Door County, Wisconsin - Biographical sketches, 1917 (part 5 of 13)

William O. Brown

William O. Brown, a resident of Sturgeon Bay township, is well known throughout the county as a capable educator and also as a leader in horticultural circles and president of the Fruit Growers' Association. He has done a great deal of valuable work and has proved himself an energetic and efficient executive. He was born in Racine, Wisconsin, August 31, 1856, and is a son of Isaac R. and Elizabeth (Roberts) Brown, the former a native of Wales and the latter of New York state. When thirteen years old the father emigrated to America, and after living a few years in New York removed to Racine, Wisconsin, where he resided until called by death in 1880. For forty years he was a captain on lake steamers. He was survived by his wife for three years.

William O. Brown was reared at home and received his elementary education in the Racine schools. Subsequently he attended normal school at Oshkosh for four years. In 1884 he came to Sturgeon Bay as principal of the public schools, where for eight years, or until 1892, he served in that capacity or as superintendent. Later, for a year and a half, he engaged in the shingle business, after which he went to the State University for further study. He was next principal of the high school at Green Bay from 1894 until 1911.

In the latter year he came again to Sturgeon Day and purchased ninety acres, two and one-half miles from town, and turned his attention to fruit growing. For the past four years he has been teacher of mathematics in the high school and his work in that position has been unusually successful. He has devoted thirty years of his life to the teaching profession and his record is one of which he has just cause to be proud. He is still interested in the problems of the Fruit Growers' Association and is a member of the board of directors of the Union Board of that association and the Sturgeon Bay Exchange. He derives a good

Mr. Brown was married in June, 1885, to Miss Lucy M. Palmer, who passed away in March, 1900. To them were born six children, namely: Inez; Vivian M.; Edna; Harold, who is deceased; Maurice; and Leland. In 1901, Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Jennie Steinman, of Logan, Ohio.

Mr. Brown is a supporter of the republican party and gives careful study to the questions and issues of the day. He was elected county supervisor but declined to serve in that office, feeling that his other interests needed his entire attention. For many years he was an active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the principles which have governed his conduct are further indicated in his membership in the Congregational church. He is held in high esteem by all who have contact with him and his personal friends are many.

Dr. Gustaf R. Egeland, a member of the medical profession of Sturgeon Bay, now specializing in surgery, was born February 29, 1876, in the city in which he still makes his home, a son of Gabriel and Regina Egeland, who were natives of Stavanger, Norway, where they were reared and married. The year 1873 witnessed their arrival in Sturgeon Bay. The father became a sailor and later captain of a tugboat and eventually lived retired until his death in December, 1916. His widow still survives.

Dr. Egeland entered the public schools at the usual age and mastered the branches of learning taught in the successive grades and attended the high school. He next entered Northwestern University for the study of medicine and completed his preparation for the profession in 1903, when he was awarded his degree. For a year thereafter he practiced in connection with Dr. Sibree and later spent four months in northern Minnesota, but on the expiration of that period returned to Door county and for ten years maintained an office at Ephraim. In October, 1914, he returned to Sturgeon Bay, where he has since followed his profession, specializing in surgery, in which he displays marked efficiency and skill. He is now proprietor of the Egeland Hospital, which has accommodations for about seventeén patients. It is a thoroughly modern and fully equipped hospital, supplied with everything necessary for the most advanced practice in scientific surgery, and the patients are under the direct care of carefully trained nurses. Dr. Egeland was commissioned July 16, 1917, as captain in the Medical Officers Reserve Corps in the United States army.

On the 18th of April, 1907, Dr. Egeland was married to Miss Lydia Alvira Anderson, of Ephraim, a daughter of Aslag and Margaret Anderson, who were pioneer residents of Door county. Dr. Egeland votes with the republican party and for two years was a member of the state park board, during which period he was largely instrumental in securing the establishment of the state park in Door county. He belongs to the Moravian church and in Masonry has taken the degrees of lodge and chapter. Along strictly professional lines he has connection with the Door County Medical Society, the Wisconsin State Medical Society and is a fellow of the American Medical Association. He thus keeps in touch with the advanced thought in medical research of the day and is in this way contiunally promoting his knowledge.

Herman L. Schmidt

Herman L. Schmidt, a resident farmer of Door county, living on section 24, Nasewaupee township, was born on the 2d of March, 1876, in Kewaunee county, Wisconsin, a son of F. W. Schmidt. The father served as a soldier of the Civil war with a Wisconsin regiment, after which he returned to this state and was long a valued resident thereof, passing away April 8, 1917. His widow stili survives.

Herman L. Schmidt was reared and educated in Alaska, Kewaunee county, and started out to earn his living by working as a farm hand, to which he devoted a few years. In 1904 he took up his abode in Door county, where he purchased a place of forty-eight acres. Upon this tract he has put good improvements and he is now devoting his attention largely to poultry raising, being the most successful poultry raiser of the county. He makes a specialty of single comb White Leghorn chickens and has some very fine ones. He takes care of his fowls in scientific manner and his thorough care has produced excellent results. He also engages in dairying to some extent, for which purpose he keeps fine Holstein cattle.

On the gth of May, 1905, Mr. Schmidt was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Moeller, of Sturgeon Bay, and their children are: Arnold, born July 4, 1909; Pulcheria, born August 23, 1912; and Madonna, who was born November 15, 1914, and died March s, 1916, being buried in the Catholic cemetery. The parents are members of the Corpus Christi church and in his political views Mr. Schmidt is a democrat. His has been an active life. In early manhood he worked in sawmills, clerked in a general merchandise store and spent three years in the lumber woods, but he is now concentrating his atetntion upon his agricultural interests and his affairs are so wisely conducted that success in large measure | is his.

Clark P. Bassett

Commercial activjty in Sturgeon Bay finds a worthy representative in Clark P. Bassett, who since 1906 has been proprietor of a drug store in this city. He was born in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, July 28, 1881, a son of H. M. and Etta (Melendy) Bassett. The father, who was a physician and surgeon, has now passed away. The family removed to Minnesota during the early boyhood of Clark P. Bassett, who there attended the public schools, and later he became a student in the University of Minnesota, where he pursued a course in pharmacy. He was there graduated with the class of 1906 and thus became well qualified for his chosen life work. In the meantime, however, he had had some experi- ence along that line. He came to Sturgeon Bay in 1900 and secured employment in Styles' drug store. Wishing to supplement his practical experience by thorough scientific training, he then entered the University of Minnesota and following his graduation he returned to Sturgeon Bay and opened his store in 1906. The Bassett drug store has become one of the leading commercial enterprises of the city. His establishment is well appointed and tastefully arranged. He carries a large and complete line of drugs and druggists' sundries and his patronage has become of a substantial character.

In 1907 Mr. Bassett was united in marriage to Miss Lillian Cochem, of Sturgeon Bay, a daughter of Matt and Elizabeth Cochem. They now have two children, Robert and Elizabeth. Mr. and Mrs. Bassett are members of St. Joseph's Catholic church and his political endorsement is given to the democratic party. He has resided here for seventeen years, during which period he has become widely known, and his sterling qualities as well as his business ability have established him high in public regard.

L. F. Henschel, a well known farmer and stock raiser whose home is on section 11, Sevastopol township, was born in Russell, Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, on the 4th of September, 1869, his parents being Adolph and Amelia (Mauer) Henschel, also natives of this state. Throughout his active business life the father followed farming but is now living retired in Kiel, Manitowoc county, Wisconsin. The mother also survives. In their family were seven children, namely: Crystal, now the wife of Henry Brickmeier, living near Chilton, Wisconsin; L. F., of this review; Mary, the wife of Philip Sinc, of Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin ; Conrad and Gustav, both living in Greenbush, this state ; George, a resident of Egg Harbor township, Door county; and Edmund, still on the old homestead in Russell township, Sheboygan county.

L. F. Henschel passed his boyhood and youth in much the usual manner of farm boys, his early education being acquired in the schools near his father's farm, which he attended until fourteen years of age, and during the following five years he gave his father the benefit of his labor in the operation of the home farm. For one year he then worked as a farm hand and later spent a year at Fresno, California. In 1886 he came to Door county, Wisconsin, and purchased the northwest quarter of section 11, Sevastopol township, to the improvement and cultivation of which he has since devoted his energies with marked success. He now has a very valuable farm on which are good and substantial buildings. and in connection with agricultural pursuits he is engaged in the raising of registered Guernsey cattle.

Mr. Henschel was married November 22, 1892, to Miss Elizabeth Arnold, a daughter of Christoph and Charlotta (Stark) Arnold, of Manitowoc county. Her mother died in 1917 and was buried in that county, but her father is still living and has now retired from farming, which he made his life work. He now makes his home in Kiel, Manitowoc county. Mr. and Mrs. Henschel have two chil-

The republican party finds in Mr. Henschel a stanch supporter of its principles and for a time he served as town chairman but has never taken a very active part in public affairs. He is an earnest and consistent member of the German Lutheran church and is held in the highest regard by all who know him.

