History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 63

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

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

who is practicing dentistry in Wabasha; Clara, born August 16, 1871, who is the wife of William Burg, a banker of Portland, Ore .; and Frank, born April 17, 1873, who is a practicing dentist in Minneapolis, Minn.

Charles J. Pearson .- In the settlement of a new community the blacksmith follows close on the heels of the farmer, and his trade is usually the second to be represented, as without his assistance the farmer would be handicapped, or would have to shoe his own draught animals and mend his own tools and implements. Consequently the smallest hamlet has its blacksmith shop, or there is one not far away, and around its door the village urchins love to stand and with fascinated eyes watch the brawny smith draw the glowing iron from his furnace and weld it upon his ponderous anvil into the necessary horseshoes or other useful article. A sturdy representative of this ancient trade in Lake City is Charles J. Pearson, who is a master of his craft. He was born in the province of Smoland, Sweden, February 25, 1862, son of Gustav and Angeline Pearson. His parents died when he was young and he was placed under the guardianship of an uncle. At the age of ten he was placed with a blacksmith -- a Mr. Ostrom-to learn the trade and be educated. He had to work mornings and evenings, blowing the bellows and doing other work about the shop for his keep, and in addition his guardian had to pay the blacksmith a certain sum annually. Young Pearson remained with Mr. Ostrom four years, after which he spent one year on a farm. At the age of 16 he went to work for another blacksmith, with whom he remained two years. After that he worked at his trade in his native land until 1887, when he came to America. Landing at New York, he came directly to Lake City, and after arriving here worked as a farm hand for two years and a half. He then entered the employ of Ole Chinberg, a blacksmith in Lake City, with whom he remained for thirteen and a half years. On February 25, 1903, Mr. Pearson bought his present shop and busi- ness at the corner of Washington and Chestnut streets, which he has since operated successfully, having built up a prosperous trade and being well known, not only by the townspeople, but by the farmers for miles around, for whom he does shoeing and other blacksmith work. In politics he is a Demo- crat, but above all a true American who took out his naturalization papers as early as possible, has lived up to the spirit of American institutions, and has served Lake City as a member of its council for the past six years or more. He belongs to the Odd Fellows and Red Men's lodges and to the Scandinavian Benevolent Society of Lake City. Mr. Pearson was married April 11, 1893, to Hannah Rose, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Rose, and a native of Sweden who came to Wabasha County with friends when a young girl. The children of this marriage are as follows: Reuben, born February 2, 1894, who since 1917 has been a clerk in a shoe establishment in Seattle, Wash .; Milton, born May 3, 1895, who is in the United States service in France; Marena, born August 26, 1897, a graduate of the Lake City high school, who is now teaching music in Grand Forks; Harold, born November 11, 1899, a graduate of Lake City high school, now working with his father; Elna, born April 26, 1903, who is a student in the Lake City high school; and Maurice, born November 28, 1906, who is in the high school.

Albert J. Foelsch, a representative farmer of Plainview Township, residing in section 23, was born in Sanilac County, Michigan, November 30, 1858, son of William and Sophia (Nurnberg) Foelsch. The parents were natives of Ger- many, in which country they were married in 1853. Coming to the United States the same year, they located in Sanilac County, Michigan, where for six years William Foelsch worked in sawmills. In 1859 he moved with his family to Buffalo County, Wisconsin, taking 40 acres of land, which he grubbed and cleared, erecting a log house, and subsequently other buildings, until he had developed a farm. At the age of 62 years he retired, and in 1905 he passed away, at the age of 73 years. His wife died in 1914. They were the parents of six children : Louisa, who married Nick Heck, but is now deceased; Albert

OTTO BURKHARDT

HENRY BURKHARDT

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

J., the direct subject of this sketch; Gusta, wife of Charles Heck, of Lake City, her husband being now retired; John L., who is residing on the old home farm in Buffalo County, Wisconsin; Annie, wife of Henry Dorman, residing near Minneiska, Wabasha County; and Julius, who is living in Winona County. Albert J. Foelsch in his boyhood attended school in Buffalo City, Wis. He remained on the home farm until attaining his majority, after which for a number of years he worked on farms except one summer, which he spent on the river. In 1898 he came to Wabasha County and bought his present farm of 160 acres in section 23, which was then but slightly improved. The other im- provements, including fences, have been made by himself, and he has brought the farm into good condition. He keeps grade Durham cattle and follows gen- eral farming with profitable results, being now numbered among the prosperous citizens of his township, which he served one term as path master. Mr. Foelsch was married, November 1, 1888, to Mary Baab, who was born in Min- neiska, Wabasha County, Minn., April 3, 1870. He and his wife have had three children : Dorothy, born July 31, 1889; Elsie, born June 20, 1894, who died October 31, 1918; and Estella, born April 23, 1897. Dorothy married Fay Wood, of Plainview village, and has three children, Stanley, Leolo and Marie. Estella is the wife of Clarence Roen, of Owatonna, Minn.

