Portage County, Wisconsin - The whole text, 1919 (part 11 of 15)

The success he has made in his private affairs naturally attracted the attention of his fellow citizens to his ability and has brought him a number of offices of trust. He served about five years as treasurer of Belmont Township, and for the past four years has been chairman of the board. Under his official administration all the state roads in Belmont Township and around Almond have been constructed. He is a democrat.

In 1890 Mr. Dent married Miss Ernestine Watson, of Marshfield. Her parents were Lyman and Emily (Twilliger) Watson. Her father was a head sawyer in the lumber mills and traveled extensively alt over the timber districts. He is now living in the Wisconsin Soldiers' Home, having a record as a soldier of the Civil war. Mrs. Dent's mother died about 1908.

Mr. and Mrs. Dent have two sons, Glenn and Dale. Glenn, who was born May 6, 1892, was educated in the Belmont Township schools and the Oshkosh Business College and is now a practical and progressive young farmer and stock raiser at Blaine in Belmont Township. He has about eighty acres of land and handles Guernsey cattle and is planning to specialize in this stock with only thoroughbreds. He married Elsie Rogers, of Dayton, Waupaca County, Wisconsin. Their two children are Philip and Harold. The son Dale, born November 6, 1896, was educated in the public schools and Oshkosh Business College, and married Zada Lewis, of Dayton, Waupaca County.

Frank G. Webb. A railroad man of some forty years experience, Frank G. Webb is today the oldest conductor in service with the Soo ' line, having begun with the old Wisconsin Central many years ago and prior to that was with the Milwaukee system. Mr. Webb resides at Stevens Point, and is widely known and prominent as a citizen of Portage County.

He was born in Dodge County, Wisconsin, January 28, 1858, and belongs to a family of Wisconsin pioneers, though his parents subsequently left the state to live in Michigan. He is a son of Edmond K. and Permclia (Adsit) Webb. His father was born in Jefferson County, New York, March 6, 1831, and his mother in the same county January 25, 1829. They were married at Webster, New York, December 28, 1853, and they lived to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. In 1854, soon after their marriage, they came to the wilds of Central Wisconsin, locating in Dodge County, where they entered a claim and cleared it up and began the preliminary improvement of a homestead. In 1862 Edmond K. Webb enlisted as a Union soldier in Company E of the Twenty-Ninth Wisconsin Infantry. He was in the army three years and made a good record as a defender of the flag. In 1868 he left Wisconsin and bought a farm in Jackson County, Michigan, and was identified with its management and cultivation until 1899, when he retired and moved to the village of Leona, Michigan. There he spent his last years and died in 1907. The mother passed away February 14, 191 7. Their seven children Were: William B., Frank G., Charles E., llattie B., Emma, Ella and Eva. All are still living except Charles and Hattie. The father of these children voted as a republican and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Frank G. Webb was ten years old when his parents left Wisconsin and moved to Michigan, and he grew up on their farm in that state. He attended the public schools of Jackson County and in 1878, at the age of twenty, returned to Wisconsin, locating at Milwaukee, where he took service with the Milwaukee road as brakeman. In 1889 he transferred his services to the Wisconsin Central, locating at Waukesha, and since 1897 his home and headquarters have been chiefly at Stevens Point, though for some years he lived in Milwaukee and returned permanently to Portage County in 1914. He bought his present substantial home at 817 Clark Avenue m Stevens Point in 1913. Mr. Webb has been continuously a railway conductor for thirty-seven years, and has been a member of the Order of Railway Conductors since 1883. He is also affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Independent Order of Foresters, is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and in matters of politics acts independently.

In 1881 he married May V. Noyes, of Winona, Minnesota. Two children were born to them: Eva M. and Earl, the latter dying at the age of three. Eva was educated in the public schools of Waukesha and Stevens Point, graduated from high school at Fond du Lac and subsequently took a course in bookkeeping and shorthand.

William Hazen Howe has spent his life since childhood in Portage County and owns one of the many excellent farms found in Plover Township. His business is an important contribution to the great volume of Portage County's productions as a dairy center. While he never attended a scientific school of agriculture, Mr. Howe has made a thorough study of agricultural methods and in a successful practical fashion has adapted himself to his environment and made every year's result a lesson for the next following.

His own experience and work have been the means by which he has supported himself and gained a competence and good position since early boyhood. He was born in the State of Michigan, across the lake from Milwaukee, June 17, 1870. His father is David H. Howe, whose career is reviewed on other pages of this publication. William H. Howe grew up in Wisconsin and had very little opportunity to attend school. At the age of nine he was working in the woods, and when at the age of eleven he came to Stevens Point he already possessed the ability to cut a cord of wood in a single day. Nearly all his early experiences were associated with the lumber woods. At the age of fourteen he began doing for himself, and since that time most of his work has been as a farmer. As a farm hand he worked for John Altenburg one year, also on the farm of Moses Perrean for Fred Huntley in Buena Vista Township, for Charles Echols, and after this varied experience he rented land at Keene in Buena Vista

Township. It was in 1902 that Mr. Howe was able to acquire his first land, when he bought forty acres in Plover Township. In 1906 he bought the John Gillman place of sixty acres, where he now lives. He had put up the buildings on his first land, but many of his improvements were carried away by a cyclone. On his home farm he has developed many buildings and general conveniences and facilities for the successful handling of his dairy and farm. Mr. Howe runs a dairy of twenty-five head of thoroughbred Jersey cattle. Besides his own land he rents enough to furnish employment for all his time and energies and equipment. Politically Mr. Howe is a republican but never had any aspirations for office holding.

In 1895 he married Miss Anna Altcnburg. Mrs. Howe was born in Plover Township May 16, 1877, daughter of Washington Altenburg. Her father was an early settler of Portage County but in 1849 left this county to make a trip to the California gold fields. After his return to Portage County he married Anna Edwards, and then settled in Plover Township, where he lived until his death in 1917, at the extreme age of ninety-eight years. His wife died in 1894, at the age of fifty-seven. The Altcnburg children were: Edward. Harvey, Kate and Anna.

Mr. and Mrs. Howe have had five children, Hernice. Maud, Ruth, who died at the age of seven years, Lloyd and Dorothy. The two older daughters have completed their education in the public schools.

- George W. Ameigh has put himself into important and influential relationship with Portage County in several different ways. He has been an official of Pine Grove Township at different times and is present township chairman. He has also helped raise the status of Portage County as a potato growing district, and is one of the most successful potato planters in the county, his crop helping to swell the volume of many thousands of bushels which every years are marketed through Bancroft.

Mr. Ameigh has been a resident of Portage County nearly all his life but was born in Marshall County, Indiana, in 1876, a son of Richmond J. and Sarah Ellen (Lansdrum) Ameigh. His father was a native of New York State and his mother of North Carolina. In March, 1881, the family moved from Indiana to Portage County. Wisconsin, locating at Rancroft, where the parents had their home many years, but now reside at Plainficld. Richmond J. Ameigh put in a great many years as an engineer in saw mill plants, but is now enjoying a well deserved retirement. He and his wife had seven children : George W., Leota, Lasana, Minnie May. William Harvey. Walter Edward and Harley. Harlcy is now in the American Army, with Company L of the Fifth Regiment, Wisconsin Infantry.

George W. Ameigh was educated in the common schools of Portage County, and as a youth took up farming, which he has prosecuted continuously and with growing success, as a result of experience, in Pine Grove Township for over twenty years. He has been on his present farm of eighty acres for eighteen years, and has made most of the improvements in the way of buildings and other changes and modifications that add to the value and convenience of the farm. His biggest crop for years has been potatoes and the people of Portage County look upon' Mr. Ameigh as one of the real authorities on potato culture.

Mr. Ameigh was first elected township chairman of Pine Grove in 1910 and was again elected to a similar honor in the spring of 1917. He has served as supervisor four different terms. He is a member of the Baptist Church and is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America. In the spring of 1898 Mr. Ameigh married Carrie Wilson. Mrs. Ameigh was born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, daughter of Samuel Wilson.

Charles A. Peterson during his youth and early manhood had the arduous training and experience of the lumber woods and mills of Wisconsin, but for the past thirty years has found his chief business and profit as a practical farmer in Amherst Township. He owns a fine farm, has his land well cultivated, does considerable dairying, and while official honors have not been in his line or a matter of inclination he has exercised that influence which proceeds from an industrious and prospering citizen and means something to the growth and development of the community.

Mr. Peterson, a brother of A. A. Peterson, elsewhere mentioned in this publication, was born in Norway in the fall of 1854 and was brought when an infant to America in the spring of 1856. His parents located in Amherst Township on land now owned by their son A. A. Peterson. Here Charles grew to manhood, attended some of the early schools at Nelsonville, and put his sturdy physical strength to practical use in the woods and on the rivers as a lumberman and logger. He Worked at that for several years and for four years after his marriage was employed in the saw mills and lumber factories at Merrill, Wisconsin.

In 1886 he came to the farm which is his present home. It comprises 120 acres, and its improvements are sufficient testimony to the industry and earnest work put forth by Mr. Peterson. He had to clear away the brush and woods before any of the land could be cultivated, and all the present buildings were erected under his ownership. As a dairyman Mr. Peterson handles a good grade of Guernsey cows. He is also interested in the creamery at Nelsonville and with his family worships in the Nelsonville Lutheran Church.

