Portage County, Wisconsin - The whole text, 1919 (part 14 of 15)

Hilarius Ehr, father of the Rev. Mr. Ehr, was born near Treves, Germany, Tune 1, 1832. In 1853 he left home and family and immigrated to New York City. He worked there a year and then went to Medina in Western New York, where he was naturalized and where in 1854 he was joined by his three brothers, John, Peter and Nicholas, as well as by his sister. Mary, and parents. At Medina, New York, in 1858. he married Elizabeth Eberhart, who was born in Germany November 1, 1837, and had come to America with a sister at the age of eighteen years. For several years Hilarius Ehr owned and operated a stone quarry at Medina, New York, but in 1862, with other members of the family, he came west and located in Columbia County, Wisconsin. There he and his brothers secured several hundred acres of land, cleared it up, and thereafter he followed farming until age came upon him. For the past eight years he has lived retired in Portage City and both parents are unusually strong and hearty for people who have passed the age of fourscore. In IQ08, with children and grandchildren around them, they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. Hilarius Ehr is a republican in politics, and has been honored with various local offices in Wisconsin. He and his wife are devout Catholics. Hilarius Ehr enlisted as a soldier of the Union in 1864 and was in service until October, 1865, when he was granted his honorable discharge. He was in the Eighth Wisconsin Infantry, under Lieutenant Johnson and Captain James O'Neal. Hilarius Ehr was one of the founders of St. Xavier's Catholic Church at Portage. He and his wife had nine children: Peter, John, Hilarius, Charles, Christian, Henry J., Mathias, Anna and Josephine, all living except Charles, who died in February, 1893.

Henry J. Ehr spent his boyhood and youth on the old home farm in Columbia County, Wisconsin. His training was that of the local public schools and one year in parochial school at Milwaukee. He also attended college at Mount Calvary, Wisconsin, for three years, and then entered St. Francis Seminary, where he pursued the classical, philosophical and theological courses and on June 20, 1897, was ordained a priest. For six months he was assistant to Father Henry Wilmes at St. Mary's Church in Milwaukee, for about six months was substitute pastor at Hilbert in St. Mary's Church, and in 1898 went to Hortonville, Wisconsin, as pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Church. He was there until September 20, 1902, and his first regular pastorate was marked by much constructive work and growth, among other things a rectory having been built during his pastorate.

On September 20. 1902. Father Ehr came to Stevens Point and assumed the duties which have continued so pleasantly and profitably ever since as pastor of St. Joseph's Catholic Church. On October 24, 1915, the old church building, where more than a generation of people had worshiped, was burned, but there was no hesitation upon the part of either pastor or parishioners in restoring the edifice, and on December 17, 1916, the handsome new church was dedicated. Father Ehr has also constructed a new rectory and he carried out many other important improvements during the fourteen years before the old church was burned. In 1904-05 the Sisters' home and school were remodeled and in 1905 a free school was established. Father Ehr is a dynamo of human energy, and has worked indefatigably and sincerely for the benefit and welfare of his parish and the city in general.' His church is something for which the city is to be proud.

Mark Nelson has figured in the commercial activities of Portage County for the past twenty years as the leading merchant of the village of Henson's Corners. Mr. Nelson came to America in young manhood, with no money, practically without friends in the new world, and has worked his way up steadily, relying always upon the industry of his hands and his good judgment and has attained a most substantial place in his chosen community of Portage County.

of Engebret and Marit (Torgesdatter ) Gjefsen. His father and mother died in the old country. His father was both a farmer and a dealer in livestock. Their family of seven children, three sons and four daughters, are all still living.

Mark Nelson received his early education in the Norwegian public schools. He was twenty-one years of age and still unmarried when in 1880 he set out to find his fortune in America. He came direct to Amherst. Wisconsin, and secured his first employment as a railroad section hand. Ten months later he went to work for J. J. Nelson in a store at Amherst and was with that old time merchant about 5^ years, thereby gaining the fundamentals of business training which have been extremely useful to him later. This commercial career was interrupted by a period of about one year spent as a farm worker at Revillo, South Dakota. From there he returned to Wisconsin, and in Outagamie County clerked two years in the store of M. D. Leeman at Lecman Postoffice. In the meantime he had exercised due thrift and then combined his experience with his modest capital and bought the store of Benson Brothers at Benson's Corners in Amherst Township. That transaction occurred in 1898, and since that date the business has been continued with a marked degree of success by Mr. Nelson, who conducts a thoroughly modern store, handling all the commodities required by the surrounding country community. In addition to his duties as merchant he was also postmaster of Benson's Corners until the postoffice was abandoned through the introduction of rural mail delivery service.

In 1898, the same year he came to Benson's Corners, Mr. Nelson married Miss Ida Holmes, of Shawano County, Wisconsin. They are the parents of four children, all of whom are still in the home circle, named: Sylvester, Iva, Myra and Victor. The family are members of the Lutheran Church at New Hope.

Thomas Zmich has spent nearly all his life in Portage County, has proved an industrious and capable citizen, and for over thirty years has directed the operations of one of the good farms in Hull Township.

He was born in Illinois November 2, i860, and in the following year his parents, Michael and Kate Zmich, came to Portage County. His parents were both born in Poland, and settled at Chicago, Illinois, in 1854. When they moved to Portage County they bought eighty acres of land included in the present homestead of their son Thomas. They were real pioneers and had the industry and the perseverance to develop a tract of wild land into a good farm. Gradually their possessions grew until they had 200 acres. Their first home was a log house, but long before they died they enjoyed ample comforts. The good mother died here in 1885, while Michael Zmich passed away July 13, 1902. He was a verv sturdy and upright citizen in whom the community had complete confidence and he was for many years chairman of the township board and for twenty years was clerk of his school district. In the family were six children. Frank, Peter, Thomas, Anton, Joseph and Alexander.

Mr. Thomas Zmich grew up on the farm where he still lives and as a boy attended the little red schoolhouse in the same neighborhood. His industrious efforts as a farmer have brought him prosperity and he now owns 160 acres with good buildings and other improvements. He is a democrat but has never sought official cares and responsibilities. He and family are members of the Polish Catholic Church.

June 6, 1885, Mr. Zmich married Miss Mary Gcbbel, who was born in Germany in 1867, daughter of Anton and Helen Gebbel. Her parents were early settlers in Hull Township and her father is still living at the advanced age of eighty-five. His father, Mrs. Zmich's grandfather, lived to the remarkable age of 103 years. Mr. and Mrs. Zmich have four children : Rosa, born in 180*6, married Alexander Ligman, and their three children are Gertie, aged three years,

Peter, two years old, and Herman, who was born in 191 8. The second child of Mr. and Mrs. Zmich, Annie, was born July 4, 1904, while Walter was born August 2, 1907, and Gertie, August 22, 191 1.

Thomas Henry Hanna. To plan ambitiously, to labor faithfully and to finally succeed, covers the personal history of more than one distinguished man, and interest abides in this history because of its varying but common elements that belong to general experience. While ambitions are not always realized, nor is faithful labor always adequately rewarded, success that is worth while never comes otherwise, and undoubtedly it is best under all circumstances to keep on and cherish the hope that the door of opportunity will open just beyond the next turning. Had this not been the attitude of one of Portage County's most honored citizens during a hard-pushed, self-denying youth he might never have won the prominent place he now holds as a leader in public affairs in Portage County and as the foremost member of the bar at Stevens Point. Readers of this history will not fail to recognize Hon. Thomas Henry Hanna, formerly mayor of Stevens Point and, according to his friends, a very possible candidate for further political honors.

Thomas Henry Hanna was born May 17, 1867, at Belleville in St. Clair County, Illinois. His parents' were Henry and Bridget (Dunnegan) Hanna, natives of County Mayo, Ireland, where the father was born February 2, 1833, and the mother, June 10, 1839.

When Henry Hanna was twelve years old he accompanied his father, Isaac Hanna, to America, his mother having died in Ireland in 1838. The travelers were bound for the port of N'ew York by way of Quebec. Canada. The father never reached New York, dying in 1846, at Quebec. Young Henry proceeded on his journey and after reaching the great city, alone and friendless, had to carve out his own fortune. He had a natural talent for mechanics and this led to his learning to be an engineer, and through that trade his subsequent life was for a number of years one of danger and adventure and at the same time identified him with stirring events in those days of national development. W hen the Civil war broke out he was an engineer on a Mississippi River boat then at Memphis, Tennessee. He enlisted for service as an engineer in the Federal navy and served in that capacity until overtaken by serious illness after the fleet had reached V'icksburg. After the war he continued to work as an engineer, laboring in coal mines, for a short time being an engineer in the famous coal district around Belleville, and also near St. Louis, Missouri, and later was an engineer on the old Terre Haute Railroad that is now a part of the Wabash system.

Long before these experiences, away back in 1854, Henry Hanna had visited Waupaca County. Wisconsin, and while there had preempted eighty acres of Government land, and to this land he returned in June, 1867. He was one of the early permanent settlers of Little Wolf Township and in time became one of its representative citizens. He was one of the founders and liberal supporters of the Episcopal Church there and was at the head of numerous enterprises that were beneficial to the public. All his life an ardent democrat, his party loyalty as well as his good citizenship was many times recognized by election to public office and he served for many years as chairman of the board of supervisors of Little Wolf Township. He was a charter member of Elbert on Lodge No. 271, Odd Fellows, at Manawa, Wisconsin. In 1861 he was married to Bridget Dunnegan, who survived him, dying May 16, 1917. His death occurred October 16, 1902. They had four children: Elizabeth Ann, Thomas Henry, John William and Mary E.

