Sauk County, Wisconsin - The whole text, 1918 (part 15 of 20)

Anthony S. Winckler gained most of his education in New York City. He was sixteen years of age when the family came west to Marquette County, Wisconsin, and for a time he attended school at Dakota Village in Waushara County. He also taught school, and had a very successful record in that vocation. At the beginning of the Civil war he was township superintendent of schools.

He resigned that position to enlist in Company G of the Thirtysecond Wisconsin Infantry in 1862. With that regiment he served until the close of hostilities. He was in the last battle of the war, when Sherman met Johnston's army at Bentonville, North Carolina. Though he was never severely wounded he had some narrow escapes. Several times his hat was punctured by bullets, and one bullet scarred the top of his head, causing the loss of considerable blood and making him extremely sick, though only temporarily keeping him out of the ranks. He served with the rank of first sergeant in Company G.

After the war Mr. Winckler located in Sauk County and became actively engaged in farming in Reedsburg Township. He left his farm in 1893 and removing to the City of Reedsburg was for four years book- keeper with the Morgan Building Company. He then became one of the organizers of the State Bank of Reedsburg and filled the post of assistant cashier in that institution for ten years and is still one of the bank's directors. For the past seven years Mr. Winckler has lived a retired life. His home is at the corner of Third and Myrtle streets.

For many years he was actively identified with the republican party, but for the past ten years has given his support to the prohibition movement. He is devout in the performance of his religious duties, is active in the Baptist Church, and for over forty years has taught a Bible class in the Sunday School. He is also one of the honored veterans of the war and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.

Mr. Winckler was married in 1862 to Miss Emily Tredwell of Walworth County, Wisconsin. They were the parents of two children : Eva, who died in infancy ; and Belle, who is the wife of Charles Risley. Mrs. Winckler died in 1906. On July 19, 1908, he married Miss Janette Melntosh, of Sauk County, and of sterling Scotch ancestry. Her parents were Laughlin and Catherine (Cameron) Mcintosh, who settled in Sauk County as early as 1851. Her father acquired a tract of Government land and developed it into a splendid farm, but spent the last twenty-five years of his life at Reedsburg, where he died in 1910, at the age of eighty-two. His wife passed away in 1907, aged seventy-two. Mrs. Winckler was one of a family of nine children: James and Ann, both deceased ; Katie ; Thomas ; Joseph, deceased ; Mrs. Winckler ; Lizzie ; John, and Mirren.

Jacob Van Orden, president of the Bank of Baraboo, has been continuously identified with that institution and at the same time with the commercial life of the city for more than forty years.

While the details are fresh in mind some reference should be made to the history of this institution even at the risk of some repetition. As far back as 1856 a stock company comprised of Simeon Mills and Terrell Thomas owned and operated a banking institution at Baraboo for several years and then Mr. Mills dropped out and Mr. Thomas continued alone until 1873. In that year the business was succeeded by the First National Bank of Baraboo. This in turn gave way in 1880 to the Bank of Baraboo, under a state charter. Mr. George Mertens was the first president of the State Bank and J. Van Orden was cashier. While Sauk County has had a remarkable growth and development within the last forty years, the Bank of Baraboo has not failed to keep pace with developments. It is one of the strongest banks in Southern Wisconsin, with total resources of about $2,000,000, with capital stock of $100,000, and with deposits of over $1,500,000.

The Van Orden family have been identified with Wisconsin since the year 1849, when Wisconsin was still in its infancy as a state. Jacob Van Orden was born at Neosho in Dodge County August 13, 1856, a son of Lucas S. Van Orden, a native of New York State. His father on coming to Wisconsin spent a brief time in Milwaukee and then became an early settler at Neosho in Dodge County. He erected the first flour mills in Neosho, and was a highly respected citizen and business man until his death in 1858. For two years he served as register of deeds.

The only child of his parents, Jacob Van Orden was educated in district schools and for three years in Ripon College. He was eighteen years old when in 1874 he came to Baraboo, the year after the organization of the First National Bank. He entered this institution in a nominal capacity which might best be described as general utility boy and clerk. His duties involved sweeping out the banking room in the morning, running errands, and any other work which might be required by his superiors. He possessed more than average ability, was industrious, and these faculties under the guidance of a determined purpose to become a banker brought him steady promotion. At the end of six years he was handling the responsibilities of cashier in the reorganized Bank of Baraboo, and his services in that position were continuous for more than thirty years, much of the time with the active management of the bank's affairs. Recently Mr. Van Orden succeeded H. Grotophorst as president of the Bank of Baraboo. Mr. Van Orden is well known among Wisconsin bankers, has participated in the meetings and associations of the state's financiers, and is thoroughly informed on the broader aspects of finance.

The people of Sauk County esteem him not only for his work and success as a banker but also for his public spirit. Mr. Van Orden is much interested in historical and archaeological matters. It was due to his enterprise and liberal contributions of necessary expenses that one of the most interesting of the early Indian remains in Wisconsin has been preserved for all time to the public. Many mounds exist in different sections of the state erected by the prehistoric inhabitants, and many of them in superficial shape represent the forms of different animals. Very rarely a mound is found delineating the human figure. Two of such mounds were in Sauk County, one of them having been obliterated by cultivation. Another, 4i/i> miles north of Baraboo, had escaped the plow and other implements of civilized man, though a public road had cut through the portion of the mound containing the figure of the legs. In order to preserve the II/2 acres of land including the mound the Sauk County Historical Society and the State Archaeological Society endeavored to enlist popular subscriptions for the purchase of the land from its owner, and as the result of a campaign this historic site has finally been preserved and fenced in as a memorial to the aboriginal inhabitants of Wisconsin. On a large granite stone near the mound is now af^xed a bronze tablet containing in one panel the outline of the figure originally represented by the mound, while the central panel, which Mr. Van Orden paid for, contains this inscription: "Man Mound Park. Wisconsin Archaeological Society. Sauk County Historical Society. Land Mark Committee: W. F. W. C." In the right panel are the following words : "Mound located and platted by W. H. Canfield in 1859. Length 214 feet, width at shoulders 48 feet."

Mr. Van Orden is a thirty-second degree Mason, a member of the Baraboo Commercial Club, is independent in political and partisan affairs and for years served as junior warden of Trinity Episcopal Church, and as a member of the Board of Education of the City of Baraboo. Whatever concerns the welfare of his community concerns him personally

John H. Carpenter is an honored veteran of the Union army, his second enlistment having been from Sauk County. For many years he was successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits in Franklin Township and after retiring from the farm he removed to Spring Green, where he is now found nearly every day looking after his duties as secretary of the Franklin Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company, He has held that office in this company since 1895.

Mr. Carpenter is of old and patriotic American stock. His greatgrandfather served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. His grandfather, William B. Carpenter, was born May 17, 1769, and was too young to participate in the Revolution and was a little too old to serve in the second war with Great Britain. The father of John H. Carpenter was Justin Carpenter, who was born in Vermont February 27, 1798, and when only fourteen years of age enlisted for service in the War of 1812. He married Elizabeth Brown, who was born in Pennsylvania January 30, 1804. She died at Lexington, Ohio, April 28, 1891. Justin Carpenter died near Lexington, Ohio, August 19, 1875.

John H. Carpenter was born at Olney, Illinois, December 2, 1843, and spent his boyhood and early youth on a farm near Lexington, Ohio. He was completing his education in the Ontario Academy in that state when the war came on and most of the boys enlisted for service. Not enough were left to make a school, and consequently all the other students and teachers enlisted. That broke up the school, and it was never re-established after the war.

Mr. Carpenter was enrolled as a soldier in October, 1862, in Company F of the Forty-third Ohio Infantry. During that enlistment he served nearly one year. At the siege of Vicksburg he did guard duty for a provision train. At the close of this service he came to Wisconsin, and during the winter of 1863-64 taught school in Sauk County. Then in October, 1864, the war still being in progress, he enlisted in the First Wisconsin Heavy Artillery as a sergeant in Company G. He was with that command until the close of hostilities, and thus has the distinction of being a veteran Union soldier.

Following the war he returned to Wisconsin and bought a farm in Franklin Township of Sauk County. This place he managed continuously until June 13, 1898, at which date he removed to Spring Green and has since taken life somewhat more leisurely, though he spends most of his time looking after the interests of the insurance company.

Mr. Carpenter has been quite a well known figure in county politics. He was once candidate for sheriff. He has served as chairman of Franklin Township Board, as township clerk and school clerk, and for several years he has been a member of the county board of the Village of Spring Green, which office he now holds. In every way possible he has sought to advance the welfare and best interests of his community. He is a member of T, J. Hungerford Post No. 39, Gr. A. R., and has held all the offices in the post and is now adjutant. His church is the Methodist Episcopal.

On June 24, 1864, between his first and second enlistment in the army, Mr. Carpenter married Julia E. Culley, of Lexington, Ohio. At her death she left one child, Charles, now a farmer near Spring Green. Her parents were Levi J. and Mary Culley, a family of farmers near Lexington, Ohio.

