Marathon County, Wisconsin - Chapter 35, 1913 (part 5 of 10)

Dr. Wahl was married in Minnesota to Miss Clara W^aterman, a very accomplished lady, a teacher in the High School. At death she left one son, Harry Roswell, who is a prominent physician of .Cleveland, O., and is also connected with the research department of the Western Reserve Medical College and assistant professor of pathology. His scientific attainments have secured him several degrees. Dr. ^\'ahl was married (second) to Miss Emma Eirman, of Milwaukee, \\'is. He is a Republican in his political views.

GEORGE A. STELTZ, who is serving in his fifth year in the office of city assessor of Wausau, Wis., has been identified with the interests of this city for the past thirty-three years and is a factor both in political and business life. He was born at Wauwatosa, Wis., October 9, i860, and is a son of Conrad and Margaret (Smith) Steltz. Conrad Steltz followed the trade of cooper. Both he and wife died at Beaver Dam, Wis., in October, 1900, he surviving his wife but three weeks. He served as a soldier in the Civil War.

George A. Steltz was about four years old when the family moved from near Milwaukee to Beaver Dam, where the father enlisted in the Federal Army, and there he was reared and attended school. Until the age of sixteen years he worked on a farm near Beaver Dam and then came to Wausau, December i, 1879, and from 1879 until 1884 worked at lumbering in the woods. In the latter year he embarked in the liquor business, but one year afterward, in 1885, was employed by the Halley People to help set up the pump for the city waterworks, completing that contract by Thanksgiving of that year. Mr. Steltz then became cooper and millwright in the flour mill of H. E. McEachon, with whom he continued for twenty-three years. His election as city assessor caused him to retire from the mill and ever since official duties have largely occupied his time. He is held in very high regard in the Second Ward of the city, of which he has been alderman for thirteen years.

On September 14, 1885, Mr. Steltz was married to Miss Matilda Albrecht, of Wausau, and two children were born to them : Clara, who died in 1888 and Fred. The latter was born in February, 1889, and is a lineman with the Wausau Telephone Company. Mr. Steltz is identified with Lodge No. 215, Odd Fellows and to Encampment, No. 79; to Lodge No. 1464, Modern Woodmen of America; Lodge No. 3, Beavers; and the Eagles.

CHESTER A. GLASS, president of the Glass Fruit Company, of Wausau, Wis., with quarters at No. i Scott street, shippers and handlers of fruit, produce and flour, has been in the produce and commission business for the past ten years and, in fact, has been connected with this line ever since the end of his school days. He was born at Green Bay, Wis., January 24, 1888.

As a youth Chester A. Glass became an employe of the Thomas Produce Co., a general commission, fruit and produce house at Green Bay and continued with that firm in various capacities until 1909, when the firm sent him to Wausau as manager of their branch house in this city. In 191 1 the Glass Fruit Company was organized and incorporated with Chester A. Glass as president; Louis Trentel as vice president, and James E. Murray as secretary and treasurer, with a capitalization of $15,000, this firm succeeding the Thomas Produce Co., at Wausau, but not the old house at Green Bay. The Glass Fruit Company has under contemplation the establishing of numerous branch houses, and they now employ two traveling salesmen, a city salesman and eight other individuals. The past success of this house gives reason for anticipated prosperity in the future.

Mr. Glass was married at Wausau to ]\Iiss Anna Plier, a daughter of Anton Plier. Mr. Glass is identified with the Elks and with the Wausau Club. His political activity is only that of an earnest and trustworthy citizen. .

scholarly attainments and of strono- personality and for forty years exerted a beneficial influence in all matters pertaining to public affairs in this city. He was born in 1817, at Clarksburg, now West Virginia, a son of Jesse and Jane Smith, and in his boyhood was reared under the old regime of slavery.

Dr. Smith accompanied his parents in his youth to Jefferson county. Pa., and after preparing for a medical career entered Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, where he secured his degree, and in 1862 he came to Wausau. Here he engaged in medical practice almost continuously until his death, February 2y, 1904. A Republican in politics he was ever interested in public matters along the lines that his own good judgment dictated. He served as postmaster of Wausau for a short period preceding his death.

Dr. Smith was married first in Pennsylvania to Miss Emily Postlethwaite, who died in that state, the mother of five children. In 1867, at Wausau, Dr. Smith was married to Mrs. Harriet (Crown) Millard. She was born in Vermont, December 16, 1832, a daughter of Alanson and Amity Crown. She was fifteen years old when she came to Green Lake, Wis., and from there, in 185 1, to Wausau, and in the following year was married to Burton Millard, who was a millwright by trade and a young man of sterling character. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted for service, entering Co. G., 5th Wis. Vol. Inf., and was the first victim of the war from Marathon county, falling at Yorktown, April 30, 1862. He was survived by his four children: Harriet; Albert, who is a resident of Milwaukee ; Arthur, who is a printer, lives at Galveston, Tex. ; and Paul, who is assistant postmaster of Antigo, Wis. To Dr. and Mrs. Smith three children were born: Laura, who is the wife of F. E. Bump ; Mary, who is the wife of Dr. Joseph F. Smith ; and Charles, who is a resident of San Jose, Cal. Mrs. Smith continues to reside in the same residence which Mr. Millard erected in 1861, on Third street, which, after her marriage to Dr. Smith, was moved by contractors straight through the lot so that it now fronts on Fourth street. Mrs. Smith has considerable other city property, some of it being in the very heart of Wausau.

C. C. DE LONG, general merchant at Edgar, Wis., where he is also identified with the other leading business enterprises, was born in Fond du Lac county. Wis., November 18, i860, and is a son of Charles and Caroline (Shurtliff) De Long. The parents of Mr. De Long were born.

reared and married in the state of New York and from there came to Wisconsin. They had four sons and one daughter, C. C. being the only member of the family now living in Marathon county. The mother died at Edgar when aged seventy-three years and the father when aged seventy-four years.

C. C. De Long was reared and attended school in Monroe county, Wis. His first business responsibility was as agent for the Lake Shore Railroad for two years, then was transferred to Pelican Lake and from there to Crandon in Forest county, where he served for eight years as county clerk, elected on the Democratic ticket. He then embarked in a general store business at Pelican Lake in partnership with S. B. Roberts, which was conducted for three years under the firm name of C. C. De Long & Company. Mr. De Long then came to Edgar with Mr. Roberts and the business was continued under the former name until the death of Mr. Roberts and Mr. De Long still retains it as it is so firmly established in public regard. He deals in groceries, dry goods, shoes, grain, wood and hay. While living at Pelican he was postmaster, and when the village of Edgar was organized was its first president, has been one of the trustees ever since and for eight years has been school treasurer. He has an interest in a cranberry marsh, is a stockholder in the Edgar Telephone Company and also in the Edgar, Cassel & Emmett Telephone Company, and since the reorganization of the Edgar Bank of Edgar has been a charter member, a stockholder and a director.

Mr. De Long married Miss Cora B. Pratt, who was born in Monroe county, Wis., a daughter of Mrs. Annie Pratt, and they have three children: Edna, who is assistant to Postmaster Wagner, at Edgar; C. H., who is a clerk in his father's store ; and Fayette, who still goes to school. Mr. De Long is a Thirty-second degree Mason.

HON. CHARLES A. BARWIG, who is one of the prominent business men of Wausau, was born at Milwaukee, Wis., in 1859, and is a son of Charles and Eliza (Swatzburg) Barwig. Charles Barwig was a native of Germany and was young when brought to the United States but became a very prominent man in Wisconsin, both in public life as well as in business. His parents came to America with their family in 1847 and settled at Germantown in Washington county, Wis., where they spent the rest of their lives. In 1864 Charles Barwig moved with his family to Milwaukee and later to Mayville, Wis., where he subsequently became the leading citizen, mayor of the town, a member of the board of education, a delegate to the Democratic National Convention and thrice was elected to Congress. He died March 9, 1812. surviving his wife almost three years, her death occurring October 19, 1909, at the age of sixty-eight years. She was born in 1841 and was the first German child of her sex born at Milwaukee. The family consisted of one daughter and four sons : Eamelia, who is the widow of Fred Schwartz, resides at Mayville; Byron, who is in the wholesale liquor business at Mayville ; Charles A. ; and George and Robert, both of whom are in the furniture business in Chicago.

Charles A. Barwig was five years old when he accompanied his parents to Mayville and there he attended the public schools and the German and English Academy, after which he went into business with his father at Mayville, where he continued to reside until 'May, 1903. when he moved to Wausau, selling his interests at Mayville. Here he opened the first wholesale liquor house in the city. He was one of the organizers of the Citizens State Bank of Wausau and is vice president of the same ; is secretary and treasurer of the Wausau Brick and Tile Company; is vice president of the Fire and Police commission ; treasurer of the Wausau Advancement Association ; and is president of the Marathon County Agricultural Society. For seven years Mr. Barwig served in the office of mayor of Mayville and has always been more or less active in politics, ever giving hearty support to the Democratic party.

In 1879 Mr. Barwig was married to Miss Bertha Hellberg, of Milwaukee, her father being an early distiller and manufacturer there. Mr. and Mrs. Barwig have four children : Melville, who is a graduate of St. John's Military School, is working for his uncles in Chicago in the furniture business : Margaret, who is a student at Downer College : and Charles and Richard, who are yet at home and in school. Mr. Barwig and family are members of the Lutheran church. He is a Thirtysecond degree Mason and belongs also to the Elks and the Eagles.

