History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2), Part 13

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge
Publication date: 1919
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 885

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David B. Gifford, for many years one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Canton township, Buffalo county, of which he was an early settler, was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, July 18, 1836, son of Roderick and Margaret Gifford. The parents, who had a family of 13 chil- dren, spent their lives in Scotland, the father dying at the venerable age of 96 years. David B. Gifford was educated in his native land and became a farmer. The opportunities in Scotland for a poor man to acquire wealth,

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or even a competence, through tilling the soil were, however, so scanty that David wisely resolved to seek his fortune in America. Landing in New York City on his twentieth birthday, he proceeded west to Lisbon, a town in Wisconsin, near Milwaukee, in which locality he remained for two or three years. His next place of residence was Genessee, in the southeast- ern part of this state, where two years of his life were spent. On Feb. 22, 1862, he was married to Sarah A. Stringer, who was born in England, March 11, 1841, daughter of John and Mary (Derricat) Stringer, and who was reared in the city of Birmingham until nine years old, when she came to America with her parents. The Stringer family located first in St. Louis, Mo., whence, however, they soon removed to Illinois, and about two years later to Waukesha county, Wis. About 1862 they came to Buffalo county. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Gifford located on 80 acres of wild land in Canton township, this county, where he built a log house 28 by 16 feet in dimensions, and then began to improve the place with the aid of oxen. During the latter part of the Civil War he served as a member of Company A, 25th Wisconsin Regiment, and while he was absent his wife carried on the farm, driving the oxen and doing all the hard work. In time Mr. Gifford became the owner of considerable land and was able to give each of his sons a farm, while retaining 200 acres for himself. On his own place he built a good frame house and other necessary buildings. His obligations to his family were always faithfully observed and he did for them all that lay in his power. He was one of the organizers of the local creamery and for many years a shareholder in it, and he also served as school treasurer and in town office. His religious affiliations were with the Methodist church. He was also a member of the G. A. R. post at Durand, and of the Odd Fellows' lodge in that city. His death, which occurred Jan. 23, 1914, deprived the community of a good and worthy citi- zen and was widely regretted. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. David B. Gifford were as follows: Mary, now Mrs. G. C. Parish; William Henry, of Canton township; Sarah Jane, deceased; David A., of Waterville town- ship, Pepin county ; John, residing at home; Edwin B., deceased; Charles A., residing in Dunn county, Wisconsin; and Wallace F., residing with his mother on the home farm, where he was born March 23, 1882. Wallace F. was educated in the district school and at Mondovi high school, after which he took up farming. He conducted the home farm for two years before his father's death, upon which event he became the owner of it, and is con- ducting it successfully, raising, besides the usual crops, good Shorthorn cattle, Poland-China swine and Percheron horses. He is a stockholder in and is president of the Tarrant Co-operative Creamery, and is a member of the camp of Modern Woodmen of America at Durand. He was married March 23, 1910, to Lulu M. Catt, and has two children, Charlotte May and Roderick Ivan.

Gustaf M. Rheinhardt, formerly one of the leading citizens of Alma, Buffalo county, and also prominent in his day as a county official, was born in Saxony, Germany, in 1831 and died at Lake City, April 17, 1917. In 1851 he came to the United States, landing at New Orleans from a sailing vessel. In that southern port he remained, however, but a short time,

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coming up the Mississippi river to St. Louis, where he found work in i stove foundry. Later he worked there for Anheuser-Busch, the brewinn firm. Then coming to Buffalo county, Wisconsin, he took up farming if Nelson township on 160 acres of land; but after making some progress on that place, he disposed of it and bought a farm in Cascade valley, which is still in possession of the family. In 1873, being well known and pop- ular in the county, he ran for the office of county treasurer on the Demo- cratic ticket and was elected, serving two terms. Moving with his family to Alma, he then engaged in the insurance and machinery business, which he followed for a few years. He also served as president of Alma for two different periods. Under the administration of President Cleveland he was appointed postmaster of Alma, holding that office until the close of the administration, when he retired. He was a member of the Workmen's lodge. By his first wife, Augusta, a native of Hesse, Germany, whom he married in southern Wisconsin, and who died in 1894, he had six children, Minnie, Amelia, Julius, Theodore, Victor and J. Paul. Mr. Reinhardt sub- sequently married for his second wife Mrs. Kate Lamm, and took up his residence in Lake City, where he remained until his lamented death. He was a man who, beginning as an ordinary workman, had carved out a successful career for himself, and given to the world in useful industry and faithful public service as much as he took from it, and who, by his uprightness of character, had won the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens in every community where he resided.