In 1881 Mr. Peterson married Miss Nina Waller. She was born on the old Waller farm in New Hope Township. Her father, Ole H. Waller, was a native of Norway, and settled in New Hope Township about 1862, coming here from the vicinity of Milwaukee. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have four living children: Mabel, now Mrs. John Madson, of Harrison Township. Waupaca County, and Aimer O., Edna and Irwin, all of whom still remain in the home circle.

Hai.bert J. Krogwold. An appreciable number of the agriculturists who have representative properties in Portage County and have assisted in maintaining farming standards and the prestige of their part of the state have been born on the farms which they now occupy and have spent their lives thereon. For this reason they are thoroughly familiar with conditions existing and are able to carry on their operations much more intelligently than can the newcomer. Among those who have passed their entire lives on the farms which they now occupy, one of the residents of New Hope Township who is well and favorably known is Halbert J. Krogwold, a skilled agriculturist, breeder of cattle and progressive citizen.

Mr. Krogwold was born July 4, 1867, >" New Hope Township, Portage County, and is a son of Johanas and Rhode (Berdy) Krogwold. His parents, natives of Norway, were industrious and hardworking people, but could not make much advancement in their native land, and thus it was during the early '50s that they immigrated to the United States and settled at once in New Hope Township. The father was not possessed of any capital and for the first three years was compelled to work out and rent land, but at the end of that time bought eighty acres of land from the United States Government, this being located in the woods and without improvements of any kind. After clearing the first purchase Mr. Krogwold secured forty additional acres, which he also cleared and improved, and on which he and his wife continued to pass the remainder of their lives. As has been noted, they were hard-working people, and a couple who endeavored to rear their children along paths of rectitude and to bring them up to be industrious and honorable men and women. Of their nine children, the first four, Martin, Ole, Randia and Mathia, died in infancy, while those to grow to maturity were Mathia (2), Ole (2), John, Halbert J. and Julius, the last-named of whom is deceased. The father was one of the organizers of the old New Hope Church, which he and Mrs. Krogwold attended and supported for many years.

Halbert J. Krogwold secured his education in the district school in New Hope Township and was reared to the life of a farmer on the old homestead, on which he has passed his entire life with the exception of five years when he was engaged in renting another farm in the same township. He has prospered well in his operations, to which he has applied himself industriously and intelligently, and the home acreage now totals 192, while in addition he has another farm in the same township of 224 acres. Both of these properties are under a high state of cultivation, and both are well improved and have good sets of buildings. In addition to being a skilled general farmer Mr. Krogwold has engaged in the breeding of cattle, his present herd being of the full-blooded Guernsey stock. He is a progressive and energetic man, with the business sense well developed, and is interested in the Garfield Creamery, of which he was one of the organizers, and the packing plant at Wausau. In his business transactions he has always borne the reputation of being fair and honorable and his standing in commercial circles is of the best.

Mr. Krogwold was married in 1894 to Miss Clara Louisa Loberg, who was born in New Hope Township, daughter of Xels L. Loberg, a sketch of whose career will be found in the review of Edward L. Loberg, elsewhere in this volume. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Krogwold : Joseph Russell, Norin Selmer, Lilla Regina. deceased. Inez Marion, Helge Charlotte, deceased, Lawrence Raymond and William Harry. Mr. and Mrs. Krogwold and their children arc members and regular attendants of the old New Hope Church, of which his father was one of the founders. As a citizen Mr. Krogwold has always been a supporter of public-spirited movements for the welfare of his community and its people, and while he has not been an office holder, has wielded a certain influence for good in his locality as one of its sound and intelligent residents.

individual achievements of the leading citizens of Portage county. Mr. Vevera has been a practical farmer in and around Nelsonville for thirty years and is a man whose character, whose work and whose influence are calculated to win and retain respect and esteem.

Mr. Vevera was born at Point Fortune, Canada, May 8, 1852, son of Joseph and Odile (Kournier) Vevera. Both parents were natives of Canada and of French ancestry. The father had a farm. Both are now deceased. In their family were thirteen children, and those to grow up were Athanase, Louis and Franz, twins, Belle, Zeviea, Joseph, Gleted, Julian, Odel, Thomas, Maria and Anna.

Joseph Vevera had little or no education in schools. He left home when he was fourteen years of age, and ever since that time has been earning his own way in the world. He worked at anything he could secure for several years, either on farms or in the lumber woods. With his brother Athanase he went to Green Bay, Wisconsin, and the same summer the brother died there. Joseph Vevera then worked at different places, and for sixteen years was employed by the McMillen Company, either in the lumber woods or on the company's farms at the- village of McMillen.

In 1888 Mr. Vevera came to his present location and acquired his farm of eighty acres, part of which lies in Amherst Township, while considerable ground and the home are within the village of Nelsonville. Mr. Vevera has done much to improve and make this farm productive, has put up substantial buildings, including barn and house, and is still profitably engaged in farming. On June 9, 1884, he married Miss Kegina I-oberg, daughter of Simon N. Loberg. Mrs. Vevera was bom November 23, 1855, in Dodge County. Wisconsin, and when a child removed to Waupaca County with her parents, Simon N. and Serena (Amit) Loberg. Mrs. Vevera attended the local schools of Waupaca County and after her education was employed at different places, finally at McMillen in Martin County, where she met Mr. Vevera. She is a sister of Nels S. Loberg of Forest County, of J. S. Loberg of Nelsonville.

Andrew Yokers. The agricultural industry of Wiscons : n is excellently represented in Portage County. Here are found men who consider their vocation as something more than a mere occupation, and who have elevated its standards until they have nearly reached the plane of a science. In doing so they have followed along lines that their common sense, governed by years of practical experience, have directed. This is the kind of work that has contributed towards the building up of Portage as one of the most progressive farming counties of the state, and one who has done his share in a practical way in helping things along is Andrew Yokers. All who have made anything like a study or conducted extended observations of the farms that are most efficiently and progressively managed recognize in Andrew Yokers one of the real agricultural leaders.

Mr. Yokers was born in Germany January 3, 1858, son of Andrew Yokers, who died in the old country in October, just about nine months after the birth of his son Andrew. The mother. Anna Mary Yokers, accompanied her son to the United States in 1885 and lived' with him until her death in 1907, at the advanced age of eightyone years.

to this country. On reaching Wisconsin in 1885 he bought 120 acres. This land is included in his present magnificent farm. Gradually as his means increased and his knowledge and efficiency grew he added to his possessions until his present farm comprises 455 acres besides a good farm of eighty acres which he gave to his son John in Stockton Township. The building improvements at once sets the Yokers farm off as a distinctive part of the agricultural landscape in Buena Vista Township. In 1899 he built the fine brick home that accommodates himself and family. In 1893 he put up a large barn and when it was burned in 1900 he rebuilt it in the following year. Mr. Yokers specializes somewhat as a breeder of thoroughbred Holstein cattle. His neighbors call him one of the most successful farmers of the township, and his own explanation of his success is that "money seems to like me." His sons are all industrious farmers who will no doubt give accounts of themselves in a way to confer additional credit upon the family name. Mr. Yokers is not a worshiper of hard manual toil for its own sake. He believes in doing things thoroughly and efficiently and when machinery can be employed to lighten the burden he buys such as is adapted to his plan of work. The Yokers farm has a general equipment of upto-date machinery, including a couple of engines for power to run his threshing outfit, corn husker and other mills and implements.

As might be expected, Mr. Yokers' interests are not altogether concentrated on his farm. He is serving as treasurer of the Buena Vista Telephone Company, is a director of the Arnott State Bank, and was one of the organizers of the Buena Vista Creamery. He served as treasurer of the creamery for fourteen years. In politics he is a republican and is now serving as treasurer of the school district in which he resides. He and his family are members of the Evangelical Church of Stevens Point and fraternally he is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America, and is treasurer of the Woodmen Hall Association.

In 1882 Mr. Yokers married Miss Katrina Goeppcr. Mrs. Yokers was born in Germany in 1859 and they were married in the old country and set sail for the new world about three years later. Mr. and Mrs. Yokers have a family of seven children, named Andrew, John, Edward G., Anna, William, Minnie and Herman F. The three younger children are still at home. Andrew married Anna Lutz, and their two children are Floyd and Thclma. John married Pearl Clark, and their family consists of four children, Lona, Gerald, Leona and Eaton Williams. Edward G. married Elizabeth Leary, and one child has been born to their union, Catherine. The daughter Anna is the wife of Ensign C. Newby, and they have a child, Marie.

Louis J. Seeoer. whose business at Stevens Point is insurance and investment banking, is doubtless most widely known among railway circles, and particularly for his long service with the old Wisconsin Central or the present Soo line.