Frank A. Shimmel

Among the many attractive stores of Sturgeon Bay is that owned by Frank A. Shimmel, a grocery merchant, who has built up a good trade and now enjoys a well deserved patronage. He was born in Kewaunee, Wisconsin, September 4, 1875, a son of Frank J. and Kate (Wanninger) Shimmel, both of whom were natives of Germany. They were brought to America in childhood, however, by their respective parents, the two families establishing homes at Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Later they removed to Kewaunee and it was there that Frank J. Shimmel and Kate Wanninger were married and began their domestic life. In 1880 they removed to Sturgeon Bay and the following year Mr. Shimmel opened the first bank of the town in connection with Joseph Kozishek. He lived retired with his son, until his death, December 27, 1916.

Frank A. Shimmel obtained a public school education in Sturgeon Bay, where the greater part of his life has been passed. In 1894 his mother opened a small grocery store and he became her active assistant in its management. She died August 30, 1907, and Frank A. Shimmel took over the business, which he has since conducted, building up a trade of good proportions. He has made for himself a most creditable position in business circles of the city and his course has at all times commended him to the confidence and respect of his fellowmen.

In politics Mr. Shimmel maintains an independent policy, voting for men and measures rather than party. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and he also belongs to the Twenty Club, an exclusive organization composed of some of the most prominent business men of the city.

Peter Kroll

An excellent farm of eighty acres situated on section 15, Egg Harbor township, and improved with many modern accessories and conveniences is the property of Peter Kroll, who was born in Austria on the 3oth of November, 1871, a son of Peter and Emma Kroll, who were likewise natives of that land. The father followed the occupation of farming in Austria until 1883, when, recognizing the fact that he could have better business opportunities in the new world, he crossed the Atlantic with his family and established his home in Pennsylvania, where he worked in the coal mines. He lived to enjoy the improved opportunities and conditions of the new world, however, for only three years, passing

Peter Kroll attended school in Austria until he reached the age of eleven years, when he came to the United States with his father and also began work in thé coal mines of Pennsylvania, where he remained for twenty-three years. On the expiration of that extended period he came to Door county and invested his savings in eighty acres of land on section 15, Egg Harbor township. The practical work of the farm was at once begun and the result of his labors is manifest in a well improved place, which he has since cultivated with good results. He is engaged in dairying with good equipment for that work and he milks ten cows.

On the 3oth of December, 1899, Mr. Kroll was united in marriagé to Miss Lizzie Hoover, by whom he had nine children, namely: Edward; Frank; Albert; Pauline; Mary and Annie, twins; Peter and Josephine, twins; and Emma, who is deceased. In religious faith the family are Catholics. Mr. Kroll is not strongly allied with any political party but votes according to the' dictates of his judgment. His life has been one of unremitting industry and the success which is his is the reward of earnest, persistent labor.

No phase of pioneer life is unfamiliar to George Jirtle, Sr., who came to Door county at an early day. He remembers back to the time when bear and deer were numerous in the forest, when no roads had been cut through and when the work of progress and improvement was altogether in the future. The streams were unbridged and the forests uncut and there was little indication to show what changes were soon to be made, but resolute men like Mr. Jirtle undertook the task of developing this region and the results which they have accomplished are marvelous. Mr. Jirtle was born January 1, 1850, in Bohemia, and came to the United States in 1867, when a youth of seventeen years. It was four to five years later when his parents crossed the Atlantic. He first took up his abode in Milwaukee, where he worked in a brickyard for a year, and afterward spent two years in Kewaunee county. He also was employed for four seasons by C. C. Kahn, a sawmill owner at Little Suamico, Wisconsin. On the expiration of that period he came to Door county, which was just before the great fire, and purchased eighty acres of wild land. There were no roads to his farm and every indication of pioneer life was to be seen around him. It was not difficult for the early settlers to secure wild game or venison to supply the family board, and it was not unusual to see bears in the district. As the years have gone on Mr, Jirtle has continued the work of developing and improving his land and has transformed it into a valuable farm property.

On the 4th of August, 1877, Mr. Jirtle was united in marriage in Kewaunee, Wisconsin, to Miss Mary Paulu, who was born July 10, 1858. They have become the parents of five children, Joseph H., the eldest, followed teaching for three

"years and is now manager of a hardware store at Antigo, Wisconsin. The second is Emily, now Mrs. A. A. Stencil, of Brookfield, Ohio. The next is Charles

W., now at home. He was for nine years in the United States army, stationed in the Philippines as a member of the coast guard of the hospital corps. George, who was born August 20, 1882, died October 29, 1910. He pursued a short course in agriculture at the Wisconsin University and in 1904 he was united in marriage to Miss Luella Fagg. He was a member of the school board of his district and also a member of the republican central committee and he took an active and helpful interest in politics. In fact he was one of the leading and substantial young farmers and business men of his community and enjoyed to the fullest extent the high regard, confidence and goodwill of all with whom he came in contact, so that his death was greatly deplored by those who knew him. Francis, the youngest of the family, born August 25, 1883, died at the age of four years.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church, to the teachings of which Mr. Jirtle gives loyal support. In politics he supports the candidates whom he regards as best qualified for the office. He has been supervisor for one year, assessor for one year and school treasurer for twelve years. In fact he was one of the organizers of his school district, worked as one of its officers and loaned money to the district without interest. At all times he has manifested a public-spirited devotion to the schools and the welfare of his community and has cooperated in many plans and movements which have been directly beneficial. Mr. Jirtle is justly classed with the leading and substantial citizens of his county and he deserves much credit for what he has accomplished as the years have gone by. He came to America empty-handed but possessed industry and perseverence - qualities which constitute a sure foundation upon which to build success. As the years have gone on he has so directed his labors that he is now one of the substantial agriculturists of Clay Banks township, having a valuable home property on section 30.

William Bassford

William Bassford, who has been connected with public interests at Sturgeon Bay as a real estate dealer, was born in Nottinghamshire, England, April 22, 1851, a son of George and Sarah (Eaton) Bassford, who were natives of England, the former born February 8, 1828, and the latter April 26, 1829. They were reared and married in their native country and in 1852 crossed the Atlantic to Canada, where the father engaged in railroading until 1856. In that year he came to Door county, Wisconsin, and purchased a half section of government land in Sevastopol township. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made upon this place, and he at once undertook the arduous task of breaking the sod and bringing the land under cultivation. He continued to develop and improve the place throughout his remaining days. In Canada he had engaged in business as a railroad contractor. His wife died in 1857 and his death occurred January 22, 1902.

William Bassford was about two years of age when his parents came to the new world. He was largely reared and educated in Door county and in his youth assisted in the work in the fields, remaining with his father on the old homestead farm until twenty-four years of age, when he began farming in Sevastopol township on his own account, there purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land. He cleared eighty acres of this from the timber. At that time a cord of wood had practically no value and he gave away one hundred cords for the cutting. That wood today would be worth eight hundred dollars. When the trees were cleared away he turned the first furrows and continued the task of developing the fields for ten years. He then sold that property and turned his attention to the lumber business in which he continued successfully for twenty years. He next came to Sturgeon Bay and purchased a nice home which he has since occupied. He here became associated with his brother in a mercantile business, They erected a fine building and continued in business for about five years, since which time William Bassford has devoted his entire time to the real estate business. He is now the owner of an eighty acre tract of land in Sevastopol township, which he hires farmed and he also has a nine acre fruit orchard to which he gives his personal attention.

On the 11th of August, 1874, Mr. Bassford was married to Miss Charlotte Ash, a daughter of Richard and Mary (Veil) Ash, who were also natives of England, whence they came to America in early life. After residing a short time in Canada, they removed to Door county, Wisconsin, and the father purchased land in Sevastopol township. At the outbreak of the Civil war he responded to the country's call for troops to protect the Union, and became a member of Company F, Thirty-second Wisconsin Infantry, with which he served from 1861 until the close of the war. In 1865 he returned home and devoted his remaining days to agricultural pursuits. He died April 16, 1891, while his wife passed away April 25, 1914. Mr. and Mrs. Bassford have become the parents of four children: Sarah A., who was born May s, 1881, and is the wife of H. A. Kumber, of Rhinelander, Wisconsin; William R., who was born April 2, 1884, and is now engaged in fruit raising in the state of Washington; Grace H., who was born July 14, 1898, and was graduated from the Sturgeon Bay high school with the class of 1917; and Everett, who was born May 30, 1900, and died October 14, 1904.

Mr. Bassford and his wife hold membership in the Methodist church and he is a stanch adherent of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He votes with the republican party but has never been an office seeker, preferring to concentrate his time and attention upon his business interests, which have been capably directed and have brought him very substantial success.

