History of Houston County, Minnesota, Part 60

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

USA > Minnesota > Houston County > History of Houston County, Minnesota > Part 60

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William F. Weist, who is conducting a store and blacksmith shop in Pine Creek Valley, section 2, La Crescent township, was born in Mound Prairie township, Aug. 25, 1886, son of Charles and Theresa (Papenfuss) Weist. The parents, who were born in Germany, came to Houston county, Minnesota, about 1883, settling in Hokah, where the father opened and operated a blacksmith shop. Later he moved to Mound Prairie, and from there to La Crescent, where he remained about eleven years. In 1898 he removed to New Hartford township, Winona county, where he is now en- gaged in farming. William, who was the second born of his parents' eleven children, was educated in the schools of La Crescent. He worked on the home farm with his father until after attaining his majority, and then

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engaged in blacksmith work in La Crosse. There he remained until 1910, when he removed to his present location at the creamery in Pine Creek Valley, where he built his blacksmith shop and store building, and has since continued in business here, having a good patronage. In 1911 he served as constable and in 1914 became town clerk, in which office he is still serving. In politics he is independent and in religion a Lutheran. Mr. Weist was married April 22, 1912, to Margaret Schwartz, daughter of Herman and Eva (Smith) Schwartz, natives of Germany, who settled in Winona county, the father coming to this country at the age of fifteen years. Their daughter Margaret was the fourth born of their thirteen children. Mr. and Mrs. Weist have one child, William, Jr., born March 29, 1915.

Anton A. Bahr, a well known and respected resident of La Crescent Village, where he is engaged in several useful lines of occupation, was born in Germany, Nov. 13, 1872, son of Carl and Sophie (Fietz) Bahr. The parents were also natives of Germany, the father born in Malcho and the mother in Geritz, and it was in Malcho that they made their home after their marriage. In 1882 they emigrated to Houston county, Minnesota, locating in Mound Prairie township, where the father, Carl Bahr, died in the following year, leaving his wife and two children, of whom Anton A. was the elder, to carry on the home farm. The latter had received some schooling in Germany, and for a while attended the Loretta school on South Ridge, Mound Prairie township. At the age of thirteen he began working out, and was thus engaged, mostly at farm work, until he was twenty-five. In 1898 he had occasion to dig a well for himself, and learned the method so thoroughly that he began taking contracts to similar work for others, and has continued to do so up to the present time. He also utilizes a part of his time in operating threshing and sawing machines, and with one line of business or another, keeps employed most of his time. He is a stockholder in the La Crescent Bank, the Sterling Manufacturing Co. and the Northwestern Mail Order Co. In politics he is a Republican and in religion a Lutheran. On Aug. 4, 1909, Mr. Bahr was married to Luella Yohe, daughter of Louis and Elizabeth (Elsheimer) Yohe. He and his wife are the parents of one one child, Carl C. Louis Yohe, father of Mrs. Bahr, was born in Center Darlington, Wis., Dec. 4, 1859, and his wife in Greenfield, Mass., June 2, 1862. When a boy he moved with his parents to Freeburg, Minn., where until his marriage he lived on a farm. About 1887, or a little later, he moved to Reno, where he was engaged in railroad work as a section foreman, later residing in New Albin, Iowa, and coming to La Crescent in 1895. His career in railroad work covered a period of twenty-five years. In 1911 he gave it up and moved to North Dakota, where he bought land, and where he is now engaged in farming.

John Hafner, the proprietor of a good farm of 160 acres in La Crescent township, near the village of La Crescent, which he has been operating suc- cessfully since 1913, was born in this township, March 25, 1873, son of Lorenz and Mary (Meier) Hafner. His parents were natives of Germany, the father born Aug. 29, 1831. Lorenz Hafner upon coming to the United States, settled in Day Valley, Mound Prairie township, this county. There he remanied until about 1868, when he moved to a farm in La Crescent

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MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM F. WEIST

