Manitowoc County Wisconsin

BIOGRAPHIES

These biographies are from various sources, sources are provided if known. They are presented here in alphabetical order by the persons surname.

CHRISTIAN ANDERSON, light-house keeper, born Dec. 29, 1825, in Norway; August, 1844, came to Racine, Wis.; in 1845, came to Chicago; July 5, 1846, came to Manitowoc; started a tailor shop which he continued several years. He afterward bought a vessel which he sailed several seasons, then sold and bought a farm where he worked about seven years. He then removed to Manitowoc and followed teaming about two years; afterward ran a threshing-machine two seasons. He then opened a boarding-house which he continued till 1876, when he was appointed to his present position. Married, in 1866, to Sarah Torrison, of Norway. They have two children, one son and one daughter. He has four children by a former marriage, three sons and on daughter.
~ Source: History of Northern Wisconsin, 1881, pp524

JAMES S. ANDERSON, attorney and counselor at law, Manitowoc, first settled in Kossuth Township, Manitowoc Co., September, 1852, with his parents. He lived at home until he was about eighteen years of age. He enlisted in Co. A. 5th Regt. Wis. V.I., April 22, 1861, and served three years and four months, being in the battlles of Antietam, Gettysburg, and many of the important battles participated in by the Army of the Potomac. He received several slight wounds, but same out sound, and was mustered out at Madison, Wis., August, 1864. He returned to Appleton and attended the Lawrence University, and graduated from that institution in the class of 1870, after which he studied law and was admitted to the Bar in Manitowoc, December, 1871; then he began the practice of law. He was born in Kelvin haugh, near Glasgow, Scotland, Dec. 25, 1842. He married a daughter of the Hon. J. T. Mills, of Grant County, Miss Eva M. Mills, July 17, 1873. She was born April 15, 1846. They have two children, Minnie H. and Joseph M.
~ Source: History of Northern Wisconsin, 1881, pp524

O.R. BACON, M. D., Druggist, Manitowoc, is a native of Stillwater, Saratoga County, N. Y. When about the age of fourteen years, his father removed to Otsego County, N. Y. There he attended school. At the age of 20 he removed to Rensselaer County, there studied medicine, and graduated at Castleton, Vt. In 1854 he came to Manitowoc, and was engaged in teaching school several years. He has also been Superintendent of Schools, Town Clerk, etc. In 1865 he established this business, which he has since continued, being now the oldest resident druggist in the city.
~ Source: History of Northern Wisconsin, 1881, pp524

J.W. BARNES, Firm of Barnes & Mendlik, general merchandise, Manitowoc, is a native of Erie County, Pa. At the age of seven years he came with his parents to Naperville, Ills. There he worked at the printer's trade about three years, then removed to Waukesha, where he attended school. In 1862 came to Manitowoc; was employed a short time in his brother's bank. After spending about a year in Cincinnati and St. Louis he returned to Manitowoc and engaged in the merchandising firm of Goodenow & Barnes. This partnership continued about three years. He then carried on the business alone about three years. Then the firm of Vilas & Barnes was established, which was continued about six years. Mr. Vilas retired from the business, and soon after Mr. Mendlik was admitted a member of the firm, which now continues. Mr. Barnes has been Chairman and Alderman of the Fourth Ward.
~ Source: History of Northern Wisconsin, 1881, pp524

ALBERT C. BECKER, firm of Becker & Teitgen, hardware, Manitowoc. Born Oct. 9, 1850, in Prussia. Came to Milwaukee with his parents in 1855. Two years later they removed to Manitowoc, where he has since resided. At the age of fourteen he commenced to learn the tinner's trade, and except four years railroading he has followed this business since. He established this business in 1875. Married, in 1877, to Alvina Teitgen of Manitowoc County. They have two sons.
~ Source: History of Northern Wisconsin, 1881, pp524

