Monroe County, Wisconsin - Chapter 55, 1912 (part 8 of 10)

In 1858 Erick Peterson located in the town of Portland, and for a time followed the trade of carpenter and builder. In 1859 he purchased 240 acres of land in sections six and twenty-five, and afterwards added forty acres in section thirty-six. After a residence here of nine years, he mov(>d to the town of Jefferson. ]\lr. Peterson relates that when he first located in the town of Portland there were but few settlers, and no settlement from which to procure supplies. La Crosse being the nearest trading point: i\onr at that time was ten dollars per l)arrel, and othiMthings in proportion ; the country was l)ut a Avilderuess inhabited by Avild game and Indians; ])ear and deer Avere plentiful, and ]\lr. Peterson being an excellent marksman, lie had no trouble in supplying his family Avith venison, which was their ehief means of subsistence; he has killed many bear and deer on the old homestead, and relates a little Hirilling experience of a day's hunt for deer in a st)'ip of timbei-. when, after sighting the game, he was attracted by a noise in the tree tops, and upon looking up saw a large panther nuiking ready to spring upon him : he quickly fired a lucky shot which brought the panther dead at his feet. It was the only aninial of tliis kind he ever saw in Portland, and the hide was purchased by a man from ^lilwaukee. at a fancy ])i"iee. This incident niei-ely touches on the volume of interesting experiences which ^fr. I'eterson relates, but lack of space prevents us from going further into details.

Vv. Peterson, possessed with that energy' and thrift common to his people, by hai-d work and persistent energy, cleared his land and soon 1)rought to a good state of cultivation and productiveness, and now values it at one hundred dollars per acre.

after experiencing the jn-ivations and hai'ilsliips of pioneer life for many years, and now holds a prominent place in his eomnuniity. He has been active in the affairs of the Republican party and for years has served liis town in various capacities, being supervisor for one year, assessor for three years, and many other offices. He now lives in practical retirement at liis tine home on the farm near Cashton.

He was married in Norway, in 1851. to Miss Olena Oleson, daughter of Chris and Alena Oleson, she being one of a family of three children. ]\Ir. and ^Mrs. Peterson have luul a family of twelve children, six of whom are jiow (1912) living, viz.: Peter, born February 7, 1853; ^Martha, born February 9, 1855; Edward, born May 9, 1859; Elizabeth, born April 17. 1861; p:ilsworth, born June 12, 1864, and Oscar, l)orn January 13, 1868.

Ellsworth Peterson, Avho was his father's mainstay on the farm, where he resided until he w^as tAventy-two years old, was then employed by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad for ten years, after which he returned to the home farm and remained for twelve years. On March 20, 1886, he was married, in the town of Portland, to ]Miss Martha Christian, whose parents are both deceased, Mrs. Peterson being the only living member of a family of three children. To Mr. and Mrs. Ellsworth Peterson have been born nine children, viz.: Edwin, Cleuse, Emma, Clara, Lewie, AVillia, Amanda, Clarence and Tellman.

Peterson, was born in Norway, September 30, 1867. He emigrated to America, preceding his parents, who also came to this country in 1892. They reared a family of seven children, six of whom are now living. The father, at the age of seventy years, and his mother, at the age of seventy-four years, are both living in Monroe county. Our subject began his career as a cook in a restaurant, and by thrift, industry and economy accumulated his earnings, and then embarked in the mercantile business. In 1892 he opened a general store at Melvina. John E. Fremstad afterward entered into copartnership with him. and for four years the business was conducted under the firm name of Peterson and Fremstad. Mr. Peterson purchased his partner's interest, and since that time has conducted the business by himself, and uoav has one of the largest general stores in Monroe county. He carries a good class of merchandise, and has a large and growing patronage, and by his honorable and -upright dealing has won the confidence of his patrons, which he justly merits. In 1911 Mr. Peterson purchased the old Hunt Mill, Avhich for more than forty vi'iU's lias Ijci-u .siu'ccssI'iiHn' i-iiii, Ix'iiig: first ()})erate'd by water power, then steam, which has finally given way to the popular gasoline engine. The mill is Avell equipped with modern machinery and is operated in connection with his store. The mill has recently been remodeled and has a capacity of fifty barrels of flour daily and three hundred sacks of feed, and Mr. Peterson is kept busy in supplying the demands of his customers.

During the administration of President McKinley, Mr. Peterson was api)()inted postmaster at Melvina, a position, with the exception of a brief time, he has since continued to fill. He is Republican in politics, and for over thirty years has been a director on the school board, and for two years has served as justice of the peace. In fraternal matters he is a member of the Modern AVoodmen of America.

Frank Pier, who Avas born on section twelve, Greenfield township. Monroe county, where he now resides, is a son of Peter and Mary (Schlichter) Pier, both natives of Germany. They came to America in early life, and were married at East Troy, Wis. Coming west to "Wisconsin, they first settled in Clark county, near Neilsville, and from there to Monroe county, fully a half century ago. Arriving here and finding it one of the best agricultural fields in the West, they located in Greenfield township, on a tract of 320 acres of Avild land, forty of which was preempted from the Government, and here he established a home for himself and family; clearing seventy acres, he erected buildings and brought the land to a high state of cultivation, improving as the years passed. Here the parents spent their lives, the father died in 1904, at the age of eighty years, and the mother passed away in 1910, at the age of seventy-six. They were both devoted members of St. Mary's Catholic church.

Frank first saw the light of day July 14, 1870, and is the youngest of a family of seven children, of whom three are now living, viz. : John resides on a farm in Greenfield township, adjoining that of our subject ; Mary married J. J. Kiefer and lives in the town of Greenfield : and Frank, our subject. Those deceased are Michael, Anna, Maggie and Peter. Frank was reared on the home farm and attended the district schools, assisting with the farm work. In 1897 he came into possession of the homestead, where he now lives, successfully engaged in general farming. He is one of the progressive and popular men of his town, is active in its interests, and served his town as assessor for the term of 1911 and 1912.

Carl N. Pierce,* farmer and dairyman, who resides on section fifteen, Sparta township, is a native son of Wisconsin, and was born in Green Lake county, near Randolph Center, January 2, 1879, the second child of a family of five children born to W. H. and Minnie (Ruh) Pierce. Of the others, William is deceased; Harry lives in Oregon; Alonzo resides in Sparta, and Marie is the wife of Thomas Brown, of Sparta township. The parents emigrated from Germany to the United States and first settled on a farm in Green Lake county, but subsequently moved to Monroe county.

Carl N. was raised on the farm in Adams county, Wisconsin, and attended the common schools. He came to Monroe county with his parents in 1893, where he engaged in the farm work and assisted his father in operating the Testor Mill. At the age of twenty-two he began farming on his own account on the Lawson farm in Sparta township; at the end of four years he purchased 110 acres in Leon township, which he sold one year later and returned to the Lawson farm, which he continued to operate until 1909, when he purchased the Kenyon farm of 119 acres, which he has since conducted, and on February 1, 1912, he began operations in the dairy business, conducting the same from the AV. E. Davis farm.

In 1901 Mr. Pierce was united in marriage with JMiss Agnes Guy, daughter of William N. and Isabella (Nichol) Guy, whose sketch will be found elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce have two children, viz. : Earl Guy and Agues Ethel Pierce.

John C. Pingel,* farmer, section twenty-seven, Tomah township, ]\Ionroe county, Wisconsin, was born in the town of Wilton, April 11, 1871. He is a son of John and Beatrice (Fisher) Pingel, natives of Germany. John Pingel is now living in the town of Tomah, at the age of seventy-three years.

John C attended the district schools up to his sixteenth year and began to make his way and gain a livelihood at the age of seventeen years, when he was employed as a farm hand at twelve dollars per month, and continued at this occupation until 1894, when he was employed in the saw mills at Ackley, ^Minn., until 1902, when he came to Monroe county, and purchased 180 acres of land in sections twenty-seven and thirty-four, Tomah township, where he now resides. Since his purchase he has added extensive improvements by erecting a barn :Ux60 feet in 1911, and has put the land under a high state of cultivation. His farm is also well stocked Mitli a fine grade of horses, cattle and hogs.

September 25, 1894, Mr. Pingel was united in marriage with ]\Iinnie Ruuion, in Minnesota. They have five children, viz.: Ida H., John F.. George E., AValter R. and Clara S. .Mr. Pingel is one of the progressive citizens of his township and takes an interest in all public matters for the good of his town and county. He is a member of the Woodmen of the "World, and in politics is a Republican.

Albert G. Prescott, secretary and numager of the Greenfield Creamery at Tunnel City, JMonroe county, is a native of Farmington, ]Maine, where he was born August 19, 1864, and is the only son and eldest child in a family of two children born to George C. and Naomi (AVhitney) Prescott, also a native of ]\Iaine. The other, Jennie, is the Avife of G. A. Hackett, and resides in La Grange township. George C. Prescott. father of our subject, served during the ( ivil War in tlie Fifth Regiment Main(^ Battery; the parents came to JMonroe county in 18(i7, wlieii our subject was three years of age, and settled in La Grange township, where the father died in 1892, at the age of sixty-three years.

Albert G. was reared on the home farm and attended the district school. In 1888 he was employed by tlie Chicago. ^Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad in Iowa and Soutli Dakota. After a short time thus spent, he returned to llie liome farm, which he successfully carried on until the death of his father. Avhen he became the owner, and which he continued to condiu-t until 1908, when he assumed his present duties as secretary and manager of the Greenfield Creamery, which under his management lias shown an increased business each year. The members of the organization are: AVilliam Gasper, president; George Heser, vice-president; A. C Prescott. secretary and manager; E. C. Graham, treasurer. Tlie l)()ard of directors are: Joseph Zastouiiil, William Ilines and T. .1. Rowan. During his busy life. 'Mv.

Prescott has found time outside of his personal affairs to serve as clerk of his town, treasurer and member of the town bonrd. For four years he served as a member of Company K, Third Regiment, Wisconsin National Guard, and in fraternal riiatlers is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Modern \\'o()(liiiC]i of America.

