MANITOWOC COUNTY PERSONAL SKETCHES

P.W. WIEBOLDT

From The History of Northern Wisconsin, Vol II. Chicago: Western 
Historical Pub. Co., 1881, p. 534

Under Sheriff of Manitowoc County, Manitowoc, was born in Hanover, Germany, 
Feb. 11, 1836. He emigrated to America in 1849, and lived in New York City 
about eighteen months. He went to California in 1851, and followed 
steamboating until 1854, when he returned to New York City, and from there 
came to Manitowoc County of same year and bought a farm. He also began a 
general mercantile business. His store was destroyed by fire. He was 
appointed Under Sheriff in 1880. He was married, in Manitowoc County, in 
1855, to Miss Louisa Saxe, a native of Germany. They have two sons and one 
daughter. 


LOUIS WIEGAND

This is a bio. sketch from "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin" 
by Dr. L. Falge, 1911-1912, v.2, p.521-522.

Louis Wiegand is among the prosperous and up—to—date farmers of Centerville
township, the place of his nativity, where he has always resided. He owns a
well improved tract of one hundred and ninety—nine acres and makes a 
specialty of raising thoroughbred Jersey cattle and Poland China hogs, as 
well as farming along diversified lines. He was born May 24, 1856, the son 
of Carl Wiegand, a native of Lippe—Detmold, Germany. The father, who was a 
miller by trade, emigrated to the new world in 1848 and settled in New York
state, living in New York city for a time, and then came to Manitowoc 
county, where he settled on a farm which he purchased from his wife, who 
had settled in Wisconsin prior to the time her husband migrated here. The 
farm consisted of eighty acres and upon that place the father lived until 
the time of his death, which occurred July 16, 1871. He was a man of 
prominence in the community and for a number of years served as justice of 
the peace. He was a member of St. Peters’ German Lutheran church, in the 
faith of which he was reared. The mother, Frederica (Hamann) Wiegand, who 
was also a native of Germany, emigrated to America in 1848 and settled in 
Manitowoc county. She bad been married previous to her union with Mr. 
Wiegand and passed away December 29, 1895.
The third in order of birth in a family of eight children, Louis Wiegand
worked upon the home farm and was given a good common-school education. 
Having been trained to farm work, he took to that vocation very readily and
has since followed agricultural pursuits. He at first began working with 
his father, which he continued to do until 1881, when he started out in 
life for himself on his present place, the old homestead. He has added to 
his holdings until he now possesses a finely improved and fruitful farm of 
one hundred and ninety-nine acres, upon which he not only raises farm 
products but also makes a specialty of thoroughbred Jersey cattle and 
Poland China hogs.
On February 1, 1881, Mr. Wiegand was united in marriage to Miss Agnes 
Lutze, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gottlieb Lutze, both of whom were natives
of Germany. To Mr. and Mrs. Wiegand have been born nine children: Otto, 
who is married and has one child; Alvina, who married Oscar Voland, a 
farmer of Mosel township, Sheboygan county, by whom she has two children; 
Emma, the wife of Oscar Oswald, also a resident of Mosel township; Anita,
wife of Arthur Wagner; Agnes, who resides at home; Kurt, who is a high 
school graduate: Louise; and Lydia and Hilda, twins.
Mr. Wiegand has a splendid standing in the community and has held the 
offices of supervisor and assessor of his township. He is also a trustee 
of the county insane asylum and a director of the Meeme Mutual Fire 
Insurance & Protective Company, being likewise a stockholder in the local 
telephone company. He is a member of the German Lutheran church, a 
denomination to which he gives his ready support. In Centerville township 
he has long since been regarded as one of the leading and most progressive 
citizens. He is always alert to the best interests of the community and is 
the champion of every cause which has as its object the betterment of the 
neighborhood. He is widely acquainted in Manitowoc county, where on account
of his extremely active and useful life he is a most valuable citizen,
being held in high esteem by all who know him.



WILLIAM WIEGERT
This is a bio. sketch from "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin" 
by Dr. L. Falge, 1911-1912, v.2, p.352-353.

William Wiegert is engaged in general farming and dairying in Cato town-
ship, where he owns one hundred and fifteen acres of land located on 
section 21, that he has been cultivating for the past fourteen years. He 
was born in Illinois on the 6th of July, 1867, and is a son of Fred and 
Ernstina Wiegert, natives of Germany. Both parents emigrated to the United 
States in their early youth, and here they were later married, subsequently
settling on a farm in Illinois on the Des Plaines river. They continued to
reside there until 1874, when they disposed of their place and came to 
Manitowoc county, where they bought forty acres of land located in 
Manitowoc Rapids township. The father engaged in the further improvement 
and cultivation of this property for ten years, and then selling it he 
purchased sixty acres a mile south of Whitelaw in Cato township. They 
resided there until 1900, when they sold their farm to their son Vitus and 
came to live with our subject. The father passed away in October, 1904, at 
the age of sixty-eight, but the mother was seventy-four when she died in 
April, 1911. They are both buried in Clarks Mills cemetery.
The second of a family of seven, William Wiegert remained at home until he 
was fourteen years of age. His education was limited to such advantages as 
were afforded in the district schools, and while mastering the common 
branches he was also becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the
fields and caring for the stock, under the capable supervision of his 
father. In 1881 he left the family home and began earning his own living, 
working as a farm hand. He continued to follow this occupation for sixteen 
years, during which time he saved as much as he could of his earnings, 
hoping that he might ultimately acquire a place of his own. Having 
accumulated a sum sufficient to begin as a renter, he in 1897 leased the 
place where he now lives, meeting with such excellent success in its 
cultivation, that at the end of three years he was able to buy it. Eighty 
acres of his land is devoted to general farming. his principal products 
being such cereals as he uses in feeding his stock, for he makes a 
specialty of dairying. He is now milking seventeen cows, graded Guernseys, 
and he has a full-blooded bull of this line and also raises a good many 
hogs. Mr. Wiegert is a very progressive man of practical ideas and gives 
his personal supervision to everything about his place, in the operation of
which he is meeting with a gratifying degree of prosperity. He takes a 
great deal of pride in his homestead on which he has made various 
improvements during the period of his ownership and is contemplating 
making others within the near future. The residence on the place is a 
two-story frame structure and was erected before he bought it, as was also 
the barn. This is a good-sized building, being thirty-four feet by one
hundred and ten, but is hardly large enough to meet the present 
requirements of Mr. Wiegert, and he is considering tearing it down and 
putting up new one, forty by one hundred and fourteen feet, fully equipped 
with all modern equipment and appliances. His fields and pastures are 
substantially fenced with barbed wire and he has recently completed a silo,
while his place is supplied with excellent water from drilled wells.
Mr. Wiegert was married in February, 1897, to Miss Mary Hansen, whose birth
occurred in this county on the 28th of August, 1871. She is the youngest 
of the three children born to Christian and Annie Hansen, natives of 
Denmark, who were married in Wisconsin. Here the father died when Mrs. 
Wiegert was child of six months, and her mother subsequently married 
Gustave Klann and is now living in this township at the age of sixty-four 
years. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Wiegert numbers six, as follows: Freda, 
Arline, Frederick, Isadore, Laura and Belinda.
The family affiliates with the Lutheran church at Reedsville, in which the 
parents hold membership. In his political views Mr. Wiegert is a 
republican, and takes a deep interest in all political affairs and always 
goes to the polls on election day, but he has never had either the time or 
inclination to seek public office, although he served with efficiency for 
eight years as a member of the local school board. Mr. Wiegert is one of 
the substantial farmers and capable business men of his township and in 
addition to his valuable property interests is president of the Quarry & 
Riverside Telephone Company, which has offices located at Quarry, Valders, 
Stephenson and Cato, making connections for all points. Practically the 
entire life of Mr. Wiegert has been passed in this county as he was only a 
lad of seven years when he accompanied his people on their removal here and
has ever since made his home in the vicinity of his present location. He is
well known and highly regarded throughout the township by all who know him
or have dealings with him, as he is a man of upright principles and high 
standards, whose integrity is above question.



KNUDT WIGEN
This is a bio. sketch from "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin" 
by Dr. L. Falge, 1911-1912, v.2, p.240-241.

Knudt Wigen, who engages in agricultural pursuits in Manitowoc Rapids
township, was born in Norway on the 6th of August, 1851, and is a son of 
Knudt and Nellie Wigen. The parents were born, reared and married in the 
Norseland, whence they emigrated in 1854 to America with their nine 
children, of whom our subject was the youngest boy. Another child a girl, 
was born to them on Lake Michigan, July 4, 1854. They came directly to 
Wisconsin, settling in Manitowoc county, where three days later the father 
passed away. The mother was a most capable and efficient woman and despite 
the fact that she had but limited means and a large family, she managed to 
keep her children together and rear them to become self-supporting men and 
women. Although she was entirely unfamiliar with the language and customs 
of the country, her courage never failed and soon after the death of her 
husband she settled on a farm in the vicinity of Valders, Wisconsin. This 
provided her and her family with a good home and the necessities of life, 
the older children being able to assist with the cultivation of the land, 
while they also had the advantages of attending school part of the time.
As he was a child of only two and a half years when he was brought to the 
United States by his parents, practically the entire life of Knudt Wigen 
has been passed in this country. He received his education in the district 
school in the vicinity of the home farm, and during the summer months he 
assisted at home or helped farmers in the neighborhood. At the age of 
eighteen years he withdrew from agricultural pursuits and engaged in 
teaming until 1876 when he went to California. For three years thereafter 
he followed logging in that state, but at the end of that time he returned 
to this county, where he again took up farming. In 1879 with his wife he 
removed to Iowa, where he bought a tract of land to the further cultivation
and improvement of which he devoted his attention for twenty years and 
then again took up his residence in this county.
For his wife and helpmate, Mr. Wigen chose Miss Burta Christina Torrison, 
a daughter of Onan Torrison, and they became the parents of five children, 
all of whom were born in Iowa. In order of birth they are as follows: Olga,
who died at the age of nineteen years; and Clarence, Walter, Arthur and 
Kingsley.
The parents both hold membership in the Lutheran church, in the faith of 
which they reared their family, and in politics Mr. Wigen is a republican. 
While living in Iowa he took a very active part in township affairs and 
was several times called to office, having served with efficiency as school
director. Mr. Wigen is an energetic man of practical ideas and has met with
reasonable success in his undertakings and is now in very comfortable 
circumstances.



