History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 80

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 80

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

August C. Schad, a prominent farmer of Plainview Township, was born in Highland Township, Wabasha County, Minn., March 31, 1874, son of Christian

484

HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

and Cecelia (Ruffs) Schad. · He acquired his elementary education in the dis- trict school, and subsequently was a pupil for one year in the Plainview high school. Until 1893 he remained on the home farm working for his father. The latter, who owned a ranch of 816 acres at Gainesville, Texas, then asked August to go there and take charge of it for him, which he did, raising cattle and hay, and remaining there until 1903. He then returned to Wabasha County, Minne- sota, and entering into partnership with his brother William, they bought 460 acres in sections 23 and 26, Elgin Township, where they were engaged in gen- eral farming and stock raising until 1911. In that year August C. sold his in- terest to William and bought 400 acres in sections 19 and 20, Plainview Town- ship, the place being known as the Schad Home, where he now lives. He has a fine house and barn, together with substantial outbuildings, and does a profit- able general farming business, feeding a large number of hogs and cattle each winter. He was treasurer of the Elgin High School Board for three years, and for an equal length of time a director of the Elgin Creamery. Mr. Schad was married May 14, 1901, to Theresa Hofer. Their children, all residing at home, are as follows: Christian J., born March 10, 1902; Mary, March 16, 1904; Francis W., August 1, 1908; Lerotta M., December 16, 1910; Irene C., May 9, 1912; Arthur L., February 26, 1915; and John H., September 11, 1919. He is a member of the Catholic church and the Knights of Columbus.

Christian Schad, a well known retired farmer residing with his son August in Plainview Township, was born in the province or state of Hesse, Germany, March 1, 1845, son of Michael and Margaret Schad. He was educated in his native land and in 1860 came to Minnesota, locating in Highland Township, Wabasha County. Here he spent several years at farm labor, and then went into the pinery at Chippewa Falls, subsequently working in sawmills and as a raftsman on the Mississippi river. At the ciose of one of his trips down the river as far as Dubuque, he bought a team of horses and drove to Plainview Township, Wabasha County, where he traded his team, harness and wagon for 80 acres of land in Elgin Township. After a while he sold that tract and bought 160 acres in Highland Township, later buying 160 more, which gave him a farm of 320 acres: This he sold in 1872 and went to Texas, where he bought a ranch of 816 acres, which he had his son August operate for him for some years. In 1884 he sold the ranch and bought a farm of 340 acres in sec- tions 19 and 20, Plainview Township. Here he was engaged in general farm- ing and stock raising until 1914, when he retired after a successful career. During his residence on the farm he erected a fine barn and outbuildings and built an addition to his house. Mr. Schad wa's a prominent citizen of his local- ity. He served seven years on the Highland Town Board and four years on the school board of the same township. Later he served four years on the Plainview Township school board, in every position showing efficiency and an intelligent regard for the interests of the community. He is a member of the Catholic church and of the Knights of Columbus. He was married January 8, 1870, to Celia Ruffas, who died January 7, 1912. They were the parents of eleven children, Mary, John, August, Frank, Louisa, William, Frona, Francis, Tillie, Edward and Clara. Two of them, Mary and John, are deceased. Mr. Schad is now retired from active work.

Joseph C. Schierts, a leading citizen of Kellogg, where he is carrying on a profitable furniture business, was born in Glasgow Township, Wabasha County, Minn., June 7, 1876, son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Rohler) Schierts. The father, who was born in Austria, came to the United States in 1854 with his parents, who first settled in Wisconsin, but in the following year he came to Wabasha County, Minnesota, and engaged in farming in Glasgow Township, continuing in that occupation until 1900, when he retired and took up his resi- dence in Wabasha, where he is now living. His wife was born in Germany. Joseph C. Schierts in his boyhood attended district school in Glasgow Township, and was employed on his parents' farm until 1900, then farmed two years for

