History of Stearns County, Minnesota, Volume II, Part 13

Author: Mitchell, William Bell, 1843-
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago : H. S. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1110

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Xavier Braun was born in Alsace-Lorraine, Germany, April 16, 1813. He was reared in his native province, and as a young man served in the German army. In 1846, with his wife, Magdalena Lindel, and his two children, Mary and Theofiel, he came to America, and took up farming in Missouri. In 1853 he came to Stearns county, and took up a claim of 120 acres in sections 25 and 26, St. Cloud township. A year later he secured this land from the govern- ment at $1.25 an acre. He erected a log cabin, and went through many inter- esting experiences incident to pioneer life. In 1866 the log cabin was replaced with a frame structure. Mr. Braun was respected by all who knew him. He died February 29, 1904. His wife died June 12, 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Braun had eight children, four of whom are living. Mary married Andrew Fritz. Both are dead. They left nine children. Theofiel was killed by the falling of a tree. Lena, and her husband, Henry Herschbach, had four sons and are both dead. Elizabeth has nine children. Her husband, Julius Kuck is dead. Frank died in 1912. He was twice married and by his first wife had nine children. Barbara married Edward Doerner, for many years a school- teacher in this county. They live in St. Cloud and have eight children. John P. is mentioned elsewhere. Gertrude married William Ernst, a St. Cloud business man. They have five children.

John P. Braun, a leading citizen of St. Cloud township, and for many years a progressive and scientific farmer, was born within a short distance of the house where he now resides, August 15, 1861, son of Xavier and Magdalena (Lindel) Braun. He received a good education and has devoted his life to farming. He remained on the home farm until 1891, when he removed to Mayhew Lake, in Benton county, and purchased 200 acres of land on which he opened up a fine farm. He grubbed and broke the land, erected a good home and suitable set of outbuildings, and there farmed until 1904, when he sold out and came back to St. Cloud township, where he purchased the "Old

XAVIER BRAUN AND FAMILY

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HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY

Braun Homestead," in section 25. Here he successfully farmed until 1913 when he retired and turned the place over to his son, Alphonse Braun, and his step-son, Bernard Landwehr. The homestead is well-equipped with every- thing that makes farming and dairying successful. One of the show fea- tures of the place is a large silo, constructed of white brick. The owners have extensive milk routes in St. Cloud, and are noted for the excellence of the products of their dairies. John P. Braun is one of the best known men in this part of the country, and is justly respected for his worth as a man and his success as a farmer. He followed in the footsteps of a worthy father and his sons are worthily following in his. In 1912, the year before he retired, he purchased twenty acres of "old college land," adjoining his farm on the north, and in 1913 he built the modern home where he now lives. The house is splendidly furnished throughout, and is equipped with a hot air furnace, the Pitner gasoline lights, running hot and cold water, bath room, cesspool and the like, making an ideal country residence in every respect. Mr. Braun was married, October 23, 1883, to Susan Rabischung, and to this union were born five children : Celia, Alphonse, Clara, Lena and Roman. Alphonse lives on the home farm. He married Theresa Landwehr, and has one son, Donald. Roman is a bookkeeper for the First National Bank, of St. Cloud. Celia lives in Clear Lake, Minn .; Clara lives at home and Lena lives in Chicago. Mrs. Susan (Rabischung) Braun died February 4, 1896. On November 16, 1897, Mr. Braun married Mrs. Margaret (Voigt) Landwehr, and this union has been blessed with three children: Rose, Arthur and Raymond, all in their 'teens. The family are members of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, St. Cloud. Mr. Braun is connected with the German Roman Catholic Relief Asso- ciation of Minnesota and with the St. Joseph Society.

Margaret (Voigt) Landwehr Braun, wife of J. P. Braun, was born in Ger- many, June 2, 1863, daughter of William and Theresa (Meyer) Voigt, who came to America in 1879 and located in St. Augusta township, where they purchased 200 acres of land in sections 11 and 12. William Voigt lived only about a year and a half after coming to America. He died December 27, 1881. The farm was conducted by Mrs. Voigt and her children until 1892, when she sold it to her son, Andrew. Mrs. Voigt died February 19, 1912. Margaret Voigt was married May 5, 1884, to John Landwehr, who was born in St. Au- gusta township this county, June 12, 1863, and died in Sauk Rapids township December 12, 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Landwehr had five children: Bernard, Andrew, Theresa, Adolph and Eleanor. Bernard married Magdalene Metz. He and his stepbrother, Alphonse Braun, conduct the "Old Braun Dairy Farm." Andrew lives in Los Angeles. Theresa is the wife of Alphonse Braun. Adolph assists his brother on the farm. Eleanor is in the convent at St. Joseph in this county.

