History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 110

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn. cn
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Winona, Minn. : H.C. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1222

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Chauncey S. Fisk, one of the sturdy farmers who helped to build up the agricultural resources of Plainview Township, of which for many years he was a prominent citizen, was born in Sullivan County, N. Y., March 27, 1843. "On August 15, 1862, he entered the army, and served with Company H, 143rd Regi- ment of New York Volunteer Infantry, until July 20, 1865, when he received

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an honorable discharge at Alexandria, Va. He attained the rank of sergeant and was detailed for special duty as orderly in General Slocum's escort. After the close of the war he came west, but returned to claim as his bride Sarah E. Finch, of Wawarsing, Ulster County, N. Y. They were married March 27, 1867, and came west to Plainview, Minn. For eight or ten years they resided with his uncle, at the end of which time Chauncey S. Fisk began his independent career, buying a farm of 160 acres in section 8, Plainview Township. Subse- quently he increased the area of his farm to 214 acres, and effected extensive improvements, which made it one of the best farms in the township. There he resided until his death on February 16, 1907, widely known and respected for his character and achievements. His wife died April 23, 1913. Their children were as follows: Minnie C., born January 16, 1869, now deceased; Blake C., born May 22, 1873, who resides in Plainview, Minn .; John T., born July 4, 1876, now a resident of Kellogg, Minn .; Grace, born March 19, 1880, now Mrs. M. M. Grove of Dell Rapids, S. D .; Lana, born August 18, 1882, who died February 22, 1883; William Ira, born August 8, 1884, a resident of Kansas City, Mo .; and Roscoe Roby, born June 11, 1888, now a physician at Flandreau, S. D.

John T. Fisk was born July 4, 1876, the third child in a family of seven born to Chauncey S. and Sarah E. (Finch) Fisk. His parents were natives of New York state and pioneer settlers of Greenwood Prairie, where they reared their family in their home one-fourth of a mile north of Plainview, now owned and occupied by their eldest son, B. C. Fisk and family. It was here that John T. Fisk grew to manhood, receiving his education in the Plainview high school and assisting his father with the farm work. At the age of 22 he took charge of the I. J. Cutler farm in Cook's Valley, which had been recently acquired by his father and brother, B. C. Fisk. On June 18, 1902, Mr. Fisk was married to Mary V. Albertson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George B. Albertson. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania and came to Wabasha County in the early sixties, locating in Cook's Valley on land adjoining the Cutler homestead. The Cutlers and Albertsons were related, I. J. Cutler marrying one of the Albertson daugh- ters, a sister of Mrs. J. T. Fisk. Here were born to Mr. and Mrs. Albertson five children: Anna V., now Mrs. J. G. Armand of Duluth, Minn .; Gertrude L., now the widow of G. A. Cooke, and residing at Delpine, Mont .; Robert C., also of that place; Edmund, of Martinsdale, Mont., and Mary V., now Mrs. J. T. Fisk. Mr. Albertson died in 1891 and is survived by his widow. After Mr. Albertson's death, Mrs. Albertson leased the farm to various tenants though continuing to make her home there. In the winter of 1904 she suffered a severe illness from which she never fully recovered. She has since resided in Mon- tana with her second son, Edmund, on his ranch at Martinsdale. In this mountain air Mrs. Albertson, though well advanced in years, still enjoys a fair degree of health., She occasionally travels alone back to the old home, and so this pioneer woman of Wabasha County lives to enjoy and to participate in the « pioneer life of a more western country, where she has acquired considerable property, a part of which she homesteaded. In the year 1904 Mr. Fisk pur- chased the Cutler place from his father and brother. Two years later he sold this farm, consisting of 380 acres, to the present occupant, and purchased the Frank Wells farm of 106 acres in Plainview Township. Here he lived four years and then sold, and bought a home in Plainview. In 1912 he became a stockholder in the First National Bank of Plainview, where he was assistant cashier until 1916. In the summer of 1916, having disposed of his bank stock to George Vermilya, Mr. and Mrs. Fisk took a trip to the western coast. While en route they visited Mrs. Fisk's people in Montana, where they arranged the purchase of Mrs. Fisk's childhood home, the Albertson place. Here they have spent busy happy years of reconstruction. Though there still remains much to testify of the pioneer builder having "builded well," there was at the time Mr. Fisk acquired his wife's old home, much evidence of the neglect that followed in the wake of many tenants during the period of 25 years since Mr.