J. Paul Reinhardt, physician, surgeon and druggist, of Fountain City,{ was born in Nelson township, Buffalo county, Wisconsin, Dec. 15, 1869, son of Gustaf M. and Augusta Reinhardt. In his boyhood he attended school in Alma and subsequently became employed in a drug store in the village,? the proprietor of which was Max Wimler. After working for Mr. Wimler" for a year and a half, he came to Fountain City, where he worked in a drug store for three years. Having by this time made up his mind to enter the medical profession, he went to New York City, where he was graduated M. D. from Bellevue Medical College in 1892. From that time up to the present he has practiced his profession in Fountain City and has gained a good reputation both as physician and surgeon. A year or two after he entered into practice, Dr. Reinhardt became associated with Edward C. Fugina in the drug business, and they have since carried on a store together. Dr. Reinhardt has taken an active part in the affairs of Fountain City, serving as mayor in 1903, and being re-elected to that office in 1904, his second period of service lasting two years. He also served two years as alderman. In 1916 he was again elected mayor and is the present incumbent of that office, having been honored with a re-election in 1918. Dr. Reinhardt is a member of the Trempealeau, Jackson and Buffalo Coun- ties Medical Association, also of the Wisconsin State Medical and the American Medical Associations. He belongs fraternally to the Woodmen and Masons, being a member of Fountain City Lodge, F. & A. M., of which he was the first master, serving several years, and to Waumandee Camp, M. W. A. Dr. Reinhardt was united in marriage in Missouri, March 12, 1898, to Sarah Richtman, of Fountain City, who was born Dec. 30,

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5, daughter of Capt. Jacob and Sophia (Kircheck) Richtman, her father fing an old Mississippi river pilot and steamboat owner. Dr. and Mrs. einhardt are the parents of four children: Marjorie, born Jan. 24, 1900; Gwendoline, born April 10, 1902; Jean, born Dec. 26, 1905; and Phyllis, born June 26, 1909.

John F. Mueller, a well-known and respected resident of Belvidere township, Buffalo county, who has made a record as a successful farmer and stock raiser, was born at Fountain City, this county, July 20, 1875. His parents, Johann and Hannah (Schmidt) Mueller, were natives of Ger- many, in which country they were married. About the close of the Civil War period they came to the United States with one child, Reca, landing from a sailing vessel after a voyage of several weeks. Coming west to Buffalo county, Wisconsin, they made their first home in Fountain City, where they resided for twelve years. While there six other children were born: Christiana, Sophia, Anna, John, Minnie and Carl, of whom the last mentioned died there. At the end of the period mentioned Johann Mueller bought a tract of 120 acres in Belvidere township and began farming. Twelve acres of the tract were already under the plow and there was a log building on the place. There he spent the rest of his life engaged in developing the farm, his death taking place when he was 71 years old. His wife had died at the same age. They were worthy, industrious people, well liked by their neighbors and were affiliated religiously with the Lutheran church. John F. Mueller was educated in the schools of Fountain City and Belvidere township. He was reared to agricultural pursuits and remained with his parents until he began farming for himself on his present place. It was a tract of 80 acres with no buildings except an old arn. From that condition through Mr. Mueller's exertions it has come to be a good farm of 175 acres, with a commodious frame house and a barn 36 by 80 feet in size. It is also very picturesquely situated, its location commanding a beautiful view of hills, valley and river. Mr. Mueller raises Shorthorn cattle, with a good grade of horses and swine. When the local creamery was started, he became a shareholder and was also for a few years one of its directors. Mr. Mueller was married in 1898 to Anna Boetcher, who was born in Belvidere township, Buffalo county, daughter of Carl and Dorothea Boetcher. Her parents, who were born and mar- ried in Pommern, Germany, are still residing in Belvidere township. Mr. and Mrs. Mueller have two children, Alvin and Raymond. The family are members of the Lutheran church. 4

