History of Houston County, Minnesota, Part 56

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge
Publication date: 1919
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1343

USA > Minnesota > Houston County > History of Houston County, Minnesota > Part 56

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William Pohlman, who, though not one of the original pioneers, was an early settler in the southern part of Houston county, was of German birth. With his wife Elizabeth he came to Eitzen, Houston county, Minn., in 1868, but after awhile settled in Jefferson Township, buying 200 acres of wild grub land, of which in time he cleared and developed 90 acres, be- sides erecting substantial buildings. He also achieved success as a breeder of pure-blooded Aberdeen Black Poll cattle and other good stock, and was

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recognized as one of the thorough-going, practical farmers and reliable citizens of his township. Though not active in local government affairs, he was a supporter of the Republican party. He died on his farm in 1914, having survived his wife, who passed away in 1911. They were the parents of 11 children, whose record in brief is as follows: Anna, now deceased; Bertha, wife of Henry Hahn of Jefferson township; Bernhard, of Jeffer- son township; Matilda, now Mrs. Otto Luttchens of Jefferson township; William, a farmer in Crooked Creek township; Minnie, wife of John Schuldt of Jefferson township; George, the present proprietor of the home farm; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Gust Becker, of Winnebago township; Herman, who died in childhood; Mary, now Mrs. Paul Heitman, of Union City township, Iowa; and Edward, who is now in France in the United States service.

George Pohlman, who owns and operates the old farm of his parents in section 16, Jefferson township, was born on this farm, Dec. 20, 1885, son of William and Elizabeth Pohlman. He was early trained to agriculutral work, in which he has since continued, and in 1917 he bought the home farm, which he is now conducting. Besides raising the usual crops, he is a breeder of pure-blooded Aberdeen Black Poll cattle, the herd having been started by his father, and also Duroc-Jersey hogs. The farm is in excellent condition, the buildings and equipment being up to date, and the soil fertile, and Mr. Pohlman is operating it on a profitable basis. His nearest market is at New Albin, Iowa, which lies five miles to the south. A Republican in politics, he has served four years as chairman of the town board, and for some time has occupied his present position as clerk of the district school board. Aside from his direct farming interests, he is a shareholder in the Co-operative Stock and Grain Co. at New Albin, and among his useful possessions is a five-passenger Dodge automobile. Mr. Pohlman was mar- ried Dec. 16, 1913, to Mary, daughter of Ferdinand and Minnie Klinskie, of Winnebago township, this county, who was born Oct. 24, 1892. He and his wife have one child : Wilma, who was born Feb. 19, 1915.

William Henry Schuldt, who for the last 16 years has been proprietor of the old Schuldt homestead established by his parents in section 14, Jef- ferson township, in 1886, was born in Crooked Creek township, Feb. 16, 1877, son of William and Elizabeth Schuldt. In his boyhood he attended the common and parochial schools, but his education was limited, as most of his time had to be devoted to work on the home farm, his parents being then poor and in need of his services. In 1898, at the age of 22, he went to North Dakota, where he proved up a claim of 160 acres, and also worked there as a farm hand until 1902, when he sold his claim and returned to his parents' farm in Houston county, which he then took over and has since operated, his father, now retired, residing with him. His mother died in 1893. Mr. Schuldt holdings in land total 278 acres, of which he has 100 acres under cultivation, but the land being rough and of uneven surface, he gives a large part of his attention to the raising of stock, to which it is well adapted, and is successfully breeding Shorthorn cattle and Duroc- Jersey hogs, having a good operating equipment. He is making admirable progress, and is a stockholder in the Co-operative Creamery, the Stock and

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WILLIAM POHLMAN AND FAMILY

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WILLIAM EDWARD SCHULDT AND FAMILY-WILLIAM HENRY SCHULDT

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Grain Company, and the Farmers' Savings Bank, all of New Albin, Iowa. In politics he is a Republican and for a number of years has served as school treasurer. Mr. Schuldt was married, June 7, 1905, to Dora Isaacksen, daughter of Ole and Mary Isaacksen of Jefferson township. His family has been enlarged by the birth of 8 children : Arnold, born Oct. 22, 1906; Helen, April 27, 1908; Harry A., March 14, 1910; Henry H., June 1, 1912; Blanche F., January 7, 1914; Esther M., March 30, 1915; Evelyn M., April 14, 1917, and Margaret D., born Feb. 10, 1919.

