History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 127

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

USA > Minnesota > Wabasha County > History of Wabasha County, Minnesota > Part 127

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Albert Starz, who is successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits in Ches- ter Township, was born at Lockhart, Norman County, Minn., April 2, 1892, son of Gottlieb and Rose (Scholer) Starz. The parents were farmers who retired

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in 1914 and moved to Zumbro Falls, where they are now living. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They have had the following named children: Charles, Lydia, Caroline, Clara, Edward, Matilda, Lillie and Albert (twins), Emil and William. Matilda and Lillie are now deceased. Albert Starz acquired a common school education at Lockhart, and worked for his father until 1909. He then came to Chester Township, Wabasha County, and for several years was engaged in farm labor. Then for 17 months he drove a mail route. On September 17, 1917, he was drafted into the army from Wa- basha, and became a member of Co. H, 136th U. S. Infantry, from which or- ganization he was transferred across seas to Battery F, 119th Field Artillery. For ten months he saw service in France, and during three months and a half was at the front. He was discharged from the army May 17, 1919, and is now a member of the American Legion. After his return home Mr. Starz bought his present farm of 40 acres in section 35, Chester Township, on which he is engaged in general farming and stock raising, breeding high grade cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs. He was married May 28, 1919, to Anna M. Sprenger, daughter of Jacob J. and Louise W. (Moechnig) Sprenger, her father being a prominent farmer and leading citizen of Chester Township, where she was born April 4, 1898. Mr. and Mrs. Starz are the parents of one child : Alfred G.,

who was born February 18, 1920.

Jesse E. Lewis, proprietor of a good farm of 80 acres in section 2, Elgin Township, was born in Viola Township, Olmsted County, Minn., July 11, 1890. For the last thirty years his parents, Charles E. and Etta (Ross) Lewis, have resided in the village of Beaver, where the father operates the mill. They have had three children: Jesse, Gladys and Verda. Gladys is now the wife of Robert Richardson. Jesse E. Lewis was educated in the Beaver village school. For several years he followed the occupation of farm laborer in the vicinities of Beaver and Plainview. Finally he started in for himself, in 1910 renting a farm of 120 acres in Whitewater Valley, where he resided for several years. Then he took another farm of 120 acres in the same valley, afterwards a farm of 80 acres, and then a farm near Beaver village, all of which he rented. In 1907, having made good financial progress he bought his present farm in section 2, Elgin Township. Here he has built a beautiful modern seven-room house, to- gether with a good barn and outbuildings. On November 19, 1910, Mr. Lewis was united in marriage with Mary Cassidy, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Cassidy, formerly of Grand Rapids and Minneapolis, Minn. He and his wife are the parents of three children: Jessalyn R., born October 4, 1911; Gaylord E., born June 9, 1913; and Charles E., born September 12, 1916. Mr. Lewis and his family are members of the Catholic church, while fraternally he is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America.

Edward H. Goetz, proprietor of a good 80-acre farm in Plainview Town- ship, which he has brought into good condition, was born in this township April 15, 1888, son of August Goetz, Sr. He was educated in the rural school of his district, and remained on the home farm in section 28 until 22 years old, working for his father. He then rented the farm for four years, and at the end of that time purchased it. Since then he has made some needed improvements in the property, having remodeled the buildings. He carries on diversified farming and truck gardening, raising cabbage, onions and potatoes with profitable re- sults, and also breeds Guernsey cattle and Percheron horses. Mr. Goetz was married September 14, 1911, to Anna Holst, who was born in Plainview Town- ship, March 7, 1891, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Holst. Of this union two children have been born: Kenneth D., August 10, 1912; and Everett E., May 26, 1914. Mr. Goetz and his family are members of the Lutheran church. As an industrious farmer and good citizen he commands respect, and is mak- ing steady progress in worldly prosperity.

Robert Funke, who is extensively engaged in farming and stock raising in Highland Township, and is financially interested in several important indus-

