History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2), Part 15

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

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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).

William Smith, a substantial farmer, residing in Glencoe township, Buffalo county, where he has a well improved place, was born in Eagle Valley, Milton township, this county, October 7, 1870, son of William and Anna (George) Smith. The parents were born and married in Germany and subsequently came to the United States on a sailing vessel, landing after a voyage of seven or eight weeks. Their first settlement was in Dubuque, Iowa, where two children were born to them, John and Christ. The family then came to Milton township, settling at the head of Eagle Valley, where the father bought 363 acres of wild land. Then, erecting a log building, he began pioneer farming with an ox team and one cow. His market and source of supplies was at Fountain City, to which he drove with oxen or walked. In time abundant improvements were made, in- cluding a good frame granary and other buildings, and the family became prosperous. Both parents died on the farm after being in comfortable

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circumstances for a number of years. William Smith, Sr., served as a member of the school board of his district and helped to build the Catholic church in Glencoe township. He and his wife had a family of ten children: John, Christ, Louis, William, Barbara, Francis, Phena, Mary, Catherine, and one unnamed, who died in infancy. Catherine is also deceased. Will- iam Smith, Jr., acquired an elementary education in the district school in Eagle Valley, walking the distance of two miles each way. At the age of 18 he went to Winona, Minn., where he lived for five years, being employed in the Hamilton sawmill. He also spent one fall threshing in the Dakotas. Then returning home, he bought the homestead and was engaged in farm- ing there until about 1912, when he came to his present place in sections 8, 5 and 6, Glencoe township, where he has 130 acres of land. Here he has built three barns, one 46 by 80 feet, another 26 by 40 feet, and the third 48 by 20 feet. He has also remodeled the house, which is of stone, erected a lean-to, and now has a set of excellent buildings. He is breeding good stock, besides raising the usual crops, and is conducting a profitable busi- ness. He is still the owner of the old homestead in Eagle Valley. In re- ligion, like his father, he is a Catholic. Mr. Smith married Josephine Rothing, who was born in Waumandee township, Buffalo county, daughter of William and Josephine (Gruenwald) Rothing, her father being a native of Germany and her mother of Dubuque, Iowa. The parents were mar- ried in Waumandee township, where Mr. Rothing settled in the year before (April, 1868). Beginning with 160 acres of land. he increased his hold- ings in time to 500 acres, and from a pioneer log house progressed to a good modern residence. He was also a member of the school board and helped to build the brick Catholic church in Waumandee. He died at the age of 65 years, and his wife at that of 57, each after an industrious and useful career, during which time they reared a family of seven daughters and five sons. Mr. and Mrs. William Smith have three children: William, Mildred and Adolph.

Reinhardt W. Eikamp, proprietor of one of the largest and best equipped farms in Belvidere township, Buffalo county, where he is doing an extensive business as dairyman and stock raiser, was born in Lincoln town- ship, this county, December 23, 1879. His parents were Wilke J. and Rena (Winter) Eikamp, the father born in Holland, July 26, 1830, and the mother in Leer, Hanover, Germany, May 6, 1837. Wilke J. Eikamp, who obtained a good education, came to the United States in 1855, locating in Buffalo county, Wisconsin, and taking a homestead at Cochrane, where he remained for three years. He and his wife, whom he had married in Freeport, Ill., then moved to a farm in Lincoln township, which was their home for many years, or until 1891, when they retired and took up their residence in Coch- rane. There Mr. Eikamp died October 25, 1903, being survived by his wife, who is still living. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom six are now living. The record is as follows: Margaret, born June 9, 1857; Annadorthea, born January 28, 1859, now deceased; Hinrika, born December 23, 1860, also deceased; Henry, born January 4, 1863; John and William (twins), born in August, 1866, both now deceased; William (sec- ond), born October 10, 1868; Robert, born February 9, 1871. deceased;