F. BECKER, Saloon and billiards, Manitowoc. Born March 29, 1823 in Prussia. He emigrated to Milwaukee in 1853, and the following year came to this city and opened a bakery, carrying on that business until 1861, when he raised a company, being himself commissioned captain, the 9th Wis. I. He remained in the service about two years, then returned to Manitowoc and opened his present business. He has been Chief of the Fire Department for two years. Married, in 1847, Miss Mena Boate of Prussia. They have three children, one son and two daughters.
~ Source: History of Northern Wisconsin, 1881, pp524

JOHN BIBINGER, Of the firm of Bibinger & Day, wholesale and retail dealers in all kinds of farm machinery, Manitowoc, was born in Germany, July 23, 1846. He came with his parents to America in 1848, and they lived in Pennsylvania about eight years. Moved to Milwaukee and lived four years. He went into business in 1873 in Manitowoc. He was married in that city, Sept. 22, 1873, to Miss Augusta Teitgen. She was born in Newton, Manitowoc Co., 1855. They have two children, Ellma A., born Oct. 8, 1874, and Arthur J., born June 9, 1876.
~ Source: History of Northern Wisconsin, 1881, pp524

SAMUEL COLEMAN BLAKE, M.D., One of the representative men of Manitowoc County and one of the best read, and the most eminent physician and surgeon in Northern Wisconsin, was born in the city of Bath, Me., July 25, 1826. He was the oldest child of the Rev. S. P. Blake, of the Maine Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was educated at the Maine Wesleyan Seminary at Kents Hill, from which he graduated at the age of twenty with honors. During this time, his father's pecuniary circumstances were such that he could give his son no aid in paying his way through his educational course, and he was obliged to earn sufficient money for that purpose by his own efforts, during the time that he was prosecuting his studies. In 1850 he entered the Tremont Medical School, Boston, where he read medicine. In the years 1852-53, he was "house pupil" in the Massachusetts General Hospital, of Boston, and July 22, 1863, he graduated in medicine from the medical department of the Harvard University, having entered that institution three years earlier. After graduating, Dr. Blake became a member of the Massachusetts State Medical Society and of the Boston Medical Association, to gain a membership in which required a most thorough knowledge of medicine and surgery. He settled in the city of Boston, where he practiced his profession between three and four years. In 1856 the doctor removed to Chicago, and immediately became a leader in his profession in that great metropolis, which position he maintained through an active and extensive practice until 1877, when, on account of poor health, he removed to Manitowoc. Since living here, he has also been actively engaged in the practice of his profession. In the second year after going to Chicago, he was connected with the Spring course of lectures in Rush Medical College. Oct. 27, 1857, he was united in marriage with Miss Adaline Jones, an estimable lady of fine mental qualities, a daughter of the late Hon. Benjamin Jones, one of the earliest settlers of Chicago, and the founder of the city of Manitowoc. She has borne him 3 children, who are all living - the oldest Charles C., born April 1, 1859; the next Benjamin J., born Aug. 22, 1864, and the youngest Otis Henry Tiffany, born Nov. 19, 1872. They were all born in Chicago. In 1858, Dr. Blake was associated with Prof. Daniel Brainard, De Laskie Miller and J. P. Ross, of the Rush Medical College, in organizing the old City Hospital of Chicago, and with them composed its medical and surgical staff until he entered the medical service of the United States, at the commencement of the late Rebellion. The outbreak of the war found Dr. Blake in the midst of a large and lucrative practice, and the occupant of many high and honorable positions in his profession, but with true patriotism, marked with that large-hearted generosity and forgetfulness of self-interests which has always characterized his acts through life, he was appointed by Gov. Richard Yates surgeon of the 19th Regiment Ill. V. The regiment was immediately ordered to Missouri, passing via Quincy, Ill. At the latter place, through appreciation of the eminent ability of the surgeon of the 19th, Gen. Stephen A. Hurlbut detailed him from his regiment to act as surgeon on his staff. While in Quincy, the doctor organized a large division hospital, which remained in that city until the close of the war. In July, 1861, Dr. Blake was transferred to the 39th Reg. Ill. V., and with his regiment went to St. Louis, and from there to East Virginia, and was with General N. P. Banks in his celebrated campaign through the Shenandoah Valley. During the several bloody battles of this campaign, the doctor was always found promptly on the ground, ministering to the many and grievous necessities of the wounded. Later in this campaign, the doctor was detailed from his regiment by Gen. Banks, and placed in charge of the general hospital of the division, which responsible position he occupied during the remainder of that campaign. As a proof of the estimation in which the doctor was held by his companions in arms, we take the liberty of inserting the following extracts from among letters received by him during and immediately after his service. They will explain themselves.

