USA > Minnesota > Jackson County > An illustrated history of Jackson County, Minnesota > Part 63
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BRUNO POPPITZ (ISS7), proprietor of a furniture and racket store at Ileron Lake, has spwent all except the first six months of his life in Minnesota, having resided here be- fore ile state was admitted to the union. Ile is the son of the late Ernest Poppitz and Au- gusta dlen-cheb) Poppitz. Both parents were born in Germany, where they resided until after their marriage in 1819. Then they came to America and settled in Wisconsin, remov- ing to Carver county, Minnesota, in 1857. In that county Erne-t Poppitz acquired land and made his home until his death in January, 1900. at the age of 77 years. Mr -. Poppitz still lives in Carver county and is SI years old. Bruno is one of a family of nine chil- dren. the oldest of the five now living.
Our subject was born in Wisconsin February 10, 1857, and when six months old was taken with the family to Carver county. Minnesota. He resided on the farm in that county until twenty one years of age, attending the local schools and studying in the St. Paul Business college. It IS78 he moved to Nobles county and took a homestead claim in Hersey town- ship, upon which he lived five years. After proving up on his land Mr. Poppitz returned to his old home in Carver county. He worked on the railroad one and one-half years and hought grain two years, and then, in Is$7. lo- vated in the village of Heron Lake.
Heron Lake has been the home of Mr. Pop- pitz ever since, and during these year- he has been engaged in various business enterprises. He served as postmaster a little over five years. After he had conducted the office a little over a year it was raised to the third class. In 1901 he formed a partnership with
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his son, E. H. Poppitz, and opened a furniture and racket store, which they still conduct. Mr. Poppitz owns two farms, one in this and one in Murray county. and city property, includ- ing four business blocks and his residence. lle las served as president and as vice president of the Hleron Lake State Bank and has been a director of the same a number of years. He was a member of the village council four years and a member of the board of education the sune length of time. Fraternally, he is associated with the I. O. O. F., M. W. A., M. B. A., Royal Neighbors and Yeomen lodges.
Mr. Poppitz was married in Nobles county March 27. 1879, to Antonio Berrean, a native of Carver county. Mr. and Mrs. Poppitz are the parents of two children: Ernest H. and Lillian L. One son, the first born, named Ed- ward, died at the age of six years.
ADAM BAUCHLE (1899) is one of the pro- gressive farmers and breeders of thoroughbred stock in Jackson county, his home being in Alba township, where he owns and farms 400 acres of land. lle has a nice home and a well improved farm, all the improvements having been made by him. Mr. Bauchle breeds thoroughbred Norman Percheron horses, Short- horn cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs. He has two Percheron stallions, Nobleman and Cous- in, which took first premiums at the Jack- son county fair of 1900 and which are noted throughout the county. Besides his farming and stockraising Mr Bauchle deals extensively in hay, buying. pressing and shipping.
The subject of this biography is of German Wirth, having been born in the province of Wurttemberg April 10, 1863. His father is Adam Bauchle. a farmer, who lives in Ger- many and is 72 years of age. llis mother, Justina (Schmidgal) Banchle, died when Adam was two years old.
Adam was brought up on a farm in his native land but was educated in the village school. At the age of nineteen years, in March, 1882, he came to America and located at Mor- ton, Tazewell county, Illinois, where he resided six years. Four years of this time he worked out as a farm hand; the other two years he engaged in farming rented land. In IS88 he moved to Iroquois county, Illinois, where he farmed rented land until 1899. In February, of the last named year, he came to Jackson county and located upon the home quarter
of his present farm in Alba township, which he had purchased six years before coming to the county. He has lived upon the farm ever since, having added to his holdings by pur- chase until today he has 400 acres, all of which he farms. In addition to his business inter- ests mentioned Mr. Bauchle has stock in the Prewster-Round Lake Telephone company, the Farmers Creamery company of Brewster and the Farmers Elevator company of the same place.
During the eleven years of his residence in Alba township Mr. Bauchle has taken an ac- tive part in local affairs. He has served five years as a member of the township hoard and is now the chairman, having been elected to that office in the spring of 1909. He is also clerk of school district No. 86 and has served continuously since 1900. He and his family are members of the United Evangelical church.
Mr. Bauchle was married in Pekin, Taze- well county, Illinois, February 23, 1886, to Katie Dietrich, daughter of Carl Dietrich, of Germany. Mrs. Banchle was born in Wurt- temberg, January 6, 1866, and came to the Unit- ed States in 1884. To Mr. and Mrs. Bauchle have been born nine children, as follows: Frank, born January 11, ISS7; Pauline, born Jannary 31. 1889: Ida. born January 13, 1891 : Willie, born August 27, 1893: Henry, born July 15, 1895; Carl, born October 3, 1897; Leroy, born April 7, 1899; Walter, born Sep- [ember 17, 1901; Alice, born March 26, 1906.