On February 14, 1880, Mr. Carpenter married for his second wife Carrie C. Utendorfer, who was born' at Warren, Pennsylvania, August 14, 1849. Her parents, George and Maria B. (Brown) Utendorfer, were natives of Germany, the former born in 1809 and the latter in 1820. George Utendorfer saw active service as a German soldier in the Fatherland, came to America in 1840, and located first at Wilmington, Delaware, in 1856 brought his family to Richland County, Wisconsin, and in 1857 established a home in Spring Green, where he was one of the pioneer carpenters. He died July 7, 1877, and Mrs. Carpenter's mother passed away February 28, 1903. Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter have three children: Mary Edna, wife of John J. Flannery, a merchant at Des Moines, Iowa ; James W., a farmer at Spring Green; and Frank A., who was born September 9, 1889, and died July 4, 1911, while a student in the University of Wisconsin. The daughter Mary graduated from the Whitewater Normal School and taught some years in Madison before her marriage. James was a graduate of business college, and all four of Mr. Carpenter's children finished the course of the Spring Green High School. His oldest child, Charles, is married and has five children, named Julia, Florence, Benjamin, Theodore and William. His daughter Mary has one child, Ruth. The son James is the father of two children, John H. and Lawrence.

Morris E. Seeley. During the past several years Morris E. Seeley has been a member of the retired colony of Reedsburg, where he owns a pleasant home and devotes himself to its oversight and improvement. He is still active and possessed of sound faculties, although more than seventy-seven years have unrolled their length since his birth. May 3, 1840, and he takes a keen and active interest in the world's work going on about him, although to younger shoulders has he transferred the labors that were his for so many years. His memories are culled from experiences as pioneer, hunter, carpenter, general mechanic and soldier, and particularly are rich in incidents relating to the very early history of Sauk County.

Morris E. Seeley was born in Medina County, Ohio, a son of Austin and Mary (Kent) Seeley and a grandson of Levi and Mary (Webster) Seeley. The grandfather, who fought as a soldier during the War of 1812, came to Reedsburg about the year 1850,- and here passed away, as did also his wife. They were the parents of a large family of children, and of these three still survive : Sarah, who is a resident of North Freedom ; Milo, who fought in the Civil war as a captain in the Fourth Wisconsin Cavalry, and is now a resident of North Freedom ; and Levi, who was also a soldier during the war between the North and the South, and who is now a resident of Bingham, North Dakota. Austin Seeley was born in 1820, in Medina County, Ohio, and was there married to Mary Kent, also a native of that county, who was born in 1822. In 1845 they left Ohio, where Mr. Seeley had at one time been a manufacturer of guns, and came to Wisconsin, first locating at Geneva and later removing to Delavan, Walworth County, where Mr. Seeley was engaged in business as a manufacturer of coffins. In 1848 the family came to Reedsburg, which continued to be its home during the lifetime of the parents, both of whom passed away here. Mr. Seeley was variously employed at this place, although the greater part of his attention was devoted to the cultivation of his farm, a tract of eighty acres of good land lying 1^4 miles from Reedsburg, which is now worth in the neighborhood of $20,000. He was one of the substantial and highly respected citizens of his community, and at various times was called upon to represent his fellow-citizens in positions of public trust, at one time being chairman of the board of supervisors during the early days when such officials were called upon to work out their own problems, with few precepts to guide them. From the formation of the republican party until his death Mr. Seeley was a supporter of the principles of the grand old party. Mrs. Seeley was at first a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but in later life transferred her membership to the Congregational faith. There were three children in the family, as follows : Morris E., of this review; Caroline, who is now Mrs. Markle and resides at Reedsburg; and Ada, who is the wife of Robert Tate, of Lavalle, Wisconsin.

Morris E. Seeley was five years of age when he accompanied his parents from his Ohio birthplace to the new country of Wisconsin, and but three years older when he arrived at Reedsburg, then a little settlement boasting of five log shanties, which gave but small indications of developing into a thriving mercantile center, with modern schools, churches and civic improvements and a population of prosperous, industrious and energetic people. Beside himself there were but two white boys in the little community, and in search of playmates the youth often chose as his boyhood friends the Indian youths of the locality, there being many red men still having their camps in Sauk County in the vicinity of Reedsburg. It was but natural that he should learn a smattering of the tongue spoken by his playmates, and he still remembers many Indian words. From his father Mr. Seeley inherited a natural love and predilection for mechanics. When not attending the rude and primitive schools of the country or assisting his father on the home farm, he could usually be found tinkering with some piece of mechanism, often preferring this than to join the other lads of the neighborhood in play. Thus it was that he developed his inherent genius in this direction, and throughout his life he has been identified with one or another of the skilled trades. Game was still plentiful in Sauk County when he came and for many years after, and Mr. Seeley gained something more than a merely local reputation as a huntsman and fisherman. He also had a touch of frontier life, making a trip to South Dakota, where he resided on a claim for a time, and his youthful experiences were such as many men do not enjoy in an entire lifetime. Thus he grew to strong and sturdy manhood, just the kind of material necessary for the country's needs when the great issue between the North and the South had to be decided by force of arms. In 1861, with the war only several months old, he enlisted in Company B, Twelfth Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until the close of the struggle, after Appomattox. The Twelfth Regiment took part in numerous notable engagements, including those of the Atlanta campaign, and had the record for marching of any regiment in the Union army. For three years Mr. Seeley played as a member of the regimental band, but also took an active part in the fighting, and because of bravery and fidelity was advanced in rank to corporal of his company. When he received his honorable discharge he returned to Reedsburg and again took up mechanical work, principally engaging in carpentry, although he also did a nice business in repairing guns, lawnmowers, etc., in his well known little shop, a historic landmark of Reedsburg, which was originally thq first schoolhouse of this city. Upon his retirement he settled down to a life of comfort in his neat and attractive home at No. 222 North Walnut Street. Mr. Seeley may be said to be something more than a mechanic ; in his way he is an artist, as will be evidenced by a number of fine pieces of furniture of his manufacture which are to be found in his home and which are composed of sumac. He is a fine worker in and carver of wood, in fact can still make anything that can be composed of wood, and several fine pieces of work in his home are a large hall clock and a violin. All the best turning work in the big stores of Reedsburg was done by Mr. Seeley, whose services during his active years were always in demand when an exceptionally difficult or intricate piece of work was needed to be done. Mr. Seeley is a republican, but has never cared for office. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, and is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason.

Mr. Seeley was married on Narrows Prairie, Sauk County, in 1867, to Miss Nellie Augusta Farrar, who was born at Columbus, Chenango County, New York, June 23, 1844, and came to Sauk County, Wisconsin, in 1855, with her parents. Nelson and Olivia Farrar, the family first settling in Washington Township on a farm. Later they removed to Reedsburg, where Mrs. Farrar died January 25, 1910, aged eighty-eight years, Mr. Farrar having passed away at Mendota, Wisconsin, September 29, 1872, when fifty-eight years of age. Mrs. Seeley died at Reedsburg September 26, 1910, having been the mother of one child, a daughter, Calla, born October 9, 1881, at Reedsburg. She was educated in the graded and high schools of this city, and was married March 26, 1911, to Leon B. Devereaux, of Lavalle, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Devereaux now reside at Reedsburg with Mr. Seeley, and are the parents of one child: Bliss Leon, born April 4, 1916. Mrs. Devereaux is a talented musician, one of the real artists of the Reedsburg Orchestra, of which she has been a member for several years, and a general favorite in social circles of the city of her birth.

Weekly Home News until recently, when he took in his son, Harry C. Purdy, as partner, and the business is still continued under their management and control.

This is one of the pioneer families of Central Wisconsin. William R. Purdy was born at Victory in Vernon County, Wisconsin, July 4, 1854. His father, William S. Purdy, was born in the historic little town of Carlisle in Sullivan County, Indiana, in 1825.

William R. Purdy spent most of his boyhood at Viroqua, Wisconsin. While there he learned the printing business, beginning his apprenticeship at the trade at the age of fourteen, after a limited schooling. He also worked in printing offices at La Crosse. In 1876, at the age of twenty-two, Mr. Purdy went west and took up a homestead near Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He remained on his claim until 1879, and then went to Pratt County, Kansas, where he remained a year. Returning to Wisconsin, he followed his trade as printer at Viroqua, and until 1888 was active manager of the Vernon County Censor in that city.

Mr. Purdy came to Sauk County in 1888 and bought the Spring Green Weekly Home News, which for nearly thirty years has been under his management and editorial direction. It is one of the leading newspapers of Sauk County and in point of continuous service Mr. Purdy is one of the oldest if not the oldest newspaper editor in the county. In January, 1916, he took in as partner his son, Harry C.

Mr. Purdy is past master of his Masonic Lodge. He was married January 8, 1879, to Miss Julia E. Coe, of Viroqua, Wisconsin. , Mrs. Piirdy was born in Franklin Township of Vernon County August 25, 1856, a daughter of Nathan and Mary (Lawrence) Coe. Her father, who died in 1900, at the age of seventy-three, was one of the pioneers of Vernon County.

Harry C. Purdy was born in Pratt County, Kansas, November 14, 1879, but has spent practically all his life in Wisconsin. He was nine years of age when the family moved to Spring Green and he received the rest of his education in that village and learned the printer's trade with his father. He was employed in various capacities with the Newsuntil he was admitted to partnership in January, 1916. Mr. Harry Purdy has served as village clerk and since 1910 has held other minor offices. He is a Knight Templar Mason and is past master of his home lodge.

Henry Alexander Weidman, who has spent his life in Sauk County, was for many years an industrious and skillful worker at the carpenter trade, but for the pa.st fifteen years has cultivated a good farm in Reedsburg Township.

