History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 41

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

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ANDREW FRENCH

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respected as one of the leading business men of the state capital. Mr. French was married, March 5, 1885, to Adelia Struble, daughter of Stephen and Emily (Graves) Struble, of Plainview. He and his wife are the parents of two chil- dren : Stanton Graves, born January 2, 1896, and Stephen Rollin, born August 14, 1901. Stanton Graves, who was a student at the Central high school, St. Paul, in May, 1917, entered the navy of the United States, and is still in the service at the Great Lakes Station, Illinois. Stephen Rollin, who was gradu- ated from the Central high school in the class of 1919, is now a student at the Minnesota State University. Mr. French and his family are members and loyal supporters of the St. Paul Universalist church, which he is serving in the office of treasurer. The family home is located at No. 2117 Dayton Avenue, St. Paul.

Joseph Sugg, a native son of Wabasha County, and now an enterprising and successful business man in the far distant territory of Alaska, is a man with an adventurous and interesting career. He was born at Read's Landing, Wabasha County, Minn., December 19, 1864, son of Christ O. and Gertrude Sugg. The parents were natives of Germany, the father born June 11, 1821, and the mother July 14, 1833. Christ O. Sugg came to the United States at a very early day, settling at Read's Landing, this county and state. He was a carpenter by trade, but did little work after losing his left arm in an accident. He died April 29, 1897, and his wife, March 9, 1901. Their children were: Ida, now Mrs. Richard Adams, of Menominee, Wis .; Emma, now Mrs. B. J. Tobin, of Duluth, Minn., and Joseph, subject of this sketch; Fidel, a twin brother of Joseph, who is now living at Proctor, Minn. Joseph spent his boy- hood days at Read's Landing. Leaving school at the age of fifteen, he entered the ranks of industry as a rafter on the Mississippi river, working between Stillwater, Minn., and St. Louis, Mo., and continuing in that occupation till about 1890. In the spring of 1891 he entered the employ of the Chicago, Mil- waukee & St. Paul Railway as bridge carpenter, and was with that road for seven years. In the spring of 1898, Mr. Sugg with a party comprising nine others set out for the gold regions of Alaska, to which there was then a strong stream of emigration. Their first objective was Valdez. Then they crossed the Valdez glacier to Copper Center, where they halted and remained three months. At Copper river they built boats for prospecting, and engaged in that occupation on Copper river and its tributaries, but without success. His nine companions, being discouraged, left him and returned to the United States, but he was not yet willing to give up, and remained. During the winter of 1898-99 he explored the Tanana river country for gold, but without finding any. The following winter he spent in Skagway. In the spring of 1900 Mr. Sugg drifted back to the Yukon country and worked awhile on Yukon river. He then established himself in Council, a small mining district, and engaged in freighting on the Fish and Nukluck rivers. In this employment he met with better success, and by 1907 had become the sole owner of seven scows with their outfit. This business he is still operating. 'In the fall of 1907 Mr. Sugg returned to Read's Landing, Minn., on a visit, and remained until the following spring, when he returned to Council, Alaska. There he entered into partner- ship with E. H. Pfaffle and Wallace Porter for the operating of the freight business. In 1911 the firm opened a large general supply store at Council, which they are still conducting. Two years later, in 1913, they located gold claims in the Norton Bay country, eighty miles from Nome, and these mines are now paying fairly well. On November 5, 1919, Mr. Sugg left Alaska for his old home in Wabasha County, for a second visit, and spent the winter here. He returned to Alaska on May 5, 1920, to resume his business interests there. He has been very successful and likes Alaska and its people, of which he is himself a representative type, hardy, enterprising and adventurous. He is a Republican politically, and though reared a Catholic has embraced the Pro- testant faith. He has never married.

George V. Strehlein, a respected citizen of Plainview, where he is now living retired, was born on a farm in Winona County, Minnesota, January 13,

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1867, son of George and Barbara (Staudacher) Strehlein. The parents were natives of Bavaria, Germany, and came to America in 1854, first settling in Canada and later crossing over to Detroit, Mich., where they remained awhile. From there the family went to the Lake Superior region, where for five years George Strehlein worked in the copper mines. In 1866 they came to Winona County, Minnesota, settling on a farm in Whitewater Township. It contained 160 acres, and by an additional purchase was subsequently increased in area to 200 acres. There the father died in 1896, and was buried in the Presby- terian cemetery in Norton Township, having helped to organize and support the church to which the cemetery belonged. He had also taken an active part in matters pertaining to the public welfare, and was a factor in the develop- ment of his township and county. His wife died in 1904. Their children con- sisted of two sons and one daughter: Annie, John and George. Annie became the wife of Charlie Zenk, a farmer of Winona County, but both she and her husband are now deceased.