Thomas Henry Hanna was an infant when his parents settled on the pioneer farm in Waupaca County. He attended school in Little Wolf Township as opportunity offered until he was fifteen years old and then began the hard life of a woodsman, and during the summers afterward worked at lumbering on the river. He early had begun to cherish an ambition for an educated profession and early realized, also, that in order to secure a higher education he would be compelled to exercise courage and self denial. Thus, while pursuing his laborious calling, he attended the high school at Manawa whenever he found opjK>rtunity, but was not able to complete the high school course before he was twenty-five years of age. It was some time later before he was prepared to enter Laurence University, at Applcton, where he was a most diligent student for $ l / 2 years, subsequently applying himself to the study of law in offices at Manawa, Wisconsin, and at Dixon, Illinois. | 1

After ten years of strenuous labor in the lumber regions and on the river, and after equally strenuous work with his books, in May, 1897, Mr. Hanna was admitted to the bar of Illinois and subsequently to the bar of Wisconsin, with a right to feel victorious, because he had stubbornly contested every step of the way with adverse circumstances. He entered into practice at Manawa but in January, 1899, came to Stevens Point and this place has been his preferred home ever since. During the first six years Mr. Hanna was a member of the law firm of McFarland, Hanna & Murat, then for two years was senior member of the law firm of Hanna & Secklesteel, and since 191 5 has been in partnership with George B. Nelson, as Nelson & Hanna. In his profession Mr. Hanna has proved able, eloquent, safe and honorable and has built up a professional reputation that has made his name familiar in many parts of the state.

Mr. Hanna was married March 23, 1898, in Fond du Lac County, to Miss Amelia C. Otto, of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and they have one son, Thomas Charles, who was born April 26. 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Hanna are members of the Episcopal Church.

In 1904 Mr. Hanna was elected mayor of Stevens Point, and during his admirable administration of four years civic reforms were brought about, many public improvements took permanent form and innumerable worthy enterprises were founded and encouraged. Not only the democratic party but citizens generally have confidence in the ripe judgment and personal integrity of Mr. Hanna, in his legal worth, sound patriotism and generous sympathies, and there is a general feeling that high public responsibilities would be safe in his hands. Devoted, however, to his profession, Mr. Hanna has thus far turned a deaf car to his democratic friends when they have suggested the race for Congress or the gubernatorial chair. Busy as he is, Mr. Hanna finds time to attend to numerous local public-spirited duties and is very active as president of the Business Men's Association of Stevens Point. Fraterna lly he is identified with the Odd Fellows and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

Michael Baxxach has been a resident farmer and property owner of Portage County for over forty years, is one of the highly esteemed citizens of Stockton Township, but the crowning distinction of his life is the family of intellectually brilliant sons and daughters who have grown up in his home. Several of his daughters have been prominent as educators and one of them was formerly county superintendent of schools.

Mr. Bannach was born in Poland August 13, 1852, son of Casimer and Mary (Kowalski) Bannach. His parents came to America and settled in Illinois in 1873, and two years later moved to Portage County and bought eighty acres of land that is now owned by Mr. Michael Bannach. They spent their last years in Hull Township, where the father died in 1892, at the age of eighty years, and the mother in 1896, when also about fourscore. Their children were .Michael, Mary. Carrie. Joseph, Frank and Josephine. Frank died in June, 1917, and Josephine is also deceased. The father was a democrat and the family active members of the Polish Catholic Church,

Michael Bannach was reared and educated in his native land and in 1872, at the age of twenty, a year before his parents, came to America and settled in Illinois. In 1876 he located tn Portage County, and at that time acquired land that is now incorporated in his present farm. He also has the old place of his father and his activities as an agriculturist are now conducted on a large farm, improved with modern buildings and other facilities. He is also the owner of a 200-acre farm in Marathon County. He keeps a herd of pure-bred Holsteins. Mr. Bannach is a democrat, has served as supervisor of Stockton Township and two terms as school treasurer.

June 24, 1883, he married Miss Eva Bcmbenncck. She was born in Poland March 7, 1868, daughter of Frank and Catherine (Chelawski ) Bembenneck. Her parents immigrated to America in 1880, spending some time in New York, and in 1882 settled north of Ellis in Sharon Township of Portage County. Her father owned a farm of 200 acres there. Mrs. Bannach's father died May 10, 1917, at the age of eighty-three, and her mother on November 4, 1917, aged eighty-four. They were devout members of the Polish Catholic Church. Their children, four in number, all living, are Adam, Eva, Joseph and Martin.

Twelve children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bannach. The first were twins. Vincent and Adam, both of whom died in infancy. The oldest of those living is Frances, born September 17, 1887. She was educated in the public schools of Stockton Township, graduated from the elementary course of the State Normal at Stevens Point in 1906 and from the advanced course in August. 1914. and also attended the University of Minnesota. She began teaching in the rural schools and in July. 191 1, at the age of twenty-three, was elected county superintendent of schools. She held that office for six years, and in spite of her youth made a record of efficient administration that has seldom been equalled. She refused to accept a renomination, and on October 20. 1 9 1 7, became the wife of Mr. Elmer Dickerson. Mr. Dickerson is secretary and superintendent of the lumber and veneer factory at Marshfield. Wisconsin, where he resides. The second child, Josephine, was born February 12. 1889, was educated in the country schools, graduated from Normal School in 1909. and for three years was a teacher at Marshfield. She is now the wife of Merton Vanderhoof, a dealer in motorcycles and a city mail carrier of Marshfield. Mr. and Mrs. Vanderhoof were married in 1912 and have two children, Frances and Ramona. Marian, the third daughter, born September 7, 1891, graduated from the State Normal School in 191 3, has taught in the rural schools of the county for two years and for two years was assistant principal in the Crawford County Training School, and one year county supervising teacher of Portage County, and is now county superintendent of Portage County, receiving her appointment July 18, 1918. She has also taken courses in the University of Minnesota. Florian was born April 16, 1894, was educated in the Stevens Point High School and the Normal School and is now a senior in Ripon College. He enlisted May 14, 1918. took the mechanic's course at Lansing University, Michigan, was transferred to Camp Hancock, where he was granted a commission as second lieutenant, and was discharged December 28. 1918. Otylia, born November 28, 1897, is, a graduate of the Stevens Point High School and attended the Normal until illness compelled her to give up her studies. John was born March 25, 1899, and is now a senior in the Stevens Point High School. Henry, born July 10, 1902, graduated from the eighth grade of the public schools in 1917. The two youngest of the family are Emil and Amelia, twins, born February 27, 1904, now students of the grade school at Custer.

Charles Stf.inke. Portage County has gone through several periods of development. At first it was pre-eminently a lumber center and when the forest was cleared away the efforts at agriculture were largely limited to grain raising and only incidentally the growing of livestock. Now the progressive element among the agriculturists are paying more and more attention to good livestock. One of the men whose success is largely due to the capable and methodical working out of a plan of general farming, including crops and high class livestock, is Mr. Charles Steinke of Grant Township, whose home is on rural route No. 6 out of Stevens Point. Mr. Steinke has a large farm, acquired gradually through the industry of a quarter of a century, and his specialty is high-grade Holstein and Guernsey cattle and he is owner of one of the few herds of thoroughbred Chester White swine found in the county. He also grows sheep and wool.

Mr. Steinke has lived in Portage County most of his life, but was born at Milwaukee December 22, 1874, a" son of Fred and Minnie (Riebesthal) Steinke. His parents were both natives of Germany. The mother came to Milwaukee with her father, John Riebesthal, whose wife had died in Germany, and he passed away in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin, at the age of eighty years. Fred Steinke arrived in Milwaukee about 1869. and married Minnie Riebesthal in that city. In 1881 the family came to Portage County and located in Grant Township, where they acquired 120 acres in section 21. and also eighty acres of marsh land. Fred Steinke developed this farm with good buildings and cleared away much of the brush and timber. He was a man of substance and thrifty citizenship and his death in 1892. at the age of fifty-nine, meant a distinct loss to the community. His wife passed awav in 1904 aged sixty-one. They were members of the Lutheran Church. Fred Steinke married hi's first wife in Germany and she died in Milwaukee, leaving one son. Theodore, who is now living in Waukausha County and by his marriage to Minnie Witt has six children, all living, named : Edwin, Laura, Ella, Lillie, John and Irwin. Fred and Minnie Steinke became the parents of five children. Emma, the oldest, died in July, 1915, the wife of Charles Henke, and left four children named Clara, John, Edwin and I-conia. The second in age is Mr. Charles Steinke. William, who died in 1904, married Annie llanke and their three children were Fred, Mary and Albert. Henry, a resident of Grant Township, married Bertha Xovack and has children: Ida, Alma, Clara. Mabel and Robert, all still living except Robert. Robert, the fourth of the family, died in 1910 at the age of twenty-six. Albert died at the age of eight years.

Mr. Charles Steinke received his first schooling in Milwaukee. He also attended the public schools of Grant Township, and has been steadily giving his energies to farming sitice early youth. In 1892, at the age of eighteen, he acquired his first land, 120 acres in section 13, township 22. of Grant Township. This land has been steadily increased under his management and his farm now comprises 440 acres. It is improved with good buildings and has every facility for good and efficient farming.