Otto Burkhardt, proprietor of a well equipped moving-picture theatre in Wabasha city, known as the Princess, where he owns valuable real estate, is a man who has achieved prosperity through his own energy, talent, and business ability. He was born at Read's Landing, this county, March 28, 1864, son of Henry and Elizabeth (Burgher) Burkhardt, his parents having settled in the county five years previous to his birth. He acquired a common school educa- tion, and when old enough became associated in the meat business with his father, of which for some years he was the manager, up to 1898. From 1881 to 1886 he also served as deputy sheriff, under his father, who was then sheriff. In March, 1898, Mr. Burkhardt moved to Crookston, Minn., where he entered into the meat business. He also became proprietor of the "Cleveland Hotel" there, which he conducted on a profitable basis for 16 years, having from 75 to 80 steady boarders, and also leasing a number of outside rooms to accommo- date his overflow guests. He owned a fine residence opposite his hotel, as well as the building in which he carried on his market. At the same time he was actively interested in the musical life of the city, organizing the Crookston Brass Band, a fine organization, in which he played trombone or baritone, as the occasion required, and his connection with the band lasted for three years. Through these various fields of activity he became well known and one of the prominent and respected citizens of Crookston. But finally he determined to return to Wabasha County, which he did in July, 1913, selling his Crookston interests. Buying the Charles Read property in West Wabasha, formerly Reads, he was there engaged in market gardening until 1919. He also pur- chased two adjoining business blocks on Pembroke street, Wabasha, in one of which he started his sons, Irvin and Harry, in business, and in the other build- ing, in 1914, he opened a moving-picture house, which he has since operated, and which is supplied with a fine orchestra from members of his own family. To this enterprise he now gives his chief attention and is conducting a pros- perous business. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he rose to the office of grand master, and also to the camp of Good Samaritans, in Wabasha. For two years formerly he was trustee of the village of Read's Landing. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Otto Burkhardt married Sophia, daughter of Jacob and Mary Burkhardt, of Read's Landing, and he and his wife have been the parents of six children, of whom three are now deceased. The record in brief is as follows: Irvin, born September 27, 1885, now engaged in business in Wabasha; Charles, born July 20, 1887, de- ceased; Harry, born February 28, 1889, in business in Wabasha; Cornelia, born December 1, 1891, deceased; Glendora, born July 26, 1894, died at Crookston,

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

Minn .; Elizabeth, born April 7, 1896, who is residing with her parents. Mr. Burkhardt and his family are members of the Swiss Lutheran church.

