MANITOWOC COUNTY PERSONAL SKETCHES

LEWIS SHERMAN

From The History of Northern Wisconsin, Vol II. Chicago: Western 
Historical Pub. Co., 1881, p. 533

Lewis Sherman, firm of L. Sherman & Company, manufacturers of leather and 
dealers in shoe findings, Manitowoc, was born in Walpole, N. H., May 1, 1811. 
In the Winter of 1834-35, he came to Ashtabula County, Ohio, and there 
taught a district school that season. In the Spring of 1835, he removed to 
Naperville, Ill., and worked at the millwright business for several Winters 
thereafter; removing to Essex Co., N. Y., where his father had established 
a tannery. He and his brother assisted in the business. In 1840, he assumed 
the management of the tannery, remaining eight years, when he returned to 
Naperville, Ill., and carried on the boot and shoe business for two years. 
In 1850 he went to Manitowoc Rapids, engaging in the manufacture of leather. 
Soon after, he built his present tannery in Manitowoc, and discontinued the 
boot and shoe business.

        ***
LEWIS SHERMAN (I think this is probably the same Sherman as above)
Manitouwoc [old spelling] County Herald 
September 6, 1851, Vol. 1 No. 41, 2nd page Column 5 

New Tannery.  Lewis Sherman, an enterprising and worthy citizen of Manitouwoc 
Rapids, is erecting a fine large building at this place for a Tannery.  We 
understand that it is nearly completed, and the manufacturing of leather will 
be commenced in a few weeks.
 

MR. SHERMAN
From the Manitowoc County Chronicle Two Rivers Wisconsin, June 1875

An accident which came near resulting seriously occurred in our city
on Monday last.  While Mr. Sherman was conveying Mrs. Burnett to his 
home, the buggy by some means or other ran upon the heels of the horse,
frightening it and causing it to run.  Mr. Sherman guided the animal
against a steep bank, and at one time the couple were in imminent 
danger from the horse falling backwards upon them.  But fortunately
no such catastrophe occurred.  They were both slightly injured, but 
were doubtless thankful to escape as well as they did.


LEWIS SHIMEK
This is a bio. sketch from "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin",
by Dr. L. Falge, 1911-1912, v.2, p.580-583.

Lewis Shimek, a representative citizen and successful agriculturist of 
Manitowoc Rapids, was born in the town of Rockland, August 22, 1860, and is
a son of Joseph Shimek. In 1856 Joseph Shimek came to the United States 
from Bohemia, bringing with him his wife Mary and three children, Frank, 
Wenzl and Joseph. Locating in Manitowoc county, he took up wild land near 
Reedsville, and remained there eight years, and there three children were 
born, Stephen, Charles and Lewis. He then took his family to Port 
Washington and lived there for three years in order that his children might
have the benefits to be derived in the schools of a larger town. The land 
which is now being operated by Stephen Shimek was purchased by his father 
in 1867, and there he continued to operate until his retirement in 1883, 
when he moved to the city of Manitowoc and resided there until his death, 
September 28, 1910, at the age of eighty-two years. His wife passed away in
1892, and was sixty-eight years old at the time of her death.
Stephen Shimek received his education in the schools of Reedsville and 
Port Washington, and as a lad worked on his fathers' farm. At the age of 
twenty-one he began to learn the carpenter's trade, and for the next 
thirty years was engaged in doing contract work, erecting many of this 
section's largest residences and barns. He took charge of the home farm at 
the age of twenty-six years and here he has continued to live while 
following carpentry. In 1880 Mr. Shimek married Miss Anna Benisek, a 
daughter of Mathias and Pauline Benisek, and they have seven children, 
Lotta, Jamiel, Anna, Clara, Joseph, Elsie and Anita.
Lewis Shimek received his education in the schools of the township of 
Manitowoc Rapids, and worked on the home farm until he was twenty-four 
years of age, at which time he purchased the land on which he is now 
carrying on general farming operations. This tract he has developed from a 
wild waste of stumps, timber and swamp into one of the best cultivated 
farms in his township, and in 1891 he erected a handsome residence to take 
the place of the small house which he at first occupied. In 1884 Mr. 
Shimek was married to Miss Appelen Benisek, a daughter of Mathias Benisek, 
and they have had six children, Hugo, Otto, Cornelia, Emma, Leo and Lola.



WENZEL SHIMON
This is a bio. sketch from "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin",
by Dr. L. Falge, 1911-1912, v.2, p.219.

There are very few Bohemians in this country who have not succeeded in 
life, for there is something in the Bohemian character that makes for 
success. They know how to work, save and invest, and in a comparatively 
short time accumulate a competency, often succeeding where an American-born
man fails. This is true in nearly all lines of business, but especially is 
it so in farming, and no better example can be found than the career of 
Wenzel Shimon, of the town of Rapids, who, handicapped by a lack of 
knowledge of the English language, has won a place for himself among the 
leading men of his town through the force of his own earnest endeavor.
Mr. Shimon was born in 1864, in Bohemia, and is a son of Albert and Annie 
(Feche) Shimon, natives of that country. Albert Shimon was born in 1836, 
and came to this country with his family in 1865, settling in Cooperstown, 
Manitowoc county, where he purchased wild land. He erected a log house and 
cleared his farm for cultivation and here the family resided for 
thirty-five years. He was engaged in farming up to the time of his 
retirement, and now makes his home with his son, Wenzel.
Wenzel Shimon was one of a family of three children, and was brought up to 
farming, working on his father's farm until the latter's retirement, at 
which time he bought his present farm in the town of Rapids. He has always 
been a hard and faithful worker and his persistence has been rewarded by 
the accumulation of an excellent property. Men like Mr. Shimon are examples
of what can be accomplished by those determined to succeed and their 
careers should inspire others to like endeavors.
In 1889 Mr. Shimon was married to Miss Rosa Veleble, born in Cooperstown, 
a daughter of John Veleble. She died in 1898, leaving two daughters and one
son. In 1899 Mr. Shimon married Ludmela Hoverick, a native of Bohemia, and 
they have had six children. Both are devout members of the Catholic church.