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

tries more or less related to agriculture, was born in Glasgow Township, Wa- basha County, Minn., April 19, 1869. His parents, Christ and Wilhelmina (Reichenbach) Funke, were natives of Germany, the father coming to the United States at the age of 21, and the mother at the age of 12 with her parents. He came directly to Wabasha, Minn., where he lived for six or seven years, being engaged in rafting on the Mississippi river, during which time he made several trips by raft to St. Louis. At the end of that period he came to Glasgow Township, Wabasha County, and homesteaded 160 acres in section 21. There he farmed for about fifty years, or until he retired and moved to Wabasha, where he is now living. He still owns the farm, renting it out to a tenant. Of the twelve children born to him and his wife, eight are now living: Bertha, a widow residing in California; Gusta, wife of Gust Fitzer of Minneapolis and California; Pauline, wife of Hubert Hoffman of Highland Township; Lawrence, who is on a farm in Glasgow Township; Mary, wife of Jake Schones of Cali- fornia; Frances, wife of John Balow, a button cutter of Iowa; Lavina, wife of Harry Hanson of Wabasha, and Robert of Highland Township. Those deceased are Thomas, Louisa, Maggie and Minnie. Robert Funke was reared on his parents' farm in Glasgow Township and educated in the district school. After remaining at home until 25 years old, he began farming for himself, buying 200 acres in section 6, Highland, to which he has added until he now owns 530 acres in sections 5, 6, 7 and 8, having 250 under cultivation, with the balance in woodland and pasture. He has remodeled the frame house which stood on the farm, has built a barn 36 by 102 feet with 16-foot posts, a cement floor in the basement, and with Franklyn stanchions capable of holding 60 head of cattle and horses; also a granary and hay shed. As a general farmer, stock raiser and dairyman, he is doing a large and profitable business. When 19 years old Mr. Funke bought a threshing outfit and subsequently followed threshing for 32 years, doing work for others until recently, though now he only threshes for himself. He cleared and grubbed 50 acres of his farm. Some years before he came to his present place, there was an old flour mill on the creek, known as the Hanby Mill, which was operated by water. This mill burned down, and two years later, when Mr. Funke came to the place, he built a new mill, operated by the water power from the creek, for grinding feed and meal, which he operated for twelve years. He is a stockholder in the Theilman Bank, the Theilman Creamery, the Wabasha County "Leader," and the Farmers' Terminal Packing Co. of St. Paul. He is also president of the Theilman Elevator Co. His forceful and energetic character has placed him in the front rank of Highland Town- ship's most respected citizens, and for four years he was a member of the board of supervisors. He also served on the school board for 20 years and is now school treasurer. On October 30, 1894, Mr. Funke married Bertha Wag- ner, daughter of Gottlieb and Mary Wagner of Kellogg. She was one of a family of eleven children, of whom eight are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Funke are the parents of six children, Ervin C., Viola, Wilfred, Irene, Elmer and Emil, all residing on the home farm, which Ervin is helping to cultivate. Mr. Funke and his family are members of the Catholic church, and he belongs also to the Modern Woodmen and the Modern Brotherhood of America.

Knud Johnson, in former years a well known farmer and prosperous citi- zen of Pepin Township, was a native of Norway, and came to this country as a young and single man. At Read's Landing, Wabasha County, Minn., he was married to Laura Stenerson, who, like himself, was born in Norway, and after his marriage he began farming on the river bottoms. After a short time, how- ever, he removed to a farm on top of the ridge in Pepin Township, which farm he spent the rest of his life in developing, his improvements adding to the agri- cultural resources of the township. In 1907 he became a widower, but sur- vived his wife until October, 1915, when he, too, passed away. Mrs. Laura Johnson was his second wife, as by a previous marriage he had five children, and by her, six. Those by the first marriage were: John. Jennie and Charles,

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

residing on the home farm, the last mentioned of whom married Emma Rother of Theilman, Wabasha County; Emma, now residing in Winona, the wife of H. C. Stahman; and James, who resides in Crookston, Minn. The children of Mr. Johnson's second marriage were: Tena, wife of Will Bruner, living in Cali- fornia; Mabel, who married Fred Bade and resides in Lake City, this county ; Idella, wife of Frank Higgins, of Columbia Falls, Mont .; Will, a resident of Wabasha, who married Anne Churchill; Eva, who married Henry Gierdt, and lives in San Andres, Calif .; and Lloyd Kenneth, a well known farmer of Watopa Township.

