Portage County, Wisconsin - The whole text, 1919 (part 6 of 15)

Charles A. Schenk was reared at Portage City and attended the public schools, there remaining until 1878, when he came to Stevens Point, being then but sixteen years old. Home sickness, perhaps, drew him back to Portage City, but in 1883 he returned to Stevens Point and has lived here ever since. He had previously worked in a lumber yard, while still attending school, but after re-locating at Stevens Point, learned the barber's trade and engaged in work in that line for six years. In the meanwhile he had become interested in the jewelry business and in 1889 embarked in the same, under the firm name of Schenk & Arcnberg, and was engaged in this business for the following six years, when he was elected city treasurer. During his years of active business he had found time to interest himself in public affairs in city and county, and as a good citizen and a man of public spirit consented to accept political responsibilities and honestly and efficiently performed the duties pertaining thereto. After serving six years as city treasurer he was elected alderman from the Third Ward, and during the succeeding six years that he continued in office he was able to do much for the permanent improvement of his part of the city and for Stevens Point generally. Although not serving in public office at the present time, he continues a ruling factor in the councils of the democratic party. In 1902 Mr. Schenk acquired an interest in the Stevens Point Brewing Company and became treasurer and is also one of the directors.

Mr. Schenk was married in 1885 to Miss Otelia Arenberg, who was born at Watertown in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, and is a daughter of the late Carl Arenberg, a pioneer of this county, who died at Stevens Point. Mrs. Schenk was reared in Jefferson County and was educated in the public schools. Mr. and Mrs. Schenk had four children, one dying in infancy: Elsie trraduated as a nurse in September. 1918, and is now attending the Minnesota State University, taking a course in social welfare nursing ; Meta is a teacher in the public schools at Sioux Falls, South Dakota ; and Karl E., who became an officer in the United

States Signal Service, and was formerly a member of Battery E, One Hundred and Twentieth Light Artillery, stationed at Waco, Texas, is now in France with the United States forces, and is a sergeant. Mr. Schenk and his family attend the Evangelical Church. The family home at No. 934 Normal Avenue is one of pleasant hospitality, Mr. Schenk being genial and generous by nature, and also outside his own home is never forgetful of those who are not so fortunate and need charity.

Artiilr H. Baker, of Stevens Point, is a railroad man, and has undergone all the discipline and training of that business since earlyboyhood. His is a record of steady promotion to efficiency and responsibility. For a number of years he has been one of the boo Line's conductors.

Mr. Baker, who was born at Stevens Point March 28, 1887, is son of a veteran railroad man now retired, Frank C. Baker. His mother was Caroline Trapp. Both were natives of Germany but were married in Wisconsin. The father was born May 4, 1853, and the mother May 18, 1856. Frank C. Baker arrived in' Wisconsin at Fremont December 18, 1872, and Miss Trapp came the following year. They married in 1874 and in 1876 located at Auburndale, Wisconsin, where they had their home eight years, but since then for the most part have lived in Stevens Point. Frank C. Baker has been connected with the old Wisconsin or the Soo Line for forty -five years and during the past four years has been on the honor roll of pensions. He began as a section hand, was promoted to foreman, and for thirty years was roadmaster. In politics he is a republican and while living at Marshfield in Wood County was a member of the County Hoard. He is a Lutheran and is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America at Stevens Point. Frank C. Baker and wife had nine children, Emma; Charles; Gustav and Lizzie, both of whom died in infancy; Frank; Arthur H. ; Alfred; Annies, who died in infancy, and Emmett Earl. The oldest, Emma, married F. W. Schmidt and has two children, Carl and Wilfred, and by her previous marriage to Otto Backhus had three children, Dorothy, Loretta and Otto. The son Charles died January 8, 1907, leaving one daughter, Helen, by his marriage to Allie Braden. Frank is a resident of Belle Plain, Iowa, married Florence Murray and has two children. Frank and Ruth Annies. Alfred is a graduate of high school and of the Stevens Point Normal, is a teacher at Eureka, Montana, and has taken up a homestead and has done much to clear and develop it. spending his summer vacations on the farm. He married Mabel Anderson. The youngest child, Emmett E., is an operator with the Soo Line at New Richmond, Wisconsin.

Arthur II. Baker was educated in the public schools of Stevens Point and at the age of seventeen left high school to begin active work as a railroader. His first job was water boy for an extra gang, and later he was timekeeper. At eighteen he was made a brakcman and with the exception of one year with the Northwestern Railway has spent all his career with the Wisconsin Central. In 1910 he was promoted to conductor and is one of the younger men who have those responsibilities. He is a member of both the Order of Railway Trainmen and Order of Railway Conductors. He is also affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Mystic Workers at Stevens Point, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles at Marshfield.

February 22, 1909, Mr. Baker married Miss Margaret Scherr. She was born at Marshfield January 12, 1888, a daughter of Philip and Mary Ann (Huth) Scherr, of Marshfield, both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Baker have one son, Arthur H., Jr., born February 4, 1910. Mr. Baker and family and his parents all live in a pleasant and comfortable home at 902 Center Avenue in Stevens Point.

Philip Rothman. One of the early merchants and substantial business men and representative citizens of Stevens Point passed away in the death of Philip Rothman on December 5, 1906. His interests were many, his character unblemished and his influence wide for many years, and he is recalled as one of the honorable and useful men of this part of Portage County.

Philip Rothman was born in Wisconsin, near the City of Fond du Lac, in Fond du Lac County, September 27, 1854. His parents lived at that time in the Village of Calumet Harbor and his father died there. His mother, Mrs. Barbara Rothman, lived to be almost ninety years old, dying in 1916 at Washington, D. C.

Mr. Rothman was twenty-three years old when he came to Stevens Point. He had secured a public school education in Fond du Lac County and had had some clerking experience at Wausau and Menasha, and in 1877 he became a clerk for Henry Hoefller in this city. On August 22, 1884, he embarked in business for himself, starting in a small way on the corner of Clark and South Third Street, just across the street from his former employer's establishment, putting in a stock of dry goods and groceries. He had been in business but a short time, however, when a fire adjacent caused the goods to be moved to another building, the west half of the building now occupied by Philip Rothman & Company. He resumed business and within a few years found his quarters too small and then occupied the eastern part of the building also and subsequently the second floor. In 1900 Mr. Rothman enlarged the building to its present size, its dimensions being 132^ by 46 feet, with an annex with dimensions of 33 by 60 feet on Third Street. Shortly after he embarked in business Mr. Rothman discontinued his grocery department but enlarged his ladies' ready to wear, dry goods and carpet departments. He took a deep interest in his business and was a very successful merchant and was proud of the fact that he had built up his fortunes through his own efforts. In addition to owning his large store he had a fine residence at No. 527 Gark Street, and in addition to realty had banking interests. He was one of the founders of the Citizens National Hank and at the time of his death was vice president of the Wisconsin State Bank. Because of his high personal character his name was a valuable asset in any business and frequently he was invited to become a member of the directing boards of different business concerns of importance.

After coming to Stevens Point Mr. Rothman was married to Miss Ida Hoefller, a daughter of Henry Hoeffler, and they had the following children born to them: Anna, who was graduated from the high school of Stevens Point and subsequently from the Chicago Musical College, belongs to the cultured musical circle in this city ; Edward H., who was born at Stevens Point March 21, 1883, was graduated with credit from the high school here and then assisted his father in the store and since his death has been a member of the firm of Philip Rothman & Company, manager of the same jointly with his brother, they being members of the firm also. Edward H. Rothman was married June 29, 1905, to Miss Ollie Huntley, of Stevens Point, and they have one son, Philip H. He is a member of the Episcopal Church, politically is independent and fraternally belongs to Evergreen Lodge No. 93, Free and Accepted Masons, and to the Chapter and Commander}', and also to the Order of Elks.

Winfred Rothman. second son of the late Philip Rothman, was born at Stevens Point June 12, 1886. He was educated in the public schools here and St. John's Military Academy at Delalield, Wisconsin, from which he was graduated in June, 1906, after which he entered the mercantile business, as mentioned above. He was married July 24, 1907, to Miss Edith Burr, who is a daughter of Emmons Burr, and they have two sons. Richard and Xeal. Mr. Rothman, like his brother, is independent in politics and is a Knight Templar in Masonry. Lucille, the youngest member of Mr. Rothman's family, was born at Stevens Point December 22, 1896, and is a graduate of the high school in this city.

The late Philip Rothman was an ideal citizen, energetic and public spirited, honest and efficient. While he was a staunch republican in his political views, when he was elected mayor of Stevens Point he never permitted political influence to sway him from what he considered the path of duty. During his two years of incumbency the city prospered as never before.

Mr. Rothman was an early and zealous member of the Masonic fraternity, a Knight Templar and Shriner, ever prizing his connection with Evergreen Lodge No. 93, Free and Accepted Masons. He was identified with other organizations, including the Modern Woodmen of America and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He was a consistent member of the Episcopal Church and through that and other mediums his t>cnefactions to charity were conscientiously bestowed.

dustrial, commercial and public life of Stevens Point, George L. Rogers, now living retired from business activities, was for upwards of a quarter of a century conspicuously identified with the lumber interests of Portage County. A son of the late P. V. M. Rogers, he was born March 9. 1852, at Rippon, Fond du Lac County. Wisconsin.

