History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 74

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 74

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Adolph Meincke, who owns and operates a fine 200-acre farm in section 19, Mt. Pleasant Township, which was a part of his parents' estate, was born in Florence Township, Goodhue County, Minn., June 6, 1881, son of Henry and Anna Meincke. The parents came to this country from Germany at an early day, and in 1889 they settled with their family in section 19, Mt. Pleasant Township, this county, Adolph being then about eight years old. He attended common or district school up to the age of 15, but had to work hard on the farm, following the drag when only nine years old. The father accumulated 600 acres of land all in one tract in Mt. Pleasant Township, which he divided among his three sons, Adolph getting the original home farm of 200 acres. Both his parents died on the farm, the mother being the first to depart, in 1905,

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

and the father, Henry Meincke, on July 15, 1919. The buildings on the place are well constructed and include a good two-story, ten-room frame house; a frame barn, 36 bv 60 by 16 feet in size, with an 8-foot full basement and cement floors, with steel stanchions for cattle and running water; a granary. with elevator 20 by 30 by 18; poultry house 16 by 30 by 10; corn house and garage 20 by 30 by 10; calf barn 20 by 28; machine shed 24 by 32 by 18; ice house, woodshed, summer kitchen and steel windmill. Mr. Meincke has 180 acres of his land under the plow; it is very fertile and produces good crops. His cattle are high grade Shorthorns and Jerseys and pure-blooded Herefords, all of which he raises on a profitable basis, as well as mixed grades of hogs. He has a good modern operating equipment and also owns a Hudson touring- car. A hard worker, he has been very successful and has a beautiful home with fine surroundings. Mr. Meincke was married August 15, 1904, to Mary Catherine Tiedemann, who was born in Mt. Pleasant Township, September 11, 1882, daughter of Henry and Catherine Tiedemann. They have two children: Aranda Henrietta, born March 6, 1905, now a student in the Lake City high school; and Loraine Geraldine, born December 29, 1906, who is also attending the high school. The family are members of the Belvidere congregation of the Lutheran church. Politically Mr. Meincke is a Republican.

Albert L. Kimber, proprietor of the Elgin Hotel in Elgin Village, was born in Rock County, Wis., near Janesville, December 30, 1847, son of William and Rosanna (Brundage) Kimber. William Kimber, the father, was a native of Orange County, New York, born November 20, 1815. In 1845 he moved to Wisconsin, and from that state, in 1854, to Amherst Township, Fillmore County, Minn. There he resided until 1891, when he moved to Burr Oak, Iowa, where his death occurred in 1904. His wife, Rosanna Brundage Kimber, was born October 3, 1820, and died at Burr Oak, Iowa, in 1891. They were the parents of the following named children: Emmit, Harriet, Sarah, Albert L., Isaac L., James, Amos, Ira, Henry and Mary. James, Amos, Emmit, Sarah and Mary are deceased. Albert L. Kimber was educated in a district school in Fillmore County, Minn. On April 4, 1865, he enlisted at Rochester, Minn., in Company H, First Minnesota Battery, and went out to fight for the preservation of the Union. The war, however, was then drawing to a close, so his service was limited. Moreover, he was taken sick and was discharged from the hospital August 3, 1865. In his 26th year he married and for many years thereafter followed the trade of a mechanic. Subsequently he was engaged in farming in Viola Township, Olmsted County, and after that resided for some years in Minneapolis to give his children the benefit of better educational advantages. In 1916 Mr. Kimber came to Elgin and became. proprietor of the Elgin Hotel, which he is now engaged in operating. He keeps a neat and well ordered place and has become well and favorably known to the traveling public. In addition to the hotel he and his wife are conducting a grocery and crockery store ad- joining. The marriage of Albert L. Kimber occurred October 30, 1873, uniting him with Cordelia Pratt, who was born near Topsham, Vt., October 30, 1854, daughter of John F. and Elizabeth Ann (Richardson) Pratt. Her parents were both natives of Vermont, the father born February 2, 1820, and the mother July 18, 1830. They were married May 20, 1852, and settled in Wisconsin, from which state they came by wagon in 1862 to Viola Township, Olmsted County, Minn., buying the O. Ferguson farm, where Mr. Pratt was engaged in dairy farming. They had five children: Cora A., born February 6, 1853, who mar- ried Niles Blodgett, and died March 1, 1870; Cordelia E., born October 30, 1854, now Mrs. Albert L. Kimber; Clara O., born February 21, 1858, who died De- cember 2, 1863; Sarah R., born March 30, 1862, who died September 3, 1878; and Guilford J., born September 28, 1866, now residing in Elgin Village. Mr. and Mrs. Kimber are affiliated with the Universalist church, and are among the well known and respected residents of Elgin. Mrs. Kimber is also a mem- ber of the Eastern Star Chapter. They have had three children: Alberta