Lloyd Kenneth Johnson, a rising young farmer of Watopa Township, where he owns an excellent farm, was born in Pepin Township, Wabasha County, Minn., March 27, 1891, son of Knud and Laura (Stenerson) Johnson. On his parents' farm he acquired an early knowledge of agriculture through practical experience, but his education was not neglected, as, after attending the common schools, he continued his studies in the high school at Wabasha until about 16 years old, and later spent two years in the agricultural college at St. Paul. At the age of 20 he rented a farm of 300 acres in Lake Township, this county, which he operated for two years in partnership with his brother Will. He then bought a small place of 80 acres at Wabasha, on which he spent two years, and at the end of that time bought his present farm of 240 acres well up the ridge in Watopa Township. This place, when he took it, presented a very different appearance from what it does today, as the buildings were poor, and it had not been well taken care of. Through his own exertions he has since made it one of the best farms in the township, having carried out extensive improvements, including the construction of good buildings of ample capacity, the putting up of a large amount of fencing, the erection of a good silo, and the installation of all necessary machinery of modern type. He is engaged in diversified farm- ing, and keeps good stock, including Guernsey cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs. His residence is also a neat and commodious building, well painted and kept in excellent condition, and he is regarded by his neighbors as a man who knows how to do things, and who, in the natural course of events, has a bright future before him. Mr. Johnson was married May 4, 1915, to Minnie Isabelle Failing, who was born in the town of Lake, January 2, 1891, daughter of Eugene and Ida (Watson) Failing. The father was a native of New York state, but came to Minnesota when young; the mother was born in Goodhue County, this state. Both are still living on the home farm. Their family numbered seven children : Herbert, residing at home; Florence, wife of Harry Beck, of Lake City; Clar- ence, of Seattle, Wash .; Minnie Isabelle, now Mrs. Lloyd K. Johnson; George, a physician, who married Ida May Willoughby, and resides at Lewiston, Minn .; Ernest and Jesse, who are living at home with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have one child, Laura Isabelle, who was born April 28, 1916. Mr. Johnson formerly belonged to the Congregational church at Wabasha. His fraternal affiliations are with the Modern Woodmen of America. Mrs. Johnson is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Lake City.

Frank J. Tentis, a native of Wabasha County, who is engaged in operating a farm of 220 acres in Watopa Township, was born in Glasgow Township, Oc- tober 17, 1895, son of John and Mary (Seiwart) Tentis. He acquired his edu- cation in the school of his district, and until the age of 16 years remained on the home farm, assisting his father. Then he and his brothers bought 360 acres in Glasgow Township, where he did general farming and stock raising until 1911. In that year Frank J. sold his interests to his brothers. In 1916 he worked at the carpenter's trade, and in 1917 and 1918 was employed in a garage. He then resumed farm work for a year. In 1919 he rented his present farm of 220 acres in Watopa Township, and is here doing a good business as a general farmer and stock raiser. He is a member of the Catholic church, and fraternally of the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Tentis was married No- vember 25, 1919, to Myrtle Cox. daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles T. Cox,

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of Highland Township, this county. Mrs. Tentis' father is now deceased, hav- ing passed away May 18, 1916, but her mother is still living in Highland Town- ship. Mr. and Mrs. Tentis are the parents of a daughter, Rachel J.

Henry Anderson, a well known and respected citizen of Elgin, proprietor of a truck line from Elgin to Rochester, was born in Steele County, Minn., De- cember 28, 1894, son of Ole J. and Mary (Ellingson) Anderson. The father, Ole J. Anderson, was a native of Wisconsin, born June 19, 1866. He came to Minnesota with his parents when young, and was educated in the district schools of Berlin Township, Steele County. In 1887 he bought from his father 120 acres of land in that township and began farming on his own account. Later he purchased 240 acres, which he farmed until October, 1919. Then, sell- ing his farm of 320 acres, he moved to Greenbush village, Roseau County. Still later he bought a farm of 160 acres in that county, where he now resides, en- gaged in general farming. He was chairman of the town board four years, secretary of the creamery three years, and secretary of the telephone company five years. He was married to Mary Ellingson in 1887, and he and his wife have been the parents of twelve children, John, Anna, Eddie, Clara, Harry, Joseph, Jennie, Mary, Edna, Louisa, John and Ole. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Henry Anderson was educated in the district schools of Berlin Township, Steele County, Minn. He lived on the home farm until the age of 18, and after that worked on other farms until February 2, 1914, when he came to Elgin village, finding employment in the creamery, where he worked until March 18, 1915. He then rented his father-in-law's farm until May 1, 1918, and subsequently bought a farm of 120 acres in sections 24 and 25, Viola Township, Olmsted County, which he operated until August 1, 1919. Since that date he has been engaged in his present business, residing in Elgin village. Religiously he is affiliated with the German Lutheran church. Mr. Anderson was married March 24, 1915, to Adella A. Schmiedeberg, daughter of Frank L. and Otillia E. (Roempies) Schmiedeberg. Her father was born Jan- uary 31, 1869, in Beaver Dam, Wis. When young he came with his parents to Olmsted County, Minn., and was educated in the district schools of Viola Town- ship. He lived on his parents' farm until 24 years of age, and afterwards was engaged until 1907 in farming 120 acres which he had bought of his father in that Township. Subsequently until 1915 he worked as a well driller and clerk in a hardware store, and still later in a garage in Elgin village, until his death on November 30, 1917. His marriage with Ottilia E. Roempies took place No- vember 16, 1893. She was born in Pommern, Germany, January 5, 1871. Their children were: Emma H., now Mrs. Bert Raymond, of Rochester, Minn .; and Adella A., wife of Henry Anderson of Elgin. The Schmiedeberg family are affiliated with the German Lutheran church.