T.C. SHOVE

From The History of Northern Wisconsin, Vol II. Chicago: Western 
Historical Pub. Co., 1881, p. 533

Banker, Manitowoc, is a native of Onondaga, N. Y., born June 3, 1831; came 
to Manitowoc in 1850, where he has since resided. He commenced the study of 
law in 1853; was admitted to the bar in 1858. He has the agency for several 
fire insurance companies, some of which he has held since 1854. He soon 
after drited into the banking business, which he has since continued. He was 
Deputy Collector of Internal Revenues from 1869 to January 1876. Mr. Shove 
is one of the oldest settlers of Manitowoc, and a warm friend of education, 
and has had his full share of satisfaction and pleasure in its growth and 
prosperity.
              ***********

Manitowoc Tribune, Vol. 18 No. 20, Thursday, August 31, 1871, Page 4 Column 3 

"Quare." - Last week, while workmen were engaged in digging a well on the Dairy 
Farm of T.C.Shove, near the Rapids, and having reached the depth of 33 feet, a 
part of which was through solid clay, and still finding no water, but soon expected 
to find it, left their tools at the bottom in the evening when they quit work, 
expecting of course, to find them the next morning to go to work with.  Much to 
their surprise, as they reached the well the next morning, they found 31 feet of 
water in it, and still rising, till it reached the top, and now flows a continual 
stream of pure sparkling water.  The well as dug upon a side hill, and is supposed 
to have come so near the lead of some spring that the water worked its way through 
the clay some time during the night.


WILLIAM SHWANTES

This is a bio. sketch from "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin",
by Dr. L. Falge, 1911-1912, v.2, p.324-327.

William Shwantes, one of the highly esteemed residents of Two Rivers 
township, is the owner of a farm of one hundred and ten acres situated on 
section 33 and is an honored veteran of the Civil war. He was born March 
5, 1843. in Pomerania, Germany, and is a son of Frederick and Freda 
(Miller) Shwantes. Mr. Shwantes' parents were married in Germany and came 
to the United States in 1856 on the sailing vessel Rudolph. Landing at New 
York city, they came west to Manitowoc county and secured eighty acres of 
wild land on section 33, Two Rivers township, on which had been erected a 
small log cabin, which was the family home for ten years. Frederick 
Shwantes then went to Winfield, Kansas, where he died at the age of 
seventy-two years. His wife remained on the old homestead in Two Rivers 
township and there passed away when she was in her seventy-sixth year. They
were faithful members of the Lutheran church. Of ten children born to them 
six are still surviving, namely: Fred, who is engaged in farming in 
Winfield, Kansas; Freda, who married Henry Tiede, of Two Rivers, Wisconsin;
William; Sophia, who lives on the homestead; Ida, who married Fred Miller, 
of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin; and Ernst, who is living in Oshkosh.
William Shwantes attended school in his native country but after coming to 
America his services were needed on the home farm and he had no chance to 
improve his education. He worked on the home farm until August, 1862, when 
he enlisted at Portage, Michigan, in Company I, Twenty-third Regiment, 
Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and first went to Louisville, Kentucky, where 
his regiment joined Sherman's army, participating in the Battles of Atlanta
and Tunnel Hill. They then took part in the siege of Knoxville and the 
battle of Chattanooga and the regiment then became a part of the 
Twenty-third Army Corps and fought in the battle of Nashville. They next 
went by boat to Fort Anderson and on to Raleigh, North Carolina, and at 
Louisboro, in that state, Mr. Shwantes received his discharge, going to 
Detroit, Michigan, where he was mustered out and thence returned home. 
After his marriage he went to live with his parents and took care of them 
until their deaths, and in 1909 he purchased a new home for himself and 
family, sixty acres being a part of the old homestead and fifty additional 
acres being located on the same section.
In 1867 Mr. Shwantes was married to Miss Emma Kortens, who was born in 
Brunswick, Germany, and came to America with her parents in 1855, the 
family settling in Kossuth township, Manitowoc county. Six children have 
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Shwantes: Johanna, who resides at home; William, 
a contractor and builder of Manitowoc; Ida, a trained nurse in San Diego, 
California; Julius, a machinist of Green Bay, Wisconsin; Ernst, on the old 
home farm; and Emma, an art teacher in Los Angeles, California.  Mr. 
Shwantes and his family are connected with the Evangelical church of Two 
Rivers.
He has all his life been identified with agricultural pursuits and is 
rated among the leading farmers of his township, having acquired deep 
insight into farming conditions here. He works constantly to improve his 
property along scientific lines so as to get the best results. He is a 
republican in politics but has never desired to hold public office.


William Shwantes and family




HENRY SIBREE
This is a bio. sketch from "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin",
by Dr. L. Falge, 1911-1912, v.2, p.545-546.

Henry Sibree won more than local prominence as an able member of the bar of
Manitowoc county and became widely known for his active support of and 
helpful interest in the cause of education. These and other features in his
life record made him a valued citizen of the county. He was born in 
Dumbarton, Scotland, March 25, 1825, and his boyhood days were spent in his
native land. When twenty-one years of age he was sent to the United States 
to teach the people of Lodi, New Jersey, how to make fast black and white 
prints. His opportunities for attending school had been somewhat limited 
and while in New Jersey he availed himself of the chance to attend night 
school, thus supplementing his early training. He afterward went to 
Providence, Rhode Island, in order to teach the process of manufacturing 
fast black and white prints, thus becoming a pioneer in the business in the
new world. In 1848 he sailed around South America, touching at Rio Janeiro,
Cape Horn and Valparaiso, Chile, whence he continued on to California, 
where for three years he engaged in mining gold with good success. Previous
to leaving New York he had married and immediately afterward started on his
voyage to the far west. In 1851 he returned to the eastern metropolis by 
way of Mexico, traveling the whole distance from the Pacific to the gulf 
coast on mule back and thence to New York. In that city he engaged in 
contract teaming for wholesale and importing houses, establishing on John 
street a large and lucrative business, which for many years was conducted 
under his name. The love for an outdoor life which had grown strong within 
him during his stay in California kept calling him to the west, so
disposing of his interests in the east he traveled by way of the Erie canal
and the Great Lakes to Wisconsin, arriving in Manitowoc county in 1858. He
settled in Kossuth township, where he engaged in farming, but finding that 
he was not adapted to agricultural pursuits, he remained on the farm but a 
short time. He then established his home in the city of Manitowoc and 
entered the law office of J. D. Markham. Later he was admitted to the bar 
and from that time forward continuously practiced law in Manitowoc county. 
He served for two or three terms as district attorney and was recognized as
an able lawyer, carefully preparing his cases which he presented before the
court in a clear and logical manner, seldom failing to win the verdicts 
desired. He readily saw the relation between the facts and principles of 
law and, moreover, in the presentation of evidence he reasoned clearly from
cause to effect.
Mr. Sibree was married in 1848 to Miss Mary Vreeland, a native of Paterson,
New Jersey, born September 18, 1830. She was in her sixtieth year when on 
the 18th of April, 1890, she passed away. In their family were five 
children who reached adult age. Dr. H. C. Sibree, a successful physician, 
is conducting a hospital at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Gertrude, who died at 
the age of twenty-four years, was one of the most charming and lovely young
women that Manitowoc has ever known and her loss was deeply regretted by 
an extensive circle of friends as well as her immediate family. Sara, who 
is the widow of Captain Edward Bornemann, of Chicago, who served throughout
the Civil war as a volunteer from Illinois, was educated in the schools of 
Manitowoc, being one of the first graduates of the high school here. She 
also spent two years in the University of Illinois School of Pharmacy and 
Chemistry, being graduated with honors. She is recognized as a woman of 
unusual force and intellectual attainments. During the campaign of 1912 she
has had charge of the affairs of the executive committee of the state of 
Illinois, managing Governor Woodrow Wilson's campaign, with headquarters 
in Chicago. She owns a beautiful summer home at No. 610 North Fourth street
in Manitowoc, commanding a splendid view of Lake Michigan, and expects to 
return here when her working days are over. Lottie, the next in the family,
is deceased. Annie is the wife of Henry Bush, official reporter of the 
Fourth Judicial circuit of Wisconsin.
Henry Sibree, the father of these children, became widely known in 
Manitowoc county because of his professional prominence, his business 
activity and his helpful interest in public affairs. During the long 
illness of Jerry Crowley, he acted as editor of the Manitowoc Pilot. He had
a wide acquaintance among the distinguished men of the country and when 
residing in New York city belonged to a literary club which numbered among 
its members Henry Ward Beecher and George B. Cheever. During all of his 
life he was closely identified with educational interests and in connection
with K.K. Jones, one of his clients, he succeeded in establishing the first
public library in Manitowoc, known as the Jones Library and served as its
president.  He supported the democratic party and always took an active
interest in politics, in fact he was greatly interested in every question
of vital importance to the city, state and nation and at no time was 
neglectful of the duties of citizenship.