On April 3, 1889, Mr. Prescott was married to Miss Sarah Hackett, daughter of G. 0. Hackett, of Plattville, Wis. To them have been born five children, viz. : Florence is the wife of Charles Johson, of Greenfield township, and Minnie married George Johnson, and lives in Greenfield township. George W., Claude E., and Dora M. reside at home.

Irving Price,* son of Sanford and Phoebe Price, was born on September 7, 1850, in Washington county, New York, and is the only child living of a family of two. His father was born in 1826, and died in 1885 ; his mother was born in 1831. The family came to Dane county, Wisconsin, in 1853, and were among the early settlers in that part of the country, and after living there for a time, they decided to move to Columbia county, where the opportunities seemed more favorable, and where he sought employment at varied occupations for several years, with reasonably good success. He was a bright and energetic young man and through his faithful efforts and close application to work it was not long before he was making a comfortable livelihood for his family. He was courageous and forceful in his habits, and where duty demanded he was the first to act. In 1862 he enlisted in the Eighth Wisconsin Battery, which he followed to the end of the war, and his army history alone would make an interesting volume. Among the many encounters in which he participated were the following : battle of Bay Springs, August 2, 1862 ; battle of luka, Miss., September 19, 1862 ; battle of Chaften Hills, October 8, 1862 ; battle of Lancaster, October 8, 1862 ; battle of Corinth, November 3 and 4, 1862 ; battle of Stone River, December 30 and 31, 1862; battle of Chickamauga, September 19 and 20, 1863 ; battle of Mission Ridge, November 24, 1863, and battle of Lookout Mountain, November 25, 1863. After obtaining his discharge in 1865, he returned to Dane county for a short time, then moved to Monroe county with his family of two children, and purchased a forty-acre tract of land in section thirty-two, which was his homestead until his death, and which has since been conducted by our subject, who lives here with his mother, who is now (1912) in her eighty-fifth year, and the quaint little home with its occupants has for many years been the center of attraction for a large circle of friends who hold them in the hiirhest esteem.

Frank F. Prielipp. To the younger class of ])rogressive farmers of (jfreeuticld township belongs Frank Prielipp, of section thirteen. A native of ]\Iilwaukee, AVis., he was born November 8, 1882, the son of Ferdinand and Louisa (Albright) Prielipp, natives of Germany. They emigrated to America in the early 80 's and engaged in farming, first on an eighty-acre tract. ))ut subsequently moved to the farm of 120 acres, which our subject now conducts, and which at that time was mostly wild land. Tlufather establisluMl the family home, cleared and subdued the lai'.d, erected buildings and engaged in general farming, at which he was successful. ]Mrs. Prielipp, mother of our subject, lived to the age of thirty-two years, and died in 1894.

Frank F. attended the common scliools and spent his boy- -hood on the farm, and since 1900 has had full management of the home place, and in 1912 purchased from George IT. Dohle, of section seven, La Grange toAvnship, his finely improved and i)roductive farm of 120 acres which he works in connection Avith his old homestead farm. ]Mr. Prielipp is one of a family of five sisters and brothers. Of the others, Lena married Levi Ryckman and resides at Rockford, 111.; Fnnna is the wife of Adolph Sell, Greenfield township; T\Iartlia is the wife of E. Snowberry. o(" Tunnel City, and Otto Prielii)p, of La Grange township.

On ]\Iareh 27, 190B, ]\Ir. Prielipj) married Aliss .Julia Heser. daughter of William and Cora (Kenyon) Heser, of Pleasant Valley, Greenfield toAvnship. They have two children, viz.: Ralph A., born December 3. 1908, and Tiuella L., born January 22, 1911.

Louis Pollock was ])orn on a farm in section thirty-six, Sparta townsliip. where he now resides, November 30, 1871. son of Julius and ^linnie (Secert) Pollock, natives of Germany, who emigrated to the United States in the late sixties. They came to ]\Ionroe county, Wisconsin, and purchased a farm of IfiO acres, where our subject now resides, from Ilagerman Palmer: h(>re he lived until 1902. when he removed to the city of Sparta. He is a carpenter and joiner by trade and at times, as occasion demanded, followed his trade in connection with his farming ojiei-ations. Louis was reared on the home farm and attended the district schools, and when his parents removed to Sparta assumed the management of the farm.

On May 18, 1901, he was married to Miss Lucy Lord, daughter of Edward and Mary (Sprague) Lord, of Lafayette township. Mrs. Lord died in 1897, at the age of forty years. Mr. and Mrs. Pollock have five children, viz. : Alvina Alnora, born October 18, 1902 ; Carl Alexander, born March 18, 1904 ; Bertha May, born July 24, 1905 ; Marie Minnie, born April 30, 1907, and August Louis, born April 20, 1909.

Jacob L. Poss belongs to the younger class of successful farmers of Wells township, Monroe county, where he was born June 10, 1878, and is the eldest in a family of ten children born to Henry and Louisa (Johnson) Poss. The father was born in the state of New York and the mother in Denmark. The parents are both living in the town of Wells, and are numbered among the most progressive people of that section. Jacob attended the public schools of his neighborhood until he was sixteen years old: he remained at home until he was twenty-three, employed at farm work, and afterwards spent four years in Sparta, engaged in teaming. Li 1909. associated with his brother, he purchased a farm of 320 acres in sections twenty-five and twenty-six, Leon township, where he now makes his home with his sister. He carries on general farming and makes a specialty of breeding and dealing in Holstein cattle and Poland-China hogs. Mr. Poss adheres to the principles of the Republican party, and is one of the wide-awake young farmers of Cannon Valley.

John Purdy, one of the substantial farmers and leading citizens of Pleasant Valley, Greenfield township, was born in Middleport, N. Y., August 11, 1854, and is the fourth child of a family of six children born to Daniel C. and Susan (Savage) Purdy, natives of New York state. They came to Wisconsin in 1859, wdien our subject was five years old. Soon after their arrival in Sparta, they moved to Greenfield township, where they located and settled on three forties of wild land, to which they afterwards made addition. He cleared the land and made a home for himself and family, and engaged in general farming and stock raising, and there the parents made their home until their decease. The father died in 1881, at the age of sixty-four, and the mother passed away in 1884. They were thrifty and energetic, and considered among the best class of pioneer settlers and held the confidence and esteem of all who knew them, and in honor of the family the section where they lived was named ''Purdy Valley." Of their other children besides our subject, E. A. Purdy died in Purdy Valley in April, 1911, at the age of sixty-four years; Mary resides in Tomah, and is the wife of Albert Dixon;

John J. Purdy, the subject of this sketch, received his education in the district school and remained at home assisting with the Avork on the farm until lie reached the age of nineteen, when he started life on his own resources ; he first rented a farm, which he carried on until 1876, when he purchased the first forty acres of his present farm, to which he added until now he has one of the best farms of 100 acres, where he lives, to be found in the county. He has also purchased forty acres in Grant township and forty acres in La Grange. AVhen he began on this farm, the greater part of it was covered with heavy timber, which he cleared, subdued and brought to a high state of cultivation, erecting a commodious residence and outbuildings, and has made various other improvements as conditions demanded. He keeps his place well supplied with modern equipments, and in his farming operations employs the most up-to-date methods. ]\Ir. Purdy comes from one of the old line and representative families of the county, and is considered one of Monroe county's well-to-do and most influential citizens. In all public matters of his town and county, he takes a prominent part, and any movement for the betterment of his community receives his hearty support, lie has been a member of the Side board for two years and assessor for his town for two years.

He was married October 24, 1875. to Miss Elizabeth Oakley, accomplished daughter of Nehemiah and Fannie (Woodard) Oakley, pioneers and influential citizens of Greenfield township, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. To Mr. and Mrs. Purdy have been born five children, viz.: Adelbert. who resides in the tOAvn of La Grange ; Estella is the wife of Albert Griffin, of Grant township; Lettie, the wife of Leslie Hart, who resides in the town of Grant; Milo A. lives on the homestead farm, and Mabel A. lives at home. Mrs. Purdy is the third child of a famil.y of seven children; the others are: Sarah, deceased; Elveretta, wife of Stowell Brown ; Wellington, of Oregon ; Oscar, of "Washington; Mina, the wife of H. Griffin, of Grant township, and Arcenith, wife of Edwin Purdy. of Greenfield townsliip.

Thomas Quinn, one of ]\Ionroe county's prosperous farmers and liiglily csteeiiied citizens, was 1)orn in County IMaide. Irc^land, in 1831. His parents were AVilliam and Betsey (Waters'! Quinn, who lived and died in Ireland. AVhen seventeen years of age, in 1848, Thomas emigrated to the United States, and after his arrival Avorked six years on a farm in Cliester county, New Y''ork.

At the end of that time he came West, working for six months at Dixon, 111., then moved to AVaukesha county, Wisconsin, and worked on a farm until 1861. In the last named year he came to Monroe county, and settled on eighty acres of land in section eight, Wellington township, which he had previously purchased. This land he cleared and brought to a good state of cultivation, and improved by erecting a comfortable residence, good barns and other farm buildings, making it one of the good farm homes in the town. He has added to his original purchase from time to time, until he now has 160 acres of as good land as is to be found in the township. From 1861 to 1864 he worked for a lumber company, getting out pine logs, which he rafted down the Kickapoo river.

In 1865 he enlisted in the Fifty-second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry and served on the frontier until his regiment was mustered out. He was a brave and efficient soldier, and served with honor to himself and his country.

He was married in New York state in 1853, to Miss Jane Quirk, by whom he had two children, one son and one daughter, viz. : Elizabeth married James Barry, a prosperous farmer of the same township ; they had six children : Thomas, Ettie Jane, Mary, Theresa, Josephine, Ambrose, Blanch and Sylvester. AVilliam Quinn. the youngest, married Miss Catherine Daugherty, dalaghter of Eugene and Mary (Gehan) Daugherty. Their children are : Raymond, Arthur, Barnard, Thomas, Earl W., Edward A. and Erwin J.