Born May 1. 181 2, in Rome, Oneida County, New York, P. V. M. Rogers spent his earlier life in his native state. Coming to Wisconsin with his family in 1850, he resided for six years in Rippon. In 1856 he located at Stevens Point, and opening a meat market on Main Street, he conducted it for a number of years. He was a whig in politics until the formation of the republican party, when he became one of its most earnest supporters. He was active in public affairs, and at the time of his death. September 16, 1867, was serving as street commissioner. Fraternally he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Religiously he attended either the Presbyterian or the Episcopal Church. His wife, whose maiden name was Jane I^amphere. was born in Sherburne. Chenaneo Countv. New York, in t8i6, and died January 5, 1859, at Stevens Point. Wisconsin. Three children were born of their union, David, George L. and Maro.

But four years old when he was brought by his parents to Stevens Point, George L. Rogers was here educated, attending the public schools, the old White School and a select school. At the age of fifteen years he began working by the month, being first employed in the lumber camps and later doing business as a jobber. From 1874 until 1878 Mr. Rogers served as a clerk in the Post Office, under Horace Grant, postmaster. He was afterwards prosperously engaged in the lumber business, with which he was thoroughly conversant, from 1880 until 1907. Having accumulated a fair share of this world's goods, Mr. Rogers is now enjoying a well deserved leisure.

In his political affiliations he is a stanch republican, and though living in the Fourth Ward, a democratic stronghold, he has served as alderman; from 1892 until 1894 was city treasurer; and in 1898 was elected mayor. He is now serving his third term as city comptroller. In 1900 he was a delegate to the Republican National Convention, which met in Philadelphia, nominating McKinley and Roosevelt. Fraternally Mr. Rogers is prominent in Masonic circles, belonging to Lodge, Chapter and Commandery; and is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

Mr. Rogers married Mina M. Whitney, who was born in New Brunswick in September, 1855. Her father, George WTiitncy, came from New Brunswick to Wisconsin in 1868, settling first in Knowlton, Marathon County, and later coming to Stevens Point, where he was engaged in the lumber business until his death. His wife, whose maiden name was Jane Rogers, died in 1889. Five children have been born of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Rogers, namely: Forest Wayne, born July 21, 1878; Chester Garfield, born May 29, 1881 ; Everett Fenton; Alice Charlotte; and Guy Whitney. Forest Wayne Rogers, the oldest child, is associated with the Edward Hines Lumber Company, being at the head of the timberland department, with residence at Park Falls, Wisconsin. He married Annette Moran. Chester Garfield is a practicing attorney of Minneapolis, Minnesota, with an office at No. 310 McKnight Building. He married Leota Prater, and they have one son, Robert Chester. Everett Fenton Rogers, a bond and stock broker, with an office in the Boston Block at Minneapolis, married Kate Beck, and they have one child, Mary Jane. Alice Charlotte Rogers, the only daughter of the parental household, is a teacher in the public schools of Stevens Point. Guy Whitney Rogers is city editor of the Stevens Point Gazette.

Rupert Warde. The Warde family have been in Portage County over sixty-five years, and their personal experiences and activities touch many points of interest in Stevens Point and elsewhere through the county. Mr. Rupert Warde has spent nearly all his life in this county and was in the old days an active woodsman and river man, followed the vocation of agriculture for many years, and is now enjoying honorable retirement in Stevens Point.

He is of English family and was born at Moxter in Staffordshire, England, June 20, 1849, a son of Herbert and Elizabeth (Shepard) Warde. His father was born in Staffordshire March 10, 181 2, and his mother in Derbyshire about 1816. The father's first wife was Letitia Gotrich. There were four children by that marriage, and they also came to Portage County. A brief record of them is as follows : Sarah, who married Martin Perkins; Louise, wife of Joel King; Herbert, who

Two years after the birth of their son Rupert, Herbert and Elizabeth Warde started for America. They took boat on August 14, 1851, and arrived in New York City September 14th of the same year., Their destination was Wisconsin, which was then comparatively out on the western frontier. To get there they traveled up the Hudson River, took a canal boat on the Erie Canal and from Buffalo traveled around the Great Lakes to Milwaukee. They used the railroad to Plainfield, went to Dodge Center, and on January 1, 1852, a wagon brought them into the little village of Stevens Point. Herbert Warde was a tailor by trade. He bought property on Water Street and there for a number of years stood the sign H. Warde, tailor. Later he bought eighty acres of land in Hull Township and traded that to David Clements for another eighty acres near Stockton Station. He subsequently bought other lands in Stockton Township, and developed a considerable farm and also did much dealing in livestock. He died at the old homestead March 29, 1877. His widow passed away in Stockton Township in 1883. The father was a republican and he and his wife were members of the Methodist Church. They had five children: Rupert; Henry, who died March 29, 1915, at the age of sixty-four; Ella, wife of Lewis Sawyer, of Stevens Point; Charles, who died when fourteen years old ; and Ada Elizabeth, who died in 1892.

Rupert Warde grew up at Stevens Point and in Stockton Township, and had such educational advantages as were supplied by the common schools of that day. He attended school in the first schoolhouse at Stevens Point. That old school building, long since used for other purposes, is still standing and occupied by Lizzie Cadman. At the age of sixteen Mr. Warde's practical experiences began as a worker in the woods and on the river. He spent fourteen winters in the lumber woods, and usually spent the summer driving logs on the river. He was a man of great physical strength and agility, and was famed among the older residents as a pedestrian. Two of his feats in walking may be recalled. One time he walked from Stockton to Grand Rapids, Wisconsin, a distance of twenty-two miles, in four hours. He almost equaled this record when he walked from Sevewright's Landing to Stockton, a distance of twenty miles, also in four hours.

From his earnings in the lumber woods Mr. Warde saved enough to buy a farm in Stockton Township. This land was about four miles from the old homestead. He cleared it up and after putting part of it in cultivation sold out and bought the John Stumpf farm of 200 acres near Arnott. He made this one of the fine farms of Stockton Township, and eventually increased its size to 280 acres. Subsequently he gave his son, Edwin Rupert, eighty acres, and sold the rest of the farm. He now owns lands in Plover Township, and has several pieces of valuable property in Stevens Point. Mr. Warde has lived in Stevens Point since 1905, his home being at 344 Illinois Avenue.

Mr. Warde has always given a public spirited attention to local affairs. In Stockton Township he served as supervisor and was a member of the school board for about twenty-five years. He was also one of the organizers of the Amott Creamery, and while living in the country was one of its officials for nine years. He is a republican and active in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

was born in Wales and when a child came to Portage County with her parents. Mrs. Warde died in 1891, the mother of two children. Edwin, the older, was born August 23, 1877, and is now a Montana farmer. He married Ethel Brown, of Eau Clair, Wisconsin, and their two children are Lewis and Ruth. Bessie Mary, the daughter, was born June 19, 1882, and married Charles Lcary, living near Arnott in Portage County. They have two children, John VVarde and Isla Martha.

Mr. Warde married for his second wife Lena Kussmann, who died in 1906. On March 16, 1908, Elizabeth Birch, of Charleston, Coles County, Illinois, became his wife. Mr. and Mrs. Warde now enjoy all the comforts won by his early years of enterprising effort. The summer of 1918 they spent in complete recreation from local duties and responsibilities, visiting Mr. Warde's son in Montana.

Don W. Sawyer. The history of the Sawyer family runs back in the pioneer times of Portage County. They not only "built some of the first homes in Belmont Township, cleared some of the first land devoted to the uses of civilization, and otherwise provided well for themselves in material affairs, but the name has been conspicuously identified with the public life of this section of the state.

The family was founded here by the late Stillman H. Sawyer. The official records of the county show some of his services and he was one of the most stalwart of the early pioneers. He was born at Gardner, Maine, November 2, 1819. A native of the extreme northeastern state of the Union, his travels and experiences took him across the entire continent. In 1849 he went west to California. In 1845, he married Lucy Fogg, who was born at Bangor, Maine, in 1836. The year after their marriage Stillman and Mary Sawyer came west to Portage County and located on eighty acres of land in Belmont Township in section 11. Stillman Sawyer built what was probably the first frame house in that township. His business affairs were prospered and eventually he had a fine farm of 200 acres. He died on the old homestead in 1896. and his wife passed away in 1889.

Stillman Sawyer in spite of his age was a volunteer soldier in the Civil war. In 1861 he enlisted in Company E of the Eighteenth Wisconsin Infantry. His service was almost uninterrupted until near the close of the war. He was in most of the battles in which his regiment was engaged, including that of Shiloh, and at Altoona Pass was captured and held a prisoner of war until exchanged in November, 1864. After that he was in a Federal Hospital until mustered out in January, 1865. He held the rank of sergeant.

His political record was made up of service as township clerk, and for two terms he held the office of register of deeds and for two terms was county treasurer of Portage County. He was a steadfast republican in politics, was an active member of the Grand Annv Post and a member of the Masonic Order. His wife was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

By his first marriage Stillman Sawyer had four children, Edlah, Georgiana, Charles Madison and Frederick. By his second marriage his children were Herbert A., Clarence A., Don W., Luella and Stillman E.

of his father both in the quiet industry of farming and as a public spirited citizen. He grew up on the old homestead, but at the age of fourteen began making his own way in the world. He worked as a farm hand while attending school at Winchester, Wisconsin, later rented the old homestead, and also rented land now comprised within his present farm. In 1889 M r - Sawyer bought 16214 acres in Belmont Township and has increased his holdings there to 220 acres and has other land interests elsewhere. Modern improvements prevail on his farm, and he has a fine residence, though it was remodeled from one of the early homes of the township. Mr. Sawyer handles high grade Guernsey cattle.