GEORGE J. MEINCKE AND FAMILY

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

Rose, born February 10, 1877, who died March 21, the same year; Jennie Louise, born August 23, 1879, now Mrs. George R. Turner of Minneapolis; and Avis Lulu, born June 17, 1885, now Mrs. Paul Wing, of Elgin Village.

Julius A. Behrns, a well known and respected citizen of Oakwood Township, engaged in general agriculture and stock raising on a farm of 310 acres in section 19, was born on his father's farm in section 30, this township, August 28, 1874. His parents were Hans and Margaret (Schacht) Behrns, natives of Germany, who came to this country when young, the father at the age of 18 years and the mother at that of eight. They were married in Olmsted County, and in 1862 settled on a farm in section 30, Oakwood Township, Wabasha County. The farm contained 160 acres, to which Hans Behrns added until he had 280 acres. He retired in March, 1920, and took up his residence in Min- neapolis, where he is now living on Thomas street. Julius A. Behrns acquired his elementary education in the Bremen District School, and later attended the Rochester High School. Until the age of 23 years he remained on his parents' farm, and then went to Lac Qui Parle County, where he bought a farm of 160 acres, which he operated for four years. He then sold it and moved to a farm of 146 acres belonging to his father in section 9, Elgin Township, which he worked for 15 years, or until the fall of 1919, when he took possession of his present farm of 310 acres in section 19, Oakwood Township. He follows gen- eral farming, including the raising of sugar beets, and stock breeding, keeping pure-bred Hampshire hogs. He belongs to the Elgin Shipping Association, and his operations are being conducted on a successful basis, redounding to his own benefit and identifying him as a factor in the agricultural development of the county. Mr. Behrns was married January 20, 1892, to Bertha Hein, of Elgin Township, the issue of this marriage being five children, namely : Elenora, born in Lac Qui Parle County, November 4, 1899, who is the wife of Leslie Wood, of Winona; Ezra E., born July 22, 1900; Delbert, March 5, 1902; Sylvia, January 23, 1906, and Arthur, May 19, 1908. The Behrns family are affiliated religiously with the Lutheran church.

John M. Schmeideberg, who is prosperously engaged in general farming and stock raising in Elgin Township, was born in Viola Township, Olmsted County, Minn., September 9, 1880, son of William and Julia Schmeideberg. The parents, who were natives of Germany, are now deceased, William Schmeide- berg having died in 1901, and his wife on June 2, 1908. John M. in his boy- hood attended district school in Viola Township, Olmsted County, and Elgin Township, Wabash oo.days were over, he worked for his father until 1908, and then rented a farm in Plainview Township, where he lived for one year. In 1909 he moved to Elgin Township, to the farm of 120 acres in section 29, known as the Schroeder estate, where he is now carrying on general farming and stock raising. He has brought the farm into good condition and is doing a successful business. He has also served 11 years as a member of the school board in District No. 77, Elgin Township, thereby show- ing his usefulness as a citizen. His religious affiliations and those of his fam- ily are with the Lutheran church. Mr. Schmeideberg was married April 29, 1909, to Mrs. Olga Sterich Schroeder, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Sterich. His household includes three children of his wife by her first husband, namely : Elmer Schroeder, born May 14, 1903; Ezra Schroeder, born January 27, 1905; and Elvira Schroeder, born February 27, 1907. To Mr. and Mrs. Schmeideberg two children have been born: Erma L., July 19, 1911; and Marguerite, No- vember 3, 1914.