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

Albertson's demise. The interior of the house has been partially reconstructed and rearranged, electric lights have been recently installed in the buildings; a modern log house of hollow tiles, and a tile silo with a capacity of 325 tons, are some of the major improvements made by Mr. Fisk.

Here Mr. Fisk is profitably carrying on diversified farming and stock rais- ing, specializing in pure bred Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China swine. The farm now embraces 422 acres, and gives evidence of the enterprising spirit and good management of its owner, who is a man of influence in the community, where he and Mrs. Fisk enjoy a high social standing.

John W. Becker, a prominent representative of the agricultural interests of Watopa Township, was born in the town of Belvidere, Buffalo County, Wis., February 19, 1866, son of Henry and Mary (Moore) Becker. The parents were natives of Germany, the father of Baden, and came to the United States prob- ably about 1860. After their marriage they settled in La Crosse, Wis., where Henry Becker for two years kept a saloon. After that he was engaged in farming in Buffalo County, Wis., until his death in 1872. In 1873 his widow married Charles Fetting and now lives at Bruce, Wis. By her first marriage, with Henry Becker, she had three children: John W., the subject of this sketch; and Frank and George, who reside in Buffalo, Wis. Of her marriage with Mr. Fetting six children were born: Charles, Mary, Kate, Emma, William and Raymond. John W. Becker was reared in Houston County, Minnesota. He remained at home until 16 years old and then began working out on farms, continuing as a farm laborer until he was twenty-two. He then entered the employ of the Mississippi Logging Co., for whom he worked 17 years as pay- master. At the end of that time he began farming for himself, renting a farm for seven years in Wabasha County. In 1914 he bought his present farm of 320 acres in section 34, Watopa Township, and 44 acres in Winona County directly south. Here he is prosperously engaged in general farming and stock raising, giving his particular attention to Durham cattle and Chester-White hogs. He is connected fraternally with the Equitable Fraternal Union and the Modern Woodmen of America, and religiously with the German Lutheran church. Mr. Becker assumed the responsibilities of domestic life on September 2, 1891, when he was united in marriage with Bertha Lawrence, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ignatz Lawrence, her father being a native of Holland and her mother of Pennsylvania. They came to America in 1872, settling in Buffalo City, Wis., where Mr. Lawrence worked at the shoemaker's trade until 1881. After that he followed farming until 1895, and then located in Weaver, Minn., working for one year as a railroad section hand. He died July 26, 1906. In 1913 his widow married William Achenbach and is still residing in Weaver. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence were Bertha, Alvina, Anna, Louis, Charles, Addie, George and Harry. Mr. and Mrs. John W. Becker have been the parents of five children : William J., born March 20, 1893; Alvin L., De- cember 23, 1894; Mildred M., August 29, 1896; Gordon E., August 9, 1902; and Ronald B., December 16, 1911. William J. is now a resident of Minneapolis. Alvin L. resides in Winona, Minn. Mildred M. is the wife of John Angelberg of Winona. The other two children are residing at home.

