Part VIII. Biographical Sketches
- The Wisconsin Legislature
Members of the Assembly [pp.
1168-1177]
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.
Racine County.
First District. The 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, 5th, 6th (and at the
present time, the 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th) wards of the city
of Racine. Population, 1900 - 24,807.
WILLIAM H. BELL (Rep.) born August 8th, 1863, in Liverpool,
England, came to Racine 1880; worked at the
machinist trade until 1893. Since then has been engaged in
real estate business. In 1901 was appointed public administrator
for Racine county; reappointed in 1906. Has served five years
as alderman of the city of Racine; is still a member of the council.
Was elected member of the assembly in 1904, re-elected in 1906,
receiving 2,156 votes against 691 for Wm. Somers (Soc. Dem.)
and 132 for L. H. Parks (Pro.).
Racine County.
Second District. The towns of Burlington, Caledonia, Dover,
Mt. Pleasant, Norway, Raymond, Rochester, Waterford and Yorkville,
the village of Union Grove, the seventh ward of the city of Racine,
and the city of Burlington. Population, 1900 - 20,837.
JOHN O. THOMAS (Rep.) was born in the town of Caledonia,
Racine county, Wis., Nov. 23, 1867, of Welsh
parentage. He received his education in the district school
of his home district and the Belle City Business College of Racine,
Wis. He is engaged in dairying and general farming. He served
for three years as town clerk of the town of Caledonia, Racine
county, Wis. He was elected member of the assembly in 1904, and
re-elected in 1906, receiving 1,267 votes against 1,117 for Chas.
A. Apple (Dem.), 201 for Walter Moe (Soc. Dem.) and 112 for Thomas
A. Griffiths (Pro.).
Richland County.
One District. Population, 1900 - 19,483.
L. H. BANCROFT (Rep.) was born December 26th, 1860, Sauk
county, Wis. Educated in common schools. Graduate
of Lone Rock high school, and of U. W. law department class
of 1884. Elected as district attorney Richland county 1886; city
attorney for Richland Center six years; county judge of Richland
county 1897 to 1902; assistant attorney general 1902-1904; member
of assembly for Richland county 1906; alternate to national republican
convention at St. Louis 1896; delegate to republican national
convention at Philadelphia 1900; delegate to republican state
conventions of 1892, 1894, 1896, 1898, 1900, 1902, 1904; has
practiced law at Richland Center, Wis. since 1885. He was elected
to the assembly in 1906, receiving 1,741 votes against 1,259
for J. W. Brown (Dem.) and 288 votes for Abraham Lincoln (Pro.)
and 29 votes for Vincent Stanck (Soc. Dem.).
Rock County.
First District. The towns of Avon, Center, Fulton, Janesville,
Lima, Magnolia, Milton, Porter, Rock, Spring Valley and Union,
and the cities of Edgerton and Evansville. Population, 1900 -
16,902.
ALLEN S. BAKER (Rep.) was born near Evansville, Wis., January
12, 1842. Received a common school education and
commenced business for himself in 1859 as a mechanic. Enlisted
in the 2d Reg., Wisconsin Volunteer Inf., April 20th, 1861; was
assigned to the army of the Potomac in June, 1861; in General
Sherman's brigade in first battle of Bull Run; later to Gibbons
brigade, afterwards known as the "Iron Brigade;" he
participated in most of the battles in which this brigade was
engaged and received wounds in the battles of Ganesville, Va.,
and Gettysburg, Pa. In 1886 went into business in Evansville
as blacksmith and carriage builder. In 1873 sold out and established
what is now known as Baker Manufacturing Company, engaged in
the manufacture of pumps and windmills and has continued in this
business until the present time, at first as general manager
and in later years as president and treasurer. He was elected
to the assembly in 1904, re-elected in 1906, receiving 1,175
against 707 for John Sherman (Dem.).
Rock County.
