Dane County, Wisconsin - The whole text, 1906 (part 25 of 29)

Henry S. Smith, of Brooklyn, was born at Gorham, Ontario county. N. Y., April 17, 1847. His father, Henry S. Smith, was a native of Vermont, and came west when the country was new ; he came across Lake Michigan, landing at Milwaukee, and came on to Dane county in November of 1847. He had the facility of adapting himself to new conditions which made the Yankees such excellent pioneers, and as the means of transportation were few and the demand considerable, he took up that line of business for a while, carrying goods and passengers between Madison and Milwaukee. He took up land in the town of Oregon, cleared and improved it and made a home for himself and family. His wife was Miss Phoebe Halford, a native of Xew York, and they both remained on the homestead, - now the property of their son, Harry S.. - until their death: his occurred May 1, 1883, and hers June 6, 1885. The subject of this sketch attended school in the Dwight district in Oregon township, and followed the business of farming succeeding his father, and enlarging his boundaries ; he now owns two hundred and thirty-three acres, of which thirty acres are wood-land. He is one of a family of seven children, four boys and three girls, of whom ohlv three remain, Henry S., and one brother and one sister. Mr. Smith is a Republican, and has held the office of justice of the peace for twenty years, he has also served as supervisor for a number of years. He is a member of the church of the United Brethren, of Rutland. He was married March 13, 18T0, to Miss Jenette S. Wood, daughter of David and Naomi (Worden) Wood, of Sextonville, Richland county. Their nine children were all born in the town of Oregon, and educated there and in the high school of Oregon village. They are Lulu M., (Mrs. George Sholts), of Rutland; Ruby, (Mrs. Glidden), of Oregon; Glenn W., of Oklahoma; Nina P., at home; Floyd W., of Rockford. 111. ; Ethel Y. ; of Oregon ; H. Burns. Dean F., and Dale, at home.

James S. Smith, deceased, was another of the native sons of Dane county who won an enviable distinction in his chosen profession, and it is eminently fitting that in a publication of this character mention should be made of him and his life-work. Fie was born in the village of Marshall, in Dane county, on July 4, 1844, and was the son of George B. and Eugena (Weed) Smith, old and highly respected citizens. The father was one of the leading lawyers of Wisconsin and at cue time filled the responsible position of attorney-general of the state. When he was but :> small child, the parents of our subject removed to the' city of Madison and here he was reared and received his literary education. He early evinced a predilection for music and as he grew older his unusual talents in that direction became more manifest. After suitable preparation he went to New York city and there enrolled himself as a student under Prof. S. B. Mills, soon becoming very efficient as an instructor of the musical art. His talents and accomplishments soon won recognition and he was given the position of instructor in the musical department of the University of Wisconsin which position he was occupying at the time of his death. May 20, 1901. Mr. Smith was a Democrat in his political affiliations, and in religious belief was a consistent member of the Episcopal church. He was married. July 31, 1895, to Mrs. Mary Louise Campbell (Brooks), widow of Daniel Campbell, and daughter of Abiel E. and Mary ( Bort) Brooks, the parents being natives of New York who removed to Niles, Mich., where the daughter. Mis. Smith, was born. Later, they came to Dane county. Wis., where Mrs. Smith has resided since she was four years of age, the pleasant home which she owns and occupies being situated on Fast Gilman street. She is the trustee of her deceased husband's estate. Mrs. Smith is a highly cultured lady, is a prominent member of the Presbyterian

Matthew Smith, deceased, who met his death a few years since while in performance of duty, was an honorable citizen and a kind and loving husband and father, and well deserves recognition in a volume devoted to memoirs of a county in which he spent all of his life after becoming an American citizen He was born in County Cavan, Ireland, in 1853, and although his opportunities were very limited he managed to get such schooling as was afforded in the community in which he lived. He was the only one of his immediate family who came to America, and he was brought here by an uncle before he had reached the full years of manhood. His first work after coming to Dane county was as a farm hand and he continued so employed for the first seven years of his residence here. He then entered the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern .Railroad Company as a brakeman with headquarters at Madison. and continued so engaged until his death, which occurred March 10, 1899. While running ahead of a car in the performance of his duties he was tripped in a cross-frog and fell on the track, and before he could rise he was caught by the rapidly moving cars and four of them passed over his prostrate form killing him almost instantly. The wife, to whom he was married on February 5, 1884, resides in the city of Madison with her two sons, George Stanley and Matthew Vincent, a daughter, Mabel, being deceased. The maiden name of Mrs. Smith was Bridget Kivlin, and she is a daughter of Michael Kivlin, a prominent farmer of the town of Fitchburg. Mr. Smith was a Democrat in his political affiliations and his religious views of those of the Catholic faith.

Thore Erickson Smithback, who was born in parish Nowe near Christiania, Norway, March 27, 1842 and died November 9, 1905, was a well-known farmer of Dane county for many years. He came to the United States with his parents, Erick Thoreson and Aase (Oldsdatter) Smithback and his sister Anna in 1845. After a long and tedious voyage the family landed at New York and proceeded by way of Buffalo to Milwaukee where a strong team was procured which took them to Koshkonong, their journey's end. The home of Nels Olson Smithback, brother of Erick, sheltered them for a year, after which Eric purchased a farm in Christiania township near that of his brother. Six" years later the farm was sold and the family moved to one in section 6, which was their home for a long period. Eight children were born to M(r. and Mrs. Smithback; Thore. Anna. Ole, Nels. Aasil, Tosten, Erick and Ragnil. With his uncle Nels. young Thore began to operate a threshing outfit when he was but sixteen years of age and for eighteen years was engaged in this business. In 1865 he went to the northern woods but after six months returned and purchased the paternal homestead where from that time he carried on a general farming- business. He owned two hundred and four acres of fine farm property and also two hundred acres of South Dakota farm land. Mr. Smithback was a Republican but not an office-seeker and never took an active part in politics. January 18, 1867, he married Miss Martha Anderson, born in Albion, March 23, 1842, daughter of Amund Anderson and Ingobar (Johannesdatte) Anderson. Mrs. Anderson's first husband was Erick Johnson, with whom she came from Norway to La Salle, 111. where she married Mir. Anderson. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, all of whom live in Albion, which was the home of their parents after 1840. Mrs. Anderson died in 1884 and her husband in 1886. To Mr. and Mrs. Smithback were born eleven children ; Erick, the oldest, born in 1868, lives in Kingsbury, S. D. ; Andreas Cornelius, born in 1869, died in 1870; Albert E., born in 1871, is a farmer of Cottage Grove and married Christina Midland ; Oscar Edward, born in 1873, is a farmer in Cambridge; Ingeborg Marie, born in 1875, married Dr. John Bell and died in December, 1905 ; Tilla Margaret, born in 1877, is tne w^e °^ William Meyers of Cottage Grove; Sina Louisa, born in 1879, Otto, born in 1881, Thorval, born in 1883, and Marckus Neal, born in 1887, all live in Albion; Xetta. born in 1885, died in 1885. All of the children were educated in Albion, at the district schools or the Academy and are members of the Lutheran church.

Seth B. Snyder, superintendent of the Stoughton water works, is a native of the city of Stoughton. His parents, Washington and Julia (Buckmian) Snyder, were residents of Ogdensburg, St. Lawerence county, N. Y. In 1855 thty broke up their home in Ogdensburg and journeyed west, locating in Stoughton, where Mr. Snyder engaged in the business of moving and raising buildings. Stoughton became their permanent home and there Mr. Snyder died in 1886. There were six children in the Synder family; Catherine, (deceased), John, Sarah, who married William Coates, Augustus, Philo and Seth B. Setli B. was born May 15, 1861, was educated in the Stoughton public school and when he left school learned the cigar-maker's trade at which he worked for seventeen years. In 1897 he was appointed assistant superintendent of the water works which he has brought to a high state of efficency. In recognition of his excellent service he was appointed superintendent in 1901 and has been reappointed every year since. March 2, 1898, he married Mrs. Eliza (Brown) McYain of Madison, S. Dakota. Mr. and Mrs. Synder are prominent members of the Stoughton Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Synder is a Republican in his political affiliations but does not take an active part in politics. He is a member of the Stoughton branch of the I. O. O. F. and also of the Knights of Pythias.

Knute K. Soiney is the owner of a farm of eighty acres located in section 26, Blooming Grove township, and he is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Dane coounty, which has been his home from the time of his birth. He was born in Pleasant Springs township, this county, February 2q, 1854, and is a son of Knute Austinson and Christian Soiney, both of whom were born and reared in Norway, whence they immigrated to America, taking up their residence in Dane county, where the mother died when the subject of this sketch wras a child. He was reared on the home farm, in Pleasant Springs township, and his early educational advantages were those afforded in the district schools,. Fie continued to assist his father in the work of the farm until 1882, in which year he was married and removed to his present farm, which he then purchased. He has made excellent improvements on the place, which is now equipped with good buildings and maintained under a high state of cultivation, and the passing vears have brought increasing prosperity to the enterprising and energetic owner. Upon his removal to his own farm he was accompanied by his father, who passed the remainder of his life in the home of his son, his death occurring December 8, 1896. Mr. Soiney and his wife have worked side by side, and the fine equipment of their farm and home bears evidence of their splendid energy and careful management. Mr. Soiney is active in connection with political affairs of a local nature, being an uncompromising advocate of the cause of the Republican party, but he has invariably refused too become a candidate for public office of any description. He and his wife are zealous members of the Xorweigian Lutheran church. In the year 1882 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Soiney to Miss Martha Asbjornson, daughter of Hans and Emma Asbjornson. residents of Dunkirk township, this county. They have eight children, whose names, with respective dates of birth, are here entered: Kenus Harvey, February 9, 1883; Clarence Alfred, May 4. 1885; Charles Morse. M&rch 8, 1887; John Elvin, November 15, 1889; Jovie Alelia. May 7, 1893; Ernest Delin, April 19, 1896; Lillie Luella. February 25. 1898; and Clara Matilda, May 4, 1900.

