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

Antone J. Everson was reared on the farm his father left and obtained his* education in the township schools. When he reached man's estate he bought the farm of eighty acres from the other heirs, and later bought another eighty acres that adjoined and now has a valuable farm of 160 acres. A fine lake and valuable timber cover forty acres, but he has 120 under cultivation and understands how to make his land yield to the utmost. For a number of years when he vol. n - ti first began he carried on his farm work with oxen, but now modern machinery is brought to bear on the hardest tasks, machinery that had not been invented when his father came here. In addition to general farming Mr. Everson gives a great deal of attention to stockraising, and to assist in this feature of his industries he has erected a fine modern silo. He has always been very industrious and has worked intelligently, hence his undertakings have usually afforded him a reasonable amount of profit. With other sound and substantial men of the county he is interested in several successful local enterprises, for fifteen years having been a stockholder and a director in the Nelsonville Creamery, and is also a stockholder in the Telephone and Farmers Co-operative Company.

Mr. Everson was married first to Adosina Johnson, who died early, and their children passed away in infancy. In 1902 he was married at Amherst to Miss Nellie Johnson, whose parents still live in Amherst Township. Mr. and Mrs. Everson have seven children, namely: Palma. Adolph, Mabel, Elmer, Arthur, Norris and Edna, all of whom attend school, their father preparing to give them many advantages. They arc being carefully reared in the faith of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

Mr. Everson has always believed that a proper interest in politics is a public duty and on numerous occasions his fellow citizens have testified to their confidence in his integrity and business qualities by electing him to town offices, and at present he is serving in the office of township supervisor.

Albert B. Crego is one of the popular men in the operating service of the Soo lines, has been a conductor for over a dozen years, and is a resident of Stevens Point, his home being at 306 East Avenue.

Mr. Crego was born at Fergus Falls, Minnesota, November 13. 1882, a son of Albert Eugene Crego. The father was born in Monroe County, Michigan, was a blacksmith by trade, and lived and worked at this occupation successively in Toledo, in Northfield, Minnesota, at Fergus Falls, Minnesota, where he was also engaged in the hardware business, and finally moved to Menominee, Wisconsin, where he died in 1900 at the age of fifty-two. By his first wife he had two children, Albert B. and Frank. The mother of these sons died during their infancy and he married for his second wife Nellie Eubanks. The children of the second marriage were: Kenneth, who is now in the United States Army; Helen, Marshall and Allen, the last named being deceased.

Albert B. Crego had a good education acquired from the public schools of Glenwood City and New Richmond, Wisconsin, and from the high school at Menominee. When seventeen years of age he began his railroad career, being employed in construction work with the Chicago, St. Paul & Minneapolis for two years. At the age of nineteen he went with the Wisconsin Central as brakeman and in August, 1906, gained promotion to the rank of conductor and has handled trains with admirable efficiency for that road ever since. For ten years his home was at Abbotsford, out in 191 1 he moved to Stevens Point. Mr. Crego is affiliated with Abbotsford Lodge No. 298, Free and Accepted Masons, with the Order of Railway Conductors, is an independent voter and belongs to the Baptist Church.

Menominee, Wisconsin, October 13, 1881, daughter of John and Amanda (Andrews) Burgeson. Her people were early settlers in the vicinity of Menominee, where her father was a farmer. Her father was born July 25, 1835, and died December 15, 1917, at the advanced age of eighty-two. Her mother was born October 26, 1840, and died at Menominee December 14, 191 5, aged seventy-live. In the Burgeson family were three children, Algodt, Gertrude and Edith. Mr. and Mrs. Crego have three bright young children: Ruth Edna, born July 30, 1907; Claus Beverly, born May 28, 1909; and Elliott Eugene, born January 2, 191 8.

Alexander G. Kkembs. A man of scholarly attainments and pleasing address, Alexander G. Krembs is secretary of one of the leading drug tirms of Stevens Point, and for nearly two years has rendered the city acceptable service as postmaster, performing the duties of the responsible position with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the general public. A son of the late Alexander Krembs, he was bom at Stevens Point August 23, 1877, coming from German ancestry.

Born March 14, 1840, in Wurtemberg, Germany, Alexander Krembs remained in the fatherland until sixteen years old. Then, hoping in a newer world to find opportunity for advancing his material condition, he crossed the ocean in a sailing vessel, landing in New York October 29, 1856. A month later he came to Wisconsin, and after spending a few weeks in Fond du Lac made his way to Stevens Point, Portage County. In i860, obtaining work elsewhere, he was away from this place three years. Returning then to Stevens Point, he opened a hardware store in January, 1863, being in partnership with his brother Charles, under the firm name of C. Krembs & Brother. In October, 1876, the head of the firm died, and the junior member, Alexander Krembs, continued the business until his own death, which occurred January 24, 1909. Influential in public affairs, he served as city assessor one term ; was city treasurer two terms ; and alderman from the First Ward two terms. He was also a delegate to several national democratic conventions. He married July 9, 1872, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at the residence of Philip Best, Lizzie Biegler, a native of Richfield, Washington County, Wisconsin, and into their household six children were born, as follows : Fritz A. ; Emit A. ; Alexander G. ; Anton C. ; Morety, a dentist ; and Franz J., who is also a dentist.

After his graduation from the Normal School in 1898 Alexander G. Krembs entered the University of Wisconsin, and having completed the scientific course was there graduated with the class of 1901. Turning his attention to the study of pharmacy, he obtained the degree of Ph. G., and subsequently worked as a pharmacist in Rhinelandcr and Wausau, while thus employed gaining professional knowledge and experience. Returning to Stevens Point in 1906, Mr. Krembs, with his brothers, embarked in the drug business, the oldest brother, Fritz A., being made president and manager of the newly organized firm ; Anton Krembs, treasurer ; Emil Krembs, vice president ; and Alexander G.. the subject of this sketch, secretary. In July, 1916. Mr. Krembs was appointed postmaster, and has since filled the position wisely and well, as previously mentioned.