WILLIAM JOHNSON (ISSI), a Belmont township farmer, was born in Norway August 24, 1862. the son of Mr. John Dalthorp and Mrs. Carolina (Halverson) Dalthorp, the oldest child of a family of five children. The mother of our subject died in Norway; his father came to Jackson county and died here in 1907 at the age of 73 years.
William Johnson lived with his parents in his native country. attending school and working out, until 1881. That year he came to Jackson county, spent the summer here, and then located in Cottonwood county, where he resided three years. He spent the next year in Kittson county, and then came again to Jackson county. Ile owned land and farmed several years on section IS, Belmont, later on section 29, and in 1899 bought his present
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farm ou section 22, where he has since re. Perth, North Dakota; the others are resi- sided.
Mr. Johnson was married in Jackson county in August. 1890, to Mrs. Bertha Olson. a na- tive of Norway. Two children have been born to this union: Colman and Cora. The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. He is treasurer of Belmont township and has held the office several years. He has also served in various capacities as a school officer.
SAMUEL FREDERICKSON (1880), cashier of the First State Bank of Okabena, is a native of Jackson county, having been born in Chris. tiania township April IS, Isso. He is the son of John and Carn ( Foslie) Frederickson, of Lakefield.
Our subject was educated in the public schools of Lakefield and in the Breck school at Wilder. where he was a student during 1901 and 1902. In 1903 he attended the Minnesota School of Business at Minneapolis. After se- curing his education he was manager of a store at Wilmont about one year. bought grain for the W. W. Cargill Elevator company at Oldham, South Dakota. for some time. and for two years was employed in the First Na- tional Bank of Lakefield. On October 1. 1906. Mr. Frederickson helped organize the First State Bank of Okabena, and has since been the cashier of that institution. He is a mom- ler of the Masonic lodge and hold- the office of justice of the peace.
Mr. Frederickson is treasurer of the Okabena Cooperative Creamery association, and see- retary of the Farmers Cooperative Elevator company of Okabena.
DAMES VACKRA (ISSG) is a Des Moines township farmer. He is a native of Bohemia and was born March 3, 1970, the son of John and Barbara (Lev) Vacura. The family came to America in 1850 and to JJackson county six years later. locating on section 8. Des Moines township, where they resided until Mr Vacura's death on January 5, 1909. at the age of sey- enty one and one- half years. The mother of our subject is living at the age of 67 years. There were seven children in the family, as follows: Barbara. James, Annie, Lewis, Jo- seph, Edward and Rosa. Lewis resides at
dents of Jackson county.
James Vacura accompanied his parent- when they came from the oll country and for six years lived with them at Mount Vernon, Linn county, lowa. He came with them to Jack. son county in last, and until he was nineteen years of age lived on the home farm in De- Moines township. Thereafter until he was twenty-four years of age he worked out as a farm laborer in the vicinity of Jackson. In 1894 Mr. Vacura married and moved to Lim county. lowa, and in that county he engaged in farming until the spring of 1909. He then returned to Jackson county and rented from his brother. Joseph Vaenra. the southwest quarter of section 8. Des Moines.
Mr. Vacura was married at Cedar Rapids. Jowa. June 12, 1894, to Emma Shramek. a na- tive of Linn county, lowa. and a daughter of Wesley Shramek. Six children have been born to this union, named as follows: Godfrey. born March 12. 1595: Emma, born January 29, 1898: Wesley. horn February 2. 1900; Frank, born November 29, 1902: Robert, horn July 30, 1904: Tillie, born April 3, 1908, Mr. Varura is a member of the Bohemian lodge.
OBERT ELMER DIESON (1880), attorney at law of lleron Lake, was born and raised and has spent his entire life in that village. Ilo is the son of the late T. A. Dieson and An- nie (Albertson) Dieson, who were the third or fourth family to locate in the town of Heron Lake after its founding. Both parent- were born in Christiania, Norway, and came to ilw I'nited States when young. having been mar- ried at Houston. Minnesota. The father died in Heron Lake in 1900 at the age of 57 years. The mother's home is still in Heron Lake, and she is 50 years of age.