Mr. Seeger when fourteen years old began earning his living as a messenger in one of the offices of the Wisconsin Central. lie regarded the telegraph operators as representing the pinnacle of achievement in his vouthful aspirations, and his desire to emulate them and his eager comprehension soon enabled him to pick up a practical knowledge of telegraphy, and in a few years he was as expert as any of the dis- patchers along the line. He was promoted to train dispatcher, an office he held for eighteen years, was then made chief dispatcher, and finally was train master of the Northern Division of the Wisconsin Central. During thirty years spent in railroad work he was stationed at different times at Stevens Point, Ashland and Minneapolis. In 191 1 Mr. Seeger left the railroad and returning to Stevens Point o|)cned an office to handle insurance and investments, and has built up a highly gratifying patronage in both lines. He is also secretary of the Retailers Association of Stevens Point and secretary of the Rotary Club. Mr. Seeger is a Knight Templar Mason, and is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

He was born at Stockridge, Wisconsin, July 27, 1868, son of William and Amelia ( Knobloch ) Seeger. His mother was a native of Cleveland, Ohio, and his father was born at Tonawanda, New York. His people were early settlers in Taylor County, Wisconsin, locating at Medford. and William Seeger for many years was in business as a butcher and proprietor of a horse sales stable. Both parents are now living at Abbotsford. Wisconsin. William Seeger made an honorable record as a Union soldier, being with the Fourth Wisconsin Cavalry, enlisting from Shelioygan. In one battle he was captured and was held a prisoner of war by the Confederates for two years.

Louis J. Seeger was the oldest of three sons. He was educated in public schools, and went direct from school to work in the railroad office, as already stated, at the age of fourteen. In 1889 he married Miss Gertie Young, of Wausau, Wisconsin. They have one child, Jean.

Fred L. Taylor. The career of Fred L. Taylor reflects practical and useful ideals, and its range of activities has included the promotion of agriculture and the best interests of the community in politics and education. Primarily a farmer, owning one of the highly developed places in Plover Township, he has also given much of his time to the duties and responsibilities of public office.

Mr. Taylor was born on the farm he now owns in Plover Township October 14. 1857. His parents were George Edwin and Clarissa (Graves) Taylor. His father was born in Cattaraugus County, New York, September 15. 1820, and his mother was born in the same state in 1822. They married there, and in the year 1855, when Portage County was still almost an uncharted wilderness, came to this region and settled on a farm of eighty acres. On this farm George E. Taylor spent the rest of the years of his life except four years when he was proprietor of the Cottage Inn near Plover village. Me died at the old homestead March 24, 1907. and his widow passed away in July, 1916, when ninety-four years old. He was a republican voter. lie and his wife had seven children: Almarette, Maria, Laura. Frank, Fred, William, and Ella who died in infancy. George E. Taylor was not only a fanner but a practical carpenter, and in his trade did some work on the old landmarks of Portage County. He helped build the courthouse and St. Stephen's Catholic Church. He dressed and beaded the wainscoting for the court house building. He also used his skill as a carpenter in the construction of the first wooden bridge across the Wisconsin River at Stevens Point.

the trade of carpenter. Among other experiences he spent several years in the west in the State of Colorado. Mr. Taylor acquired possession of the old homestead in 1885, and now for more than thirty years has steadily devoted his time and energies to general farming and stock raising.

His political affiliations have always been republican. The official annals of the township and county show that he was township supervisor for six consecutive years, assessor four years, township treasurer one year, and at thirteen different times has" served as a member of local juries. He has been a warm friend of education, and for twentythree years was a member of the School Board. Mr. Taylor is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America.

In February, 1 881, while in Colorado, he married Miss Sarah Huett. Four children were born to their marriage, Abbie, Fred J., Myra and Irma. The oldest, Abbie, is the wife of Lester Derozier, and their children arc named Ruth, Alice, Leslie, Lewis and Lyle. Fred J. Taylor married Anna Hale, of Plover Township, and has two sons, Robert and Harold. Myra is the wife of Robert Atterbury, a farmer of Plover Township, and they have one child. The youngest, Inna. is still at home with her parents, is a graduate of the Stevens Point Normal and has given eleven years of faithful and efficient service as a teacher.

Frank H. Timm. It could be claimed with a fair approximation to truth that the most widely known citizen in Portage County is Frank H. Timm, who for nearly twenty years has held and discharged the important responsibilities of clerk of the Circuit Court. Mr. Timm is a native of the county, has lived here nearly all his life, and besides his official record became known in a number of localities in the county by his effective work as a teacher.

Mr. Timm was born in this county July 17, 1865, son of Joachim and Mary (Sehultz) Timm. Both parents were natives of Germany. They came to America before their marriage, the father some time in the '50s, and located in Grant Township of Portage County- His energies were always devoted to farming, and thereby he provided for his numerous family. Both parents died on the farm. The father served as township chairman for a number of years and was also one of those who assisted in organizing the Lutheran Church in his home locality. There were eleven children and seven are still living, Frank H., William T.. Albert, Martha, Mary. Helmuth and Andrew.

Frank IL Timm while a boy on the farm attended the common schools. He was vigorous, energetic and had strength of body as well as strength of purpose and mind. Early in his career he suffered what seemed at the time a serious handicap. He accidentally lost an arm, but as it turned out this only diverted him to a new line of work. Attending business college at Madison he was fitted for teaching, and he also attended summer school at Dixon, Illinois. After that for eleven years he taught and was one of the popular men in educational circles "in Portage County. On January 1, 1899, he began his duties as clerk of the Circuit Court, and he has faithfully and diligently handled the work of that office ever since. Mr. Timm is a member of the Lutheran Church.

William Kokisf.hki. Linwood Township has one of its oldest and best farmer citizens in the person of William Kokusehki, who has lived there continuously for almost half a century and has given a good account of his years, not only as a diligent farmer but as a man who has responded to all the demands made upon him as a citizen and head of a family.

Mr. Kokusehki was born in Prussian Poland and on February n, 1846, arrived in the free land of America. He remained in New York State until 1868, and then came west to Ripon, Wisconsin, and in the fall of the same year took up his present location in Portage County, where in the course of time he brought about 200 acres under cultivation in section 14 of Linwood Township, and since retiring from business he still retains forty acres under cultivation. Mr. Kokusehki is also an expert apiarist, and has found both profit and diversion in keeping and managing bees for profit. At the present time he has thirty hives.

In 1867 ne married Augusta Kunde, also a native of Prussian Poland. They have twelve children, as follows : Mary Bertha, Charles, Annie (deceased), William, Frederick (deceased), Henry, George (deceased), Theodore. Leo, Roy, Len and Amelia.

Mary Bertha, the oldest, married Jesse Wood and they have the following children: Guy. aged twenty-nine: Warren, aged twentyseven; Mabel, aged twenty-five; Lee. aged twenty-two; Ruth, aged seventeen; Ethel, aged thirteen, and Inez, deceased. All the sons are unmarried and on the home farm and have relieved their father of the heavy responsibilities he formerly carried. Mr. Kokusehki is liberal in religious views and is a progressive in politics.

Nels Evenson. Xels Evenson, whose family name is Loberg, though that has been largely dropped from common usage in later years, is one of Portage County's oldest living pioneer citizens. His record is a notable one, and from his activities has proceeded much of that work which has made Amherst Township one of the best agricultural sections of the county.

He was born in Norway May 23, 1833, and has now attained the dignity of more than fourscore years. His parents were Even Nelson and Gurena Jacobsdatter (Loberg) Loberg. Both parents were natives of Norway. His father died in the old country, and his mother married Jacob Jacobson Thurdahl. In 1847, when Nels Evenson was fourteen years of age, the family immigrated to America. Their first home was in Dodge County, Wisconsin, but in the spring of 1856 the Thurdahls moved with wagons and ox teams to New Hope Township of Portage County. From there they removed to Scandinavia Township of Waupaca County, where Mr. Evenson's mother and step-father both died. In New Hope Township they had settled on government land. Nels Evenson was one of four children : Johanna, who married Ole T. Lystul ; Xels ; Torbjorn, deceased ; and Christian, also deceased. The death of the child Torbjorn was the tragedy which marred the advent of the family to America. On coming west they traveled over the Erie Canal, and while on the canal boat this child was struck while the boat was passing under a bridge. Mr. Evenson's mother by her second marriage became the mother of one child, Ingeborg. now Mrs. John Lystul of Scandinavia Township in Waupaca County.

schools of his native land. He accompanied his parents to Wisconsin but soon afterward left home and went into the Michigan lumber woods. During the summer seasons he worked on farms in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, and finally came to Portage County with his uncle, Sunder Gunderson. That was in the fall of 1855, and' they made their advent here driving a team of oxen. In Portage County Mr. Evenson took up 120 acres of land in New Hope Township. He has made considerable progress in clearing it up and putting some of it into cultivation, and also erected the first buildings of log timbers upon it. When the war came on he sold the land to Arve Gullickson, and enlisted in Company D of the Forty-Seventh Wisconsin Infantry. He was with that gallant regiment until the close of the war. Thus among other associations around his name is a worthy record as a soldier in perpetuating the Union.

Following the war he bought 200 acres of land from Andrew Thompson in Amherst Township. That has since been the scene of his activities and his home. Its improvements are largely the result of his management, and all the buildings were put there except a portion of the present bam. Mr. Ncls Kvenson has not allowed his interests and activities to be centered entirely on business and those matters which concern only himself and family. He has served the school board in his present district, and was a constable in New Hope Township. He also assisted in organizing the Scandinavia Lutheran Church, and the first church was built on what was called Indian land and is still at the old location. He hauled some of the timbers for this pioneer church structure and his stepfather was equally active in organizing the congregation. For over fifteen years Mr. Nels Evenson operated a threshing outfit, and threshed the grain for a large proportion of the farmers of Portage County during that time. In the Civil war he held the rank of a corporal.

