Part VIII. Biographical Sketches
- The Wisconsin Legislature
Members of the Assembly [pp.
1148-1158]
HERMAN L. KERN, Speaker; C. E. SHAFFER, Chief Clerk; W. S.
IRVINE, Sergeant-at-Arms.
The assembly consists of 100 members. They are chosen biennially
and receive $500 for their services during their term.
The speaker is chosen by the members and receives an additional
$500 for his services as speaker. The assembly of 1907 contains
76 republicans, 19 democrats, and 5 social democrats.
Eau Claire County.
Second District. The towns of Bridge Creek, Brunswick, Clear
Creek, Drammen, Fairchild, Lincoln, Luddington, Otter Creek,
Pleasant Valley, Union and Washington, the village of Fairchild,
the 4th and 7th wards of the city of Eau Claire, and the city
of Augusta. Population, 1900 - 15,902.
W. A. CERNAHAN (Dem.) was born at the Pines, town of Union,
in Eau Claire county, January 30, 1866; is a farmer
by occupation; was educated in the common schools of his
native county. Mr. Cernahan has held numerous town and county
offices and was elected member of assembly in 1906, receiving
876 votes against 746 for Chrls. N. Saugen (Rep.) and 13 for
R. Biegel (Soc. Dem.).
Florence, Forest and Langlade Counties.
One District. Population, 1900 - 17,146.
E. F. NELSON (Rep.) was born at Menasha, Wis., September
13, 1868; moved with his parents to Oshkosh in 1880,
where he attended school until 1887. From 1887 to 1890 was
a student at the Denison University at Granville, Ohio; also
studied for a time at the University of Wisconsin; in 1891 he
became manager of the Wisconsin Mfg. Co., at Elmhurst, at that
time a branch establishment of the same name whose headquarters
was at Oshkosh. In 1893 he purchased the establishment at Elmhurst,
and has since run the business himself; has been a member of
the republican county committee for several years and has been
a delegate to several republican state conventions. Was elected
member of assembly in 1905, and re-elected in 1906, receiving
2,386 votes against 749 for Edward Nordman (Dem.).
Fond du Lac County.
First District. The towns of Calumet, Empire, Fond du Lac,
Forest, Friendship, Marshfield and Taycheedah, and the city of
Fond du Lac. Population, 1900 - 24,041.
CHRISTIAN PICKART (Dem.) was born in the town of Marshfield,
Fond du Lac county, Wis., Nov. 15, 1870;
received a common school education; was a cheese manufacturer
from 1886 to 1892, when he entered the mercantile business in
company with his brother Joseph, in which business he is still
engaged; has been town clerk of his town five years; organized
a new school district in his town and has been clerk of the same
since its organization; was elected member of the assembly in
1904, re-elected in 1906 receiving 2,765 votes against 1,978
votes for Spencer Palmer.
Fond du Lac County.
Second District. The towns of Alto, Ashford, Auburn, Byron,
Eden, Eldorado, Lamartine, Metomen, Oakfield, Osceola, Ripon,
Rosendale, Springvale and Waupun, the village of Brandon, the
north ward of the city of Waupun, and the city of Ripon. Population,
1900 - 23,848.
FRED R. SOPER (Rep.), of Ripon, was born February 21, 1855,
in the town of Brooklyn, Greenlake [Green Lake]
county, Wisconsin, and shortly thereafter moved, with his
parents to a farm about a mile west of Ripon; when he became
of age he purchased a farm for himself and devoted his entire
time to farming and the raising of fine stock and horses, up
to three years ago, when he moved to Ripon, and became interested
in the agricultural implement business. He was elected to the
assembly in 1906, receiving 1,766 votes against 1,323 votes for
John L. Gudex (Dem.).
Grant County.
First District. The towns of Beetown, Cassville, Clifton,
Ellenborough, Glen Haven, Harrison, Hazel Green, Jamestown, Lima,
Paris, Platteville, Potosi, Smelser and Waterloo, the villages
of Cassville, Cuba City, Hazel Green and Potosi, and the city
of Platteville. Population, 1900 - 19,694.