AUGUST WILDE
 From the Manitowoc Pilot, March 10, 1870:
  IN PROBATE - Manitowoc County Court.
  In the matter of the estate of August Wilde, deceased.
  On reading and filing the petition of Christian Wilde, of
  said county, representing among other things that August
  Wilde of said county on the 9th day of April, A.D. 1868,
  near Waukegin, Illinois, died intestate, leaving no goods
  or chattles and no estate within this State, and that the
  said petitioner is the father of said deceased, and praying
  that administration of said estate be to J.A. Kahler granted,
  it is ordered that said petition be heard before the judge 
  of this Court on Wednesday, the 23d day of March, A.D. 1870,
  at 10 o'clock A.M., at my office in said county.
  Ordered further, that notice thereof be given to the heirs
  of said deceased, and to all persons interested, by publishing
  a copy of this order for three successive weeks prior to said
  day of hearing, in the Manitowoc Pilot, a weekly newspaper
  published at Manitowoc in said county. W.W.Waldo, County Judge
  Dated Manitowoc, Wis., the 1st day of March A.D. 1870.


LOUIS WILDE


Card sent to Mrs. Louis Wilde



JOHN WILHARMS
This is a bio. sketch from "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin" 
by Dr. L. Falge, 1911-1912, v.2, p.193-194.

John Wilharms, one of the prosperous agriculturists of Manitowoc county, 
owns and operates one hundred acres of land in Newton township. He was born
on the farm where he now resides, April 3, 1867, his parents being Henry 
and Johannah (Sieker) Wilharms. His paternal grandparents, Christopher and 
Charlotte Wilharms, came in 1846 from Hessen, Germany, to America, settling
at Cedarburg, near Milwaukee, where Mr. Wilharms operated a lime kiln for 
four years. At the end of that period they came to this county, where they 
entered two hundred and forty acres of land in Newton township, a part of 
which is the farm on which John Wilharms of this review now resides. 
Christopher Wilharms erected a log cabin, cleared the land of the timber 
which covered it, cultivated it, and in the home thus established resided 
until he retired from active life. He then moved to the city of Manitowoc, 
where he lived for eleven years, passing away in 1899, at the age of 
ninety-two. His wife died at the same time, at the age of seventy-nine, 
and they were buried on the same day.
Henry Wilharms was born in 1838, at Seisenhaugen, Hessen, Germany, and was 
only eight years of age when he came with his parents to America. He grew 
to manhood on his father’s farm, with the cultivation of which he 
continuously concerned himself. In 1866 he married Miss Johannah Sieker, a 
native of Holland who was five years of age when brought by her parents, 
Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Sieker, to this county. Henry Wilharms became a 
prosperous and well known farmer and was deeply interested in the welfare 
of the community, although he never cared to occupy public office. He 
passed his entire life on his farm, dying February 4, 1898. His wife is 
still living, having reached the age of sixty-two years, and now resides 
with her son, John, of this review, who is the elder of the two children 
in her family, the other one being a daughter, Emma, who was born August 
10, 1869, and is the wife of Charles Wallschleager, of Manitowoc.
John Wilharms grew to manhood, dividing his time between his studies in the
district school and the duties of the home farm. His boyhood ambition was 
to become a locomotive engineer, but as he grew older, being the only son 
in the family, he felt it was his duty to remain on the home farm. However,
at the age of twenty, he studied steam engineering and later purchased a 
threshing outfit which he operated for fifteen years, though still being 
associated with work on the farm. At the death of his father he took 
entire charge of the homestead which he has since managed. In 1894 he 
purchased a shingle mill, which he operated on his farm for three years, 
but subsequently selling the same. he has since devoted his entire time to 
general farming and dairying. He makes a specialty of raising Holstein 
cows, believing these to be the best for the dairying business. His 
progressive nature has carried him into important movements of advancement 
in the community and he was one of seven men who organized the Silver Creek
Telephone Company, of which company he was a director for two years.
In 1894 Mr. Wilharms wedded Miss Martha Ott, who was born in Liberty 
township, a daughter of August and Bertha Ott, the father a native of 
Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Wilharms have become the parents of seven children, 
one of whom, Werner, died in 1910, at the age of thirteen. The others are 
Harry, George, Esther, Edna, Roland and Laura. In politics Mr. Wilharms 
belongs to the republican party and he has served as township assessor. He 
gives much attention to the interests of education and is now school 
director. Both he and Mrs. Wilharms are members of the German Evangelical 
church of Newton and they have many friends throughout the community. On 
the old homestead where members of the Wilharms family have resided since 
1850 Mr. Wilharms is now, through the successful conduct of his 
agricultural interests, carrying forward the work which was begun by his 
honored grandfather and advanced by his worthy father.


HENRY WILHELMY


Henry Wilhelmy home according to the 1875 Manitowoc directory it was about 
1 mile south of the city.


Henry Wilhelmy farm


Henry Wilhelmy farm


Wilhelmy family ca. 1890


Wilhelmy family


Wilhelmy family


Wilhelmy family


Augusta Wilhelmy


Augusta and Elizabeth


Photos compliments of the Manitowoc Library



FRED WILKE
This is a bio. sketch from "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin" 
by Dr. L. Falge, 1911-1912, v.2, p.623-624.

Fred Wilke, senior member of the well known fish dealing firm of Wilke & 
Steen, of Two Rivers, Wisconsin, and one of the enterprising and 
progressive business men of this section, was born in Two Rivers, October 
15, 1876, and is a son of Herman and Elizabeth (Dicke) Wilke, and a 
grandson of Ernst Wilke. Ernst Wilke came to the United States from 
Oldenburg, Germany, as a young man and settled at Two Rivers, where he 
engaged in farming and cleared three forty-acre tracts from the wilderness.
He died eighteen or twenty years ago at the age of eighty years, having 
been the father of six children, as follows: Henry, Herman, Bernard, John, 
Mrs. Minnie Cars and Mrs. Lena Martins.
Herman Wilke was reared on his father’s farm, was educated in the district 
schools, and all of his life was spent in agricultural pursuits, his death 
occurring in 1894, when he was fifty-five years of age. His widow, who 
survives him, is fifty-three years old, and is the mother of five children,
namely: Fred, Kurt, Otto, Mrs. Ella Muller and Mrs. Emma Schmidt.
Fred Wilke was given a district-school education, and at an early age he 
began to work as a fisherman. Since the age of twenty-five years he has 
followed this business on his own account, having purchased a boat at that 
time, and two years ago he formed a partnership with William Steen, under 
the firm name of Wilke & Steen, a partnership that has continued to this 
time with much success. In 1909 Mr. Wilke was united in marriage with Miss 
Lena Raeck, who was born at Two Rivers, daughter of Fred and Minnie (Drier)
Raeck, one of the pioneer couples of Two Rivers, and to this union there 
has been born one son, Albert.



H. C. WILKE
This is a bio. sketch from "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin" 
by Dr. L. Falge, 1911-1912, v.2, p.125-126.

H.C. Wilke, who has served as cashier of the Bank of Two Rivers since the 
15th of May, 1908, is connected in an official capacity with several other 
important enterprises of that town. His birth occurred in the town of Two 
Rivers, Wisconsin, on the 8th of June, 1877, his parents being Henry and 
Elizabeth (Krumdick) Wilke, who in 1854 emigrated from Oldenburg and 
Hanover, Germany, respectively, to the United States, settling on a farm in
the township of Two Rivers, Manitowoc county. The father was successfully 
engaged in general agricultural pursuits until 1903, when he put aside the 
active work of the fields, disposed of his property and took up his abode 
at Two Rivers, where he has since lived in honorable retirement. For a 
period of twelve years he served as a trustee of the Manitowoc County 
Insane Asylum. He represented the third ward of Two Rivers for three years,
and is at present acting in the capacity of supervisor. The period of his 
residence in this county covers almost six decades and he enjoys a wide 
and favorable, acquaintance.
H.C. Wilke acquired his early education in district school No. 3 of Two
Rivers township, then spent a year in the German Lutheran parochial school
and subsequently attended the high school at Two Rivers for four years, 
being graduated therefrom in 1896. He next continued his studies in the 
State Normal School at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, during one summer term and then
took up the profession of teaching, acting as an instructor in district No.
3 for two years, in district No. 5, Two Rivers township, for five years, 
and in district No. 6 for three years. At the end of the ten years, 
however, he abandoned the profession of teaching and entered the service
of the Bank of Two Rivers as bookkeeper, acting in that capacity for two 
years. At the end of that time he was made cashier and has since gained an
enviable reputation as an able and valued official of the institution, of 
which he is also one of the directors. Being a young man of excellent 
executive ability and sound judgment, his cooperation has been sought in 
the management and control of other important local enterprises. He is the
secretary and treasurer of the Two Rivers Mercantile Company and president
of the Two Rivers Realty Company. He is also prominent in educational
circles here as president of the Manitowoc county teachers’ training 
school board and during the years 1903 and 1904 served as president of the 
Manitowoc County Teachers’ Association.
On the 15th of August, 1906, at Melrose, Minnesota, Mr. Wilke was united 
in marriage to Miss Minnie Neumann, daughter of John Neumann, a retired 
agriculturist of Melrose. Our subject and his wife have two daughters: 
Ernestine, who is three years of age; and Edith. The attractive and 
commodious home of the family on Twenty-fifth street was purchased by Mr. 
Wilke. The religious faith of Mr. Wilke is indicated by his membership in 
the German Lutheran church. In the county where his entire life has been 
spent he is well known and highly esteemed as a substantial and progressive
citizen.


FRED AUGUST WILKIE

Manitowoc Tribune, Vol. 18 No. 44, February 15, 1872, Page 4 Column 7 

In Probate. 
Manitowoc County Court. 
In the matter of the Guardianship of Kate Wilkie and William Wilkie minor heirs of 
Fred August Wilkie deceased. 
On reading and filing the petition of E.C. Hasse, in the City and County of Manitowoc 
and State of Wisconsin, representing among other things, that the said minor Kate 
Wilkie has lately inter married with said petitioner, that she is still under age, and 
under the guardianship as to her estate of one Henry Scherer, and that it is necessary 
that said guardian be discharged and said petitioner be appointed to that trust, and 
praying that the said guardianship be so changed; and also representing that the 
education of the said William Wilkie had been neglected by said guardian, that the 
estate of said minor was sufficient for his education, and that to secure his education 
to the best advantage it was necessary that said guardian be discharged and said 
petitioner appointed to that trust and praying that the said guardianship be so changed 
as to said minor also, and it appearing to the Court from said petition that it is 
necessary that said guardianship be changed as aforesaid; it is ordered and disrected 
that the next of kin to said wards and all persons interested in the matter of said 
guardianship appear before me on Monday the 26th day of February A.D. 1872, at 
10 o'clock in the forehoon [sic] at the Probate Office in said County, then and there 
to show cause (if any there be) why the said guardianship should not be changed 
according to the prayer of said petition.  And it is further ordered, that a copy of 
this order shall be published for three successive weeks prior to said day of hearing 
in the "Manitowoc Tribune" a weekly newspaper printed at Manitowoc of said County.