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MR. AND MRS. WILKE EIKAMP MR. AND MRS. REINHARDT W. EIKAMP

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George, born February 15, 1873; Lydia A., born October 25, 1877; and Reinhardt W., the subject of this sketch, the date of whose nativity has been already given. Reinhardt W. Eikamp was reared on his parents' farm in Lincoln township, this county. He attended district school until the age of twelve years, and afterwards the graded school at Cochrane, from which he was graduated April 29, 1898. In the same year he took a teach- er's examination at Alma, and received a third grade certificate to teach in the county. That same summer he attended the high school at Foun- tain City, and then began teaching in his home district, continuing there for two terms. Subsequently he taught four terms at Herold and then another in his first school. He now changed his occupation, becoming driver on mail route No. 1, out of Cochrane, and holding that position for eight years. At the end of that period Mr. Eikamp moved to La Crosse, where he worked as a carpenter for the C., B. & Q. Railroad. In 1912 he purchased his present farm, though it was not until January 4, 1915, that he took up his residence on it. This farm contains 400 acres of land, of which 200 acres are under cultivation, the rest being in woodland. Mr. Eikamp is prosperously engaged in general farming, giving special atten- tion to dairying and hog raising. He has a fine herd of milch cows. His residence of eight rooms is partly of frame and partly of stone construc- tion. Among his recent improvements are a new barn 50 by 90 feet, with stone basement and a silo. Mr. Eikamp was married, August 3, 1905, to Marie M. Bade, who was born in Belvidere township, May 9, 1886, daughter of Herman and Marie (Hilgert) Bade. Of this union there were three children, namely: Roy H., born at Cochrane, July 26, 1906; Lester W., born at Cochrane, Oct. 17, 1910, who died at Scotland, S. D., August 4, 1913; and Willard William, born in the town of Belvidere, July 23, 1915. Herman Bade, the father of Mrs. Eikamp, was born at Claushagen, in the province of Brandenburg, Germany, March 15, 1852. After residing for some time in Buffalo county, Wisconsin, he moved in 1892 to Pierce, Neb., returning to Wisconsin in February, 1900. He is now living in Cochrane, Buffalo county. He first married Marie Hilgert, who was born in Chicago, Ill., August 27, 1859, and who died near Randolph, Neb., March 12, 1895. The children of that union were: Emilie, born October 24, 1878, now re- siding in Nebraska; Alvina, who died when eight years old; Albert, who died at the age of two and a half years; Malinda, who died at the age of seven years; Marie M., born May 9, 1886, now Mrs. R. W. Eikamp; Wilma, born August 12, 1888, who resides in Alma, this county; Anna, born March 3, 1890, now living in Nebraska; Carl, born March 27, 1892, who is a resi- dent of Chicago; and Leona, born February 26, 1895, who lives in Nebraska. Herman Bade married for his second wife Bertha Arndt, of which union three children were born and are now living, namely: Esther, born Sep- tember 23, 1900; Selma, August 8, 1902, and Arnold, September 10, 1904.

John F. Kreher, who by enterprise and persevering industry accumu- lated a fair competence as a farmer in Glencoe township, Buffalo county, and is now living retired in Arcadia, was born in Posen, Germany, March 28, 1852, son of John and Elizabeth (Zech) Kroher. The parents, who were farmers, had eight children-John F., Gustaf, Charles, Rudolph, Augusta,

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Alvina and Otillia. The three first mentioned were the only members of the family to come to the United States, Gustaf coming first and John F. and Charles following. It was in 1876 that John F. Kreher, then 25 years old, left Germany, headed for New London, Conn. There he remained until the following year, when, attracted by the superior opportunities of the West, he came to Buffalo county, Wisconsin, arriving in Glencoe township, April 6. For two years he worked on the farm of Phillip Swen. Then, having accumulated some money, and being ready to begin an independent career, he purchased forty acres of woodland in section 5, Glencoe town- ship. On August 23, 1878, he was married to Anna Arnold, who was born in Dubuque, Iowa, September 29, 1855, daughter of George and Catherine (Ziegler) Arnold. On beginning domestic life Mr. Kreher built a small frame house and granary and set to work to improve the place. In five years he sold it at a good profit and bought 120 acres in section 4. Later he sold forty acres of his farm and bought another tract of forty acres in the same section, which was slightly improved. The buildings, however, were of little use, and all the important improvements on the farm were made by himself. From his first purchase, when he started with an ox team, one cow and a couple of chickens, up to the time of his final retirement, Mr. Kreher worked hard and advanced in prosperity, improving his land and erecting good buildings as they were needed, until he found himself in possession of a good modern farm. In 1909 he built a good barn, 36 by 62 feet in size, with basement. He is a shareholder in the creamery in Glen- coe township. Mr. Kreher raised good stock, in addition to the usual crops, and while he continued farming conducted a profitable business. As a member of the Evangelical church he helped to build the church edifice of that denomination in this township. He also served as school director and for two years was a member of the town board. To Mr. and Mrs. Kreher eight children were born: George, October 31, 1879; Lydia, No- vember 20, 1881; John A., April 22, 1884; Rudolph, February 11, 1886; Jesse, February 27, 1888; Benjamin, March 22, 1890; Minnie, November 21, 1893; and Alvina, December 22, 1896. George, who married Ella Tars, has one child, Edward. Lydia is the wife of Charles Buss, of Manitowoc county, Wisconsin, and has three children, Edward, Gilbert and Adaline. John A. married Nora Servis, and in 1912 took over the home farm, which he is operating successfully, making a specialty of raising full-blooded Poland-China swine. Rudolph, who is a dentist practicing his profession in Mondovia, married Erna Hahn, and has one child, John E. Jesse is residing at home. Benjamin, who is proprietor of the Dodge creamery, married Helen Provzinski and has one child, Lorin. Minnie is the wife of William Burthold and has one child, Erbert. Alvina is an operator in the Central Telephone office.

