History of Stearns County, Minnesota, Volume II, Part 33

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

USA > Minnesota > Stearns County > History of Stearns County, Minnesota, Volume II > Part 33

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Henry J. Beumer, horse dealer, cattle fancier and farmer, of St. Augusta, was born in the township where he still resides, June 6, 1880, a son of Frank Henry and Marie (Eilers) Beumer. He received a good education in the schools of his neighborhood, after which he engaged in the farming and mercantile business at St. Augusta, with his mother and brother. In 1909 he engaged in business for himself. He farms, breeds fancy Belgian draft horses, and buys, breeds, kills and sells cattle for beef. He has been very successful. His blooded stock is widely known and commands the highest prices. Mr. Beumer is a genial active man, highly esteemed for his busi- ness sagacity and his personal worth.

Mr. Beumer was married, July 6, 1909, to Frances Reischl, and they have two children, Masada and Herbert.

Joseph Beumer, treasurer of St. Augusta township, was born in the town- ship where he still resides, January 18, 1878, son of Frank Henry and Marie (Eilers) Beumer. He attended the public schools, and supplemented this with one year's course in St. John's University at Collegeville, this county. Thus equipped with a good education he entered the mercantile business, being associated with his father until his father's death in 1900 and with his mother until his retirement in 1907. Then he became associated with his brother, Henry J., in the live stock business, breeding thoroughbred Belgian horses,

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HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY

and buying, killing and selling beef cattle. In March, 1913, he dissolved part- nership with his brother, and has since devoted his time to looking after the interests of the old home. Mr. Beumer was elected treasurer of St. Augusta township in the spring of 1911, and by reelection has since served continu- ously, giving the best of satisfaction. January 1, 1913, he was elected secre- tary and treasurer of the St. Augusta Telephone Co. Mr. Beumer was mar- ried June 30, 1903, to Sophia Mayer, a daughter of John Mayer, of St. Au- gusta township. This union has been blessed with four children: Siegfried, Frank, Adeline and an unnamed infant deceased.

Frank H. Beumer, a progressive farmer of St. Augusta, was born in the township where he still resides, March 31, 1873, son of Frank Henry and Marie (Eilers) Beumer. He attended the public schools of his native place, and in 1887 entered the St. Cloud State Normal School. After completing his studies he remained at home, working in the mill and the store and on the farm. In 1895 he and his brother-in-law, William F. Messmann, purchased the "Neenah Mill." After successfully conducting this establishment for five years, they exchanged the mill for a farm in Benton county, in this state. Later Mr. Beumer purchased his partner's interest, and farmed there for eight years. Then he exchanged that farm for his present farm of 212 acres in sections 1 and 2, St. Augusta township, and sections 35 and 36, St. Cloud township. The place is well kept and fully demonstrates the thrift and enter- prise of its owner. The success that has attended all his ventures has in- creased in his present undertaking and his hard work has been fully re- warded. Mr. Beumer was united in the bonds of matrimony, February 11, 1896, to Anna Messmann, and they have five children: Harry, George, Mary, Frances and Verena. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic Church.

Herman Beumer, proprietor of the St. Cloud Dairy, was born in St. Au- gusta township, September 29, 1875, son of Frank Henry and Marie (Eilers) Beumer, the pioneers. He received his education in the public schools, and worked in his father's store until twenty-three years of age, in the mean- time serving four years as postmaster during the first administration of William Mckinley. In 1898 Mr. Beumer went to St. Cloud, where he was engaged in business for two years. Then he and his wife occupied nearly a year in a vacation spent at Denver, Colorado, and other western points. Upon his return he became engineer for the Northwestern Granite Co. Three years later he secured a similar position at the St. Cloud pumping station, where he likewise remained about three years. Then he purchased the business now known as the St. Cloud Dairy. He has an extensive and growing retail trade which has necessitated his increasing the number of his cows from six to twenty-two. Mr. Beumer is a well-known man. He was appointed by the governor as district census enumerator for the township of St. Augusta. He is a member of St. Cloud Camp, No. 744, C. O. F.