Arend Arends, who since 1915 has been operating on a farm of 160 acres in section 29, Watopa Township, was born in Carroll County, Iowa, October 18, 1878, son of Otto and Joanna Arends. The father went to Iowa from Illi- nois and was there engaged in farming until his death in 1880. His wife, who was born in Germany, came to this country when six years old. She survived him and is now living in Iowa. They had four children,' Amanda, Riender, Arend and Christina. Arend Arends remained on the home farm with his mother after his father's death until 1890. He then began working out on farms in Iowa by the month, and so continued until 1904, after which, until 1906, he rented farms in Mower County, Minn., subsequently buying a farm of 160 acres in that county, on which he erected a barn 40 by 50 feet. He carried

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on general farming and stock raising there until 1915, when he disposed of that place and came to Watopa Township, Wabasha County, and purchased his present farm. Here he is doing well as a general farmer and stock raiser, and has become a prominent citizen of the township, being now chairman of the town board and a member of the school board of district No. 81. He is con- nected religiously with the Presbyterian church, and fraternally with the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Arends was married, January 16, 1905, to Mary Barwind, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Barwind. Her father was born in Wisconsin, and spent his active career in farming and stock raising. He is now retired and residing at Stacyville, Iowa. Mrs. Barwind was born in Iowa, August 7, 1860, and has always resided in that state. The children in the Barwind family were Mary, Mina, Emma, Jacob and Frederick, all now living in Iowa except Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Arends have had seven children, who were born as follows: Roland A., February 14, 1906; Marvin G., October 10, 1908; Ella J. A., October 26, 1910; Esther M. A., November 23, 1911; Beulah M., August 22, 1914; Arend J., August 20, 1915; and Reuben R., June 30, 1919. Arend J. died in infancy, October 25, 1918. '

John Donahoe, who with his brother Michael owns and operates a farm of 160 acres in section 24, Watopa Township, was born in Minneiska Township, Wabasha County, Minn., February 9, 1873, son of John and Lenora (Considine) Donahoe. The parents, who were born in Ireland, came to the United States in 1854, settling at West Newton, Minneiska Township, where John Donahoe, the father was engaged in farming and stock raising until his death, April 17, 1877. He and his wife were the parents of six children: William, Mary, Mar- garet, Helen, John and Michael, of whom the two last mentioned are the only ones now living. John Donahoe, Jr., was educated in Minneiska Township, in his boyhood attending the district school. He acquired a good practical knowledge of agriculture on the home farm, and after his father's decease, worked for his mother until her death in 1905, when he and his brother Michael came into possession of 800 acres of land in Minneiska and Watopa Townships. The greater part of this property they have sold, retaining the farm of 160 acres already mentioned. Neither are married. John Donahoe served 16 years as a member of the school board of district No. 33, Minneiska Township, and he was also a member of the town board for 15 years, serving a part of the time as chairman. He and his brother are well known throughout this part of Wabasha County, and stand high in public regard. They are members of the Catholic church, and the subject of this sketch also belongs to the Catholic Foresters and the Modern Woodmen of America.

Michael Donahoe was born on section 6, Minneiska Township, August 9, 1866, son of John and Lenora (Considine) Donahoe. He was reared on the home farm, and attended school in his district and also at Wabasha. He helped carry on the farm with his parents, and since the death of the mother in 1905, he and his brother John have kept house for themselves. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, being a member of the Weaver Camp.

Ernest Klennert, proprietor of a good farm in section 26, Gillford Town- ship, was born in Branda, Germany, April 19, 1857, son of Frank and Elizabeth Klennert. The parents spent their lives in their native land, never coming to this country. Ernest, who was one of a family of four children, had a common school education in Germany, where he grew to manhood. There he found himself unable to make any financial progress, and in 1884 came to Wabasha County, Minnesota, arriving here with little money. For three years he did hard farm work, grubbing many acres of land. By 1887 he had begun to make some progress and resolved to make a start for himself. He began independent farming in Oakwood Township, remained there a year, and then rented a farm for a year in West Albany. After that he farmed for seven years in Gillford Township as a renter. In the fall of 1896 he bought 160 acres in section 26, Gillford Township, to which he subsequently added 80 acres, making the farm