Christian H. Christ, a well known and respected farmer of Montana township, Buffalo county, was born September 22, 1859, son of Conrad and Marguerite (Florin) Christ. The parents were natives of Switzerland, the father coming to this country in the fifties. His life was spent in farming, except during the last eight years. He and his wife had twelve children: Joseph, Christian H., Marguerite, John, Peter, Mary, Andrew, Anna and

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CARL RUTSCHOW AND FAMILY

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Nicholas (twins), William, Conrad and Sula. Joseph and Andrew are now deceased, as also are both the parents. Christian H. Christ attended school at intervals until he was about 20 years old, his hours of industry, which were many, being spent in helping his father on the home farm. For several years he spent his summers in the West, being usually at home in the winter time. When 36 years old he rented a farm, which he operated for three years, and then bought the farm on which he now lives, in section 31, Montana township. It contains 275 acres, of which about 100 acres are cleared, the rest being in woods and bottom land. Mr. Christ has made important improvements on the place, having rebuilt the barn, and rebuilt or erected a silo, sheds, corn cribs, and other necessary structures. His dwelling is a neat and comfortable brick-veneered house, and his farm as a whole gives indications of thrift and prosperity. He is engaged in general farming, dairying and stock raising, especially the raising of swine for the market. His cattle are of the Red Polled variety, of which he possesses a full-blooded sire. Mr. Christ is a shareholder in the Garden Valley Cream- ery and also one of its directors, and several years ago he was a member of the school board of his district. Mr. Christ was married October 22, 1896, to Cecelia Flory, who was born November 9, 1872, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Florian Flory, her parents being natives of Switzerland. She was one of eleven children, namely: Flory, John, Cecelia, Christiana, Lizzie, Anna, Kate, Marguerite, Jake, Mary, and one who died in infancy. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Christ are: Conrad, born November 9, 1897; Florian, born April 6, 1900; and John, born November 10, 1904, all of whom are residing at home.

Carl F. Rutschow, proprietor of one of the thriving and productive farms of Lincoln township, Buffalo county, located in section 3, was born in Germany, June 12, 1866, son of Carl and Wilhelmina (Benekie) Rutschow. The family emigrated to the United States in 1883, locating in Alma vil- lage, this county, where the father became brewer in the Alma brewery. About 1900 he and his wife moved to Seattle, where they both died. Of the fourteen children of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Rutschow, seven are now living, namely: Carl F., Herman, August, William, Minnie, Anna and Lena. Carl F. Rutschow until reaching the age of 34 years spent his time in working for others, and it was not until the year 1900 that he began his independent career as a farmer, when he purchased the farm on which he now lives, then containing 320 acres. Of this he sold twenty acres, retaining the rest, and now has 150 acres under cultivation. The remainder of the farm con- sists of woodland and bluffs. Aside from this farm, Mr. Rutschow in 1916 bought the Carl Leahn farm of 180 acres, located in Gilmanton and Lincoln townships, and which he operates together with his own farm. Mr. Rut- schow is engaged in mixed farming, giving special attention to dairying and the raising of swine. In 1906 he built a new barn, 96 by 38 feet in dimensions, which has a silo connected with it. His present modern resi- dence was erected in 1908. Mr. Rutschow was first married May 20, 1890, to Josephine Schaub, by whom he had two children: Andrew, born June 29, 1893, and Alfred, who died in infancy. In 1901 Mr. Rutschow married for his second wife Johanna Leahn, who was born in Gilmanton, Buffalo county,

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Wisconsin, October 25, 1883, daughter of Carl and Bertha (Schultz) Leahn. Of this union six children have been born: Elda, March 17, 1903; Palma, February 22, 1905; Walter, November 2, 1909; Norman, August 11, 1911; Melvin, August 4, 1914; Charles, September 23, 1917; and a son who died in infancy. Mr. Rutschow and his family attend the Methodist church. At the present time he is serving as a member of the school board. In ad- dition to his farm interests above mentioned, he is part owner of a thresh- ing outfit, the different partners in which, all neighbors, are thereby enabled to do their own threshing.

