Haney, and embarked in the farm implement trade. This association continued until the death of the brother in June, 1907. The business was but two years old when a branch was established at Algoma, where Mi- chael C. Haney remained in charge, and for ten years a branch was also maintained at Sturgeon Bay. When the automobile became so potent a factor in the business world Mr. Haney was a pioneer in handling machines of this nature, thus evidencing their business fore- sight and acumen. They branched out also in various other fields, being among the organizers of the Ahnapee Veneer and Seating Company, at Algoma, Michael C. Haney being president of this con- cern until his death, when he was succeeded by John L. Haney. The latter is now a director of the Citizens Bank of Algoma, president and treasurer of the Haney-Gasper-White Company, dealers in automo- biles at Algoma, president of the Haney Piston Company of Kewau- nee, Wisconsin, a director of the State Bank of Kewaunee, the oldest bank in the city, and treasurer of the Kewaunee Manufacturing Com- pany, of which he was one of the organizers. He has valuable real estate holdings, and business interests in Kewaunee have benefited greatly by his activities.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.