Martin Corcoran, was a pioneer lumberman of Stevens Point. Two children have blessed their union, Alexander M. and Catherine Grace. While a student in the Normal School Mr. Krembs was prominent in athletics, and made a record in high, broad, hop skip and jumps that has never yet been beaten. He is a member of Phi Gamma Delta college fraternity. He likewise belongs to both the national and the state associations of postmasters. He is a member of the Rotary Club and of the Union Club at Milwaukee. Fraternally Mr. Krembs belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; to the Knights of Pythias; and to the Knights of Columbus. Religiously he is a member of the Catholic Church, which his father assisted in establishing. Politically he is a steadfast democrat, but has never aspired to official positions.

Andrew J. Anderson. That farming and stockraising are the leading industries of Portage County, is not alone true because the land here is well adapted, but also because many of the agriculturists here are exceedingly industrious. One of the successful farmers and stockraisers of Amherst Township is Andrew J. Anderson, a substantial and representative citizen of this section of the county.

Andrew J. Anderson was born in Norway, August 19, 1863. His parents were Dan and Johanna (Ramsted) Anderson, who were born, lived and died in Norway. They had six children, namely: Nicolinc, Johanna, Anna, Martha, Helen and Andrew.

Andrew J. Anderson attended school in his native land and from his books and from those of his acquaintance who had come to America, he learned much concerning the United States and early determined to visit this country. Therefore, when he reached manhood, he made his preparations to leave Norway. Although his parents could not be so persuaded, one of his sisters accompanied him and they came to Wisconsin. The sister, however, could not accustom herself to the new conditions and later returned to Norway, where she still lives.

Mr. Anderson has been interested in agricultural pursuits ever since he came to Wisconsin, but in late years has devoted himself mainly to his stock interests. He owns land in both Portage and Waupaca County, purchasing 160 acres in Portage County, of which he has 100 acres under the plow and sixty acres in valuable timber. He also owns a farm of 100 acres situated near Farmington. Waupaca County. Mr. Anderson has made all the excellent improvements on his land and has substantial buildings for every purpose. He is a hard-working, level-headed man and a practical and thorough farmer and his undertakings in Wisconsin have proved profitable.

In 1890 Mr. Anderson was married to Miss Anna Anderson, who was also born in Norway, and they have four children: Elmer. Jennie. Adolph and Mattie. all but one residing at home. Mr. Anderson and his family attend the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

With other substantial farmers of this locality, Mr. Anderson has taken an interest in the establishment of local agricultural enterprises and owns considerable stock in the creamery at Sheridan, Wisconsin, and also in the Northwestern Produce Company.

Michael J. Merscii. This is a name that people of Portage County familiarly identified with numerous important contracts in building operations both at Stevens Point and elsewhere. Mr. Mersch has spent practically all his active years, a period of thirty years or more, in the carpenter and building trades. He had the contract to put up the buildings on the County Farm, has constructed a number of churches, schools and other buildings of public use, besides a large number of private homes.

Mr. Mersch is a native of Portage County and his family connections relate him to a number of familiar pioneer names. He was born in Sharon Township August 2, 1868. a son of Frederick and Mary (Simonis) Mersch. His grand parents Michael and Mary Ann Mersch were natives of the Duchy of Luxembourg and came from that country with their family in 1843. They settled near Dubuque, Iowa, buying a farm at Dyersville. His wife died there, and Michael spent his last years with his son Frederick in Sharon Township of Portage County. Their children were: Catherine, who lived in Carson Township, widow of Charles Campbell; Frederick; Ann, widow of Max Burke of Stevens Point; Mary, widow of Frank Hendricks of Iowa; Johanna, widow of John Hummel of Green Bay, Wisconsin ; Nicholas, whose home was at Dyersville, Iowa, but spent his last days at Stevens Point, where he died ; and Margaret, also deceased.

Frederick Mersch, father of Michael J., was born in Luxembourg Tunc 11, 183(1. and was seven years of age when brought to America. He was reared in Iowa, had a public school education, and prior to the war was foreman of a crew of negroes working on the Mississippi River. In young manhood he came to Stevens Point, where he married Miss Mary Simonis. She was born in Pennsylvania November 28, 1844, daughter of Mathias and Mary Ann Simonis. The Simonis family came from Pennsylvania to Portage County in early days and settled in what is now Hull Township, a mile and a half east of Stevens Point. I -iter they moved to a farm in Sharon Township, where Mathias Simonis was both a fanner and shingle manufacturer. He died there and his widow passed away at Stevens Point. After his marriage Frederick Mersch returned to Dyersville, Iowa, but after two years came again to Portage County and for several years worked in the woods and on the river and also was a shingle manufacturer. He owned a farm in Sharon Township, but later moved to a place in Carson Township, where he died July 15, 1904. His wife passed away in Sharon Township July 25, 1883. Frederick Mersch was active in democratic politics, and held a number of offices that indicate the general esteem he enjoyed. He was chairman of the board of supervisors of Sharon Township and similarly was honored in Carson Township. He was also for many years a justice of the peace in Sharon Township. He and his family were Catholics. Their children were: Mary Ann, Mrs. Nicholas Fiden Mitchen of Stevens Point; Mena. wife of Mathias Britz, a farmer of Stockton Township; Jane, wife of Nicholas Rritz of Linwood Township; Catherine, wife of Joseph Frank of Stevens Point ; Susan, wife of Louis Wagonhoffer of Fargo, North Dakota; Michael J.; Wendell F.. who is a very successful teacher of penmanship and shorthand and is now one of the instructors of the Globe Business College at Stevens Point ; Frank and Frederick, twins, the former employed by his brother Michael in the building business while Frederick is a farmer in Carson Township ; John, who was a building contractor and while at work fell from a building and sustained injuries which brought about his death in 1904

Michael J. Mersch spent most of his boyhood at his father's home in Sharon Township. He attended the public schools there and afterwards the Stevens Point Business College. His experiences up to the age of eighteen were those of a farmer boy and after that he did some logging and also learned the carpenter's trade. For thirty years he has worked as a carpenter and as a contractor and since 1899 has been a resident of Stevens Point. He bought in this city property at 800 Division Street, which has been the home of himself and family for many years. The extent of his business as a building contractor has already been referred to. Some of his recent contracts include the building of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in 1916 and the St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in 1918. Mr. Mersch is an active democrat and he and his family are members of St. Stephen's Catholic Church. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Order of Foresters and Beavers.

