Brown County, Wisconsin - The whole text, 1913 (part 13 of 14)

Francis Van Kessel

Francis Van Kessel is prominently known as a bridge builder of Green Bay, in which business he has continued since 1905. He was born in Stiles, Wisconsin, September 14, 1875, and is a representative of one of the old and prominent pioneer families of this part of the state. His father, Frank or Francis Van Kessel, Sr., now living retired at Green Bay, was born in Holland in 1837 and was a son of Johannes Van Kessel, who followed farming throughout his life but died in 1839 at a comparatively early age. His wife bore the maiden name of Catherine Van Oscott and after the death of her first husband she became the wife of Henry Hendricks. By her first marriage she had two sons, Frank and John, the latter now deceased, and by her second marriage she had a son and daughter, but both have passed away. The family arrived in Green Bay in June, 1851, and Mr. Hendricks engaged in farming throughout his remaining days at the Bay settlement.

Francis Van Kessel, the father of our subject, was a youth in his teens when he arrived in Brown county. He was employed at draying between the ages of twelve and fourteen years and after coming to the new world he occupied a position as chore boy for fourteen months. Later he spent two years as a coachman and subsequently worked on a farm with his stepfather and in the lumber camps. He was thus engaged up to the time of his marriage. He worked for J. Eldredge at rafting and lumbering for twenty-two years and subsequently became proprietor of the Eldredge Hotel at Stiles, Wisconsin, which he conducted for seven years. On the expiration of- that period he removed to Green Bay and rented what is now the Tremont House, which he conducted for three years. He afterward rented the American House for seven years but at length disposed of his interests in the hotel business and turned his attention to the conduct of a saloon at Preble, where he remained for ten years. His prosperity steadily increased by reason of his careful management of his business affairs, and at length he sold out and retired.

Frank Van Kessel, Sr., wedded Mary Leonard, who is now living at the age of seventy-four years. She is a daughter of Henry Leonard, who came to the United States in 1856, settling near De Pere, where he followed farming. During her girlhood days she carried flour to De Pere, following the old Indian trail. Mr. and Mrs. Van Kessel are numbered among the venerable couples of Brown county and he is today one of the oldest living hotel keepers in Green Bay. During the long years of his residence here he has become acquainted with all of the phases of pioneer life as well as the incidents which indicate a later development. In the early days he hauled freight by team to Escanaba, Michigan, before the Northwestern railroad was built to Green Hay, and he also drove over the old plank road to Appleton, Wisconsin, lie relates many interesting incidents of the period in which Brown county was just emerging from pioneer conditions and as the years passed he took an active part in the work of general development and improvement. He is today numbered among the honored pioneers and worthy citizens of the county.

In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Van Kessel, St., were nine children, of whom the following are living: Anna, the wife of William Van der Brook, a railroad man of Green Bay, and the mother of four children; Mamie, the wife of John Engels, an engineer of Green Bay, by whom she has one child ; Harriet, who married Peter Biebel, of Ridge Point, Missouri, and has one child; John, a grocer of Green Pay, who is married and has four children; and Francis.

The last named assisted his father in the conduct of his hotel business until eighteen years of age and afterward was employed in a table factory for five years, working as a cabinet-maker. Again he returned to the hotel business, but left the trade to take up painting in the employ of the United States government on Plum Island. Once" more, however, he became connected with hotel interests as clerk and so continued until his father sold out. He afterward engaged in clerking in a clothing store for a time and for two years conducted a saloon. He next followed railroading as a bridge builder and in 1905 established business in that line on his own account. He is doing excellent work in that connection and his success is well merited, bringing to him substantial returns.

Mr. Van Kessel was married to Adella Delforge, a native of Green Bay, and a daughter of August Delforge, a master plumber who is now deceased. Her mother bore the maiden name of Adolphine Bino and is now living in Green Bay. Mr. and Mrs. Van Kessel have become the parents of three children : Earl, nine years of age ; and Adella and Dale, twins, seven years of age. The Van Kessel family has long been well known and prominent in this section of the state and the name has ever been associated with general progress and improvement here, for the work instituted by the father in pioneer times has been carried on by the son and both have taken active and helpful part in all that pertains to general improvement and progress.

Fred L. Saunders

The geographical position of any city has a great influence upon the industries which rise up within its borders. The position of Green Bay upon one of the largest of the many natural harbors formed by Lake Michigan along the coast of Wisconsin creates a natural market for the products of the boat builder. One of the most prominent men in this line of activity in this city is Fred L. Saunders who has his offices at No. 954 McDonald street, where he has been located since 1908. He is a native of Green Bay, having been born in that city January 15, 1877, and is a son of John and Mary (Fournier) Saunders. The father came to Brown county in 1850 and engaged for many years in the wholesale fish business in Green Bay. He is a stanch republican and served for six years as alderman from the eighth ward. He is the father of eleven children: George M., prominent in the wholesale fish business in Green Bay ; Fred L. ; Louise, who married George Anderson, a traveling salesman for the Barkhausen Oil Company; John H., engineer on a government boat; Esther, a milliner in Green Bay; Minnie, who married Arthur Peterson, an engineer on the Chicago, Michigan & St. Paul Railroad ; Mabel, who married John Ketter, foreman of the Booth Fish Company in Chicago ; Charles, who is engineer of a cold storage plant in Green Bay ; Samuel, a machinist ; Grace, a graduate of the West high school ; and William, a student in the high school at Green Bay.

At the usual age Fred L. Saunders entered the public schools of his native city but left them at the age of sixteen to work with his father in the fish business. He spent five years in this occupation, after which he attended the Green Bay Business College for some time. Upon his graduation from this institution he again went into business with his father and they soon added a boat-building department. This branch of the business grew rapidly and Fred L. Saunders was soon obliged to devote his whole attention to boat building. He now has on hand more orders than he can fill. He builds schooners, private yachts, large lake steamers, motor boats and even row boats. His boats are of superior construction and modern and efficient equipment. There is a constant call for the work produced in his shipyard and his business is increasing year by year.

Mr. Saunders resides with his parents at the family homestead, No. 817 West Mason avenue, in Green Bay. He is one of the most prominent of the younger generation of business men in his native city.

William Fredericksen

William Fredericksen is now living retired at Green Bay, deriving his income from well placed investments. He was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, on the 1 8th of August, i860, a son of John and Anna (Nelson) Fredericksen. The father devoted his entire life to farming and passed away in 1890 at the age of eighty-five years, while the mother died in 1884 at the age of fifty-six. In their family were fourteen children but only two are residents of America, Louis Fredericksen as well as William having come to the new world.

The period of his early youth William Fredericksen devoted to the acquirement of his education and then gave his attention to farm work until thirty years of age, when the opportunities of the new world proved to him an irresistible attraction and he bade adieu to friends and native land, preparatory to crossing the Atlantic. On landing on American shores he started at once for Green Bay and was employed at railroading by the St. Paul railway. For four years he worked as a bridge carpenter and later engaged in the saloon business for six years. He then opened a hotel and saloon in West Green Bay in 1894 and has since been its proprietor although he is living practically retired, leaving the management of the hotel to others. In 1901 Mr. Fredericksen was married to Miss Mathilda Johnson, whose birth occurred in Manistee, Michigan, in April, 1877, her father being John Johnson, who was one of the pioneer settlers of this part of the state. Mr. Fredericksen was reared in the faith of the Lutheran church and he belongs to the Moose of Green Bay and to the Ansgar Society, in which he has held the office of trustee. He is the owner of Ansgar Hall and this, with his other investments, brings to him a good income. Whatever success he has achieved has come to him as the direct result of business enterprise and ability. He is well known among the Danish people of this district and has a wide circle of friends, by no means limited to the representatives of his own nationality.

Charles P. Boland

Charles P. Boland, who is prominent in insurance circles in the city of * .icon Bay as well as throughout the state, was born November 24, 1887, the son of Patrick H. and Bridget E. (Hayden) Boland, who are mentioned at greater length in connection with the sketch of John M. Boland. Charles P. Boland attended the public schools of Fort Howard but on account of impaired eyesight he had to give up the pursuit of his education for a part of one year and remained from school an entire year to assist his father, graduating, however, on the 22d of June, 1907. While at school he was active in athletics and literary work and held several offices on the track team and in the Lyceum. Although several excellent positions were offered him when leaving school, he preferred to engage in the extensive pursuit of agriculture and operated in timber lands and real estate.

