USA > Minnesota > Brown County > History of Brown County, Minnesota: Its People, Industries and Institutions (Volume 1) > Part 63
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BROWN COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
BENJAMIN SCHULTZ.
Among the progressive and hard-working agricultur- ists of Home township, Brown county, is Benjamin Schultz, who was born at Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, November 25, 1882. He is a son of Gustav and Caroline Schultz, both natives of Germany. The father spent his boyhood in his native land and there attended school, but immigrated to America when a young man and located in Wisconsin where he worked until he removed to Minnesota, locating near Hutchinson, where he was married. There he engaged in general farming until 1873 when he removed to Brown county, locating in Home township, where he bought one hundred and fifty-five acres, which he later added to until he had a good farm of one hundred and ninety-five acres. Here he continued farming until 1913 when he rented his place and removed to Sleepy Eye, where he has since lived in retirement. His family consisted of seven children, namely: John J., Amelia, Lydia, Emma, Benjamin, Ella and Lawrence.
Benjamin Schultz grew to manhood on the home farm where he worked during the summer months and in the winter time he attended the public schools in Home town- ship. He assisted his father on the farm until the latter retired, then rented the home place which he has been operating ever since. He has been very successful as a gen- eral farmer. He has about thirty acres of corn and eighty- five acres of small grain.
On May 21, 1914, Benjamin Schultz was married to
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Ella Berkner, a daughter of William and Augusta (Lueck) Berkner, and to this union one child has been born, Verla. Ella Berkner was born in Lac qui Parle county, Minnesota, and is of German descent. The father spent his young man- hood in Wisconsin, finally removing to Minnesota, locating in Lac qui Parle county, where he was a farmer for ten years, then removed to South Dakota, where he now resides. His family consisted of nine children, namely: Clara, Ella, Mertie, Walter, Esther, Melvin, Bernice, Carl and Samuel.
Politically Mr. Schultz is an independent voter. He is a member of the German Evangelical church.
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BROWN COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
FRANK WILLIAM PFISTERER, M. D.
Dr. Frank William Pfisterer, well-known and pro- gressive young physician and surgeon, of New Ulm, this county, is a native son of Brown county, having been born on a farm in Cottonwood township, July 20, 1887, son of Henry and Caroline (Waibel) Pfisterer, the former of whom was born in the state of Wisconsin and the latter in this county, both of whom are still living, now making their home in New Ulm, where they have lived for the past fifteen years or more.
Henry Pfisterer is the youngest of the five children born to his parents, Philip and Dorothea (Fricker) Pfist- erer, the others having been Martha, Louise, Philip and William. The elder Philip Pfisterer and his wife, natives of the Alsace-Lorraine country, came to the United States after their marriage and settled in Wisconsin, later coming over into Minnesota and settling in Brown county, thus be- coming pioneers of this county. Grandfather Pfisterer was killed in a runaway accident and his widow survived for years, she having been well advanced in years at the time of her death. Henry Pfisterer, their youngest son, was well grown when he came to this county with the family and he helped his father develop the farm in Cottonwood township which the latter had bought upon locating here. He married Caroline Waibel, who was born in this county, daughter of Alexander Waibel and wife, natives of Ger- many, who had settled here in the days before the Indian massacre and developed a valuable farm property in Cot- tonwood township, where they reared a large family, those
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besides Mrs. Pfisterer who grew to maturity having been John, Alexander, Henry, Theodore, Benjamin, Bernhard, Edward and Margaret. After his marriage Henry Pfist- erer began farming in Cottonwood township on his own account and finally became the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and eighty acres, which he sold in 1900 and since then has made his home in New Ulm. They have but two children, Doctor Pfisterer, the subject of this biographical sketch, and Minnie.
Frank W. Pfisterer was reared on the paternal farm in Cottonwood township, receiving his early education in district school No. 4 and in the New Ulm high school, from which latter he was graduated in 1908. He then took a two-year course in the medical department of the Uni- versity of Michigan at Ann Arbor, supplementing the same by a medical and scientific course at Marquette in 1913, after which he began the practice of his profession at Mil- waukee, where he remained until 1915, in which year he returned to New Ulm, where he opened an office and where he is now very successfully engaged in practice.