DUNCAN McGREGOR (Rep.), of Platteville, Grant county, was
born in Prethshire, Scotland, in 1836,
and came directly to Wisconsin with his father's family in
1857. His preparatory education was obtained in Perty Academy,
and his collegiate in University and King's College, Aberdeen,
and Lawrence University, Appleton. For four years after coming
to Wisconsin he found employment in running the Wisocnsin river,
farming in summer and teaching in winter. He enlisted from Waupaca,
where he had been principal of the high school, and was commissioned
captain of Co. A, 42d Wis. Inf. serving with his regiment to
the close of the war. In 1867 he was elected professor of mathematics
in the Platteville Normal School, the first normal school established
in the state, and remained in the school until June, 1904, in
all thirty-seven years. He was Institute conductor for the Platteville
school for nine years, and president for twenty-three. He was
elected member of assembly in 1904 and re-elected in 1906, receiving
1,799 votes against 1,366 for James Dolan (Dem.).
Grant County.
Second District. The towns of Bloomington, Boscobel, Castle
Rock, Fennimore, Hickory Grove, Liberty, Little Grant, Marion,
Millville, Mt.Hope, Mt. Ida, Muscoda, North Lancaster, Patch
Grove, South Lancaster, Watterstown, Wingville, Woodman and Wyaslung,
the villages of Bloomington, Fennimore, Montfort and Muscoda,
the cities of Boscobel and Lancaster. Population, 1900 - 19,187.
HENRY E. ROETHE (Rep.), of Fennimore, Grant county, editor
of the Fennimore Times, having the largest circulation
(3,500) of the country papers of the state, and known as
the "legomobile" editor, from the fact that he has
been all over his large county afoot and thus personally acquainted
with nearly all of his constituents, is 41 years old and a native
of Whitewater, Wis. He received a common school and Normal education;
came to Fennimore in 1885; was bookkeeper and cashier seven years
and then engaged in the newspaper business. Has served as village
clerk, town clerk seven consecutive years, and village president.
Was a delegate to numerous state and other political conventions.
In 1900 was a member of the electoral college of the United States
that elected McKinley and Roosevelt, and was chosen by his state
colleagues as official messenger to carry the electoral vote
of Wisconsin to Washington. In 1906 he was nominated at the republican
primaries for the assembly and was elected, receiving, 2,089
votes against 1,000 votes for Herbert E. Austin (Dem.) and 194
votes for Charles W. Stone (Pro.). Mr. Roethe made his initial
trip to Madison to attend the session of the legislature afoot,
making the distance of 77 miles in two days.
Green County.
One District. Population, 1900 - 22,719.
FRED TIES (Rep.) born in the village of Hagedorn, Westphalia,
Prussia, Jan. 4, 1841; was educated in the public
schools at Schwalenberg, Lippe Detmold. He came with his
parents to America in 1858 and settled in the town of Spring
Grove, Green county, Wis., where he worked on a farm. On the
16th day of October, 1861 he enlisted in Co. B, 18th Wis. Vol.
Inf., and fought under Generals Grant and Sherman from Shiloh
to the surrender of the Rebel army under Johnston at Raleigh,
N.C., and took part in the grand review on May 24, 1865. During
the war he was successively promoted to corporal, sergeant, first
sergeant, and second lieutenant; was wounded in a bayonet charge
at Jackson, Miss., May 14th, 1863, and two days later taken prisoner
and sent to Libby prison, where he was paroled. At the end of
the war he came back to the town of Spring Grove and bought the
farm which he still owns. He served his town a number of times
as assessor; three times as chairman; was elected county clerk
of Green county in 1892 and re-elected in 1894, and again in
1896. At the end of this service he moved back to his farm and
in October, 1899, bought a residence in Brodhead, into which
he removed the following month. In November, 1900, the county
board elected him superintendent of poor and trustee of Green
county Insane Asylum, and re-elected him to the same position
in 1903 and 1906 and now serves as secretary of said board of
trustees. In July, 1903 and again in 1907 he was elected a member
of the board of education in Brodhead, and is now the president
of said board. Was elected member of the assembly in 1904, and
re-elected in 1906, receiving 1,522 votes against 1,501 for Willis
Ludlow (Dem.).
