HISTORY OF MANITOWOC COUNTY


Roland, Evaline, Armie, Melitta and Ovalla. The family belong to the Ger-
man Reformed church of Collins, and Mr. Mattes is treasurer of the church,
having held that office for the past two years. A man'of conscientious intent,
he has carried on his business affairs honorably, and stands high in general
esteem.
HERMAN A. SCHMITZ.
Herman A. Schmitz, one of the well known business men of Manitowoc, who
has been identified with the public interests of the city for a number of
years, is
a member of one of Manitowoc county's earliest families and is a son of Carl
and Christina Schmitz. He was born May 2i, i867, and received his education
in the public schools and the Oshkosh Normal School, after which he engaged
in
school teaching for about seven years. Turning his attention to the mercantile
field, he became associated with Mr. Wernecke, in the hardware business under
the firm name of Wernecke & Schmitz.
On September 30, i896, Mr. Schmitz was united in marriage with Miss Annie
Kettenhofen, and they have had one son, Karl, who resides at home. Mr.
Schmitz served as alderman of the first ward for six years and three years
of that
time was president of the council. During his official career he displayed
those
characteristics of honesty of purpose and faithfulness to the duties at hand
that
have made him so successful in business. When the city took over the water-
works plant he was appointed by the city council as one of the commissioners
and
has held that position for four years. He always advocated the cause of educa-
tion, his early training as a school teacher standing him in good stead when
mat-
ters of this kind came under his jurisdiction. Mr. Schmitz is also well known
in
singing circles and has been director of various singing societies for a
number
of years.
MARIA CHRISTINE HESS.
Maria Christine Hess, who resides at No. 920 South Twelfth street, is a
native resident of Manitowoc. She was a daughter of Herman and Maria
Christine Spoentgen and was born at the old family homestead which was
located on the site of her present home. In i863 the parents came from
Germany to America, making their way to Manitowoc, Wisconsin, where the
father was engaged for some time in the whipsaw contracting business. In
later life he worked at various other trades that helped him to obtain an
honest living for his family. He was a thrifty, energetic man and was highly
honored by all who knew him. He reared a family of five sons and five
daughters, all of whom are today industrious citizens of his adopted country.
They are as follows: Henry, a retail boot and shoe merchant of Manitowoc;
Catherine, now Mrs. James Damey, of Chicago; Elizabeth, who is the wife of
Henry Hess, of Bluff City, Kansas; Wilhelmine, who was educated in Mani-
towoc and makes her home with her sister, Mrs. Maria C. Hess; Herman,


386