November 10, 1898, Mr. Mersch married Rose M. Miller. She was born in Sharon Township, daughter of Charles and Theresa (Fisher) Miller, the former a native of Alsace Lorraine and the latter of Bavaria, Germany. Her parents came to Portage County and settled on a farm in Sharon Township, where her father died October 20. 1905, at the age of seventy-three and her mother on January 10, 1907, aged seventy-two. In the Miller family were fourteen children : Charles, Louise, Marian and Anna, both deceased, Jacob, Nicholas and Nicholas, both of whom died in infancy, Alice, Theresa, deceased, Margaret, Henry, Rose, Christine deceased, and Eleanor. Mr. Miller and family were Catholics and he was a democrat. Mrs. Mersch's grandparents were Peter and Margaret, who also came to Portage County in 1865 and lived on a farm in Sharon Township. Her grandfather died there in 1874 and her grandmother in 1870. Mrs. Miller is a great-granddaughter of Gabriel Miller, who came to America when only nineteen years old and was a volunteer soldier in the Revolutionary war. After that struggle he went back to France and fought another battle for freedom in the French Revolution. He died in France.

Edward P. Trautmann has made himself a useful citizen of Stevens Point in his capacity as superintendent of the City Water Works. That has been his line of work for a number of years, but he was reared and was formerly a merchant in business with his father at Whitewater, Wisconsin.

Mr. Trautmann was born at Whitewater May 4, 1870, son of Philip and Maty (Butz) Trautmann. His father was a native of Alsace Lorraine born February 13, 1836, and his mother was born in Switzerland January 16, 1840. They were married after they came to the United States. They came over to this country on the same boat and for a time lived in the eastern states where they married. About i860 they moved to Whitewater, Wisconsin, where Philip Trautmann engaged in the boot and shoe business. He is st'll living at Whitewater at the venerable age of eighty-two. His wife died there in May. 1916. He is a republican in politics and has represented his ward in the city council of Whitewater. He is a member of the Congregational Church and is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In the family were seven children: Minnie; May; Carrie, deceased ; Edward P. ; George, who is an inspector with the rank of captain in the United States Army ; Philip, captain of Company K of the One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Infantry, now in camp at Waco, Texas; and Fred. Thus two of the sons are representing the family in the present war.

Edward P. Trautmann was reared and educated at Whitewater and left school at an early age to begin work in his father's shoe store. For fifteen years he was in his father's store but in 1899 went to Menominee, Wisconsin, and was superintendent of the waterworks of that city for about fourteen ^rears. In 191 3 he came to Stevens Point, and as waterworks superintendent has kept that public utility up to a high state of efficiency and satisfactory service. Mr. Trautmann is a republican voter and is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He resides at 807 Main Street.

Mr. Trautmann had an uncle, George Trautmann, who should also be mentioned in the military record of the family. He was in the Union army during the Civil war and served for over a year until wounded. He died about 191 2.

Edward P. Trautmann married October 30, 1895, Miss Amy Gray. She was born in Missouri but at the time of her marriage was a resident of Whitewater, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Trautmann have one daughter, Carol Elizabeth, born at Menominee December 9, 1908.

Clarence S. Rustad. There are many acres of rich farming land in Portage County owned by the Rustad family, and a representative of this family is Clarence S. Rustad, a leading farmer and cattle breeder in New Hope Township. He was born in New Hope Township, Portage County, Wisconsin, February 27, 1888. His parents are Morton S. and Paulina (Kaakrud) Rustad. They came to this county many years ago, when pioneer conditions prevailed and settlers were comparatively few. Morton S. Rustad secured a tract of wild land which he cleared and improved and at the present time owns 120 acres and has eighty acres under cultivation. He put up all the substantial buildings and to his industry and energy may be attributed his comfortable surroundings. Six children were born to Morton S. Rustad and his wife, namely : Hannah, who is a widow, is a resident of St. Louis, Missouri; Ella, who lives at Wausau, Wisconsin; Carl, Melvin, Clarence S. and Elma. all of whom live in New Hope Township.

Clarence S. Rustad attended the public schools in New Hope Township during boyhood and since then has been engaged in farming. While the life of a fanner may not be quite as easy and enjoyable as many who have never tried it believe to be the case, it is a business in which a man may to a large extent be his own master and thus he can have more personal independence than is possible in many other lines, and additionally he can feel that his calling is the most important one in the world as it is the oldest. From his fields and through his industry the world must be fed. Xo less a man than George Washington himself once declared that "agriculture is the most healthful, the most useful and the most noble employment of man." It is a matter of great import, then, that the young men of the country should remain on the farm, and Clarence S. Rustad decided this matter for himself and has proved that his judgment was not at fault. He has a fine farm of 212 acres situated in New Hope Township, and in the management of this property is assisted by his brother Melvin. Both are young men of enterprise and they carry on their operations according to modem methods. They make a special feature of raising high grade Holstein cattle and Mr. Rustad has a registered animal at the head of his herd.

Clarence S. Rustad was married to Miss Clara Rombeck, who was born in Portage County, where her parents still reside, her father being a substantial farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Rustad have two children, Wiliard and Myron. Mr. and Mrs. Rustad are active members of the New Hope Lutheran Church. They are sociable and hospitable and have a wide acquaintance and many friends in this part of Portage County. Mr. Rustad is an intelligent, level-headed business man and understands how to make farming a profitable business, but he has never been unduly active in politics, having no desire to hold office. As a good citizen he is ever ready, however, to give help in public movements, and, with his own little children in mind, is anxious that . good schools and moral laws be assured for all.

George Ostrowski. It is reasonable to expect some good results from a residence in one locality of forty-five years, and that expectation is not disappointed in the case of Mr. George Ostrowski. who came here as a youth and has prospered as a farmer and made his efforts count in agriculture and in development of many other interests in this county.

Mr. Ostrowski was born in Poland in April, 1857. His father, Andrew Ostrowski, came to America in 1871 and for a year and a half did railroad work in Michigan. lie and his family arrived in Stevens Point in 1873. and for a number of years he continued railroad work. In 1882 he and his son George bought the farm the latter now lives on. Andrew Ostrowski had five children : Thomas, who died in Hull Township at the age of sixty years; John, who died in 1909. aged sixty ; Mrs. Rose Nonook, of Stevens Point ; Antonio who died at the age of two years in Poland ; and George.