George V. Strehlein was educated in the district school and reared on his parents' farm, in his boyhood herding cattle and doing other useful work, learning more as he grew older until he became a competent farm hand. The management of the farm finally came into his hands, and shortly before his father's death he bought it and was engaged in its operation until about 1907. After that for five years he operated a small farm of thirty acres in Beaver. This he sold in 1912, and bought eighty acres in Plainview Township, Wabasha County, where he made his home until 1917, when he removed to the village of Plainview, having in the meanwhile sold the home farm. Wherever he has lived he has taken an active and useful part as a citizen, doing his part in promoting the general welfare of the community. Mr. Strehlein was married June 6, 1894, to Fredericka Wier, daughter of Lewis and Sophia (Adam) Wier, who came to this country from Germany in 1883, settling in Wabasha County, Minnesota. Formerly engaged in farming, they are now living in the village of Plainview. Their only children were Fredericka and a son, Frederick, who is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Strehlein have a daughter, Ida, who is now Mrs. Arthur Muessell of Plainview Township.

J. W. Reifkogel is one of the names associated with the business life of Plainview for many decades. He was one of those fortunate men who make their daily work a labor of love, he enjoyed his business, he took pride in his success, and he took pleasure in maintaining his share of those civic duties. which fall to the lot of every public spirited and prosperous citizen. His home life was ideal, he was ever looking to the happiness and welfare of his family, and his greatest joy was in seeing his children well established in life. His career was a useful one, worthily lived, and one that will long be held in loving remembrance by those nearest and dearest to him. Born in Hamburg, Germany, September 28, 1827, of good substantial people, he acquired a common school education, and as a youth learned the trade of harness-making, after which, as was the custom, he started out on a tour of Germany, Denmark and Holland, learning new features of his trade, and seeing much of continental Europe. Then came the four years of compulsory military service, during a part of which time, from 1848 to 1852 he participated in several active campaigns of the European war then raging. In 1852, however, he shook off the yoke of militarism, bade farewell to his native country, and determined to cast his lot with the great free people of the West. For two years he worked in New York, and for eleven years in Boston. During two years of the Civil War he was in the navy yard at Charlestown, Mass. In 1865, having in the meanwhile acquired a family, he came to Minnesota and took up his permanent residence in Plain- view. Upon his arrival here he engaged in the harness business in a small shop and on a small scale. Within a short time his worth and ability attracted attention, and it was not long before he was doing the largest harness and leather-working business in the county. The small shop was replaced by a

J. W. REIFKOGEL

ALBERT REIFKOGEL

WILLIAM REIFKOGEL

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

larger one on the same site, and the Reifkogel establishment became one of the leading business houses of the village. After a long and useful life, he died March 23, 1894, and his death left a real vacancy in the affairs of Plainview. Mr. Reifkogel was married December 28, 1855, to Charlotte Young, at Charles- town, Mass. She died September 1, 1908. This union was blessed with seven children: Sophia, William, Charlotte, Henrietta, Albert, Henry and one un- named infant. Sophia married Daniel D. Clough. Charlotte married A. J. Carroll. Henrietta married Charles Lawton. Henry died in 1866. Albert died December 8, 1919. Charlotte Young, afterward Mrs. J. W. Reifkogel, was born in Bavaria, June 14, 1828, and came to America as a young lady. When Mr. Reifkogel selected her as his helpmeet, he brought into his life his greatest happiness. She was a loyal wife, a devoted mother and a kindly neighbor. None ever entered her home without a warm welcome, nor left it without a feeling that they had experienced the warmth of genuine hospitality. In her family her life was one of unselfish devotion, she entered into the lives of her dear ones in an unusual measure, rejoicing in their success, grieving at their reverses. Her afternoon of life was a peaceful one, she realized her active days were over, and with resignation she awaited the Divine call.