MR. AND MRS. J. C. SCHIERTS

485

HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

himself, then clerked one year for M. A. Odink, then one year for George Dick- man at Plainview. In 1904 he came to Kellogg and engaged in the lumber business as manager of the Wabasha (now Bottsford) Lumber Co. He was also engaged in the sawmill business with Jake Howe for eight years, and followed threshing for 13 years. In 1913 he started his present furniture store in Kel- logg, and in the seven years that have since elapsed has built up an excellent trade and established a reputation as a progressive and square dealing business man. He is also a stockholder in, and a director of, the State Bank of Kellogg, and a stockholder in the John Costello Co. (mercantile), of which he was treas- urer until April, 1920, when the business was sold to the Kellogg Co-operative Store Company. For a considerable period a part of his time has been devoted to the public service. For many years he was assessor of Glasgow Township, and for several years clerk of Greenfield Township. Elected treasurer of the village of Kellogg in 1913, he has since continued to hold that office, having been re-elected every two years; and for six years he was clerk of Consolidated School District No. 31. He is a member of St. Agnes Catholic church of Kel- logg, of which he was secretary several years, and belongs also to St. Joseph's Society, the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Order of Foresters. He owns the farm of his parents, on which he was born, and which has remained in the family since they settled on it, having been only twice transferred. Mr. Schierts was married October 11, 1904, to Sarah M. (Calvin) Odell, widow of Bert Odell, of Kellogg, and daughter of George and Frances (Canfield) Calvin, her father being a native of Pennsylvania and her mother of Pennsylvania. The latter was one of the early school teachers in Wabasha County, and was one of the ten children of John and Margaret (Greer) Calvin, natives of Penn- sylvania, of Scotch descent, who settled in 1855 at what is now called Canfield Springs, in Cook's Valley, Wabasha County, Minn. After the death of her first husband, George Calvin, she married, in 1876, Martin H. Tobias, of Kellogg, Wabasha County. Mrs. Sarah M. Calvin Odell, by her first husband, Mr. Odell, had two daughters, Vera M. and Bessie, the latter being now the wife of Matthew Arens. Vera M., a graduate of the Minnesota State Normal School, was a school teacher for four years, after which she entered the office of her step-father, Joseph C. Schierts, where she is now employed.

Martin H. Tobias, a well known and highly esteemed citizen of Kellogg, where he is now living retired, was born on a farm in Cumberland, Pennsyl- vania, September 8, 1849, son of Simon and Elizabeth (Handshue) Tobias. The parents were both natives of Pennsylvania and were farmers by occupation. The father died in 1860 at the age of about 49 years. His wife survived him more than half a century, dying in August, 1912, aged 89 years. They had nine children, two of whom died young. Of the others, John died in 1912, Ida in April, 1918, and Ellen in 1916. Those who are living are: Jane, wife of John Tritt, of Carlisle, Penn .; Martin H., of Kellogg, Minn .; Emma, widow of George Nailor, of Battle Creek, Iowa; and Catherine, widow of Fred Hastings of Huntsdale, Penn. Martin H. Tobias was educated in the public schools of Carlisle, Penn., and at a select school, where he spent one year. He then became a teacher, following that occupation for three years in Pennsylvania, then teaching the winter term of 1870-71 in Ohio, afterwards going to St. Louis, and then in the fall of 1871 coming to Minnesota, and spending the following winter in Minneapolis. In the spring he returned to Chicago, from there going to southern Illinois, but in the same year he came back to Minnesota and located in Plainview, for a year or two being employed in farm work and teaching. In the spring of 1874 he became clerk in Robert Cochren's hardware store in Kellogg, and was thus employed for 16 months. He then located on a farm in Cook's Valley, Highland Township, and devoted his energies to agriculture, an occupation in which he was successfully engaged until 1881, since which time he has lived retired in Kellogg. Mr. Tobias was married in May, 1876, to Mrs. Frances Canfield Calvin, who was born in Pennsylvania, daughter of John and

486

HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

Margaret (Greer) Canfield. Her parents, who were natives of Pennsylvania, of Scotch descent, in 1855 settled at the locality now known as Canfield Springs, in Cook's Valley, this county, being the first settlers in the upper part of the valley. There they spent the rest of their lives in farming. Their daughter Frances-one of ten children-was one of the early school teachers in Wabasha County. She was first married to George Calvin, of Meadville, Penn., by whom she had one child, Margaret, who is now the wife of Joseph Schierts of Kellogg. By her second husband, Martin H. Tobias, she has had six children; five of whom are now living, namely: Elizabeth, wife of John Bricher of Kellogg, who has seven children; Alta, wife of Curtis Siebe of Westwood, Cal., who has one daughter; Wilma, wife of Clifford Cloe, of Whitefish, Mont., who has one son; Harry M. of Kellogg, and Ida E., wife of Forrest Cleveland of Sacramento, Cal. Harry M. Tobias enlisted in February, 1917, in the 318th Engineers, and served with that organization in France, being honorably discharged October 17, 1919. Mr. Tobias served several terms as recorder on the village board and has been justice of the peace of the town of Greenfield for 30 years. Mrs. Tobias died in 1895.