His birth occurred in Westfield Township of Sauk County May 8, 1862. He is a son of Alexander and Eleanor (Mcllvaine) Weidman, and more concerning their history and concerning the other achievements of the family in Sauk County will be found on other pages of this publication.

the public schools and also learned the trade of carpenter. For about sixteen years he was employed by the railroad company and lived at Ableman. When his father's farm was divided he took as his share eighty acres and he also owns thirty acres in Excelsior Township. This land he devotes to general farming and stock raising, and has surrounded himself with all the equipment necessary for progressive agricultural industry. He has a barn 34 by 52 feet.

Mr. Weidman is a republican in politics. During his residence in the village of Ableman he served as village trustee, and has always interested himself in the public spirited movements of his community.

In 1887 Mr. Weidman married Miss Lena Pierce. She is a daughter of Shepard Pierce, an early settler of Sauk County. Mr. and Mrs. Weidman have six children, Eleanor, Irene, Ralph, Lola, Kenneth and Grier. The two younger children are still at home. Eleanor is the wife ot Glen Rork, formerly of Reedsburg but now of Greenwood, Wisconsin, and they have two children. Whitman and Allen Willard. The daughter Irene married Arthur Ristau and their one son is named Kenneth. Ralph, a farmer near Greenwood in Clark County, Wisconsin, married Eva Hoag. Lola Bell is the wife of Robert Harvey, and they have one daughter, Lola Bell.

Walter F. Winchester is vice president of the Reedsburg Bank, and has been connected with banking affairs in Reedsburg for the past thirty-five years, since early youth.

His parents, Oliver W. and Jennette S. (Jones) Winchester, were living in Turkey, at Sivas, where his father was a missionary among the Armenians for nine years. In this Oriental country Walter F. Winchester was born October 28, 1864, but has no distinct recollections of his native country, since his parents during his infancy returned to the United States. His father was born in St. Lawrence County, New York, in April, 1826, and his mother in Shoreham, Vermont, in the same month and year. His father, after his missionary experience, became a Presbyterian minister, and in January, 1881, became pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Reedsburg, Wisconsin. He remained there six years, then was minister at Cambria, Wisconsin, about two years, and his last pastorate was at Oregon, Wisconsin, where he died November 7, 1890. His widow afterwards returned to Reedsburg and lived with her son Walter until her death on March 24, 1910. Their three children were : Henry N., a well known attorney of Reedsburg in the office of James A. Stone ; Mary C, wife of Charles W. Eberlein, of San Francisco, California ; and Walter F.

Walter F. Winchester was reared in New York, Michigan, and Minnesota, and received a high school education at Fergus Falls, Minnesota. He was seventeen when his parents located at Reedsburg in 1881 and for one year he attended high school there. In 1882 he became a clerk in the Reedsburg Bank. For five years he performed his duties faithfully and laid the foundation of his banking experience. Then with Charles Keith and George T. Morse he assisted in organizing the Citizens Bank and became its cashier and filled that office until 1896. In that year he returned to the Reedsburg Bank and has been one of its officials

Mr. Winchester is a republican in politics and a member of the Presbyterian Church. His home is on North Pine Street in Reedsburg. In 1905 he married Miss Edith M. Rork, of Kilbourn, Wisconsin, They have a daughter, Janette, born June 26, 1907.

Hon. Frank Avery, of Baraboo, is a remarkable man. He is now eighty-six years of age. He has lived at Baraboo sixty years, has been a factor in its business life perhaps longer than any other citizen now living, and his experience has extended to the larger life of the state.

Mr. Avery was born in County Kent, England, on November 17, 1830. His parents were Thomas and Mary Avery. His father was a shoemaker, the grandfather also followed that trade, and Frank Avery learned it and followed it for some years. When Frank Avery was eight years of age his mother died, and most of her family came to the United States. Thomas Avery also came to America, while the Civil war was in progress, and spent his last years at the home of his son, Frank, in Baraboo.

Mr. Avery was the only son of the family, and his sisters are all deceased. Frank Avery grew up in England, attended local schools, and then served an apprenticeship at the shoemaker's trade. In the spring of 1853, when twenty-three years of age, he embarked on a vesselbound for America. While at the harbor he witnessed the embarkation of English soldiers who were going to Southern Russia to fight in the Crimean war.

After coming to America Mr. Avery followed his trade for a time near Syracuse, New York, and in the winter of 1855 arrived in Wisconsin, first locating at Janesville. In the spring of 1856 he arrived in Baraboo, and he has known that city as a place of residence ever since. For thirty years Mr. Avery conducted one of the leading boot and shoe stores of Baraboo and since retiring from his life as a merchant in 1892 he has been in the insurance business. He still maintains an office and in spite of his advanced years has no inclination to retire from business.

He has always been a republican since he became a naturalized American. The first vote he east was at Baraboo. That was in 1856, when General Fremont was the first candidate of the. republican party. Mr. Avery has the unusual distinction of having voted for every republican presidential candidate from the time the party was organized down to the present date. He attended a county convention of the party in 1856, and has been a delegate to such conventions in nearly every election year since that time. When Baraboo was a village he served both as trustee and president. In 1887 he was elected to the state assembly and in 1888 was elected to the state senate. Altogether he served six years in the Legislature. He has been an alderman of Baraboo, and for two terms was mayor.

In 1853 Mr. Avery took his first degree in the Masonic order at Syracuse, New York, and is now one of the oldest Masons living in Wisconsin. His religious faith is that of the Unitarian Church.

In 1859 Mr. Avery married Miss Emily Andrews. She died in 1895. Four years later Mr. Avery married his present wife, Harriet Hall. Mr. Avery had one adopted daughter, Julia A., who died in 1877. She was a graduate of the local schools, and had become private secretary to the superintendent of schools at Milwaukee.

Henry Steckelberg has been more than a prosperous farmer in "Westfield Township and has carried some of the heavier responsibilities in connection with public affairs in the community. For the past twentyfive years he has been chairman of the town board, and that has made his influence and prosperity a means of general advancement.

Mr. Steckelberg was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1850, but has lived in Sauk County since early manhood. His parents were George and Mary (Leicht) Steckelberg, his mother passing away in the old country in 1858. George Steckelberg brought his family to America and to Sauk County in 1868 and lived here until his death in 1905. There were the following children : William, Elizabeth and Henry. William married Etta Loving. Elizabeth became the wife of Henry Schultz.

Mr. Henry Steckelberg was educated in the old country and since coming to Sauk County nearly fifty years ago has been steadily improving his opportunities and his interests as a practical farmer, and is now owner of 240 acres of well cultivated land in Westfield Township. He is a republican in politics and a member of the Lutheran Church, in which he was reared.

In 1876 he married Kathleen Meyer, daughter of George Meyer, who also came from Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Steckelberg have had the following children : Henry, who married Anna Schuette ; Ida, wife of Herman Leicht; Emma, wife of Gus Schranke; and Rosella, Ernst and William, deceased.

L. E. Montgomery, whose work for many years has identified him with Dellona Township as a general farmer and stock raiser, belongs to an old-time family of this county and is himself a native son.

He was born in Excelsior Township December 9, 1859, a son of L. B. and Achsah (Peck) Montgomery. Only a very small area of the forest of Sauk County had been cleared away when the Montgomery family arrived here from New York State in 1850. They went through the trials and adversities of pioneering in Dellona Township, where the father in course of time cleared up and developed a splendid farm. He lived a useful and honorable life and passed away at a good old age July 4, 1914. His widow is still living, making her home with her son, C. L. There were four children : L. E., Isabella, Sarah and Charles, all living except Isabella.

L. E. Montgomery grew up on his father's farm, attended the local schools, and from an early age has applied himself to the work and business of farming. He now owns a well improved place of 230 acres, devoted to farming and stock raising. He breeds some high-grade Holstein cattle. Mr. Montgomery is a republican in politics. He has been twice married. His first wife was Annie Mcintosh, daughter of L. Mcintosh of Winfield Township, Sauk County. In July, 1915, Mr. Montgomery married

Minnie Krug, daughter of H. Krug. His children are all by his first wife, who passed away in June, 1900. Their names are Frank J., Gertrude, Florence, Walter, Vernie, Gladys and Paul. They have been well educated in the local district schools and 'the high school.

"William Claridge. One of the true pioneer families of Sauk County is that of Claridge. The founder of it in the wilds of this state was William Claridge, and his son, Mr. George Claridge, now living retired at Spring Green, has lived here since early childhood and is thoroughly competent to speak by personal experience of pioneer conditions as they were sixty or seventy years ago.

The family are English. William Claridge was born in Leicestershire, England, April 14, 1816. On April 19, 1841, he married Elizabeth Felstend, who was born April 10, 1810. Their four children and the dates of their birth were : George, November 19, 1842 ; Ann, January 30, 1845 ; Alice, March 27, 1849 ; and William, Jr., April 20, 1852. George and Ann were both born in England, while Alice was born in Dane County, Wisconsin, and William in Sauk County. The daughter Ann is still living at Reedsburg, Wisconsin. Alice died in 1869. William is a farmer near Ableman.

