History of Lincoln, Oneida and Vilas Counties

"History of Lincoln, Oneida, and Vilas Counties Wisconsin"

Compiled by George O.Jones, Norman S. McVean and Others. Printed in 1924 by H.C.Cooper. Jr. & Co., Minneapoli-Winona MN. ill. 787 pages. The first two hundred pages are history of the three counties, the remainder of the book is biographies.

Biography

Drever, William president and treasurer of the Tomahawk Steel & Iron Works, Tomahawk, Lincoln County, was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Oct. 30, 1858, son of Thomas and Mary (CHINNOCK) DREVER. The parents were married in England, of which country the mother was a native, the father having been born in Scotland. Immediately after their marriage they set out for Canada, their journey to the Dominion, therefore, having somewhat the character of a honeymoon trip, and after their arrival they made their home in Hamilton. In course of time they became the parents of seven children, three of whom are now living, namely: Thomas, of Burlington, Ont.; Mary, who married Isaac RIGGS of Stratford, Ont., and is now a widow; and William, of Tomahawk, Wis. William DREVER was educated in Hamilton, attending common school up to the age of 13 years. At 16 he began an apprenticeship to the machinist's trade and served at it for four years, his wages for the first year being $2.00 per week, for the second year, $3.00, and so on in the same ratio, so that during his last years' service he was receiving $5.00 a week. His employers were the Joe Kelly Iron Works Co., of Hamilton, and he finished learning his trade with them in 1878, remaining with them subsequently as a journeyman up to 1880. He then came to the States, locating first in Detroit, Mich., where he remained a year, and from there boing to Muskegon, in which city he entered the mploy of Alexander RODGERS, the same Mr. RODGERS who in 1888 founded the Tomahawk Iron Woods, of which the Tomahawk Steel & Iron Works are a later development. Mr. DREVER who came to Tomahawk with Mr. RODGERS, continued in his employ here, the latter soon becoming associated with W. H. BRADLEY. On Mr. RODGERS' death in, or about, the year 1904, the Bradley interests acquired the plant and Mr. DREVER was made manager, continuing in that position until he purchased the concern at the time of Mr. BRADLEY'S death. Its more detailed history may be found in the chapter dealing with that of the city of Tomahawk. Mr. DREVER may be numbered among the pioneers of the city, since it was but a year or two old when he first made his home here. He soon became one of its best known citizens and served for some time as alderman from his ward subsequently to its incorporation. He was married June 1, 1888 to Elizabeth HALL of Muskegon, Mich., but who was born in Brampton, Ont., in April, 1861, and accompanied her parents, John and Elizabeth HALL, to Muskegon when a babe. Mr. and Mrs. DREVER have had but one child, Margaret C., who was born in Tomahawk March 17, 1898, and is now the wife of William G. BAUMAN, vice president and general manager of the Tomahawk Steel & Iron Works. The family are members of the Congregational Church. In politics Mr. DREVER is independent, while his fraternal society affiliations are with the local Masonic lodge, the I. O. O. F., the Beavers and the Equitable Fraternal Union.

Transcribed by Susan Swanson, from pages 514-515 (with picture); History of Lincoln, Oneida and Vilas Counties Wisconsin; Compiled by George O. Jones, Norman S. McVean and Others; H.C. Cooper Jr. & Co, 1924

You are our [an error occurred while processing this directive] Visitor --Thanks for Stopping By.

© Copyright: All files on this website are protected by the US Copyright Law, Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998, they are not to be copied or altered in any way for commercial use. Individuals may copy the information for their personal use. WIGenWeb Oneida and Vilas County Coordinator Judy Groh.