History of northern Wisconsin: containing an account of its settlement, growth, development, and resources, an extensive sketch of its counties, cities, towns and villages, their improvements, industries, manufactories, biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers, views of county seats, etc. Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1881. p.1152

John Laabs, logger and lumberman, located in 1864, and began lumbering in 1872; usually employs thirty men and gets out 2,000,000 feet, which he markets generally in Oshkosh, Wis. Mr. L. was born in Germany, Jan. 10, 1840; emigrated to America in 1856, and settled in Fond du Lac, Wis., and farmed on shares until 1864, then moved to Oshkosh and engaged in the flouring mill business until 1872, since which time he has been in the lumber business. He was married in Oshkosh, February, 1865, to Miss Matilda Wessenberg; she was born in Germany. They have three children living, named, William J., Lydia, Daniel (deceased) and Elsie (living)