Politically he is a democrat. For many years he has served as chairman of the township board, and has also been assessor, treasurer and road commissioner. He is affiliated with the Order of Beavers.

February 22, 1883, Mr. Sawyer married Miss Alice Hough. She was born at Winchester, Wisconsin, May 9, 1863, a daughter of Nathan and Dennis (Roylance) Hough, early settlers of VVinchester Township in Winnebago County. Her father was a Union soldier. Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer have been greatly prospered not only in their material affairs but in the splendid family that have grown up around them. They are the parents of twelve: Orville D., Morris R., Daisy O., Bessie A., Mary E.. Ruth E., Wayne, Dale Bryan, Floyd, Eva May, Celia and Clair. All are living except Ruth, Wayne and Daisy O., the last named dying on the 21st of October, 1918.

Skjmund 1 1 utter was the founder of the Rolnik, the first Polish language newspaper in Portage County. That distinction, important in itself, is not sufficient to describe the broad and genial spirit of the man. and the invaluable influence he exercised during a most useful life in this community.

He was born at Suwalki. 'Russian Poland, May 2, 1856. His opportunities and education were those afforded the higher classes. He received the degree of Law from the University of Warsaw, Poland. For several years he practiced his profession in Suwalki and later was recommended for appointment to a government office, which he held until 1880.

March 30, 1880. he married Maria Morine, of Vilna, Poland, daughter of a chemist. The following spring, on April 10, 188 1, they sailed for America, immediately settling at Stevens Point in Portage County. This county was already represented by numerous Polish inhabitants. They were being rapidly amalgamated into the life and spirit of the American community, though in that process they were naturally handicapped by lack of the sources of information afforded only by a newspaper in their own language. It was this problem that Sigmu'nd Hutter set himself to solve. He brought out the first edition of the now existing Rolnik Polish Weekly in 1890. It was published under rather difficult circumstances, as he had but slight knowledge of the mechanical branch of this enterprise. His editing ability and business management soon became widely recognized, and in a few years practically every Polish family in the county was on the list of regular subscribers. The editor's political views were of an independent character, and his sound editorial policy soon built up a wonderful following. The paper was highly valued in the community by both political parties, and enjoyed an uninterrupted career of prosperity, vol. n-i»

The publication was successfully operated under Mr. Hutter's guidance until the first of January, 1902. At that time the publisher decided to retire to private life, and sold his plant and interest to his mechanical managers, S. H. Worzalla and J. A. Worzalla, who still continue the publication.

As is often the case, the quiet and ease of private life, so unnatural to the spirit and character of Mr. Hutter, rather augmented than ameliorated his poor health. The remainder of his days were spent in the care of physicians and at health resorts. After submitting to an operation at St. Mary's Hospital of Oshkosh in the spring of 1906 he went to Hot Springs, Arkansas, for recuperation. Then followed a relapse, and he died December 17, 1906. He was survived by his wife, Mrs. Maria Hutter, and two sons, John J. Hutter of Winona, Minnesota, and A. D. Hutter, who is now the active head of Hutter Brothers Printing Concern, printers, stationers, and dealers and manufacturers of office equipment and bookkeeping systems at Stevens Point.

John R. Brinker, now deceased, came into the wilds of Wisconsin more than sixty years ago, and the more substantial results of his life's activities connected him with Portage County. He was a self made man, had to depend upon his own exertions to get him the things his ambition craved, and he not only gained a competence for himself but gained the good will and respect of his fellow men by his responsiveness to those duties and obligations which are part of good citizenship.

Mr. Brinker was born in Clarion, Pennsylvania, March 4, 1835. At the age of eleven years he was left an orphan, and from that time had to make his own way in the world. He learned the trade of blacksmith. In 1856. at the age of twentv-one, he came to Wisconsin and accompanied the late Dr. A. S. McDill to this state. The following winter he worked as a blacksmith for O. H. P. Bigelow. Later he formed a partnership with Michael O'Keefe, and then opened a shop at Springville in Portage County. At the outbreak of the war business fell off, the shop was closed and on October 15, 1864, Mr. Brinker enlisted in Company F of the Second Wisconsin Infantry. He saw considerable active service during the closing months of the war and was granted his honorable discharge June 16, 1865. After the war he followed piloting on the river. On June 3, 1869, he married Miss Rhoda Dodds.

They made their home at Plover until 1876. when they removed to Stevens Point. Here Mr. Brinker formed a partnership with Mr. O'Keefe, and for several years they had the leading blacksmith shop in the city. Later Mr. Brinker became sole proprietor and continued active in' his work until 1890, when he sold to Mr. Hoeffler and retired.

In 1869 he bought a fine farm in Stockton Township of Portage County, though he never lived on it himself. He had the good fortune and the enviable distinction of having this farm occupied for more than thirty-three years by one tenant, Mr. Michael Clark

The late Mr. Brinker was a member of the Presbyterian Church from the time he was eleven years of age. He was a Free Mason and always loyally affiliated with his comrades of the Grand Army

Mrs. Rhoda (Dodds) Brinker, who survives her husband, is one of the prominent women of Portage County. She was born in the Town of Franklin, Venango County, Pennsylvania, daughter of Darius and Rhoda (Austin) Dodds. Her father was born in Deleware County, New York, March 21, 1806, and her mother in the same county March 1, 1806. They married in New York State, moved from there to Pennsylvania and in 1853 came to the wilderness of Portage County, Wisconsin. Her father was a farmer and contractor, owning a tract of land in Stockton Township. He sold this farm in 1858 and moved to Plover, where he engaged in the contracting business until his death in 1892. His wife was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Brinker is the only surviving child of nine, named as follows : Laura, Cordelia, Caroline, Darius, Pardon, Rhoda, Clinton, Loren and John. Three of her brothers, Clinton, Pardon and Loren, were soldiers in the Union army during the Civil war.

Mrs. Brinker was educated at Plover, Wisconsin, and for several years was a successful teacher both in public schools and also in a select school at Plover. A number of men who have since become successful and prominent at one time were her pupils. Mrs. Brinker has been a member of the Episcopal Church since 1884. She is active in the Eastern Star and in the Stevens Point Woman's Club. She is a woman of active intelligence and a mind broadened by much travel, study and contact with the world. She is known locally as a talented writer both in prose and verse and has read some most admirable papers before the Woman's Club. She has traveled extensively all over her home country, and there are few of the larger cities anywhere in the United States to which she has not gone. Mrs. Brinker owns a fine home at 1018 Main Street in Stevens Point.

John Biuby, a resident of Buena Vista Township for a long period of years, has had a career that challenges admiration and respect. It has the solid basis of industry and is crowned by a success of his own achieving, won by the strictest regards to honest principles and integrity of character.

Mr. Bibby's experiences and recollections of Portage County date back more than half a century. He was born in Waukesha County of this state June 10, 1843, son of Francis and Eleanor (Blackburn) Bibby. His parents were natives of England. His father was born at Kirkby August 25, 1816, and his mother March 15, 1819. A short time after their marriage they immigrated to America, locating in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, about 1849 moving to Winnebago County, that state, and from their farm in that locality they came in i860 to Portage County and established a new home on ninety acres in Buena Vista Township. Francis Bibby was a true representative of the sturdy character of England, was a man of energy and fine character, and made a success of his business as a farmer. Besides the homestead of ninety acres he acquired another farm of 120 acres and was finally able to retire from business and spend his years in comfort at Stevens Point, where he died in 1892. He twice visited California. His wife died about 1875. The record of their children is as follows: Miles, born July 30. 1841 ; John, born June 10, 1843; Mary Jane, born August 13, 1845; Sarah A., born September 4, 1847;

Mr. John Bibby was about eighteen years old when his parents come to Portage County. He acquired his education in district schools and grew up to a manhood capable of sharing in the difficult and arduous occupations of his generation. In 1863 he was drawn in the draft for the Civil war, but his services were never required. During his youthful years he did much work in the lumber woods and on the river. Twice he was out with one of the well known river pilots of that day, Heman Webster, of a prominent Portage County family elsewhere referred to. He was also on the river traffic with David Shelburn, another figure in Portage County history.

After taking up his regular career as a farmer Mr. Bibby bought eighty acres where he now lives in Buena Vista Township. His possessions have steadily grown by the successive additions of forty acres, another forty acres, and finally twenty acres. Most of this land was cleared up after he bought it, and the farm now represents many years of sustained labor on his part. He has a group of substantial buildings, and for many years has been engaged in general farming and stock raising.

Mr. Bibby has had no inclination to hold office, though he has done some good work in behalf of education. For about twelve years he was treasurer of the school board of his district and for two terms was a school director. He is a republican voter. His parents were both members of the Episcopal Church.

In 1876 Mr. Bibby married Miss Margaret Brown, who was born in Delavan, Wisconsin. June 10, 1854, daughter of Nathaniel and Margaret (McGallerick) Brown. Her parents were both natives of Ireland and on coming to America settled at Delavan and in 1864 moved to Almond Township of Portage County. Her father died there in 1906, at the age of eighty-eight, and his wife passed away in 1884, at the age of fifty-six. Their children included Alexander, now deceased ; Margaret ; Mary, and Thomas J.