After many years of faithful devotion to her husband and children, IMrs. Thomas Quinn died, November 5, 1892, honored and respected by all who knew her. Thomas Quinn is a member of the Grand Army Post at NcAvark, Wis., and has always taken a keen interest in all matters pertaining to the welfare of his county, and has been clerk of the school board. Coming to America without means, he has by honest and persistent effort gained a place among the well-to-do farmers of Monroe county.

Louis Radke,* who owns one of the best 160-acre farms in Wellington township, was born July 7, 1875, in La Salle county, Illinois, the son of Louis and Caroline (Bartz) Radke, both natives of Germany. Louis, Sr., came to America in 1872 and located in La Salle county, where he was married and worked for about eleven years in the zinc factories, and in 1883 moved to Wisconsin and bought three forty-acre tracts of land in section nine, in the township of Wellington, which was made the family homestead, and where IMr. Radke died in 1910. He made inauy iiuprovements on his farm after he bought it : a new residence was built in 1891 and a barn in 1900, and, with the other commodious outbuildings which correspond, makes it an ideal country home. Mrs. Radke, his widoAV, is still living, at the age of sixty years. They were both members of the Lutheran church, and Mr. Radke, formerly a Democrat in politics, was affiliated with the Republican party during the latter years of his life. They had a family of five children, four of whom are now living.

Louis, Jr., is the fourth child. ITe attended the district schools until he was seventeen and always lived at home on the farm, the mainstay of his parents. He was married September 5, 1907, in the town of AVilton, Monroe county, to Miss Anna Schroder, daughter of John and Anna Schroder. She is the fifth of a family of ten children, and her father was one of Ihe early German settlers of Monroe county, and died in 1911. IMr. and Mrs. Radke have three children : Ila, AYilmer and "Werner.

Mr. Radke is a successful general farmer and a good lively citizen. In connection with his farming, he has a fine dairy l)usiness and keeps his farm well supplied with a good grade of stock. He is independent in his politics, and both he and his wife are devoted members of the Lutheran church.

was born in section sixteen, Tomah township. May 10, 1857. He is the son of John and Ann (Watson) Randall, natives of England, who came to America, their family locating near Beloit. Wis., where he homesteaded eighty acres of land, residing there until 1855, when they removed to Monroe county, locating in the town of Tomah, where the father purchased eighty acres of land, to which was later added forty acres, all being in section sixteen. Mr. Randall, father of our subject, made this his permanent home until his death in 1876. His widow, mother of our subject, is still living at the age of eighty-three years. John Randall was one of the early pioneers of the town of Tomah, Avhich had only a few settlers in that early day, which was before the city of Tomah Avas started. The farm which he by incessant toil brought to a fine state of cultivation, and made into a valuable home, was at the time of its purchase covered with a thick growth of timber. Mr. Randall was a sincere Christian gentleman and a consistent and faithful member of the Church of England. ^Irs. Randall, niotlnM- of our subject, is a Baptist in religious belief.

whom are living. As lie greAv to manhood, mueh of the responsibility of the farm devolved upon him, and he performed an important part in the clearing and grubbing of the land on th(i homestead, bringing it to a high state of cultivation, so that when Mr. Randall came into possession of this farm he found himself on the road to success, conducting a lucrative dairy business, and his farm is now well stocked with good horses and cattle, making a specialty of Poland-China hogs. The farm residence where he noAV resides was built in 1865, and the barn was built in 1863. Our subject has held the office of town clerk for two terms, and has been school director for thirty-two years. He with his estimable wife were members of the Baptist church.

December 23, 1880, he was united in marriage with Miss Eva Dewey, daughter of N. Dewey, a prominent pioneer citizen of Ridgeville township. The Dewey family came from Vermont and settled in Ridgeville township. Mrs. Randall was one of a family of three children. She died in 1890. One daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Randall: Grace L., born May 20, 1886. She was educated in the district school and is a member of the class of 1904, Tomah High School. Mr. Randall affiliates with the Republican party, and was a director in the old Tunnel City Creamery and a stockholder in the Farmers' Co-operative Creamerj- of Tomah.

Fred C. Rath is one of the pioneers and prosperous and thrifty farmers of Little Falls township. He was born at Hoboken, N. J., October 8, 1855, the son of Charles and Mary (Blindt) Rath, natives of Germany. In 1860, when our subject was five years of age. his parents came west to Wisconsin and settled in Little Falls township, Monroe county, and were among the early and most highly respected citizens of that town. During the Civil War the father enlisted and served with distinction until his death in 1864, at Nashville, Tenn., leaving his widow, mother of our subject, with a family of six children. Fred was engaged in the milling business in Minnesota until he married, then returned to the old homestead, and later purchased another farm, which made him an extensive wheat farm, and has since followed the raising of wheat and stock.

On October 4, 1879, Mr. Rath was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Risser, daughter of Andreas and Salome Risser, well-to-do citizens of Wisconsin. To Mr. and Mrs. Rath have been born three children : they are Pearl M., Russell R., and Floyd C. Rath.

Frank J. Rehberg, jiropri.-tor of \\w IIi<ilil;iii(l dairy farm in section thirty-six, Greeufield townsiiip. Monroe county, one of the most progressixT fai'incrs of liis lowii and comity, was born in Adrian township. ()ctol)(*r 29. 18Tl'. His jiarents. Egidius, native of Germany, and Agnes (Zastoui)il ) Kehberg, a native of Austria, came to America, and the fatliei" settk^d first at Xeilsville. AVis., thence came to ^loni-oc connty and located in Adrian townshiji. where lie married and continued to reside until Xovember, 1!I1U; they then moved to the city of Tomah. where they have since lived. They ai-e the parents of nine childi'en. viz.: Fi-ank. Otto. Agnes. William. Anna. -loseph. John, all residents of Monroe county, and two who died in infancy.

Ki'atd< -1. was reared on the home faiMii. speiidiiii.; his hoylnxxi attending the district school and h<di)ing with the farm woi'k. lie i-emained at home until he icaehed the age of twenty-two. then started out for himself, lie tii-st purchased a team, and for (Uie year was engaged in hauling milk for Bernard Di'owatzky. and continued in that occnj)ation for three seasons, then married and juirehased a farm in Ridgeville township, which he carried on for two years, at the same time hauling cream, and at the end of that time lie was employed b\' the Elgin Creamery Com])any and for four years operated creameries for them at various points; he next rented a farm in Adrian township. whi(di he conducted for twt> years, and in lil(l4 jnirchased his ])resent farm of 100 acres in Greenfield township, which he has since carried on successfully. The plac(^ is well improxcd Avith up-to-date buildings, and the soil is in a high stale of culti\ation : he has cleared fifteen acres since he owned it. and in 1908 erected a modern residence and in 1910 e(piii»iied it with additional modern appliances; in 1909 he built his silo and hen house and (Established a .system of water works. The bai'ii is thirty by sixty feet, with sixteen-foot posts and sits on a wall of (piarry slone. ]\lr. Kefibei-g malves a si)eeialty of Jersey cattle, and by his daily record is al)le to tell what each cow jiroduces in money value, and with his milk .sejiarator. ])in"e watei* and modern inventions, togetlier with the advantages of the agricultural course he pursued at the I'niversity of Wisc(Uisiii. he is able to firing about results from scientific nu^thods in keejiing with liis day and age.

In addition to his farming operations. .Mr. l\ehbei"g takes a connnendable interest in the affairs of his town and C(uinty. Tie has been school direetoi- in A<lrian township, road supervisor, treasurer of the scliool district aiul school < lerk. lie was married. October 29. 1S9(;. to Miss ]\Iarv Drowatzkv. daughter of Bernard and Kniestiiie (Kurst) I)i'()\va1zk\ , iialivcs of (Jcfinany and residents of Toniali. They came to America more than fifty years ago and were among' the early sellh'rs of Monroe county. Mr. and IMrs. Hehberg' have a family of four children, viz.: Alva E., Harold C, Raymond Ij. and Arthur T. .Mrs. Hehberg is a former well known teacher in ^lonroe county, and is the seventh child in order of birth in a family of fourteen children, eleven of whom are now living (1912), as follows: Ernest AV.. a resident of Wichita. Kan. ; Frank 0., of Tomah ; Anna B., wife of George Davis, of Elroy, Wis. ; Charles B., cashier of the Tomah State Bank; Ida, wife of L. J. Fingle, Tomah township; jMinnie L., wife of H. J. Coleman, Omak, Wash. ; Dora F.. a teacher in Oregon ; Bertha D., a teacher at Tomah; Rosa D., teacher in Washington, and Ella S., teacher in Tomah. In religious faith, both ]\Ir. and Mrs. Rehberg are members of the German Lutheran church of Tomah.

John W. Reich,* a representative German of ]\Ionroe county, who resides on his farm in section twenty-live. Greenfield toAvnsliip, was born in Prussia. December 7, 1841. His parents, Frederick and Dorothy (Riek) Reich, were also natives of Prussia. Avhere the father spent his life. His widow, mother of our subject, afterward came to Tunnel City to live with her son. In the year 1868. ^Ir. Reich came to JMonroe county and established himself in a blacksmith shop, and, after following his trade for ten years, in 1878 he purchased his present farm of seventy-five acres, which is noAv conducted by his son. Albert I. Reich. The land has l)eeu brought to a high state of cultivation and is well improved with a good and substantial class of l)uildings, all of which have been built since he purchased the farm.

]\Ir. Reich is one of the successful men of his county; has always been honorable and upright in his dealings, and enjoys the confidence and respect of the citizens generally. He has always taken an activ(^ interest in the affairs of his t(nvn. has been a member of the town lioard, a member of the school board, treasurer of the town and justice of the peace. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias Lodge and the ]Modern Woodmen of America.

Coming to ]\Ionroe county in an early day. Mr. Reich has seen and done his full share in developing it from a comparative wilderness to a place among the l)anner counties of the state. He relates many interesting incidents I'ldative to the stirring scenes in and around Tunnel City, when the Indians were much more in evidence than the whites, and when the actual settlement of the county began on the arrival of the railroad. He was married in 1871 to ^liss Henrietta Bver, also a native of German v. and thev lifivc had three childreu. viz.: Amandus lives in LaGraiige tuwnsliip: AllxTt I. I'esides on the liome farm with his father, and Alexander lives in jMontana. Albert I. JJcich has served seven terms as elerk of the township. He enlisted as private in Company K. Third Retrinient AViseonsin Volnnteers. in 1898, and served with his 7-eyinuMit in Porto Kieo during the Si)anisli-Ameriean war.