Mr. Evenson has been twice married, and both his wives are now deceased. In the fall of 1855 he married in Scandinavia Township Miss Karin Erickson Twciton. She was born in Norway, daughter of Eric Twciton. She came to America about 1849, first lived in Waukesha County and then in Waupaca County, where she married. At her death she left two children, Ole Edward and Theodore, both of whom died young. In 1858 Mr. Nels Evenson married Miss Marin Halverson. She was born in Norway, daughter of Halvor Sorenson Nykos. Her family were early settlers of Portage County and her father died in Amherst Township on the old homestead, close to where the Evenson family now lives. Her mother, whose maiden name was Karen Christianson, died in Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Nels Everson had five children: Carl Edward, Carolina, Hannah, John N. and Nels, the three older being now deceased.

John N. Evenson, who for many years has been associated in business with his father, was born on the old homestead in Portage County January 8, 1867. He has spent his life on the farm there and he and his father have kept house together for many years. Mr. John Evenson is a successful farmer and cattleman, and is a breeder of grade Holstein cattle. He helped organize the Portage County Co-operative Association at Amherst and was also one of the organizers of the Amherst Jersey Creamery Company and the Amherst Telephone Company and still has financial interests in these various enterprises.

Jacob Roth, whose home is in Carson township, belongs to that class of men whom the world terms self-made, for, commencing life practically empty-handed, he has conquered the obstacles in the path of success and has not only secured for himself a good home and a competence but through his efforts has materially advanced the interests of the community in which his home is made.

Mr. Roth is a native of Switzerland, and was born November 16, 1853, being a son of Nicholas and Barbara (Geitzentancr) Roth, also natives of that country, the latter of whom died there when her only child, Jacob, was about two years of age. The father was married a second time, taking as his wife Barbara Blumer, whose death occurred at Janesvillc, Wisconsin, about the year 1908, there being two children born to this union: Barbara and Lizzie. The family home continued to be in Switzerland until the year 1881, when the little party of emigrants arrived at Monroe, Green County, Wisconsin, where Nicholas Roth passed the rest of his life.

The education of Jacob Roth was secured in the public schools of his native country, and there he was reared to industry. His career has shown the benefit of possessing a useful trade and of becoming a master thereof, for it is to this fact that Mr. Roth can give much credit for his early start. The trade that he learned in Switzerland was one that has been brought to perfection in that country, that of cheesemaking, a vocation which he followed until coming to the United States in 1881. Arriving at Monroe, Wisconsin, he soon found employment at his trade, but remained in that community only two years, then going to Mineral Point, Iowa County, Wisconsin. Good cheesemakers were scarce there and he found ready and profitable employment, that locality continuing to be his home and the scene of his activities for nearly twenty years, or until 1902. In the meantime he had been thrifty and industrious, had saved his earnings carefully and had added to them by good business methods, and when he arrived at Junction City he was able to purchase a farm of 360 acres in Carson Township, an investment which he has never had cause to regret. Here he has improvements of the finest order, his buildings all being lighted by electricity, while two modern silos are features of this property, which is known as the Blue Valley Dairy Farm. While general' farming has formed a large part of his work, he has made a specialty of dairying, and keeps about sixty head of graded Holstcin cattle. He makes a close study of his business, keeping fully abreast of the various advancements and changes being made therein, and is generally found aligned with the movements making for progress. One of the* organizers of the Lone Elm Cheese Factor)'. Mr. Roth is president of this enterprise, and is also a member of the board of directors of the Junction City State Bank, of which institution he was also one of the promoters. Politically he is a democrat. He is a member of the school board and was the real instigator of the movement which resulted in the establishment of district No. 12, where in the past he has served efficiently as treasurer.

Mr. Roth married Miss Belle Regez. and to them there have been born seven children, namely: Jacob John, born at Mineral Point, Wisconsin. February 19, 1886. who is overseer of his father's farm and one of the energetic and skilled agriculturists of the county ; Herman Louis, born December 14. 1888, also associated with his father in the operation of the home place, and an industrious and enterprising farmer; Amelia Ottilia, born January i, 1891, married Enoch Haus, and has three children, Elizabeth Synneve, Raghnild Florence and Thilo Enoch; Thilo Edmond, born May 1, 1893, was a student at the University of Wisconsin, and is now serving the United States in France, a member of Ammunition Train, Company B, and was wounded in action; Hildegard Bertha, born April 21, 1898, a teacher by profession who is now attending the State Normal School at Stevens Point ; Florence Edna, born June 28, 1900, a graduate of the Dornster Academy at Rochester, YVisconsin; and Walter Raymond, born November 19, 191 1, living with his parents and attending the district school.

Fred Fox, who is successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits in Plover Township, is a worthy representative of the younger farming element in this county. To a very considerable extent it is this element in any community, especially outside the large cities, which infuses spirit and zest into local activities. Mr. Fox has spent all his life in Plover Township, and has made his presence felt here as an industrious and capable farmer, a young man of broad information and highly popular among his fellow citizens.

He was born in Plover Township January 20, 1882, and is a son of Berton S. and Myrtle (Frost) Fox. It is a well known family and more of the history will be found on other pages of this publication. Mr. Fred Fox grew up on a farm, and has known the practical and fundamental elements of farm work from earliest boyhood. He received his education in the local schools. Mr. Fox bought the place he now owns in 1904. It is in section 34 of Plover Township, and he has occupied it continuously since 1907 and has done a gr.eat deal to clear it up and improve it to correspond with his ideals of progressive farm management. He has erected some good and substantial buildings, and is now well established in that agricultural section of the county.

Mr. Fox has always been an interested voter of republican principles and has taken a keen interest in local affairs, especially those affecting education. He was only twenty-one years old when lie was elected a director of the local schools and has been a member of the school board for about twelve years and is now clerk of his local school board. He also served as township treasurer and township assessor, and in 1910 was assigned the duties of taking the census in Plover Township. He is affiliated with the Sons of Veterans and is a member of the United Brethren Church.

Mr. Fox married June it, 1907, Miss Edna Parks, daughter of a prominent and well known citizen of Portage County, R. W. Parks, whose activities and whose family record are subjects of a separate sketch in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Fox had four children: Leslie, Wilbur, Kenneth and Ada May. All are living except Wilbur.

At.nERT Leonard Rounds. The lumber interests in Wisconsin have been among the most important from the days of early settlement until the present. No flight of fancy could overestimate the value of the great natural forests of white pine, balsam and hemlock that once covered the greater part of the state north of its center, and for many years the converting of this magnificent timber into logs and lumber has afforded profitable employment to armies of strong and sturdy woodsmen. The full tide in this business perhaps has been reached, but lumbering and dealing in lumber continues to be a verv important business, not alone in Wisconsin, but in other sections where the forests are being, to some extent, more carefully conserved than once was thought necessary. One of the experienced men in the lumber industry at Amherst is Albert Leonard Rounds, a prominent citizen who has been president of the village for the last eleven years.

Albert Leonard Rounds was born in Winnebago County, Wisconsin, December 6, 1858. His parents were George Washington and Jane (Sittemorc) Rounds, both of whom were born in Vermont. When they came to Wisconsin they settled in the village that became the site of the present city of Ripon, moving later to other sections and settling finally at Eureka in Winnebago County. The father was a blacksmith by trade and for many years he operated a hotel at Eureka. He was born August 9, 1816, and lived almost to the age of his father, who was 100 years old when he died, the family being one of unusual longevity. The mother of Albert Leonard Rounds died before the father and his last days were passed with his daughter Elma. There were four children : Lima, George, Madison and Albert Leonard.

Albert Leonard Rounds attended school in boyhood at Eureka, Wisconsin, and when he reached manhood found his best business opportunity in the northern lumber regions. It was a hard and adventurous life at that time, and most interesting are the stories Mr. Rounds can tell of his own knowledge and experience of lumbering, logging and rafting, for he continued in the business for thirty-two years. Few men in this section have a more thorough knowledge of the great lumber industry in all its details than Mr. Rounds, who has continued to be identified with one branch of it until the present. In 1902 he came to Amherst and bought the Bigler lumber yard and has conducted it ever since as an individual enterprise.

Mr. Rounds was married in 1879 to Miss Catherine Ellen Freeman, who was born at Waukesha. Wisconsin, a daughter of Joshua Freeman. Mr. and Mrs. Rounds have two daughters: Ethel Jane and Florence F. The family belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church and they take an active part in its various lines of benevolent work. Mr. Rounds is president of the Amherst Telephone Company, and in the encouragement he has given other local enterprises has shown his interest and public spirit. As village president he has demonstrated good judgment and business ability. He has long been a member of the order of Odd Fellows.

Henry Eichhorst is a member of Eichhorst Brothers, a firm of progressive and enterprising farmers adjoining Stevens Point who for a number of years have operated a large dairy that is one of the important sources of the milk supply in the county seat. Their farm adjoins the city limits and they run a herd of from thirty-five to forty cows annually.

The Eichhorst family came to Portage County about fifteen years ago. Mr. Henry Eichhorst was born in Illinois December i'S 1874, son of William and Sophia (Hultz) Eichhorst. His parents were both natives of Germany, the father born in 1840 and his mother in 1850. Thev married in the old country in 1871 and their wedding tour brought them to the United States. They made their home at Elgin. Illinois, for nearlv thirty years but in IQ02 came to Stevens vpj. n-it

Point and bought a large and well improved farm of 300 acres situated in Hull Township, adjoining the city of Stevens Point. Their home was in the city itself, surrounded by 2y 2 acres of land. The father lived here only a short time, being accidentally killed in 1903. The widowed mother is still living with her children. The sons are Henry, William, Charles and Albert, while the daughters were Ricke, Mary, now deceased, Sophia Annie and Ida.