Mr. and Mrs. Bibby have seen a family of children grow up about them and they now have several grandchildren. Frank, their oldest son, is a butter maker by trade ; Ella married Joseph Burkel ; Charles married Maud Punrea. and their family consists of two sons, Clifford and Leonard. John, the fourth of the family, married Minnie Sustins, and their only son, Harold John, is now the family representative in the great war, being a member of the Engineer Corps and at present stationed at Washington, D. C. Bertha married Vernon Adams, and their children are Gladys, deceased, Randall and John Nathaniel. The voungest of the family is William, a practical farmer living with his father.

Peter Peterson. During a residence in Portage County of more than twenty years Peter Peterson has provided himself with all the comforts of a good country home, has developed a fine farm in Belmont Township, and has become reckoned as one of the steadfast and capable citizens of that locality.

great deal of the world in his lifetime. He was born in Denmark December 22, 1862, a son of Olc and Mary (Jensen) Peterson. Both parents are now deceased, his father having died when about sixty-five and his mother when about seventy years of age. They spent their lives in Denmark. Their children were: Anna, Peter, Marie, Lars, Christina, Jens and Lena.

Mr. Peter Peterson has been making his own way in the world since he was about twelve years old. He was reared and educated in his native country and in April, 1885, set out for the New World. He spent about nine years in Canada, both in the eastern and western provinces. During that time his experience was most varied. He worked in the sawmills and lumber woods of the far west in British Columbia, also spent one winter in Michigan, and by constant work and thrifty habits accumulated a small amount of capital which enabled him to visit Denmark and his parents and later come to Portage County in 1895 and where he bought a farm of 120 acres in Belmont Township. After keeping this farm about eight years he sold it, and in 1904 bought his present place in Belmont Township. He now owns 100 acres, well improved and highly cultivated and devotes it to general farming purposes. He bought his present place from J. C. F. Fletcher.

Mr. Peterson is a democrat and has served as side supervisor ot his township. He and his wife attend the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1896 he married Miss Sarah Moran. She was born in Belmont Township, daughter of William and Rhoda (Dickerson) Moran, both early settlers of Portage County and now deceased. Her father was a farmer and in politics a republican. Mrs. Peterson was one of a family of seven children : Edward, Warren, Hugh, Morris, Sarah, Josic and Sephronia.

Anton J. Kubisiak. A native of Portage County, member of one of the old and substantial families that have lived here through portions of three generations, Anton J. Kubisiak has become widely known through his operations as a potato buyer, and is now proprietor of a large stock of general merchandise at Arnott in Stockton Township.

Mr. Kubisiak was born in Hull Township of this county January io, 1874, son of Albert and Frances (Dzwonkowski) Kubisiak. Both parents were natives of Poland. His father was born in the Province of Posen in the Village of Gulaz, April 23, 1842, and in 1866 immigrated to America, landing in New York, and the following year coming to Portage County. His parents, John and Veronica (Jurek) Kubisiak followed him after an interval of about a year and iocated on land north of Stevens Point bought for them by their son Albert. Some years later the grandparents moved to Amherst, where they died. Albert Kubisiak engaged in farming, and about 1869 married Miss Dzwonkowski, who had come to Portage County when a child with her parents. Christopher and Josephine (Konopocki) Dzwonkowski. who located in Sharon Township on a farm and spent the rest of their years in that locality. After his marriage Albert Kubisiak settled in Hull Township, but in April. 1874, moved to a farm in Amherst, where he is still living, steadilv carrying on his vocation as an agriculturist. He and his wife had ten children: John, Anton J., Catherine. Mary. Joseph, deceased. Theodore. Frank. Felix, who died in infancy, Elnora and Stanley. The father of these children besides

Anton J. Kubisiak grew up on his father's farm in Amherst Township, and his education came from the local schools of the same locality. He was a farmer during his younger years, but in 1900 began buying potatoes at Fancher in this county. He continued actively in business at that point from 1900 to 1915, and then moved his headquarters to Arnott where he is proprietor of a general store and buys and sells merchandise of all descriptions. In politics he ts a democrat, and has served as township assessor of Stockton Township for several years, and is now township treasurer. He and his family are members of the Polish Catholic Church.

In 1901 Mr. Kubisiak married Juliana Drifka. She was born in Stockton Township in February, 1885, daughter of Casimer and Theresa (Dulak) Drifka. Her parents came from West Prussia in 1871, first settled in Sharon Township, and about 1881 removed to Stockton Township, where her father died in 1908 and where her widowed mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Kubisiak have six children, all living, named Irene, Bernard, Clement, Florence, Raymond and Orville.

Emil Belke. An interesting record of business growth and progress which has made one of the formerly poor boys of Stevens Point an independent executive and head of a growing enterprise is that of Emil Belke, who is proprietor of the Belke Manufacturing Company at 247 North Second Street.

Mr. Belke was born in German Poland February 16, 1874, son of August and Marie Belke. His parents came to Portage County in 1890, locating at Stevens Point, where the father became well known as a citizen and where he died in March, 191 2, at the age of sixty-nine, leaving a respected and honored name. The mother died in 1909 when about sixty years of age. They had seven children, five of whom died in German Poland and one. Olga, passed away here. The Belke family were members of the Catholic Church.

Emil Belke was sixteen years old when his family came to Portage County, and nearly all his literary education was acquired in his native land. After coming to this country he attended a business college at Stevens Point, but from the very beginning was making his own way as a laborer or as an apprentice carpenter and cabinet maker. He followed those trades a number of years, and in 1916 set up a small shop of his own for the manufacture of doors, sash, blinds and other finished woodwork. He has developed his shop into a substantial plant, and has a business that is already rated as one of the successful concerns of Stevens Point and has tremendous possibilities of growth in the future.

Mr. Belke is a democrat in politics and member of the Catholic Church. In 1909 he married Miss July Borski, of Stevens Point. Mrs. Belke was born in German Poland, and her parents died there. She came to Stevens Point when a small girl. They have one son, Edmond, born November 13, IOU-

Edward Perry Tobie has become something of an authority in the dairy business, as a general farmer and as a successful breeder of high grade stock, and in every way is a representative citizen of Amherst Township, Portage County. His people were among the earliest settlers of Stevens Point and there he passed his earlier years.

Edward Perry Tobie was born in Portage County, Wisconsin, September 5, 1874. His parents were Edward Dominic and Mary (Hopkins) Tobie, the former of whom was born at Buffalo, New York, September 14, 1849, and died January 30, 1884. The paternal grandparents were Dominic and Elizabeth (Gottry) Tobie, the former of whom was born in France, June 7, 1807, and died at Stevens Point, Wisconsin, October 7. 1868. The latter was bom in Germany, and they were married in Europe and when they came to the United States settled first in Buffalo, where Mr. Tobie operated a hotel until removal was made to Stevens Point, where both he and wife subsequently died. They had but one child, Edward Dominic.

Edward Dominic Tobie was educated in the parochial schools and remained a faithful Catholic all his life. As a young man he carried on a teaming business in Stevens Point, but after his marriage moved to a farm in Amherst Township and resided there until his death at the age of thirty-four years. In addition to attending to his farm he had continued his teaming business and had teams working on the grading of the Wisconsin Central Railroad, now the Soo Line, and additionally operated a threshing outfit. He was an active, forceful man, and was widely known and respected. He married Mary Hopkins, who was born at Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Her father, Perry Commodore Hopkins, was born at Detroit, Michigan, and came to Portage County in 1855 with his parents, Sherman and Miranda (Thornton) Hopkins. Both father and son served in the Civil war, Sherman Hopkins, who lived to the age of ninety-four years, serving as a drum major. Perry C. Hopkins was a stone mason and brick layer by trade and worked as such at Stevens Point until he entered the Civil war as a member of Company E, Thirty-Seventh Wisconsin Infantry. He lived to return home but the mental shock he had received in the war left him a little unbalanced and he lived afterward more or less retired. He spent two years at Appleton and then moved to Amherst and there he died.

Mr. and Mrs. Edward Dominic Tobie were the parents of five children, namely: Lewis, who is connected with the Jackson Flour Mill at Amherst; Elizabeth, who is deceased, was the wife of J. H. Durkee; Edward Pern,-; Mary, who is the wife of Lewis Miller; and Arthur, who is a farmer in Amherst Township.

Edward Perry Tobie attended the parochial school in Stevens Point and for a short time before he began to operate the home farm he had public school advantages. Although but eighteen years old when he took charge of the farm, he carried on the various industries profitably and remained in charge for six years. In 1899 he went to Clark County, Wisconsin, and followed farming in the vicinity of Thorp for five years, after which he returned to Portage County and bought the old Herman Hoffman farm which is favorably situated in Amherst Township, right on the edee of the prosperine village. Mr. Tobie has 130 acres. He breeds full-blood Jersey cattle and devotes much of his land to growing potatoes, and has extensive dairy interests.

is a daughter of Herman Hoffman, for many years a prominent farmer of this section. Mr. and Mrs. Tobie are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Always interested in movements for the general welfare, Mr. Tobie has frequently demonstrated his public spirit, and has been particularly concerned in local enterprises that aim to be beneficial to the farming community, and through that medium to the country at large. He is secretary of the Amherst Potato Growers' Association, and also secretary of the Amherst Percheron Association.