John Rhyme was brought up to the life of a farmer boy by his father and. like Ihe majority of sons, has followed in his father's footsteps and is now the successful manager of his fine farm of 215 acres situated in section fifteen, Sparta township. On this place is a model residence equipped with many modern conveniences. Ilis barn, stables and other outbuildings are also well con- .strueted and in good condition. Ilis farm is well stocked with a good grade of horses and Durham cattle. On October 9, 1865. ]Mr. Rhyme was born in Bloomfield township, AValworth county, Wisconsin, to Henry and jNIiiniie (Vussler) Rhyme, both natives of Germany, and who after marriage came to the United States in 1862 and settled in Walworth county, where for two j^ears the father was employed at farm work. He afterwards removed to La Crosse county with his family, and there purchased a farm in Farmington township, where he resided until February, 1905. when he removed to the city of Sparta, which has since been the family home. Mr. and Mrs. Rhyme reared a family of nine children, viz.: John, the subject of this sketch; Eliza, wife of Theodore Pfatt', lives in Burns townshij). La Crosse county; Bessie is the wife of Chri.st Johnson, of Bangor, Wis. ; Emma is the wife of George Jones, of La Crosse county; Clara is the wife of Julius Johnson and resides in Sparta township, where ]\Ir. Johnson is engaged in farming; IMary married Ernest Cissna. of Watonwon county, Minnesota ; Fred, of Sparta ; Augusta is the wife of Leslie Hall, and Frank, of Watonwon county, Minnesota.

John attended the common school of Farmington, La Crosse county, and acquired sufficient education to fit him for the practical duties of life, and remained on the home farm near Farmington until Fel)ruary 15. 1898. when he bought his present farm, which is known as the Rowley farm, from Lucas Herrman. For the three years last past. Mr. Rhyme was a resident of Sparta, having rented his farm, hut (hiring the early spring of 1912 he decided to return to active farm w(U'k. and since then has lived on his home place. During the years 1910 and 1911 he was overseer of tlic township in cutting down ridges and improving the highways, and nnu'h work in tliis line is due to his good management. His intclJiucnce. inteiirity and many otlier estimable (piali- ties have acquired for him a jioinilarity not derived from any fictitious circumstances but a permanent and spontaneous tribute to his merit, and he numbers amcm^' liis friends the best people of the county.

Bessie Herrman, the amiable and cultured daunhter of William Herrman, of Burr Oak, Wis., became his Avife December 10, 1890, and they have one son., Ralph John Rhyme.

Edward C. Rice, who has been a successful farmer of Wilton township, was born June 8, 1862, in Monroe county, Wisconsin, the son of Patrick and Mary (Nash) Rice, both natives of Ireland. Patrick came to America in 1854 and remained for a short time in New York, then moved to Walworth county, this state, and located in Troy Center, where he worked as a farm hand for about one year, and then, loading his whole personal paraphernalia into a wagon drawn by an ox team, he started for IMonroe county, traveling over stony hills and rough roads until he reached W^ilton township, and there purchased an eighty-acre tract of wild land and immediately set to work to clear and improve it. This was in section twenty, and he later added another eighty acres in section twenty-one, which was their home until 1890, then moved to Tomah and made their home the remainder of their lives. They were married in 1857 and had a family of seven children. Mrs. Rice died in 1903, and her husband on July 15, 1911. They were highly respected people and valuable citizens to the community.

Edward C. was the second child and obtained a good common school education, attending school until he was sixteen. He bought a farm of 195 acres in section thirty-two. Wilton township, where he lived about three years, and then bought 160 acres m section seventeen of Wilton township, which he still owns, lived here ten years and then bought a home in the village of Wilton in 1911, their present residence.

Mr. Rice was a bright and prosperous farmer and a good Democrat. He is at present buyer for the Farmers' Live Stock Association of Wilton, has been chairman of the town board, was supervisor for three years and was a member of the school board for a long time. He is also interested in the Farmers' Creamery Association.

Mrs. Rice is one of a family of five children, three of whom are living. She was a successful teacher for several years in Monroe county schools, being a graduate of Wilton high school. Her father, James Kerrigan, came from Ireland in the sixties and was married in 1867 to Margaret Fitzgerald. They were highly respected people and lived in AVilton at the time of his death in

1905. Her mother is still living. The farm they owned, in section twenty-nine. Wilton township, contained 200 acres of land. They were devoted members of the Catholic church and in politics Mr. Korriyan was a Democrat.

David R. Richards, of section twelve. Little Falls township, ]\Ic>nroe county, AVisconsin. was born April 24, 1860, and reared here on the old homestead which he now owns, and where he has always resided. He is the son of Thomas and Catherine (Williams) Richards, both natives of Wales, and who emigrated to the United States ]\Iarcli !». 1842. They settled near Waukesha. Wis., and in 1854 came to Little FmIIs township ;iii<l hci-c made tliciihome and reared their family. They ciulured all the hardships which the new settler usually undei-goes in undertaking to subdue and fit a new country and place it in a finished condition, which that part of the country is at this time. They lived to reap the reward of their labors and enjoy the comfort of a prosperous and happy home. Thomas Richards ended his life's work on February 27, 1897, and the mother passed away on March 20, 1885, Their other children besides oui- subject were: Roger: Anna, is the widow of John Evans, of Madison, AVis., and has two daughters, Gertrude and Alice, and one son, AVilfred; John H. married Maggie Davis and lives in Tiangford, ^Marshall county, South Dakota. Their children are: Amelia, Margery. Alma and Kendrick. Thomas AV. died aged twenty-two.

David R. received his education in Ihc district schools of his neighborhood, and at the age of twenty-two years assumed control of the home farm. As a young man, he helped to clear the land and since that time has made many improvements in the residence and outbuildings and brought the land to a hiuh state of cultivation. His farm of 530 acres is well stocked with good horses and short-horned cattle, and. with the ami)le supply of modern machinery and the improved methods employed by him in its operation, makes his one of the up-to-date country homes of the county.

Air. Richads is a stroiii: believer in the cause of temperance and is always interested in any movement tending toward the betterment of the community in general. In 1894-5 he was elected a member of the board of supervisors and has l)een re-elected until he is now serving his eighth term. He has been clerk of the school district for twenty-one yea is. and during the past year has devoted much time in the interest of township improvements. As chairman of the town ])oard. ^Nlr. Richards was the promoter of the sclieme to cut down the Cataract and Winters Ridire. which for many years has proven the dread of every man wlio had occasion to travel over it. From the pioneer days to the present, there have been numerous efforts made to have this ridge cut down, but none were crowned with success until Mr. Richards became interested in the enterprise, put his shoulder to the wheel and, by private subscription, raised about $1,500 with which he, assisted by August Schlaver, accomplished the object for which others had been wishing for fifty years, building an entire new road and establishing a uniform grade of 10 per cent as against 18 per cent on the old road.

On March 24. 1887, Mr. Richards was united in marriage with Miss Hannah E. Cody, daughter of Daniel W. and Alvira S. (Tompkins) Cody, natives of central New York.- Mrs. Richards' ancestry dates back to the Puritans who came over in the Mayflower. When she was five years of age, she moved with her parents to Illinois, and seven years later came to Wisconsin and settled at Cataract, in Monroe county. Her father, Daniel W. Cody, was the first stage driver from Cataract to Black River Falls, and for twenty years prior to the establishment of the rural free delivery he carried the United States mail between Sparta and Cataract. He was also engaged in farming, owning 200 acres adjoining the village of Cataract. Mrs. Richards has one brother, Orville S. Cody, of Cataract. To Mr. and Mrs. Richards have been born four children : Forrest 0., born March 4, 1890, graduate of Sparta high school class of 1909, also a graduate of the agricultural department of the Wisconsin State University; Edna R., born August 16, 1893, graduate of Sparta high school class of 1911, and now attending Downer College, Milwaukee; Annie E., born November 2, 1899, and Erma I., born November 23, 1903.

Thomas Richards, deceased, pioneer of Little Falls township, was born in Wales, June 16, 1817, a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Price) Richards. His father died when he was an infant of nine months. His mother lived to be fifty-two years old. Thomas, Jr., was reared by his maternal grandparents, who were well-to-do farmers; he early became accustomed to various branches of agriculture and the labor necessary to be performed. His education was received in the select schools of the country. After he reached maturity he worked in the coal mines three or four years, but finally determined to emigrate to America. In 1842 he sailed from Liverpool for New York, and was at sea twenty-nine days.

After arriviiio' at jxuL lit- coniinucd his journey to Canada, where he remained for two months, thence came to Wisconsin and settled in Waukesha county and en^jaged in farming. When the gold fever of 1849 swe})t the country, the attraction became irresistible and he started for the I'acitie (H»ast. -Joining some friends, he went hy team to St. Louis, Mo., tlicnce by river to New Orleans; thence he sailed for Panama, crossed the Isthnuis, walking twenty miles of the distance, and saih'd from tlie western coast for San Francisco: this voyage consumed forty-nine days. They landed at San l^'r;ineisco. jnid Mr. Richards went at once to Sacramento, then to the American river; there he engaged in mining for the precious ore. but did not renuiin long. He Avent into the mountains for two months, but still fortune did not smile u])on him, and his next point was Trinity river; there he met with fair success. After two and one-half years spent in the golden state. ^Ir. Richards returned to Wisconsin. On the coast of South America he was wrecked ;ind had to wait ten weeks to get a boat bound for the ITnited States. He landed in Ncav Orleans, came by boat to Cincinnati and thence by rail to Chicago. These three years were filled with various experiences, such as will pro])ably never be repeated in tlie history of the country, and in reviewing them they appear in the distance more as a romance than as the stern reality they were to the "forty-niners."