Ernest Sommers is now living retired in the city of Madison after long years spent in the useful occupation of a gardener, in which he achieved both material success and, that which is more valuable, the respect and esteem of a wide circle of acquaintances. He was born in Calbe, a town of Prussian Saxony, on December 7, 1822, and is the son of Henry and Dorothea Sommers, both natives of the German empire, the father, who had been a soldier in the German army during the Napoleonic war, dying in 1830, and the mother in 1834. Our subject had good advantages in his youth and received a very fair education by attendance upon a boarding school in the town of his birth. He migrated to America in 1846, landing in New York city on September 14 of that year, and then came directly to Wisconsin. He secured employment in a nursery at Milwaukee and remained in that city thus engaged, for about three years. Then in January, 1850, he he came to the city of Madison with Governor Farwell, and continued to work for him, superintending all outside work, for about three years. He helped lay out all the streets in East Madison and set out all the shade trees in that part of the city, placing about 3,000 cottonwood and soft maple trees between East Madison depot and the Catfish, and he put out hundreds of trees in the park and other parts of the city proper. In 1853 he purchased of Governer Farwell the land upon which has ever since stood the Sornmers residence, and where the subject of this review is spending his old age in comfort and quietude. Soon after purchasing the land he erected a dwelling, and the remainder of his active life was devoted to gardening, in which he met with flattering success, the capital city furnishing a ready and convenient market for his varied products. Mr. Sommers is a man of much natural ability, unusual determination, and has always taken an active interest in affairs of a public nature, giving a hearty support to whatever met his conscientious approval. In politics he has been an unswerving adherent to the time-honored principles of the Democratic part)-, and his worth as a citizen has been recognized by election to various positions of trust. He served two years as supervisor for Madison, when the village and town were one, wTas town treasurer of Madison, assessor of the same for two years, was four years treasurer of Blooming Grove during the war, and has held at different times nearly all the offices in that town. He was one of the founders of the Madison Horticultural Society, and has always given his cheerful support to enterprises of a public nature. He was married on December 8, 1851, by Judge William Welsh, to Maria Eva Fuchs, a native of Germany, born in 1829. Mrs. Sommers died on September 14, 1895, having become mother of twelve children, of whom the following information is given: Josephine is now the wife of Conrad Hoffman of Madison; Clara died at the age of three vears: Ernest died at the age of one year; Leo is the editor of the Madisonian, at Madison; Max is in the real estate and insurance business in the city of Madison; Otto is in the United States mail service, and resides in the city of Madison: Herman died in infancy; Anna is the wife of Thomas F. Teirney and resides in the city of Madison; Julius is a practicing physician in Madison; Frank J. resides in Madison, and one child died unnamed in infancy.

J. C. Sommers, M. D., one of the leading young physicians of Madison, was born in the town of Blooming Grove, August 5, 1869. He is a son of Ernest and Eva (Fuchs) Sommers, both natives of Germany. Dr. Sommers received his preparatory education in tne public schools of Madison. In 1901 he was graduated at the Chicago College of Physicians and Surgeons, the medical department of the University of Ill'nois. Immediately after his graduation he started a general practice in his home city, and has continued it successfully since. Dr. Sommers is a member of the Dane County, the Central Wisconsin, the Wisconsin State, and the American Medical Associations. He is examiner for the Wisconsin Mutual Life Insurance company of Madison. Like his mother he is a member of the German Catholic church.

Nels Sorrenson, of Oregon, was born in Denmark, November 21, 1871. He is the son of Soren and Anna Sorrenson, natives of Denmark. His father is a farmer and still living, but his mother is dead. Tliev had a family of six sons, four of whom live in the United States and two are still in Denmark. . Mr. Sorrenson was nineteen years old when he came to Dane county and settled in Oregon township ; after a residence there of ten years, he made three moves in a period of five years, going to Fitchburg, then to Rutland and then back to Fitchburg- ; he then again changed his residence to Oregon where he has lived for the past two years. He owns a farm, mostly improved, of one hundred and sixty acres, and is extensively engaged in ra:sing cattle and horses. In politics he fraternizes with the Democratic party. Fie married Miss Maggie Hanner, daughter of John and Ella (Putnam) Hanner, November 12, 1895. Mr. Hanner 's a native of New York, and his wife, and also their daughter, of Wisconsin. The two children of Mr. and Airs. Sorrenson. Earl J. and Archie A'., make the third generation on the maternal side born in the town of Oregon. Air. Hanner and his wife still reside in Oregon township; he came to Dane as a small boy, some time in the fifties, and both he and his wife were reared and educated in the state. Airs. Sorrenson is their only child. Air. Sorrenson is a good type of independence and energy, his present prosperity being the result of his own efforts ; he was thrown largely upon his own resources from the time he was ten years old tind early developed the characteristics of diligence and self-reliance. He is a member of the fraternal order of Modern Woodmen.

Franklin Soule, a prominent farmer of Rutland, is of Puritan ancestry He is a direct descendant of George Soule and of the eighth generation in America. ' George Soule was the founder of the family in America and was one of the passengers who came in the Mayflower. The Soules took a prominent part in the Revolutionary War and the early Indian wars. Sullivan Soule. father of Franklin, was a native of Penobscot, Ale. and engaged in lumbering in that vicinity. His mother was Temperance Crow ell before her marriage and was born in Penobscot. Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan Soule had six children, Hannah, Lucinda, Samuel, Franklin and two who died in infancy. Franklin is the sole survivor. Sullivan Soule married again and his second wife was Miss Hannah P>owker, also a native of Maine, and to this marriage were born two daughters, Melinda and Henrietta. The latter died ; the former lives in Wheeling, West \ "irginia. After fhe death of the second Mrs. Soule, Mr. Soule married Miss Esther Adams of "Syracuse, N. Y. In 1846, the family left Maine and located at Joliet. 111., where they lived for a year. After that they made Rutland, Wis. their home and owned a large farm in section 2. Franklin Soule was born in Rutland, November 22, 1849, attended school in Stoughton and worked on the farm as a boy. The care of his parents in their old age devolved upon the son and he has always lived on the old home farm. It consists of three hundred acres with many improvements and upon it Mr. Soule raises tobacco, grain, hay, etc., and considerable fine stock, making a specialty of high grade poultry. March 7, 1875, he married M'iss Malv'na Huff, a native of Maine. Mrs. Soule's parents, the Rev. Asa Huff and Louisa (Libby) Huff, resided in Wellington, Me., where Mr. Huff was a minster of the Free-will Baptist church. Of their seven children but three are living; Israel and Julia, in Wellington, Me. and Malvina, (Mrs. Soule). Mr. ami Mrs. Soule have three children. The oldest, Lois T.. is the wife of Everett Devoll of Rutland and has one daughter, Lucile. Samuel is a farmer of Rutland and married Miss Carrie Emmons. Three children make up their family circle; Ralph, Robert and .Myrtle. Sullivan, the youngest son, lives with his parents and is a student at the Stoughton high school. The family are devoted members of the Free-will Baptist church. Mr. Soule is a Republican but has never devoted much time to politics or desired to hold office. I [e is a member of the Stoughton chapter and of the Blue Lodge of the Masonic ( )rder and he and bis wife belong to the Eastern Star.

James Spalding is a retired farmer who has resided for many years in Dane county and since 1890 in the town of Burke, where his property is also the site of the Token Creek Creamery. Of Xew England descent. Ezra Spalding, grandfather of James, was a soldier in the War of the Revolution and lived in Cornish, New Hampshire, where his son Lemuel was born September 13, 1787. Lemuel was educated in Xew Hampshire and there married Miss Lucy Pierce, who was born in Xew Hampshire, July 6, 1790. They had ten children, of whom James, the subject of this sketch, and his brother Charles are the only survivors. James was born in Claremont. Xew Hampshire, July 4. 1829, was taken by his parents to Harland, Vermont, to live, when he was but three years old. He attended school in Hartland and at the age of seventeen years he entered the woolen mills of Bridgewater, Vermont, where he was employed as a spinner for six years. In 1850 he came to the town of Windsor and obtained a farm in section 35, which was his home until 1890. when he moved to the present home in Burke. He has been allied with the Republican party since its organization but has not devoted much of his time to active politics. November 29, 1849. he married MJiss Electa Hunt, who was born in Windsor, Vermont, September 2, 1824, daughter of Joseph and Tirzah (Barber) Hunt, both natives of Springfield, Mass.. who came to Windsor, Vt., to live, and thence to Windsor, Dane county, Wis. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Spalding" ; Ella, born Xovember 25, 1857, and died February 10, 1874; Harry, born June 25, 1859. a farmer of the town of Burke, who married Miss Helen Bird, daughter of W. D. Bird of Madison ; Mrs. Harry Spalding died February 22. 1802. leaving one son. Earl Wayne. Emma, the youngest daughter was born August 18, 1860. Mrs. James Spalding died in Windsor, February 11, 1890.

