History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 59

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

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Robert Sutter, a well known and respected citizen of Greenfield Township, who through enterprise and industry has made considerable progress on the road to prosperity, was born in the town of Alma, Buffalo County, Wis., Febru- ary 8, 1879. His parents, Peter and Elizabeth (Joss) Sutter, were natives of Switzerland, who came to the United States in the early sixties, settling in

MR. AND MRS. JAMES BARNES

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

Wisconsin, where they were engaged in agricultural pursuits until their death, the mother passing away October 16, 1902, and the father January 12, 1904. They were members of the Reformed church. Of their seven children-Kath- erine, Margaret, Ursula, Mary, Andrew, Florian and Robert-one, Katherine, is now deceased. Robert Sutter was educated in the district school of the neighborhood in which he lived when a boy and in the Fountain City high school. When a young man he was engaged for several years in river work, and taught school in winter, until 1904. He then worked three years for the Minneapolis Brewing Co., and in 1907 began farming, buying 160 acres of land in Greenfield Township, Wabasha County, Minn., the place on which he now resides. Here he has erected a modern house, a good barn and other buildings, the lumber for which he sawed himself. He carries on general farming, raising good stock, and has taken rank among the successful farmers of his township. In religion he is a German Lutheran. Mr. Sutter was married December 28, 1904, to Louisa Schurhammer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Schurhammer, of Sand Prairie, Greenfield Township, this county. He and his wife are the parents of a son, Robert V., who was born September 29, 1905.

James Barnes, now living retired in the village of Millville, has been a resident of Wabasha County for nearly 60 years. He was born in County Armagh, Ireland, February 5, 1839, son of Robert and Isabelle Barnes, who were natives of that country, where they died. There James attended the common school, and remained until he was 17 years old, when he came to the United States, being the only member of his family to do so. After arriving in this country he spent 18 months in New Jersey, and from that state went to Livingston County, N. Y., where, until 1861, he was engaged in farming. He was married there in 1861, to Catherine Shannon, daughter of Alexander and Mary Shannon, natives of Ireland, and in April, that year, he came with his wife to Wabasha County, Minn. From Reed's Landing they struck out for Hyde Park Township, where they bought a farm of 125 acres, or rather, a tract of land covered with timber, on which he began improvements by erecting a log house. The Indians were numerous but gave them no trouble, and Mr. Barnes worked early and late in clearing his land and developing a farm, gradually erecting all necessary buildings, and also in time buying an addi- tional tract of 75 acres, so that he finally found hmiself in possession of a good 200-acre farm. There he carried on general farming and stockraising, with the assistance of his sons, and in particular, of his son, Francis, until 1917, when he retired and moved to Millville. During his active career he served in various town offices, being for some time chairman of the town board, assessor, and school director of his district. He and his family are members of the Catholic church. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes have had a family of nine chil- dren, eight sons and one daughter, namely: John, Francis, Alexander, James, Arthur, Robert, Henry, William and Isabelle. James, Arthur and John are now deceased. Two of the sons are in Canada, one in Bemidji, Minn., and one in Minneapolis. Isabelle married William McGuigan and resides in Butte, Mont. She has one child, a daughter. Francis Barnes, who was born on the home farm in Hyde Park Township in 1864, was associated in agricultural work with his father until 1917, when he, too, moved to Millville, where he is now living. He was educated in the district school, and like the other members of the family, belongs to the Catholic church. He lives with his father, the household being presided over by Grace Bush, a cousin, whose parents are both deceased.

August John Wilde, a well known farmer residing in section 20, West Albany Township, was born in Oben-Schleisswig, Germany, December 11, 1851, son of Johann and Bertha Wilde. The father was a carpenter and contractor, and neither he nor his wife ever came to America. August received his schooling in Germany. It was in the year 1880 that he came to Wabasha County, Minn., locating in West Albany Township. For four years he worked as a farm hand. Later he spent 13 years in railroad work, being nine years

