history of Poniatowski and Athens communities, both
in a business way and as a public servant. He was
born in the town of Trenton, near Newburg, in
Washington County, April 13, 1860.
John Chesak
In 1885 he attended Oshkosh Normal, taking a
three-year teachers course; completing this, he took a
commercial course at Wausau. Then followed six
years of teaching - four years at School District
No. I, known as the "green school" south of Ponia-
towski, and two years at Poniatowski school district
No. 3.
Mr. Chesak was married in Toledo, Ohio, to Tena
Hurt, in 1889. Seven children - six boys and one
girl - were born to this union. Five of the boys died in
infancy, while Helen, a daughter, died February 4,
1918, at the age of eighteen. One son, George,
lived at Athens, Wisconsin.
Tena died November 4, 1904. Next year on Novem-
ber 14, 1905, he was married to Miss Emily Penegor
of Rockland, Michigan. To this union one child was
born - Dorothy (Wiley), who presently lives at
Chippewa, Wisconsin.
In 1890, John Chesak moved to Athens. Here he
was superintendent of the Chesak & Munes Lumber
Co.; and when this firm became the Athens Manu-
facturing Co., he continued at this position until its
sale to Braun Bros. & Co. in 1916.

He was also a director of the bank of Athens for a
number of years. Like nearly all persons whose time is
occupied with business and community activities, Mr.
Chesak found time to cultivate a hobby. In his case

it was the playing the violin. At school he studied
this instrument, and later he often found relaxation
and enjoyment in playing his favorite selection, "The
Mocking Bird".

ueorge and Helen, cnilaren ot John

On rare occasions, Mr. Chesak would recall nu-
merous interesting anecodotes and happenings of the
sturdy pioneer life whose hardships and struggles he
shared with other early settlers, and to listen to these
recitals was a privelege greatly appreciated.
Mr. Chesak has been a dependable and conscientious
citizen, ready and willing at all times to devote his
time and energy for the advancement of the community.
Mathias Braun & Sons

An   industrious, versatile, and  ingenious man,
Mathias Braun came to America from Aachen,
Germany, in 1847. At the age of sixteen he came with
his parents, his twenty-six year old brother, Arnold,
and  his three  sisters -   Agnes, Catherine   and
Gertrude. His oldest brother, Peter John, came to
America a year earlier, in 1846, as is evidence from
the records filed in the Fond du Lac County Circuit
Court.