Henry Burkhardt, who passed away but a few years ago, was a notable pioneer of Wabasha County, for many years engaged in an important industry, for several years a state senator, and at various times an efficient servant of the people in local office. He was born in Switzerland, May 23, 1836, and came to the United States in 1854, at the age of 18 years, locating at Marine, Madison County, Ills. There he married Elizabeth Burgher, who was, like himself, a native of Switzerland. Mr. Burkhardt's residence at Marine covered a period of about five years, during which he was engaged in farming, brickmaking, and also in the operation of a butcher shop. It is probable that none of these oper- ations proved very profitable at that place, as in 1859 Mr. Burkhardt came with his family to Wabasha, Minnesota. Here he engaged in the meat business, for which he found a good opening, as he supplied boats plying on the Mississippi river, and also the logging companies operating on Beef Slough. In 1861 he changed the base of his operations by removing to Read's Landing, where he continued in the meat business, also buying and shipping livestock. A power- fully built man, he often shouldered a 200-pound barrel of pork and carried it from his shop to the river bank for boats. There he also held the office of chief of police, a job that was no sinecure, as many rough characters from the log- ging camps and elsewhere visited the Landing, after being paid off, and as whiskey was both cheap and abundant, fights and disturbances were not infre- quent. Mr. Burkhardt was a good man for the position, though strong and muscular, he was even tempered and not excitable, or inclined to "lose his head." Subsequently he returned to Wabasha, where he continued in the meat business, which he followed successfully until his death on January 30, 1915, when in his seventy-ninth year. In the accumulation of wealth, however, he was handicapped by an over-generous disposition, as he lost considerable money by signing notes for friends. He was a widely known and highly esteemed citizen, of the type naturally looked to for public service. He was county commissioner from 1877 to 1881, and in the fall of the latter year was elected sheriff of Wabasha County, in which office he served with credit for five years. He was then elected to the state senate, serving therein from 1887 to 1895. While in the senate he introduced a bill providing for the manufacture of bind- ing twine in the state prison at Stillwater, and the installation of machinery for the same, this bill being passed through his efforts, April 19, 1889. In politics Mr. Burkhardt was a Republican. He was faithful to every trust re- posed in him, and with his passing away Wabasha County lost one of its old time citizens whose record forms an honorable page in its history. His wife died at Wabasha in August, 1905. They had come to this country with their respective parents on the same sailing vessel, and at the same time, landing together after a seven weeks' voyage, and after their marriage at Marine, Ills., had lived in happy wedlock for half a century until separated by death. They were the parents of ten children, Rudolph, Henry, Emil, Otto, Fanny, Anna, Bertha, Henry, Paul and Edwin. Rudolph, born December 27, 1855, is now a resident of Crookston, Minn., where he holds the office of deputy sheriff. Henry, Emil and Paul are deceased. Otto is now a prominent citizen of Wa- basha. Farny, born March 4, 1866, is the wife of Charles Collier, of Alberta, Canada. Anna, born March 24, 1868, is the wife of John McDonald, of Read's Landing, Minn. Bertha, born April 5, 1870, is the wife of Joseph Koehlmel, of Wabasha. Henry, born June 12, 1872, is a resident of Nashua, Mont. Ed- win, born February 13, 1878, resides with his brother Otto in Wabasha. Henry Burkhardt, the father, was a charter member of Wapahassa Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and of the Royal Arch Chapter, No. 14, at Wabasha; also of the Odd Fellows lodge here. He and his family were members of the Swiss Lutheran church of Wabasha, to which the surviving members of the family here resident belong.

Albert G. Goetz, who owns and operates a good farm of 157 acres in Section 32, Plainview Township, was born in Dakota, January 16, 1882, son of Mr. and

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

Mrs. August Goetz. His education was acquired in the public schools, while he thoroughly learned agriculture on his parents' farm in Plainview Township, Wabasha County, continuing as his father's assistant until he was twenty years old. He then rented the farm from his father and operated it under rental until 1918, when he bought it. The property is well improved, the soil being fertile and yielding good crops, and the buildings substantial and adequate. Among the latter is a good corn shed erected by Mr. Goetz. He does diversi- fied farming, raising cabbage and potatoes in addition to grain, while his stock is all of a good grade. His operations have been profitable and he is now numbered among the well-to-do farmers of Plainview Township. He is a man who takes an intelligent interest in public affairs, and is serving efficiently in the office of school director. Politically he is independent. Albert G. Goetz was united in marriage with Emma Schuchard, who was born March 15, 1890. He and his wife are the parents of four children, all residing at home, and who were born as follows: Glenn L., December 18, 1910; Luetta R., May 31, 1912; Clifford M., October 28, 1913; and Violet R., May 31, 1915. Mr. Goetz and his family are members of the Lutheran church. They have a com- fortable home and a wide circle of friends in Plainview Township and the vicinity.