George J. Meincke, a practical and successful farmer of Mt. Pleasant Township, residing in section 30, was born in West Florence Township, Good- hue County, Minn., September 1, 1876, son of Henry and Anna (Tomsforde) Meincke. He attended school in his native county and also in Mt. Pleasant Township, Wabasha County, coming here with his parents in 1891. For a number of years he was associated with his father in the development of the farm on which he now resides, and of which he is the present owner. It has an

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

area of 240 acres, all in section 30, and all productive land, of which 200 acres are under the plow. Mr. Meincke is operating it as a grain and stock farm, keeping Hereford cattle, of which he has from 40 to 50 head, with about the same number of swine. He milks on an average of seven cows and is a patron of the Belvidere creamery. His buildings, all good and substantial, include a two-story, ten-room, frame-house, gas-lighted; a frame barn 32 by 74 by 16 feet, with an 8-foot stone basement; a granary and elevator 28 by 40 by 12,

together with e and wash house. The farm is beautifully situated and is about ten miles from Lake City, while the operat -. ing equipment, besides the usual machinery, all of modern type, includes a fine Hudson auto car. Mr. Meincke was married November 11, 1903, to Emma Miller, who was born August 3, 1876, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Miller, of Hay Creek Township, Goodhue County. He and his wife are the parents of two children: Maynard J., born October 30, 1904; and Harry H., born June 14, 1909. The family are members of the Lutheran church at Belvidere. Politically Mr. Meincke is a Republican.

Carl Siewart, proprietor of a farm of 305 acres in section 19, Elgin Town- ship, was born in Germany, December 27, 1848, a son of John Siewart and wife. Educated in his native land, he came to America in 1890, locating at Ham- mond, Wabasha County, Minn. His first three years in this locality were spent working on farms. During that period he practiced economy, saving his money, and for four years subsequently he followed agriculture on his own account on rented farms. In 1897 he bought his first farm property-a farm of 80 acres near Hammond-on which he lived for nine years. He then sold it and pur- chased a farm of 240 acres, 160 of which lie in Elgin Township and 80 in Oak- wood Township. On that place he did mixed farming until 1914, when he again sold, buying his present farm of 305 acres in section 19, Elgin Township, which is now managed by his son, Mr. Siewart's health not permitting him to work. Mr. Siewart was married March 18, 1899, to Elizabeth Schucart, and he and his wife have four children: Albert W., born April 9, 1900; Charles A., September 21, 1902; Emil R., July 29, 1904; and Ida A., August 31, 1907.

Julius E. Stage, a prominent representative of the agricultural interests of Elgin Township, was born in Posen, Germany, September 17, 1869, son of Paul and Minnie (Paul) Stage. He was educated in his native land, where he re- mained until 1885, when, as a boy of 16, he came to the United States, locating in Wabasha County, Minnesota. For a year he resided near Plainview, and subsequently worked on farms near Plainview and Elgin until 1894. In that year he began farming on his own account, renting 80 acres in Plainview Town- ship, which he operated for a year. He then rented a farm of 100 acres in Elgin Township for about two years, and after that for some time lived in Elgin Village, doing farm labor in the vicinity. Then going to Olmsted County, Mr. Stage rented a farm near Eyota, which he operated for five years, and after that for an equal length of time he worked a rented farm near Potsdam. In 1913 he bought his present farm of 200 acres in section 18, Elgin Township, on which he has made substantial improvements, having in 1916 built a good barn, and in 1919 a ten-room modern residence, electrically lighted, as are all the · prin- cipal buildings on his place. He is successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising, and as a citizen stands high in the community. Religiously he is a German Lutheran. On January 21, 1894, Mr. Stage was united in mar- riage with Minnie Gusa, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Gusa of Elgin Vil- lage. Eleven children are the issue of this marriage, who were born as fol- lows: August R., June 2, 1896; Alvina B., November 8, 1897; Edna E., July 22, 1899; Alma E., February 17, 1900; Lillie L., October 17, 1901; Albert F., April. 8, 1904; Nora M., January 24, 1906; Minnie S., March 25, 1907; Reuben G., born March 11, 1909; Leona M., August 30, 1911; and Mildred E., February 9, 1917.