Hiland J. Spaulding is the postmaster at Windsor village and has lived in Dane county for many years. He was born in Ludlow, Windsor county, Vermont, son of Warren and Almira ( Spafford) Spaulding, who were also natives of Windsor county. Warren Spaulding was a farmer in Vermont and in 1856, came to Dane county and purchased a farm in the town of Burke. His first wife was a Miss Sanderson and four sons were born to the marriage, of whom but two are living. Two sons and a daughter blessed the second marriage. Mr. Spaulding enlisted in the War of 1812. Hiland J. Spaulding was born October 16. 1841. attended school in Vermont and in Dane count}' and was employed in Token as a clerk for three years. April 17, 1861. he enlisted under the call for three months troops as a private in Company E of the First Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until mustered out August 29, 1861. He participated in the battle of Falling Waters. After his return from the front he purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in the town of Vienna and there resided until 1895. Fortv acres were added to the property during that time and many improvements made. In 1895, Mr. Spaulding moved to the village of Windsor and was appointed postmaster. Mr. Spaulding is a Republican in his political affiliations and has held the office of teasurer of the town of Vienna for seven years, chairman of the town board for four vears and has been school clerk for sixteen years. In 1893, he represented the district in the state legislature and is now serving his second term as supervisor at Windsor. November 15, 1863, he married Miss Cornelia Farwell, who was born in Vermont, March 4, 1842, daughter of James Farwell, who brought his family to the town of Windsor in 1846 and there spent the residue of his life. Mr. and Mrs. Spaulding have had two children ; Arthur, the oldest son. married Miss Bird Fisher, of Illinois, and is engaged in farming in Minnesota, and Charles W.. the second son, died at the age of seven years. The family is prominent in the Congregational church. Mr. Spaulding is a member of the Masonic order and of the Madison branch of the G. A. R.

George A. Speckner, retired, who makes his home at 7 North Franklin street, was born in Bohemia, Germany, July 18, 1829. His parents were Joseph and Anna (Houswitz) Speckner, natives of Germany. The father was a miller, who died in the old country at the age of seventy-five. The mother also passed away in the Fatherland in 1852. George A. Speckner was one of two children. A sister, Mrs. John Rhode, died a few years ago. He received his education in Germany and in 1852 served nine months in the army. In 1854 he came to America, landing in New York on October 7. For nine months he worked in Ashville, N. C, and then started for Madison. The trip from Charleston. S. C, to Lexington was made on foot, and from there was by way of Cincinnati, Ohio, Chicago and Milwaukee, by rail arriving in Madison July 18, 1855. Here he was employed as a clerk in the store of Samuel Klauber for some six or seven years. Then he was employed as upholsterer in the state capitol for nearly fourteen years. Following his capitol employment he did odd jobbs of upholstering and carpet laying, until his retirement. In 1859 he married Miss Sophia Brecknar, a native of Germany. Her parents died across the water, where one brother still resides M'r. and Mrs. Speckner have had eight children, of whom five are living, - Joseph L.r a railway employe living at Joliet, 111.; Anna M., wife of E. H. Nebel, a barber of Madison; George L., a photographer in the employ of Hon. Joseph C. Schubert; Snsan, wife of George W. Levis, a land agent with offices in Miadison; Frances, wife of John C. Frien. Madison agent of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway. Edward died at the age of nineteen, and Frank at the age of fourteen. The other child died in infancy. Mr. Speckner is one of the respected pioneers of Madison. He came to Madison early enough to become acquainted with the hardships with which the early life of the city was fraught and has lived to see Madison grow into one of the most beautiful and cultured cities of the west.

Ransford W. Speer of the town of Rutland, is a well-known farmer of American birth and ancestry. His father, John D. Speer, was born near Newark, N. Y., and went to New York state with his parents when a boy. There he grew up and learned the blacksmith's trade. He married Miss Maria Johnson of Monroe county, N. Y. and together the young couple went to Washtenaw county, Mich., leaving their home there to come to Rutland in 1854. A farm of one hundred and twenty acres was bought in section 32 and Mr. Speer started a blacksmith shop. They joined the First Baptist Church of Union, Wis. Ten children were born to them, of whom four are living; Jane married John Hutchinson, Ouincy, Mich.; Maria in Columbus, Ohio; Harriet, in Janesville, Wis.; and Ransford. The father died in January, 1888, aged eighty-four years, and the mother died in 1899, aged ninety-three. Ransford was the youngest son and was born February 26, 1844, at Lodi, Mich., came to Wisconsin when he was eight years old and attended the Rutland schools. He learned the blacksmith's trade at his father's forge, and, like his brothers, became a skilled workman. The duties of the farm have, however, always occupied his time, and he lived on the old homestead and took care of his parents as their years advanced, and he now owns the old homestead and has added to it until he has a fine farm of two hundred and thirty-five acres. In December, 1866, he married Miss Sarah R. Colburn, daughter of Hobart and Catherine A. (Witt) Colburn, the former a native of Putney, N. H., and the latter of Wilmington, Vt. They came to Rutland in 1847 and later lived in Brooklyn. They were among the early settlers of Rutland and took up government land. Mr. Colburn is now a member of her daughter Sarah's family, her husband having died May 28, 1888 aged sixty- seven years. Mr. and Mrs. Speer have had eight children. Elvira, the oldest, died; Walter C, is a watchman at the State Institute for the Blind at Janes- ville ; Grace married William Pratt of Stoughton ; Lewis, Glenn, Arthur, Dora and Edith E., reside at home with their parents. Glenn is a member of the organization of Beavers of Brooklyn, Wis. Mr. Speer is a Republican but has never been an active politician. The family belong to the Congregational church.

George W. Spencer, a leading baker of Madison whose place of business is at 607 University Avenue, was born in Milwaukee, January 11, 1854. His parents, James and Sarah (Southwell) - Spencer, the former born in Lewis county. New York state, and the latter in England, came to Milwaukee in 1837, one year after the organization of the territory of Wisconsin. The father's vocation was that of a harness-maker and he followed it all his life. After spending a few years in Palmyra he brought his family to Madison in 1859 and remained in that city the rest of his life, his death occurring in 1904 in his eighty-seventh year. George W. Spencer received his education in the Madison schools, and has the distinction of having been one of the first pupils in the old fourth ward school building, Upon the completion of his studies he found employment in the old New England bakery and served out his apprenticeship there. In 1894 he entered business for himself at 316 State street, remaining in that location four years, and then removing to 457 West Gilman street. In 1906 he purchased a lot on University avenue and erected a building in which he has since been carrying on his business. That his work and output is excellent is amply evidenced by the increase of his business from year to' year. The shop is a model of cleanliness and neatness, two essentials which a refined patronage demands. In politics Mr. Spencer is a stanch Republican and in his religious affiliations is identified with the Methodist Episcopal church. In April 7, 1884 he married Miss M(ary Marky, a native of Copenhagen, N. Y., and a daughter of Christopher Marky. Mrs. Spencer was left an orphan when eight years old. There are two children in the family -George and Ella May. Mr. Spencer is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and his wife of the daughter of Rebekah.

