History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 58

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 58


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PETER ENGELHART.


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106, and Martin 80 acres. Religiously he is affiliated with the Lutheran church. Mr. Erickson was married May 14, 1882, to Emma Carlson, who was born in Sweden, August 28, 1856. He and his wife had eight children, of whom five are now living, the record in brief being as follows: Swen, born May 1, 1883; Minnie, who is keeping house for her brother Martin; Edward C., born March 3, 1885, purchased the old homestead which he is now operating; Martin, farm- ing 80 acres in Oakwood Township, and William, who is farming 120 acres.


William Jacob, an early settler in West Albany Township, where he now resides, in section 18, was born in Hanover, Germany, in July, 1847. In the early fifties his parents turned their thoughts toward emigration, wishing to live under a more liberal government, and with wider opportunities, than they had in their native land. The father resolved to come alone to this country and start a home before bringing the rest of the family, and accordingly did so, locating at Bloomington, Ill., where he found employment. In 1856 he re- turned to Germany for his family, which, in addition to his wife, then consisted of three sons and two daughters. Landing in New York after a voyage of 56 days on a sailing vessel, they proceeded west, but instead of settling in Bloom- ington, came on to Wabasha County, Minn., Mr. Jacob securing a land claim in West Albany Township. At that time there were no roads and they had to follow an Indian trail from their landing place to their claim, which contained 160 acres. After erecting the usual log house, they started in with oxen grub- bing and clearing the land. Here William grew up, in his boyhood being de- prived of educational opportunities, as there was then no school. He helped to develop the home farm, on which he remained until his marriage, January 20, 1873, to Anna McCracken, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William McCracken, of Glasgow Township. She was born in Bowmanville, Canada. After or at the time of his marriage, Mr. Jacob settled on a farm of 160 acres in section 18, West Albany Township, where they still reside in the enjoyment of good health. They subsequently acquired 88 acres in Gillford Township. The farm is now operated by their sons William and Henry, who carry on general farming and stock raising, breeding grade Hereford cattle, Duroc-Jersey hogs and Pure Bred Shropshire sheep. One child of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob died in infancy. Those now living are : William A., born October 22, 1873; Henry F., born April 7, 1875, and Emma, who is the wife of Herman Moechnig of Oakwood Town- ship. The two sons are stockholders in the Co-operative Elevator Co. They have 120 acres of the farm under cultivation and are doing a successful busi- ness. William Jacob, the father, was one of the founders of the Jacksonville Lutheran Church, to which the family belong.


Peter Engelhart, now living retired in Mazeppa, where he has business in- terests, has had an active career as farmer, miller, and business man, and is now enjoying a period of prosperous leisure, the result of his former industry. He was born in Germany, June 20, 1852, son of Phillip and Elizabeth Engelhart, the mother's maiden name also being Engelhart. The father was a blacksmith by trade, and he and his wife spent their lives in their native land, where they both died within a week of each other, in 1888. They had four children, all sons, two of whom, Peter and George, came to the United States. George died at Keokuk, Ia., in 1893. Peter Engelhart came to this country in 1868, when 16 years of age, with friends of the Englehart family. From New York, where he landed, he proceeded to Keokuk, Ia., whither his brother George had pre- ceded him a year before. An uncle, George Engelhart, who was a blacksmith, was also living there, and in his shop Peter found employment, remaining there for a year. The next five years of his life were spent on a farm in Iowa. In 1874 he came to Minnesota, settling in Wabasha County. Here he found work in the harvest fields, and buying a threshing-machine, also threshed grain. In the fall of 1874 he returned to Iowa, where he spent the winter, and the spring of 1875. Then he came back to Wabasha County with a carload of horses, which he sold in Lake City. After he had disposed of the last horse, he went