W.W. Waldo, County Judge. 
Dated at Manitowoc the 21st day of January A.D. 1872 
41-3t-g.a.f. 



JOHN S. WILLIAMS
(The following is added information the researcher sent.)
The three children  are the children of John S and Sarah C Williams (Stone)
You have a mention of Sarah Stone in the marriage announcement for Jane E.
Fox married to John Benson. Jane E. Fox is the half sister of the above mentioned
people. Sarah C. Stone first married George Fox in Michigan and then came to
Manitowoc with her family, George died and she remarried John S Williams, the father
of these three. 
 I do not have marriage info for John S and Sara C Williams but they may have been
married in Michigan.
Other Children that I have for John & Sarah follows, I'll give you their birthplaces as
well since I know you may not have interest in the ones that were not born in Wisconsin.
Jane E Fox (again, from her first marriage)
George F - around 1850 in Michigan
Charles H - 1857 - Wisconsin
Ruben C - 1860 - Wisconsin
William E - Listed above
Ida O - Listed above
Walter E - Listed above
Eugene E - 1871 - Schuyler Nebraska.
As I said above Sarah C. Stone was married to John S. Williams and they later moved
to Schuyler Nebraska. John S Williams died at some point in the later 1800's. Sarah
later moved to Coupville WA and was living with her daughter Jane Benson
(who's husband was also dead) at the time of the 1920 Census. Sarah was 88 at
the time. Not sure when she died.


JOSEPH FRANK WILLINGER


Joseph Willinger and Wanda Milksi
20 Apr 1891


Wanda Milski ca. 1889, taken in Manitowoc
Wanda was born June 5, 1870

 
Note: Marie Wunderlich Robertson said Joseph Willinger was the sheriff of 
Manitowoc at one time

Photos courtesy of Marie Wunderlich Robertson collection
Sent in by researcher/see contributors page.



WILLIAM M. WILLINGER

This is a bio. sketch from "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin" 
by Dr. L. Falge, 1911-1912, v.2, p.67-68.

William M. Willinger, secretary of the Federal Casualty Insurance Company 
and of the Merchants and Manufacturers Fire Insurance Company of Manitowoc,
and the proprietor of a real-estate and general insurance business in this 
city, was born at New Ulm, Minnesota, November 26, 1871, and is a son of 
Frank and Margaret (Grippener) Willinger, natives of Austria who came to 
the United States in 1866 and were married soon thereafter. Frank Willinger
was a tailor by trade and on first coming to this country followed that 
occupation, but in later years entered the brewing and liquor business, and
during the six years that the family resided in Minnesota, he was the 
proprietor of a hotel at New Ulm. He is now deceased. They had a family of 
four children, as follows: Joseph, deceased, who was sheriff of Manitowoc 
county; William M.; Mrs. Anna Klingholz, of Manitowoc, and Mrs. Margaret 
Herzog, also a resident of this city.
William M. Willinger received a common-school education and then entered 
the Lake Shore Business College, from which he was graduated in 1890, after
which he was for several years engaged in bookkeeping. He then entered the 
saloon business, writing insurance as a side line, but since 1908 he has 
devoted his whole time to real estate and insurance, and has been decidedly
successful. He is secretary of the Federal Casualty Insurance Company and 
the Merchants and Manufacturers Fire Insurance Company of Manitowoc, 
companies which are well known to the people of this part of Wisconsin, and
he has won an enviable reputation for himself in the insurance field.
On January 6, 1892, Mr. Willinger was married to Louisa Heingerten, 
daughter of Charles Heingerten, an early settler and business man of 
Manitowoc, and a veteran of the Civil war. Two children have been born to 
this union, Gladys and William, both of whom reside at home. Mr. Willinger 
is a member of the Catholic church, and his fraternal connections are with 
the Foresters, the Catholic Knights, St. Boniface Society, the Knights of 
Columbus, the Germania Society and the Eagles.


FRANK WILLIS

In a pamphlet ‘Lake Michigan Disasters’ by Herbert Pitz (1925, reproduced by the 
Manitowoc Maritime Museum) 
the loss of the Steamer Niagara on September 24, 1856.  

Lake Michigan, in all its history, has no story more grewsome or more romantic than 
that of the burning of the Niagara as a result of which over 150 people either were 
drowned or burned, 66 years ago.
The Niagara was one of the strongest built and the most powerful ships in the early 
fifties and afforded passage from the east to states in the Mississippi River Valley, 
then considered the western frontier of this country. When the Niagara left Collingwood, 
N.Y on its fatal voyage, bound for Chicago, about 100 cabin and nearly 200 steerage 
passengers were registered. The steamer stopped at Sheboygan and on the afternoon of 
September 24, 1866 left that port and was within a 14 hours’ run of Chicago.
“About 4 p.m. just as the village of Port Washington came into view, the cry of “fire” 
was heard and a cloud of black smoke rolled up from the engine room, followed by a 
tongue of flame.
A wild panic followed. There was not a single life preserver on board. Men, raving like 
maniacs, grabbed axes and cut down cabin and stateroom doors. Gangplanks, chairs, 
washstands—anything that would sustain life—were thrown overboard.
“A rush for the lifeboats was made, but, because of the terrified crowd, some of the 
boats turned over and their occupants were thrown into the waters to perish. One boat, 
containing women and children, was safely lowered when a group of men jumped from the 
deck into it, upsetting it and sending all but four of the occupants to the bottom of 
the lake.
Men and women fought each other like wildcats in order to get a place in the lifeboats 
or to get a piece of furniture. Ropes were thrown over the sides of the ship and a large 
number of women slid down, clinging in bunches to them, until the flames ate through the 
ropes and the helpless women and children were drowned.
Ex-Congressman John B. Macy of Chicago, a portly gentleman, was a passenger on the death 
ship. Crazed by the awful sights, he had struggled in vain to get hold of a plank. Macy 
had always been considered a coolheaded and a brave man. He was unable to swim, however, 
and in the presence of death, he raved like a maniac.
“Oh, God!” he cried. “Someone save me. Ten thousand—a hundred thousand to the man who 
will save my life.”
A small boat, containing women and children, had been lowered. One end was lower than 
the other when Macy jumped into it, his immense weight breaking the ropes and hurling 
the occupants to a watery death below. Macy went down and was not seen again.
Standing beside Macy as he offered the reward, was a boy hardly 2 years old, separated 
from his parents in the panic. A burly deck hand, oblivious to the appeals of the 
congressman, picked up the child and took him astern and, when the flames forced him 
overboard, dropped into the water with the child safe in his arms. A piece of gangplank 
floated nearby and this sustained him.
“Although a steamer came to the rescue of some of those who were in the water, the deck 
hand and his waif drifted away and were overlooked in the wreckage. The man paddled 
courageously for shore and during the night, drifted onto the beach at Port Washington, 
where the two were found next morning in an exhausted condition. The deck hand was 
assisted to Milwaukee, and to this day his name was not learned.
“For about 40 years the waif resided in the vicinity of Port Washington, without knowing 
who he was. When he was picked up on the beach, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Collins, a newly 
married couple, were present and agreed to care for the child. Around the little one’s 
neck was a gold cross bearing the name, “Frank Willette.” Advertisements were inserted 
in papers throughout the nation, but the child was not claimed. 
“When 15 years of age, young Willette left the Collins family and went to Manitowoc, 
where he obtained an education and changed his name to Frank Willis. After 40 years had 
passed, Willis decided to make another effort to locate relatives. To his surprise, 
within a few weeks he heard from two relatives—an aunt residing in Nebraska and a cousin 
in Manitowoc. From them he learned that his real name was Frank Willette and that his 
parents and brother and sister perished with the burning of the Niagara.
“The fire at the time was believed to have been incendiary in its origin. On the previous 
trip, just after the ship had left Collingwood, the steward found the following note on 
his table in his room: “Look out. Save yourself. The boat will be burned tonight. 
Everything is in readiness’.”
            *************

Manitowoc Pilot, Vol. XXXV No. 22, March 1, 1894, Page 3 Column 4

A late issue of the Evening Wisconsin contains a history of Frank Willis
of this city.  Frank does not know his birthplace, nationality or a
relative.  When about two years old he with his father and mother was on
the ill-fated steamer Niagara, which was burned off Port Washington in
1856.  She was on her way from Collingwood to Chicago with 300
passengers most of whom were lost.  A number of the passengers were
picked up by the little steamer Traveler, then in command of Captain
Sweeney of this city, by the schooner Dan Marble and the steamer
Illinois.  The infant was separated from his parents in the rush for
self preservation, but was picked up by a deckhand who secured a plank
on which he and his charge floated ashore.  Frank was adopted by a
family named Collins, with whom he remained until 15 years old.  His
dress showed that he was a child of wealth and a gold cross suspended
from his neck bore the inscription Frank Willette.  Frank thinks his
parents were French and he fancies that the few words he could speak
were of that language.  He has been unable to clear up the mystery in
which his life is enveloped.
(contributed by Lisa)



JOSEPH WILLOTT, SR.
This is a bio. sketch from "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin" 
by Dr. L. Falge, 1911-1912, v.2, p.460-463.

Joseph Willott, Sr., now living retired, was one of the pioneer business 
men of Manitowoc, engaging for many years in the manufacture of axes. He 
has now passed the eighty-eighth milestone on life’s journey and is 
enjoying a well earned rest from labor. He came from Indiana to Wisconsin,
but was born in England, on the 19th of August, 1824; his parents being 
Joseph and Ann (Oakcraft) Willott. The father was for fifty years a 
shepherd of England. In the family were five children, of whom three sons 
came to America. One of the brothers of our subject was killed in Illinois 
and another passed away in Nebraska.
Joseph Willott's boyhood and youth were spent in England, and after his 
marriage he came to America, in 1865. For five years he remained a resident
of Indiana and then removed to Manitowoc, where he entered the business 
with which he was so long connected—the manufacture of axes. He was 
associated in this undertaking with Warren Martin for seven years, after 
which he purchased his partner’s interest and continued the business alone,
meeting with excellent success. He was always most careful that the quality
of his product should be all that was expected, and he found a ready sale 
for the output. He continued business until about three years ago, when he 
retired, and has since enjoyed a well earned rest. He sold his axes all 
over the county and also in adjoining counties, and the growth of his trade
brought him a substantial financial return.
In 1847 Mr. Willott was united in marriage to Miss Anna Gething, and 
together they traveled life’s journey for over sixty-one years, but on the 
6th of September, 1908, were separated by the death of Mrs. Willott, who 
was born in England, October 14, 1828. Of their children five are now 
living, namely: Mrs. Jane Bates, a resident of Illinois; Joseph, of 
Manitowoc; Mrs. Anna Sniffin, also of Manitowoc; Mrs. Carrie Smith, of 
Appleton, Wisconsin; and Samuel, whose home is in Two Rivers.
In his political views Mr. Willott has always been a republican, giving 
stalwart support to the party and its principles, yet never seeking public 
office as his time was fully occupied by his business affairs. Fraternally 
he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has a wide 
acquaintance in Manitowoc and throughout the surrounding districts, and 
while he has lived a quiet and uneventful life, his many sterling traits of
character have gained him the confidence and high regard of all with whom 
he has been associated. He has traveled far on life’s journey and well 
merits the rest and success which have come to him. He is now one of the 
most venerable citizens of Manitowoc and is accorded the high regard in 
public opinion that should ever be given one of advanced years whose life 
has been worthily spent.


Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Willott, Sr.



HENRY WILLS

From The History of Northern Wisconsin, Vol II. Chicago: Western 
Historical Pub. Co., 1881, p. 536

Farmer, Sec. 35, Manitowoc Rapids Township, has 120 acres of land, seventy 
acres under cultivation. He was born in Upper Canada, April 5, 1824, and 
lived there twenty-two years. He then visited many portions of Wisconsin 
and Illinois, and finally located in Manitowoc Rapids Township, in 1848. 
He followed lumbering six years, since which he has engaged in farming. 
When he settled in the country, it was a complete wilderness, the largest 
town in the county being Manitowoc Rapids, then the county seat. He was 
married to Miss Hannah A. Tufts, Dec. 16, 1851; she was born in St. James, 
New Brunswick, Jan. 6, 1850. They have had nine children - Millard A. 
(deceased), Wilmot H., James H., Elizabeth F. (deceased), Ward B., Eddie E., 
Jacob L., Ettie A., Millie M. (deceased). 



FRED WILSMANN
This is a bio. sketch from "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin" 
by Dr. L. Falge, 1911-1912, v.2, p.174-175.

Fred Wilsmann is well known in Manitowoc as the proprietor of the Waverly 
Hotel and also as one of the organizers of the Liquor Dealers’ Protective 
Fire Insurance Company. He was born in Dunkirk, New York, in 1863, the son 
of Ernst Wilsmann, a native of Mecklenburg, Germany, born in 1832. For 
twenty-eight years the father remained a resident of his native land and 
then sailed for the new world, arriving in this country in 1860. He settled
at Dunkirk, New York, where he was employed in loading grain boats until 
he sought a home in the middle west. Making his way to Manitowoc county, 
he immediately afterward invested his savings in a farm in the town of 
Gibson. It was unbroken and unimproved but he at once began its cultivation
and development. He built a log cabin for his family and then began to 
clear away the timber and converted the place into productive fields. In 
time his labors were rewarded with good crops and he made a comfortable 
home for himself and family. The improvements which he placed upon the 
farm made it one of the excellent properties of the district and thereon 
he spent the remainder of his days. He was an active, industrious and 
resolute man and a public-spirited and progressive citizen whose worth was 
widely acknowledged in the community in which he lived. The republican 
party numbered him among its stalwart advocates and his fellow townsmen, 
appreciative of his worth, again and again elected him to the office of 
town treasurer in Gibson township. He served for twenty-six years as a 
trustee of the Mishicot Farm Fire Insurance Company. His religious 
affiliations were with the German Lutheran church and to its teachings he 
was most faithful. He married Sophia Racho, who had been his sweetheart in 
Germany and who came to this country, joining Mr. Wilsmann in Dunkirk, New 
York, where their marriage was celebrated after he had prepared a home for 
her in the new world. The death of Mr. Wilsmann occurred upon his farm in 
this county, September 26, 1904. Of his eight children four are yet living:
William, who occupies the old homestead; Fred, of this review; Minnie, the 
wife of Casper Pluckman; and Josephine, the wife of Ira Stein. The two last
named are residents of Mishicot.
Fred Wilsmann spent the first seven years of his life at Dunkirk, New York,
and in 1870 came with his parents to Manitowoc county, their destination 
being Two Rivers. The remainder of his boyhood and youth he spent upon the 
home farm in this district. He was educated in the rural schools and when 
not busy with his text-books aided his father in the arduous task of 
developing and cultivating the new land. When a boy he also was employed 
in building the Milwaukee & Northern Railroad on that part of the line 
extending north from Milwaukee. He learned the carpenter’s trade and for 
some years engaged in the contracting business, erecting a large number of 
substantial structures in this county. He built the Waverly Hotel of Two 
Rivers, which he later purchased and which he still owns. Sixteen years 
ago he withdrew from the contracting business and for nine years served on 
the police force of Two Rivers, acting as patrolman for three years and 
for six years as chief of police. Seven years ago he again entered business
circles, being located at the corner of Washington and Eighteenth streets, 
but soon afterward he purchased the Waverly Hotel, which he still conducts.
Two years ago he assisted in organizing the Local Liquor Dealers’ 
Protective Fire Insurance Company, which was organized under the laws of 
the state of Wisconsin and which has since been very successful, doing 
business all over the state. He is still serving on its executive 
committee.
On the 25th of October, 1897, in Mishicot, Mr. Wilsmann was united in 
marriage to Miss Mary Schmidt, a daughter of Carl Schmidt, who was a 
prominent farmer of that section. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary 
Johannes. Mr. and Mrs. Wilsmann have two children, Arthur and Edgar, both 
at home, and have lost one child. Mr. Wilsmann belongs to the Grange and 
has long been recognized as an active factor in political circles. Being a 
strong advocate of republican principles, he has been called upon to serve 
in several official positions, acting for four years as alderman from the 
second ward, during which time he did duty on all of the important 
committees and was chairman of the board. At the present writing he is a 
member of the county board and in this office as in the others which he has
filled he has discharged his duties with promptness and fidelity, making a 
creditable record in official as well as in business circles.



MICHAEL WIMMER
This is a bio. sketch from "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin" 
by Dr. L. Falge, 1911-1912, v.2, p.149-150.

One of the most attractive farming properties of Manitowoc Rapids township 
is that of Michael Wimmer, whose prosperity is entirely attributable to 
close application and the intelligent direction of his affairs. He was born
in Bavaria on the 12th of September, 1859, and is a son of John and Mary 
Wimmer, natives of that country where they passed their entire lives, the 
father devoting his energies to farming and the carpenter’s trade.
The boyhood and youth of Michael Wimmer were passed in the family home, the
common schools of the vicinity providing him with a good education. As a 
lad he assisted his father in the work of the fields and after leaving 
school he learned the carpenters trade. In accordance with the requirements
of the government of his native land, he entered the German army, when 
twenty years of age, in which he remained for twenty—six months. After the 
expiration of his period of service he resumed the duties of civil life in 
his home village and during the succeeding three years worked in a brewery 
in the winter months, while in the summers he followed his trade. He was 
an enterprising and ambitions young man, and desired to advance and 
acquire a competence that would make him independent in his later years. 
Conditions around him early brought him to a realization that opportunities
in his native land were limited, and to attain his ambition of independence
he determined to seek new fields of endeavor. With this determination 
urging him on he in 1885 took passage for the United States, believing that
in the middle west where homes could be acquired for a reasonable price and
wages were high, he would he able to realize his desire. Upon his arrival 
in this country he came direct to Manitowoc county, locating in the town of
Meeme, where for two years he worked at the carpenter’s trade. As he was a 
skilful artisan, intelligent and reliable, he had all the work he could do,
although he was unfamiliar with the language and customs of the country. 
He lived in a most economical manner in his effort to acquire sufficient 
capital to purchase some land and in 1888 made the first payment on a tract
of eighty acres in Meeme township upon which had been placed a few crude 
improvements. He was married very soon thereafter and he and his bride 
immediately removed to his farm, where they resided for eighteen years. The
responsibilities of a family and the incumbrance on his property stimulated
him to put forth greater efforts, and during the succeeding years he 
applied himself indefatigably to the further improvement and cultivation 
of his farm.  A man of practical ideas, clear judgment and more than 
average business sagacity, Mr. Wimmer prospered. The first few years, as 
is usual in any enterprise, were fraught with hard work and at times most 
discouraging, but he was young, enjoyed excellent health and possessed 
unlimited faith in his ability to make a success of his undertaking. As 
his circumstances warranted he added to his equipment and replaced the 
shed-like barns and outbuildings by substantially constructed buildings, 
that provided ample shelter for his stock and grain, while the crude cabin 
where he and his wife began their domestic life, gave way to a convenient 
and attractive modern farm house. He subsequently disposed of this 
property, realizing thereon a handsome profit, as he had brought his fields
under high cultivation and all of the improvements were modern and in 
excellent condition. In 1905, he bought the place where he is now living 
and during the period of his residence has effected extensive improvements.
It is one of the highly cultivated and best equipped properties in the 
county and presents a most attractive appearance. Mr. Wimmer gives his 
personal attention to everything about his farm, doing much of the work 
himself, and as he is skilled in his trade he naturally keeps all of the 
buildings on his place in an excellent state of repair. His fields have 
been brought to a high state of productivity; in his barnyard and pastures 
is to be found a high grade of stock, and everything about his homestead 
is suggestive of thrift and a careful regard for details that is indicative
of capable and intelligent management. He is a progressive man and at 
various times has installed different modern improvements and conveniences 
that have done away with much of the drudgery and greatly facilitated the 
work of his farm.
In 1888, Mr. Wimmer was united in marriage to Miss Theresa Stauber, who was
born and reared in Eden township, Manitowoc county, and is a daughter of 
Frank Stauber. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wimmer, but one 
daughter, Mary, died at the age of six, and they also lost one son, Frank, 
a most promising young man of twenty-three years. In order of birth the 
other members of the family are, John, Joseph, Michael, Peter, Rosa, Emil, 
Mattie and Henry.
The parents are both communicants of the Roman Catholic church in the 
faith of which they have reared their children. Mr. Wimmer is a 
public-spirited man, who takes an active interest in all township affairs, 
but he has never had either the time or inclination to seek political 
honors nor cared for the emoluments of office, he is one of the many young
men who have proven that it is possible to attain success in America 
without either capital or influence, if one applies himself industriously 
and with determination to the task of achieving the goal. Mr. Wimmer came 
to this country practically penniless, but he had absolute faith in his 
ability and an abundance of energy the most essential assets in the 
attainment of success.



CHARLES H. WIMMLER
This is a bio. sketch from "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin" 
by Dr. L. Falge, 1911-1912, v.2, p.647.
	