Mrs. Margaret Glover Buschman

Since 1882 Mrs. Margaret Glover Buschman has resided upon a farm of sixty acres on section 25, Nasewaupee township, and there has a good home. She was born October 9, 1858, in Grant county, Indiana, and had reached the age of eighteen years when on the 17th of June, 1877, she became the wife of Fred Buschman. He was born in Germany on the 15th of April, 1854, and in his childhood crossed the Atlantic to New York. In the "70s he arrived in Door county. Wisconsin, where he made his home until called to his final rest, his death oc-

It was in the year 1882 that Mr. and Mrs. Buschman took up their abode upon a farm of sixty acres on section 25, Nasewaupee township. This he cleared and at once began to develop and improve. He added to it modern accessories and conveniences, placing all of the improvements upon the land, and his labors resulted in transforming it into productive fields.

To Mr. and Mrs. Buschman were born nine children, of whom six passed away in infancy, Flora and Bertha having been laid to rest in Indiana, while Almeda, Christina, William, Anna and Martha were buried in Schumacher cemtery in Door county. The living children are: Ida, now the wife of George Leonard; Rosa, the wife of Frank Shaw; and Lilly, the wife of John Kramer, of Forestville. Mrs. Buschman is well known in this county, where she has long made her home, having for more than a third of century lived upon her present place.

Charles Greisen

An active business career in which effort has been intelligently directed has brought Charles Greisen to the position which he occupies as one of the leading and prosperous merchants of Sturgeon Bay. He was born in North Schleswig, now northern Germany, February 10, 1854, a son of Laue and Elizabeth Greisen. The first seventeen years of his life were spent in his native country and in 1871 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, attracted by the broader business opportunities which he believed he might secure on this side of the water. Fora time he was employed at farm work in Iowa and in the spring of 1872 came to Wisconsin, where he has since made his home. For about five years he was employed in the sawmills and lumber camps at Oconto and in 1876 he went to Green Bay, where he attended business college for six months. On the expiration of that period he spent a brief time in Illinois but soon returned to this state, acting as bookkeeper and conducting a store for James Towle in Simcoe in 1878 and 1879. He then again went to Green Bay, where he once more studied, and in the spring of 1879 he established his home in Sturgeon Bay, where he entered the employ of Scofield & Company, having charge of their store until April, 1891.

In the latter year he embarked in business on his own account. In the intervening period he had carefully saved his earnings, imbued by the laudable ambition of one day engaging in business for himself. The year 1891 saw the fulfillment of his hopes. At that time he established a dry goods and clothing store and entered upon what has since been a prosperous career as a merchant of this city. In 1895 he began the erection of a building in which he installed his stock upon its completion, and such has been the growth of his trade that in 1912 he erected an addition to the building. He employs from four to six clerks and he carries a full line of dry goods, ladies' ready-to-wear clothing, shoes, carpets, rugs, cloaks and men's clothing and furnishings. His stock is attractive, being carefully chosen, and his business is planned upon the safe principle of quick sales bringing ready returns upon his investment. In business matters his judgment is sound, his sagacity keen and his enterprise unfaltering, and for more than a quarter of a century he has now been numbered among the leading and representative merchants of his adopted city.

On the 2d of June, 1880, Mr. Greisen was united in marriage to Miss Mercy Dunlap, who was born in New York and was brought to Wisconsin by her parents when three years of age. The children of this marriage are as follows: Elijah, residing in Milwaukee, was graduated from the University of Wisconsin on the completion of the course in mechanical engineering and is now connected with the Power & Mining Machinery Company of Cudahy, Wisconsin. He has a wife and one child. Eva is a graduate nurse and is now superintendent of nurses at the School of Health Aides located at Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Mercy is a graduate of the Stout School of Domestic Science and is cashier in her father's store. Clifford is also in the store. Howard is employed in a clerical capacity in the postoffice. Stanton is a high school pupil and completes the family.

Mr. Greisen belongs to the Knights of Pythias and to the Maccabees and his religious faith is indicated in his membership in the Moravian church. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and has been an active worker in its ranks because of his firm belief in its principles. He served as city treasurer of Sturgeon Bay in 1890 and for one term, in 1897, as mayor. While in office he has ever exercised his official prerogatives in behalf of public welfare. For seventeen years he served on the school board of Sturgeon Bay, acting as its president for three terms. The cause of education has ever found in him a stalwart champion and his efforts have been intelligently directed toward the benefit and improvement of the school system. When Mr. Greisen elected to come to America in his youthful days he believed that he could have better opportunities here, nor was he disappointed in this hope. He has never had occasion to regret his determination, and though his life has been one of unremitting industry, it has led to success and not only has he won material prosperity but has also gained that which is more to be valued than riches - the respect, confidence and goodwill of his fellowmen,

Prominent among the early settlers of Door county was Jacob Crass, Sr., who came to this locality in 1856 and who bore an important part in the development and upbuilding of this region. His early home was on the other side of the Atlantic, for he was born in Germany in 1824, and as his parents were in limited circumstances he early started out in life for himself. When a young man he came to the United States and continued his journey westward until reaching Wisconsin. He secured a tract of wild land in Sevastopol township, Door county, in 1856, and at once began to clear and improve this place. He continued to engage in agricultural pursuits until the Civil war broke out, when he put aside all personal interests and enlisted in Company H, Twelfth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and when his first term of service had expired he reenlisted and remained at the front until hostilities ceased. Although he took part in many important engagements he was never wounded, but exposure and hardships brought on rheumatism, which rendered him almost helpless in the latter years of his life.

Mr. Crass was first married to Salina Sackett and they had the following children, Sarah, Louise, Charles and Ida. On the 4th of July, 1869, he was married in Sevastopol township, to Mrs. Margaret (Cole) Melville, the widow of Thomas Melville. She was born in County Cork, Ireland, on the 2oth of June, 1830, and was a daughter of Gregory Cole. She was reared and educated in her native land and was there married to Thomas Melville, who died leaving one child, Thomas, Jr., who is now a resident of Sevastopol township, Door county, ands whose sketch appears on another page of this work. In 1862 Mrs. Melville came with her little son to the United States, and first located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she lived with an uncle, William Cole, before coming to Door county with him. To Mr. and Mrs. Crass were born three children, namely: Jacob, Jr., whose sketch appears below; Margaret, now the wife of William Ash, of Escanaba, Michigan; and William H., who died in infancy.

Mr. Crass took an active interest in public affairs and by his ballot supported the men and measures of the republican party, and he was always found true to his adopted country in days of peace as well as in time of war. He was an earnest and consistent member of the Lutheran church and in his death the county realized that they had lost a valued citizen. He passed away on the 21st of November, 1887, and his wife died in March, 1900, both being laid to rest in Bayside cemetery.

Jacob Crass, Jr., one of the representative farmers of Sevastopol township, and a son of Jacob and Margaret (Cole) Crass, was born on his father's homestead in this county April 26, 1870. His early life was passed in much the usual manner of farmer boys, assisting in the labors of the fields and attending the district schools until fifteen years of age. He then gave his father the benefit of his labors until he was married on the 28th of November, 1894, to Miss Catherine Zettel, a daughter of Joseph and Christina Zettel, of whom mention is made in the sketch of Julius Zettel on another page of this volume. To Mr. and Mrs. Crass have been born eight children, as follows: Luella, now a resident of Milwaukee; Hazel, the wife of Henry Delair, of Sevastopol township; Jacob, who died at the age of two years; and Roy, Martin, Earl, Christina and Donald, all at home.

After his marriage Mr. Crass engaged in farming forty acres of the old homestead until 1910, when he sold that tract. The following four years were spent in Sturgeon Bay but in the spring of 1917 he moved to the Zettel farm, which consists of the west half of the northwest quarter of section 27, Sevastopol township. Here he is now engaged in farming and is meeting with good success in his undertakings.

has always taken a commendable interest in public affairs. In 1907 he was made overseer of the first work on crushed rock roads to be laid in Sevastopol township with the aid of the county, and was actively interested in that work for three years. He is an enterprising and progressive business man and is highly esteemed by all who know him.

Nicholas Arnold Wagener

Nicholas Arnold Wagener, deceased, was long a well known citizen of Door county who filled various public offices, the duties of which he discharged with promptness and fidelity. He was born on the banks of the river Moselle in the Village of Croev, Prussia, January 4, 1844, a son of John Wagener and Catherine (Hergess) Wagener, who were also natives of Germany, where the father engaged in merchandising. On coming to America with his family he came to Wisconsin, settled in Manitowoc county in 1852 and engaged in farming for many years, meeting with success in the cultivation of his land. Finally he retired from active business and removed to Two Rivers, Wisconsin, where he made his home with his daughter the remainder of his days, his death occurring when he had reached the very advanced age of ninety-three years. His wife was eighty-seven years of age at the time of her demise.

Nicholas A. Wagener was a lad of eight years when he came with his parents to the United States. His boyhood was passed upon the home farm in Manitowoc county, Wisconsin, where at the age of sixteen years he tried to enlist but was refused on account of his youth. He then made his way to another recruiting station where he was accepted, and became a member of Company A, Fifth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for four years or throughout the entire war. His regiment was attached to the Army of the Potomac and he participated in thirteen important battles. On one occasion he was slighly wounded, which forced him to remain in the hospital for seventeen days. His military record was a most creditable one for he proved a brave and loyal soldier, faithful to his country whether called to the firing line or stationed on the lonely picket line.