George Ostrowski after* coming to America spent four months in Michigan, and otherwise his career has been identified with Portage County. He farmed with his father, and the 160 acres in his homestead has been largely cleared by his own efforts. He used oxen for work animals eighteen years and out of many trials and vicissitudes has developed his present property, and now finds himself surrounded by all the comforts and conveniences of twentieth century living. Mr. Ostrowski served as a member of the school board three years, is a loyal democrat, and is active in the Polish Catholic Guirch.

In 1880 he married and a brief record of his children is as follows: Sylvester, a resident of Belmont. Wisconsin; John, who died in 1913; Peter, of Wausau ; Mary, of Stevens Point; Rose, of Milwaukee; Louis, of Stevens Point ; W illiam, on the old homestead ; George, also on the homestead ; and three who died in infancy.

Harou> Ostrum is one of the younger citizens of Portage County, and has gained for himself a place of usefulness, honor and service in the banking fraternity. He is cashier of the Bancroft State Bank, which he helped organize in October, 191 2. This is one of the pros- perous banking institutions of the county, has a capital stock of $10,000, and the other executive officers are : A. W. Manley, president, and Buchanan Johnson, vice president. Mr. Johnson resides at Plainfield, while the president and cashier are both residents of Bancroft.

Harold Ostrum was born at Hancock, Waushara County, Wisconsin, in 1892. His father, Seymour Ostrum, now deceased, was a farmer practically all his life in Waushara County. Harold Ostrum was educated in his native Town of Hancock, and in 1910 finished the course in the Academy at Endeavor. Wisconsin. With this education he entered the Bank at Hancock as bookkeeper, and had acquired a thorough and systematic knowledge of banking technique before he took part in the establishment of the Bancroft State Hank.

Mr. Ostrum is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge of Hancock and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1913 he married Miss Blanche Judd. daughter of J. M. Judd, of Endeavor, Wisconsin. They have one daughter. Hah Margaret.

Joseph Patrick Koziczkowski. Portage County is one of the most cosmopolitan communities of Wisconsin, but the development of its forest covered lands and the improvement of its farms, the maintenance of its business enterprise and social institutions are probably the result of more effort and expenditure of time and energy on the part of the Polish people than could be ascribed to any other one racial spot. It is interesting to recall something of the first Polish family to settle in Polish County. A prominent representative of this family in the present generation is Joseph Patrick Koziczkowski, who was born here and is a man of varied resources and influence, a farmer, stockman, business man, and a citizen upon whom the community can always rely for participation in any public spirited movement.

He was born in Sharon Township, on the farm he now owns in section, 11, March 17, 1863. His parents were Michael Fen and Frances ( Vonzclcwska ) Koziczkowski. Both father and mother were natives of Poland, the father born September 1 1, 181 1. and the mother December 4, 181 8. They were married in the old country October 30, 1838, and after the birth of some of their children they left Poland on July 8, 1857, took passage on a sailing vessel at Hamburg, Germany, and landed in Xew York City September 4. 1857. In the same year they arrived in Portage County, and this constituted the vanguard of a great and noble body of citizens who have done so much to constitute this one of the most stable farming and industrial communities of Wisconsin. Their first home was in section 11 of Sharon Township where their son now resides. The father set a splendid example both for his children and tor his fellow countrymen who arrived after him. and his industry enabled him to accumulate before his death, which occurred in 1882, at the age of seventy-one. more than 480 acres of land. The mother died September 17, 1905. aged eighty-eight. The father was a democrat and for several years served as chairman of the county board of supervisors and was honored with other local offices. He was also a member of the school board, and in that office he was in a position to do much for the educational affairs of the community. He was a man of fine education himself and had a fluent command of Polish. German, French. Latin and English. He contributed of his means to the support and upbuilding of several of the early churches. He was one of the pioneer fruit growers in Portage County. Several years after coming here he sent back to his native land for the seed of apples and pears, planted them in his orchard, and developed a number of good trees. One of these old pear trees and one* apple tree are still living and bearing fruit. Culture of pears is not generally practiced as far north as Portage County, and this venerable pear tree is one of the few found anywhere in the district. Its fruit is wonderfully sweet and is much superior to the native pears of America. The apples are a deep blood red color, and are also an exceptionally fine variety.

These pioneer Polish parents had a large family of children. Jozefina Serapina, the oldest, was born November 15, 1839; Franciezk Jondrzei was born December 29, 1841 ; Julia Marianna was born September 8, 1843 ' J onn Deidor was born May 11, 1845; Teofil Edimonde was born November 14, 1847 ; and Clementina Barbara was born November 27, 1849. After these came five other children, all of whom died in infancy. Then followed: Michael, born September 6, 1858; Marceli, born November 11, i860; Joseph Patrick, March 17, 1863; and Martha Cecelia, July 27, 1865.

Joseph Patrick Koziczkowski grew up on the old homestead and has always lived there, though he spent about two winters logging in the lumber woods. He was educated in the public and parochial schools. In many ways his efforts have been rewarded and his generous prosperity is represented by the ownership of 520 acres, from which he recently sold forty acres. He has 200 acres in Sharon Township and 320 acres in Marathon County. Mr. Koziczkowski has a fine family of children, is deservedly proud of them, and as they have never refused to do what he has asked of them to do he intends to do well by them. His efforts at accumulating land has been largely inspired by his purpose to provide good homes for the children. As a stockman he is one of the leading breeders in this county of pure blooded Ayrshire cattle.

For fifteen years Mr. Koziczkowski served as president of the Portage County Polish Fire Insurance Association. He has served as township supervisor and member of the school board, and in every other way has interested himself in those things that concern the community. In politics he is a democrat and with his family is a member of the Catholic Church.

January 12, 1892, he married Miss Frances Dzonowski, daughter of Nick and Josephine (Lipski) Dzonowski, who were also early settlers of Portage County. Her mother died here December 1, 1917, at the advanced age of eighty-one. and her father is now living at the age of seventy-five. Mrs. Koziczkowski was born in Portage County January 1, 1873. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Koziczkowski number nine: Frank, Eleanor A., Amelia, Florence, Edwin, Daniel, Stasia. Annie and Justin.

