History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 75

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

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Joseph Henry Schurb, who owns and operates a fine farm of 231 acres in section 33, Minneiska Township, was born on a farm in Iowa, a few miles south of Dubuque, November 29, 1851, son of Matthew Joseph and Elizabeth (Trout) Schurb. The parents, who were natives of Feltzen, Germany, were married in their native land, and came to the United States in 1850, settling at once in Iowa, where an uncle of Mrs. Schurb resided. After remaining there two years, they removed to Minneiska, Wabasha County, Minn., and homesteaded the quarter section of land on which the subject of this sketch now resides (Range 9, Township 109). The land was all wild, and the numerous Indians in the vicinity went about in summer time in a state of nature, having no use what- ever for clothing. The Schurb family began operations with no stock but one cow and one or two pigs. From a man named Burns, who lived in Mt. Vernon Township, Winona County, they hired a team of oxen to drag the logs with

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which to build a small house, erecting it on a piece of table land some distance back from the river, and in the immediate vicinity of a small spring. A num- ber of years afterwards, about the time the railroad was in process of con- struction, this house burned down, and the family then moved into a granary which they had recently built and in which they made their home for a time, until a new house could be erected. During the early period they possessed no machinery, and all the work, even the hardest, had to be done by hand, in- cluding a considerable amount of timber felling and grubbing. Still they made gradual progress, though suffering many hardships unknown to the younger generation, and barns and other buildings were in course of time erected. With the advent of machinery they made better progress, though this advantage cost them something in addition to the money spent, as about 1890 their barns were burned down, being ignited by a spark from a threshing- machine. They were, however, rebuilt, and the house improved and enlarged, and today the farm presents all the appearances of thrift and prosperity. In addition to the house, to which two L's have been added, there is a good cow barn 24 by 50 feet, with 16-foot posts, a basement barn for horses, 24 by 40 feet, with 12-foot posts, a good granary, milk-house, hay shed, machine-shed and corncrib, and a stave silo, built five years ago, 14 by 30 feet. Matthew J. Schurb, the father, who established the place and developed it into a fairly good property, died some twenty years ago, being survived by his wife, who passed away about 1907. They had in all nine children, all of whom, however, died young but three, and of these three the subject of this sketch is the only one now living. He, Joseph H. Schurb, now one of the leading farmers of his township, obtained such education as he could in the district school, when he was able to attend it, but his agricultural training was very thorough, and he learned many things which the farmers of the present day are not called upon to perform, and of which the younger generation know. nothing. In course of time he came into possession of the home place, which he has still further im- proved, with the help of his wife and children, who are fully endowed with habits of thrift and industry. He is a man who has always fulfiled his obliga- tions, and who takes pride in the fact that his word is recognized to be as good as his bond, his verbal promise being taken for all that it implies by those who know him. He was married January 7, 1879, to Dora Heaser, who was born in Trout Valley, Winona County, Minn., April 8, 1860, daughter of Joseph and Anna (Westline) Heaser, her parents, of German origin, coming to this coun- try from Alsace, France, about the middle of the last century. In their fam- ily were eight children, of whom four are now living: Anna, residing at Lake City, Minn., who is the widow of Mat Berg, and who has had nine children, one being now deceased; Dora, wife of Joseph H. Schurb; Joseph Frank, residing on the home farm, who married Frances Theis, and has five children; and Theresa, wife of John Siebenaler, and the mother of three sons and one daughter. To Mr. and Mrs. Joseph H. Schurb have been born five children: Anna Elizabeth, January 11, 1881; Frank Joseph, September 1, 1882; Theresa Mary, March 4, 1884; Elizabeth Matilda, December 3, 1888, and Olivia, May 2, 1891. Anna Elizabeth, who is single, resides at Mazeppa, Wabasha County. Frank Joseph, who lives on and now manages the home farm, married Mary Ilgen, of Hammond, Minn., who was born September 17, 1893, daughter of Peter and Mary Ilgen, has one child Bernard P., born August 18, 1919. Theresa Mary married Peter Marx, of Mazeppa, Minn., now resides in Olmsted County, this state, and has two children, Cecelia Anna and Monica Faviola. Elizabeth Ma- tilda is the wife of Louis Welch, of Oak Ridge, Beaver Township, Winona County, and has three children, Dora Elizabeth, Theresa Viola and Beatrice Mary. Olivia married Edward Welch, brother of Louis, and has one child, Annabelle Theresa. Mr. Schurb and his family are members of the Catholic church, attending St. Mary's at Minneiska. He belongs to St. Joseph's Society, his wife to that of St. Anne, and their son Frank to the Knights of Columbus