Second District. [The towns of] Bradford, Harmony, Johnston
[Johnstown], La Prairie and the city of Janesville. Population,
1900 - 17,091.
PLINY NORCROSS (Rep.) of Janesville, was born in Templeton,
Worchester county, Massachusetts, November 16,
1838; received a common school and academic education; is
by profession a lawyer; came to Wisconsin in 1852 and settled
in La Grange, Walworth county, whence he removed in 1865 to Janesville,
where he now resides; enlisted April 16, 1861, in the 1st Wisconsin
Vol. Inf.--a three months' regiment,--and afterwards was captain
of Co. K, 13th Wis. Vol. Inf., participating in all the engagements
of the regiment; has been district attorney of Rock county four
years, city attorney two years and mayor of Janesville two years.
Mr. Norcross has not practiced law since 1883, but has been engaged
in various kinds of manufacturing business. In June, 1904, he
was elected department commander of the state of Wisconsin G.A.R.
He is at present a member of the board of regents of the University
of Wisconsin. He was elected to the assembly in 1865 and again
in 1884; was re-elected to the assembly in 1904 and 1906, receiving
1,069 votes against 57 for John R. Horn (Soc. Dem.).
Rock County.
Third District. The towns of Avon, Beloit, Clinton, Newark,
Plymouth and Turtle, the village of Clinton, and the city of
Beloit. Population, 1900 - 17,210.
SIMON SMITH (Rep.) Beloit, Wis., was born in Axbridge, Eng.,
Nov. 13, 1839; came to this country with his parents
when a boy; received a common school education; settled in
Beloit in 1856. At the breaking out of the civil war he enlisted
in Co. D, 15th Ill. Inf.; after the war he returned to Beloit
and engaged in the painting business; is now retired. Has been
a member of county board twenty years; was for two years chairman
of the board. Was mayor of the city of Beloit from April, 1899,
to April, 1904, has always been a republican in politics. He
was elected to the assembly in 1906, receiving 1,268 votes against
667 for F. Lathers (Dem.).
Sauk County.
First District. The towns of Baraboo, Dellona, Delton, Excelsior,
Fairchild, Freedom, Greenfield, Merrimac, Prairie du Sac and
Sumpter, the villages of Ableman, Merrimac, North Freedom, Prairie
du Sac and Sauk City and the city of Baraboo. Population, 1900
- 16,905.
WILBER CAHOON (Rep.) was born in the town of Baraboo, march
22, 1868, and still resides within half a mile from
where he was born; he received a common school education;
by occupation he is a farmer; has been elected to numerous offices
of public trust. He was elected to the assembly in 1906, receiving
1,599 votes against 849 for Fred W. Zantow (Dem.) and 175 for
Edwin R. Thomas (Pro.).
Sauk County.
Second District. The towns of Bear Creek, Franklin, Honey
Creek, Ironton, La Valle, Reedsburg, Spring Green, Troy, Washington,
Westfield, Winfield and Woodland, the villages of La Valle and
Spring Green and the city of Reedsburg. Population, 1900 - 16,101.
FRANK F. MUELLER (Rep.) was born on a farm in the town of
Woodland, Sauk county, January 5, 1870. He
attended the district school and the Wonewoc high school,
and a preparatory school at Waverly, Iowa. In 1887 he entered
the employ of a druggist in Reedsburg serving three years as
apprentice. He then took a pharmacy course at the University
of Wisconsin, and after receiving a druggist's certificate, gained
practical experience in drug stores in various towns in the state,
and in 1895 established a drug store in Reedsburg in company
with his brother-in-law, G. E. Dangel. Five years later they
dissolved partnership, Mr. Mueller soon after purchased the Ramsey
pharmacy, which he has conducted ever since. Mr. Mueller has
been a republican from the time he cast his first vote, and stands
squarely for the principles laid down in the past several state
platforms. He was elected to the assembly in 1906, receiving
1,054 votes against 776 for Guy B. Harvey (Dem.), 265 for Wm.