Adam P. Bentley. While Portage County is no longer the great milling center it once was, large quantities of timber are worked up every year, and some important mills are found here and there about the county. One of them is in Sharon Township, operated by Mr. Adam P. Bentley. Mr. Bentley belongs to a pioneer family of woodsmen and lumber men in this state, and three generations have given their resources and enterprise to the development of Wisconsin.

Mr. Bentley was born in Sharon Township August 6, 1879, and is a son of the late Samuel Young Bentley and Maria (Prutzman) Bentley. His grandparents on both sides were also pioneers of the state. His paternal grandparents were Jesse and Harriet (Larson) Bentley, who came to Plainfield, Wisconsin, about 1850, where they spent the rest of their days. The maternal grandfather, David Prutzman, was also a pioneer at Plainfield. Samuel Young Bentley was born in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, October 22, 1832, and his wife was born in the same county January 10, 1835. The former was eighteen years old when he came to Wisconsin and was one of a large family of fifteen children. Samuel Y. Bentley and his brother George when young men began the operation of a shingle mill on Plover River in Portage County. George Bentley was born in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, October 17, 1827, and died April 12, 1917. He was a widely known and highly respected citizen of the county for many years. He married in Plainfield Maria Young, who was born in Erie County, Pennsylvania, in 1833, and is still living in Marathon County. Their children were Eugene, William, Charles and Dora.

Samuel Young Bentley first brought his family to Sharon Township in 1863, and lived at a place known as Shantytown. Three years later he went back to Plainfield, but in 1869 established his home permanently in Sharon Township and lived here the rest of his days. In the spring of 1879 he moved to the farm now owned and occupied by his son Adam. He bought an old shingle mill, and rebuilt it and fitted it for the general manufacture of lumber. He was one of the largest owners o t timber land in Wisconsin, having about 2,800 acres. He was a man of much enterprise, but quiet in his citizenship and beyond voting as a democrat aspired to no official place. His wife was a member of the Baptist Church. Thev were married in Plainfield, and were the parents of six children : Eva, who married Jacob Aultman ; Flora, widow of John Campbell ; Jefferson, who died at the age of three years; Nellie, widow of Daniel O'Connell; Stella, wife of Russell Spring; and Adam P.

Adam P. Bentley grew up on the old home farm, was educated in the public schools and also in the State Normal at Stevens Point and in a business college at the county scat. He was associated with his father until the latter's death and then succeeded to the lumber business. He owns about 1,800 acres of land, much of it covered with a good growth of timber, and is manufacturing large quantities of lumber every year. He is a republican voter.

Reference has already been made to Mr. Bentley's maternal grandparents, David and Polly (Fish) Prutzman. Both were natives of New York State. David Prutzman was born near Binghampton in Broome County in 1798 and his wife about 1799. David's father came from Germany and was a pioneer of New York State. After his marriage in his native state David Prutzman went to Pennsylvania, living in Tioga County and Bradford County, but in 1854 came west and settled at Plainfield, Wisconsin. He was one of the leading early settlers here, and lived the life of an active and prosperous farmer until his death in 1862, when sixty-four years of age. His wife died in the same month in the same year at about the same age. Near the Village of Plainfield David Prutzman acquired 160 acres of wild land, and before his death had cleared and under cultivation half of this tract and had improved it with good buildings. He and his wife had ten children : Jefferson, Adam. Betsey. John, Emily, Charlotte, Maria, David, William and Louisa. These are all now deceased except Mrs. Maria Hentley.

On October 4, 1901. Adam P. Bentley married Miss Evelyn Brown, who was born in Sharon Township January 29, 1882, daughter of James A. and Mary (Pachin) Brown. Her father was born in Indiana and her mother near Plainfield, Wisconsin. Her father came to Portage County when a young man, married here, and was a surveyor, logger and farmer. He spent his last years on a farm in Sharon

Bentlcy's mother died in 1892, aged thirty-three. Of their ten children eight are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Bentley had three children: Nellie, bom July 16, 1902, now a student in the Stevens Point High School; Lloyd, born January 28, 1904; and Donald born April 13. 1908, and died April 29, 1916.

Abram Brawley. Stevens Point does well to remember and cherish the memory of such a prominent citizen as the late Abram Brawley, and while one of the thoroughfares of the city is named Brawley Street that is not the only tangible evidence of the life and sen-ices of this pioneer. He vitally impressed himself upon the formative history of Portage County, and deserves to be ranked high among the founders of this fine County of Wisconsin.

He was born near Meadville, Pennsylvania, in 1813. He married in Virginia Miss Sarah Bennett, who was born at Morgantown in that old commonwealth in 181 2. Abram Brawley was one of the first to develop the timber resources of Central Wisconsin. On coming to Portage County, which was then an almost unbroken wilderness, he located in Linwood and built one of the first saw mills that converted the great trees into merchantable lumber. Later he moved his home and industry to Stevens Point, and operated a saw mill for a number of years and also l>ecame one of the extensive land owners in this part of the state. He was honored in many ways by political dignities, and in the early times had charge of the United States Land Office at Stevens Point. He was an active democrat, and filled a number of local offices. He was also a member of the Masonic fraternity. He and Judge Ellis were the principal founders of the Episcopal Church at Stevens Point.

Though well advanced in years at the time Mr. Brawley enlisted for service in the Union Army during the Civil war. and when his term of enlistment was within two days of expiration he was unfortunately captured by the enemy and thrown into prison, where as a result of hardship and exposure he died in 1865. He also had two sons in the war, Jay and Benton.

Mr. and Mrs. Brawley had nine children, and three of them are still living. Jay Brawley is a resident of Stevens Point ; Lucy, who was born in Portage County December 28. 1843. was reared and educated in Stevens Point, and before her marriage was a teacher. In 1873 she Iwcame the wife of Samuel A. Whitney. Mr. Whitney was born in New Brunswick November 7. 1843. and came to Portage County. Wisconsin, about 1866. He was in the logging industry and on the river for a number of years and subsequently engaged in farming. He finally moved from his farm in Eau Pleine. and he and his family now reside at 803 Ellis Street in Stevens Point. Mr. and Mrs. Whitney have had four children : John, Clyde, Irene and Lucy. Lucy is deceased and John, Clyde and Irene are all at home.