JACOB GENSMANN, president of the George Ruder Brewing Company of Wausau, Wis., and a director of the First National Bank of this city, has si>ent almost his entire life in Wisconsin and is justly numbered with the big and helpful men of Wausau. His birth took place February 24. 1844. in Kreiss Bachrach, Province of Rhine. Germany, a son of Philip and Elizabeth (Breidenbach) Gensmann.

In 1851 the parents of Mr. Gensmann emigrated to America and. although but seven years old at that time, he has very distinct recollections of the great changes in the hfe of the family incident to travel and association with new and wonderful conditions. Philip Gensmann settled with his family on fami land in \\'ashington county. Wis., and the son gave his father assistance until he was fifteen years of age. He had but few educational opportunities, but possessed sound common sense and the sturdy spirit of independence inherent in every real German and in thinking of his future, decided that the acquisition of a trade would be the first step in advancing it. For three years he served as an apprentice to the shoemaking trade in a neighboring village and was eighteen years old when he came first to Wausau, a very different place indeed from what it now is, the change having been brought about by the energy, enterprise, and wisdom of such men as Mr. Gensmann. He secured work at his trade with George Haider, a shoe merchant, located on the main street of the village, and when his employer moved to another place some time later, Mr. Gensmann. with Ernst Schulze and Peter Zimmerman, started into the shoe business under the firm name of Jacob Gensmann & Co. Mr. Gensmann continued in the business until 1867, when he embarked in the saloon business in a small building on the site of the present substantial one. and remained in that business until 1872, when he started in the lumber business, first being alone and later being in partnership, his operations in subsequent years reaching into vast amounts. Mr. Gensmann has erected a number of the substantial business blocks at Wausau and has had many business enterprises operating with his capital. It may not be out of place to quote here a bit of advice that Mr. Gensmann once gave when asked to point out the way to young men ambitious for success : "Make it a point never to spend as much as you earn, and keep constantly at work. You will find that if you lay by some money each month that some day you will have a comfortable competence."

At Wausau, in 1868, Mr. Gensmann was married to Miss Amelia \\"ilde, who was born in Germany, and seven of their si.xteen children are living. He has always taken an active and earnest interest in civic matters and at times has consented to serve in the city council and on public boards of different kinds as emergencies have arisen, but his participation in politics has been merely nominal. Mr. Gensmann is one of the heaviest tax payers of Wausau.

GEORGE G. GREEN, of the firm of Green Bros., owners of the City Bus and Baggage line at Wausau, with which business he has been identified since July i, 1896, was born at Wausau. Wis., June 26. 1867, and is a son of George G. and Sarah Jane (Partridge) Green. George G. Green, Sr., was born at Bloomfield, Trumbull county, C, in 1816 and was reared in his native state, coming from there in 1840 as a pioneer to Marathon county. He was a lumber jack on the river and also built dams and bridges. His death occurred in 1893. He was twice married, his second union being with Sarah Jane Partridge, who was a daughter of George W. Partridge, an early settler and for many years a justice of the peace at Mosinee, Marathon county. Mrs. Green died in 1894.

George G. Green, Jr., was reared at VVausau and obtained his schooling here and then, for a time, was employed variously in the iron district of Northern Wisconsin, when satisfied with a wandering life returning to Wausau. Here his brother, J. R. Green, with C. C. Jones, had established an omnibus line some eighteen months before and George G. bought the Jones interest and since then the brothers have continued and expanded the business, under the firm name of Green Bros. They are well equipped for all kinds of transportation, operating five omnibuses, three baggage wagons and other vehicles, have nine head of horses and employ four men beside giving their own services.

Mr. Green was married in 1897, to Miss Jessie Palmer, then of Wausau, but a native of St. John's, New Brunswick. She was two and onehalf years old when her parents, John and Janette Palmer, brought her to Wausau, where the latter yet resides, the former dying in 1898. He was a contract painter. Mr. and Mrs. Green have four children: G. Norman, J. Earl, Dorothy M., and Helen May. Mr. Green belongs to a number of fraternal organizations, including: the Knights of Pythias, the Eagles, the E. F. U., and the Royal Arcanum.

CHRIST JACOB KEINER, a well known citizen of Athens who has numerous important business interests in this and other sections, is associated with Ferdinand Lonsdorf and Frank Hubing in the proprietorship of the Athens Livestock Company, of Athens, Wis. He was born in Prussia-Germany, January 9, 1866, and is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Brick) Keiner. The parents of Mr. Keiner came to America in the early part of 1866, he being about three months old at the time, and located first in Pennsylvania and afterward came to Wisconsin. The father died at Athens but the mother survives and lives at Rib Falls. They had three children : Margaret, who is the widow of Ernest Ludwig; Frederick and Christ Jacob.

Until he was thirteen years of age, Christ Jacob Keiner was permitted to attend the public schools but then went to work in the coal mines and labored there for two years. He was about fifteen years old when his parents came to Wisconsin and settled on a farm and from then until he was twenty-two he worked on farms in Ozaukee and Marathon counties, coming then to Athens where he conducted a butcher shop for nine years, and still owns it, having it carried on by a very capable tenant. Since retiring from its active management he has given his time largely to shipping livestock to Chicago. He is interested in log and timber lands in Taylor county. Wis., and expects to put 1,000,000 feet on the market in 1913. Mr. Keiner owns ten acres of land adjoining the village of Athens, where he has also a comfortable home residence and three improved lots.

Mr. Keiner was married November 22, 1895, to Miss Eliza Romang. who was born in Switzerland and was six years old when .-he came to America in company with her parents, Gottfried and Eliza ( Steffen) Romang, both of whom are living. The father followed fanning after coming to Wisconsin. Her brothers and one sister are: Gottfreid, Emanuel, August, Charles and Louisa, who is the wife of Edwin Plisch. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Keiner: Louisa, Henry, Carl, Ida, Martha and Freda. The family belongs to the German Presbyterian church. In politics Mr. Keiner is a Democrat and for several years served usefully as a member of the village council. He is connected with several well known fraternal organizations including the F. O. E., the Beavers, and the M. \\'. A., at Athens.

THOMAS F. DELANEY, for a number of years an active business man of Wausau, now lives in comfortable retirement, occupying his modern building at No. 616 Third street, A\'ausau. Mr. Delaney is a native of Wisconsin, born November 26, 1856. and is a son of Martin Delaney.

Thomas F. Delaney attended the public schools at ^Milwaukee and afterward learned the trade of plumber, and came first to Wausau in 1881 to install the plumbing in the Hotel Bellis for a Milwaukee firm of contractors. After his work here was finished he returned to Milwaukee, but soon afterward his employer, W. E. Goodman, established a plumbing branch at Wausau and put the same in charge of Thomas F. Delaney and John F. Lee as his most responsible men. They subsequently bought the \\'ausau business and continued it under the firm name of Delaney & Lee until 1891. when Mr. Delaney went into business alone, at No. 704 Third street. In 1897 he erected the fine busi- ness block at No. 6i6 Third street, moved his business here and utilizes the other part of the building as a residence. On April i, 1902, he sold his plumbing and heating business and since then has lived somewhat retired, keeping in touch with business only in the matter of collecting his rents and keeping his properties in order.

Mr. Delaney was married at Wausau to Miss Henrietta Bluhm. who was born in Germany. They are members of St. James Catholic church of which he was a trustee at the time of its organization and served as such for four years. In politics he is a democrat and from 1908 until 1912 served in the city council, representing the Fourth Ward. He is identified with the Knights of Columbus and with the Catholic Order of Foresters.

CHARLES W. HARGER, who is vice president of the Marathon County Bank, at Wausau, Wis., has been identified with this solid financial institution for thirty-eight years, was one of its organizers, has ever since been an official and so closely has been connected with its affairs that the bank's history and his own are of the same woof and web. Mr. Harger was born at Stone Mills, Jefferson county, N. Y.. September II, 1842, and is a son of Wilson H. and Amy M. Harger. The father was a merchant but died too early to have accumulated a fortune in business.

In his native state Charles W. Harger attended the public schools. Being early deprived of a father's advice and practical assistance, Mr. Harger started out for himself when seventeen years of age and in 1859 came to Wisconsin, finding plenty of employment here, but in those days it was mainly of a rough sort to which the son of an eastern merchant had not been inured. In the course of time he began training for a railroad career, becoming first a fireman, and for several years was an engineer and then circumstances led to his becoming interested in a woolen mill at Watertown, Wis. It was from there that Mr. Harger came to Wausau, where, with other men of capital, he organized the Marathon County Bank, which opened for business on January i. 1875. and he became its cashier, in which, office he continued until elected vice president. Mr. Harger's integrity is one of the bank's assets and its long continued and still increasing prosperity, may, in some measure, be attributed to his care, interest and advice, he devoting all his time to this business.

thev have four children : Anna Gertrude, who is the wife of George E. Diamond, of Colorado ; Mary S., who is gifted with unusual musical talent, is an instructor in music at Boston, Mass. ; Imogene, who is the wife of W. J. Hart, of Seattle, Wash. ; and Constance V., who is well known in social circles in this city.

ANTON DERN, who has lived in Marathon county for fifty-two years, was one of the pioneers of Wausau and is the oldest living German settler in the county. He was born in Germany, April 15, 1832, a son of Anton Dern and his wife, the latter of whom died in the son's infancy and he was reared by a step-mother.