Mr. Steinke is a republican, has served a number of years on the school board, and is now in his third successive year as chairman of the township board. He and his family are all Lutherans.

October 12, 1898, he married Miss Martha Knut, who was born in Germany May 2, 1881 , and was three years old when in 1883 her parents, Charles and Tina (Kauth) Knut. came to Portage County. They settled in Grant Township and her father developed a fine farm of 360 acres. Her mother died in 1909 at the age of forty-eight and her father is now living retired at Grand Rapids, Wisconsin. Mrs. Steinke was one of a family of children, as follows: Annie; Otto; Martha ; Augusta, who died in infancy ; John ; Fred and Minnie, twins ; Louise; William; Carl; Emma; and Ida. who died in infancy.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Steinke has been blessed with the birth of eight children, six of whom are still living. John, the oldest, died in infancy. The fifth in order of birth was Archie, who died at the age of two years. The others, named in order of age, are Delia, Lydia, Louise. Carl. William and Helena.

John Gliczinski, whose fine country home is in Sharon Township, has gained an enviable position among the progressive and successful farmer citizens of Portage County. The passing years have brought him a large degree of that material prosperity which is characteristic of this rich section of Wisconsin, and at the same time he has gained the esteem of his entire community by his good ci* ; - - and by the contribution he has made in the shape of a splendid family of children.

Mr. Gliczinski was born in Sharon Township January 25. 1871. son of August and Augusta ( York) Gliczinski. His parents settled in Portage Count v in 1870. and in 1871 moved to the farm where their son John now resides. The father died here in 1896, at the age of fifty-six, and the mother at the age of seventy-eight. August Gliczinski acquired 240' .; acres of land, and had much of it cleared and improved with good buildings before his death. He and his wife had seven children, John, Yiletta. Jacob. Nick. Charles, Mary and Joseph. Those now deceased are Yiletta. who died in 1910. Jacob, Nick and Mary cation in the public schools. For a quarter of a century he has been cultivating the land on which he was reared and besides the old homestead in Sharon Township he also owns i2oy 2 acres in Marathon County. Out of the proceeds of his farming enterprise he has constructed a notable group of buildings, including a barn 46 by 58 feet, other structures and a good substantial home. Mr. Gliczmski is a democrat and a member of the Polish Catholic Church at Polonia.

In 1897 he married Miss Agnes Visbi, who was born in Poland August 29, 1875, daughter of Joseph and Maggie Visbi. Her parents came to America and settled in Marathon County, Wisconsin, in 1894. Her father died there in 1903 and her mother in 1907.

Mr. and Mrs. Gliczinski may indeed be proud of their children, twelve in number, all of whom arc still living. Their names in order of birth are Martha, Annie, Emil, Frank, Theodore, Felix, Victor, Regina, Lucadia, John, Louie and Raymond. The oldest, Martha, is now the wife of Domini k Ossosske, a farmer in Dewey Township. They have two children, John and Edmond.

Georgr H. Corrigan. The younger element of the agricultural industry in Portage County, upon whom rests the responsibility for the present and future prosperity of the region, is ably represented by George H. Corrigan, a native of the county, representative of one of its old and honored families, and now and for some years past profitably engaged in farming in Buena Vista Township.

Mr. Corrigan was born in section 24 of that township June 12, 1877, a son of George H. and Sarah (Kirby) Corrigan. Both parents were born at Stevens Point and both in the same year, 1856. Thus both families were pioneers in this section of the state. Mr. Corrigan's paternal grandparents were James and Leah (Russell) Corrigan, who first knew Stevens Point when it was a hamlet in the midst of the lumber woods. They soon settled on a tract of wild land in Buena Vista Township, where their efforts resulted in the clearing up of a good farm. James Corrigan died in 1880. at advanced years, and his wife passed away in 1916, aged eighty-seven.

Mr. Corrigan's maternal grandparents were Thomas and Bridget ( Birmingham) Kirby. In the absence of railroads they drove into Portage County with wagon and team, and after a residence of some years in Stevens Point located in Buena Vista Township on the farm now owned by George H. Corrigan. It was Thomas Kirby who did the first work of clearing the land here. Mrs. Thomas Kirby died in March, 1912, at the age of eighty-two, while Mr. Kirby met his death accidentally at Stevens Point on April 22, 1914, when eighty-three years of age. All of their nine children are now deceased.

George H. Corrigan was reared on the old homestead at Portage County and had a public school education. During his work in the lumber woods he had a foot cut off. Though thus handicapped, he was always an alert business man, and did much buying and selling of land. He and his wife had three children: George H.; Theresa, wife of Frank Poust, of Stevens Point; and Sarah, wife of Oscar Carpenter of Buena Vista Township. The mother of these children died in 1883. George H. Corrigan later moved to Oklahoma, where he married a second wife and bv her had a large family of children.

completely developed and adapted to the uses of general farming. Besides handling this farm Mr. Corrigan is giving his attention to public duties and is now serving his third consecutive term as township treasurer. In politics he is a democrat. September 5, 1900, he married Miss Mary Hopkins. Mrs. Corrigan was born in Lanark Township of this county August 30, 1875, daughter of Michael and Mary (Timlin) Hopkins. Michael Hopkins came to Portage County with his parents, Laughlin and Bridget Hopkins, in very early days. Laughlin Hopkins was a pioneer of Lanark Township, and lived there until his death on April 1, 1896, at the age of seventy-two. His widow is still living in the old home in Lanark Township. Mary Timlin Hopkins was a daughter of Edward Timlin, who after the death of his wife in Ireland came to Portage County and was a notable figure in this locality. On October 15, 1900, when he died, he had attained the remarkable age of 101 years. He was born December 25, 1799, and nearly succeeded in living in three centuries. Longevity was evidently a characteristic of the Timlin family, since Edward Timlin had a cousin. Honora Thornton, who was also 101 years old when she died.

One of the Corrigan family that should be mentioned was an uncle of Mr. Corrigan, James Corrigan, who was educated in the old White School at Stevens Point, was an educator and is now a member of the firm McKinley & Corrigan at Hamilton, Texas.

Mr. and Mrs. Corrigan have had a fine family of eight children, all living but one. Their names in order of birth are : Theresa, Mary, Lawrence, Walter, James, Gertrude, Sarah, and Gwendolyn. The deceased child is Sarah.

Joseph Jadack is one of the prosperous farmers who live in the Junction City community and have made that one of the best and most valuable agricultural sections of Portage County.

Mr. Jadack was born in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, December 24, 1859. His father was born in Austria in 1819, and came to America in 1855, locating in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, where he bought a tract of state lands. He was a soldier of the American Union in the Civil war. He died in 1887.

Joseph Jadack married Augusta Berkel, who was born in i860. Mr. and Mrs. Jadack came to their present place in 1895, and now have a modernly equipped farm and one of the fine country homes. Mr. Jadack has served as supervisor of his town for three years. He is a democrat and he and his family are members of the Methodist Church.

The children and grandchildren are briefly noted as follows: Bertha, whose children are Clarence, Mabel. Isabel and Charles: Emma, who has two children, Elmer and Isabelle; Emil, who has two children. Elmer and Buthela ; Benjamin, who is unmarried and owns some of the best farming property in Portage County; Frank, also unmarried.

- Oscar U. Benedict, whose country home is in Linwood Township, has gained an enviable position among the progressive and successful farmer citizens of Portage County. The years have brought him a large degree of that material prosperity which is characteristic of this rich section of Wisconsin, the esteem of the community has increased in proportion to the length of his residence, and his fellow

Though Mr. Benedict has spent his most useful years in Portage County, he was born in Nebraska August 12, 1870, son of William Edward and Sarah (Bigford) Benedict, both natives of New York State. They came with their respective parents to Lamartin, Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, and were married in the town of Lamartin. William E. Benedict enlisted and served in the Fourteenth Wisconsin Infantry during the last three years of the Civil war, and was honorably discharged October 26, 1865. He then sold his place in Lamartin and moved to the frontier state of Nebraska, in three years sold out and went to Adams County, Iowa, and in 1884 he sold his farm and store and came to Portage County, Wisconsin, locating on a farm of 120 acres of land in Linwood. Later he again sold out and returned to Nodaway, Adams County, Iowa. Soon after his settlement in Iowa his wife died, on the eleventh day of June, 1908. He was married again in the year 19 10, and is still living in Nodaway, Adams County, in advanced years. He is a republican in politics, and he and his wife were formally active in the Methodist Episcopal Church but later they joined the Church of Christ. Their children were three in number: Emma, widow of Charles Lawrence; Oscar U. ; and Minnie, who died in 1884.

Oscar U. Benedict was three years old when his parents moved from Nebraska to Iowa and in that state most of his boyhood and schooling center. When he was fourteen he came to Portage County, Wisconsin, with his parents. Here he took an increasing share of responsibilities in the forest home, clearing land and cutting logs and stave bolts and hauling with an ox team, mostly used at that time. After reaching manhood he bought forty acres of land in Linwood Township and on that made the beginning of his efforts as an agriculturist. He cleared it, and did the early cultivation. At that time the roads were poor, not more than trails through the woods in this part of the country, and he lived somewhat in pioneer style, like most all of the settlers who lived in this part of the country at that time. Later he added twenty acres to his land, giving him a farm of sixty acres, and he also has eighty acres surrounding his home farm in section 7. Mr. Benedict is a practical dairyman, has twelve good dairy cows, and makes this part of his fanning profitable. He is a republican and has served as supervisor of Linwood Township and for six years has been clerk of his school board. He and his w>fe arc members of the Church of God.