William C. Schmidt, a progressive farmer of Plainview Township, who by hard work and perseverance has accomplished excellent results in the develop- ment of a farm in section 34, was born in Germany, September 28, 1871, son of Fred and Minnie Schmidt. He was educated in his native land, where he grew to manhood. In 1891 he sought the United States as a land of greater oppor- tunity than his own, and coming directly to Minnesota, settled on Oak Ridge, Winona County. For seven years thereafter he worked as a farm laborer, practicing economy and saving his money. He then took another step in advance, purchasing his present farm of 80 acres in section 34, Plainview Township, Wabasha County. The land was covered with heavy timber, and the task of clearing it was not easy, but he went at it with energy, working early and late felling the timber and grubbing and breaking the land until he has developed his present excellent farm. In 1914 he remodeled the residence, which stands in a fine yard, has erected a modern barn, 36 by 56 feet, with a basement fully equipped for stock, and has also put up a number of outbuild- ings and installed a full set of modern farm machinery. These achievements have placed him among the representative citizens and agriculturists of his town- ship. In his labors he has considered comfort and artistic effect as well as utility, having laid out a fine lawn ornamented with flowers and shrubbery, the house being protected by a wind-break of Norway pine and spruce. The farm is well stocked with grade Durham cattle, and Chester-White swine and Poland- China swine. Mr. Schmidt was married March 2, 1899, to Lizzie Hoffmann of Plainview Township, and daughter of Louis and Anna Hoffmann, old settlers of Wabasha County, who carried on a farm near Potsdam, until they retired in 1916, and moved to the village of Elgin where they now live. Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt have been the parents of five children: Anna, born March 14, 1900; Albert, June 16, 1901; Clara, August 24, 1903; Velva, July 2, 1907; and Arthur, born July 24, 1911, who died May 15, 1915. The family are members of the Lutheran church, and have a high standing in the community.

Horace Borst, who owns and operates a good farm of 100 acres in section 30, Pepin Township, six miles southeast of Lake City, was born in Oswego County, New York, October 26, 1857, son of James and Charlotte (Reynolds) Borst. The parents came to Wabasha County, Minnesota, when Horace was a babe, locating at Lake City, and the father was engaged there for many years in the occupation of lime burning. Later he and his wife moved to Plum City, Wisconsin, where both subsequently died. Horace Borst was reared to man- hood in Lake City. He had but little schooling, and began industrial life as his father's assistant, being subsequently associated in the lime business with him until 1877. In that year he married Lucinda, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Schmidt, of Pepin Township. To the newly wedded bride her father

MR. AND MRS. DANIEL B. COWLES

487

HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

gave 100 acres of improved land in section 30, without buildings, and this land constitutes Mr. and Mrs. Borst's present farm, Mr. Borst having erected a good house, barn and outbuildings. The farm is very productive and is ably worked and managed, Mr. Borst practicing diversified farming. His wife has proved a good helpmate and together they have climbed the hill of prosperity until they have attained a fair altitude, and are now numbered among the substantial people of their township. Mr. Borst is a Democrat in politics, and a member of M. W. A. Lodge of Lake City. He and his family are members of the Catholic church and of St. Mary's Parish, Lake City. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Borst, namely: Mabel Susannah, April 22, 1884, now Mrs. Alfred Fick of Frontenac, Goodhue County; Laura and Blanche, who are deceased; Gladys, born April 22, 1890, now Mrs. Leo Witte of Glasgow Township, Wabasha County; Anna Carrabella, born August 1, 1891, who is the wife of Douglas Brown of Glasgow Township, Wabasha County; Joseph Emery, born September 1, 1897, who resides on the home farm with his parents. Mr. Borst is a member of the Farmers' Elevator Company of Lake City.