On November 30, 1911, Dr. Frank W. Pfisterer was united in marriage at Milwaukee to Elsie Staumn, who was born in that city, only daughter of Reinholt Staumn and wife, natives of Germany, who still reside in Milwau- kee and who have two sons, Hugo and Max. To Doctor and Mrs. Pfisterer one child has been born, a son, William Henry. Mrs. Pfisterer is a member of the Lutheran church. Both she and the Doctor take a warm interest in the general social and cultural activities of their home town and are held in high esteem by their many friends in New Ulm and throughout the county.
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BROWN COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
JOSEPH H. VOGEL, M. D.
Dr. Joseph H. Vogel, well-known and popular physi- cian at New Ulm, this county, is a native son of that city, having been born there on March 28, 1879, son of Joseph P. and Margaret (Sear) Vogel, the former a native of Austria and the latter of Bavaria, who had settled in this part of Minnesota, with their respective parents, in the days of their youth, during the early days of the settlement hereabout, and who were thus pioneers of this section.
Joseph P. Vogel was born in Austria, son of Simon and Barbara (Biemichael) Vogel, both natives of that country, and was seventeen years old when he accompanied his par- ents to this country, the family coming straightway to Minnesota and settling in this county in June, 1856. Simon Vogel homesteaded a tract of land in Siegel township, where he established his home and long was regarded as one of the foremost pioneers of that section, being one of the most substantial farmers of that neighborhood. In their declining years Simon Vogel and wife retired from the farm and thereafter made their home in New Ulm, where both died, the former being ninety-seven years of age at the time of his death and the latter eighty-seven. They were the parents of five children, George, Mrs. Schaeffer, Mrs. Joseph Flor, Mrs. Schumm and Joseph P. The latter grew to manhood on the homestead place in Sigel township, assisting in the arduous labors of develop- ing the farm from its wilderness state to a tillable condition
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and in 1861 when the Civil War broke out he enlisted in the local regiment and served in the cause of the Union, in 1862 participating in the defense of New Ulm against the Indian uprising. Later he engaged in the retail liquor business in that city, but after a short experience in such a vocation abandoned it and turned his attention to the lumber business, in which he was successfully engaged for twenty years or more, during which time he became one of the best-known lumbermen in this section. He is now liv- ing retired in New Ulm, both he and his good wife enjoy- ing many evidences of the high esteem in which they are held throughout that entire community. Mr. Vogel is ap- proaching his eightieth year and Mrs. Vogel is ten years younger. They were married not long after the close of the Civil War, Mrs. Vogel also having been one of the pioneers of this county, she having come from Bavaria with her parents, Gabriel and Marie Sear, when a girl, the family settling in Milford township, this county, being among the very earliest settlers of that part of the county. In their declining years Gabriel Sear and his wife retired from the farm and moved to New Ulm, where their last days were spent, both living to be more than eighty years of age. They were the parents of five children, Mrs. Mary Aherns, Conrad, Mrs. Catherine Dernbach, Mrs. Elizabeth Schilling and Elizabeth, who married Joseph P. Vogel. To this latter union five children were born, as follow: Louis G., of New Ulm; Alfred J., also of New Ulm; Bertha, deceased, who was the wife of L. J. Buenger; Alma, wife of L. B. Krook, of New Ulm, and Joseph N., the immediate subject of this biographical sketch. Joseph P. Vogel and wife are earnest members of the Lutheran church, for many years stanch
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supporters of the local good works of that communion, and their children were reared in that faith.