William Reifkogel, who has for many years been engaged in the harness business in Plainview, being now the sole proprietor of the business conducted under the firm name of J. W. Reifkogel & Son, was born in Charlestown, Mass., September 28, 1857, son of J. W. and Charlotte (Young) Reifkogel. His educa- tion was begun in the city of his birth, immediatey contiguous to Boston, and where as a little child he doubtless saw the soldiers marching by on their way to or from Southern battle fields during the Civil War period. While he was still a boy his parents removed with their family to Minnesota, locating in Plainview, Wabasha County, where the father opened a harness shop. Here William completed his school studies, after which he became his father's assistant, under his instructions mastering every detail of harness manufacture. In course of time he became a partner in the business, and so continued until the father's death in 1894. After that event he and his brother Albert carried it on under the old firm name of J. W. Reifkogel & Son, until Albert's death in December, 1919, leaving William the sole proprietor. The firm has always made a specialty of hand-made and hand-sewed harness of the highest quality, which fact is so well recognized that for some time it has been impossible to fully supply the demand for its product. The building in which the business is carried on was erected by its founder, the father of the present proprietor, and contains, besides the manufacturing and repair departments, a commodious salesroom stocked with a large and complete line of blankets, robes, fly nets, and all horse and harness accessories, such as are found in an up-to-date harness shop. William Reifkogel is now one of the oldest harness men in Minnesota. His success is the result of thorough practical skill, backed up by hard work and close application to business, and as a prosperous and self- made man and reliable citizen he ranks high in the community. The fine modern residence he occupies on West Broadway was erected by him in 1902.

On May 30, 1898, Mr. Reifkogel was married to Hannah Crowley, who was born in Ripon, Wis., July 4, 1866, but reared in Rochester, Minn. They have two children: Mildred Jeanette, born May 21, 1899, a graduate of the Plain- view high school who is now in training as a nurse in the Winona General Hospital; and John William, born August 28, 1900, who is residing at home. The family are members of the Catholic church.

Christian Schad, for many years an enterprising and successful farmer of Highland and Plainview townships, but now retired, was born in Germany. After coming to America he was married to Cecelia Ruff, a native of this country, and they settled in Highland Township, where they purchased 320 acres of practically wild land. To clear and develop this tract into a good farm was a formidable task, but Mr. Schad finally accomplished it, his labors

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including the erection of buildings. After residing on that place until 1898, he sold it and purchased a farm of 400 acres in Plainview Township, where he continued in agricultural pursuits until his retirement. He still resides there, but has divided the farm among his sons. His wife passed away in 1911.

Frank Schad, one of the leading merchants in Wabasha County, located at Plainview, was born in Highland Township, this county, April 29, 1877, son of Christian and Cecelia (Ruff) Schad. His preliminary education was acquired in the district school, and he then entered St. John's University, from the com- mercial department of which he was graduated in 1896. He then returned to the parental farm. In 1898 he accepted a position as clerk in the department store of Koenig Bros. & Co., and after five years became a partner in the con- cern. In 1919, with his brothers Ed and William, he purchased the business, which has since been conducted as the Schad Mercantile Co. It is the largest department store in Wabasha County, and is stocked with a complete line of up-to-date merchandise in every department, including clothing and haber- dashery, dry goods, ladies' ready-to-wear, crockery, furniture, carpets and rugs. The wants of a large and discriminating public have been fully anticipated, and everything likely to be called for had been provided as a part of the stock, with prices satisfactory to the patrons. As the result of foresight, energy and careful management, the business is prospering in a high degree. In 1919 it was incorporated as the Schad Mercantile Co., with Frank Schad as president; Paul Johnson, vice-president, and William Schad, secretary, and Ed Schad, treasurer. Frank, like the other members of his family, is a member of the Catholic church, also belonging to the Knights of Columbus and the Commercial Club. He was married June 16, 1909, to Anna E. Schilling, who was born in Watopa Township, this county, October 7, 1886. They are the parents of four children: Theodore F., Louise E., Edwin A. and Florence C.

