History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 116

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

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

Gustave H. Nibbe, a representative farmer of Mt. Pleasant Township, re- siding in section 34, was born in Belvidere Township, Goodhue County, Minn., August 31, 1881, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Nibbe. The parents, natives of Ger- many, came to the United States when young, and made each other's acquaint- ance in New York state, being married in New York City. John Nibbe worked six or seven years as a farm laborer in New York state, without making any headway in the world, until, feeling the necessity of doing something to better his circumstances, he resolved to emigrate to the west. It was hard to find the means, as he was very poor, but in some way he scraped together the necessary amount to pay for the transportation of himself and family, and made his way to Goodhue County, Minn., where he settled. There his wife died December 23, 1888, when her son Gustave was seven years old, and Mr. Nibbe, still being in poor circumstances, Gustave was given a home by a neighbor, Peter Reincke, with whom he remained until he was 14. Up to that time and for about a year later he attended district school, making himself useful out of school hours. From the age of 14 to that of 22 he worked hard as a farm laborer. Then he started in for himself, renting the Merkins farm in Belvidere Township, Good- hue County, which he operated for four yars. In 1907 he moved to the Louis Juers farm in section 20, Mt. Pleasant Township, Wabasha County, a farm of 200 acres. He was industrious and saving, and was gradually getting along in the world. In 1911 Mr. Nibbe bought his present farm-formerly known as the Grogan farm-of 240 acres in section 34, Mt. Pleasant Township, of which he now has 220 acres under the plow. He has improved the house, which is a. two-story frame structure, and in addition to the original barn he has built a new one of modern construction, 40 by 72 by 16 feet, with a 9-foot basement under all for cattle and horses. It is provided with cement floors, and the James system of steel stanchions, refuse carrier and running water. He has also erected a double corn crib 18 by 22 by 8, with an 8-foot driveway, and other buildings. The farm, which is five and half miles southeast of Lake City, is very productive and well cultivated. Mr. Nibble has eight fine work horses, with a full equipment of machinery, including a five-passenger Buick auto car. Formerly a Republican, he is now a member of the Non-partisan League. On June 9, 1905, Mr. Nibbe was united in marriage with Lena Luva, daughter of Peter and Adelia Meerkens of Mt. Pleasant Township, where she was born December 27, 1873. To him and his wife six children have been born: Melinda Elizabeth, November 29, 1906; Orlin John, December 28, 1907; Marvin Deidrich, April 13, 1912; Walter H., June 3, 1913; Roy Gustave, January 8, 1918; and Donald Emil, September 10, 1919. The family are members of the Lutheran church and of Trinity congregation in Gillford Township.

Alfred J. Siewert, proprietor of a successful general store at Oak Center, Gillford Township, is a good type of Wabasha County's enterprising business men. He was born on a farm in Goodhue County, Minn., October 4, 1892, son of Frederick and Adelheit (Oelers) Siewert. The parents were natives of Han- over, Germany, who emigrated to Minnesota in 1875, entering the state at Lake City, whence they went on to Goodhue County. There the father, Frederick Siewert, died on his farm January 6, 1917, and was survived by his wife, who is still living, being now 65 years old. They were the parents of 14 children, of whom seven are living, namely, William, Louise, Carl, Henry, George, Bertha and Alfred J. Alfred J. Siewert in his boyhood attended common school in Goodhue County and in 1911 was graduated from the Red Wing Business Col- lege. He remained on the parental homestead until 1911. In 1913 he engaged in mercantile business at Oak Center in partnership with Charles Kreitt, but after a short time their store was burned, which ended the partnership. On January 6, 1914, as sole proprietor, he opened his present store in a new stucco building which he had erected, beginning with an $8,000 stock, and his subse- quent career as a merchant has been one of continued advancement. In 1919 he bought and shipped fourteen thousand dollars worth of eggs alone, and he

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is energetically and successfully pushing all branches of his business. He owns a beautiful modern home-a stucco building-at Oak Center, and also a farm of 280 acres and good buildings in the Township of West Albany, and in addition to these interests he is a stockholder in the Farmers' Packing Co. at Newport, Minn., the Oak Center Creamery Co., of which he was one of the organizers and has been treasurer since 1913; and is a member of the Oak Center Poultry Association, which he helped to organize for the purpose of increasing the interest in poultry raising, and which he has served as secre- tary and treasurer for three years. On February 23, 1914, Mr. Siewert was united in marriage with Sophia M. Buchholtz, who was born on a farm in Goodhue County, June 13, 1890, daughter of John and Mary Buchholtz. Mr. and Mrs. Siewert have two children: Violet, born November 26, 1915, and Bernard, born May 25, 1919. Mr. Siewert is a Republican in politics, though with independent tendencies. He has served Gillford Township two years as assessor, and is one of the live citizens of the township who are on the lookout, not only for their own advancement but for the general welfare of the com- munity, ready to lend a hand to any good cause.