William Schacht, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits on a farm of 160 acres in section 19, Elgin Township, of which township he is a prominent citi-

EMIL SCHWANTZ AND FAMILY

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

zen, was born in Winona, Minn., July 22, 1859, son of Claus and Anna (Holing) Schacht. He acquired his education in a district school near Potsdam, Olm- sted County, and for a number of years thereafter worked for his father. In 1881 he began farming on his own account, buying 160 acres in Elgin Town- ship, Wabasha County, on which he built a house, barn and outbuildings, con- siderably improving the place during his residence there of 20 years. Selling it in 1901, he then bought his present farm, on which he is profitably carrying on general farming and stock raising. For 19 years he has served as clerk of District School Board No. 77, and has been its treasurer for nine years. Mr. Schacht was married, July 12, 1880, to Minnie Boie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Boie. He and his wife have had 14 children, of whom twelve are now living, the record in brief being as follows: Lydia D., born July 12, 1881, now Mrs. William Witzke; Albert C., born January 23, 1883; Anna E., born Septem- ber 2, 1884, now Mrs. William Weick; Herman S., born October 15, 1886, who died January 15, 1887; Benjamin W., born June 3, 1889; Harrison E., born Aug- ust 3, 1891; Emma E., born October 11, 1893, now Mrs. Otto Wondrasch; Alma W., born February 13, 1896; Nora E., born September 3, 1898, now Mrs. Henry Wehrs; Erwin C., born September 30, 1900; Lloyd R., born July 30, 1903; Frank- lin, born May 30, 1905, who died June 3, 1906; Vera A., born June 9, 1906, and Rufus R., March 20, 1910.

Prosper St. Jacque, one of the earliest settlers in Wabasha Village, and for many years a farmer in Greenfield Township, where he is still residing a re- spected pioneer of this county, was born in Montreal, Canada, July 30, 1837, son of John and Florence (Buche) St. Jacque. He was educated in Canada and remained there until 1856, when, as a young man of nineteen, he came to Wabasha County, Minn., with the vanguard of the pioneers, settling in Wabasha Village. There he worked in a factory for a number of years, afterwards en- gaged in contracting for a few years, and later was employed on the river. In the year of his arrival in this county he had bought some land in Greenfield Township, and subsequently at various times he bought other tracts until he owned in all 800 acres. After giving up river work he was employed in farming and stock raising until he retired from active work. He has disposed of nearly all his property, deeding the last 90 acres to his son Woodruff. Mr. St. Jacque has been twice married: first on July 3, 1856, to Hilma La Point, who died Jan- uary 12, 1872. By her he had six children, Xavier, Henry, Prosper, Jr., Rose, Helen and Philip, of whom the two last mentioned are now deceased. On March 4, 1878, Mr. St. Jacque married Mary Shank, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Shank of Minneiska. Of this second marriage also six children were born, Florence, Clara, Benjamin, Charles, Leon and Woodruff. Florence is now deceased. Woodruff, who is now on the home farm, taking care of his father and mother, was educated in the district school and in the school at Kellogg. When 18 years old he went to Canada, where he remained until 1913. After that he spent a year on the Pacific coast in Washington and Oregon, and then, in 1914, went to South Dakota where he remained until he enlisted in the U. S. army, December 7, 1917, becoming a member of the 495th Aero Squadron. He left for France, March 4, 1918, and was engaged in aero repair work near the front lines until he left France for home January 11, 1919, was discharged Jan- uary 25, 1919, at Camp Dodge.