William Claridge left England on a vessel at Liverpool May 9, 1847, and after a long voyage landed at New Orleans. He came north up the Mississippi River, partly on a steamboat. By way of Mineral Point he reached Dane County, Wisconsin, and located on a farm and cultivated the soil near Sun Prairie in that county until July, 1850. At that date he established a new home in what is now Franklin Township of Sauk County, and some years later he removed to Spring Green. By trade he was a shoemaker, which he followed as a vocation in England, but in this country was a practical farmer. He died April 23, 1898, his wife having preceded him in death on February 13, 1881. They were active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. William Claridge was a member of the township board and school board and for nine years was treasurer of Franklin Township.

Mr. George Claridge was about five years of age when he accompanied the family on its trip to America and has lived in Sauk County since he was eight years old. He grew up on the farm and many is the pioneer condition registered upon his mind and recollection. When the family arrived here there was not a single flour mill in the entire county. Wild game of all kinds abounded. Mr. George Claridge when a boy killed three deer with an old army musket. He also caught in traps thirteen wolves and took their scalps to Baraboo. Few farmers used any other kind of work animals than oxen. They drew the plow through the heavy soil and also hauled the wagons of produce to market and very frequently they were driven to the wagon on occasions of ceremony such as church attendance and social occasions. Mr. Claridge spent his early youth in the log cabin days of Sauk County. The modern farmer would be completely at loss to do any work if he had to depend upon such few and crude instruments and machinery as the pioneers had. Scythes and cradles were used instead of mowers and self binders, and in hundreds of ways Mr. Claridge might graphically represent the transfer-

Illation in industry as well as in social and economic life. He recalls the interesting fact that some of the first wheat raised by his family was eaten somewhat as a modern breakfast food, being boiled and mixed with milk. The old Claridge home offered little protection against the elements, and in the winter the cold winds would come so freely through the cracks that the cups would freeze to the saucers while the family were at table. Mr. Claridge recalls that the first school in Franklin Township was taught in the kitchen of William Hinneman by Elizabeth Cooper in 1851. In 1852 the community built a log schoolhouse and Mr. George Claridge received some of his early instruction there.

He remained at home until February 24, 1864, when he enlisted in Company A of the Thirty-sixth Wisconsin Infantry. He was in the Union army until discharged August 30, 1865. He saw some of the hard fighting during the last year of the war. He was at Spottsylvania Court House and at Cold Harbor, and on the fifth of June, 1864, sustained a scalp wound, while three days later, on June 8th, he was shot through the side. For eight months he was in a hospital at Washington and on partially recovering was transferred to Company A of the Tenth Regiment, Veteran Reserves. With this command he did guard duty in Washington. His company was selected as guard of honor to accompany the body of Lincoln from the White House to the Capitol, where it lay in state. The Ninth and the Tenth regiments of Veteran Reserves were assigned to guard duty at the arsenal prison while the conspirators who had been involved in the widespread plan to kill Lincoln and members of the cabinet were on trial. These regiments guarded the prison alternately, one regiment one day and the other the next. A guard stood at the cell door of every prisoner. This guard was changed every two hours, and no man was allowed to guard a prisoner more than once. It fell to the lot of Mr. Claridge to stand guard at the cell door of the noted prisoner, Herold, for the limit of two hours.

On the thirtieth of August, 1865, Mr. Claridge returned home from the war and tesumed his place on his father's farm. Then, on November 19, 1867, he married Miss Elizabeth Born, of Franklin Township. She was born at Canton, Ohio, September 12, 1846, a daughter of John and Annie (Angel) Born, both natives of Switzerland. They were married in Columbus, Ohio, and they subsequently traveled by railroad with their family from Ohio to Milwaukee and from that city went by team to Sauk City, where they arrived in 1853. John Born was a tailor by trade, learning that occupation in Switzerland. He was born in 1820 and died May 10, 1891. Mrs. Claridge 's mother was born in 1808 and died in February, 1888.

To Mr. and Mrs. Claridge were born ten children. Ellen married L. C. Tupper, of Sioux City, Iowa, and they have two children, Omer A. and Amy. John W. is a carpenter at Reedsburg, and his two children are Vera and Elizabeth. George H. lives at Sioux City, Iowa, and has two children, Walter E. and Laveme. Annie is the wife of William Weston, a carpenter at Spring Green. Albert L. died at the age of twenty-one years. Alice 0. died aged one year and seven months. Bessie H. died at the age of three years and seven months. Wallace E. and Walter P., twins, the former a farmer in South Dakota, at Hettinger,

In 1867, the year he married, Mr. Claridge bought 160 acres in section 17 of Franklin Township. That was fifty years ago and the land responded to his diligent efforts and good management and returned him bountiful crops and made him financially independent. He continued his farming there until 1901 and then sold out and retired into Spring Green, where he owns a comfortable home and finds employment for his leisure hours as a gardener. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. For nine years he served as pathmaster of Franklin Township.

Patrick Croal. Two vocations, those of railroading and farming, have occupied the energies of Patrick Croal since he started upon his wage-earning career as a mere lad. For many years he traveled all over various parts of the country while acting in numerous capacities in the service of railroad companies, but in middle life settled down in Sauk County and became a farmer, and this occupation engaged his attention until 1916, when he retired, and took up his residence at Reedsburg. He is one of the substantial citizens of this thriving community, and whatever success has come to him has been the result of his own unaided efforts.

Patrick Croal was born in County Leitrim, Ireland, in 1843, and is a son of John and Catherine (Clinton) Croal, also natives of Erin's Isle. He was but four years of age when brought to the United States by his parents, the first place of residence of the family being the City of Danbury, Connecticut, where they lived until 1851. In that year they migrated to Wisconsin and located on a farm in Jefferson County, where they established at first a humble home and began the cultivation of the soil. They were hard-working. God-fearing and industrious people, made, the most of their opportunities, and through their continuous labor managed to develop a good farm and establish a comfortable home. While they spent many years in Jefferson County, the parents died at Milwaukee, the father in 1873, at the age of sixty-nine years, and the mother in 1878, when seventy years of age. They were devout members of the Catholic Church, and were laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery. John and Catherine Croal were the parents of ten children : Honora, James, Catherine, Andrew, Ann, Mary, Hannah, Rose, John and Patrick, of whom all are now deceased except the last named.

Patrick Croal enjoyed the educational privileges afforded by the country schools of Jefferson County and was brought up on the homestead, it being the assumption df his father that he would adopt t^ie vocation of farming when ready to start upon his career. However, like numerous other country boys, he was early attracted by the railroad, and, grasping the opportunity, managed to master the art of telegraphy. Thus equipped, he was qualified for a position with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, and entered the service of that line as a telegrapher, but this work did not prove congenial, and the youth gave up the key to become a brakeman. By the time he was seventeen years of age he was earning a man's salary as a conductor, and continued in that capacity for several years, the period of his connection with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul covering eight years. At the end of that time Mr, Croal went to California, where he secured a position as conductor on a line running from San Francisco to San Jose, and during the years that followed he covered a rather wide stretch of countrj'- in the extreme West, being at various times employed by most of the leading systems.

After a quarter of a century of railroading Mr. Croal returned to Wisconsin, and April 8, 1892, at Winfield, was united in marriage with Miss Maria Daly, who was born in County Mayo, Ireland, in 1857, a daughter of Patrick and Jane (Moran) Daly. Patrick Daly was born in 1807, in County Mayo, and was there married to Jane Moran, who was born in 1820, and in 1862 they immigrated to the United States and located on a farm in Winfield Township, Sauk County. They succeeded in the cultivation of a good property and rounded out their lives there, the father dying in 1880 and the mother not long thereafter. Patrick Daly was an exceptionally well informed man, a profound student and a reader of the classics. He was a democrat in politics, and he and Mrs. Daly were consistent and devout members of the Catholic Church. Their children were as follows: Michael, who died as an infant in Ireland; Maria (1) and Jane, who also died in infancy; Catherine, who is the wife of John Loughney, of Ironton, Wisconsin ; Maria, who is now Mrs. Croal ; Patrick, who became one of the leading lawyers of Reedsburg and died here in 1911 ; John, who died in infancy; John (2), who is engaged in farming near Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; Frank P., M. D., a leading physician and surgeon of Reedsburg ; and Martin, who died in infancy.

In 1893 Mr. Croal purchased the Patrick Daly homestead in Winfield Township and settled down to farming operations, in which he was very successful. While his training up to 1893, with the exception of several years in his youth, had been along entirely different lines, he proved himself capable of managing and directing a farm, and during his occupancy numerous improvements were installed which enhanced its value, while at the same time he produced good crops and made his land pay commensurately for the labor he expended upon it. In March, 1916, Mr. Croal retired from active labor and came to Reedsburg, where he now resides at the corner of Dewey and Bast Main streets. He is a democrat in politics. With his family he belongs to the Catholic Church.

Mr. and Mrs. Croal are parents of the following children : John, who was educated in the public schools and is now engaged in operating the homestead farm in Winfield Township ; Jane, who was educated in the schools of Winfield Township and Reedsburg, and is now in charge of a school at Lime Ridge ; Agnes, a graduate of the Reedsburg High School and now a teacher at Lavalle, Wisconsin; Mary, educated at the Reedsburg High School, and teaching at Lime Ridge; Rose, a junior at the Reedsburg High School ; and Rita, a sophomore in the same school.

Joseph B. Ragatz, for many years one of the leading merchants of Prairie du Sac, is now retired from merchandising, but has recently become president of the People's State Bank. He is a member of one of Sauk County's oldest families, and his individual career has been in keeping- with the high ideals and standards of previous generations.