Mr. Beumer was married May 5, 1898, to Theresa Messmann, and they have had five children: Frank B. (died August, 1907), Rosa, Florence, Eleanor and Clarence. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic Church.

Nick Becker, a prosperous farmer of St. Augusta township, was born in

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HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY

Munson township, this county, December 30, 1873, son of John and Susanna (Garding) Becker, natives of Prussia, Germany. John Becker came to Amer- ica in 1859 and located in Richmond, this county. Susanna Garding came to Cold Spring, this county, in the summer of 1860. They were married at Jacob's Prairie. They at once took up their residence on the old Becker homestead in Munson township, which had been preempted in 1859 by the father of John Becker, and grandfather of Nick Becker. The home- stead originally consisted of 160 acres. John Becker added 160 acres more, erected a fine set of buildings, and became one of the leading farmers of Mun- son township. He operated the place successfully until 1901, when he retired and moved to Richmond village, where he spent the remainder of his days. He died February 26, 1910. His widow resides with her daughter, Margaret, wife of Anton S. Braegelmann, of Eden Lake township, this county. John Becker and his wife had seven children. Gertrude died in infancy. Margaret, as already mentioned, is the wife of Anton S. Braegelmann, of Eden Lake township. Valentine lives in Roscoe, this county. Louise is the wife of John Thelen, of Minneapolis. Barbara and Mary are twins. Barbara is the wife of M. B. Theisen, of Eden Valley village, this county; and Mary is the wife of John Ganzer, of Roscoe, this county. Nick lives in St. Au- gusta township.

Nick received his education in the district schools of Munson township, and engaged in farming with his father until twenty-six years of age. In 1900 he purchased the home farm, and successfully operated it until 1907. Then he sold that place, and purchased his present farm in sections 30-31, St. Augusta township, and section 36, Rockville township, where he is main- taining his prosperity as a general farmer. He is a good farmer, a good citi- zen, a good friend and agreeable companion. He has been a member of school district 36 since 1910.

Mr. Becker was married May 28, 1901, to Katie Lemm, who was born on the farm where she now resides, January 6, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Becker have five children : Marcella, born August 9, 1902; Arthur, born November 14, 1904; Dorothy, born January 8, 1908; Alvina, born September 21, 1909, and Laura, born January 29, 1911.

Mrs. Becker is the daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Zenner) Lemm. The Lemm family settled in St. Augusta township in 1859, purchased land in sec- tions 30 and 31, and successfully carried on general farming until 1907, when they sold to Nick Becker and moved to Luxemburg. There Jacob Lemm died June 15, 1913. His widow still lives in Luxemburg village. Jacob Lemm was a veteran of the Civil War, having served three years in the Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. In the family there were fifteen children: Henry, Philip, Joseph, Jacob, Mathias, Katie, Nick, Anna, William, Wende- lin, Ignatius, Domonick, Leo, Adelaide (deceased), Mathias (deceased).

Yasent A. Barthelemy, a leading farmer of St. Augusta township, was born in France, November 30, 1848, son of John N. and Mary Barthelemy, who brought him to America in 1853, lived in New Jersey for a while, then went to Reading, Penn., came from there to Sauk Rapids in this state, then to

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HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY

St. Cloud, and finally, in 1857, to St. Augusta township, where they took a claim of 160 acres in section 8. Of this they had to surrender eighty acres to pay for the land warrant, but later they repurchased the eighty acres. In time they were enabled to erect a sightly brick house. This was destroyed by fire in 1891, but was rebuilt the following year. On this place the parents followed farming the remainder of their lives, the father dying July 29, 1898, and the mother, March 18, 1900. The children in the family were: Edward N., of St. Cloud; Yasent A., of St. Augusta; Sarah who died in 1892; and Mary, who lives in St. Cloud, widow of William Goedker. Yasent A. Barthel- emy attended school in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Minnesota. He farmed with his parents until 1898 when he came into possession of the home place, on which he has lived since 1857. The farm consists of 160 acres in section 8, 40 acres in section 17 and 120 acres in section 7, St. Augusta township. He also owns forty acres of farm land in St. Cloud township, and 20 acres of timberland in section 33, St. Augusta. The home farm is well kept, and has every evidence of prosperity due to the hard work and never-tiring efforts of its amiable owner. Mr. Barthelemy was married July 8, 1884, to Emilia Greven, who was born in Berlin, Ohio, November 8, 1861, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Greven. The children are: Eleanor, born August 9, 1886, is now Mrs. Louis Kraus, of St. Cloud township, John Nicholas, born March 20, 1888, is associated with his father on the home farm; Mary, born May 30, 1890, is the wife of Joseph Steichen, of St. Cloud; Andrew, born April 14, 1893, and George, born November 25, 1896; both at home; and Alfred, born May 2, 1899, and died April 27, 1901. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Greven are Ignatz, of St. Cloud; Mary Ann, who died at the age of twenty-one years; Molly, who died in infancy; Catherine, of Walla Walla, Wash., widow of Aloysius Lommel; and Emelia, wife of Yasent A. Barthelemy, of St. Augusta.

Paul Bach, general merchant at Luxemburg, in St. Augusta township, was born in Germany, January 1, 1860, son of Jacob and Barbara (Laur) Bach, the former of whom died in Germany in 1863, and the latter of whom came to America in 1884, settled in Murray county, Minnesota, engaged in farm- ing, and died in 1903. Paul Bach received a thorough education in the land of his birth. In the fall of 1883 he came to America, and for six months lived in Pennsylvania. The next spring he located in Murray county, Min- nesota, where he remained until 1886. Then he went to Miner county, South Dakota. First he proved up on a claim in Rock Creek township, then bought another 160 acres, and on these tracts successfully conducted general farming until 1906, when he sold out and returned to Minnesota. In the meantime he had been prominent in public affairs and had served as super- visor and assessor of Rock Creek township. From that township he came at once to St. Augusta township, and opened a general store at Luxemburg, better known as Luxemburg postoffice. He carries a full line of goods, and keeps a tavern and a feed barn for the traveling public, and has a seventy- four acre farm which he conducts in connection therewith. He is a good busi- ness man, thrifty and honest, and has achieved a well-deserved success. Mr. Bach is a member of the St. Wendel Catholic Church and of the German Catholic Benevolent Society of Minnesota. Paul Bach was married in South

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HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY

Dakota, February 13, 1890, to Christina Bernady, and they have four chil- dren: Christina, Gertrude, William and Mary.

Michael D. Dries, proprietor of the old "Neenah Mill," was born at Port Washington, Ozaukee county, a short distance north of Milwaukee, Wis., October 27, 1866, son of M. D. and Anna (Baurmich) Dries, natives of Lux- emburg, who came to America about 1855, were married in this country, and died, each at about the age of forty-five, at Holy Cross, Wis. Michael D. Dries received his early education in the public and parochial schools of his native place. In 1886 he came to Minnesota and located at Minneapolis, where he secured employment for three years with the Pettit Milling Co. Then he came to St. Cloud, and for some twelve years was employed with the Tiles- ton Milling Co. In August, 1903, he purchased the mill of which he has since been the proprietor. In addition to this he owns 304 acres of good farm land, part of which he operates, and part of which he rents. In 1907 he was elected town clerk, and has since held that position continuously. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Dries was married Febru- ary 7, 1893, to Tracy Ruhland, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, April 14, 1870 and came to America in 1889. Their children are Ursula T., Olga J., Alice E., Thelma, Daniel T., Silvea and Donald (deceased). The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic Church.