CLEMMENS KOOPMAN AND FAMILY

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

and the Catholic Order of Foresters. As one of the men who have aided largely in developing the agricultural resources of Minneiska Township, Mr. Schurb is widely known and respected, and his record is well worthy of preser- vation in a volume devoted to the history of this locality. Though his early advantages with respect to education were limited, he possesses keen intelli- gence and easily recognizes the desirability of providing the younger genera- tion with better opportunities than he himself enjoyed in his youth.

Bernard Koopman, who settled in Wabasha County in 1882, and in time carved out a good farm from what was practically a tract of wild land in Wabasha Township, was a native of Hanover, Germany, where he grew to man- hood and married Caroline Schonoff. He and his wife remained in Germany for some years after their marriage, and then in 1882, with their four chil- dren-all they ever had-they emigrated to the United States, arriving in this country July 17, and coming directly to Wabasha County, Minnesota. In Pepin Township they rented the Lager farm on Pepin Hill, and were there four years, after which, for two years, they occupied the George Dickinson farm in Greenfield. But it was not in either of those localities that they made their permanent home, but in Wabasha Township, where in 1889 Bernard Koopman bought 140 acres of land in section 5. But little of the land was broken, and a log house was the only building. With the assistance of his wife and children, Mr. Koopman set to work to develop a farm, a task which he successfully ac- complished. When he arrived in Wabasha County from Germany he had just enough money to purchase a cow, but through hard work, perseverance and frugality, he became the owner of a fertile and well stocked farm, on which he and his wife spent the rest of their days. Mr. Koopman became a naturalized American citizen and joined the Democratic party. He died February 21, 1907, and his wife on September 9, 1915. Their four children were: Clemmens, sub- ject of this sketch; Joseph, residing in Wabasha; Theresa, now Mrs. Joseph Burrichter, of Greenfield Township, and Bernard, Jr., of Wabasha.

Clemmens Koopman, who is prosperously engaged in agriculture on a farm in section 5, Wabasha Township, which was the home of his parents, was born in Hanover, Germany, May 17, 1866, son of Bernard and Caroline (Schonoff) Koopman. When a boy of 16 years he accompanied his parents to Minnesota, and was able to be of use to his father when the family settled on a farm in Pepin Township, and afterwards on the Lager farm in Greenfield Township, both of which they rented, the former for four years, and the latter for two years. Then Bernard Koopman bought the farm on which his son, Clemmens, now lives, and which the latter helped to develop. After the father's death in February, 1907, he bought the farm, and has since continued its development, having built a comfortable two-story brick house, a good frame barn, corn- crib, hoghouse, tool-sheds and silo. The buildings are all good, and the soil fertile. The farm contains 208 acres in section No. 5, and Mr. Koopman is do- ing a good general farming business, giving his chief attention to stock rais- ing, his farm products being fed to the stock. His cattle are grade Holsteins and his hogs of the Duroc Jersey breed. He has an adequate equipment, in- cluding a good auto, and is successful as a farmer and respected as a reliable citizen and good neighbor. He was clerk of School District No. 5 for six years, is stockholder in the Wabasha Creamery and Telephone Company, and a member of the Farmers' Shipping Association. Mr. Koopman was married October 16, 1897, to Lena Margaret Passe, daughter of Albert and Mary Passe, of Glasgow Township, where she was born March 18, 1878. He and his wife are the parents of six children: Albert B., born October 25, 1899; Celia E., November 22, 1901; August J., November 23, 1903; Rosa Margaret, February 10, 1905; Dena Christine, November 5, 1907; and Dorothy Marie, May 2, 1915. All are residing on the home farm. Mr. Koopman and his family are Catholics in religion and members of St. Felix' parish at Wabasha.

