USA > Minnesota > Brown County > History of Brown County, Minnesota: Its People, Industries and Institutions (Volume 1) > Part 39
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John Hauenstein, Jr., was reared in New Ulm, the city of his birth, receiving his elementary education in the schools of that city. He later attended the Educational Institute at St. Louis and then, in order to perfect himself in the details of his father's business, attended the Wallen & Henius Brewing School at Chicago, from which technical institute he was graduated in 1897, a competent brewmaster, after which he returned home and took his place in the Hauenstein brewery, a valuable aid to his father in the operation of that business. In 1900 the business was incor- porated under the laws of the state, with the following officers: John Hauenstein; Sr., president; Charles Hauen- stein, vice-president; Fred Seiter, secretary, and Martin Hose, treasurer; capital stock one hundred thousand dollars. Following the death of the elder Hauenstein in 1914, the company was reorganized and since then the following officers have been in charge: Charles Hauenstein, president and general manager; Mrs. Henrietta Hauenstein, vice-
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president; John Hauenstein, secretary and brewmaster, and Martin Hose, treasurer.
On November 16, 1910, John Hauenstein was united in marriage to Hertha Mueller, who was born in New Ulm, daughter of Martin and Amelia (Toberer) Mueller, a history of which family is set out in detail in a biographical sketch relating to Martin Mueller, a well-known automobile dealer in New Ulm, presented elsewhere in this volume, and to this union three children have been born, Richard John, Mar- guerite Amelia and Laura Louise. The Mueller family is one of the oldest in the county, as is that of the Hauensteins, and both Mr. and Mrs. Hauenstein have hosts of friends hereabout, all of whom hold them in high esteem.
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WILLIAM SKINNER.
One of the venerable and honored citizens of Brown county, who is spending the calm December of his years in retirement in New Ulm is William Skinner, who has passed his seventy-seventh birthday. He was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, December 25, 1839, and is the son of Joseph E. and Sallie (French) Skinner, the father born in the vicinity of Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, his mother having been of Dutch descent, as was also the mother of the subject, although she was a native of New England. During the Mexican War Joseph E. Skinner organized a company at Ottawa, Illinois, where he was then living, and served for some time at the front. He was twice married and had three children by his first wife, William, Oliver and Niana.
William Skinner spent his boyhood at home and re- ceived a common-school education, attending school three months in the summer and three months in the winter. When eight years old he was bound out to a tanner and fur- rier and harness-maker, with whom he remained until he was fourteen years of age, learning the business. He then went to Monroe Corners, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, where he worked for a short time at his trade, then went to Sheshequin, in the same county, where he lived with a man named Horton, later lived with a Mr. Delbish until he was twenty-one years old, when he and his brother-in-law, Clin- ton Shaw, started a harness shop in the town of Sheshequin, remaining there two years, after which Mr. Skinner turned his attention to farming, and got married about the same
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time. He worked the farm owned by his father-in-law for two years, and in October, 1856, started West, going to Dubuque, Iowa, on the first train that entered that town. He then took a steamboat up the Mississippi river to St. Paul, and from there went on in a boat up the Minnesota river to Shakopee, or as far as the boats ran, and there he hired a conveyance which brought him to LeSueur, from which place he hired another team and vehicle to bring him to New Ulm, in which place he found but two log houses, the country round about being wild and undeveloped, but here he found his friend, Albert Tuttle, of Pennsylvania, who had located in that vicinity previously. After looking over the new country Mr. Skinner staked off one hundred and sixty acres which he pre-empted. This was in 1857, and thus he was one of the earliest settlers in Brown county. His claim was in what is now Milford township, and imme- diately after locating it he went back to Illinois and got his wife. His first house was a log structure, fourteen by four- teen feet, one room with a loft which was reached by a ladder. He made a floor of split basswood, and at that was better fixed than the average pioneer. He had brought with him a stove which was very rare on the frontier at that time. He had moved out with his family in a covered wagon or "prairie schooner" drawn by oxen, the second trip being in true pioneer style. He soon had a crop under way and vari- ous improvements and, by perseverance and hard work prospered, remaining on his farm until 1907, when, having built a new house and other buildings and accumulated three hundred and sixty acres of good land, he retired, re- moving to New Ulm. To this place he brought his wife and family during the Indian uprising in the early sixties, and took an active part in repulsing the Sioux. When New Ulm
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was evacuated he took his family to Owatona where he left them until October 1, of that year. Owing to the barbaric depredations by the Indians and scouting parties he barri- caded the door to his home, building a fence seven feet high of heavy oak plank, reinforced by an embankment of earth four feet high on the inside. For about a year he lived the farthest west of any one in the settlement on the Cotton- wood river.