Rev. John N. Bartholome, pastor of St. Felix Catholic church, Wabasha, was born in Chester Township, Wabasha County, Minn., December 22, 1876, son of Nicholas and Catherine (Jacobs) Bartholome. The parents were na- tives of Luxemburg but were married in this country. Nicholas Bartholome came to America in 1851, taking a claim of 100 acres of wild land in Chester Township, Wabasha County, which he proceeded to develop. By 1861, having made considerable progress, he returned to Europe for his relations and brought back with him his father and brothers and sisters, besides his wife's relatives-in all a colony of 40 or 50 souls, who settled in the vicinity of Ches- ter. One sister, Margaret, had died in Luxemburg, but among those he brought over were his brother Dominick and his sisters Catherine and Susan. Cather- ine, who became the wife of J. J. Reiland, is now deceased. Susan became Mrs. Dominick Schmitz. She is also deceased. The marriage of Nicholas Bartholome to Catherine Jacobs took place in this county previous to the ad- vent of the other members of the two families, his wife's parents being resi- dents of Chester Township. Nicholas Bartholome was a man of strong char- acteristics. He was prominent in civic, church and educational matters in his community, being particularly careful to give his children good educational advantages, and in business matters was very successful. He and his wife had had a large family, including the following children: Peter (first), who died young; Dominick, now living on the old home farm in Chester Township; John N., the direct subject of this sketch; Anna, now Mrs. M. Hart of Ma- zeppa; Elizabeth, who is the wife of F. P. Lippert, of Mc Ville, N. D .; Justine, wife of G. J. Dobner, of Faribault, Minn .; William, of Spokane, Wash .; George, residing in Aneta, N. D .; Nicholas, a twin brother of George, resides at Dick- inson, N. D .; Catherine, now Mrs. John Hunneke, of Malta, Mont .; and Peter (second). Peter, the last mentioned, was born in Chester Township, April 1, 1892. He took a classical and philosophical course at Campion College, Prairie du Chien, Wis., subsequently entered St. Paul's Seminary at St. Paul, Minn., and is now a professor in St. Mary's College, at Winona. John N. Bartholome in his boyhood attended the parochial school in Chester Township, and later became a pupil in St. Francis Seminary at Milwaukee, where he took a classical course. From there he went to St. Paul's Seminary at St. Paul, where he graduated in his philosophic and theological course. In the summer of 1902 he took his first charge at Worthington, Minn., where he was stationed for one year. In 1903 he assumed the duties of his second charge, at Fulda, Minn., and remained there until 1919. During that period he increased his parish from 350 to 1,000 members, built a fine $75,000 church, and a $60,000 school.

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

From Fulda he came to St. Felix parish, Wabasha, succeeding the Rt. Rev. Max Wurst, and has since devoted his time and attention to this charge, working earnestly and faithfully, and with gratifying results. He has made a favorable. impression on the people of Wabasha, regardless of religious affiliations, and the parish is flourishing under his care.

August F. Goetz, Jr., an enterprising farmer of Plainview Township, was born in this township, November 14, 1884, son of Mr. and Mrs. August Goetz, Sr. He acquired his education in District School No. 61, and was associated with his father on the home farm until 1912. He then moved to his present farm of 160 acres, which he rented for three years, purchasing the property at the end of that time. He has improved it in various ways, having erected a corn crib, garage and machine shed, and put up fences. Besides raising grain. and graded stock, he is engaged in truck farming, giving special attention to cabbage and potatoes, all of which he has found profitable. Mr. Goetz was married October 3, 1912, to Linda Drews, who was born December 22, 1891, daughter of Rev. Gust Drews and wife. Mr. and Mrs. Goetz have four chil -. dren: Lucille D., born September 27, 1913; Eileene R., July 16, 1916; Ruth P. November 18, 1917; and Yvonne L., May 13, 1919. Mr. Goetz and his family are members of the Lutheran church. In politics he is independent.

Willie D. Hassig, the proprietor and operator of a profitable farm in Plain -. view Township, where he stands high as a citizen, was born in Winona County, Minn., August 4, 1873, son of Napoleon and Fianah (Schlott) Hassig. The. parents were natives of Stark County, Ohio, they were married in Indiana in 1862, immediately afterward coming to Winona County, Minn., where Napoleon Hassig had taken a claimof 160 acres of wild land the previous year while on a prospecting trip. He and his wife passed through the usual pioneer hard- ships and experiences, but in time developed a good farm. Mrs. Fianah Hassig died May 31, 1885, and Napoleon Hassig on March 14, 1918, he having survived her nearly 33 years. They had nine children: George F., Alice, Minnie, Mary, Lillie May and Willie D. (twins), Gertrude, Aaron and Edna. Gertrude and. Minnie are now deceased. Willie D. Hassig acquired his elemenary education in the Honey Hill district school, Winona County. As he grew older he became. active and useful on his parents' farm, and subsequently attended the agricul- tural school at St. Paul for two winters. In 1902 he rented the home farm, which he operated in 1908, in which year he moved to his present location in Plainview Township, Wabasha County, having purchased 80 acres of land in section 25. He has since operated the home farm. Also by additional pur- chases he has increased the area of his farm to 239 acres, 139 of which are in section 26. He also owns 200 acres of the home farm in Winona County. Since taking possession of the property Mr. Hassig has made some valuable improve- ments, having erected a good barn, 40 by 74 feet, with full basement and modern equipment, and put up a silo. He follows diversified farming, keeping Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China swine, and is doing a large and profitable business. On October 14, 1908, he was married to Amelia Carleton, who was born in Plainview Township, October 1, 1878. She was graduated from the Plainview High School in the class of 1899, and in the following year took up, teaching, an occupation in which she was engaged for about seven years in the rural schools of Wabasha and Winona counties. In 1905 she was graduated from the School of Agriculture at St. Paul. Mr. and Mrs. Hassig are the parents of four children: Helen A., born August 6, 1909; Deane C., September. 17, 1912; Beth M., October 11, 1913, and May E., May 23, 1915. The family are religiously affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically Mr.