After the war Mr. Wagener went westward with his brother William to Ohio, where he engaged in the meat business for a time, but the venture proved unsuccessful and he hired out to the government as a mule driver and drove a wagon train as far as Denver, Colorado. He next went to Nebraska, where he engaged in the brewery business but did not find that profitable. After spending eight years on the western plains, he returned to Milwaukee in 1873 and accepted a position with the Blatz Brewing Company. In 1874 he came to Sturgeon Bay, where in partnership with his brother William he established a brewery which he conducted for many years. In 1878 he was appointed undersheriff of Door county, and in 1880 was elected to the office of sheriff, to which position he was reelected in 1884 and again in 1890, serving altogether as deputy and sheriff for fourteen years. He made a most excellent record in that office in apprehending criminals and in maintaining law and order, being ever prompt and fearless in the discharge of his duties. For six years he was also a member of the city council and he occupied the position of city treasurer and was chief of the fire department. In the winters of 1892-3 he was postmaster of the state senate at Madison, Wisconsin, and in 1894 was appointed to the position of postmaster of Sturgeon Bay. He was one of the most popular men of the county, liked and respected by all. In a county which has a very large republican majority he was three times elected on the democratic ticket which indicates his personal popularity and the confidence imposéd in him.

On the first of February, 1874, Mr. Wagener was united in marriage to Miss Isabelle A. Terrens, of Mishicot, Wisconsin, and to them were born seven children: Hubert, who is postmaster of Sturgeon Bay; Anna C., the wife of Edwin Wyatt, of Sturgeon Bay; Arnold, who died in 1877, at the age of eleven months ; Arnold, who is engaged in the saloon business in Sturgeon Bay ; William E., a practicing attorney; Walter, who is a pharmacist; and Lionel, who died January 11, 1914, at the age of twenty-seven years. Mrs. Wagener resides at No. 404 South Cedar Street and a part of the house which she occupies is the ` oldest residence in this section of the county, having been built about one hundred years ago.

Mr. Wagener belonged to the Sons of Hermann and also maintained pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership with the Grand Army of the Republic, In days of peace he was as true and loyal to his adopted country as when he followed the Stars and Stripes upon the battlefields of the south.

Nels G. Nelson

Nels G. Nelson, engaged in general farming on section 24, Forestville township, was born in Norway, January 11, 1868, a son of Nels and Mary (Olson) Gilbertson, who were likewise natives of the land of the midnight sun, where the death of the mother occurred. The father afterwards came to the United States, crossing the Atlantic in 1883, and then making his way westward to Wisconsin. He took up his abode in Clay Banks township, Door county, where he purchased forty acres and at once began to develop and improve the land, devoting his remaining days to its cultivation. He was a republican in his political views and was interested in matters of progressive citizenship. He died in 1893 at the age of sixty-four years.

Nels G. Nelson spent his boyhood in Norway to the age of fifteen years, when he came to the new world with his father, with whom he worked for two years. He afterward removed to Polk county, Minnesota, where he devoted ten years to farm work and in 1899 he came to Forestville township, Door county, and invested his savings, acquired by unabating energy and close economy, in eighty acres of land to which he has since added twenty acres, transforming this into a well improved farm. He erected good buildings thereon and converted the place into productive fields. In fact he added all the modern accessories and conveniences of a modern farm and today has an excellent property, from which he is annually gathering large crops that make his income a very desirable one.

In 1899 Mr. Nelson was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Tollefson, a daughter of Math and Martha Tollefson. She was a native of Nicollet county, Minnesota, and her parents were natives of Norway, whence they came to the new world in 1861. In their family were six children, Manley, Arthur, George, William, John and Alice.

Mr. Nelson votes with the republican party and has been somewhat active in local political circles. He served" for nine years as township supervisor and made an excellent record, discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity. He was also school clerk for fourteen years and he has been the secretary of the Norwegian Lutheran church in which he holds membership. His has been an honorable and useful life and he has been guided by the teachings of the church in all of his relations with his fellowmen.

Adolph William Miller

Starting out in the business world as a clerk at a wage of three dollars per week, Adolph William Miller is now numbered among the enterprising merchants of Sturgeon Bay, where since 1901 he has conducted the only exclusive men's clothing and furnishing goods store of the city. The steps in his progression are easily discernible. He has based his advancement upon close application and fidelity and in the faithful performance of his daily duties has developed the powers which now class him with the representative merchants of his city. Moreover, he is yet a comparatively young man. He was born in Bay county, Michigan, April 12, 1875, a son of J. F. and Mary Miller, the former a native of Michigan and the latter of Germany. The mother was brought to the United States when but four years of age. J. F. Miller prepared for the ministry and has for many years been a well known representative of the Lutheran clergy. He and his wife still reside in Bay City, Michigan.

A public school education qualified Adolph W. Miller for life's practical and responsible duties, yet his textbooks were put aside at the age of thirteen years that he might provide for his own support. He began earning his living by working as a farm hand and was also early employed in the lumber camps. He was a youth of sixteen when he started as a clerk at three dollars per week. In 1896 he came to Sturgeon Bay, where he entered the employ of Charles Greisen, with whom he remained for three years. He was afterward in the Washburn store for two years and in 1901 he embarked in business on his own account, having in the meantime carefully saved his earnings until his industry and economy had made him the possessor of a capital sufficient to enable him to secure a stock of men's clothing and furnishings. He is now conducting the only exclusive store of the kind in Sturgeon Bay. He carries an attractive line of goods and puts forth every effort to please his patrons and is reasonable in his prices, seeking only to make a fair profit.

On the 3d of June, 1902, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Mollie Sorenson, a daughter of C. L. Sorenson, of Sturgeon Bay, and they have three children, Gerhard, Elwin and Marion. In politics Mr. Miller is a republican but has never been ambitious to hold public office, preferring to concentrate his ef- forts and attention upon his business. He is indeed a self-made man and one whose record should serve to inspire and encourage others, showing what may be accomplished through determined purpose guided by laudable ambition and sound judgment.

Exor P. De Jardine

Exor P. De Jardine, a well known citizen of Jacksonport, was born in Canada on the 23d of February, 1880, a son of Exor P. and Delphine (Baskie) De Jardine, both natives of the province of Quebec, Canada. His education was acquired in the schools of Jacksonport township, Door county, which he attended until he was sixteen years old. The following eight years were devoted to assisting his father with the operation of the home farm and at the end of that time he bought eighty acres of good land, which he cultivated on his own account for two years. He was then compelled to give up agricultural work, for while sawing wood his right arm was amputated just below the elbow, and he turned his attention to canvassing. For a number of years he has engaged in selling medicines throughout Door county, and as he represents a reliable house and as he is an enterprising and efficient salesman he is meeting with gratifying success in his work. ;

Mr. De Jardine was united in marriage to Miss Mabel Gerard, a daughter of Louis and Louise Gerard, who were pioneer settlers of Jacksonport township but are now living retired in Neenah, this state. To Mr. and Mrs. De Jardine have been born six children, namely, Ella, Neva, Genevieve, Harold, Mercedes and Ralph.

Mr. De Jardine is a democrat in his political belief and is now serving for the seventh year as township treasurer, his long tenure of that office indicating the capability with which he discharges his duties. He holds membership in the Mystic Workers and is well liked.both within and without that organization. He deserves great credit for what he has accomplished, for he has not only made all that he has Himself but has worked under a handicap that would dishearten a man of irresolute spirit.

William J. Finnegan

William J. Finnegan, a well known and enterprising farmer residing in Jacksonport township, was born in Hastings county, Ontario, Canada, January 1, 1866, His parents, Patrick and Anna (Conlon) Finnegan, were born in Ireland but were married in Canada. To them were born seven children: Patrick, who is living in Cahill, Ontario; Rose, the wife of Grant Arthur, of Menominee, Michigan; one who died in infancy; Katherine, who married Herman Felia, of Tacoma, Washington; Elizabeth, the wife of George Ferguson, of Menominee, Michigan; Ellen, now Mrs. John McGuire, of Menominee; and William J. The father followed agricultural pursuits in Canada until 1880, when he came with his family to Door county, Wisconsin, and purchased forty acres of land in Jacksonport township. As the years passed this wild tract was cleared, brought under cultivation and improved, and Mr. Finnegan made a good profit from the sale of his farm produce. At length, however, he went to Menominee, Michigan, where his last days were passed and where his death occurred in 1888. He is interred in a cemetery there, and his wife, who died in Sturgeon Bay in 1904, is buried in the Catholic cemetery at that place.

William J. Finnegan received his education in the common schools of Ontario, as after the removal of the family to Door county his time was entirely taken up with assisting his father in the development of the homestead. Later he worked for others until he was married and removed to the homestead of his wife's parents. His well directed labors have been rewarded with large crops and as he has given close study to market conditions he has been able to sell his grain and also his stock to good advantage.