Upon completing the course in the local schools at New Ulm, Joseph H. Vogel entered the Minneapolis Acad- emy, from which institution he was graduated in 1899, after which he entered the medical department of the Uni- versity of Minnesota. After a year of faithful study there he entered Rush Medical College at Chicago, from which latter institution he was graduated in June, 1903. Upon receiving his diploma, Doctor Vogel returned to his home in New Ulm and at once opened an office for the practice of his profession, and has been thus quite successfully en- gaged ever since, during which time he has taken high rank in the medical profession in this part of the state. Doctor Vogel is a modern, up-to-date physician, well versed in all the latest lore of his profession and takes an active interest in the affairs of the Brown County Medical Society, the Minnesota State Medical Society and the American Med- ical Association, of which several organizations he is a member. Not long after entering the practice at New Ulm he was appointed health officer and for several years served very efficiently in that important office. Doctor Vogel is a Republican and ever takes a good citizen's interest in local political affairs, being an ardent advocate of the principles of good government. While primarily devoted to the alleviation of the ills of humanity, he has not been unmind- ful of the material side of things and is a stockholder in the Brown County Bank and in the State Bond and Mort- gage Company.
On January 24, 1906, Dr. Joseph H. Vogel was united in marriage to Antonia Crone, who was born in New Ulm,
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elder of the two children born to Carl and Anna (Meyer) Crone, she having a brother, Carl. The elder Carl Crone and his wife, who are still living at New Ulm,. are both natives of that city, their respective parents having been among the earliest settlers of this region. Carl Crone is the eldest of the seven children born to his parents, Theo- dore Crone and wife, who came from Friesland, Germany, and settled at New Ulm soon after the establishment of that settlement, their other children being Henry, Anton, Theodore, Ferdinand, Ahle and Jeanette. The Meyers also were a well-known family in the early settlement of New Ulm and Mrs. Crone had a brother, Albert.
To Dr. Joseph H. and Antonia (Crone) Vogel one child has been born, a son, Joseph C. Mrs. Vogel is an earnest member of the Lutheran church and she and the Doctor are recognized as among the leaders in the social and cultural life of the community, being held in high re- gard by their many friends throughout the county.
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BROWN COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
GEORGE BERKNER.
Home township, Brown county, has many progressive tillers of the soil who are to be commended for their up-to- date methods. Among these, George Berkner should be mentioned, as only a cursory glance over his well-kept farm will convince one. He was born near Green Bay, Wiscon- sin, October 20, 1866, and is a son of William and Henri- etta Berkner, both natives of Germany. The father spent his boyhood in the Fatherland, coming to the United States when seventeen years of age, locating in Wisconsin, his parents having accompanied him. They engaged in farm- ing and he remained under his parental roof-tree until his marriage, which took place in 1875. Soon thereafter he removed to Dodge county, Wisconsin, and bought a farm of one hundred and eighty-two acres, which he improved and farmed successfully until 1903, when he sold out and came to Brown county, Minnesota, where he has since re- sided, now living in Sleepy Eye. He was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil War, serving three and one- half years, during which he took part in many important engagements, seeing much hard service. His family con- sisted of seven children, five of whom are now living, namely: Edward, Alfred, Henry, Ezra and George.
The subject of this sketch received his education in the common schools, and during the crop seasons when he was a boy he assisted his father with the general work on the farm, remaining at home until his marriage when he moved to Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, where he pur-
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chased one hundred acres of land which he farmed until he came to Brown county, Minnesota, in 1903, locating in Home township, where he bought two hundred and sixty acres, and here he is successfully engaged in general farm- ing, stock raising and dairying, making a success of all departments. He has on an average of forty-five acres of corn and one hundred acres of small grain, about all of which he feeds to his live stock, of which there are at this writing about sixty head of cattle, all good grades. He feeds from fifteen to twenty head of cattle each year, and milks on an average of twelve cows the year round. He has a silo with a capacity of one hundred and sixty tons, and without a doubt has one of the most modern barns in the county. He has spent about eight thousand dollars in improvements on his place, which is one of the best in the township in every respect.
Mr. Berkner was married in 1890 to Gertrude Bernd, a daughter of J. M. Bernd, and to this union four children have been born, namely: Milton, Lester, Selma and Gomer, the last named being deceased.