Hassig is independent.

Otto Johnson, who is identified with the agricultural interests of Plainview Township, was born in Sweden, October 24, 1859. He was educated in his native land and came to the United States in 1880, locating in Minneiska, Wabasha County, Minn. For a while he worked out for others, but about 1886.

Julius Schmidt

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

he bought a farm of 160 acres in Whitewater Township, Winona County, which he operated for two years. At the end of that time he sold it and went to Watopa Township, where he rented his mother-in-law's farm, which he operated for six years. Then coming to Plainview village, he worked out by the day for seven years, earning only from 75 cents to one dollar a day. Previous to this he had become the owner of a house, which he now traded for machinery, and, having rented a farm from P. Lamprecht, he operated it for two years. At the end of that time he rented the farm on which he now lives, containing 160 acres in section 28, and after operating it under rental for six years, he purchased it. When he took possession the buildings were all poor, but he remodeled the house and in 1916 built a good modern barn, 36 by 72 feet ground dimensions, and he has also built a hen house and machine shed, besides putting up fencing. These improvements have greatly improved the aspect and value of his property. He is successfully carrying on mixed farming, his principal stock being Durham cattle and Chester-White hogs. Enterprising and industrious, he has made good strides on the road to prosperity and is numbered among the prosperous citizens of his township. Mr. Johnson was married, at Winona, Minn., in March, 1887, to Amelia Olson, who was born in Weaver, Wabasha County, Minn. He and his wife are the parents of four children: Mildred, born in Winona County, February 17, 1888, now Mrs. Grover Tock of Rochester, her husband being a physician connected with the Rochester clinic, and who is the mother of one child, Vernon; Arthur V., born in Watopa Township, this county, who is assisting his father on the home farm; Camerd, born in Watopa Township, March 17, 1895; and Genevieve, born in Plainview Township in August, 1897, who is residing at home. The family's religious affiliations are with the Lutheran and M. E. churches. In politics Mr. Johnson is a Republican.

Julius Schmidt, who was for more than thirty years one of the leading business men of Wabasha, a public spirited citizen taking an active part in almost every movement connected with the good of the community, was born in Milwaukee, Wis., June 17, 1857, the eldest child of John and Catherine (Schreck) Schmidt. The father was a merchant tailor, who established himself in business in Wabasha in 1864, his wife and three sons, including the subject of this sketch, joining him here in the following year. Both the parents died some years ago. Young Julius, who was only eight years old when he arrived in Wabasha, attended the public schools of the city up to the age of sixteen. He began industrial life in the employ of H. H. Jewell, hardware merchant, under whom he learned the tinner's trade, remaining with him for eight or nine years. Then going to St. Paul, he became traveling salesman for the hardware firm of Strong, Hackett & Co., and was thus occupied until November, 1882, when he returned to Wabasha. Here he entered into partnership with H. B. Jewell, son of his former employer, and, having purchased the interests of the elder Mr. Jewell, they established the firm of Jewell & Schmidt, and operated the concern together until 1893. In that year Julius Schmidt bought his partner's interest and became sole proprietor of the business, which he remained until his death on April 7, 1915. During his highly successful busi- ness career Mr. Schmidt was also active in civic affairs, in other enterprises aside from his hardware store, and in several fraternal lodges. For two years he was president of the Minnesota Retail Hardware Association. He served as secretary of the Wabasha Building & Loan Association, was president of the Wabasha Creamery Association, vice-president of the Community Center Asso- ciation, and a stockholder in the Masonic Association, as well as in the Building, Loan and Creamery Associations. He was a member of Wapahasa Lodge No. 14, A. F. & A. M., and of White Oak Camp, No. 2077, M. W. A., in both of which he held high office, and was active in promoting lodge interests. The welfare of the city occupied a prominent place in his thoughts at all times, and he was ever ready to lend his aid to a worthy cause. His charities were numerous and liberal, both individual and institutional, and won for him a warm place in the

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History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 63

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