Henry Eichhorst was reared and educated at Elgin, Illinois, and was early trained to the vocation of farming. Since coming to Stevens Point in 1902 he and his brothers Albert and William have operated the old farm, though seventy-six acres have been sold. Mr. Henry Eichhorst is a republican and a member of the Lutheran Church.

August 1, 1905, he married Miss Gertrude Winger, who was born in Germany February 20, 1888. Her parents died in Germany when she was a child and in 1904 she came with her father's sister, Mrs. Anton Alkcr, to Chicago. Her aunt died in that city in 1910, at the age of forty-two. Mrs. Eichhorst was educated in German schools. They have one son, Henry, born February 10, 1909.

Mr. Eichhorst's brother William married Julia Nugent on November 30, 1916. She is a daughter of Richard Nugent, one of the pioneer settlers of Portage County.

Richard Armitage Cook. A prominent and highly esteemed citizen of Stevens Point, Richard Armitagc Cook is conspicuously identified with the industrial life of this part of Portage County, and as proprietor of the Central City Iron Works is carrying on an extensive and remunerative business. He was born May 24, 1850, in Yorkshire, England, and as a child of five vears was brought by his parents to the United States.

His father, John Cook, immigrated with his family to this country in the spring of 1855, being thirteen weeks and three days before landing in New York City. Coming directly to Wisconsin, he located first in Burlington, Racine County, but later took charge of a woolen mill at Racine. After the close of the Civil war he removed with his wife and children to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and from that time until his death was superintendent of a woolen mill near there. He married Jane Armitage, who was born in England, and died in 1895 at Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Of the four children born of their union three are living, as follows: Mrs. Etta Shaffer, of Stevens Point; George William, engaged in the railroad business at Fond du Lac; and Richard Armitagc, the eldest child. Both parents were members of the Congregational Church.

Richard A. Cook received excellent educational advantages when young, attending the public schools until seventeen years old, when he removed with his parents to Fond du Lac. Making good use of his natural mechanical ability he learned the machinist's trade, and in 1874 established a foundry and machine shop on Main Street, Stevens Point. Being burned out in 1891, Mr. Cook located at 319 Madison Street, where, as proprietor of the Central City Iron Works, he is carrying on business with unquestioned success. Recognized as a man of much financial ability, he has served as a director of the Citizens National Bank.

of Horace Trowbridge, who established at Fond du Lac the foundry which is now known as the Giddings and Lewis Manufacturing Company. Prior to her marriage Miss Trowbridge was a teacher in the Fond du Lac schools. Two children were born of their union, Charles Horace, who died in infancy, and Alice, now living at home. Mrs. Eliza Trowbridge Cook died in early womanhood, her death occurring October 4, 1888. Mr. Cook married for his second wife, May 17, 1890, Miss Delia E. Damp, of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, who was at one time a teacher in the Stevens Point High School. Their son, Ralph Cook, who was graduated from the local high school with the class of 1913, and subsequently attended the State Normal School, is now employed in his father's office.

Politically Mr. Cook is identified with the republican party, and is active in public affairs, having served as an alderman a number of terms, while for the past eight years he has been a member of the Stevens Point Board of Education, for two terms serving as its president. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, belonging to Lodge, Chapter, Council, Commandery, and to the Wisconsin Consistory at Milwaukee. Religiously he is a member of the Episcopal Church and one of its wardens.

Joseph J. Omernik. For a long period of years the community of Polonia has appreciated the services of Mr. Omernik as a merchant and business man. Success in merchandising is based primarily on good service and character, and the success that has attended Mr. Omcrnik's efforts is ample proof of the esteem he has won and enjoys.

A native of Portage County, he was born in Sharon Township March 19, 1869, son of Albert Joseph and Victoria Omernik. His parents came from Europe in 1858, lived in Canada for several years, and in 1866 established their home on a farm in Sharon Township of Portage County. They were hard working and thrifty people who though coming here comparatively poor left to their credit a large and well improved farm of two hundred acres and also conducted themselves as model citizens. Both were people of great vitality and lived to extreme old age. They died at Polonia, the father in 1910, at the age of ninety-six, and the mother in 1917, aged ninety-four. Albert Joseph Omernik was one of the men chiefly responsible for building and developing the fine Catholic Church at Polonia. He and his wife had eight children: Elizabeth, Anton, Margaret, Frank, Nick, Joseph J., Sister Eloisia, at St. Francis Convent, and Sister Antonina, the superior of St. Francis Convent in Detroit, Michigan.

Joseph J. Omernik grew up on the homestead farm and was educated in local schools and also at Detroit, Michigan. In 1891 he began merchandising at Polonia and has been selling goods to that community for over a quarter of a century. In 1900 he took special training in the Stevens Point Business College, to further fit him for a business career. At the present time the large general department store is conducted under the name Omernik & Company. His son Henry is now proprietor of the grocery and dry goods departments, while Mr. Omernik, Sr., looks after the other departments. He owns the store building, which was reconstructed in 1903, and now occupies ground 64x70 feet, with three fronts.

Mr. Omernik is a democrat and is now treasurer of the township, and has held that office for fifteen consecutive years. He was formerly clerk of his school district, and his son Henry was the first secretary of the County Board of Education. The family are members of the Polish Catholic Church at Polonia.

In 1891 Mr. Omernik married Miss Frances Lapinski, of Portage County. Their married life was continued for nearly a quarter of a century. Mrs. Omernik died January 1, 191 5, the mother of a splendid family of children, nine in number. Henry, the oldest, born January 19, 1893, was educated in the public and parochial schools, graduated from the Stevens Point Business College and for a number of years has been associated with his father in business and is now sole proprietor of his own department in the store. He married, June 15, 191 5, Mattie Milanowski, and they have one child, Myron, born April 20, 19 16, Damian Peter, the second child, born February 21, 1895, was educated in the puhlic and parochial schools and the Stevens Point Business College, and is now the soldier member of the family, formerly stationed at Camp Grant, and later transferred to Eagle Pass, Texas. Rosella, born March 3, 1898, died in 1900, aged two years and six days. Sophia, born . May 30, 1901, has attended the public and parochial schools and has taken the short course in the Stevens Point Normal. Alexander, born April 15, 1903, was educated in the public and parochial schools and is now at home with his father. Ignats, born July 30, 1905, is a student in the parochial schools. Ernest, born December 25, 1907, is also a schoolboy. Onufry Max was born June 12, 1910. and is a young schoolboy, while the youngest, Clara, was born August 30, 1914. On July 3, 191 6, Mr. Omernik married Miss Leokadia Kontni. of Portage County. They have two children, Frances, born April 19, 1917, and Emilia Mary,' born July 9, 1918.

Wim.iam E. FisiiiiK. An able and influential member of the Wisconsin bar, William E. Fisher has made a wise application of his abilities to the profession of his choice, and being thoroughly conversant with the intricacies of law has achieved marked success, being numlwred among the leading attorneys of Stevens Point. A native of W isconsin, he was born in Farming'ton Township, Waupaca County.

His father, the late F. C. Fisher, came to Wisconsin in 1862. and having bought land in Farmington Township was there engaged in agricultural pursuits during his remaining years. A republican in politics, he was prominent in local affairs, serving several terms as township chairman and being a member of the local board of education for fully a quarter of a century. His widow, Dorothea Fisher, is still living.

Scholarly in his tastes and ambitions, AYilliam E. Fisher had better opportunities for acquiring an education than most of the farmers' sons of his community, being graduated from the Waupaca High School with the class of '1807; attended the literary department of the University of Wisconsin and graduated from the law department of the University of Michigan in 1903. receiving the degree of EL. B. Mr. Fisher then began the practice of law in Waupaca, becoming junior member of the firm of Browne & Browne & Fisher. He afterwards spent two years in Merrill, Wisconsin, as junior member of the firm of YanHecke & Fisher. Coming from there to

Stevens Point, Mr. Fisher continued the practice of his profession as head of the law firm of Fisher, Hanna & Cashin. Mr. Hanna having withdrawn, this firm is now known as Fisher & Cashin, and is carrying; on an extensive business, having a large clientele and being identified as counsel with many of the more important cases of the county and state. While living in Waupaca, and also in Merrill, Mr. Fisher served as city attorney. Mr. I'isher is attorney for the Chicago, Milwaukee and Saint Paul Railway Company, and also for the Green Bay and Soo lines. He is likewise officially connected with several local organizations, being one of the directorate of the First National Bank of Stevens Point, a director of the Civic and Commercial Association of the city and of the Portage County Red Cross Chapter and a member of the Exemption Board and Fuel Administration for Portage County.

A thirty-second degree Mason, Mr. Fisher belongs to Lodge, Chapter, Council, Commandery, and to Milwaukee Consistory, and is also a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He also belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and to the Roval Arcanum.

Michael G. Feely. One of the interesting items of the early history of Portage County is concerned with the fact that in the year 1840, when with the exception of a few settlements around the lakes and along the largest rivers, Wisconsin Territory was a vast wilderness, there came out from Pennsylvania a young man named Owen Feely, who spent the summer in breaking up some land and planting a crop of com. That was one of the first instances of the work of civilized man in this region. But when the crop was raised and harvested Owen Feely went back to Pennsylvania, and a number of years passed before he saw Portage County again.