Edward Aitken, proprietor of a blacksmith and wagon-making shop in Nelson township, Buffalo county, was born in this township, October 3, 1866, son of Robert and Mary (Sharp) Aitken. In his youth he attended school in the Cascade district and afterwards taught school one term. He also farmed for a while but subsequently learned the blacksmith's trade and from January, 1884, to January, 1887, operated his father's mill and wagon shop, since which time he has been in business for himself. During the last few years he has also done some farming. Mr. Aitken served three terms as town treasurer of Nelson township, and was a member of the district school board for twelve years, for nine years acting as clerk

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and for three years as director. He married Drusilla Lockard, a native c. Buffalo county, and daughter of William D. Lockard. Mr. and Mrs. Aitke have five children: Ruth, Daisy, Wallace, Viola and Robert D. Ruth, whi is the wife of Ray Crothers, has two children, Charles and Charlotte Evelyn Daisy is now Mrs. Louis Owen.

Robert Aitken, one of the pioneers of Maxville township, Buffalo county, was a native of Scotland, who in the year 1856 emigrated to Can- ada. From the Dominion he came in the following year to Buffalo county Wisconsin, locating in Maxville township. A carpenter by trade, he built some of the first barns in the township and also secured a homestead or. Spring Creek. Later he removed to Maxville Prairie, where he was mar- ried to Mary Sharp, also a native of Scotland. On beginning housekeeping Mr. Aitken walked from Maxville Prairie to Durand to get a lamp and some kerosene oil, the latter costing $1 a gallon. He and his wife lived or their farm until 1873, when they removed to the village of Misha Mokwa where with Martin Maxwell he bought a store and was engaged in genera mercantile business for three years. Then he went into the blacksmith anc repair shop business with John Mailer and was thus engaged until 1893 During that time he bought his present farm of ninety acres in Nelsor township and erected a part of the present residence, into which he subse- quently moved on giving up the heavy work of the shop, which he no longer felt able to do. He served as justice of the peace for twenty-five years was chairman of the town board of Maxwell township, was town clerk for a number of years, assessor one year, a member of the school board three years, and for some time was county surveyor, making a good record ir these various offices. His religious affiliations were with the Methodist church. He died in 1914 at the age of 78 years, his wife dying at the same age in 1912. They had eight children, two of whom, Jesse and Mary, diec young. The others were Edward, John, Alice, Robert J. (died in 1910) and Francis and Alexander, who were twins.

John Rohrer, owner of Rohrer's Stock Farm of 740 acres in section 16 Belvidere township, Buffalo county, which he formerly operated, but now living in Cochrane, where he is engaged in the real estate and insurance business, was born in Rose Valley, Belvidere township, this county, July 16, 1860, son of Joseph M. and Barbara (Mueller) Rohrer. His parents were pioneer settlers here, the father taking the original homestead in 1854 on his arrival from Switzerland. John Rohrer acquired his education ir district schools Nos. 1 and 4 in this township, and in his youthful days had experience in pioneer farming. He continued as his father's assistant until he became owner of the farm, which he subsequently operated on his own account until his retirement from agricultural work. All the land it contains was once owned by his father, who in the course of a long life accumulated 1,200 acres. The present buildings, except the house, were all erected by the subject of this sketch, and are substantial and moderr. in construction. While raising stock and doing a large dairy business Mr. Rohrer also grew considerable grain, being a successful general farmer He helped to organize the elevator and creamery companies, and is a di. rector in the former and a shareholder in both. In 1911 Mr. Rohrer

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ROHRER STOCK FARM (JOHN ROHRER, PROPRIETOR)

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erected a beautiful residence in Cochrane, where he now makes his home. In times past he rendered good service as a public official. For four years he was tax collector, and for twenty-five years a member of the district school board until he resigned the latter office in the summer of 1916. On June 17, 1886, Mr. Rohrer was united in marriage with Hermine Suhr, a native of Waumandee township, and daughter of Carl and Wilhelmina (Schoepp) Suhr. He and his wife are the parents of six children: Leona, who is residing at home; Mabel, who is the widow of Edwin A. Schultz, resides at home, and has one child, Mae; Melita, wife of Ernest Waldo of La Crosse; and Esther, Selma and Carl, who are residing at home.