ERNEST KLENNERT AND FAMILY

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of 240 acres which he now occupies. On this farm he built a good frame house, a barn, and other necessary buildings, and was doing a good business as a general farmer, raising grade cattle, hogs and sheep. Up to the fall of 1916 he was strong and active, but at that time was seized with paralysis, from which he has not yet recovered. After the attack he removed to Lake City, where he lived until the fall of 1919, when he returned to his farm, which is now operated by Bert Leonard. Mr. Klennert married Sofe Ruther, daughter of Frank and Johanna Ruther of West Albany Township. He and his wife have had ten children: Frank Carl, born September 12, 1886; Mary Elizabeth, June 9, 1888; Ernest, Jr., December 19, 1889; Margaret, March 31, 1892; Anton, September 6, 1894; Helen, January 22, 1896; Martha, July 27, 1899; Catherine, August 28, 1903; Sophia, November 18, 1906; and Albert, June 5, 1909. Frank Carl is a farmer in Gillford Township; Mary Elizabeth is now Mrs. Herman Dahling of Goodhue County; Ernest is married and living at Millville; Mar- garet is the wife of William Laqua of Gillford Township; Anton, also married, is a farmer in South Troy, Gillford Township, Wabasha County; Martha is the wife of Rudy Johnson, a farmer at Augusta, Wis., and the other children are residing on the home farm. Mr. Klennert and his family are members of the Catholic church; politically he is a Democrat.

Paul Puetz, who ranks among the energetic and prosperous farmers of Watopa Township, was born in this township, August 8, 1871, son of Hubert and Mary (Henkels) Puetz. The father was born in Luxemburg and the mother in Germany. They came to America in the early fifties, settling in Iowa. From that state they came in 1864 to Wabasha County, Minnesota, buy- ing government land, on which they engaged in mixed farming until Hubert Puetz's death on July 6, 1874. His wife is still living, being a resident of Minneapolis. She is a member of the Catholic church, as was also her hus- band. They had seven children, Maggie, Kate, Mary, Paul, Lizzie, Joseph and Matthias, the two last mentioned being now deceased. Paul Puetz was too young at his father's death to long remember him. As he grew older he worked on the farm for his mother, his education being acquired in the district school. In 1893 he rented the home farm and operated it on his own account for four years. In 1897 he bought his present farm of 240 acres in sections 18 and 19, Watopa Township, on which he has since erected most of the buildings, besides making general repairs and bringing the farm into good condition. He has served 25 years as a member of district school board No. 81, and is fraternally affiliated with the Modern Brotherhood of America and the Knights of Colum- bus. He is also a member of the Catholic church. Mr. Puetz was united in marriage, November 22, 1898, with Margaret Lehnertz, daughter of Peter and Mary (Nepper) Lehnertz, her parents being natives of Luxemberg who, on coming to this country, settled first in Winona County, Minnesota, whence they later removed to Wabasha County and here for a number of years were en- gaged in agriculture. They are now retired and reside at St. Charles, Winona County. Mr. Lehnertz, born August 24, 1847, is now 73 years old. Mrs. Lehnertz, born November 25, 1855, is 65 years old. Their children, of whom they had 14, were Josephine, Henry, Margaret, Rosa, Celia, Louie, Julia, Clara, Louie, Otto, Lora, Lucy, Lillian and Herbert. Of these children Celia, Louie (first) and Clara are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Paul Puetz are the parents of ten children, who were born as follows: Joseph P., May 22, 1900; Paul P., January 7, 1903; Catherine M., July 9, 1904; Theresa M., March 29, 1906; Mol- lian J., March 17, 1908; Francis C., March 1, 1910; Walter J., December 30, 1911; Henry L., June 6, 1913; Loretta R., July 11, 1915; and Raymond N., June 20,1917.