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on the Millville Division of the C. M. & St. P., as foreman of the steel gang, and four years on the Chippewa line as foreman of a section gang. In 1893 he bought 120 acres in section 20, West Albany Township, the property being little improved, but having a log house and some other buildings. It was not until 1893, however, that he took up his residence on this farm, on which he built a frame house. He has now 61 acres of the land under cultivation, the rest being in pasture. He is carrying on general farming, and making sub- stantial progress. The farm is eleven miles from Lake City. Mr. Wilde was married December 28, 1884, to Rose Rother, of West Albany Township. He and his wife have been the parents of eleven children: Mary, now Mrs. John Prebe of West Albany Township; Clara, wife of Arthur Herbst of the same township; Elizabeth, wife of Otto Sander, of Glasgow Township; Carrie, re- siding at home; Bertha, now Mrs. Ed Schwartz of Highland Park Township; Frank, a worker, residing at home; Elsie, now Mrs Fred Murray of Minneap- olis; William, Margaret and Louisa, who are at home; and Ella, who is de- ceased. Politically Mr. Wilde is a Non-Partisan. He and his family are Cath- olics in religion, belonging to the West Albany congregation.

Henry E. Wempner, for a number of years a well known and successful farmer of Oakwood Township, but now deceased, was born in Glasgow Town- ship, Wabasha County, Minn., December 6, 1866, son of Ernest and Catherine (Clemenhager) Wempner. He was educated in the rural schools and remained on his parents' farm until the age of 22 years, at which time he started out for himself, renting a farm in Plainview Township, which he operated until 1895. He then bought a farm of 120 acres in section 25, Oakwood Township, on which were few improvements, and which he supplied with a good set of buildings, including a house and barn, besides fencing the entire farm. In 1917 Mr. Wempner built a fine, modern house of tile and stucco, containing eight rooms and bath, and installed with a water system. He continued profitably engaged in general farming until his death on November 5, 1915. For some time pre- vious to his demise he had served as school officer, and was a man with a good reputation as husband, father, neighbor and citizen. He was a member of the Lutheran church, to which his family belong. Mr. Wempner was married June 11, 1889, to Catherine Zell, who was born in Pepin Township, Pepin County, Wis., June 20, 1869. Of this union eleven children have been born, whose record in brief is as follows: Frank Frederick, born June 12, 1890, is farming in sections 19 and 30 on a farm of 160 acres, which his father bought in 1911, and which now belongs to his mother, Mrs. Catherine Wempner. Frank Freder- ick married Arna Carsten, and has had three children, one of whom died in in- fancy, the two survivors being Frank H. and Kenneth F. Arthur H., the second born child, who is a farmer in Olmsted County, married Sarah Kottchade, and has one child, Rosella T. Herman H., born February 8, 1893, is assisting his mother in conducting the home farm. He married Theresa Lyon, who died May 11, 1918, leaving one child, Mary Theresa. Albert F., born December 12, 1894, is working out near Kellogg. Bertha H., born April 28, 1897, married George Carpenter, and resides in Oakwood Township. She has had three children, one of whom died in infancy, the survivors being George M. and Harold F. Paul C., born August 6, 1899; Elsie C., born August 2, 1903; Elmer E., born January 7, 1906; Walter L., born June 23, 1908; and Hattie E., born May 29, 1912, are living at home with their mother. Another child, William, died in infancy.

Charles G. Nordine, one of the prominent officials of the Jewell Nursery Co., of Lake City, was born in Vermland, Sweden, February 27, 1877, son of John and Ida (Carlson) Nordine. He was five years old when he came to Lake City, Minn., with his parents. The father, John Nordine, entered the employ of the Jewell Nursery Co., and has ever since continued with them, today being mana- ger and superintendent of the outside business. He has also become well known in horticultural circles throughout the state. Charles G. Nordine was reared to manhood here and educated in the common schools. Even as a boy

JAMES J. BUTTS

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

he worked during his vacations for the Jewell Nursery Co., and at the age of 17 was in charge of their hot houses. He has worked "under glass" ever since, and today has charge of their large greenhouses. He is widely known throughout the city and highly respected. For two terms he served as a member of the city school board. In politics he has always been a Republican, while he affiliates with and helps to support the Swedish Baptist church, though not a member. He belongs to the Masonic order, in which he has advanced as far as the Commandery, and was master in the Blue Lodge for two years, and high priest in the Chapter, also for two years. His other fraternal affiliations are with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Independent Order of Foresters. Mr. Nordine was married October 7, 1903, to Marie Olson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nels Olson of Stockholm, Wis., where she was born July 22, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Nordine have reared seven children: Roy M., born September 30, 1905; Grace M., June 15, 1908; Carl F., October 30, 1910; Margaret R., June 27, 1909; Donald E., January 15, 1912; James, January 30, 1913; and Marion, June 17, 1914. The two eldest children, Roy and Grace, are pupils in the Lake City high school, and Carl in the grammar school. Mr. Nordine has two brothers and two sisters living: Louis, of Moline, Ill .; Martha (Mrs. P. Alfred Peter- son), of Brainerd, Minn .; Edith and Paul, who are residing at home with their parents.