LENA SIEBERT

Manitowoc Herald Times Sept 2, 1965, Thursday
PAGE:  T5 COLUMN:  2

SIEBERT
Mrs. Ernest Siebert, 75, of Reedsville, died Thursday morning at home.
Funeral services will be 2 pm Saturday at Reedsville Funeral Home the Rev.
George J. Knudson officiating.  Burial will be in Zion Evangelical Lutheran
Cemetery, Morrison.
Mrs. Siebert was born May 7, 1890, in the Town of Maple Grove, daughter of
the late Herman and Mathilda Birkholtz Maertz.  She was married to Mr.
Siebert Dec. 13, 1913 at St.. James Evangelical Lutheran Church, Reedsville.
The couple made its home at Reedsville.
Besides her husband, Mrs. Siebert is survived by a son, Gilford, of
Wayside, four brothers, Albert & Leonard, of Reedsville and Louis & Erwin,
of Rt. 1, Reedsville; two sisters, Mrs. Ida Fokett and Mrs. Elsie Treichel,
of Reedsville and two grandchildren.
Friends may call at the funeral home after 3 pm Friday.
*********
VOLUME #61 PAGE #310

NAME:  Lena Siebert
COLOR/SEX:  W/F
OCCUPATION:  housewife
AGE:  75
FATHER:  Herman Maertz
MOTHER:  Matilda Birkholtz
BIRTHPLACE OF DECEASED:  Wisconsin
BIRTHDATE:  May 7, 1890
CERTIFICATION:  Married
HUSBAND OF DECEASED:  Ernst G. Siebert
DEATH DATE:  Sept. 2, 1965
CAUSE OF DEATH: obstructive jaundice and adeno caricuroma of cerman heart duct 
LENGTH OF DISEASE:  3 months
PLACE OF DEATH:  Reedsville, Wisconsin
RESIDENCE:  Reedsville
NAME OF INFORMANT:  Ernst G. Siebert - 74 yrs old
PLACE OF BURIAL:  Community Cemetery in Brillion, WI
DATE OF BURIAL:  Sept 4, 1965
DATE OF REGISTRATION:  Sept 10, 1965


EDWARD SIEKER
This is a bio. sketch from "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin",
by Dr. L. Falge, 1911-1912, v.2, p.246-247.

The prosperity which generally prevails throughout Manitowoc county is 
indicated by the number of its native sons who still reside within its 
borders. Among these is counted Edward Sieker, who since 1904 has owned and
operated in Newton township the farm on which he was reared. He was born 
November 29, 1887, on his grandfather's farm near Rapids, the son of 
Frederick and Lena (Puls) Sieker. The grandfather, Frederick Sieker, Sr., 
and his wife came to America from Holland in 1846, when their son 
Frederick, Jr., was only six years of age. They settled first in the state 
of New York, but after a few years removed to Manitowoc county, where they 
purchased land near Rapids and resided until Mr. Sieker's death, in 1890. 
Frederick Sieker, Jr., was born in Holland in 1840 and as a lad was 
associated with the work on his father's farm, where he remained until he 
was twenty-three years of age. At that time he enlisted in the Civil war, 
joining Company I, of the Twenty-sixth Wisconsin Regiment. He served until 
the close of the war, after which he returned to this county. Here he 
married Miss Lena Puls, who was a native of Germany and was brought to 
this county by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Puls. In 1887 Mr. Sieker
purchased a farm in Newton township, which he operated until 1904, when he 
and his wife retired and they now live in Centerville. In their family were
five children.
Edward Sieker received his education in the neighborhood district schools
and has always worked on his father's farm. In 1904 he purchased the same, 
and is now operating it. The family are members of the German Lutheran
church at Newton. On December 26, 1911, Mr. Sieker was united in marriage 
with Miss Lydia Fick, a native of Manitowoc county and daughter of Henry
and Emilie (Filter) Fick.
With that stalwart character inherited from his worthy ancestry, Edward 
Sieker works hard and although yet a young man is recognized as a 
representative and enterprising citizen of his community. He is interested 
in all that pertains to the general progress and improvement and has given 
his cooperation to many movements for the public good. He has very capably 
taken up the work laid down by his father and obtains remarkable results 
as a successful and scientific farmer.



FRANK G. SIEWERT
From the "Souvenir Book of The Diamond Jubilee of St. Casimir's 
Congregation At Northeim (Newton) Wisconsin  1868 - 1943"
Former State Treasurer of South Dakota


Frank G. Siewert was born at Cleveland, Wis., Jan. 20, 1899.  Educated at
St. Casimir's parochial school at Northeim, and the public school at
Cleveland, Wis., high school at Manitowoc, and the University of
Wisconsin, at Madison, Wis.  While there, he enlisted in the Students Army
Training Corps during the First World War.
In 1919 he left for South Dakota, where he settled in the vicinity of
Willow Lake to engage  in farming, later in banking.
In 1932 he was elected South Dakota State Treasurer and reelected in
1934. From several newspaper clippings, bearing Reports of the State 
Treasury of South Dakota, and dated: Pierre, So. Dakota, July 9, July 10, 
1935, it appears that Mr. Frank Siewert was a very capable and successful 
man in that Department.  These newspapers bestowed the highest praise upon
him.  One carried this headline:  "STATE TREASURER SHOWS LARGEST CASH ON 
HAND."
At the conclusion of the second term, Mr. Siewert was appointed for a
four years' term to serve as a member of the Unemployment Compensation and
Employment Service Commission.  At the expiration of this service he moved
to Fremont, Nebr. to engage in private business.