Andrew Brovold, formerly a well known and highly respected resident of Naples township, Buffalo county, where he operated a farm and devel- oped sixty acres of land, was a native of Norway. Emigrating to America, he spent his first three years on this continent in Canada. In 1865 he came to Wisconsin, locating at Big Tamarack, Trempealeau county, where he remained until 1869. Then, with a wagon and ox team, he drove to Buffalo county, and in the same year homesteaded forty acres of land, also buying 160 acres of railroad land in Fifteen Creek Valley, the locality being then in Mondovi township but now in the township of Naples. On this land, which was all wild, he built a small log house and began the strenuous work of developing a farm, in which he was assisted by his wife Mary, daughter of John and Ella Hansen, of Tamarack, Trempealeau county, whom he married March 18, 1869, the year in which he moved to Buffalo county. Hard-working and persistent, Mr. Brovold made good progress and in time grubbed and cleared sixty acres of his farm, his further activi- ties being cut short by his death, which took place December 23, 1884. He had, however, done enough to prove himself a worthy representative of the race to which he belonged and a useful member of the community in which he had cast his lot. He was one of the founders of the Norwegian Lutheran church at Norden, and his influence was always on the side of religion, morality and good government. His political principles were those of the Republican party. He and his wife were the parents of six chil- dren: Bertha, born December 26, 1869, who married Andrew Thoen of Naples township, and died March 9, 1899; Louisa, born September 27, 1871, who is now Mrs. Gilbert Stromon of Fergus Falls, Minn .; Anna, born March 18, 1874, who married Knute K. Brenn, of Naples township, and died in September, 1907; Lena, born February 13, 1878, now Mrs. John Julson of Naples township; Julia, born June 9, 1881, and now residing on the old homestead, of which she is part owner; and Albert, born January 7, 1885. In 1916 Albert and Julia purchased the original eighty acres of the home farm, and together work the balance of 120 acres as partners. The mother, Mrs. Mary Brovold, remarried after Mr. Brovold's death and is now living on the farm. It is located eight and a half miles southeast of Mondovi City, the soil being rich and productive, and the brother and sister who now own it are carrying on a profitable general farming and dairying business.

Charles Jacob Story, a well known and respected citizen of Canton township, Buffalo county, where he is conducting a good farming business, was born on the farm on which he now lives, in sections 7 and 18, October 30, 1884, son of Ira Samuel and Augusta Story. The father was a native

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of New York State, and the family name was formerly spelled "Storey," but has since been abbreviated to its present form. The mother of our subject was born in Germany in 1852, and with her husband located in Canton township, securing a tract of 184 acres, of which a few acres were already cleared. There was also a log building on the place. Here Ira S. Story made his home until his death, April 3, 1897. His wife, who survived him, is still living on the old homestead. Charles Jacob Story, who was the only child of his parents, acquired a district school education and was trained to farm work by his father. He has always remained on the home place, of which he finally became proprietor, and on which he has made valuable improvements. As a general farmer and stock raiser he has had a successful career and is recognized as an enterprising and progressive citizen. He is a shareholder in the Tarrant Co-operative Creamery and in the Farmers' Telephone Company, and has served as school treasurer for ten or eleven years.