George Schurhammer, who for 36 years has been engaged in farming and stock raising in Greenfield Township, of which he is now a well to do citizen,

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was born in Baden, Germany, April 21, 1852, son of Joseph and Madeline (Trechler) Schurhammer. The parents, born in Germany, came to America in the early fifties, and settled in Greenfield Township, Wabasha County, Minn., in 1855, Joseph Schurhammer subsequently being engaged in agriculture here until his death July 2, 1901. His wife had passed away before him, in 1896. They were members of the Catholic church. They had nine children, of whom the three first born, Andrew, Andrew (second) and Albert, are deceased. The sur- vivors are George, Joseph, Christ, August, Minnie and Lawrence. George Schur- hammer acquired his education in the district school. For some years he worked for his father on the home farm, and later was employed on the river. In 1876 he began farming for himself, buying 80 acres in Greenfield Township. This farm he later sold and went to Montana, where he remained several years. In 1884 he purchased his present farm of 500 acres in Greenfield Township, lying in sections 13 and 18, on which he has erected all the buildings, in addition to fencing it. He has pursued an industrious career and made good financial

progress. He has also rendered public service as a member of the school board of his district. In religion he is a Catholic. Mr. Schurman was married February 12, 1876, to Anna Braun, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Simon Braun. Her parents, natives of Baden, Germany, emigrated to America in 1852, landing at New York. After spending three years in New Jersey, they came, in 1855, to Wisconsin, settling in Stockholm, where Mr. Braun worked as a wagonmaker for two years. In the early sixties they bought a farm north of Pepin, where they resided until 1871. They then came to Wabasha County, Minn., purchasing 160 acres of land in sections 11 and 12, on which Mr. Braun erected buildings and fences and engaged in general farming and stock raising. In 1908 he sold the farm, but continued to reside in Greenfield Township until his death in 1913. His wife died in 1915. Their children were Simon, Bertha, Anna, Emma, Ida, Richard, Robert, Katherine and Otto. Richard and Otto are now deceased. Mr.

and Mrs. Schurman have a family of seven children, who were born as follows: Louisa J., October 28, 1876; Gustav G., February 16, 1878; Simon H., April 7, 1880; Boda W., December 14, 1881; Roy W., June 13, 1888; Phillip H., July 30, 1890, and Reuben C., March 4, 1892. Louisa is now the wife of Robert Sutter; Gustav resides in Minneapolis; Simon H. and Reuben in Wabasha; Boda and Phillip in Greenfield, as well as Roy, who is on the home farm.

Carl Marx, an early settler in Pepin Township, of which he was for many years one of the most industrious and respected citizens, and the developer of a good farm, was born in Germany, December 28, 1845. He was educated in his native land and came to America in 1867, settling at once, after arriving at Wabasha, in Pepin Township, five and a half miles northwest of the then small village. His land, consisting of 80 acres, lay in section 27, and was all wild, there being no buildings. He at once commenced the work of grubbing and clearing and the erection of buildings, and in time developed a good farm, one of the best in the township. One of these buildings was a granary which he used for awhile for a residence. In 1869 Mr. Marx went to Illinois, where he worked as a farm hand one year. He then returned to his farm on Pepin Hill. this county and continued to improve it, when not working for others as a farm hand. It was in the year 1875 that he purchased the property, and in the fol- lowing year, on May 30, he was married at Wabasha, by the Rev. James Trobec, now Catholic bishop at St. Cloud, to Margaret Klein, who was born in a Rhine province of Germany, January 30, 1855, and had come to this country with her parents at the age of 13 years. Mr. Marx became a successful farmer and one of the prominent citizens of his township, which he served as clerk for 21 years, besides being school clerk of District 3, for some years. In the fall of the year in which he was married, 1876, he built a good frame house, which he later en- larged and improved, and he also erected good substantial farm buildings. He kept a good grade of cattle and raised Duroc hogs, gradually increasing in . prosperity until he was well to do. His disposition was quiet and retiring and