JOSEPH ALBERT SIEWERT
From the "Souvenir Book of The Diamond Jubilee of St. Casimir's 
Congregation At Northeim (Newton) Wisconsin  1868 - 1943"


Born Oct. 1, 1901, in the township of Centerville, Manitowoc County,
Joseph was baptized at St. Casimir's church, Northeim, Wisconsin.
He attended St. Casimir's school until his Confirmation.  Afterwards he
went to grade-school dist. No. 1 in Centerville.  From there he went to
Manitowoc high school from 1915 to 1919.
He worked in South Dakota from the fall of 1919 to 1922.
Thereupon he entered the postal service at the Milwaukee Post Office, on
August 1, 1922. He left service Sept. 1, 1929, in order to take up farming in
Centerville, but reentered postal service May 1, 1936, where he is 
employed at present.



WALTER SIEWERT
From the "Souvenir Book of The Diamond Jubilee of St. Casimir's 
Congregation At Northeim (Newton) Wisconsin  1868 - 1943"

Walter was born August 12, 1895 in the township of Centerville, Manitowoc
County and was baptized at St. Casimir's church, Northeim, Wisconsin.
He attended the grade school in his township and graduated in 1912.
Thereupon he enrolled in and frequented the Normal School at Stevens
Point, Wis., in 1913 and 1914.  He taught school at Thorpe, Wis., from
1915-1916.
In 1917 he joined the U.S. Army and served for almost two years.
After an honorable discharge from the army, he attended Auto-School at
Kansas City.  From there he went to South Dakota in 1919, where he
operated a summer resort at Lake Byron, South Dakota, from 1919 to 1923.  
From 1923 to 1933 he operated trucks and contracted road work.
From 1933 to 1940 he worked for the Government as a Foreman in a C.C.C.
Camp and built roads and bridges.
In 1940 he bought a Cafe in Custer, South Dakota, which he still
operates. In 1941 he acquired a ranch which he operates at present.



ERNEST A. SIGGELKOW
This is a bio. sketch from "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin",
by Dr. L. Falge, 1911-1912, v.2, p.529-530.

The manufacture of cheese is one of the important industries of eastern 
Wisconsin and to this Ernest A. Siggelkow is giving his attention. He is a 
young man possessed of good business ability, and his thorough 
understanding of the work in which he is now engaged, combined with his 
laudable ambition and earnest purpose, is bringing to him gratifying 
success. He has been a lifelong resident of Manitowoc county, his birth 
having occurred in Centerville township, September 2, 1884. His father, 
Ludwig Siggelkow, was a native of Germany but came to America when very 
young, having been only eight years of age at the time he crossed the 
Atlantic with his parents. The family home was established on a farm in 
the township of Centerville, and Ludwig Siggelkow has since been identified
with agricultural pursuits. He has a farm of sixty acres which is now under
a high state of cultivation, and from that property he derives a good 
annual income although at the present time he is living retired in the 
village of Centerville, having reached the age of seventy-seven years on 
the 7th of April, 1912. At one time he was the owner of ninety-eight acres
but has since disposed of a portion of this. His wife also survives. The 
father married twice. He was first married in 1862 and after the death of 
that wife he wedded Augusta Braun who was born in Germany. In the family 
were six children.
Ernest A. Siggelkow acquired a common-school education and in early life 
worked upon the home farm for a number of years, assisting his father in 
the cultivation of the fields. He learned the business of cheese making 
from his brothers, and in 1907 he came to his present location in Osman 
where he has since conducted a cheese factory. This is well equipped with 
modern machinery and he utilizes improved processes in the manufacture of 
his product which because of its excellence finds a ready sale on the 
market.
On the 26th of April, 1908, Mr. Siggelkow was married to Miss Lena Vogel, 
a daughter of Richard Vogel, of Centerville township, who is still living. 
Both Mr. and Mrs. Siggelkow are well known in this locality where they have
spent their entire lives and where their circle of friends is almost 
coextensive with the circle of their acquaintance.



HUBERT SIMON, SR.
This is a bio. sketch from "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin",
by Dr. L. Falge, 1911-1912, v.2, p.536-537.

Hubert Simon, Sr., has the distinction of having been the first white child
born in Meeme township, and because of this a gold medal was awarded him at
Milwaukee. His natal day was February 2, 1848, and he has been a witness of
almost the entire development and growth of the county as pioneer 
conditions have been replaced by those which indicate an advanced and 
progressive civilization. His father, Hubert Simon, was a native of 
Prussia, Germany, and like many of his fellow countrymen, sought a home and
fortune in America. In one of the old-time sailing vessels he crossed the 
Atlantic in 1846 and for a year and a half remained a resident of New York 
city, coming thence to Meeme township, Manitowoc county. While in the 
eastern metropolis he acted as an interpreter at Castle Garden. In 1847 he 
came to Meeme and settled on a farm. He afterward engaged in land 
speculation in this county in connection with Fox, Cook & Company and sold 
much of the land in this section. He found in this field a profitable 
source of business in which he continued to the time of his death. He was 
accidentally shot in 1856 and thus passed away when but a comparatively 
young man. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Catherine Herrings, 
continued to reside in this county to the time of her death, which occurred
in 1887.
Hubert Simon, who was the fifth in order of birth in a family of seven 
children, attended the public schools and also was liberally educated in 
music in Chicago, where he attended the Conservatory of Music, remaining 
in that city for a year. For two years thereafter he traveled with John 
Robinson's circus and then returned to Chicago, where he continued for two 
years. In 1868 he again came to Manitowoc county and took up farming, 
having originally a tract of eighty acres, to which he has since added a 
similar amount. The land is naturally rich and arable and the cultivation 
which he bestows upon the fields is rewarded with excellent crops. 
Everything about his place is neat and thrifty in appearance and indicates 
the practical and progressive methods of the owner. Much of the time he 
has continued his musical studies although in more recent years he has had 
comparatively little leisure for the cultivation of the art. In 1899 he 
established a hotel and saloon at School Hill where he has since resided.
Mr. Simon was united in marriage to Miss Mary Hoffman, a daughter of 
William Hoffman, a native of Germany, as was Mrs. Simon. There are four 
children by this marriage: Katie, the wife of Herman Schneider, a harness 
maker of Cleveland, by whom she has three children; Helen, the wife of 
Herman Gerber, who is living on a farm at Medford, Taylor county, 
Wisconsin, and has two children; Laura, who is the wife of Joe Likeman, a 
farmer; and Hubert, who is living on the old homestead. He is married and 
has an adopted child.
Mr. Simon!s long residence in Manitowoc county has made him widely known 
and his activity in business has gained for him a substantial measure of 
success. He can remember the time when most of this section of the country 
was covered with a dense growth of trees—the natural forest—and when the 
timber was the haunt of much wild game. The Indians had a reservation in 
the neighborhood and Mr. Simon grew up among them and learned to talk their
language. He has rejoiced in what has been accomplished as the work of 
improvement has been carried forward and has always borne his share in the 
labor that has brought about present-day conditions.