Henry Stoltenberg. One of the well-to-do merchants of the thriving little community of Nelsonville is Henry Stoltenberg, who is now enjoying a prosperous patronage in the handling of fanning implements. Mr. Stoltenberg, who has passed his entire life in this community, where his parents were pioneers, was during a long period engaged in the blacksmith business, and has also been an important factor in civic life, having been one of the incorporators of the village of Nelsonville and village clerk from the time of its founding until the spring of 1917.

Henry Stoltenberg was born May 31, 1865, at a point now included in the Village of Nelsonville, Portage County, Wisconsin, and is a son of Charles and Anna Stoltenberg. His father was born in Germany and after the death of the paternal grandparents immigrated to the United States as a single man and during the early '50s settled in Portage County. His marriage occurred at Stevens Point, Wisconsin, his bride being a native of Norway, who had come to this country alone, but whose mother followed her daughter to the United States after the death of the father. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Stoltenberg took up a grant of land including property now within the village limits of Nelsonville, settled in the woods, and passed the remainder of their lives in the clearing of the land and the cultivation and development of a farm. Both rounded out successful and useful lives and when they died owned a valuable property which had been improved solely through their efforts and those of their children. They were honest and honorable people who were highly esteemed by their neighbors and whose influence for good was felt in the community. They had five sons and two daughters : John C. ; Anna, who is now Mrs. Charles Hankey; Carl M., who died at the age of twenty-six years ; Andrew ; I Ienry ; Louisa, who died when twenty-six years of age : and Edward W.

Henry Stoltenberg received his education in the district schools of his home community and was reared on the home farm. As a youth he decided against agriculture as a vocation, preferring instead the trade of blacksmith, which he learned under his elder brother, John, at Nelsonville. He was in his brother's employ for something like twelve years, and then embarked in business on his own account, successfully conducting a blacksmith shop from 1894 until 1906. when he dis|x>scd of his interests and temporarily retired from active affairs. For three years he lived more or less quietly while seeking a good opening, and about 1909 again engaged in business, this time as the proprietor of an implement business. He has since built up an excellent trade among the fanners of this part of the county, and is now the owner of a well-equipped store, with a complete stock of the latest implements and machinery pertaining to his trade. Mr. Stoltenberg bears an excellent reputation in business circles as a man of integrity and one who lives up to all his engagements, and his success, selfattained, has been an honorable one. As a man of progressive views, always ready to support movements making for advancement and the general welfare, he was one of the incorporators of the Village of Nelsonville, and at the same time was made village clerk. This office he filled with ability and to the entire satisfaction of his fellow-citizens, remaining as the incumbent until the spring of 191 7.

In 1896 Mr. Stoltenberg was married to Miss Hannah Moen, who was born in Amherst Township, Portage County, daughter of J. O. Moen, who was an early settler here and who has for some years been a resident of Rhinelander. Mr. and Mrs. Stoltenberg are the parents of three children : Alice M., Jerome C. and Howard Maynard.

Ralph Doane, of Stockton Township, is counted as one of the old timers of Portage County, having first identified himself with this locality about thirty-five years ago. He is a man of interesting experience and accomplishment, and is one of the stalwart and progressive farmers of his present home township.

Mr. Doane represents some of the oldest families in American history. He was born in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, September 23, 1858, a son of Price and Prudence (Bradford) Doane. His father was born in Windham Township of Bradford County in 1829, while the mother was born in the same county in 1830. Price Doane spent his life in that county and died in 1907- The widowed mother passed away in June, 191 6. She was a very vigorous old lady and when eighty-five years of age she traveled alone to visit her son in Portage County. Both parents had visited in this county and were well known to a number of its local residents. The Doane family ancestry goes back to Daniel Doane, who arrived in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, as first settlers of Bradford County, Pennsylvania. Practically all of that name were lumbermen, and Price Doane was also a lumberman as well as a farmer. He was an old time river man on the Susquehanna River. In politics he was strictly independent, and he and his wife worshiped in the Kaptist Church. Their home locality was known as l>oanetown, named in honor of the family. Price Doane and wife had ten children : Minnie; Rufus, who died at the age of sixteen; Jasper, who is an extensive farmer and wheat grower in the State of Washington; Lottie, of Pennsylvania ; Ralph ; Adelia, wife of Charles Damerest, of Michigan; Stella, who died in 1893; Ira, who died October 1, IQ'7 : Perry, of Wausau. Wisconsin ; and Cary, who for many years lived in Stevens Point, but died at his old home in Pennsylvania. Cary had three sons, Arthur, Ray, a railway brakeman, and George. The son Arthur is now in France with the American army.

Mr. Ralph Doane grew up in his native Township of Pennsylvania, attended the country schools and the high school at Rome, and he also had abundance of opportunity to acquaint himself with the practical details of the home farm. At the age of eighteen he began teaching and taught four years.

mained here as a merchant for six years, after which he sold out to his brother and returning to Bradford County, Pennsylvania, handled the old homestead farm for six years, teaching school during the winter sessions. While there he had charge of the school which he had attended as a boy. In the spring of 1893 he was back in Portage County, but only for a brief season. One of his experiences that year was a deer hunt in Marathon County and he shot three deer on the trip. The following winter he again taught school in Pennsylvania, but in the spring of 1894 permanently located in Portage County. For five years he rented a farm in Stockton Township and in the spring of 1900 came to his present place, a well developed farm of eighty acres. He has done much to improve this land and is conducting it as a general farming proposition. Mr. Doane is also a carpenter, and that trade has proved invaluable to him in improving his own farm and also to others. He is a member of a local shooting club, and hunting is his favorite diversion.

Mr. Doane was for fifteen years a member of the school board in districts No. 5 and No. 4, and has exerted himself at every opportunity to secure better school advantages. He has also served as township assessor. Politically he votes as an independent. Mr. Doane is a splendid example of a total abstainer, having never used liquor in any form and not even tobacco. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

April 12, 1885, in Portage County, he married Miss Theresa Sklitzky. Mrs. Doane was bom in Austria, August 12, 1859. daughter of the late George Sklitzky, who was one of the pioneer settlers of Portage County. Mr. and Mrs. Doane have two children : Grace and Clarence. Grace is the wife of Edgar Engan of St. Paul, Minnesota, and they have one child, Myron, aged three years. Clarence, who helps run the home farm, married Mary Stcinke, of Arnott. She was born in Stockton Township, daughter of Samuel Steinkc, one of the early settlers here. Clarence Doane and wife have one daughter, Myrna, who is three years old.

Georgk Skalski. Many lives have entered into the making of Portage County, and none of them more worthy to be considered than that of the late George Skalski, who came here soon after the pioneer period and did his worthy part both as a farmer, business man and in the rearing and training of a family of useful sons and daughters, some of whom are very active in the business life of Stevens Point.

George Skalski was born in German Poland in April. 1853. His father died in the old country and his mother, Josephine Skalski, came to America and died in Stevens Point at the advanced age of ninetyseven. George Skalski was twenty years of age when in 1873 ne immigrated to America and after alxnit three years of residence at Dunkirk, New York, came on to Wisconsin and settled in Stevens Point. Later he bought a farm in Hull Township, and from that finally retired and entered the grocery business at Stevens Point, in partnership with Joseph Kuchnowski. After three years as a merchant he returned to the farm, and died there July 5, 1898. He was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church.

In 1881 George Skalski married Miss Rose Pijanowski. She was bom in Poland in 1863, daughter of Stephen Pijanowski, who died in his native land in 1869. Her mother then married John Bloch and in 1873 the family came to America, locating at Stevens Point. Mr. and Mrs. John Bloch are still living at the county seat, the former about seventy-eight and the latter eighty years of age. Mrs. Skalski was one of four children, and the only one now living. Her mother by her second marriage had one son, now deceased, and also an adopted son, John, a resident of Milwaukee.

To Mr. and Mrs. Skalski were born a family of eleven children. John, the oldest, married Helen Polashek and has two children, Ambrose and Raymond. Frank, who died June 14, 1917, married Catherine King and left one son, Chester. Peter, the third son, is still at home. Stephen has a garage business at Golden Valley, North Dakota. Albert is one of the active men in the Skalski Company, a thriving mercantile business at Stevens Point, at 219 Clark Street, where he established the business March 30, 1908. Michael is also a member of the Skalski Company, and by his marriage to Rose Laszewski has a son, Richard. Stanley, a member of the Skalski Company, married Johanna Borchard. Marie, living at home with her mother, is a member of the Skalski Company. Three other children, all of whom died young, were named Adam, Joseph and Nicholas.

Mrs. Skalski is actively interested in the Skalski Company. This company owns the business building and a dwelling back of the store, and also the home in which Mrs. Skalski resides at 531 Normal Avenue.

Casper Monroe Stoltenberg belongs to that live and energetic younger group of Portage County agriculturists who are now assuming and bearing with credit to themselves and to the county the burdens and responsibilities of farm management. Mr. Stoltenberg is member of an old and well known family of Portage County and his own work and character reflect honor upon the name.

He was born in the Village of Nelsonville in Portage County in 1887. a son of John C. Stoltenberg. He attended the public schools of his native town, and for a short time was manager of the local creamer)' at Casmere and later at Sharon. From that he took up farming in New Hope Township and is now operator of the Hans Larson farm in that locality.