David J. Davis, pioneer of Buffalo county, early surveyor and farmer, and in his day one of the foremost men in the county, was a native of Wales, in which country he was married to Margaret Jeffers, both being then quite young. A civil engineer by profession, on coming to the United States in 1828, he became connected with the coal mining industry, residing for some time in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania. After being for a num- ber of years superintendent of coal mines, he was sent by a New York company to open a coal mine in West Virginia and from that state came in 1855 to Wisconsin, being joined in the same year by two of his sons, Phillip and James, the mother with the two other sons, Henry and Thomas, coming in the following spring. Here Mr. Davis found a good field for the exercise of his talent as a surveyor, and in the course of time surveyed a consider- able part of Buffalo county, especially in the neighborhood of Fountain City and Alma and the roads of Glencoe township. In this township he located a tract of 120 acres of land, all prairie and stumps, and without buildings. On it he erected a log house, 14 by 15 feet in size, and a log stable, and began the work of improvement, being assisted by his sons. In the following spring the family got a cow. From that beginning he made steady progress in prosperity, his sons operating the farm while he was away surveying. A man of great public spirit, he took a special inter- est in the construction of roads, and to advance that work in the county often made the surveys for nothing. He also donated liberally to the different churches in the township. As a member of the school board he rendered good service, and he was the first treasurer of Glencoe township, . though without seeking the office, accepting it only when urged to serve. He was also a prominent member of the organization known as Patrons of Husbandry, and donated land for the old Grange hall, which was built on his farm. Few men, if any, were more highly esteemed, or better deserved the respect of the citizens of the community. Both he and his wife lived to a venerable age, each passing away when about 86 years old, his death occurring November 7, 1888. At the time of the Civil War two of the sons, James and William, enlisted, and the latter was killed at Roanoke, Va. After the war Henry went west. Then James and Thomas conducted the

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farm together for some eight years, after which it was taken over by the latter, who is the present proprietor. Mr. and Mrs. Davis were the parents of ten children as follows: David, born August 3, 1829; Elizabeth, April 14, 1831; William, March 31, 1834; Mariam, January 19, 1836; Ann, April 7, 1838; Philip, February 17, 1840; Manuel, January 22, 1842; James, October 7, 1844; Henry, August 24, 1846, and Thomas, January 1, 1850.

Thomas Davis, proprietor of the old pioneer homestead in Glencoe township, known as the Davis Corner Farm, was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, January 1, 1850, son of David J. and Margaret (Jeffers) Davis. Being a young child when he came to this township, he attended the district school here and later helped to develop the home farm. Since taking it over he has made some important improvements, having erected a new set of buildings. He keeps a good grade of Shropshire sheep, the flock having been started by his father in his latter years; and his other stock is also of good grade. He is one of the few remaining members of the old Grange, which he is serving as secretary, and is also a member of the Building Association. Like his father, Mr. Davis has served in public office, taking an active and interested part in the affairs of the township. His position as a prosperous farmer and public spirited citizen is well estab- lished and he is always willing to lend his aid and influence to a worthy cause. Mr. Davis was married, May 20, 1872, to Agnes Burns, who was born in Scotland, January 1, 1855, daughter of John and Margaret Burns. Her father died in Scotland and she subsequently came to this country with an uncle, locating in Buffalo county. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have had eleven children, as follows: George M., born October 19, 1873, now residing in Montana; Margaret A., born April 8, 1876, who is the wife of Lester Pike of Portland, Ore., and has three children, Cecil, Florence and Dorothy; David J., born April 2, 1878, who was named for his grandfather, and is now 'aceased; Florence M., born June 20, 1879, and now Mrs. Thomas Bennett of Montana, whose only child, Zelda, married Milton McKnight, and has one child; Grace E., born in 1880, residing at home; James P., born May 20, 1881, now a resident of Montana; Henry S., born August 10, 1882, who is a barber in Montana, is married and has one child, Dorothy; Agnes B., born March 28, 1885, who is the wife of Floyd Grote of Montana; Annie. born April 14, 1886; Alice D., born March 16, 1887, who is the wife of Henry Orr, of Waukon, Iowa; Harrison B., born November 14, 1888, who is residing at home; Roscoe E., born February 1, 1893, now in the United States' service; Tillie C., born August 28, 1890; Thomas W., the date of whose birth is not known; and Lenora, born December 23, 1897, who is a resident of Waukon, Wis.

John Jacob Moham, one of the pioneer settlers in Glencoe township, Buffalo county, was born in Switzerland, and came to the United States in 1848 on a sailing vessel. * Landing after a tedious voyage of sixty-five days, and rejoiced once more to set foot on terra firma, he struck out for the great Northwest, coming to a halt at Green Bay, Wis. After no long stay there he moved to Sauk county, where he met and married Osenia Can- dientz, who, like himself, was a native of Switzerland and had come to America in 1852. In 1856 he came to Glencoe township, Buffalo county,

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History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2), Part 15

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

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