William Skinner was married on December 25, 1853, to Sallie Newell, who was born in Bradford county, Pennsyl- vania, a daughter of Stephen and Kattie (Cole) Newell, both of German blood. To Mr. and Mrs. Skinner three daughters were born, namely: Martha, who married Mark E. Dyer, a traveling salesman, who has visited nearly every important city on the globe; Eva lives at home; Katie mar- ried William Wellner, who is employed as foreman in the shirt and overall factory at Mankato, and they have one child, Lloyd William. Mrs. Sallie Skinner died on Decem- ber 2, 1912.
Mr. Skinner is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, which he joined about 1865. Politically, he is a Democrat and has held a number of public offices from those of school director and justice of the peace to that of a member of the state Legislature, in all of which he dis- charged his duties faithfully and most acceptably. He was elected to the Legislature four times, first in 1876, and lastly in 1893. He did much for the betterment of his home com- munity and the farmers in general. Among the bills he in- troduced was one compelling every farmer to fence in his pasture land. He was for some time county superintendent. He is widely and most favorably known throughout Brown and adjoining counties.
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WILLIAM F. RUEMKE, JR.
An enterprising merchant of New Ulm, Brown county, is William F. Ruemke, Jr., in which place he has been con- tent to spend his life, and where he was born on August 17, 1865. He is a son of William and Frederica M. (Schroer) Ruemke, both parents natives of Germany, from which country they immigrated to the United States in 1857, locating in Cincinnati, Ohio, where the father followed his trade of carpenter and contractor. About 1864 he removed with his family to New Ulm, Minnesota, where he formed a partnership with Louis Buenger, which continued for about fifteen years. The firm did a good business building dwelling houses, principally, until about 1875, when the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Ruemke taking as a partner Herman Schapekahm, which partnership continued suc- cessfully for about twenty years, the business being con- ducted along the same lines as formerly. Thus for a period of thirty-five years the elder Ruemke was one of the best- known contractors and builders in this section of the state. He was not only successful in a business way but a good citizen, respected by all. His death occurred in 1910, at the age of seventy-two, his birth having occurred on February 22, 1838, at Minden, Germany. In 1862 he married Fred- erica M. Schroer, whose death occurred about 1876. Not long thereafter Mr. Ruemke married for his second wife, May Schapekahm. To these two unions seven children were born, four by the first, of whom William F. Ruemke, Jr., is the only survivor, his brother, C. F. Ruemke, having died
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on April 18, 1915. The three children by the second mar- riage were Lena, Bertha and Emma, the last named becom- ing the wife of A. P. Boock.
William F. Ruemke, Jr., grew up in his native com- munity and there he received a common-school education, for when but a boy he decided to follow in the footsteps of his father, and began learning the carpenter's trade, work- ing with him for many years and becoming an expert work- man. He finally entered into partnership with his father and Mr. Schapekahm. In 1895 he gave up contracting and entered the mercantile field in New Ulm, with his brother, Christ F. Ruemke. They started with a stock of goods valued at about five thousand dollars; being successful from the first they gradually increased their stock, adding new lines, until they had one of the largest mercantile establish- ments in New Ulm. Upon the death of his brother Mr. Ruemke purchased the entire business.
William J. Ruemke was married on May 1, 1890, in New Ulm, to Emma (Boock) Cords, a native of that place, and a daughter of Henry and Carrie Boock, both natives of Germany. To Mr. and Mrs. Ruemke four children have been born, namely : Elmer, whose birth occurred on October 7, 1895, is now in college, studying to be a lawyer; Estella, October 13, 1897; Ruth, March 21, 1902; Edgar, June 9, 1904. Mr. Ruemke and family are members of the Evan- gelical Lutheran church.