Charles Meyer, a prosperous young farmer of Gillford Township, who saw service at the front in the World War, was born in this township, June 2, 1892, son of Hans and Margaret (Volers) Meyer. The parents were born and mar- ried in Germany and came to Wabasha County, Minnesota, many years ago. They had three children born in Germany, John, Henry and Claus, and four born in this country, Louis, Charles, Sophia and William. Louis is now in Montana, and Sophia and William on the home farm in Gillford Township. Charles Meyer acquired his education in the common school. He was reared on his parents' farm, which he managed for some years up to 1916, after which he started in on his own account, renting the John Busch farm in Gillford Township. On May 27, 1918, he was drafted into the United States' service, was sent to Camp Lewis, Wash., where he trained for four weeks, and was assigned to Company C, 160th Infantry. Then followed four weeks at Camp Kearney, Calif. He left for overseas July 20, and after arriving on the other side was transferred to Co. B, No. 308, 77th Infantry Division. Within two weeks he was on the front in the Argonne, where he served until two days before the signing of the armistice. After spending four weeks in a hospital, he was assigned to service with a casualty company. He left for America March 27, 1919, and on his arrival in this country was sent to Camp Mills, and . from there to Camp Grant, Illinois, where he was mustered out April 27, and returned home. At liberty to resume agricultural operations, Mr. Meyer bought 173 acres in sections 6 and 7, Gillford Township, the place having an old set of buildings. In 1920 he built a new barn, 38 by 90 feet, with a tile basement of 8 feet and modern equipment, accommodating 50 head of cattle and 10 horses. He is successfully breeding pure blooded Percheron horses, Shorthorn cattle, Poland-China hogs and grade Shropshire sheep, and is a stockholder in the local creamery. The soil on his farm is productive, and with adequate buildings and a good operating equipment, he is making financial progress. Mr. Meyer was married September 24, 1919, to Anna, daughter of Peter and Catherine Luhmann of Gillford Township. He and his wife are members of the Lincoln congregation of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran church. Politically Mr. Meyer is a Republican.

Wendelin Krismer, a well known and highly respected citizen of Gillford Township, was born in the Austrian Tyrol, November 25, 1857, son of Anton and Johanna Krismer. The father was a carpenter by trade, and in 1867, when the subject of this sketch was ten years old, he, with his family, emigrated to America, settling on a farm in La Crosse County, Wisconsin, where they re- mained 14 years. They then sold the place and moved into La Crosse, where Anton Krismer followed his trade. Wendelin Krismer obtained most of the schooling he ever got in his native land. He followed the fortunes and shared

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the experiences of his family until they moved to the city of La Crosse, and then came to Wabasha County, Minnesota, locating in the vicinity of Theilman. Having learned the carpenter's trade under his father, for two years he worked at it in this county, alternating it with work as a farm hand. In 1884 he went to Minneapolis, where he worked at his trade. While there he was married, September 11, 1883, to Veronica, daughter of Peter and Hilda Noll of Highland Township, Wabasha County, where she was born December 17, 1859. Mr. Krismer and his wife remained in Minneapolis until 1900, when they came to Wabasha County and took up their residence near Theilman, Mr. Krismer working at his trade until the fall, when they moved to the farm which they have since made their home, which he had purchased in the spring of that year. This farm at the time contained 160 acres, and is located in sections 25 and 26, Gillford Township. Mr. Krismer also owns 80 acres adjoining, and has 160 acres of his land under tillage, the rest being in pasture. There is a good set of buildings, including a frame house, a barn 36 by 80 by 14 feet, with a full stone basement for stock, and equipped with steel stanchions and man- gers. The farm is well stocked with high grade Shorthorn cattle, as well as with a good grade of hogs and sheep, and general farming and dairying are carried on, Mr. Krismer milking from 18 to 20 cows, for which he has installed a modern double-unit milking machine. Mr. Krismer still works at his trade to a considerable extent, leaving the management of the farm to his three sons, Louis, William and Christian. He is clerk of the school board of his district, and is independent in politics. Mr. and Mrs. Krismer have had eight children : Henry J., born December 31, 1885; John P., August 21, 1886; Wendelin, Jr., September 21, 1887; Joseph A., April 15, 1890; Louis J .; William F., October 4, 1897; Christian P., September 6, 1899, and Mary P., October 3, 1901. Henry J., who is a carpenter in Lake City, married Cora Locher and they have five