F. Schaefer (Ind.) and 139 for Sidney Wakefield (Pro.).
Shawano County.
One District. Population, 1900 - 27,475.
ANTONE KUCKUK (Rep.) was born at Schleisingerville, Washington
county, Wis., Feb. 10, 1863. Attended public
and parochial schools until 13 years of age. Was employed
for two years in hotel at Hartford, Wis.; six years as clerk
in a store at Wausau and Shawano; for twenty-one years has been
engaged in jewelry and music business at Shawano; has been several
years a member of the Shawano county board and of the school
board of Shawano. Was delegate to state convention in 1900. Nominated
in 906 for assembly without opposition and elected, receiving
1,675 votes against 916 votes for Frank A. Wolf (Dem.).
Sheboygan County.
First District. The town of Sheboygan and the city of Sheboygan.
Population, 1900 - 25,143.
JOHN M. DETLING (Dem.) was born in the city of Sheboygan,
Wis., June 21, 1880. Attended the parochial, common
and high schools of that city and was graduated from the
law department of the University of Wisconsin in the class of
1905. Since his graduation he has been engaged in the practice
of law at Sheboygan. Was elected to the assembly in 1906, receiving
1,964 votes against 1,361 for Ulrich Moeckli (Rep.) and 364 for
Charles Gilsdorf (Soc. Dem.).
Sheboygan County.
Second District. The towns of Greenbush, Herman, Holland,
Lima, Lyndon, Mitchell, Mosel, Plymouth, Rhine, Russell, Scott,
Sheboygan Falls, Sherman and Wilson, the villages of Cedar Grove,
Elkhart Lake and Sheboygan Falls, and the city of Plymouth. Population,
1900 - 25,202.
EDWARD J. KEYES (Rep.) was born Jan. 29, 1859, in the town
of Lyndon, Sheboygan county, Wis.; received a
common school education. Has resided in the town of Lyndon
except four years, from 1880 to 1884, when he was a resident
of Dekalb, Ill., where he worked on a farm for two years and
later worked for the I. L. Elwood Barb Wire Fence Mfg. Co. Owned
and operated a cheese factory for thirteen years; is a farmer
by occupation. Has held various local offices. Was nominated
by the republicans of the 2nd assembly district of Sheboygan
county, without opposition and was elected, receiving 2,506 votes
against 1,601 cast for Otto C. Luecke (Dem.) and 144 votes for
Frank Sanders (Soc. Dem.).
St. Croix County.
One District. Population, 1900 - 26,830.
PETER C. ANDERSON (Dem.), of Hammond, came to Wisconsin from
Norway in 1870. Settled in that year in the
town of Hammond, where he has ever since resided. Was employed
for four years upon a farm, and for the succeeding four years
was in the employ of a firm engaged in the implement and hardware
business. In 1878 he embarked in this business for himself, and
to it, together with the sale of real estate and insurance, he
has devoted his energies since that time. Has held prominent
offices in the village of Hammond, such as those of supervisor,
treasurer and president, the last named of which he occupies
at the present time. He is also president of the Hammond Telephone
Co., and since Feb., 1907 has been president of the Bank of Hammond,
of which he was one of the founders. He was elected to the assembly
in 1906, receiving 2,023 votes against 1,697 for A. Johnson (Rep.)
and 54 for F. B. Webster (Pro.).
Trempealeau County.
One District. Population, 1900 - 23,114.
HERMAN L. EKERN (Rep.) was born in the town of Pigeon, Trempealeau
county, Wis., Dec. 27, 1872. He was
educated in the common schools at Pigeon and Whitehall and
graduated from the college of law at the University of Wisconsin
in the class of 1894, and since his graduation has been practicing
law at Whitehall, Wis., in co-partnership with H. A. Anderson
under the firm name of Anderson & Ekern. In 1894 he was nominated
and elected to the office of district attorney for Trempealeau
county on the republican ticket, and held the office for two
terms. He served in the assembly in 1902, and was re-elected
in 1904, and again in 1906, receiving 1,813 votes against 532
votes for Peter Nelton (Dem.). He was elected speaker of the
assembly at the session of 1907.
