Walworth County, Wisconsin - Biographical sketches, 1912 (part 5 of 5)

Elry C. Petrie, of this sketch, grew to manhood at Concord, and he attended the normal school at Whitewater. In 1880 he began farming for himself on rented land. In 1890 he bought the farm where he now lives in section 2, Geneva township. Walworth county, but he did not move here until two years later. Since 1892 this lias been the scene of his labors, and he has placed this excellent farm under a high state of cultivation and improvement and has been very successful as a general farmer and stock raiser, being much interested in raising Holstein cattle, and he keeps a splendid herd.

Politically, Mr. Petrie is a Republican, and takes an interest in public affairs of his community and he is at present a member of the township In i.'ird.

Mr. Petrie was married in [876 to Mary A. Ransome, daughter of Harvey I. and Sallie Ann (Noyse) Ransome. She was born in Concord. Jefferson count). Wisconsin, where she was reared and educated and there remained until her marriage. Her father was from Cattaraugus county, New York, and he took up land from the government, and was one of the well known pioneers here. Her mother was born in Canada and she died when Mrs. Ransome was a little girl.

Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Petrie, namely: Winnie C. died when eight years old; Avery C. died in infano ; Merlon E. and Lottie E. are at home with their father.

Mrs. I'elrie's death occurred in November, [892, and in November, [898, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Nora L, Turner, widow of Frank Turner. [( 1 ased. She was the daughter of John and Myra (Gott) Olp, and she was born and reared 111 Lyons township, this county. Her parents came from New N ork and settled here iii an early day. The father was born in Genesee county, New York, and he was the son of Jacob ( )lp and wife, an excellent old family there. To Mr. and Mrs. Petrie one child has been born, Josl C. Mrs. Petrie had one son bj her first marriage, ( harles I.. Turner.

Russell Holmes

Junction and vicinity is the present popular and able mayor of that village, Russell Holmes, a man who leads an exemplary life and while laboring for his own advancement newer fails to discharge his duties ;i< a public-spirited citizen.

Mr. Holmes was born in Lake county. Illinois. February -'4. [851. H< is the son of Thomas and .Maria 1 Roddel) Holmes, both natives of Lincolnshire. England, where they spent their youth and were married, emigrating to America and settling in New York in an early day. Thomas Holmes was spent man\ years, dying in t88o, his wife surviving until [895. Their family consisted of nine children, of whom, three sons and one daughter only survive, Riley, Frank and Mrs. Ida Louise Reynolds, all of Hebron, Illinois, and Russell, of this sketch.

During the boyhood of Russell Holmes, the famil) moved across the line into Wisconsin, first locating in Racine county, then moved to Kenosha county, and in i S7 1 they moved to a farm in Mcllemw county. The subject grew up on the farm and he has devoted his life to general agricultural pursuits, having begun farming for himself about [879 near Hebron, Illinois, remaining there until March. [890, when he moved to Genoa Junction. He began by renting a farm for two years, then bought a farm and there became well established lie purchased a livery barn upon coming to Walworth county which he ran two years, then boughl thirty-eight acres in the eastern pan of Genoa Junction, within the corporate limits, and there he built a 1 home on the high ground in the eastern edge of tin- \ illage. \\ hen the \ illage was incorporated in 1901 he was elected the firsl mayor, and he has since been re-elected several times, in fact has held this office ever since with the exception of two years. The office came to him unsought, which shows his high standing in this community. He has hem a n ienl public official, doing

Mr. Holmes was married in [878 t.. I an Illinois, daughter of Seldon < .. and Mary Street, and to this union one was born. Rennie C., whose birth occurred on Maj 23, (882. He married

Florence Simpson, of Genoa Junction, and they have one child, a daughter, named Neva Evaline. Rennie Holmes and family live in a large handsome home, next to that of his father, and he is engaged in carpentering and building, also farms and engages in the poultry business.

The parents of Mrs. Russell Holmes came from Orleans county. New York, to Illinois in the spring of 1854, and located two miles east of the village of Hebron, near the Wisconsin line, but there was no village when they arrived there. Their house had been a wayside inn, and the railroad from Chicago had not been extended as far as Walworth county. All this country was vet in an undeveloped condition. Mrs. Holmes grew up in the house where her parents first settled and lived there until her marriage. The death of her father. Seldon G. Street, occurred in 1894. Her mother is still living, making her home most of the time with Mr. and Mrs. Holmes. She is now eighty-two years old and is in excellent health, being remarkably well preserved for one so much advanced in years.

Mrs. Holmes has one brother and two sisters: Henry Street lives on the old home farm near Hebron. Illinois, and Mrs. Delia Bliss lives at Albia, Orleans countv. New York; Mrs. E. B. Greeley lives in Alden, Minnesota.

Walter A. West

The name of Walter A. West is known to every one who has the slightest acquaintance with the business history of Elkhorn and Walworth county. For many years he has filled a large place in the industrial affairs of the city, and as an energetic, far-seeing, enterprising man whose judgment and discretion are seldom at fault and whose influence makes for the substantial upbuilding of the community.

Mr. West was born in Sugar Creek township, this count), on November 14. [856. He is tlie son of Stephen (lam. West and Martha A. (Lake) West, the father a native of North Norwich, Chenango county, .Yew York. lie ciinc tn Walworth county, Wisconsin, when about twelve years old. in [838, with his parents. Stephen Gano West, Si\. and Rebecca 1 Pike) West, and here in the midst of primeval surroundings the\ established a good home through hard work and close application, the country then being a wilderness. The West family came to New York state from Connecticut a number of generations ago.

Martha \. Lake was born at Cooperstown, New York, and during his childh 1 lived a near neighbor to James Fenimore Cooper, the great novelist.

grandmother having been a Knowlton, a daughter of Capt. John Knowlton, a soldier in the American Revolution. The Lake family came west and lived for a time in Illinois, and aboul [850 moved mi to Walworth county, Wi sin, settling in the village of Troy, <>n what i- now known as the Schwartz farm on Pickerill lake, later moving t<> Eagle Prairie, Waukesha county. Stephen < i. West. Jr., and Martha A. Lake were married in 1852 and I up their residence in Sugar (reek township, moving in the spring of [866 to Elkhorn, buying a farm in the north edge of town where they spent the rest of their lives, his death occurring on the last day of October. 1889, his wife having preceded him to the grave in July. [884. Politically, he was a Democrat, and he tilled the office of assessor for years, was a member of the school board, and was also chairman of Sugar Creek township. He took a lively interest in public affairs and was influential in the same.

Stephen G. West, Jr., was twice married, his second wife, whom he married in the fall of [886, being known in her maidenh 1 as Hanna Merrifie-ld, who is now living at Beloit. One son was born to the second union, Myron Chester West. L>\ the first marriage there were eighl children. namely: DeWitt Clinton, who died at Perry, Iowa: Walter A., of this -ketch: Helen R. is the wife of B. B. faylor and lives on a farm near Elkhorn; Charles F. lives at < >ak Lark. Illinois : Stephen < lano 1- a ph) sician and surgeon in Chicago: Arthur 1'enn died when fourteen year- old; llatlic 1- the wife of Albert J. Reed, a furniture dealer in Elkhorn; Cora died when ten years old.

Walter A. West, of this -ketch. grev\ up on the farm at Elkhorn, and he received his education in the public schools and the State University. Finishing school in [880, he was married on March r6th of that year to Lama R hitch, .laughter of Zadock Martin Fitch and Julia 1 Barns) Fitch She was horn and reared, at Elkhorn. Her parent- came from Brockton, Xcw York, and located at Elkhorn about [850. The father of Mr-. Wesl conducted a draying business for many years at Elkhorn.