In the fall of 1909 Mr. Boland took a position with a sugar refining company for a brief period and subsequently took a course in the Green Bay Business College, finishing in the spring of 1910. He then followed various occupations for brief periods, but always dealt in real estate. His next position was that of business manager for William J. Hess, a manufacturer of brass goods, stump pullers, boilers, etc., which business he conducted successfully, and later left his employ to go into the insurance business, and accepted the position of district manager in the Green Bay district for the Time Insurance Company of Milwaukee, which company is the oldest and the most reliable in Wisconsin. Prior to the date that Mr. Boland took charge the business of the company was small and the collections trifling. The company had for several years been seeking a competent man to take hold of their business and promote their interests, and under Mr. Boland's management the business of the company has become thoroughly established and has grown to be the largest of the kind in this section. The success of our subject is largely due to his earnest, indefatigable application to his business. Mr. Boland's company writes a policy that absolutely protects in case of disability and sickness and their contracts are straight open, easy to read and easy to understand. They give the fullest protection for practically all occupations and have thousands of satisfied claimants and policy holders in the state. The business is increasing rapidly in this district under the able management of our subject. Mr. Boland personally supervises all of the work and he conducts his agency with a force and energy which bring him tangible results. He is a most genial young man, affable and kindly, of shrewd business acumen and inexhaustible industry. He obtains results along every line of effort to which he devotes himself. He is one of the youngest men in the business in this state but, regardless of that fact, he is able to compete favorably with anyone in his line, disregarding age or experience. In a competitive list published by the company, showing the twenty-five best business getters of the state with the amount of business acquired in the year 1912, Mr. Boland is included on the roll of honor which is made up of a few of the most successful agents. .

Mr. Boland occupies, in connection with his brothers, all engaged in their respective lines of business, a suite of rooms in the Minahan building. His political affiliation is independent and his business pursuits so occupy his time and attention that he has found no time for active participation in political action. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum of Green Bay and makes his home with his parents at No. 934 Kellogg street, on the west side. If the success he has attained in his business thus far is a fair indication of what the future holds in store for him, he will attain remarkable results in the commercial circles of his native city as well as elsewhere, bringing him prosperity and financial independence and helping in the expansion and growth of the city.

John M. Boland

That the world belongs to the young man, and that this is the age of the young man's opportunity, is evidenced in the career of John M. Boland, the eldest of four brothers who are all successfully engaged in business pursuits in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He is secretary, treasurer and manager of the Fox River Land & Loan Company, and an officer and director in a number of other important companies. Although only twenty-eight years of age he has succeeded in attaining a position of the utmost importance and prominence in the commercial life of his city, and has reached this goal unaided, surmounting difficulties as they arose, entirely through his own efforts.

John M. Boland attended the public schools of Green Bay and graduated from the West Side high school, June 27, 1902, and later from the Green Bay Business College. His high school and business college courses, however, form but a small part of his general education. He made it a point to prepare himself for a business career, and exemplifies, by his wide and a man may be in business and go to college at the same time, for he has taken thorough University Courses in many lines, including real estate, insurance and banking. While still in high school, he had, during vacation periods and other leisure moments interested himself in the real-estate business and had acquired a goodly knowledge of this line before graduating. Shortly after leaving high school he organized the Fox River Wood & Coal Company. He taught school for a while in District No. 3 in Howard township, Brown county, giving at the same time a portion of his attention to other interests. He gave up his position as a teacher when he incorporated the Fox River Land & Fuel Company, forming a partnership at that time with William Finnegan, the veteran brick maker of Brown county, now deceased. About three years later, upon the death of Mr. Finnegan, the father of our subject and his brother Edmund P., became interested in the business which was conducted in this way until 1908.

The concern had gradually developed into a more particularly realestate and loan business, and about this time the fuel business was discontinued and the real-estate and loan business made the principal department of the company. The name was changed to that of the Fox River Land & Loan Company, which is the firm name under which the business is now conducted.

The company has its commodious offices in the Minahan building, and does the largest real-estate and loan business in the county. Its wonderful success is largely due to the activity, energy and business judgment of our subject. The scope of the business includes the buying and selling of real estate for cash and on commission; the loaning of money on real estate and the selling of real-estate mortgages, upon which the firm guarantees the payment of interest when due and the payment of the principal at maturity. In addition to its extensive real-estate and loan business, the firm also handles fire, accident and liability insurance, and this branch (if it's business has expanded in a truly remarkable manner.

Mr. Boland is active in local politics and has been honored with election to the office of City Assessor, in which capacity he serves at this time. He is a member of a number of fraternal organizations, in all of which he takes an active part.

He is president and one of the organizers of the Wisconsin Association of real-estate brokers. He is secretary and one of the organizers of the Green Bay Real Estate Board, and vice president and a director of the Real Estate Seller corporation of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. These connections serve as an indication of the important place he holds in realestate circles. He is a director and was one of the organizers of the Badger Casualty Company, of Green Bay, a $100,000 corporation, which is the largest exclusive health and accident company of Wisconsin. He is also interested in several banks, insurance companies and manufacturing concerns, local and otherwise.

He is a native son of Green Bay, having been born November 12, 1884, his parents being Patrick FI. and Bridget Eleanor (Hayden) Boland. His father, at one time was a captain on the Great Lakes, was a pioneer settler of Green Bay and followed agricultural pursuits from early in the '80s until his retirement in October, 191 1, since which time he has enjoyed in well-merited rest, the fruits of his former toil. In the family there are four sons: John M., Edmund P., Charles P. and Henry J., all of whom, with the exception of the eldest, our subject, live with their parents in the comfortable new home at 934 Kellogg street.

( )n September 2, 1909, Mr. Boland was married at Florence, Wisconsin, to Miss Katherine Jean McDonald, a daughter of Ranald and Wilhelmina ( Woempner ) McDonald, old and respected residents of that place. Mr. and Airs. Boland make their home at 501 Cherry street, where they extend a warm hospitality to their many friends.

Cheerful and optimistic by nature with a conservative yet constructive business mind, keen and resourceful and of unquestionable integrity, he has won the confidence and respect of all who know him.

He is an expert in appraising property and has done much in this line for some of the most prominent individuals and companies in the state.

It may be said that he has attained his high position in the commercial life of Green Bay through constant study of conditions using his opportunities as they have come to him and branching out in every way. Through his activity along various lines of endeavor he has not only gained prosperity for himself, but has contributed greatly to the well-fare and the growth of the city in which he was born, and he has been an important factor in the industrial, commercial and financial life of his community.

Edmund P. Boland

Edmund P. Boland, who is connected with his brother John M. Boland in the management of the Fox River Land & Loan Company, one of the important business institutions of the city of Green Bay, is the second son of the marriage of Patrick H. and Bridget E. (Hayden) Boland, old settlers of Green Bay, who are natives of Ireland and now make their home on the west side, of whom more extended mention is made in connection with the sketch of John M. Boland. Edmund P. Boland was born on the old homestead in the city of Green Bay, April 9, 1886. At the usual age he entered the public schools and passed through consecutive grades until his graduation from the West Side high school in 1904. He supplemented his education and prepared himself for a commercial career by a course in the Green Bay Business College, from which he was graduated in 1904. Theoretically prepared for business life he then joined his elder brother, becoming interested in the Fox River Land & Loan Company, which institution handles the largest business of this character in the city and county. Besides placing loans, buying and selling real estate for themselves and their clients they conduct the largest insurance agency of the city. Edmund P. Boland, although he has been active in business for only six years, has made a decided success in business circles

Mr. Boland votes with the republican party. Although only twentysix years of age he enjoys the distinction of being the youngest man ever elected to the city council of the city of Green Bay, being elected April 2, 1912, defeating J. E. Shaughnessy by fifty-nine votes. The latter gentleman held his office for about twenty years and had never before been defeated, which fact speaks well for the popularity of our subject and the confidence reposed in him by the public. Mr. Boland celebrated his twentysixth birthday by taking the oath of office and his seat in the council chamber on April 9, 1912. His fraternal affiliations consist of membership in the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Columbus, and the Powhatan Club, being popular in all of these organizations. By geniality, cordiality and consideration he has made many friends and these qualities have combined with his business interests and energy to make him widely and favorably known in his native city.

Henry J. Boland

Henry J. Boland, the fourth son of Patrick H. and Bridget E. (Hayden) Boland, and the youngest of the four brothers who are so remarkably succeeding in their business pursuits in Green Bay, was born on the old homestead, January 19, 1890, and still makes his home with his parents. He was educated in the public schools of Green Bay and graduated from the West Side high school in 1908. While in school he was greatly interested and became very prominent in athletics, having been a member of the regular track team every year while in school. After his graduation he was for a time employed as agent for the United States Express Company at Oneida and later worked in the office of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company, but in June, 1910, became associated with his brothers in the Fox River Land & Loan Company which stands as the foremost of its kind in Green Bay and Brown county. Mr. Boland was given charge of the insurance department and he is still active in this position, having during the few years, in which he has had charge, increased the scope of the business wonderfully - so wonderfully that today the insurance department of the Fox River Land & Loan Company handles the largest amount of general insurance in the city. Mr. Boland takes a deep and active interest in his work and the increase in the business is largely due to his industry and aggressiveness, combined with a tact and geniality of manner which make friends for him wherever he goes.

