Proft Genealogy
Father Franz (Frank Sr.) PROFT Family Picture Chart Page
Anton Leonard BURGAN
July 13, 1873 - February 17, 1935
Anton lived for 61 years, 7 months, 4 days or 22,498 days (unverified)
Anton was 7 years old when he made the December 1881 voyage to America with his new family
Step Father: Frank Proft Mother: Katherine
Step siblings: Frank, Joseph, Wenzel, Paul Sr., Anton, August (Gus), Adolph, Maria, Emma (1/2 sister), William (1/2 brother)
Anton Leonard BURGAN was born July 13, 1873 in southern Prussia or northern Bohemia. He was the only child of John and Catherina (Nenthanl) BURGAN. When Anton was one year old in 1874 his father John BURGAN was killed while performing his employment duties as a Depot Agent . Anton's mother Catherina was not a widow for long. On October 24, 1875 she married a recent widower, Franz PROFT from Drahobuz, Bohemia. Anton "Tony" BURGAN, now had a stepfather (Franz PROFT) along with 8 step siblings. This family would grow even larger after a Bohemian marriage between his mother Catherina and stepfather Franz PROFT conceived two more children, daughters Emma born in 1874 and Fanni born in 1881. Shortly after the birth of Fanni the family decided to leave Bohemia for America. Perhaps the family decision to immigrate to America was partially influenced by letters received from Anton's stepbrothers Franz Jr. and Karl PROFT, whom had made the voyage earlier on the SS Main and arrived in New York, July 30, 1880.
In the early part of December 1881 Anton BURGAN, along with eight of his PROFT family members left Drahobuz, Bohemia for the Port of Bremen, Germany. They boarded the SS Ohio Steamship along with 955 other passengers. The approximate 2 week westbound voyage on the Atlantic Ocean would claim the lives of eight passengers. There is speculation that Anton's 3 month old 1/2 sister "Fanni" might have been one of those eight souls that perished, since no documentation has been located about her since. The SS Ohio arrived at the Locust Point Immigration facilities in Baltimore, Maryland on December 21, 1881.
After completion of the immigration process at Baltimore Harbor the family most likely would have taken the Baltimore Ohio Railroad to Chicago and Milwaukee, then connected to the Central Wisconsin Railroad and eventually reaching their final train stop at Wausau, Wisconsin and their final destination, a farm near Athens, Wisconsin.
In 1884, while living and working on the family farm Anton would gain another sibling, his 1/2 brother William PROFT. Four years later in 1898, at age 25, he left the family farm to become one of the earliest pioneers in Wabeno, Wisconsin (formerly part of the Township of Cavour, Forest County). That same year he returned home and married Alvina Ewan, November 30, 1898 in Dorchester, Clark County Wisconsin. His new bride remained in the Athen's area with family for the birth of their first child while Anton returned to Forest County to become more settled in for a new life in Wabeno. It is believed that Anton's Wabeno employment began at a local hotel working as a cook.
September 14, 1899 Anton traveled back home to the farm for a brief visit two days after the birth of his first child John.
A month later in October, Anton partnered with Adolph Rusch to lease the ground floor of the Exchange Hotel. Together they started a meat market business. This business would eventually expand to include groceries and general merchandise. Anton was becoming a prominent member of the Wabeno community, first as a businessman, Justice of the Peace and eventually a School Board member.The June 1900 US Census for the Township of Cavour indicated that Anton, his wife Alvina, and infant son John were next door neighbors to Anton's 1/2 sister Emma (PROFT) Hinzman's family. Coincidently a few years earlier, April 27, 1896 in Dorchester, Wisconsin his 1/2 sister Emma had been married to William Hinzman by Frank Nagel, who was the same Justice of the Peace that performed the marriage ceremony for Alvina and Anton.
Life seemed to be happy, good and prosperous for Tony Burgan when tragedy struck April 15, 1902. His 22 year old wife Alvina died nine days after giving birth to their daughter Alvina. Alvina had a well attended funeral. Many of Proft's traveled to Wabeno and attended the funeral.
A little more than 2 years later, on December 1, 1904 Tony would marry again to another girl from the same home farm area southwest of Athens, Wisconsin. Her name was Emma Ludwig, a widow from the Township of Johnson in Marathon County. This marriage took place in the Athen's area, however the family remained Wabeno, Wisconsin residents. Emma had a 10 year son named Albert Ludwig with her first husband.. It was believed that Anton adopted Albert, since city directory listings had indicated his last name as "Burgan" and not "Ludwig". However Stepson Albert's obituary indicates his last name as Ludwig.
In August of 1906 A.L. Burgan & Co. sold out the business to the Wabeno Mercantile Company.
A.L. Burgan's family would leave Wabeno and is recorded in the 1910 US Census as living in the Village of Gillete. They are living on Kasten Street in that village. Tony's occupation is listed as "Saloon Keeper". In June of 1911 the family relocated to Green Bay, Wisconsin. Anton became the proprietor of the Hotel St. Paul. In March of 1914 he was working as a salesman for J.M. Braun Liquor Company of Appleton, Wisconsin. Later in the 1920's he had a commercial automobile franchise. In the 1930's he is now living in Chicago and his occupation is listed as a traveling salesman for Oxidite Battery Company.
He died February 17, 1935, 1:15 A.M. at his 904 W.Lawrence Ave, Cook County IL apartment of a coronary occlusion, A death record has been located for him. He was buried in Rienzi Cemetery Section F, Lot 85, Empire Township, Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin with his 2nd wife Emma nee Zander "Ludwig" and her first husband Robert Ludwig. Anton has no headstone. Emma was buried October 20, 1946..
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A.L.
Burgan & Co. |
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Anton Leonard Burgan
Published 1913 Biographical Sketch