George J. Stodart, a retired stock farmer living in the village of Plainview, where he is numbered among the citizens of independent means, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, November 4, 1854, son of George and Marion (Douglass) Stodart. The parents were natives of Lanarkshire, where both died, the father on December 8, 1896, and the mother November 14, 1880. In addition to the subject of this sketch, they had six other children, James, Minnie, George, Hugh F., William D. and Archibald. George J. Stodart acquired his education both in Scotland and England, for some time being a student at Glasgow Acad- emy. In 1879 he came to the United States, locating in Colorado, where he worked for five years on a cattle ranch, during which time he became thor- oughly familiar with that branch of stock-raising. Then going to North Da- kota, he took a claim in Greggs County, where for four years he was engaged in farming. In 1891 he came to Winona County, Minnesota, and took land in Little Valley, near St. Charles, where he farmed for about six years. From there he came to Plainview, Wabasha County, and for 15 years was engaged in operating a farm on the edge of town, devoting his particular attention to the raising and shipping of cattle. Finally Mr. Stodart sold that place and bought a truck farm known as the Evans Place, which he operated for six years. At the end of that time, having acquired a competence, he purchased a house and two lots in the village of Plainview, where he has since resided, doing a little truck farming in order to have an occupation. He is a member of the Old Settlers' Association, and has an extensive knowledge of local events since he first made his home in this county. Mr. Stodart was first married, April 15, 1886, to Julia Berni, who died in 1887, leaving one son, George Berni, now engaged in the hardware business in St. Paul. This son married Anna Behnkin, and has one child, Dorothy M. Mr. Stodart was married secondly September 15, 1891, to Agnes Mitchell, who was born in Winona, Minn., October 22, 1857, daughter of William and Sarah (Hillis) Mitchell. The father, who was a native of Kilmarnock, Scotland, came to America at the age of 24 years, and was later married in Indiana. His wife, Sarah, was born in Kingston,

ANNA J. REICH

HERMAN REICH

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

Canada. Later Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell came to Minnesota, and after awhile settled at Winona, where they resided for four years. Later they spent four years farming in the western part of Wabasha County, and then removed to Dover, in Olmsted County, where Mr. Mitchell died April 27, 1889, and Mrs. Mitchell, January 18, 1918, she being buried at Saratoga, Minn. Mr. and Mrs. Stodart are members of the Church of Christ, and are people who follow the Golden Rule in their relations with their fellow creatures. Mrs. Stodart has one sister and five brothers, namely: Clara, William H., James, Charles V., George and Mark.

Herman Reich, who passed away at his home on High Street, Plainview, Saturday morning, June 26, 1915, was an early settler in the county, and one of the best known among the older residents of the village. He was born in Germany, March 25, 1846, and came to America with his parents at the age of eight years. The father died in New York, leaving his wife and eleven children to mourn his loss. Subsequently the family, of whom Herman was the young- est member, located in Ripon, Wisconsin, where he attended school. In Octo- ber, 1868, being then a young man in his twenty-third year, he came to Wabasha County, Minnesota, and engaged in agriculture in Greenwood Prairie, Elgin Township. In 1870 he was married to Anna J. Mathews, and for 43 years he and his wife labored industriously on their farm two miles west of Plainview, until failing health induced them to move to town, where they pur- chased a comfortable residence. The history of their early privations would make a romantic story, and in his later years Mr. Reich was sometimes accus- tomed to indulge in interesting reminiscences of that early period, during which his wife was the faithful companion of the joys and sorrows, as well as of his labors. Those days and years of strenuous toil developed in him the qualities of thrift, frugality and prudence, with many other fine traits of char- acter which endeared him to a large circle of friends, who sometimes gathered around him and enjoyed a visit to this hospitable home. For some time pre- vious to his death he had been in poor health, yet the end came as a severe shock to his family and friends. The funeral services were held at his home Tuesday afternoon, June 29, the Rev. J. R. Hitchcock, of the M. E. church, to which Mr. Reich and his family belonged, and the Rev. H. C. Todd, of the Congregational church, a close friend of the deceased, making appropriate remarks. Representatives of the Masonic and Odd Fellows' lodges were in attendance, and conducted the services at the grave. A number of relatives, some from distant points, also attended the funeral. Mr. Reich was one of the charter members of the Farmers' Co-operative Creamery; and was also inter- ested in the first local telephone company. For over 30 years he had been a member of the Odd Fellows, and for over 20 years of the Masonic order, having been one of the organizers of the Elgin lodge. For some time, also, he was an active and useful member of the school board. To Mr. and Mrs. Reich were born eight children: Henry W., Edward H., Albert J., Jennie I., John S., Anna Mary, Mollie L. and Stephen Mathew. Henry W., who now lives on the old Reich farm in Elgin Township, married Celia Hostettler, and has two children, Anna Mary and James Henry. Edward H. is a resident of St. Paul, Minn. Albert J., now of Oakwood Township, married Emma Stephan, and has three children, Jennie I., Luella H., and Esther Louise. Jennie I. is the wife of Ernest Wedge, and the mother of three children. John S. is residing at home. Emma Mary is now Mrs. Fred Weikel, of Plainview. Mollie L. is the wife of Lewis Hostettler, of Elgin, and has two children, Edward L. and Stella May. Stephen Mathew, who lives in St. Paul, married Carrie Hanson, and has two children, Herman Stephen and Gilbert Paul. Mrs. Anna J. Reich, widow of the subject of this sketch, was born at Horsehead, Chemung County, New York, daughter of Henry E. and Jane E. (Clark) Mathews, the father being a native of New York State and the mother of Ireland. Mr. Mathews' business was that of a cigar manufacturer. Mrs. Mathews died when her daughter