Even before attaining his majority he had studied public and political questions and his preference led him to embrace the principles of the democratic party when he was granted the right of franchise, and he has become a stanch adherent of this organization since attaining his majority. His fraternal relations are with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Catholic Order of Foresters and the National Fraternal League, in each of which he takes an active interest. He was one of the organizers of the Wal- lack Club in which he is very popular. Open-hearted, young, vigorous and enthusiastic, he is well liked and greatly appreciated by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance and he is making rapid progress in the right direction to become one of the factors in the commercial district of his native city.

Peter Juley

Peter Juley is a contractor and builder of Green Bay, yet various other activities have from time to time claimed his attention and his business enterprise has made him widely and favorably known here. He was born August 12, 1839, in Germany. His father, Nicholas Uli, for so the name was originally spelled ere it was anglicized, came to America in 1842, settling at Green Bay. He was a shoemaker by trade, following that pursuit for four years at Oneida, and he also farmed in the Oneida settlement, giving his attention to agricultural pursuits until his death on the 9th of August, 1854, when he was forty-nine years of age. His wife bore the maiden name of Catherine Raths and they were among the first settlers of Brown county. The grandfather, Ernest Uli, was a native of Bavaria and always followed farming in Germany. One of the brothers of our subject was the first white child born in the Oneida settlement and another brother was the first white child born at Freedom, Wisconsin.

Peter Juley is one of the surviving six members of a family of eight children. It was during his infancy that he was brought to the new world and after his school days were over he farmed with his father. Later he removed to the vicinity of Green Bay and again engaged in farming. For a time he owned and operated a shingle mill at Suamico, Wisconsin, and for forty years he operated a threshing machine. His time and attention, however, have not been concentrated along a single line, for at different periods he has followed various pursuits. At twenty-four years of age he engaged in the contracting and house-moving business, which he has followed to the present time. He has been in partnership with the Miller Brothers, who were among the first contractors of Green Bay. While engaged in house moving he moved a building from Menomonie, Wisconsin, to Green Bay by boat and it now stands on Walnut street. He also moved a warehouse from its original site to the railroad track at Kewaunee and it is now used for a depot.

On the 21st of April, 1867, Mr. Juley was married to Susan Finnegan, a native of Milwaukee and a daughter of Edward and Mary (Kelly) Finnegan. The children of this union are: Nicholas, a salesman, who married Cora Cody and has three children - John, James and Gertrude; Mathew, a cabinet-maker of Green Bay ; Edward, of Milwaukee, who married Anna Belle Taylor and has one child, May ; Clara May, Rose Caroline, Susan May and Peter Jacob, all at home : John Charles, who married Cecelia Sutherland and has one son, George ; and Ernest Carl, at home. The wife and mother died in 1896.

Mr. Juley was reared in the Catholic faith, of which his parents were also adherents, his father, Nicholas Uli, being buried under the altar of the church at Freedom, Wisconsin, which church he built and presented to the parish. In politics Mr. Juley is a strong democrat and for six years he served as deputy sheriff and has also been a member of the school board. He takes an active part in politics, doing everything he can to further the welfare of his party and secure the adoption of its principles.

George A. Richardson

George A. Richardson has been identified with financial circles in Green Bay for over twenty years and has risen by his industry and activity from a humble place in the banking world to his present office as cashier of the McCartney National Bank. He is also interested in various other financial institutions in this city, where his keen and systematic mind and his integrity have gained for him a high place in the esteem of his fellow citizens. Mr. Richardson was born in Green Bay, November 22, 1872, and is a son of George and Susan Richardson. The father was a native of England who left that country for America in 1847 ar)d settled in Green Bay, where he took charge of the elevator and dock belonging to the firm of Elmore & Kelly. He served in that capacity for many years and became well known in this city. He was keenly interested in local politics and served for some time as postmaster of Fort Howard. He also held the position of superintendent of the city schools. He died on October 26, 1908, and his grave is in the Fort Howard cemetery.

The public schools of Green Bay afforded George A. Richardson his early educational opportunities and he left the high school at the age of eighteen to take a position as messenger in the bank with which he is now connected as cashier. He early showed himself to be possessed of an active, systematic and able mind and his advancement from position to position was rapid. He now holds one of the most responsible offices in the McCartney National Bank and his opinion on financial matters carries much weight in banking circles of this city. He has been identified with his present line of activity for twenty years but has never allowed one occupation to absorb his entire energies. He is vice president of the Mortgage Loan and Debenture Company and a director and treasurer of the Badger Casualty Company. He has firm faith in the business future of Green Bay and his investments are always made in local enterprises.

On July 26, 1905, Mr. Richardson was united in marriage to Miss Marion E. Bay, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Bay, of Blissfield, Michigan. He and his wife reside in a pleasant and comfortable home at No. 728 East Mason street. Mr. Richardson is a prominent Mason and is treasurer of the Palestine Comntandery. He also belongs to the Wisconsin Consistory in Milwaukee and is active in the affairs of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. There is hardly any branch of legitimate activity along the lines of his occupation in which Mr. Richardson is not prominent.

He is secretary of .the Fort Howard Cemetery Association and his work in this connection has done much to improve and beautify that burial ground. Mr. Richardson is still a young man, with many years of usefulness before him, and his future career is certain to be as honorable and worthy as his past activities have been useful and progressive.

A. C. Bunker

A. C. Bunker is proprietor of a saloon and buffet at Green Bay and is also widely known for his scientific attainments as an ornithologist, possessing one of the finest private collections of birds to be found in the middle west. He was born in Canada, November 28, 1858. His father, Cyrille Bunker, also a native of that country, died in 1878 at the age of forty-two years. He had come to the United States in 1863, settling at Green Bay, and a year later he returned to his native country for his wife and son, whom he brought to Brown county. Here he opened and conducted a saloon and subsequently he established a meat market. He led a busy and useful life, seeking at all times to win success by honorable business methods and enterprise. His wife died in 1875. She was a college graduate and had taught school prior to her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Cyrille Bunker were born five children : Odelia, who is married ; Emma, the wife of Alexander Lanianas, of Wausau, Wisconsin ; George, of Chicago ; A. C, of this review; and Callys.

A. C. Bunker was in school until fourteen years of age, after which he worked for his father until the latter's death and then started out on his own account. He has been diligent and energetic and followed various occupations to support his mother and sisters up to the time of his marriage. In 1892 he opened his present saloon and buffet, in which business he has been steadily successful. Since 1894 he has given a part of his time to making a large collection of the birds of the state. He has some of the finest mounted specimens to be found anywhere, some of these having been mounted sixty years ago by L. Schiller. His collection contains birds from all parts of the world mounted so as to indicate their mode of life and habits and this collection, containing twenty-eight cases, is valued at over five thousand dollars. He also has mounted a small tiger, seven days old, which was with Forepaugh's circus in Green Bay and was killed by accident. He has the smallest mounted fawn in existence, it having lived but two and a half days.

Mr. Bunker was united in marriage to Miss Mary Coel, who was born in Red River, Wisconsin, August 17, 1861, a daughter of Fabian Coel, of Belgium, who at an early day came to Green Bay. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Bunker are: Eva, who is married and has four children, Robert, Dolly, Emmet and Mona ; Cyril, who married Mabel Martin, of Green Bay. and is associated with his father in business ; Earl, a fireman on the lakes : and Emma, Myrtle, Wilford, Orville, Ethel and Clyde, all at home. The family are connected with the Catholic church and Mr. Bunker is a member of the Brewers Benevolent Association, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Order of Moose and the Turn Verein. Various interests thus claim his attention and his cooperation, but outside of business he gives his time largely to his ornithological collection, having ever been deeply interested in the study of bird life, which he has pursued until he has a comprehensive scientific knowledge of their ways and places of living. His collection is indeed an interesting one, showing almost every variety of bird to be found in the northern part of this country as well as many from Europe.