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JOHN J. HAFNER AND FAMILY

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township, farming there until 1908. The rest of his life was spent in La Crosse, Wis., where he died in 1912. His wife died in 1910. John Hafner acquired his education in the district school and at the convent school in Hokah. He worked at home until 1900, in which year he bought a farm on South Ridge. Later he rented that farm to a tenant and in April, 1913, bought and moved onto his present farm, which he is operating on a profit- able basis. He has good buildings and an adequate equipment of modern tools and machinery, and is numbered among the prosperous citizens of his township. In addition to his farming interests he is a stockholder in the La Crescent State Bank. In religion he is a Roman Catholic. Mr. Hafner was married at La Crescent, Oct. 28, 1901, to Elizabeth Eden, daughter of Theodore and Elizabeth (Cook) Eden. Her father, born in Germany Jan. 12, 1842, came to America when about twenty-two years of age. At first he located in Iowa, where he was engaged in railroad work, but later he became a farmer in Winona county, Minnesota. From there he moved to La Crosse, Wis., where his wife, who was born in 1846, died in 1912. Then he came to La Crescent, and took up his home with John Hafner. Mr. and Mrs. Hafner have had seven children, of whom six are living. They are: Joseph, born Nov. 12, 1902; Henry, Nov. 20, 1904; Edward, Dec. 12, 1905; Nicholas, May 26, 1907; Walter, April 7, 1908; and Marie, April 15, 1915; all of whom are now living, and Jerome, who died in infancy. The Hafners occupy a recognized place among the well known and respected families of La Crescent township.

William Miller, who in partnership with his brothers, Allen and Louis, is proprietor of a good farm of 211 acres in section 22, La Crescent township, was born in this township, Aug. 25, 1882, son of John Paul and Mary (Bauser) Miller. The parents were natives of Germany, the father born in 1851, and the mother in 1862. John Paul Miller located in La Crosse, Wis., when about twenty years of age, but later bought a farm in Hokah township. In 1880 he removed to a farm in La Crescent township, which he operated until he retired from agricultural pursuits in 1913, selling his farm to his sons, and moving to Hokah Village. In 1916 he took up his residence in La Crosse, where he is now living. His wife died in 1914. William Miller was educated in the convent school at Hokah and in the La Crosse public schools. His early industrial experience was gained on the home farm, which in 1916 he bought in partnership with his brothers Allen and Louis. The farm has since been operated by the three brothers, or until July, 1918, when Louis entered the United States service, being now in France as cook with Company F, 33d Engineers. William and Allen are therefore the present operators of the farm, and are making a specialty of stock raising which they find a profitable branch of agriculture. They have a well improved place, with substantial buildings and modern equipment, and have made good progress both in the development of the farm and along financial lines. On Nov. 28, 1916, William Miller was married at La Crescent, Houston county, to Sophie Trumpi, daughter of Fred and Louisa (Forer) Trumpi. Her parents were born in Switzerland, the father Nov. 11, 1869, and the mother in 1871. Fred Trumpi came to La Crescent when fifteen years of age, and later became a farmer in Mound Prairie township,

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where he is still living. Mr. and Mrs. William Miller are the parents of one child, William, Jr., who was born Oct. 31, 1917. The religious affiliations of the family are with the Roman Catholic church.

John W. Welch, a well known and respected resident of La Crescent Village, who is engaged in the business of well drilling, was born in La Crescent township, this county, Sept. 6, 1863, son of Frederick and Mary Ann (Wiley) Welch. Both parents were natives of Norwich, England. They emigrated to Ohio about 1857, remained there one year, then came to Houston county, Minnesota, taking a farm on Pine Creek. There Fred- erick Welch, the father, died in November, 1864. His widow subsequently rented the farm and for some time thereafter resided on it in a log house. John W., who was the youngest of their six children, was educated in the school of his district. His early industrial life was occupied with assisting his parents on the farm, but in 1890 he began well drilling, an occupation in which he has since continued, and in which he has gained a reputation as an expert, and has attained to prosperous circumstances. He is presi- dent of the La Crescent State Bank, and is a stockholder in the Pine Creek Creamery. In the Masonic order he belongs to the Blue Lodge and Eastern Star. In politics he is independent and in religion a Presbyterian. Mr. Welch was first married June 20, 1900, to Jennie Bartlet, who died within two years of her marriage, leaving one son, Arthur, born June 23, 1901. Mr. Welch later married Anna Bowman, who was born in Hokah, June 19, 1885, daughter of August and Mary (Myer) Bowman, and this union has been blessed with five children: Ralph, born Dec. 5, 1904; Lester, born March 21, 1909; Clarence, born Nov. 21, 1911; Herbert, born Dec. 28, 1916; and Gerald, born Oct. 29, 1918. Mrs. Welch is a member of the Eastern Star.