Green Lake County.
One District. Population, 1900 - 15,797.
CHRISTIAN C. WELLENSGARD (Rep.) was born in the Kingdom of
Denmark, July 29th, 1849; came to this country
in September, 1871 and settled at Berlin, Green Lake county,
Wis., engaging in the pursuit of farming for a number of years;
engaged in the business of selling farm machinery, and organized
the Berlin Pickle & Canning Co., of which he is now sole
owner; he is a director of the First National Bank of Berlin,
and the Berlin Brewing Co., besides operating in farm pursuits;
for sixteen years he was a member of the school board of Berlin
and for six years a member of the common council of that city;
was elected to the assembly in 1906, receiving 1,674 votes against
1,370 for Ephraim Dixon (Dem.) and 64 for Wm. F. Robinson (Pro.).
Iowa County.
One District. Population, 1900 - 23,114.
DAVID J. MORRIS (Rep.) was born in Carenarthanshire, Wales,
Dec. 24, 1849. Came with his parents to America in
1851, locating on a farm in the town of Ridgeway, Iowa county,
Wis. Was educated in the public schools, with one year at the
Wisconsin State University. Is a farmer by occupation. Has always
been a republican. He was elected to the assembly in 1906, receiving
2,376 votes against 1,692 for Arthur G. Roethe (Dem.) and 130
votes for Fred L. Cork (Pro.).
Iron, Oneida and Vilas Counties.
One District. Population, 1900 - 20,420.
EDWARD A. EVERETT (Rep.) was born at Beloit, Rock county,
Wis., March 23, 1861; educated in Beloit schools;
engaged in hotel business in Chicago for ten years; located
at Eagle River, Vilas county, in 1906, establishing the "Everett
Hunting and Fishing Resort," in which business he is now
engaged. Never before held a political office. Was elected member
of the assembly in 1904, and re-elected in 1906, receiving 2,845
votes against 282 votes for Herman Zander (Dem.).
Jackson County.
One District. Population, 1900 - 17,405.
JOHN FRANKLIN BAKER (Rep.), Alma Center, Wis., was born in
the town of Garden Valley, Jackson county, Wis.,
Nov. 14th, 1881. He attended the common schools and later
in 1899 completed the course in the Alma Center high school.
In 1900 he was graduated from the Black River high school. In
1901 he entered the University of Wisconsin and took his major
work in economics and political science. He received the degree
of A.B. in the year 1905. In the fall of 1906 he entered the
law school of the university, where he is still engaged in the
study of law. He has the distinction of being the youngest member
of the present legislature. He was elected to the assembly in
1906, receiving 1,904 votes against 288 for Charles F. Rainey
(Dem.).
Jefferson County.
First District. The towns of Concord, Farmington, Hebron,
Ixonia, Milford, Palmyra, Sullivan and Watertown, the village
of Palmyra, and the 1st, 2nd, 3d, 4th and 7th wards of the city
of Watertown. Population, 1900 - 17,377.
FRED SMITH (Dem.) was born near Berlin, Germany, January
15th, 1864; attended the public schools of Prussia from
the age of 5 to 14 as is compulsory in that country; he then
went to Berlin as an apprentice in the drug and fancy grocery
trade, and also attended the free night schools of the city.
After serving 3 years without pay as apprentice, he received
the customary papers as to deportment, business ability, etc.,
and continued to serve as clerk until May 1st, 1883, when he
came to America, following his parents who had gone the year
before. He settled on the farm on which he still lives, situated
in the town of Ixonia in 1885; he was elected town clerk in 1894
which position he has ever since held. He was elected member
of the assembly in 1906, receiving 1,498 votes against 1,163
for John Thauer (Rep.).
Jefferson County.
Second District. The towns of Aztalan, Cold Spring, Jefferson,
Koshkonong, Lake Mills, Oakland, Sumner and Waterloo, the villages
of Lake Mills and Waterloo, and the cities of Fort Atkinson and
Jefferson. Population, 1900 - 17,412.