!Mr. Richards moved to ]Monroe county in 1854 and settled in Little Falls township on a ti-act of wild land, where he devoted his time and energies to agriculture and was the pioneer cheese maker of ^Monroe county: he made a specialty of the dairy business, Avhieh he carried on with gi'eat profit. The old farm of \Mr. Eichards contained 250 acres, and he later invested in other lands and became the OAVner of between five and six hundred acres of Monroe county's choicest soil.

At the age of twenty-five ,\-eai-s, ^Ir. Richards was married to ]\Iiss Catherine Williams, a daughter of Roger and Magdalene Williams, and oi' this union were born tive children, viz.: T. W., Roger H.. Anna. David and .John H. ]Mr. Richards represented the jieople of his township in various local offices, and discharged his duties to the satisfaction of the public. He affiliated with tlie Republican part\- and was an ardent sujijiorter of prohiliifion. His long and useful life broughl liiin the respect and admiration of his fellow citizens, a recoi'd wliirli is its own conimeiitai-y. He died Februai-y 27. 1807. at the age of eighty years; ]\Irs. Richards passed away JMarch 20. 1885, dee]ily mounu^d liy hov family and friends.

Thomas Richards Biography 853

Clyde C. Richardson* i-aiiks a]iion<i- the .younyei' class oi' successful fanners of jMonroe conuty, Wisconsin, where he was born on February 4, 1878. to Joel F. and Martha (Keith) Richardson, both natives of Ohio. The father, before his marriage, came on a ])rospecting tour to the Leon Valley and after a lime returned to his home, was married and came back to Monroe county and located in the Leon Valley, where his grandfather had preceded him and located some years before on a farm of 150 acres, on which lie resided mitil it was purchased by Joel F. He was kindhearted and generous and held the confidence and esteem of all who knew him. His death occurred in 1884; his widow, mother of o\ir subject, still survives (1912) at the age of sixty-one years.

Clyde C, one of a family of live children, was reared on the home farm, where he remained until he reached his majority. He attended the district schools until he was eighteen, assisting in the farm work, and afterward spent one year in the Sparta high school. When he became of age, he and his brother purchased the old homestead, which they divided equally and worked with success, and our subject now, while yet a young man, is considered one of the most successful and influential farmers of Leon. He carries on general farming and stock raising, his specialty being hogs, and is quite extensively engaged in dairying.

On July 11. 19C8, he was married to Miss Clara Hogen, and they have two children. Merlin, born April 20. 1909, and Vadis, born November 20, 1910.

Eli A. Richardson, secretary and maliager of the Fruit Growers' Association of Sparta, is the seventh of a family of nine children. tiv(^ sons and four daughters - six of w^hom are now living - born to E. B. and Sylvia (Sweat) Richardson, natives of Vermont and Ohio respectively. During the year of 1852 they came to Wisconsin and settled on a farm in Burns township. La Crosse county, and there reared their family and passed their lives. They were thrifty, progressive people and ranked among the leading pioneers of that community. Both are now deceased.

Mr. Richardson was born in Burns township, La Crosse county, on December 20, 1858. and, being reared on a farm, his experience was the same as that of most boys, receiving his education in the district schools and helping with the farm work, where he spent his early days. In 1879 he went to Colorado and lived at Leadville, in that state, during the great strike ; from there he moved to New Mexico, where he remained for a time, his entire western trip covering a period of five years, then returned to Wisconsin and again took up the farming business in La Crosse county, fol- lowing it for three years, wheuce he removed to Sparta in 1889 and engaged in the sale of small fruits, which he still continues, and is now considered one of Sparta's most progressive and substantial citizens.

Mr. Richardson was one of the promoters of the Sparta Fruit Growers' Association (incorporated), which was organized in ]\Iay, 1896, with I. S. Fisher president, W. II. Ilauchett vice president, T. M. Bowler secretary and C. G. Hettman treasurer. The association now has a membership of 300 and is instrumental in promoting the interests of the farmers and fruit growers of IMonroe county. The extensive business of the organization is operated from their large jobbing house at Sparta under the general management of Mr. Richardson, and gives a ready market for everything in the line of farmers' produce, which includes nearly all the products of the count}' which are handled even in carload lots from various localities.

Besides his exceptional business (lualifications. i\Ir. Richardson is a man of fine social qualities, kind-hearted and genial, and popular in the circles in which he moves. He is domestic in his tastes and craves no greater delight than he finds in his home and family. He is identified with numerous fraternal and social organizations, being a member and Past Master of Valley Lodge, No. 60. .Free and Accepted JMasons, a member of the Knights of Pj'thias and the Fraternal Union. For four years he has been a member of the city council and was two years president of that body.

On November II, 1886, Mr. Richardson was united in marriage with Miss Elmina Gilfillan, daughter of Stephen Gilfillan, one of the influential citizens of Burns township in La Crosse county. Their children are Pearl E. and Sylvia I. Richardson.

William Richgruber. Among the wideawake and progressive farmers of Pleasant Valley is he whose name heads this biography. Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, November 3, 1853. to George and Mary (Halebery) Richgruber, he attended the common schools in his native town, and in 1879 came to America, first locating in Chicago, 111., where he was employed as a stationary engineer in a glue factory. He remained there for some time, then came to Monroe county and purchased 200 acres of land in Pleasant Valley, four and one half miles from the village of Leon, where he has since remained successfully engaged in general farming. His place is under a good state of cultivation and improved with substantial buildings. lie employs modern methods in his farmin" operations, and from his twenty head of milch cows does a profit-

He was married January 3, 1881, to Miss Matilda Sorensen and they have an interesting family of seven children, viz. : Albert, born October 7, 1882 ; William, born October 17, 1883 ; Agnes, born February 2, 1886 ; Mathida, born September 23, 1888 ; Anna, born October 5, 1892 ; Martin, born December 19, 1895, and Mabel, born March 1, 1898.

George H. Robertson, ex-county superintendent of schools, is a native son of Monroe county, and was born August 11, 1868, son of Methven and Euphema (Cassels) Robertson, pioneers of Monroe county. The father was born in Fifeshire, Scotland, March 24, 1823, a son of John and Christina (Methven) Robertson, and came to America in 1842, settling in Massachusetts, where he was joined by his father and family in 1845. In 1857 they came to Wisconsin and located on a farm of 240 acres of land in sections twenty-six and twenty-seven, town of Tomah, which the father purchased from John Hinemau, and the following year bought eighty acres from Samuel McClure in section twenty-seven. They erected a log cabin, twenty-four by sixteen feet, and in this made their home until 1871, when Mr. Robertson, father of our subject, built a residence twenty-two by twenty-eight feet, with a Aving twenty-four by twenty-eight feet, and later an addition sixteen by twenty-four feet and twelve by twenty-four feet. His father, grandfather of our subject, was a weaver by trade, which he followed until coming to Wisconsin, and was then engaged in farming until his death in the spring of 1880, at the age of eightyfive years.

Methven Robertson received a limited education and was employed in the woolen mills until coming to his farm in Wisconsin. He owned 200 acres of well improved land, well stocked with Jersey cattle, horses and hogs. September 1, 1864, he enlisted in the Civil War in Company K, Forty-third Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the battles of Johnsonville and Nashville, and was discharged June 24, 1865.

He was married, in 1846, to Euphema Cassels, who was born in Scotland in 1828 and died in the spring of 1880. They had fourteen children, five of whom survive : Methven, David, George, Robert and Mary. The father died in 1899.

George received his preliminary education in the district school and the Tomah high school, graduating from the latter in the class of 1895. Before attending high school, he taught school six winters. After finishing high school he became principal of the

(Jleiulale selioul one year and of the Kendall school two years. In Xoveiiihci-. I!)(l2. he was elected county superintendent, serving until ItiOT. In 18!)!>. in connection with his brother-in-law, David S. Moore, lie built the (JbMidale Hour aiul feed mill, which was operated under tlie firm iwiiiie of Rol)ertson & ]\Ioore; Mr. Robertson, later ])uicli;isini; the interest of Mr. ^loore, carried on the business uiuler the name of George II. Robertson Company, under whose management the business prospered. .Mr. Robertson has recently sold the milling business to A. -I. ("lark, but remains as its manager. ^Ir. Robertson was manager six years, manager and treasurer two years and managei- and secretary one year of the (llendale Co-operative Creamery Association. In 1912 he was elected clerk of the town of Glendale, and is also clerk of the Glendale graded school.

In fraternal matters lie is a member of the I. 0. G. T. and the Knights of Pythias Lodge. Of the latter he is a past chancellor. He was married August 11. 1896. at Glendale, to Miss Sadie A. Moore, youngest daughter of David and Mary ^loore. natives of Connecticut and Vermont. Mrs. Robertson is a highly educated and cultured lady, and a former teacher. One daughter has been born to this union. Laverne. born August 17, 1897, is now the second year in hiiili school at Kendall.

Richard H. Rogers, who for nearly thirty years was a jirominent and successful citizen of ]\Ionroe county, was born iu Saratoga county. Xi'w York. October 13, 1809. His father, Jeremiah Rogers, was a native of Xew York state, and at tlie age of sixteen years enlisted as a soldier in the AVar of the Revolution, serving until the end of that struggle. The mother of Richard II.. whose maiden name was Phoebe Hart, was also a native of Xew York state. AVhen our subject was but seven years of age. lie removed with his parents to Seneca county, that state, where they remained some twelve years, thence moved to Huron county. Ohio. Avhere they spent the balance of their lives; the father died at the age of sixty years, and the mother at the age of sixty-five years. Jeremiah Rogers was a shoemaker by trade, and in politics was a staunch supporter of the Jacksonian principles.

Richard IT. Rogers, following in the footsteps of his father, learned the shoemaker's trade, which vocation he followed until he was twenty-three years of age, whence he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, and made a specialty of breeding fine sheep. He was successful, and became widely known as an authority upon all subjects pertaining to the breeding and care of sheep. In 1869 he sold his farm in Erie county. Ohio, and cninc West to Wisconsin and settled in lAlonroe eouuty. He ])iii'- ehased fi-oiu S. Holbrook a 1i-ac1 of seventy-five acres of land of as fertile soil as lies wiliiin the coujity. lie raised some (ine speeiinens of registered stock, including sheep and cattle; fi-oui one ewe, Aveighing sixty-five |)ounds, he sheared twenty-fonr and a half pounds of wool, a record rarely equaled, and almost never excelled; his cattle were of high grade and full blooded. Tinbuildings on the place are neat and substantial, arranged for comfort and convenience.