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GOTTREICH H. KIESLING.
After a laborious and honest life in "the village smithy," Gottreich H. Kiesling, of New Ulm, Brown county, is living in retirement, enjoying a well-earned respite. He was born on October 30, 1837, in Saxony, Germany, and is a son of Gottreich Kiesling, who was also a blacksmith by trade. The subject of this sketch grew up in his native land and attended school there until he was fourteen years of age. He was eleven years old when his father died, and thus early in life somewhat heavy responsibilities had to be assumed by him, and he began learning the blacksmith's trade upon leaving school. He came to the United States in 1857, direct to Brown county, Minnesota, but after a so- journ of a month or two, went to Chicago where he worked a short time, when, owing to hard times, he went to the coun- try to work as a farm hand. But he was satisfied with two months of it, and returned to Brown county, Minnesota, where he started a blacksmith shop, which he operated until 1890, enjoying a large business, then he sold out and has since lived retired, having accumulated sufficient com- petency for his old age. He had purchased a tract of land from the government about the time of the late Indian war. In 1862 he served as a soldier against the Indians and fought at the battle of New Ulm, at which time he was a member of the Minnesota state militia.
Gottreich Kiesling was married in Brown county on July 13, 1861, to Albertini Littbener, a daughter of Lutwich Littbener, a native of Germany, in which country Albertini
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was also born. This family came to America from the prov- ince of Pommern, about the year 1855, locating first in Chi- cago, later establishing their home in Brown county, Min- nesota. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kiesling, five of whom survive, namely: Franklin, who died in 1904, married Emily Klossner, who bore him four children, Ida, Beulah, May and Lilla; Albert, who married a Miss Martie, has six children, Rosa, Dena, Vera, Albert, Luther and Gretchen; Tillie, who married Henry Klossner has six chil- dren, Roy, Nettie, Henrietta, Regenia, Minnie and Henry ; Herman, who married a Miss Vogtel, has two children, Floyd and Mildred; Melvina, who married Tena Achersen, has three children, Lutena, Elvin and Tena; Amel C., who married Nellie Cleveland, has two children, Selbia and Rena.
Mr. Kiesling and family belong to the Congregational church. He was on the town council of New Ulm for some time.
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ANDREW A. BACKER.
Andrew A. Backer, owner and proprietor of the "Wil- low Grove Farm" in Milford township, Brown county, Minnesota, and known throughout this section of the state as a breeder of Guernsey cattle as well as a progressive farmer, is a native of Bavaria, Germany, born on April 29, 1865, son of John and Martha Backer. For further par- ticulars of the history of the Backer family, the reader is referred to the sketch of Fred J. Backer, presented else- where between these covers.
Andrew A. Backer was a small child when his parents brought him to this country and settled in this county, and his education was received in the schools of Milford town- ship, where he made the most of the meager opportunities offered. He was early trained in the vocation of farming and after school days were over, became his father's assist- ant, remaining on the home place until 1890 when he started out in life for himself. His first venture was the renting of a tract of land, where he farmed for some time and then bought one hundred and sixty acres in Milford township, to which he has added until his present farm consists of four hundred and fifteen acres. He puts about one hundred and fifty acres each year to grains and the balance is in meadow and pasture land. He feeds for the market an average of sixty head of hogs per year and of his fine cattle, milks fifteen cows the year round. These cattle have been exhibited at many county fairs throughout this section of
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the state and Mr. Backer has a number of first prizes which his animals won.
In 1891, Andrew A. Backer was united in marriage with Ernestina Sear, a daughter of Chris and Rosa Sear, and to their union two children have been born, Roy and Christina. Roy married Ella Rolloff, while Christina re- mains at home with the parents.
Mr. Backer holds fraternal affiliation with the Modern Woodmen of America, being banker for his lodge, and he has also in the past served as a member of the school board. In politics he is an independent Democrat and one of the citizens of this community interested in the proper adminis- tration of local affairs. He stands high in the estimation of his fellow men and as a representative citizen of the county is eminently entitled to representation in a work of the character of the present one.