Robert G. Smith, formerly a prominent farmer and dairyman of Plainview, but now living retired in Rochester, Minn., is a native of this county, having been born in Plainview Village, August 23, 1884, son of Myron and Lucy B. (Butts) Smith. From the age of three years he lived with his grandparents, subsequently attended school in Plainview village, and was well trained in agriculture, finally becoming manager of his grandfather's farm of 400 acres in sections 18 and 19. He finally sold 320 acres, retaining the home place of 80 acres in the city limits. He also entered into the dairy business and estab- lished one of the first milk wagon routes in the Village of Plainview. On Octo- ber 17, 1918, Mr. Smith retired and moved to Rochester, where he has a beauti- ful home at No. 1304 First Street, S. W. He was married January 22, 1903, to Iva M. Rittenhouse, and they have been the parents of two children: Yulee L., born May 9, 1904, who died November 11, 1917; and Howard H., born August 7, 1905, who is now attending school at Rochester, Minn. Mr. Smith is fra- ternally affiliated with the Masons and Modern Woodmen of America. He and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal church.

James J. Butts, one of the pioneers of Plainview Township, who left a fine record as a farmer and public spirited citizen, being, among other things a bene- factor of the Village of Plainview, was born in Brookfield, Ohio, July 28, 1828, son of Jonathan and Eleanor (Brannon) Butts. He was educated in the dis- trict schools of his native town, and remained in that locality until the winter of 1856-57, when he came to Wabasha County, Minn., as a pioneer, taking a claim now known as the Feigert farm in section 6, Plainview Township. It con- tained 160 acres and he proved it up in 1860. On it he erected a house, barn and outbuildings and started to develop a farm, with the help of oxen. To ob- tain his first team of oxen he traded his gold watch, together with $40 in cash, as he had not enough money to pay for them. Industrious and persevering, he made good progress and watched every opportunity to better his condition. After awhile he sold the 160 acres which he had proved up and bought the Hugh Wiley farm of the same area. Later he also purchased 320 acres in sections 18 and 19, Plainview Township, making a total of 480 acres of which he found him- self the owner. A part of his property included the site of the present Plain- view cemeteries, and this he finally sold. Later he sold the rest of his property except 52 acres in the village of Plainview, which he deeded to his grandson, Robert J. Smith. Mr. Butts was a highly enterprising and successful man, and his success was well merited, for he worked not alone for himself but for others. He was ever ready to take part in charitable work, to help his neighbors, and to

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comfort and aid the sick. He planted the large tree that now stands in front of the parsonage of the Christian church in Plainview Village, and deeded to the village the land on which the high school stands, with the stipulation that it should be used only as the site for a school. In addition to the tree above men- tioned, he also planted many others in and around the village, which have since grown to be fine large shade trees, useful and ornamental. He was physically strong and active, and on one January day, between sunrise and sunset he cut nine and a quarter cords of wood, a feat rarely, if ever, equalled. Universally

respected and esteemed, he lived the life of an exemplary man and citizen, and his death on May 15, 1916, was an event deplored by the entire community. Mr. Butts was married in 1852 to Dorcas A. Aldeman, and they were the parents of two children : Lucy B., born March 28, 1853, who is the wife of Myron Smith, of Huron, S. D .; and Addie L., born March 24, 1863, who is the wife of John Doherty of the same place. Mr. Butts' religious affiliations were with the Chris- tian church of Plainview. He belonged to the Odd Fellows' lodge in Plainview, of which he was a charter member. His wife Dorcas Butts was a woman of rare business ability and of many womanly virtues, a good wife and neighbor, and a great helpmeet to her husband and family. She died in 1910 and her death was mourned by her large circle of friends.