Emil Schwantz, a prominent representative of the agricultural interests of Elgin Township, of which he is a well known and respected citizen, was born in Dodge County, Wis., September 7, 1864, son of Fred and Augusta Schwantz. He was educated in the schools of his home locality and subsequently worked for his father until 1885. During the next four years he worked on farms in Elgin Township, Wabasha County, Minn .; but in 1889 he rented a farm and en- gaged in agricultural operations on his own account. Later he purchased his present farm of 240 acres in section 15, Elgin Township. On this he has made some valuable improvements, having built two large barns, a large and com-

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

fortable residence and a number of substantial outbuildings. His land is fer- tile and produces good crops, and as a stock raiser he is successfully breeding full-blooded Durham cattle and Duroc swine. Mr. Schwantz was united in marriage, December 6, 1888, with Augusta Reiter, who was born November 1, 1866, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Reiter. Of this union eleven children have been born, as follows: Lydia E., born February 21, 1890, who was married, No- vember 28, 1918, to William Kurth of Plainview, and has one child, Donald W., born November 26, 1919; Alfred J., born March 19, 1892; Arthur F., born Feb- ruary 14, who died December 8, 1912; Leo, born July 25, 1896, who died August 21, 1896; Theodore W., born September 2, 1897, who died October 6, 1919; Leola H., born December 2, 1899; Annette A., born April 12, 1902; Walter G., born January 9, 1905; Reuben E., born April 18, 1908; Lester V., born February 14, 1910; and Elbert E., born June 1, 1912. As will be seen from the above dates, both Arthur F. and Lester V., were born on St. Valentine's Day.

Alfred J. Schwantz, on May 28, 1918, was drafted for service in the war with Germany. He reported at the court house at Wabasha at 2:00 o'clock P. M., and at 8:00 o'clock A. M. the next day left Wabasha for Camp Lewis, Wash. He rode three days, arrived in camp at 6:00 o'clock, did some drilling at this camp, and on June 19, 1918, left for Camp Kearney, Calif. In his own words: "We rode on the train three and a half days till we arrived in the camp. Here we were assigned to Company C, 160th Infantry; we lived in tents. This was the best camp that I was in. It was fine in California all the time that I was there. Here I got considerable training. On July 27, 1918, I left Camp Kearney, Calif., for Camp Mills, N. Y. This was quite a ride across the United States. I saw all kinds of country when riding. It took six and a half days to get to this camp. While riding on the cars some of the boys broke out with measles. Then we were put in the detention camp at. New York. Here we stayed for twelve days, and our company went across. August 17, 1918, we left Camp Mills for Camp Merritt to get equipped for overseas duty. August 18, 1918, left Camp Merritt for Camp Mills, N. Y. August 21, 1918, left Camp Mills on the train for Hoboken, N. J., for the ship. Here we were assigned to Company G, 156th Infantry. August 22, 1918, the transport left at 10:30 P. M. for the overseas trip. The ship I went across in was a captured German ship, the second largest ship that they had. This ship was named President Grant. The eats that we got on this ship surely were good. Were on the water twelve days. On the morning of September 3, 1918, could see the coast of France. Left the ship at noon. Hiked out of Brest, France, about two miles and here we camped for a week in dog tents; here we got some of the first spring wine. September 8, 1918, left Brest, France-this was on a Sunday-in box cars. Here we got all kinds of beans and salmon to eat while riding in the box cars. We rode two and a half days; then we got off the train and lay outside that night in the rain, near some French village. Next morning we hiked about 30 miles, hiking till ten o'clock that night, all tired out and hungry. Here we stayed in a French farm house in the barns from September 11, 1918, to October 17, 1918. We had to drill every day. Then we left again on box cars on a three days' ride. After we got off the train we were transferred to the 32d Division, Co. A, 125th Infantry, and the same evening hiked toward the front, where we were in reserve for several days. November 1 we started to hike and followed up back of the lines as the grounds were gained by us. This was on the Verdun front in the woods. In the evening of the 10th we hiked to the front, lay low all that night, supposed to go over the top the next morning. At mid- night orders came that we should wait till the next day and see which way the armistice was going; didn't do any fighting, only trying to keep out of the way from being hit by bullets. After eleven o'cock everything was quiet-seemed like a different world; then we hiked up to the German line, stayed around a few days, and were put into the army of occupation. On November 17, we started to hike to Germany, hiked a few days and came to Lonwy, France,