William Boettcher, who is engaged in general agriculture and dairying on a farm of 200 acres in section 20, Belvidere township, Buffalo county, was born June 14, 1874, son of Carl and Dora (Henning) Boettcher. The father was a native of Germany who came to the United States in the sixties. He was the second husband of his wife Dora. The family settled in Belvidere township, this county, and William was brought up on his parents' farm, in his boyhood attending the district school, and assisting in the farm work as he became older. On reaching the age of twenty-five years he rented the parental homestead, and so operated it for about ten years, buying in 1909, since which time he has been the sole proprietor. Of its 200 acres of area, 120 acres are cleared and the rest is in woodland and pasture. He is engaged in general farming, raising grain and stock and having a good herd of graded milch cows. His barn is 30 by 60 feet in size, and the eight-room house, built in 1913, is equipped with steam heat. On May 30, 1899, Mr. Boettcher married Louisa Knospe, who was born January 22, 1881, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Knospe, whose chil- dren were Louisa, Charles, Alvina, William, Edward and Clara. The chil- dren of Mr. and Mrs. Boettcher are: Walter, born April 12, 1900, and Mildred, born July 4, 1904, both of whom are residing at home and attend- ing school. The Boettchers are numbered among the prosperous families of Belvidere township and are widely known and respected.

Frank Schaettle, proprietor with his brother George of a flourishing mercantile business in Mondovi, Buffalo county, and member of Assembly from Buffalo and Pepin counties, is pre-eminently a man of achievement and one of the leaders in both the business and political life of this section of the state, of which he is a native. Mr. Schaettle was born in Buffalo City, Buffalo county, Wisconsin, June 16, 1864, son of Charles Schaettle. The father was a native of Germany, born in Wurttemburg in 1833, and was the founder of the first German paper in Buffalo City. He and his wife had five children: Anna, who married George Seiler, a physician of Monroe, Wis .; Charles, a merchant of Alma; Frank, subject of this memoir; George, who, as above mentioned, is a partner with his brother Frank; and Romeo R., who is a dentist in La Crosse. Frank Schaettle acquired his elementary education in the schools of Alma, and was later a pupil for two years in Markham Academy at Milwaukee. He subsequently entered his father's store at Alma, in which he worked until 1891. He then became manager of the department store of S. E. Olson & Co. (now Powers), in which posi- tion he remained for two years, being subsequently New York buyer for

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the same firm for one year. In 1895 he came to Mondovi, of which place he has since been a resident. In the year after his arrival Mr. Schaettle purchased the business of Letuscher Bros. & Helwig, and in 1900 his brother George became his partner, the business having since been carried on under the firm name of Schaettle Bros. They occupy both floors of a two-story brick building, with double store room, known as the Union Block, and carry a large stock of general merchandise, their trade extend- ing throughout the surrounding region. Frank Schaettle is also a large owner of the Mondovi Mercantile Company. At the age of 25 years, while still a resident of Alma, he was elected mayor of that city, and he subse- quently served one term as mayor of Mondovi, and for some time was treasurer of the school board. In 1916 he was nominated at Alma by the Progressive Republicans for member of Assembly from Buffalo and Pepin counties and in the fall of that year was triumphantly elected. After his nomination, which was by over a two-thirds majority, he received some highly complimentary notices from the local press, which paid tributes to his previous record, and his recognized honesty and capacity as a man of affairs. Mr. Schaettle concisely announced his platform as "Good Laws- only such as are necessary ; Good Roads-all we can afford," which proved popular, being generally endorsed by the citizens of the two counties. As said by Charles White in the Buffalo County News, Mr. Schaettle is a "live" man, absolutely honest and capable-a representative who will not eat out of any man's hand and who cannot be bought. He is also a man of scholarly attainments and quick to appreciate any honors or favors be -: stowed upon him by his fellow citizens and to return them by the best service he can give. He is president of the Buffalo County Agricultural Association, giving to its affairs the benefit of his extended business expe- rience, and is a popular member of the Masonic and Knights of Pythias orders, in the former having advanced as far as the Chapter. In January, 1898, Mr. Schaettle was united in marriage with Evangeline Blair, daugh- ter of Allen Blair.

George Schaettle, a member of the firm of Schaettle Bros., general merchants, of Mondovi, and one of the leading business men of Buffalo county, was born in Alma, this county, son of Charles Schaettle. His education was acquired in the public schools of Alma and in the high school at Madison, Wis. From the time he left school until 1900 he was employed in his father's store in Alma, after which he came to Mondovi and entered into partnership with his brother Frank as a member of the firm of Schaet- tle Bros., which is now one of the most prosperous mercantile concerns in the county. He is also supervisor of the village and a member of the county board, and since 1905 has been treasurer of the Congregational church. His fraternal society affiliations are with the Blue Lodge and Chapter of the Masonic order and with the Knights of Pythias, in which latter order he has passed through the chairs. Mr. Schaettle was mar- ried, June 18, 1901, to Clara Grams, of La Crosse, Wis., daughter of August and Clara Grams, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. George Schaettle have two children, Livia and Ruth.