The third of the living children of the late Abram Brawley is Virginia, who married Lewis E. Bailey and lives in Chicago. She is the mother of four children, named Harry, Eugene, Jay and Queen.

John A. Ennor is a Portage County resident widely known over Wisconsin because of his exceptional talent in the artistic field. He is a photographer who learned his profession nearly forty years ago, has conducted studios and operated traveling photographic cars for many years, and is now especially well known in illustrated lecture work, and spends part of each year traveling as a platform entertainer.

Mr. Ennor was born in Apple River, Illinois, November 17, 1861. After getting his education in the public schools of his native town he went to work to learn photography when about seventeen years old. A few years later he was in business for himself, and after about ten years as a traveling photographer located at Neillsville, Wisconsin. In 1890 he came to Stevens Point and conducted one of the high class studios of the city until 1906. For some years he also operated a private photographic car, and in recent years has practically confined his business to illustrated lecture work. Mr. Ennor has had his home at 402 Fremont Street for the last twenty-two years. He is a republican in politics and a member of the Presbyterian Church.

In 1885 Mr. Fnnor married Miss Sidney Woodward. She was born at Highland in Iowa County, Wisconsin, August 17, 1866, daughter of Thomas and Ann (Parry) Woodward. Her father was born in England in 1804 and her mother in Wales in 1831. Thomas Woodward had a half brother, Thomas Dolphin, who was at one time Speaker of the House of Commons in England. Thomas Woodward came to America when a young man and was a California forty-niner. He was married at Hyland, Wisconsin, and lived there as a farmer until his death in 1878. His widow lived at Hyland until about 1898, and spent the rest of her years in Stevens Point, where she died in 1912. Mrs. Ennor was one of four children: Thomas, deceased; Hannah ; Sidney : and Emma, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Ennor have two very talented children, a daughter and a son. Mabel is a graduate of the State Normal School, also of the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music at Milwaukee, of the Chicago Musical College, and has taken other courses in the Chicago Art Institute and in the Columbia University. She is now teacher and supervisor of music and art in the public schools of Stevens Point. The son. LeRoy. was educated in the State Normal, studied music in Chicago, and has been a teacher of music. At the present time he is engaged in candy manufacture at Chicago.

Anton Rzepinski. There need be no fear of Portage County falling behind in its volume of agricultural production as long as such men as Anton Rzepinski are active laborers in the field and managers in the county's different farms. Mr. Rzepinski has spent most of his life in Portage County, and for the past fifteen years has handled one of the good farms in Stockton Township, called Bear Lake Farm.

In 1903 he bought eighty acres there, and has since increased his place to 122 acres. Only thirty acres were in cultivation when he bought the land, and year after year he has added to the cleared area until now eighty acres are capable of producing crops. One improve- 'ment after another has followed and his progressiveness as a farmer is well indicated by the substantial barn, 36 by 50 feet with 16-foot posts, which he had built in 1913, this being one of the modern barns with a basement under all. Another feature of progress is the silo 12 by 34 feet.

Mr. Rzepinski was born in Chicago, Illinois, January 22, 1878, son of Simon and Anna Rzepinski. His parents were both natives of German Poland, his father born in 1827 and his mother in 1848. Simon Rzepinski came to Illinois when a young man, married at Chicago, and afterwards came to Portage County, where he owned farm lands in both Jordan and Hull townships. He died there in 1887. He and his wife were members of the Catholic Church. Their five children, all still living, are Joseph, Felix, Anton, Frances and Mamie.

Anton Rzepinski was only two years old when his parents came to Portage County. He lived on the old homestead farm in Hull Township until nine years old and after the death of his father his mother married Albert Krutza. His mother had no children by her second marriage. She died in Huena Vista Township in 1915. Anton Rzepinski lived with his stepfather and mother until he was nineteen. In 1897 he married a daughter of his stepfather, Mary Krutza, who was born in German Poland December 4, 1877, daughter of Albert and Mary (Stanzel) Krutza. The parents came to Portage County in 1880, locating in Bucna Vista Township on a farm. Albert Krutza and his first wife had the following children: Frances. Barbara, Gertrude, John. Mary, Martha, Leo and Albert. Albert Krutza is still living among his children at the age of seventy-three.

Michael O'Keefe. Stockton Township has given Michael O'Keefe practically every public honor within the keeping of the citizens, and those honors have been worthily bestowed, since Mr. O'Keefe is not only a good citizen but a man of great industry and ability as a farmer and business man in that community, where he has had his home since early childhood.

He was born in Canada April 3, 1854, and in the fall of the following year his parents, Mortimer and Mary (Doyle) O'Keefe, came to Portage County and settled in what was then Sharon now Stockton Township. His parents were both natives of Ireland, and were married in Canada. In Portage County Mortimer O'Keefe bought a tract of forty acres of raw land, and went through the arduous process of taming the soil and gradually increased his property until he had 160 acres of high class farming land. When the family came here they lived in a shanty, but later substantial buildings were erected. In the early days deer and all kinds of wild game were plentiful around the home, and in the tender recollections of Michael O'Keefe he recalls having seen deer in the woods of this county. Mortimer O'Keefe lived in Portage County over twenty years, and died January 3, 1877, at the age of sixty-three. His wife passed away April 22. 1875. at the age of fiftytwo! Their children were John. Michael. Richard, Thomas, William. James, Mary, wife of Richard Curran. and Nora, who never married. The father was a democrat and a member of the Catholic Church.

in the local schools. He early put his strength to test as a worker in the woods and as a river man, and that arduous occupation he followed until he was about thirty years old. He then began farming, and is now owner of the 160 acres acquired and developed by his father more than sixty years ago, and also owns forty acres of marsh land in Dewey Township. Mr. O'Keefe manages his farm with great skill and credit, and is doing a good deal in the dairy line, having a good herd of grade Holsteins.

The official honors conferred upon him include practically all the offices within the gift of his fellow townsmen. He was township treasurer six years, township clerk four years, and has always been supervisor. He is a democrat and with his family a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church near Custer.