Vernon County.
One District. Population, 1900 - 28,351.
DAVID F. MAINS (Rep.), of Viroqua, was born Sept. 14, 1874,
in the town of Webster, Vernon county, and has been
a resident of said county since. Is a farmer by occupation.
He was educated in the district schools and the Cashton and Viroqua
high schools. He taught school from 1896-1900, the last three
years of which time he served as town clerk of the town of Clinton.
He was elected clerk of the circuit court in 1900, re-elected
in 1902, and in 1904. Was elected to the assembly in 1906, receiving
2,360 votes against 1,451 votes for J. K. Schreiner (Dem.).
Walworth County.
One District. Population, 1900 - 29,259.
EDWARD H. SPRAGUE was born at Waterloo, Grant county, June
8, 1848. His early education was received in the
primitive log school house and later at "Lancaster Institute,"
a private academy at Lancaster, to which city his mother, who
had become a widow, had removed with her family. Shortly after
the close of the civil war, he went into Dakota, Montana and
British America on a trapping expedition from which he returned
in 1867 to enter the Platteville Normal school, where he was
a student until June 24, 1869, when he graduated with the first
Normal class in this state. He taught as principal of the high
school there in 1873. After holding that position four years
he resigned and entered the law department of the State University.
Immediately after graduation in 1878 he located at Elkhorn for
the practice of his profession. He has served three years as
district attorney of Walworth county, a number of terms on the
county board, as president of the village, and for more than
twenty years on the board of education. He founded the Charles
E. Sprague Free Library, which was named in honor of his deceased
son. In addition to the practice of law, Mr. Sprague is actively
interested in farming, manufacturing, and in several mercantile
establishments. He was elected a member of the assembly in 1906,
receiving 2,603 votes against 1,128 for Lawrence Clancy (Dem.)
and 174 for James Hague (Pro.).
Washington County.
One District. Population, 1900 - 23,589.
B. S. POTTER (Dem.) was born in the town of Elba, Genesee
county, N.Y., Feb. 3, 1836. He came to West Bend in
1856 and clerked in a general store from that time until
1860, when he engaged in the mercantile business for himself,
which business he conducted until 1878 when he sold out and became
connected with a wholesale grocery house in the capacity of commercial
traveler. In 1883 he entered into the milling business and continued
in that business until six years ago. He is now engaged in the
real estate business in West Bend. He is president of the Advancement
Association. In 1884 was a delegate to the democratic national
convention at Chicago. Had never sought or held office until
elected member of assembly in 1902, receiving a majority over
his opponent, Ph. G. Duerrwaechter (Rep.) of 166. Was reelected
in 1904 receiving a majority of 246 over his opponent, Ole Halverson
(Rep.). Was reelected in 1906 over his opponent, Dow Maxon (Rep.)
by a majority of 1124. At the special session of the legislature
in 1903 was appointed and served as one of the assembly members
of the committee to investigate life insurance companies doing
business in this state.
Waukesha County.
First District. The towns of Eagle, Genesee, Mukwonga [Mukwonago],
Muskego, New Berlin, Ottawa, Vernon and Waukesha, the village
of Eagle, and the city of Waukesha. Population, 1900 - 17,364.
JAMES A. McKENZIE (Rep.), of Vernon, was born January 27,
1862, in the town of Vernon, Waukesha county; was
educated in the common schools of his native town and at
Carroll College, Waukesha. For two years (1884 and 1885) clerked
in a general store at Boardman, Wis. Since then he has been engaged
in the general merchandise business at Vernon. He was elected
town clerk three years in succession and was assistant postmaster
for fourteen years. He was elected to the assembly in 1904, and
re-elected in 1906, receiving 1,717 votes against 1,667 for John
M. McGovern (Dem.) and 62 votes for Chris. Beckold (Soc. Dem.).
Waukesha County.