Arthur Cooper, scientific farmer, stockraiser, and dairyman of St. Cloud township, was reared in the home of his foster-parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Cooper, and now conducts the famous Lynden Grove farm, just outside the limits of the city. In 1911 he erected his present beautiful home. It is roomy and comfortable, and furnished with every improvement and convenience, making one of the "show places" of the neighborhood.

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HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY

Lynden Grove is an ideal farm just outside the city limits of St. Cloud. It contains 400 acres that would make glad the heart of any farmer, because of its rich soil, and nearness to the city. John Cooper, several years ago, de- cided to make it the home of one of the finest herds of Shorthorns to be found in the Northwest. Being a man of excellent judgment and business ability, and intensely interested in the development of the state, he selected a type of animal that in his opinion would be best suited to the needs of the farmers of Minnesota. That he succeeded in this is proven by the wide demand for stock from his herd. For several years prior to the death of John Cooper, the farm was under the management of Arthur C. Cooper, who is now the pro- prietor of this splendid property.

Arthur C. Cooper is a practical stockman, and takes personal supervision of the farm and the care of his herd. Whenever the Cooper Shorthorns are exhibited, they make an excellent showing, and many are the prizes won by them in state and national contests. In addition to Shorthorns of the best full blood, and good Jersey stock, considerable attention is paid to the raising of full blood Berkshire hogs, and Mr. Cooper's success in this direction has been as marked as in the cattle line. The swine have proved to be hardy and productive and easily fattened, the three qualities that win in the making of pork. Arthur C. Cooper is not only a successful stockman and farmer, but he is possessed with an ambition to help his town and county. He has placed the citizens of the entire county under obligations to him for five annual ex- hibits at the Minnesota State Fair, all of which have been most creditable and a most desirable advertisement for this section of the country. He is an advocate of good roads, and was the first man in this county to make use of the split-log drag. Like his predecessor he is a member of the Minnesota State Agricultural Society, and he is also a member of the executive com- mittee of the Minnesota Live Stock Association and the Minnesota Crop Im- provement Association, in the last named of which he has been particularly active. In St. Cloud he affiliates with the Elks and the Commercial Club. Since 1905, Mr. Cooper has operated a cream route in St. Cloud, supplying the people of that city with pure unadulterated cream fresh on alternate days.

Arthur Cooper was married June 24, 1896, and they have five children: Agnes M., George C., John C., and Robert and Randall, twins. The members of the family are loyal supporters of the Methodist Episcopal Church at St. Cloud.

John Cooper, for four years president of the Minnesota State Agricultural Society, was born in Canton, in the mountain districts of Pennsylvania, in 1836. In 1856 he came to Minnesota, and settled near the present village of Bethel, in Anoka county. In 1862 he enlisted in the Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry and followed the fortunes of that company as commissary sergeant until the close of the war, serving against the Indians of the Northwest and against the Confederates of the South. It was with this company that Mr. Cooper first came to St. Cloud. After the war he returned to St. Cloud, and entered the employ of Josiah E. Hayward, as manager of the Grand Central Hotel. After some years in this employ, he married Malinda, the widow of John Hayward, and moved to the Hayward homestead on Second street and

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JOHN COOPER

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HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY

Eighth avenue south. After that time, the interests of Mr. Cooper were diversi- fied. At various periods he had extensive lumber interests and in this way placed himself in comfortable circumstances. His hobby, however, was farm- ing. "Lynden Grove Farm" just outside of St. Cloud, was his especial pride and it was here that his famous pure-blooded Shorthorns were raised. From county and district, his reputation spread throughout the state, and he became president of the Minnesota State Agricultural Society which has the state fair in charge. He was a member of the board of managers of this society for twenty-four years. He and N. P. Clarke were among those who worked for the abolishment of the sale of liquor on the state fair grounds. Many of the policies which he advocated have since been put in force, and his adminis- tration marked years of great progress and improvement. He was prominent in the politics of the state and county, but did not seek office for himself. He did the city of St. Cloud excellent service as coucilman, and served on various important temporary committees from time to time. For many years he was deputy collector of internal revenue for this district. He died at Riverside, California, January 7, 1907.