JOHN NICHOLAS SIMONIS
This is a bio. sketch from "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin",
by Dr. L. Falge, 1911-1912, v.2, p.189-190.

John Nicholas Simonis, a prosperous business man of Two Rivers, Wisconsin, 
who is the owner and proprietor of a retail liquor establishment on 
Seventeenth street, was born February 26, 1842, on the river Mosel, Rhine 
province, Germany, and is a son of John Hugo and Eva Simonis. John Nicholas
Simonis was one of a family of eight children, and came to the United 
States in 1866, securing employment in the chair factory at Two Rivers, 
where he continued to work for twenty-two years, and in 1888 entered the 
saloon business, building a residence and store where he now conducts his 
business. He has served the town as assessor for four years, and was a 
member of the old village board, the names of which were cast on the 
village bell. Fraternally, he is connected with the Sons of Herman.
In 1867 Mr. Simonis was united in marriage with Anna Schnitzius, who
died, leaving one child, Albert. In 1872, Mr. Simonis was married to 
Catherine Petri, and to this union there have been born eight children, as 
follows: Otto; August, who died at the age of thirty-three years; Ernest; 
Louisa, the wife of Frank Becker, a member of the well known firm of the 
Becker Manufacturing Company, of Two Rivers; Augusta; Leona; George and 
Viola.


WENCIL SINKULA CABIN


Cabin owned by Wencil Sinkula which was also the first temporary
church of Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary church in Tisch Mills.
Photo from the Wentorf collection at the Two Rivers Lester Library



JOHN SIPEK

From "Commemorative Biographical Record of the Upper Wisconsin" by
J.H. Beers & Co. 1895

  John Sipek, a general and popular hotel-keeper in Antigo, Langlade
county, was born in Centerville township, Manitowoc Co., Wis., 
June 19, 1860, and is a son of Joseph and Anna (Rine) Sipek.
  Joseph Sipek was the son of Joseph, Sr., and Veronica (Gregor)
Sipek, who both died in Austria, and who had five children, as follows:
Joseph, Jr.; John, who lives in Green Bay; Wenzel in Austria; and Anna
and Catherine, who both came to America. Joseph Sipek, Sr., was a mason
by trade, a soldier in 1809 and fought against Napoleon the Great. His
son, Joseph Sipek, Jr., was born in Austria, in March 1827, was a
shoemaker in that country, married Anna Rine, and had nine children,
namely; Catherine (now deceased), Elizabeth, Wenzel, Pauline (deceased),
John (the subject of this sketch), Mary, Adolph, Anna and Emma. In
1857 Joseph Sipek, Jr., embarked for America with his family and,
after arriving in this country, came direct to Wisconsin, taking up
a farm in Centerville township, Manitowoc county, which he improved,
and upon which he lived until 1882. He sold out that year, bought
land in Township 32 north, Range 11 east, Neva township, resided there
until 1891, and then moved to Antigo township. He is still a hale and
hearty man, has accumulated what he possessess(sic) by his own
perseverance and industry, has reared, educated and helped his
children, and still has plenty left.
  John Sipek, the subject of this sketch, remained at home and assisted
his father with the work until he was twenty-one years old, being given
school advantages only to the age of thirteen. In 1881, on reaching
his majority, he came to Neva township, Langlade county, purchased a
farm, his father advancing the money, and resided there some nine
years, clearing about sixty acres. On February 8, 1885, he was united
in marriage with Emma Skyrevoda, who was born in Manitowoc county, 
Wis., in 1868, and they had four children: Matilda, Alvina, and John
living, and Joseph who died when two years old. The parents of Mrs.
Sipek, Anton and Elizabeth (Krache) Skyrevoda, were both born in
Austria, and were among the early settlers of Manitowoc county; Anton
Skyrevoda has been a farmer by occupation, but now, with his wife,
is living retired. They have had five children: Emma (Mrs. Sipek),
Adolph, Anna, Mary and Lydia.
  During the spring of 1890 John Sipek rented his farm in Neva
township and came to Antigo, where he bought the land, built his
present home, and keeps a hotel called the "Farmers' Home." He is
always independent in politics, was school clerk two years, and member
of the town board one year. In 1890 he spent some time in visiting
different sections of the country, remained about three weeks in
Nebraska and about four weeks in California, came from there to 
Chicago, and then returned home.



EMIL C. SIXTA
This is a bio. sketch from "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin",
by Dr. L. Falge, 1911-1912, v.2, p.97-98.

Emil C. Sixta, one of the leading business men of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, who
has been extensively engaged in the real-estate business for a number of 
years, is a native of Manitowoc, and was born in 1873, a son of Frank and 
Anna (Kolinsky) Sixta, natives of Bohemia. They came to Manitowoc in the 
spring of 1867, Mr. Sixta engaging in the wholesale liquor business until 
his death, which occurred June 18, 1905. His widow, who still survives, 
makes her home in this city. They were the parents of four sons: Frank, 
who is engaged in carrying on the wholesale liquor business founded by his 
father; Louis, a physician of Schuyler, Nebraska, who owns an interest in 
the liquor business; Edward, who is also engaged in this business with his 
brothers; and Emil C.
Emil C. Sixta received his education in the public schools of Manitowoc, 
and was engaged in the business founded by his father and of which he was 
manager for fourteen years, until 1908, when he entered the real-estate 
business, purchasing twenty thousand acres of land in the Ontonagon valley 
in upper Michigan. This land he sells in tracts of eighty or more acres, 
and he has already located about three hundred farmers, who find the 
clay-loam soil excellent for agricultural purposes, and entirely free from 
rock and sand. He has developed a number of towns there and has 
superintended the building of good roads and bridges, and the erection of 
manufacturing plants and other industries. The land, that has been 
developed, has tripled in value, and this section, under Mr. Sixta's able 
and efficient supervision, is fast becoming one of the most desirable 
locations in every way to be found in Michigan.
On August 15, 1904, Mr. Sixta was married to Irene W. Bleser, daughter of 
Dan Bleser, of the Kunz-Bleser Company, of Manitowoc, and one son, Frank, 
has been born to this union. Mrs. Sixta is a consistent member of the 
Catholic church, and has been prominent in church and charitable work. Mr.
Sixta is a popular member of the Elks and the Manitowoc Automobile Club.