Anton Dern the younger attended a German school in boyhood and then worked in a malt mill until he was twenty-one years of age, when he secured passage on a sailing vessel bound for the United States. It is probable that he will never forget the eight months he passed on that vessel before he was finally landed in the harbor of New York. The country was strange and the people spoke a language he could not understand, but, at least, solid ground was under his feet and he immediately continued on his journey, his objective point being Marathon county. Wis. There he found employment in the woods but after one day's work was offered the job of taking lumber on a raft to St. Louis, Mo., as talesman, and accepted and when the trip was concluded was paid the sum of $105. He returned to Marathon county and went to work for a Mr. Goldsberry in a saw mill and remained for four years, when he entered into the teaming business. For the two following years he drove a two-horse wagon from Stevens Point to Wausau, making the round trip in three days, hauling beer, whiskey, flour and other commodities. He then began to make use of a four-horse team and for twenty-two years operated between Gill's Landing and Wausau. When the railroad was completed through here he gave up his teaming business as it no longer was profitable. Mr. Dern spent the next eighteen years as a logger, for eight years being in one camp and nine years in another. Mr. Dern's recollections of this hard-working period of his life are very interesting. Many changes have come about in the logging industry since those days and the same conditions will never again prevail but they developed robust and resourceful men. Mr. Dern then built the Northern Hotel at Wausau and conducted it for twentyone years, his son and step-son conducting it since he retired. In 1908 he erected his fine brick residence which adjoins the hotel. He pur- chased the land on which these structures stand, over forty years ago, and during all the time that he was engaged in teaming he had his barn on this property. When he came to Wausau it was a little frontier settlement, no city having yet been laid out, and no one being able to see far enough into the future to imagine its present beautiful proportions.

Mr. Dern was married first to Miss Anna Hyer, who, at death, left three children, the only survivor being Elizabeth, who is the wife of August Grossman of Wausau. His second marriage was to Mrs. Eliza (Kuhl) Forcey, widow of George Forcey. She had three children and one of her sons, George Forcey, is associated with Walter Dern in the management of the Northern Hotel. Six children were born to Mr. Bern's second marriage : Walter, Myrtle, Regina and Arthur, living, and Cornelia and Anton, deceased. Mrs. Dern died in December, 1910.

WILLIAM L. ERBACH, vice president, general manager and a director of the Rietbrock Land and Lumber Company, at Athens, Wis., is one of the representative business men and substantial citizens of this village. He was born at Milwaukee, Wis., October 25, 1868, and in a son of William and Elizabeth Erbach. William Erbach was born in Germany and was brought to the United States in his youth, grew to manhood here and during much of his subsequent life was a shoe merchant at Milwaukee, A\'is. There he married, his wife also being a native of Germany who had been brought young to this country, and there she also died, the mother of three daughters and one son. two of the daughters being school teachers in Milwaukee.

William L. Erbach was educated in the public schools and is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin. He married Miss Marianna Rietbrock and they have three children : William A., Frederick R. and Christine. In addition to his important interests above mentioned, Mr. Erbach is president of the Athens Telephone Company, vice president and manager of the Athens Electric Light and Power Company, is secretary and treasurer of the Athens Brick and Tile Company and also of the Athens Printing Company. He is a life member of the Western Guernsey Breeders' Association, the American Guernsey Cattle Club, and the American Breeders' Association.

Jefferson streets, has been identified with the business since 1884. He was born in Erfurt, Prussia-Germany, October 26, 1852, and in his own land attended school and there learned the cabinet-making trade.

In 1871, when nineteen years of age, Mr. Ritter came to the United States and immediately joined his brothers who were living at Milwaukee, Wis., and there he worked in their furniture store for a time. In order to see the country he then started out to travel in Kansas and other states and stopped at Chicago and St. Louis before returning to Milwaukee, where he resumed work at his trade until he came to Wausau and went into business in 1884 with a partner, the firm name being Ritter & Stahl. Later, F. M. Deutsch bought the Stahl interest and it was conducted as a copartnership until 1910, when it was incorporated as the Ritter & Deutsch Company, its of^cers being: Franz Ritter, president; Edward Langenhahn, vice president; R. C. Deutsch, secretary and treasurer; and F. M. Deutsch, general manager. The company owns its quarters and this is by far the largest establishment of its kind in this city. Its proprietors are men of capital and high personal standing and it is justly numbered with the representative business concerns of Marathon county.

Franz Ritter was married in May, 1880, to Miss Louisa Schlatter, of Milwaukee. They are members of St. Paul's Reformed church. He is a man of social tastes and belongs to the Beavers, the Woodmen of America, is president of the Sharpshooters' Club, for twenty-three years has been secretary of the D. G. K. U., and is a member and has been president of the Liederkranz Singing Society.

MISS GRACE M. STEVENS, librarian of the Wausau Public Library, at Wausau, Wis., has occupied this responsible position since she was appointed to it by the city board in 1910. Born in Oshkosh, Wis., Miss Stevens attended the public schools and completed the high school course in her native city, subsequently graduating from the Library School of the University at Madison, Wis. She has proved herself a very capable librarian, both by reason of her special training for the work, for which she has a genuine enthusiasm, and by her unfailing courtesy to the patrons of the library. She is an honorary member of the Ladies' Literary Club and is secretary of the Home Educational Department connected with the club. She is a member of the Episcopal church and has many friends among the refined and cultured people of Wausau.

FRANK KELLY, president of the Wausau Novelty Company of Wausau, has been a resident of this city for the past thirty-eight years. He was born at Stevens Point, Portage county, \\'is., a son of Nathaniel T. and Nellie M. (Karner) Kelly. Milo Kelly, the paternal grandfather, came very early to Wisconsin and settled in the town of Weston in Marathon county, on the Eau Claire river at a point later known as Kelly's Mills. He probably built the mill which he operated under the title of Milo Kelly & Sons. After his death the mill was operated under the name of William P. Kelly & Bro., and after the death of William P. Kelly, Nathaniel T. Kelly purchased the former's interest in the estate and operated the mill until his death, when it was purchased by B. E. Jones.

Nathaniel T. Kelly was born in 1834 and was but a lad when his parents brought him to Wisconsin. He lived for some years at Stevens Point, where he was married, in i860 to Nellie M. Karner, who was born in Massachusetts, later lived in New York and still later accompanied her father to Stevens Point, Wis., where he became a merchant and lumberman. Mrs. Kelly survives and resides with a daughter, Mrs. Gooding, at Wausau. Nathaniel T. Kelly removed with his family to Wausau in the spring of 1874, when he built his handsome brick residence on Grand avenue, and there his death occurred in January, 1883. Of the family of five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Kelly, the first and last born both died in infancy, the three survivors being: Frank; Mrs. E. A. Gooding, of Wausau; and Mrs. W. G. Norton, of Memphis, Tenn.

Frank Kelly secured a public school education and for ten years afterward engaged in the jewelry business at Wausau. In 1892 he with others organized the Wausau Novelty Company, for the manufacture of furniture novelties. From the organization of the company he has been a director and is its president. His additional interests are mainly in the line of banking.

In 1892 Mr. Kelly was married to Miss Florence Ward, a daughter of Edward Ward, of Neenah, Wis., and they have two children: Gooding N., who is a student in Beloit College, at Beloit, Wis. ; and Florence Virginia. Mr. Kelly is a Mason, belonging to the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery at Wausau, and is a charter member of the Royal Arcanum. He belongs to the Wausau Club and also to the Wausau Country Club.

LOUIS REDETZKE, blacksmith and horseshoer, with quarters on the corner of Jackson and Second streets, Wausau, has been located here since August, 1903, when he became owner of this stand. He was born in the town of Stettin, Marathon county, Wis., July 14, 1880, and is a son of Samuel and Augusta Redetzke, both of whom died on the old home farm. They were natives of Germany and came to Wisconsin as children and were married in Sheboygan county, shortly afterward settling on the farm in the town of Stettin, where they remained. The mother lived until September 21, 1900, but the father died August 8, 1894. During the Civil war he served three years as a member of the Twenty-sixth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and his war record showed that he had been a faithful soldier.

Louis Redetzke remained on the home farm during boyhood and vouth and attended the country schools and then learned his trade at Edgar, Wis. In January. 1903. he came to Wausau and went to work for Mr. Hartwig and seven months later bought the place as indicated above. He has constant patronage as he is a skilled workman, and has invested quite considerable capital in his fine brick building in which his shop is located.

Mr. Redetzke was married to Miss Alma Piisch, of the town of Berlin and they have two children, Samuel and Irma. The family belongs to Zion Lutheran church. Mr. Redetzke makes no display of his political opinions but takes a good citizen's interest in local affairs and gives hearty support to all measures which seem to him will permanently benefit Wausau.

FRED DEVOE, manager of the Marathon Granite Company, of Wausau, Wis., has been a resident of this city for fourteen years and is widely known throughout this section. He was born near Richland City, in Richland county, Wis., and is a son of James and Olivia (Bangham) DeVoe and a grandson of Charles B. and Catherine DeVoe.

Charles B. DeVoe and wife were pioneers in Wisconsin and endured many hardships and dangers incident to the times. They were natives of Herkimer county, N. Y., and died in Richland county, \\'is. The former was a blacksmith by trade and probably acquired some land. The maternal grandparents of our subject, Bronson and Helen Korah Bangham, came to Richland county from Michigan.

James DeVoe, father of Fred, was born at L'tica, N. Y., and was twelve years old when, in 1849, he accompanied his parents to \\'isconsin. For a short time he resided in Walworth county, but later settled permanently in Richland county, where he lived for 60 years, his death occurring there Jan. uary 8, 1910. His wife Olivia, who was born in Michigan, is still living and resides with her son at Wausau, being now 63 years old. Their family numbered four children, of whom Fred is the eldest, the others being : Charles B., who is a piano dealer at Richland Center ; Mrs. E. H. Edwards, of Richland Center, and Mrs. W. E. Keine, of Milwaukee.