George J. Kolocheski

George J. Kolocheski, who is engaged in the manufacture of sausage, represents the third generation of his family to have been identified with the business interests of Brown county. He was born in the village of New Denmark, this county, on the ist of May, 1879. and' is a son of one of the pioneer families of that section. His father was a native of western Prussia, whence, at the age of eight years, he emigrated to the United States with his parents, who came direct to Wisconsin. They settled in the village of Pine Grove, and there the grandfather, who was a carpenter, diligently pursued his trade and also engaged in farming during the remainder of his active life. Thomas Kolocheski, the father of our subject, was reared to manhood amid the primitive conditions that then prevailed in Wisconsin, obtaining his education in the district schools. Later he learned the millwright's trade which he followed at Pine Grove and elsewhere in that vicinity, subsequently locating at Cooperstown, where he owned and operated a hotel during the remainder of his life. Mrs. Thomas Kolocheski passed away in 1895, at the age of forty-eight years, and to them were born eleven children. Our subject is the eldest of the four who are living. In order of birth the others are as follows : Rose, who married Frank Chlebowski, of Green Bay ; Edward, who is with his brother George ; and Clara, the wife of John B. Kaye. The father, who survived the mother until 1908, had passed the fifty-seventh anniversary of his birth at the time of his demise. They were both stanch adherents of the Roman Catholic faith and reared their children in that belief.

The boyhood and youth of George J. Kolocheski were very much like those of other lads who are reared in small communities. He attended school until he had mastered the common branches, and then began his business career as a clerk. Next he was employed in the Cooperstown House, an old hotel in Green Bay. for seven years. In 1907, together with a partner, he established a sausage factor}-, theirs being one of the three enterprises of the kind in the state, outside of Milwaukee. They manufacture every variety of sausage and as they employ only the best quality of materials and ingredients their products have acquired much more than a local reputation. They have built up a good trade, making shipments to all parts of the state and are constantly increasing the scope of their business. The firm is progressive and enterprising and each year marks an improvement in their plant, which is well equipped and provides ample facilities for increasing their output in accordance to the needs of their growing trade.

Mr. Kolocheski married Miss Mary Miller, a native of Florence, this state, and to them have been born three children, but one of whom, Reuben, is living.

Mr. and Mrs. Kolocheski are communicants of the Roman Catholic church, and he is a member of the St. Francis and other Catholic societies. He is likewise affiliated with the Green Bay Turn Verein, the Moose lodge, the Brewers' Association and the Polish White Eagles. Politically he supports the republican party. He served as deputy sheriff in igio and is now candidate for the office of sheriff, and is one of the active workers of his party. Mr. Kolocheski is an enterprising young man of laudable ambition and commendable business methods, who is meeting with well deserved success in the development of his interests.

Lorenz Larscheid

Lorenz Larscheid, who is living retired in Green Bay and who for over forty years was closely identified with the business interests of the city, was born in Preble township, May 10, 1849. His father, Peter Joseph Larscheid, was a native of Koblenz, Germany, and in 1842 came with his wife and family to America and settled in Wisconsin. He located first near the site of the present poor farm in Green Bay and later bought a tract of land in Preble township, upon which he resided until his death, which occurred in 1875, when he was seventy-five years of age. He married in Germany, and became the father of seven children, of whom the subject of this review is the only one living.

Lorenz Larscheid received very little schooling for even as a child he was obliged to help his father with the work of the farm. He remained at home until he was sixteen years of age and then took up carpenter work, later securing employment in a local planing mill. When he was twenty-eight years of age he established himself in the soap manufacturing business and was successful in it for six years. He also followed gardening but after a short time abandoned both occupations and established himself in the saloon business, with which he was identified until his retirement in 1906.

Mr. Larscheid married in 1876 Miss Margaret Seibel, who was born in the Hunsrueck mountains, Germany, in 1852, a daughter of John and Catherine (Graf) Seibei. who came to America in 1854 and located at Two Rivers, Wisconsin, where the father followed general agricultural pursuits during the remainder of his life. Mr. and Mrs. Larscheid became the parents of six children: Catherine, the wife of L. Martin, of Green Bay, by whom she has six children ; Clara, who married A. Allen and has one child : Margaret, the wife of Henry De Kuyser and the mother of one child; Joseph, who is engaged in the teaming business and who lives at home ; Gertrude, who is married and lives in Green Bay, and has one child : and Caroline, who lives at home. The family are devout adherents of the Roman Catholic church.

Mr. Larscheid has always been actively interested in local affairs and is a member of the school board and is also doing able work as marshal. During his business life his interests were capably managed so that at a comparatively early age he enjoys retirement and rest.

William I. Duncan

William |. Duncan, a member of the wholesale fruit and produce firm of lirauns & Duncan, with offices at Nos. 114-116 South Washington street, Green Bay, was one of the active factors in the organization of this business and has been a dominating influence in its rapid development into one of the largest concerns of its kind in the city. Mr. Duncan was born in Green Bay, August 5, 1885, and is a son of W. E. and Heloise ( Du Chateau) Duncan. The family on the paternal side is of Scotch origin and has been in America for three generations. The maternal line has also had a long existence in America and a representative of the Du Chateau family was one of the oldest settlers in this country. A more extended history of this family is found on another page in this work. \Y. E. Duncan, the father of our subject, was a coal merchant during hi, life and came with his father from Milwaukee to Green Bay in the early days of its settlement. He was well known and widely popular in Brown county and was an active figure in all the charitable movements of his time. He died April 28, 191 1, at the age of fifty years and is buried in the Fox Hill cemetery.

William Duncan received his early education in the public schools of Green Bay. Fie attended the local high school for a short time but left that institution at the age of sixteen years to enter the employ of his father where he remained only a short time. He obtained a position in the McCartnev National Bank and worked as a messenger for that institution until he was eighteen years of age. From early childhood Mr. Duncan had showed the conservative quality of his mind and his remarkable power of organization. When he was only eighteen years of age he was active in the organization of the bank of Stevenson. Michigan, and he was elected cashier of that institution and held this office until 1908. In that year he returned to Green Bay to accept a similar position in the Farmers Exchange Bank of this city and in 1909 was elected cashier of the National Bank of De Pere. Wisconsin. He brought his banking career to a close in 1910 when he resigned his position with the De Pere institution to organize the firm with which he is at present connected. In the two years of his activity in the fruit and produce business he has built up and developed an extensive enterprise. His firm is now doing a volume of business which is unequaled by any concern of this kind in

On the 20th of October, 1906, Mr. Duncan was united in marriage to Miss Anne Walker, a daughter of M. H. and Mary (Kimball) Walker, the former one of the oldest pioneers of Brown county. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan are the parents of one daughter. Margaret A., who is four years of age. The family residence is at No. 404 South Webster street.

Mr. Duncan is not affiliated with any political party. He prefers to keep his opinions independent and his judgment unbiased by partisan lines. He is prominent in the affairs of the Order of Elks and also holds membership in the United Commercial Travelers Association. Mr. Duncan is still a young man and has his future in his own hands. He has already gained a degree of success which is usually the result of a long period of work and activity. If his future career may be judged in any degree by his past achievements he is destined to occupy a high place in the business circles of Green Bay.

J. A. Tomlinson is a self-made man whose success has resulted entirely from his own earnest labors. He was only about eleven years of age when he started out to provide for his own support, and at present is head saw filer for the Northland Lumber Company, and also is interested in the Green Bay Canning Company. He was born in Sheffield, England, on the 1st of January, 187 1. and is a son of George Tomlinson, who is living at Bay City, Michigan, at the age of sixty-five years. His parents came to America in 1872, making their way to Bay City. Michigan. Here George Tomlinson was employed as a filer by a lumber company, but in 1892 left Bay City for Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he resided for two years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Ellen Ball, is also living. They are the parents of five children : George, a resident of Winchester, Kentucky ; Charles, who is living in Clay City, Kentucky ; William, of Bay City, Michigan; Frank, also of that place; and J. A., who is the eldest.

When but a young lad of eleven years J. A. Tomlinson started out to earn his own living, working at saw filing in Bay City. From that time to the present he has been continuously connected with the lumber trade in one capacity or another. He is interested as a stockholder of the Green Bay Canning Company and he seeks at all times through practical aid and influence to promote the business development and consequent prosperity of this section of the state.

Mr. Tomlinson was married to Miss Sophia Blachinsky, who was born in Milwaukee, a daughter of Michael Blachinsky, a contractor of Green Bay. Mr. and Mrs. Tomlinson have five children, Mabel, Elmer, George, Ruth and Mildred. Mrs. Tomlinson was reared in the Catholic church, while Air. Tomlinson's early religious teachings were those of the

Methodist church. He is one of the charter members of the Maccabee tent' at Green Bay and he also holds membership with the Modern Woodmen of America. In 1909 he was elected president of the Brewers Benevolent Society.

Adolph Garot

Adolph Garot is a member of the firm of Garot Brothers, who are heating contractors, their place of business being located at No. 211 South Washington street. Green Bay. He was born in Green Bay, May 13, 1870, and is a son of Frank and Victorine Garot. The father emigrated from France to America in 1858 and first settled in Allouez. He later took up work as a stationery engraver and continued to follow that occupation until he retired from active life. He now resides on Madison street, Green Bay.