Albert Rosolack, who is following general farming and stock raising on a farm of 200 acres in sections 15 and 16, Elgin Township, was born in this town- ship May 17, 1893, son of Julius and Louisa (Wagner) Rosolack. The father was a native of Germany who came to America when seven years old, his parents settling in Milwaukee, Wis. As a young man Julius Rosolack worked at any manual labor by which he could get a living. When 20 years old he enlisted in the Federal army and served three years in the Civil War. After his discharge from the army he went to Rochester, Minn., where for a few years he was employed in farm labor. When he had by industry and economy accumulated a little money, he engaged in farming on his own account, buying 120 acres in section 15, Elgin Township, which he cultivated until 1919. Having by that time realized a competence, he retired and took up his residence .in Elgin village, where he is now living. His wife, Louisa, to whom he was mar- ried at the age of 26 years, died November 12, 1916. They were the parents of 9 children : Alfred, Albert, Emma, Ed, Robert, Lena, Louis, Laura and Theresa. Emma is now deceased. Ed resides at Douglass, Minn. Robert lives in Viola Township, Olmsted County. Lena is the wife of Gust Wondrow of Elgin Town- ship. Louis is on a farm in Elgin Township. Laura and Theresa are residing with their father in Elgin village. Alfred Rosolack acquired his education in the district schools of Elgin Township. From his early youth he was brought up to farm work, and was associated with his father as his assistant on the home farm until 1916. He then rented 200 acres in sections 15 and 16, where he has since been engaged in general farming and stock raising on his own account with good financial results. His buildings are substantial and ade- quate, and his farm is equipped with all necessary implements and machinery. On March 19, 1919, Mr. Rosolack was united in marriage with Clara Swantz. He and his wife are German Lutherans in religion.

Daniel B. Cowles, an early settler in Elgin Township, where he developed a farm of 100 acres, was born in New York State, July 17, 1837, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Manus Cowles. The father moved to Wisconsin in 1844, and at Beaver Dam, that state, Daniel B. was united in marriage, November 14, 1861, to Addie M. Hutchinson, who was born August 8, 1842, and had come to Dodge County, Wisconsin, with her parents in 1854. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Daniel B. Cowles took a farm in that locality, where they remained until the fall of 1864, when they came to Wabasha County, Minnesota, locating on a farm east of Plainview. In the spring of 1866 Mr. Cowles bought a farm of 100 acres in Elgin Township, section 25. It consisted of wild prairie land which Mr. Cowles had to break and develop. For his first residence he built a small frame house. Later he bought 40 acres more, in section 30, Plainview, which adjoined his other tract. He continued his improvements, rebuilding and enlarging his house, and erecting barns, a silo and outbuildings, until he

488

HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

had brought his farm into excellent condition and made it a valuable property. In 1898 he retired from active work, but continued to reside on the place until November 5, 1919, when he moved to Elgin, where he died February 26, 1920. He was a Republican in politics and for some time served as treasurer of the local school board. Religiously he was affiliated with the Congregational church. His wife died May 28, 1901. Mr. and Mrs. Daniel B. Cowles were the parents of three children: Elmer B., now operating a part of the old home farm in Elgin Township; Merton D., a farmer in Plainview Township; and Erwin M., now living retired in Elgin village.

Merton D. Cowles, a well known and respected citizen of section 19, Plain- view Township, who has made an excellent record as an agriculturist, was born on his parents' homestead in Elgin Township, Wabasha County, January 8, 1870, son of Daniel B. and Addie M. (Hutchinson) Cowles. He was educated in the district school and early acquired a practical knowledge of farming as his father's assistant. In 1902 he bought a farm of 160 acres in section 19, Plainview Township, on which he is still living. Since taking possession of it he has purchased 80 acres more, besides an additional tract of 20 acres of tim- ber land, making in all 260 acres. Eight acres of his property lies in section 30. Besides increasing the landed area of his property, Mr. Cowles has made a number of valuable improvements on it. The original house, which was a poor structure, has been replaced with a good ten-room residence. He has also erected a modern barn, 40 by 78 feet in dimensions, with cement basement, a tile silo, which is one of the largest in the township, a tool shed, sheep barn, hen house, corn crib and granary, all good substantial structures. His work has been general and diversified, including the raising of grain and stock, truck farming and dairying, and his business, being ably managed, has yielded good returns. He has recently bought property in Plainview, where he and his wife intend to make their future home. Mr. Cowles was married January 8, 1902, in Elba, Winona County, to Amelia Stitch, daughter of William and Anna (Nienow) Stitch. Her father was born in Illinois and her mother in Germany, the latter coming to this country when seven years old, and settling with her parents in Winona County, Minnesota, where she was married. Mr. and Mrs. Stitch had seven children, of whom two, Sarah and Donald, are now deceased. The five living are: Amelia L. (now Mrs. Cowles), Mathias, Elizabeth, Wil- liam, Jr., and Corinne, the four last mentioned now residing on a farm in South Dakota. Mathias, who after spending ten years in South Dakota returned to Plainview in the spring of 1920, and will take charge of M. D. Cowles' farm on a rental basis. Mr. and Mrs. Cowles are the parents of four children: Dolores, Phyllis, Orville and Vera, all of whom are attending school. The re- ligious affiliations of the family are with the Congregational church, of which Mr. and Mrs. Cowles are members. The former also belongs to the Old Set- tlers' Association of Greenwood Prairie.