John Coit Spooner, senior United States senator from Wisconsin, is the brilliant descendent of a family which has produced soldiers and statesmen. His forbears came from England in 1637 and settled in Dartmouth, Mass., whence they spread to other settlements along the New England coast. They were prominent in colonial affairs and were soldiers in the French and Indian wars. His great-grandfather Philip, with his brother, Michael, attained distinction in the War <»f the Revolution. The mother of John C. was Lydia Lord Coit. a daughter of Hon. Roger Coit, of Plainfield, Conn.; she was of Welsh descent, and her people were also among the earliest New England settlers. Like the Spooners, her ancestors were distinguished soldiers, both in the Revolution and in the War of 1812. The father of John C. was Philip Loring Spooner, for many years a distinguished member of the early Wisconsin bar, who differed somewhat from his predecessors, in that he was unambitious, except as a lawyer, was of a retiring disposition, and was essentially a man of peace. John C.'s uncle, Benjamin, on the other hand, was full of fire, and a gallant soldier both in the Mexican War and in the War of the Rebellion. John C. was born January 6, 1843, at Lawrenceburg, Ind., and came to Madison, Wisconsin, with his parents and two brothers and a sister, in June, 1859. After attending the city schools of Madison for a time, he entered the University of Wisconsin at the age of seventeen. Here he was an apt student, but was especially noted as one of the best debaters in the famous, old Hesperian literary society. He was eager to enlist in the earlier years of the Civil War, but his father kept him to his studies until May, 1864, when he helped him to raise a company under the one hundred-day call, and young Spooner, declining a commission, went out as a private in Company D, Fortieth Regiment, a regiment largely composed of college students and professors. Meanwhile the University authorities, as a reward for patriotism, agreed to graduate those members of his class who enlisted before their course was quite completed. On his return in September, he again enlisted, for "three years or the war," and went forth as captain of Company A, Fiftieth Regiment, which was first detailed at Fort Leavenworth, and then in the northwest to quell Indian outbreaks in the Sioux country. Fie was brevetted major, March 13, 1865, and was mustered out June 12, 1866. His title of colonel, by which he is often known, was given to him while serving as private and military secretary to Governor Fairchild, to which position he was appointed in January, 1867. In 1868 he was appointed quartermaster-general of the state and served two years, with the rank of brigadier- general, and in 1869-70 was assistant attorney-general under Charles R. Gill and Stephen S. Barlow. On the advice of his father, who feared lest he be drawn away from his profession into politics by the seductive influence of public office, he abandoned the public service, removed to Hudson, Wis., and devoted himself exclusively for many years to the law. He soon acquired a lucrative practice, and his fame as a counselor and advocate extended into many of the neighboring states. In addition to* his large general practice, he soon became the attorney for the West Wisconsin and the North Western Railwav companies; 53- - iii when these two roads were merged to form the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha, he became the general counsel of the new company. His greatest service was rendered in behalf of the University of Wisconsin, drafting and pressing to final passage a bill levying a general tax to be added annually forever to the University fund income. The precedent thus established was followed until recent years when the legislature saw fit to again return to' the practice of making annual appropriations for its support. Impartial recognition of his signal service in behalf of the University, - a service which gave it a settled income and started it on its great period of prosperity and growth, he was made a regent in 1882, and served with great fidelity until February, 1884. In this connection it may be also mentioned that the University conferred on him the degree of A. M. in 1869, and that of LU. D. in 1894. This single term in the legislature was Mr. Spooner's sole connection with politics while at Hudson, - except to* take the stump for his friends and to attend conventions in their behalf, - until he was elected United States senator in 1885. He served his connection with the Omaha, May 5, 1884, when the Vanderbilt interests had secured control of the road and were asking him to bring a suit for $1,200,000 against Messrs. Flower, Dows, and Porter, stockholders in the road and his personal friends and clients. After his resignation he successfully resisted the suit in their behalf. Mr. Spooner took a pr ..minent part in the Blaine-Cleveland campaign of 1884. and has ever since taken a leading part in the counsels of the Republican party, and has also achieved a national reputation as a political orator. His election to the United States senate over General Fairchild in his own party, and in opposition to General E. S. Bragg, the Democratic nominee, was a great personal triumph, proving as it did how highly the people regarded his achievemtnts at the bar and the forum. The people summoned him as the ablest and bravest of the younger generation of Republicans to represent them in the senate, at a time when an able, aggressive, eloquent and resourceful debater was needed to cope with the Democratic leaders. A Democratic administration was soon to be inaugurated in the person of President Cleveland. When he took his seat in the senate, his reputation as an orator and a jurist of wide attainments had preceded him. and he soon acquired a place in that body usually attained, if ever, only after years of honorable service. On the expiration of his term of service he returned to the state, and soon moved to Madison from Hudson, to be near his sons in the State University. He formed tlic partnership of Spooner, Sanborn & Kerr, later Spooner, Sanborn

& Spooner, and important cases came to him at once as though there had been no- interruption in his practice. It was during this period that he conducted to a successful issue the important gerrymander cases for his party in the Supreme court of the State. On the expiration of the term of Senator William F. Vilas, who had been elected his successor in 1891, Senator Spooner in turn succeeded Vilas, taking his seat in 1897; he was elected to succeed himself at the end of his term, and is now serving (his third term in the senate. His steady rise to leadership during these three terms is familiar to all the people of the country. During both the McKinley and the Roosevelt administrations he has been the trusted adviser of both Executives and their repeated champion and spokesman on the floor of the senate. His profound knowledge of the law, his gift for constructive statesmanship, his splendid oratory, courage and conservatism, and his incomparable power in running debate have firmly established his reputation in the hearts of the people. Senator Spooner nominated Governor Rusk at Chicago in 1888; seconded the nomination of Harrison at Minneapolis in 1892. The same year he led the forlorn hope of his party in the state, as its candidate for governor, largely reducing the Democratic majority. September 10, 1868, Mr. Spooner was most happily married to Miss Annie E. Main, of Madison, Wis., a lady of fine musical talent and great refinement. They have had four sons, one of whom, John C. died in 1881. Those living are Charles Philip, now a lawyer of Seattle, Willett Main, an attorney of Milwaukee, and Philip L., living with his parents. Their home life is almost ideal. Mr. Spooner has retained many of the tastes and enthusiasms of his early years, and is one of those men who never grow old. He is still a boy with his boys, has a young man's fondness for athletics and for all the outdoor sports, and loves the woods, and the streams and the mountains. Clean and temperate in private life, true to his friends, a man of absolute honor and integrity, modest, unresentful and generous at all times, an able jurist and a great statesman, he reflects honor on the state and nation which have placed him in high place.

Hon. Philip Loring Spooner, first insurance commissioner of Wisconsin, and ex-mayor of Madison, Wis., is the second of the distinguished sons of Philip Loring and Lydia (Coit) Spooner. He comes of fine old New England stock; both his paternal great-grandfather. Philip, and his maternal great-grandfather, Samuel Coit, rose to prominence in the War of the Revolution, the latter being a colonel, and known as a fearless and terrific fighter. Numerous Spooners and Coits fought in the war of 1812 and, in fact, their names adorn the roll of honor in all the prominent wars of America. His maternal grandfather was the Hon. Roger Coit, of Painfield, Conn. ; his father. Judge Spooner, was eminent for his great learning and attainments, and was cne of that brilliant galaxy' of lawyers, which rendered the early bar of Madison famous throughout the northwest. He is remembered as a man of high Christian character, a quiet and unobtrusive citizen, an exceptionally able and good man. He died in 1887 at the age of seventy-seven, when appropriate proceedings were held in the circuit court for Dane county, in the United States district court and in the supreme court of the state, in which his brethren in the legal profession united in sincere ecomiums upon his sterling traits of character. Mr. and Mrs. Spooner became the parents of the following children : John C, of whom individual mention is made in this volume; Philip L., our subject; Roger C, of Chicago, 111., where he has charge of the Indian warehouse ; Mary Coit. wife of Dr. James W. Vance of Madison, Wis. Philip L., Jr., was born at Lawrenceburg, Dearborn county, Ind., January 13, 1847; ne came to Madison, Wis., with his parents in June, 1859. He was educated in the high school and the University of Wisconsin, an. 1 in 1867 engaged in the business of fire and life-insurance. He continued in this line of work until 1878, when the legislature created the office of insurance commissioner, and Mr. Spooner was appointed as the first incumbent of the new office, and re-appointed in 1880. It became an elective office by chapter 300, laws of 1881, and Mr. Spooner was again chosen. He made an able and efficient public servant, and filled the office with credit to himself and fidelity to the public interests from April 1, 1878, to January 3, 1887. He has also served in various other public capac'ties, having represented the fourth ward in the common council of Madison, and as mayor of the city for one term, 1880-81. He was for many years identified with the traction interests of the city of Madison, as principal stockholder and president of the Madison Traction Co. Those who knew his father well say that the son has many of the finer characteristics of his parent. He is quiet, unobtrusive and d'gnified in manner, courteous to all. of absolute integrity and simple habits. He has been a generous contributor to many of Madison's public enterprises, and his spirt of quiel liberality is well illustrated in his recent unsolicited gift of a fine site for a Woman's Club building in Madison. Mr. Spooner has never married.

John Sprengel, son of Andrew and Rosa (Stutcke) Sprengel. natives of Germany, - the former horn in 1812, - came with his parents to Wisconsin in 1857. They settled first in Dodge county.

and Airs. Spengel died in Watertown in 1859, and is buried in Jefferson count\- ; her husband came to Dane where he died in 1867. Of their six children three are living. Air. Sprengel was a farmer by occupat'on and a Democrat in politics; all the family belong- to the Catholic church. The subject of this sketch was born in West Prussia, August 14. 1840. His early education was obtained in Germany, and he was self-educated in English. He was reared on a farm, followed this occupation for somo years, and still does to some extent, although he learned the trade of a carpenter and worked at it for fourteen years. He makes Irs home in Sun Prairie, where he owns his home surrounded by a tract of twelve acres. Air. Sprengel served in the C'vil War, enlisting in the Wisconsin First Heavy Artillery, in 1864, and remaining until mustered out at the close of hostilities. He commemorates that service by membership in the G. A. R. He belongs to the Democratic party and has acted as street commissioner for Sun Prairie for four years. He married, January, 1867, AFss Margaret Yolkcr. born in Bavaria, Germany, of Bavarian parents, John and Barbara Volker. who came to Wisconsin about i860, and who both died in Dane county. Air. and Airs. Sprengel have had six children, Anna, George, Theodore, Emma, Barbara, Leo. John E. Stanford, a retired business man of the town of Black Earth, was born at Franklin county, Alass., February 20, 1831. He is one of twelve children born to Ebenezer- and Alary (Hawks) Stanford, both natives of Alassachusetts, the former 01 Boston and the latter of Franklin county. Ebenezer Stanford was a farmer all through life. He was a believer in the principles of the old Whig party, but was never an aspirant for public office. Aloses Stanford, the grandfather of John E., was a soldier in the colonial army during the Rovolut'onary War. John E. Stanford was educated in the common schools of his native state and at the age of eighteen began learning the trade of currier. He worked at this trade for several years, three of which were in Jacksonville, Vermont, and in 1856 located at Alenasha. Wis., where he worked in a chair factory for about two years. In the spring of i858 he came to I '.lack Earth and engaged in the grain and produce business, in which he continued until 1ST-"), except the time he was in the army during the Civil War. He enlisted in February, 1865, as a private in Company A, Forty-ninth Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteers and was mustered in as sergeant. He remained in service until the close of hostilities and was mustered out in Alissouri. August, 1865. He was also associated with D. D. Logan in the mercantile business for some time. Since 1901 he has been retired from active pur- suits. In August, 1856. he married Olive, daughter of Reuben and Olive Hatch, the former a native of Halifax, Yt, and the latter of Dover, Vt. No children were born to this marriage and Mrs. Stanford died in August. 1004. Mr. Stanford is a Republican in his political affiliations and takes a commendable interest in public affairs. He is well known in the community where he lives and is universally respected.