John W. McCaffrey, cashier of the La Crescent State Bank and one of the leading citizens of La Crescent, was born in La Crescent township, this county, Jan. 9, 1865, son of William and Katherine (Crowe) McCaffrey. The parents were natives of Ireland, the father born in Dublin and the mother in County Tipperary. The former came to this country in 1848, settling first in New York, where he remained about a year, and then gradually working westward, reached Houston county, Minnesota, in 1863. Taking a farm in La Crescent township, he and his wife spent the rest of their lives here. John W. McCaffrey was the elder of his parents' two children. He acquired his education in the local schools and worked on the home farm until 1896. He then opened a store in the Lyons buildings in La Crescent, and in the following year erected a store building, continuing in business until 1912, in which year the La Crescent State Bank was organized, the store building being converted into a bank building, and Mr. McCaffrey becoming cashier of the institution, which position he has since retained. A Roman Catholic in religion, he is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, and of the Woodmen, of which latter order he has been clerk since he joined it ten years ago. In politics Mr. McCaffrey is a Democrat. At various times he has served efficiently in public office. He was town clerk of La Crescent township before the incorporation of the village, serving as such for ten years, then became clerk of the village, which position he held for three years, and for the last three years has been village treasurer. He was

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J. W. McCAFFREY

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MR. AND MRS. DETRICH WETCHEN

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also a member and treasurer of the school board for three years or more from the time the schoolhouse was built. Mr. McCaffrey was married June 14, 1897, to Jennie Coffey, daughter of Edward and Anne (Cowley) Coffey. He and his wife have two children: Katherine, who is now post mistress of La Crescent; and Anna, who is attending high school. Mrs. McCaffrey's parents were both natives of County Dublin, Ireland. The father, Edward Coffey, on coming to America, located first in New York, from which city he came to Houston county, Minnesota, to file a land claim at the land office at Brownsville, where he located for a time. Subsequently taking a home- stead at Riceford, Minn., he resided on his farm there until 1900, when he moved to Madison, S. D., where he subsequently died. He took part in the Civil War as a member of a Minnesota regiment. He and his wife had eight children, of whom their daughter Jennie was the seventh in order of birth.

Albert M. Becker, who owns and operates a farm of 170 acres, lying partly in section 19, La Crescent township, and partly in section 30, Hokah township, was born in Greenfield, Wis., Feb. 14, 1879, son of Henry and Barbara (Klug) Becker. The father, who was born in the duchy of Luxem- burg in 1845, came to this country in 1873, taking a farm on St. Joseph's Ridge, near La Crosse, Wis., where he resided until his death in 1901. His wife Barbara was born in Austria-Hungary in 1848 and is now living in La Crosse. Albert M. Becker was educated in the school of his home dis- trict, and remained on his parents' farm until the age of 14 years, when he began working out. For five years he worked in the Listman mill at La Crosse, and then, in 1911, came to Houston county and bought his present farm, which he is cultivating with profitable results. With fertile land and an adequate set of buildings he is making good progress, and is numbered among the enterprising and successful farmers of his locality. In religion he is a Roman Catholic and in politics a Democrat. On Oct. 3, 1906, Mr. Becker was united in marriage with Ida Betz, daughter of Henry and Helen (Helvig) Betz. Her parents were both born in Wisconsin, the father in 1858 and the mother in 1860. For a number of years they were engaged in farming in La Crosse county, but for the last five years have resided on a farm near Black River Falls, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Becker are the parents of six children : Herbert, Ceona, Bernice, Henry and Leo (twins) and Mary.

Dedrick Wetchen, a well known and respected resident of La Crescent, who was formerly engaged in agriculture as proprietor of a farm, was born in La Crescent, Minn., May 8, 1856, son of John Henry and Annie (Brandt) Wetchen. Both parents were natives of Bremen, Germany, and came to this country at an early date, settling first in La Crosse, Wis., whence they removed to La Crescent Township, Houston county, taking a farm in Pine Creek Valley, where the father died in 1868 and the mother on May 1, 1902. They had five children, one of whom, it is said, was the first white girl born in Houston county. Dedrick, who was the third born child, was educated in the district school on Pine Creek. He was but ten years old when his father died, after which he had to make himself useful on the farm. At the age of 18 years he became employed in the railroad shops on the South- ern Minnesota division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul road and

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was thus occupied for about three years. He then returned to the home farm, then containing 160 acres, and operated subsequently until 1913, when he took up his residence in the village. The farm, now having an area of 300 acres, is being operated by Mr. Wetchen's son Henry, whom he assists, also working occasionally at the carpenter's trade. He is a stock- holder in the La Crescent State Bank. At the present time he is serving as a member of the village council, and was formerly supervisor and town treasurer. He is a member of the Methodist church.