FRANK SIXTA
This is a bio. sketch from "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin",
by Dr. L. Falge, 1911-1912, v.2, p.91-92.

Among the men of foreign birth who, in the course of years, became well 
established in business in Manitowoc and were successful in the conduct of 
their various undertakings, Frank Sixta was numbered. He came to the new 
world from Prague, Austria, in 1867, and shortly after his arrival he 
established a wholesale liquor business, in connection with which he also 
dealt in bar supplies.
The undertaking prospered from the beginning, and after a few years he 
admitted a Mr. Arns, of Sheboygan, to a partnership. Later he was again 
alone in the business and subsequently organized the firm of F. Sixta & 
Sons, in which he continued until his death, his associates being E. C. and
Edward W. Sixta, who became his partners. The former withdrew from the 
firm, Dr. L. H. Sixta taking his place as a stockholder in 1909. He and his
brother Edward W. still carry on the business, the latter having entire 
charge although both are financially interested. The trade of the house has
continually grown until the business now extends all over the state. Frank 
Sixta erected the building in which the business is conducted. He was a 
self-made man and very progressive, never faltering in the performance of 
any duty nor allowing any difficulty or obstacle to bar his path. He worked
on persistently and with determination, and as a result of his energies 
won success.
Mr. Sixta was united in marriage to Miss Anna Kolinsky, of Austria, who 
still survives him. They became the parents of four children: Frank; Louis 
H., who is a practicing physician; Edward W., who is his father's successor
in the management of the liquor business; and Emil, who is engaged in the 
land business.
The father was truly a self-made man. He had nothing to aid him when he 
started out in life, but he early learned the lesson that there is no royal
road to wealth, and as the years passed on his earnest, persistent labor, 
intelligently directed, brought to him a substantial financial return. He 
was a public-spirited citizen and one who gave active and helpful support 
to various measures for the public good. He died in the year 1905 after a 
connection of almost four decades with the business affairs of the city.
Edward W. Sixta, to whom we are indebted for the material furnished 
concerning his father, was born August 16, 1871, in Manitowoc, and the 
public schools afforded him his educational privileges, acquainting him 
with such branches of learning as are deemed essential in the preparation 
for life's practical and responsible duties. As he approached manhood he 
became associated with his father in business and for twenty-three years 
has continued in the same line of trade. The growth of the house has been 
continuous and the firm has enjoyed a constantly increasing patronage.
Mr. Sixta was united in marriage to Miss Olga M. Sousthagen of Manitowoc, 
and they are well known in social circles here. He votes with the 
republican party but is not interested in politics as an office seeker. He 
desires only that the best interests of citizenship and of good government 
shall be conserved by the party which he supports and is content to leave 
office holding to others, while he gives his time and energies to the 
capable control of the business in which he is now engaged.


FRANTISEK SKWOR

Frantisek (Frank) Skwor was b. 20 April 1842 in Bohemia, and emigrated with
his parents in 1843 when he was 1 year old. He married Anna Tuma on April 
3, 1864 in Cooperstown, Manitowoc co., the marriage being performed by a 
Justice of the Peace John Saiger. Book of Marriages at Register of Deeds, 
Vol. 2, pg. 192. He died 29 Mar. 1918, burial at Kossuth Cemetery. Frantisek
emigrated to Manitowoc co. and bought 160 acres in Gibson twp., and
built a log cabin, which is surrounded by the present house.  The 
huge beams under the floor can be felt as you walk across it. The farm was
inherited by his son, Wencel, and passed on to Wencel's son.
All their children were born at home. 
Joseph Skwor was born July 23, 1866 and married Rosalie Kriwanek, died in 
1949; Adolph Skwor was born November 5, 1868 and married Anna Terch, died 
1952; John Skwor was born in 1873 and married Mary Fictum, died 1961; 
Wencel (Jim) Skwor was born in 1876 and married Mary Trochil, died in 1946;
Charles J. Skwor, M.D., was born September 14, 1879 and married Rose 
Hennen. After her death he married Marie Butz, died on June 20, 1957; Emma 
Skwor was born September 15, 1880 and married Joseph W. Libal, died on 
February 9, 1967.
This was sent in by a family researcher, her email address can be found on
the donors page.


JOSEPH SKWOR AND SONS


Joseph Skwor and sons, Hugo and Charles at Joseph Skwor Meats, Mishicot, Wisconsin.
Photo compliments of Gary Omernick

SKWOR MEAT MARKET

Skwor's Meat Market, 326 East Main Street, in Mishicot, Manitowoc County, 
Wisconsin, dates back to 1879 when Adolf Grim deeded the building to Louis 
Levenhagan.  This was the original meat market, much the same as it is now, 
more than 116 years later.  In 1894, Levenhagan deeded the market to Joseph 
Skwor. Joseph and his wife, Rose, working together, built the business. Rose 
helped where needed.  A petite but strong woman, she could carry a quarter of 
beef on her shoulder to where it would be trimmed into special cuts of meat. 

The story, passed down from Joseph Skwor, tells how Joseph actually walked 
several head of cattle from Mishicot to the Stockyards in Chicago and walked 
back to Mishicot, in order to get his meat business started.  He butchered all 
sorts of animals and processed them into cuts of meat and sausages which he 
sold at retail.  He established quite a big business by shipping truckloads of 
veal to Chicago.   

Joseph and Rose continued in business until their two sons, Charles and Hugo, 
joined in the business.  It then became known as Jos. Skwor and Sons Meats.

When Joseph semi-retired, Charles and Hugo entered into a partnership, and a new 
sign over the door said "Skwor Bros. Meat Market.  In 1939, Charles moved to 
Milwaukee and  sold his half of the business to Hugo.  It then became Skwor Meat 
Market.  Paul, son of Hugo, helped him, along with hired help.  They bought 
livestock, butchered, retailed meat, made ring bologna, liver sausage, blood 
sausage, summer sausage, sultz, weiners, and bratwurst from Bohemian and Polish 
recipes handed down in the family.  They cured and smoked their own hams and 
bacon.  Joseph would walk down to the market every day to help.  His home was 
about two blocks away.  People would stand in line waiting for "Joe" to wait on 
them, as he would frequently forget the latest price and charge them for meats 
at the old, lower price.

Joseph, Charles and Hugo could converse in Polish and Bohemian with the early 
settlers.  In the earlier days, sawdust and wood shavings were used to cover the 
floor where the customers stood, to keep the floor clean and for fragrance. When 
mothers brought their young children into the meat shop, Joseph and Hugo would 
give them a cooked and smoked weiner to eat.   