William Edward Schuldt, who for 45 years has been a resident of Houston county, and for over 30 years a well known and respected citizen of Jefferson township, this county, was born in Hanover, Germany, Jan. 28, 1842, son of John and Dora Schuldt. In his native land he attended the common and parochial schools and subsequently began industrial life as a farm hand. His mother was the only parent he can remember, as his father had died when William Edward was but three years old. In 1868, at the age of 26 years, he came alone to the United States, proceeding west to Lansing, Iowa, and from Lansing walking to Wilmington village, in Houston county, Minnesota. He was almost penniless, as he had but two dollars left when he reached Lansing, but on arriving in Houston county he found work as a farm hand with George Schulze of Wilmington, and re- mained with him for two years. By the end of that time he felt competent, not only to provide for himself, but also for another, and was united in marriage with Elizabeth Linde, daughter of John and Sophia Linde, a young lady whom he had known in Germany and who had come to America alone in 1869. They began domestic life together in Allamakee county, Iowa, just south of the village of Eitzen, Minn., Mr. Schuldt working by the day as a farm hand, which he continued to do for three years after his marriage. In 1873 he made an independent start in life as a farmer in Crooked Creek township, Houston county, buying 120 acres of land, of which all was wild except two acres. There was, however, a frame house on the place, and with this for a residence Mr. and Mrs. Schuldt began the task of establishing a home. There they remained until 1879, when Mr. Schuldt, after having improved the place considerably, sold it to his wife's brother. After that until 1886 he worked rented farms, but in the year last mentioned bought the farm on which he is now living, containing 270 acres in sections 10, 11, 14, and 15, Jefferson township. About 50 acres of the land had been broken and there was a small log house of one room on it. The land is rough and hilly, but Mr. Schuldt made many improvements, erecting a good set of buildings, and at the present time there are 100 acres under cultivation. In 1893 Mr. Schuldt turned the active manage- ment of the farm over to his son William H., and in 1901 he himself practi- cally retired from active work, though he continues to live on the farm. During his active career he became the owner of 480 acres of land, be- sides erecting the buildings above mentioned. Always strong and rugged, he was a hard worker and made good progress in improving his financial condition, having now a reasonable competence. In 1893 his wife died and since then he has remained a widower. Their children were as fol- lows: Emma, now Mrs. Henry Barenscher, of Church's Ferry, N. D .;

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John F., now a prosperous farmer and stockraiser in section 15, Jefferson township; Mary, widow of Ferdinand Weipert, now of Kingley, Mont .; William Henry, the present owner of the old home farm; Henry, deceased ; Minnie, deceased; Elizabeth, wife of Sharles Schunemann, of Bloom, S. D .; Anna, wife of Charles Eldrige, of Wattsford, N. D., and Herman, a farmer in Crooked Creek township, Houston county, Minn. Mr. Schuldt is a member of the New Albin congregation of the German Evangelical church, giving it liberal support and taking a prominent part in its various useful activities. He is a man who has always put duty before pleasure, but has found pleasure in duty faithfully performed. As such as he has gained the respect and esteem of a wide circle of friends.

John F. Schuldt, a well known farmer and stock raiser, residing in section 15, Jefferson township, was born in Allamakee county, Iowa, near the village of Eitzen, Minn., March 18, 1874, son of William Edmund and Elizabeth (Linde) Schuldt. His parents were natives of Germany, but were married in this country, beginning domestic life at the location above mentioned, in Allamakee county, Iowa. Soon after the birth of their son John F. they took a farm in Crooked Creek township, Houston county, Minn., which they operated for some years and then sold. In 1886 they bought a farm in section 14, Jefferson township, which is now owned by their, son, William Henry, with whom the father resides, the mother having died in 1893. John F. Schuldt acquired a limited education, attending the district school whenever he found opportunity, but the greater part of his time in boyhood and youth being devoted to industry, as he had to assist his father and brothers in the development and cultivation of the home farm. This kind of work, however, fitted him for his vocation in life, and he continued in it, working but little on other farms. Among the neigh- boring families was that of William and Elizabeth Pohlman, to whose daughter Elizabeth, John F. Schuldt was married May 16, 1905. She was then 21 years old, having been born in Jefferson township, Dec. 13, 1883. Mr. Schuldt now felt it necessary to establish a home of his own and begin an independent career, and accordingly purchased in Jefferson township 322 acres of upland, together with 80 acres on the Mississippi bottoms. Of this land he now has 150 acres under the plow, all of which is very produc- tive; but as much of his land is rough and hilly, he gives his chief atten- tion to stock raising, breeding high grade Aberdeen Poll cattle, besides good swine. His operating equipment, which is fully adequate, includes a good automobile, nowadays almost an essential for the up-to-date farmer. New Albin, Ia., only five and a half miles away, affords Mr. Schuldt a con- venient market, and he is also interested in the business enterprises of the place, being a shareholder in the Co-operative Mercantile Company and the Co-operative Creamery. For a number of years Mr. Schuldt has held the office of school director in his district. In politics he is a Republican, while religiously he belongs to the German Evangelical church, he and his family being members of the New Albin, Ia., congregation. Mr. and Mrs. Schuldt are the parents of six children, who were born as follows: Edwin, May 24, 1907; Frida, June 27, 1908; Ella, April 13, 1910; Ervin, Aug. 28, 1911; William, Dec. 7, 1912; and George, March 22, 1916.