Obert was born June 21, 1580. He was grad- nated from the Heron Lake high school in 1901 and one year later entered the law de. partment of the Minnesota state university. from which he was graduated in the spring of 1905, He was admitted to the bar in April of that year and has since been engaged in the practice of his profession in Heron Lake. Ile practices in all state and federal courts. Ho is a member of Alpha Tan Omega fraternity of the Minnesota university and of Columbian lanlge No. 210, A. F. & A. M .. of Heron Lake.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
ANDREW LOKEN (1883) is a Delafield township farmer residing 'a short distance south of Windom, in which village he was en- gaged in business for a number of years. Mr. Loken was born in Norway February 18, 1861. His father, Andreas Loken, now SS years of age, makes his home with his son. His mother, Agneate (Christopherson) Loken, died in Win- dom in 1894.
Andrew spent the first nineteen years of bis life in his native land. His early days were spent on a farm, but four years of his residence in the old country were spent in the city of Christiania, where he finished his education. Ile learned the painter's trade and in 1880 came to the new world to seek his for- tune. For three years he worked for farmers in Watonwan county, Minnesota, and then lo- cated in Jackson county. He bought a farm on section 1, Delafield township, which he farmed five years. He then sold out and lo- cated in the village of Windom, engaging in the mercantile business there one year. Dur- ing the next ten years Mr. Loken worked at his trade in Windom, and then, in 1899, opened a paint and wall paper store. IJe condueted that six years and built up an excellent busi- ness, but on account of ill health was obliged to sell. In 1905 he bought his present farm, the south half of the northwest quarter of seetion 1. and has since made his home there. engaged in farming. Besides bis farm Mr. Loken owns valuable property in Windom.
Mr. Loken was married in Delafield township November 2, 1885, to Susan Hofland, dangh- ier of Ole Hofland. deceased, an early settler and homesteader of Delafield. Mrs. Loken was born in Norway September G. 1863, came to the United States in 1873 and to Jackson county the same year. Mr. and Mrs. Loken are the parents of ten children, all living. They are as follows: Adenia, born December 4, 1886; Oscar, born July 25. 1888; Chris, born Febru- ary 23. 1590; Carrie, born October 25, 1891; Annie, born November 13, 1893: Sophia, born November 2, 1895; Walter, born July 13. 1898; Theresea, born August 17, 1900; Nomie, born July 23. 1903; William, born September 16, 1908.
AUGUST FREKING (1901) is one of the snecessful farmers and stock raisers of La- Crosse township. He is a native of Olden- berg, Germany, and was born November 23,
1870. Ilis parents, Il. A. Freking and Chris- tina Elizabeth (Schulte) Freking, are both dead.
August was brought up on a farm and re- ceived his education in the fatherland. At the age of twenty years, in 1890, he came alone to America and located at New Vienna, Iowa, where he resided until 1901. During the first six years of his residence there Mr. Freking worked out as a farm hand and hauling cream. He then rented a farm and engaged in business for himself. In the spring of 1901 he sold part of his interests in Iowa and located upon his present farm in Jackson county, which he had bought the year before. He owns a well improved farm of 240 aeres on section 28 and is one of the most extensive stock raisers of LaCrosse township.
Besides his farming and stock raising inter- ests, Mr. Freking is interested in many other lines of business. Ile is a stockholder and director of the Farmers State Bank of Heron Lake, of the Sontag Lumber company, of the Farmers Elevator company and is president of the Ileron Lake Cooperative Creamery com- pany. Hle is clerk of school district No. 33 and has served for a number of years. For two years he served as township treasurer. Ile is a member of the Catholic church of Heron Lake and is treasurer of the church organiza- tion. He also holds membership in the C. O. F. lodge.
Mr. Freking was married at New Vienna, Iowa, February 11, 1896, to M. Josephine Oberbrocekling, who was born in New Vienna May 24, 1876. To these parents have been born the following named children: Mary Moniea. born December 3, 1896; William Arnold, born February 24, 1898; Clementina Elizabeth, born July 14 1899: Joseph Lawrence, horn October 21, 1900: Annie Mary, born February 27, 1902: Aloysius Carl, born August 25, 1903; Lawrence Mike, born January 4, 1905; Rosie Josephine, born August 31, 1906; Leo Clemens, born January 25, 1909.
JOHN COWING KNOX (1880), deceased, was a native of Jackson and the son of Thomas J. and Jane (Cowing) Knox. Ile was born January 7. 1880, and received his pri- mary education in the Jackson schools. At the age of sixteen years he was graduated from the Jackson high school and although the
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your gest member of his las. le was the vale- dictorian.