August 26, 1898, Mr. Benedict married Amanda Pearl Nicman. She was born on the farm where she now resides in 1877, daughter of John and Louise (Miller) Nieman. Both parents were natives of Germany, but were married in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, "and soon after their marriage settled in Portage County, in Linwood Township, acquiring the land where Mr. and Mrs. Benedict now have a comfortable and prosperous farm, though at that time it was a portion of the wilderness. Mr. Nieman cleared a spot in the midst of the trees to build his first home, and as he was a skillful carpenter and cabinetmaker he put up a beautiful large house, solid and substantial, and still in use. He not only framed the timbers but he cut and fitted most of the woodwork by hand, even to making the doors and sash, which were beautifully finished with mouldings. Mr. Nieman lived a long and honored life in Portage County, and died in 1903, at the age of eighty-one, while his widow passed away in 191 1, at about the same age. Their children were : Henry, Louise, Albert, Emma, Louis, Edward and Amanda Pearl. All are living except Louis, Edward and Albert.

Mr. and Mrs. Benedict have seven children, all of them living and most of them still getting their educations in college, state normal and district schools. Their names and dates of birth are : Florence, June 14, 1899; Willie, June 28, 1901 ; Edyth, February 9, 1903; Amy, December 3, 1906; Evelyn, September 14, 1908; Ethel, June 4, 1912; Myrtle, August 15. 1914.

W. Henky Reading has been a factor in the business life and affairs of Stevens Point for a number of years, is head of the firm Reading & Neumann, well known all over Stevens Point for the service they render as general cartage and transfer operators, and also supplying a complete service for the city in ice. the latter being the principal department of their business. Mr. Reading's father. William Reading, is one of the oldest surviving pioneers of Portage County. He was born near Oxford, England, August 13, 1834. He came to America in 1849. landing in New York City. From there he went to Syracuse, New York, near which city he worked on a farm for a year and a half. Then he went to Skaneatclcs, New York, where he commenced learning the trade of blacksmith and worked in the shop a year and a half, his sole compensation for eighteen months labor being his board, $io in cash and a cheap suit of clothes. Quitting this trade, he hired out on a farm and for a time did chores for his board and went to school. He came to Stevens Point in 1855 and for many years thereafter his history was that of hundreds of young men, the real pioneers who felled the mighty pines and transformed the forests of the Wisconsin River Valley into productive farms and centers of industrial enterprises.

The next day after his arrival he commenced work at Jordan for Wells, Mason & McCoy in the construction of a sawmill, lie worked at Jordan and in the logging woods and in rafting lumber down the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers for the next nine years. In 1864 the Fifth Wisconsin Infantry, which had been on duty in the Army of the Potomac, was reorganized and on August 29th of that year Mr. Reading enlisted in Company D of th.it organization, joining the regiment in the Shenandoah Valley, near Winchestertown, the scene of Sheridan's famous ride. After being on duty here for some time the regiment was transferred to the James River and took part in General Grant's campaign on Petersburg and Richmond. It also joined in the pursuit of General Lee's army after these places had been evacuated, and was near Appomattox at the final surrender of Lee's army. On that memorable dav. which made the whole North delirious with joy, Mr. Reading saw both Generals Grant and Lee as they passed along the road near the regiment.

Returning to Washington, the regiment took part in the Grand Review, and was finally mustered out on June 30, 1865. Returning to Jordan. Mr. Reading resumed work in the same mill he had left when he entered the army. In 1870, in company with Charles Van Order, he bought what was known as the Upper Mill on the Plover River. They operated it thirteen years and then Mr. Reading bought voi. n-« out his partner and operated the mill alone for two years. In the meantime, however, and later, Mr. Reading had executed large logging contracts and in these operations and in his milling business had paid out many thousands of dollars for labor. After quitting the lumbering business he followed farming for a time and then moved to the city. For the past eleven years he has made his home with one of his sons, Henry Reading, on Normal Avenue.

On October 5, 1855, in New York, Mr. Reading married Miss Sarah Welch, who was born in Ireland in 1835. After their marriage they came to Portage County and settled at Jordan in Hull Township. Mrs. Reading died in Stevens Point in 1888. Mr. Reading is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, is a republican in politics, and at one time served as assessor in Hull Township. He is a member of the Episcopal Church, while his wife was a Catholic. They had four children, the oldest dying in infancy; Mary, who died at the age of twenty-three; Henry; and George, who lives in Stevens Point and is employed by his brother Henry.

VV. Henry Reading was born at Jordan in Hull Township of this county March 31, 1861, and spent most of his boyhood days in that locality. He had a public school education and put his youthful strength to test as a worker in the lumber woods and in the sawmills. He also did logging for himself and had a number of years of practical experience in the lumbering and as foreman in lumber camps, handling large crews of men. In 1905 he and E. W. Neumann bought the ice business from Mr. C. Moen and formed a partnership in the freight and ice business and have successfully carried on that business since. In this capacity they have sold large quantities to the Soo Railway and have shipped large quantities to other towns. Both are men o( experience and have ample equipment for furnishing a perfect service in their special lines. Their ice houses are located at the foot of Clark Street on the Wisconsin River and also west of the Clark Street bridge.

In 1895 M r - Reading bought a good home at 610 Normal Avenue and he and his family have lived in that location for over twenty years. He is a republican voter but has never sought any official honors. He is of liberal views in religion, and is always willing to contribute liberally to any good cause and has helped many in need.

In November, 1884, Mr. Reading married Miss Mary Ryan, of Jordan. Hull Township. Her father, Dennis Ryan, now deceased, was a Portage County pioneer and well known among the older residents. Dennis Ryan came to Wisconsin in 1855. He was married in Chicago in 1856 to Catherine Murphy, who died in 1873. They were the parents of six children. Mr. and Mrs. Reading have two daughters, both born in Stevens Point. Mabel, the older, graduated from the Stevens Point Normal and taught in Schoficld. Xcenah and Stevens Point, Wisconsin. On July 19, 1917. she became the wife of George W. Whitely of Oshkosh. Wisconsin, a passenger conductor on the Soo line, with headquarters in Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Whitely are at this writing traveling in the South, visiting San Antonio, Texas, and other points of interest. The second daughter, Nellie, was educated in the parochial schools and high school, and since graduating from the State Normal has been teaching in the schools of Stevens Point.

He was born in this city May 5, 1892, and represents an old and honored family. His parents are Henry and Mary (Ihde) Field, both of whom are still living in Stevens Point. His father was born in Portage County and his mother in Milwaukee. Mr. Field is descended from an ancestor who fought as a private in the Revolutionary war.

He was reared and educated in Stevens Point, and in 1908, at the age of sixteen, found his first regular employment with the P. Rothman Dry Goods Company. He was there until January 22, 1916, when he assumed the position of manager of Hurley's Cigar and Billiard Parlor, and later became sole proprietor of this business, which he conducts at the present time.

Mr. Field is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, is a republican in politics, and both he and his parents are members of the Baptist Church. On April 23, 191 7, he married Miss Laura Bodette. daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Bodette of Grand Rapids, Wisconsin.

Joseph L. Dopp. One of the important early dates in the settlement of Belmont Township is June 1, 1852, which warks the coming of Henry H. and Ellen (Lane) Dopp and family. They found in the entire township only to other families, one headed by Peter Dunegan and the other by H. W. Robinson. All was new and raw, but Henry H. Dopp with the spirit of the real pioneer went immediately to work to clear and develop his land. He acquired 280 acres in section 35 and made that a fine farm before his death. He was a highly respected and earnest minded citizen and his death on February 13, 1805, marked the passing of one of the real pioneers of the county. His wife died June 14. 1895. They were married in Waukesha County of this state in 1848.

Henry H. Dopp was born near Rome in Oneida County, New N York. October 4, 1819. Just a month later Ellen Lane was born in Broome County, New York, on November 3. 1819. Henry H. Dopp settled in Waukesha County, Wisconsin Territory, in 1844, and Ellen Lane arrived in the same county the next year. They lived for about four years after their marriage in Oconomowoc Township of Waupaca County. Henry H. Dopp was a republican in politics and for many years served as justice of the peace and was also a member of the School Board. He was of Quaker ancestry. He and his wife had five children: Joseph L. ; Albert E.. a farmer of Belmont Township; Charles H.. who has a portion of the old homestead ; Fred, a farmer of Almond Township; and Susan C, who lives in Springvale Township of Waushara County, widow of George C. Lane.

Joseph L. Dopp, who represents the second generation of the family in Belmont Township, was bom at Oconomowoc. Wisconsin, December 24. 1840. and was not yet three years of age when his parents came to Portage County. His early life was spent on the old homestead and he had such education as was supplied by the local schools of his youth. The first school he attended was kept in a board shanty, but the next vear a better and more substantial frame schoolhouse was erected. His choice of vocation was farming and in 1872 he put a plow into some of the land which he now owns as a farm in Belmont Township. Mr. Dopp is proprietor of 250 acres and the pass- ing years have seen many improvements. He erected a group of good buildings, including a barn 40 by 60 feet and is doing a good deal with cattle of the Holstein strain, having a thoroughbred bull at the head of his herd. He is now practically retired from the heavier responsibilities of farming, his assistants and managers being his sons George and Walter.