In iqoi he married Miss Mabel Larson, daughter of Hans Larson. Three children have been born to their marriage: Vivian Ruth, Harvey Maynard and Harvey Maynard. The first Harvey Maynard died in infancy. The family are members of the old New Hope Lutheran Church. Mr. Stoltenberg is now serving as a member of the school board and so far as his business duties permit has shown much interest in local affairs.

Hans Larson, father of Mrs. Stoltenberg, was born in Norway January 8, 1849. a son of Lars and Marian (Christopherson) Halvorson. His parents spent all their lives in Norway, where his father was an industrious farmer. In their family were eight children : Christopher, deceased; Carolina, deceased; Hans; Christopher; Carolina and Anna, both deceased ; George ; and Andrew.

an industrious youth. In 1873 he came to America and within a few weeks located at Stevens Point, where he found employment in a saw mill and at other jobs. He was hard working, thrifty, looked ahead for the future and in 1895 he was able to buy eighty acres in New Hope Township. He moved to that land in 1896 and farmed it until 1899. In the latter year he moved to his present farm of eighty acres, also in New Hope Township, and conducted it as a general farming proposition for a number of years, but has now turned over its active management to his son-in-law, Mr. Stoltenberg. He helped organize the Garfield Creamery and has been one of the leaders in community affairs.

In 1876 Mr. Larson married Miss Johanna Engum. She was born in Norway, daughter of John and Anna (Halvorson) Engum. Her parents came to America in 1857 and in the same year located in New Hope Township, where they were among the very first settlers. They did their part in clearing away a portion of the wilderness, establishing a home, and setting an example of industry to those who came after them. Mrs. Hans Larson died in 1907. She was the mother of three children: Jonas Ludwig, living in Minnesota; Mrs. Mabel Stoltenberg; and Elmer Richards, who is now serving in the United States Navy. Hans Larson served several terms as a side supervisor in New Hope Township.

Cam. S. Orthmax is considered among his friends and associates as something of a genius in the field of banking. He has been connected with banking institutions from boyhood, and his capability has enabled him to play an effective and important part in a number of banks in this section of Wisconsin. Mr. Orthman is at present cashier of the Citizens National Bank of Stevens Point.

He was born at Portage, Wisconsin, November 6, 1883, a son of H. W. and Elizabeth (Sherman) Orthman. His parents were also natives of Portage and still live there, his father a general merchant. I lis father served as captain of Company F, Third Regiment of Wisconsin in the Spanish-American war. There were four children in the family : Carl S., Grace, Lillian and Bessie.

Carl S. Orthman graduated in 1900 from the Plainfield High School, and practically from that time to the present his work and experience have been in banks. He spent four years in Plainfield, graduating from school there before entering the Plainfield Bank. Until 1902 he was with his father, and then became bookkeeper of the Washara County Bank at Plainfield. From there he came to Stevens Point as assistant cashier of the First National Bank. In 1906 Mr. Orthman utilized his experience in the organization of different banks throughout this section of Wisconsin, and spent two years in organizing and setting the banking machinery into operation. After that he was vice president of the Arnott State Bank, Arnott, Wisconsin, and in 191 1 came into the Citizens National Bank of Stevens Point as assistant cashier, and since 1914 has been its cashier.

In 1909 Mr. Orthman married Miss Elizabeth Ceary, of Stevens Point, daughter of John Ceary, an honored pioneer merchant and tailor of this city. They have two children, Elizabeth and Charles.

of Commercial Executives. He is active in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, is treasurer of his lodge. and a member of the Knights of Pythias. At the present time he is captain of Company M, Ninth Regiment, Wisconsin State Guards, and stationed at Stevens Point.

Nick Dzwonkowski. Taking up his task as a pioneer fanner fully half a century ago, Nick Dzwonkowski has been prospered for above the average, has made his industry count for much both to himself and to his community, and has worthily earned his retirement and the comforts and esteem which he enjoys in his present home community in Sharon Township.

Me was born in Poland September 5, 1844, a son of Christian and Josephine Dzwonkowski. He lived in his native land fifteen years, attended school there, and in 1859 came with his parents to Portage County. The family were among the earliest to locate in this county and the father took a homestead of eighty acres in section 31 of Sharon Township. Here they lived, endured the privations of pioneer existence, and the father passed away at the old home in 1885, aged seventy years. The mother lived a remarkable span of years, and had reached the century mark of her existence at the time of her death on December 1, 1913. Mr. Nick Dzwonkowski was the only son of his parents and his two sisters were named Pauline and Frances.

From the time he was brought to Portage County he was practiced and trained in the work of clearing away the woods, cultivating the heavy virgin soil and with years of manhood upon him he bought as his first farm forty acres adjoining the old homestead in section 31. Later he acquired 120 acres in section 28. When this was sold he moved to Stockton Township and bought 160 acres a mile south of Custer. Later he made another transfer, selling this farm and in 1895 buying the place he now owns near Ellis. He has a model farm of seventy acres, and also owns forty acres of woodland in Sharon Township. Mr. Dzwonkowski is now retired from the heavy responsibilities of farming. He is a democrat in politics, and at one time served as assessor two years and as township chairman one year.

In 1864 he married Josephine Lipska. She was bom in Poland in 1836 and died at the old home in Sharon Township December 1, 1916, aged eighty years. She became the mother of eight children : Leo, Bernard and Rosa, deceased ; Mary. John, Frances. Martha and Helen. The daughter Helen remains at home and keeps house for her father. The family are all members of the Polish Catholic Church at Polonia.

Isaiah Altexburg is one of the prominent old time citizens of Portage County and member of a family that has been identified with this section of the state since pioneer times.

He is a son of John Altcnburg and was born in Chautauqua County. New York. April 30. 1841. He came to Portage County with his parents and after getting a limited school education went to work in the woods and in the lumber industry. On August t. 1861, when a little past twenty years of age. he enlisted in Company G of the Seventh Wisconsin Infantry. For three months he was in service within the state and after that spent three years in the Army of the Potomac and was in many of the celebrated battles of the war. He was granted his honorable discharge in the fall of 1864 and then returned to Portage County and for several years was in the employ of the Wisconsin Central Railway. About 1874 Mr. Altenburg bought forty acres of land in Buena Township and in that locality has lived ever since. He cleared his land, which was part of the original property owned by his father. He also acquired 160 acres in Plover Township and made a farm of that. Mr. Altenburg has lived retired now for about eight years. He is a republican voter and in religious views is liberal. November 24, 1864, soon after his return from the army, he married Phoebe Noyes. Mrs. Altenburg was born in Iowa March 9, 1846, daughter of William and Philetta Noyes, both natives of New York State and early settlers in Iowa. Her father went out to California in 1852 and no report ever came back to his family of him. The mother of Mrs. Altenburg spent her last days at Plover. Mr. and Mrs. Altenburg arc the parents of four children, Fred, who died at the age of two years; Frank, Robert and Carl W. Mr. Altenburg has a number of grandchildren and even some great-grandchildren. His son Frank, a farmer in Plover Township, married Ida Langton and their children are : Mabel, who married Harry Caulkins, their family consisting of Donald, Dorothy, Mabel and Elizabeth; Alta, wife ot Clarence Ammo, of Grand Rapids, Wisconsin, and they have one child, Russell ; and Kenneth, at home. Robert Altenburg, the second son of Mr. Altenburg, is a farmer and after three years spent in the West returned home and for the past ten years has operated on a farm of eighty acres and also owns another forty acres. He married Myra Taylor, daughter of Fred Taylor, of a well-known Portage County family, and they have one child, Vernon. Carl W., the youngest of the family, lives in Montana and owns a cattle ranch. He married Mollie Hogie and their one child is named Ronald.

James A. Altenburg. For over fifty years James A. Altenburg has been a resident of Portage County, and it has been his privilege to witness and bear a part in its remarkable development. He is one of several who have borne the name Altenburg with credit and honor in this part of Wisconsin, and no list of pioneers of Portage County would be complete without extended reference to this family.

While such references will be found on other pages, it is appropriate to devote a few paragraphs here to the career of James A. Altenburg, who was born in Cattaraugus County, New York. November 28, 1844, a son of John and Isabel ( Arthur} Altenburg. Up to the age of twelve years he lived in New York and had the advantages of the common schools. lie was with the family when it arrived in Portage County October 16. 1856. Here he continued to attend the pioneer schools for a few terms, and the last teacher he had was Addie Walker, afterwards Mrs. Henry Kern and now deceased. Mr. Altenburg lived at home with his parents until past his majority, but in the meantime had borne a man's part on the farm, also in the lumber woods and on the river. He followed the river for a long period of years. Altogether he made nineteen trips as a riverman with logs and lumber, and sixteen of those trips covered the long distance from Stevens Point to St. Louis. As a very young man he acquired a farm in Buena Vista Township, but later sold that and bought forty acres in Marathon County, though he never occupied that as a farm. For nine years he lived in Knowlton Township of Marathon County, just over the line from Portage County, and kept a boarding house there seven years. In 1889 Mr. Altenburg came to Stevens Point and bought the home at which he now resides, 501 Dixon Street. Here for about seventeen years he and his wife conducted a boarding establishment, and since then he has been chiefly employed in the local cemetery. Mr. Altenburg is a republican, but has never sought any office and is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