In addition to his connection with the Agricultural Society, Mr. Cooper will long be remembered for his work on the Minnesota State Board of For- estry, and for his part in bringing the Minnesota State Reformatory to St. Cloud. As a member of the Forestry Board he showed his true love of nature. He was farsighted, and saw the evil consequences of denuding the state of its valuable forests. He was one of the forerunners of that movement that is now known under the head of "Conservation." He, together with D. H. Free- man and D. E. Meyer, were active in securing the legislation which located the State Reformatory at St. Cloud, and appropriated $100,000 for preliminary expenses. He was one of the original board of directors and served contin- uously until the Reformatory passed under the jurisdiction of the State Board of Control. Mr. Cooper was noted for his sterling honesty and distinctive personality. His word was never to be impeached, and throughout his life he lived up to the last iota of what he professed. He was successful in what- ever he undertook, and in the early days did much for the community, sacri- ficing himself and his own interests that the neighborhood might be benefited. Personally he was a man of high principles, of pure life and of genial dispo- sition, and his death was a severe loss to the community. Aside from the society of which he was president, and the numerous boards on which he served, he belonged to the Masonic Order, the Old Settlers' Association, and the Grand Army.

Mr. and Mrs. John Cooper adopted two sons, whom they reared from boy- hood. Charles A. married Hattie Russell and lives in Idaho. Arthur lives on the home farm in St. Cloud township. Mrs. John Cooper resides at River- side, California.

Henry Hess, of the firm of Hess & Son, brickmakers, township of St. Cloud, was born in Carver county, Minnesota, March 1, 1861, son of Peter and Elizabeth (Scharer) Hess. Peter Hess was born in Prussia, and upon coming to America, located in Burlington, Wisconsin, settling in Carver county, Min- nesota, about 1855. In 1865 he moved to St. Paul where he died three weeks

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HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY

later. Henry Hess was taken to St. Paul as a child, and he supported the family by blacking shoes and selling papers after the death of his father. The family moved back to Carver county in 1872. Mr. Hess learned the trade of brick making, worked in his native county for a while, and in 1877 went to Brainerd, Minn., where he also worked at his trade, finally taking charge of a yard. In 1881 he conducted a yard at Moorhead, Minn. In 1882 he came to St. Cloud, and after working a month for William Kreugel, he formed a partner- ship with Michael Bandel. Later Mr. Bandel sold his interests to John Moog. In 1906, Mr. Moog retired from the business, and Mr. Hesse's son, John J., was received as a partner. The concern has a large trade, employs a large number of men, and ships extensively to western points. The company has also fur- nished brick for some of the best blocks that have been erected in Minneapolis in the past few years. Aside from the brick business they own and operate a large farm of 271 acres on quite an extensive scale. Henry Hess is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters and of the Modern Woodmen of America. He has done good service as a member of the board of supervisors of St. Cloud township as well as director of the school board of District No. 3. Mr. Hess's mother died at Gray Eagle, Minn., about ten years ago. On April 3, 1883, Henry Hess married Berdina Laudenbach, a native of St. Cloud township. They have had four children : John J., Carrie, Mary and Alma. John J., who is his father's partner, is one of the rising young men of the township. He married Adeline Neiser, and has four children. He is at present clerk of St. Cloud township.

Jacob Jansky, a leading farmer of St. Cloud township, was born in Kreis, Breislauf, Ault Lyarrael, Germany, in 1855. He came to America in 1874, and worked for farmers in St. Cloud township, this county. A year later his parents arrived, and purchased a farm of eighty acres in section 21, St. Cloud township. In 1886 the parents and one of their sons moved to North Prairie, in Morrison county, and since then, Jacob, the subject of this sketch, has oper- ated the home farm. He has remodeled the home and made many other im- provements. Mr. Jansky is one of the progressive men of the neighborhood, and has always taken an active part in everything pertaining to the welfare of the township. He is now treasurer of the town and has occupied that posi- tion at various times for eleven years. He has been on the school board of district 47 for fifteen years. He and his family attend the church of the Im- maculate Conception. Mr. Jansky married Caroline Zekala, who was born in Grindorf, Kris, Oppel, Germany, in 1859, and was brought to North Prairie this county, by her parents in 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Jansky have been blessed with eleven children : Mary, Paul, Rose, John, Annie, Catherine, Joseph, Peter, Francis, Matilda and Theresa. Mary was born June 25, 1880, and is now Sister Mary Ernestine, living in a convent at White Earth, Minn., and teach- ing in the parochial school there. Paul was born December 29, 1881, and married Mary Goike. Rose was born September 4, 1883, married Frank Sob- kowiak, and has four children: Stephen, Alphonse, Oliva and Joseph. John was born February 9, 1885, married Tillie Langer, and has three children: Richard, Alvina and Urban (deceased). Annie was born February 10, 1887. Catherine was born March 11, 1889, and died January 8, 1890. Joseph was

MR. AND MRS. KILIAN; MR. AND MRS. HENRY KREBS

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HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY

born December 7, 1890; Peter, October 10, 1892; Francis, August 22, 1894; Matilda, August 22, 1896; and Theresa, September 23, 1898.