For three years after his marriage Walter A. West engaged in fanning in the north part of Elkhorn. On March [3, [884, he wenl into the butter and cheese business, starting firs) as a partner of J. H. Hai I h ii business grew rapidly and prospered and developed into the Wisconsin Butter & Cheese Company, of which Mr. West is vice-president, and it- large bu has been due in no small part to hi- influence. This company 1- gr - mention on another page of this, work.

He is a loyal Democrat. Fraternally, he is a Mason, having attained the thirty-second degree, and he belongs to the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the .Mystic Shrine. He is past grand high priest of the grand chapter of Wisconsin. He was grand high priest in igio. and has long been active and popular in lodge circles. In religious matters he belongs to the Congregational church, of which Mrs. West is also a member.

Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. West, namely : Maurice Edgar married Amanda Winters and lives at Fond du Lac. Wisconsin, where he is engaged in the creamery business; Julia lives at home: DeWitt C. is a student in the State University; Walter A., Jr., lives at home and is attending high school.

Charles Monroe Gates

Earnest labor, unabating perseverance and good management are the elements which have brought prosperity to Charles Monroe Gates, who was born on the farm where he still resides in the southwestern part of Geneva township, Walworth county, September 24, 1 861 . Every locality needs such men - men of genuine worth, of unquestioned integrity and honor.

Mr. Gates has been content to spend his life in his home community and lie is wideh known throughout the same. He is the son of Irwin Franklin (iates and Charlotte Dewey (Spencer) Gates. The father was born in May. [817. lie came from near Moscow, Xew York, in the early forties, and located in Walworth county. Wisconsin. He was the son of Daniel and Betsey (Fenton) (iates. The subject's maternal grandparents were Hiram and l.ois (Mosley) Spencer. Their daughter Charlotte was born in St. Lawrence county. New York. One of Irwin F. (iates' ancestors was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and was wounded by a poisoned bullet. The father of the subject of this sketch was about nineteen or twenty years old when he came west. I le was a >toue mason, and he located first at Racine. Wisconsin, then came to Geneva, Walworth count), and upon his arrival be spent his last quarter for something to eat. lie worked at his trade for years. Soon after he was twenty-one years oi age he bought the farm where the subject now resides and made his home here the rest of his life. Merc hi' was married and lie boughl the farm of his wife's father, who came here when the country was first opened for settlement and entered tin- farm from the government. Mr. Spencer was killed by a mad bull on the farm, after which his widow moved to Elkhorn, where she spent her last days.

( hark-- M. Gates was the third in order of birth of a family of four children, namely: Hiram Franklin lives in Rock county, Wisconsin; Charlotte Sophia is the wife of C. J. Eaton and they live in Elkhorn; Bettie Lois married H. \Y. Weed and they live in Saskatchewan, Canada. The father of these children was a 1 >emocrat and active in the affairs of In- community. His death occurred .in February <;. [908, hi- \\ ife ha\ ing preceded linn t . the grave through long years of labor, and on tin- farm, a- before intimated, their son, Charles M., grew up and ha- -pent In- life, keeping it well improved ami well tilled and the buildings in proper repair.

Mr. (late- i- a Democrat and he has been a frequehl holder of town-hip offices, always discharging hi- duties faithfully. For eleven years he was <>f hi- township and tin- is hi- fifth year a- chairman.

.Mr. date- was married on November 4. [883, to Ida Cornwell, and her death occurred .in November 11. 1884. (hi November 11. 1885, he was united in marriage with Edie Caroline Kreuger. She was born in Germany and was brought t" this county bj her parent-. Frank and Elizabeth (Walhandt) Kreuger. who have lived for many year- in Lafayette township. To Mi', and Mrs. Gates three children have Keen horn, namely: Edith May. wife of Burton Fairchild, lived "ii the Fairchild farm in the central part of Geneva township; site ha- "lie daughter. Edna. Harry Monroe '.ate- married Mabel White, and they live on a. farm two and 1 medial f mile- ni >nh of Williams Bay, and they have two children, Edith and Donald, Frank Eugene Gates i- on the home farm with his father.

citizen- for over two decade-, where he ha- sustained an envied reputation in business and public life. Hi- energetic nature, strong determination, -a victory. He is a man who ha-. In In- exemplar) life in all it- relations hi- fellow men. earned the high esteem in which he i- universally held.

Mr. Kellogg was born in Westmoreland. Oneida county. Xew York, February 18, 1859. He is the son of Charles Horace Kellogg and Almira (Olney) Kellogg, the father born in the same vicinity as was the subject. April 15, [819, and in that county was also burn the subject's mother on November 30, 1823, the daughter of James and Phoebe (Smith) Olney, he born January 29, [789, and she on January 6, 1792. The parents of the subject grew up in Westmoreland, Oneida county. Xew York, and there they were married on March 10. [853. Charles H. Kellogg devoted his life to farming. Politically, he was a Republican, and in religious matters a Congregationalist. His death occurred in Oriskany Palls. Xew York. October 13. 1893. an<l the death of his wife occurred on May 19, 1894. Thev were the parents of the following children: Charles Warren lived at Westmoreland. Xew York : Fannie Maria is the wife of John X. Cole and also lives in Westmoreland; Harriet E. is the wife of Charles Byron Keith: Caroline S. died in girlhood ; George Olney, of this sketch ; and Willis James.

The paternal grandparents of these children were Deacon Warren and Rhoda 1 Case) Kellogg, the latter the daughter of Caleb and Rhoda (Mills) Case. Warren Kellogg was born in Xew Hartford, Connecticut, finally moved to Trenton, thence to Westmoreland, Xew York. He was a carpenter by trade and was influential in church affairs for many years, being a deacon. He was the son of Abraham and Sarah (Seymour) Kellogg, the latter the daughter of John and Hannah Seymour, and was born July 12. 1750. Abraham ECellogg was born in 1750, and was the son of Abraham Kellogg, Sr., and Sarah ( Marsh) Kellogg. She was the daughter of Jonathan Marsh, of Hartford. Abraham Kellogg, Sr.. was the son of ("apt. Isaac and Mary (Webster) Kellogg. The latter was born May 31, [697, and she was the daughter of Joseph and Mary (Judd) Webster. Capt. [saac Kellogg was born in Hartford. Connecticut. January 17, 1(11)7. lie was the first representative from that town to the Connecticut Assembly, and was elected to that office twenty-three times. IK' was captain of the fourth Company, of the Train Hand, lie was distinguished for piety, good judgment, firmness and ability as a magistrate. I lis descendants are now a small nation, (.'apt. Isaac Kellogg' s father, Deacon Samuel Kellogg, was born in Dudley, September 28, [662, and he married Sarah Merrill, daughter of Deacon John and Sarah (Watson) Merrill, of Hartford. Deacon Samuel Kellogg's father. Lieut. Joseph Kellogg, was baptized in Great Leighs, England, April 1. [626. He came to America among the early settlers and lived at Farmington, Connecticut, in [651, In [659 be bought, lor seven hundred dollars, a tract of 'and, now covered in part In the Advertiser building in Boston, which is now worth more than one hundred dollars per square foot. He was a pioneer in several towns, and was twenty-nine years in military service, heir,- a lieutenant in a military company, ami was in command at some famous fights with the Indians, lie was the son of Martin Kellogg, of Lights, Braintree, England, a weaver by profession. His father was Phillip Kellogg, son of Thomas and grandson of Nicholas, of Dehden, in Essex.