At the age of twenty-three years, Mr. Rogers married, in Krie county, Ohio, IVIiss Lucy Tucker, a daughter of II. Tucker. By this marriage two children were born: Richard H. and Lucy In 1860 Mr. Rogers was united in marriage with Rebecca Smith, daughter of P^lisha and Julia Ann (Ashton) Smith, of Guernsey county. Ohio, and who came to Wisconsin and settled six miles south of Viroqua, in Vernon county, where the father engaged in shoemaking and farming. He was born on February 27, 1811, and died February 4, 1879. Julia Ann Smith, daughter of William and Mary Ashton, was born December 11, 1817, and died in Vernon county in 1887. They had two sons who participated in the Civil War: William S., of the Third W^isconsin Cavalry, and Harrison, of the Eighteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry.

Mr. Rogers died January 17, 1895, at the age of eighty-five years, and left, besides his widow, two sons: V. Grant and John Murray. On January 16, 190-1, Mrs. Rogers married George Bradley, and for more than fifty years has lived in her present home on section ten, in Sparta township.

Ernst Rogge, a lifelong resident of Monroe county, was born in the town of Oakdale, January 16, 1867, the son of Henry and Johanna (Resler) Rogge, natives of Germany and Austria, respectively. The father came to America in 1856, and first located at Milwaukee, Was., where he was emiJoyed as a laborer for a time, and later moved to Columbus. When the Civil War broke out he (^ilisted in Company D, Sixteenth Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteers, on October 7, 1861, and was transferred to Company E, same regiment. November 1, 1862, and ^^^stered out of service July 12, 18(i5. having served his country for three years, nine months and five days. Among the battles in whicli he participated were the battles of Shiloh, Corinth and Atlanta. He was a brave and gallant soldier, and was twice wounded, once severely while in the front ranks at Atlanta, Ga. After his discharge he returned to Colundius, where he was married the following year, and moved to Oakdale townshii). Here he pur- chased ninety acres of land, to wliieh he added from time to time until he acquired about 220 acres. He was one of the early settlers of the toAvnship, and there made his home until 1903, then moved to Tomali and passed the remaiuder of liis life; he died on May 18, 1911, at the age of seventy-five years, eleven montlis and twenty-nine days. The mother still (1912) survives at the age of sixty-seven years. They reared a family of twelve children, eight of whom - three sons and five daughters - are living. He was a thrifty and progressive farmer and lived to enjoy the fruits of many years of toil and hardships in converting a tract of wilderness into the beantiful home he left.

Krnst attended the district scliools until he was sixteen years old. and remained at home assisting in the management <»f tlie farm until he was twenty-seven. In 1894 lie was married, in the town of Tomah, to Miss Amelia Pingel, daughter of Joseph and Mrs. Pingel. ]\Irs. Rogge passed away the same year of her marriage, and in 1898 ]\lr. Rogge again married, this time to ]\Irs. Anna Ott, daughter of John and Mrs. Hintz, of Oakdale. They have three children, A'iz. : Irene, Emma and Ernest. Mrs. Rogge is one of a family of five children, four girls and one boy. Iler parents came from Germany to AYankesha county in 1853, and moved to Monroe county in 1858.

In 189-1 ]\Ir. Rogge purchased a farm of 160 acres in section twenty, Wilton township, which has since been his home. He made many improvements, built a substantial barn in 1900, and a modern residence the following year, and the highly cultivated state of his land makes his farm one of the most fertile and productive in the Slaten Creek valley. Two excellent wells operated by a wind engine supply his residence and barn with pure water, and in addition to general farming he makes a specialty of dairying. He is independent in his political opinions and takes a keen interest in the affairs of his township. He served two years as town treasurer, was chairman of the town board for three years, and in February, 1912. was elected ])resident of the Farmers' Creamery Association. Himself and family are members of the Lutheran church.

William F. Rogge, of Oakdale township, is a son of Henry and Johanna (Resler) Rogge, and was born in Monroe county. AVisconsin, on August 4, 1879. He obtained a good education in the district schools, attending until he was eighteen years of age. and lived at home until he was twenty-three. On June 3. 1903, he was married to Miss Henrietta Giesler, daughter of Robert and ]\Iatilda Giesler. ]\Ir. and ]\Irs. Rogge have had four chil- dreii, three of whom are now (1912) living, viz.: Agnes May, boru November 1, 1904; Glacia Matilda, born February 20, 1908, and Norma Louretta, born July 6, 1910.

After their marriage, Mr. Rogge purchased a farm of 260 acres in sections nineteen and twenty in the town of Oakdale, which he has since continued to improve and beautify until it is one of the ideal country homes in IMonroe county. The soil is highly productive and the water supply comes from natural springs in the hillside. They have a comfortable residence and commodious outbuildings, and in connection with his general farming he carries on a profitable dairy business, and the place is well stocked with the best breed of cattle, horses, hogs, etc. He is thoroughly up to date with his farming methods and is a man of good .judgment in other lines of business. He was one of the organizers of the Oakdale Creamery Association, is independent in politics, and uses his own best judgment when he votes. He is interested in the atfairs of his town and county and favors all movements for their further development.

William Rondorf resides on the old homestead farm in Jefferson township, where he was born November 18, 1866, the son of Hilarius and Anna Maria (Schell) Rondorf, both natives of Germany. The father w^as born in Bergheim, a village in the district of Siegburg, Germany, December 23, 1828, and was the first one of that name to emigrate to America. The mother was born July 2S, 1830; they were married May 18, 1851, in Bergheim, Germany, and lived with his father until he died in 1854. On April 27, 1854, they left Antwerp on the sailing vessel "Leopold I," bound for New York. On their arrival here they came to Dane county, "Wisconsin, where they became homeless and moneyless. Meeting a felloy countryman who sympathized with them, they were offered the hospitality of his home on the farm, where the father labored in the field and the mother in the house. Here they made their home until they had earned and saved sufficient means with which to purchase a small farm of eighty acres in Jefferson township, Monroe county, the farm being purchased June 1, 1860. They started from Dane county wdth an ox team, and after two days and nights on the road they reached their future home in the then new country. They built a small house, which has since been enlarged and improved. On February 19, 1865, he enlisted in Company K, Forty-sixth Regiment, AYisconsin Volunteers ; the regiment was then stationed at Athens, Ala. At the early close of the war, he was discharged September 27, 1865, returning hom.e October 12, the same year. Mr. Rondorf luul received ii liberal ('(lucatioii in liis native eountry. was a liberal reader, and was posted on all eiureiit events of the day. He was ecoiioniieal and thrifty, honorable and upright in all liis dealings, of a genial social disposition, and made many warm friends. He was interested in all 1ownslii|> matters, and held many minor offices. He was assessor, clerk and treasurer of his town several years, and a member of the ]\Iasonic lodge, and in politics a Democrat. He reared a family of six children, all of whom aic n<iw living (]912). He had one daughter and five sons, viz.: Elizabeth, born June Ki. 1852. in Hergheim. (lermany, now lives at Si. Joseph. La Crosse count \. Wis.; .|ose|)h. born August 16. 1855, in Roxbury, Dane couiit\". Wis., i-esides neai- Xeillsville, AVis.. Avhere he is engaged in farming; Henr\. horn October 26. 1858, in Perry, Dane county. Wis., is engaged in farming near St. Hilaire. Minn.; Hilarius, born Februai-y 2'i. 1S62. in the town of Jeflfersoii. this state, is engaged in tlie laundry business at Staples. ]\linn.: William, born November 18. 1861). in the town of Jetferson ; .Mathias, born ]May 4, 1870. in the town of Jel¥er.son, resides near Neillsville, engaged in farming. He lived to the age of sixty-two years, and died -laiinaiy 10. 1891. The death of the mother occurred :March 22. 1890.

AVilliam received his education in the connnon schools, which he attended until his eighteenth year, and lived with his father until he died. He was married October 23, 1891, at St. Clary's church, to ]Miss Elizabeth Schmitz. ]Mr. Rondorf is one of the progressive and up-to-date farnuM-s of his town, and keeps his farm of 200 acres in section sixteen well supplied with good horses, cattle and hogs. He is successful in his operations, is a Progressive Republican in politics, and he and bis wife are members of the Catholic elnireh.

Ephraim G. Root, who. aftei- a i-esidence in ^Monroe cou)ity of fifty-five years, died on January 12. 1912. was boi-n in the state of New York in 1834. He came to Wisconsin, locating in IMonroe county in 1857, and Avas anu)ng the earliest settlers; he has lived here almost continuously since that time. During the gold excitement in 1859, he was one of a jiarty from this vicinity to make the trip to Pike's Peak, and subsequently returning to ]\ronroe county, lie was married to ^Miss Ann Parkei-. daughter of -fohn and -ludith i Hicks) Parker, and immediately settled on the farm in Pleasant Valley, Greenfield township, where they resided until his death. He is survived by his wife and two adopted children. William H. Root and ^Irs. Ella Hatch, all of whom reside at Tomah. and one sistei' wlio lives in Towa. two brothers in California. AVlien Mr. Hoot came to Greenfield tovvnshi]). the country was in a wild state, with few settlers, and the privations and hardships experienced were many; bnt, like inosl of the hardy pioneers, he overcame all obstacles and prospered in Ihe end. AVhen he first located on his farm, he lived in a tctit uiilil his buildings could be erected; he cleared eighty acres, where he spent the rest of his life engaged in farming. He stood high in the esteem of his neighbors, was energetic and progressive, a kind neighbor and good citizen, interested in the affairs of his community, and was a man of genuine worth.

William H. Root, the adopted son of Ephraim G. Root, was born in the Adirondack mountains, in Warren county, New York, on October 3. 1864, and Gen. Ethan Allen was his greatgreat-uncle. He was adopted at the age of two years. lie remained on the home farm in Greenfield township until 1892, when he removed to Tomali and engaged in tlie mm-cantile luisiness, and since 1901 has been employed in the rural mail service. During the war with Spain, Mr. Root served in Company K, Third Regiment, AVisconsin Volunteers, until the close of the war, having been with his regiment in Porto Rico. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the AVoodmen of the AVorld, and the Mystic Workers of the World.