Before electrical refrigeration was invented, Skwor Meats used large chunks of ice 
to cool the meat and keep it from spoiling.  Hugo invented a gasolene engine-powered 
saw which would cut ice from the nearby West Twin river, when it was frozen the 
thickest, usually between the holidays of Christmas and the New Year.  The blocks 
were about 18" x 30" x 24" deep, and several men helped load them into a truck bed 
to be hauled to the ice house located near the market.  Here they were covered with 
sawdust to keep them from melting.  They cut enough ice for their own needs for a 
whole year, as well as selling it to customers for their ice boxes.  After electric 
refrigerators were available, the ice business was no longer needed.

Hugo built insulated containers which fit onto a pick-up truck, and with blocks of 
ice to keep the meat cool, both Hugo and Charles traveled regular routes throughout 
the county to bring their meat products to the farmers.  Summer was usually a very 
busy time for the farmers, and they appreciated having their meat brought to them.  
As children, during the summer vacation, we liked to go along with our Dads to keep 
them company during the 5-hour trip.

In the Spring, the "Mishicot" river would flood -- ice dams caused the water to 
rise over the banks onto Main Street, running through the building, filling the 
basement of the Meat Market.  Everything was shut down to prevent a fire or 
explosion until the water subsided.  Since that time, a dam has been built to 
regulate the level of the water.  I can remember seeing Dad lead the livestock 
out of the holding pens to higher ground.

Hugo gradually taught Paul the business, and when Hugo retired, he sold the meat 
market to Paul and LaVerne Skwor.
  
Paul made many improvements in the building and areas of meat processing.  He 
built a new smokehouse, and people from many miles away would come to buy Skwor's 
Ho-Made Sausages.  Skwors had their own spice recipe, developed over the years.  
It was never written down.  As "kids" we would stop after school to watch Dad and 
Grandpa make sausages and weiners.  After the meat was ground and the spices added, 
it was stuffed into natural animal casings, twisted and tied, and loaded onto carts 
on which were hung rows of the raw products.  When the cart was full, they were 
pushed to another room and lowered into a huge boiler of boiling water.  When they 
had cooked to about the right time, my sister and I remember Grandpa Joseph fishing 
a sausage out, holding it up to his ear and squeezing it.  If it sounded "like a 
bullfrog", he would toss it back to cook some more. Since 1959, meat of USDA 
quality was purchased in quarters from nearby meat packing houses in Green Bay and 
Milwaukee.  Slaughtering was no longer done at Mishicot.   At the end of each day, 
the wooden chopping blocks were scraped and salted, and the saws and knives 
sharpened, cleaned and put away, ready for the next day's business.  

In 1961, Hugo retired and his son, Paul Skwor, carried on the same recipe and 
homemade style of sausage-making.  Paul's brother, Peter Skwor, also learned the 
meat business and helped Paul occasionally.  Peter's son, James, attended meat 
processing school, also learning the trade.  Paul's son, Edward, during his summer 
breaks from studies at the University of Wisconsin, also helped in the business. 
Edward earned his PhD in Mechanical Engineering, and then worked for the 3M Company, 
Minneapolis, MN.  

They cured and smoked their own hams, sausages and bacon. While the smokehouse was 
being used, Paul got little sleep, because the fire had to be checked every fifteen 
minutes.  Smoking was done the old fashioned way, using sweet maple wood.  Paul 
could smell if the fire was too hot or too low from three rooms away.  Water was 
kept handy, and some was poured in to keep the humidity just right.   Smoking of 
hams usually took three days.  Summer sausage, bacon, weiners and bologna were 
smoked once a week, and were always all sold out before the next batch was made. 

Paul operated the business until November 23, 1984, when he suddenly passed away 
of a heart attack.  The business was carried on by David and Laverne, Paul's son 
and widow.  Laverne, fondly known as Susie, worked with David in the market, 
waiting on customers and tying weiners and sausages.  They operated the business 
for six years, until September 1991, just three years shy of Skwor Meats 100th 
anniversary.  Many new government regulations were being enforced, and the town 
of Mishicot had become more of a tourist area, causing it to be extremely difficult 
for a profitable business.  The "Mom and Pop" businesses were being squeezed out 
by large-scale stores mainly in shopping centers, a trend all over the country.

The Skwor Meats history, written by 
Victoria Skwor Kellner and Lois Skwor Vawter, 1998.


CHARLES FREMONT SMALLEY
This is a bio. sketch from "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin",
by Dr. L. Falge, 1911-1912, v.2, p.589-590.

Prominent among the enterprising, energetic and progressive business men of
Manitowoc was Charles Fremont Smalley, who for many years occupied a 
foremost position in manufacturing circles. It is true that he entered upon
a business already established but in controlling and enlarging this—and it
grew year by year—he gave proof of the fact that success is not the outcome
of genius or fortunate circumstances, as held by some, but the result of 
sound judgment, unfaltering enterprise and keen discernment. It was the 
possession of these qualities that made Charles Fremont Smalley honored and
respected wherever known and most of all where he was best known. He was 
born December 19, 1856, on what is known as the old Hiram Smith farm in 
Sheboygan county, his parents being Edmund Jewett and Fanny (Frick) 
Smalley. The father was born in Riga, New York, July 6, 1817, and was a son
of Daniel and Betsey (Frost) Smalley. The birth of the former occurred in 
Connecticut, April 3, 1782, and of the latter in Springdale, Massachusetts,
June 15, 1791. They were married December 9, 1813, and their family 
included Edmund Jewett Smalley, who on the 8th of October, 1840, wedded 
Fanny Frick, after which he came to the west and settled in Sheboygan, 
Wisconsin, where he conducted a small foundry. In 1857 he removed to 
Manitowoc and started in business on the present site of the Smalley 
Manufacturing Company, having there a foundry and blacksmith shop. He was 
indeed one of the pioneer settlers of this city and it is said that when 
his patronage was smaller he at one time taught school at Four Corners. He 
was much interested in the spelling "bees" which were a feature of the 
schools in those days. As the years passed on, however, his time and 
attention were necessarilv more and more largely concentrated on his 
business affairs, which grew in volume and importance. He remained in 
business continually and was later joined by his five sons, who were 
associated with him for a number of years. All later sold their interests, 
however, with the exception of Charles Fremont Smalley, who succeeded his 
father in the presidency upon the latter's death on the 6th of August,1898.
Mrs. Edmund Smalley has also passed away. They were the parents of five 
sons. Paleman J., a prominent editor of St. Paul, enlisted from Manitowoc 
county as a soldier in the Civil war. Herschel D., who was also a soldier 
from Manitowoc county and spent eighteen months in Libby, Andersonville and
other prisons, now represents the Smalley Manufacturing Company as 
traveling salesman in the northwest. Clarence C., who was at one time 
associated with the firm as an expert machinist and designer of machinery, 
is deceased. Edmund H. is an attorney of Chicago.
The other son, Charles Fremont Smalley, was less than a year old when his
parents removed to Manitowoc, so that his education was acquired in the 
schools of this city and his youthful days were here passed. After his 
school days were over he became bookkeeper for J. E. Platt, with whom he 
remained for two years and in the spring of 1874 he went to Buffalo, New 
York, where he entered the employ of Bennett & Wade, commission merchants. 
At the urgent request of his father, however, he returned to Manitowoc in 
1876 to become actively interested in the Smalley works, which at that 
time, however, were little known. He then bent every energy toward 
developing the business, to extending its trade relations and to produce 
an output that would insure a continued patronage. When the Smalley 
Manufacturing Company was incorporated in 1887 he became its secretary and 
treasurer and upon the death of his father was elected to the presidency. 
Under his direction the factory took on new life and it was through his 
activities that the plant was placed in the front rank of leading 
manufactories of the state. The company increased the scope of their output
to include all kinds of silo fillers, corn snappers, hand feed cutters, 
alfalfa cutters, root cutters, drag and circular saws, feed mills, ear corn
grinders and Champion plows.
On the 15th of June, 1880, Mr. Smalley was united in marriage to Miss 
Carrie Barnes, of Manitowoc. They had three children, of whom Chester 
Fremont is the only survivor. The death of Charles Fremont Smalley occurred
October 21, 1901. On the 26th of December, 1886, he suffered from a stroke 
of paralysis from which he never fully recovered but during all the years 
he never made complaint, remaining the same jovial, good natured man.
As a citizen his activities extended into many fields and he was especially
helpful as a factor in promoting those projects and measures which are most
valuable as factors in public progress. He was ever willing to give his aid
and his influence to movements for the general good. He was loyal, too, to 
the teachings and spirit of the Masonic fraternity and the Ancient Order of
United Workmen, in both of which he held membership.