Mr. Ragatz was born in Sauk County, in Honey Creek Township, December 16, 1862. He is a son of Thomas and Catherine (Buehler) Ragatz, both natives of Switzerland. His father was born in 1837 and his mother in 1840. The Ragatz family was established in this country by Bartholomew and Agnes Ragatz, who arrived in Sauk County in March, 1842. Bartholomew Ragatz took up land from the Government in Honey Creek Township and also had landed possessions in Prairie du Sac Township. His home was always in Honey Creek Township, and from the condition of the wilderness he developed his land until it made a splendid farm. Perhaps more than any one else he was responsible for establishing the worship of the Evangelical Church in his community. The early meetings of that church were held in his own home. Subsequently he donated six acres of his land to build the Evangelical Church, known as the Ragatz church. At first the worshipers met in a log building, that gave way to a frame structure, and in 1875 the present church home was built. Bartholomew Ragatz and wife lived out the rest of their days on the old farm. Their children were : Christian, Jacob, Bartholomew, Henry, George, Oswald, Thomas, Julius and two daughters. Of this family Henry and Oswald both became ministers of the Evangelical Church.

Thomas Ragatz was eight years old when brought to Sauk County and the homestead farm which was the scene of his early childhood also became the stage of his mature endeavors as a prosperous farmer. He attended the public schools, was well read and a man whose character made him a distinctive influence in the community. While a farmer, he possessed the genius of a natural mechanic and did practically all mechanical work required about his own place. For over twenty-five years he acted as superintendent of the Sunday School in the Ragatz church. He was an advocate of temperance and in politics a republican. His death occurred at the old home farm in 1890. His widow is living in the Village of Prairie du Sac. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Buehler. Jacob Buehler came to Sauk County in 1847, locating in Honey Creek Township on Government land. His farm, on which he died, is now owned by his son Ulrich, former county clerk of Sauk County. Jacob Buehler and wife had a family of eight children : John, Elizabeth, Ulrich, George, Sadie, Catherine, Maggie and Christian.

Mr. Joseph B. Ragatz was the second in a family of seven children. The names of the others are Sarah, Rosana (deceased), John J., Henry, Lydia and Edward J.

On the old farm where both his grandfather and father spent so many productive years, Joseph B. Ragatz lived until he was twentyone years of age. He received his education in the local schools. In 1884 he removed to Prairie du Sac and started his business career as clerk for Mr. Jacob Hatz. In four years' time he had mastered the fundamentals of mercantile life, and he then invested his modest capital in a store of his own. He continued actively in business at Prairie du Sac for a quarter of a century, finally retiring on January 1, 1914. Possessed of considerable means, and with a judgment matured by long experience, he became one of the leaders in the organization of the People's State Bank in 1916, and when that bank opened its doors for business, March 5, 1917, he was the president.

Mr. Ragatz is a republican in politics and has become well known over Sauk County as a useful man in any position to which the people appoint him. In 1905 he was elected a member of the State Legislature and served one term with credit. He was elected supervisor of Prairie du Sac Township in 1901 and, except for the time spent in the Legislature, has been in that office continuously to the present. For about twenty-three years he was a member of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Ragatz is affiliated with Eureka Lodge No. 113, Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons, and with the Modern Woodmen of America, and is a member in the church of his father, the Evangelical. On June 14, 1892, he married Miss Cora M. Reese. They have one son, Joseph B., Jr., born March 21, 1910.

Frank Brothers. The Frank Brothers have developed an important business enterprise at Spring Green, where they conduct a garage and machine shop. The firm comprises John and Alphons Frank, and they organized under the present partnership in April, 1915. By the following May they had their splendid building erected and ready for business. This is an absolutely fireproof structure of vitrified tile and consists of two stories and is 48 feet wide by 72 feet long. It is located at the corner of Lexington and Monroe streets. The plant is perfect, and the service rendered by the Frank Brothers also has an excellence and efficiency which have had much to do with their prosperity. The brothers sell Buick cars and all kinds of automobile and gas engine accessories. The equipment consists of an Oxy Acetylene welding apparatus, tire vulvanizing facilities, storage batteries, and a general service station. They do all kinds of repairing both of automobiles and other machinery. The garage is one of the best in Sauk County and has many conveniences, including a ladies' waiting room.

Mr. John A. Frank, senior member of the firm, was born on his father's farm in Spring Green Township, April 27, 1887. He is the third of ten children of Joseph and Mary (Soeldner) Frank. He grew up on his father's farm, but early showed a special genius and inclination for mechanics and machinery. He acquired his education in the local schools, and worked at home until he was twenty-four years of age. He then bought a farm of 160 acres in Spring Green Township, and followed farming four years. At the same time he maintained a general repair shop on his land and his success with that enterprise caused him to sell his plant and establish his garage and automobile service station at Spring Green.

On June 20, 1911, John Frank married Margaret Guerten, who was born at Cross Plains, in Dane County, Wisconsin. She is a daughter of Fred and Mary (Rauls) Guerten, her father now deceased and her mother a resident of Madison.

life on the farm, attended the local schools, and left the farm to join his brother in the garage in April, 1915. He is still a young bachelor.

George Schwartz represents the second generation of an enterprising family of agriculturists in Bear Creek Township and has applied his efforts to good advantage in the locality where he was born and reared.

Mr. Schwartz was born in Bear Creek on May 13, 1874, son of Joseph and Catherine Schwartz. His parents came from their native land of Germany in 1871 and located in a comparatively new and unimproved district of Bear Creek Township, where they bought eighty acres. Much of this land was cleared and improved by the father, who spent an industrious life here and died April 16, 1913. ' The widowed mother is still living. Their children were George, Katherine (deceased), Elizabeth, Augusta, Annie, Joseph, Mary and Christina.

George Schwartz grew up in his home locality, was educated in the local schools, and on March 19, 1902, bought his present farm of 230 acres. A better and more profitably managed farm it would be difficult to find anywhere in Sauk County. Mr. Schwartz is a democrat and a member of the Catholic Church. June 23, 1897, he married Miss Josephine Meister, daughter of Martin Meister, of Bear Creek. Mr. and Mrs. Schwartz have the following children : Roselia, Bertha, Grace, George and Eleanor.

Arthur Claude Withington. The late Arthur Claude Withington spent practically his entire life at Baraboo, where several evidences of his civic spirit are to be found in the grouping of the shrubbery on the grounds surrounding the public library, as well as in the buildings themselves, much of his time during his later years having been devoted to work in this direction. He was also greatly interested in church work, and as a citizen contributed materially to the welfare of Baraboo along civic, educational and moral lines.

Mr. Withington was born in England, February 8, 1855, a son of Arthur Harding and Emma (Marzetti) Withington. His parents, natives of England, were married in that country, and in October, 1857, came to the United States and located on a farm near Baraboo, where Arthur H. Withington carried on agricultural operations for some years. A sister of Mrs. Withington, Louise Marzetti, who was born in England December 22, 1829, was married July 19, 1859, to W. Gowan. On August 23, 1859, they came to Sauk County, Wisconsin, and purchased a farm near to that occupied by the Withingtons, and there Mr. Gowan died in 1867, leaving no children. Mr. and Mrs. Withington then went to live with Mrs. Gowan, and at her home Mr. Withington died in 1872, following which the sisters resided together until Mrs. Withington 's death in 1891. Mrs. Gowan now lives at No. 424 Fourth Avenue, Baraboo, which has been her home for twenty-two years.

Arthur Claude Withington was the only child of his parents and was about 2i/2 years old when brought to the United States, so that almost his entire life was passed within the limits of Sauk County. He was reared on the farm and passed his school days at Baraboo, where he attended the graded and high schools. When he began his business career he became a traveling salesman, and the greater part of his business life was devoted to that occupation, in which he met with a full measure of success, being the representative of a number of leading houses. In 1885 Mr. Withington was married to Mary Sterling Slye, who was born at Baraboo in 1857, a daughter of Col. A. L. and Anna M. (Yard) Slye, natives of Vermont, the former born May 23, 1825, and the latter December 2, 1829. They came to Baraboo in 1856, Colonel Slye assisting, with Mr. McGlaughlin of Chicago, in the organization of a bank, with which he was connected for a number of years. Later his energies were devoted to farming and he became successful as an agriculturist. A stanch -and unswerving republican, he was greatly interested in politics and from 1875 until 1883 served as county treasurer of Sauk County. Mrs. Slye still survives and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Withington.

Mr. Withington was a republican, but did not seek public honors, preferring to devote his energies to other fields of endeavor. He was a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and was also well known in local Masonic circles, belonging to Baraboo Lodge, Chapter and Commandery of that order. As a devout Episcopalian, he was senior warden of the Baraboo church of that denomination, an office which had also been held by his father, and sang as a member of the choir for many years. From its inception the Baraboo Public Library, of which he was one of the organizers, held his interest, and he remained a member of the library board up to the time of his death. The beautiful gro\inds surrounding this institution are largely a result of his work and much of their beauty must be accredited to his artistic taste and sense of harmonious arrangement. A tablet to his memory is found in the library at this time.

