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Gedeelde notitie |
FAGG, Peter
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co.
1893, Vol II, pp 399-401 Hon. Peter FAGG, a temperance lecturer and solicitor for various religious
and educational works, has been a resident of the city of Madison, Dane
County, WI, for many years. He first came to this place in 1853, then a
young man, soon after graduating from the Spencerian College of Madison,
where he had taken a business course, and later went to Milwaukee, WI, where
he engaged himself as a teacher in the public schools. Here he remained for
about two years in the suburban town of Bethlehem, WI.. During this time
Peter FAGG was married in the vicinity of Milwaukee, WI, to Miss Mary
TILLEMA. She was born in Holland in 1842, a daughter of D. M. and Catherina
(DE VRIES) TILLEMA, who were natives of Vriesland, Holland, where they were
farmers. In 1854 D. M. TILLEMA emigrated to America with the family on a sailing
vessel, landing in NY, whence they came directly on to Milwaukee, WI, via
canals and lakes. They settled in Milwaukee, and after some years moved to
Columbia, Dane County, WI, settling at Randolph Center, where D. M. TILLEMA
died at the age of 70, and Catherina (DE VRIES) TILLEMA at the age of 79
years. All their mature lives they were members of the Dutch Reformed
Church. They had been hard working, good, honest Dutch farmers. Peter FAGG was born in the province of Zeeland, Isle of Walcheren, in the
Kingdom of the Netherlands, 14 Jan 1837, a son of Captain John Gerardes FAGG,
who came of Scotch and English ancestry. Captain FAGG was a ship owner and
sailor, and also owned a large grocery business in Vlissengen, at which place
he met and married Miss Sarah Jacoba SMITH, who was born and reared in that
city, had come of English and Dutch stock, and from a prominent family of the
place. After marriage Captain FAGG engaged in active business as a ship
owner and sailor, and also engaged in extensive mercantile transactions until
his death, which occurred in the prime of life, only 34 years of age. He was
an active member of the Methodist Church and was one who exercised a good
influence in his community, always upright in his dealings with all. He was
also a member of the Masonic fraternity. He had never learned the Dutch
language, speaking only English. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Sarah Jacoba (SMITH) FAGG managed the
business for about seven years, when she again married, this husband being
Hon. F. T. ZETTELER, whose father was the royal tailor. A few years after
that marriage the whole family came to the U. S., taking passage at Antwerp
and coming on a sailing ship that landed them at NY City after a voyage of
some weeks. The next move was to Albany [Albany County], NY, and then by
canal and lakes to Milwaukee, WI, landing 03 Jul 1848, and there they settled
on a farm. In 1853 Mr. ZETTELER brought his family to Madison, Dane County,
WI, here establishing himself as a general merchant. The mother and children
conducted the store and the father became attached to the official offices of
the State, being engaged in that of the Secretary of State and [p 400] later
in that of Register of Deeds. At the same time Peter FAGG was employed in
the office of ex-Governor FARWELL and all seemed to be prospering when in
1858 a great calamity befell them. A fire destroyed all of their property,
and after this Mr. ZETTELER moved to Milwaukee, WI. Reaching Milwaukee, F. T. ZETTELER engaged in the real estate business, but
soon his ability as a statesman was recognized, and three times he has been
elected a member of the State Assembly, his district being known as the old
9th Ward of Milwaukee. He has always been a firm Democrat. Both Mr. and
Mrs. ZETTELER are living, aged respectively, 82 and 81, and both are well
preserved mentally and physically. In their religious views both belong to
the Presbyterian Church. A few years after marriage, Peter FAGG removed to Fond du Lac [Fond du Lac
County], WI, and remained there from 1861-1867, being engaged there as a
clerk in a general store. During this time he was made Justice of the Peace
of the town of Alto, Fond du Lac County, WI and was Supervisor of the same
place for two terms. In 1865 he was appointed as guard of the State
prisoners by Hon. Henry CORDIER. In 1867 he went back to Milwaukee, WI, and
was there engaged in the duties of several municipal offices, such as Deputy
Sheriff, and was, in 1874, elected to the General Assembly on the Democratic
ticket, and was re-elected on the Independent ticket in 1875. After his term
of service in the Legislature expired, he was urged by Governor William E.
SMITH to take a place in the land office, and this position he held for six
years, but in 1886 he was not reappointed because of his religious and
temperance convictions. Having been a total abstainer many years, Peter FAGG felt that he could not
speak and pray one way and vote another. Since that time he has not taken
any special interest in political matters other than as a lecturer for the
cause of Prohibition. Mr. FAGG is a general agent for books and Bibles. He
has been a prominent member of the Independent Order of Good Templars, the
Temple of Honor and Temperance, and is Past Grand Chief and Past Deputy
Supreme Council of the World, and has been Past Chief of the local lodges.
He is Past Grand Chancellor and Past Grant Recorder of the Knights of Pythias
order, and for years has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows. Peter FAGG is a man of remarkable memory. His wife has been an invalid for
the past 15 years, and also his daughter, and these afflictions have
prevented him from accomplishing much that he has desired to do. Peter FAGG
has 10 living children: (1) Rev. John G., at present missionary to China,
where he has been for five years. He married Miss Maggie GILLESPIE of Jersey
City [Hudson County], NY, where she was the principal of a school and a
teacher, their headquarters being at Amoy. Rev. John G. FAGG is the
professor there in a Theological seminary of the American Reformed Church.
He graduated with first honors at Hope College and New Brunswick Seminary.
(2) Katie M. is an invalid at home. She has devoted her time to local
missionary work, is a member of the King's Daughters and of the Shut-in
Society. (3) Fred D. is general secretary of the Y. M. C. A. at Evanston
[Cook County], IL, and an active worker in the Baptist Church. Fred D. FAGG
married Miss Ida CHASE, also a prominent member of a fine family, a daughter
of a NY farmer. (4) Sarah married Rev. E. E. DAY, a Congregational minister
and pastor of a church in Bowmanville [Cook County], IL. (5) Dow M. is a
shipping [p 401] clerk for D. Warner & Company, of Madison, Dane County, WI.
(6) Peter A. is a stenographer and bookkeeper in Madison, WI. (7) William,
(8) Marcus C., (9) Charles A., and (10) Nettie J. are in school. All of
the children of our subject have been blessings to their parents, but they
were called upon to mourn the loss of four: J. Edward, Isaac W., T. George,
and Benjamin A. Mr. and Mrs. FAGG, with the children at home, are members of
the Congregational Church of Madison, WI. Dow W. and Peter A. are members of
the Christian Endeavor Society, and Dow W. is Superintendent of a mission
school. Submitted by Cathy Kubly |