Carlos Stebbins, of Waunakee, belongs to one of the pioneer New England families whose occupation . of Wisconsin in the early days helped to lay a good foundation for the subsequent upbuild 'ng of a great commonwealth. His father, Joseph Stebbins, was born in Bakersfield, Franklin county, Yt., in 1829; his mother, Mary Jane ( Martin) Stebbins, in 1833. On coming west, a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, in Springfield township, was first elected as a home, but soon after the family moved to Hyer's Corners, where Mr. Stebbins established a wagon-shop, and also built up a thriving business in a grocery store, whose combined interests occupied his attention for sixteen years. Later in life he returned to the business of farming and purchased one hundred and seventy-three acres, four miles west of the village of Waunakee. At present he has retired from active participation in business affairs, enjoying in his decl'ning years the results of the efforts of his younger life. He had three children two of whom, Arline and Emmoii, still reside with their parents, and Carlos. The last was born in the town of Springfield, December 17, 1862, and received his education in the common school. He pursued the business of farming until he was nearly forty years of age. In 1901, he received one of the first appointments as rural mail carrier from Waunakee, serving- on route No. 2, in which occupation he is at present employed. Both father and son are independent in politics. The former served as justice of the peace for eight, and the latter as constable for seven years. On January 3, 1884, Mr. Carlos Stebbins was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane Kelly, of Walworth, daughter of Mjichael Kelly, also mentioned in this publication- James E. Steele, a prominent and progressive farmer and stockraiser of Dane township, is one of the native sons of the county who are reflecting credit upon themselves by their industry and public spirit. The family is of old Empire state stock, the grandfather. James Steele, who is given a more extended mention elsewhere in this volume, having migrated to Wisconsin and taken up his abode in Dane comity as early as 1856. Robert Steele, the father of him whose name introduces this memoir, was born in

Delaware county. X. Y., November 18, 1832, and hence was but sixteen years old when with his parents he became a resident of the Badger state. He received his education in the common schools of his native county, and also attended the primitive institutions of learning" in Dane county after the removal of the family here. Upon reaching manhood he decided upon farming" as his life's vocation, and in 1856 settled upon the farm which is now owned by his sons, and there began to literally hew a home out of the wilderness. He first bought one hundred and sixty acres, but by industry and frugality he added to his possessions until he owned three hundred and twenty acres of finely-improved farm land. In addition to general farming he devoted considerable attention to the breeding of short-horn cattle and Poland China hogs, and met with gratifying success in all that pertains to a farmer's -career. The call of the general government in the early 60's for men to defend her honor served to draw the attention of Robert Steele away from the peaceful pursuits of the husbandman, and on August 27. 1862, he offered his services to his country and became a member of Confpany H, Twenty-third Regiment Wisconsin Infantry, being honored with the position of second lieutenant of the company. A few months later, on December 10, 1862, he was promoted to the position of first lieutenant, and served in that capacity until June 30, 1864, when he resigned on account of illness. Recovering his health he assisted in organizing the Forty-second regiment of AYisconsin infantry, and on September 7, 1864, was again mustered into the United States military service as first lieutenant of Company C. In that position he served until the close of the war. and was mustered out on June 20, 1865. Air. Steele was in the engagement of Chicakasaw Bluff and took part in the attack on Arkansas Post, on the Arkansas river ; also in the bombardment of Grand Gulf, and the battles of Port Gibson, Champion's Hill, Black River Bridge, and through the entire siege of Vicksburg. witnessing, at the distance of a half mile, the meeting" between Generals Grant and Pemberton when they agreed upon the terms of surrender. The war being over, Robert Steele resumed his peaceful occupation, which he followed during the remainder of his active career, the only variation being the time devoted to public affairs in capacities to which he was called by the votes of his neighbors. He filled with credit the office of chairman of the town board of Dane township, and also that of assessor, being the incumbent of each for several years. In politics he was a stanch Republican, and in religious affairs he was a member of the Methodist Episcofc40 HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

pal church For over half a century. Robert Steele was twice married, the first union being with Aliss Rhoda A. liower, a native of Orange county. \. Y.. were she was born March 23, 1835. Four children were born to this union, viz: John Wesley, a resident of Lodij Wis..; Anna Josephine, deceased; Robert Benson, a teacher in the schools of Nashville, Tenn.. and William W., who is engaged in the lumber business at Lodi. Wis. The first wife died on February 2, L864, and on August 7, 1866, Air. Steele was married to Miss Mary Hanley, a native of Limerick county, Ireland, where she was born in 184)3. To this union there were born three children : Daisy, who is the wife of Dr. G. H. Irwin, of Lodi, Wis. ; James E., who is the subject of this sketch, and Samuel Hanley, who is also a farmer, and who owns a one-half interest in the old homestead farm of three hundred and sixty acres. Robert Steele died November 19, 1904, and his wife on February 18, 1905, on the same day of the wreek and the same hour of day. James E. Steele was born upon the farm where he now resides, in Dane township, June 8, 1873, grew to manhood and has always lived in that locality- Fie received his education in the common schools of the vicinity, and upon reaching manhood followed in the footsteps of his father, adopting the agricultural industry as his occupation. He and his brother, Samuel Hanley 'Steele, are the owners of three hundred and sixty acres of land, which is finely improved, and they are breeders of short-horn cattle and Shropshire sheep, being extensive feeders and cattle raisers. James E. Steele was married February 9, 1905, to Miss Abbie E. Loper, daughter of John C. and Catherine (Loeffler) Loper. the father being a native of Mecklenburg, Germany, born in 1846, and who came with his parents to America in 1852, locating first in Rochester N. Y., and in 1855 coming to Dane county, Wis. During the war Mr. Loper served in the Second Wisconsin Infantry, and was wounded at the battle of Gainesville, Va. Mr. and Mrs. Steele have one daughter (an infant, unnamed at this writing). In politics Mr. Steele gives allegiance to the Republican part)-, and he and his wife are attendants of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Samuel D. Steele, (deceased), was born June 23, 1845, in Delaware county, X. Y. His parents, - James Steele, horn in Delaware county, X. Y.. January 4, 1805, and Jane (Corven) Steele, born in Scotland, in 1807, - came to Dane and located on the farm now owned by the widow of their son Samuel, in 1848; here he died February 4. 1887, and his wife May 16, 1889. He was a man who was actively interested in politics and served as justice of the peace. His political and church affiliations with the Republican party and the Methodist church, respect! vely, have been perpetuated by his family. He and his wife had a family of seven, five sons and two daughters. The ancestrv is Irish, the paternal grandparents, Robert and Nancy (Dunshee) Steele, having- both been natives of Armagh county, Ireland, who came to New York in 1 79 1 , and were married in Courtwright, Delaware county, in 1802; on the ship on which they came one hundred passengers died of yellow fever. They made their new home in New York and died in that state. The subject of this sketch received his education in the common schools of Dane township ; he followed the occupation of farming and became one of the leadingfarmers of the community, owning a large tract of five hundred and twenty-four acres. He has also been largely interested in the breeding of short-horn cattle and Poland China hogs. Miss Estella Martin, born at S tough ton, May 7, 1854, became his wife December 25, 1876. She is the daughter of Abrami C. and Ada (North) Martin, who came to Stoughton about 1848; the former a native of Vermont, born on November 19, 1824, and the latter of Essex county, N. Y., born June 16, 1829. Mrs. Martin died in Springfield, May, 1879, and her husband has retired from the active life of a farmer and makes his home in Lodi They were both members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Martin is a Republican. To Samuel and Estella (Martin) Steele were born three children, Ada North, who was educated at the Lodi high school, of which she is a graduate; she is now the wife of Henry Gluth of Columbia county; Leonard Martin, educated at Lodi high school and Northwestern business college of Madison ; he iives on a farm with his mother. Lela E. is a student of Lodi high school. The subject of this sketch was a resident of Lodi at the time of his death, which occurred December 6, 1896. The Steele family is one of sturdy integrity, exemplifying the best characteristics of true American manhood.

Halle Steensland, one of the prominent Norse citizens of Madison, and for many years vice-consul of Sweden and Norway, was born June 4. 1832, at Sandeid, near Stavanger, Norway, son of Halle H. Steensland, a farmer, who was for many years a non-commissioned officer in the regular army of lvs native land. His mother's name was Ingeborg Khudstatter, who after her husband's death, came to America and made her home with her son Halle until her death. Mir. Steensland's early years were spent on the farm, and as a clerk in Stavanger. When a little past his majority he came to America in 1854, and had but $10 when he reached Chicago. He came to Madison in 1855, where he first clerked in a store, an3 then embarked in business for himself; later he took an active part in organizing the Hekla Fire Insurance Co., and became its secretary and treasurer, and later its president. When he severed his connection with this company, he organized the Savings Loan & Trust Co., of which he is now the president, and his son, E. B. Steensland, is its secretary. Under his careful management the company is doing a large and constantly growing business. Mr. Steensland was married in Madison to Miss Sophia Halvorsdater in 1857, and six children, five sons and a daughter, were the fruits of the union. Two sons and a daughter have been graduated from the University of Wisconsin, and one son, Mortem M., from Luther College, Decorah, Iowa. MV. Steensland is a Republican in politics, and has always taken an active interest in political matters. At present he is a member of the city council In 18.72 he was appointed vice-consul in Wisconsin for Xorway and Sweden and held that position up to the dissolution of the united kingdom in 1905. Both Mr. Steensland and family are earnest members of the Lutheran church. The library at St. Olaf's College, Xorthfield, Minn., is one of Mr. Steensland's noteworthy gifts to the cause of education. He has traveled abroad extensively, and is recognized as one of Madison's substantial business men. He has taken a keen interest in public affairs, and his splendid gift to Mad'son. known as the Steensland bridge, is marked by a spirit of broad liberality.