Ole O. Peterson, a well known and respected citizen of Watopa Township, assistant in agricultural work to some of the prominent farmers of the town- ship, was born in Sweden, July 30, 1850, son of Paul and Julia (Anderson) Peterson. He came with his parents to the United States and to Wabasha County, Minn., in 1854, when an infant, the family settling on Hoosier Ridge, Watopa Township, which locality has been his home for much of the time since. Here his parents took a farm of 120 acres, which they proved up in 1859, and which the father operated as a general farmer and stock raiser until his death in 1898. His wife had previously passed away in 1893. Their chil- dren were: Peter, a Civil War veteran still living; Paul, who resides in Ne- braska; Tenna, now Mrs. A. G. Winters of Minneiska; Mary, who is now de- ceased; and Ole O., of Watopa Township. Ole O. Peterson was reared in this township, in his boyhood attending the district school. He worked on the farm for his father until 1873, and then, cutting loose from home, went to Washing- ton Territory, where he remained for two years. In 1875 he returned and for a few years remained at home. Once more, however, he wandered from his native haunts, going this time to South Dakota, where he spent six years. Re-

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turning at the end of that time to Watopa Township, Wabasha County, he has since resided on Hoosier Ridge, working at farm labor, and at the present time being in the employ of John Rollins. He belongs to the Old Settlers' Associa- tion of Wabasha County, and is a member of the Swedish Lutheran church.

John Gillespie, the owner of farm property in Chester Township, who has followed an agricultural career since first becoming industrially active, was born in this township August 24, 1873, son of Patrick and Katherine (Dunn) Gillespie. The parents came to the United States from Ireland in 1848, locating in Pennsylvania, in which state they remained two years. Then in 1850 they came to Wabasha County, Minn., and were among the first settlers of Chester Township, pre-empting 320 acres of land in section 6, which, of course, at that. early period was all wild. With everything to do and little to do it with, Patrick Gillespie applied himself to the hard task of developing a farm from the wilder- ness, and in time was successful, clearing most of his land and erecting a full set of buildings. He energetically continued his operations until they were brought to an end by his death in 1888. His wife, Katherine, survived him a number of years, passing away in 1919. They were faithful members of the Catholic church. Their children were Margaret, Michael, John, Patrick, Fran- cis, Julia, Catherine, Mary, who died in infancy, and Mary E., who is also now deceased. John Gillespie in his boyhood attended district school in Chester Township, and was brought up on the home farm, where he acquired his very practical knowledge of agriculture.' After his father's death he conducted the farm for his mother, and in 1910 he bought a part of it, renting the balance. He is a man of high reputation in Chester Township, and served 17 years on the. town board, during a part of the time being its chairman. He has also served ten years on the school board of his district, being chairman during that period, and is still holding that office. A man of public spirit, his participation in pub- lic affairs had been to the interest of the township and school district. He is a member of the Catholic church and belongs to the fraternal order of Yeomen. Mr. Gillespie was married June 26, 1901, to Mary Majerus, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John N. Majerus of Mazeppa. The issue of this marriage is nine children, who were born as follows: Mildred C., June 7, 1902; Geneva H., November 24, 1904; Odella J., November 27, 1906; Francis P., October 8, 1908; Elmer M. and Wilmer P. (twins), May 16, 1910; Rosella M., February 28, 1911; Margaret F., August 28, 1913, and Louisa L., February 27, 1918.

Frank H. Beyer, manager of the Oelkers & Frisch general store at Elgin, was born in Hammond, Minn., January 16, 1897, son of Herman and Dora (Sum- mers) Beyer. Both the father and mother came from Germany with their re- spective parents, and Herman Beyer has followed general blacksmithing in Hammond for the last 25 years. Their children are: Robert, who lives in Austin, Minn .; Norton, residing in Hammond; Frank H., of Elgin; Carl, of Millville; Fred, who lives on a farm near Hammond; Della, who is taking an educational course in La Crosse; and Elsie, residing at home. Frank H. Beyer was educated in the Hammond school and the Winona high school. He began industrial life as his father's assistant in the blacksmith shop, and after leaving school worked three years as clerk for Tom McGuigan of Millville. In October, 1918, he enlisted in the 126th U. S. Engineers, and was in the service in this country until discharged at Camp Dodge in June, 1919. After his return home he re-entered the' employ of Mr. McGuigan at Millville, remained there four; months, and then; coming to Elgin, went to work for Harry Engel. The latter subsequently sold his store to Oelkers and Frisch, who made Mr. Beyer man- ager, which position he is now filling to the satisfaction of his employers. The concern has added a complete line of dry goods and men's furnishings to their original stock, and are now operating one of the best general stores in this part of the county. Mr. Beyer has joined the new patriotic order of the Ameri- can Legion, belonging to the post at Plainview, which has about 200 members. He also belongs to the Millville camp of Modern. Woodmen of America and the.