CHESTER FREMONT SMALLEY
This is a bio. sketch from "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin",
by Dr. L. Falge, 1911-1912, v.2, p.599.

The student of history cannot carry his investigations far into the records
of Manitowoc without learning of the long and prominent connection of the
Smalley family with the industrial development of this section. Chester 
Fremont Smalley, a representative of the family in the third generation, is
secretary and manager of the Smalley Manufacturing Company, an enterprise 
of large proportions. He was born in Manitowoc, December 25, 1884, pursued 
his education here and was graduated from the north side high school. He 
obtained his preliminary business training in Kansas City and returned to 
Manitowoc in 1909 to become connected with the Smalley Manufacturing 
Company in the conduct of a business that had been established by his 
grandfather and enlarged and controller by his father, each remaining with 
the enterprise until his lifes labors were ended in death.
While in Kansas City, Chester F. Smalley was married on the 9th of June,
1909, to Jessie Lucille Gochenour. They have one son, Stanley Fremont, born
February 17, 1911.


H. H. SMALLEY 
From the Manitowoc County Chronicle Two Rivers Wisconsin, June 1875

Among those who graduated from the State University last week were:
Miss Hattie E. Bacon and Mr. H.H. Smalley, of this city, the former
receiving the degree of Bachelor of Science and the latter that of 
Bachelor of Law.  Miss Bacon read an essay on "determing influence,"
which was mentioned in the Madison papers in very flattering terms.


SMALLEY MANUFACTURING COMPANY

This is a bio. sketch from "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin",
by Dr. L. Falge, 1911-1912, v.2, p.480-483.

One of the largest as well as one of the oldest productive industries of 
this section of the state is that operated under the name of the Smalley 
Manufacturing Company. Their product consists of a full line of feed 
cutters and silo fillers. The business was established in 1857 and during 
the half century and more of its existence has steadily grown until the 
volume of its output places it among the foremost industries of eastern 
Wisconsin. Its founder was Edmund Jewett Smalley, who began the manufacture
of walking plows. He conducted a foundry and blacksmith shop on the 
present site of the Smalley Manufacturing Company and enlarged his business
from time to time, eventually beginning the manufacture of a "hexel box'—
the German term for feed cutter. A windmill furnished the motive power for 
operating the primitive machinery and later a sweepstake or horse power was
used, the speed of the machinery depending upon the disposition of an old 
white horse named Dan. Later steam power was introduced and the plant has
been enlarged to meet the demands of a continually growing trade. The 
output at the present time includes force feed silo fillers, corn snappers 
and hand feed cutters, alfalfa cutters, root cutters, drag and circular 
saws, feed mills and ear corn grinders and Champion plows. There has been 
an increasing demand for larger cutters and today the company manufactures 
a cutter with a capacity of thirty—five tons of ensilage per hour where 
formerly one with a capacity of five tons was sufficient. The machinery is 
all new and of modern construction, embodying the latest improvements, and 
no better equipped factory of this kind can be found in the country. Today 
a hundred workmen are employed throughout the year and the Smalley 
Manufacturing Company has made the name of Manitowoc known from one end of 
the country to the other. Its present officers are Mrs. C. F. Smalley, who 
since the death of her husband in 1901 has been president and actively 
engaged in the company's development; John L. Smalley, vice—president, who 
has designed and improved the general construction of machinery for many 
years and Chester F. Smalley, secretary and manager. The last two represent
the third generation connected with the business. The value of this 
enterprise to Manitowoc cannot be underestimated. Its success has been an 
element in public prosperity, furnishing employment to a large force of 
workmen and keeping in circulation a large amount of money. At its head 
have ever been men of marked enterprise and capability and they have made 
the name of Smalley not only a synonym for extensive and important 
operations but also for unassailable honor in the conduct of business 
affairs.
                     ----------------

From The History of Northern Wisconsin, Vol II. Chicago: Western 
Historical Pub. Co., 1881, p. 533

E.J. Smalley, of the firm of the Smalley Manufacturing Company, organized
July 1, 1881, Manitowoc. Mr. Smalley was born in Monroe Co., N. Y., 
July 6, 1817; went West in 1847, and began a small factory in Sheboygan, 
being there, and in that vicinity, ten years; ran his factory seven years 
during the time, and farmed three years. He sold out, and moved to Manitowoc, 
and soon began his present business, locating in the latter city in 1857. 
He was married, in Erie Co., N. Y., in 1840, to Miss Fannie Frick; she 
was born in the same county, New York, Jan. 17, 1821. They have five sons -
P. J. Smalley, married, and living in Caledonia, Minn., is editor and 
lawyer; H. D. Smalley, married, and living in Manitowoc City, and is 
mail agent on M., L. Shore & W. R. R.; C. C. Smalley, married, living in 
Manitowoc, and is superintendent Smalley Manufacturing Company; E. H. 
Smalley, lawyer, and living in Deadwood City, D. T., and C. F. Smalley, 
married, and living in Manitowoc, and is secretary and treasurer Smalley 
Manufacturing Company. Mr. E. J. Smalley, father of the family, is the 
founder and president of the above works. The stock of the above is owned 
within the family. 


E.J. Smalley