GEO. W. KINDLIN (Dem.) was born in the town of Koshkonong,
Jefferson county, Wis., Sept. 11th, 1868. He
received a common school education, later completed an agricultural
course in the State University. Was elected county surveyor of
Jefferson county in 1894; is serving his eighth year as town
clerk of the town of Koshkonong. At present is engaged in general
farming and the breeding of pure bred stock; was elected to the
assembly in 1906, receiving 1,861 votes against 1,289 votes for
John F. Widman (Rep.).
Juneau County.
One District. Population, 1900 - 20,629.
J. D. HARRING (Rep.) was born in the town of Muskego, Waukesha
county, Wisconsin; educated in the common
schools of the country. In 1870 moved onto a farm in Richland
Center. While there held the offices of assessor, supervisor,
and member of the county board for five years. In 1885 moved
to Juneau county and purchased a farm in the town of Armenia;
while here he has held the offices of town clerk, justice of
the peace, supervisor, and member of the county board, the last
named for nine years; has also been postmaster at Armenia for
the last seven years. In 1906 was elected to the assembly, receiving
2.050 votes against 1,461 for Peter A. Cleary (Dem.).
Kenosha County.
One District. Population, 1900 - 21,707.
W. M. CURTISS (Rep.), of the town of Salem, Kenosha county,
Wis., (post office, Trevor), was born in the town
where he resides Nov. 1st, 1852; received a common school
education; is by occupation a farmer; has been elected to numerous
offices of public trust; was elected to the assembly Nov. 8,
1904, and re-elected in 1906, receiving 2,047 votes against 1,668
for Elmer L. Marlette (Dem.), 191 votes for Alfred T. Decker
(Pro.) and 269 for John Burns (Soc. Dem.).
Kewaunee County.
One District. Population, 1900 - 17,212.
ANTON G. SCHAUER (Rep.) was born in the township of Mishicott,
Manitowoc county, Wis., June 13th, 1860; was
educated in the commons schools of said town, and at Lawrence
University, Appleton, Wis.; taught school in Kewaunee county
for twenty-six years, and has been engaged in teaching until
the present time; was town clerk and justice of the peace of
the township of Carlton, Kewaunee county fifteen years, postmaster
of Norman nine years, is at present notary public in Kewaunee
county; was sheriff of Kewaunee county in 1897 and 1898, clerk
of circuit court, Kewaunee county in 1901 and 1902; is at present
engaged in farming. Was elected member of the assembly in 1904,
and re-elected in 1906, receiving 1,505 votes against 1,055 for
Albert Oswald (Dem.) and 54 for Max Seidl (Soc. Dem.).
La Crosse County.
First District. The town of Campbell and the 1st, 2d, 4th,
5th, 6th, 7th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th,
19th and 20th wards of the city of La Crosse. Population, 1900
- 21,840.
THOMAS H. MILLER was born in Red Wing, Minn., March 14th,
1868. Received his education in the common and
high schools and Hamline University. He began the study of
medicine in 1885 with Dr. John H. Murphy of St. Paul, Minn. and
graduated from Rush Medical College in 1800. After two years
of hospital work he located at Maiden Rock, Pierce county, Wis.,
practicing there until the spring of 1905 when he removed to
La Crosse. He is a member of the American Medical Association,
State Medical Society of Wis., La Crosse Co. Medical Society
and has served in official capacity in several other medical
organizations. Although taking an active interest in political
matters since coming into the state he has never held public
office until elected to the assembly in 1906, when he received
1,966 votes against 1,670 votes for Oloff R. Skarr (Dem.) and
72 votes for Henry Goodsell (Pro.).
La Crosse County.
Second District. The towns of Bangor, Barre, Burns, Farmington,
Greenfield, Hamilton, Holland, Onalaska, Shelby and Washington,
the villages of Bangor and West Salem, the 3d, 8th, 17th, 18th
and 21st wards of the city of La Crosse, and the city of Onalaska.
Population, 1900 - 21,157.