Second District. The towns of Brookfield, Delafield, Lisbon,
Menomonee, Merton, Oconomowoc, Pewaukee and Summit, the villages
of Hartland, Menomonee Falls and Pewaukee, and the city of Oconomowoc.
[Population not given].
RODERICK AINSWORTH (Rep.), of Merton, is a farmer, born in
Du Page county, Ill., and came to Wisconsin in
1844, where he obtained his education in Wisconsin common
and normal schools. He has held various town offices and the
secretaryship of the Lisbon Insurance company several years,
and has taught school many years. He was elected to the assembly
in 1900, and re-elected in 1902, 1904 and 1906, receiving 1,461
votes against 1,443 for Wm. Doolan (Dem.) and 101 votes for Moritz
A. Schmoyer (Pro.) and 53 votes for Louis Schneider (Soc. Dem.).
Waupaca County.
First District. The towns of Caledonia, Dayton, Farmington,
Fremont, Lind, Little Wolf, Royalton, St. Lawrence, Scandinavia,
Waupaca and Weyauega [Weyauwega], the villages of Weyauega [Weyauwega],
Fremont, Manawa and Scandinavia, and the city of Waupaca. Population,
1900 - 16,337.
WESLEY IRVINE (Rep.) was born in Canada in December 1866;
he completed high school in his native village and
later moved to New York, where he attended the Cook Academy
for one year; he later entered the medical department of the
University of Maryland, from which institution he graduated in
1892; immediately after graduation he removed to Waupaca county,
where he has since practiced his profession; was elected member
of the assembly in 1906, receiving 1,437 votes against 224 for
Wm. McHugh (Dem.) and 123 for Henry A. Larson (Pro.).
Waupaca County.
Second District. The towns of Bear Creek, Dupont, Harrison,
Helvetia, Iola, Lebanon, Larrabee, Matteson, Mukwa, Union and
Wyoming, the villages of Embarrass, Iola and Marion, the city
of Clintonville, and the 1st, 2d, 4th and 5th wards of the city
of New London. Population, 1900 - 15,278.
OTTO L. OLEN (Rep.) was born in Winneconne, Winnebago county,
Wis.; was brought up on a farm and educated in
Ball Prairie school, Winneconne high school, and Oshkosh
Normal School; taught school winters, and worked on rivers driving
logs, and on farm summers for several years to earn money to
go to law school. Graduated from the Chicago Law School 1899,
and opened a law office at Monawa [Manawa], Wis. same year. In
Oct. 1901, moved to Clintonville, Wis. and engaged in the practice
of law with his brother Walter A. Olen, under the firm name of
Olen & Olen; has been vice-chairman of the county board of
Waupaca county for the past two years, and president of the Clintonville
Free Library Board since its organization. He was elected to
the assembly in 1906, receiving 1,104 votes against 498 for J.
Prenzlow (Dem.).
Waushara County.
One District. Population, 1900 - 15,972.
E. G. KEUP (Rep.) was born at Oshkosh in 1869; received an
education in the common schools and the Bryant &
Stratton Business College; was elected chairman of the town
of Mt. Morris for eight consecutive years. Is vice-president
of the Mt. Morris Norwegian Mutual Fire Ins. Co.; was elected
to the assembly in 1906, receiving 2,021 votes against 187 for
Walter A. Kelly (Dem.) and 79 for W. J. Knights (Pro.).
Winnebago County.
First District. The town of Oshkosh and the 1st, 2d, 4th,
5th, 7th, 8th, 10th, 11th and 12th wards of the city of Oshkosh.
Population, 1900 - 20,317.