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to Chester Township, where he broke 80 acres of land for a farmer, taking the first crop from the land as his pay. In the fall of 1874 he traded a team which he had used in threshing for 40 acres of land in Goodhue County, after which he returned to Iowa. The next year he resumed breaking land for the crops. In 1879 he bought 80 acres in Chester Township, and moved on to the land, which he cultivated until 1887. During subsequent years he bought more land -160 acres in 1882, 80 acres in 1887, and 80 acres in 1893, making in all 440 acres of which he was now the owner; and in the meanwhile he carried on agri- cultural operations, until March, 1887, when he moved to Mazeppa, and engaged in the machine business, being thus occupied for six years. In 1894 he bought an interest in the Maas elevator, and held it until 1917, when he sold out. He also acquired a one-third interest in the Forest Roller Mill, at Forest Mill, which was later moved to Mazeppa, but finally sold his interest to Theo. Maas. He has disposed of most of his land, but still owns 160 acres, which he rents out. He is a stockholder and director in the Bank of Mazeppa, but is no longer engaged in active business. In 1898 he erected a nice modern residence in Mazeppa. He has served as a member of the village council and on the school board, and is a man whose judgment in public affairs is held in respect by his fellow townsmen. His religious affiliations are with the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Engelhart was first married, at Zumbrota, Goodhue County, in 1880, to Alvina Dablow, daughter of John and Caroline Dablow, her parents being natives of Germany. Of this union four children were born, namely: Elizabeth, wife of Alfred J. Jondreau, of Cohasset, Minn .; Clara, wife of Ed. Freiheit, of Zumbro Falls; Christina, residing at home with her father, and Carl P., of Mazeppa, who is proprietor of the elevator here. Mr. Engelhart's second marriage was at Hager City, Wis., in 1896, to Anna Lemke, of Chester Township, daughter of John and Augusta Lemke. Her parents, natives of Germany, came to Minnesota at an early day, and were here engaged in farm- ing. Both are now deceased, Mr. Lemke dying in 1916, and Mrs. Lemke in 1919. They had seven children. By his second wife, Anna, Mr. Englehart has a son, Peter, Jr., who is now studying medicine in the University of Minnesota, and will graduate in 1921. This son served three months in the S. A. T. C. during the world war. Mr. Englehart's son Carl P., married Palma Rohrer, daughter of Gottleib M. and Helen (Auer) Rohrer, of Cochrane, Buffalo County, Wis., her father being one of the leading citizens of that town.


Peter Peters, who in his day was a hard-working and successful farmer in West Albany and Glasgow Townships, was born in Luxemburg, January 11, 1852. In 1853 he accompanied his parents, who were very poor, to Wabasha County, Minn., and they took a homestead of 160 acres in Glasgow Township. The land was wild and for the first few years the family lived in a sod house. Up to the age of 26 years Peter worked with his father. On January 14, 1878, he was united in marriage with Eliza Dora, daughter of Frederick and Mary (Anding) Stohmann. She was born in Glasgow Township, this county, De- cember 5, 1865, her parents being among the earliest settlers there. At that time Wabash and Read's Landing were the nearest markets, to which the peo- ple walked carrying butter and eggs, the butter selling at ten cents a pound and the eggs at ten cents a dozen. About the time of his marriage Peter Peters bought 80 acres in Gillford Township and began farming with the aid of oxen, he and his wife living in a log shanty. Within two years they sold the place and bought the farm of Mrs. Peters' father in Glasgow Township. There they re- sided until 1890, when they again sold, and this time bought a farm of 240 acres in sections 11 and 12 in West Albany, which had, however, poor buildings. This defect he remedied, erecting a good set, including a frame barn, 36 by 72 by 14 feet, with basement; a second barn, 36 by 40 by 14; a machine-shed, 36 by 52 by 8; and a granary and hog-house. He also improved the house. There he was engaged in general farming, and also to a considerable extent in stock- raising, and was very successful. He had a fine operating equipment, and in-


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creased the size of the farm to 256 acres, of which 200 are now under cultiva- tion. This farm lies eight and one half miles southeast of Lake City and is a fine piece of agricultural property. Mr. Peters died suddenly of heart failure on April 17, 1907. He was a Catholic in religion, and a member of the United Workmen and of the Odd Fellows. After his death his widow, with the as- sistance of her son, Theodore, operated the farm till 1911, when she moved to Lake City, where she owns a comfortable home. Since Mr. Peters' death the family have joined the First Congregational Church of Lake City, though hav- ing previously worshipped with him. There were five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Peters: Frederick, October 16, 1889, who died in infancy; Theodore, born April 17, 1891, owns and operates a fine farm near the old home in West Albany Township; Alfred G. is the subject of a special sketch in this volume; Loretta E. and Clarabelle were twins, born June 8, 1901, of whom Clarabelle died November 7, 1918, and Loretta is now taking a teacher's course in the University of Minnesota.