Mr. Wetchen was married, Nov. 30, 1882, to Louisa Leidel, daughter of Heinrich and Johanna (Guenther) Leidel. He and his wife have two children : Esther, now Mrs. Charles Behrndt, and John Henry. The par- ents of Mrs. Wetchen were both born in Germany and on coming to the United States settled first in Ohio, whence they later came to Houston county, Minn., taking land in Pine Creek Valley. From there they moved to North Ridge, in Winona county, where they spent the rest of their lives, Mr. Leidel dying Jan. 22, 1881, and his wife Dec. 18, 1887. Their daughter Louisa was the fifth born of their seven children.

William Schnedecker, an enterprising and successful general farmer residing in section 19, La Crescent township, was born in Hokah town- ship, this county, Sept. 5, 1893, son of Joseph and Clara (Tschumper) Schnedecker. The parents are both natives of this county, the father born in Hokah in 1860 and the mother in La Crescent in 1876. They are still residing on their farm in Union township. William, who was the second born of their twelve children, in his boyhood attended school in Union Valley. He worked on the home farm assisting his father and also doing team work until 1914, when he rented a farm near Hokah and engaged in agricultural work for himself. In 1917 he moved to his present farm of 120 acres, which belonged to his grandfather and which he has purchased. Here he has made a good beginning as a general farmer, getting good prices for his grain and stock and is well along on the road to prosperity. In poli- tics he is a Demoerat and in religion a Roman Catholic. Mr. Schnedecker was united in marriage, June 5, 1917, to Anna Horihen, daughter of Joseph and Mary (McDonald) Horihen, farming people of Hokah township. Her parents, like his own, were both born in Houston county, the father in La Crescent and the mother in Brownsville township. Their daughter Anna was the eldest of their six children. Mr. and Mrs. Schnedecker have one child, Robert Joseph.

John Lehmann, a prominent representative of the farming industry in La Crescent township, residing in section 21, was born in Mound Prairie township, Nov. 22, 1878, son of Leopold and Mary (Gross) Lehmann. The father was born in Germany in November, 1851, and came to Minnesota when 10 years old, being reared to manhood on a farm in Mound Prairie township, where he subsequently followed agriculture until 1915. He then moved to La Crosse, where he died in June, 1918. His wife, Mary Gross Lehmann, who was born in Brownsville, Minn., in 1863, is still residing in La Crosse. John Lehmann, who with a twin sister was the second born in a family of ten children, acquired his education in the Bush Valley dis- trict school. He did miscellaneous work in his home neighborhood-chiefly

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JOHN LEHMANN AND FAMILY

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MR. AND MRS. JAMES FARRELL

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farm work-until 1903, when he bought his present farm of 297 acres, which is well improved and where he is carrying on general farming with profitable results. His home, erected in 1916, is one of the prettiest in the township. It is a modern house of eight rooms and full basement, built of tile and cement, the cement being broom finished. There are many con- veniences and comforts, including a pipeless furnace and a Delco lighting system which serves both house and barns. The house is well located both as to beauty and suitability and will remain as a monument to Mr. Leh- mann's goot taste, thrift and faith in the future. He is also a stockholder in the Hokah Farmers' State Bank. His religious faith is that of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Lehmann assumed the responsibilities of domestic life on Oct. 30, 1906, when he was united in marriage in La Cres- cent with Anna Tschumper, daughter of Emil and Veronica (Hicky) Tschumper. Her parents, who were born in Germany about 1848, came to Minnesota when young, settling on a farm in La Crescent, where they remained until 1917. They then sold their farm and removed to Hokah. To Mr. and Mrs. Lehmann four children have been born : Edward, July 30, 1907; Leona, May 25, 1910; Julius, Aug. 15, 1913; and Hilda, Oct. 2, 1915.