George Olney Kellogg, the immediate subject of tin- -ketch, grew manhood in New York state, on a farm. When about twenty year- old he began cheese making, which he followed for a number of years. In [885 he bought a cheese factory in the town of Westmoreland and went into the ! u ness for himself, continuing there until the end oi thi year [888, and the first of January, [889, he came to Whitewater. Walworth county, Wisconsin, and the first of \pril went to Grant county, tin- state, where he boughl a cheese factory, remaining there until the fall of [892, then returned to Whitewater and engaged in farming and gardening near that city until [896. In [897 he came to Elkhorn to take a position a- deputy sheriff and turnkey, serving under F. A. McMillen, also under Seth II. Hollister, remaining in tin- office foui years. Later he was an assistant at the count) farm for two years. In [903 he returned to Elkhorn, ami became deputy clerk under T. R. Morgan and served a- deputy until October 1. 1005. at which time Mr. Morgan died, and the subject was appointed clerk to till out the unexpired term, lie wa- elected I', that office in [906, and re-elected in [908, and wa- elected for a third term iii 1910, and i- -till holding the office of clerk of the circuit court. While serving as deputy in that office he was also city marshal of Elkhorn

Politically, Mr. Kellogg is a loyal Republican, and he take- much interest in pubh'c affair-, although he ha- never claimed to he a politician, and he is always found willing to do in- part in the count) organization and. in fact, in furthering any movement looking to the general public weal. \- a publi< - cial his career ha- been highly commendable and ha- elicited the praise oi all concerned, irrespective of party alignment.

Mr. Kellogg wa- married in [889 to Margaret Barns, daughter of Syl \e-ter and Cornelia Celestia 1 Parker) Barns. Her death occurred in Wh water, March 13, 181 | »on, \nio-, who wa- horn November 15.

Purdy, daughter of Perry Lewis and Esther Win 1 Wilcox 1 Purdy. She v horn in the town of Lyon-, between Lyons and Springfield. Her father was from Delaware county. New York, and her mother i- -till living, making her home with Mr. and Mrs. Kellogg. A sketch of Thomas II. Wilcox and family appears on another page of tl is work.

Mr. Kellogg is a Mason, belonging to the blue lodge, chapter and council, and is a Knight Templar. He and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star, as is also Mrs. Kellogg's mother. Religiously, the Kellogg family belong to the Episcopal church and are faithful supporters of the same.

Arthur Clohisy

The name of Arthur Clohisy, of Elkhorn, is deeply engraved on the pages of Walworth county's history, for through many years he has been an important factor in professional and political life, ranking among the leading legal lights of the local bar. Absolute capability often exists in special instances, but is never brought into the clear light of the utilitarian and practical life. Hope is of the valley, while effort stands upon the mountain top, so that personal advancement comes not to the one who hopes alone, but to the one whose hope and faith are those of action. Thus is determined the full measure of success to one who has struggled under disadvantageous circumstances, and the prostrate mediocrity to another whose ability has been as great and opportunities wider. Then we may well hold in high regard the results of individual effort and personal accomplishment, for cause and effect here maintain their functions in full force. The splendid success which has come t.i Mr. Clohisy is directly traceable to the salient points of his character.

.Mr. Clohisy is a native of East Troy township, this count)', and here he has spent his life. He is the son of Mathew and Bridget Clohisy, natives of Ireland, from which country they emigrated to the United States when young, and after their marriage established the family home in Walworth county, Wisconsin, becoming the owners of eighty acres of land. The father died economy and perseverance she kept the family together and reared them in comforf ami respectability. John is now a druggist in Mukwonago, Wisconsin; Daniel, Matthew and [Catherine reside at Eagle, Wisconsin; and Arthur of this sketch. The death of the mother occurred in 1SS5. and the "Id homestead is still the undivided property of the children.

Arthur Clohisy was reared on the home farm, where he began working in the fields when quite young. He received his primary education in the district schools and the village schools at Mukwonago, later attended the Whitewater Normal School, lie then learned telegraphy, at which he worked for snme lime, saving nn >nc\ enough to defra\ his expenses at Marquette College,

Milwaukee. After spending a year in that institution, he was compelled to give up his studies owing to failing health. He subsequentl) entered the Universit) of Wisconsin, where he made an excellent record, and was graduated from the law department with the class of [894,

Thus well equipped for his chosen life work, Mr. Closhisy entered upon his career, first spending a short time in a law office in Milwaukee, then, in 1895, he returned to Walworth county and opened a law office in Elkhorn, where he has continued in the practice to the present time, being in partnership for a short time with David Agnew, but he has continued alone the major part of the time. He was successful from the first and has buill up a large and growing clientele, and i- known as a painstaking, alert and able lawyer, keeping fully abreast of the times in all that pertains to liis profession and taking high rank among In- professional brethren in southern Wisconsin.

Politically, .Mr. Clohis) is a Republican and ha- been active in part) affairs ever since coming to Elkhorn. lie was comity commissioner one term, and was city attorney for three year-; lie was tor some time justice of the peace, tilling this office in a manner that reflected much credit upon him self and to the eminent satisfaction of all concerned, In- decisions being characterized b) fairness to all parties, a deep insight into the principle- of juris prudence and they seldom met with reversal at the hand- of a higher tribunal.

We are glad to give John '1'. Jennings, one of the successful young busi tie-- men of Walworth county, a place in this work along with oilier enterprising citizen.-, for he ha- led an active and praiseworthy career. lie is a member of the well known firm of Kohn & Jennings in Lake < leneva. I le wain in Fayette, Wisconsin, on December to, [867, and he 1- the son of John C. and Katherine Jennings. Both parent- wen- born and reared in England, the father in Cornwall and the mother in Brighton. Earl) in life the) wen! to Australia and thi md married. Later they went hack to I ngland,

John T . of this review, wa- born and reared, and there they became very comfortal.lv established. The father'- death occurred there on Octobei 11. MM 1. at the advanced age of eighty-tv The mother survives and

When John T. Jennings was twenty years old, having grown up on the home farm and made himself useful during the crop seasons there, attending the local schools in the wintertime, he went to Darlington and began life for himself by clerking in a general store, remaining there six and one-half years. during which time he mastered the ins and outs of the business, and then went to Beloit, remaining there in the Golden Eagle Clothing Store for six months. He then came to Lake Geneva, Walworth county, where he worked in the clothing, dry goods and shoe store of O. C. Colby & Company for five and one-half years, in the men's shoes and clothing department, giving his usual high grade service and satisfaction.

.Mr. Jennings formed a partnership with Lawrence C. Kohn, in 1901, and entered the business for themselves in Lake Geneva, under the firm name of Kohn & Jennings, and they have continued together ever since, building up a large and constantly growing trade with the surrounding country. They have a neat and well arranged store, carefully stocked with up-to-date goods.

Besides his store, Mr. Jennings has investments in some other enterprises, and he has met with encouraging success in whatever he has turned his attention to. Like his partner, he started on his own resources and forged to the front by his indomitable courage.

Mr. Jennings was married on May 10. 1899, l" Alda Hunter, of Richmond, Illinois, the daughter of Robert Hunter and wife. The subject is a member of the Masonic order, both the blue lodge and the chapter, also the Knights of Pythias, having been a member of the latter for the past twenty years.

The United States can boast of no better or more law-abiding class of citizens than the great number of Germans who have found homes within her borders and whom this country is always ready to welcome to its shores. There have come to this country from the fatherland and other alien lands men with limited financial resources but imbued with a sturdy independence and a laudable ambition to succeed, and who have taken advantage of the wonderful possibilities afforded here. Gradually, step by step, they have risen to place- of prominence in various lines of activity. Of these there can be none mentioned who deserves more favorable attention than the gentleman whose name opens this biographical sketch and who has for many years been an honored and industrious resident of Walworth county where be is well known and highly esteemed for his main commendable characteristics.