Frank Hurrle, one of the leading farmers of St. Augusta, was born in the township where he still resides, January 16, 1866, son of Francis and Mary (Shoemaker) Hurrle, natives of Germany who came to America about 1850, located at St. Anthony where the father worked in a sawmill, came to St. Augusta in 1856, took a claim in section 17, went through all the rigors of pioneer life, and became representative citizens of the community. The father died November 15, 1900, and the mother died December 8, 1913. The children in the family are: Elizabeth (deceased), Henry, of St. Cloud; Kate, of Min- neapolis; Agnes, now Mrs. Emil Grams, of Minneapolis; Frank, of St. Au- gusta ; Anna, now Sister Mary Annastatia, O. S. B., of Duluth; Mary, now Sister Mary Theresa, O. S. B., of Little Falls, Minn .; John, of St. Cloud; Xavier, of Buckman, Minn., and Theresa, now Mrs. George Krebs, of St. Augusta. Frank Hurrle received his education in the schools of St. Augusta, and remained at home until twenty-two years of age. Then he branched out for himself, and rented the Fred Goenner farm of 320 acres. In 1897 he pur- chased this farm, and to it he has since added eighty acres, making 400 acres in all. Mr. Hurrle represents the best and highest type of the modern farmer. He gives careful attention to every detail of the place, and believes thoroughly in the best comforts for himself, his family and his livestock. In 1910 he built a modern home which is a model of its kind, with hardwood finish on the interior, hot water heat, bath, running hot and cold water, individual illum- inating gas plant, and many other conveniences. His fine large barn, his towering silo, and his set of outbuildings, all connected with the house and the park-like lawns with cement walks, are also models of their kind. He makes a specialty of Shorthorn cattle and Percheron horses. In the latter line he has high grade Percheron brood mare, and an imported Percheron stallion of 1,940 pounds, for which he paid $1,700. His poultry and swine

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HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY

are also of good strains. Mr. Hurrle was married September 27, 1892, to Philo- mena Goenner, born June 3, 1873, daughter of Fred and Mary Goenner, the pioneers. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Hurrle are: Rosa, Leo, Siegfred, Edward, Philip, Adeline, Alma and Cresentia. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic Church. Fred and Mary Goenner, parents of Mrs. Frank Hurrle, were born in Germany, came to America, located in Cincinnati, Ohic, and from there came in the middle fifties to St. Augusta where they took a claim in section 10, on which Frank Hurrle now lives. They became leading members of the community. Mr. Goenner died October 18, 1907, and his wife September 27, 1897. Their children are as follows: Two died in infancy in Cincinnati, Ohio; Anna (deceased) ; Joseph, of Clear Lake, Minn .; Henry, of Clear Lake, Minn .; Theresa (deceased) ; Elizabeth (first), who died in infancy ; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Nicholas Weis, of Clear Lake, Minn .; Frank, of Clear Lake, Minn .; and Philomena, wife of Frank Hurrle, of St. Augusta.

John Sebastian Heid, one of the substantial farmers and land owners of St. Augusta township, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, October 27, 1857, son of John and Barbara (Uenbeck) Heid, natives of Germany, who came to America as young people about 1855, were married in Cleveland, Ohio; about 1859 moved to the copper region of Michigan, where he followed his trade as a cooper until 1869, then came to Minnesota and settled on a farm in St. Au- gusta township which he had purchased two years previous in section 32; broke and improved the land, erected his home and a set of outbuildings, and there lived until 1900 when they moved to Browerville, Todd county, Minn., where he died in June, 1909, after which she moved to St. Cloud, where she now resides. In the family there were eight children: John Sebastian, of St. Augusta township; Thomas and Charles, of Browerville, Minn .; Father Kilian, a teacher in the commercial department of St. John's University at Collegeville, this county ; Mary, now Mrs. Fred Shelar, of Maine Prairie town- ship; Julia (deceased), Elizabeth, now Mrs. Henry Lommel, of St. Cloud; and Mollie, now Mrs. Joseph Eaton, of Browerville, Minn. John Sebastian Heid received a good education in the public schools of Michigan, and came with his parents to St. Augusta township in 1869. He worked with his father in agricultural pursuits until twenty-six years of age, when he purchased 170 acres in sections 31, 32 and 33, and engaged in farming on his own responsi- bility. He has brought his land to a good state of cultivation, has erected a suitable residence, and a substantial complement of other buildings. Aside from his original place he owns 133 acres in section 6, Fair Haven township, which he also operates. Mr. Heid is broad minded, a deep thinker, and a good farmer. He is a Democrat in politics, has done valuable service on the town board, and for the past six years has been treasurer of School District No. 36. He and his family are members of the Church of St. Wendelin, to which he is a liberal contributor. Mr. Heid was married September 26, 1885, to Ger- trude Harren, born March 4, 1865, daughter of Joseph and Marthalena (Bauer) Harren, mention of whom appears elsewhere in this work. To Mr. and Mrs. Heid, eleven children have been born: Lena, now Sister Mary Adeline, O. S. B., of Watkins, Minn .; Barbara, who resides at home; Christine, of St. Cloud; Marie, bookkeeper at Rush City, Minn .; Elizabeth, a student at St. Joseph