V. S. KEPPEL (Rep.) is a farmer of the town of Onalaska and
widely known through his long service on the county
board. He was born in Mormon Coulee in 1865, but his parents
moved to the town of Onalaska a year or two later and he has
lived there ever since. He was educated in the public schools
and has since early manhood taken an active interest in public
affairs. His fellow townsmen have shown their confidence in him
by electing him to various offices in all of which he has shown
himself capable. For six years he has been secretary and manager
of the Holmen Creamery. His legislative experience on the county
board has given him special fitness for legislative work. He
was elected member of assembly in 1906, receiving 1,598 votes
against 1,399 votes for E. Jones (Dem.) and 416 votes for John
A. Berg (Pro.).
Lafayette County.
One District. Population, 1900 - 20,956.
M. J. CLEARY (Rep.) was born Sept. 23rd, 1877 in the town
of Moscow, Iowa county, Wis. Educated in common
school, Valparasio Ind. Business College, Wis. Academy of
Madison, and graduated with the class of 1897. Took 2 years'
work in the University of Wisconsin, also completed the law course
at the State University in 1901. Since has practiced law and
engaged in the insurance and banking business at Blanchardville
in Lafayette county. Was chairman of the county board of Lafayette
county for two years. Elected to the assembly in 1906, receiving
2,166 votes against 1,632 for W. J. Martin (Dem.).
Lincoln County.
One District. Population, 1900 - 16,269.
F. W. KUBASTA (Rep.), of Merrill, Lincoln county, Wis., a
native of Wisconsin, was born at New Lisbon, June 8th,
1877; removed to Merrill in 1882, and has since resided there.
Was educated in the public schools of Merrill. After graduating
from the Merrill high school entered the law offices of Messrs.
Flett & Porter as law clerk and student and served in that
capacity for six years, leaving such employ to engage with D.
M. Phinney in the insurance, real estate and abstract business.
In 1904 he assisted in organizing the German American State Bank
of Merrill and is at present a director and vice-president of
that institution. Also secretary and treasurer of the Phinney
Abstract and Land Co. Elected and served as member of the Lincoln
county board for four years; also acted as deputy clerk of circuit
court for four years and chairman of the Lincoln county republican
committee for two years. Had no opposition at the primaries,
and was elected to the assembly Nov. 6th, 1906, receiving 1,665
votes against 1,030 for E. S. King (Dem.).
Manitowoc County.
First District. The towns of Centerville, Liberty, Manitowoc,
Manitowoc Rapids, Meeme and Newton, and the city of Manitowoc.
Population, 1900 - 20,343.
S. F. WEHRWEIN (Rep.) was born in the town of Newton, Manitowoc
county, Wis., January, 1869; was educated in
the public schools of that county; later attended the Oshkosh
Normal School for two years. He taught for seven years in Manitowoc
county, then took charge of his father's farm during which time
he was chosen one of the trustees of the Farmers' Mutual Fire
Ins. Co.; he is now again engaged in teaching. In 1906 he was
elected president of the Manitowoc County Teachers' Association,
and for two years he served as member of the board of common
school examiners. He has been elected to represent his district
as a delegate to county and state conventions and was elected
member of the assembly in 1904 and re-elected in 1906, receiving
1,784 votes against 1,214 for Albert Tomahek (Dem.).
Manitowoc County.
Second District. The towns of Cato, Cooperstown, Eaton, Franklin,
Gibson, Kossuth, Maple Grove, Mishicott, Rockland, Schleswig,
Two Creeks and Two Rivers, the villages of Kiel and Reedsville,
and the city of Two Rivers. Population, 1900 - 21,918.