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JOHN F. SCHULDT AND FAMILY

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Anton Olson, one of that sturdy band of pioneers who helped to change the wild places of Houston county into fruitful farms, was a native of Nor- way. where he grew to manhood and married Regina Anderson. Four chil- dren were born to them there, which was all their family, and with them, seeking to better their condition, they came to the United States, making their way to Houston county, Minnesota, and locating in Wilmington town- ship, just east of Spring Grove. The expenses of their long journey had exhausted their slender resources, and for some time they were very poor. They remained at the location above mentioned for two years, Mr. Olson working as a farm hand when he could find employment. From necessity they had to be very economical, and not only managed to exist, but by 1876 Mr. Olson was able to make the first payment on a tract of wild land in section 9, Jefferson township and start in for himself as a pioneer farmer. This he did by erecting log buildings and then devoted himself to the work of breaking the land. He was strong and rugged, and had farmed in Nor- way, but he found the work no easy task. Year after year he continued his arduous labors, and year by year the cultivated area of his farm in- creased in size, in time also other improvements being made, until he found himself the owner of a paying farm without incumbrance. Here he con- tinued to reside until his death in 1910. He was survived by his wife, who is now about 90 years of age and lives with her children. Of these the eldest is Christ, a farmer in Houston township, the others being: John, a farmer in South Dakota; Olive, now Mrs. John Reum, of South Dakota; and Martin, who is a farmer in secteion 8, Jefferson township.

Martin Olson, who is numbered among the prosperous farmers of Jef- ferson township, residing in section 8, was born in Tronjen, Norway, April 14, 1866, son of Anton and Regina (Anderson) Olson. He was a small boy when he accompanied his parents and their other three children to Houston county, Minnesota, and, after a two years' residence in Wilming- ton township, to a pioneer dwelling on a tract of wild land in Jefferson township. It was here that he received his industrial training, which was sufficiently thorough, his opportunities for school attendance being very limited. As he grew older he continued to work on the home farm, except for two or three summers, which he spent in the lumber mills of La Crosse, Wis. On August 30, 1892, he changed his condition of life, being united in marriage with Mary, daughter of Peter and Katherine Dohlin, of Crooked Creek township, Houston county. For the first three years after his mar- riage he worked his father's farm, and then, in 1895, bought 160 acres of land in section 8, Jefferson township, of which tract 20 acres were broken, there being also a log house, which was the only building. Here he has since remained, until recently actively engaged in general agriculture and stock raising, but in 1919, being afflicted with rheumatism, though still able to work to some extent, he leased the farm to his son Arthur. About 110 acres are now under the plow, the balance being in timber and pasture. The buildings, which were erected by Mr. Olson, include a comfortable house, a barn erected in 1913, a machine shed, granary, cream house, workshop and garage. The farm is also well stocked with graded Shorthorn cattle and Duroc swine, of which latter Mr. Olson raised from 50 to 60 annually, and 27

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is only six miles from New Albin, Ia., which forms a convenient market. Mr. Olson is also the owner of a fine automobile, and is a stockholder in the New Albin Stock and Grain Company. Politically he is a Republican. He and his wife Mary, who was born in Sweden, July 4, 1869, have had five children, all of whom are now living, namely: Ellen, born Nov. 15, 1891, who is now Mrs. Louis Lampert of Crooked Creek township, and has two children, Leland and Eva R .; Minnie, born July 14, 1894, residing at home; Arthur, born Nov. 2, 1896, who is operating the home farm; Clara, born Nov. 2, 1898, and Laura, born Nov. 14, 1902, both residing at home.