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

where we rested two days. Then we started to hike and went into Belgium and Luxemburg .. Here we stayed and rested up for a week at a farmer's place, sleeping in barns and dog tents during the hikes so far. In Luxemburg we spent Thanksgiving day. December 1st we crossed the German line, hiked to Andernacht, Germany, where we got shoes and clothes and whatever we needed. Some of the boys wore out their shoes and were barefooted for a few days. After we got fixed up we were like new soldiers again. Had a two days' rest here; then we hiked again and crossed the Rhine river, and hiked a few more days till we got to a dorf named Gullishiem (Germany), which finished our hike to December 14, 1918. All we had to do was guard duty, which was good pastime. I was promoted from a private to a first-class private while in Ger- many. Stayed in Gullishiem, Germany, till April 20, 1919, on Easter. Then we left for Niederberg in trucks, and loaded into box cars, they putting 21 boys to a cart. Left April 21, 1919, and arrived in Brest, France, April 24, 1919. Here we stayed till May 2, and left for the ship at Brest, homeward bound for America. We came back in five and a half days on the "Great North- ern," unloaded on May 9, 1919, in Hoboken, N. J., then went to Camp Mills, N. Y., where we stayed several days. Here we received passes to go and see the City of New York. On May 18, 1919, left Camp Mills for Camp Dodge, Ia., and on May 21, 1919, I received my discharge."

Henry G. Schroeder, a prominent young farmer of Elgin Township, oper- ating 219 acres of land, was born in Waupaca County, Wisconsin, October 11, 1886, son of Emil and Josephine (Brandt) Schroeder. He was educated in the village school of Elgin, Wabasha County, Minn., and became industrially active as a farm laborer, following that occupation in this vicinity until 1916. Then, with a laudable ambition, he started in for himself, renting the Campbell farm in Olmsted County, which he operated for three years. At the end of that time he bought his present farm of 219 acres in sections 26 and 35, Elgin Township, where he is successfully carrying on general farming and stock raising. He keeps good cattle and swine, the latter being of the Chester-White variety, with full-blooded sires at the head of his herds. He has a good house, silo, barns and outbuildings and his farm is well improved. Fraternally Mr. Schroeder is a member of the Masonic order, including the Eastern Star Chapter, while his religious affiliations and those of his family are with the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Schroeder was married, February 21, 1907, to Mary E. Dunn, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Dunn. He and his wife are the parents of four children: Lincoln D., born February 12, 1909; Wayne A., March 13, 1911; Doris L., October 23, 1913, and Mary E., July 9, 1915. Emil Schroeder, father of Henry G. Schroeder, was born in the State of Wisconsin in 1860, and spent all his life in that state, where he died in 1893. His occupation was that of a farmer. His wife Josephine subsequently married Fred Dosdale and now lives at Hammond, Wis. By her marriage with Mr. Schroeder she had two children, Henry G. and Bertha. The latter is now the wife of Henry T. Swanson of Rochester.

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History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 74

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