Politically, Mr. Berkner is a Republican. He was one of the organizers of the Farmers Club, of which he is now vice-president. He is an advocate of modern methods in agriculture and has done much to encourage better farm- ing in Brown county. He was chairman of his township when he lived in Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin.
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BROWN COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
WILLIAM LANGE.
William Lange, living on his well-improved farm of two hundred and fifty acres in Home township, Brown county, Minnesota, is a native of Germany, born on May 20, 1864, a son of Frederick and Rose Lange, both natives of that land. There were six children in their family, namely: Anna, John, Emil, Meina, William and August.
Frederick Lange was early trained to farming and to that vocation gave his attention all his life. Upon com- ing to this country with his family he came directly to this county and state, and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Home township. There were but few improve- ments on the place at the time, but in the course of years he made of it a comfortable home and well ordered farm. His death occurred in 1895.
William Lange was a small boy when brought to this country by his parents and owing to conditions in this sec- tion at that time, received but a limited education in his youth. He attended the early township schools of Home township, but his school days were over by the time he was ten years of age. From that time on he was kept busy on the home place and in this connection remained with his father until the time of the latter's death. William then took over the home farm, purchasing an adjoining tract of ninety acres, making his total holdings at the present time, two hundred and fifty acres. He divides his attention be- tween the raising of grains and live stock, feeding all of (35a)
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his corn on the place and preparing for the market on an average of twenty-five hogs annually. His trading point is Sleepy Eye, a distance of four miles with good roads, conditions immeasurably removed from those under which his father so earnestly labored.
William Lange was united in marriage in 1895 with Hannah Wanderze. Mrs. Lange was born in Germany and came to this country with a brother, her parents never leaving their native land. Mr. and Mrs. Lange have the following children, Helen, Frieda, Sadie, Edna, Bernard, Jacob. Mr. Lange and family are members of the German Lutheran church at Sleepy Eye and take a commendable interest in the welfare of that society. He is Republican in his political convictions and for two years was a member of the township board.
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BROWN COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
GEORGE GUGGISBERG.
George Guggisberg, of Brown county, Minnesota, was born in the same township (Siegel) where he now has his farm home, on December 25, 1864, being a son of Gottlieb and Mary Ann Guggisberg, both natives of Switzerland. Both came to this country when young, locating in the state of Illinois and it was there they were married. Gottlieb had been a dairyman in his native land up to the time of his emigration to America in 1854 and after coming here he worked for a short time in Illinois as a farm hand, later renting a tract of land which he farmed until he came to this state in 1858. Upon coming here he entered one hun- dred and sixty acres from the government, broke the sod and put up his little cabin home. He bravely undertook the improvement of his land and so well did he succeed in his labors that at the time of his death he was the owner of five hundred acres. Coming here at that early date, they were here at the time of the Indian troubles when all sought safety in New Ulm. There Gottlieb Guggisberg and his family remained until all trouble was over before going back to their farm, where they had suffered heavy losses in the meantime. There were originally eight chil- dren in their family, six of whom are now living, Fritz and George being the only ones to remain in this county.
When a boy, George Guggisberg attended the early township schools near his home, making the best of the meager opportunities offered at that time and remained on the home farm helping his father, until twenty-five years
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of age. At that time he purchased one hundred and eighty acres, which is now a part of his present farm, for which he paid twenty-five dollars per acre. His farm today con- tains two hundred and eighty-six acres and he has put fully eight thousand dollars worth of improvements on it, bring- ing it up to a high standard of production. Mr. Guggis- berg also owns two hundred and forty acres in Nicollet county, this state, as well as a tract of four hundred and eighty acres in Canada. He puts in on an average of one hundred and fifty acres to grains each year, selling most of it.
George Guggisberg married Emma Vollmer in 1889. She is a daughter of George Vollmer and is the mother of three children, namely: Walter, Isabelle and Caroline. The Guggisberg family are members of the German Luth- eran church at New Ulm and stand high in the estimation of their friends in the community. Mr. Guggisberg is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Republican party and as evidence of his interest in local matters of this nature, he has served as school treasurer.
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BROWN COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
JOHN G. GRONAU.
