History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 124

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

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William D. Pencille, for a number of years one of the leading farmers of Zumbro Township, was born in this township, January 21, 1860, son of Orrin

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

and Mary A. (Denison) Pencille. He was educated in the district school and worked for his father until 1890, when he started in for himself, having in the previous year bought 140 acres in section 30, Zumbro Township. Enterprising and industrious, he bent all his energies to the work of improving his position in life, and to that end from time to time bought more land, about 1895 purchas- ing 120 acres in section 25, and later 80 acres in section 36, thereby increasing the area of his possessions to 400 acres, all in Zumbro Township. In addition to general farming and stock raising, he worked at the blacksmith's trade, and conducted a threshing outfit and clover-huller until he had the misfortune to lose his right arm, which was caught in a corn-shredder. He erected all the buildings on his farm, except the house, the barn being a particularly fine structure, and all the buildings, indeed, being substantial and up to date in style and arrangement. In 1917 he rented the farm to his sons William and Seward, and is now retired. Aside from the financial interest connected with his farm, Mr. Pencille is a stockholder in several important business enter- prises, of each of which he is an official, being president of the Live Stock Ship- ping Association of Hammond, vice president and a director of the Farmers State Bank of Hammond, vice president of the Hammond Creamery Association and treasurer of the Hammond Telephone Company. Mr. Pencille was married May 10, 1890, to Josephine G. Perkins, daughter of W. R. and Gertrude K. Per- kins. Her parents, natives of New York State, came to Minnesota and settled in Zumbro Township, Wabasha County, in 1862, after Mr. Perkins had served about a year in the Civil War as a member of a New York volunteer regiment, in which he enlisted in 1861. He bought 160 acres of school land in Zumbro Township, where he resided until his death, December 1, 1896. He was for many years a member of the school board and an honorary member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church of South Troy. His wife, who survived him, died April 29, 1920. They were the parents of nine children: Walter, Joel, Ar- menia, Frances, Josephine, Irene, Fred, Frank and Annie. The four last men- tioned are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Pencille have been the parents of seven children: Mina E., born March 27, 1891, now Mrs. Henry Herman; Wil- liam R., born August 24, 1892; Orrin, born March 8, 1894, who died September 1 the same year; Seward K., born September 29, 1895; Ethel M., born June 15, 1898; Annie L., born March 24, 1900, and Donald E., born June 1, 1906. The family is one of high standing in Zumbro Township.

Chester J. Winters, a prominent young farmer of Chester Township, owning 240 acres in sections 1 and 12, who has various financial interests in addition to agriculture, was born in this township, August 22, 1887, son of Frederick and Fredericka (Issensee) Winters. The father was a native of Germany who came to America when eleven years old, the family settling in Pittsburgh, where he later worked for several years in a glass factory. In 1863 he came to Min- nesota, locating in Chester Township, Wabasha County. Here he devoted him- self to farming, and from time to time bought land until he owned 400 acres in sections 1, 11 and 12, as well as 40 acres in Mazeppa Township. He was actively engaged in agricultural work until 1914, and died May 14, 1918. His wife died in June, 1907. They had six children, Henry C., Fred W., Lawrence . M., Christina H., Chester J. and Caroline Edith, the last mentioned of whom died at the age of 18 years. Chester J. Winters was educated in the district school and subsequently attended the agricultural school at St. Paul. For sev- eral years he worked for his father and in 1909 rented the home farm, where he has successfully followed general farming and stock raising, including the breeding of sheep. He is the president and a stockholder of the Oak Center Creamery ; a director in the Gillford Mutual Fire Insurance Company; a stock- holder in the Minnesota Daily Star, published by the Northwest Publishing Company of St. Paul; stockholder in the Farmers' Terminal Packing Plant of Newport, Minn .; also in the Farmers' Terminal Tannery of the same place; the Farmers' Co-operative Store at Belle Chester, and the Wabasha County Leader,

CHESTER J. WINTERS AND FAMILY

HERMAN NIBBE AND FAMILY.

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

and is a member of the Zumbro Falls Shipping Association. Mr. Winters has also given some time to public affairs in his locality. For six years he served as supervisor on the town board, being chairman part of the time, and in the spring of 1920 was elected town clerk. He is also clerk of school district No. 65. Politically he is independent, voting for the man rather than with any par- ticular party. On October 24, 1912, Mr. Winters was united in marriage with Mame Caspari, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Caspari of Gillford Township, Wabasha County. Two children have been born to them: Helen A., on May 1, 1915, and Barbara E., July 1, 1919. Mr. and Mrs. Winters are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Lake City.