Adolph Garot received his early education in the public schools of Green Bay and at the age of twelve years he began work for himself, earning money at any honest occupation that he could find in Green Bay. In 1888 he engaged in work as a fireman on a steamboat plying in the waters of Green bay and in that occupation he continued for fifteen seasons. He then established the business with which he is now connected and later admitted to partnership his brother Edward.

Mr. Garot was united in marriage. in Green Bay, December 26, 1902, to Miss Philomena Lecoque, a daughter of Joseph and Mary Lecoque, the former of whom has passed away and the latter a resident of Green Bay, making her home with her daughter, the wife of our subject. To Mr. and Mrs. Garot seven children have been born : Josephine A., Wilfred and Aylard, who are attending school ; and Richard, Rose, Mildred and Lawrence. The family residence, which was built by Mr. Garot in 1903, is located at 631 South Madison street. Mr. Garot is affiliated with the republican party and is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters. He is well and favorably known in Green Bay and is numbered among the up-to-date and reliable business men of that city.

The Allouez Mineral Spring Company

The Allouez Mineral Spring Company, of Green Bay, controls one of the important commercial interests of the city. The business was founded by Joseph Hoeffel, who at an early period in the history of this part of the state purchased the property on which is found the Allouez mineral spring. This is a natural flowing spring, the waters of which possess splendid medicinal qualities. Recognizing their value, Mr. Hoeffel determined to utilize the waters for commercial purposes and had a plant built for their bottling and distribution. The water is now sent all over the country, finding ready sale because of its purity and curative properties. The business is conducted by Frank M. Blahnik, who is the secretary and the manager - a man of excellent business ability and enterprise, whose alert and energetic spirit is making of this undertaking a financial success. The other officers of the company are T. A. Pamperin, president ; and J. I. Hoeffel, treasurer.

Charles Pfotenhauer, Jr., operates one of the leading buffets in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and has been identified with this line of occupation during his entire active- career. His long experience has given him a knowledge of the methods of successful business operation and his tact and conscientiousness have enabled him to meet intelligently any difficulties which have arisen. Mr. Pfotenhauer was born in the city in which he now resides January 8, 1857, and is a son of Herbert and Louisa (SchwedeknechtJ Pfotenhauer. The father was born in the principality of Schwarzburg, Germany, in 1830 and came to America alone in 1852. He settled immediately in Green Bay, Wisconsin, following the trade of weaving, and was also employed by various lumber concerns. He later opened a grocery store and saloon in the city and conducted this in partnership with his brother-in-law for two years. He eventually engaged in the saloon business independently, his store being located in what is now Washington street, one of the principal thoroughfares in Green Bay. When the Civil war broke out he enlisted as a private in Company H, Ninth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served for three years under Generals Sherman and Grant. He was later promoted to the rank of first lieutenant of his company and was mustered out with honorable discharge in Milwaukee. He then returned home and was active in the saloon business for a number of years. He operated the enterprise with which our subject is at present connected and for four years ran it in conjunction with his son. He retired at the end of that time and his death occurred on May 3, 1885. He was reared in the Lutheran church and was a stanch republican, serving for many years as assistant chief of the Green Bay fire department. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Turner society of Green Bay and was numbered among the substantial and representative citizens of his community. His wife died in 1880 at the age of forty- four. To their union were born eight children, four of whom are living: Charles, Jr., of this review ; William, who is a druggist and resides in Chicago ; Louisa, who married L. Lord, a prominent farmer in Missouri; and Clara, who makes her home with our subject.

Charles Pfotenhauer was educated in the public schools of Green Bay and from the time he was thirteen years of age assisted his father in the conduct of his buffet. When he was nineteen he left home and for two years engaged in various activities, at the end of which time he returned and entered the saloon business first as an employe and later independently. He located his buffet on the site of his father's original enterprise and he is still active in the conduct of this saloon. It is one of the oldest establishments of its kind in Green Bay, having been founded in 1879. Mr. Pfotenhauer owns one of the finest buffets in the city and is a veteran in the ranks of his fellow business men. He has a liberal patronage and his place is high class in every way. His business is growing owing to his constant fair-dealing and his earnest desire to please his patrons.

Air. Pfotenhauer was united in marriage to Miss Anna Peters and to their union was born one child. May, who is the wife of Fred Zitlow, a prosperous farmer in Lawrence township. For four years previous toiler marriage Mrs. Zitlow taught in the public schools. She and her husband have two children : Herbert, who is six years old ; and Carroll, aged two. Mrs. Pfotenhauer passed away in 1882.

Mr. Pfotenhauer has served as assistant chief and later as chief of the Green Bay fire department. He affiliates with the Lutheran church, and is a member of the Royal Arcanum. He also belongs to the Turner society of Green Bay. He has that ability in the management and control of his enterprise which conies of long familiarity with the details of its operation. He started his career with high standards of conscientiousness and integrity and by strict adherence to them has been able to meet successfully the difficulties along the way.

Arthur Courtenay Neville

It is the peculiar function of a lawyer to participate in the various lines of activity in his city. He sees diverse sides of life and in his hands rest the peace, happiness and sometimes even the life of his clients. Upon rhe honesty of lawyers depends the strength of our national justice; upon his soundness of judgment depends the efficacy of our legal institutions ; in his hands rests the faith of men in the laws under which they live. An attorney of many years' standing in this city and one who has done much to keep the profession of law up to its present high standard of legal attainment is Arthur Courtenay Neville, a practicing attorney at Green Bay, with offices at No. 7, Parmentier building. Mr. Neville came from Pottsville, Pennsylvania, to Green Bay, Wisconsin, with his parents, John C. and Catherine (Lawton) Neville, in 1856. The family came originally from England. A representative of the line settled in Ireland during the time of Cromwell and the name was changed to its present form. On the maternal side the lineal record dates back to John Layton or Lawton, who was born in 1630 and died in Boston. December 17, 1690, the first of the name to settle in America. The Lawton family is of English origin and its pedigree dates from early times. The record of the family in America was published from the time of John Lawton to the present in the Boston Transcript. John C. Neville, the father of the subject of this sketch, was at the time of his death, in 1898. probably the oldest practicing attorney in northwestern Wisconsin, having been a member of the Brown county bar for about forty-two years. His ability as an advocate was widely known and he was famed as a most impressive orator. He was born in Dublin, Ireland, July 27, 181 5, and in 1836 or 1837 came to America, landing in New York, whence he removed to Pottsville, Pennsylvania. In 1840 he began the reading of law and was admitted to the bar in July, 1842. He became extensively known in Pottsville, where he practiced from that time until he came to Green Bay on December 27, 1856, following his profession until his death, October 30, 1898, at the age of eighty-three \rears. On April 11, 1843, ne married Catherine D. Lawton, and to this union were born six children, two of whom are now living, namely. Arthur C. and Sophia A. Airs. Neville preceded her husband in death, passing away in 1876, and both are buried in Woodlawn cemetery in this city. John C. Neville was classed as one of the great lawyers of his day and his fame extended far beyond the limits of his county. He took a prominent part in local politics, was district attorney for twelve years, cityattorney for eight years and mayor for one term. He was a member of the state legislature from i860 to 1861, serving in that capacity during the first year of the Civil war. He was called a war democrat on account of his political affiliations and beliefs.

Arthur C. Neville received his early education from a governess and later went to the public schools of Green Bay, which he left at the age of seventeen years to accept a position as clerk and messenger for the firm of Dousman & Elmore, with whom he remained for nearly two years. His next position was that of bookkeeper with the Chicago firm of Carter & Jones, lumber merchants, which occupation, Re continued until 1869. when he was appointed assistant bookkeeper for - the wholesale grocery firm of Sprague, Warner & Company, remaining in this connection until the fall of 1871, when he returned to Green Bay, accepting the position of bookkeeper in the Commercial National Bank which he held until the next spring. In that year he entered the law firm of Neville & Tracv, reading law in their offices for three years, when he was admitted to the bar by the circuit court in the spring of 1874, and has practiced his profession in this city with brilliant success since that time. Politics has always been one of the intense interests of Mr. Neville's career. He is a democrat and a firm believer in the policies for which that party stands. He is active in public affairs and served as mayor of Green Bay from 1888 to 1890, making a record for proficiency in public office which has seldom been equalled in this city. He takes an interest in local historv and his work along lines of research has been marked by a rare intelligence and successful results. He is a member of the State Historical Society and a charter member and one of the organizers and president of the Green Bay Historical Society, which has done much important work along this line during the years of its existence. Air. Neville is a firm believer in the future of Green Bay and is active in the promotion of its commercial and industrial life. He is one of the organizers and charter members of the Business Men's Association, of which he held the office of secretary during the first twelve years of its existence. He was one of the organizers and the secretary for many years of the Green Bay Water Company, resigning the latter position in 1910. He was one of the founders and the first president of the Kendall Manufacturing Company, now called the Green Bay Planing Mill. He at one time extended his business activities to De Pere, Wisconsin, when he was appointed receiver in conjunction with George F. Merrill, of Ashland, Wisconsin, for the National Iron Company of that city, and they ran the business for two years successfully. He was also at one time active in the Green Bay Iron Company which has also ended its existence.