Headquarters, 1st Div., Dept. of Shenandoah, near Edinburg, Va., April 12, 1862.
Dr. Saml. C. Blake, Surgeon, 39th Reg. I. V. - Dr. Sir: I have had ample opportunity of estimating your services as a hospital surgeon, and feel much pleasure in being able to testify to the care and attention bestowed upon the man, and to the professional skill displayed on many occasions, when the service required it. In field hospitals, where many things needful for the comfort of the sick soldier have to be improvised, a faithful devotion of duty and self-sacrifice are qualities eminently needed; in your display of these I have also been witness, and put on record here my complete approval of, and satisfaction with, your conduct at the Brigade Hospital, Hancock. I am, doctor, Yours Respectfully, Thomas Antisell,
Brigade Surgeon Vols. and Medical Director 1st Division, Dept. of the Shenandoah.

The next, which will suffice, is from Gen. Osborne, the first colonel of the 39th Ill. V., afterward promoted to major general, and now Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States to the Argentine Republic.

Headquarters 39th Reg. I. V., Harrison's Landing, James River, Va. Army of the Potomac, Aug. 5, 1863.
Dr. S. C. Blake - My dear old surgeon: * * * * * If at any time you should need my good offices, they shall be freely given you for the good name and reputation which you won for yourself and my regiment in the medical department of the army in the field, as I cannot forget that high and never to be forgotten compliment paid me as your commanding officer by Maj. Gen. Williams, in your behalf, for your distinguished services when in charge of the general hospital. Please accept the kindest wishes of, Yours truly,
Thomas O. Osborne, Major General

In 1862 Dr. Blake was compelled to resign his position in the army on account of chronic diarrhea, which he had contracted in the service during the severe and fatal winter and spring campaign preceding. After returning home to Chicago, the doctor was incapacitated from any active labor in his profession for more than a year. In 1863, having sufficiently recovered from his illness to go into active practice, he was honored with the appointment of County Physician of Cook County, Ill. In 1865, he was appointed City Physician of the City of Chicago, which responsible position he held two years, discharging the duties thereof with credit to himself and to the city. He was one of a number of prominent gentlemen and ladies in Chicago who founded the present flourishing Women and Children's Hospital of Chicago, and was one of the consulting physicians and surgeons until he moved to Manitowoc in 1877. In 1869, he, in association with Dr. W. H. H. Byford, and other prominent physicians of Chicago, organized the Women's Hospital Medical College of Chicago, and became one of its faculty, occupying the chair of professor of diseases of the mind and nervous system, a position of eminent honor and usefulness, for about seven years. In 1868, Dr. Blake, while a member of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Cook, in connection with the late Hon. James H. Reese, after long and faithful urging, prevailed upon the Board to occupy the old City Hospital as a county hospital, and this was the beginning of the present magnificent Cook County Hospital, which is the pride of Chicago, and an honor to the State. After the doctor left Chicago to live in Manitowoc, recognizing his eminent ability in his profession and worth as a gentleman, the physicians and surgeons of his old home, Chicago, at a meeting of their society, elected him an honorary member thereof, and the following extract from a letter from his old and time-tried friend, Dr. Byford, will attest:

Chicago, Ill., Jan. 15, 1878.
Dear Dr. Blake - * * * The Society of Physicians and Surgeons took great pleasure in electing you an honorary member of that body. Several of the gentlemen spoke in terms of warm friendship, and with great good will wished you prosperity and happiness in your new home.
I am, as ever, your very true friend, W. H. H. Byford