Alfred G. Peters, now engaged in operating the old Peters farm of 256 acres in section 11, West Albany Township, was born in Glasgow Township, this county, April 16, 1885, son of Peter and Eliza (Stohmann) Peters. His elementary education was obtained in the common school, and he was subse- quently graduated from the Lake City high school. In the fall of 1908 he went to the Minnesota Agricultural College, where he took a one-year course. For a number of years he was associated with his father in the cultivation and de- velopment of the home farm, which he carried on for his mother after the father's death in April, 1907, and of which he is now the owner. It is a fine property, with full equipment, and well stocked with high grade Aberdeen Angus cattle, Poland-China and Chester-White hogs, and merino sheep, each herd or flock having a full-blooded sire. Mr. Peters is successfully engaged in diversified farming and is enjoying a prosperous career, the result of industry and good management. He is also interested in the elevator and Shipping As- sociation at Theillman, and owns a five-passenger automobile. He was married October 18, 1911, to Mae, daughter of John E., and Nancy (McFarland) Brown of Glasgow Township, and he and his wife are the parents of one child, Corinne Loretta, born April 25, 1918.


Herman Passe, a representative farmer of Wabasha Township, who, since he came to America fifty years ago, has through continued industry, built up a fine home and estate, was born in Hanover, Germany, July 9, 1845, son of Ger- hardt and Angela (Kosse) Passe. His parents being farmers, he was brought up to agricultural pursuits in his native land, being associated with his father until 1870, when, at the age of 25 years, he came to the United States. Two of his brothers had preceded him to Wabasha County, Minn., and were living in Wabasha Township, and there he first directed his steps, arriving at Read's Landing, July 4. Mr. Passe easily found work as a farm hand and was thus employed until 1877. By that time he had saved some money and was ready to start in on his own account. Accordingly he purchased 100 acres in Pepin Township, of which 40 acres were improved, but there were no buildings. For a residence he built a small frame house, adding other structures as they were needed, his stable being built of logs. He grubbed and cleared more of the land and resided on that farm for fifteen years, and, in fact, still owns it. In 1892 he bought 135 acres adjoining in Wabasha Township, and moved his frame house onto his new property. Since then he has bought 100 acres in Pepin Township adjoining, and now has 335 acres. Of this, 230 acres is improved land, the rest being in pasture and timber. His improvements include the erection of a good two-story eight-room frame house; a barn, 36 by 80 by 16 feet, with stone basement and cement floors; a tile silo 16 by 30 feet, and other buildings. The house and other buildings are electrically lighted. As a gen- eral farmer and stock raiser Mr. Passe has met with much success. His farm is well stocked with high grade Shorthorn cattle, Poland-China hogs and Shrop-


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shire sheep. In its operation he is ably assisted by his sons August and Chris- tian. Politically he is a Republican and for some years served in school office, as clerk and treasurer of District No. 102. Mr. Passe was married, November 27, 1878, to Mary Anna Schuth, who was born in Hanover, Germany, November 1, 1859. She came to America alone at the age of 18 years after the death of her father, having already a sister here, and was followed by her mother a year later, in 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Passe have had eleven children, who were born as follows: Caroline M., June 7, 1880; Mary C., April 30, 1882; August, April 22, 1884; George, February 26, 1886; William A., January 22, 1888; John Ber- nard, April 8, 1891; Theresa F., October 5, 1892; Christian B., December 24, 1895; Lucy C., March 5, 1898; Herman C. and Frank H. (twins), February 9, 1903. Caroline is now the wife of J. J. Angelbeck, a farmer of Highland Township. Mary C., who married Joseph Suilmann of Pepin Township, died January 3, 1913. August and Christian, both of whom are as yet unmarried, are helping to operate the home farm. George is on a farm at Merrifield, Minn. William A., a farmer, is also residing at Merrifield. John Bernard is residing on the home farm, but owns a farm in Pepin Township. Theresa F. is a trained nurse, being a graduate of St. Raphael's Training School for Nurses at St. Cloud, in 1918, and of the Chicago Lying-in Hospital in 1919. Lucy C., who graduated from St. Felix high school in 1915, and from the Wabasha high school training department in 1916, is now a public school teacher. The twins, Herman C. and Frank H., are living on the home farm. Mr. Passe and his family are Catholic in religion and members of St. Felix parish at Wabasha.