Henry W. Rietman, one of the younger farmers of Chester Township, who is making good progress, was born in this township December 18, 1889, son of Gerhardt and Mary (Fricke) Rietman. The parents came to Wabasha County, Minn., from Germany in 1880, settling in Chester Township, where they were engaged in farming for nearly 30 years. Mrs. Mary Rietman died in 1898, and her husband now resides with his son, Henry. They had seven children, Fred, Christ (deceased), William, August, Henry W., Louis and Anna. The family is affiliated religiously with the Methodist Episcopal and Lutheran churches. Henry W. Rietman acquired his education in the district school. He subse- quently worked several years as a general farm laborer. Then he entered the United States navy, in which he served about four years. In 1916 he rented a farm near Zumbro Falls, which he operated for three years, or until 1919, in which year he removed to his present farm of 80 acres in section 31, Chester Township. Here he is profitably engaged in general farming and stock raising, his niece, Viola Kalbe, keeping house for him and his father, who resides with him. Young and enterprising, he is apparently on the threshold of a promising future.

John Nibbe, now deceased, was born in Hanover, Germany, November 3, 1841. In 1862, as a young man of 21, he came to America. He was married in New York City to Barbara Katz, who was born in Baden, Germany, in 1843. In 1875 Mr. and Mrs. Nibbe came west to Goodhue County, Minn., and settled on a farm. Mr. Nibbe followed farming and railroading for many years. He died December 31, 1913, his wife Barbara having died nearly 25 years previously, on December 23, 1888. They were the parents of seven children: Mattie, de- ceased, who was the wife of Henry Barghusen of Red Wing, Minn .; Anna, now Mrs. Richard Wilkins of Red Wing; Jacob J., of Red Wing; Herman G., a pros- perous farmer of Gillford Township, Wabasha County; Gust, who is farming in Mt. Pleasant Township, Wabasha County; John, of Bowman, N. D .; and Dena, now Mrs. Jacob Fiendt.

Herman G. Nibbe, a prominent representative of the agricultural interests of Gillford Township, the owner and operator of a good farm, and who is also a stockholder in various other business enterprises, was born in Belvidere Town- ship, Goodhue County, April 24, 1879, son of John and Barbara (Katz) Nibbe. He was early trained to agricultural pursuits and acquired his education in the district school. Reared by Joseph Holst of Belvidere, he remained with him eight years, and for five or six years was an ordinary farm hand. Finally he started in for himself, renting the Kin Rogers farm in Mt. Pleasant Township, where he remained ten years. In 1911 he bought his present farm of 160 acres in sections 3 and 4, Gillford Township, an improved farm, but with an old set of buildings. This deficiency he has remedied by the erection of a new set of modern type, including a two-story, ten-room house, electrically lighted; a barn for stock and hay, 30 by 50 by 18 feet, with an "L" for horses 28 by 32 by 18 feet; a stave silo 12 by 36, and other good buildings. Mr. Nibbe carries on diversified farming with an energy and experience which has been rewarded by a large measure of success. His farm is well stocked with pure blooded Red Poll cattle, of which he has 30 head; pure blooded Duroc-Jersey hogs, and grade Shropshire sheep. Mr. Nibbe is a member of the Lake City and Zumbro

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

Falls shipping associations, and is a stockholder in the Oak Center Creamery, of which he was formerly vice president; the Terminal Packing Co. of New- port, the Farmers' Elevator at Lake City, the Co-operative Milling Co. of Lake City, and the Wabasha County Leader. He was married in 1900 to Freda Catherine Meincke, who was born May 29, 1876, daughter of Henry and Anna. E. (Tomfordt) Meincke of Mt. Pleasant Township. He and his wife are the parents of four children: Alfred Henry, born in 1901, who attended agricul- tural college and is now on the home farm; Norman George, born in 1903, who is a student in the Lake City High School; Anetta Henrietta, born in 1906, also a student in the Lake City high school; and George Wilmer, born in 1911. Mr. Nibbe and his family are affiliated religiously with the Trinity congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran church, the local organization being known as the "Lincoln Church."