On November 3, 1885, ]\Ir. Root was married to Miss Dora A^andervort, daughter of J. B. and Anna (Mclntyre) Vandervort, of Tomah. They were natives of New York state, and on coming to Wisconsin first located at Oconomowoc, but later moved to La Grange township, ]\lonroe county. To Air. and Airs. Root have been born four children, viz. : Helen married D. R. Richmond, of Grundy Center, Iowa, and Vivian, who lives at home. Those deceased are Elsia and Janet E.

John T. Scantleton, general merchant of Cataract, Alonroe county, is a native of the Empire state, and was born at Brooklyn, N. Y., January 22, 1855. He is a son of James and Bedelia (Thomas) Scantleton, natives of Ireland. They came to New York before marriage, and when the subject of this sketch was but one year old they removed to Chicago, where they remained until they came to Alonroe county, in the early fifties, and the father engaged in the milling Imsiness at Sparta, where he eonducted the AlcClure mill. It was in 1874 that lie located in Cataract, and in company with John Aloffat continutMl in the milling business until their plant was destroyed b.y fire. At that time our subject, in company with his father, purchased Air. Aloffat 's interest in the business, and together they reconstrueted the plant and successfully continued the business until their buildings were again destroyed by fire in lOll. Mr. Scantleton, father of our subject, (li('(l ill ^hiicli. 1!)10, at the age of seventy-five years, and his widow, motlier of J\Ir. John Scantleton, passed away in May, 1911, at the age of seven-seven years.

John Scantleton, our subject, is the eldest of a family of five cliildren, two of whom are now living, the subject and one sister, Theressa, wife of John H. Levis, of Black River P^'alls, AYis. Mr. Scantleton received his education in the schools of Sparta, and early found employment in the mill with his father and continued at that occupation for two years after coming to Cataract. In 3877 lie ])urchased the general store he now conducts, from J. H. Rathl)un, which he successfully carried on until 3888, when he sold the business to Frank INIartin and moved to ]\Iillston, "Wis., where for eighteen months he Avas engaged in the same line of business. Returning to Cataract at the end of tluit time, he purchased liis former business, and has since continued in general merchandising.

In 3875 ]\Ir. Scantleton was united in marriage with ]\Iiss Emma Martin, daughter of John and Anna Martin, early settlers in Lafayette township. Two children were born to this union: Gracie, deceased, and one who died in infancy. Mrs. Scantleton died in 1884, and in 1885 he was married to Miss Susie ]\Iartin, sister of his first wife. They had one son, John M., now a student at the Chicago Medical College. Mr. Scantleton has been actively identified Avitli his township, and for several years served as treasurer, and during the Cleveland administration was postmaster at Cataract. He is a lover of sports and fine horses.

Joseph Schaitel, who resides on his farm in section twenty, Wells township, is the son of Michael and Antimia (Webber) Schaitel, and was ])orn in the town of AYells, IMonroe county. Wis., March 27, 38()4. His parents emigrated to America from Germany in 1851, and upon arriving in this country Avent to Indiana, where they lived one year, then moved to ]\Ionroe county, where the father homesteaded and purchased 400 acres of land in AYells township. He moved to !I\Ionroe county with a yoke of oxen, and was six months on his journey. Here he established the family home and reared a family of eleven children, our subject being the fifth in ord(M" of birth. He was a successful general farmer and always kept the farm well stocked with good horses and sheep. He was well thought of in his community, and took an active interest in the aflfairs of his town. He Avas supervisor of liis town and for two years Avas school clerk. He lived to the age of sixty-two years, and died in 1898. His widow, mother of onr subject, survives at the age of seventy-six years.

Joseph Sehaitel was reared on the farm and attended the district school. At the age of twenty-five years, he left the home farm and for six years was engaged in the saloon business at Melvina. At the expiration of that time, he returned to the farm and purchased 260 acres of the old homestead, where he now lives in a comfortable home. Since purchasing the place, he has added a new barn, 30x50 feet, and substantial outbuildings, including a silo, erected in 1911. He now wants to go into registered stock, his choice being Holsteiu cattle ; he has a fine herd started now. He also wishes to raise Percheron horses. He has a fine drove of sheep and fine hogs.

On May 6, 1895, he was married to Miss Tenna Leibel, daughter of Wenszel and Frances Leibel. Seven children have been born to Mr. and ]\Irs. Sehaitel, six of whom are now (1912) living, viz. : Paul, Johnnie, Robert, Joseph, Francis and Carlton. INIr. Sehaitel is numbered among the successful and prosperous farmers of his town, and is a public-spirited and influential citizen. He and his wife are members of the Catholic church.

Mr. and Mrs. Leibel, parents of ]Vlrs. Sehaitel, emigrated to America from Germany, and after arriving in this country located at Norwalk, and after about one year Mr. Leibel was employed at Tunnel No. 3, and continued at this work until he injured his eyesight, after which he moved to the town of Jefferson, where he established the family homestead, and purchased 160 acres of land and reared a family of nine children, as follows : Mrs. Anna Bridenbach, of Eagle, AVis. ; Rudolph, of La Crosse, Wis. ; John, on the homestead farm; Mrs. Mary V. Ruden, at Cashton; IMrs. Sehaitel ; Mrs. Frances Hornung, of Baraboo, AYis.. and Katherine Leibel, of Seattle, Wash., and tAvo deceased. The father was a successful and hard-working farmer. He lived to the age of fifty-eight and died May 12, 1887. His widow, mother of ]\lrs. Sehaitel, survives at the age of seventy-seven, ;ind since 1901 lins been an invalid.

Paul Schaller, of the firm of Gross & SehalbM-, prominent drug firm of Sparta, is a son of Henry and Mary (Gahler) Schaller, born on June 17, 1867. His parents emigrated to this country from Germany when they Avere both about seven years of age, with their parents, and both families settled in Dodge county, W^isconsin. Mr. Schaller, father of Paul, came to Sparta in the early fifties, and was one of tlie pioneers of that section, and

Paul Schaller is the youngest child of a family of five children. The others are: Nina, wife of Dr. W. T. Sarles, of Sparta; Mary, wife of J. IT. Fernevhough. of Sioux Falls, S. D. : Henry F. AV.. of AVatertown, S. D.. and AVendell, deceased.

.Mr. Schaller received his education in the public schools and the Chicago College of Pharmacy, graduating fi-om tiie latter with the class of 1891, receiving a thorough course of six years, and began his business career as clerk for Crane & McClure, at Sparta, wliich position lie held for six years, and then engaged with T. IT. Spencer, of La Crosse, for a time. ITe then went to Madison and spent one year, and in is!),') came to Sparta and purchased the interest of AV. P. Palmer in the drug business with I\Ir. Gross, since which time the firm has lieen Gross & Schaller.

P. W. Schmitz,* a native of IMonroe connty, was born on the old homestead April 10. 1877. the son of William and Sophia (]\Iickels) Schmit/.. The father was l)orn in Germany, August 12. 1841, and came to America with his parents in 1S.")8. His father. Henrj^ Schmitz, grandfather of our subject, located in the town of AA'ells. in Alonroe county, and purchased a farm of 160 acres in sections eighteen, seven and eight, where he resided until his death. AVilliam Schmitz, father of P. AV., was the oldest child of a family of ten children, nine of whom are now living. ITe was twice married and by his first Avife, Katherine ^lickels. had two cliildren. By his second wife, Sophia ATickels, he had ten children, tiic subject of this sketch being the fifth child in order of birth. The father was a highly respected citizen and prominent in his community. ITe was chairman of the town l)oard. assessor for four years, supervisor and for several years a director on the school board. He was a successful farmer and owned at the time of his death, which occurred in 190"). 288 acres of land in AA'ells township. His widow. Sophia ^lickels. Avho was born Juiu» 27. 1847. is now living with her son in Alonroe county.

P. AV. had the advantages of a limited schooling, attending the district school until his twelfth yeai-. He remained on the home I'ariii. assisting in tilling the soil, nntil October 22. lilOl. when he married ]Miss Agnes Schmitz, a daughter of Peter Schmitz. of St. Joseph's Ridge, and a native of (iermany. Her fathei- died in 1883. and tlie motlier survives at the age of sixtysix vears. .\ftei' his marriage oni' subject started nut for himself and is now known as a successful farmer and one of the progressive citizens of the town of Wells. To >Mr. and ]Mrs. Schniit/ have been born four children, viz.: Elizabeth, born December 6, 1902; Frank, born IMarch 10, 1904; Sophia, born March 4, 1905, and Geniveva, liorn October 31, 1909.

August Schlaver,* who departed this life Tuesday, December 5, 1911. and who had prepared to enjoy a long life of continued usefulness, was attacked by a fatal malady and, although he made a good fight and was determined to the last that he would overcome its remorseless attacks, the final call came just as he was making plans to go to Colorado for the winter, in the hope that the climate might aid him in his fight for life. He was born in the province of Posen, Germany, December 3, 1863, and came to the United States with his parents in 1870. The family settled on the farm now owned by Otto Schlaver, and there August grew to manhood. He attended the Hogue district school and remained on the home farm until his marriage, when he located in Burns township, La Crosse county, on a rented farm, which he conducted for five years, when he purchased 160 acres in Sparta township, to which he later added 100 acres. The improvements at that time were unsuited for a man with the progressive disposition of Mr. Schlaver, and under his careful management he had erected all the buildings now on the farm, consisting of a commodious dwelling, large and substantial barn, silo and other outbuildings. He was never satisfied unless working to improve the farm. He w^as a high-minded, public-spirited gentleman, kind and generous and ever mindful of the comforts of his family. He was alive to the interests of the community and active in public matters. He was interested in the Kockland Creamery, of w4iich he was at one time manager. The roads of the town of Sparta, together with the inspiration and example they created and set for Monroe county and vicinity, will stand as a sturdy lasting monument to him who was the moving spirit in their construction. He was a pioneer in this movement for good roads, and the vitality and effort, the time and money he put into this work, cannot be estimated. As chairman of his town, an office he held for five years, to the time of his demise, being a member of the side board for years prior to that time, his work was very ef^cient and noteworthy, but it is particularly by his road improvements that he will be remembered.