Mr. Neville was twice married, his first union being with Miss Harriet Reynolds, who died six months after their marriage. His second wife was Mrs. Ella (Hoes) Peak, a daughter of Judge John Van Alen Hoes, a nephew of Martin Van Buren, president of the United States from 1837 until 1841. The second Mrs. Neville had one daughter, Marion, at the time of her marriage to the subject of this sketch, who is now the wife of George Grant Mason, residing at Tuxedo Park, New York.

Arthur C. Neville is one of the most popular citizens of Green Bay and is widely known and universally liked in this city. He was for many years commodore of the Green Bay Yacht Club, is a prominent member of the county and state bar associations and is also active in the national association. He holds membership with the Knights of Pythias and the Elks and is a follower of the Episcopal religion. He is a keen and discriminating lawyer, well versed in the details of the profession, capable of a high degree of scrupulousness on moral questions and recognized in this city as a man of high and irreproachable character.

Dr. I. E. Levitas is one of the most promising young physicians in Green Bay where he has been practicing medicine and surgery since 1910. He maintains his office at 205 Wilner building and is bringing to his professional duties the energy and fidelity which mark his character. He was born at Marinette, Wisconsin, December 17, 1885, and is a son of John and Sarah Levitas, who are now living in Green Bay. The public schools of Marinette afforded Dr. Levitas his early educational opportunities and he was graduated from the high school in 1903. He entered the University of Chicago in that year and pursued his studies in that instition until 1906, when he entered Rush Medical College and received his degree in medicine in 1908. He spent the two years following his graduation as house physician for the Michael Reese Hospital and gained very valuable experience in this capacity. In 1910 he came to Green Bay and established his office in this city and has practiced his profession with gratifying success since that time. He is interested in every new development of modern medicine and has progressive and original ideas along professional lines. He is secretary of the Brown County Medical Association and holds membership in the Wisconsin State Society and the

American Medical Association. He has also been prominent in the affairs of the Fox River Valley Medical Society and is a firm believer in the value of professional intercourse with his colleagues. He resides at 211 North Jefferson street, Green Bay, and is well known and widely popular in social circles.

Nicholas Feldhauser

Nicholas Feldhauser is a contractor and builder of Green Bay, well known in business circles because of the extent and importance of his activities. Aside from his building operations he is a stockholder in various corporations, all of which profit by his sound business judgment and spirit of enterprise. Green Bay numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred May 17. 1868. His father, John Feldhauser, was born near the Rhine in Germany and when a young man came to America, settling in Brown county, where he was employed as a laborer. It was after his arrival in the new world' that he married Clara Biebel, who now resides at 1540 Elm street, Green Bay, at the age of seventy-three years. The father passed away at the age of seventy-four years. In their family were thirteen children, of whom twelve are living: Joseph, a resident of Green Bay ; Josephine, the wife of A. Van Roy, of Preble township ; John, living in South Dakota ; Anna, the wife of R. Reis, of Preble township ; Paul, of Green Bay ; Nicholas ; Rosa, the wife of Z. Pigon, of Green Bay ; Emil, of Manitowoc, Wisconsin ; Barbara, a widow ; Mathias and Anton, both of Green Bay ; and Mary, the wife of W. Andrews, of the same city.

After acquiring a common school education Nicholas Feldhauser engaged in gardening in the employ of Smith Brothers. After five years spent in that way he took up the carpenter's trade, which he has now followed for sixteen years. When he had mastered the business and spent some time in the employ of others he began contracting and building on his own account. He has done a general contracting business and a liberal patronage has been accorded him, for his skill and ability as well as his trustworthiness are widely recognized. As he has prospered he has extended his efforts to other fields and is now connected with the East River Planing Mill Company as one of its directors, is a director of the Farmers Bank of Green Bay and a stockholder of the Green Bay Canning Company. He is a man of determined purpose and indefatigable energy and will brook no obstacles that can be overcome by persistent and honorable effort.

On the 17th of September, 1889, in St. John's church, Mr. Feldhauser was married to Miss Gusta Direce, a native of Belgium, who was brought to America by her parents when but a year and a half old. Mr. and Mrs. Feldhauser have two children: Maud, twenty years of age, who is a student in the Gregg University at Chicago ; and Gordon, sixteen years old, a high school student.

Mr. Feldhauser was reared in the Catholic church. He holds membership with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Equitable Fraternal Union, the Odd Fellows lodge and the Rebekahs. He is likewise a member of the Green Bay Benevolent Association, of the Green Bay Commercial Club and the Brown County Builders Association, with which he has been identified for many years. All these indicate the nature and breadth of his interests and the principles which govern his conduct. He has held the office of supervisor and been a member of the county board, representing the city. He is interested in all that tends to make Green Bay a progressive, enterprising center and his business activities have been an element in its growth and substantial progress. He is at the same time a man of kindly spirit and generous impulses and those who know him as a friend can always count upon his good offices.

Edward Koldrowicz

Edward Koldrowicz. fixing in Green Bay, where he fills the position of United States deputy collector. Internal Revenue department, was born in that part of Poland which belongs to Germany on the 30th of September, 1872. His father, Frank Koldrowicz, is now living .in Webster, Massachusetts. In early manhood he came with his wife and family to the new world and has since followed the barber's trade, which he learned in his native country. His wife bore the maiden name of Anastasia Wrzyszczynski. The only daughter of the family is Mary, who is married and makes her home in Massachusetts.

When his school days were over Edward Koldrowicz began clerking in a dry-goods store and afterward occupied a clerical position in a bank. He came to America when nineteen years of age, arriving on the 1st of November, 1S91. and was employed in a woolen mill, thus starting out in business circles in the new world. Subsequently he secured a position in the Milwaukee land office, which a year and a half later was transferred to Oconto, Wisconsin. Mr. Koldrowicz then took charge and occupied the position for eight years. He then turned his attention to real-estate dealing and operated in that field until 1904. when he was appointed deputy collector. However, he still deals in real estate to some extent but never allows outside interests to interfere with the faithful performance of his duty. At different times he has held other offices. While in Oconto county he filled the position of postmaster for four years, was also justice of the peace for six years and was town clerk. He has made a creditable record, always prompt, capable and faithful in meeting the obligations that devolve upon him, and thus he has won high commendation. His political support has always been given to the republican party.

Mr. Koldrowicz was married to Victoria Slupecki. who was born in Milwaukee, a daughter of Joseph and Emilia Slupecki. Her father, now deceased, engaged in gardening. The mother survives. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Koldrowicz have been born three children, Alice, Irene and Edward.

Mr. Koldrowicz was reared in the Catholic faith. He belongs to the Polish National Alliance Society and has membership relations with the Woodmen of America. Laudable ambition prompted him to leave his native country and seek a home in the new world when he was still a youth in his teens, but he has never had occasion to regret his determination, for he has steadily worked his way upward, utilizing the opportunities that have come to him, has made for himself a good living and has enjoyed a comfortable home and the friendship of many with whom he has been brought in contact.

