Biographical Sketches from "History of Washington and Ozaukee
Counties, Wisconsin" for the town of Fredonia

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Copied from "History of Washington and Ozaukee Counties, Wisconsin",
Western Historical Co., 1881

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

Abbreviations
Co      Company or county
W.V.I.  Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry
W.V.A.  Wisconsin Volunteer Artillary    
P.O.    Post Office
W.V.C.  Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry      
st      street

Town of Fredonia

CHRISTIAN BEGER, (deceased), was born in Saxony, Germany, March 3,
1797; was the son of John G. Beger; was a farmer and distiller in the
old country.  He was married in 1819 to Miss Johanna C. Quidsch; nine
children were born to them, two of whom died in infancy; those who
lived to grow up were William, Charles, Theresa, who was the wife of
Charles Rodolph, of Fredonia, and died in 1865, leaving a husband and
seven sons; Wilhelmine, was the wife of Charles G. Meyer, and died in
1864; Mary, now Mrs. Julius Meyer, of Fredonia; Clara, now Mrs.
William F. Young, of Mequon, Ozaukee Co.; the youngest, Herman, is a
farmer of Fredonia.  Mr. Beger and family emigrated to America in
1846, and came directly to Fredonia, Washington Co., now Ozaukee,
arriving in the county in September.  They were obliged to chop out a
road from Waubeca to their land on Sec. 19.  Here they spent several
weeks in an Indian hut while they were erecting the log house on the
land which they bought from the Government.  Mr. Beger lived to see a
well-improved farm grow out of the wilderness which he found on his
arrival.  His death occurred in 1860.  The wife lived to the age of
82, when she died (1877).

HERMAN BEGER, farmer; residence, Sec. 19; P.O. Fillmore; is the
youngest son of Christian and Johanna C. Beger; was born in Saxony,
Germany, May 9, 1841.  Came to America and to the town of Fredonia
with his parents in 1846.  Spent his early years on the farm.  Was
married, June 10, 1864, in Farmington to Miss Mary Young, daughter of
Jacob Young; Mrs. Beger was born in Alsace, France.  Oct. 14, 1864, he
enlisted in Company B, 45th W.V.I., and served as a non-commissioned
officer till the close of the war.  Mr. Beger has served as Supervisor
on the Board for the town of Fredonia four successive years, and has
served twelve years as School District Clerk.  Mr. and Mrs. Beger were
blessed with six children, two sons and four daughters; the eldest,
Willett, died in infancy; Hermine, Clara, Richard, Ottelia, Martha and
Alvier.  Mr. Beger has 160 acres of land, lying partly in Farmington
and partly in Fredonia.

NICOLAS CIGRAND, blacksmith, Fredonia; a native of Luxemburg, Germany,
born in 1831; learned his trade, and, in 1852, emigrated to the United
States, and after stopping two years in Ohio, came to Waubeca, but a
few weeks subsequently removed to Newburg, and in the fall of 1854,
returned to Ohio, but only remained a short time when he again came to
Waubeca and purchased property.  Followed his trade until 1859, when
he built the Eagle Hotel, and ran the same one year.  He then rented
the property, and again followed his trade; subsequently he ran the
hotel one year, at the end of which time he sold to his brother,
Jacob, since which time he has continued his trade.  He is a Democrat.
Held the office of Justice of the Peace sixteen years. Has also held
other local offices, and is at present Notary Public. He was married
in 1855, to Miss Susanna Smith.  The children are Mary, now Mrs.
Herman Dorman; Anna, Peter, Elizabeth, Katie and Bernard.