Charles H. Wimmler, who for the past four years has been conducting a 
hotel, saloon and livery stable in Cleveland, is a native of Manitowoc 
county, his birth having occurred in Centerville township on the 26th of 
December, 1875. His parents, Franz and Lena (Toepel) Wimmler, were natives 
of Saxony, Germany, but passed the greater part of their lives in this 
county, where they both died in 1905. The father came to this country with 
his people who located in Manitowoc county in the early '50s. Mr. and Mrs. 
Franz Wimmier were the parents of five children, our subject being the 
fourth in order of birth.
Charles H. Wimmler was reared on the farm where he was born and given the 
advantages of a common-school education. After laying aside his text-books 
he went to Sheboygan and learned the painter’s trade. Two years later he 
returned to Cleveland and from then until the year 1908 followed his trade.
On the 4th of February of the latter year he withdrew from this and opened 
a hotel and saloon in connection with which he is now also operating a 
livery stable. He is meeting with very good success as he is conducting a 
strictly first-class establishment and is accorded an extensive patronage.
On the 6th of May, 1902, Mr. Wimmler was married to Miss Catherine Bersch, 
who is a native of this county and a daughter of Jacob Bersch. One son has 
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wimmler, Harold Earl. Mr. Wimmler is well known 
in Centerville township, where he represents the third generation of his 
family, and is very popular with his friends.



WILLIAM WIMMLER
This is a bio. sketch from "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin" 
by Dr. L. Falge, 1911-1912, v.2, p.404.

William Wimmler is a successful farmer and stock raiser, residing on his 
well improved farm of one hundred and five acres in Centerville township,
Manitowoc county. He was born in this township, May 20, 1873, a son of 
Franz Wimmler, a native of Germany, who came to America at an early day 
and settled on the farm which his son is now operating.  The father, who 
followed agricultural pursuits throughout his entire lifetime, died in 
1904.  The mother, who was in her maidenhood Miss Lina Toepel, was also a
native of Germany.  She passed away April 28, 1907.
William Wimmler was educated in the district schools of the community in
which his parents resided and early in life began to assist his father with
the farm work, an occupation which he has since followed.  He began
agricultural pursuits on his own account in 1899 and now owns a well
improved farm of one hundred and five acres of land on which he conducts
general farming although he specializes in the raising of Holstein-Friesian
cattle.
Mr. Wimmler was married in April, 1899, to Miss Lena Dippold, a daughter of
Lawrence Dippold, an agriculturist who resides in Sheboygan county.  Unto
Mr. and Mrs. Wimmler four children have been born, Elma, Mildred, Nita and
Edward.  The family adhere to the teachings of the Lutheran church.  By his
carefully directed efforts, his industry and economy, Mr. Wimmler is
succeeding substantially in his farm activities and his profits are 
annually increasing.  He is well known in the community where he is highly
respected and has a very large number of friends by whom he is greatly
esteemed.



HELEN WINDERBLOOM


HELEN WINDERBLOOM, Two Rivers




THOMAS WINDIATE
This is a bio. sketch from "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin" 
by Dr. L. Falge, 1911-1912, v.2, p.418-420.

In centuries long since past history tells us that one man was the builder 
of a city. Alexandria is the monument to the enterprise of the world 
conqueror, Alexander, and St. Petersburg was built through the indomitable 
energy, determination and well formulated plans of Peter the Great. Today, 
however, it is concerted action that upbuilds our cities, although there 
are always leaders in the work—men whose initiative spirit prompts them to
advance beyond their fellows and promote progressive measures and movements
that are fruitful of results. Of this class Thomas Windiate was a leading 
representative. He was one of the pioneer hotel men of Manitowoc and was 
one of the oldest and best known citizens when on April 25, 1911, he passed
away. His life work was closely associated with the social and business 
development of the city and wherever known he was held in high regard and 
most of all where he was best known. No history of the county therefore 
would be complete without extended reference to Thomas Windiate, who was 
born in the parish of Sherborne, St. John, Hampshire, England, January 16, 
1827. He was a son of Richard and Charlotte B. (Hobbs) Windiate, who were 
also natives of England, whence they came to the United States in 1837. The
son was but nine years of age when he accompanied his parents on their 
emigration to the new world. The long voyage of six weeks being completed,
the family made their way into the interior of the country, settling at 
Pontiac, Michigan.
Thomas Windiate was one of twenty children and because of the large family
and the pioneer conditions which were here existing, his early advantages 
and opportunities were comparatively limited but he made the best possible 
use of his opportunities and gradually worked his way upward, success 
attending him in his various efforts.
Thomas Windiate was quite young when he was united in marriage to Miss 
Cornelia Elizabeth Wallace, the wedding being celebrated in Pontiac, 
Michigan, in 1852. Mrs. Windiate was born in Canada and in early girlhood 
removed with her parents to Ohio and afterward to Pontiac, Michigan, where 
her father, Daniel Wallace, engaged in business as a manufacturer of 
furniture. Seven years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Windiate removed 
to Manitowoc, arriving in this city in 1855. Mr. Windiate purchased the old
National Hotel, then located just east of the present Windiate Hotel, and 
later he erected, during the war, the hostelry so well known for many years
as the Windiate House, where were entertained many of the leading men of 
the country. Mr. Windiate was ever a popular host and it is said that he 
made friends of every man who placed his name on the register, and whenever
a guest could make it possible he returned again to the hospitable shelter 
of the Windiate House. However, the hotel business was but one feature of 
the many activities which claimed the time, attention and energies of Mr. 
Windiate. It is said that he was frequently managing five or six interests 
at the same time and he directed a number of the leading business 
enterprises of the city. He built for the government the original harbor 
piers and erected the north side high-school building. For a considerable 
period he engaged in the shipbuilding business and constructed many of the 
leading boats launched in the decade between 1870 and 1880. He was the 
builder of the Trumpf, which was the first to make the trip from Lake 
Michigan to Europe and he also built the Cornelia B. Windiate, which went 
down in a storm with all on board and no trace of the vessel was ever 
found. He likewise conducted the leading express and stage lines entering 
Manitowoc before the construction of the railroad and was the moving spirit
that obtained the location of the original dry docks and elevator at this 
place. He was also largely instrumental in securing the extension of the 
railroad to Manitowoc and he gave his aid and influence to various public 
measures and business projects which have been of inestimable value in the 
growth and upbuilding of the city.
Mr. Windiate was the last surviving member of the Masonic lodge at 
Manitowoc and in his life exemplified the beneficent and helpful spirit of 
the craft. His political allegiance was not pledged to any party. He was 
independent in politics, voting as his judgment dictated. All recognized 
him, however, as a public-spirited man and he could doubtless have been 
elected to almost any office in the community had he had any desire for 
political preferment. His religious belief was that of the Episcopal 
church, and his Christian faith permeated his life, yet there was no 
pretentious display of his religion. To his family he was most devoted and 
found his greatest happiness in ministering to their welfare and comfort. 
He is survived by his widow and five children, namely: Mrs. Herbert L. 
Markham; Rev. Archdeacon Thomas D. Windiate, of Tennessee; Mrs. Henry 
Paine, of Oil City, Pennsylvania; Mrs. Gustav A. Nyhagen; and Burt Wallis 
Windiate. It is said that Mr. Windiate was noted for the originality of his
sayings and that a number of his expressions have become current. He 
possessed an amiable disposition and kindly spirit and won friends wherever
he went. For over half century he occupied a most prominent place in 
Manitowoc and enjoyed the unqualified regard of friends and neighbors. His 
life history if written detail would throw many an interesting sidelight 
upon the development and progress of the county and the people who have 
been active in formulating its history. During the last ten years of his 
life he lived retired and enjoyed good health until within a few months of 
his death, which occurred when he had passed the eighty-fourth milestone 
on life's journey. Manitowoc may well honor him for what he did in her 
behalf, the city owing to him a debt of gratitude for what he accomplished
in promoting her welfare and upbuilding.
                         -------------------

From The History of Northern Wisconsin, Vol II. Chicago: Western 
Historical Pub. Co., 1881, p. 534

Thomas Windiate, Windiate House, Manitowoc, was born in Hampshire, 
England, Jan. 9, 1828, and emigrated to America in 1837; settled in 
Oakland Co., Mich., where he followed the livery business. He came 
to Manitowoc in 1854 and began the livery business, which he is yet 
following. He purchased the National Hotel and grounds in January 
1855. He began the erection of his present large brick hotel in 1857, 
and finished the same in 1864. He was married in Pontiac, Mich., 
Nov. 13, 1851. Mrs. W. was born in Malone, Lower Canada, Nov. 19, 1835. 
They have five children - Ida E., Thomas, Jr., Cornelia D., Arabella, 
and Burt. 


Thomas Windiate



HENRY WINKELMAN

This is a bio. sketch from "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin" 
by Dr. L. Falge, 1911-1912, v.2, p.226-227.

Henry Winkelman, proprietor of the Palace Hotel at Silver Lake, has passed 
the greater part of his life in Manitowoc Rapids township where he was born
on the 13th of March, 1865. His father was the late Fred Winkelman, who 
was born in Germany in 1812, where he resided until 1853 when he emigrated 
to the United States, locating in Chicago. He remained there for about a 
year, working on the railroad, and during that time he was married to Miss 
Mary Hupp, likewise a native of Germany, where her parents spent their 
lives, her birth occurring in 1822. Soon after their marriage they came to 
this county, purchasing some land in Manitowoc Rapids township. Little of 
the timber had yet been cut in this section, while the roads were only 
blazed trails, the country still being but sparsely settled. Mr. Winkelman 
cleared a portion of his place and built thereon a log cabin, that served 
as a residence for himself and family for twelve years, when, just prior 
to the birth of our subject, they had the misfortune to lose their house 
by fire. This was but one of the many misfortunes and hardships these good 
people suffered during those early years, but they persevered, feeling 
assured of ultimate success, and eventually had all of their land under 
cultivation and as well improved as were the majority of the farms in this 
vicinity at that period. Mr. Winkelman became one of the well known and 
substantial citizens of his community, continuing to live on his farm until
his death in 1888 at the age of seventy-six years, his wife surviving 
until 1906. Of the ten children born to them six are still living.
The early years in the life of Henry Winkelman did not differ save in 
details from those of other lads reared in this vicinity at that time. At 
the usual age he entered the district school where he pursued his 
education, at the same time assisting his father with the work of the farm.
Upon attaining his majority he left the paternal roof and began working 
for himself, and soon thereafter took unto himself a wife. Immediately 
following his marriage he located in Wausau, this state, where he worked 
in the sawmills during the summer months, while in the winter he went into 
the lumber camp. At the end of a year he returned to the old homestead, 
where he spent two years, at the end of which time he once more took up his
residence in Wausau. Five years later he again located in Manitowoc, 
establishing a saloon and hotel that he conducted until 1902, when he 
erected his present hostelry at Silver Lake. He has ever since conducted 
this establishment with the exception of six months, when his son-in-law, 
Charles Schmidt, had charge of it.
In 1886, Mr. Winkelman was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Knudson, a
daughter of Toston and Miranda (Oleson) Knudson, who was born on shipboard 
while her parents were emigrating to the United States from Holland in
1867. They were also among the pioneers of this township and lived in a 
manner very similar to the other residents of that period. The father 
energetically applied himself to the cultivation and improvement of his 
farm until 1900, when he retired from active life and he and the mother 
removed to Manitowoc, where he passed away in 1903, at the age of 
seventy-four years. The mother is still living at the age of seventy-eight 
years and continues to make her home in Manitowoc. Their family numbered 
eight, four of whom are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Winkelman have a son 
and a daughter, Fred and Ella, both of whom were born on the old Winkelman 
homestead. The birth of Fred Winkelman occurred on the 13th of January, 
1888, and he was educated in the common schools and is now engaged in the 
hotel business with his father. The daughter was born on September 19, 
1889, and she, too, received a common-school education and in 1908 at the 
age of nineteen, became the wife of Charles Schmidt, and they are now 
living in Manitowoc.
The parents hold membership in the Norwegian Lutheran church in Cato 
township. Mr. Winkelman has never prominently participated in local 
governmental affairs, but he did serve for four years as constable. At the 
expiration of that time he resigned and has never since returned to public 
life, as the exactions of his private interests make it impossible for him 
to creditably discharge the duties of any office. He is one of the well 
known citizens of this county, in the development of which his people have 
assisted, both agriculturally and commercially for nearly sixty years.