Mr. Withington died at Baraboo August 11, 1912, leaving a widow and three children, the latter being: Arthur Harding, born 'May 23, 1888, a graduate of the Baraboo High School and of the University of Wisconsin, class of 1913, and now located at Centerville, Iowa, where he holds the office of county engineer; Frances Eleanor, born February 8, 1891, a graduate of the Baraboo High School and of the University of AA^isconsin, class of 1913, who, after teaching for two years in the high school at Wausau, Wisconsin, was married in September, 1916, to Dr. W. W. Bissell, who is connected with the eminent Mayo brothers of Rochester, Minnesota; and James Sterling, born October 7, 1893, a graduate of Baraboo High School and of the University of Wisconsin, class of 1917.

William Cummings. One of the oldest families located in Bear Creek Township is that of Cummings, established here nearly sixty years ago. The old homestead now owned by William Cummings reflects what the family has done in the way of material improvement, and as a name it has always stood for the better things of community life.

The family was established here by Dennis and Mary Cummings, who were settlers in Sauk County in the year 1858. They acquired 160 acres, and the father, with the assistance of his children, did much to improve and beautify that particular location. The father died here in August, 1910, and the mother is still living. Their children were Mary,

Thomas, Maria, William, Esther, Ellen, Annie and Dennis. Thomas and Maria are now deceased. Mary is the wife of Frank Tenant, of Bear Creek Township. Ellen married Andrew Anderson and lives in Colorado. Annie is the wife of Fred Scholl, of Bear Creek. Dennis married Annie Diamond and is also a resident of Bear Creek.

William Cummings, who acquired his father's old farm, is now the owner of 360 acres. He was born in Bear Creek Township April 21, 1863. He has always lived in this locality, had the advantages of the local schools while growing up, and is one of the most prominent and successful farmers. He is unmarried and gives all his time and attention to the successful prosecution of his biisiness as a farmer and stock' raiser. He runs a dairy of eighteen cows. Mr. Cummings is a republican and is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

George T. Thueber, D. D. S. The professional fraternity of the City of Baraboo has a worthy representative in the person of Dr. George T. Thuerer, who has been engaged in the practice of dentistry at this place for more than a quarter of a century and is one of the city 's dependable and substantial citizens. Not alone as a professional man but as an official is Doctor Thuerer known to the people of the county seat, for he is now serving in his third term as mayor, an office in which he has been able to accomplish much for the advancement of his city.

Doctor Thuerer was born at Baraboo, Sauk County, Wisconsin, September 23, 1869, being a son of Christian and Anna (Tarmetzer) Thuerer, natives of Graubunden, Switzerland. His parents came to the United States as young people and were married at Sauk City, Wisconsin, from whence they came to Baraboo in 1868, Mr. Thuerer having resided here ever since, while the mother passed away about twenty years ago. In his young manhood, in his native land. Christian Thuerer had learned the trades of blacksmith and carriage builder, vocations which he followed first at Sauk City and later, for many years, at Baraboo. During a long period he was associated in business with Henry Miller, under the firm style of Miller & Thuerer, but the partnership has been dissolved for some years and both partners have retired from business affairs. While he has now reached an age when most men feel that they have earned a rest from their labors, Mr. Thuerer 's energetic and industrious spirits of a lifetime will not allow him to remain inactive and he is constantly busy in a number of ways, keeping alive a keen interest in all that appertains to the life of his city. He is serving in the capacity of city weigher, in addition to which he has heretofore been the incumbent of other official offices. In political views he has always been a republican, and is considered one of the influential men of his party in this section. With his family, he belongs to the German Evangelical Church, in which Mrs. Thuerer was active up to the time of her death. Of the ten children born to Christian and Anna Thuerer, three died in infancy, the others being : Dr. George T., of this notice ; Dr. C. L., a practicing dentist of Baraboo, associated with his brother; Margaret, who is a trained nurse of Janesville, Wisconsin ; Dr. Edward, a successful physician and surgeon of Billings, Montana; Jessie L., who is the wife of Lawrence B. Shei, of Sacramento, California ; Albert, who is assistant superintendent of the woolen mills at Appleton, Wisconsin; and Nellie, who is a trained nurse and a resident of Long Beach, California. Christian Thuerer reared his children to lives of honesty and industry and those wIm) have reached maturity have all attained positions of comfort and usefulness in the world. Mr. Thuerer 's reputation in business circles is of the best, and throughout Baraboo he is an object of respect and esteem, rewards of a well spent life.

George T. Thuerer has passed his entire life at Baraboo. He received his early education in the graded schools here, and after his graduation from the high school secured employment in the office of Dr. A. H. Gilette, a dental practitioner, with whom he remained for one and one-half years. With this preparation he entered the dental department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, being graduated therefrom with his degree in 1890, immediately after which he returned to Baraboo and entered practice. By diligent attention to his work Doctor Thuerer has acquired a profitable patronage, while by reason of his marked ability he has secured prestige in his profession. Dentistry may be said to be almost unique among the various occupations of mankind, being at oncq a profession, a trade and a business. Such being the case it follows that in order to attain the highest success in it one must be thoroughly conversant with the theory of the art, must be expert in the use of the many instruments and appliances incidental to modern dentistry and must possess business qualifications adequate to dealing with the financial side of the profession. In none of these requirements is Doctor Thuerer lacking; on the contrary,, close study has given him a broad understanding of the science of dentistry, and his practical experience is demonstrated by his extensive patronage, which at once indicates his high standing in the profession. He is a valued member of the Wisconsin State Dental Society and of the American Dental Association. Doctor Thuerer has long been prominent in civic affairs and as a leader of the forces of the republican party. After serving for four years as alderman of Baraboo, he succeeded ]\Iayor Bender as chief executive of the city, and is now acting in that office for the third consecutive time. He has been faithful to the interests of the city and its people, and through his energetic and businesslike handling of Baraboo 's affairs has put the city on a sound financial basis. He is a member of the German Evangelical Church, in the faith of which he was reared. Doctor Thuerer is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and is well known in Masonry, being a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery, in which he has filled various chairs. His amiable disposition and genial deportment have attracted to him many stanch friends.

Doctor Thuerer was married July 3, 1895, to Miss Emma M. Royck, a native of Sauk County, Wisconsin, and a daughter of Charles E. Royck. They are the parents of two children : Margaret L. and George Royck.

Miles H. Keysar. The life of the late Miles H. Keysar at Prairie du Sac embraced a period of fifty-three years, from the time of his arrival, in 1848, until his death, in 1901, and covered the era of the phenomenal growth of the county of his adoption. From the time of his immediate arrival until his retirement, some twelve years prior to his demise, he was engaged in a variety of pursuits, principally connected with the rising commercial and mercantile interests of the community, with the growth of which he was intimately related and with the prosperity of which he himself prospered. At different times he associated himself with others in bringing strength and maturity to incipient institutions, and his organizing and executive powers were accounted as of high value by those who were fortunate enough to be identified with him in the important affairs which attracted his attention. Although sixteen years have passed since his death, his influence and progress and enlargement is still felt in business circles of the city in which his home was made for so many years.

Miles H. Keysar was born at Canterbury, Merrimack County, New Hampshire, in 1823, and was a son of Edmund and Becky (Young) Keysar, natives and lifelong residents of the old Granite State. His father was an agriculturist and tilled the soil throughout the period of his active career, and the son was brought up in the atmosphere of th3 farm and early learned the lessons of hard work and strict honesty. His early educational training was secured in the common schools, and this was supplemented by an academic course in his native state, in an institution at Colebrook, Coos County. With this preparation he entered upon the serious business of life as teacher of a country school, and this vocation he followed for two terms, although his summers were passed on the home farm, to which he eventually returned when he had finished his school teaching experience.

Mr. Keysar remained on the home farm until he had reached the age of twenty-five years. He was at that time an ambitious, industrious young man, and seeing no particular future for him in his native state he decided to try his fortunes in the newly opened West, which was sending out urgent calls for virile and willing manhood. In 1848 he arrived in the little community of Prairie du Sac, after a long and arduous trip, and soon found employment as a carpenter, having mastered that trade in his youth. This and other honorable occupations occupied him for three years, at the end of which time he had accumulated sufficient capital to encourage him to enter the lumber business. He started in a small way, but soon transferred his interests and his activities to the mercantile business, a field in which he remained for some three years. At this time, in 1857, he sold his holdings and made his first trip to his boyhood home, but after a short stay came once more to Wisconsin and again entered actively into the life of the growing little community of Prairie du Sac. His first accomplishment upon his return was the erection of the building which is now known as the Congres;^ Store, and upon its completion he again entered the mercantile trade. This occupied his attention until 1861, when he sold out to embark in the stock and grain business, with which he continued to be identified until his retirement in 1889. While the greater part of his attention was given to this business during the closing years of his busines.s career, Mr. Keysar was identified with a number of other enterprises which were important factors in establishing Prairie du Sac's prestige among the cities of this region. He was one of the principal owners of the main steamer, Ellen Haidy, which plied between Prairie du Sac and Portage, and it was largely through his efforts that the Chicago, Milwaukee and Saint Paul Railroad was induced to build its road to

Prairie du Sac. He was pre-eminently and primarily a business man, yet the needs of his community ever held a foremost place in his heart, and he gave, unreservedly, of his energies, his abilities and means to the furtherance of any movements whose objects were the betterment of conditions, whether commercial, industrial, civic, religious or social. It was part and parcel of his belief that the city should share in the individual's prosperity, and that the best results could be attained when said individual and community were working each for the other's interests. Mr. Keysar was not a politician, yet he was well informed upon the subjects of the day and took an interest in the success of the democratic party, with which he voted throughout his life. When the split came in that party on the question of gold and silver he lined up with the supporters of solid money. He was a lifelong Universalist, and while not over-ostentatious in advertising his belief to the world, lived his faith every day. When he died, in 1901, church as well as community lost a good and generous friend.