John G. Gronau, who is conceded to be the largest building contractor in Brown county, Minnesota, residing at New Ulm, was born in West Prussia, Germany, July 1, 1869, being a son of John and Elizabeth Gronau of that same place. John Gronau was a stone mason and worked exclusively at that trade until the time he emigrated to this country in 1880. He located in Kansas where in addition to following his trade, he also farmed the one hundred and twenty acres which he purchased upon locating there. He has succeeded well in his combined efforts and is still living on one of his Kansas farms, having increased his holdings to eight hundred acres. There were originally five chil- dren in the family of John and Elizabeth Gronau, one now being deceased, and John G., the immediate subject of this sketch, being the only one residing in this county.
John G. Gronau received excellent schooling in his native land when a small boy, but never attended the schools of this country, giving his entire time to assisting his father in the work of the farm home, although his first months in this country were spent as a cattle ranger. When twenty- one years of age, he decided to apply his efforts to the carpenter and mason trade and was so employed in Kansas until 1892 when he came to this state, locating in Spring- field. There, however, he first worked as a harvest hand, but later at the carpenter trade and when a short time afterward, he came to New Ulm, he was employed by a Mr. Tappe as foreman. He remained with Mr. Tappe four
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years and in the spring of 1898 he entered the contracting field in his own behalf and has since confined his efforts to that line with the exception of one year when he acted as manager for the Nagle Company. Several of the most prominent buildings of the county are his work, among them being the Brown county jail and the addition to the Turner hall in New Ulm, as well as other public and private buildings too numerous to mention. He often has as high as twenty-five men working for him at a time and through his work has done much to enhance the appearance of various town and country districts.
John G. Gronau was united in marriage in 1893, with Elizabeth Baumgart, daughter of Christopher Baumgart, and five children have been born to this union. They are John G., Alfred, Rudolph, Elfred and Frank, the latter being deceased. Mr. Gronau is a past master workman in the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His political support is given no particular party, he being an independ- ent voter.
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BROWN COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
ALBERT KNEES.
Albert Knees, a farmer of Milford township, Brown county, Minnesota, was born in the same township in which he now resides, on October 8, 1863, being a son of William and Mary Knees, both natives of Germany.
William Knees was but a boy when he came to this country with his parents and the family located in Illinois, where William grew to manhood. He remained in that state until 1857 when he came to Minnesota and located in this county, at a date early in the history of this section. He entered from the government a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Milford township and set about improv- ing his holdings. He erected a log cabin and in spite of many drawbacks and inconveniences, slowly won a pleas- ing degree of success. He farmed here all his life and came to own two hundred and forty acres of Brown county's good farming lands.
William Knees went through the trying time of the Indian outbreak, fleeing to New Ulm for protection with his family, and also giving his services to protect the town. He was one of the substantial citizens of this section and is well remembered by many friends who still survive. He departed this life in 1902, his wife having preceded him in 1885. They were the parents of nine children, eight of whom are still living, Philip, Lena, Bernard, Henry, Albert, Emma, Bertha and Mary.
Albert Knees' education was such as the early schools of Milford township offered and he remained under the
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parental roof assisting his father, until twenty-seven years of age. He then started out in life for himself, his first venture being the renting of a farm of two hundred and forty acres, where he remained for six years. Then for the next nine years he farmed a rented place of one hun- dred and thirty acres, at the end of which time he purchased one hundred and and eighty acres in Milford township, which is now his present home and joins the city of New Ulm. Since purchasing this place he has added improve- ments to the extent of over three thousand dollars and is bringing it up to a high standard. He carries on general farming such as practiced in this section and still has five acres of heavy timber lands. He milks on an average of fifteen cows the year round, disposing of their product to a nearby creamery.
Albert Knees was married in 1892 to Emma Wieder- mann, a daughter of John Wiedermann, and to their union one child has been born, a daughter, Edna. Politically, Mr. Knees is a Democrat, giving earnest support to his party, while he holds fraternal affiliation with the Modern Woodmen of America.
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