Dr. Blake has been a member of the Massachusetts State Medical Society, Boston Medical Association, Illinois State Medical Society, Chicago Society of Physicians and Surgeons and the American Medical Association. He has many times been elected to represent his profession in both the State and national associations of physicians, and has always been an active and loyal member of his profession. In religion he is a Methodist, having been an active and conscientious member of that organization since he was a young man. He has ever sustained an enviable reputation as a man of honor and integrity, as well as for rare skill and success as a medical practitioner. No considerations of policy, professional or mercenary, affright him from the exercise of righteous judgment, or deter him from the expression of a conscientious opinion. He sturdily adheres to the path of rectitude in his profession, and looks upon quackery as an impious tampering with human life, and puts it aside with scornful detestation. Such a course has its reward, and gains the applause of all who behold it. It shames the mountebank, strengthens the young physician and crowns the profession with an honorable reputation. But the doctor is as highly esteemed for his qualities of heart as he is admired for his qualities of mind, talents, and attainments. He is a gentlemen of a kind and generous nature, with warm impulses, and generous to a fault. His charities are open-handed as well as open-hearted, and he is held in equal estimation by dwellers in cots and in palaces. He mingles with the latter with ease and grace, and associates with the former without endangering his dignity. He has no affectation or egotism to alienate the one, or haughtiness of behavior to repel the other. He has served his generation so well that its prayers would continue his term of service for many years to come.
~ Source: History of Northern Wisconsin, 1881, pp524-525

P. J. BLESCH, general merchandise, Manitowoc, born Jan. 6, 1827, in Germany; in 1848, came to New York; in 1849, came to Milwaukee; in 1850, removed to Manitowoc, carried on the business of cabinet making three years. In 1853, he opened this store, and with the exception of about four years, has continued in the business since. Mr. Blesch held the office of County Treasurer during 1861 and '62. He was married in 1853, to Margaret Kellner, of Germany. They have three children - two sons and one daughter.
~ Source: History of Northern Wisconsin, 1881, pp526

G. BLOQUELLE, general merchandise, Manitowoc, is a native of Germany; was born June 27, 1833. Came to this place in 1856, and opened a gun shop; continued this business till 1861, when he enlisted in Co. B. 9th Wis. Inf.; served his enlistment and returned to Manitowoc, and carried on a gun shop till 1867, when he established this business; he has been City Marshal one year. Married in 1867, to Kesena Schuette, of Germany; she has one son by a former marriage, Emil Bench, now practicing law.
~ Source: History of Northern Wisconsin, 1881, pp526

CHARLES BOCK, general merchandise, Manitowoc, was born Dec. 15, 1837, in Prussia. In 1852, he came to Manitowoc, where he has since resided. He occupied the position of clerk for fourteen years, and in April, 1866, he established his present business, beginning in small way. His business has increased, until now it amounts to about sixty thousand a year. He now owns and occupies a fine brick building, 30 1/2 x 80 feet, two stories and basement, which cost about six thousand dollars. He was married in 1858, to Miss Albertine Zumach, of Rockland, Wis. They have eight children - four sons and four daughters.
~ Source: History of Northern Wisconsin, 1881, pp526 (Note: building dimensions were difficult to read)

JONAS L. BRANDEIS, general merchandise, Manitowoc, born Nov. 14, 1836, in Bohemia. In 1858, came to Milwaukee. In 1860, removed to Manitowoc; the following year he opened a small store and has now worked into a large and flourishing business, giving employment to six clerks. He was the first wheat buyer in Manitowoc, paying part in cash and part in goods. He was married June, 1861, to Miss F. Tweles, of Milwaukee. They have four children - three sons and one daughter.
~ Source: History of Northern Wisconsin, 1881, pp526