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he always proved himself a good neighbor. Politically he was a Democrat, and in religion a Catholic. His death took place on the farm, October 27, 1919, and was an event much regretted in the locality, where he was highly respected. Mr. and Mrs. Marx were the parents of a large family, numbering 14 children, namely: Mary, born May 23, 1877; Anna Catherine, November 19, 1878; Nich- olas, August 1, 1880; John, February 22, 1882; William John, July 8, 1883; Magdalena, November 21, 1885; Frederick and Michael (twins), October 5, 1891; Bertha Eva, August 17, 1893; Catherine O., October 17, 1895; Louis Mathias, February 16, 1898; Leo, October 26, 1899. Four of the children died in infancy : Charles, on August 5, 1888; Frederick, May 3, 1892; Louis, February 20, 1898; and Leo, March 12, 1900. Mary is now Mrs. Frank Pulles of Glasgow Town- ship. Anna Catherine is unmarried and residing at home. John is a carpenter William John, who is unmarried, is operating the home farm for in Wabasha. his mother. Magdalena, who taught school eight years in Wabasha County, is the wife of Leo Passe, a retired farmer of Wabasha. Mary Margaret, who taught school six years, is now Sister Charlotte of Notre Dame Convent at Mankato. Michael, now a resident of Sandusky, Ohio, served two years in the World War. Going out as a private, he was promoted to corporal, was employed in the Central Record office in clerical work, trained at Camp Lewis, Washington, about five months, and after going across, saw service at Tours and Bourges in France, being abroad 19 months. On his return he was sent to Camp Merritt and from there to camp in Wyoming, where he was discharged in September, 1919. Bertha Eva, who is living at home, is engaged in steno- graphic and office work for Nicholas Marx, a cousin. Catherine O. taught four years in the Wabasha public schools. Magdalena, Margaret and Bertha Eva all graduated from St. Felix high school, all having good records. Catherine also graduated there, and in addition from the normal Training Department of the Wabasha High School, being a member of the Class of 1916. Mrs. Marx, who survives her husband, is still living on the home farm, where also reside her children, William, Anna and Catherine.

John Merkens, proprietor of a farm in section 6, Mt. Pleasant Township, and who also holds the office of town assessor, was born in Hanover, Germany, June 17, 1872, son of John and Metta (Meyer) Merkins. He came with his parents to the United States in 1882, their first location being in Florence Township, Goodhue County, Minn., where they remained until 1894, engaged in farming. In the year last mentioned they removed to Mt. Pleasant Township, Wabasha County, and soon after the father, John Merkens, Sr., died. His wife, who was born in Germany, February 18, 1835, is still living and resides with her son, the subject of this sketch. He, John Merkens, Jr., acquired a common school education, but had to begin work at an early age. He was associated in agriculture with his father, and later became the owner of an 80-acre farm in Belvidere Township, Goodhue County, which he stills owns. In 1913, he then bought his present farm of 80 acres in section 6, Mt. Pleasant Township, Wabasha County, which then had no buildings, though the land was improved. It is situated seven miles and a half from Lake City, and has a fertile soil, which is well tilled and produces good crops. Mr. Merkens has erected a comfortable two-story, eight-room, frame house, and other necessary buildings, and as a general farmer, with a good operating equipment, is meeting with success. He has served as town assessor for over five years, and is a highly respected citizen of his township. He was married June 30, 1901, to Mary Hinck, daughter of John and Anna (Cordes) Hinck, of Mt. Pleasant Township. She died February 15, 1902, and Mr. Merkens has not remarried. He is a Lutheran in religion and a member of Emanuel congregation at West Florence, Goodhue County. He was the fifth born child of his parents, and all his brothers and sisters are now living. Those older than himself, in the order of birth, are: Catherine, a resident of Goodhue County; Metta, now Mrs. James Ashton, of Pasco, Wash .; and Anna, wife of L. H. Roschen, of Mt. Pleasant

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Township. The younger are: Ella, now Mrs. William Stevenson of Waulula, Wash .; Christopher, of Maiden Rock, Wis .; and Henry of Mt. Pleasant Town- ship.