Owen Feely was born in New York State in 1806. However, he was reared and educated in Pennsylvania, and after his brief stay in Portage County he returned to that state and married Miss Margaret Feely. His wife was born in Ireland in 1822. In 1849 Owen Feely brought his young wife back to Portage County and they located in Stockton Township. When the land came on to the market he acquired 160 acres, and in the course of time had most of it cleared and improved with good buildings. Owen Feely knew Portage County when it was the home of more Indians than white men, and as a hunter in the early days he was seldom satisfied with anything less than deer. He was a remarkable man in many ways, not only for the vigor with which he prosecuted his various endeavors, but also for the vitality which enabled him to live to the extreme age of 104 years. He died in 1910. His first wife, Margaret, died in 1867. Her children were: William M., born March 18, 1850, deceased; Eliza Jane, bom February 13. 1852. also deceased; Nancy Ellen, born January 13, 1854. cleceased : Christopher Lawrence, born December 24. 1855. deceased; Margaret Johanna, born February 22, 1858; John Patrick, horn February 28". i860; Owen, born May 18, 1862; lames T., born May 28. 1864; and Michael G.. born September I, 1865. Owen Feely married for his second wife Man,- Feely, a sister of his first companion. She died in 1914. By that union there was one child, Catherine, now deceased.

One of this family has already been named. Michael G. Feely was born, as noted, on September i, 1865. His birth occurred on the farm he now owns in Stockton Township. He was given a good education in the public schools, and eventually became owner of the farm of his father, containing 160 acres. During his ownership he has made some substantial improvements and is successfully identified with the county agricultural affairs as a farmer and stock raiser. In earlier life he worked at one time during the grading of the Wisconsin Central Railway through the county and he also spent a number of winters in the woods.

In politics he is a democrat and has served for three years as a director of the school board, though office holding is not within the line of his special inclinations. All the members of the Feely family in Portage County have been active members of the Catholic Church.

November 18, 1903, Mr. Feely married Miss Amanda Comfort- She was born at Wilmington, Delaware, March 10, 1865, daughter of Ezra and Mary (McMulkin) Comfort. Her mother was bom in County Fermanagh, Ireland, and her father in Pennsylvania. Her parents married at Wilmington, Delaware, and in 1872 came west and settled in Stockton Township on 200 acres of land. Here her parents spent the rest of their days, her mother dying in 1883, when about fifty years old. and her father on March 2, 1908, at the age of seventy-five. The children of Ezra Comfort and wife were : John, born June 28, 1859; Edmond, born March 15, 1863; Amanda, born March 10. 1865; Mary, born January 19. 1867 ; Ezra, born March 22. 1870; Harry, born December 23, 1873; a "d Matilda, born February 27, 1879.

Lorenzo P. Moberg has spent his active life in Amherst Township, is a thoroughly experienced farmer, and is now giving his chief attention to the potato buying business at Amherst.

He represents one of the oldest and best known families of the town. Mr. Moberg was born December 23, 1875, a son of Andrew and Emma (Buck) Moberg. His father came to this section of Wisconsin in 1851. and the family located in the town of Amherst when only three other families lived in that vicinity. The Mobergs acquired a homestead just east of the village of Amherst. Andrew Moberg, though very young at the time, entered the Civil war as a Union soldier, and saw some active duty in Tennessee. Both he and his wife are still living on their farm at Amherst. The mother's brother was also a Union soldier and served with Sherman in the great campaign through Georgia and the Carolinas. Andrew Moberg and wife had the following children: Chester, deceased; Lorenzo P.; Harry, deceased ; Leonard, editor of the Advocate at Amherst ; Adalbert, still living on the home farm : George, who is in an army training camp at Waco. Texas ; Harriet. Lucy and Grace, all of whom are married, the first two living in Wisconsin and the last in Washington.

Lorenzo P. Moberg was reared on and in early life came in close touch with a farm and its discipline. Some years ago he bought a farm of 120 acres in Lanark Township and still operates it. It was only partly improved when he acquired it. and he has since cleared

However, his headquarters and office are now in Amherst, where he conducts the potato warehouse in partnership with Starks & Company of Amherst. They also operate a branch warehouse at Amherst Junction.

Mr. Moberg married Miss Margaret Cooney. She was born in the town of Lanark. They are the parents of three children, Lyle. - Leon and Andrew, all of whom are still members of the home circle, and are being carefully educated. Mr. and Mrs. Moberg have town property at Amherst and are now planning the construction of a substantial home of their own. Mr. Moberg owns stock in the Woodmen Building Association of Amherst and is an active member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a trustee of the village and has served as supervisor of the town of Lanark three terms, but finally resigned that office. He and his wife are members of St. James Church.

Lolis A. Pomeroy. The career of Louis A. Pomeroy, of Amherst, has been one of honorable attainment of well-deserved success. His life story presents no spectacular chapters; rather it is an expression of steady and persistent application to a given line of achievement, and while its climax has by no means been reached as yet, it is interesting as an illustration of what a man may accomplish when, starting with no advantages, he makes profitable use of his opportunities. Mr. Pomeroy has passed his entire career in the atmosphere of finance. His earliest experience when he started upon his independent career was with the McCulloch Bank, and during the past twenty years he has served as cashier of the International Bank of Amherst, of which institution he was one of the organizers.

Mr. Pomeroy is a native son of Wisconsin, having been born at Weyauwega. Waupaca County, July 6, 1866. His educational training was secured in the public schools of his native locality and extended until he reached the age of sixteen years, at which time he decided to take his place among the world's workers, accordingly going to Stevens Point, where he obtained a position in a grocery store and later in the McCulloch Bank, first as bookkeeper and subsequently as teller. During the following ten years he learned much about the banking business, and when in 1892 it was realized that Amherst was in need of a sound financial institution to represent the moneyed interests of this locality, which had been steadily growing in importance, he recognized an opportunity and was quick to accept it, becoming one of the organizers of the International Bank. It was not until 1897, however, that he removed to Amherst, when he took over the duties of cashier of this institution. He has since that time occupied this post, and it is not to be denied that much of the success of the institution is due to his careful, conscientious, conservative and capable labor. The depositors of the International Bank were not long in recognizing the fact that thev could rely implicitly upon his judgment and integrity, and this spirit of confidence has been important in the matter of securing new business for the institution and in solidifying the bond of mutual faith between institution and patrons.

are the parents of one son : Harry B., a young man of promise in the business and financial world, who is now acting in the capacity of assistant cashier of the International Bank. Mr. Pomeroy's interests have largely centered in his official duties and have left him small time, had he the inclination, to devote to politics or other outside matters. However, he takes a helpful interest in all that pertains to the general welfare, and is a well-known fraternalist, t)eing a thirtysecond degree Mason and a member of the Shrine.

Judge John A. Murat. A prominent member of the legal fraternity of Portage County, Judge John A. Murat, of Stevens Point, has gained distinction in his profession, and as a man of much ability occupies on honored position in the business life of the city. A native of Wisconsin, he was born August 22, 1848, in Milwaukee, then a small city.

His father, John P. Murat, a son of a French father, spent his childhood and early manhood in Norway, where he met and married Bertha H. Sorenson, a native of Norway. Wishing to take advantage of the opportunities America offered the poor man, he immigrated to the United States in 1841, and for seven years lived in Milwaukee. Going then to Waukesha County, Wisconsin, he remained there until June, 1856, when he located in Amherst Township, Portage County. He was a carpenter by trade, making a specialty of ship carpentering, and followed his chosen occupation while residing in Milwaukee. He also owned land in all these places, and carried on general farming up to the time of his death, having improved land that he took up from the government. He was a delegate to the convention that supporters of its principles. Active in public affairs, he held various township offices. Of the five sons and three daughters born to him and his wife, six children are living, two of the sons having died in early life.

A child when brought by his parents to Portage County, John A. Murat gained a limited knowledge of the common branches of learning in the district schools, and subsequently made the best use of the educational means available, by reading and studying fitting himself for a teacher. He taught school for awhile, and later was engaged in railroad building. In January, 1879, Mr. Murat was elected registrar of deeds for Portage County, and served in that capacity ably and acceptably for ten years. In 1889 he was elected to his present position as county judge, and for the past two years has also served as acting judge of the Probate Court of Waupaca County. Judge Murat was one of the organizers of County Judges' Convention, of which he has been president two terms. He was one of the organizers of the Citizens National Bank of Stevens Point, of which he has been a director since its formation, and for many years its vice president. The Judge is also president of two village organizations.

On December 28, 1872. Judge Murat was united in marriage with Miss Emma E. Nyquist, born in Sweden, a woman of culture and refinement. She passed to the life beyond June 18, 1917, leaving three children, namely : Le Roy T. N. and Walter R., well known attorneys of Stevens Point; and Stella B., wife of Lyman A. Copps, of Stevens Point. Religiously Judge Murat is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.

Michael J. Friday. To accomplish as much as Michael J. Friday has accomplished in Portage County demands not only phenomenal energy but a ruggedness and integrity of character that in no small degree accounts for the esteem in which he is held as a citizen as well as a business man.