Henry Wohlers, a Minnesota pioneer, several of whose children are now residents in Wabasha County, well known and respected, was born in Hanover, Germany, January 7, 1835. He had a common school education and remained in his native land until 1854, when he joined the tide of emigration to the United States. At Castle Garden, N. Y., the landing-place of immigrants, he paid out the last dollar in his possession, but fortunately he had a ticket to Buffalo, N. Y., where he had a brother living, who was a wagonmaker, and who gave him employment. There he remained until the spring of 1860, when he came west to Hay Creek Township, Goodhue County, Minnesota, accompanied by his wife, for he had been married at Williamsville, Erie County, N. Y., to Dorothy Frederick. In the township above mentioned Mr. Wohlers bought 160 acres of land, of which but three acres had been broken, and set to work to develop a farm, building a log shack and starting work on the land with an ox team in the usual pioneer style. The country was very thinly settled and Red Wing was his nearest market. After making some improvements on that farm, Mr. Wohlers sold it for $872, and bought 160 acres in section 7, Mt. Pleasant Town- ship, Wabasha County. There were no buildings, but ten acres of the land had been broken. Here Mr. Wohlers made his permanent home, developed the land and erected a good set of buildings, and here he is still living, having now passed his eighty-fifth birthday. He long ago retired from active work, selling the farm to his son, William John. His wife died October 1, 1896, and his un- married daughter, Christine, now keeps house for him. The children born to him were as follows: Mary, now Mrs. James Baker of Ellsworth, Wis .; John, of Mt. Pleasant Township; Louisa, wife of Harvey Roper of Frontenac, Good- hue County; Henry of Mt. Pleasant Township; William John, who now owns and operates the old home farm; Fred, of Goodhue County; Catherine, now Mrs. John Breuer, of Goodhue County; Christine, living on the old home farm; Charles, of Dumont, Minn .; Albert, of Mt. Pleasant Township; Recka, now Mrs. August Plote of the same township, and two other daughters now deceased. While the Civil War was in progress Mr. Wohlers was twice drafted, and on the first occasion paid for a substitute; on the second occasion he was excused on account of being one beyond the number called for, so he saw no military serv- ice. He has always been a Republican in politics, and during his active career served his township in various offices. He was for some years a member of the school board. He is a member of the Lutheran congregation at Belvidere, Goodhue County.

Albert Richard R. Wohlers, who is successfully engaged in general farm- ing in section 8, Mt. Pleasant Township, was born in section 7, this township,

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April 6, 1883, son of Henry and Dorothy Wohlers. His parents were pioneer farmers in this region, and there was plenty of work for all their children to do, so Albert attended school only until the age of twelve years. Then, as the money he could earn was more useful than the labor he could perform on the home farm, he began working out, his wages going to his father until he was 21. He earned his own living as a farm hand and in handling horses, both here and elsewhere, traveling about from place to place. In 1916 he began farming for himself buying 160 acres in section 8, Mt. Pleasant Township. The land was good and all broken, but there were very poor buildings. This defect he has since remedied, rebuilding the barn, and making other substantial im- provements, including the erection, in 1919, of a modern, ten-room frame house, equipped with furnace, bath-room and electric lights. He has good herds of cattle and swine, breeding registered Hampshire hogs, and improving his stock with full-blooded sires, and is doing an excellent business as a general farmer and stock raiser. He is a Republican in politics and a Lutheran in religion. Mr. Wohlers was married, March 8, 1919, to Bertha G. Witterstetter, daughter of Adam. and Janet (Hoffman) Witterstetter. She was born at Ackerville, Washington County, Wis., January 28, 1887, was educated in the public schools and at a Milwaukee business college, and for 15 years was clerk with the East- man Kodak Company of Rochester, N. Y., serving in their Milwaukee office. Mr. and Mrs. Wohlers are well known and popular members of society in Mt. Pleas- ant Township and the vicinity.

Henry Wehrs, Jr., an enterprising young farmer of Elgin Township, who has made a good start on the road to prosperity, was born in La Crosse County, Wis., February 4, 1897, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Wehrs. As a young boy he accompanied his parents to Elgin Township, Wabasha County, and was here educated in the district school. Until the age of 22 years he worked on his parents' farm, and then in 1919 rented his present farm, near Elgin Village, of Charles Tradups. Here he is profitably engaged in general farming and stock raising, of which he has a competent knowledge, and through his industry is reaping good financial returns. His parents, who were born in Posen, Ger- many, came to this country in 1844, settling in Wisconsin, where they lived for a number of years, later removing to Elgin Township, Wabasha County, Minn., where they still reside. Henry was the second born of their children, the list being : John, Henry, Clara, George, Fred, Bernard, Rose, Mary, Raymond and Wilbert. On February 12, 1920, Henry Wehrs was united in marriage with Nora Schacht, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Schacht. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church.