Henry A. Oelkers, engaged in agriculture in Chester Township, was born in. this township March 26, 1887, son of John and Allie (Limemann) Oelkers. The parents came to this country from Germany in the early seventies, set- tling in Chester Township, Wabasha County, Minn., where they bought 80 acres in section 29, and later 80 acres more in the same section. The father erected all the buildings, put up fences and cleared some of the land and con- tinued as a general farmer and stock raiser there until his death in June, 1908. His wife is now living in Goodhue village. Religiously they are affiliated with the German Lutheran church. They have had four children: Henry, William; Emma and Leona. Henry A. Oelkers acquired his education in the district school. After becoming industriously active he worked for his father until 1908, after which for several years he conducted the home farm for his mother." In 1919 he bought it, but sold it the same year and bought his present farm of 40 acres in section 28, Chester Township, which he is cultivating successfully. For four years he has served as a member of the school board of District No. 100. Mr. Oelkers was married June 17, 1912, to Isabelle Chesnack, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Chesnack of Mezappa village. Both her parents are now de- ceased, the father having passed away in 1910, and the mother in 1918. They had seven children, Isabella, Maude, Anna, Clara, John, Peter and Sylvester, of whom Clara is now deceased .. Mr. and Mrs. Oelkers are the parents of one child, Lloyd H., who was born February 22, 1920.

Hein Oelkers, an early settler in Chester Township, who is still living here, was born in Hanover, Germany, April 9, 1851. He grew to manhood and was educated in his native land, where he remained until he was 27 years old. Then in 1878 he came to the United States and to Wabasha County, Minn., locating in Chester Township, he and his brother buying 160 acres in section 9. There they farmed together until 1894, in which year the subject of this sketch sold his 80 acres and bought 160 acres in section 15. On his new place he erected a set of buildings and made general improvements, carrying on farming and stock raising there for over 20 years. In 1915 he rented the farm to a tenant, and bought the farm on which he now lives, containing 80 acres, and situated in section 16. On this he built another set of buildings, but is no longer engaged in active work, being now retired. Mr. Oelkers was married October 14, 1894, to Bertha Limermann, a native of Germany, who is still living with him on their farm. They have had seven children, Lydia, Anna, Arthur, Lorene, Alfred, Arnold and Hartland. The three daughters are married, Lydia being the wife of Peter Tomfort, and Anna the wife of Emil Girgin, and Lorene the wife of William Vumbargen. As an early settler in Chester Township, and a resident here for more than 40 years, Mr. Oelkers is widely known and him- self knows all the old residents for miles around. He and his wife and family are highly respected by the people of the township. They are consistent mem- bers of the Lutheran church. .

David L. Jones, engaged in agricultural development on a farm of 193 acres in Chester Township, was born in this township May 5, 1863, son of

MR. AND MRS. GUST MUESKE.

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

David and Mary (Lewis) Jones. The parents, natives of Wales, came to the United States in the early sixties, Later they settled in Chester Township, this. county and state, where they farmed until the death of David Jones in 1898. On his homestead, which consisted of 160 acres in section 22, he had erected a. set of buildings. His wife, now 87 years old, resides with her son, William. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as was also Mr. Jones. Their children were: Thomas, John, David, William, Hannah, Mary, Rosella and James, the last mentioned of whom is now deceased. David L. Jones ac- quired his education in the district school, and worked on the home farm until 1894. He then began farming on his own account, buying his present farm of 193 acres in sections 22 and 23, Chester Township, on which he built the residence and outbuildings. Here he has had a successful career, doing di- versified farming and raising a high grade of stock. He was married Decem- ber 10, 1892, to Gladys. Davis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Davis, her parents being pioneers of Chester Township. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have been the parents of five children: Ray, born August 29, 1893, who died September 24 the same year; Neil R., born November 23, 1894, who served in the World War and is now a teacher in Montana; Murray F., born July 25, 1897, who is living on the home farm; Florence J., born March 24, 1899, now living in Boze- man, Mont., where she is employed as assistant treasurer of the Montana State College; and Margie M., born April 23, 1907, who is residing at home. Neil R. was drafted for military service February 22, 1918, and was a member of Com- pany D, 313th Ammunition Train. Until July, 1918, he was at Camp Dodge, and subsequently in an officers' training school. He was made Sergeant Sep- tember 18, 1918, and was discharged January 28, 1919. Robert-Davis, father of Mrs. David L. Jones, was born in New Brunswick, and went from there to the state of Illinois, where he farmed for a short time. Then, about 1856, he came to Wabasha County, Minn., where he was married in 1858. His wife was born in Vermont and came to Wabasha County, Minn., in 1857. They settled in Chester Township, their farm consisting of 127 acres in sections 27 and 34. The buildings on it were erected by Mr. Davis, whose death occurred July 24, 1901. His wife, who survived him, resided in Mazeppa until her death, October 3, 1920. Their children were Sadie, Fred, Mary, Gladys, Frank and Georgia, of whom Fred is now deceased.