Fred DeVoe had but few educational advantages m his youth. His father was engaged in the monument business and his services were required on the home fann, on which he worked from his eighth to his sixteenth year. He then went on the road selling monuments and was thus occupied, chiefly in W^isconsin, until he had reached his thirtieth year. He then located in Wausau and engaged in business for himself under the name of the Fred DeVoe Granite Company. In 1899 he secured additional capital, and the firm became the Marathon Granite Company, which has had a prosperous business career. Its present capital is $100,000 and 125 men are employed at the plant and in the quarries, three of the latter being located in Marathon county and one in Marinette county. The granite quarried is suitable both for building and monumental work and is shipped to every state in the Union and also to Canada and Alaska.

Perhaps few large industries in this section are conducted with so little friction as is the business of the Marathon Granite Company. Mr. DeVoe is a liberal, broad-minded man and has always recognized the just rights of labor, employing union labor entirely and showing by his method of conducting the business that he believes in the old Biblical adage : "The laborer is worthy of his hire." All his employes work but half a day on Saturday. He says that the only society he ever belonged to was a Sunday school. However, he has shown his recognition of the great principle of human brotherhood and his public spirit has brought pleasure to many residents of the city.

LEO C. SCHUETZ, merchant, doing business at Nos. 102-104 Grand avenue, Wausau, proprietor of a grocery, flour and feed store, is one of the enterprising young business men of this city, near which he was born, in the town of Wausau. October 31. 1885. He is a son of Conrad and Hanna Schuetz. Conrad Schuetz was born in Germany and came to America when nine years old with his father, John Schuetz. who purchased a farm in the town of Wausau. Marathon county. Wis. Conrad Schuetz was a carpenter by trade but was engaged mainly in logging during his active years. His death occurred in March, 1907. He married Hanna Erdman, who was born in the town of Stettin, Marathon county, the Erdman family being very early settlers here, and she survives.

Leo C. Schuetz was young when his parents left the farm and came to Wausau and here the youth attended school and afterward took a course in the Wausau Business College. When he first started out to learn business methods, he was employed by Charles Weinfeld, in the clothing trade, with whom he remained one year and then became a clerk in the general store of Conrad Bopf, and for two and one-half years prior to embarking in business for himself, was a clerk for C. H. Wegner. In June, 1905. he established his present business on the corner of Forest and Grand avenues and through honest methods and reliable goods has won a widely extended patronage.

Mr. Schuetz was married February 12. 1912, to Miss Anna Haesle, a daughter of Vincent Haesle, of Marathon City. He is not very active in politics, but is interested in insurance, belonging to the F. R. A., and also carries an accident insurance in the Time Insurance Company. He belongs to the Odd Fellows.

CARL JUNKERMAN, proprietor of the Wausau Garage and the owner of his substantial building which he erected in 1909, its construction being of cement blocks, has been engaged in his present business, largely repair work, since 1907. He was born at Miinster, Germany, October 3, 1875, and is a son of \\'illiam Junkerman, all his ancestors having been of German nativity.

In his native land Mr. Junkerman attended school and as early as the age of fourteen years showed such natural mechanical skill that he determined to learn the machinist's trade and had already had experience in such work when he came to America in May or June, 1901. His first home after reaching the United States was at Buffalo, N. Y., where he was employed for over one year in the Pierce-Arrow works, the well known automobile manufacturers. Afterward he worked in a machine and automobile factory at Philadelphia for several years, from there came to Wisconsin and entered the employ of prominent automobile manufacturers at Milwaukee, the M. Duffy Automobile' Company and the Allis-Chalmers Automobile Company, and from there came to Wausau and started into business for himself. He has prospered and now requires a force of about six to ten men to assist in turning out the work

Mr. Junkerman was married in Germany to Miss Irma Falzer and they have one son, Carl. During his five years of residence at Wausau, Mr. Junkerman has made many friends and is already recognized as a reliable and valuable citizen.

ROBERT W. SCHULTZ, who is now serving in his second term ."s supervisor of the town of Rib Falls, is one of the representative men of this part of Marathon county and owns 240 acres of fine land. It is located in section 2;^ and lies three miles north and one and one-half miles west of Marathon City. Mr. Schultz was born June 13, 1869, in Marathon county, Wis., and is a son of William and Sophia Schultz, who were early settlers in the town of Rib Falls. The mother is deceased but the father is one of the well known men of the town and makes his home with his son.

Robert W. Schultz grew to manhood in his home town and was educated here and since leaving school has devoted himself to his large property interests. He has eighty acres of his land cleared and has made all the general improvements and raises grain and cattle. He is one of the stockholders in the Farmers' Produce Company of Marathon City. In his political views he has always been a democrat, has served as treasurer of school district No. 2, also as health officer and as supervisor, in every position performing his duties honestly and eflficiently.

Mr. Schultz married Miss Hattie Krahn, a daughter of Charles and Ernestina (Fleshman) Krahn. former residents of Marathon City, now deceased, and they have had seven children : Lettie, Leonard, Hilda, Harry. Adela, Esther, and Georgia, all surviving except Esther, who died when aged two years. Mr. Schultz and family belong to St. Paul's Lutheran church.

ELMER D. WIDMER, proprietor of the Wausau Business College at Wausau, Wis., which, through a steady and healthy growth is developing into a potent educational enterprise of this section, was born at Rockton, Vernon county. Wis.. March 5, 1879, and is a son of Arnold and Viola (Kellicutt) Widmer. Arnold Widmer was bom at Richterswil. Switzerland, and lived in Switzerland, France and Germany until he was nineteen years of age, when he came to the L'nited States. His parents, who were Arnold W. and Barbara (Backmann) Widmer, spent their lives at Richterswil, in the canton of Zurich, Switzerland. After coming to Wisconsin, Arnold Widmer was married to Miss Viola Kellicutt, a daughter of David and Judith (Kelly) Kellicutt, who lived in Monroe county. Wis.

Elmer D. Widmer attended the state graded school at Rockton and secured a teacher's certificate and taught school for four years. In 1900 he became a student in the Normal School at Stevens Point, where he profitably spent four years. On March i, 1906, as half owner, he embarked in his present enterprise, one that has met with a hearty reception and of which he became full owner on November 10, 1906, purchasing the building on May 23, 191 1. This he has entirely remodeled and in its present condition, equipments and opportunities, it is a credit to the city. Mr. Widmer belongs to that class of earnest citizens who love their country and intend to closely watch the future in political trend, being no longer complacent to see either easily swayed holders of power, or untried politicians the guiding forces of the government. Formerly Mr. Widmer was a republican. He belongs to the Wausau Lodge, F. & A. M., of which he is junior warden, and belongs also to the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Widmer is unmarried.

ALBERT AL PETERSEN, funeral director at Wausau, with establishment at No. 307 Jefiferson street, has been in business here for himself since 1910, but during the greater part of his life has been identified with well known concerns of this city. He was born near the city of Thorondjem, Norway, June 22, 1879, and is a son of Andrew A. and Martha Petersen. The parents of Mr. Petersen came to Marathon county in the spring of 1881 and settled on a farm in the town of Stettin, which the father purchased and improved and the family lived there until 1890, when removal was made to Wausau. The father continued to be interested in farming and was a lumber scaler and dealer. He was accidentally killed in August, 191 1, when his age was fifty-nine years. The mother survives and lives in the old home. They had four children, three sons and one daughter : Edward, who is a resident of British Columbia; Lewis, who is employed at Wausau; Alma, who live" with her mother; and Albert M.

Albert M. Petersen attended the public schools and then became a clerk in a general store at Wausau. where he remained ten years and after that went into the furniture business with the John Kiefer Furniture Company. He owned an interest in the Esch Furniture Company, which became in 1901 the Littlejohn Esch Company, which plant was destroyed by fire in January, 1905, and at this time Mr. Petersen and Mr. Esch bought out that company's interests and erected a new building. The Wausau Furniture and Undertaking Company then bought out the Esch interest and eighteen months later the concern became the Kiefer Furniture and Undertaking Company, of which Mr. Petersen was manager until 1910, when he went into business for himself, having prepared for the same by taking a course in the Chicago Embalming School in 1901.

In June, 1903, Mr. Petersen was married to Miss Helen Hedstrom, a daughter of Nels Hedstrom, of Wausau, and they have one son, Melvin Sylvester, who attends the public schools. Mr. Petersen and family attend the First Methodist Episcopal church at Wausau. He takes no very active part in politics but his father was a republican. Mr. Petersen is a Chapter Mason and belongs also to the Knights of Pythias.

JOSEPH LAMER, who is one of the, leading agriculturists of the town of Holton, where his well improved farm of 120 acres is situated, was born in Bohemia, Austria, December 16, 1862, and is a son of Frank and Anna (Pfohl) Lamer.

Joseph Lamer grew to the age of nineteen years in Austria and Germany and then determined to seek his fortune in America as other of his countrymen had done. He was not very well equipped for such an undertaking and this he fully realized before he reached Marathon county, Wis., his objective point, and if he had possessed sufficient capital to enable him to do so, he no doubt would have purchased a return ticket to his old home. Thus he probably would never have developed the energy and enterprise which were natural to his nature and Marathon county would never have profited as it has done through his influence and example of sturdy citizenship. He was, however, then just a homesick boy, with a sole capital of thirty dollars. His first resolve was to secure a month's work and when paid ofif to buy that coveted ticket for home and the old familiar surroundings, grown dear through the haze of absence. After one month of labor he decided that he could endure a little longer stay in Wisconsin and by the time that period of activity was over he had made friends and had commenced to like the country and concluded to keep to his original intention and make Marathon county his home. Although he anticipated hard work as a farmer he found it very laborious during his first three years, and then gave it up for three years during which time he worked in the iron mines of Northern Michigan. Then he returned to farming and through perseverance and very hard work developed what is acknowledged to be one of the finest farms in this part of the county. Practically it is all improved and here he carries on general farming and dairying. Mr. Lamer may feel justified in taking pride in his success as he has won it through his unassisted efforts and today is one of the representative men of Marathon county, possessing the esteem and confidence of all who know him.