"History of Brown County Past and Present", excerpts
from pages 484 and 485
S. J. Clarke Publishing, Chicago 1913
Anton married Alvina Ewan November 30, 1898 Clark County, Wisconsin who parted him in death April 15, 1902
Clark County Marriage Record Volume 2, Page 235, Record 02938, indicates - 1.) Full name of husband: A. L. Burgen, 2.) Father: John, 3.) Name of mother of husband before marriage: Katharine Burgen, 4.) Occupation of husband: Hotel Clerk, 5.) Residence of husband: Wabeno, 6.) Birthplace of husband: Germany, 7.) Full name of wife: Alvina Ewan, 8.) Name of the father of wife: Edward, 9.) Name of mother of wife before marriage: Hanna, 10.) Birthplace of wife: Germany, 11.) Time when marriage contracted: Nov. 30 1898, 12.) The place, town, township and county where marriage was contracted: Dorchester, 13.) Color of parties: White, 14.) By what ceremony contracted: By the Laws of Wis, 15.) Names of subscribing witnesses: Henry Lieders, Minnie Hagen, 16.) Name of person pronouncing ceremony: Frank Nagel, J.P., 17.) Residence of last person named: Dorchester, Wis, 19.) Date of certificate or affidavit of marriage: Nov. 30, 1898, 19.) Date of Registration: Dec 1 ", Any Additional circumstances: (blank)
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Anton married Emma Ludwig December 1, 1904 - Marathon County, Wisconsin marriage record information below. Marathon County Marriage Record Volume 3, Page 479, Record 00204, indicates - 1.) Full name of husband: A. L. Burgan, 2.) Father: John, 3.) Name of mother of husband before marriage: Katherine, 4.) Occupation of husband: Gen. Merchant, 5.) Residence of husband: Wabeno, Forest Co. 6.) Birthplace of husband: Austria, 7.) Full name of wife: Mrs. Emma Ludwig, 8.) Name of the father of wife: Luis Zander, 9.) Name of mother of wife before marriage: Emille Zander, 10.) Birthplace of wife: Town Johnson, 11.) Color of parties: White, 12.) No. and date of license: Nov 24/04, 13.) Time when marriage contracted: 12-1-04, 14.) The place, town, township and county where marriage was contracted: Town of Johnson, 15.) By what ceremony contracted: Episcopal Ch, 16.) Names of subscribing witnesses: Ella Zander, Anna Lehman, John Zander, Ottoe Lehman, 17.) Name of person pronouncing ceremony: Peter Schmidt, 18.) Residence of last person named: Town of Johnson, Mar Co., 19.) Date of certificate or affidavit of marriage: Dec 1.04, 20.) Date of Registration: Dec 13/04
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1910 US Census Oconto County - Village of Gillett - Kasten Street
Burgan, Anton (Head) Age 36 - Immigrated 1883 - Occupation: Saloon Keeper
Burgan, Emma (Wife) Age 35 - Immigrated 1881
Ludwig, Albert (Step Son) Age 16
Burgan, John (Son) Age 10
Burgan, Alvena (Daughter) Age 8
Balger, Herman (Servant?) Age 18
Boholke, Amelia (Servant?) Age 16