CHARLES F. COOLEY, firm of Cooley & Race, Fredonia Station; was born
in Tompkins Co., N.Y., in April, 1836.  When one year old, he was
brought by his parents to Michigan, where he lived until 1850, when
his father, on account of poor health, concluded to go farther West,
and accordingly came to Port Washington.  Here Charles clerked in the
store of W.A. Lawrence until July, 1854, at which time his employer
died.  Mr. Cooley then came to Fredonia, and lived with his parents.
In December, 1854, his father died, and as Charles was the oldest of
the children, it became his lot to take care of the family.  In 1856,
he removed to the village of Waubeca, and was engaged in mercantile
business, keeping the only store in the place one year; he then sold
out, and again followed farming.  In 1860, in partnership with H.C.
Thayer, he engaged in mercantile business, and continued two years. He
then purchased his partner's interest, and soon after associated John
Race as a partner; continued business under firm name of Cooley & Race
until the spring of 1863, at which time they sold the store and
purchased an interest in the grist-mill.  In 1864, Mr. Cooley sold his
interest in that, and purchased the saw-mill; associated as partner
his brother Franklin, but as Franklin entered the United States
service, and soon died, Mr. Cooley again took John Race as partner,
the mill manufacturing sleigh and wagon stock and lumber.  In 1876,
they removed their business to Fredonia Station, where they have since
continued, and now do a business of about $10,000.  In April, 1879,
the mill was destroyed by fire, but was at once rebuilt by Cooley &
Race.  Mr. Cooley is a Republican.  Is at present Justice of the
Peace, and a member of the A.F. & A.M.  He was married Jan. 1, 1861,
to Miss Helen English of Tompkins Co., N.Y.; she died in June, 1874,
leaving three children - Charles, George and Robert.  In July, 1875,
Mr. Cooley married Miss Mary Hoyt; she was born in Canada, reared in
Wisconsin, but at the time of marriage was living in Nebraska.  They
have one child - Percy, deceased. 

W.W. COOLEY, manufacturer, Fredonia; was born in Michigan in 1844; and
when 8 years of age came with his parents to Waubeca; his father died
the following year; in 1864, Mr. Cooley enlisted in Co. C, 41st
W.V.I., and served four months, then re-enlisted in Co. I, 16th
W.V.I., and served until the close of war; he then returned to
Waubeca, taught school two terms, then ran a sawmill, and, in 1872,
commenced his present business which has steadily increased, so that
he now manufactures 20,000 cheese boxes and about 10,000 butter tubs
annually.  He was married, in 1865, to Miss Carlisle Patch; they have
four children - William, Herbert, Lester and Byron.

JOHN FINTZEN, Fredonia; is a native of Germany, born in 1849; learned
the shoemaker's trade, and, in 1868, emigrated to the United States,
and at once settled in Waubeca; here he continued his trade until
1875, at which time he built his present building, and has since been
engaged in a saloon; also does auctioneering, insuring, and is at
present Deputy Sheriff.  He was married, in 1870, to Christena Hansen;
they have four children, two of whom are now living - Mary and Edward.

HENRY GROTELUESCHEN, Fredonia; born in Germany in 1842; emigrated to
the United States in 1858; came direct to Ozaukee Co.; worked with his
brother on a farm in the town of Saukville, two years then on a farm
in West Bend eighteen months, at the end of which time he returned to
Saukville, learned his trade and two years subsequently went to
Cedarburg, where he remained about eighteen months, then at Milwaukee
two years, a short time at Chicago, and a short time in Iowa; in 1867,
he came to Waubeca; in 1871, he built his present shop, and now
employs two men, and is meeting with good success.  He was married in
1868, to Willhelmini Beger; the children are Louis, Herman, George and
Augusta.  Politics, Democrat.  Is at present Town Treasurer.  A member
of the Singer Society and Turnverein.

JOHN B. KENDALL, manufacturer, Fredonia; is a native of the county of
Doray, England; born in 1819; he learned the trade of an architect,
and at the age of 21, emigrated to America; stopped in Nova Scotia a
short time, then removed to Newfoundland, and, in the spring of 1849,
came to the United States; lived three months in Boston, then started
for California; but when he got to Wisconsin he concluded to take a
look at the country, and as he was quite well pleased, he stopped at
Newburg, Washington Co., about one year, then followed farming in the
town of Trenton about five years, after which he returned to the
village of Newburg; worked at building, etc., until the spring of
1863, at which time he came to Waubeca, purchased a water-power, and
in partnership with James Hedding, engaged in the manufacture of
furniture; he subsequently purchased his partner's interest, and has
since continued alone.  In 1846, he was married to Amelia Nicoll of
Newfoundland; she died in 1857, leaving four children, two of whom are
now  living - Dianna and Isabelle; in 1860, he was married to Mary E.
Gear; they have three children - George S., Frank A. and John M.
Politics, Democrat.  Is a member of the F. & A. M. and the I.O.O.F.