John Kohn was born at Rhine-Hessen, near Mam/, in the province of Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, on February 2, (835, and he is the son oi George and Katherine I Hebi) | Kohn, natives oi Germany. Their son, John, of this review, grew to maturity and received his education in his native land and remained there until 1S55 when he emigrated to the United Slate- and stopped in Chicago, but took up his residence in Proviso, a small town in l ool county, where he worked at the carpenter's trade. \tter remaining there about a year lie went to Chicago and spent six months, then returned to Proand that was his home during the next eight years, during which time he followed the carpenter- trade.

emigrating to America when about twenty-one or twenty-two years of age. She had a sister and hmther-indaw at Proviso, Illinois, and she came there and made her home with them. About [865 Mr. and Mr-. Kohn moved to Chicago where they spent about ten years, engaged in the milk business, and during their residence there the big lire occurred. Besides the milk business they had rental property, several apartment houses, and after the lire a cheaper class of tenants filled the section of the city in which they were living and as a result property values were so depreciated that Mr. Kohn traded hi- property for a farm near Ringwood, McHenrj county, and soon moved thereto and in farming for three yen- [n [880 he moved to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, -old hi- farm and bought the old Union house on Broad street, south of the railroad. He changed the name of th igle hotel, of the most popular hotel- in this famous resort region, finally turning 1; to the management of his sons and retii 1 business, moving to hi- home at the end of Geneva Street, lie afterward- bought a farm of two hill acres, the Murphy place in Linn town-hip. Walworth county, lie imp the farm. tantial new buildings and -old ii to John Murphy He accumulated a competency, being a man of keen discernment, sound judgment and up-to-date in his method-, at the same time living daily by th Rule.

Twelve children have been horn to Mr. and Mr-. Kohn. -i\ of whom died in infancy; those who grew up were; Phillip, who i- in business where hifather first started in Lake Geneva; he married Hattie Shieke and they have three children. |ohn. who was in partnership with Philip in the hotel busi- ness, died December 15, 1909. after a very sudden illness, leaving a wife and five children. Lawrence, who is in the firm of Kohn & Jennings, clothiers, of Lake Geneva, married Minnie Dopke and they have three children: her parents were earlv settlers of the vicinity of Elkhorn and Mrs. Dopke is now living in Lake Geneva. Minnie, Mr. Kohn's fourth child, is at home with her parents. Emma married Michael Quincannon, son of an old family who settled near Lake Geneva many years ago. She now lives in Chicago where Mr. Quincannon is a salesman for a wholesale grocery: they have two children. Tillie Kohn married Ernest G. Host, who is in the meat business in Lake Geneva, and enjoys a large trade: they have three children: his people are old settlers in Walworth county.

Fraternally, Mr. Kohn is a Mason of many years standing. He has a beautiful home and is there spending his declining years in quiet, surrounded by the blessings of life as a result of his former years of thrift. He has never been a public man, preferring to lead a conservative life, being a home loving man.

August Frederick Desixg

The farmer is not the only necessary factor in a community. His presence is. of course, important, but so is that of the miller, the store-keeper and the blacksmith, all having been necessary since the first settlement. At first the old mills were run by water-power and in very slow time, then steam came into use and wheat was converted more quickly into our flour and the great logs faster into lumber; the first merchants kept their little stock of general merchandise in a rude building of logs, now the elegant department store is found almost in every town; the early-day blacksmith, like the brawny-armed Vulcan in Longfellow's poem, stood "under a spreading chestnut tree," - now we find him in a convenient building, equipped with every improved appliance to make his labor easier and bis work more efficient. August Charles Desing, of Elkhorn, knows both the old and modern wa\ of blacksmithing, this having been hi> life work, and he is todaj one of the best known blacksmiths and wagonmakers in this section of the state, manufacturing the famous "Center" wagon. which, owing to its superior qualities, has ever found a. very ready market.

Mr. Desing was born in Brunu, Mccklcnburg-Strelitz. Germany, December to. 1858, and is the son of John and W'ilbelmina (Wilk) Desing, lie was five years old when the Family emigrated to the United States in the fall of [863. Alter spending about six months in Youngstown, Ohio, they came on to Walworth count\. Wisconsin, locating in Spring Prairie township, where the father bought a farm, having first worked oul for wages until lie could buy land of his own. Later he bought a farm in North Geneva at the edge of Lafayette township, the place lying in both townships, and tin-- was the family home for about fort) years, they having become well established here through their industry. A complete sketch of John Desing appear- on am 'tlier page i »f this work.

August C. Desing grew to maturitj on the home farm here where he remained until he was eighteen years of age, then began in [879 as an appren tice in the blacksmith trade, serving three years, then worked a yeai a: journe) man in Chicago. Returning to this county, he boughl the shop of a Mr. Livingston at Elkhorn on Ma) 4. [883, and he has remained here to the present time, having been in business in Elkhorn a- long as an) others in tinline, and his -hup. which stands exactly in the center of the county, is widel) known and has been extensively patronized foi over three decade-, main of his best patrons coming from remote sections of the county, for they know they will receive prompt ami high grade service. In October, [886, Mr. I >es'ing's sb ip « as destn lyed by fire. He - " in rebuilt it 1 in a much lai ger plan and equipped it with up-to-date apparatus, lie had already added wagonmaking t<> in- blacksmithing, and named his product the "Center Wagon," by virtue of the fact that it was made in the center of the county. lie has COn tinned the business ever since, with ever-increasing prosperity ami success. A year or two after the fire he took as a partner 1 1 Gaylord, who was with him for a period of eleven year-. Since then the subjeel has continued alone. Mr. Desing has long taken much interesl in public affairs, and has ably served the people as alderman, trustee and supervisor of Elkhorn f..r a number of years, about eighteen term-, always with eminent satisfaction to all con cerned. He was the first alderman elected in Elkhorn and for main years he was an influential member <>\ the city council. When the city adopted the commission plan ig the light and water plain he was a member of that commission fur several years. In 1911 In- was appointed a member of the hoard of education, and 1- -nil on the same Having been one of the older members of the cit) governing todies, much responsibility was laid mi his shoulders, he having been usually at the head of important committees, and -nme times much depended upon hi- action, a- in the case of the settlemenl the light plant qi but he ha- ever been a man of sound judgment, w

Mr. Desing was married on July 5, 1883, to Nettie Bauermann, daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Martin) Bauermann. She was born and reared in Elkhorn. Her parents were natives of Germany and spent their early lives in the valley of the Rhine, from which they emigrated to the United States and located in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, about i860. During the progress of the Civil war Mr. Bauermann engaged in the shoemaking business here, when shoemakers made shoes to order from actual measurements, as tailors now make clothes.

Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Desing, one of win mi. Nettie, the eldest, died when three and one-half years old; the others are living and named as follows: Lillian, Arthur, Gertrude, George, Rena. Orma, Alene, Ililmer and Marjorie.

Mr. Desing and family belong to the Lutheran church, of which he has been a worthy member ever since he was fourteen years old. and he has been a liberal supporter of the same. He stands high as a citizen and business man and has a wide acquaintance throughout the county.

Edmund Decatur Denison

The life history of Edmund Decatur Denison, formerly superintendent of the Lake Geneva public schools, is well worth emulation by the youth who hesitates at the parting of the ways. As a teacher he has met with merited success and in his capacity of principal his record presents a series of successes and advancements such as few attain. He pursued his chosen calling with all the interest of an enthusiast, is thoroughly in harmony with the spirit of the work and has a proper conception of the dignity of the profession to which his life and energies were so unselfishly devoted. I le is now engaged in business.