children : Marcella, Helen, Agnes, Jacob, and John. John P. the second child, died in infancy. Wendelin, Jr., is now a farmer in Gillford Township. He married Margaret Mason and has four children, Veronica, Cornelia, Florence and Robert. Joseph A. married Johanna Laqua and has three children, Ade- line, Lauretta and Anastatia. The family live on a farm in Gillford Township. William F., Christian P. and Mary P. are as yet unmarried and are residing on the home farm. Louis J. served in the World War, being inducted into the U. S. military service May 28, 1918. He was sent first to Camp Lewis, Wash., thence to Camp Kearney, Calif., and after six weeks at the latter camp, to Camp Mills, L. I., where he received his overseas equipment. On August 7, 1918, he sailed for France, landed in England after 15 days and was sent to Le Havre, France, becoming a member of the "Sunshine Division," 145th Machine Gun Battery. After a little while he was transferred to the 116th Engineer Corps and served at Angers, France, until the armistice was signed. Then being transferred to the 20th Engineers, Forestry Corps, he served with that organ- ization until May 3, 1919. On the seventeenth of May he sailed from Bordeaux for Hoboken, N. J., after landing went to Camp Merritt, N. J., and thence to Camp Dodge, Iowa, where he was mustered out June 9, 1919, reaching home on June 11. The Krismer family are members of the Catholic church, belonging to St. Patrick's parish in West Albany Township. Peter and Hilda Noll, the parents of Mrs. Krismer, were both natives of Germany, the father born in 1824 and the mother in 1830. They came to Wabasha County, Minnesota, at a very early day, and were very poor at the time, but Mr. Noll finally, through hard work and perseverance, became the wealthiest farmer in Highland Township. Mrs. Hilda Noll died in 1871, being survived by her husband for 30 years, as his death occurred in 1901. Of their children there are living: Theresa, now Mrs. John Gessmer of Plainview; Mary, wife of Joseph Eiler of Bird Island, Minn .; Margaret, wife of Frank Deming of Plainview; Joseph of Big Stone, S. D., and Veronica. Those deceased are Henry, Peter, Anna, Adeline and Regina.

. 5.

MR. AND MRS. FRED BUSSE, JR.

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Fred Busse, Jr., engaged in agriculture in Mazeppa Township, was born in Olmsted County, Minnesota, April 1, 1880, son of Fred and Johanna (Heimke) Busse. The father came to the United States from Germany in 1872, after service in the Franco-German war, and after a year's residence in Wisconsin, settled in Olmsted County, Minnesota, whence he came with his family to Mazeppa Township, Wabasha County, in 1880. Since then he has been one of the township's most prominent farmers. Fred Busse, Jr., was a babe when he was brought by his parents to this township. His education was acquired in the district school, and he subsequently worked for his father until 1904. He then began farming for himself, buying 20 acres in section 19, Ma- zeppa Township, and on his land erected a set of buildings. He later bought 15 acres more, thus bringing his farm up to an area of 35 acres, on which he is raising pure-bred Duroc-Jersey hogs, high grade Durham cattle, full-blood Rose Comb and Brown Leghorn chickens, and Bourbon Red Turkeys. Mr. Busse is also manager of the Mazeppa Live Stock Shipping Association, to which position he was elected in 1917, and is also secretary of the Mazeppa Creamery. For the last 14 years he has held the office of town clerk, and for 16 years has been a member of the school board of District No. 76. He is fraternally affili- ated with the Masonic Order. On August 22, 1905, Mr. Busse was united in marriage with Edna Mack, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dan Mack of Mazeppa, where Mrs. Mack now resides, the husband and father being deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Mack were the parents of three children, Fred, Edna and Lottie. To Mr. and Mrs. Busse five children have been born: Leona J., October 25, 1906; Ruth H., July 6, 1908; Manley M., April 8, 1911; Freda E., September 18, 1912, and Lottie L., January 30, 1915.