Frank Stegerwald, senior member of the firm of Stegerwald & Co., well known contractors of East Bristol, Wis., was born in Blooming Grove, Dane county. Wis., on November 5, 1854. His parents, Michael Stegerwald and Barbara Wolf, were natives of Bavaria. Germany, and immigrated singly to this country. They were married in Ohio and soon thereafter started farther west, settling in Bristol in 1851. Later they spent two years at Blooming Grove, where the subject of this sketch was born. Then they returned to their former home, taking up their residence on the farm where they spent the remainder of their lives. Four sons were born to them, of whom only one. Frank, survives. The father died in is:,; and Mrs. Stegerwald married twice after his death. Her second husband was Joseph Hausner. There were three children from this marriage, only one of whom is living. Her third husband was Herman Ritter by whom she had two children. Mrs. Stegerwald died December 3, 1895, at the family homestead. I rank Stegerwald was educated both in the parochial schools and in the common schools of Bristol and in his early manhood he worked on the farm. Thjrty-two years ago he learned the car- penter's trade and since that time he has either built or had a hand in the building of many of the most important structures erected in his own and in neighboring towns. Among these buildings are the Tremont House at Columbus, and the Hotel Green at Sun Prairie. In 1890 he built the Catholic church at East Bristol and five years later the handsome parochial school house which is connected with this church. He also built two churches at Sun Prairie, the largest store in Columbus as well as the building which houses the First National bank of that place. Much of the work on the brewery plant at Columbus was done under his direction. In politics he is a Democrat and he has served his party as side supervisor at Bristol. Like the other members of his family he is a member of the Catholic church at East Bristol. He was married on September 5, 1876, to Miss Philomene Goetzinger, who was born in Balen, Germany, on February 5, 1856, her parents being Alois Goetzinger and Therese (Reffel) Goetzinger, both natives of Germany. The parents of Mrs. Stegerwald came to Baltimore in 1856 and six years later came as far west as Milwaukee. After three years' residence in this latter place they moved to Bristol where the wife died in August, 1886. To Mr. and Mrs. Frank Stegerwald the following children have been born : Ida. Anna, Emma, Frank A., educated in the common schools and at Sacred Heart College, Watertown, now a member of the firm of Stegerwald & Co., Mary, Flora, Julia (deceased), Hattie, Amalia, Edward, (deceased), Oscar (deceased), Frederick.

Joseph Anton Steinle, retired, living at 1610 Hudson avenue, Madison, was born in Masenbach-housen, Oberamt, Brackenheim, Kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, July 7. 1838. With his parents, Joseph and Francisca (Keohnle) Steinle, he came to this country in 1840, and went to Lancaster, Fairfield county, Ohio, w'hxh was his hojne until June. 1846, when he removed to Milwaukee. For a number of years Mr. Steinle attended the public schools of Milwaukee and for four years was employed in a soda-water factory. In February, 1856, he came to Madison and entered the employ of Caspar Mayer, remaining until 1876 when he started in business for himself. After winning a competence sufficient to keep him comfortably the rest of his days, Mr. Steinle retired several years ago and purchased a home in Elms'de, a suburb to the east o1 Madison. Before his retirement he filled many offices of public trust. For several years he was one of the representatives of the old third ward in the city council: was a number of the fire department from the time of its organization until 1875. and at one time was assistant engineer of tin.' same. He is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Druids, and in 1878-79 was president of Madison, No, 2, Relief Association. On October 20, i860, Mr. Steinle married .Miss Dorothea Margaretta Langeneckhardt born January 9, 1838, at Wilgersdorff, Kreis Siegen, Province of Westphalia, Prussia. This nnimi has been blessed with nine children, seven of whom are living. The nanus of the children, with the dates of birth follow: Lizzie. August 7, 1861. died October 9, 1862; Joseph Edward. July 5. 1863; George Anton, September 10. 1865; Emihe Therissa, August 14, 1867; William, October 6," 1869; an unnamed infant, born September 18,1871', died six days later; Josephine, October 12, 1872; Catherine, October 8, 1874, and Leo, July 7, 1879. Leo is the representative of the Gisholt machine company in Cologne, Germany. His wife died there some time ago. For the past eight years Air. Steinle has enjoyed the quiet and rest of a suburban life after many years of earnest and honest toil.

William Stephenson, member of the prosperous hardware firm of Stephenson & Studeman of Madison, whose store is at 401 West Gilman street, is a native of Norway. He was born in that country November 19, 1843, and when but a mere lad came to America with his parents, Ole and Martha Stephenson, locating in the Ole Bull colony of Pennsylvania. When nine years of age Mr. Stephenson removed with his parents to Chicago and in 1854 came to Madison. 1 1 ere the father worked at his trade of carpenter and many of the buildings are monuments of his skill. Ole Stephenson died at the age of fifty-eight and his wife some years later at the advanced age of eighty-three. They were both members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Of their six children there are but two survivors. - the subject "of this sketch and Martin (familiarly known as "Tony"), a printer residing in Madison. William Stephenson received his education in the capital city and learned his trade, that of tinsmith, in the same place. He started life for himself in 1859. \\ lien the war cloud was dimming the horizon of national unity Mr. Stephenson enlisted (in October. 1862,) in Company A. I wenty-third Wisconsin Infantry. He was a participant in the battles of Arkansas Post, Port Gibson, Champion's Hill, in the siege of Vieksburg. the Red river campaign, the capture of Mobile and the engagement at Saline Cross-Roads. On July 4, 1865, he received an honorable discharge at Mobile and returned to Madison. He had served about three years in all, but was never wounded or captured nor was it necessary for him to be absent from service because of illness a single day. Apparently he is none the worse for the exposure and fatigues incident to an army career. With the same enthusiasm with which he donned the uniform of blue Mr. Stephenson returned to his work. He continued business as a tinsmith until 1894, when he entered into the present partnership. He is not politically ambitious and although often urged by his friends to become a candidate for office, has always steadfastly declined. On September 28, 1870, he was united in marriage to Frances A., daughter of Nicholas and Ruth (Stark) Smith. Mrs. Smith was a direct lineal descendant of Mollie Stark of Revolutionary War fame. Mr. Smith died before the Civil War and his wife some forty years later. Mrs. Stephenson is a native of Madison and is the mother of four children. Alice E., is the wife of Charles H. Cronk of Chicago; Harriet F. and Martha M. are teaching; and Louis D. is a student in the Madison high school. The daughters are all graduates from the University of Wisconsin. Mrs. Stephenson is a member of Grace Episcopal church of Madison. Her husband is a member of the Knights of the .Maccabees and of Lucius Fairchild post, Grand Army of the Republic.

Prof. John W. Sterling, prominently identified with the beginnings of the University of Wisconsin, and for many years its vice president, was born in Wyoming county. Pa., July 17, 1816. His earliest education was obtained in the common schools, and he then atended an academy at Hamilton, N. Y., and one at Homer in the same state. He then studied law for two years in the office of Judge Woodard, at Wilkesbarre, Pa., but never entered on the practice, though qualified. When twenty-one he experienced a des're for a broader culture and entered the sophomore class of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University), and was graduated therefrom in 1840. He served as principal of the Wilkesbarre Academy for one year, and then began a course of study in the Theological Seminary at Princeton, completing the course in 1844, and serving meanwhile as a tutor in the College of New Jersey. He next served for a year as a Presbyterian missionary in his native county, and came to Wisconsin in 1846. He was at first professor of mathematics at Carroll College, Wraukesha, but soon resigned, and taught school in Waukesha until he was called to the University of Wisconsin, October 7, 1848. Chancellor Barnard was then the nominal bead of the young institution, but gave it little of his time, and Professor Sterling was acting chancellor. In 1865 he was elected vice-chancellor, and vice-president in 1869, holding the latter office until the time of his death, March 0, 1885. His chair was that of mathematics, but like many of the instructors during the early life of the University, he was called upon to teach other branches, and he gave instruction in the branches of natural philosophy and astronomy until 1874. He received the degree of Ph. D. from Princeton in 1866, and the same year, that of LL. D from Lawrence University, Appleton. In 1851, Professor Sterling married Miss Harriet Dean, a native of Massachusetts, and a woman of rare refinement and culture. Three children survive the union, Grace, the wife of George L. Lindsley, of Portland, Oregon; Susan Adelaide, assistant professor of German in the University of Wisconsin; and Charles Gordon, an accomplished Presbyterian minister, now located at Waterloo, la. Mrs. Sterling was long known as the "mother" of the University.