Charles Elmer Nygren, one of the popular and successful young farmers of Mt. Pleasant Township, is a native son of this county, having been born in Gilford Township, January 8, 1883, son of Charles J. and Maria (Johanson) Nygren. He attended the district schools of his neighborhood, and for two years was grounded in the fundamentals of a thorough commercial education in the Lake City Business College. He worked with his father until 1903, when he started on his own responsibility by renting 120 acres of his father's farm. He now operates 240 acres on a successful scale, and makes a specialty of high class stock, his herd including a dozen pure blooded Shorthorns and about 40 high grades. He also has a drove of from 25 to 50 pure bred Duroc-Jersey hogs. His place is a little more than five miles from Lake City, is kept in the highest stage of cultivation, and is well equipped with machinery, tools and implements. Mr. Nygren is an energetic, successful young man, popular in the community, and a thorough believer in modern methods of agriculture. He is a Democrat in general principles but reserves the right of private judgment as to men and policies in all elections, and although keenly interested in all public affairs he has never cared to seek political office. Mr. Nygren was married February 14, 1911, to Isabelle Edna Roberson, who was born January 19, 1889, daughter of Frank and Sarah (Whitcomb) Roberson, of Gillford Township, and this union has been blessed with three children: Norman Elmer, born June 26, 1912; Ruth Edna, born November 18, 1914, and Neil Wyman, born June 9, 1918. The fam- ily attends the Episcopal church.

Carsten Meyer, who was for a number of years a well known and respected resident of Gillford Township, was a native of Germany, where he learned the carpenter's trade and was married to Anna Martens. About 1885 he came with his family to Wabasha County, Minn., and settled on a farm in Gillford Town- ship, on which he erected the buildings. As his sons and daughters were mostly grown up and were strong and sturdy, he left them to work the farm while he followed his trade. He was himself a man of exceptional size, being six feet four inches in height, and powerful in proportion. He spent 28 years on the farm, dying February 13, 1911. His wife survived him a few years, passing away in March, 1913. Their children, ten in number, were: Carsten, now living in Lake City; Henry A., of Mt. Pleasant Township; Claus of Lake City; Mary, wife of Peter Hoeft; Catherine, wife of William Kohrs of Gillford Township, now dead; Anna, now Mrs. Kriett of Lake City; Margaret, wife of Max Wimmer of Gillford Township; Alice, who is Mrs. Carsten Reckmann, and Ellen, who is the wife of Henry Bennett of Goodhue County and John of Mt. Pleasant Township.

Henry A. Meyer, whose work along agricultural lines has raised him to a high place among the prosperous farmers of Mt. Pleasant Township, was born in Hanover, Germany, March 10, 1871, son of Carsten and Anna (Martens) Meyer. He was 14 years old when he accompanied his parents to the United States, and until the age of 26 years he resided on their farm in Gillford Town- ship. In 1895, with his brother Claus, he bought an improved farm of 240 acres in section 34, Mt. Pleasant Township, all the land being under the plow, and the farm having a fair set of buildings. Together they farmed the land until 1908, and having built a good set of buildings on the north half, they divided the farm, the brother, Claus, taking the north half of 120 acres, and Henry A. the south half of the same area. The land is highly cultivated and is productive, and Henry A. Meyer had a herd of 40 to 50 high grade Shorthorn cattle and a herd of 20 to 30 Poland-China swine. He remodeled the frame barn, and it is now equipped in modern style with the James system of steel stanchions, cement floors and gutters, and with water in every stall. There is a 9-foot basement for horses and cattle, a crane manure-carrier and other appliances and the King