Mr. Lamer was married to Miss Emma Denzine and they have five children: Elzie, Anna. Rosa, Joseph and Herman. At times Mr. Lamer has accepted public offices in his town and has served on the town board and as school director. At the time of the great Lewis and Clark Exposition held at Portland, Ore., Mr. Lamer attended and while there enjoyed a visit with a brother and before his return to Wisconsin traveled all through the Pacific Northwest but came back well satisfied with Marathon county.

EMILE BERNARD OUADE. M. D., physician and surgeon, who has been in the active practice of his profession at Wausau for the past twelve years, was born in this city. October ii. 1877. and is a son of Julius and Amelia (Melange) Ouade. The parents of Dr. Quade were born in Germany and came from there some forty years ago, locating first at Milwaukee, Wis., and coming from there to Wausau, when this city of wealth and culture was only a lumbering village on the border of a forest. Julius Quade was a wagonmaker and blacksmith and found plenty of work awaiting his skill for the place developed rapidly and its growth was substantial. Mr. and Mrs. Quade still reside at Wausau, the father having lived retired for the past twelve years. Their family contained four sons and one daughter: Martha, who is the wife of Gustav Scheide, of Wausau ; Julius, who is a farmer in the town of Castle; Emile B.: Paul, who is scaler for the Mellin Lumber Company of Mellin, Wis. : and Bernard, who is engaged in the shoe business at Wausau.

Emile B. Quade attended the public schools at Wausau. the Wausau Business College and the Chicago Athenseum for two years, studying stenography in the latter institution, and then became stenographer and bookkeeper for the F. N. Pease Coal Company of Chicago, subsequently beginning his medical studies. He entered th^ Bennett Medical

College and was graduated in the class of 1901, after which he practiced for two years in a private sanitarium in Chicago, and remained there one year following his graduation. For one year before coming to his native city, April 28, 1903, he practiced at Ravenswood, Chicago. He is a member of the Marathon county and the Wisconsin state medical socities and the Wisconsin State Eclectic Medical Society and for the past two \-ears has been corresponding secretary in the last named organization. Dr. Quade is the only native born practicing physician at Wausau, his birth having taken place at No. 503 Washington street. His present residence is No. 202 Clark street, while he maintains his office over the Citizens State Bank.

On May 24, 1902, Dr. Quade was married to Miss Magdalena Berner, of Chicago, a daughter of C. L. Berner, now of Topeka, Kans., and they have two children: Pearl, born March 3, 1903. and Madelon, born November 29, 1910. Dr. Quade commands an extensive practice.

BENJAMIN F. HAMMOND, one of the well known lumber operators of Marathon county, who came to Wausau in 1875 and has resided in this neighborhood ever since, has been associated with the Yawkey-Bissell Lumber Company at x\rbor Vita, since June 8, 1893. He was born at Adams, in Jefiferson county, N. Y., November 17, 1853, and is a son of William and Julia (Sullivan) Hammond, who moved to Manitowoc, Wis., in 1861.

Benjamin F. Hammond is largely a self-made man. He attended the public schools until sixteen years of age and then went to work in a saw mill far up the Manitowoc river. He came first to Wausau in 1875 but continued to work at different points, doing his last sawing at N. J. White's saw mill north of Colby, in Marathon county, in 1879, but from then until the present, his main interests have always been in connection with the timber and lumber business. He came to this section when the state was all covered with timber except right along the banks of the Wisconsin river, where it had been cut, and he worked at driving logs down the Wisconsin and its tributaries for a number of years. The Arbor Vita plant with which he has been connected for the past twenty years is one of the largest in the Wisconsin Valley and has an annual output of from forty to sixty million feet. In addition to his interests here, Mr. Hammond has a considerable amount of property to oversee including real estate at Wausau and a farm of 280 acres on East Hill, one mile from W'ausau.

In 1875 Mr. Hammond was married to Miss Lucy Bennett, who was born at Claybank, on the west shore of Lake Michigan, and died at Merrill in 1883, survived by three children: Susan May, wife of Charles Ray, of Marinette, Wis.; Maude, who lives with her father; and Ray Leroy, who is employed in a paper mill at Tama, la. In politics Mr. Hammond is a Republican. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and belongs also to the K. T. M. He has never desired political advancement but has always taken an interest in the larger questions of civic life.

CHARLES TESS, owner and proprietor of the Edgar Bottling Works, at Edgar, Wis., and village trustee since the spring of 1912, was born in Kewaunee county, Wis., September i, 1879, and is a son of Christian and Rosa Tess. The father died in Kewaunee county at the age of sixty years but the mother still lives there. Of the eight children of the family three survive.

In 1904 Charles Tess came first to Marathon county as a logger and spent two winters in the woods, following which he came to Edgar and here bought the Edgar Bottling Works from Peter Pestien. He has a yarge territory, his patronage being widely extended, delivering some fifteen miles in the rural regions and to all the small villages in this section. He gives employment to one man and keeps very busy himself, the product being all kinds of bottled soft drinks.

Mr. Tess married Miss Annie Mathieson, who was born in Manitowoc county. Wis., and they have two children, Lester and Harvey. The family residence and also the place of business are on Redwood street. In politics he is an independent voter. Fraternally he is identified with the T. I. C. and the Eagles.

A. J. LANG, who is serving in his third term as treasurer of his native town of Cassel, Marathon county. Wis., was born June 6, 1875, one-half mile distant from his present farm of eighty acres, in section 21, and is a son of Erhard and Mary (Baumann) Lang. Erhard Lang was born at Pittsburgh, Pa., a son of George and Cora Lang, who came from Germany. Grandfather Lang followed the mason trade at Pittsburgh for nine years and while living there five children were born: Erhard, Andrew, George, Joseph and Margaret. With wife and these children George Lang came to Wisconsin and after living for a few weeks at Marathon City settled on section 22 on land now incljaded in the town of Cassel. It was an entirely wild region and he had to build a cabin and for a long time afterward unless some one of the family carried the flour from Mosinee on his back some days the family had to do without bread. He had two tracts of land, one of eighty acres and the other of thirty-five acres. Three children were born in Marathon county: Emil, Julia and Katie. Grandfather Lang died when aged sixty-nine years and the grandmother at the age of eighty-six years, and both were buried in St. Mary's cemetery. The youngest son, Emil, received the homestead.

Erhard Lang married Mary Baumann, who was of German parentage but was born at Pittsburgh, and twelve children were born to them : A. J. ; Annie, wife of Anton Shilling, Jr. ; Benedicta, wife of Jacob Knauf ; William and Conrad, both residing in the town of Cassel; Mary, wife of Frank Wathtl, of the town of Emmett ; Edward, deceased; Carl; Leo, Henry and Helen; and a babe that died. Erhard Lang was a farmer and died on his farm in section 21, at the age of forty-seven years. He was a well known man and a leading Democrat of his town and served several years in the office of supervisor.

A. J. Lang was educated in the town schools and the parochial school at Marathon City and afterward learned the carpenter trade, also has engaged in farming and logging and has always led an active and busy life. After marriage in 1903, he settled on the present farm, having forty-five acres under the plough and about eight acres of his land he has cleared by himself. He carries on a general farming line and is prosperous.

A. J. Lang married Miss Anna Fochs, a daughter of Mathias and Anna (Werner) Fochs, of the town of Cassel. Mr. and Mrs. Lang have seven children : Louis, Benjamin, Hilda, Anna, Agnes, Andrew and Adaline Mary. Mr. Lang and family belong to St. John's Catholic church of Edgar, Wis. In politics he is a Democrat and in addition to serving in his present office he has been supervisor of his town for some years.

FRED SCHUBRING, Jr., who has been identified with the lumber industry almost his entire business life, is president of the F. Schubring Lumber Company, of \\^ausau, \\'is., which was established in 1906. He was born March 17, 1868, in the town of Wausau, Marathon county, Wis., and is a son of Fred and Amelia (Venteke) Schubring. The father came to Wisconsin from Germany in 1866 and was a farmer all his active life.

Until he was twenty years of age the younger Fred Schubring remained with his father on the home farm and during these years had secured a pub- He school education. He embarked tirst in the lumber business in the town of Hamburg, in 1897, where he operated a small saw mill for four years. After he sold that property he engaged Vvith the B. Heinemann Lumber Company, which subsequently organized the Eau Claire Mill Company, with headquarters at Wausau, and of this Mr. Schubring became president ; this company operated a mill in the town of Ackley, in Langlade county. After disposing of his interests there Mr. Schubring became connected with his present concern at Wausau, which was incorporated April 23, 1909, with a capital of $40,000, its officers being: Fred Schubring, president and treasurer; Mrs. Fred Schubring, vice president, and Carl Lotz, secretary. The business is one of large importance here and employment is afforded eighty men.

On October 25, 1894, ]\Ir. Schubring was united in marriage with ^liss Louise Bopf, and they have two ciiildren : Arthur and Elta. The family belongs to St. Paul's Evangelical church.