Mr. O'Keefe, like most people, well remembers his first day at school. It was a few weeks after he reached his sixth birthday. The date is fixed in his memory as May 7, i860, by reason of the fact that the beginning of his own education coincided with the opening of the first school in the township, in district No. n. There was another event in the same community on the same day. The home of Patrick and Margaret (Cullen) Loughlin was rejoicing over the birth of a baby daughter named Elizabeth. Childhood associations and mutual inclinations brought these young people much together in subsequent years and on June 25, 1884, they were married, beginning a companionship which has now continued for thirty- four years.

Mrs. O'Keefe is a daughter of Patrick and Margaret (Cullen) Loughlin, both of whom were born in Ireland and were married there. In 1847 they crossed the ocean to Canada, lived for about two years at Utica, New York, then returned to Canada and in 1853 settled in Portage County in section 28 of Sharon, now Stockton Township. Her father began with eighty acres of wild land, and subsequently added to his holdings until he had a farm of 320 acres, all substantially cleared and cultivated and improved with good buildings. Me died there in 1885 at the age of seventy years, and his wife died at the home of her son Dennis Loughlin at Dorchester, Wisconsin, in 1906, at the age of eighty. Their children were: Mary, wife of John McGinley; Dennis; Margaret, who died at Custer December 31, 1916, wife of Patrick Ryan; Catherine, wife of Martin E. Lalley, of Rhinelander, Wisconsin; Elizabeth, Mrs. O'Keefe; Theresa, wife of George Woodworth, of California; and Martha, wife of Thomas Triabill, of Ironwood, Michigan.

To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. O'Keefe have been born five children. Clarence P., born June 27, 1886, was educated in the public schools and at Stevens Point Pusiness College, and still lives at home and is now doing the duties of rural mail carrier. Robert M., born August 6. 1880, was educated in the public schools and developed a special talent for music by extended study of the violin at Marquette University in Milwaukee and the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. Me is now working on the home farm. Margaret A., born February 15. 1892, has been educated in the public schools and the State Normal at Stevens Point. Michael Henry, born July 15. T897, is a graduate of the Stevens Point High School and the State Normal School, and is now conducting a successful school in Carson Township. The youngest of the family, Walter Dennis, was born August 9, 1899, and died twelve days later.

Fred H. Huntley, whose death was occasion for wide-spread regret in 1918, was a Portage County citizen concerning whose work and influence there is abundance of testimony as to their value in the community. Mr. Huntley spent most of his life in Portage County, and apart from the importance of his own career his name suggests the careers of several well known families, citizens of this section of the State.

Mr. Huntley was born at Mendon, St. Joseph County, Michigan, March 1, 1855, son of Frederick and Adaliza (Powers) Huntley. I lis father was born in New York State in 1825 and his mother in 1828. Frederick Huntley came to Michigan with his parents, Lentulus and Henrietta Huntley, who spent their last days in that State. Frederick was one of the following children : Herman, Solomon, Frederick, Ruth, Adaline, Elizabeth, Lyda, Jennie and Alvira.

Frederick Huntley died in 1890 and his wife in 1896. He was a member of the Masonic order and was also a local preacher of the Methodist Church. Both he and his wife were very devout members of that church. Frederick Huntley went to the California gold fields during the '50s and after some experience in the far West returned to Michigan and in 1856 brought his family to Portage County, locating in section 8 of Buena Vista Township, where his son Fred H. lived. He acquired eighty acres of land, then virtually a wilderness, and kept on prospering and developing his interests until he had about 320 acres. For twenty years he was postmaster of what was known as Buena Vista postoffice, keeping the mail in his own house. Later he. conducted a store at Liberty Corners and kept the postoffice there. He was a republican voter, and for about eighteen years was chairman of the board in Buena Vista Township and was also chairman of the County Board for several years. Much of the political affairs of Portage County revolve around his name. For two terms during the '70s he represented the county in the State Legislature.

The children of Frederick and Adaliza Huntley were four in number. Harriet is the widow of Doctor Miner, formerly of Janesville and now of Milwaukee. The daughter Ora died when three years old. Fred was the third of the family. The youngest, Frank, is a farmer and married Miss Elva Fuller.

Fred H. Huntley grew up on the old home farm in Buena Vista Township, and lived in Portage County from the time he was about one year old. He was liberally educated, attending both the public schools of this county and also I-awrence University at Appleton, Wisconsin. Into his active career of forty years he compressed a great deal of substantial business achievement. For the most part he was a farmer, but also conducted a meat market on the south side of Stevens Point two years, spent three years with the Wisconsin Central Railway, and for twelve years represented the McCormick and International Harvester Companies. He finally returned to his farm in 1906, and besides the old homestead of eighty acres he had sixty acres, giving him a full complement of land for general agricultural purposes.

In politics he was a republican. While he never sought office he was appointed in 191 5 township clerk, and the following year was regularly elected to the office. He was affiliated with the Equitable Fraternal Union.

Letitia May. Hattie Belle, who was born July 28, 1879, was educated in the grammar and high schools of Stevens Point and was a teacher prior to her marriage to Fred Warde. Mr. and Mrs. Warde now live at Tenina. Washington, and their family consists of Lawrence Angus, Walter Huntley and Helen. Letitia May was born August 10, 1882, and is the wife of E. H. Rothman. a prominent and well known merchant of Stevens Point elsewhere referred to. Mr. and Mrs. Rothman have one child. Philip.

Mrs. Fred H. Huntley was born in Canada May 25, 1855, and is member of a family that has been long and prominently known in Portage County. Her parents were George Campbell and Elizabeth Martha (Russell) Newby. Her paternal grandparents were Thomas and Deborah (West) Newby. Thomas Newby was born in Yorkshire, England, and when twenty years of age crossed the Atlantic to Nova hcotia and lived in Canada until the death of his wife. In 1855 he came as a pioneer to Portage County and lived in Buena Vista Township until his death in 1877. at the advanced age of ninety years. He and his wife had the following children: John. William, Anna, George Campbell, Esther, Thomas, Mary Jane and Jemima, who is the only one of that generation still living.