Mr. Denison was born June 30, 1872, at Hanna, Indiana. He is the son of George S. and Aurilla A. 1 Blackman) Denison, the father a native of Ohio. The family came originally from England in 1631 and settled at Roxbury, Massachusetts, the first of the immigrants being William Denison, and from his son George is descended the present Denison family, members of which have been more or less prominent in various walks of life. George Denison returned to England and took part in the wars under Cromwell. He was wounded at the battle of Naseby and was taken to the home of a Mr. Borodell and nursed by his daughter Ann, with whom he fell in low and they were married. He returned to America and settled in Connecticut. It is a matter of history that he was me exception the most conspicuous and daring soldier of New London county. He bore the rank of captain and was called the Miles Standish of the settlement. < Ine of his descendants, James I »< - was a direct ancestor of the subject of this sketch. He was a captain in the Revolutionary war and he died of smallpox while in the service.

of that state and the daughter of Hiram and Clarissa ( Darrow I Blackman, who came from Ohio at the time of the Mormon movement to Nauvoo, Illinois, but after reaching that place they left the Mormons and went to LaPorte county. Indiana, and established their home there. < .< orge S I >enison came to Indiana with his parents and when the Civil war came on he enlisted in the Union army and served through the same, being chief musician in the Twentieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry during the early pan of the war and later in the Eighty-seventh Indiana Infantry. In 1865 he settled at llanna. Indiana. and was living there when he married. His family consisted of two sons and two daughters, namely : George H., now of Columbus, Indiana; Esther, wife of Thomas Richardson, of Hanna. Indiana; Agnes lives at llanna with her father; Edmund D., of this sketch.

schools, preparing for college at the Academy of Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, and there he lati ded Northwestern University, from which he was graduated in 1899. In the fall of that year he came to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and took a position as instructor in the high school. In January, 1902. he went to Negaunee, Michigan, as principal of the high school. For one term, in 1902 and njrrj, he was principal of the Ripon College \cademv. From 1903 to 1905 he engaged in the flour and feed bus at Lake Geneva in partnership with Warren E. Hurt. .11 and E. Davidson In 1905 he entered the high school in Lake Geneva as in I and of schools of Lake Geneva, which position he held until 1911, when he resigned to give his entire attention to business, in which he is making a pro nounced success.

another year of successful work this week. The teachers and the pupils have been faithful in their efforts to make the most of their time and opportunities and the success of the year has been largely due to the spirit of loyalty and the general interest manifest on the part of all concerned. Our schools have been very fortunate in having a corps of earnest, efficient teachers, and the work of our superintendent, Mr. E. D. Denison, has been zealous and painstaking. He has worked to place the school on the higher plane, all the accredited lists, and he has succeeded so that now there are no better schools in the state. The fact that he has decided to sever his connection with our school is one of general regret, lightened only by the fact that his influence for good upon the pupils will continue to bear fruit in the future and their lives may be blessed thereby."

Mr. Denison was married in 1904 to Bonnie Burton, daughter of John E. Burton, of Lake Geneva and one of the prominent citizens of this section of the state. His sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Denison attended the University of Wisconsin and also spent two years at the Chicago Art Institute. She has a pronounced talent as an artist, and her works have well repaid her in a financial way. She is a lady of culture and refinement and a favorite in social circles. To Mr. and Mrs. Denison two children have been born, George Edmund and Alice Delphine.

Mr. Denison is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being a member of the commandery at Delavan. He and his wife belong to the Congregational church at Lake Geneva.

Thomas H. Wilcox

An honored veteran of the Civil war and an esteemed citizen of Walworth county is Thomas II. Wilcox, a man who ha-- established a reputation for industry, honesty, prudence and public spirit such as few of his contemporaries have attained; a man of well defined purpose, he has not failed to carry to successful completion any work or enterprise to which he ha- addressed himself.

Mr. Wilcox was horn in Morristow 11. New York, March 4. [845. Me is the -on of Alonzo C. and Matilda 1 Stanton) Wilcox, the latter born at Fairfield, New York, and was the- daughter of Elijah Stanton and wife, the former horn in Preston. Connecticut, in 1754. When fourteen years old he enlisted in the colonial army and served through the Revolutionary war, and. for a time he was the body servant of George Washington, lie was captured h\ the British, and was one of the unfortunates who suffered the hor- rors of the prison-ship, "Jersey," where he contracted the small-pox. Elijah Stanton and his fellow prisoners wore reduced to the necessity of feeding upon the vermin picked from their bodies, ^fter the war he settled near Little Falls, Herkimer county, New York. In 1791 he married Lucy Goodel, daughter of Abijah Goodell, of Long tsland. She was born in [760 and her death occurred in 1832. Their home was in Fairfield, Herkimer county, New York, where their daughter. Matilda, was born, and there she lived until after her marriage to Alonzo C. Wilcox. Three children were born of their marriage, Esther Ann. now widow of Lewis Week-, of Elkhorn; Margaret Imanda, wife of George F. Bresee, lived in Lyons until her death, September 29, [903; Thomas H.. the immediate subject of this review.

The Stanton family has been traced back to Thomas Stanton, of Longbridge, Warwick county, England, in 1450. and from him in an unbroken line of descendants to the fifth generation. Thomas Stanton, born in Warwick county. England, in [616, left London in [635 in the merchant ship "Bonaventura" for Boston, by way of Virginia. He learned the Indian languages, was a magistrate at Boston verj soon after locating there and was long an invaluable aid to the authorities as interpreter to the Indians. He was a safe counselor in difficulties with the red men. and in all land questions. He served through the Pequod Indian war and was specially mentioned for bravery. He was among the very earliest settlers of Hartford, and his name appears in the earl} public records there over sixtj times. He finally moved t" Stonington before there was a village by that name, and there he also became active in public affairs and with the Indian-. He served several terms in the General Assembly of Connecticut. The death of Elijah Stanton occurred in [847 at the advanced age of ninety-three years, his wife having preceded him to the grave in [832.

Alonzo C. Wilcox emigrated to Wisconsin in [844 and bought the west half of the southwest quarter of section 9, Hudson 1 now Lyons) township, Walworth county, and in 1S45 he moved his family here, which remained their home as long as he lived. He finally added a little more land to his original purchase and he devoted his life to farming. His death occurred on I fctober 5, [891, his being the onl) death on thai farm in sixty-five years, although at times two families lived together there. The death of In- wife occurred on November 6, [887.

Thomas 1 1. Wilcox grew to manhood on the home farm and there worked during his boyhood days. When the Civil war came on. he enlisted "ii Febru ary 20, [862, in the Ninth Wisconsin Battery, Light Vrtillery. lie was in orado and other part- of the West fighting against the Indian- most of the time, serving in New Mexico, Kansas and Missouri, remaining in the service three years. He was never in the guard house or the hospital. He was only seventeen years old when he enlisted, but he made a most faithful and efficient soldier, according to his comrades. A tier being honorably discharged lie returned to tlic home farm.

.Mr. Wilcox was married on July J. [879, to Phoebe Travis, daughter of Nathaniel 1. and Julia (Griffin) Travis. She was horn in Lyons township, this county. November 21, 1851. and lived there on her father's farm until her marriage. Her parents came here from Genesee county. New York. Her mother was born on October 27, 181 1, in Dutchess county, New York, and was the daughter of Charles and Martha (Taylor) Griffin. She moved with her parents to Oneida county. New York, in [823, and to Genesee county, that state, in 1831. Xathaniel 1. Trau^ was horn on May 23, 1814, was married on January 26, 1841, and he came to Lyons. Wisconsin, in 1850. buying a farm in the northeast quarter of section 17, Lyons township, Walworth county, very near the Wilcox home. Mrs. Wilcox was one of six children, named as follows: Martha, unmarried, died when twenty-three years old: Hannah died in [850, when seven years old; Francis, who was in the Civil war with Mr. Wilcox, married Olive W'aile. October 6, 1808. and had six children; his death occurred November 1. [901, when lift} -six years old. his birth having occurred December 31. 1845, in Genesee county. New York ; Adelbert, born May 22, 1849, ''ves nl Elkhorn; Phoebe is the wife of Mr. Wilcox; Gilbert T., born February 5. 1855. lives on the home farm.