Mr. Dopp is a republican voter. For a number of years he served as chairman of the township, and for one year was township clerk and has also served as secretary of the Stockton Insurance Company twenty-three years. He is a member of the Masonic Order and the Knights of the Maccabees.

September 6, 1874, Mr. Dopp married Miss Delia Darling. She was born in Cattaraugus County, New York, May 15, 1855, daughter of Samuel and Iantha (Carpenter) Darling. Her parents came to Waupaca County on July 1. 1855, when she was only six weeks old. Her parents spent the rest of their lives in Waupaca County, where her father died in February, 1899, at the age of seventy-two, and her mother was about seventy when she died. Mr. and Mrs. Dopp have had six children. Nellie, the oldest, died when a young girl of fifteen. Grace F.. and I 'earl E. are twins, and both are now married and have children. Grace married W. M. Smart and they live in North Dakota. Their family consists of six children: Reginald H., Winfield Scott, Virginia, Conrad, Homer Donovan and John Charles. Pearl E. is the wife of Albert Lowe, and they also live in North Dakota and have three children: Philip M., James D. and Robert D. Walter H. married Florence Frost and they live on the paternal homestead. Their one child is Elizabeth Genevieve. The fourth in age in the family is Genevieve, wife of E. J. Gragoe, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and they have one child, Edward J. George M., the youngest, is unmarried and lives at home. Mr. and Mrs. Dopp have twelve grandchildren.

Edward McHucai. While Portage County is not an old district as compared with many sections of the east it contains a number of families that have been here for several generations, and these families make up the bone and sinew of the social and industrial fabric. A splendid representative of the earlier pioneer class who has now gone to his reward was the late Edward McHugh.

A native of Ireland, where he was born in 1830, he came to the United States and settled in Kentucky in early manhood. In Kentucky he married Margaret Sinnot. who was also born in Ireland. It was in i860 that this pioneer couple arrived at Stevens Ponit. In the fall of that year they located on land in Dewey Township, and that land has now been in the continuous ownership and occupation of the family for over half a century. Edward McHugh did some of the first work in clearing away the woods and planting the crops. Beginning with 160 acres, he acquired another eighty acres, and was prospered, an intelligent and highly thought of citizen the rest of his years. He died in 1897, his widow surviving him until 19 10, when she passed away at the age of sixty-seven.

Edward McHugh was a stalwart democrat in politics. For thirty years he occupied the office of township clerk. He and his family were members of the Catholic Church.

dren are still on the old farm, the oldest of them being James. Thomas, the third child, married Kate Welch, and they live at Sand Point, Idaho, and have seven children, the three oldest being John, Margaret and Frank. John and Edward are still living in Portage County, the former at Stevens Point and the latter on the homestead. Matthew is^mployed at Blackwell, Wisconsin. Martin, Frank, Kate and Richard are all at home.

The children who have remained at home have taken up the work which was laid down by their honored father and have carried it forward to notable proportions. They bought 120 acres of land, making the farm comprise 360 acres. It is a big farm, productive soil, well managed and is contributing its share to the high standard of Portage County as an agricultural area. Furthermore it is a fine home. The house is surrounded by beautiful trees and every traveler along the highway remarks upon its homelike and attractive atmosphere. It is the center of some very progressive farming. In 1907 the McHughs erected a large barn 36 by 74 feet, and they have one of the finest silos encountered anywhere in Portage County. This silo, 14 by 32 feet, is constructed of brick and is one of the few silos of that material in the county. The McHugh brothers handle high-grade Holstein cattle with a thoroughbred sire at the head. The son Thomas has served as supervisor of the township one term, and Edward McHugh, r., is now clerk of the school district. Miss Kate McHugh keeps ouse for her brothers on the farm.

Michael Ostrowski has lived in Portage County from early infancy, came to manhood here with the average experiences of a country youth and in a period still suggesting pioneer things, and in his mature manhood has so ordered his affairs as a farmer and citizen that he thoroughly enjoys the respect and esteem of an entire community.

Mr. Ostrowski was born in Poland in September, 1871. A few weeks after his birth his parents. Thomas and Mary Ostrowski, set out for the New World, and after about six weeks in New York came to Portage County in 1872. They settled in that portion of Hull Township that is now Dewey Township, and there acquired land which is now in the farm of Michael Ostrowski. That land was then in a state of nature and Thomas Ostrowski cleared much of it, planted and cultivated his crops and lived here a useful and industrious citizen until his death in March, 1892, at the age of sixty. His widow survived him until 1908, and was then sixty-three years of age. Their children were: Michael; Annie, deceased; Frances; Edward; John, deceased ; Frank ; and Anton. Both parents were devout members of the Polish Catholic Church.

Michael Ostrowski was reared on the old farm in Dewey Township and acquired his early education in the district schools. He has always lived on the farm where he was reared and now in addition to the old homestead of 120 acres in section 26 he owns forty acres in section 22. He has done some pioneer work, has cleared up much land, and has erected some of the substantial buildings which now adorn the farm. He is looked upon as one of the enterprising farmers of the township. In early days Mr. Ostrowski lived in Wisconsin, when deer were much more plentiful than at present, and he acquired much skill as a hunter and is still an enthusiast in that sport and whenever possible seeks out the haunts of wild game.

He and his family are members of the Polish Catholic Church. He has done much to uphold the fortunes of the democratic party in the county and is now a director of the local school board. In 1897 Mr. Ostrowski married Miss Paulina Yack, daughter of John Yack, of Sharon Township. Mr. and Mrs. Ostrowski became the parents of fourteen children, seven of whom died in infancy. The others are \\\ living, named Felix, Alexander, Joseph, Philip. Jacob, John and Clara.

Martin Xeuberger. One of the old and honored residents of Stevens Point, Mr. Neuberger has had an active career as a railroad worker and in other lines of usefulness, and has been a factor in community life for over forty years.

He was born in Hungary November 3, 1844. He was reared and educated in his native land and in 1868 he married Mrs. Elizabeth Tyler. In March, 1875, they came to New York, spent a short time in Tennessee, at Louisville, Kentucky, and later in the same year arrived at Stevens Point. At that time the county seat of Portage County was a small village, chiefly in the woods. Martin Neuberger has lived here ever since, and for many years was employed on the old Wisconsin Railway as car inspector, and also in charge of the supply department. He is now living retired. He has acquired considerable property and has had some share in developing the residential section of the city. The first home he built was on Fremont Street, and about thirty years ago he built his present residence at 430 Oak Street. He also owned a farm in Buena Yista Township for a number of years. He is independent in politics and a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and the Catholic Knights. His wife died at Stevens Point May 7, 191 5, at the age of seventy-two years.

Frank A. Neuberger, one of the five children of Martin Neuberger and wife, was born at Stevens Point March 30, 1879. He attended the parochial schools and finished his education in St. Francis College at Quincy, Illinois. He is well known in public affairs and for about fifteen years has been clerk of the county court of Portage County. He is normally a democrat but often exercises his independent judgment in voting. He is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is a member of the Catholic Church.

Frank A. Neuberger married June 9, 1008, Miss Margaret Mc- Grogan. She was born in Thorps. Wisconsin, June 1, 1883, daughter of John and Margaret (Finnegan) McGrogan. Both her parents were natives of Canada and her father was born in 1846. They were pioneer settlers at Thorps, Wisconsin, where her father for many years has been in the ice and livery business. He was identified with the community when oxen were the chief instruments of transportation, and at one time he used oxen to carry the mail. The McGrogan family are Catholic and in politics democrats. They had five children: William J.. Mary Agnes, Olive Maud, Martha Jane and Margaret, all of whom arc still living.

passenger conductor for more than a quarter of a century. For an even longer period he has been identified with the good citizenship of Stevens Point as a resident and he is one of the most influential among the large colony of railroad men who make this city their home.

Mr. West is of New England ancestry and was born at East Machias, Maine, June 28, i860, son of Jeremiah VV. and Rebecca Baker) West. Both parents were natives of Maine. The father enlisted for service in the Union army when William E. West was a few months old. and served gallantly with his regiment until he was killed at the battle of Fair Oaks, Virginia. May 5, 1862. The Grand Army Post at East Machias, Maine, is named in his honor. In early life he had been a sawmill man. He and his wife had four children.' Emma D., the oldest, married Emmon F. Rollins. Mr. Rollins was a sailor in early days and later took up railroading, and came to Wisconsin with his brotherin-law, William West, living at Stevens Point for some years. He was connected with the old Wisconsin Central and later went to work with the wrecking crew of the Santa Fe Railroad. He, lived in Texas about twelve years, and died in 1913. His widow is still living at Cleburn, Texas. Clementine, the second daughter, married Hasscll Nutt, and they live at Brooklyn, New York. Mr. Nutt for many years has been a mail carrier in New York City. Henry West was for about thirty-five years a bill clerk in the employ of the Wisconsin Central Railroad and is still living at Stevens Point.

William E. West, the fourth and youngest child, was brought to Stevens Point by his mother about 1879. His mother later moved to Fort Worth, Texas, and lived with her brother Henry and died in that city. William E. West was educated at East Machias, Maine, and also attended school both at East Machias and at Brooklyn, New York. After coming to Portage County he worked in the saw mills at Romeo for one year and then was employed at Wausau.