Louis Sader, now living retired in the Village of Minneiska, after a long and successful career in agriculture, was born in Harrisburg, Pa., January 1, 1843, son of Barney and Mary Sader, who were both natives of that state. The family name is of German derivation and was originally spelled Soeder, the simpler spelling having been adopted to prevent mispronunciation. In the family of Barney and Mary Sader there were six children: George, Lena and Phillipine, who are now living in Baltimore; Dora, who died in New York state; Lena, a resident of Baltimore, and Louis, of Minneiska, Minn. All the living are advanced in years, and the fact that only one has died out of six gives evidence of a sound stock and healthful living. The removal of the family to Baltimore, Md., occurred at an early date, as it was there that the subject of this sketch attended school. Soon after he had reached his eighteenth birthday, the Civil War, long threatening, broke out. Baltimore was one of the hotbeds of secession, but young Louis Sader had no intention of aiding the cause of the Southern slaveholders. Instead, he enlisted in the First Maryland regi- ment of the Federal army, as private, and soon he found himself amid flying shot and shell on the field of the first battle of Bull Run. From a private he. . became a teamster, and at Nashville, Tenn., to which place he went from Wash- ington with his regiment, he was promoted to the position of wagon-master, and so continued until the end of his service. Then, having made up his mind to seek his fortune in the Northwest, he came to Wabasha County, Minn., and took a homestead of 160 acres in Watopa Township, which he started to improve. This work was performed under great difficulties, and at times amid privation, as he had little or no money, and it was several years before he could make a good living from his farm. Consequently he was often obliged to seek work from others to keep the wolf from the door, and on one occasion walked eight. miles through snow three feet deep to get a job chopping wood at 25 cents a. day. Money was so scarce that it drew 20 per cent interest, there was little credit to be obtained, and people worked for anything they could get. After awhile Mr. Sader sold his first farm and bought another in the same township. He also married, and his sons and daughters, as they grew up, helped their parents to develop the farm into a valuable piece of property. There Mr. Sader remained until twelve years ago, retiring in 1907 and buying his present comfortable home in the Village of Minneiska, separated by only a short dis-


MR. AND MRS. LOUIS SADER


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tance from his former home. The year of Mr. Sader's marriage was 1867, and his bride was Angeline Cuvener, who was born in Prussia, Germany, January 1, 1842, or just one year to a day before her husband. She had come to America with her parents, Bernard and Elizabeth Cuvener, in May, 1864, the family settling in Wabasha County, this state. Here she met Mr. Sader, and they were made man and wife by Father Jacobus Trobec, in St. Felix Church, on December 14, in the year mentioned. Mrs. Sader was the eldest of her parents' family, the other children being: Maggie, now deceased; Annie, residing in Mankato, Minn .; and Katie, in Highland Township, Wabasha County. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Sader were as follows: Barney, born March 25, 1870, married Eda Card, has five sons, and is now residing in Plainview, Minn .; John, born July 6, 1872, is married and living in Canada; Elizabeth, born in Watopa Township, Wabasha County, November 18, 1873, married John Doyle and died in Weaver, this county, leaving one child; Margaret, born in Watopa Township, July 18, 1875, became the wife of John Kramer, and lives in Alba Township, Winona County, she has two sons; Gerharth, born in Watopa Town- ship, November 8, 1877, married Kate Doyle and resides in the township of his birth, he has one son and one daughter; Eva, the six and youngest child, was born in Watopa Township, November 8, 1882, she married R. G. Day and resides at Savannah, Ill., and has four daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Sader are spending the evening of life in comfortable ease, the result of their own industry, thrift and foresight, and are among the well known and respected people of the vil- lage in which for the last twelve years they have made their home. Both are well preserved and young looking for their years.


Evan C. Fremo, who for 46 years was a well known and respected citizen of Oakwood Township, where he was engaged in the farming industry, was born at Melhus, Thronjhem, Norway, March 20, 1841, and emigrated to this country in 1870, going first to Menomonie, Wis. After spending two years there he came to Minnesota, settling on the farm in Oakwood, which was his subsequent home until his death on April 6, 1918. Through industry and perseverance he built up a good farm of 218 acres located in sections 15 and 22, being assisted in its operation for a number of years by his nephew, Edwin S. Fremo, to whom he left the property. For several years he had been in poor health, and when the end came it was sudden, as he was found dead in bed on the morning of Saturday of April. 6. Mr. Fremo was married in 1879 to Mrs. Sarah Olson, who died on February 28, 1900, and whom he had survived 18 years. Mr. Fremo left no children. His funeral services were held in the M. E. church in Oak- wood, and he was laid to rest in the cemetery of that religious organization. He was a man highly esteemed and of large acquaintance throughout this part of the county. Besides his nephew above mentioned, he was survived by two brothers, Ole C. Fremo, of Hartland, Minn., and one who still resides in Nor- way; also two sisters, Miss Ellen Fremo, of Aberdeen, S. D., and Mrs. Christ Erickson, of Long Prairie, Minn.