On the 2d of March, 1904, occurred the marriage of Mr. Finnegan and Miss Mary O'Leary. Her parents removed from Maine to Door county and her father died a short time later. The mother has also passed away and both are buried in the Catholic cemetery in Jacksonport. Mr. and Mrs. Finnegan have a daughter, Marie.

In religious faith Mr. Finnegan is a Roman Catholic and the work of that church receives his hearty support. He is a democrat in politics but has never been an office seeker as his agricultural interests have demanded his undivided attention. He began his career empty-handed but has by his own efforts gained a competence,

Joseph G. Dalemont

An excellent farm of two hundred acres situated on section 9, Gardner townis the property of Joseph G. Dalemont and pays tribute to the owner for the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields. His practical business methods bring substantial results and he is progressive in all that he'undertakes. He was born in Belgium, February 25, 1854, and was but two years of age when brought to the United States by his parents, John B. and Frances Dalemont, who on crossing the Atlantic made their way into the interior of the country, settling first in Kewaunee county, Wisconsin, where they lived for a year. On the expiration of that period they came to Door county and here the father followed the blacksmith's trade, which he had learned in his native land. He was a son of John B. Dalemont, Sr., who on coming to America bought land in Kewaunee county but soon after went to work with his son, John, Jr., in the blacksmith shop, while subsequently he purchased eighty acres of land and again turned his attention to farming. In the community in which he lived John B. Dalemont took an active part in furthering public progress by his support of many measures that were calculated to advance the general good. He was much interested in the cause of education and was associated with William Babtist, Robert Stevenson and A. J. Bossman, in establishing school district No. r, which was the first district in the township. He served as a director of the school for several years and he was also called to the office of township supervisor, in which capacity he remained for three years. In his family were the following named: Jule; Leona; Mary, who died in infancy; Joseph G.; Louise, who became the wife of N. J. Delfosse and died two years after her marriage ; Charlotte, the wife of Frank Solomon; Jennie; and Adeline, the wife of Alec Delveaux. The father died in 1901 at the age of cighty-one years, while his widow survived until 1913 and reached the advanced age of eighty-nine years. Both were buried in the Gardner township cemetery.

Joseph G. Dalemont acquired a common school education in the district schools near his father's home and also spent six months as a student in an academy at Madison. He assisted his father in the shop and learned the blacksmith's trade during his early boyhood and he afterward aided in the arduous task of clearing land. At length he began farming on his own account on the place where he now resides and through the intervening period he has given his attention to general agricultural pursuits. He is now the owner of an excellent property of two hundred acres which he cleared. He has fine improvements on his place, including an attractive residence, good barns and outbuildings well constructed and modern farm machinery. His plans are carefully formed and promptly executed and from the time of early spring planting until crops are harvested in late autumn his efforts are most intelligently directed, so that success has come to him in substantial measure. Aside from his farming interests he is a stockholder in the telephone company. His political endorsement is given to the republican party, of which he is a stalwart advocate, and his religious belief is that of the Spiritualist church. That his fellow townsmen have high appreciation of his worth is indicated by the many times that he has been called to public office. He served for eight years as county treasurer and made a most faithful custodian of the public funds. He has been chairman of the township board for thirty years altogether and has been clerk of the township for three years, and was also postmaster at Little Sturgeon ten years. His long continuance in office is unmistakable proof of his capability, his fidelity and his trustworthiness. Those who know him, and he has a wide acquaintance, recognize in him a man whose reliability is above question, His entire life has been passed in this county and that his record has ever been an honorable and straightforward one is indicated by the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from boyhood to the present time.

On the 26th of September, 1898, occurred the marriage of Joseph G. Dalemont and Miss Josephine Lesuisse, of Gardner. They have one child, Felix, born April 5, 1904.

Dentistry is unique among the professions in that it demands a threefold capability. The successful dentist must possess not only broad scientific knowledge in the line of his profession but he must have also marked mechanical skill and the ability to direct the financial side of his business. Qualified in all these particulars, Dr. James A. Spalsbury is now enjoying a good practice in Sturgeon Bay, where he opened his office in 1904. He-was born in Clay Banks township, this county, November 17, 1882, a son of James Erwin and Anna (Lawson) Spalsbury. The father came to Door county in 1866 with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Spalsbury, of Pennsylvania. The mother was a daughter of Alexander Lawson, a native of Ireland, who also arrived in Door county in the year 1866 and here took up the occupation of farming. It was in this county that James E. Spalsbury was reared and after attaining his majority he turned his attention to the occupation of farming, which he followed successfully for many years. In 1896, however, he abandoned the work of the fields and for a time was engaged in the hotel business but at the present writing is conducting a livery stable at Sawyer.

Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, Dr. Spalsbury attended the public and high schools, being graduated with the class of 1901. In preparation for a professional career he then entered Marquette University as a dental student and won his D. D. S. degree upon graduation with the class of 1904. He at once opened an office in Sturgeon Bay, where he has since practiced. Gradually his business has grown until he now has a very liberal share of the public patronage in his line. His office is well equipped with the latest improved dental instruments and appliances and he is skilled in their use, while his practice is based upon thorough familiarity with the scientific principles which underlie his work.

On the 16th of October, 1907, Dr. Spalsbury was married to Miss Gretchen Staudt, of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and they have a son, John Henry, who is in his first year. Dr. Spalsbury holds membership with the Knights of Pythias and he gives his political support to the democratic party, believing firmly in its principles. His entire life has been passed in this county and his record has ever been one that would bear close investigation and scrutiny. He has been actuated by a laudable purpose in his business and at all times his course has measured up to high standards of manhood and citizenship.

Alfred Jome

Alfred Jome, busily engaged in farm work on section r, Forestville township, on which place he has spent his entire life, was born February 7, 1877, his parents being Knute and Carrie (Rice) Jome, both of whom were natives of Norway. The parents left Norway in early life. The father came with his parents to the new world in 1872 and the family home was established first in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, where the grandfather purchased land upon which he and his wife spent their remaining days. Knute Jome was reared on the old homestead there to the age of seventeen years, when he started out to provide for his own support by going to Minnesota, where he engaged in railroad work. In the fall of 1872 he came to Forestville and bought eighty acres, which was covered with the native growth of timber. He at once began the work of clearing the place so as to plow the land and plant his crops. He brought his fields to a high state of cultivation and ultimately added forty acres to his original purchase, residing thereon until 1915, when he removed to Sawyer, where he is now living retired at the age of sixty-nine years, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned. His wife has reached the age of sixty-four years. Both are consistent members of the Norwegian Lutheran church, and in his political views Mr. Jome has been a republican since taking out his naturalization papers.

Alfred Jome spent his youthful days on the old homestead farm and was educated in Forestville, dividing his time between the duties of the school room, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the fields. He has never sought to change his occupation, finding farming a congenial pursuit, and he now has a well improved place, which he is carefully and successfully cultivating, substantial crops rewarding his labors.

On June 20, 1907, Mr. Jome was united in marriage to Miss Rickke Halverson, a daughter of Halver and Carrie (Viste) Halverson, who were natives of Norway and on coming to America settled in Clay Banks township, Door county, Wisconsin, where they were married. It was in that township that Mrs. Jome was born and by her marriage she has become the mother of five children, Kermit, Bernice, Lorain, Franklin and Florence.

Alfred Jome can remember back to a period when pioneer conditions existed in Door county. His parents were among the earliest settlers here and at the time of their arrival wild game was plentiful, Indians were numerous and every evidence of frontier life was to be found. Algoma was the nearest market and few roads had been laid out through the wilderness. They began the work of developing the farm, a work which has been continued by Alfred Jome, and their contribution to the agricultural development of the section was a valuable one.

August Moeller

August Moeller is one of the representative farmers of Sevastopol township, where he was born on the 23d of April, 1873, his parents being Marcus and Pulchira Moeller, of whom extended mention is made in the sketch of Frank J. Moeller on another page of this volume. He is the third in order of birth in a family of ten children, and is the oldest now living. During his boyhood and youth he attended the district schools during the winter months until thirteen years of age, and then devoted his entire time and attention to assisting his father in the operation of the home farm, remaining under the parental roof until twenty-one years of age. On starting out in life for himself he engaged in farming on rented land and was forty years of age when he purchased his first property, consisting of the south half of the southwest quarter of section 10, Sevastopol township, that his father had bought in 1890. Our subject resided thereon until March 1917, when he removed to his present farm, consisting of the south half of the southeast quarter of section 16, Sevastopol township, which he had purchased in 1916. On the 26th of June, r911, Mr. Moeller had contracted to buy his present place, but while clearing the timber from the tract

_a big carrier in the barn fell on him, breaking his back in three places. He was thus disabled for sevetal months but is now entirely recovered.