On December 24, 1880, he began his employment with the Wisconsin Central Railway. His first work was as switchman for four years and he was promoted to yardmaster, working thus for five years. He became a brakeman and on June 10, 1890, was promoted to freight conductor. The first train he took out had the misfortune of being ditched at what is now Owens, Wisconsin. But that was a good rather than a bad augury, and he has continued now for more than a quarter of a century to handle trains on the Wisconsin Central and for fifteen years had a run to Portage. For the past five years he has had one of the best runs on the Soo Line, between Stevens Point and Chicago. In 1886 Mr. West built his home at 314 Oak Street. He is an active member of the Order of Railway Conductors, is also affiliated with the Knights of the Maccabees and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Stevens Point, belongs to the Baptist Giurch and in politics is independent.

September 29. 1883. he married Grace Whitney. Mrs. West was born in New Brunswick, Canada, March 4, 1865, daughter of George and Jane ( Rogers) Whitney. Her parents were also natives of Canada and were born and married in the same house at New Brunswick and their children were born in the same place. In 1868 the Whitney family came to Knowlton, Marathon County. Wisconsin, where the father was a lumberman for eight years. He then removed to Stevens Point, and continued in the lumber business and conducted a mill on Plover River. He died at Stevens Point in 1896, and his wife is also deceased. Their children were: Ann, Mrs. Robert Wallace, of Stevens Point;

George, deceased, his widow, Mrs. Florence Whitney, living on Jefferson Street; Daniel, who resides on Normal Avenue; Henrietta, wife of Emerson Wells, of Washington Street; Armina, wife of George L. Rogers, also of Stevens Point ; Alice, who died at the age of sixteen ; Charlotte, wife of Dr. W. N. Kennedy of Ceres, California; Robert, who died at the age of eleven years; and Grace, Mrs. West.

Mr. and Mrs. West have a family of six children: Winifred, born April 7, 1884, died September 20, 1886; W. Hasscll, born March 7, 1888, married Alma Roulier and has a son, William E., born January 22, 1918; Myron Whitney, born July 16, 1890, lives at Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and by his marriage to Xora Jems has three daughters, Orion, Lenore and Charlotte: Evelyn, born May 6, 1894, is a successful teacher in the kindergarten of the Fifth Ward school at Stevens Point ; Harrold, born August 7. 1896, is in the senior year of the Dental College of the University of Illinois; Dorothy Irene, born May 15, 1898, married Bert O'Connor of Stevens Point, and has a daughter, Marian Jane, and son, Hal B.

Felix Bruski represents that type of citizen who has had most to do with the development of Portage County. As a class such citizens have been primarily workers, and year after year have performed their allotted tasks and have been content to perform their responsibilities without expectation of honors and rewards sometimes bestowed upon less worthy individuals.

Mr. Bruski has lived in Portage County most of his mature life and his prosperity is measured not only by extensive lands and a beautiful farm, but also by his participation in local affairs and by the splendid family of children who have grown up around him.

Township. They were comparatively poor and able to buy only forty acres of land. They lived good, honest and industrious lives, and the father died here in 1906, at the age of eighty-two. while the mother passed away in 1912, and was at that time more than too years old. They had three children, all living, named : Joseph, Felix and Mary.

Felix Bruski acquired his early education in the schools of his native land. He was fourteen years old when he came to Wisconsin and after that spent most of his time for twelve years working in the woods and on the river. He acquired his first land in Sharon Township, comprising 120 acres. Two years later he came to the farm he now owns in Dewey Township, where he has 160 acres. He has also bought and sold land extensively and at one time had 680 acres. Most of his present farm has been cleared by his capable energies and it is devoted to the general crops and livestock. It is improved with substantial buildings, and while he has had some losses, including one barn that burned, on the whole he has been greatly prospered in his affairs.

In politics his affiliations have been as a democrat. He has served as a member of the School Board, has been supervisor of Dewey Township, and before Dewey Township was set off from Hull Township served as supervisor of that township. He is a member of the Polish Catholic Church.

became the parents of eight children, all of whom are still living. Their names are John, Martha, Mary, Rosa, Felix, Leo, Bcnnie and Annie. Mary, Rosa, Felix and Annie all live in Chicago, while Leo is at Milwaukee.

Henry Sciiliesm.\n. In the personal and family record of this well known citizen of Sharon Township are many features of interest to the community at large. Mr. Schliesman has lived all his life in Wisconsin and evidence of his material success and well being is found in the fine farm which he now owns.

He was born in Scott Township of Columbia County, Wisconsin, December 29, 1867, son of Peter and Amelia (Konold) Schliesman. On both sides the family came from Germany. His paternal grandparents, Michael and Mary (Winter) Schliesman, arrived in Columbia County, Wisconsin, as pioneers in 1854 and spent the rest of their days in that locality. The grandfather died about 1888, when eighty-six years of age, and the mother in 1865, when about fifty. Peter Schliesman was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, October 22, 1830, and in 1848, at the age of eighteen, immigrated to America. His first location was at Philadelphia, where for a year and a half he worked in a powder factory. Coming on to Wisconsin, he lived for two years in Portage City, and while there was employed in a local brewery. He also had considerable experience in the pineries, was a riverman and sawmill workman at Jordan, and was employed in the first mill at that town. He finally located on a farm eighteen miles east of Portage. June 4, 1855, he married Miss Amelia Konold. She was born in Germany December 18, 1835, and when thirteen years of age came to Wisconsin and to Columbia County with her sister and brother. About six years later her parents, Mathias and Margaret (Simons) Konold, joined their children in Wisconsin. Her father was a very skilled mechanic and a manufacturer, and while living in Germany owned a foundry.

After their marriage Peter Schliesman and wife began housekeeping on their farm in Columbia County, but in 1872 moved to Portage County and lived on the place now owned by their son Henry. The father died in Stevens Point May 24, IQ16, and the widowed mother is still living at the home of her son Henry, being now eighty-three years of age. She had the following children : Adam, of Rhinelander, Wisconsin; Anna, living at ill Jefferson Street in Stevens Point, widow of John F.iden ; Theresa, wife of August Oe*terlc, of Sharon Township; Mary, wife of Martin Welch, of Stockton Township; and Henry. Mr. Henry Schliesman's father was a democrat in early life, but later became a republican. He was a man of affairs, served as supervisor in Sharon Township, also as treasurer and road commissioner. He and his family were members of the Catholic Church.

Mr. Henry Schliesman while a boy did not lack for opportunities to acquire a practical knowledge of the business to which he has applied his best efforts and mature years. He attended the public schools and his most productive years have been lived on a farm of 134 acres near Ellis. He has given this farm some substantial improvements and is a breeder of high grade cattle.

November 15, 1892, he married Miss Margaret Miller. Mrs. Schliesman was born in Aaron Township, on the old homestead, February 18, 1871, a daughter of Charles and Theresa (Fisher) Miller.

Her father was born in Alsace Lorraine February 7, 1832. Her mother was born in Bavaria, Germany, November 15, 1834. They were married on February 13, 1855, and it will be recalled that Mr. Schliesman's parents were married on June 4th of the same year. Both Mr. and Mrs. Schliesman's parents li^ed to celebrate their golden wedding anniversaries. Father and mother Schliesman lived together sixty-two years. Mrs. Schliesman's parents came to the United States in 1865 and spent the rest of their years in Sharon Township, where her father died October 20, 1906, and her mother January 10, 1908. In their family were fourteen children, named Charles, Louise, Mary, Anna, Jacob, Nicholas, who died in infancy, while the next son was also named Nicholas, Alois. Theresa, Margaret, Henry, Rosa, Christine and Nora. The family were all members of the Catholic Church.

A fact of special interest in connection with the family history of Mrs. Schliesman is that her paternal grandfather Gabriel Miller, was one of the followers of the gallant Count Rochambeau who came across the ocean from France and aided the struggling American colonies to win their independence from Great Britain. He was present in the culminating battle of the war at Yorktown, and after the war went back to his native country.

Mr. and Mrs. Schliesman became the parents of five children: Peter, born August 17, 1893, was educated in the public schools and is still at home. Amelia, born January 14, 1895, was liberally educated in St. Stephen's parochial school, graduated in the elementary course from the Stevens Point Normal and for six years was a popular teacher. On November 15, ,1917, the silver wedding anniversary of her parents, she married John Gutman. The third of Mr. and Mrs. Schliesman's children is Cordelia, who was born February 23, 1897, was educated in local schools, took the rural school training course at the Stevens Point Normal, and since 1914 has been a teacher. Grace, born April 2, 1900, was educated in the public schools and in the State Normal, and since 1916 has also been teaching. The youngest of the family is Carl, born June 14, 1910.

Basil Wanta is one of the prominent land owners and agriculturists in Sharon Township, where he has spent the best part of his active career. Mr. Wanta knows farming from A to Z and his capabilities have been developed by long and thorough experience. He is a thorough business man and one of the valuable citizens of the county.

Mr. Wanta was bom in Poland in 1862, and seven years later, in 1869, his parents, Joseph and Barbara Wanta, came to the United States. They lived a short time in New York State, and then came west and spent one summer at Berlin, Wisconsin. From here they returned to New York, but in March, 1881, settled in Portage County in Sharon Township, and here the parents spent the rest of their worthy lives. The father died June 2, 1907, at the age of eighty-six, and the mother in 1900, aged fifty-six. They were very devout members of the Polish Catholic Church. Their family consisted of six children. Alexander, Joseph, Basil, John, Frank and Rosa.