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FRANZ NIEMANN.
Franz Niemann, well-known blacksmith and expert far- rier at New Ulm, this county, and proprietor of the largest and best-equipped establishment of the kind in that city, is a native of Germany and has been a resident of New Ulm since the year 1894. He was born in East Prussia on March 29, 1867, son of Fritz and Henrietta (Zieseng) Niemann, both natives of that same province, the former of whom died in Wisconsin in 1898 and the latter of whom is now living at New Ulm. Fritz Niemann was a mail carrier in his young manhood and later became a farmer. After their family was reared he and his wife came to the United States, fol- lowing some of their children who had preceded them sev- eral years before, and in 1895 located at St. Paul, this state. After a short stay there they went to Wisconsin and bought a farm and it was there that Fritz Niemann died. His widow later moved to New Ulm, where she is now living. They were the parents of six children, Fritz, Minnie, Franz, Louise, Edward and August.
Franz Niemann received his education in the schools of his native land and was trained to the trade of blacksmith, becoming a very competent general smith and expert farrier. He did his three years in the military service of his country and then, in 1893, came to the United States. After a short stay in Chicago he came on to Minnesota and located at. St. Paul, where he worked at his trade for a year, at the end of which time he moved to New Ulm, where he has ever since made his home and where he has done very well. He had no
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MR. AND MRS. FRANZ NIEMANN.
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difficulty in finding work at his trade upon his arrival in New Ulm in 1894, for the quality of his craftsmanship showed for itself, and he soon came to be recognized as one of the best men in his line in this entire section. In 1896 Mr. Niemann started in business for himself, opening in a small way, at first doing all the work in the shop himself, but his business quickly grew and for a long time he has had the largest shop in town, employing a force of four men and keeping constantly busy. Mr. Niemann is a Republican and takes a good citizen's part in local political affairs. He is a member of Berg's Battery and takes a warm interest in the affairs of the local company. He also is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and of the Turnverein. He has been a member of the New Ulm fire department for fifteen years, and has been captain for about six years.
On October 9, 1895, Franz Niemann was united in mar- riage to Emma Schneider, who was born at New Ulm, daughter of George and Emilia (Schell) Schneider, the for- mer a native of Germany and the latter of Cincinnati. George Schneider came to the United States when he was thirteen years of age. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted for service in the Union army and after the conclu- sion of that service came to Minnesota and opened a tin shop at New Ulm, following that business the rest of his life. He and his wife were the parents of three children, Emma, August and Otto. To Mr. and Mrs. Niemann six children have been born, Frank, Oleta, Otto, Edna, Alfred and Charles, all of whom are at home.
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WILLIAM FRANK.
One of the best and most widely known citizens of New Ulm, Brown county, Minnesota, is William Frank, a retired miller, who has been connected with the milling business of this section since ante-bellum days. Mr. Frank is a native of Germany, born in Mecklenberg on September 15, 1837, a son of Daniel Frank and wife. Daniel was a laborer and died in his native land when rather young. After his death, the mother bravely set out for America with her children and located in this state. She lived for many years here, her death occurring in 1899. There are still two members of Mr. Frank's family living in this county, his sisters, Mrs. Wilhomena Schultz and Mrs. Julia Springer.
William Frank received a good education in his native land and when a youth was apprenticed to the milling trade, being twenty-two years of age when he came to this country. His first work was as a farm hand on a farm in Madison county, Illinois, near Edwardsville, where he remained six- teen months. He came to New Ulm in 1861 and secured em- ployment with the Globe Milling Company and worked for them until the Indian uprising, when the mill was destroyed by fire by the red men. He assisted in protecting the lives and property of the white settlers as a private in Company L, First Minnesota Cavalry, serving one year. He went to St. Paul after the Indians were quieted down, but remained there but a short time, and returned to New Ulm. He gave his assistance in the rebuilding of the Globe mill and was employed there again until it was again destroyed by fire in 1873. Until 1879 he was employed as miller by the milling
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business now known as the New Ulm roller mills and in that year, in company with a Mr. Bentzin, he built the Cottonwood roller mill, which at first was operated by water power and had a capacity of one hundred barrels in twenty- four hours. In 1889 the water power gave out, and from that time on steam furnished the motive power. Mr. Frank remained with the company until 1893 when he sold his interest to Mr. Bentzin, his partner, and retired from the active duties of life. For six years he made his home with his son-in-law, Herman Bentzin, in the country, and then took up his residence in New Ulm where he has since remained.