Gust Mueske, for several years a representative farmer of Mazeppa Town- ship, owning and operating a good farm of 200 acres in sections 28. and 33, was born in Germany, December 24, 1863, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gustaf Mueske. He he was educated in his native land and came to the United States in 1883. Dur- ing his first five years in this country he worked at farm labor, practicing economy with the view of some day making an independent start on a farm of his own. In 1888 he rented a farm in Olmsted County which he operated three years with sufficient success to enable him in 1892 to buy 40 acres in section 28, and he now began farming on his own land. Subsequent purchases increased the size of his farm to 200 acres, situated in sections 28 and 33, Ma- zeppa Township. He greatly improved the property by the erection of a set of buildings, and successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising. His place being well managed, yielded satisfactory financial results. In the fall of 1920 he retired from farming and bought a pleasant home in Lake City at 420 No. Main street, where he now resides. Mr. Mueske was married Decem- ber 7, 1888, to Sophia Hohman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hohman, who were farming people of South Troy, Zumbro Township, where they both died, Mr. Hohman in May, 1911, and Mrs. Hohman in May, 1899. Mrs. Mueske was one of a family of three children, Sophia, Louisa and Minnie. To Mr. and Mrs. Mueske 13 children have been born, as follows: Herman H., October 4, 1890 (married Tillie Farber) ; Anna, December 14, 1891; Elma, October 28, 1893; Clara, July 22, 1895; Olga, November 16, 1896; Ida, July 23, 1897; Emma, April 27, 1899; William M., July 19, 1901; Edward M., October 10, 1903; Laura, No-

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY.

vember 7, 1906; Leona, April 23, 1909; Max, December 12, 1913; and Benjamin, March 13, 1915. Of these children, two are now deceased: Anna, who died April 17, 1911, in her twentieth year; and Clara, who died January 29 in the same year, 1911, in her seventeenth year. Three of the surviving daughters are married, Elma being the wife of John Rich of Oronoco, Olmsted County, Ida the wife of William Hoeft, on the home farm, and Emma the wife of Lewis Farber, of Mazeppa Township.

Paul Krinke, a well known and respected citizen of Chester Township, now living retired after an active and successful career in agricultural pursuits, was born in Wisconsin October 23, 1856, son of Paul, Sr., and Christina (Rockow) Krinke. The parents came to Wisconsin from Germany in 1850 and resided there twelve years as farmers. In 1862 they removed to Minnesota, settling near Blue Earth, where Mrs. Christina Krinke died in 1878. After that event the father went with his son, Paul, Jr., to North Dakota, where he himself died in 1893. He was a member of the German Lutheran church. He and his wife had eight children: Michael, August, Paul, Herman, Albertina, Augusta, Pauline and Mary, of whom six are now living, those deceased being Michael and Herman. Paul Krinke, Jr., acquired a district school education and sub- sequently worked for his father until 1883. He then went to North Dakota, where he pre-empted 160 acres of land. He later bought 160 acres more, bringing up the size of his farm to 320 acres, which he operated for nine years and then sold. In 1892 he came to Chester Township, Wabasha County, Minn., and bought 240 acres in section 32. Here he erected a good set of farm build- ings, and was engaged in general farming and stock raising until 1910. In that year he rented the farm and moved to Lake City, where he resided for five years. At the end of that time he returned to the farm, on which he worked until 1919, when he retired, turning its management over to his son, Albert. Asso- ciated with Andrew Leffring, he bought the Baker farm, containing 360 acres, to which he removed in the fall of 1920. Mr. Krinke was married May 25, 1881, to Pauline Missall, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ludwig Missall of Blue Earth, Minn. Both her parents are now deceased, the father having died in 1900 and the mother in 1910. Mr. and Mrs. Krinke have been the parents of eight chil- dren: George, Edwin, Albert, Alfred, Alice, Frank, Lewis and an infant who died unnamed. Frank and Lewis are also deceased. George is now living at Nashwauk, Minn. Edwin is farming in Pierce County, Wis. Albert is farming in Chester Township. Alfred married Clara Baker, daughter of Thomas and Cora Baker of Chester Township, and is now engaged in farming.

