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

Jossart, Prosper a prominent resident of Mincoqua, where he was actively engaged in the contracting and building business for many years, and is now living practically retired, was born in Robinsonville, Brown County, Wis., Sept 16, 1856, son of Joseph and Josephine (DALVAUX) JOSSART. He received a rather meager education in the schools of Brown County, the largest part of his education being obtained laters in the great school of life. After remaining at home until he reached the age of 18 years he went to work as a shingle weaver in the mills at Wausau and Schofield, following this occupation during the summer months and working in the woods during the winters; in his work in the woods he went as far north as Eagle River, making this trip for the first time in 1877 and for the last time in 1881. There were then no railroads north of Wausau and all supplies had to be packed from that city; he thus learned the lesson of fortitude that hardship has to teach--learned it in a school little known to the younger generation of today. From 1881 to 1888 he was engaged in grading and shipping lumber at Schofield, and in the latter year he went to Minnesota and purchased 100 acres of railway land in Martin County, where he remained until 1895. In that year he visited his brothers and sisters at Minocqua, and on that trip he became to much impressed by the advantages of this part of the country that he decided to remain permanently, the unusually broad foresight that has marked his entire career telling him of the great future that lay ahead for Minocqua and the surrounding territory. He began his work as a contractor and builder here at once and was so occupied for a great many years. Recently he has turned his business over to his son, Ferris P. JOSSART, and he now does nothing but care for his cottages and indulge in his favorite sport, fishing. He has two cottages on Lake Minocqua and another on an island he owns, known as Jossart's Island, besides owning his residence in the village of Minocqua, and he has 80 acres of virgin timber on Blue Lake. In his work as a builder he has erected many of the prominent resorts in and around Minocqua, and in 1921 and 1922 he built two large log cottages at Trout Lake; he has also erected a number of cottages at Tomahawk Lake. His career has been a successful one and he is accorded a well-merited respect throughout the community. Mr. JOSSART was first married on May 19, 1881, at La Crosse, Wis., to Elizabeth DE TIENNE; Mrs. Elizabeth JOSSART passed away Dec. 10, 1894, leaving three children; Joseph, now deceased; Sinia, who is Mrs. Ernest LE POUCE of Bainville, Mont.; and Ruth, deceased. Jan. 9, 1899, at Minocqua, Mr. JOSSART was united with Miss Vernie KLINE, daughter of John W. and Matilda (GORHAM) KLINE. To this union two children have been born: Ferris P., of Mincoqua, and Joseph R., also of Minocqua, where he is attending high school. The family are affiliated with The Baptist Church and have a host of friends throughout this part of the country.

Transcribed by Susan Swanson, from pages 567-568; History of Lincoln, Oneida and Vilas Counties Wisconsin; Compiled by George O. Jones, Norman S. McVean and Others 1924, H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co

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.