In 1850 Mr. Keysar was united in marriage with Miss Barbara Stevens, who died without issue three years later. In 1860 occurred his second marriage, when he was united with ]\Iiss Stella Lawrence, who bore him two children, Lawrence and Miles, both of whom are now deceased. His second wife died in October, 1878, and in 1880 Mr. Keysar was married to Mrs. Jeannette (Lyon) Lay, who was born March 9, 1840, at West Brookfield, Orange County, Vermont, a daughter of William and Betsy (Mann) Lyon. Mrs. Keysar still survives her husband and resides in a comfortable residence, being one of the best known and most highlv esteemed ladies of Prairie du Sac.

John J. McDermott is one of the enterprising business men of Bear Creek Township, being a merchant and closely associated with the agricultural enterprise of the district as a manufacturer of cheese.

Mr. McDermott was born in Door County, Wisconsin, August 10, 1881, a son of Patrick and Nora (Malloney) McDermott. His father was born in Ireland, March 17, 1842, and the mother in Canada, December 13, 1854. Both parents are still living. They were married at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, June 17, 1880.

John J. McDermott grew up in the country and has been a resident of Sauk County since March 6, 1911. He owns a high class mercantile establishment, stocked with general merchandise and located in the center of a fine agricultural district. By fair dealing and enterprising methods he has built up a large patronage, and though still a young man his success is practically assured.

For some time Mr. McDermott was employed by the Gruber Cheese Company of Bear Creek Township. December 9, 1911, he bought a cheese factory in Big Hollow of that township, and besides that he owns two other factories in the county, these three factories handling a total of about twenty thousand pounds of milk every day. Thus his enterprise is contributing to Sauk County 's preeminence as a dairy center.

Mr. McDermott is a democrat in politics and a member of the Catholic Church. On June 19, 1912, he married Miss Nellie Carmody, daughter of John and Ellen (Lawton) Carmody, of Iowa County, Wisconsin. They have one child, Leo Francis.

Christian Christensen. There is occasionally found an individual who in the performance of his public duties works to achieve something more than the things covered by a strict- interpretation these duties mean, and in this category is found Christian Christensen, of Reedsburg, superintendent of the Sauk County Farm. Since becoming the incumbent of his present position, nine years ago, Mr. Christensen has labored continuously and successfully to improve his surroundings, to better conditions and to add to the comfort of his charges. He has taken an honest pride in his work and has not l)een afraid to introduce innovations. For these reasons Sauk County may consider itself fortunate in possessing his services, for under his management the institution has become one of the best ordered in the state. This institution became the pioneer among Wisconsin institutions, in what is known as industrial occupation for inmates. This course is especially of untold benefit to those among the inmates whose mental condition is such as to unfit them for any ordinary occupation. The result of this innovation is that today the institution boasts of one expert carpet weaver, several basket makers, two men who are expert shoe-repair men. Fancy work in brass is an accomplishment of several inmates. Several women have become expert needle-workers. While these industries were begun primarily to find occupation for a large number of the most disturbed inmates with the idea of awakening an interest in their surroundings, and as a pastime, it has also become a source of income to the institution, the net profits last year amounting to $217.57. This work has since been adopted in nearly every other institution in Wisconsin and in several other states.

Christian Christensen was born at Sjelland, Denmark, May 16, 1869, a son of Nels and Anna Christensen, who never left that country, the mother dying there in 1902, at the age of sixty-six years, and the father still making his home there at eighty-two years of age. They were the parents of five children : Hans Christian, a resident of California ; James Peter, who lives in the State of Washington ; Kara ; Christian, and Anna Sophia. Christian Christensen received his education in the public schools of his native land and in 1883, at the age of fourteen years, came to the United States, locating in Ohio, in November of that year. He remained in the Buckeye State for only a short time, however, and March 1, 1884, came to Wisconsin and located near Neenah. He had no capital at that time, but was willing to work and secured employment on a farm, where for a time he did chores for his board. Later he clerked for Hans Gram, at Neenah, and then secured the position of attendant at the Northern State Hospital at Winnel)ago, a position in which he remained six years. Later he returned to Ohio, where for four years he was an attendant in the Toledo State Hospital, then coming back to Wisconsin as an attendant at the AVisconsin State Hospital, at Mendota, for ten years. He resigned from that position April 15, 1908, and in the following month took his present position as superintendent of the Sauk County Farm. Since taking charge here Mr. Christensen has added several l)uildings to the institution, and has beautified the farm by installing grape arbors and ornamental trees and in numerous other ways. That he is a skilled and thoroughly informed agriculturist as well as a good business man is shown in the value M'hich he attains from the pi'oduets and the volume of the cash sales. He also understands thoroughly the breeding of livestock, now having a fine herd of Holstein cattle, and his success with swine has been remarkable, he having for the .year 1917 approximately 140 Duroc spring pigs. No doubt some of the farmers of the county could secure some valuable advice from Mr. Christensen, who has made a close and careful study of conditions and has done a large amount of practical experimenting with very gratifying results. As an executive he is kindly and large-hearted, but a strict disciplinarian, and while he never neglects his multitudinous duties, he always seems to find time to explain his methods and to dispense hospitality to visitors. In this matter he is ably seconded by his wife, a Avoman of many accomplishments, who has been his chief assistant in all that he has undertaken and who has been of the greatest help to him in the accomplishment of what he has set out to do. Mr. Christensen is independent in politics, and was reared in the faith of the Danish Lutheran Church. He is prominent in Masonry, having attained the thirty-second degree, and is a member of Madison Lodge No. 5, Madison, Mdiich he joined in 1908 ; Reedsburg Chapter, No. 56, Royal Arch Masons; Council No. 21; Milwaukee Consistory, and Saint John's Commandery No. 21, Kniglits Templar, of which he has been commander for the past three years. He was a member of the Golden Jubilee Class in the fall of 1913. JNIr. Christensen also belongs to Reedsburg Lodge of the Knights of Pythias, and he and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star, at Reedsburg, of which he is worthy patron.

Mr. Christensen was married April 15, 1896, to Miss Fannie Hooseman, of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, daughter of George and Mary Hooseman, who came from England and located at Oshkosh, where Mrs. Hooseman still resides, her husband having died there in 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Christensen had one daughter, who died in infancy.

He was born in Austria September 28, 1871, son of Andrew and Teresa (Weiss) Dietl. Peter Dietl received most of his education in his native land and was fifteen years of age when his parents came in 1886 and settled in Bear Creek Township of Sauk County. The father acquired eighty acres as a beginning, cleared and improved it, and had a good farm before his death, which occurred April 23, 1892. The widowed mother is still living. Their children were : Peter ; Joseph ; Teresa, unmarried ; Frank, who is married ; Barbara, still single ; and Andrew, who married Genevieve Moussan.

Peter i\I. Dietl, who has never married, has applied himself to the business of farming and stock husbandry very successfully and since 1898 has lived on his present farm of 112 acres. He is quite well known locally as a lireeder of Holstein cattle. He has about thirty-two head of those fine animals and runs a dairy of eighteen cows. Mr. Dietl is a democrat and a member of the Catholic Church.

Joseph Dietl, a son of Andrew Dietl and a brother of Peter M. Dietl, was born in Austria but has spent the greater part of his life in Sauk County, where he now owns the old homestead farm of his father of 120 acres, and has directed its operations independently since 1905. A part of the land was cleared under his management, and he is giving a very creditable account of himself as a general farmer and also as a breeder of Holstein cattle. Mr. Joseph Dietl is a democrat in politics and a member of the Catholic Church.

November 8, 1905, he married Miss Mary Schwartz, daughter of Babtist and Walburga (Hutter) Schwartz. Her parents came from Austria. Mr. and Mrs. Dietl have five children, named Hubert, Mary, Gertrude, Alfons and Bertha.

Patrick H. Hurley is numbered among the independent and progressive farmers of Winfield Township, where he has spent practically all his life.

He was born there December 3, 1870, a son of William and Mary (Holton) Hurley. His parents were among the pioneers of Winfield, where they located in 1860. William Hurley cleared up the land and developed a good farm in that locality, and lived there until his death on November 18, 1902. His widow passed away January 30, 1909. They had a large family of children, named Patrick, Margaret, James, Mary E., Frank, Neil, Kate, Carrie, Teresa and Florence. James and Mary E. are both deceased. The daughter Margaret married Waldo Fessey. The son Frank is still unmarried. Neil married Elsie Hirst, who is now deceased. Kate is the widow of Robert Whitty. Carrie married Joseph Fessey. Teresa became the wife of Arthur Kranz. Florence is still unmarried. Mrs. Kate Whitty, now a widow, with her daughter Estella lives with her brother Patrick, who has never married and is successfully pursuing the business of farming on a place of 160 acres in Winfield Township. He is both a farmer and stockraiser. Mr. Patrick Hurley votes independently in matters of politics.