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John W. Seyforth, secretary, manager and butter-maker for the Mon- dovi Farmers' Co-operative Creamery Company, was born in Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, February 28, 1866, son of Fred and Annie (Meyers) Seyforth. The father, who was born in New York in 1834, and who was a farmer and carpenter by occupation, died in 1880. His wife Annie, the mother of the subject of this sketch, was born in Germany in 1837 and died in 1883. John W. Seyforth learned the art of cheese-making at Wi- nooski, Wis., about 1884, and subsequently conducted a cheese factory and creamery at Gilmanton and Modena until 1903. He then came to Mondovi to assume the duties of his present position as secretary, manager and butter maker of the local creamery. In all three capacities he has proved his ability and has given good satisfaction and is popular with the patrons of the factory. Since 1903 he has been a trustee and steward of the Meth- odist Episcopal church at Mondovi, while his fraternal society affiliations are with the Masonic order. Mr. Seyforth was united in marriage May 24, 1896, to Lillian Lawrence, who was born in eastern Wisconsin January 26, 1867, daughter of Fred and Louisa (Odell) Lawrence.

George Feuling, a prominent representative of the agricultural inter- ests of Glencoe township, Buffalo county, was born in this township, Febru- ary 12, 1869, the scene of his birth being the log house of his parents, George and Mary Feuling. The parents were natives of Bavaria, Germany, where they were married. Coming to the United States, they landed in New York after a voyage of fifty days in a sailing vessel, and continued their westward journey until they arrived in Buffalo county, Wis. George Feu- ling secured 160 acres of wild land in sections 7 and 8, Glencoe township. There were no buildings on it, nor was there any road to it, improvements being all in the future. Mr. Feuling had an ox team to begin with, and as he was a blacksmith by trade, he made a little money by working at intervals for the neighbors while he was breaking in his land. For some time he had to walk to market and carry in his produce, of which, how- ever, he had not much for several years. Later he moved to the bluff and finally secured the place on which his son George now lives, which required a considerable amount of clearing. In time he increased its size to 440 acres, and made good improvements. He was of the Catholic faith in religion. At the age of 65, some twenty years ago, he was called from this life. His wife survived him seventeen years, dying at the age of 83. They were the parents of eleven children, their son, George, Jr., being the third from the last in order of birth. George Feuling (Jr.), the direct subject of this sketch, acquired his education in the log schoolhouse of his district. He has always remained on the home farm, of which he owns 208 acres in section 7, and the management of which he took over after his father's death, buying the place some nine years ago. It is a good farm, with sub- stantial buildings, including a modern barn erected by him, and is equipped with all necessary machinery. He and his wife, Frances, are the parents of four children, Leonard, Alfred, Donald and George. The family are members of the Catholic church.

William McNish, who owns and operates a farm in sections 4 and 9, Modena township, was born in a log house on his parents' farm in this

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township, April 9, 1870, son of James and Eliza (Ives) McNish. His ac- quaintance with books was made in the district schoolhouse, while his agri- cultural education was obtained on the home farm, on which he resided until reaching the age of 30 years. After working a while for different farmers, he took a farm of eighty acres in section 3, Modena township, where he lived for eight or nine years. Later he bought forty acres more, which gave him a farm of 120 acres, and in place of the original log house he built a good frame residence, as well as a barn. Finally selling that farm he went to Durand, where he remained two years, at the end of that time buying his father's old farm in Modena township, a place of 160 acres, of which seventy are in section 4 and ninety in section 9, in which latter section the residence is located. The buildings, which are good, were erected by the father. Taking possession of this farm in 1914, Mr. McNish has since resided here, doing a profitable business as a general farmer and stock raiser, and being also a shareholder in the Modena creamery. His sister Elizabeth keeps house for him, as he is unmarried. His religious affiliations are with the Methodist church.

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History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2), Part 13

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge Publication date: 1919 Publisher: Number of Pages: 885

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge
Publication date: 1919
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 885