Mr. Friday has always been inured to hard work as a leverage to get him the things he desired, lie was born in Poland September 29, 1855, and has lived in America since he was ten years old. His parents, Frank and Kate Friday, were natives of the same country and emigrated with their children to Canada in 1861 and in 1865 came to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Two months later they went to Berlin, Wisconsin, spent two months there and in the fall of the same year arrived in Portage County, where Frank Friday bought a farm in Hull Township. It was really only a tract of wilderness land and he cleared it up and made it a cultivated farm. He lived there until his death. His widow, who was born in 1827, is now living with her son Michael at the advanced age of ninety-one. Both parents were members of St. Peter's Catholic Church. They had six children: Michael ; Joseph and John, both deceased ; Harry, who lives in Michigan; Frank, who died on the old farm when about eight years old; and Mary.

Michael J. Friday attended school several terms in Canada and also the public schools in Hull Township and St. Mary's parish school in Milwaukee. Most of his education has been picked up in the intervals of experience. When he was about ten years old he began working for his living, and while his early training was that of a farmer he also did work when the Wisconsin Central Railway was being constructed through this county, and spent several winters and summers in the lumber woods and on the river. Mr. Friday finally acquired the ownership of the old farm in Hull Township, and remained there a practical agriculturist until about 1893. For fifteen years he was in the grocery business at Stevens Point associated with his brother-inlaw, Martin Kieliszewski. He then acquired sole ownership of the business and continued it for five years at the same location occupied by his present well known business headquarters. After retiring from the grocery trade Mr. Friday engaged in the furniture business and in 1 91 7 added a stock of general hardware. His place of business is familiar to all the people of Stevens Point and surrounding trade territory by the name Guarantee Hardware & Furniture Company at 117 North Second Street. His large and well selected stock is housed in a building 50 feet by 100 feet, and the business is a family concern, the active partners besides Mr. Michael Friday being his sons Max, August and Valentine. Max is manager of the store while August is bookkeeper.

Mr. Friday has always voted as a democrat and was one of the prominent men of his party in Hull Township. He was a member of the school board there, was clerk of the board, was elected township treasurer and held that office six years consecutively and for two years was township clerk. When St. Peter's parish began the construction of its new edifice Mr. Friday was elected secretary of the church board and carried those responsibilities five years. He is also prominent in the Polish National Alliance, being present secretary of the local Giapter No. 14 and has filled the offices of its president and treasurer. He is also a member and president of St. Joseph Society.

In 1883 Mr. Friday married Miss Mary Rekowski, who was born in Poland but was living in Portage County at the time of her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. I'riday had twelve children: Annie, who is a sister of the Order of St. Joseph of Milwaukee, and for several years has been a teacher at Princeton, Wisconsin ; Harry and Julia, both of whom died when about eight years old ; Max, a member of the Guarantee Hardware & Furniture Company, married Sophie Ribyzki and has two children, Jerome and Robert; Julia, who died in infancy; August, also a member of the firm ; Rosie, at home ; Valentine ; Helen ; John; Bernice; and Henry. Mr. Friday and family reside in one of the good homes of Stevens Point, at 203 Washington Avenue.

William L. Playmax. It is not always possible to name any one determining factor in a man's business success, but it is pretty certain that industry, perseverance, thoroughness and integrity have played important parts. This has been the case with William L. Playman, who may be named a leading general contractor at Stevens Point, of which city he is also a highly valued citizen.

William L. Playman is a native of Wisconsin, born at Milwaukee July 29, 1858. His parents were William and Ida (Parsale) Playman, both of whom were born, reared and schooled in Germany. During the stormy days of 1848 they came to the United States and found their first home in the citv of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where the father found work with the St. Paul Railroad Company. Later he moved to Outagamie County and became a farmer and many years later to Stevens Point, where his death occurred in May, 1916, when aged eighty-seven years. The mother died in 1910, at Bessemer, Michigan, aged eighty-two years. Their children, six in number, are all living, namely: Sophia, Charles, William L., Fred, Minnie and Flora. The parents were members of the Lutheran Church.

William L. Playman was eight years old when his parents moved from Milwaukee to the farm in Outagamie County. He attended the country schools in boyhood and remained on the farm for about seven years and then went to Neenah, Wisconsin, and secured work in a paper mill there. He remained at Neenah for ten years, in the meanwhile learning the carpenter trade. In 1888 he came to Stevens Point, and this place has been his home ever since and for a number of years he has been prominent in the general contracting line and as a business man has a reputation for reliability that is unquestioned. He has been identified with much of the important building going on here for several decades and is well known and respected in the associate building trades.

Mr. Playman was married May 24. 1884, to Miss Clara Bishop, who was born in Outagamie County, Wisconsin, and is a daughter of Thomas and Adelia (Chase) Bishop. The father of Mrs. Playman was born at Durham. Massachusetts, December 30, 1828, and was a son of Robert and Elizabeth Bishop, who came from England to Boston, Massachusetts, in the year of his birth. Robert Bishop was a man of great importance. He was a manufacturer and is credited with being the first weaver of ingrain carpet in the United States, and that it was through his enterprise that the manufacture of writing paper became a stable industry at South Lee, Massachusetts. An interesting fact is that in the sale of this paper in New York Mr. Bishop had the assistance of Cyrus West Field, when a young man,

In 1842 Thomas Bishop came to Wisconsin, accompanied by his family, and located in what is now Waukesha County. During 1847, 1848 and 1849 ne en & a g e d in the manufacture of carriages and put up the first building for fine carriage work in Milwaukee. From 1850 to 1853 he was in business at East Troy in Walworth County, and in the latter year moved to Dale in Outagamie County, and from there in 1864 to Neenah. Wisconsin. In 1865, in association with Daniel De Ixmg, he started the first marble shop at Neenah and continued in that business until 1880. Subsequently he became interested in insurance and real estate, and for a number of years afterward held political office of some kind. He was a notary public and when he was a candidate for assessor of Neenah his popularity was so great that he was elected by the entire city lacking two votes. He was a justice of the peace at Dale and later at Neenah and was honored and respected beyond the majority of men. His death occurred at Neenah in 1891, at the. age of sixty-three years. The mother of Mrs. Playman was born in New York, one of a family of fourteen children, and died at Appleton, Wisconsin. April 19, 1914, when aged eighty years. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

To Mr. and Mrs. Playman the following children were born: Myrtle Adelia, a graduate of the high school and the state normal school, was a highly valued teacher for ten years and is now the wife of Alfred E. Halverson, residing at Roseau in Northwestern Minnesota. Ernest Eugene, who carried off the highest honors of his class when graduated from the high school and later took a business college course at Stevens Point, is engaged in business at St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin. He was married October 6, 1913, to Miss Alva Comer, and they have two children, Marion Clarice and William Comer. Mr. Playman taught in a number of business colleges prior to accepting his present position with the Baker Land & Title Company. Hazel Alice died in infancy. Irma Geneva, who was graduated from the Wisconsin State Normal School in the class of 191 7, is engaged in teaching at Drummer, Wisconsin. William Lyle is a member of Battery E, One Hundred and Twentieth Field Artillery, National Army, whose address, with other noble young Americans, may soon be "somewhere in France," all honor to them.

In politics Mr. Playman has always supported the democratic ticket, as did his father. He has frequently been called to public office and in 1898, in 191 4 and 191 5 represented the Third Ward as a city alderman, his sound business judgment making him a valuable member of the city council. He belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and also to the Equitable Fraternal Union. He is a man of solid character and no history of Portage County would be complete without naming him one of her sterling citizens. With his family he belongs to the Presbyterian Church. He is largely a self made man, his early educational opportunities being rather meager, but his home training was good, giving him moral stamina and encouraging self reliance, and he never lacked industry, courage or perseverance.

matters of business importance, one who has been more than ordinarily prominent is Martin O. Wrolstad, of New Hope Township. A resident of this community practically all of his life, he has been identified with the promotion and maintenance of a number of enterprises, and while a man engrossed in numerous business affairs has always found time to contribute of his abilities to the community, having filled a number of elective offices with distinction.

Mr. Wrolstad was born on his present farm in New Hope Township, near Peru, Portage County, February 2, 1856, and is a son of Ole Olson and Osele (SnaossJ Wrolstad. His parents, natives of Norway, were married there, and not long after their union went to France, where they embarked upon a sailing vessel from Havre, which eventually made port at New York City. Mr. Wrolstad was born March 6, 1810, and his wife March 30, 1814, and it was sometime in the '40s that they came to this country, so they were comparatively voung people when they elected to cast their fortunes with strangers In a new country. From New York City they made their way via the Hudson River, the Erie Canal and the Great Lakes directly to Muskegon, Michigan, but after a short stay there pushed on to Rock River, Jefferson County, Wisconsin, where they had a farm. Eventually, however, Mr. and Mrs. Wrolstad came to New Hope Township, the father securing a tract of land in the heavy timber. After much hard labor he succeeded in clearing and improving this property, added thereto and put up good buildings and finally became the possessor of a handsome and valuable property of 280 acres. In addition to his farming ventures he was interested in other lines of business, having been the founder of a sawmill at Northland, Waupaca County. This he later sold to his sons and went to Alban Township, Portage County, where he started another mill and conducted it for some years. His last years were spent with his son in New Hope Townhere. They were the parents of six children: Ole, deceased; John, deceased, who fought for four years during the Civil war with the Fifteenth Wisconsin Infantry, sometimes known as the Scandinavian Regiment; George, who also fought as a soldier during the Civil war and returned from that struggle safely, but is now deceased; Halvor; Hans, deceased; and Martin O. Ole O. Wrolstad was one of the men who organized New Hope Township and held a number of local offices, being elected thereto by his fellow-citizens who had come to know and appreciate his many sterling qualities of character and his integrity in all matters of life.