GoDFRiED Retzloff. An enterprising agriculturist and representative citizen whose interest in public affairs has ever been of the most sincere order, Godfried Retzloff commands the unqualified respect of his fellow men. He was born in Germany, January 23, 1859, and was there reared to the age of fourteen years. In 1873 he accompanied his parents, Charles and Eva (Preskorn) Retzloff, to America and the family located in Pennsylvania, whence they removed to Sauk County, Wisconsin, in 1879. Here the father was engaged in farming operations until Jiis demise in 1911. Further data concerning the Retzloff family is given in the sketch of Herman Retzloff on other pages of this work.

Godfried Retzloff maintained his home in the Keystone State for six years after his parents departed for Wisconsin. There he was married and after that event, in 1885, he, too, came to Sauk County. He purchased a farm of eighty acres in Excelsior Township and subsequently added to that estate so that his present farm comprises 139 acres. He has some fine buildings on his place and recently erected a new bam, 30 by 70 feet. He raises Holstein cattle and has a herd of about thirty head. He is a republican in his political proclivities but votes for the man rather than the party. He has never aspired to public office of any description but gives a whole-hearted support to measures projected for the public good.

Mr. Retzloff has been twice married. In Pennsylvania was celebrated his marriage to Miss Bertha Snyder, who bore him ten children : William and Charles are deceased; Mary is the wife of Orlan Brimer and they have five children ; Herman is mentioned on other pages of this work ; Louise is the wife of Adolph Krueger and they have one child, Milton ; Marthy married Henry Ashenbach and they have one child, Henry ; Alta is deceased ; Caroline and Eva are at home ; and a son died in infancy. Mrs. Eetzloff died in 1893. Mr. Retzloff married for his second wife Mrs. Lena Buhr, who had four children by her first husband : Alta, Delia, Lillian and one deceased. There were no children born of this second marriage and Mrs. Retzloff died in 1911.

Mr. Retzloff is a man of marked enterprise and initiative. Self made in the most significant sense of the word, he has progressed steadily toward the goal of success until he is recognized today as one of the prominent farmers of Excelsior Township. He is warm-hearted and generous in disposition, is fond of home life, and is held in high esteem by all who know him.

William S. Pierce. To look back over sixty-seven years of life in Sauk County is the privilege of William S. Pierce, one of the highly respected citizens and well known farmers of Troy Township. He was bom in Cortland County, New York, in 1842. His parents were Abraham and Priscilla (Saulsbury) Pierce, who, with their three children, started for Wisconsin in 1848. In those days ordinary travel was necessarily slow, for the roads were mostly poor and streams were but indifferently bridged, if at all. The family reached Ohio and spent a year there and then proceeded on their western way until they came to Evansville in Rock County, Wisconsin. During the year they lived there the father sought out a tract of land that he believed desirable on which to settle permanently, and in December, 1850, preempted sixty acres of Government land in Troy Township, Sauk County. This was both prairie and river bottom land and was a wise selection. The parents passed the remainder of their lives on the place, the father dying in 1887 and the mother two years later. They had three children only: Hannah Janette, who lives near Spring Green, Wisconsin, is the widow of Edward Talbert, who died in 1909 ; Eliza, who was Mrs. Jacob Proctor, lived in Kansas until her death in 1 917, and her husband was accidentally killed in a coal mine ; and William S. All were reared and attended school in Troy Township.

During many years of his early business life Mr. Pierce operated rafts on the river, running to and from many points, including Grand Rapids, Stephen's Point and Warsaw. He owns 100 acres of land in Troy Township and when he began to cultivate it, in 1865, he used oxen. He has witnessed wonderful progress in farming methods and many of these have greatly eased the labor that once had to be performed by the farmer himself or remain undone. Modern machinery and the building of good roads have been boons to the farming community.

In 1865 Mr. Pierce was married to Miss Mary Patterson, who was born in the city of Bangor, Ireland. Her mother died when she was young and she came to Sauk County, Wisconsin, with an aunt. Her father, William Patterson, came two years later with the other children, two sons and one daughter, one brother of ]Mrs. Pierce, Robert Patterson, still surviving and living in Kansas. William Patterson settled when he came to Sauk County in what was called Patterson Valley, but is now known as Pox Valley. He took up land there and engaged in farming until his death, at the age of forty-four years.

Mr. and Mrs. Pierce had two children born to them, a son and a daughter. The daughter, Ada, resides with her parents. The son, William, went to Kansas and was married there and died in that state in 1911. In politics Mr. Pierce has kept to an independent attitude, with good judgment weighing public questions as they come up and casting his vote for the candidate he deems best fitted for oifice. He has served twelve years as a school director, two years on the township board, and was postmaster of the Cassell postoffice twenty-eight years. He is a member of the Adventist Church.

Frank Tennant. An able representative of the agricultural interests of Sauk County, Frank Tennant owns and operates a large, well appointed and well managed, farm in Bear Creek Township.

He was born in Herkimer County, New York, May 3, 1852, son of Cyrus and Rosina (Campbell) Tennant. His parents were also natives of New York State. In coming West they spent one year in Illinois, and in 1854, when Frank was two years of age, they located in Sauk County. Both parents are now deceased. Their children were : Burrell, Olive, Frank, Malvin, Daniel, Lafayette, Hannah, Ella, Cyrus, Rexville and Bertha. Cyrus and Rexville are now deceased.

Mr. Frank Tennant grew up in Sauk County, attended the local schools and has given his best years to the prosecution of farming. He located on his present farm in 1887. He found the land partly cleared, and has since put many acres under the plow and has otherwise increased its value by good buildings and the wise and capable management of its resources. He has 180 acres and is giving considerable attention to Holstein cattle. Mr. Tennant is a republican and has served his township as supervisor one year.

He married Miss Mary Cummings, W'ho was bom January 1, 1857, daughter of Denis and Mary Cummings, another pioneer family of Sauk County. Mr. and Mrs. Tennant have four children : Cora, deceased : Roy, who married lola Knudson ; Lucy, wife of Bert Anderson ; and Dora, now Mrs. Reinfeldt.

August Behn. Among the native sons of Sauk County who have gained success there are to be found many who have adopted the vocation of farming, and their broad fields indicate their prosperity and yield them handsome incomes. Their trim farm houses, commodious bams, neat premises and well-fed stock all give evidence that those in possession understand the business and are making it pay. These desirable conditions have not been brought about without an expenditure of considerable hard work and energy and the exercise of rigid economy, but the success attained well repays the owner for his outlay. Sauk County, located as it is in the center of a fertile farming county, numbers among its residents a number who have made their own way in this direction, and among them is found August Behn, representing the third generation of the family to engage in agriculture here, and a man who has brought his property to a high state of cultivation, being numbered among the skilled agriculturists of Reedsburg Township.

August Behn was born September 9, 1880, in Reedsburg Township, and is a son of Carl and Caroline (Burmaster) Behn. His paternal grandparents were Carl and Dora (Cans) Behn, who came from their native Germany to the United States in 1867 and settled in Sauk County, buying twenty-five acres of land in Reedsburg Township. Here they passed the remaining years of their lives in the peaceful cultivation of their small tract, and the grandfather died about 1887, aged sixty-eight years, while the grandmother at her death in 1913 had reached the advanced age of ninety years. Their children were four in number : Charles (Carl), W. F., August and Henry, the last named of whom is deceased. One of these sous, W. F. Behn, was born in Germany, May 18, 1850, and arrived in Sauk County on his seventeenth birthday. May 18, 1867. He was reared and educated at Reedsburg, where for several years he worked at the trade of carpenter, but in 1873 turned his attention to farming in a small way, when he purchased nineteen and one-half acres of land located in Reedsburg Township. This furnished the nucleus for his present farm, he having attained eighty acres in 1878, and at the present time he is one of the successful farmers and stock growers of his locality as well as a substantial and public-spirited citizen. He was married in 1873 to Dora Meyer, who was born in Germany, July 23, 1846, and they have three children : William, Albert and Freda.

Carl Behn, the father of August, was born in Germany, July 7, 1848, and was nineteen years of age when he came to the United States with his parents, having received his education in his native land. He assisted his father in the cultivation of the first small family tract in Reedsburg Township, of which- he later became the owner, and subsequently purchased other land, which he continues to cultivate in a modern and successful manner. Mr. Behn is well known as a reliable, dependable citizen, whose integrity in business matters and probity in private life are unquestioned. Of his ten children, five sons and two daughters are still living.

August Behn was reared on the old homestead, in the vicinity of which he attended the public schools, and when he entered upon his independent career it was as the owner of a farm of 120 acres lying in Winfield Township. This he sold and came to Reedsburg Township, where he, with his brother Willie, first rented 160 acres of land and in 1914 they became its owT^iers by purchase. He is a general farmer and stockraiser who has met with success in his operations because they have been carried on in a methodical, practical and progressive manner, and the prosperity which he has gained is all the more satisfying because it has been achieved without outside assistance and because it has been won in an honorable way. He is a republican in politics, but has not sought nor cared for public office, being content to follow the life of a private citizen. With his family he belongs to the Lutheran Church.

In Ironton Township Mr. Behn was married to Miss Aura Hineman, of Sauk County. Mrs. August Behn is a native of Sauk County, Wisconsin, and was born September 16, 1884. She is the fourth in a family of five children, two sons and three daughters, born to Daniel W. and