A. T. Stevens, of Oregon, was born December 25, 1830, in Bradford county, Pa. His parents were A. B. Stevens, a native of Connecticut, and Lucy (Taylor) Stevens, who was born in New York. Mr. Stevens was a farmer and moved to New York when the subject of this sketch was about two years old; that remained their home until their death. They had three children, A. T. Stevens; Luman, (deceased); and C. G. Stevens of Albion, N. Y. Mr. Stevens received his education in the town o<f Lima, N. Y., and started out for himself when he was twenty-one years of age; when 'he was twenty-six, (1856) he came to- Dane county and established himself on a farm in Rutland township; on this farm of eighty-five acres he lived for over fifty years,- putting upon it most of the improvements. About two years ago he retired from active work and purchased a home in the village of Oregon, although still retaining the ownership of his farm. He and his wife, to whom he was married February 3, 1852, are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Stevens was Miss Melissa Bixby, daughter of George Bixby (deceased), who came to Rutland in 1852. Mr. Stevens 'has always been actively interested in the affairs of his community, having served as town clerk for the long period of twentythree years; he has also held the office of assessor and has served on the school board; during the active life of those organizations, which began the agitation of those questions which have since become national in their influence, he belonged to the Good Templars and to the ( rrange. In politics he is a Republican.

Breese J. Stevens. The law has ever called into the circle of its devotees the brightest minds, the most gifted sons of the nation. The keen intellect is sharpened by its clash with others as brilliant and gains thereby an added strength and power. The most careful analysis, closest reasoning and most logical thought-processes arc bought into play, and the lawyer of ability, by reason of his strong intellectuality, rises to leadership in thought and action. Among those whose life and services lent dignity and honor to the bar of the state of Wisconsin was the subject of this memoir, who was for many years recognized as one of the most brilliant and distinguished members of his profession in the fair capital city of this commonwealth. The name which he bore is one which has stood exponent of the most sterling personal characteristics, the deepest appreciation of the rights and privileges of citizenship in our great republic and one which r?as been indissolubly identified with the annals of American history, in a direct and collateral way, from the early colonial epoch. There have been strong men anel true, as one generation has followed another on to the stage of action, and new honors and new dignity were conferred by him whose name initiates this paragraph. Through various ancestral lines Mr. Stevens was allied to many distinguished families of Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey. The original American ancestor in the agnatic line was Cyprian Stevens, who came hither from London, England, and took' up his abode in trie colony of Massachusetts. At Lancaster, that colony, in 1671, he married a daughter of Major Simon Willard. On the maternal side Mr. Stevens was of the fifth generation in direct descent from Sidney Breese, who came to New York from Shrewsbury, England, about 1733. He was buried in Trinity churchyard in 1767, and on the stone which marks his last resting place, in the very heart of our national metropolis, may today be read his quaint epitaph, written by himself in his last illness. Major John Burrowes, a great-grandfather of Mr. Stevens, was an officer in the Continental army during the War of the Revolution and served under General Sullivan during the campaign ag-ainst the Six Nations. The original manuscript journal which he kept during that campaign is still in the possession of the family. It is through him that descendants have hereditary membership in the New Jersey chapter of the Society of the Cincinnati, of which he was a charter member. Major Burrowes' father and his father-in-law, Samuel Forman, were the original proprietors of Mi Idletown Point, New Jersey. Major Burrowes, then twenty-two years of age, and his brother-in-law, Jonathan Forman, organized the first New Jersey company to enlist in defense of the colonial cause in the Revolutionary War, the company having been mustered in at the Burrowes home. Here also occurred the raid of "The Greens," by British soldiers June 5, 1778, when an effort was made to capture Major Burrowes. His young wife encountered an English trooper on the staircase, and the dastardly soldier inflicted upon the defenseless woman a sabre wound which later caused her death. Her daughter, Helena Burrowes, with her uncle, General Jonathan Forman, and his daughter (who became the mother of Governor Horatio Seymour) made the journey from Middletown Point, New Jersey, to Cazenovia, Xew York, in 1796. "A sloop was chartered for the journey up the Hudson and they were one week in reaching Albany, whence they proceeded the rest of the way in the first 'top carriage' that had ever passed west of Utica. Fourteen years later Helena Burrowes, then Mrs. Samuel Sidney Breese, went back, after the birth of her third child, to visit her New Jersey home, taking with her her infant daughter, Elizabeth. They went from Albany to New York in the sloop 'Oneida Chief,' and their return passage was taken on the steamboat 'Robert Fulton,' which was still so great a wonder that cannons were fired, flags raised and the docks everywhere filled .with spectators gazing almost spellbound. When in her eightieth year Mrs. Breese, in writing an account of the wonderful changes in her day. said she had seen 'the making of the great Genesee turnpike from old Fort Schuyler (Utica) to Buffalo, the making of the Erie canal, the first horse cars, the building of the great New York Central Railroad and the telegraph completed.'' Helena Burrowes became the wife of Hon. Samuel Sidney Breese, a native of Philadelphia, where he was born in 1768, and a son of Judge Samuel Breese. of Shrewsbury, New Jersey, who has served as a colonel in the Continental army. In 1789 Yale College conferred upon Samuel Sidney Breese the honorary degree of Bachelor of Arts. He was one of the pioneers of Cazenovia, having been the first practicing lawyer of Madison county. New York. One of his sisters married Rev. Jedediah Morse and became the mother of Samuel Finley Breese Mbrse. the inventor of the telegraph. The Breese homestead in Oneida county. New York, was built in 1813, the land being. deeded to the family by the Oneida Indians, and the place wras named after a famous chief of that tribe, "Skenandoah." Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel S. and Helena (Burrowes) Breese, married Hon. Augustus C. Stevens and became the mother of Hon. Breese J. Stevens, to whom tli is memoir is dedicated. It was from the home at Sconondoah, New York, that the three sons and one daughter were sent to their various schools, Mrs. Stevens having returned to Sconondoah from Michigan after the death of her husband. She died in 1889. Breese J. Stevens was born at Sconondoah, Oneida county, New York. March 22, 1834, and he died at his home in the city of Madison, Wisconsin, October 28, 1903, after four months' illness. Mr. Stevens received his preliminarv educational discipline in the Oneida and Whitesboro Academies and Cazenovia Seminary. In 1853 he was graduated from Hamilton College, and three years later his alma mater conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts. His law studies were pursued in the office of Hon. Timothy Jenkins, of Oneida Castle, Xew York, and under the preceptorship of the firm of Graves & Wood, of Syracuse. In 1856 he came to Wisconsin to look after the landed interests of his uncle, Sidney Breese, and later he also took charge of those of Hon. Horatio Seymour, a kinsman. He took up his residence in Madison and here entered upon the active practice of his profession, his first partnership having been jvith J. W. Johnson and H. M. Lewis. This alliance was of brief duration, but the firm of Stevens & Lewis continued in practice from 1857 until 1868, when it was augmented by the admission of James M. Flower. In 1870 the firm title became Stevens, Flower & Morris. When Mr. Flower left Madison Mr. Stevens continued to be associated for a number of years with W. A. P. Morris, who had been his collegemate at Hamilton College. Later Hon. I. C. Sloan joined the firm, and upon his retirement the firm name again became Stevens & Morris. Mr. Stevens at once assumed high rank at the bar of the state, and his prestige was based on the most solid foundation of professional learning and acumen. He conducted some of the most important railroad, land-grant and water litigations ever brought before the courts of Wisconsin and Michigan. He was attorney for the trustees of the Fox & Wisconsin River Improvement Company on the foreclosure of the trust mortgage, and from 1866 to 1880 he was acting president or had official connection with the Green Bay & Mississippi Canal Company, continuing a director and attorney for that corporation until the time of his death. He was general solicitor for the Madison & Portage Railroad Company and attorney for Wisconsin of the Illinois Central Railroad from the time of its extension into Wisconsin. Lie was a director of the Consumers' Gas Company, of Chicago, and for fifteen years was attorney and manager of the Michigan Land & Iron Company. From the time of its organization until his death he was a member of the directorate of the First National Bank of Madison, and he was also president of the Madison Land & Lumber Company and of the Monona Land Company. His capitalistic interests were large, varied and important and he was distinctively a man of affairs. During the later tears of his life his law business had almost entirely to do with corporation interests and the major portion of his time and attention was demanded in the supervision or his private affairs. Mr. Stevens was stanch in his allegiance to the Democratic party but was never ambitious for politcal office. He served as mayor of Madison in 1884. In 1891 Governor George W. Peck appointed him a regent to the University of Wis- 54 - iii cousin, and he continued to render efficient and valuable service in this capacity until he was called from the scene of life's endeavors, having been vice-president of the board at the time of his demise and having been for several years chairman of the executive committee of trie board, ever taking the deepest interest in all that concerned the welfare of the state's noble educational institution. For many years he was curator of the State Historical society. He was a devout churchman, having been a communicant of Grace church, Protestant Episopal, and having served as a member of its vestry for twentyeight years, taking a zealous interest in all departments of the church work. He was a member of the Madison Literary Club, one of the twelve members of the Town and Gown Club, a member of the Reform Club of New York and also of the Milwaukee Club. While in college he became a member of the Sigma Phi fraternity, and as one of the highest rank in his class he also became identified with the fraternity of scholars, the Phi Beta Kappa. In 1902 his alma mater, Cornell College, conferred upon him its highest degree, that of X)octor of Laws. Mr. Stevens first married Miss Emma Curtis Fuller, daughter of Monis E. Fuller, of Madison, and she died one year later, leaving one daughter, Amelia Fuller Stevens, who remains at the old homestead. October 25, 1876, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Stevens to Miss Mary Elizabeth Farmer, second daughter of the late Marcellus Farmer, of Syracuse, Xew York. Mrs. Stevens survives her honored husband, as does also their only child, Elizabeth Breese Stevens. , Mr. Stevens was a man of forceful and distinct individuality, high intellectual attainments and signal integrity of character. Courtly and dignified in his bearing, of patrician manner, tolerant and kindly in all the relations of life, Mr. Stevens won and retained the inviolate confidence and esteem of his fellow men. Strong in his convictions, always firm in defense of right, he had no room in his heart for revenge. Compassion and pity dwelt in him as constant guests. Flattery could not cajole him into compromise nor power awe him into silence. His life was a successful one, as modern ideas conceive success, but farther than this it represented that greater success which has its basis in strong- and nobfe character, - and this indeed truly denoted the man.