WM. M. PERRY (Rep.) was born in Portage county, Ohio, May
27, 1842. Received common school education, was
brought up on the farm, enlisted in Company F, 7th Ohio Infantry
in June 27, 1861 and served three years in the Civil War, was
wounded at Dumfrees Landing and taken prisoner on the 27th of
December, 1862 and spent the winter of 1862 in Libby Prison.
Was exchanged April 4, 1863 and discharged at Cleveland, Ohio,
on the 7th of July, 1864. Moved to Wisconsin in 1865, was a member
of the board of supervisors of Taylor county in 1880, then moved
to Oshkosh where he has since resided; is a mason and contractor
by trade; was elected member of assembly in 1904, and re-elected
November 6, 1906, receiving 1,799 votes against 1,598 for John
Villwalk (Dem.) and 83 for Stephen P. Jones (Pro.).
Winnebago County.
Second District. The towns of Clayton, Menasha, Neenah, Vinland,
Winchester, Winneconne and Wolf River, the village of Winneconne,
and the cities of Menasha and Neenah. Population, 1900 - 18,670.
M. L. CAMPBELL (Dem.) was born in Omro, March 26, 1864. He
received a liberal education in the Omro high
school. In 1883 he attended the state university at Madison,
and afterwards taught school two years, one year as principal
of the Seymour high school. In 1886 he went to Valparasio, Ind.,
where he spent one year in business college and one year in college.
In 1888 he was admitted to the bar and practiced law in Outagamie
county for one year, coming to Neenah in 1889. In 1892 the citizens
of the first ward in Neenah determined that he was the right
man to represent them on the county board, and though a democrat
in a strong republican ward, he was elected supervisor, and was
re-elected in 1893. He has served as city attorney for Neenah
for six terms. In 1901 he was elected mayor by a flattering majority
over one of Neenah's most popular business men. In 1897, upon
the organization of the Equitable Fraternal Union, an insurance
society, Mr. Campbell was elected secretary, a position he has
held to the present time. He was elected to the assembly in 1906,
receiving 1,404 votes against 1,201 votes for Geo. E. Scott (Rep.)
and 63 votes for W. A. Mason (Pro.).
Winnebago County.
Third District. The towns of Algoma, Black Wolf, Nekimi,
Nepeuskum, Omro, Poygan, Rushford and Utica, and the 3d, 6th,
9th and 13th wards of the city of Oshkosh. Population, 1900 -
19,238.
CHAS. NEITZEL (Rep.) was born in the town of Black Wolf,
Winnebago county, April 1, 1853; received a common
school education; is a successful farmer; has held a number
of offices of honor and trust; has been a member of the town
board and town treasurer seven years, town chairman five years;
school director for twenty-seven years. Was elected to the assembly
in 1906, receiving 1,788 votes against 1,059 for J. Jones (Dem.)
and 123 for W. S. Fridd (Pro.).
Wood County.
One District. Population, 1900 - 25,865.
CLIFFORD R. GOLDSWORTHY (Rep.) is a product of the state
of Wisconsin. He was born on a farm in Racine
county in 1865, and attended the district school until he
was 18 years of age. He then attended the Union Grove high school
for two terms and finished his education by taking a business
course at Spencerian College in Milwaukee in 1886. When he became
21 years of age, with his fathers assistance, he started farming
on his own account on a farm of 160 acres of land in Kenosha
county. This farm he operated successfully for eight years and
in 1894 leased the farm and engaged in the real estate business
at Union Grove. Following the real estate business he first visited
Wood county, on a tour of investigation, on July 6th, 1896, and
being impressed with the natural advantages of Wood county, he
at once set to work locating settlers in and near Vesper, invested
a little in lands himself, built a small saw-mill and also engaged
in the general merchandise business at Vesper and became post-master
at that place. He has twice served his town as chairman and been
a member of the county board; is now engaged in the real estate
business, placing loans and farming. He was elected to the assembly
in 1906, receiving 2,155 votes against 1,992 for Frank Pomainville
(Dem.).