JULIUS H. KLESSIG, Fredonia; one of the prominent young merchants of
Ozaukee Co.; is a native of Saxony; born in 1852, he emigrated to the
United States with his parents in 1860; lived at Fillmore, Washington
Co., until the following spring, at which time they settled at
Waubeka; at the age of 17, he entered the store of Charles G. Meyer,
where he clerked until the spring of 1873;  he then spent the summer
at Escanaba, Mich., and in the fall, in partnership with his brother,
Oswald, engaged in mercantile business at Random Lake, Sheboygan Co.;
he continued about eighteen months, at the end of which time he sold
to his brother, purchased his present store, and has since been doing
a general mercantile business.  In the spring of 1875, he was married
to Miss Eva Rheingans; she died in the fall of the same year, leaving
one child - Ida; in 1878, he married Agnes Gruhle; they have one child
- Bruno.

R. MAERCKLEIN, proprietor of Eagle House, Fredonia; was born in
Germany in 1853; but, while yet an infant, was brought by his parents
to the United States; he was reared on a farm in the town of
Saukville; at the age of 19, he went to Plymouth, Sheboygan Co., where
he followed milling two years, at the end of which time he came to
Waubeka, purchased the Eagle Hotel, and has since been its proprietor.
He was married, in 1877, to Minnie Wermuth, of Waubeca; they have two
children - Clara and Oscar.

CHARLES E. MEYER, firm of Meyer & Witt, Fredonia; was born in the town
of which he is now a resident, in 1851; at the age of 9 years, he
removed with his parents to Port Washington, and subsequently to
Madison; in 1865, he attended school at Milwaukee; in 1867, he removed
with his father to Watertown, and clerked for him at that place until
1868, when they came to Waubeka; here he had charge of the store a
good share of the time (as his father was County Treasurer one term
and Assemblyman one term).  In 1874, in partnership with Henry Witt,
he purchased the store, and has since been engaged in general
mercantile business, under the firm name of Meyer & Witt.  He was
married, in 1876, to Miss Annie Miller, of Waubeka; they have four
children - Mary, Henry, Edward and Cecelia.  Mr. Meyer is a Democrat;
has been Town Treasurer, and is a member of the Turnverein.

JOHN J. RACE, firm of Cooley & Race, Fredonia Station; is a native of
Germany, born in 1840; was brought by his parents to the United States
in 1846.  His father, George Race, purchased land in the town of
Saukville, Ozaukee Co., and here John lived until 13 years of age; he
followed clerking in various localities until 1858, at which time he
came to Fredonia, and after clerking for Charles F. Cooley for some
time, purchased an interest in the store; in 1863, they sold their
store and purchased an interest in the grist-mill; in 1865, Mr. Race
sold his interest in the grist-mill, and the following year, again
associated with Mr. Cooley (who had previously purchased the saw-
mill), and was engaged in the manufacture of sleigh and wagon stock
and lumber, at Waubeka, until February, 1876, at which time they
removed their business to Fredonia Station, where they have since
continued.  Mr. Race is a Democrat.  Has been Chairman of the County
Board; is at present Chairman of the Town Board, which office he has
held for twelve terms, and is a member of the A.F. & A.M.  He was
married, in 1862, to Miss Charlotte J. Cooley; they have one child,
Warren G.  Mr. Race enlisted in the United States service in 1864, but
was rejected; he was afterward drafted, but again rejected on account
of large veins on one of his limbs.