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HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY

Seminary, St. Joseph, this county; Dora, a student at the St. Cloud State Normal School; and Mathilda, Angela, Bertha, John B., and Kilian, at home.

Henry Imholte, a prosperous farmer of St. Augusta township, was born on the farm where he still resides, January 11, 1864, son of Anton and Mary (Kemker) Imholte. The parents were born in Oldenburg, Germany, came to America in 1854, located in Cincinnati, Ohio; came with the first German colony to Stearns county in 1856, took a homestead in the old town of St. Augusta, and two years later purchased eighty acres in section 3, St. Augusta township, where they erected a log cabin and outbuildings, and engaged in general farming, sharing with their neighbors the hardships of early pioneer life. They prospered with the years and added to their possessions until they had a good farm of 120 acres. In 1888 they retired and moved to the village of St. Augusta, where he passed away July 2, 1900 and she May 24, 1906. In this family there were eleven children, of whom seven are still living: Mary (deceased) ; Anton J., of Clear Lake, Minn .; Elizabeth, now Mrs. William Sheitz, of St Cloud; John, of Clear Lake, Minn .; Barney (deceased) ; Joseph, of Clear Lake, Minn .; Henry, of St. Augusta; Minnie, now Mrs. Casper Meah- rens, of St. Cloud; Theresa (deceased) ; Annie (deceased) ; and Valentine, of Clear Lake, Minn. Henry Imholte received a good public school education and was reared to agricultural pursuits. For nine years he farmed in Sher- burne county, this state. In 1888 he went to Colorado, but returned to St. Augusta in 1889, and purchased the old home farm of 120 acres in section 3. By hard work and a progressive spirit he has prospered greatly, having much improved the farm and buildings. In 1900 he erected a splendid brick resi- dence, and he has also built a roomy barn. In addition to carrying on gen- eral farming he specializes in dairying, and raises some fine Guernsey cattle. Mr. Imholte has served six years as town treasurer. He is now treasurer of school district 34. He is a director in the St. Joseph Farmers' Mutual In- surance Co. Mr. Imholte was married October 1, 1895, to Annie Moeller, who was born May 28, 1873, and died January 7, 1908. She was a fine type of woman, a true and loyal wife and a loving mother. The children are: Mag- nus, born September 27, 1896; Frances, June 10, 1898; Norbert, June 20, 1900; Linus, November 17, 1902; Veronica, April 22, 1905; and Hilda, January 3, 1908. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic Church.