Anton Schuth, of Greenfield Township, a good representative of that sturdy class who have developed the resources of Wabasha County by the cultivation of the soil, was born in Hanover, Germany, February 13, 1862, son of Christian and Margaret (Kesler) Schuth. The father died in Germany, his widow sub-

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sequently coming to the United States. Anton acquired a part of his education in his native land and subsequently attended school in Wabasha County, Min- nesota, having come here in 1878 and become a resident of Wabasha County. For a number of years thereafter he worked in Greenfield County and Glasgow Township, and by the exercise of economy saved some money. In 1883 he bought 160 acres of land on section 9, Greenfield, which tract he has since de- veloped into a good farm, having erected all the buildings and put up a full line of fencing. He is profitably engaged in general farming, including the raising of stock, and is recognized as one of the township's prosperous citizens. He has served 15 years on the school board of district No. 5, and was for six years a supervisor on the Greenfield town board. He is a member of the Catho- lic church and of St. Joseph's Society. Mr. Schuth was married May 29, 1888, to Caroline Evers, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Evers, her parents being natives of Germany. Twelve children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Schuth, namely: Henry, May 1, 1889; Mary, May 5, 1891; Augusta, November 2, 1893; Anna, November 20, 1895; Regina, February 23, 1899; Christina and Joseph (twins), March 9, 1901; Leo, January 10, 1904; Caroline, February 14, 1905; Lucy, March 21, 1907; Matthew, April 3, 1910, and Agnes, February 23, 1915.

Anton Wampach, an enterprising and well-to-do farmer of Greenfield Township, was born in the Duchy of Luxemburg, March 9, 1872, son of Nicholas and Eva (Schleimer) Wampach. The parents were lifelong residents of Ger- many, which was their native land. Anton Wampach was there educated, and remained until 21 years old, when he came to Minnesota, and settled in Winona County, where he resided two years. He then came to Watopa Township, Wa- basha County, and engaged in farming, buying 80 acres of land in sections 17 and 18. The farm being run down, he erected a new set of buildings and was engaged in raising crops and stock on that place for twelve years. In 1912 he bought 310 acres in sections 15 and 16, Greenfield Township, where he is now residing, and this place, too, he has improved by the erection of a house, barn and other buildings, the house being of modern design, and supplied with electric light and other conveniences. Mr. Wampach is engaged in mixed farm- ing, including truck raising, and keeps high grade cattle and hogs. He has made good financial progress and is one of the substantial citizens of his town- ship. He is a Catholic in religion, and is a member of several fraternal socie- ties, including the Knights of Columbus, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Modern Samaritans. On February 14, 1899, Mr. Wampach was united in marriage with Elizabeth Schouweiler, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Schou- weiler of Highland Township, her parents being pioneers of Wabasha County who had come from Germany in the early fifties, and who finally died in this county, Mr. Schouweiler on August 13, 1908, and Mrs. Schouweiler May 2, 1910. They were members of the Catholic church. Their family was a large one, consisting of 14 children : Ferdinand, Katherine, John, John H., Michael, Margaret, Jennie, Anna, Frank, Peter, Elizabeth, Garret, Andrew and Nicholas. Of these children, Ferdinand, John (the first so named), and Nicholas are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Wampach have been the parents of nine children, born as follows: Earl W., April 30, 1900, who died April 4, 1918; Eva M., born March 30, 1902; Elsie M., born August 13, 1903; Violet T., born January 21, 1905; Levinia, M., born July 18, 1906; Pearl, born April 10, 1909; Mary, born February 14, 1912, who died in infancy; Corabell R., born August 30, 1913, and Rosetta M., born September 28, 1917.

Theodore Kennebeck, owner of a good farm property of 165 acres in section 3, Glasgow Township, which he is successfully operating, was born in Buffalo County, Wisconsin, June 15, 1867, son of Bernard and Anna (Oening) Kenne- beck. The parents were both natives of Germany, the father born in 1825. The latter was twice married, Anna Oening being his first wife. She died when her son Theodore was a babe, and Bernard Kennebeck subsequently remarried. When Theodore was three years old he came with his father and step-mother

CHARLES F. ANDING AND FAMILY.

