Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1913 edition. Excerpt: ... Mr. Helby has had a hard fight in his upward climb. He laid the plans of his business success and persevered against all obstacles and opposition, overcoming all discouragements and--he has made good. The success he has attained is a result of his own unaided efforts and its secret lies in his rare qualities of industry and concentration. He has done the thing which Abraham Lincoln was accustomed to say is much better than making a living, "He has made a life." JOHN JOSEPH BASTEN. A power of business organization intelligently directed, a faculty for recognizing every opportunity, a shrewd discrimination and a well balanced judgment have placed John Joseph Basten in the front ranks of the progressive men of New Franken. Starting out with no extraordinary advantages he has steadily pushed forward until he has attained a prosperity which is altogether unusual. He was born July 22, 1871, and is a son and grandson of Wisconsin pioneers. His grandparents, Frank and Margaret Basten, came from their native country of Germany at an early day and settled on a tract of wild land in Preble township, this county. This property Frank Basten set about improving and developing and built a rude log cabin, in which he resided for a number of years. He and his wife died upon the farm. The father of our subject, John Basten, was born in Prussia and came to the United States with his parents when he was only seven years of age. He grew to manhood upon the homestead and from his childhood took an active part in the arduous labor of clearing and developing the property. When he grew to maturity he purchased the farm and still maintains his residence upon it. He married Miss Catherine Schumacher and to them were born nine children. John J. Basten of this...