Dick Klindworth, one of the self-made farmers of Gillford Township, who started poor and is now well off, was born in Hanover, Germany, October 3, 1869, son of Herman and Anna Klindworth. The parents never came to Amer- ica, the mother dying when the subject of this sketch was a child. He attended common school in Germany and at the age of 16 came to Minnesota, locating in Goodhue County, where he had a sister already living. There he attended school for six months, and for four years worked as a farm hand. He also learned the carpenter's trade with John Oelkers and worked at it until 1898. In that year, which was the year of his marriage, he bought a farm of 80 acres in section 4, Gillford Township, Wabasha County. The place was but slightly improved, there being only a small shack for a residence and no barns. Through his own exertions he now owns 168 acres, all under the plow, and he has a good set of buildings, including two good barns, a tool shed, granary, corn cribs, garage and silo, the garage having been erected to shelter his Ford car. His farm is now in good shape and he has a complete equipment, including all nec- essary machinery. As a general farmer he is making good progress, being successful in crop raising and in the breeding of grade Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China swine. His farm is situated nine miles southwest of Lake City, which is his usual market. In politics he is independent. Mr. Klindworth was married September 4, 1898, to. Katherine Marion, daughter of Diedrich and Margaret Dankers. She was born in Germany April 29, 1876, and came to the United States with her parents at the age of three years, the family settling in Mt. Pleasant Township. Mr. and Mrs. Klindworth have had five children, all residing at home, namely: Alfred Henry, born June 8, 1902; Edna Margaret, born February 19, 1905; Esther Johanna, born January 12, 1907, who died March 30, the same year; Frederick Herman, born May 5, 1910, and Wilbert Otto, born June 1, 1916. The family are members of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran church (known as the Lincoln Congregation), of which Mr. Klind- worth has been a trustee and the treasurer for the last seven years.

Henry L. Hoops, a prosperous citizen of Gillford Township, engaged in agriculture, was born in Belvidere Township, Goodhue County, Minn., Novem- ber 20, 1873, son of Hans and Mary (Clare) Hoops. The father, Hans Hoops,

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was also a native of Hanover, Germany, born April 20, 1847. He came to the United States at the age of twenty, locating first in Osakee County, Wis., where he remained two years. He then came to Goodhue County, Minnesota, where on March 13, 1872, he was married to Mary Clare, who was born in Hanover, Germany, April 14, 1853. In Goodhue County Hans Hoops engaged in farming, which he carried on there for 23 years. He then moved to Gillford Township, Wabasha County, where he took a farm on which he lived until 1908, when he retired and moved to Lake City. He and his wife had three children: Henry L., subject of this sketch; Martha, now Mrs. Charles McCroden of Lake City; and one who died in infancy. Henry L. Hoops acquired his education in the district school in Goodhue County, and remained with his parents until 1897. On September 15, that year, he married Julia Burfiend, who was born in Belvi- dere Township, Goodhue County, July 3, 1877, daughter of Henry and Lena Burfiend. At the same time he bought 80 acres of his father's farm in section 3, Gillford Township, and started in for himself. His father had erected a good set of buildings, which he still uses, and include the following: a barn 40 by 68 feet, with a stone basement 81/2 feet; a tool shed 16 by 40; granary 28 by 40 by 12; poultry house 16 by 24; tile silo 14 by 41, and a steel windmill. Mr. Hoops has enlarged the area of his farm and now operates 160 acres at his original location, where he resides, and 100 acres more on the Schafer farm, or 260 acres in all. With a good equipment he follows general farming, breeding grade Shorthorn cattle, having a pure blooded sire, and Poland-China swine. He is enjoying a prosperous career and is a stockholder in the Oak Center Creamery, the Farmers' Elevator at Lake City and the Terminal Packing Plant at Newport, and is a member of the Lake City and Zumbro Falls Shipping Association. Politically he is a Republican. He and his wife were parents of seven children, who were born as follows:

Amanda M., June 22, 1898; Fritz H., December 10, 1899; Albert H., December 19, 1901; Henry, September 11, 1903; Ena I., May 23, 1906; Emory W., September 18, 1908; and Chester M., December 4, 1911. The mother, Mrs. Julia Hoops, died February 11, 1913. On May 14, 1920, the daughter, Amanda M., was married to William Tiedemann of Gillford Township. Mr. Hoops and his children are members of the Evangel- ical Lutheran Trinity church, known as the Lincoln congregation ..