On the 29th of October, 1895, Mr. Moeller was united in marriage to Miss Christina Zettel, a daughter of Rudolph and Gertrude ( Burns) Zettel, early set- tlers of Sevastopol township. Her father came to Door county in 1863 and located on the farm now owned and operated by our subject. Here he passed away May 30, 1915, and was buried in the Catholic cemetery at Sturgeon Bay. In that city the mother of Mrs. Moeller is now living. To Mr. and Mrs. Moeller have been born two children, but Arthur died at the age of ten months and was buried in St. Joseph's Catholic cemetery, and Adolph R. M., the only living child, was born November 9, 1903.

In religious faith the family are Catholics and Mr. Moeller also holds membership in the Catholic Order of Foresters and the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin. He was one of the first in Door county to engage in the construction of macadamized roads and for the past seventeen years has devoted considerable attention to the building of those highways. In 1914 he was elected county highway commissioner and acceptably filled that position for one term. Always an industrious and hard working man he has met with success in his undertakings, and is today regarded as one of the leading citizens of his community.

Rev. John Groenfeldt

No history of the moral development of Door county would be complete were there failure to make reference to the Rev. John, Groenfeldt. The name is inseparably interwoven with the churchly activities of Ephraim, where he and his father and his brother have all served as ministers of the Moravian church. He was born August 17, 1865, in Ephraim, and is a brother of the Rev. Samuel Groenfeldt, mentioned elsewhere in this work. He attended the district schools and was a diligent and painstaking student. At the age of eleven years he entered the Military Academy at Nazareth Hall, Pennsylvania, and was graduated from that institution with the highest honors, receiving a gold medal in recognition of his superior scholarship. In 1880 he became a student in the Moravian College at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated with valedictorian honors as a member of the class of 1884. He then entered the theological department in the fall of 1884 and completed that course by graduation in 1886.

Ordained to the ministry of the Moravian church in that year, Mr. Groenfeldt served for several years as a home missionary in Missouri and Kansas, where he was instrumental in building several churches. He afterward accepted the pastorate of the church in Ephraim, of which he had charge for seven years. Both he and his brother have served as pastors in this village, where they were born and where their father was a home missionary for more than nineteen years. After leaving Ephraim, Rev. John Groenfeldt went to Green Bay and was minister of the West Side Moravian church for about five years, this being one of the strong churches of Wisconsin. About nine years he was pastor of one of the largest churches in the east - that at Nazareth, Pennsylvania, and for two years he was pastor of a Moravian church in Brooklyn, New York. He is now serving as a church evangelist and is doing splendid work in this connection. His ministry has been greatly blessed and he is regarded as one of the leading preachers of his denomination. While pastor in the east he was in demand as a Young Men's

Revs. J. J, Samuel And John Groenfeldt

In November, 1891, Rev. Groenfeldt was united in marriage in Chicago, Illinois, to Miss Marie Benson, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Benson. They have no children of their own but have adopted a daughter, Elsie, who is now about sixteen years of age and who is now having the benefit of good educational opportunities and of training in a Christian home. She is especially gifted in music and her talents in that direction are being cultivated.

It would be almost tautological in this connection to enter into any series of statements showing Rev. Groenfeldt to be a man of scholarly attainments, for this has been shadowed forth between the lines of this review; but it is just to say in a history that will descend to future generations that he is also a man of broadest sympathy, with ready understanding of human nature which enables him to speak a tactful word and extend a helping hand where aid is most needed. His labors indeed have been fruitful of good results and he has not been denied the full harvest nor the aftermath of his efforts.

Rev. Samuel Groenfeldt

Rey. Samuel Groenfeldt is pastor of the Moravian church at Ephraim, in which connection he is doing splendid work in promoting the moral development of the community. He was born in Ephraim, August 11, 1867, and is a son of the Rev. J. J. and Mary E. (Loding) Groenfeldt, who were natives of Denmark. The father was also a minister of the Gospel and thus through two generations the work of preparing people for practical activities and for the life to come has been carried on by the Groenfeldt family. The father was born in North Schleswig, Denmark, November 30, 1834, and was baptized and confirmed according to the rite of the Danish Lutheran church. In young manhood he became acquainted with members of the Moravian congregation in Christianfeld, North Schleswig, and being convinced of their sincerity and high Christian purpose, he joined that organization on the 13th of August, 1860. Not long afterward he felt the call to the ministry and began preparation for teaching the Gospel. After a little while he became a home missionary of the church in America. On the 12th of June, 1864, Rev. Groenfeldt was united in marriage to Miss Marie Elisa Loding, who likewise had offered her services to the Moravian church. In September, 1864, they arrived in Ephraim, Wisconsin, where they met the difficult experiences of the pioneer preacher's life. For several years Rev. Groenfeldt served at the mission at Sturgeon Bay in connection with his pastorate at Ephraim but resided in the latter place and every four or five weeks in both summer and winter he walked the entire distance from Ephraim to Sturgeon Bay and frequently made extra trips to Clay Banks, making his missionary trip of about one hundred miles per week. For nearly twenty years he remained the pastor of the Ephraim church. To him and his wife were born six children, of whom two died in infancy, while a son, Martin, passed away at the age of eleven years and Mary was called to the home beyond at the age of sixteen. In Ephraim his first wife died in June, 1879, and he was still residing in Ephraim when he was again married, his second wife being Miss

Katherine Duus, a lifelong friend of his first wife. His surviving children are: the Rev. John Groenfeldt, of Winona Lake, Indiana; and the Rev. Samuel Groenfeldt of this review. After leaving the pastorate of Ephraim in 1883 Rev. Groenfeldt served Green Bay and Grand Rapids, Wisconsin, and on the 11th of September, 1904, at Grand Rapids, Wisconsin, at the age of seventy years closed his active ministry after forty years devoted to the work of teaching the Gospel. It was not long afterward, however, that he again took up active duty, becoming assistant pastor of the West Side Moravian church at Green Bay, while making his home at De Pere. There he continued for twelve years, so that he devoted fifty-two years of his life to actual service in the ministry. His was a most beautiful Christian character and his life one of the utmost nobility. He reached the age of eighty-two years, four months and eleven days and then passed on, but who can measure the extent of his influence, which is still felt in the lives of all with whom he came in contact. His memory is revered by those who knew him and remains as a blessed benediction to those with whom he was associated.

Rev. Samuel Groenfeldt was reared in Ephraim and after attending the public schools to the age of twelve years he entered the military academy known as Nazareth Hall, there remaining during the year 1879. In 1882 he became a student in the Moravian College at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated on the completion of a collegiate course in 1886. In the fall of the same year he entered the theological department of the same college and was graduated therefrom in June, 1888. On the 15th of that month he was ordained to the ministry of the Moravian church and took up the active work of preaching the Gospel, spending two months as assistant pastor at Ephraim. In the fall of 1888 he accepted a call to the congregation at Sturgeon Bay, which was then a home mission charge. He continued in active work there for twenty-one years, leaving a parish in 1909 with a membership of four hundred, this being regarded as one of the best churches in the western district. He next received an appointment as church evangelist, in which capacity he labored for five years, but the strain of the work was so great that åt necessitated him asking for a year's fur- Jough for rest and recuperation. During that time the Ephraim pastorate became vacant and at the earnest request of the elders of the church he took temporary charge of the field, in which capacity he is still serving. The church in Ephraim has been enlarged to twice its former capacity and marked growth has been made in the church at Sister Day, which is also under the care of Rev. Groenfeldt. He is an earnest and convincing speaker, a sympathetic man, a devout Christian, actuated by the utmost zeal in his work and his labors have brought splendid results in the moral development of the communities in which he has labored.

On the 24th of October, 1900, Rev. Groenfeldt was united in marriage to Miss Amy Belle Long, a daughter of Frank and Agnes Long, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this work. They became the parents of two children: James Francis, who was born May 24, 1904, and entered the Sturgeon Bay high schoo! in the fall of 1917; and John Samuel, born August 28, 1917.

In politics Rev. Groenfeldt has always followed an independent course. He is interested in all matters of citizenship and has done effective work in promoting public welfare. He is greatly loved not only by the people of his own congregation but by others as well because of his upright life and his many admirable traits of character. He is a man of strong intellectual force, keen in his judg- ment, clear in his reasoning and forceful in his deductions. Moreover, he has a close sympathy with those to whom the path of life seems a difficult road to follow and is ever extending a helping hand or speaking a word of encouragement. His labors in this county have borne rich fruit and he has indeed left an indelible impression upon its history.

Anton Brandl

Anton Brandl, the proprietor of a well patronized blacksmith shop in Brussels township, has spent his entire life in Door county and is one of its best known citizens. He was born in Nasewaupee township, July 29, 1887, a son of Joseph and Catherine Brandl, both natives of Austria. On emigrating to the United States in young manhood the father first located in Green Bay, where he was employed in a brewery for three years. He next removed to Sturgeon Bay and some time later purchased one hundred and sixty acres of timber land in Nasewaupee township, which he cleared and improved by erecting a log house. In 1900 he built an attractive frame residence upon his place, which in the meantime he had brought to a high state of cultivation. He is now, however, living retired in Sawyer at the age of sixty-nine years, and his wife is sixty years old. She came to the United States with friends when a girl of sixteen years and took up her residence in Green Bay, where her marriage later occurred.