CARL WINKELMILLER

From the Two Rivers Reporter, Saturday, May 10, 1913:
OLD TIMERS - (photo with article)
Hard work and self-denial has always been the lot of the pioneer. The
case of Mr. Winkelmiller was no exception to this rule.
Up to a short time ago he was still well and robust enough to enjoy
life with the strongest but of late the weight of many years is
resting heavily upon him and he is ready to welcome that rest which
he recognizes must soon come.
He is 86 years of age. He retired from active life at the age of 70.
He came to America in 1847 and went to work as a tanner in New York
State.
He had learned the trade in Saxony, Germany, where he was born in
1825.
When a young man had completed his apprenticeship in any trade, it
was the custom in those days for him to take his belongings and go
somewhere else, out into the world, to ply his trade in some other
locality. Mr. Winkelmiller chose to go to the far west.
He worked at the tanner's trade in New York for nearly 3 years at
wages ranging from 50c to $1.00 per day.
Having saved several hundred dollars he returned to Germany to bring
in the wife who has been his helpmate and companion ever since.
The journey to Germany and return was very tedious being made on a
sailing vessel.
After the return to America he was induced to come to this place
where he was offered piece work which would enable him to earn
more. He was then able to make $2 and often $2.50 per day.
Being of a very frugal and economical disposition, it did not
take him long to save considerable money for in those days
the cost of living was not near as high as now.
With the money he had saved he decided to go into the tannery
business and so he and another man by the name of Peter Rothkoph
started in business. Rothkoph soon became dissatisfied and sold
out to Mr. Winkelmiller who from thenceforth conducted the
business alone.
He disposed of his entire output of leather in the immediate
vicinity. The Indians brought him a great many deer skins and 
bear skins. In one season they brought him over 500 bear skins
alone. This shows that bruin was quite in evidence in those
days.
In the early pioneer days most every man wore boots. Shoes were
rarely worn by men. All footwear was made locally by shoemakers
of whom there were a great many.
Mr. Winkelmiller disposed of almost his entire output of leather
to these local shoemakers.
When he and his wife came west they made most of the journey by
boat. The voyage was a very stormy one-so stormy that it was not
possible to make this harbor and they landed at Manitowoc where
they stayed over night. In the morning they came by foot to
Two Rivers. While at Manitowoc the landlord tried to induce them
to settle there and start a tannery.
The business in which Mr. Winkelmiller was engaged is now extinct
here. This is due to the scarceity of tan bark as well as other
factors in the manufacture and marketers of leather.
              --------------

From The History of Northern Wisconsin, Vol II. Chicago: Western 
Historical Pub. Co., 1881, p. 539

Carl Winkelmiller, Proprietor Two Rivers tannery, was born Jan. 4, 1825, 
in Saxony, Germany. In 1847 he came to New York City, and worked at the 
currier trade for a few months, then moved to Delaware Co., N. Y., 
working at his trade for about five years. Then he took a trip to Europe, 
remaining absent for two months, returning to this country and locating 
in Detroit, where he remained for two years. About 1854, he came to Two 
Rivers, and was employed by the Wisconsin Leather Co., for two years, 
when he established his present business, which he has since conducted. 
He was married, in 1853, to Miss Anestina Muiller, of Saxony. They have 
one son, Richard. 



CHARLES WINKELMILLER
This is a bio. sketch from "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin" 
by Dr. L. Falge, 1911-1912, v.2, p.219-220.

Charles Winkelmiller, one of the old and honored residents of Two Rivers, 
Wisconsin, who is now living retired after a long and useful career, was 
the builder of the first tannery in Manitowoc county, Wisconsin, situated 
at Two Rivers, and has seen this country grow and develop amazingly during 
his residence here. Mr. Winkelmiller is a native of Saxony, Germany, and 
was born January 4, 1825, a son of Gottfried and Ula (Tilnor) Winkelmiller.
He first came to the United States during the fall of 1847, and located in 
New York, where he worked in the first tannery operated in that state, 
being engaged in tanning hides and bearskins obtained from the Indians. He 
remained in New York and Pennsylvania for five years, at the end of which 
time he returned for a short time to Europe, but during the same year again
came to America, settling in Detroit, Michigan.
In 1854 he was married to the daughter of Andrew and Christina Mueller, 
who came to this country at the age of seventeen years in the same party 
with Mr. Winkelmiller, while her parents came later to the United States 
and spent the rest of their lives on a Wisconsin farm. During the fall of 
the year of his marriage, Mr. Winkelmiller came to Wisconsin and for five 
months worked in a tannery, and then came to Two Rivers where he erected 
the first tannery in this place and county, and for many years he was well 
known in this business. He has been retired for a long period now his sons 
managing the business. He has a beautiful home in Two Rivers, surrounded by
a large, well kept lawn and luxurious flower beds, and here he and his 
wife, who has been his true helpmeet during all these years, are now 
spending the evening of their lives in quiet enjoyment of the fruits of 
their early labors. Mr. Winkelmiller is a republican, but outside of 
serving as a member of the council for several terms he has never cared for
public office, preferring to give his time and attention to his business 
interests.


ADOLPH WITTMANN AND WIFE

This is a bio. sketch from "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin" 
by Dr. L. Falge, 1911-1912, v.2, p.391.

Among the first of the pioneer German settlers of Manitowoc county were 
Adolph Wittmann and wife, and they took a prominent part in the 
development of this section of the country. Mr. Wittmann was born in 
Berlin, Germany, March 31, 1825. In 1848 he came to America and directly 
to this county, obtaining a position as clerk in the store of Baker & 
Beardsley, at Rapids. He soon after removed to the city of Manitowoc, 
then a small hamlet, establishing a boarding house and a theatre hall, 
the first north of Milwaukee. From 1854 to 1866 he conducted a drug store,
meanwhile holding the position of postmaster during the Buchanan 
administration, thereafter being elected county clerk. During the war he 
served as captain of Company D, 48th Wisconsin Infantry regiment. After 
the war he disposed of the drug store and established a stave and heading 
factory which was destroyed by fire in 1875, leaving him in greatly 
reduced circumstances. In 1881 he established the Manitowoc Post which he
edited with rare ability until shortly before his death, which occurred 
in 1897. He was a man of the Carl Schurz style of statesman and as a 
German public speaker had few equals. While editing the Post he was 
repeatedly elected president of the German Editorial Association of 
Wisconsin. In 1849 he was married in Chicago to Anna Christina Heinemann 
and the then seventeen-year old bride accompanied her husband to the new 
home he had founded at Manitowoc, then but a settlement in the wilderness.
Mrs. Wittmann has in late years gained renown as a writer of German 
poetry. Though past eighty years of age she still retains her faculties 
unimpaired and is recognized as a brilliant woman.
                    ***************

Soldiers’ And Citizens’ Album
Biographical Record
Grand Army Of The Republic
1888

Pages 529-530:

ADOLPH F. R. WITTMANN, Manitowoc, Wis., publisher of the Post and member of 
G.A.R. Post No. 18, was born March 31, 1825, at Berlin, Prussia.  He emigrated 
to America in 1843, and landed at the port of New York on the 15th day of 
October.  He made no tarry, but proceeded to Wisconsin, which had just been 
admitted as a State, and located at Manitowoc.  He established his  business 
there and, at the out break of the rebellion in 1861, was conducting the 
relations of a large drug business, which he could not leave, but a number of 
his relatives made haste to enlist, leaving their families in his care. 
Finally, one of his brothers-in-law returned and Mr. Wittmann placed his 
business in his care and reported for service.  He was commissioned 2nd 
Lieutenant of Company F, 48th Wisconsin Infantry, by Governor J. T. Lewis, 
Jan. 26, 1865.  Feb. 23rd following, he was made Captain, and in the 
organization of the regiment, his company was assigned to the 4TH place and 
went to the field as Company D.  When eight companies were organized they 
received marching orders and they left Camp Washburn early in March, under 
Lieutenant-Colonel Shears with orders for St. Louis.  Orders were there 
received for the command to march to Fort Scott, Kansas, and, on the route, 
the information of Lee’s surrender and the murder of Lincoln was received.  
About the last of April the regiment reached Fort Scott.  May 11th, Captain 
Wittmann, commanding Companies I and D, was ordered to Humboldt, Kansas, 
where they remained until August 17th, when they went to Mound City and 
afterwards joined the regiment at Lawrence.  The war was over and the 
command expected discharge, but was ordered to proceed to the plains, where 
the Indians were holding high carnival along the Sante Fe road, under the 
supposition, that the whites were at war among themselves and the President 
being dead that their opportunity had come, and they were killing all the 
whites who fell into their hands.  Captain Wittmann, commanding Companies 
D and F, was sent to Fort Aubrey, 570 miles distant.  He marched there with 
his command, the distance mentioned being greatly increased by the necessity 
of keeping in the vicinity of the Arkansas river, a crooked water course.  
The smaller streams being dry and there being no shade or water, the command 
suffered much on account of spoiled provisions.  They reached their 
destination to find a dilapidated company of Kansas cavalry, which was 
replaced soon after by a company of U.S. Cavalry.  The winter quarters 
consisted of holes in the ground, each of which sheltered six or eight men 
and before enough of these dugouts could be constructed for the use of the 
command, winter was upon them and Captain Wittmann became very ill, but a 
good constitution and competent medical care pulled him through.  The 
Indians held themselves at a safe distanced and the duty of the garrison 
consisted in the protection of the road and the mail coaches and the care 
of travelers.  The hardships may be illustrated by a single case.  About 
the middle of December a train of 64 wagons, each drawn by six mules or 
eight oxen, passed the fort going west.  
Two feet of snow lay on the ground and, soon after, a furious snow storm 
set in and about the first of January, four men came to the fort and asked 
for supplies sufficient to take them to the next fort and stating that 
their party, a pony and a young steer, which they brought with them, were 
all that was left of the train, the escort and teams having all been lost 
in the storm.  January 19th, a company of U.S. Infantry reached Fort Aubrey 
and Captain Wittmann was told that two companies sent previously to relieved 
him had frozen in near Fort Zarah, and had lost about half their number, and 
the present relief had been ordered there first. 
Captain Wittmann left Fort Aubrey for home soon after and the command was 
obliged to carry wood along to make their coffee, other cooking being done 
only when they reached a fort and took a day of rest.  They suffered on 
going out from heat, drought and spoiled provision and, returning, endured 
as much from cold, storm and want of wood for cooking and warmth.  However, 
the command was in tolerable condition on arrival at Fort Leavenworth, whence 
Companies D and F were sent to Madison by rail and Captain Wittmann was 
mustered out March 10, 1866.
He was married Nov. 4, 1850, to Anna Christina Heinemann, of Chicago.  They 
have four sons and a daughter.  Herman resides at Rudolph, Wis.; Walter is 
the editor of two papers at West Bend, Wis., where he publishes the Beobachter, 
in German and the Democrat.  Adolph is a practicing physician at St. Wendels, 
Manitowoc county, and Rudolph is a traveling salesman for a Milwaukee house. 
The three oldest sons are married.  Ottilie, the only daughter, remains with 
her parents.  Mr. Wittmann has been engaged since 1881 in publication of the 
Manitowoc Post, a German weekly newspaper.  His portrait appears on page 528.
(sent in by researcher/see contributors page/Soldiers’ And Citizens’ Album)


Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Wittmann



JOSEPH WOJTA


Joseph, Catherine and Ignatz Wojta
Joseph and Catherine are seated, Ignatz is standing.
Photo compliments of Gary Omernick



WM. WOLF


Wm. Wolf
This is part of a large photo of men who belonged to the B.& M.I.U. No. 12 of Manitowoc.
It can be found at the I-43 Antique Mall at Manitowoc

B & M I U = Bricklayers and Masons’ International Union of America
B&MIU was a successor to the Bricklayers International Union of the United States 
of North America, founded in 1865.  In 1910 the B&MIU became interested in 
organizing plasterers and the union’s title then became the Bricklayers, Mason, 
and Plasterers’ International Union of America.



SYLVESTER A. WOOD
This is a bio. sketch from "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin" 
by Dr. L. Falge, 1911-1912, v.2, p.502-505.

Sylvester A. Wood was born January 14, 1822, at Acton, York county, Maine, 
in which county he was educated academically, read law and resided until 
twenty-seven years of age, when he came to Manitowoc county, Wisconsin, 
where he arrived October 26, 1849. After a few years of precarious 
vocations he engaged in the law and real-estate business, having been 
admitted to the Manitowoc county bar April 26, 1853. Detesting the corrupt 
practices of certain classes of politicians, Mr. Wood was never politically
ambitious and his public offices were limited to those of village clerk, 
village president and postmaster. He regarded law as among the noblest of 
the professions; as one in which with the requisite legal attainments a 
man may render greater, better and more valuable service to his fellowmen 
in the ways of uprightness, loyalty and good citizenship than usually 
result from the practice of most other professions. In short, he believed 
in the anomaly, an "honest lawyer," and on that basis had a successful and 
honorable practice for a decade or so. But the character of most of the 
pioneer litigation, the trivial and revengeful causes from which most of it
sprang and the expectations of many of the clients that their lawyer would 
espouse and exhibit all the hatreds and animosities which they themselves 
cherished for their opponents, led to such a distaste for the practice that
he finally lapsed into a strictly real-estate business, which continued in 
a diminishing degree to the time of his death, which occurred August 11, 
1908.
The following extracts are from speeches delivered by members of the
Manitowoc County Bar Association at a meeting at which resolutions of 
respect were adopted in memory of Mr. Wood.
“During the first two years after his arrival in Manitowoc he taught 
school, being the principal of the school on the south side of the river. 
He also followed various temporary occupations for a year or two, such as 
clerking in a store and keeping books, meanwhile continuing his study of 
law. Later he became a member of the Manitowoc county bar and opened an 
office for the practice of his profession, conducting a real-estate 
business in connection with it. After about fifteen years of general 
practice he gradually withdrew and devoted himself exclusively to the 
real-estate business. He never married and the wealth of affection he 
possessed was poured out without stint upon a widowed sister and her 
fatherless children. The education and fitting of the latter for useful 
and honorable pursuits was his constant care; that they became useful and 
honorable members of society was to him a source of pleasure in his last 
days. His ideals as a man and lawyer were high, too high, perhaps, to be 
carried into the parctical work and life of a busy lawyer, yet it would be 
well for each of us and glory to our profession if such ideals were adopted
more generally and made the rule and guide of our professional life. None 
of us can reach the objective point 'but by aiming high, the arrow goes 
farther.’ He was a plain, substantial, good man, thoroughgoing, 
conscientious, reliable and honest. This last quality the most marked 
feature of his character.”
Another speaker upon that occasion said: "The question of religion was 
always to him one of doubt and, although he spent much time in study and 
research, I am convinced that the only religion he could honestly believe 
in was the love of truth and honor and the belief that if a man would live 
honestly, decently and temperately and do as much good and as little harm 
to his fellows as it were possible to do that he would have nothing to 
fear. He was a plain, unassuming, noble man and had little desire for the 
vanities and pomp and splendor of life, but was satisfied to live a quiet,
just and upright life without ostentation or display. I believe he came as 
near to doing these things as any man I know of, and surely the death of a
man like this is a distinct loss to the community in which he lived."
                      ******
From the Manitowoc County Chronicle, June 1875:

Only Anxious About Others
  Mr. S. A. Wood, of Manitowoc, has not enjoyed good, robust health 
for years and from sheer necessity he has been extremely moderate and 
regular in all his habits, seldom even indulging himself in the luxury 
of a dream.  But last week he relaxed a little of his rigor in regard 
to his health, and treated himself to a dream, equal, in our opinion, 
to a section of the Day of Judgement, yet he seemed to relish it, and 
related it to us as though it was a matter in which we should take a 
keen delight.  The substance of his dream was as follows:
  He was wandering alone in a strange land, pondering upon the 
vicissitudes of time, when suddenly there, appeared before him, 
standing on the ragged edge of hades, an old friend who had been dead 
for some time, whose habits, while living, were not half as regular as 
they should have been.  S.A. greeted him with his usual warmth; but 
the fellow seemed rather melancholy and was not as pleased as he ought 
to have been on meeting an old acquaintance after so long a separation.
  At last S.A. asked the fellow what that big fire, which was raging 
so near at hand, meant.
  Of course, S.A. was a good deal surprised at the announcement but, 
with a good deal of solitude, he asked his friend how it happened that 
he was there.
  Indeed this last question was a very natural inquiry for one to make; 
but we wonder that S.A. had so little curiosity as to permit himself 
to awaken just at this point, without first discovering how it happened 
that he was there himself.


Sylvester A. Wood




FERDINAND A. WOODCOCK
This is a bio. sketch from "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin" 
by Dr. L. Falge, 1911-1912, v.2, p.442-443.

Ferdinand A. Woodcock, a prosperous farmer of Rockland township, was born 
on the farm he now owns, October 20, 1856. He is a son of John D. and 
Harriet M. (Williams) Woodcock, both of English descent, but natives of 
Maine and Canada, respectively. They were married in Rockland township, and
settled on the farm which became their homestead. It then consisted of one 
hundred and sixty acres of wild land, most of it in virgin forest and 
heavy undergrowth. On it the father built a log house in which he and his 
wife lived for years, additions being made as needed. In this house he died
January 21, 1904, aged seventy-nine years. His widow survived him until 
November 28, 1907, when she too passed away, aged seventy-two years. He 
was buried in the Niles cemetery and she in Manitowoc. During the Civil 
war, the father proved his patriotism by enlisting in 1863 in a Wsconsin 
regiment, and served until the close of the conflict. When the Grand Army 
of the Republic was organized he joined it, and enjoyed his association 
with it. In politics he was a republican and held many offices in the 
township. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. John D. Woodcock were: 
Ferdinand A.; Harriet, who married George Hill and after his death, in 
1895, went to live in Manistee, Michigan, with her four children; and Emma,
who married Lovell Powers and lives in Chicago.
Ferdinand A. Woodcock has always lived on this farm, located on section 32 
and 33, Rockland township, and now has one hundred and fifty acres under 
cultivation. He has deeded eighty acres of his farm to his son, Edward who 
resides upon it. All of the property is fenced with barbed wire, devoted 
to general farming. He milks fourteen cows and his son ten, and Chester 
White hogs, and breeds to Clyde horses. He also raises barley, peas and 
clover seed. The basement of his barn is forty-four by seventy-four feet 
and was built in 1881, but remodeled in 1906. The floor is cement, and 
modern appliances have been installed. The residence is a two story brick 
one of fourteen rooms, built in 1878, but remodeled and enlarged in 1902. 
All of the improvements on this property have been made by Mr. Woodcock and
his father.
On September 13, 1882, Mr. Woodcock was married to Alice Hammond, a 
daughter of Prescott and Ann Jane (Smith) Hammond, natives of Herkimer 
county, New York, and New Brunswick, Canada, respectively. The parents 
were of English and Scotch-Irish extraction. Their marriage took place in 
Rockland township, following which they settled in Cato, on eighty acres of
wild land, and lived there until the father died, July 1, 1877, aged 
forty-five years. The mother survived until January 19, 1897, when she 
died, aged sixty-three years, and both are buried at Clarks Mills cemetery.
Mr. Hammond served as a soldier during the Civil war. Mrs. Woodcock, who 
was the third in a family of eight children, was born on September 10, 
1860. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Woodcock: Edward R., 
who married and has one child; Florence Maud, who married John Adraheim, 
of Rockland township, and has two children; and Hazel Irene, at home.
Mr. Woodcock is a republican and has been treasurer of the school board 
and is now a director of it. He and his family are members of the 
Presbyterian church of Niles. He is well known in this county, where he 
has spent his whole life and in the development of which both he and the 
members of his family have taken an active and helpful interest.



GUSTAV WORDELL
This is a bio. sketch from "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin" 
by Dr. L. Falge, 1911-1912, v.2, p.318-319.