William Langen, who settled in Houston county at the beginning of the Civil War, and died at Hokah, Feb. 26, 1918, was born in Wittenburg, Germany, February 23, 1835. After coming to the United States, he settled in 1861 in Mormon Coulie, La Crosse county, Wisconsin, but remained there only two months, removing in May of that year to La Crescent township, Houston county, where he took a farm, which was the stopping place of the first settlers. His development of the place was interrupted, however, by his enlistment in Co. E, Second Minnesota Infantry, with which organiza- tion he served in the South until the close of the war. Then returning home he resumed farming, continuing in that occupation until 1870, when he sold his farm, and became associated with his father-in-law, Joseph Pfeeffer, in the operation of the Hokah brewery. In 1878 he went to La Crosse, re- maining there until 1881, when he bought a farm in Pfeffer Valley and conducted it until 1901, when he sold it to his son, William J., and moved to Hokah, where he has since resided, with the exception of a short visit to Germany in 1870. He married Mary Pfeffer, who was born in Wittenberg, Germany, in 1848 and who died Nov. 26, 1882. They were the parents of five children : William J., Mary, Antonette, Julius and Matilda.

William J. Langen, a well known farmer and prominent business man of Hokah township, was born in La Crescent township, Houston county, Feb. 17, 1869, son of William and Mary (Pfeffer) Langen. He was educated in a convent school and worked at home until his marriage, when he bought his father's farm of 160 acres, known as Castle Rock Farm, 80 acres of which lies in section 20, La Crescent township and 80 acres in sec- tion 29 Kokah township. Here he has since carried on general agriculture, having a well improved place and having made good material progress. He is also a stockholder in the Hokah Grain & Stock Company, the Farmers' State Bank and the Bush Valley Telephone Company, and was secretary of the Peoples Telephone Exchange at Hokah at the time of its establish- ment. Aside from the interests above mentioned Mr. Langen has for a number of years taken a more or less active part in public affairs. He was town clerk from 1890 to 1895, served several years as assessor, first taking that office in 1896, and has been school clerk for the last 17 years. In politics he is a Democrat and in religion a Catholic. Mr. Langen was married Oct. 8, 1901, to Katie Von Arx, the eldest of the four children of A. J. and Katie (Hindenberger) Von Arx, and who was educated in the convent school at Hokah. Mr. and Mrs. Langen are the parents of seven children, who were born as follows : Matilda, Aug. 2, 1902; Marie, April 9, 1904; Martin, Feb. 17, 1907; Victor, May 28, 1909; Irma, Feb. 21, 1911;

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JOSEPH S. HORIHEN AND FAMILY

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Rudolph, May 27, 1913; and Norbert A., Nov. 27, 1915. A. J. von Arx, in former years one of the leading citizens of Houston county, who died May 7, 1916, was born in Switzerland, May 9, 1849. At the age of 25 years he came to the United States, locating first at Galena, Ill., where for three or four months he worked in the mines. Then coming to Houston county, Minnesota, he settled on a farm in Bush Valley. A man of forceful char- acter, he soon made his influence felt and was connected with various local enterprises, besides holding official position. He was the first secretary of the Mound Prairie Farmers' Insurance Company, remaining such until his death; and was vice-president of the Hokah State Bank, and a director in the Houston State Bank. For 16 years he served as county commis- sioner. Mr. von Arx married Katie Hindenberger, who was born in Switzerland, Sept. 29, 1859, and who is still residing on the farm with a son and daughter.

Martin Horihen, who in former years helped to develop the agricul- tural resources of La Crescent township, was born in Kilkenny, Ireland. About 1840 he emigrated to the United States and for some years was employed in iron works in Pennsylvania. In 1848 he came west to Fillmore county, Minnesota, where he engaged in farming, being thus occupied in that locality until 1874. He then moved to Houston county, buying a farm in La Crescent township, which he cultivated until about 1888 when he retired. His death occurred Nov. 1, 1900. Mr. Horihen married Anne Ruth, who was, like himself, born in Kilkenny, Ireland. She died on the farm in La Crescent township. They were the parents of a family of eight children.