LAWRENCE W. LEDVINA (Rep.), of Two Rivers, was born in the
town of Franklin, Manitowoc County, September
28, 1880. He attended the common schools and parochial schools
of that county and at the age of sixteen began teaching school,
which profession he followed for six years at Kellnersville and
in the town of Manitowoc Rapids. In 1902 he was elected president
of the Manitowoc County Teacher's Association. Graduated from
the law department at the University of Wisconsin in 1906. He
is at present engaged in the practice of law at Two Rivers. He
holds the highest national office, that of chief justice in the
Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity. In the last four campaigns he
was engaged in campaigning in the Bohemian language under the
auspices of the National Republican Committee. He was elected
to the assembly in 1904 being the youngest member of that session
and the only Republican ever elected from that district. Re-elected
in 1906 receiving 1,801 votes against 1,352 for Martin Roppel
(Dem.) and 328 for Fred M. Althen (Soc. Dem.). He served on Judiciary
Committees of both sessions and as Chairman of Committee on Libraries,
1907.
Marathon County.
First District. The towns of Bergen, Berlin, Brighton, Cassel,
Cleveland, Day, Eau Pleine, Emmett, Frankfort, Halsey, Hamburg,
Holton, Hull, Johnson, Maine, McMillan, Marathon, Mosinee, Rib
Falls, Reitbrock, Spencer, Stettin and Wein, the villages of
marathon, McMillan, Mosinee and Edgar, and the east ward of Colby.
Population, 1900 - 21,559.
NIC SCHMIDT (Dem.) was born in Germany, November 2nd, 1860;
received a common school education, learned the
machinists trade in early youth and studied evenings both
at home and night school to gain an education; traveled extensively
in Europe to promote his efficiency as a machinist; came to America
in 1880 and resided for a while in Chicago working at his trade,
and continuing his studies in evening school to acquaint himself
with the English language; he continued working at his trade
for about five years when an accident befell him from which he
never permanently recovered; this compelled him to enter business
for himself; for the next six years he was engaged in flour,
feed, wood and coal business, and later sold real estate. In
1901 he bought the Marathon City Brewery of which company he
is now president and manager, and has been a member of the village
board for three years; is president of the Marathon Excelsior
& Manufacturing Co., the State Bank of Marathon, the Marathon
Lumber Co., and the Marathon Telephone Co., he was elected member
of the assembly in 1906, receiving 1,642 votes against 1,489
votes for A. E. Beebe (Rep.) and 55 votes for A. F. Becker (Soc.
Dem.).
Marathon County.
Second District. The towns of Easton, Eldron, Harrison, Hewitt,
Knowlton, Kronenwetter, Norrie, Pike Lake, Plover, Texas, Wausau
and Weston, and the city of Wausau. Population, 1900 - 21,697.
AUGUST F. MARQUARDT (Rep.) was born at Bandekow, Pommern,
Germany, January 8th, 1850, and came to the
city of Wausau July 1st, 1866, when a boy of 17. He was for
many years engaged in logging, lumbering, mercantile operations
and farming and now owns a beautiful farm partly within the city
limits. He is at present director of the Citizens State Bank
of Wausau. He has held many official positions in the city and
county. He represented his ward on the common council of the
city of Wausau for eighteen years; was president of the council
1900-1901; was member of the county board for sixteen years;
was president of the Marathon County Agricultural Society for
two years; was vice-president of the State Agricultural Society
in 1899; was elected by the common council as member of the board
of water commissioners May 1st, 1905 for a term of three years;
on Nov. 7th, 1906 he was appointed by the mayor of the city as
a member of the park board for a term of five years; was elected
sheriff of Marathon county in the fall of 1900 and served for
two years; was elected member of the assembly in 1904, and re-elected
in 1906, receiving 2,079 votes against 1,944 for Otto Muenchow
(Dem.).
Marinette County.
First District. The city of Marinette. Population, 1900 -
16,195.
EDWARD WEBSTER LE ROY (Rep.) was born January 30, 1874, in
the city of Marinette. He was educated in the
Marinette public schools. He held the position of city editor
of the Daily Eagle at the time of his first election to the assembly.
Later he was editor of the Daily Star and is now one of the editors
and proprietors of the Daily Eagle-Star. He never held a public
office until he was elected to the assembly in 1902, and was
re-elected in 1904, and 1906, receiving 1,204 votes against 693
votes for Harry T. La Voy (Dem.), 111 for Horace W. Pope (Pro.)
and 77 for Louis Larson (Soc. Dem.).