As a resident of New Ulm, Mr. Frank has been inter- ested in civic affairs, serving as councilman for eight years, city treasurer for four years and was a member of the school board for three years. In politics he is an independ- ent voter and bears the reputation of one who disinter- estedly seeks the best good of the community. Mr. Frank is a popular member of the Turnverein of New Ulm and also holds membership in Hager Post No. 48, Grand Army of the Republic, serving that body as quartermaster for the past twelve years. Mr. Frank also holds fraternal relations with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and has been financier of that body for twelve years past. Altogether he is one of the best-known citizens of New Ulm, has a wide acquaintance throughout the county and is held in the high- est esteem by all.
In 1864 William Frank was married at St. Peter, this state, to Elizabeth Guth, a daughter of George Guth, and to their union one child was born. This is their daughter, Wilhomena, who became the wife of Herman Bentzin, there being no issue to that union.
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ANTON HENLE.
Anton Henle, one of the best-known and more success- ful farmers of Milford township, Brown county, Minnesota, was born on the farm on which he is now residing on Janu- ary 1, 1866, a son of Athantansius and Elizabeth (Finke) Henle, both of whom were natives of Wurtemberg, Ger- many. The elder Henle was a carpenter by trade and directed his energies in that line in his native land, also while living in Chicago, Illinois, for a short time after com- ing to this country. He came to this county in 1854 and entered eighty acres in section 6, of Milford township, on which land he built a log cabin and began the improvement of his newly acquired possession. He carried on general farming and succeeded well in his enterprise in spite of many drawbacks and hindrances and at the time of his re- tirement from the active duties of life, he was the owner of six hundred and twenty acres of excellent farm lands. In 1892 he left his farm and took up his residence in New Ulm, remaining there until the time of his death in 1893. Mr. Henle was a resident of this county during the Indian outbreaks in the sixties and in the outrages perpetrated by that race he lost his home, crops and all his live stock and was thankful to gain New Ulm with the lives of himself and family. When the trouble occurred, he went with others to St. Peter and remained there a short time. Mr. Henle took an interest in the affairs of his community and was township assessor and also supervisor of Milford township, discharging his duties in a manner satisfactory to all. He
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was one of the sturdy pioneers of this section who has left the impress of his strong and upright character upon the life of the community today.
Anton Henle, the subject of this sketch, was one of a family of twelve children, five of whom are still living. His early education was received in the schools of his native township and he later became his father's assistant, remain- ing with him until the time of the latter's retirement in 1892, when he took over the farm and has had charge of it ever since. He has one of the best improved farms in the township and since coming into possession of his farm home, he has put about six thousand dollars on it in the way of improvements. He divides his attention between general farming and the raising of a certain amount of live stock, conducting his business along lines most approved by mod- ern practice. He milks on an average of twelve cows and disposes of their product to the Essig creamery in which he is a stockholder and served as treasurer for three years.
In 1894 Anton Henle was united in marriage with Mary Schueller, born at Courtland, Minnesota, October 29, 1871, a daughter of Joseph Schueller. To Mr. and Mrs. Henle ten children have been born, nine of whom are living, as follow: Rozella, Aloysius, Alfred, Olivia, Clement, Leo, Melvin, Adeline and Loretta. Mr. Henle and family are communicants of the Roman Catholic church and he is a member of the St. Joseph society. In politics, an independ- ent voter, he takes an active interest in the affairs of the community and for twenty-one years served as school treas- urer. He is one of the substantial men of the township and county and readily lends his influence to any movement planned for the good of the community life.
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