Mr. Basil Wanta was educated in the public schools of New York State. He has been a permanent resident of Portage County since December 3, 1881. For five years he worked at wages in saw mills and in the lumber woods, and from that occupation engaged in farming. In 1892 he bought in Sharon Township 120 acres, and after improving it he bought other land until his place now comprises 240 acres. It is a highly cultivated and valuable farm, with good building improvements, and is operated at a maximum of production and profit under Mr. Wanta's direction.

Mr. Wanta is also president of the Polish Fire Insurance Association of Portage County. Politically he is a republican. He has done much in the way of public service, was formerly a road commissioner, was chairman of the township board four years, and for the past thirteen years has served as clerk of his school district. He and his family are members of the Polish Catholic Church at Polonia.

On February 4, 1884, Mr. Wanta married Miss Rosa Dzwonkowski. She was born in Portage County, daughter of Nick and Josie Dzwonkowski, pioneer settlers here. Her mother died in 1917 and her father is still a resident of Sharon Township. Mrs. Wanta died October 6, 189ft, leaving six children, named Felix, Louis, Julius, Bertha, Frances and Otto. In 1897 Mr. Wanta married Anastasia Fonnalla. She was born in Poland, where her father died, and when a child she came with her mother to Portage County. Her mother died in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Wanta have two children, Clara, wife of Mike Kruzincki, and Martha.

Joseph Niemczyk is one of the substantial farming element of Linwood Township, and taking the labors of his honored father and of himself for forty years the family name has been identified with this section and has been a part in clearing up the wilderness and making it fruitful.

Mr. Niemczvk was born in Prussian Poland March 4, 1868, and in 1872, when he was four years of age, was brought by his parents, Thomas and Kate Niemczvk. to Stevens Point, Portage County. The father bought 160 acres 01 land in Linwood Township, where his son Joseph now resides, and here he busied himself with all the duties of an industrious fanner and capable citizen until his death October 5, 191 5, at the age of eighty-seven years. The mother passed away June 1, 191 5, aged seventy-eight. Both were active members of the Polish Catholic Church. Their children were Nick, Jennie and Joseph.

Joseph Niemczyk grew up on his father's farm, attended the schools at Stevens Point, and after reaching manhood he bought the farm and has kept it in the finest productive condition and has done much to improve its buildings. Mr. Niemczyk is one of the dairymen of his district.

March 25, 1892. he married Miss Frances Moranck, who was born in Portage County, daughter of Joseph and Mary Moranek. who came to this section of Wisconsin about 1872. Her father died here in 1908 and her mother in 1892. Mr. and Mrs. Niemczyk became the parents of a large family of fifteen children, four of whom, August, Barney, Gertrude and Alexander, are now deceased. The living children include Martha, John, Wallace, Alexander, Peter, Elizabeth, Roman, Regina, Benjamin and Albert.

and aside from his interests at home has made himself a factor in various local business and civic institutions, and is one of the men whose names readily occur when a list of representative citizens is made up in that part of Portage County.

Mr. Swenson is a native of Norway, born October 6, 1858. In 1865, when he was seven years old, he was brought by his parents, John Peter and Gunhild (Olson) Swenson, to America. The family spent about two years in Chicago, and then removed to Iola Township of Waupaca County, where his father began work on a tract of new land and made it into a good farm. The father is still living there, and the mother died in 1917. Three children grew to maturity: Andrew P., Daniel J. who lives on the old homestead in Waupaca County, and Olaf S., a resident of Nelsonville.

Andrew P. Swenson secured his first schooling in Waupaca County and he also attended high school at Stevens Point. In 1893 he embarked in farming on his present place in New Hope Township. Mr. Swenson owns eighty acres, has erected the building improvements, and is running a first class dairy with graded Guernsey cattle.

In May, 1886, he married Miss Ida Howen, a native of New Hope Township, and member of the well known Howen family of this section. Mr. and Mrs. Swenson have six children, all living, named Perry G., Thomas P., Inez A., Hanna N., Arthur V. and Eleanor B. Like many other families of Portage County the Swensons contributed two of their sons to the service of the new National Army. The soldier representatives of the family are Arthur and Thomas. The family attend worship at the old New Hope Church.

Mr. Swenson was for six years assessor of New Hope Township and has also served as school clerk. He was one of the men who brought about the organization of the New Hope Butter and Cheese Association, is a director in that company, and is also financially interested in the New Hope Fire Insurance Company.

Halvor E. Lohf.rg of Amherst Township, is one of the men qualified to speak with authority upon the growth and development of this section of country during the last half century. He has lived in Portage County almost altogether for half a century, and out of his labors in the lumber woods, as a farmer, merchant and in other kinds of work has acquired a comfortable competence sufficient for his declining years.

Mr. Loberg was born in Norway February 11, 1846, son of Even I^ewison and Karen (Larson) Loberg. The parents spent all their lives in Norway and Halvor was the only member of the family to leave that country. His father was a farmer. There were four children. Lars, Bertha, Halvor and Carl, all now deceased except Halvor.

Halvor E. Loberg had very limited opportunities to secure an education when a boy, and his total attendance at public school would hardly aggregate more than a month. He was twenty-two years of age, strong and vigorous, ambitious, and willing to undertake any kind of work, when he crossed the ocean in 1868 to America. He left Norway on April 18th and his first stay of any duration was at Chicago, where he remained a week or so and became acquainted with the little city as it then was. From there he came directly to Nelsonville. Portage County, and for several years did the hard labor of the pineries and logging on the rivers. Out of his savings he was able in 1874 to buy the farm which he still owns. It was then largely covered with heavy timber. His first purchase was 120 acres, but later he added another fifty acres, thus making one of the larger and well situated farms of Amherst Township. Much of the land has been gradually cleared under his efforts, a fine house has been built, and for a number of years he has handled it as a mixed farming proposition. In livestock he gives his chief attention to graded Guernsey cattle. As a dairyman he was one of the men interested in the organization of the creamery at Scandinavia and still has stock in the company and was its vice president for one year. Along with farming he conducted the local store and was postmaster at Benson's Corners z l /2 years. He has always shown a willingness to promote the welfare of the community, served two years as side supervisor of Amherst Township, and has long been a prominent member of the Lutheran Church at Scandinavia.

On September 10, 1874, Mr. Loberg married Miss Nettie Thorson. She was born in Rock River County, Wisconsin, daughter of Brincl Thorson. Mrs. Loberg died August 14, 1892, leaving two children, Carl Edward, now at Minot, North Dakota, and Marion Bertina, Mrs. Howard Rowens, of Los Angeles, California. On February 11, 1894, Mr. Loberg married Mrs. Bertha Helena (Christopherson) Gunderson. Her first husband was Olaf Gunderson, and by that marriage she is the mother of two children : Gunda Eliza, now Mrs. Adolph Skowan ; and Olphine Gunderson.

Gkorge Turkish. Fanning is a profitable business only when a man of enterprise, energy and creative ideas is the directing force. The same statement is true of a prosperous grocer, manufacturer or professional man.

One of the men looked up to as an up-to-date farmer, a well to do citizen, and one of the progressive factors in Buena Vista Township is Mr. George Turrish, who was born on the farm that he still owns July 22, 1868. He is a son of James and Catherine (Campbell) Turrish, both of whom were natives of Ireland and were early settlers in Buena V ista Township.

Mr. George Turrish grew up on the home farm, had a public school education, and learned the business of farming by practical experience. Besides acquiring the old homestead he has increased its area and facilities, and it now contains 280 acres. The distinctive feature of his industry is the raising of high grade Holstein cattle. Mr. Turrish is a republican, but has been satisfied to cast his vote intelligently without seeking office. He is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus and his family are members of the Catholic Church.

March 25, 1908, he married Miss Zita Bowden. Mrs. Turrish is a native of Buena Vista Township, born June 16. 1884, daughter of Patrick and Delia (Griffith) Bowden. Her parents came to Portage County many years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Turrish are the parents of seven children : Catherine, born September 5, 1909; James, born December 24, 1910; Alice, born December 9. 191 1; Margaret, born December 10, 1912: Eleanor, born January 1. 1914: Xannie. born January 27, 1915. and George Jr.. born January 6. 1917.

Leary is an old and honored name in the pioneer annals of Portage County. More than sixty-five years ago, in 1851, John Leary, a native of Ireland, came to this part of Wisconsin from Canada, where he had grown up from the age of eleven. In his early days he was a daring and sturdy worker in the lumber industry, and his first experience in Portage County was in driving logs down the Plover River. He took a large raft of logs down these waterways to St. Louis. While on that trip he passed through the famous Dells. It was a point of much danger on account of the rapid and swirling waters, requiring constant vigilance on the part of the rivemien, and John Leary passed that picturesque spot without being able to appreciate its beauties. Later he married in Canada Catherine Donaldson, and brought his bride to Portage County, locating in the Town of Stockton. In that neighborhood he bought eighty acres, later another eighty acres, but finally sold this farm. Both he and his wife passed away many years ago. Their children, six in number, are all still living, as follows: Margaret, at Stevens Point; William J.; Mary, who is married and lives in Chicago; Moses of Portage County; James N., a Resident of the State of Washington ; and Rose, in Chicago.