Albert Krinke, who is operating a farm of 240 acres in section 32, Chester Township, was born in this township March 27. 1897, son of Paul and Pauline (Missall) Krinke. The father, a native of Wisconsin, of German ancestry, came to Wabasha County, Minn., with his parents in 1862 when a child of about six years, the family settling near Blue Earth, in Faribault County. In 1878, on the death of Paul's mother, Paul went with his father to North Dakoa, where they resided until the latter's death in 1878. There Paul Krinke pre-empted 160 acres of land, later buying 160 acres more, and was engaged in farming for nine years, at the end of which time he sold his property. In 1892 he came to Chester Township, Wabasha County, and bought a farm of 240 acres in section 32, which he improved and cultivated until 1910. He then moved to Lake City, where he resided for five years, after which he returned to the farm, but finally retired from active work in 1919. He and his wife have had eight chil- dren: George, Edwin, Albert, Alfred, Alice, Frank and Lewis, of whom the two last mentioned and an infant unnamed, are now deceased. Albert Krinke was educated in the Mazeppa village school and in the Lake City High School. being graduated from the latter institution in 1918. Since his father gave up the active management of the farm Albert has been engaged in its operation, and is carrying on general farming and stock raising. He is breeding Holstein cattle, having full blooded sires for his herd, and is making good progress in

DAVID L. PHILLEY

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

all branches of his business. He was married June 3, 1920, to Daisy Johnson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Johnson of Chester Township.

Stephan J. Reding, for a number of years a substantial farmer and esteemed citizen of Chester Township, whose life came to a sudden and tragic end on October 26, 1918, was born in Sheldon Township, Wyoming County, N. Y., December 31, 1868, son of Stephan and Josephine (Peiry) Reding. In 1870, when two years old, he accompanied his parents to Goodhue County, Minn., where he was reared to manhood, the family home being in the vicinity of Crystal Spring, Belvidere Township. For a number of years he worked for his father, and subsequently rented 160 acres of his father in Goodhue County. He later bought a farm of 160 acres in section 16, and 80 in section 17, Chester Township, Wabasha County, which he subsequently developed and brought into excellent condition, remodeling the house and erecting a good barn, and where he carried on general farming and stock raising with profitable results until his death, which was the result of an automobile accident. On the afternoon of Saturday, October 26, 1918, Mr. Reding and his son Nicholas had motored to Wabasha to transact business with the local draft board. They left the city at about 4 p. m. to return home. Not far from the railroad tracks the car sloughed or was leaving the road. Probably in endeavoring to bring it back in the road too sudden a turn was made-at any rate the car made a complete turn forward, landing again on the wheels and throwing out Mr. Reding and his scn. The latter regained consciousness in a short time, and on looking for his father found him lying in the road a short distance away, devoid of life. His skull was fractured, some of his ribs broken and he had sustained other serious injuries. Nicholas suffered no injuries except some cuts on his fore- head. Aid was summoned and the Knights of Columbus of Mazeppa took charge of the remains and brought them to his former home on Sunday. The funeral was one of the largest ever held at Belvidere. About 75 Knights of Columbus from neighboring towns were among those present. Mr. Reding was a man held in high esteem for his probity, genial manners, and all the qualities of a good neighbor and a good citizen. His death left a void that was hard to fill and was mourned by the entire communty. Stephan J. Reding was married August 29, 1893, to Susan Arendt, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Arendt of Chester Township, whose farm in section 8 now comprises 795 acres of land. In 1901 her parents moved to Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn., where Mrs. Arendt died in 1909. Mr. Arendt now resides at Maple Lake, Wright County. They had a family of 15 children : Nicholas, Susan, Josephine (first), Josephine (second), Mary, Peter, August, Katherine, Margaret, Frank, Rose, Lena, John, Joseph and Stephan. The first Josephine died in infancy, and the second of the name, who became Sister Theclita, of Notre Dame Convent, Milwaukee, died May 22, 1906. August, John and Stephan are also deceased. Margaret is now Sister Agneta of Notre Dame Convent, Milwaukee. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Stephan J. Reding, ten in number, were born as follows: John, August 4, 1894; Mary B., January 25, 1896; Philip D., July 18, 1897; Nicholas L., October 18, 1898; Leo P., February 4, 1900; Bert L., August 25, 1901; Flor- ence H., September 25, 1903; Katherine C., January 1, 1905; Veronica M., Jan- uary 6, 1910; and Evelyn M., December 9, 1912. John was drafted into the United States service September 5, 1918, becoming a member of the 334th Headquarters Company. He was discharged December 9, 1919. Philip D. was drafted October 24, 1918. He was discharged in 1919 and on August 10, 1920, married Gertrude Musty of Red Wing. Mary B. is now the wife of Lawrence Majerus, of Chester Township.

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History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 124

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