George Campbell was born in Canada July 5. 1830. He married in that country Miss Elizabeth Martha Russell, who was born in Vermont December 18, 1836. Her parents were James and Eliza ( Shannon) Russell, both natives of Ireland, her father born May 10, 1807, and her mother November 13. 1806. Both were natives of County Tyrone, and after their marriage they came to America and located in Vermont, going thence to Canada, and finally coming to the United States and locating in Iowa, where Eliza Russell died in 1857. James Russell finally moved to Portage County. Wisconsin, and died at Keene in Buena Vista Township in 1S79. The children of James Russell and wife were: Margaret and Samuel, twins: George, who was born on the banks of Newfoundland : Sophia Jane ; Elizabeth Martha : Mary Ann ; and Sarah Jane. Sarah Jane Russell, who now lives at Keene in Buena Vista Township, is a remarkable old lady, and tor forty years has kept a store at Keene. though she is now about to retire on account of age. She was born in Vermont April t~. 1840, and in 1880 she married Thomas Newby. an uncle of Mrs. Huntley. Thomas Newby was born in Canada July 2. 1834. and married for his first wife Miss Jane Armstrong. The children of their marriage were Margaret. William. John and Rachel, besides one that died in infancy. Thomas Newby was a carpenter by trade. In order to secure employment at his occupation he came to Port;ige County in 1877. His first wife died in Canada in 1878 and two years later he married Miss Russell. Mrs. Thomas Newby owns a good property at Keene. including a store building and a farm of sixty acres. Her husband was a republican and a Free Mason and Orangeman and died in 1902. He served as postmaster at Keene and his wife was assistant and after his death she took the duties of the office and the management of tbe store. The postoffice there was abandoned two years later. Mrs. Thomas Newby has had a birthday celebration every year since she was seventy, and on April 7. 1918. eighty-four guests gathered to do her honor, and all these celebrations have attracted a large concourse of her friends and admirers.

and wife, who in the fall of 1855 invaded the wilderness of Portage County and settled in Buena Vista Township. In this region George C. Newby acquired 140 acres, and while it was totally wild when he first took it, it was cleared and made into a comfortable rural home, improved with good buildings and highly productive fields. He died here March 8, 1907, and his wife passed away April 14, 1902. He was a republican in politics but never sought any office. His wife was a member of the Methodist Church. Mrs. Huntley was the second in a family of eleven children. Her brothers and sisters are given the following brief record. Margaret Ann. born April 17, 1853, is the wife of Mark A. Woodberry, of Minneapolis. Thomas was born March 11, 1857. Harriet was born March 6, 1859. Letitia was born December 18, i860, and died in 1879 as tne wi,e °* Charles Stuart. Kli died at the age of two years and six months. Charles was born September 9, 1866, and further reference to him is made on other pages of this work. Hell Joanna was born May 8. 1868. and is the wife of John Springer. Cora Ann, born April 9, 1870. is the wife of William Fisher, of Stevens Point. William R. was the tenth child and is referred to more at length in following paragraphs. The youngest of the family was Mabel, who was born December 10, 1876, and is the wife of B. A. Benson, of Glenwood, Minnesota. >

William R. Newby, brother of Mrs. Huntley, was born February 20. 1872, and now owns the old Newby homestead of 120 acres in Buena Vista Township. He is a successful general farmer, has been a member of the school board and votes consistently as a republican. He married Lettie Cornell, who was born in Chautauqua County, New York. April 27, 1873. daughter of Willard and Jane (Whitford) Cornell. Willard Cornell was born in New York State December 20, 1834. and his wife March 8. 1839. They came to Waushara County, Wisconsin, in 1878. and in 1882 located in Portage County, in Pine Grove Township. Later they sold their farm there and moved to Wood County, having a farm a mile from Grand Rapids, the county seat. This property was also sold, and Willard Cornell spent his last days in Buena Vista Township, where he died February 13. 1909. His widow is still living in that township. They had two children, Seward, who died in 1903. at the age of forty-four, and Lettie, wife of William R. Newby. Mr. and Mrs. William R. Newby have the following children: Benjamin Eli, born June 28, 1897, was educated in the puhlic schools and the Stevens Point Business College, and is now a bookkeeper for the Wisconsin Light and Heat Company of Berlin. Wisconsin: Bessie L., born July 14, 1899, is a graduate in the rural course from the State Normal at Stevens Point in the class of 1917 and is now conducting a successful school in Buena Vista Township; Guy Orville. bom May 19, 1902. a student in the Bancroft High School: and Esther Evelyn, born April 16, 1906.

Josrph Laszkwski is one of the live men of Hull Township to whom the citizens of that locality are indebted for much of the enterprise and the mercantile and industrial facilities centered at Casimer. His fellow citizens have again and again shown their utmost confidence and trust in Mr. I.aszewski in electing him to many offices, and he is busied with the handling of many responsible affairs.

Poland, his father born in 1841 and his mother in 1844. In 1872 they came to Portage County and settled in Hull Township, where the father acquired 400 acres of wild land. He had the industry, skill and patience to develop much of this by clearing and improvement, and late in life he divided his ample farm among his children and is now living with his son Joseph retired. Politically he is a republican, and for many years was one of the local road commissioners. He is a member of the Polish Catholic Church and various Polish societies. John Laszewski and wife had ten children: Michael, Jacob, John, Joseph, Anton, Leo, Peter, Martha, Anna and Frank, all still living except Frank.

Joseph Laszewski grew up on the old homestead farm, and was educated both in the parochial and public schools. Farming was his first occupation and still claims a share of his energies. He owns forty acres of the old homestead. In 1912 he broadened his efforts in the direction of merchandising when he established a store at Casimer in Hull Township. Besides this store he conducts a saw mill, operates a threshing outfit during the season, and in 1918 he added to the industrial resources of the village of Casimer by establishing a steam factory and a potash factory.

His record of public service equals his success in business. He served seven years as supervisor and for the past six years has been chairman of the township board. He is also treasurer of the local school board and chairman of the County Poor Committee and is also director of the Polish Fire Insurance Association and local agent for the Northwestern Accident and Health Association. Mr. Laszewski is a republican in politics and has been very loyal to the party. He is a member of the Polish Catholic Church.

January 26, 1903, he married Miss Martha Rutta, who was born in Hull Township March 3, 1882, daughter of Jacob and Mary Rutta. Her parents came from Poland in 1876 and settled on farming land in Hull Township. Mr. and Mrs. Rutta had five children named John. Solomon. Mary. Martha and Edward. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Laszewski, seven in number, all living, are Bernice, Regina, Teddy, Anna, Frances, Eddie, and Earl.