ALBERT THEODORE KOCH, M. D., physician and surgeon, who has been continuously engaged in the practice of his profession at Wausau for the past thirty-seven years, scarcely needs any introduction to the residents of Marathon county. He is also a veteran of the great Civil War, to which he dedicated two eventful years of his life, serving for the preservation of his adopted country, for Dr. Koch was born in Germany, May 9, 1839. His parents were Gotlieb and Regina Koch.

In 1856 the parents of Dr. Koch came to the U'nited States and the father purchased a farm near Watertown. Wis. The youth was then sixteen years of age and his first duty was to assist his father in clearing and cultivating the homestead, in the meanwhile attending the local schools when possible. He was twenty years old when he went to Minnesota and there did some land speculating and also attended school in Field county and was a resident there when he enlisted for service in tlie Civil \\'ar, entering Co. C, 2nd Minn. Vol. Cav., contracting for three years. During the greater part of his time his regiment was made use of in fighting against the Indians in the Northwest, once getting as far south as Little Rock, Ark., but being recalled to suppress another uprising of the Indians and he received a wound in the leg on one occasion, at Wood Lake. He was honorably discharged on November 19, 1865, at Fort Ridgeley.

After the termination of his military service, the young soldier spent almost one year with his parents at Watertown and then returned to Minnesota where he engaged in farming for a few years and then began the study of medicine and for two years had as his preceptor. Dr. E. Morehouse, of Owatonna, Minn., subsequently entering the Bennett Eclectic Medical School, where he was graduated in the spring of 1873, having also been a student at Rush Medical College, Chicago. Dr. Koch located for practice at St. Ansgar, la., where he continued for four years, when, through the efforts of August Kickbush and Jacob Paff, he was induced to come to Wausau and this city has been his home ever since. Dr. Koch is a member of the county and state medical organizations and belongs to Custer Post No. 55, G. A. R. at Wausau. In his poHtical life he has been in accord with the Republican party.

In i860 Dr. Koch was married to Miss Martha A. Eastman, of Owatonna, Minn., a daughter of Hiram Eastman, a farmer in Steele county, and three children were born to them but early bereavement entered into the family circle. Helen, the eldest, lived only eleven years ; and two sons both died from the effects of black measles, Eddie, at the age of eight years, and the other when but two and one-half years old. Dr. and Mrs. Koch are members of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran church. He enjoys the distinction of being the oldest practicing physician at Wausau.

JOSEPH FRANKLIN SMITH. M. D.. physician and surgeon, attached to St. Mary's Hospital, Wausau, with private office in the Wisconsin Valley Trust Building, came to this city in 1908 and is recognized as a very able member of his profession, commanding a fine practice and enjoying a large measure of esteem won by his personality. He was born at Huntington. Ind.. and is a son of Aaron and Sarah (Caley) Smith.

Aaron Smith was born in Tuscarauwas county, O., but in boyhood was brought to Indiana, for a few years living in Wayne county but mainly in Huntington county, where he has been a general farmer and now lives practically retired. In the latter county he married Sarah Caley, a daughter of Samuel Caley, who was born in Pennsylvania and later moved to Wills county, Ind., and from there to Huntington county, where Mrs. Smith was born in 1845. They became the parents of four sons and three daughters : Joseph E. : Aaron Augustus, who is a farmer m Huntington county; Arthur Delano, who is a teacher in North Da- kota ; John Samuel, who is a farmer in Huntington county; Edith, who remains with her parents; Effie, who is deceased; and Lola, who is the wife of Roscoe Grififin, of Huntington county, Ind.

Joseph Franklin Smith attended the public schools, the Methodist Episcopal College at Fort Wayne. and later the Valparaiso Normal School, in the meanwhile occasionally teaching school and for one year was teacher of physics at the Valparaiso Normal School. He then entered Rush Medical College, where he was graduated in the class of 1900, for two years afterward serving as an interne in the Presbyterian Hospital, Chicago, and one year as resident surgeon, additionally enjoying the privilege of being assistant for one and one-half years to Dr. Arthur Dean Bevan, the distinguished professor of surgery of Rush Medical College. In 1906 Dr. Smith spent nine months in the University of Vienna and for two years after his return to America engaged in medical practice in Chicago, in the fall of 1908 coming from there to Wausau, where he devotes himself exclusively to surgery. He is a member of the Marathon County Medical Society, the Wisconsin State Medical Society, the American Medical Association, the Chicago Surgical Society and the Western Surgical Association.

In 1903 Dr. Smith was married to Miss Mary E. Smith, daughter of the late Dr. Theophilus and Harriet Smith, of Wausau. Dr. and Mrs. Smith are members of St. John's Episcopal church. He is a Knight Templar Mason and belongs to the Wausau Club and to the Wausau Country Club.

FREDERICK BRADFISH, one of the well known men of the town of Rib Falls, who is well qualified to speak of the pioneer hardships that attended early settlement in Wisconsin, having lived here since he was eight years old, was born in Germany, December 27, 1844, and is a son of Frederick and Rosa Bradfish. His farm of 165 acres lies in sections 7 and 18, town of Rib Falls, and he resides in the former section, five miles north of Edgar, on the east side of the range line road.

The parents of Mr. Bradfish came to the United States with three children and as pioneers settled in Washington county. Wis., securing land which the father cleared and cultivated but subsequently sold. The mother died in Washington county, when aged forty-five years and her burial was at Trentontown, Wis. The father survived to the age of sixty-five years, dying at Lake Superior, and his burial was at Hancock, Mich.

Frederick Bradfish lived at home until he was twenty-four years of age, in the meanwhile having some educational opportunities in the town of Trenton. He went then to Lake Superior where he worked in the copper mines for three years and then became a quartz miner in Colorado. Deciding then to return to agricultural pursuits he came to the town of Rib Falls and here secured 1093/ acres of heavily timbered land, through which he had to blaze his way in order to find his own cabin when he wandered away from it. All the clearing done on his land he has accomplished himself, one of the greatest of his early problems being the making of roads, the most of them, to use a local term, having to be "underbrushed." For some time the only manner in which he could convey necessary provisions to his house was to carry them from Poniatowski. After he was well settled he returned to Washington county and there was married to Miss Helen Waldkircher, who was born at Newburg, Wis., April 7, 1861, and a daughter of Matthew and Appelonia (Gitzen) Waldkircher. The father of Mrs. Bradfish was born in Switzerland and the mother in Prussia and they were married in Washington county. Wis. Of their seven children, Mrs. Bradfish was the fourth in order of birth and she has one brother in Marathon county, Matthew, of the town of Halzen. The parents were early pioneers and when they passed through Milwaukee that city was but a village. Both died on their farm in Washington county, aged respectively sixty-five and sixty-four years, faithful members of the Catholic church.

Since marriage Mr. and Mrs. Bradfish have resided on the present farm and here their children have been born, seven in number as follows: Josephine, an educated and talented lady, formerly a teacher in Marathon county but now filling a position as stenographer in California; Frederick, who assists in the management of the home farm, which includes the raising of dairy cattle ; Rosellia, who also is a resident, with her sister, of. California, also is a stenographer and taught school for eight years in Marathon county; Annie, who has been a successful teacher in the county schools for six years ; Eleanor, who has been teaching at Hamburg, for the past six years ; Walter, who has been a teacher in the town of Rib Falls, for two years ; and Laurence, who is yet a student. The family belongs to the Catholic church. A Democrat in politics, Mr. Bradfish recently resigned the office of chairman of the county board, in which he had served continuously for fourteen years.

HERBERT HAYES AIANSON. who is engaged in the practice of law at Wausau and is the junior member of the firm of Bump & Manson, was born in this city, April 15, 1872, and is a son of Rufus P. and Catherine (Nicholls) Manson. Rufus P. Manson was born in 1830, came to Wausau in 1851 and went into the lumber business, and owned and operated saw mills until the time of his death, which occurred in 1897. He was not only an active and successful business man but was influential in public affairs and served two terms in the office of mayor of Wausau. He married Catherine Nicholls who survived him but a few months, passing away at Wausau, July 4, 1897. Of their family of ten children, Herbert Hayes was the youngest of the seven sons.

Herbert H. Manson completed the High School course at Wausau and two years later entered the University of Wisconsin where he was graduated in law in the class of 1897. He immediately entered into the practice of his profession, remaining alone until the spring of 1909 at which time he became associated with Franklin E. Bump under the firm name of Bump & Manson. He served three terms as city attorney of Wausau and in 1899 and again in 1900 was district attorney of Marathon county. He has additional interests, being a member of the firm of Manson & Weinfeld, dealers in timber and farm lands; is vice president and manager of the Wausau Mississippi Timber Company, and is also extensively interested in Wausau real estate.

In 1905 Mr. Manson was married to Miss Daisy Dye, a daughter of Dr. A. A. Dye, of Madison, Wis., and they have one daughter, Patricia. He is active and interested in political matters and a leading factor in Democratic circles, serving as state chairman from 1905 to 1909, conducting the campaign in 1908 for Col. Bryan, but resigning this office in 1909, having been a delegate at large from W^isconsin to the Democratic National Convention at Denver. For many years he has been a member of the Masonic fraternity.

JOHN KIEFER, president of the John Kiefer Furniture Company and also president of the John Kiefer Produce and Creamery Company, is a representative business man of Wausau, of which city he has been a resident for forty-four years. He was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, June 7, 1845, ^nd is a son of Conrad and Annie (Smith) Kiefer.