On November 11, 1866, Mr. Altenburg married Miss Jennie Mulkins. November 11, 1916, just fifty years later, this worthy couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in the presence of family and friends. All who attended that celebration remarked how far the celebrants belied their actual age, and their many well wishers expressed the hope and really anticipate that they will be privileged to celebrate their sixtieth anniversary. Mrs. Altenburg was born in New York December 25, 1848, a daughter of Joseph and Samantha (Uptagrove) Mulkins. Her parents were New Englanders, moved to New York, and from there came to the wilds of Portage County, Wisconsin, as early as 185 1, locating in Buena Vista Township and accommodating themselves to the rude comforts of a log cabin home, and all the loneliness which life in this county at that time implied. Joseph Mulkins was a splendid type of the pioneer, cleared his land, put up good buildings, and besides showing his faithfulness to his family and his immediate community he also proved a loyal and patriotic citizen, since in 1861 he responded to the call for men to put down the rebellion and enlisted in the Eighteenth Wisconsin Regiment. He served about two years and was finally discharged on account of illness. After the war he followed farming on his old homestead until his death. His widow passed away in 1893, at the age of sixtynine. The children of the Mulkins family were: William, also a soldier in the Civil war; Margaret; Joseph, who died in infancy: Lucinda ; Jennie ; George ; David ; John ; Isaiah and Leslie. In politics Mr. Mulkins was a republican and was active in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mr. and Mrs. Altenburg have had three children. Arthur, Frederick, who died in infancy, and Guisy Irvin. The son Arthur was born April 7, 1868, was educated in the public schools of Portage County and has spent his active career as a successful farmer, his home being near Knowlton in Marathon County. He married Thcckla Xeice, and all their family of eight children are living, named Jennie, Ethel,. Helen, James, Glen, Clayton, Forest and Merrill. The granddaughters Jennie and Helen both lived with Mr. and Mrs. Altenburg while completing their education. Jennie is a graduate of the State Normal School of Stevens Point and is now teaching, while Helen is a member of the class of 1918. The younger child of Mr. and Mrs. Altenburg, Guisy Irvin, born August 2, 1875, was educated in the common schools and for fourteen years was connected with the H. D. Mc- Culloch Company and for the last four years has been with the Gee & Maconie Bakery Company. He married Agnes Parks and their four children, all living, are Worth, Marjorie, Frederick and Bernice.

He was born in Cattaraugus County, New York, August 28, 1850, son of John and Isabel Altenburg. He was six years of age when brought to Portage County, and here he grew up, getting his education in the local schools of that time. As a young man he worked in the woods and knows every phase of the old time lumber industry, from logging in the forests to running the river in the spring and summer.

In 1884 Mr. Altenburg made his first purchase of farm lands, consisting of forty acres in section 26, Plover Township. His possessions > have grown until they are now measured by two hundred forty acres, all well improved and with good buildings, and the farm is devoted to general crops and stock.

Mr. Altenburg is a republican, served as supervisor four years and for many years was clerk of the school board and has always given much of his time to the cause of education. He and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church.

October 30, 1878, he married Miss Anna Barker, who was born in Bucna Vista Township of Portage County April 3, 1859, daughter of Charles and Mary Jane ( Ncwby) Barker. Her father was an old time settler of Portage County and died here in 1865, when about thirtyeight years old. His widow married again and died in 191 2, aged seventy-two. Mr. and Mrs. Altenburg have one son. Earl, who was born October 22, 1879, was educated in the Stevens Point High School, and when just ready and qualified to take up the serious duties of life died on January 7, 1900.

Moses P. Leary. _ The following is a brief record of a family that has been identified with Portage County for more than half a century, in fact from early pioneer times, and its members have always given a good account of themselves whether engaged in the heavy work of clearing their allotted share of the wilderness or as prosperous and thrifty fanners of later times, as good citizens, worthy members of the community, and upholders of religious and moral influences everywhere.

a tract of wild land into an improved fann, and he now owns and manages that farm place in Belmont Township. He was bom in s Stockton Township November 27, 1863, a son of John and Catherine

(Donaldson) Leary. His father was a native of Canada and his mother of Glasgow, Scotland. John Leary was a son of Moses Leary, who came from his native Ireland when about thirteen years old in company with an uncle to Canada. He grew up and married in the Dominion, his wife being Mary Leary, and about 1850 they came to Wisconsin and settled in Stockton Township. Moses Leary died here in advanced years, about 1875, having survived his wife. His children were named Timothy, John, William and Mary.

John I-eary had all his schooling in Canada and as a boy there he worked around canals, building locks. He came to Portage County with his parents, and after that was a farmer. He secured eighty acres of the old homestead of his father and altogether owned 160 acres in Stockton Township. He died on that farm in 1896, when past seventy years of age. His wife passed away in 1890, at the age of sixty-three. Their six children are still living, named Margaret, Will iam, Mary, Moses P., James Nicholas and Rosannah. The father of these children was a democrat without office aspirations and was a member of the Catholic Church.

Moses P. Leary grew up on the old homestead and was educated in public schools. Much of the physical strength and the mental resourcefulness he has used in his farming were developed through the active work of the woods and lumber camps, where he spent about five winters. For nine years he was also a boilermaker in railroad shops. During that time he lived at Stevens Point, Milwaukee and Waukesha. In 1894 Mr. Leary bought his present farm in Belmont Township, comprising 205 acres. While there were a number of well improved and well cultivated farms in the neighborhood this particular tract of land had in a way been overlooked, and practically none of it was at that time ready for cultivation. The task of clearing and converting the land to a good farm has been well achieved by Mr. Leary and some of the early work in that line he accomplished with two yoke of cattle. He now has a group of substantial buildings, and i? a contributor to the dairy industry of the county, having a herd of grade Holstein cattle headed by a thoroughbred sire. In politics he is a democrat, has served for some years as director of the schools, and is a member of the Catholic Church.

In September, 1884, Mr. Leary married Miss Alice Stinson. She was born in Belmont Township in 1864, a daughter of Patrick and Eliza (Bernard) Stinson. a family of early settlers in Belmont Township. Her parents were both born in Ireland, her father in 1828 and her mother in 1829. Patrick Stinson at the age of fourteen accompanied an uncle to America. He grew up and married in New York State and came to Belmont Township in i860. For a short time he rented land, and then bought his first property of fifty-five acres. Subsequently he bought forty acres and then another similar tract, and after developing this farm sold out and lived in Stevens Point about five years. Later he traded property in the city for a farm of eighty acres that is now owned by his son Edward D. About 1892 Patrick Stinson moved to Waupaca and died there May 26, 1913. Mrs. Leary's mother died at the old home farm July 10, 1877. Patrick Stinson and wife had four children: Fannie, born July 15, 1857, now married and living at Eau Claire, Wisconsin ; Edward D., born August 1, 1861, a farmer in Belmont Township; Henry, who was born in Belmont Township and now lives in I^anark Township; and Alice, Mrs. Leary. Her mother married for her first husband James Cavanaugh and they had a son, James, who now lives with his halfbrother Edward. Mrs. Leary's father was an active republican. He was an honored soldier of the Civil war, serving about nine months in Company I of the Eighteenth Wisconsin Infantry. For many years he was affiliated with the Grand Army Post and in religion he was a Catholic.

Mr. and Mrs. I^ary have a large family of twelve children, all living, and all but the oldest stilt constitute an unbroken and happy family circle. Tfieir names in order of birth are Myron, John, Hugh, Catherine, Earl, Moses, Loretta. Genevieve, Clarence, Berdine, Merle

Louis Peterson. Xo one class of people has done more to develop the original resources and the modern business affairs of Portage County than those who are directly native of or of Norwegian parentage. One of the sturdy and virile men of this stock, an ambitious and successful fanner in New Hope Township, is Louis Peterson.

Mr. Peterson was born in that township, a son of Peter and Guri (Olsdatter) Gunderson. His paternal grandparents were Gunder and Ronag (Paulsdatter) Johnson. They left Norway with their family and emigrated to America in 1861, locating at once in New Hope Township, where they bought a tract of raw land. The first buildings on that land were put up by Gunder Johnson and his subsequent efforts were devoted to clearing and improving and in the course of time he had a valuable farm. His first place was forty acres, but before his death he increased this to 160 acres.

The only child of these worthy pioneers was Peter Gunderson, who was born in Norway in 1845 and was sixteen years of age when he accompanied his parents to America. In the meantime he had obtained all the education he ever received from books in the schools of the old country, and on locating in Portage County he bore an active share in the labors connected with the clearing and improvement of the farm. As the only son and child he inherited the place and is still owner of it. Many changes have been made in its general appearance, including the erection of modern buildings, and he continued to cultivate and manage its resources until about 1909, when he came to live with his son Louis Peterson. Peter Gunderson was one of the men who assisted in organizing the old New Hope Lutheran Church. He married Miss Guri Olsdatter, a native of Norway, where her parents, farmers, spent all their lives. Her father was Ole Olson. She was one of their four children. Mrs. Peter Gunderson came to America alone in 1863 and first lived at Neenah, Wisconsin. The three children of Peter Gunderson and wife were: Louis; Gilbert, who lives on his father's farm ; and Paulina, wife of Peter Engum, of New Hope Township. Peter Gunderson has lived the life of an honored citizen, has served as township supervisor, and was one of the local citizens who promoted the New Hope Butter and Cheese Association.

It will be noted that the different generations of this family have followed the Norwegian custom of adapting the family name to the first or Christian name of the father, so that Mr. Louis Peterson is a son of Peter Gunderson and a grandson of Gunder Johnson. However, Mr. Peterson's children follow the American custom and are Petersons.