HENRY W. BROWN, Sec. 7, Manitowoc Tp. Owns 80 acres, 70 of which are under cultivation. Mr. B. was born in Vennor, Madison Co., N.Y., Jan. 7, 1815. He moved from New York to Norwich, Pa., with his mother, in 1824, where they lived until 1845, when they moved to Manitowoc and settled on his farm. There was only one board shanty between his place and Manitowoc City at that date. There were then three small stores on the north side of Manitowoc River, in what is now a large city. The country was all heavily timbered, and nothing but the wilds of vast forests faintly echoed the sound of the hardy pioneer's ax. A number of years ago, Mr. Brown's mother visited the East and shortly after died there. Mr. Brown was married, June 26, 1845, in Lumber Township, Clinton Co., Pa., to Miss Rosanah Richey; she was born Oct, 12, 1824. They have five children - Sarah E., married to Samuel Hall, is living in Manitowoc City; Edward R., married and living at Bailey's Harbor, Door Co.; Claudius V. B., married and living in same place as his brother; Mary A., married to John A. Smith, and is at present at home, and William H., now living in the far West.
~ Source: History of Northern Wisconsin, 1881, pp526

F. C. BUERSTATTE, druggist, Manitowoc, was born Sept. 12, 1846, in Prussia. At the age of four years he came with his parents to this place; he enlisted December, 1863, Co. F, 16th Wis. I., and served to the end of the war; participated in the battles of Resaca, Ga., Kenesaw Mountain, Ga., Peach Tree Creek, Siege of Atlanta, and others. In 1867 he returned to Manitowoc, and at once commenced to learn the druggist trade; after serving his apprenticeship, he established this business in 1872. Married in 1871, to Augusta Genorich, of Germany. They have four children, three sons and one daughter.
~ Source: History of Northern Wisconsin, 1881, pp526

HENRY C. BUHSE, County Clerk, Manitowoc, is a native of Mechlenburg, Germany; born July 3, 1843; came to Milwaukee with his parents Aug, 11, 1848. In the Fall they removed to Waukesha County, settled on a farm, where they remained till 1857, when he came to Two Rivers, where he attended school; afterward clerk in the Post-office. In the Spring of 1861 he went to Madison, where he also attended school. He enlisted in Co. B. 9th Wis. I.; served three years; was promoted to orderly sergeant, September, 1862, and in 1864 was commissioned first lieutenant, Co. A. 45th Wis. December, 1864, he returned to Two Rivers, followed the fishing business, then removed to Chicago, where he remained about a year; returned to Two Rivers, and was employed by the Two Rivers Manufacturing Co. He afterward went to California, Oregon, and other points. In the Fall of 1880, he was elected County Clerk; he has also held various other local offices.
~ Source: History of Northern Wisconsin, 1881, pp526

HENRY B. BURGER, firm of Rand & Burger, ship builders, Manitowoc, is a native of Germany, born Dec. 17, 1839; came to New York in 1848, with his parents. In 1857 came to Milwaukee, where he commenced to learn the ship building trade, which he has since followed. In 1872, came to Manitowoc; the following year he became a member of this firm. They are doing a very extensive business, and have built some of the largest vessels on the lakes. Married in 1863, to Miss Mary Esslinger. She was born in Buffalo, N.Y. They have four children.
~ Source: History of Northern Wisconsin, 1881, pp526

BYRON BURMEISTER, dealer in fruit, and vessel owner, Manitowoc, was born April 20, 1852, in Mishicott, Wis. In the Fall of 1859, the family removed to Two Rivers; in 1863 came to Manitowoc. At the age of siteen he commenced to learn the carpenter trade, continuing about six years, sailing at intervals. In 1875 he bought the schooner "Alice," 12 tons measurement. Sold her in the Winter of 1876, and bought the schooner "Eliza," of 30 tons. In 1879 he traded her for the "Elles G. Cocharen," of 32 tons. Jan. 4, 1881, he, with his father, bought the schooner "Gertie Wing," of 17 tons, and in April, 1881, he, with his father and brother, bought the scow "W.R. Sloan," of 72 tons. They are employed in the bark and fruit trade. Their dock is on the south side of Eighth street, on the east side of the street, and has a frontage of 150 feet. They have also a cellar 20X30 feet, for the storage of fruit.
~ Source: History of Northern Wisconsin, 1881, pp526