John Kiefer was reared and educated in Germany, being twenty-three years of age when he landed on Staten Island, in the harbor of New York. In 1868 he reached Toledo, O., and in August, 1869, came to

Wausau. As his trade was shoemaking, he opened a shoe shop and shoe store, being located in the J. Paff Bldg. and continued until 1876, when he sold out and in partnership with Jacob Paff built a tannery, with which he remained connected until 1878. In that year he embarked in a general mercantile business and carried it on until 1902, when he sold and went into the cold storage line, having built a storage plant in 1899. He has remained interested in the cold storage business until the present, giving it a share of his attention for he has additional interests. In 1907 he purchased a milk plant known as the Marathon County Creamery and manufactures ice cream, and owns also the John Kiefer Furniture Company. This enterprise was started in 1905 by the Wausau Furniture Company, in 1907 the present style being adopted. Mr. Kiefer takes justifiable pride in the fact that he has progressed in business entirely through his own unassisted efforts, in fact is a selfmade man.

In 1871 Mr. Kiefer was married to Miss Bettie Tank, a daughter of O. G. Tank, of Wausau. They have had nine children, six of whom survive: Annie, who is the wife of B. F. Jones, of Oconomowoc ; John L., who is secretary and treasurer of the Kiefer Bros. Produce Co., married Miss Jessie Crenshaw; Bertha I.illie, who is the wife of Don Bloss, proprietor of a fruit store at Wausau ; Clara, who is the wife of Fred VVickman, a druggist, at Wausau ; Otto, who conducts the furniture store for his father, married Miss Rugg, of Rochester, N. Y. ; and Harry, who is interested in the produce business. In politics Mr. Kiefer and sons are Democrats. He is serving as supervisor of the Fifth \\'ard. With his family he belongs to St. Paul's Lutheran church at Wausau.

FERDINAND WEBER, a well known general farmer of the town of Rib Falls, residing on his farm of 160 acres, situated in section 2^, five miles northwest of Marathon City, is a representative citizen of this section of Marathon county. Fie was born in this town, October 15, 1861, and is a son of Friedrich and Friederike (Rieman) Weber. Friedrich Weber was born in Gemiany, in 1824, came to America in 1856, and lived in Marathon county. Wis., as a farmer, and died in the town of Rib Falls when aged forty-three years. He married Friederike Rieman, in 1848, who was born in Germany in 1824 and still survives, being a member of the household of her son, William Weber. There were six children in the family and after the death of her husband, Mrs. Weber

Ferdinand Weber was six years old when his father died. He attended the public schools for some years but as soon as old enough contributed his services to the carrying- on of the home farm. Later he spent three winters working in a lumber camp, afterward worked on a farm through two summers in South Dakota, following which he came to Rib Falls as a farmer, and after marriage settled permanently on his present place, on which, at that time, but thirty-five acres had been cleared. He now has sixty acres under cultivation and in addition to general crop raising he grows dairy stock. He has made many improvements here and put up all the substantial buildings, which include a fine brick house.

Mr. Weber married Miss Ah-ina Schroeder, who was born in the town of Rib Falls, a daughter of August Schroeder and they have six children: Louisa and Alma, living at home ; Anton, an employe of the Underwood Veneer Company at Wausau ; Walter, a teacher in District No. i, town of Wein ; and Clarence and Norman, both at school. In politics Mr. Weber is a Republican and many times his fellow citizens have testified to their high regard by electing him to local offices. For twenty successive years he was school clerk in Rib Falls District No. 2, for five years at different times has served as supervisor, being a member of the board at the present time, and for two years was chairman of the town board. The family belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.

BERT C. GOWEN. city engineer of Wausau, ^\'is., an old and experienced civil engineer, is one of Wausau's own sons, born here October 25, 1855. His parents were William and Sarah J. (Riley) Gowen. In [846 William Gowen came to Wisconsin from Boston, Mass., and took up a homestead at Sun Prairie, but lost his land on account of meeting with a serious accident which required him to return to the East for medical treatment for his broken leg. He then visited Florida but returned to Wisconsin in the spring of 1850 and in 185 1 brought his family from Boston to Marathon county, taking up a homestead in the town of Wausau, seven miles northeast of the city of Wausau, as at present. He lived there until he had acquired full ownership but later in life was a manufacturer of saw mill machinery, which he invented. His death occurred at \\^ausau, February 18, 1910, having survived his wife from November 15, 1892.

Bert C. Gowen was reared at Wausau, attended the public schools and later Cornell University at Ithaca, N. Y., where he was graduated in the department of civil engineering. He returned then to Wausau and up to 1906 was mainly connected with railroading in his special line and at the time of his voluntary retirement was chief engineer of the Wisconsin & Michigan Railway Company, and Lake Michigan Car Ferry Transportation Company and superintendent of railroad, bridges and buildings, with headquarters at Peshtigo, Wis. Although this entailed an absence of twelve years from his native city it never interfered with his interest or loyalty and his home continued at Wausau.

Mr. Gowen married Miss Martha E. Rossman, of Wausau, a daughter of Charles Rossman, who now lives on his farm in the town of Ringle, Marathon county. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gowen, two of whom died in infancy, the one survivor, Clarence R., being a student in the Wausau High School. Mr. Gowen is particularly well known in fraternal circles, being a thirty-second degree Mason and belonging to the Mystic Shrine at Milwaukee; to the Knights of Pythias and is past chancellor of the local lodge, and to the Brotherhood of Engineers. He also was a charter member of the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance of Way Association whose membership now includes thousands of the prominent engineers and railway officials all over the western hemisphere including Canada, Mexico and South America.

GUST LUECK, who is the owner of the widely known Clover Belt Stock Farm, 600 acres of valuable land lying in the town of Rib Falls, is one of the most industrious, thrifty and successful farmers, stock raisers and lumbermen in Marathon county. He was born in Germany, March 2, 1858, and is a son of Peter and Wilhelmina Lueck. The parents of Mr. Lueck were natives of Germany and when they came to the United States in 1871, they were accompanied by their children, two sons and three daughters. It was in the fall of the year when they reached Marathon county, Wis., and they remained that one winter with Gotthilf Koehler, in the town of Hamburg, but by April, 1872, Peter Lueck had selected his farm of ninety-eight acres and the family moved there. At that time no clearing had been done and the Luecks had to cut their own road. Very few settlers had yet ventured here and the nearest neighbor was two and one-half miles distant. It was hard work for the father to handle an axe efifectively and much of this labor fell to Gust Lueck, who, fortunately was of robust build. The father died on that part of the present farm, when aged sixty-three years, the mother still living on the homestead in her seventy-seventh year.

Gust Lueck attended school as all German boys do, but had few advantages after coming to Wisconsin. He is somewhat proud of the fact that he could be so useful to his father and on the pioneer farm cut the first and the last stump. At present he has 120 acres cleared for farming and attends to all his work himself. He raises Red Polled cattle and Poland-China hogs, and also has Scotch Collie dogs for sale, and on account of the abundance of clover grown here profitably, the pleasant name of Clover Belt was given the place. For the last twenty-one years he has sold his cream to the Hamburg Creamery.

Mr. Lueck was married to Miss Bertha Marth, who was born in Germany and was four years old when she was brought to America by her parents, Charles and Frediricka Marth. To Mr. and Mrs. Lueck the following children have been born, all in the town of Rib Falls; Henry H., who was married in Minnesota to Amanda Plautz ; Martin C, who helps his father; Otto E., who is a merchant at Hamburg; and Paul F., Frank E. and Clara M. Mr. Lueck and family are members of the Evangelical Lutheran church. He is a stockholder in the Athens Telephone Company and in the Farmers and Drovers Store Company at Athens. In politics he is a Democrat and has served on the board of supervisors of the towm of Rib Falls, and for twenty-one years has been clerk of District Xo. 2. Hamburg and Rib Falls.

EDWARD P. GORALAX, who is serving in the responsible office of district attorney of Marathon county, is one of the younger members of the Wausau bar, the senior of the law firm of Gorman & Prehn. He was born June 3, 1883, and is a son of Patrick and Mary Gorman. Patrick Gorman, one of the best known men in the lumber industry for many years in this section of Wisconsin, now lives retired at Wausau. He was born in 1849 '" the province of Ontario, Canada, and came to Marathon county in 1865, where he engaged in logging in the winters and farming in the summers, becoming well known in business and independent in a financial way. He married in Wisconsin a lady who was born at Stevens Point, \\'is., in 1857, and was brought to Wausau by her parents in 1858, where she yet resides. Her father was killed by the Indians in the far west and she was reared in the family of August Gauthier, an old settler. Her sister Rose was reared by Benjamin

Single and is the wife of L. W. Thayer, of Ripon, Wis. The children born to Patrick Gorman and wife were: Mate, who is a trained nurse; Edward P. ; Susan, who is the wife of John 'Selover, of Merrill, Wis. ; Walter T., who has charge of the retail business of the Barker & Stewart Lumber Company ; Ralph, wdio is connected with the Security Lumber Company of Saskatchewan, Canada ; and Rose, who lives at home.

After completing his education, Mr. Gorman taught school for several years and after being admitted to the bar, practiced alone until June I, 1910, when he entered into his present partnership. In politics he is a Republican. On December i, 191 1, he was appointed to the office of district attorney for Marathon county and subsequently was elected to the same and has proved his superior qualifications for so responsible an ofifice. Mr. Gorman was married August 20, 1912, to Miss Jean Alexander, a daughter of Hugh and Minnie (Malone) Alexander. They are members of St. James Roman Catholic church, of which he is secretary and a trustee. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus, to the Catholic Order of Foresters, to the E. E. U. and the Eagles and also to the ^^'ausau Club. He maintains his offices in the Heineman Building, Wausau.