Martin O. Wrolstad commenced his education in the district school in New Hope Township, this being supplemented by attendance at the Waupaca High School. He was reared as a fanner, but when still a voung man spent several years in superintending the operation of the sawmill in Alban Township which was owned by his father, the older man being in feeble health at the time. When four or five years had passed he was married and returned to the old home farm, upon which he has since continued to make his home with the exception of four years when he was serving as county treasurer and lived at Stevens Point. Mr. Wrolstad is now the owner of 180 acres of some of the most fertile and productive land in the township, and the appearance of this farm has been greatly improved by the erection of a number of new buildings, although a part of his house is composed of the original home, one of the oldest buildings in his part of the county. In addition to carrying on general farming he engages extensively in the breeding of full-blooded Ayreshire cattle. He is likewise treasurer of the New Hope Fire insurance Company, of which he was one of the organizers; is president of the Farmers' Produce Company of Rosholt, of which he was also one of the organizers; assisted in the organization of the Iola Stock Shipping Association and is still an officer thereof ; and has been secretary of the creamery at Peru since its organization, with the exception of four years.

Mr. Wrolstad was married December 15, 1881, to Miss Hannah Wrolstad, who was born in Scandinavia Township, Waupaca County, Wisconsin, daughter of George Wrolstad, and to this union there have been born six children, as follows : Rev. George Oliver, a minister of the Lutheran faith; Henry Edwin; Alfred, who is engaged in merchandising at Peru; and Elmer, William and Agnes, who reside with their parents. Mr. Wrolstad and his family are members of the Lutheran Church of South New Hope, of which he was one of the organizers, just as his father was one of the organizers of the old New Hope Church. As an official Mr. Wrolstad has been the incumbent of a number of offices, having served as side supervisor, justice of the peace and township chairman of New Hope Township, and in 1898 was elected treasurer of Portage County and served capably in that office for four years. His official record is an excellent one and in every respect he is accounted one of the substantial representatives of the best element in Portage County.

Peter Edward Dorscheid has spent the years since early childhood in Portage County, and has ordered his life along the pleasant and not unprofitable lines of agriculture, being owner of one of the best farms of Bucna Vista Township.

He was born in Erie County, New York, August 24, 1854, oldest of the family of twelve children of John and Catherine (Esse) Dorscheid. the former born in Germany February 4, 1830, and the latter in France January 21. 1833. They came to America as children, and married at Strykersville in Erie County, New York State. For nineteen years John Dorscheid worked in a tannery there, rolling leather. John Dorscheid enlisted and served three years in Company F of the Forty-Third Wisconsin Infantry. He was long an honored member of Plainfield Post of the Grand Army of the Republic. He and his wife established their home in Portage County in 1866, and in the following year located on eighty acres of land, where he lived until his death April 2. 1912. His widow died November 11, 1917. They had been married for fifty-seven years.

Mr. Dorscheid began his education in the parochial schools of New York, and was about eleven years old when his parents came to Portage County. Here he soon came face to face with the serious responsibilities of life, and after attending school for a time went to work in the woods and in the saw mills. The products of his industry enabled him to acquire his first land, which was situated in Almond Township. He had eighty acres but sold that and in 1885 bought the farm he now owns in Ruena Vista Township. This was. when he bought it, eighty acres of completely untamed land in a district that had seen no work of development. He was in fact the first man to haul a load of farm produce over the bluffs from his place. He has been steadily at work for over a period of thirty-five years, has cleared the land and made it profitable, has erected buildings and is one of the substantial farmers and stock raisers of that vicinity.

In matters of politics Mr. Dorsclieid votes independently. He has been a member of the school board of his locality for nine years and for one year was a road commissioner.

May 5, 1884, Mr. Dorscheid married Miss Jennie Smith. Mrs. Dorscheid represents a family of note and including some of the early settlers of Portage County. She was born at Guayaquil in Ecuador, South America, July 1, 1862. However, she has spent most of her life in the United States and her people were early settlers of New Jersey. Her grandparents, Benjamin C. and Sarah (Sutton) Smith, were both born in Mercer County, New Jersey, moved from there to Trenton and later to Wilmington, Delaware, and spent their last days in Philadelphia. Her grandfather was a currier or leather dresser by trade. The Smith family were members of the Catholic Church. Benjamin Smith and wife had the following children: Oswin, Virginia, Peter T., Ella, Addie and William. The last named at the age of sixteen, enlisted as a drummer boy in the Civil war and was killed in the battle of Fredericksburg.

Mrs. Dorscheid is a daughter of Oswin and Sarah (Clark) Smith Oswin Smith was born at Trenton, New Jersey, December 20, 1837. As a boy he attended private schools taught by Deborah Foster and Roswell Howe. He also attended public school. At the age of eighteen he began an apprenticeship at the trade of gas fitter. It was in 1859 that he went to South America and located at Guayaquil, where he remained for a short while. He then went back to Philadelphia, but remained only a month, when he returned to South America and was there another two years. After a brief visit to Philadelphia of about two weeks, he came in 1870 to Buena Vista Township and bought a farm of 160 acres. This land he cleared up, and occupied it until April, 1905, when he removed to Stevens Point, where he is now living retired at 911 East Avenue. In politics he is a democrat, and was formerly a member of the Board of Supervisors of Buena Vista Township. He is a member of the Catholic Church.

Tune 12, 1859, Oswin Smith married Sarah Clark, who was born in Ireland November 25, 1841, daughter of James and Margaret (Cannon) Clark. Her parents came to America and located at Wilmington, Delaware, in 1852, and a few years later were early arrivals in Portage County. James Clark died here in 187 1 and his wife on May 1880. He was a farmer in Ireland and also in this country. The Clarks were Catholics. Their children were: Jane, Margaret, William, Catherine, Sarah. James and Isabel, all of whom are now deceased except Mrs. Sarah Smith.

Oswin and Sarah Smith had a large family of twelve children, brief references to whom are as follows: William James, the oldest, died in infancy. Jane, the second, is the wife of Mr. Dorscheid. Annie married Shepard Kollock, of Almond Township, and is the mother of two children, Henry and Wellington. Alice married Lewis Sovey, of Stevens Point, and their children are Nellie. Sarah. Alice May, Oswin and Louise. William, also a resident of Almond Township, married Florence Lee and has two children, Evelyn and Margaret. Ella is the wife of Bradley Willett, of Stevens Point, and they have a family consisting of Gladys, Arthur, Fern, Kenneth, Morris and Bradford. Margaret is the wife of Edward Baldwin, of Bayfield, Wisconsin, and is the mother of eight children, named Gerald, Margaret, Edward, Oswin, William, Morris, Woodrow and Beatrice. Katie Bell is the wife of Daniel O'Connell, of Bayfield, Wisconsin, and they have seven .children, James, Florence, Daniel, Wallace, Kenneth, Lucile and Charles. Marie married Ernest Precourt, of Buena Vista Township, and of their seven children Earl, the oldest, is now in training at Camp Grant, the others being named Rilla, Melvin, James, Ada, Virginia and Clair. Theresa is the wife of Delbert Otto, and has three children, Adaline, Ruth and Alice. Adaline, the eleventh of the family, is the wife of Gerhard Marshall, of Stevens Point, son of James Marshall, mentioned elsewhere in this publication. The youngest of the Smith family, James, died when five years old.

Mr. and Mrs. Dorscheid have two children and three grandchildren. Frances, their daughter, born October 26, 1885, was educated in the public schools and the Almond Township High School, was a popular teacher of this county for seven years and is now the wife of Henry Brahmstadt. They live at Saratoga in Wood County, Wisconsin. Their one child is named Ruth Mane. John Edward Dorscheid, only son of the family, was born February 15, 1888. He had a public school education. On May 27, 1908, he married Miss Ida Melissa Newby, who was born in Buena Vista Township November 15, 1888, daughter of George O. Xewby, of that locality. Their two children are Kenneth Edward, born June 15, 1909, and Alice May, born September 1 1, 1912.

Alfred E. Redfield represents one of the earliest families to establish homes in the wilderness of this county. His grandparents were Asel and Millicent (Olin) Redfield, both natives of New York State, the former born in 1792 and the latter in 1797. It was in 1853 that they brought their family west to the young State of Wisconsin, locating at Mcnasha. Asel Redfield was a farmer by occupation, and died at Menasha December 7, 1858. His widow passed away in Waupaca, Wisconsin. He was a member of the Methodist Church and his wife of the Presbyterian faith. They had a large family of thirteen children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Sarah, December 21, 1817 ; Joel, July 6, 1819; Jared, March 23, 1820; Emily, November n, 1822; Elizabeth, January 3, 1824; Martin, September 17, 1826; Charles, September 3, 1829; Arthur Benjamin, November 3, 1830; Elihu, April 12, 1833; John Henry, April 13, 1835; James, October 4, 1837; James, March 20, 1839; and Abigail, March 18, 1841.