Adelbert Travis married Mary Kinnej on September 7. 1870: she was horn in August, i84<). and died July 6, [894; the) hail these children: Martha J., horn November i_\ [874, died December 28, 1875; Ira B.. born Wigust [8, 1877. died February 1. [899; Julia X., horn February 6, [880, married Richard Patton, and she lives in Lake Geneva; Bert 11., born September 25, 1887, lives in Elkhorn; Emerj S. Travis, born November 26, 1801. also lives in Elkhorn. Adelbert Travis was twice married, espousing Lucia Ranny on September 1 7. 1895.

Julia Travis, daughter of Adelbert, married Richard Patton and the> have one son, Reginald. Mrs. Harriet Blanke, daughter of Gilbert Travis, has two children. Wallace and Frank.

Milton Travis, son of Francis Travis, ha- these children: Mazelle M., Thelma E., Clive Xorris. Ainslie. Willett's children are. Mildred M.. Margaret B.. Frank Gilbert and Ruth Winifred. D\\ e ildren are. Gerald Dwight. Irma Laura. Richard Frank, Bernice Olive and Clarma Lucile (the latter dying on July 5, 1908), Robert Emerson, Geneva Eleanor (als ceased). Mabel, wife of Richard Spiegelhoff, of Lyons, has two children. Ray Donald and Olive Blanche.

After his marriage Thomas H. Will lis -ketch, farmed the homestead for mam- years. He bought adjoining land until he had one hundred and thirty-one acre- which he placed under high grade impro \t ternally, he belongs to Burlington Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, and Elkhorn Chapter. Mr. Wilcox has traveled extensively in America, both in the East and West, and has attended many national reunions of the Grand Army of the Republic.

Smith Baker Morrison

Fealty to facts in the analyzation of the character of a citizen of the type of Smith Baker Morrison, of Elkhorn, Walworth county, is all that is required to make a biographical sketch interesting to those who have at heart the good name of the community, because it is the honorable reputation of the man of standing and affairs, more than any other consideration, that gives character and stability to the body politic and makes the true glory of a city or state revered at home and respected in other and distant localities. In the broad light which things of good report ever invite, the name and character of Mr. Morrison stand revealed and secure and, though of modest demeanor, with no ambition to distinguish himself in public position or as a leader of men. his career has been signally honorable and it may be studied with profit by the youth entering upon his life work. He is regarded as one of the most expert abstractors this county has ever produced, - in fact, his life record shows that he has always advocated doing right whatever was worth doing at all.

Mr. Morrison was born at Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, on April 1 i . 1 858. He is the son of Joseph F. and Mary M. (McPherson) Morrison. The latter was born in Oneida county, New York, and she came to Fort Atkinson, this state, with her parents, John McPherson and wife, when young in years. Her father traded a forty-acre farm in Oneida county, New York, for one thousand acres near hurt Atkinson, Wisconsin. His friends in New York thought he was badly worsted in the deal, but when his Wisconsin land had been developed n was \ er\ valuable and is today worth a very large sum.

Joseph F. Morrison came west with his parents from Colerain. Massachusetts, when he was a buy, locating at Fort Atkinson in the early days, his father having entered land from the government in that vicinity.

Smith IS. Morrison, of this sketch, grew up on the home farm, which, being new land, furnished plenty of work for him, when he became of proper igi and all the resl of the family, for developing a farm from the wild woods of the Badger state was nol a task of weaklings, lie grew to maturity at fort \tkinson and there he received his education, graduating from the high school at Fori Atkinson, lie began life for himself by teaching school, in which lie engaged in various parts of the county from the age of seventeen to abandoned the school room and purchased his father's farm, which he operated successfully for twelve years, keeping it well improved and well cultivated. Then he came to Walworth county and resumed teaching, having charge of the school at Darien for a year. He then spent a year in a hard ware store in Elkhorn.

Observing a good field for the abstract business in this county, Mr. Morrison purchased a set of book- in [898 at Elkhorn and this he has continued to the present time, having met with great success and building up a very wide patronage. He succeeded Samuel Breese, Jr.. in this business. To this he has added insurance and has a large business in this line also. He is known for his painstaking care, accuracy, untiring perseverance and his obliging, genial nature, which renders him popular with the masses.

Mr. Morrison was married on December t8, [879, to Alice F. Mack, daughter of t i. lkuk and, wife. To this union two daughters have been born, namely: Ethel, wife of Oscar I.. Heinze, lives in Milwaukee, and has one daughter. Norma Jean: Mabel is at home with her parent-, and 1- now attending Stout Institute of Domestic Science at Menominee.

Mr. and Mrs. Morrison belong to the Congregational church. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic order and his wife belongs to the ( trder of the Eastern Star.

one of the popular and successful attorneys of this section oi the I state, can understand how thoroughly nature and training, habits of thought and action have enabled him to accomplish his life work and made him a lit representative of the enterprising class of professional people to which he helongs. He is a fine type of the sturdy, conscientious, progressive \m. of today - a man who unite- a high order with courage, p

Mr. Burdick was born in Linn township, this county, on March 4. 1864, and 1- the son of Charles Herbert Burdick and Almina Maria 1 Baile) 1 Bur dick. The father was born at West Edmiston, near the line between ' II and Madison counties, New York, and when four years of age he came to

Walworth count}', Wisconsin, with his parents, Solomon Champlin Burdick and Martha M. ( Crandall ) Burdick. Solomon C. Burdick was born near Westerly. Rhode Island. His ancestors had emigrated to that state about 1750 from England. Solomon was the son of Joseph Burdick. Joseph and his brothers moved to the state of New York and located in different sections of the same.

The Burdicks came from the East by way of the Great Lakes to Southport (now Kenosha), thence to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, only three years after the village had been platted. They purchased a farm in the northwestern part of section 29, Linn township, and there established a good home which they occupied for many years. Solomon Burdick was a cabinet-maker by trade and he left much of the farming to his sons in order to follow his trade. His death occurred about June 29. [890, at the age of seventy-nine years, leaving three daughters and three sons, namely: Asbury Russell, Charles Herbert, Byron Henry: Mary, who married first Clark Burdick and afterward Morris Millard; Ordelia, who married James Smith, now lives in Lake Geneva; Elicia Delphine, who first married George Williams, then Jacob Wahl.

- Charles H. Burdick grew up on the home farm. He was married on June 4, 1861, to Almina Maria Bailey, daughter of Kiah and Emily (Ward) Bailey. She was born in Hardwick, Vermont, and she accompanied her parents to Walworth county, Wisconsin, about 1844. They located in section 1. Walworth township, near Williams Bay and the Observatory, and there made their permanent home. The Bailey ancestry is traced back to Richard Bailey. who came from England in [636 and settled in Massachusetts and built the first cloth mill in America.

< liarles 1 1. Burdick enlisted on June 8, [863, in Company F, Fourth Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry, as a recruit. His brother Russell served in this compan) from April, [861, to after the close of the war. The former saw considerable active service in raids and campaigns. He was honorably discharged and returned home in [865, and he made his home for seven years at Walworth, alternating cabinet-making and farming. He came to Lake Geneva in [874 and assisted his father in a cabinet shop until failing health undermined his strength and he gave it up. He then turned his attention to newspaper work and, in partnership with J. X. Burton, established the Lake Geneva News. It was printed at Elgin and for several months they ran it as a dail) ; in the fall it was changed to a weekly and was printed in Lake Geneva. Mr. Burdick was also local correspondent for a number of large dailies and for a time he was local editor of thi >rn Independent, I le gave up corresponding for the press about [894 and spenl a year in Utah for his health, and subse quently engaged in die real estate and insurance business, which he continued successfully up to the time of his death. February 21, [903. Politically, he was a Republican, and was city clerk for two terms.