Joseph S. Horihen, who is engaged in agricultural and stock raising- principally the latter-in section 7, Hokah township, was born in Fillmore county, Minnesota, Jan. 1, 1859, son of Martin and Anne (Ruth) Horihen. He was educated in a district school in Fillmore county and in the convent school at Hokah, and after becoming industrially active was engaged for a number of years in assisting his father on the home farm in La Crescent township. Later he and his brother William bought the farm from their father, operating it in partnership for seven years. Joseph S. then sold his share to his brother, and removing to Hokah township, bought his present farm, then containing 340 acres, in section 7. This purchase was made in 1903 and Mr. Horihen conducted the farm as a whole until 1915, when he sold 120 acres of it to his son Martin, who lives at home and culti- vates his own portion. Finding stock raising profitable, Mr. Horihen is giving particular attention to that branch of his business. He is also a shareholder in the Kokah Grain Stock Company. He served as town super- visor in 1898 and from 1899 to 1902. In politics he is a Democrat and in religion a Roman Catholic. On Sept. 23, 1889, Mr. Horihen was united in marriage with Mary McDonald, daughter of Jeremiah and Mary (Daley) McDonald. Of this union there are six children : Anna, born July 21, 1890, now the wife of William Schnedecker, a farmer of La Crescent township; Martin, born Feb. 4, 1892, now operating that part of the home farm which he purchased from his father; Joseph, born April 30, 1894, who served with the United States army in France; Mary, born Oct. 17, 1899, now a teacher

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at Freeburg, Houston county; Pearl, born Sept. 15, 1904; and Raymond, born April 26, 1906. Jeremiah McDonald, the father of Mrs. Horihen, was born in County Cork, Ireland, in 1807. In his native land he married Mary Daley, who was born in the same county in 1823. Coming later to the United States, they settled in Chicago previous to the great fire that nearly destroyed that city in 1871, but remained there only a short time, when they came to Houston county, Minnesota. Here Mr. McDonald died in 1873, being survived by his wife, who passed away 25 years later, in 1898.

John B. Tschumper, who is connected with the agricultural interests of Hokah township as a farmer in section 36, Hokah township, was born in La Crescent township, this county, March 19, 1875, son of Emil and Veronica (Hickey) Tschumper. The father, Emil, was born in Switzer- land and came to Minnesota when a young man, buying land in La Crescent township, Houston county, as soon as he had the means, sending for his parents, who joined him here. He and his wife are still living, being now residents of Hokah. John B. Tschumper, who was the third born of his parents' eight children, was educated in Notre Dame Convent at Hokah, and also in the district school. He worked at home until his marriage, when he bought his present farm of 100 acres, where he is carrying on general agriculture, raising good stock and grain on a profitable basis. He is a shareholder in the Hokah Stock and Grain Company and in the Hokah Telephone Company. In religion he is a Roman Catholic and in politics a Democrat. Mr. Tschumper was married Nov. 24, 1902, at Notre Dame Convent, Hokah, to Elizabeth Hosheit, daughter of John and Anna (Wolff) Hosheit. He and his wife have two children: Veronica, born May 30, 1904; and Sophia, born Nov. 20, 1907. Mrs. Tschumper's parents were born in Luxemburg, the father about 1830 and the mother about 1838. They came to the United States after their marriage, settling on a farm near Caledonia, this county. Mrs. Anna Hosheit died at Caledonia, March 25, 1900, and Mr. Hosheit at Spokane, Wash., in July, 1910. They had a family of eight children, of whom their daughter Elizabeth was the youngest.

Anton Feldmeier, who with his brother Frank is successfully oper- ating a farm of 170 acres in Hokah township, his residence lying in section 29, was born in this township, Feb. 17, 1876, son of John and Julia (Jasper) Feldmeier, natives of Germany, the father born Dec. 26, 1830, and the mother Aug. 15, 1834. It was in 1872 that the parents came to Houston county and bought a farm in the vicinity of Brownsville. On that farm they remained for six years, at the end of which time they removed to one on South Ridge, where they made their home until 1894. They then bought the farm in section 29, Hokah township, now being operated by the two sons above mentioned, and here the father, John Feldmeier, died in Octo- ber, 1916, being survived by his wife, who is still living on the farm. Anton, the youngest of their five sons, was educated in the district school and in the school attached to the Hokah convent, and worked on the home farm from early age. On the death of his father together with his brother Frank he bought the farm in partnership, it then containing 140 acres, to which they have added 30 more. In 1917 they built a good modern barn,

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History of Houston County, Minnesota, Part 56

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge Publication date: 1919 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1343

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge
Publication date: 1919
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1343