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Red Men's lodge at Millville. A young man of 23 years, he has already shown business ability and has associated himself with a large and patriotic organiza- tion which includes a considerable percentage of the young men who fought, or offered their services to fight, for their country in the great World War.

Alfred F. Kenitz, a respected resident of the village of Elgin, where he is living retired after a successful career in agriculture, was born in Olmsted County, Minn., July 25, 1878, son of Herman and Elizabeth (Schacht) Kenitz. The father came to America from Germany with his parents, who first settled in Wisconsin, removing to Olmsted County, Minn., when he was 16 years old. There he resided until 1911, when he moved to Lake City, his present place of residence. His wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Kenitz, died in 1910. She was born in Cook County, Ill., on the site of the city of Chicago, where her father owned and operated 160 acres of land now included within the city limits. Not being able to foresee the wonderful growth of the city, he sold the land and moved to Winona, Minn., subsequently taking a farm a mile from Potsdam. Mr. and Mrs. Herman Kenitz had a family of eleven children, of whom the nine now living are: Emma, Aaron, Walter, Frances, Clarence, Anna, Evaline, Edna and Harry. Emma is the wife of A. W. Hogerty, a farmer of Olmsted County. Anna is the wife of Lester Fiegel of Rochester, her husband being auditor of Olmsted County. Walter married Anna Schultz and lives in Elgin. Clarence married Emma Kruger and resides on a farm half a mile south of Potsdam, Minn. Alfred F. Kenitz spent his early years on the farm. He was educated in the district school, in the public school of Elgin, which he attended for two years, and at Rochester Business College. Upon completing his studies he rented a farm, which he worked for three years. He then purchased 340 acres in Wabasha County, which he operated for two years. At the end of that time he sold the property and bought the home farm in Olmsted County, where he subsequently carried on general farming and stock raising until the fall of 1919, when he sold that also and moved to Elgin. A good practical farmer, he had a successful career and gained a competency which he is now enjoying. For four years Mr. Kenitz served as clerk of Farmington Township, and was school treasurer five years, showing efficiency and a commendable interest in public affairs. Mr. Kenitz was married October 15, 1905, in the town of Farmington, to Edith Thedens, daughter of Joseph and Anna (Podalsky) Thedens, her parents being natives of Germany who settled at an early day on a government claim in Olmsted County, Minn. Mr. Thedens died in 1908 and Mrs. Thedens in 1917. They had a family of eleven children, of whom there are living: Clara, wife of L. W. Beneke; Lena, wife of Gust Schultz; William, who first married Ella Blanchard, and secondly, Mamie Siem, a widow; and Henry, who married Clara Wanke and lives on the home farm. Mr. and Mrs. Alfred F. Kenitz are the parents of two children: Erwin, born in 1906; and Alpheus, born September 29,1917.

Robert W. Bartz, proprietor of an up to date plumbing establishment in Elgin village, was born in Elgin, August 4, 1886, son of Julius and Amelia (Radle) Bartz. The father, born in Germany, came with his parents to the United States when eight years old, locating in Potsdam, Minn. After his marriage here he and his wife took a farm in Elgin Township, Wabasha County, on which they spent 20 years of their lives. Julius Bartz died in 1914 and his widow is now living in the village of Elgin. They had twelve children, all of whom are now living, namely: Herman, August, Julius, Edward, Alfred, Rob- ert, Emma, Alvina, Amelia, Bertha, Otellia and Luella. The father was a Civil War veteran, having enlisted at the age of 15 years and served two years. Rob- ert W. Bartz was reared on the home farm, attending the district school and the Elgin high school. He remained at home until 24 years old, and then for five years operated a rented farm on his own account. Coming to Elgin at the end of that period, he engaged in the plumbing business with his brother Herman. This was in 1915, and in 1918 Robert purchased his brother's interest and has

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History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 127

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