Henry Krebs was born in Eichsfeld, Germany, June 12, 1826. After grad- uating from the common schools in his home town, he entered the University of "Heiligen Staat," and later the University of Gottingen, where he gradu- ated with high honors. He came to St. Louis in 1846 where he studied the English language and from there moved to West Point, Iowa, where he taught school for a number of years. It was at this place that he was married to Mary Anna Vossberg. In 1858 they moved to St. Augusta township in Stearns county, where he was the first teacher, and where he continually made his home until the time of his death, teaching this school for nearly twenty-five years with the exception of the two terms which he served in the legislature. He also served two terms as county school superintendent, and many years as town clerk, an office he still held at the time of his death, which occurred on May 1, 1906, having nearly reached the age of 80 years. He was likewise prominent in church affairs, having served as organist and leader of the choir for twenty-five years. His wife had preceded him in death, having died April 18, 1904. He was a man of scholarly attainments and had the respect of the entire community and being of noble character his death was greatly mourned. He had at various times been offered inducements to go to larger places to teach, but he preferred to live among his friends and relatives. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Krebs, of whom Hubard and Catherine died in in- fancy, and Theresa Goenner, nee Krebs, died in 1906. Those surviving are Mrs. Mary Goenner, of Clear Lake, Sherburn county ; Mrs. Beata Wildenborg, of St. Cloud ; Mrs. Josephina Kilian, of St. Cloud township; Richard Krebs, residing on the old homestead at St. Augusta, and George Krebs, of St. Cloud.

Henry Kilian was born in Hessen, near the city of Cassel, June 24, 1820. He attended the school of his native land, where he received a thorough edu- cation. After he graduated from school he learned the trade of weaver, which trade he followed until he emigrated to America. In 1849 he was married to Anna Elizabeth Veihmann. To this union there were born eight children, five of whom died in infancy. The remaining three, Elizabeth, Theresia and Henry, are still living in Stearns county. In 1851 he decided to cast his lot with the many thousand emigrants who found it impossible to better their financial circumstances in the old country, and he and his wife took passage on a sailboat for America. After leaving the city of Hamburg, it took them nine weeks and four days to cross the Atlantic and reach the city of New Orleans, from whence they came up the Mississippi river to St. Louis, and from there up the Missouri to a little station in the state of Missouri, called Boomville, where they disembarked and selected a place about five miles from Jefferson City, in the state of Missouri. Here they lived for two years, but on account of the unhealthy climate, both having been ill most of the time during the two years with fever, he determined to find a more suitable loca- tion. This was the time when reports of the great country called Minnesota were being spread across the southern and eastern states. Mr. Kilian and his wife again took passage on a river boat and came in this way as far as St. Paul. There they hired a team and a wagon, paying $70 for transportation

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HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY

for themselves and their few hundred pounds of baggage, to Sauk Rapids, at which point they arrived April 28, 1854. They were ferried across the Missis- sippi in a small boat by the late Abbott Alexius Edelbrock, who was then a mere lad. Mr. Kilian then wended his way down the Mississippi river about five miles and selected a place at the foot of what is known as the "Thousand Islands." He preempted this land as the state had not been organized yet and no homestead law was in effect. This place later was made the steam- boat landing during the seasons of low water, and thereby became the gate- way through which many hundreds of the old settlers passed to their future welfare and happiness. Here Mr. Kilian erected a warehouse and conducted a boarding house. It was here that his true character revealed itself through the assistance which he gave to many new comers in this great wilderness. He was also a friend to the early missionaries whom he many times accom- panied through the wilderness to the distant missions, carrying their bag- gage and otherwise assisting them. This part of the country at that time was really the home of the Indians, an Indian village being located on his land only a few rods from the house. But Mr. Kilian was so friendly with them that he could leave his family for a week at a time while he was helping to erect many of the first buildings in the city of St. Cloud. The Indians never molested them in any way, and actually showed their willingness to assist him wherever they could, bringing them game and fish and some of their hand- work, such as moccasins ornamented with beads and the like. This friendship was not forgotten by a family of Indians who made a trip down the Mississippi river as late as 1880, when they stopped at his place to renew the old friend- ship. By thrift and good management, Mr. Kilian became quite prosperous, and the orginal farm of one hundred and eleven acres was increased by him, and later by his son, Henry, until today it comprises 320 acres of the finest farm land in this part of the country, all in a high state of cultivation, with many thousands of dollars worth of improvements thereon. He died October 10, 1912, having almost reached the age of ninety-three years. His wife prc- ceded him in death a little over two years, having died September 18, 1910. They were honored and respected by everyone who knew them. Both being very religious they materially assisted in the organization and erection of every church in their community from the very beginning to the time of their death. The surviving children are: Elizabeth Toenyes, who now resides in the town of St. Augusta, where she owns a fine farm of 240 acres; Theresia Kloeppner, also of the town of St. Augusta, where she owns a very fine farm of 280 acres; and Henry, who resides on the old homestead in St. Cloud town- ship. In 1888, Henry Kilian married Josephina W. Krebs. To this union eight children were born. Two died in infancy. Those living are: Elizabeth Marie Grossmeyer, who lives in the township of St. Augusta ; Henry Robert, Henrietta Josephina, George Andrew, Lidvina, Mary Helen, and Julitta Beata, all of whom live at home with their parents. Mr. Kilian is engaged in the breeding of pure-blooded stock, making a specialty of Shorthorn cattle, Poland- China swine, and Percheron horses. He is highly respected in his home town- ship where he holds office as chairman of the town board.

Jacob N. Lahr, a substantial farmer of St. Cloud township, was born in

MR. AND MRS. JOHN SCHWARZ

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HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY

section 5, in the same township, December 10, 1865, son of Michael and Mary (Schmit) Lahr. He received a good district school education, and remained on his father's place until he married, at which time he purchased an adjoin- ing farm on which he still resides. He has a well cultivated farm, suitable buildings, and a full supply of the necessary tools and machinery. He is supervisor of the township, and has been on the school board for many years. Jacob N. Lahr was married June 14, 1892, to Barbara Heafner, who was born in Austria, came to America with her parents about 1878, lived with them in St. Joseph township, this county, for a while, and then moved with them to St. Wendel, in this county, where they engaged in farming. Her father died in 1890, and her mother in 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Lahr have six children: Ida M., Arthur P., Edwin D., Florence A., Verena M., and Elmer A. L.

John Schwarz, the pioneer, was born in Trimbs, Germany, in 1824. He was reared in his native land and served in the German army. In 1852 he came to America. He lived for a time in Buffalo, New York, and Chicago, Illinois. In 1854 he came to St. Cloud and purchased 160 acres of government land in section 15. Here he erected a log cabin, and started in to cultivate the land. In 1862 he purchased a frame house in Sauk Rapids and moved it near the site of the log cabin. Mr. Schwarz conducted farming operations on this farm until his death, April 30, 1892. John Schwarz married Catherina Rengel, who was born in Germany, in 1832, the daughter of Peter and Anna Catherina (Schwab) Rengel. The family came to America in 1847 and located in Chicago. Mrs. Schwarz is now in her eighty-second year. She is a wonder- fully well preserved woman and in the full possession of all her faculties. Her experience ranges over nearly sixty years' of Stearns county life. She is thoroughly informed in regard to the early history of the county, and is an interesting and instructive talker on that subject. Her stories of the early days would make a valuable volume in themselves. Mr. and Mrs. Schwarz had twelve children, of whom five are living. They are: Mary, Peter, Annie, Lid- wina and Andrew. Mary is now Mrs. Peter Irmiter, and has one child, Hubert. They live in Chicago. Peter married Susan Schindler. They have eight chil- dren : Celia, Leo, Rosa, Raymond, Ezelda, Lidwina, Arthur and Marcellus, and live in Watkins, Minn. Annie lives in St. Cloud, Lidwina lives home. Andrew lives in St. Paul. He married Mary Jackale and they have three children : Evelyn, Roman and Adeline. The deceased children were: Joseph, George, Rosa (first), Rosa (second), Sebastian, Mathias and Anton. Rosa (second) was married to Conrad Fuchs, and left five children : Catherine, Amelia, Peter, Lidwina and Clara. The oldest of these children, Catherine, married Michael Warnert, and they have a son, Herman.

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History of Stearns County, Minnesota, Volume II, Part 13

Author: Mitchell, William Bell, 1843- Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Chicago : H. S. Cooper Number of Pages: 1110

Author: Mitchell, William Bell, 1843-
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago : H. S. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1110