Louis Peterson was born in Portage County, in New Hope Township, March 2. 1869. He grew up here in a country community, attended the local schools, and after some varied employment and exjierience came to his present farm, where he is owner of eighty acres. He has had his home here continuously for twenty-six years, and the land has not only responded to his efforts at cultivation but the substantial building improvements are the work of his hands or of his earnings. Mr. Peterson also became one of the organizers of the New Hope Butter and Cheese Association and is bearing his full share

In 1891 he married Miss Mary Peterson, a native of Norway and a daughter of Peter Jacobson. Their three living children are Pearl, Morris and Clarence, and one child, Palma, is deceased.

David Rath. Portage County has profited by the stable citizenship and faithful industry of the Rath family since the beginning of the '70s. Practically all bearing the name here have been interested in agriculture, but their services have been extended also to politics, religion, education and society. Prominent among those who have had a part in the development and advancement of the southern part of the county is found David Rath, who after many years passed in successful agricultural operations in Almond Township is now living in comfortable retirement in the village of that name. He has had a long and useful career and his life work has been crowned with the kind of success that can only be won through industry and integrity.

David Rath was born May 29, 1852, in Germany, and is a son of George and Katrina Rath, natives of that country. The father was a tailor by trade and an honorable tradesman of his home community, but was in modest circumstances. However, he was content to pass his life among the surroundings in the midst of which he had been born and neither he nor his good wife ever left their native soil. They were the parents of seven children, as follows: George, Jacob, John and Michael, the last named of whom fought as a soldier during the Franco-Prussian war, and all now deceased; Charles, who is engaged in farming in Almond Township ; Andrew, who is a resident of Almond; and David, of this notice.

David Rath received the advantages of a public school education in his native country, and the occupations of his youth were varied in character. He had learned to be thrifty and careful with his earnings, and when he was but nineteen years of age bid farewell to the country of his birth and in due time arrived at New York City, from whence he made his way across the country to Portage County, Wisconsin, where he secured eighty acres of land. For this first purchase he paid $500. and on this Almond Township land the young immigrant began operations. It was some time before he had fully learned how to make his labors count for the most, but he was filled with youthful spirit, strength and determination to win, and finally he had his land cleared and under cultivation, a task in which he was assisted by his brother. When he was financially able he added to his holdings from time to time and eventually accumulated 200 acres, all located on section 21, Almond Township. He became an excellent farmer and his industrious labors finally placed him in a position of independence so that it was unnecessary for him to continue active work, and he sold his farm to his son Edward, who now operates it. At that time he purchased a house and lot for his own use at Almond, as well as twelve additional residential plots, and since then has been a resident of this village, where he is known as a good and public-spirited citizen. During his residence on the farm he contributed to the upbuilding of the community by the erection of good structures and the installing of modern improvements.

Mr. Rath was married in 1878 to Miss Christiana Mehne. who was born in Germany and came to the United States as a child of five years, and to this union there have been born seven children: Mrs.

Lizzie Whitman; Edward, who is engaged in farming the property formerly owned by his father ; John, who operates a draying business at Almond; Mrs. Clara Winrield ; Mrs. Loretta Minart; Charlotta, a resident of Madison; and Cora, who resides at home with her parents. Mr. Rath is a citizen who supports all beneficial movements, and has done much in the way of road building at Almond.

Anton Maslowski is a native of Poland, but has lived in Portage County for thirty-five years, his affairs have been greatly prospered, and he is owner and proprietor of one of the well cultivated and managed farms of Sharon Township. Mr. Maslowski is a fine type of American citizen and two of his sons are now with the American forces fighting for the sake of a new type of liberty in the world.

Mr. Maslowski was born in Poland Deccml>cr 14, 1858, son of Charles and Ludwika Maslowski. His parents came to Portage County in 1881 and settled in Sharon Township, adjoining land on which Anton now lives. Later they sold that and bought another small place in Sharon Township, where the father died in 1892, at the age of seventy-seven years. The widowed mother is now living in Stevens Point at the venerable age of ninety-six. They were members of the Polish Catholic Guirch. In their family were eight children: Herman, who is now in Poland; John, of Stevens Point; Amelia; Adelia, deceased; Julia; Anton; Carl and Polly.

Anton Maslowski grew up in his native land, was educated there, and after coming to Portage County bought in 1883 forty acres as the nucleus of his present home in Sharon Township. As his efforts have been prospered he has acquired other land until he now owns 200 acres in his home farm and also some of the marsh land in Dewey Township. He has cleared up a great deal of land in this county, and his farm reflects his good management in the appearance of the buildings and the close cultivation of the fields. He is a democrat and for six years served as treasurer of his local school board. He and his family are members of the Polish Catholic Church.

In 1886 he married Miss Helen Borske. She was born in Poland in i860, daughter of Julius and Mary Borske. Her father died in the old country and her mother on coming to the United States located in have children named Barney, Frank, Rosa, Theodore, John, Anton, Tillie. Herman, Marie. Helen, a twin sister of Marie, who died at the age of one year, Lewis, Lucy and Billie.

The two sons who are now in the American army are Theodore and Anton. The former is stationed at Washington while the latter is in training at Camp Grant. The oldest child, Barney, married Victoria Gilmeister, and their children are Addie, Henry, Emil, Stanislaus and Stephen. The daughter Rosa married John Sossong, who died in July, 1916, leaving three children, Raymond. Evelyn and Eleanor. Mrs. Sossong then married Severn Joblonski of Stevens Point. Frank Maslowski married Frances Lcba, and their children are Anselme, Irene and Florence. Tillie is the wife of Leo Stanzkich, and is the mother of three children: Fmil, Kony and Theresa.

John F. Glodowski. To no one class of citizens does Portage Count v owe more of its real development from wilderness conditions than to the people of Polish origin. Many of the most substantial families of the county, those who have borne the heat and burden of the day in clearing away the woods and tilling the fields, in providing the comforts of civilization, and in promoting all good things in their community, are natives or descendants of that unhappy country whose destiny is now being fought for in the great World war.

A prominent representative of this race is John F. Glodowski, a native of Portage County and member of one of its oldest and most respected families. Mr. Glodowski was born in Sharon Township September 26, 1863, a son of John and Antoinette Glodowski. His l>arents came to America in i860, first locating at Winona, Minnesota. His father worked there for a time as a common laborer carrying wheat on to the boats. After about two years he came to Wisconsin and settled in Waupaca County, but in 1863 moved to Sharon Township of this county. Here his means enabled him to acquire a small tract of forty acres of completely wild land in section 12. He made it his home and did something toward clearing it, but six years later sold and bought the 120 acres which was the nucleus of the fine farm of his son John. The parents had their home and center of their activities on this farm for about twenty-five years. In the meantime prosperity in large measure had rewarded the efforts of John Glodowski, Sr., who successively acquired eighty acres in Amherst Township, then 120 acres, later eighty acres, and also seventy acres in Sharon Township and twenty acres in Hope Township. This land is now practically all owned by his children. John Glodowski was a democrat but had no aspirations for public office. Outside his business as a farmer his chief interest was in his church. He was one of the leaders in the Polish Catholic denomination, and assisted in building a church at Ellis, also a church building in that locality which has since been torn down, and gave liberally to the construction of the large church at Polonia. in which he had membership for many years. John Glodowski, Sr., was born June 4, 1832, and died in Amherst October 3, 1902, at the age of seventy years. His wife was bom December 18, 1837, and died at the home of her daughter Frances Shulfer in Stockton Township February 27, 1916, when nearly eighty years old. Her father was Albert Kraft, who on coming to America settled in Canada, but a year later came to Berlin, Wisconsin, in 1861 and from there moved to Waupaca County and three years later to Portage County, locating in Sharon Township, where he and his wife died. John Glodowski, Sr., and wife had the following children: Mary, born March 15, 1859, in Poland, married John Kizewski and both are now deceased. Joseph, also a native of Poland, died while the family were coming across the ocean. The third in age is John F. Peter, Martin and Charles all reside in Amherst Township as farmers. Frances is the wife of Frank Shulfer in Stockton Township. Julia married John Cerscwski of Buena V r ista Township. Leo died March 7, 1884, at the age of ten years.

John F. Glodowski grew up on the old homestead in Sharon Township and acquired his education in the parochial and public schools. For a short time he was also a student in the Oshkosh High School. To the vocation for which he was trained as a boy he has given the best years of his life and is owner and proprietor of one of the high grade farms in Sharon Township. The 120 acres which he acquired from his father has since been increased by the purchase of fifteen acres and later twenty acres, so that his total holdings now aggregate

Mr. Glodowski's record includes much service to his community. For thirty years he has been clerk of his school board, and in 19 18 was elected supervisor and chairman .of the township board. He is a democrat and a member of the Polish Catholic Church at Polonia.

February 5, 1884, Mr. Glodowski married Miss Rosa Repinski. She was born in Sharon Township August 26, 1866, daughter of Martin and Julia (Pestcka) Repinski. Her parents were arrivals in Portage County about 1864, and at that time acquired land in Sharon Township, where they lived as industrious farmers for over fifty away January 16, 1918, at the age of eighty-nine, and her mother February 11, 1918, aged eighty-seven. In the Repinski family were the following children : Augusta, Frances, Rosa, Anastasia, John and Veronia.