John J. Tielens

The great agricultural state of Wisconsin has been brought to its present state of productiveness and prosperity through the efforts of such men as John J. Tielens, who is the son of one of the prominent pioneers of Humboldt township. In the development and improvement of his excellent farm he is carrying out the prediction and adhering to the standards of his father who plowed the first furrow on a tract of unbroken land in this section in 1854. It was upon the old homestead farm that John J. Tielens was born May 31, 1876. His parents, William and Johanna (Soquet) Tielens, were natives of Belgium. The father was twenty-two years of age when he came with his young wife to the United States, settling immediately in Green Bay. After six months, however, he made arrangements to purchase sixty acres of wild land in Humboldt township and invested his capital, which consisted of but five dollars, in a sack of flour and an ax. He cleared the land of timber and upon the place built a small log cabin which he continued to occupy until he erected the fine modern residence that now stands upon the property. As his financial resources increased he added to his holdings from time to time and prior to his death, which occurred in 1901, when he was sixty-nine years of age, he was the owner of two hundred acres of highly improved and well developed land which he divided among his children before he passed away. At the time the Tielens home, was established in this section of the state there were no roads whatever in the district in which they lived. The provisions which they needed had to be carried part of the way from Green Bay, which was their closest trading place and was ten miles distant from the Tielens farm. At that early period in the development of the county the father spent much time in making shingles by hand, this being the only way in which one could earn ready money at that period. At length he saved enough money to purchase a yoke of oxen and a wagon and with these he would haul the shingles to town while his wife remained at home busy at work in making more shingles. She was of great assistance to him at all times and particularly in the pioneer days when he was endeavoring earnestly to get a start, notwithstanding the difhiculties and obstacles of pioneer life that barred his path. All the conditions and evidences of frontier experiences were seen here at that time. Wolves, bears and other wild animals were numerous. There were many Indians who would visit at the Tielens cabin and although they could not speak a word of English they managed by signs and motions to make it understood that they wanted food and lodging. Their request was granted, for it was well known that the family might be the victims of Indian treachery if they refused to comply with the wishes of their red-skinned neighbors. Members of the household were many times followed by bears and wolves while they were looking for the oxen which were allowed to run at large when not in use. Should it sometimes be necessary to visit a neighbor at night they were compelled to use torches so as to keep the wolves from attacking them. Such were some of the conditions of pioneer life which the Tielens and other families faced in order to establish homes here and lay the foundation for later success.

Gradually during the course of his life in this county William Tielens became identified with the public interests of the district in which he resided and the recognition of his ability and trustworthiness led him to be constantly sought in relation to the furtherance of public projects such as constitute important features in the development of a new country. For twelve years he served as township chairman in a most creditable and acceptable manner, standing always for right and progress and giving his influence to every movement for the promotion of the general welfare. He was also a member of the school board for twenty years and the cause of education found in him a stalwart friend. Although he had but little opportunity to attend school in his childhood his broad reading, study and experience in later years made him a well-informed man. He recognized the value of educational training and never faltered in his efforts to promote the interests of the schools and make them a source of practical training for the responsibilities of later life. Flis death was the occasion of wide-spread regret throughout Humboldt township where he had so long resided. All who knew him paid tribute to his sterling worth in the respect, confidence and good-will accorded him. His wife survived him until April, 191 1, passing away at the age of seventy-nine years. In their family were eleven children, six of whom are living: Frank; William; John J.; Mrs. J. P. Coppens and Mrs. J. Magley, both of Humboldt: and Mrs. A. Vandewbush, of Holland, Michigan.

Reared on the old homestead farm John J. Tielens attended the district school in his youth and when not busy with the work of the schoolroom was employed in the fields. After completing his education he spent two winter seasons in the lumber camps of the northern Wisconsin woods and at the age of twenty-one assumed the management of the home farm. Two years later he purchased eighty acres in Humboldt township and to this has since added ten acres. He now has one of the fine farm properties in his part of Brown county and his work is carried on along progressive lines, his practical efforts resulting in the capable development of the fields which return to him golden harvests as the reward for his care and labor. He has made substantial improvements in the buildings upon his place and all of the accessories and equipment of a model farm of the twentieth century are here found. In 1904 he rented his land and purchased a blacksmith shop in Eaton township where he carried on business for two years. On the expiration of that period, however, he sold his interests and returned to the farm upon which he has since resided.

In 1896 Mr. Tielens was united in marriage to Miss Hortense Boncher, a daughter of John B. and Theresa Boncher, both of whom were born in Belgium. Mr. and Mrs. Tielens became the parents of four children: Lillian and Marie, who were born April 17. 1897, and January 5, 1899, respectively, and are graduates of the country schools ; Arthur, whose birth occurred on the 21st of November, 1903; and Myrtle, who died at the age of four months.

Air. Tielens gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has done able work as road supervisor and also as a member of the school board. He and his wife are numbered among the industrious, progressive and enterprising residents of Brown county and in his business career he is carrying forward according to modern ideas the work instituted by his father in pioneer times. This is one of the old and honored pioneer families of the county, the name of Tielens figuring in connection with its history for about six decades.

Herman Schmidt

Herman Schmidt is living retired in Green Bay, where for many years he was prominent in the general contracting and building business. He became identified with this work in 1890 and during the period of his activity constructed many of the most important buildings in the city. He is a native of Germany, having been born in Niederzehr, West Prussia, September 14, 1854, a son of Frederick and Louisa (Wohlfeil) Schmidt, natives of Germany. The father was born in 1822 and was a laborer, following this line of occupation until his death. He and his wife became the parents of eight children, five of whom are still living, including: Carl, who is engaged in farming and resides in Green Bay ; William, also of , Green Bay ; Augustina, who married Fred Holtz, of Green Bay ; and Herman, of this review.

Herman Schmidt received his education in the public schools of his native country and afterward learned the mason's trade. When he was eighteen vears of age he came to America, settling in Green Bay, where he followed his trade until 1890, in which year he established himself in the general contracting and building business, acquiring gradually an excellent patronage. His ability along this line soon became well known and as his business expanded he was called upon to take charge of the construction of various business structures and public buildings which stand today as an evidence of the excellent quality of his work

In 1872 Mr. Schmidt was united in marriage to Miss Maria Blaeschke, who was born in Germany on the 2d of February. 1854, a daughter of Christian Blaeschke, a laborer who came to America in 1871 and located in Green Bay, where he spent the remaining years of his life. I lis wife was in her maidenhood Miss Christina Wallenberg, and to their union were born four children, of whom the wife of our subject is the only one now living. Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt are the parents of six children : Gustave, who married Louisa Larscheid, of Green Bay, by whom he has two children ; Bertha, at home ; Arthur, who married Mary Kluth. by whom he has three children ; Amelia, Clara and Carl, all of whom reside at home. The upright and honorable standards by which Mr. Schmidt directs his life and the energy and ability which marked his business career have gained him a high place in the regard of his fellow citizens, for his activities have been useful and valuable and his success well deserved.

John G. Gross

The able and efficient work which John G. Gross has done as a member of the Green Bay city council is evidenced by the fact that for fourteen years his fellow citizens have retained him upon the board of altermen, returning him to office at each succeeding election with a unanimity which speaks well for the efficiency of his past service. He was born in Morrison township. Brown county, January 20, 1857, a son of John G. and Margaret (Moshel) Gross, natives of Bavaria, Germany. The father lived in that section until he was nineteen years of age and then crossed the Atlantic to America, coming to Milwaukee after a short stay in New York city. After some time he took up land in Brown county and farmed and operated a sawmill in that section from 1865 until the time of his death. He was one of the oldest pioneers in the settlement of this section and witnessed much of the gradual development and expansion and was, moreover, a factor in it. He was a charter member of the Masonic lodge in De Pere, and a charter member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Green Bay. He served as township treasurer at the time when the old courthouse of Brown county was standing and served also as chairman of Morrison township and was otherwise prominent and important in democratic politics. He was drafted during the Civil war but was released before serving. His wife came to America with her parents when she was a young girl and settled in Brown county with her husband in pioneer times. In their family were nine children : August, a fireman, of Green Bay: Carolina, who is married and resides in Seymour; John, the subject of this review; Louisa, the widow of Joseph Leonard, of St. Paul. Minnesota ; Fred, who is a boilermaker" foreman in De Pere ; Margaret, who married a Mr. Schunk, of Wayside; Sophia, who became -the wife of William Peters; Godfrey, who resides in Green Bay; and Christina, the wife of Charles Fertenburg. of Reedsville.

After pursuing the usual course of studies in the public schools of his native section John G. Gross engaged in farming and logging until he was twenty-four years of age. In 1881 he came to Green Bay and established himself in the saloon business and has been operating the enterprise

John Gross married Miss Bertha Schultz, who was born in Prussia, in 1861, a daughter of Ferdinand and Bertha (Timm) Schultz. She came to America with her parents when she was six years of age and settled on a farm in Morrison township, which her father operated until his death. Mr. and Mrs. Gross have two children: William A., who is married and resides with his parents : and Clarence A., who is engaged in the mercantile business in Green Bay. The family belong to the German Lutheran church.

Mr. Gross gives his allegiance to the republican party and is one of the foremost figures in city politics. For three years he was chief of the tire department of Old Fort Howard, which is now Green Bay and was later elected alderma-n, which position he has held continuously for fourteen years. He is a member of the Green Bay Lodge, No. 119, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and belongs to the Order of Moose and the local Turn Yerein, and in all these relations his geniality and kindly spirit have gained him the confidence and liking of all with whom he comes in contact.