CARL MERKLEIN, who conducts a first class meat market at No. 524 Scott street, Wausau. is well known in this line to a large circle of well satisfied customers. He was born at Wausau. December 18, 1868, and is a son of John and Caroline (Merklein) Merklein.

John Merklein was a highly respected citizen and well known business man of this city for many years. He came here early in the sixties and established a butcher shop on Jackson street and continued in the meat business during his entire active life, his death occurring July 5, 1906. His widow, who, like himself, was born in Germany, yet survives and continues to reside at W^ausau.

Carl Merklein had the excellent educational opportunities offered by the public schools of Wausau. He began almost in boyhood to give his father material assistance in the butcher shop and then learned the business in a thoroughly practical way. For three years he was associated in business with his brother John Merklein at his present stand, but they sold out to a Mr. Steinke. of Merrill. Wis., but later Carl Merklein repurchased and began business on April i, 1909. Mr. Merklein rents a slaughter house in the town of Weston near Scholfield. He is a careful buyer of cattle and gives his customers the very best that is in the market.

Mr. Merklein married Miss Amelia Miller, a daughter of John Miller of Wausau, and they have two children : Marie and Ellen. Mr. Merklein is a member of the Woodmen of the World and belongs also to the Royal Arcanum. Although he takes much interest in public matters he has never desired public office, being contented with a just administration of the laws by honest men.

ARTHUR J\I. RODERMUND, M. D., who is one of the younger members of the medical fraternity engaged in active practice at Athens, Wis., was born at Sun Prairie, Dane county. Wis., May ii, 1882, and is a son of Dr. Matthew J. and Maggie (Maroney) Rodermund. Of their five children, Arthur M. is the eldest and the only son, the daughters being : Margaret, Edith, Lorena and Dorothy. The father is engaged in medical practice at Madison, Wis.

Arthur M. Rodemiund first attended St. Mary's parochial school at Appleton, Wis., afterward entering Lawrence University, where he remained until graduation. He subsequently graduated from the medical department of the University of Illinois, in the class of 1907. He was elected a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha, Honor Fraternity during his senior year. After an experience of nine months as an interne at St. Mary's Hospital, Chicago, Dr. Rodermund came to Athens, where he has built up a fine practice. He is a member of the County, State and National Medical Associations and thus keeps well informed regarding everything pertaining to medical advancement.

ADAM VON BERG, president of the State Bank of Mosinee. Wis., of which he was one of the organizers in 1904, has been at the head of this firmly established institution ever since and is one of the city's representative men. He was born in Dane county. Wis., April 6, 1854, and is a son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Bates) Von Berg. The parents of Mr. Von Berg were born in Germany and came to the United States when young. After their marriage they settled on a farm in Dane county. Wis., but in 1870 removed to Kingston, Green Lake county, and there the remainder of their lives were passed. To this marriage six children were born: Adam; Angeline, wife of L. A. Hart; Andrew; Hannah, wife of F. A. Scheibe ; Charles W. and E. J. After the death of his first wife, Andrew Von Berg married Magdalena Buhrmann and one son was born to them, Benjamin F.

Adam Von Berg grew to manhood on his father's farm, many responsibilities falhng on him early as he was the eldest son, and his education was secured in the district schools, mainly in the winter seasons. He remained a farmer until 1903 when he retired from business except as a stockholder in local enterprises, until 1904 when he became interested in this financial institution and consented to assume the duties of its head which he has efficiently discharged ever since with the careful conservatism that has won and kept the confidence of the public. The other ofificers of the bank are : Louis Dessert, vice president; W. A. Von Berg, cashier, and Elizabeth Von Berg, assistant cashier, the directors being the bank officials with Carl Mathie and E. J. Von Berg.

In March, 1879, Mr. Von Berg was married to Miss Frances Gibbs, of Fox Lake, Wis., who was born in New York, a daughter of Benjamin F. and Caroline (Graves) Gibbs, whose other children were: B. F.. Nathaniel, Aurelia and Alonzo. Mr. and Mrs. Von Berg have two children: W. A., who married Lottie Webb, and Elizabeth B. Mr. Von Berg and family attend the Methodist Episcopal church. Nominally he is a Republican but claims an intelligent and untrammelled citizen's right to cast his vote independently as his own judgment may dictate. He has long been identified with the fraternal order of Modern Woodmen of America.

JAMES E. M'KAHAN, D. D. S., who commands a large dental practice at Wausau, was born at River Falls, Pierce county. Wis., April 19, 1879, and is a son of George W. and Lena (Thoen) McKahan. The McKahan family was established in Wisconsin in 1852, by Samuel Mc- Kahan and wife, natives of Scotland, but former residents of Washington county. Pa., where their son, George W. McKahan, was born. He was nine years old when he accompanied his parents to Wisconsin and spent his subsequent life in this state, his death occurring in 1889, at the age of forty-two years. He married Lena Thoen, who is of Norwegian ancestry and still survives. Three sons and one daughter were born to them: Callie, who is the wife of Henry Elliott, of River Falls, Wis. ; William D., who has charge of the Cudahy Bros, packing plant at Sioux City, la. ; James E. ; and George, who died of pneumonia in October, 191 1, at Spokane, Wash., when aged twenty-four years.

in 1905 was graduated from the dental department. In the same year he located at Wausau and has been in active practice here ever since. Dr. McKahan has always kept well informed concerning every advance made in his science and is a valued member of the Marathon County Dental Society and the Central Wisconsin Dental Society, for five years serving as secretary and treasurer of the former organization and for three years of the latter. With the exception of five years spent in the west. Dr. McKahan has been a lifelong resident of Wisconsin. On October 26, 1906, Dr. McKahan was married to Miss Pauline Anderson, of Menominee, Wis., daughter of Anton Anderson, and they have two sons, George and Paul. In politics he is identified with the Republican party.

HON. GUSTAV MUELLER, senior member of the well known firm of Mueller & Quandt, shoe dealers at Wausau, Wis., is one of the leading business men and of high standing as a citizen. He was born in Bonin, Kreis Regenwalde, Province Pommerania, Kingdom of Prussia, Germany, on the 3rd day of June, 1847, a son of August Mueller and his wife Caroline ( Schroeder) his father being parish teacher in this place, serving in that capacity for fifty years. Gustav Mueller attended the common school of his native land, and was reared in a comfortable home. At the age of seventeen Lc enlisted voluntarily in the army of Prussia in expectation of promotion, and being accepted, was sent to the military school at Juelich, Rheinish, Prussia. After taking the course for six months he was taken sick with typhus fever and laid up at the barrack hospital for six months. As soon as his condition warranted his transport to his parents' home, he was sent there as an invalid on furlough. When the war with Austria broke out in 1866 he was called into ser\'ice, but after examination by the physicians was declared unfit for service by reason of poor health, and mustered out of service as an invalid. He then remained at home until the fall of 1867 when he emigrated to this countr}^ reaching Wausau, where he had come with a friend, in the last days of November. He was an entire stranger when he came here, but was soon employed as a clerk in the general store of August Kickbusch, doing farm work for his employer at odd times.

After an engagement of two years in that sphere, he was employed as a clerk in the dry goods and general merchandise store of Otto Siegrist, and stayed in that establishment for nearly one year, when he embarked in business for himself. At the store of August Kickbusch he had made the acquaintance of Chas. Quandt, another clerk in the same store, which acquaintance had ripened into friendship, and the two formed a partnership under the firm name of Mueller & Quandt, opening the first exclusive boot and shoe store in Wausau at the corner of 3rd and Washington street. On December ist, 1885, the firm moved into their present quarters in the J. Gensman Block. Their venture proved to be a profitable one, and was carried on successfully until the death of Charles Quandt in the year 1901. The business however is continued under the same firm name and with the same good fortune, Mrs. Mary Quandt having taken over the interest of her deceased husband, and the firm of Mueller & Quandt is now the oldest establishment mercantile firm in the city of Wausau.

Gustav Mueller was married to Miss Elizabeth Ringle in the year 1872 and five children were bom to them namely: Louise, and Otto, both of Wausau, and Ida, Caroline and Emma of St. Paul, Minn. Mrs. Elizabeth Mueller died at Wausau on the nth day of January, 1887. Gustav Mueller entered into a second marriage with Miss Clara Kressin of Milwaukee his present wife, on the 7th day of January, 1894, and they had one child, which died in infancy.

Gustav Mueller was elected Mayor of W^ausau in the year 1890, and his administration was a very commendable one. He is a member of Wausau Lodge 215 I. O. O. F. since 1873, having joined the order in 1869. He is conductor of the "Liederkranz" since 1888 which he joined as a member several years earlier at its organization. Both he and his family are members of the St. Paul's Evangelical church of Wausau, where his wife belongs to the Ladies sewing and other societies connected with this church.

HON. ANTON MEHL, who has been a resident of Wausau, Wis., for full forty years, was born June 12, 1845, '-'' Dornholzhansen Kreis Wetzlar Rhein, Germany, and is a son of John and Katrina Mehl, whose lives were passed in Germany. Anton Mehl has long been a very prominent citizen of Wausau and has been identified largely with its commercial development. He was reared and educated in his native land and there provided for fu1;ure self support and independence by learning the shoemaking trade. America became the goal of his ambition but before emigrating he served in the German army and took part in the Franco-German War of 1870-71, spending almost an entire year on French soil. Shortly after its termination he set sail for the United States with the intention of joining a cousin, Henry Mehl, who was already established at \Vausau, and after reaching here worked at his trade, in which he prospered through industry, and in the course of several years was able to open a retail shoe store and conducted it for twenty-five years, in 1880 erecting his own building.