After pialnating from the local school JInin Knox became a student in the Wishesatt state university and was graduated from the aca- demie department as the youngest member of a class of 157, ranking sixth in his class. He then took up the study of law in the state low school and in his father's office and was ad mitted to the bar by the supreme court in May. 1903. Il. then became a member of the law firm of Knox. Faber & Knox, of Jackson. and began the practice of his profession. Hle was a young man of very unusual promise and during the short time he was engaged in this practice gave marked distinction in his chosen profession. In addition to his pro- fessional work he was much interested in or- nithology and oology, and it was while on a trip to the wilde of western Manitoba, in search of some rare specimens, that he met his death by accidental drowning in Shoel lake, in that province, June 10. 1901.
BENONA P. ST. JOHN (1842). of Ileron Lake, is president of the St. John Grain com pany, one of the largest Im-iness enterprises of that town and of Jackson county. He was horn in Lyle, Mower county, Minnesota, De- comler 7. 1966, the son of Matthew and Rox- aline (Pier +) St. John.
Both the St. John and Pierce families are old American stock. (Sop St. John and Pierce American Genealogies. ) The former is of French origin. In 1032 Mathias St. John (Sention) came to the American colonies from England (the family having previously immigrated to that country ), and located in Norwalk, Contre. tient. From this ancestor sprang the St. Joli family of America. The Pierce family is of English extraction, but dates its advent to America early in the seventeenth century. Both parents of our subject were born in Now York state, but were early Minnesota settlers, locating in Mower county in 1-35. There they resided until 1900. The father died at Lakefield, Minnesota, in March, 1907. at the age of ST vwars: the mother died in March, 1903, aged 70 years. They were the parents of five chil- dren
On bis father's farm in Mower county R. P. St. John lived until be reached his ma- iarity. They he went to Cherokee county. Jowa, and for the next four years was on-
played in a grain elevator. He located in Derot Lake in 1802. and engaged in the grain business. which. Urgely by his efforts, bas de sloped into the strong Insine- concern it is tomas. Our subject conducted the Imsiness Hote one year. Then he was joined by his brother. W. P. St. John, in a partnership, and for the rest nine years the Isiness was cat- ducted under the firm name of St. John Broth- "- Te In-iness grew, and in 1902 the firm if St. lo'n Grain company was incorporated with the followme officer -: B. P. St. John. president: 1. M. St. John, vice president: W. P. St. John, - retary and treasurer. W. P. St. John, who Had been a merchant in Heron Lalo ir the carly days anl who had returned to thit town in 1-93 to engage in the grain Inpie -- with His brother, died October 25, 1205, Since that time the officers have been B. P St Jo'n. president and treasurer; . 1. M. "I. John. vice president : M. W. Smith. Sie- stary. The Board of directors are as fol- low -: 1. P. St. John. A. M. M. John. M. W. Smith, Sherman E. St. John. D. H. McKellar, ... B. Nimerfro and S. S. Striker. The St. John Grain company own- twenty grain elevators in Minnesota and Iowa, three of which are in Wekson county. The home office is in Heron Lake. They own membership in the regular grain exchanges at Minneapolis, Milwaukee and thi ago.
Besides his interest in the St. John Grain company. Mr. St. John is a so diated with the Karamin Lumber company. of Republic. Wash- ington, and is it- treasurer. He owns farm lunds in Jackson county and village property, Ile has served as president and member of the Heron Lake village council and for several years has been treasurer of the Heron Lale board of education. le is a member of the Masonic and Woodmen londres.
Mr. St. John was married at Meriden, Iowa, October 1. 191. to Miss Emma C. Hovey, a native of Grundy county. lowa. To them have been born four children, as follows: Kath- leen. born August 7, 1892: Clair 11 .. born Feb- ruary 2. 1995: 1d. H., Forn September 23, 1900; Matthew, born January 11. 1907. died October 25. 1908.
CHARLES MAYER (1891) is one of the prosperous and successful farmers and stock- misers of Rost township. He owns 400 acres of land on sections 28 and 30, Rost, and 120
B. P. ST. JOHN
President of the St. John Grain Company and a Capitalist of Heron Lake.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TIDEN FOUNDATIONS
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BIOGRAPIIICAL HISTORY.
acres on section 25, Ewington, as well as real estate in the village of Lakefield. 1Ie and his sons farm all his holdings. The farm is well improved and has a nice grove. On the place is an orchard, of five hundred apple trees, five hundred walnut and butternut trees. plum trees, grape arbor, etc.
Mr. Mayer is a native German. having been born in Rhine. Prussia, March 7. 1855, the son of Valentine and Catherine ( Edinger) May- er. Both his parents are dead. his father hav- ing died in Logan county, Illinois, in 1891, aged 70 years, and his mother having died in the same county on Christmas day, 1905, aged $1 years.