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Anna J., was 13 years old, and three years later, in 1868, the latter accompanied her father and the other members of the family to Greenwood Prairie, Wa- basha County, Minnesota. The journey was made by rail to La Crosse, then up the Mississippi river on the steamer Keokuk to Winona, and thence over- land to their destination. After residing on his farm for three years, he re- turned East, but two years later came back to Wabasha County. Mrs. Reich's marriage has already been related. Since his death she has continued to reside at their old home in Plainview. Although the eldest of her parents' children, she is the only one now living. For twelve years she has been a member of the Rebekah lodge here, in which she has held various offices, serv- ing now as treasurer; for six years she has belonged to the Eastern Star Chapter, and for ten years has been a member of the Woman's Relief Corps. Her social activities have made her widely known, and among her friends and acquaintances she is esteemed as a willing worker and an agreeable com- panion, as she has been a faithful wife and kind and loving mother.

Herman Becker, a former merchant of Elgin, where he established and conducted a prosperous furniture business, was a native of Germany who came to the United States at the age of 18 years, landing at New York City. From there he came west to Iowa, which state he reached with only five cents in his pocket. In some way he obtained temporary assistance, and soon found work as a carpenter, though a cabinet-maker by trade. He was married in Iowa to Anna Lippe, and for 13 years they resided in Charles City, that state, Mr. Becker being employed in a furniture factory. A good musician, and skillful player on the cornet, he organized and led a number of bands, both in Charles City and at Mitchell, Iowa, where he subsequently bought and for two years conducted a furniture store. In 1897 he came with his family to Elgin, Wabasha County, Minn., and here engaged in the furniture and undertaking business, erecting a fine store, of which he was proprietor for 17 years, or until his death in October, 1914. His widow is still residing in the village. They had nine children, Emil, Clara, Arthur E., Alfred, Hattie, Anna, Frances, Helen and Margaret.

Arthur E. Becker, one of the partners in the Becker Bros. Music Co., of Plainview, is a business man of high reputation, who, although still young, has an enviable record. He was born at Charles City, Iowa, June 18, 1887, son of Herman and Anna (Lippe) Becker. He acquired his literary education in the schools of Charles City and Mitchell, Iowa, and the public and high school of Elgin, Minn., to which place he accompanied his parents in 1897. After that he was actively associated with his father in the furniture and undertaking business, and ultimately obtained licenses as undertaker and embalmer at Minneapolis. In 1906 he went to Plainview, where he was employed for eleven years as manager of the furniture department of Koenig Bros. & Co., at the same time conducting an undertaking business in conjunction with that con- cern. In 1916 he erected the Becker building on Broadway and established the Becker furniture and undertaking business, which he conducted until Sep- tember, 1919, when he sold the building and furniture business to M. V. Foley. For some years Mr. Becker has been one of the partners in the Becker Bros. Music Co., he looking after the Plainview business while his brother and part- ner, Emil, conducts the Elgin store. This is quite an extensive and widely known concern, having a large trade in various musical instruments, in- cluding especially pianos, piano-players, and Edison phonographs. In addition to these activities, Mr. Becker is secretary and treasurer of the Posz Motor Co., of Plainview, handling the Chandler, Dodge Bros., and Cleveland motor cars. He has also been very active in building and selling houses in Plainview, in which line of enterprise he undoubtedly holds the record with respect to the number of houses thus added to the vil- lage. For two years Mr. Becker was president of the Southern Minnesota Funeral Directors' Association, and in 1912 he was a delegate from the State

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History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 41

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