Hon. E. Ray Stevens, judge of the ninth judicial circuit, was born in Harrington, Lake county, 111., June 20, 1869. He is a son of George B. and Frances Ellen (Kellogg) Stevens, both natives of New York state, where the former was born July 8, 1825 and the latter October 30, 1838. Judge Stevens' ancestors were among the early Dutch-English settlers of the Empire state, and many of them served in the War of the Revolution and in the War of 1812. The judge received his education in the common schools of the town of Koshkonong, Jefferson county, Wis., and the Janesville, Wis., high school. In the fall of 1889 he entered the University of Wisconsin and in 1893 he received the degree of B. L. from the academic department of that institution. Two years later he completed the course in the department of law and was given the degree of LL. B. All during the six years of his college career Judge Stevens did newspaper work to supply the needed funds. Upon the completion of his law course he entered the law offices of Hon. Burr W. Jones and in 1896 formed a partnership with him under the firm name of Jones & Stevens. This partnership continued until 1903, when, upon the elevation of Judge Robert G. Sieberker to the supreme bench, Governor R. M. La Follette appointed Air. Stevens to fill out the unexpired term of Judge Siebecker as judge of the ninth judicial circuit. At the expiration of that term he was elected for the full term. Politically Judge Stevens belonged to the Republican party. In the legislative session of 1901 he represented the first district of Dane county in the assembly, and was the author of the so-called Stevens Primary Election bill, which failed of passage. In religious matters he is affiliated with the First Congregational church of Madison. On June 23, 1898, he married Kate, daughter of Henry Sabin, of the town of Windsor, Dane county. To this union have been born two children - Ellen, aged five, and Myron, three years old.

Thomas A. Stewart is a native of Verona, the son of John and Catherine (Gow) Stewart, both born in Scotland. They came to Verona in 1842 and located on section 27. and followed the business of farming during the remainder of their lives. Air. Stewart was a prominent member of the Presbyterian church and held several offices in it as well as positions in local affairs. He was a large land owner having, at the time of his death, in February, 1858, five hundred and twenty acres. His wife died on May 11, 1888, and both are buried at Verona. Thomas A. Stewart has three sisters, Christine, who married John Lyle. of Montrose; Mary, of Verona; Margaret, who married David Lyle. of Middleton. He is the youngest of the family and was born March 2, 1849. He was brought up in Verona, obtaining the rudiments of his education in the public schools, afterward attending the University of Wisconsin, at Madison. He began life as a general farmer and has pursued that occupation up to the present time. He was married March 22, 1877, to Miss Jessie Rutherford, a native of Verona. whose parents were among the early settlers of that section. They have three children, Alva Thomas, John R. and Frank A., the last a teacher in the Verona graded schools; all three are at home. Mr. Stewart has been chairman of the board for seventeen years, and was justice of the peace for several years; he has always been a Democrat, and is a member of the Presbyterian church. . Mr. Stewart's uncle, Thomas Stewart, was among the first settlers of the county, coming in 1837 ; in 1849, he went to California and died there the following year.

John B. Stickney, station agent for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad at Mazomanie, can trace his ancestry back to the Norman kings of England. Representatives of the family came with William the Conqueror to Great Britain, where they founded the town of Stickney. Some of their descendants came to America at an early date and were conspicuous in the colonial history of this country. Capt. John Stickney, the grandfather of John B., was a captain in the militia and fought with General Warren at Bunker Hill. Jacob E. Stickney, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Brownfield, Me., April 5, 1797, and was one of a family of twelve children. He was educated at Bowdoin College, Me., studied medicine, and was known as one of the ablest and most eminent physicians in the state of New Hampshire. He twice represented Coos county, N. H., in the legislature ; served on the board of medical examiners ; was president of the White Mountain Medical association, and practiced for fifty years in one place. He married Martha B. Goss, who was born at Greenland, N. H., in 1805, and to this union were born three sons, of whom John B. is the only one now living. Nathaniel G. was born April 26, 1830, and died in April, 1905. Frederick was born June 8, 1836, and died November 14, 1904. He was in the United States mail service for eighteen years, and was postmaster at Mazomanie for four years. Dr. Jacob E. Stickney died July 17, 1869, and his wife departel this life August 3, 1840. John B. Stickney was born in Lancaster, Coos county, X. H., August 4, 1828. He attended the home schools and the Lancaster academy until he was thirteen years of age, when he completed the course and began life as a clerk in a dry goods store at Wells River, Vt. In 1851 he came to Milwaukee and entered the employ of the Chicago. Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company. Since that time he has been continuously in the service of this corporation and now enjoys the distinction of being the oldest employe. At the time he first became associated with this road the company had but twenty miles of track. He served in various capacities, such as clerk, conductor, etc.. and in

1856 was made station agent at Miazomanie, where he has ever since remained. He has seen the little railroad of twenty miles develop into one of the great railway systems of the country, controlling over 7,000 miles of track, and in 1005 was honored by having a station named for him. viz: the town of Stickney, in South Dakota. "When he came to Mazomanie there was but one house there, and in the course of its growth to a town of 1,000 population, or over, he has been a potent factor, always favoring any movement for the betterment of the social and industrial welfare of the place. At one time Mr. Stickney owned a fruit farm in Grand Traverse county, Mich., and was a large shipper of apples to Wisconsin and Iowa. It is perhaps ho exaggeration to say that he has done more to imprqve the horses of Dane county than any other man living within the limts of the county. Being a great lover of horses he has taken an interest in raising them and some of the finest horses ever bred in the county are from his farm at Mazomanie. He is also interested in business institutions and was for some time president of the Mazomanie Knitting Company. Politically Mr. Stickney is one of the founders of the Republican party, and prior to its organization was a Henry Clay Whig. He has checked up the family history from the days of Queen Anne and has found but one Tory among his ancestors. He has always taken a keen interest in questions of public policy ; has served as supervisor of the town of Mazomanie: was president of the village board for seven years. and was for fifteen years a member of the school board. He is the oldest member of Crescent Lodge, Xo. 97, Free and Accepted Masons, of Mazomanie. On May 3. 1850, he married Miss Charlotte White Moore of Lancaster,, N. H.. and they have three daughters. Alice was graduated from the University of Wisconsin and is now the wife of E. J. Elliott, of Dell Rapids. S. D. He is a farmer and also a dealer in grain and real estate. Their children are Howard S.. a graduate of and now an instructor in the University of Wisconsin: Charlotte, attended the Leland Stanford, Jr. University for three years, and is now teaching in South Dakota: Fay was graduated from the Dell Rapids high school and is now a student at the state university. Vermillion, S. D. Mr. Stickney's second daughter. Mary, was graduated from the Mazomanie high school and the Milwaukee female college, and is now the wife of F. E. Bronson. of Portage, connected with the Portage Hosiery Company. Nelly, the youngest daughter, attended the Mazomanie schools, taught two years in the high school, and is now the wife

Ole L. Stokstad is the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and thirty-eight acres in Albion, which was the heme of h's father, Lars C. Stokstad. Lars was born near Christiania, Norway, and was employed as a laborer until he came to America. He married Miss Inga Olson and they settled in Stoughton in 1867. For some years they worked rented farms and in 1880 purchased one hundred and thirty-eight acres in sections 5 and 8, in Albion. Here Airs. Stokstad still lives with her children. Mr. and Airs. Stokstad made all of the improvements 011 the property, erected buildings and converted it into a comfortable home. Eight children blessed their marriage. Annie, the oldest daughter, married Lars Ellingsrud of Albion; Ingeborg is Airs. Sevard Olson of Dunkirk; Christ resides in Albion; Ole L. is the subject of this sketch; Bertha married Hendrick Stokstad and lives in Albion; Sophia is Airs. Anton Furcht of Dunkirk; Alary is the wife of Mons Anderson of Rock county. Wis.; John is a clerk and painter of Morris, Minn. Ole L. was born near Christiania, Norway, September 25. 1863, attended school in Albion but received only a limited education. He learned the carpenter's trade at which he worked for some time and in 1899 purchased a farm and since then has been engaged in farming. Considerable attention is devoted by him to dairying and stock-raising. Airs. Stokstad was Miss Carrie Rieser of Chicago^ and was married to Ole Stokstad Alarch 25, 1899. Four children blessed the marriage; Leonard, Raymond, Howard and Helen. The family attends the United Lutheran church of Stoughton. Mr. Stokstad votes the Republican ticket but he is more interested in school affairs than politics.