HISTORY OF WOOD COUNTY4



bought consisted of 160 acres covered with heavy timber and without buildings,
which latter he had to erect. The first house he built was destroyed by a
cyclone,
but he replaced it, erected other buildings and in time found himself the
owner of
a finely improved farm. In 1908 he retired from active work and moved to
the
city of Grand Rapids (now Wisconsin Rapids), where he has since made his
home,
residing at No. 435 Wisconsin Street. Mr. Herschleb married Tena Schroeder,
who was brought to America from Germany when seven years of age. He and his
wife are the parents of six children: Mamie, Charles and Laura (twins), Lillian,
Della and Walter F. Mamie is the wife of G. Francke of New York City. Charles
A. also resides in New York City. Laura is the wife of F. C. Turbin of Wisconsin
Rapids. Lillian is the wife of F. A. Wichman of Leonard, S. D. Della is the
wife
of A. J. Anderson of Wisconsin Rapids. Walter F. is a business man in this
city.
    Walter F. Herschleb, assistant cashier of the Citizens National Bank
of Wis-
consin Rapids, was born in Grand Rapids Township, Wood County, Wis., June
11, 1890, son of Fred J. and Tena (Schroeder) Herschleb. In his boyhood he
at-
tended district school and worked for his father until 1908. after which
for three
and a half years he was employed by the Jackson Milling Co. of Grand Rapids.
He then took a course in the Wisconsin Business College at La Crosse, where
he
was graduated in 1913. In the same year he entered the employ of the Wisconsin
Pearl Button Co., of La Crosse, and was with that concern until July, 1915.
Then
until Aug. 1, 1917, he worked for the Metropolitan Insurance Co. at La Crosse.
At the end of that period he returned to Grand Rapids and entered the Citizens
National Bank as bookkeeper, a position that he held until Jan. 1, 1921,
when he
was made assistant cashier. His fraternal affiliations are with the local
lodges of
Elks and Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Herschleb was married April 13,-
1916, in Grand Rapids, Wis., to Esther Schuman, daughter of Gust R. and Louisa
(Brandt) Schuman of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Herschleb have two children:
Jane
M., born Dec. 22, 1917, and Ruth E., born June 1, 1920. The family residence,
owned by Mr. and Mrs. Herschleb, is at 844 Saratoga Street.
   Frank D. Abel, president of the Abel-Mullen Clothing Co., of Wisconsin
Rapids,
was born in this city (then known as Grand Rapids) on Sept. 3, 1885, son
of Her-
man and Augusta (Siring) Abel. The father was born in Milwaukee and came
to
this city June 11, 1881. The mother, a native of Berlin, Germany, came to
this
country with her parents when eight years old. The family resided in Milwaukee
two years and then moved to this city. Here Herman Abel, who was a carpenter
and contractor, took an active part during a number of years in the building
up of
the business and residence districts. He is now practically retired from
business
life, though physically active, and lives on Birch Street in Wisconsin Rapids.
Frank D. Abel in his boyhood attended the public schools of Wisconsin Rapids,
but finished his schooling when in his junior year at the Howe High School,
as he
then left to enter the clothing department of the Johnson & Hill Company
store
of which department he was later placed in charge. After five years' service
he
went to Almond, Portage County, where he was employed as manager of and buyer
for the men's furnishing department of the L. S. Walker main store, and also
as
an assistant to the manager of the branch stores located at Plainfield, Hancock
and
Bancroft. After a year's employment-with Mr. Walker Mr. Abel returned to
Wis-
consin Rapids and re-entered the service of the Johnson & Hill Company,
remain-
ing with them subsequently for three years. His next place of employment
was
in the Sampson & Halverson Clothing store, located in the building at
present
occupied by the Steinberg Style Shop. At the end of two years' service as
a clerk
Mr. Abel and A. J. Podawiltz bought the stock and formed a corporation called
the Abel & Podawiltz Clothing Co., the members of which included Mr.
Abel, Mr.
Podawiltz and H. A. Sampson. The stock was moved to the building just across
the street where H. F. Loock now has a grocery store. After conducting business
in that building for two years the stock was removed to the building now
occupied
by M. Fridstein, Inc., and in 1913 Meyer Fridstein bought Mr. Podawiltz's
inter-
,est and the business was continued under the name of Abel & Podawiltz
Clothing
,Co. On Feb. 1, 1917, Mr. Fridstein bought the entire interest and the name
of



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