Thomas McCaffrey, who is now living practically retired in the village of La Crescent, was born in La Crescent township, Oct. 27, 1867, son of William and Katherine (Crowe) McCaffrey. The father was born in Dub- lin, Ireland, and came to America 'in 1847, locating in one of the Eastern states. Later he came west to Wisconsin, residing near Milwaukee for several years and then removing to La Crescent. Here he was engaged in farming until his death in April, 1909. His wife Katherine was a native of County Tipperary, Ireland. Thomas, who was the younger of his parents' two children, was educated in La Crescent and was trained to agriculture on the home farm, assisting his father until the latter's death. He then took a farm of 240 acres near La Crescent, operating it as a general farmer until 1917, when he retired and took up his residence in the village, renting his farm. He is a stockholder in the La Crescent State Bank and is a mem- ber of the local camp of Woodmen. In religion he is a Roman Catholic, while his political affiliations are with the Democratic party. Mr. McCaf- frey was married, May 2, 1906, to Rose Cotter, daughter of John and Kath- erine (Cadigan) Cotter. Of this marriage three children have been born : Elva, Frances and William.

John Cotter, the father of Mrs. McCaffrey, was born in Cork, Ireland, in 1842, and came to the United States at the age of 13 years, his family locating at Ogdensburg, N. Y. He later came west to Montello, Wis., where he was married to Katherine Cadigan, a native of that place, born in 1854. From that time until their death they were engaged in farm- ing at Buffalo, Wis. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom their daughter Rose was the third in order of birth.

James W. Farrell, who for the last thirty-three years has been engaged in farming the old Farrell homestead in La Crescent township, his resi- dence lying in section 8, was born in this township, Nov. 22, 1856, son of Michael and Bridget (Lynch) Farrell. The parents were both natives of 29

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Ireland, the father born in County Cork in 1819 and the mother in County Clare in 1824. On coming to the United States at an early date they located in Vermont, near Lake Champlain, where for some years they conducted a fruit farm. In 1855 they came to Houston county, Minnesota, then in the pioneer stage of its history, and took land on Pine Creek, La Crescent township, where they developed a farm on which they spent the rest of their days. James W. Farrell remained on the homestead until about 1882, when, a young man of about 25 years, he went west to the Pacific coast, where he remained about three months, after which he returned east as far as Chicago, where he entered into business as a cattle dealer, ship- ping cattle from Chicago to London, Liverpool and ports in Ireland. While engaged in this business he made four trips across the ocean. In 1886 he returned to Houston county, Minnesota, and took up his residence on the old homestead in La Crescent township, where he has since been engaged in general farming. His estate contains 300 acres and is well improved, being provided with good substantial buildings and a full equipment of modern farm machinery and implements. Mr. Farrell has enjoyed a pros- perous career and is numbered among the enterprising and successful men of his township. In politics he is a Democrat with independent proclivities, usually voting for the best man regardless of party, but preferring to cast his vote for a Democrat when he can conscientiously do so. In religion he is a Roman Catholic. He was married on Nov. 5, 1891, at St. James' Catholic Church, Wabash avenue and Twenty-second street, Chicago, to Margaret Sheehan, born Sept. 15, 1867, daughter of John and Margaret (Dannahey) Sheehan. He and his wife are the parents of five children : Florence, a teacher; Irene, who is keeping house on the home farm; James, who is farming 143 acres of land in La Crescent township; Margaret, a teacher; and George, residing on the home farm.

John Sheehan, the father of Mrs. Farrell, was born in County Kerry, Ireland, in 1829, and his wife Margaret in the same county, May 19, 1835. The latter came to America when 13 years of age, her family settling in Auburn, N. Y., where she was later married to Mr. Sheehan, who had come to this country in the same year as herself, also locating in Auburn. In 1865 they came to Houston county, Minnesota, taking homestead land near Caledonia, where they established a farm. The father died May 22, 1876, and the mother Nov. 22, 1914.

John Doehle, who is now living retired in the village of La Crescent, after a successful career in agriculture, was born in La Crescent township, this county, Oct. 5, 1858, son of Diedrich and Augusta (Koch) Doehle. His parents were natives of Germany, the father born in Bremen, Dec. 27, 1816. The latter, after making a trip to America and returning to his native land, came again to this country to make his home here, landing at New Orleans, where he married Augusta Koch, who was born in Germany in 1839, and who was, therefore, some 22 or 23 years younger than him- self. After being engaged in oyster fishing on the Gulf of Mexico for awhile in 1854 he came up the river to Minnesota, settling with his wife in Pine Creek Valley, Houston county, where he spent the rest of his life, he dying in 1901 and his wife in 1904. John Doehle, who was the fifth born

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History of Houston County, Minnesota, Part 60

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

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