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to Wabasha County, Minnesota, the family settling in Glasgow Township, where the father bought 160 acres of wild land and began farming. There Theodore grew. to manhood, having but limited educational opportunities, as he attended district school very little. After remaining with his father until reaching the age of 28 years, he started in for himself, buying his present farm, or rather, 120 acres of it, in section 3, Glasgow Township. To this he has since added 40 acres more, together with five acres of timber, making the total area of his land 165 acres. He has a good residence and other buildings, including a stave silo, and his farm is well stocked with Durham and Holstein cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs. In addition to a full equipment of teams, tools and machinery, he owns a good auto car. As he gives his chief attention to his stock he feeds most of his farm product at home. Mr. Kennebeck was mar- ried October 10, 1900, to Josephine Anna, daughter of Anton and Mary Passe of Pepin Township, this county, where she was born April 29, 1881. Of this union seven children have been born: Regina Emeline, August 1, 1902; Arnold Anthony, February 29, 1904; Lawrence Joseph, May 15, 1906; Joseph John, August 26, 1908; Herman Theodore, March 7, 1910; Henry George, February 8, 1913; Jeanette Marie, January 18, 1916, and Lloyd George, July 1, 1918. Mr. Kennebeck is politically aligned with the Republican party. He has served for several years as school treasurer of District 68, and is a man who takes a helpful interest in the general good of the community. A Catholic in religion, he and his family are members of St. Felix parish at Wabasha.

August Jacoby, a capable and successful farmer of Glasgow Township, where he has resided for many years, was born in Luxemburg, April 15, 1848, son of Michael and Catherine (Sholtes) Jacoby. The father was a potter by trade, but August was brought up to farming, which occupation he followed in Luxemburg except for one year, when he worked in a flour mill. In 1874 he came to the United States and to Wabasha County, Minnesota, arriving at Read's Landing June 5. His parents followed him, arriving in the county in September, and buying a farm of 103 acres in section 4, Glasgow Township. Here the mother died in May, 1875, after a residence of only eight months. Her loss was deeply felt by her husband and family, the former remaining a widower to the end of his life. Mr. and Mrs. Michael Jacoby had five children : Mary, now deceased, who was the wife of Nicholas Engel of Euclid, Polk County; August, subject of this sketch; Anna, who is the widow of a Mr. Mc- Cove and resides in Chicago; Michael, deceased, who was a resident of Duluth; and Anna Catherine, who died unmarried. August Jacoby after coming to Wabasha County worked out one season as a farm hand on Pepin Hill. After his parents had arrived in the fall and taken their farm in Glasgow Township, he joined them and operated the farm, on which he has since resided. He has been a hard and successful worker, and has acquired a competency. For three years he was a member of the town board. He was married, February 28, 1883, to Margaret, daughter of Johann Peter and Elizabeth Meyer, natives of Lux- emburg, where she was born October 4, 1861. She came to America in March, 1882, with her brother William, who is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Jacoby have had seven children, as follows: William, born November 13, 1883, who died March 11, 1900; John, born November 1, 1884, who died November 1, 1918; Clara E., born January 8, 1888, who became the wife of Matt Marx, and died March 13, 1911; George, born November 2, 1890, now living on the home farm; Frank Joseph and Anna Mary (twins), born December 5, 1898, of whom Anna Mary died in infancy; and Nicholas, born October 22, 1901. Frank J. and Nicholas are now operating the home farm, Mr. Jacoby having given up the harder work on it, though he still performs light tasks. Though he and his wife were reared in the Catholic faith they are now liberal in their religious views, and in politics Mr. Jacoby is independent, not being bound to any party but considering first the character of the respective candidates.

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History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 110

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn. cn Publication date: 1920 Publisher: Winona, Minn. : H.C. Cooper Number of Pages: 1222

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn. cn
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Winona, Minn. : H.C. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1222