George La Mont, engaged in farming in section 4, Gillford Township, was born in Hyde Park Township, Wabasha County, February 14, 1877, son of Scott and Emeline (Heath) La Mont. The father was born in New York State March 28, 1848, and came to Wabasha County, Minnesota, in 1857, becoming a farmer in Hyde Park Township. About 1881 he began buying grain, having a ware- house at Jarretts, but later operating at Millville to about 1900, when he re- tired and took up his residence at Park Rapids, Hubbard County, Minn., where he died July 20, 1914. He was married December 24, 1870, to Emeline Heath, who was born in Pennsylvania, May 12, 1848, and who came to Wabasha County, Minnesota, with her parents in 1859, the family making the journey in the old style of wagon used by early emigrants, having a high canvas top as protection from the weather, and known as a "prairie schooner." Mrs. Scott La Mont died at Park Rapids, Minn., four years before her husband, on February 13, 1910. They were both active in church work, and Mr. La Mont was politically a Re- publican. Their children were: Gertrude A., who married J. D. Haradon of Park Rapids, and is now deceased; Arvilla Grace, also deceased, who married Herbert Elson, an English missionary, and went with him to Morocco, Africa; George, of Gillford Township; Laura Ella, deceased; and William Scott, a cashier in the employ of the M. & I. Railway, stationed at Bemidji, Minn. George La Mont entered upon the path of knowledge in a district school in Hyde Park Township, subsequently attended school in Wabasha two years, and later took a two years' course-from 1894 to 1896-in the agricultural college at St. Paul. From an early age until he was fourteen he resided with his grandfather, and for the next six years worked as a farm hand. Beginning

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independent farming in 1903, he was thus occupied for five years in Hyde Park Township. In 1908 he bought his present farm in Gillford Township, section 4, all of it being improved land and one of the best farms in this section. Mr. La Mont has added to the buildings, having erected a barn 30 by 56 by 16 feet, in which he has modern equipment, including the Perfection milking machine, a tool shed, silo and other structures. He has also installed on his farm an individual Lally farm lighting plant, which furnishes light for his residence, barn, outbuildings and yard. He carries on diversified farming, his stock con- sisting chiefly of grade Holstein cattle and Chester White hogs, and his equip- ment in tools and machinery is ample and up to date. In his herd of pure bred Holsteins are from 14 to 20 milch cows. Mr. La Mont is president of the Gill- ford Farmers' Insurance Company, a member of the Lake City and Zumbro Falls Shipping Association, secretary of the Oak Center Creamery, and a mem- ber of the Farmers' Elevator at Lake City, the Terminal Packing Plant at New- port, the Farmers' Co-operative Milling Co. of Lake City and the Wabasha County Leader. Politically a Republican, he has served four years as town assessor. Mr. La Mont was married March 16, 1897, to Alice E. Walters, who was born in Gillford Township, October 16, 1876, daughter of Edwin R. and Mary J. Walters. Three children have come to enlarge his home circle: Ada Laura, born April 4, 1899; Edwin S., born July 5, 1901; and Ina M., May 31, 1910. Ada Laura is now the wife of George Pinson, a farmer of Saskatchewan, Canada. Mr. and Mrs. La Mont have a good social standing in Gillford Town- ship, and attend and help to support the Methodist Episcopal church of Oak Center.

John O'Brien, in former years well known in Lake City as a successful farmer and stock raiser in this vicinity, was born in St. Lawrence County, New York, November 3, 1837, son of John and Jane O'Brien. The parents were na- tives of Ireland, and although of the same family name, were not related to each other save by their marriage, which took place in St. Lawrence County, N. Y. There they settled down on a farm, on which they resided many years, John O'Brien, Sr., dying in 1880. He was survived by his wife, who finally followed him to the other world. They were the parents of nine children, of whom five are now living. John O'Brien, Jr., the subject of this sketch, re- ceived a good common school education, as well as a thorough training in the principles of economy and thrift during his early youth on the farm. In the spring of 1857 he came to Lake City, Minnesota, where he followed his trade- that of mason-for three years. At the end of that time he bought a farm of 160 acres of government land in Lake Township and engaged in agriculture. In the same year he married Miss Hannah Mahony. After ten years' residence on that farm, Mr. O'Brien purchased a smaller one in Lake City and removed to town, where his wife died in February, 1871. His second marriage was in February, 1874, to Mrs. Sarah Failing, formerly Miss Sarah Munger, a native of Syracuse, New York. Mr. O'Brien's end came suddenly, on Monday, July 11, 1898. On the previous Friday he had been seen on the street, and that morning he had been feeling so well that he concluded to go out to the farm, as was his usual custom. He accordingly did so, but got overheated, and did not feel so well on Saturday. On Sunday he remained home from church, which was a very unusual thing for him to do; but on Monday morning he felt so much better that he began making preparations to go out to the farm, but while in the barn began to feel ill again and went to the house. For a few minutes he recovered, and then the symptoms recurred. A doctor was sent for, and after telling the doctor how he felt, while the doctor was preparing some medicine, Mr. OBrien threw up his hands with a gasp and passed away. He was recog- nized as one of the leading farmers of Wabasha County, was strictly honest, always doing as he would be done by, and never allowed an opportunity to pass to do a kind act to a fellow being. His death was a great shock to his family and friends. He was a devoted Catholic and died happy in that faith, and a

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History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 116

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