George Gazett

Success is largely a matter of knowledge and hard work. The truth of this statement is evidenced in the career of George Gazett, who is president and proprietor of the Gazett Candy Company, 624 Main street. Green Bay, where its store has been located since June, 1906. His knowledge of his business is unquestioned. He learned the candy-making trade in all its details and is a practical and expert candy maker himself. His capacity for hard work cannot be denied, as he left school at the early age of thirteen and commenced immediately to acquire a knowledge of the details of his future business. He is a native of Minnesota, having been born at St. Cloud on March 18, 1869. He was a son of Jacob and Annie Gazett, the former a native of Switzerland who came to America in 1852 and settled on a homestead farm. The land was at that time a wilderness but Jacob Gazett, by hard work and indefatigable labor, brought it to a high state of cultivation. He volunteered his services in the Federal armv in the Civil war and was employed as cook for a Minnesota regiment until 1865. when he received his honorable discharge. His death occurred in 1895 at lne a?e °f sixty-three years. He had long survived his wife, whose death occurred in 1878. Jacob Gazett is buried in the Woodlawn cemetery, Green Bay, while his wife's grave is in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

The public schools of Minneapolis afforded George Gazett his educational opportunities until the age of thirteen years, when he laid aside his books and entered upon active business life, for himself. He worked for six years at candy making and at the expiration of that time obtained a position in the employ of the Hewitt Candy Company of Denver, Colorado, in which connection he continued for the next four vears. After leaving Denver he worked at his trade in many different cities until he arrived in Green Bay in 1893. Here he obtained a position with the Annen Candy Company as manager of their candy department, and he worked at this occupation with great success for some time. He resigned his position with the Annen Candy Company to go into a partnership with William P. Brenner in the operation of a wholesale and retail candy store in Green Bay. This business continued on a small scale until 1897, when the partnership was dissolved and the business sold. Mr. Gazett then entered the employ of the National Biscuit Company, where he worked for some years. Eventually, however, his partnership with William P. Brenner was resumed. They bought back their little candy business and, abandoning the retail department, organized the Brenner & Gazett Company. They did a flourishing wholesale candy business under this name for some time, Mr. Brenner eventually severing his connection with the firm. George Gazett then organized the concern of which he is now president - the Gazett Candy Company. He built a large factory, equipped it with the most modern machinery and started in for himself in the manufacture of high grade candies. He now employs in his plant over forty people. His business is continually increasing and the high quality of its product is attaining a reputation throughout the state.

On May 16, 1900, Mr. Gazett was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Mueller, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Mueller, the former a retired merchant and pioneer settler of Green Bay. Our subject and his wife have one son, Milton, now attending school in his native city. The family reside at 438 South Monroe avenue, in a beautiful home which Mr. Gazett erected for himself.

Mr. Gazett takes an intelligent interest in current politics. He never allows party lines to influence him in any way. preferring to cast his vote for the man whom he considers best fitted for the position. His only fraternal affiliation is his connection with the Knights of Pythias, of which he is an active member. He was reared in the doctrines of the French Presbyterian church and to this faith he adheres. He is one of the successful business men of Green Bay, absorbed in his work, which, however, he never allows to interfere with his intelligent and broad-minded interest in municipal affairs.

Smith Brothers

The city of Green Bay owes much of its business activity to the Smith family, who for two generations have been active and prominent in the truck-gardening business. In the city the name stands for everything enterprising, energetic and constructively progressive in commercial life and is honored on account of the valuable work and the upright lives of the men who have borne it. The firm of Smith Brothers at the present time consists of Henry C, George, Filmore, and the brothers, Kenneth and Walter Smith, sons of the senior partner. Together they are carrying on the important truck-gardening business established in Green Bay by the father of the three brothers, who was one of the pioneers in this line of work in Brown county and one of the greatest individual forces in horticultural development in Wisconsin. Upon his solid foundation the business is being built up today, Smith Brothers being numbered among the representative business men of the city. Aside from this they are also conducting a flourishing general merchandise business which was established in 1876.

John M. Smith, the founder of the enterprise, came to Green Bay in early times and here established the truck-gardening business of which the present large concern is the outgrowth. He did some work in lumber scaling but devoted most of his time to gardening, being the first man to engage in this line of occupation in the vicinity. He dealt in garden produce, selling at wholesale, and gradually but surely built up one of the largest enterprises in Green Bay. He was interested in every growing thing and was conspicuously successful in making trees and plants thrive and flourish and became widely known as a horticulturist. His business acumen enabled him to make his ability along this line particularly effective and the organization of the first horticultural society and the promotion of the first fair in Brown county came as the result of his efforts. He was a member of the State Horticultural Society and one of the most progressive and enterprising citizens of Green Bay. He died in 1894. His wife was in her maidenhood Miss Emily Torey and by her he had eight children : Henry C, senior partner of Smith Brothers ; George, also one of the firm ; Filmore, the third brother interested in the enterprise; Frank, who is engaged in farming; Stewart, who has passed away; Emmeline, the wife of Rev. F. Dexter, of Ashland, Wisconsin ; Silas, who is farming in Brandon ; and Irving, who resides in Ashland.

Henry C. Smith was born in Morristown, New Jersey, and came to Green Bay with his father when he was still a child. He grew up in this city and was educated in the public schools and has always been identified with the business which his father founded. He married Miss Louisa Berger, a native of Germany and a daughter of Christian Berger, a watchmaker and jeweler in that country. To this union were born eight children: Victor and Edward, both of whom are engaged in the gardening business: Kate; Walter, who is a member of the firm of Smith Brothers; Frank, who has passed away; Kenneth, a member of the firm of Smith Brothers ; Ida, who lives at home ; and Herbert. Henry C. Smith has given his entire time and attention to the operation and development of the business with which he has been connected since his youth, his ability and resourceful energy having been prominent factors in its success. He is still active in the conduct of the enterprise, being in the sixty-sixth year of his age. His brother, George B. Smith, is also an active partner. He married Miss Emily Bader, and to them ten children were born.

Filmore B. Smith married Miss Julia Crandle and they have two children. The other two partners in the concern are Walter and Kenneth Smith, sons of Henry C. Smith, and together the members of the firm work in harmony for the accomplishment of their substantial success.

Walter Smith was born September 15, 1877, in Green Bay, and after completing his education in the public schools became identified with the business with which he is at present connected. For twelve years he traveled through the surrounding country, representing his firm and selling high-grade garden produce. He made such a success of his work that he was finally taken into partnership and is now interested in the truck-gardening business and in the general merchandise enterprise which the firm operates. In 1903 he married Miss Ida Richardson, who was born in New York city. They have three children, Arthur, Wellesley and Catherine.

All of the members of the Smith family belong to the Episcopal church, in which faith they were reared. Their truck-gardening business is the largest of its kind in the city and one of Green Bay's most ably managed and profitable concerns. Upon the dignified and conservative foundation laid by John M. Smith the partners have built a modern, progressive and up-to-date enterprise while preserving the best elements of the earlier times and have made their name a synonym for efficiency, prosperity and business ability.

Hartvig Johnson

Hartvig Johnson owns and operates one of the finest farms in Brown county, comprising one hundred and ninety-seven and one-half acres of excellent land, which was his father's original purchase upon arriving in this section in pioneer times. Mr. Johnson, of this review, was fourteen years of age when he came from Denmark with his parents and has spent his life since that time in agricultural pursuits in this section. He was born in 1862, a son of Hans and Sena (Mortensen) Johnson. The father came to America at an early date and was joined by his wife one year afterward. They came immediately westward, settling on the farm which is now owned by our subject. The land was covered with timber and it was necessary to clear the trees before beginning the work of improvement and cultivation. From the lumber thus obtained he built a rude log cabin which is still standing upon the property. He was associated with much of the work of development which has resulted in making Brown county a productive farming region and before his death had made his farm an attractive and thoroughly modern agricultural property. When he came to Wisconsin wild game was abundant in this section and the conditions of living were yet primitive.

Hartvig Johnson was fourteen years of age when he came to the United States with his parents. When the family settled in Brown county he aided his father in clearing the timber and grubbing the stumps and has been a hard and conscientious worker since his childhood. His education was limited on account of the need for his help in the improvement and development of the land. This property is now in his possession and gives little idea in its attractive and prosperous state of its crude condition at the time of its purchase. Air. Johnson has built a comfortable and modern residence, in which he lives with his family and has replaced all of the old buildings by new and up-to-date structures.

In 1887 the subject of this review was united in marriage to Miss Anna Johnson, a daughter of Peter and Sophia (Hanson) Johnson. They are the parents of ten children, Hans, Sophus, Yiggo, Ingeborg, Alfreda, George, Elvira, Walter, Harvey and Ernst.

Mr. Johnson gives his political allegiance to the republican party, and is a member of the Lutheran church. He has carried on his father's work of development and improvement, changing his methods to keep pace with modern advancement but adhering steadily to the old standards of honesty and industry.