Our subject was brought up on a farm in his native land and there received his early training and education. He accompanied his parents to America in Angust, 1871, and located at San Jose, Mason county, Illinois. From the date of his arrival to the new world, to the year 1894 Mr. Mayer lived in Mason, Taze- well and Logan counties, Illinois. During this time he spent two years securing an English education, several years working for his fa- ther on the farm, and after growing to man- Lood engaged in farming for himself. In 1890 Mr. Mayer bought the half section of land which now comprises the home farm, and in 1894 he moved onto the place with his family. lle made all the improvements the farm now boasts and he and his family have lived there ever since.
In addition to his farming and stock raising Mr. Mayer is interested in several other busi- ness enterprises, owning stock in the First Na- tional Bank of Lakefield. the Rost Telephone company, the Jackson County Cooperative company of Lakefield. the Independent Har- vester company of Plano, Illinois, the Lake- field Farmers Cooperative Elevator company and the Rost Cooperative Dairy associa - tion. Ile and his family are members of the German Lutheran church of Rost township.
Mr. Mayer was married February 13. 1882, at Emden, Logan county, Illinois, to Sophia Grossweiler, who was born in Switzerland and came to the United States in 1875. To these parents have been born the following children: Frederick Carl, born November 20. 1882: Ja- cob. born October S. 1885; Rudolph, born Jan- nary 18. 1889; Lydia Sophia, born May 26. 1891, died Novmber 9. 1891; Lilly Louise, born July 11, 1896.
FREDERICK H. BERREAU (1884), furni- ture dealer, cabinet maker and undertaker of Heron Lake, is a pioneer of Minnesota. He is a native of Missouri and was born February 28, 1855. Ilis parents, llerman and Lena (Mackie) Berreau, were born in Germany and vame to America soon after their marriage. They lived in Missouri three years and in 1858 moved to Carver county, Minnesota, which was their home until 1871. Then they located in Nobles county. being pioneer set- tlers of that county, and homesteaded the northwest quarter of section 2. Hersey town- ship. The father died there in 1889 at the age of 55 years. The mother died at the age of 57 years. They were the parents of four living children: Frederick, Antonio (Mrs. B. Poppitz). Otto and Emma (Mrs. H. J. Nelson), all of whom live in Jackson county except Otto, who lives on the homestead in Nobles county.
At the age of two years our subject ac- companied his parents to Carver county, Min- nesota, and there he resided upon his father's farm. attending the district school, until 1871. That year he accompanied his parents to No- bles county and there resided on the farm un- til 1875, when he was twenty years of age. The family suffered severely during the ter- rible grasshopper seourge of the seventies and to alleviate their sufferings and help them through the ordeal, Frederick went to Chaska, Minnesota, and worked at the carpenter trade four years. He was married there in 1882 and then located in Brewster, where he work- ed at his trade two years. During a part of the season of 1884, Mr. Berrean was at Chaska, straightening up his affairs prepara- lory to engaging in business in lleron Lake. HIe purchased a stock of furniture in Minnea - polis and brought it to Heron Lake, arriving October 15. 1884, rented a building from T. A. Dieson, and started a furniture store. en- gaging also in cabinet and carpenter work. The next year he erected a business block of bis own and added undertaker's supplies to the stock. Mr. Berrean took ont an embalm- er's license in 1908.
On the fifth day of September. 1882. Mr. Berrean was married at Chaska to Mary Smith, who was born in Holland and who came to the United States with her parents in 1869. Her parents both died in Carver county, to which place they moved upon their arrival to America. Mr. and Mrs. Berreau are the par-
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ents of six children: Tillie Mrs. John Me. Carrell, of Anaconda. Montana; Herman, of Heron Lake: Anne Ars dans Tedy, of St. James: Fred, Otto and Albert, of Heron Lake. The family are members of the Catholic church of Heron Lake and he belongs to the Woodmen lodge. He owns his home in Heron Lake.
EDWARD F. ALLERS (1\\5) is one of the shecessful young farmers of Sioux Valley township, where he and his father and an un. dle own and farm in partnership three quarters of a section of fine land.
Ed Allers is a son of Fred and Catherina (Stoltenberg) Allers, of Sioux Valley. He was born in Benton county, Iowa. December 6, 1874, and in IssI moved to near Walcott. Scott county, lowa, where he resided until coming to Jackson county with his parents in 1885. He secured his education in the schools of Walcott, in the district schools of Sioux Valley township and in the German Lutheran school of Spirit Lake.
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