Wendell Herbert died when thirteen year- old; Hugh Abram. of this sketch; Emma Dell Elizabeth married Charles F. Hill, principal of the Eas1 Side school in Whitewater and is teaching manual training; Martha Afloine married Joseph J. Bransby, superintendent of manual training in the New Trear school at Kenilworth, near Chicago; Ralph Ma/en is an osteopath physician at Tonopah, Nevada; Paul Champlin lives in Ogden, Utah, where he is employed as inspector of the Tclluride power plant; \letha died in infancy.

The first ten years of the life of Hugh A. Burdick were spent on the farms of his grandfathers in Linn and Walwort to n lip He also spent a year in Utah, but the rest of his life has been spent in Lake Geneva, in which city he attended high school, from which he was graduated. Then he entered the law i ci of John B. Simmons, and he also did a great deal of studying at home, in fact, he is a student by nature and has continued to apply himself isly to books, especially such as apply to his profession. He was ad mitted to practice law on June 4. [889, hut he did not begin active practice at once, having traveled for about two years in the employ of the Edward Thompson Publishing Company, publishers of law books He then took up the practice of his profession in the city of Lake Geneva, and here he has since remained, having built up a large and lucrative practice and taking a high rank among the best attorneys of this section of the stale. He has kepi well abreast of the times in all that pertains to his profession ami has a reputation for being an earnest, accurate, painstaking and trustworthy advocate and conn selor, and in the trial of cases he is alert, cautious and a strong pleader In December. [896, be was admitted to practice in the irl of I tab.

Politically. .Mr. Burdick i~ a Republican ami he has long been an influential factor in local party affairs, lb -eric.' ui as ju | the peace and hi tion was urged, but hi une district attorn which office he held for I ITS lb- was alderman for in the city of Lake Gene a; for thi he was a member of thi ird, and he is at present a member of the wati I Ks a public servant he has discharged hi I able man ner. winning the confidence and hearty approval of party alignment, but - irs his h .nal dutii rendered it impossible for him to devote much time to public affairs. In 1909 he was appointed public administrator by Judge Lyon, and he has been quite efficient in collecting back taxes.

On June 4, 1896, occurred the marriage of Mr. Burdick and Grace Elizabeth Downing, daughter of John and Nancy Emily (Lewis) Downing. Her mother's ancestry can be traced back through their residence in Indiana and to Carolina. She was born in Rockford, Illinois, where her grandfather Lewis settled in 1838 when the country was new. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Burdick, namely: Glydewell Bailey, Hugh Lewis and Almina Emily.

Mr. and Mrs. Burdick belong to the Congregational church. They have a pleasant home which is a favorite gathering place for their many friends.

Frederick E. Wormood

Holding distinctive prestige among the enterprising citizens of Walworth county is Frederick E. Wormood, the popular and efficient cashier of the Farmers National Bank, of Lake Geneva, whose record, here briefly outlined, is that of a self-made man who, by the exercise of the talents with which nature endowed him, has successfully surmounted an unfavorable environment and risen to the position he now occupies as one of the influential young business men of the locality. He is a creditable representative of one of the old and highly esteemed families of Wisconsin, and possesses many of the admirable qualities and characteristics of the sturdy people ui the old Empire Mate, from which his ancestors came.

Mr. Wormood was born in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, November 10, 1879. He is the son of Norman N. and Anna E. (Smith) Wormood, both natives of Onondaga county, New York, and there they grew up. were educated and married there, each representing excellent old families. The father was of English descent ami was the son of Peter Wormood, who was born in the year iSoo, and In-- father's mother was descended from Governor Bradford, of the Pilgrims who came over mi the "Mayflower."

Norman X. Wormood and wife came to Lake Geneva in [876 and established the family home here. The father has been a machinist, working at bis trade up t" 1007, ami be now makes bis home near Syracuse. Xew York. IMs family consisted of six children, named as follows: William died when

Frederick E. Wormood grew to manhood in Lake Geneva and here he received his education in the publii schools and the high school. He began lire for himself by clerking in the Lake Geneva postoffice, where he rema six years. On August u. [901, he accepted a position in the Farmers National Bank as bookkeeper. I le did his work well and in March. [908, h< made assistant cashier, and J. Leu Gavin took the place madi acant by the subject's promotion. When E. I). Richardson, the cashier, resigned in Novem ber, 1911, Mr. Wormood, having given the utmos! satisfaction a- his assistant, was elected to the position of cashier, the duties Hi' which he is still discharging in a manner that retlects much credit upon himself and to the entire satisfaction of the stockholders and patrons of the hank.

Mr. Wormood was married on June 6, C906, to Mary E. Brady, daughter of Charles Brady and wife, a highly respected Walworth county family. Mis. Wormood was hum a short distance west of Lake < ieneva, where her parents still reside, and there she grew to womanhood and was educated 111 the local schools. Mr. and Mrs. Wormood have one son, Frederick, Jr., whose birth occurred on November u. on 17.

Phillip Ii. Kohn

Perhaps no hotel man in Walworth county is more wideh known than Phillip ll. i\ohn. of Lake Gem a, his attractive and comfortable place there being popular with the traveling public, who has i ind Mr. Kohn an

Phillip II. Kohn remained with his parents in Chicago until h( eleven years old, when, in [877, they moved to Ringwood, locating on a farm where the family remained about threi removing from there to

Geneva on January 6, 1881. Among their earliest experiences here was the great snow storm when for nearly a week all communication with the outside world was shut off; trains were blockaded in the snow and the citizens traveled over the tops of fences and the snow shoveled off the sidewalks made a ridge so high that teams in the streets were obscured from view. Here the father purchased the Northwestern hotel, and Phillip H. grew up in the business. The hotel and saloon were both owned by the elder Kohn, remaining under his management until 1891, when Phillip H. and his brother, John R., who died in 1909, took charge of the business which they conducted successfully until 1 901, in which year the two brothers leased the hotel part to George Wheeler, and retired from the active management of the hotel, but they continued to run the saloon together until the death of John R. Kohn, and then Phillip H. continued the business alone. He has been very successful in a financial way.

Phillip H. Kohn was married in 1891 to Hattie Schiche. daughter of William and Amelia ( Jaensch ) Schiche. She was born at Charlottenburg, a suburb of Berlin, Germany. Her father was owner and captain of a boat, and her birth occurred on the boat. Her father died in the old country, after which event Mrs. Kohn and her mother came to America in October, 1887, making a visit to Mrs. Kohn's brother, Charles Schiche, who was already living in Lake Geneva, he having been sick at the time. He died a few weeks later, and here his mother and sister remained with a sister of Mrs. Kohn's mother, Mrs. John Kohn. Here Mrs. Kohn remained and was married to Mr. Kohn in the spring of 1891. and in the fall of that year, her mother died at the hotel.

Three children have been born to Phillip II. Kohn and wife, namely: George I... born July 17, 1893; Philip Gordon, burn May 9, 1897; and Dorotln . horn ( )ctober to, [901.

\h\ Kohn and family belong to the Lutheran church in Lake Geneva. Mr. Kohn was For man) years a member of the Improved < )rder of \<i--t\ Men. and was also active in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, subordinate lodge a I Lake Geneva, the encampment at Delavan, and the Patriarchs Militant at Janesville.

Mr. Kohn is known as a steady-going man of good habits, kind-hearted and fond of home and family. He gives close attention to. his business and enjoys an extensive trade, his place being noted for being well managed and thoroughly orderly and law-abiding. He has the respect and esteem of all w hi - know him.