Gustav Wordell, one of the enterprising young farmers of Maple Grove, is 
living on his farm of ninety-two acres, on sections 33 and 34. and was born
in Manitowoc county, March 24, 1881. He is a son of Carl and Annie (Wise) 
Wordell, both natives of Germany, who came to the United States in 1880, 
settling on eighty acres of land in Maple Grove. Here they lived until 
1897, when the father bought fifty-two acres of the present farm of their 
son, Gustav, and lived on it until he died, February 17, 1910, aged 
seventy-five years. The mother had died May 20, 1909, at the age of 
seventy-two years. Both are buried in the Lutheran cemetery at Reedsville. 
There were thirteen children in their family, and of them, Gustav was the 
twelfth.
Gustav Wordell has spent all his life upon the homestead, and he has made 
many and important improvements since he became the owner. He bought the
old farm, adding to it, and has seventy acres under cultivation, and all of
it fence with barbed wire. His products are grain, clover seed, cabbages 
and dairy produce, and he milks about thirteen cows. He raises hogs of the 
Chester-White breed and his horses are bred to Percheron strains. The 
basement barn, forty by sixty feet was built in 1908, and a frame barn, 
thirty by fifty was put up about 1886. The two-story frame residence was 
erected in 1881, but he rebuilt it in 1906, and made some very desirable 
improvements. The water supply comes from drilled wells, and runs to the 
barn for the stock.
On October 13, 1905, he married Bertha Riemer, daughter of Michael and Lena
(Lau) Riemer, born in Germany, who married in Manitowoc county. Following 
their marriage, they settled in the town of Maple Grove, where they now 
reside, the father being in the 60s, and the mother fifty-five years old. 
Mrs. Wordell was the fourth of fifteen children, and was born February 20, 
1886. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wordell, namely: Laura, 
Edgar, and Edward, who died in childhood; and Mabel. In politics, he is a 
republican and is at present superintendent of roads. He and his family are
members of the Lutheran church of Reedsville. Enterprising and thoroughly 
trained in his work, Mr. Wordell is a competent farmer, and his interest in
public affairs makes him a worthy citizen.


ELISHA WRIGHT

Elisha, Jr b. 23 Sept. 1808 Otsego Co., NY; d. 1869 Bridgewater, Herkimer
    Co., NY  
    m. Harriet Leach;they res. W. Winfield, Herkimer Co., NY also.

Caleb Matteson b. 28 Jan. 1810 (source for year unknown) 1812 (per a
    descendant) Otsego Co., NY, m. (1) Parthenia___who d. 1848, bur. W.
    Exeter, Otsego Co.
    m (2) Salina/Celina Hinds. Nothing known of her at this writing.
                                    
Ansel b. 21 Jan. 1812. Nothing known of him other than he migrated to Fond
    De Luc, Wisc. probably in the 1840s

William M. b. 6 March 1816 Otsego Co., m. 9 June 1844, m. Nancy Ann Chapin.
    They res. Appleton, Outagamie, Wisc. Do not know if he married her in 
    NY or in Wisc.
     Issue: William M., Jr., Ida B., Eddie M.

Truman b. 21 Nov. 1813, res. Shebogan, Wisc. Nothing further known

Elisha Wright m (2) Sarah/Sally Brigham. She died 19 Jan. 1867 ae 70/4/12
    and is buried with him at Spooner's Cem., Plainfield, Otsego Co., NY
    Issue:
    Lucy Bell b. 25 Feb. 1820 m. Norman Matteson. She died 28 Feb. 1902 
    Atwood, Rawlins Co., Ks., They res. Prophetstown, Whiteside Ill.
    
    Rachel b. 15 Sept. 1821 to Marblehead,Ohio. Nothing known of her.
    George Brigham b. 26 July 1823, res. Marblehead,Ohio. Nothing known of 
    him
    
    Martin Watson b. 25 March 1825 res Clayton Center, Jefferson Co., Ny
    
    Josiah b. 9 Jan. 1829 res. Marblehead,Ohio. Nothing known of him
    
    Sary b. 11 May 1828
    
    Levantia b. 23 Feb. 1830 Otsego Co., NY, m. Henry A. Shove. She died 
    18 Feb. 1925 Manitowoc, Wisc., bur. Evergreen Cem.
    
    Sarah Letitia b. 20 March 1833 Otsego Co., NY m. Theodore Churchill 
    Shove. She d. 15 Dec. 1880 ae 41, bur. Evergreen Cem.
    
    Elizabeth b. 30 Mar. 1836, d. 1913,bur. Spooner's Cem., Plainfield, 
    Otsego Co.NY  m. Anson Mosher
    
    Menzo De Forest died ae 22, bur. Spooner's Cem.
    
    Fanny/Almena b. 31 March 1841, res. W. Winfield, HerkimerCo., Ny,
       m.___Preston


FREDERICH CHARLES WUNDERLICH


(Frederich) Charles Wunderlich and Anna Milski
06 Aug 1900


Anna Milski was born November 27, 1878 
They are the parents of Marie Wunderlich Robertson
 
Photo courtesy of Marie Wunderlich Robertson
(sent in by researcher/see contributors page)




CARL WUENSCH
This is a bio. sketch from "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin" 
by Dr. L. Falge, 1911-1912, v.2, p.119-120.

Carl Wuensch, who is engaged in the insurance business in Cleveland, where 
he also discharges the duties of justice of the peace and town clerk, was 
born in the grand duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Germany, on the 28th of 
July, 1860. He is a son of Otto and Julia (Hennemann) Wuensch, who passed 
their entire lives in the fatherland, where the father, who was a lawyer 
by profession, was for many years in the employ of the government. He died 
on Christmas day, 1888, but the mother did not pass away until February, 
1900.
Reared at home Carl Wuensch was given the advantages of a good education 
completing his studies in a military academy where he pursued a course in 
surveying. He served for a time in the German army, holding the rank of 
lieutenant and was also surveyor for the government in Germany. In the fall
of 1888 he decided to join an uncle who was living in Centerville, this 
county, so he resigned his commission and took passage for the United 
States. Upon his arrival here he obtained a position as secretary of the 
new brewery at Centerville. Early recognizing the need of a better 
understanding of American commercial methods, if he were to follow a 
business career, he later went to Sheboygan and took a general business 
course. While residing there he was appointed collector for the city water 
works department, following which he engaged in the insurance business. At 
the expiration of two years he came to Cleveland and opened a furniture 
store that he conducted for about eighteen months. He withdrew from this 
at the end of that time in order to accept the agency of the Germania Life 
Insurance Company of New York at Milwaukee, where he resided for five 
months. He returned to Cleveland as the agent of a nursery company, being 
identified with this concern for several years. Subsequently he accepted 
the agency for an accident insurance company and he is also correspondent 
for several of the Sheboygan papers, having been identified with one of 
them for nineteen years.
In October, 1902, Mr. Wuensch was united in marriage to Mrs. Charles
Eckart, a daughter of Carlson Henry Hoops, a native of Germany. Mr. Wuensch
has one daughter, who was born of a former marriage.
He is a member of Cleveland Camp, No. 8582, Modern Woodmen of America, and 
his political support he has accorded to the republican party, ever since 
granted the right of franchise. He was elected justice of the peace in 
1901, the duties of which office he has ever since discharged with 
efficiency and since April, 1907, he has also been town clerk. Mr. Wuensch 
is likewise a notary public. He is one of the well known residents in this 
section of the county, where he has many friends, the majority of whom have
known him since he first located here.



CARL WUNSCH
This is a bio. sketch from "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin" 
by Dr. L. Falge, 1911-1912, v.2, p.389-390.

Carl Wunsch, one of the energetic agriculturists of Rockland, was born on
the farm he now occupies, on section 21, January 10. 1865. His parents,
Michael and Florentina Wunsch, were natives of Prussia, Germany, who came
to the United States about 1864, settling in Manitowoc county, where the 
father bought one hundred and twenty acres of land, across from the farm 
now owned by our subject. It was all wild land, and required much hard 
labor to make it productive. A log house was built and improvements put 
in. The father died here in 1894, aged sixty years, and is buried in the 
cemetery of the Lutheran church at Reedsville. The mother survives, 
making her home in Brillion, with her daughter, and is now seventy-three 
years of age. She and her husband had fourteen children, of whom Carl 
Wunsch was the third in order of birth.
Carl Wunsch remained with his parents until twenty—three years of age,
and then went on an extended trip through several of the western states,
remaining away for five years. During this time he worked for the most 
part on farms, and gained a knowledge of various methods of farming, 
which has since proven useful. Returning home he took over the homestead. 
paying the other heirs for their share in his fathers estate, and has 
since then conducted it profitably. Seventy acres of the farm are under
cultivation, and all is fenced with barbed wire. He carries on general 
farming, raising hogs, cattle and sheep, and devotes his land to grain 
and clover seed. Fifteen cows of graded stock are in his dairy and he 
raises Chester White hogs. His horses are bred to Percheron strains. The 
basement barn is forty by seventy feet, with cement floors, and was built
in 1892, while the two-story frame residence was built in 1904. The water 
supply comes from a flowing well for the cattle, and an open well for 
household purposes.
On April 12, 1896, Mr. Wunsch married Caroline Behnke, a daughter of
Carl and Henrietta Behnke, natives of Germany. Mr. Behnke came to the 
United States with his first wife about 1869, and she died a year later, 
then married the mother of Mrs. Wunsch, in 1873, and they had five 
children of whom she was the second, being born November 6, 1874. Mr. 
Behnke died in March, 1901 and is buried in the Lutheran cemetery at 
Reedsville, but his widow resides on the homestead with her son, Albert. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Wunsch were born nine children: Edwin and Rudolph, who 
died in infancy; Helen, Laura, Frederick, Tillie, Adolph, Benjamin and 
Melvin Henry, who was born January 9, 1912.
In politics Mr. Wunsch is a republican, and was clerk of the school board
for three years. He and his family belong to the Lutheran church of 
Collins and he served on the church committee in 1905. He is an energetic,
progressive farmer and good business man, and stands high in the esteem 
of neighbors.



ARTHUR J. WYSEMAN
This is a bio. sketch from "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin" 
by Dr. L. Falge, 1911-1912, v.2, p.102.

Arthur J. Wyseman, one of the brilliant young members of the Manitowoc 
county bar, who is engaged in an extensive law practice in the city of 
Manitowoc, is a native of this city, and was born in 1881, a son of Robert 
H. and Elizabeth (Riplinger) Wyseman. Robert H. Wyseman was a traveling 
salesman by occupation, and lost his life in a railroad accident in 
Chicago, in 1885. His widow survived him until 1908, when she passed away 
in Manitowoc. Arthur J. Wyseman was the only child born to his parents, 
and he received his early education in the public schools of this city. He 
then entered the State University, from which he was graduated in 1901, 
and then became a student in Harvard College, being graduated from the law 
department of that institution in 1904. He immediately opened offices in 
Manitowoc, where he has since built up a large and lucrative practice.