Edgar R. Holzer, who is obtaining good financial results from the ener- getic cultivation of a farm of 160 acres in section 2, Elgin Township, was born in Oakwood Township, Wabasha County, Minn., in December, 1884, son of Adolph and Chloe (Marshall) Holzer. He was educated in the school of his district in Oakwood Township, and subsequently until 1905 worked for his father. He then rented 280 acres of the home farm, which he operated as a

general farmer for two years. After that he took a farm of 120 acres in Oak- wood Township, which he operated under rental for a year, at the end of that time coming to his present place, which also he rented. In section 1 he intends to make his home for the future. He has begun a series of improvements, having erected a fine basement barn, 38 by 76 feet, the erection of a house being planned by him for next year. He was married November 20, 1907, to Catherine Harlan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Harlan. The issue of this marriage is five children: Byrl A., born August 17, 1909; Eunice M., December 25, 1910; Ruth R., May 25, 1912; Harlan M., October 8, 1914; and Thomas E., January 20, 1919.

William H. Kottschade, who is operating a farm of 200 acres, 160 of which lies in Oakwood and the other 40 in Highland Township, was born in Oak Ridge, Winona County, May 5, 1881, son of Gottlieb and Theresa (Kressin)

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Kottschade. The father was a native of Germany who came to this country when a year and a half old, while the mother was born in Cedarburg, Wis. After their marriage in Winona, Minn., they located on a farm of 80 acres on Oak Ridge, Mt. Vernon Township, Winona County, on which they remained until 1889. They then sold it and bought 240 acres in Glasgow Township, Wabasha County, where Gottlieb Kottschade is still engaged in farming. Wil- liam Kottschade in his boyhood attended public school on Oak Ridge. Until reaching the age of 33 years he lived at home, working out and helping his father, and then moved on to his present farm, which he is operating suc- cessfully, keeping grade cattle and swine, and raising the usual crops to good advantage and with profitable results. In 1918 he erected a modern stucco house of eight rooms and bath, and he has remodeled and repainted his barn, and made other general improvements. Wideawake and enterprising, he has joined the Farmers' Shipping Association and the Equitable Fraternal Union at Thielman. On November 25, 1919, Mr. Kottschade was united in marriage with May Schones, who was born September 22, daughter of George Schones of Oakwood.

Herman Brunkow, whose untimely death at the age of 36 years deprived West Albany Township of one of its rising young farmers, was born in Gillford Township, Wabasha County, Minn., October 8, 1882, son of William and Fred- erica (Schuman) Brunkow. The parents were natives of Germany who settled in Gillford Township at an early day, and there the father died when the sub- ject of this sketch was eleven years old, leaving his wife with nine children, all of whom grew up and married, and all of whom are now living but Herman. The survivors are: Matilda, now Mrs. Fred Pruder, residing on the old home farm in Gillford Township; Amelia, wife of Arthur French of Oak Center, this county ; Ferdinand, of Hyde Park Township; Ida, now Mrs. Claus Heintz, living near Zumbro Falls; Elsie, wife of John Holst of Ryder, N. D .; Emma, now Mrs. Fred Holst, of Ryder, N. D .; and Henry, a resident of the same place. After her husband's death, Mrs. William Brunkow re-married and is now Mrs. Claus Holst of Lake City, Minn. Herman Brunkow was educated in the district school and remained on his parents' farm until his marriage on November 7, 1908, to Clara, daughter of John and Sophia (Horning) Danckwart, of West Albany Township. The young couple began housekeeping on a farm of 80 acres, near the old home on Oak Ridge, which Mr. Brunkow had previously purchased, and on which he erected a good set of buildings. He also worked 160 acres adjoining, and made good financial progress. In 1910 he sold the 80-acre farm and bought the John Burfeind farm of 160 acres in section 3, to which he and his family moved. It was provided with a comfortable house and other buildings, but he also erected others, including a frame barn, 32 by 60 by 16 feet in size, with full basement. He had a good operating equipment, and his stock was well kept, while his standing in the community was that of a prosperous and successful farmer, with bright future prospects. But man proposes and God disposes, and death called him from earth on January 15, 1919. He left his family in good circumstances, and his wife, who was born September 25, 1884, is now operating the farm. She has also succeeded her husband in the office of clerk of the school board, which he held at the time of his death. Three children were born to them: John William, November 21, 1913; William Frederick, January 20, 1916; and Edward James, January 14, 1918. The family are members of St. John's Lutheran congregation at Lake City.

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History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 59

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