Robert C. Klavetter, a thriving farmer of Plainview Township, was born in Dodge County, Wis., September 24, 1876, son of Paul and Amelia (Grepegen) Klavetter. The parents were born in Germany, but married in Wisconsin. Coming to Minnesota in the fall of 1876 they settled in Winona County, where they remained about two years. In 1877 they bought 80 acres of school land in Plainview Township, Wabasha County, the tract being covered with heavy timber, and began improvements by the erection of a log shanty. The father grubbed and broke the land and in time erected other buildings, the family residing there 15 years. He then bought 40 acres in section 36, Plainview, and 26 acres in section 31, Whitewater Township, Winona County, later adding 80 more acres adjoining, which made a farm of 226 acres. This he operated until 1905, when he sold it to his son, Robert. In 1909 he retired from active work and moved to Plainview village, where he died in 1912. His wife is still living in Plainview. Their children were: Mattie, now Mrs. Henry Warner of Elgin; Rudolph, who resides in Kansas City, Mo .; Robert C., owner of the old home-

489

HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

stead; Minnie, wife of C. W. Herman of Plainview Township; and Ida, who is the widow of John B. Lyons. Robert C. Kiavetter was about a year old when his parents moved to Wabasha County. Later he attended the Woodland school and when old enough began to make himself useful on his parents' farm, of which in time he became the manager. In 1905 he bought the entire farm of 226 acres and has since operated it, raising grain, stock and other farm products. He keeps grade Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China swine and is doing a very successful farming business. On his property he has made a number of valuable improvements. In 1918 he erected a barn, 36 by 64 feet, with full basement and a modern equipment. He remodeled the house, adding a porch and some small outbuildings; erected a double corn crib with a driveway 20 by 26 feet, and built a reservoir 10 by 15 feet, which supplies water to the house and barn. On May 22, 1920, a cyclone came up from the southwest and passed over Mr. Kla- vetter's farm, completely destroying his barn, corn crib, hog house and chicken house, and taking his granary, 16 by 32 feet, completely off its foundation, and after carrying it two rods set it down in good condition without destroying the grain it contained. It also damaged the house, tore up trees and caused other devastation, his windmill and fences being destroyed. His four children were in the corn crib at the time, but received no injuries beyond a few scratches. Mr. Klavetter was entering the barn when the cyclone struck the farm and was struck on the head by one of the large doors and knocked senseless. On September 11, 1907, Mr. Klavetter was united in marriage with Marie Funke, who was born in Oakwood Township, Wabasha County, April 22, 1886, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Funke. The children born of this union are: Ethel A., born December 14, 1908; Hazel F., December 15, 1912; Meade R., February 1, 1914; Eunice C., November 5, 1915, and Morris P., August 8, 1917. They have a wide circle of friends and stand high in the community as people of well ordered lives and good neighborly qualities.

Charles A. Boehlke, who is successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising in Plainview Township, where he is a well known and respected citizen, was born in Elgin Township, Wabasha County, Minn., August 15, 1884. His education was acquired in the district school and the Plainview high school, his knowledge of agriculture in its various branches being gained on his parents' farm of 143 acres. After his father's death he rented the farm from his mother, and has since been engaged in its cultivation, also operating 30 acres of his own. Besides raising the usual grains, he keeps a good grade of stock, improving the breed with blooded sires, and he is now numbered among the prosperous citizens of his township. Aside from his direct farm interests he has an interest in the local creamery. Mr. Boehlke was married November 3, 1908, to Julia W. Zirbel, who was born in Minnesota City, Winona County, Minn., June 29, 1887. Two children are the issue of this marriage: Lucille H., born Oct. 31, 1915; and Dorothy La' Von, born August 3, 1918. Mr. Boehlke and his family are members of the Lutheran church, and are popular in the community for their good neighborly qualities.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 80

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