F.J.C. REMER, Fredonia; is a native of Mecklenburg, Germany, born in
1846; came to the United States in 1857, and lived with his parents in
the town of Grafton, Ozaukee Co.  In 1861, he enlisted in Co. G, 9th
W.V.I. and served three years after which he followed farming at
Champaign City, Ill. one year; then worked at the cooper's trade at
Milwaukee, Kansas City, Mo., Ripon, Wis., Chicago and Lockport, Ill.
In June, 1875, he came to Waubeka and has continued his trade to the
present time.  He was married, in 1867, to Doratha Helm, a native of
Germany.  Mr. Remer is a Republican; is at present Justice of the
Peace, and a member of the I.O.O.F.

JOHN B. SCHAUBLE, proprietor of the Fredonia Mills; is a native of
Germany, born in 1830; immigrated to the United Sates in 1852; was
engaged in confectionery, etc. at Boston, until 1855, at which time he
came to Ozaukee Co.; worked in the Port Washington Mills until 1861;
he then came to Waubeka, rented mill property one year; then purchased
his present mill property for $5,000, which he refitted and enlarged
in 1873, at an expense of about $16,000, and now has five runs of
stone and seven sets of rollers, and manufactures at present about
eighty barrels of flour per day.  Mr. S. is a Liberal in politics.  He
was married, in 1858, to Miss Mary Bold; they have ten children living
- Theresa, now Mrs. J.P. Palausch, of Green Lake Co.; Lizzie, William,
Mary, Katie, John, Albert, Philip, Robert and Oscar.

DR. J.H. VOJE, Fredonia; was born in Germany in 1853; commenced the
study of medicine in his 16th year; immigrated to the United States in
1872, and graduated at the Chicago Medical College, March 21, 1876; he
then practiced medicine at Kewaskum, Washington Co., until the spring
of 1878, when he went to Europe; visited Germany, also attended the
Paris Exhibition, and, in the fall, returned to Wisconsin.  After
practicing medicine at Holstein, Calumet Co., about six months, came
to Waubeka, where he now has a very large practice.  Dr. Voje was
married, in 1879, to Miss Hanna Ulrich, daughter of Dr. W. Ulrich, of
Waukesha; they have one child - Hartha, born July 14, 1880.

FRANK J. WEBER, Principal of Waubeka Schools; is the son of James
Weber, who was a native of Austria, and who emigrated to the United
Sates in 1840; lived in Pennsylvania and Ohio; came to Wisconsin in
1843; served in the Mexican war, and, in 1855, settled in Ozaukee Co.;
here he first kept a store at Grafton, and subsequently a saloon at
Ulao; his death occurred in 1868, leaving a wife (since deceased) and
four children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the eldest; he
was born in Milwaukee Aug. 7, 1849; removed with his parents to
Ozaukee Co., where he attended school, and, at the age of 13,
commenced sailing on the lakes, which he followed most of the time
during the season of navigation until 1878, during which time he spent
his winters in school until 1869, attending Woodward High School, of
Cincinnati, Ohio, two winters.  He was married, in 1877, to Augusta
Streich, of Watertown, Wis., since which time he has followed
teaching, which profession he commenced in 1869; he also attends to
some law business, as he is about to be admitted.  In politics, he is
a Republican, for which party he is an active worker; is a member of
the A.F. & A.M.  The children are Orlando F. and Emma.

C.W. WITT, of the firm of Meyer & Witt, is a native of Hanover,
Germany, born in 1847; emigrated to the United Sates in 1867; came
direct to Wisconsin, and first stopped at Grafton, Ozaukee Co., four
months; subsequently he went to Farmington, where he clerked in the
store of H. Gruhle nine months; he then went to Port Washington and
clerked in the Union House eight months, when he returned to
Farmington and again clerked for H. Gruhle three years, after which he
was store-keeper of the Newhall House, Milwaukee, about eighteen
months, at the end of which time he came to Waubeca, and, in
partnership with C.E. Meyer, purchased their present store, and have
since been doing a general mercantile business.  He was married, in
1874, to Miss Mary Klessig of Farmington, Washington Co.; they have
two children - Bertha and Ernst A.  Mr. Witt is a Democrat; is at
present Town Clerk; a member of the O.D.H.S., the Turnverein and
Singer Society.