Mr. Schlaver was united in marriage April 17. 1887. with Miss Augusta Richert, daughter of Frederich and Louisa (May) Richert, of Sparta. They were born near Berlin. Prussia, and came to America wIumi Mrs. Schlaver was but three years of age. In 1868 they settled in Spfirln. where the fatlier for ;i time was employed in the pnpei- mills of O. I. Ncwioii Sons ("omp.iiiy. and where he rcnui iiii'd iiiilil ;i sliorl time hci'ore his death, when he Weill 1(1 li\(' willi .Mi's. Selda\'ei'. where he died. Mrs. Schlaver's mother is also deceased, both he and she liviii'.;- to the a»;e of seventy rour \ears. .Mrs. Setila\er is the niiitli child of a family of ten children. Those besides .Mi's. Selila\er who are now liviiiL!' are: Louisa, the wife of lli'i'iiian ^'ankee. .Mary. Fred. Auj^ust and William. Those deceased are: .Minnie, ('arl. Cai-rie. and one A\lio died in infancy. To ^li-. and Mi's. Scddaver were horn Hve chiidi-eii: Klla. a graduate of the Sparta hiuii school, has l)eeu eiijiaii'ed in teachitm' foi- the past six years: Laura and Theodore, Avho I'eside at home, and Lillian and .\r1lnir, who are deceased.

Otto Schlaver," one of the eiiter|)risinu' farmers of Sparta township, is a native of (Jei'maii\' and was horn Maivdi 28, 1870, son of Auiiiist and Henrietta (Leek) Schlaver. When Otto was hut a few weeks old his jiareiits. in the sjirin.u' of 1870, came to the United States. Upon tlieir ari-ival in this country they came to Wisconsin and settled in ^lonroe county on the farm in section nineteen, Sparta townshij), where our subject now resides. He was a man of iicnial temi)eraiiieiit. kind hearted and lil)ei-<d. and was held in hi^h esteem by his many friends. He died April 5, 1902. at the a,ee of sixty-nine years. ]\lrs. Schlaver. mother of Otto, still survives and enjoys liood health at the age of seventysix xcars. .lohii Schlaver. patei-iial uraiidfather of oui- subject, came fi-om «;eriiian.\- to the United States and settled in Sjiarta township ;ibout isri2. on a lar^e tract of i^ovcrnment land, owninji: ;it one time what now comi)rises the farms (d' (ttto Schlaver, Leonai-d Ilei-bst aiul Mrs. August Schlaver. -Jr.. and here made his home until ids decease. His wife, ui-aiulniother of (^tto. lived to the ri|)e aiiv of nim^y-two \-ears. ('harles Sclila\-er. half brother (d' .ViiLiiist S(dila\('r. Sr.. is still a resident of Sparta township. There were live children in tlie family of .Viiuust Schlaver. Sr.. three dautlhters and two sons: .Viiuiist. who is now deceased: Otto: .\ii>:usta. the wife (d' -lohn Ilui)pler. of S]>;ir1;> : Hiiima. wife ot H'red Sunday, of Leon townshi]). and I'ertlia is the wife of Con Koehler. of Krskine. Minn.

On February 17, ]W:\. Mi-. Otto Schlaver married Miss Elizabeth Khyme. ilaughtir of .\ugust Ixhyme. of Hurr Oak. La Crosse roniity: the\- have three childi-en. Fdiia Iv. Clarence O. and Lester \. The |»areiits (d' .Mrs. Scddaver were aiiioiii; the pioneer settlers of La Crosse count w and in these early days there were no means

(tf travel except by tlie overlaiul route, and the Hliyuie ramily niaile their way to La Crosse county l)y ox team. Since Mr. Schlaver became owner df his ])resent farm lie has made many imjirovements, remodeled his outbuildings, added an ui)-to-date windmill improved his daii'y stables by adding new stanchions and cow stalls. In lilOT he built a modern residence. e(piipi)ed with up-to-date appliances, and during the year 1912 a cement silo was erected. !Mr. Schlaver is thoroughly progressive in his farming methods, public-spirited, and takes a lively interest in public atfairs. A Democrat in political view, a member of the school board, and the Lutheran church, and from 11)00 to 1906 was a member of Company L. Wisconsin National Guard.

Henry F. Schroeder, county surveyor of ]Monroe county, Wisconsin, ranks among the younger class of enterprising, energetic and progressive business men of the county. He was born in Iroquois county. Illinois, January 1, 1873, the son of Albert and j\Iary (Bakker) Schroeder. natives of Germany and Holland respectively. The parents came to the United States in 1861 and settled in Cleveland, Ohio, where the father was employed for three years in the Austin gunpowder mill ; they afterwards moved to oMonroe county, and in 1867 settled on a farm in section eighteen, Oakdale township, which the father homesteaded. and where h(^ lived until his fathci-'s death, which occurred in 1880. His father Avas the father of fcuir boys and one daughter - Albert, Robert and a sister being the only survivors.

Henry F. Schroeder received his preliminary education in the common schools, which was supplemented by a course of study at the Dixon. 111.. Normal School. After completing his course in engineering and surveying, he returned to JMonroe county, and in 1896 became deputy surveyor of the county, which position he held for six years. In 1910 he was elected county surveyor, with headcpiarters at Tomah. He takes a commendable interest in the affairs of his community, and, besides being thorough in the arts of his profession, he is the owner of a good farm live miles southwest of Tomah.

Robert F. Schroeder, the popular and well known coal dealer of Tomah. Wis., is the youngest child of a family of seven children, three of whom are now (1912) living. The others are Emily and Albert. Eobert F. was born in Germany, April 10, 1854, and came with his parents to Ottawa, Canada, where they resided for about three years, and then moved to Cuyahoga county, Ohio, with a family of four sons. On account of failing health of the father, it was necessary for the boys to assist in supporting tln^ family and they all secured ciiipNtyiKciit with the Austin Powder Company at Cleveland. Here they remained for some four years and then moved to Wisconsin, settling; on a farm in the town of Oakdale. Avliich the fatlicr homesteaded and with tlie aid of his sons soon subdued and made into a iikhIcI farm. Here the parents passed the remainder of their lives, the death of the father occurring in 1879 and that of the mother in VJOi. They were thrifty, energetic people and prominent in their community. He was considered one of jMonroe county's substantial citizens, and while engaged in farming paid a great deal of attention to the raising of sheep, at which he was successful. He was a devoted member of the Lutheran church and contributed liberally of his means to its support.

Robert F. received a limited education in the common schools of Ohio, and at the age of eighteen started to learn the blacksmith's trade, and after coming to Tomali was apprenticed to David Jones for three years. Mastering the trade in all its l)ranches, he was employed by others on a salary for a short time, and then engaged in business on his own account. By close application and by honorable and fair dealing, he soon acquired the reputation of turning <»u1 the best work of any blacksmith in that locality. He gained a large patronage and successfully carried on this line of business until 1906, when he embarked in the coal and wood trade, in which he has been equally successful; he handles all kinds of hard and soft coal and his business has steadily increased until his sales amount to something more than sixty cars , per year.

Fraternally ^Ir. Sehroeder is an active member of the Masonic order and has filled all the chairs in the Blue Lodge and Chapter. He is also a member of the ]\Iodevn Woodmen of America. Politically he formerly was an adherent to the principles of the Democratic party, but now is independent in thought and action. He has always taken an active interest in all matters pertaining to his city and county and has filled numerous public offices. He served as alderman for five terms and was mayor of the city of Tomah for two terms.

On January 19, 1877. .Mr. Sehroedei- was united in marriage to Miss Hulda W. Ziebell. of Watertown, Wis. Of three children born to Mr. and ]\Irs. Sehroeder, two - Osar R. and Grace M. - are living.

Charles H. Schulte was ])oiii in tb.e town of AVells, Monroe county, January 16, 1872, and is a son of Anton and Elizabeth (Stute) Schulte, both of whom are natives of Germany. The father eaiue to Auierica in 1850, and the mother, accompanied l)y her parents and one brother, came in 1854. Upon arriving in this country, they located and remained for a time in Waukesha county, AA^isconsin, where the father of our sul)ject had purchased fifty-one acres of land, and where he resided for fourteen years. The family after^vards moved to Monroe county and for five years resided in the town of Ridgeville, whence they moved to Wells township, where the father purchased 240 acres of land in sections one, two and eleven, and here they have since resided. Both the father and mother were born in 1831, and are now retired from active labor and make their home with our subject, Charles H. The paternal grandfather died in 1874 and the grandmother in 1876. The parents have been residents of Monroe county for many years, and during this time they have been considered among the most progressive and influential citizens of the township. Mr. Schulte is a Democrat in politics and has always taken an active interest in matters pertaining to his town and county. W^hen the Civil War broke out, he enlisted in Company A, Seventeenth Wisconsin Infantry, in 1861, and after serving ten months, was honorably discharged on account of disability, returned home and resumed his farming operations.

Charles H. is one of a family of nine children, four of whom are noAV (1912) living. He acquired his education in the district schools, attending until he was fourteen years old, and has always lived on the home farm, which he now owns, and carries on general farming and dairying. He uses the most up-to-date methods in his operations and is one of the wide-awake and progressive men in his township. Although formerly a staunch Democrat in political views, he is now independent and supports whatever appeals to his best .iudgment in matters of public importance. He occupies a prominent place in the affairs of his town and county, and for five years has been chairman of the town board and supervisor for two years ; he has been a director of the German Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Norwalk for many years, and was one of the organizers of the Norwalk Telephone Company, of Norwalk, which was incorporated on June 11, 1907, and is now its secretary.

He was married on May 28, 1907, in Richland county, Wisconsin, to ]Miss Ellen Cruise, daughter of Bernard Cruise, early settlers and prominent citizens of Richland county.