Edwin S. Fremo, a representative farmer of Oakwood Township, operating 218 acres in sections 15 and 22, was born in Lake City, Wabasha County, Minn., and acquired his education in the district schools, and subsequently took up farming with his uncle, Evan C. Fremo, with whom he was associated until the latter's death on April 6, 1918, when he inherited his present farm, of which 160 acres lies in section 15 and 40 acres in section 22. He has made a number of improvements on the place, having erected barns and other buildings and built fences. He practices general farming but gives his chief attention to stock raising, breeding Durham cattle and Duroc-Jersey swine. Progressive and enterprising, he is a member of the Millville Co-operative Shipping Asso- ciation, and takes an active interest in all projects for the good of the general community. Mr. Fremo is as yet unmarried, his mother keeping house for him. Their religious affiliations are with the Swedish Lutheran church.


Peter Schafer, a well to do resident of Lake City, where he is living retired after a highly successful career as a farmer, was born in Coblenz, Germany,


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November 1, 1864, son of John and Gertrude (Stromberg) Schafer. His parents were farmers, but seeking better opportunities for advancement than they had in their native land, they, in 1866, emigrated to Minnesota, settling in Goodhue County, where they took land, developed a farm and became in time very pros- perous. John Schafer, the father, died on his farm there October 13, 1905. His widow is still residing there, and is now 87 years old, having been born May 1, 1833. They were the parents of six children: John, who resides in Goodhue County; Gertrude, who died in infancy; Peter, subject of this sketch; Anton, now living on the home farm in Goodhue County; Lena, the wife of A. A. Burk- ard, of Goodhue County; and Louis, who died in infancy. Peter Schafer ac- quired the elements of knowledge in the district school, and afterward for a short time attended the Winona Normal School. For eleven years subsequently he taught school in Goodhue and Wabasha counties, making his home with his parents until 28 years old. In 1893 he engaged in farming on his own account, buying 160 acres in section 10, Gillford Township. The place was improved and was known as the McCall farm. While residing there he improved it still further, erecting a good house, two barns, a granary, toolshed, hog-house, garage, tile silo and workshop, also installing modern appliances such as a milking machine, and putting in an acetylene lighting system. He also bought more land until he now owns 320 acres all in one body, and stocked his farm with high-grade cattle, grade Shropshire sheep, and Poland-China swine. Mr. Schafer personally operated his farm until the fall of 1917, when he leased it to his son-in-law, Henry J. Abraham, and retired, since which time he has lived in Lake City, having a fine home at No. 511 Center street. Aside from his direct farming interests, Mr. Schafer became identified with various enterprises in Wabasha County and elsewhere, and is still interested therein. He was one of the organizers of the Oak Center Creamery Company, in which he is a stockholder, and at the time of his removal to Lake City was a member of the board of directors. He was an organizer and director of the Zumbro Falls Shipping Association; is a stockholder and has been secretary of the Farmers' Elevator of Lake City since its organization; is a stockholder of the Citizens Bank of Lake City; also of the Frontenac State Bank of Fronte- nac, Goodhue County, being a member of the board of directors of the latter institution. He is also interested as a stockholder in the Rest Island Fox Farm, the Lake Pepin Co-operative Creamery of Lake City, and the Farmers Terminal Packing Co. of Newport. Another institution with which he was closely connected was the Gillford Mutual Fire Insurance Company, which he helped to organize, and of which he was secretary for 25 years. During his active career some part of his time was given to public affairs, as he served as town clerk for 21 years and was supervisor one term. In 1918 he was a candidate for the state senate, but was defeated by a small plurality. Mr. Schafer was married April 5, 1893, to Bertha M. Fitschen, who was born April 24, 1873, daughter of Claus and Marie Fitschen, of Goodhue County. Of this union four children were born: Gertrude M., December 23, 1893; Elmer L., April 2, 1895; Edna M., November 25, 1896; and Arleigh J., April 9, 1905. Gertrude M. is now Mrs. Orlin Rabe of Mt. Pleasant Township and has two sons, Merlin and Wilbert. Elmer L. met with an accidental death September 24, 1917. Edna M. married Henry J. Abraham of Gillford Township, and she and her husband are now living on Mr. Schafer's farm, which Mr. Abraham is operating. They have one child, Jean. Arleigh J. is a student in the Lake City high school. Mr. Schafer and his family are religiously affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church.




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