William J. Leary was born at the home of his parentr in this county April 9, 1859. His early years were spent uneventfully at home with his parents and attending the local schools. At an early age he showed a decided bent for work, and has never been lacking in some employment and has found many opportunities for usefulness and profit in business which other men would have overlooked. He has done farming on a practical and extensive scale, and has also bought and sold many tracts of land. At one time he owned three farms at Custer. About thirty years ago he bought the farm he now owns in Amherst Township, comprising 161 acres, about sixty-one acres of which are divided between marsh and timber. This farm was in a good state of development when he bought it, but he has since added a few buildings, his interests now comprising in the aggregate more than 600 acres in different sections of Wisconsin, a large part of which has never been developed. He has handled stock, and farms on the mixed plan. He has eighty acres at the Town of Grand, eighteen acres at Lanark, eighty acres in Oneida County, eighty acres in Price County, and also has 160 acres in Saskatchewan, Canada. He owns two dwelling houses, rental properties, in Gas City, Indiana. Mr. Leary is also a shareholder in the Amherst Creamery and the telephone line. He is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America and is active in the Catholic Church at Amherst.

April 10, 1888, he married Miss Mary Tobin, a native of Portage County. They have five children, three of whom are still in the home circle : Agnes, who is married, lives at Clintonville ; Bcrnice ; Raymond, now serving in the United States Navy ; Earl and Joseph.

In pioneer times the Learys did much of their farming with ox teams. Mr. William J. Leary himself when he moved from his old home to his farm brought his goods on what was known as a "bob" drawn by oxen. For eleven years he and his family lived in the heavy timber, and his experiences have been such as to enable him to appreciate all the trials and hardships the pioneers went through in developing this part of Wisconsin. Mr. Leary is a thoroughly modern

American, drives a good car over the country roads of Portage County, and another evidence that he is in every respect up to date in the management of his farm is the fine large silo adjoining his barn.

Mei.ford Wiu.iams. Few men are more prominent or more widely known in Eau Plaine Township than Melford Williams. He has been an important factor in agricultural circles, and his popularity is well deserved, as in him are embraced the characteristics of an unbending integrity, unabating energy and industry that never flags. He is publicspirited and thoroughly interested in whatever tends to promote the moral, intellectual and material welfare of his community.

Mr. Williams was born in Waupaca County, Wisconsin, August 6, 1875, a son of Solomon and Mattie ( Emerson ) Williams. His paternal grandparents were Benjamin and I-aura Williams, who came to Wisconsin at a very early day in the history of the County of Waupaca, and for years were engaged in agricultural work, the grandfather dying there. Later the grandmother went to Lincoln County, North Dakota, where she passed away well advanced in years. Solomon Williams was born in Waujiaca County. Wisconsin, March 6, 1846, and was reared on a farm and educated in the primitive district log schoolhouse. He was brought up as a farmer, adopted that vocation when he reached man's estate, and brought his family to Portage County January 14. 1886, buying fifty-seven acres of land in Eau I'laine Township in the woods. He cleared the greater part of this property and made a number of improvements, but eventually sold the land to his son Melford and moved to another farm, consisting of forty acres in the same township, not far from the homestead. There his death occurred June 17, 1908, since which time his widow has made her home with her son Melford. Mr. Williams was married in Outagamie County, Wisconsin, to Miss Mattie Kmerson. who was born in Norway, January 25. 1854. a daughter of Michael and Helen (Olson) Emerson. Armond Emerson, the paternal grandfather of Mrs. Williams, was born in Norway and immigrated to America, settling in Winnebago County, Wisconsin, at an early date. There he assed the remainder of a remarkably long life, passing away when ut three months less than too years old. His wife was Marie Emerson, who died in Norway before her husband came to the United States. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Williams were Ole and Helen Olson, both of whom died in Norway. Michael Emerson, the father of Mrs. Williams, was born in Norway, June 25. 1817, and was there married to Helen Olson who was born in 1826. In 1867 they came to the United States, and July 9 of that year arrived at Neenah, Wisconsin, where Mr. Emerson followed his trade of shoemaker for many years. About four years prior to his death he retired from active pursuits and went to live with his daughter, Mrs. Anna Gleasner. at Kaukauna, Wisconsin, at whose home he died in February. 1905. his wife having passed away some three years before. They were the parents of six children : Mattie. Ella, Ole. Andre. Annie and Lena, of whom Ole Andre and Lena are deceased. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Williams: Melford, George, Lena, Ella, Fred. Edward. Minnie. George and Leo, of whom all but George ( 1 ) are living.

schools, and as his early training has been all along the lines of agriculture he adopted farming as his life work when he felt ready to enter upon his own career. His first purchase of land was the old » homestead of fifty-seven acres which he bought from his father, and to this he has since added from time to time until he now has 117 acres, all under a good state of cultivation. In addition to being a general farmer Mr. Williams is interested in dairying, keeping about twenty-two head of graded Holstein cattle. His buildings are substantial and in splendid condition, including a barn 36 by 84 feet, and everything about his property suggests the presence of skilled management and progressive workmanship. He takes an intelligent interest in matters that affect the welfare of his community and has aided a number of projects promulgated for the benefit of the section in which he has resided so many years.

merman, who was born in Marathon County, Wisconsin, July 17, 1888, a daughter of Fred and Eleanor (Brandt) Zimmerman, farming people of Carson Township, Portage County, where they have resided since 1899. There were ten children in the Zimmerman family : Josephine. Ella, deceased, Ida, Rose, Irvin, Fred, Charley, David, Harold and Hanford, twins, and EIRoy, deceased. Mrs. Williams was educated in the public schools of Portage County, completing her training in the State Normal School at Stevens Point. Following her graduation from that institution she adopted educational work as a profession, and during the eight years that she taught in the public schools of Portage County she became well known as an instructor. Like her husband, she has numerous friends in the communty. Mr and Mrs. Williams are the parents of two children, a daughter, Ardena, who was born on the home farm May 26, 1916, and a son. Earl, born March 13, 1918.

Bert Lf.itzen is one of the prosperous farmers of Linwood, and has done much to establish himself securely in the matter of material prosperity and the esteem of his community since he arrived there, a young married man, in 1901. bringing with him as his equipment, in addition to a few household goods, only one heifer and a span of horses. Hard work and thrifty management have given him the better of the battle and he has acquired a good home and made many improvements and has one of the excellent farms in this section of Portage County.

Mr. Leitzen was born in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, October 14, 1867. His parents were both natives of Holland, his father born in 1832 and his mother in 1842. His father came to America at the age of eighteen, and from 1852 lived at Sheboygan, Wisconsin, for a number of years and then moved to Milwaukee County, where he died in 1901. The mother, whose maiden name was Joanna Price, was brought to the United States when six years of age, and was married at eighteen.

Willard Dearim; is one of the men who have seen the wilderness of Belmont Township cleared up and devoted to thriving farms and country homes, and his own part in that work has been a most creditable one. He is still living though retired from active work on his homestead in Belmont Township.

He was born at Orient in Aroostook County, Maine, March 30, 1837. Reared and educated in his native state, he came into the Middle West in 1857, lived for a time in Wausau, Marathon County, Wisconsin, in 1859 went to the Lake Superior region of Wisconsin, and in 1863 made permanent settlement in Portage County. Here he bought 160 acres of wild land in Belmont Township and cleared up and improved most of it. He still owns 120 acres. In 1864, the year after his arrival here, he left his new farm and his family to enlist in Company A of the Forty-Second Wisconsin Infantry. He was in service until the close of the war. He has always been a republican voter, but has aspired to no office. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

July 21, 1863, Willard Dearing married Miss Irene Collier. She was a native of the same county in Maine as her husband, born December 19, 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Dearing had eight children, two of whom died in infancy. George Hartley died in 1909. Judson Charles is manager of his father's old homestead. Thomas Manley, Susan, wife of Fred Dopp, Vinnie, wife of Walter Sheston, and Hattie, wife of Reinhold Mathe are the other children.

Antone J. Everson. Among the valuable farms of Portage County none in Amherst Township show more substantial improvements or give evidence of better management than that belonging to Antone J. Everson, one of the representative citizens of this section. He was born at Amherst in 1864. and is a son of Ole and Paulina (Ammonson) Everson, both of whom are now deceased.

Ole Everson came to Portage County from Norway in the early fifties and was one of the two first white men in what is now the Village of Amherst, then but a little lumber post. In 1858 be bought eighty acres of land in Amherst Township from Jerome Nelson, this land first being called the Meyers place. Ole Everson worked his land with oxen and had made considerable progress in getting it cleared, when the Civil war fell upon the country and before Mr. Everson had been able to do little more improving than to provide a warm house for his family the President of the United States found that in order to suppress rebellion a much larger army must be in the field than the volunteer system had provided. Hence came the draft enactment in 1864 and among those taken from Portage County was Ole Everson. He went to the front in a company commanded by Captain Gasman, of Amherst, and the regiment to which it was attached was later in a corps of the Federal army commanded by General Grant. This distinction, however, did not insure against danger and one who fell on the battle field while bravely performing his duty was Ole Everson. Beside his widow and infant son he left other heirs. After the war Mrs. Everson was married to Ole Simonson, who has lived on this farm ever since. He is one of the venerable men of the county and soon will celebrate his ninetieth birthday.