Mapquest - Village of Gillett, Wisconsin Oconto County
1900 Twelfth US Census - Forest County - Town of Cavour
Burgan, Anton (Head) Age 26 - Immigrated 1881 - Occupation: Hotel - Merch
Burgan, Alvina (Wife) Age 26
Burgan, Johnnie (Son) Age 8/12
14 boarders that have occupations of day laborer and scaler at the mill
Note: Anton Burgan's family must have been a close neighbor to his 1/2 sister Emma (PROFT) Hintzman family. Also, the 1900 census has no " City of Wabeno". The Township of Cavour and Crandon were the population centers of Forest County at that time. The census also had "Special Inquiries Relations to Indians" pages which accounted for Chippewa Tribe population.

Mrs. Burgan Laid To Rest

Northern Wisconsin Advertiser Thursday April, 17, 1902
Unfortunately the microfilming of the 1900-1909 "Northern Wisconsin Advertiser" newspaper issues were filmed out of focus. This front page excerpt was a typical edition and this one contains the obituary of Anton Burgan's first wife of 4 years, Alvina (Ewan). Also note Anton's weekly front page advertisement for his grocery store business.
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Alvina Burgan
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Mrs. Burgan Laid To Rest (transcription attempt for illegible obituary above ) Mrs. Alvina Ewan Burgan when death occurred last Tuesday morning of blood
poisoning after nine days of illness was laid in her final resting place in the
Forest Hill
Cemetery last Thursday afternoon in the presence of a large number of sorrowing relatives, friends and neighbors.
The funeral service were held in the German Lutheran Church, Rev Fidlich of Hersable delivering a sermon
in low German and English. The pall bearers were TA Hennely, Paul Newman, Paul
Kupper, Luis Hummall, William Hummall and Plura Jenkins as funeral director.
The floral tributes were many and beautiful. Forest County, Wisconsin Declaration of Deaths Volume 1, Page 0047, Certificate Record #02489 Forest County, Wisconsin Declaration of Deaths Volume 1, Page 0047, Certificate Record #02489 1.) Full name of deceased: Mrs. Alvina Burgan, 2.) Maiden name: Alvina Ewan, 3.): Color: White, 4.) Sex: Female, 5.) Born: German, 6.) Occupation: Mother of Family, 7.) Age: 22 years 2 mo. 25 days, 8.) Name of father: Edward Ewan, 9.) Birthplace of Father: Prussia, 10.) Name of Mother: Emilia Ewan, 11.) Birthplace of Mother: Prussia, 12.) Birthplace of deceased: (Blank), 13.) Name of wife of deceased: (blank), 14.) Name of husband of deceased: Anton L. Burgan, 15.) Date of birth of deceased: Jan 21, 1880, 16.) Condition (single, married or widowed): Married, 17.) Date of death: April 15, 1902, 18.) Residence at time of death: Wabeno Forest Co. Wis, 19.) Cause of Death: Child birth Sapremia, 20.) Place of Death: Wabeno, 21.) Duration of disease: 9 days, 9 days, 9 days, 22.) Was the deceased ever a solider or sailor in the service of the United States?: No, 23.) Place of burial: Wabeno, 24.) Name of undertaker or other person conducting burial: C . Jecklins, 25.) Date of certificate: April 16-1902, 26.) , No. burial permit: 7, 27.) Date of burial permit: April 16-1902, 28.) Other important facts not related: Signed Frank Lackneir M.D.
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1920 US Census - Anton is listed living at 163 S. Adams St., Green Bay, WI, His occupation listed as Commercial Franchise, Automobile