Anton Brandl passed his boyhood and youth upon the home farm in Nasewaupee township, and his education was acquired in the district schools. From early boyhood he gave much of his time to assisting his father and after putting aside his textbooks concentrated his energies upon the operation of the homestead until 1914. He then came to Brussels township and purchased his present business, His blacksmith shop is well equipped and the high standard of work which he turns out has led to the building up of a large and profitable trade. He is still a young man and the success which he has already gained is an indication that still greater prosperity is in store for him. His sterling worth is attested by the fact that those who have known him intimately since boyhood are his stanchest friends.

Martin B. Peterson

The geographical situation of Sturgeon Bay maturally has promoted navigation and kindred interests and among those who are active in this field is Martin B. Peterson, who in early manhood took up the boat building business and is today controlling important interests of that character as president of the Peterson Boat Works. He was born in Denmark, March 17, 1874, and is a son of Nels F. Peterson, who in 1883 brought his family to Wisconsin, settling in Racine.

Martin B. Peterson was at that time a little lad of nine years. When his textbooks were put aside he began learning the boat building trade and was in the employ of various concerns in that line at Racine for twelve years. He afterward spent ten months in Duluth, Minnesota, and in 1906 came to Sturgeon Bay. He was employed for three years by the Sturgeon Bay Boat Manufacturing Company and in 1908 began the building of boats on his own account under the style of the Peterson Boat Works. He builds all classes of boats, from a canoe to a seventy-five foot boat with a thirty-five ton capacity, and each' year he builds about three or four large boats and many small ones. He has won a reputation for great thoroughness in his work and the number of his patrons has steadily increased, his business becoming one of the substantial industries of the city. Mr. Peterson also operates a launch of his own, The Challenger, which is used in the freight and passenger service.

Mr. Peterson has been married twice. He first wedded Mary Ann Sherwood, a native of Michigan and a daughter of James Sherwood, who was living in Racine, Wisconsin, at the time of his daughter's marriage. She passed away in January, 1907, and Mr. Peterson has since married Minnie Ann Hayes, of Sturgeon Bay. By his first marriage he had six children: Bertha Ruth, now the wife of Jake Simon, of Racine; Fred, who is with his father in business; Martin, residing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Walter, who died in February, 1916, at the age of seventeen years; Mary, at home; and Robert, who was adopted at the time of his mother's death by C. A. Lunberg, of Fish Creek. By the second marriage Mr. Peterson has one son, Archie B., now eight years of age.

Mr. Peterson has membership with the Beavers, to which his wife and two older sons also belong. His political endorsement is given to the republican party where national issues are involved but at local elections he casts an independent ballot. His life has been one of untiring industry and his capability and powers have increased as the years have gone on and experience has added to his skill and knowledge.

Harry F. Scofield

No history of Sturgeon Bay would be complete were there failure to make prominent reference to the Scofield family, which has been represented in this city for thirty-seven years, He whose name introduces this review is the president of the Scoficld Company, conducting the second largest hardware business in the state. He was born in Pensaukee, Wisconsin, March 13, 1861, and is a son of Charles and Maria H. (Stacy) Scofield, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this work in connection with the history of their son, Herbert C. Scofield. The father figured for many years as a prominent factor in the lumber trade of Wiconsin, was the first mayor of Sturgeon Bay and a very prominent and influential citizen in connection with the promotion of public affairs here.

In the country schools Harry F. Scofield mastered the branches of learning therein taught, and when his textbooks were put aside he became an active assistant to his father in the lumber business, continuing his activities in that field until the father sold out. Harry F. Scofield then sailed the Lakes for ten years and advanced through various promotions to that of chief engineer. In 1889 he purchased an interest in the Scofield Hardware Company. which had been established by his brother the previous year, and since that date he has been active in the management and control of the business, which has steadily grown and developed until it is the largest of the kind in Sturgeon Bay and with one exception the largest in the state. The business was incorporated in 1900, at which time Harry F. Scofield was chosen president and has so continued. He closely studies every phase of the business and the questions relative to its successful conduct and displays sound judgment and keen insight in regard to commercial activity.

Mr. Scofield has been married twice. He first wedded Nellie Wilson, a daughter of Captain George T. Wilson, of Sturgeon Bay. In 1909 he married Helen Basford, of this city, a daughter of John Basford, now a resident of Minneapolis, There is one child by the second marriage, Gladys Ida. Mr. Scofield exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but has never been an office seeker, preferring to concentrate his undivided time and attention upon his business affairs. Persistent purpose and indefatigable energy have brought him success and his life record illustrates the possibilities for accomplishment in this land of opportunity.

Herman Karnopp

Herman Karnopp, whose place of residence is om' section 26, Nasewaupee township, where he is carrying on general farming, was born on the 28th of April, 1849, in Pomerania, Germany. While still in his native land he served for two years in the German army. He came to America in 1874, landing at New York, whence he made his way westward to Manitowoc county, Wisconsin. He, then went to Kewaunee county, where he remained a short time, after which he went to Sheboygan. There he learned the tanner's trade, which he followed for thirty-three years, becoming well known as a representative of the business there. In 1905 he removed to Door county, where he purchased eighty acres of land, and since that time he has added forty acres, so that he now owns one hundred and twenty acres in all. His place constitutes a fine farm to which he has added various modern improvements in the way of good buildings. Well kept fences divide his farm into fields of convenient size. He is also a stockholder in the cheese factory and carries on dairying. Whatever he undertakes is successfully accomplished, for he is a man of persistent purpose and indefatigable energy.

On the 26th of November, 1875, Mr. Karnopp was united in marriage to Miss Albertina Gentz, a native of Germany, whence she came to the new world at the age of eighteen years. She was born January 10, 1856, in Pomerania, and she was married in Manitowoc county. To Mr. and Mrs. Karnopp have been born nine children. Otto, who is married, is engaged in business as a cheese maker of Brown county. Tillie is now the wife of Otto Bixby, living at Rockford, Illinois. Lydia is the wife of Tony Becker, of Beloit, Wisconsin. Theodore is a cheese maker of Milwaukee. Reinhard is engaged in the same line of business at Algoma. Clara makes her home at Freeport, Illinois. Elsie is

The religious faith of the family is that of the German Lutheran church, while the political belief of Mr. Karnopp is that of the democratic party. He has always concentrated his attention upon his business affairs, never seeking office, and his persistency of purpose is indicated in the fact that he was for thirty-three years connected with a tannery at Sheboygan. He is now well known as a progressive agriculturist of Nasewaupee township, his careful management resulting in the achievement of success in his work.

Yngre Viking Dreutzer

No history of Sturgeon Bay would be complete without extended reference to Yngre Viking Dreutzer, who for many years was a prominent member of the bar and active in official connections. His worth was widely recognized, not only in his professional connections but in all personal associations. He was a man of high ideals and eagerly embraced every opportunity to raise himself to their level. Mr. Dreutzer was born in Waupaca, Wisconsin, November 9, 1857, and his life record covered the intervening years to the 2d of January, 1907, when he passed to the home beyond. He was a son of General D. E. Dreutzer, who became an early settler of Wisconsin and for many years was a leading jurist of this state, occupying a very prominent position as a representative of the Wisconsin bar.

Mr. Dreutzer whose name introduces this review was indebted to the public school system of Waupaca for the early educational opportunities which he enjoyed. He then had further advantages along educational lines, becoming a student in Lawrence University, from which he was in due time graduated, winning the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He secured practical legal training under the direction of his father, and having further qualified for law practice, was admitted to the bar in 1881. He became a resident of Sturgeon Bay in 1874 and after being licensed to practice law was associated with his father for several years. While advancement at the bar is proverbially slow, no dreary novitiate awaited him. Along with those qualities indispensable to the lawyer - a keen, rapid, logical mind, plus the business sense and a ready capacity for hard work - he brought to the starting point of his legal career certain rare gifts - eloquence of language and a strong personality. An excellent presence, marked strength of character, a thorough grasp of the law and the ability to accurately apply its principles were factors in his effectiveness as an advocate and won for him the liberal clientage which was his for many years. He was also called upon for official service in the line of his profession. He served for seven terms as city attorney and in 1891 he was elected district attorney, which office he filled until his demise, his last term expiring on the day of his burial. He had refused to become a candidate for the office again on account of the pressure of other business interests and also on account of the condition of his health. His word was accepted as authority in this part of the state on all legal questions, for he was a man of well balanced intellect, thoroughly familiar with the law and practice, possessing, too, comprehensive general information, combined with an analytical children: Eugenia, the wife of B. D. Thorp, proprietor of the Eagle Inn at Ephraim; Albert W., who is in the Chicago post office; Clarence S., of this review ; and Addie M., the wife of H. M. Nelson, a resident of Ephraim.