C. E. NYGREN AND FAMILY

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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

ventilating system has been installed. There is also a cream separator room. The equipment of tools and machinery is fully adequate and includes an auto car. Through hard work and good management Mr. Meyer made rapid prog- ress and achieved success. He continued actively at work until 1919, when he leased the farm to his son Roy and moved to the Claus Meyer farm. His po- litical principles have been Republican but he is now a member of the Non- Partisan League. On September 26, 1897, Mr. Meyer was married to Margaret, daughter of Henry and Margaret Heitmann of Gillford Township. He and his wife have two children: Roy Carsten, born May 1, 1898, who was married Sep- tember 12, 1919, to Irene, daughter of Henry and Margaret Bremer of Lake Township; and Elsie A., born March 8, 1901, who is residing at home. The family are members of the Lincoln congregation of the Lutheran church, of which Mr. Meyer is a liberal supporter.

Gottleib Wagner, a retired farmer residing in Kellogg, where he and his wife are well known and highly respected, was born in Saxony, Germany, October 28, 1842, son of Valentine and Elizabeth Wagner. The parents, who never left their native land, are now deceased. Of their five or six children, Gottleib was the only one to emigrate to the United States, accompanying the family of a neighbor to this country in 1867. A short time was spent with them in Wisconsin, where he worked on a ferry. Then, in the same year, he came to Minnesota, locating in Glasgow Township, Wabasha County, where for eight years he worked as a farm hand. Having by that time saved some money, he bought 160 acres of timber land in the same township, and began the work of clearing and developing a farm, which he ultimately accomplished in a very thorough manner. On that same place he resided for 45 years, or until 1908, when, finding himself in possession of an ample competence, he retired and took up his residence in Kellogg. The improvements on his farm include a nine- room house; a basement barn, 38 by 58 feet in ground dimensions ; a hog house, chicken house, and other necessary buildings, and he always kept the farm well stocked with a good grade of cattle and swine. Mr. Wagner's education was obtained chiefly in Germany, but he attended English school two years after com- ing to this country. He long ago became a good American, and has rendered public service, having been a village trustee ever since coming to Kellogg, ex- cept during one year, and having formerly served one year as supervisor of Glasgow Township and many years as school clerk. He is a stockholder in the local Telephone Company and the Theilman State Bank. Politically he is a Re- publican and in religion a Catholic. Mr. Wagner was married January 30, 1871, to Mary Graff, daughter of Francis and Barbara (Graff) Graff, of Glasgow Township, who had come with her parents to this township at the age of six years. Of this union eleven children have been born, eight of whom are now living, namely: Bertha, wife of Robert Funk; Clara, wife of Joe Lachafel; Ma- tilda, now Mrs. Walter Wolf, of Greenfield; Lillian, who married Francis Gil- creast of Kellogg; Lawrence, who married Mary Schierts; Lewis, who married Maggie Kling and lives in Montana; and Edward, who married Clara Merion of Wabasha. Those deceased are Albert, Celie and John. Francis and Barbara Graff, parents of Mrs. Gottleib Wagner, were born in Alsace-Lorraine, and came to the United States in 1856. They were among the pioneers of Glas- gow Township, and in early days suffered many privations, having to grind meal in a coffeemill, and carry provisions on their backs from Wabasha, twelve miles away, there being few oxen then in the county. On their way to this county they had stopped for a while at Galena, Ill., where they remained until 1857, when they came to this county. After the passage of the homestead laws, Mr. Graff homesteaded his farm, but was not long spared to work on it, as he died in 1869. His wife survived him half a century, passing away at the venerable age of 92 years on April 8, 1919. They had nine children, five of whom are liv- ing: Susie, wife of John Schuweiler, residing on the home homestead; Mary,

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History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 75

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