Joseph Kronenberg, an early settler of St. Augusta township, was born in Germany, and there received a good education. Early in life he married Margaret Zuth, who throughout the years of their marriage proved a true wife and loving mother. Upon coming to America, they first located on a farm in section 25, St. Augusta, but a little later took up a homestead of 160 acres in section 22. He erected a comfortable home, and all necessary out- buildings for the housing of his crops, cattle and machinery, and became one of St. Augusta's representative farmers. He died September 8, 1888, and the good wife and mother died July 20, 1898. Six children were born : Agnes, now Mrs. Henry A. Block, of St. Augusta; Margaret, now Mrs. Henry Pra- mann, of Fair Haven township; Joseph; now of Fair Haven township; John J., of St. Augusta township; Johanna, now Mrs. Barney Meyer, of St. Cloud, and Ursus, now of St. Augusta township.

ANTON IMHOLTE AND FAMILY

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HISTORY OF STEARNS COUNTY

Ursus Kronenberg, a substantial farmer of St. Augusta, was born on his father's farm in section 22, this township, August 6, 1870, son of Joseph and Margaret (Zuth) Kronenberg. He received his education in the school in district 35, and farmed with his father until the latter's death, when by the purchase of the various interests in the estate, he came into possession of the home place. He erected a good residence, barn, and outbuildings, and car- ried on general farming there until 1911, when he sold out and purchased his present farm of 160 acres in sections 29 and 30, to which he moved in the spring of 1912. One of the improvements he has mode on this place has been the erection of a modern residence, equipped with a hot water heating system, and other conveniences. He is regarded as one of the most progressive men in his community. He has been supervisor for three years, and a member of the school board for two years. Mr. Kronenberg was married September 22, 1891, to Mary Weiler, who was born in the township of St. Augusta, July 13, 1869. They have six children: Mary M., born August 18, 1892; Arthur B., June 19, 1894; Clara A., December 16, 1896; Andrew J., July 27, 1898; Agnes F., September 9, 1904; Amelia M., April 9, 1906. Mrs. Kronenberg is the daughter of Jacob and Mary (Klein) Weiler, who came to St. Augusta in an early day, settled in section 29, and took up general farming. Mr. Weiler died October 30, 1910. Mrs. Weiler lives in St. Cloud. They were the par- ents of thirteen children: Margaret (deceased) ; Elizabeth, now Mrs. William Schafer, of Santa Cruz, California; Cresentia, now Mrs. Henry Brauch, of Rockville township; Frances, now Mrs. John Schafer, of St. Cloud; Anna, now Mrs. Stephen Schafer, of St. Augusta township; Agnes (deceased) ; Lucy, now Mrs. Peter Warner, of North Dakota; Katie, now Mrs. Christ Harren, of North Dakota; Nicholas, of Bellfield, North Dakota; Mary, now Mrs. Christ Kramer, of North Dakota; and Frank and Jacob, twins, of St. Cloud.

John Kloeppner, deceased, for many years a hard-working and respected farmer of St. Augusta township, was born in Ikesville, Germany, March 7, 1849, attended the public schools, was reared to agricultural pursuits, and grew to manhood. In 1880 he came to America, and shortly afterward found his way to Stearns county, where he purchased 160 acres of land in section 26, St. Augusta township. By industry and close application to business, he prospered and became one of the leading and representative farmers of the vicinity. He erected a good home and a substantial set of outbuildings, and in time increased his holdings to 240 acres. On this farm he toiled until he found rest in death, March 13, 1907. In politics he was a Democrat. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic Church.

Mr. Kloeppner was married May 18, 1881, to Theresa Kilian, who was born in St. Cloud township, December 2, 1859, daughter of Henry Kilian, the pioneer, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. To Mr. and Mrs. Kloeppner were born ten children: Elizabeth, now Mrs. Ferdinand Weber, of St. Cloud; Henry, of St. Augusta, married to Agnes Wolters; Theresa, now Mrs. David Borch, of Faribault, Minn .; Helena, now Mrs. John Reischl, of St. Cloud; Rose, now Mrs. Theodore Wolters, of St. Augusta, and Edward, Alphonse, Agnes, Hilda, and Martha who are on the home farm with their mother. Since the death of Mr. Kloeppner, Mrs. Kloeppner has continued to

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History of Stearns County, Minnesota, Volume II, Part 33

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