Clarence S. Smith, whose name introduces this review, was reared and educated in Ephraim and remained with his father as clerk until finally he bought out the business in 1907. He has since conducted the store and has a well appointed establishment, carrying a carefully selected line of goods, while his reliable business methods and enterprise insure to him a continuance of a liberal patronage.

In addition to his commercial interests Mr. Smith is well known in other connections, being a stockholder and director of the Door County State Bank of Sturgeon Bay.

On the sth of June, 1912, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Flora M. Oneson, a daughter of Bernt and Dena Oneson, the former a native of Ephraim and the latter of Norway. Her father is now a contractor of Racine and he and his wife make their home in that city. In his political views Mr. Smith is a stalwart republican, having supported the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. His fellow townsmen have called him to a number of local offices. He has served as town clerk for ten years and his long incumbency in that position indicates most clearly his capability and fidelity in the discharge of his duties. His religious faith is that of the Moravian church. His entire life has been actuated by high and honorable principles and the sterling traits of his character are those which insure him the warm regard and goodwill of his fellow townsmen.

Hubert A. Wagener

Hubert A. Wagener has been called to public office by his fellow townsmen, who have recognized that he is ever loyal in positions of trust and responsibility. He is now serving as postmaster at Sturgeon Day, to which position he was called in 1915. He was born in this city December 15, 1875, and is a son of Arnold and Isabelle (Terrens) Wagener, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this work.

Hubert A. Wagener acquired a public school education and afterward pursued a pharmaceutical course in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, thus qualifying for the conduct of a drug business. He opened a drug store in Sturgeon Bay in 1891 and for a quarter of a century remained a successful merchant of the city, the Wagener drug store being one of the commercial landmarks of this place He continued to wisely and successfully manage his business until July, 1916, when he sold out. In the meantime Mr. Wagener had been on various occasions called to public office. In 1910 he was elected sheriff of Door county, which position he filled for two years. He was for nine years a member of the city council and in that connection exercised his official prerogatives in support of various plans and measures to promote civic progress in Sturgeon Bay. For four years he was supervisor and for two years occupied the position of highway commissioner. In 1915 he received a recess appointment as postmaster of Sturgeon Bay and was regularly appointed to that position December 16th, since which time he has continuously acted in that capacity. He has always been a democrat in his political views, stanchly supporting the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise.

On the sth of December, 1900, Mr. Wagener was married to Miss Jennie Boyce, a daughter of Charles and Kate (Shatoff) Boyce, the former an early settler of Door county. Mr. and Mrs. Wagener have three children, John, Jane and Mary. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and with the Knights of Pythias and exemplifies in his life the beneficent spirit upon which those orders are based. He has always lived in Sturgeon Bay, so that his life record is a familiar one to his fellow townsmen, and that he enjoys their regard and confidence is indicative of the fact that his has been a well spent career.

Henry Overbeck

Henry Overbeck, a well known representative of horticultural interests at Sturgeon Bay, is, moreover, entitled to mention in this volume by reason of the fact that he installed the instrument and effected the first telephone communication in Door county. He was born in New York, February 2, 1853, and is a son of Henry and Fredericka (Vollmer) Overbeck, both of whom were natives of Germany but came to the United Stats in early life and were married in New York. The father took up the work of preaching the gospel, entering the Methodist ministry, and in 1853 he removed westward to Lake Mills, Wisconsin, where he resided until 1863. He then went to Oconomowoc, where he continued for three years, and for two years was at Manitowoc. His last days were spent in Algoma, where he departed this life in 1912 at the venerable age of eighty-six years, having for about eight years survived his wife, who died in 1904. In their family were eight children who reached adult age, while three died in childhood.

Henry Overbeck, the eldest of the family, is indebted to the public school system of Algoma for the educational opportunities which he enjoyed. For a year he taught school and then went to work in the lumber woods, driving a yoke of cattle in this connection in Door county in the winter of 1871-2. He was employed in the lumber woods and in shingle mill work for several years but in 1883 changed his line of work by taking charge of the postoffice and telegraph office at Algoma, there remaining until 1885. In that year he came to Sturgeon Bay, where he assumed the management of the telephone and telegraph office. While at Algoma he obtained two telephone instruments, installing one there and the other at Sturgeon Bay, and thus he effected the first telephone communication in Door county. He remained in charge of the telegraph office at Sturgeon Bay until 1905, in which year he removed to Milwaukee, where he conducted an insurance agency for five years. In 1910 he returned to Sturgeon Bay and purchased thirty acres of farming land, of which he planted fifteen acres to cherries and five acres to apples, thus becoming an active factor in the horticultural development of this district. He is now also giving much attention to dairying, in connection with which he purchased a large farm and is now starting a herd of Guernseys. He has also been in the insurance business at Sturgeon Bay since 1888 and still handles liability and accident insurance, writing a large number of policies each year. In fact, each branch of his business is well organized and carefully conducted and in everything that he undertakes he is actuated by a spirit of progress and improvement productive of splendid results. He has one of the finest homes in the county. He owns his own water and power plant and has a spetic tank for sewage. His home is supplied with all modern improvements and it is attractively furnished, indicating refined and cultured taste.

On the 15th of July, 1885, Mr. Overbeck was united in marriage to Miss Addie L. Morey, who was born in Wyoming, New York, November 14, 1857, a daughter of Reuben and Abbie Clemmons (Bogman) Morey. The father, who was a Baptist minister, was born July 21, 1825, and died May 17, 1880. The Moreys are an old New England family which came from England with Roger Williams, landing from the ship Lion at Boston on the sth of May, 1631. Mr. and Mrs. Overbeck have a son, Philip Morey, who was born September 24, 1890, and is now in business with his father. He was married August 5, 1913, to Alice Louise Cochems and has one child, Allouise.

Mrs. Overbeck is a member of the Congregational church and Mr. Overbeck and his son hold membership with the Knights of Pythias. The family is one of social prominence in this section and the hospitality of their home is greatly enjoyed by their friends, who are legion. In politics Mr. Overbeck has ever been a stalwart republican and in 1896ewas elected to the state legislature, to which he was reelected in 1898 and in 1900, thus serving for three terms, during which he gave careful and earnest consideration to all the vital problems which came up for settlement and lent the weight of his influence to the support of those measures and movements which he deemed of worth to the commonwealth. In his official service he has ever placed the public welfare above partisanship and the interests of the community at large before personal aggrandizement. As a business man he has made for himself a most creditable position and has furthered many lines of activity which have contributed to the upbuilding and development of this section of the state.

Otto Schmidt

Otto Schmidt, a resident farmer of Forestville township, living on section 2, was born at Piercetown, Kewaunee county, Wisconsin, June 22, 1880, his parents being Fred and Theresa (Seifert) Schmidt, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father left that country when a youth of sixteen years in company with his parents, who crossed the Atlantic and then proceeded westward until they reached Sheboygan, Wisconsin, where a farm was purchased upon which the grandparents of Otto Schmidt spent their remaining days. Fred Schmidt took up the occupation of carpentering in Sheboygan but afterward removed to Piercetown, Kewaunee county, where he purchased a farm and erected thereon a large residence. The place was afterward sold to the county for a poor farm. He later bought another tract of land in the same township and

It was upon the home farm that Otto Schmidt was reared with the usual experiences, opportunities and training of the farm bred boy. For eight years he worked upon the farm and on the expiration of that period came to Forestville township, Door county, where he invested in eighty acres of land on section 2 which is now his home. He has steadily improved his place through the intervening years and it is equipped with all the accessories and conveniences of a model farm of the twentieth century. There is an excellent fruit orchard and good buildings, while the latest improved machinery facilitates the work of the fields.

In 1907 Mr. Schmidt was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Busch, a daughter of Julius and Amelia (Denson) Busch, who were natives of Germany, while Mrs. Schmidt was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. To. Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt have been born five children, namely: Elder, Elvin, Luella, Ruth and Gilbert. A lifelong resident of this state, Otto Schmidt has always been identified with its farming interests and what he has accomplished represents the fit utilization of his innate powers and talents. He has ever concentrated his energies along a given line and success in substantial measure is now his.

Jacob L. Wiesner, who is engaged in the hardware business in Sawyer, was born in Nasewaupee township, this county, May 16, 1884, a son of George and Any (Sperber) Wiesner, both of whom were natives of Washington county, Wisconsin, where they were reared, educated and married. In 1878 they removed to Door county, where the father took up the occupation of farming, to which he devoted more than three decades. He then retired from active agricultural life and in 1909 removed to Sheboygan, where he now makes his home.

During the period of his boyhood and youth, spent upon the old home farm, Jacob L. Wiesner divided his time between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the fields and when he started out in the business world he 'secured a clerkship with the Scofield Hardware Company of Sturgeon Bay in 1903. He there received thorough training, becoming familiar with every phase of the business, and at length he opened a store on his own account in Sawyer in 1912, now having the second largest store in the city. He carries a well selected line of shelf and heavy hardware and is prepared to meet the demands for almost anything in that line of trade.