1918 Green Bay City Directory Page 182 Excerpt
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1921 Green Bay City Directory Page 211 Excerpt
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1923 Green Bay City Directory Page 214Excerpt

1925 Green Bay City Directory Page 183 Excerpt

1928-29 Chicago City Directory Page 683 Excerpt - Anton
- 1252 N Clark John
- 3317 Seminary Ave
**1929 History Side Note** - Anton resided not far from the site of the Saint Valentine's Day Massacre which occured 2-14-1929 at the SMC Cartage Warehouse 2122 N, Clark St.

1930 US Census - Anton is listed living at 1252 N Clark St., Chicago, IL, His occupation listed as Traveling Salesman

The Northern Advertiser - September 14, 1899 - Local Logic
Column
(Apparently Anton left Wabeno and returned home to Corinth see his new
born son John.)

The Northern Advertiser Local Logic Column September 28, 1899
A.L. Burgan returned from Corinth with a smile
as broad as his face. Of course cigars and etes were distributed with generosity.
Success to him, "Tony:"
Anton Leonard
BURGAN
July 13, 1873 - February 17, 1935
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Anton is buried in the Ludwig plot with no headstone .Anton Burgan's Burial Transit Permit Information
Fond du Lac - Rienzi Cemetery Map Print
Robert Ludwig and Emma Zander were married in the Town of Mayville, Clark County Wisconsin September 3, 1892. Robert was a "Brakeman" residing in St. Point, Wisconsin at the time of the marriage. They were residing in North Fond du Lac, WI at the time Robert was killed by a train while working for the railroad. Mapquest - Resided 832 Michigan Ave., N Fond du Lac
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Fond du Lac Daily Commonwealth "Killed at Abbotsford" article The Athens Record Article 12/3/1903 "Under The Wheels"
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Son: John A. Burgan - Birth Registration Record
Marathon County, Wisconsin Birth Registration Volume 3, Page 479
1.) Full name of child:
John A. Burgan, 2.) Color: White, 3.) Sex: Male 5.) Full name of father: Anton L. Burgan, 6.) Occupation of father: Cook, 7.) Alvina Ewan, 8.) Hour, day of week, of month and year of birth: 9.) 12/99, *10.) Birthplace of father: T. Johnson, 11.) Birthplace of mother: Germany *10.) incorrect record entry - should be born in "Prussia"

John's birth year is incorrect on this WWI draft registration form. He was born Sept 12, 1899. Looks like John registered for the Selective Service on his 19th birthday, Sept 12, 1918, a year later than required. Could this be the reason why his date of birth was listed as 1900 instead of 1899? WWI ended a month later November 11, 1918. He was employed as a "Carsmith" for the Chicago Milwaukee.& St. Paul Railroad.

1930 US Census - John, wife Annette and son Earl is listed as living at 3242 Seminary., Chicago, IL, his occupation listed as Battery Shop Repairman
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John Burgan Mapquest -5635 Erie St, Racine, WI
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Frieda Burgan
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GPS
N42:43.190 W087:48.890
Google Map - Mound Cemetery - Racine, WI Section Q, Crypt 6
John and Frieda Burgan Monument Print
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Alvina (BURGAN) Fehn
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Robert B. Fehn Family Plot
GPS
N43:05.950 W87:55.514 |

GPS
N43:05.950 W87:55.514
Google Map - Glen Oaks (Evergreen) Cemetery -Woodlawn Ave.- Lot 81, Block 4
Mapquest - Robert and Alvina resided at 1020 N. 35th St., Milwaukee - 1964-1965 City Directory
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Albert Ludwig
Robert Ludwig
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Clara Ludwig
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