Biographies should not be published unless there is something in the life and character of the individual worthy of emulation or imitation bj others under the circumstances - certainly not for self-aggrandizement ; but sufficient has been drawn from the life history of the gentleman whose name appears

>ve to .-how that there is something in the inner life of this man worthj oi more than incidental mention. He began life practically at the bottom of the ladder, which he has climbed to the top with no help but a brave heart, industri-

- hands, an intelligent brain, and a faithful life companion, and is a living example of what may be accomplished 1>\ the foreign-born citizen in this republic of the "sundown seas" by thrift arid perseverance, even under discouraging circumstances; and now, as this worthy old German couple pass down the outmost incline of life's rugged pathway, over beyond the cresl hill that mark- the divide between youth and old age, thej rest secure in the respect ami i of all who know them, because of the high ideals and hon

- Inch have actuated and controlled their liv John Desing, for mam years a successful farmer in Lafayette township, Walworth count}-, now living retired in his cozj cottage in Elkhorn, was born in Mecklenburg-Strelitz, not far from Brandenburg, Germany, in 1830. He is the son of Henry and Sophia 1 Wbdrich 1 Desing. Ill- boyhood was spent a- a farm hand and a working man 111 the village of Brun II' was married in 1855 to Wilhelmina Wilk, who was born in Brun, Germany, in 1831. She i- the daughter of Carl and Sophia 1 Kardow) Wilk. and there -In- grew i" womanhood and was married.

John Desing and wife went t" housekeeping at Brun and there con tinued to reside for a period of eight years after their marriage, living on the estate of Henrj von Oerzen, a member of the nobility and tin- owner of an extensive estate. Seeing no hope of bettering their condition, they emigrated

\merica in 1863, and settled at Youngstown, < >hio, but remained there only five months, then came on to Walworth county, Wisconsin, and located in Sugar Creek township, where, in order to get a -tart. Mr worked a- a farm hand, hi- wit', also working for wages The) economized and labored persist ntly and finally rented a farm, ami in 1872 were able to bu faini of one hundred and forty- four acres, forty-four acre- of which la) al< the line of Lafa nship, in Gem a township, the balance, one hundi

Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. John Desing, one of whom died in Germany when ten days old; the three living are, Charles, who is farming in Lafayette township, where he has a farm of his own; he married Lena Koeppen, and they have six children, four daughters and two sons, Arnold, Hulda, Alvina, Alma, Lulu and Merton. August Desing. the next in order of birth, lives in Elkhorn. engaged in business, and a complete sketch of him appears elsewhere ; Minnie married William Koeppen and lives in Williams Bay, where Mr. Koeppen maintains a restaurant; they have three children, William, who is now twenty-four years old, and two daughters, Nettie and Erna.

John Desing and wife moved into Elkhorn in April, 1899. retiring from the active duties of life. They are faithful members of the Lutheran church.

John Agerx

Success has come to John Agern, a worthy citizen of Lake Geneva, liecause he has worked for it along legitimate lines and has dealt honorably with his fellow men all along the line. He is a man who has at heart the interests of his count\- and state, having never cared to spend his days in other than ihe Badger state.

Mr. Agern was born in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, April n, i860. He is the son of Knute and Bertha Agern, both natives of Yalders. Norway, where they grew up and were married, and from there they emigrated to the United States in 1856 and settled at Manitowoc, following farming in that vicinity, and. through their industry and close application, became very comfortably established. Knute Agern met death suddenly bv drowning in the year [862 when Ins John, of this sketch, was a baby. There were six children in this family, namely: Oliver, Carrie, Thomas and Bertha were twins, John and Emma.

After the death of the father of these children the mother married Ole Severson and the subject of this sketch lived with his mother and stepfather until he was fourteen years old, at which age he left home and worked out at farm work, lie found it hard, but the discipline was good and contributed, no doubt, to his later success. When about seventeen years old lie went to Minnesota where he worked on a farm for two years, then spent nearly two years as a traveling salesman for the McCormick Harvester Company. In November, [881, he went to Chicago where he spent the winter, and in [882 he came to Lake I ieneva, Wisconsin, with C. C. Boyles and became foreman of his place along the southeastern shore of Lake Geneva. He remained with Mr. Boyles for a period of twenty-six years, giving the utmosl satisfaction, having been specially fitted for such work. In the fall of [907, .Mr. Agern purchased the Barlow farm from Mr. Boyles and he lived there successfully engaged in genera] farming and stock raising until June, [911. He had lived on the farm all the time Mr. Boyles owned it. Upon the last mentioned date Mr. Agern s 1 farm ami purchased three houses and lots in Lake Geneva, two on Wisconsin streel and .me on ( hester street. He lives in the latter, renting those "ii Wisconsin street which are very desirable dwellings in e\ erj respect.

in the -chools of that city. To Mr. and Mrs. Agern t\\<> children have been born, namely: Bertha Elizabeth and Florence Rosamond. They are both graduates oi the Lake Geneva high school and Bertha E. i- now teaching in the public schools of Linn township. Florence R. has also taught in the same school. The latter married Matthew Patton, superintendent "t~ the E. E. Jones place, along the lake shore, and they live near Burtons Bay.

Mr. Agern is a man of fine physique and the possessor of greal bodil) strength He is a man of frank, genial and generous nature, and of a homeloving disposition. He is a purely self-made man. having started out in life when but a mere lad with no one to assist him, and bj perseverance and grit he has succeeded until todaj he is very comfortably situated.

The office of biography is not to give voice to a man'- modesl estimate of himself and his accomplishments, but rather to have upon the record tinverdict establishing his character bj the consensus of opinion on the pai his neighbors and fellow citizen-. The life of Robert J. Lean, of Gene a township. Walworth. county, has been characterized b) energy, pel and broad charity as well as well defined purpose and 1- therefore well deserving of mention in these pag<

Mr. Lean was born in Cornwall, England, December 30, [852. lie is the son of William and Ann 1 Knight) Lean, who brought him to \n in August, [857. They settled first at Palmyra, Jefferson comity. Wisconsin. where they remained about "'-. then -pent two or thri in Wan- kesha county, moving to Walworth county in 1866, locating on a farm in LaGrange township, and here Robert J. grew to manhood and attended the district schools. His father died here on February 28, 1874, leaving a widow and four children, namely: William J., who lives at Lime Springs, Iowa; Thomas E. lives at Whitewater, this county; Frank died in June, 1874; Robert J., of this review.

Thomas E. and Robert J. Lean worked the home farm together until about 1900, the subject remaining on the home place until 1894, in March of which year he bought a farm of one hundred and seventy-five acres one mile east of Elkhorn, which was known as the "Cedar Lawn Farm," and here he has continued to reside, developing the same into one of the finest farms in this part of the county. Passersby do not fail to notice the well-kept condition of the place, the broad, attractive lawns, the fences, with turned posts nicely painted, the inviting shade trees and shrubbery, the substantial, commodious barn and outbuildings and the cozy home, finished in hard wood and equipped with modern conveniences, such as hot water heat, etc.

Mr. Lean has made somewhat of a specialty of Shropshire sheep, and formerly he raised Durham cattle, but how keeps Holsteins. He keeps well informed on agricultural and stock-raising topics, has many books treating on botb, as well as a carefully selected general library. He has been a good manager and has applied himself closely to his work. He has been a director in the State Bank of Elkhorn ever since it was started, he being one of the organizers, and since January, 191 o, he has been vice-president of the same, discharging the duties of the position in an able and satisfactory manner.

Mr. Lean has long manifested a lively interest in local public affairs, being one of the leaders in the Republican party. He has field various offices in Lagrange township and has been chairman in Geneva township, and was president of tfie Walworth Count)' Agricultural Society in 1892.

On December 10, 1884, Mr. Lean was united in marriage with Lucelia Ann Horton, daughter of Morris and Elizabeth (Frost) Ilorton. tfie father born in England July 12, 1826, and her mother was born March 2^, 1824. Mr. Horton was an early settler in Whitewater, in which cit\ Mrs. I. can was born and was educated.

Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lean, namely: Floyd Horton Lean, born November 2, 1885; Kan Frank Lean, born March 27, 1889; William Harold Lean, born December 14, 18(17. The wife and mother was called to her rest on March 7, 1909.