History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2), Part 16

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

USA > Wisconsin > Buffalo County > History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2) > Part 16
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THOMAS DAVIS-DAVID J. DAVIS-MRS. THOMAS DAVIS

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taking a homestead of 160 acres in sections 6 and 7, where he built a log house. In this he and his wife took up their abode two years later, begin- ning domestic life with an ox team and a cow. Their residence on that farm lasted until 1878, and there two sons were born to them, John and Leonard. From 1878 to 1880 the family lived in Fountain City, after which Mr. Moham bought a farm in Buffalo township, which he operated for four or five years. Then selling out, he removed to Waumandee town- ship, taking an improved farm of 200 acres. In 1901 he sold that place also and bought 360 acres in section 8, Glencoe township, and 80 acres in section 5, in the same township. Mr. Moham never resided on his new purchase, however, as before he was ready to move death called him, and he passed away in 1901, at the age of 75 years, seven months and some days. He was a member of the Methodist church. His wife died in Buf- falo township at the age of 51 years.

John Moham, who with his brother Leonard is engaged in operating the Moham farm in Glencoe township, Buffalo county, was born in a log house in section 5, this township, December 25, 1859, son of John Jacob and Osenia (Candientz) Moham. His education was obtained in the dis- trict school-a log structure-and at Fountain City, where he attended school two winters, but he had to begin industrial life at an early age, work- ing on the home farm on which his father had settled in 1856. The valley in which the farm lies is known as Moham Valley, being named after John Jacob Moham, who was the first settler in it. The farm is well improved, and under the efficient management of the Moham brothers, John and Leonard, yields good financial returns. They raise good sheep and other stock, besides the usual crops, and the buildings and machinery on the place are adequate to all the purposes of modern farming. John Moham also holds the office of pathmaster in the township.

Ole K. Lee, a pioneer of Dover township, Buffalo county, who is still living here, was born in Norway, August 13, 1835, and there grew to man- hood and married. With his wife Oler and their six children-Martin, Knute, Anton, Andrew, Betsey and Mary-he set out for the United States, and, with true pioneer instinct, or, it may be, with previous knowledge of existing conditions, came west to Green county, Wisconsin. Mr. Lee's design was to establish a home and wrest a living from the soil, and having little or no money, he soon became convinced that a location farther to the northwest was desirable as affording better opportunities for obtaining free or cheap land. Accordingly he came to Buffalo county to look over the ground, and, being satisfied with the prospects, secured a tract of wild land in section 9, Dover township. Here he built a log shack, to which in the fall of the same year he brought his family with their household pos- sessions. He had nothing but his hands with which to make a beginning and had to carry provisions on his back from Alma. It was two years before he got an ox team, though he was able to get a cow the first year. The money to pay for the latter he earned by grubbing for a neighbor. Thus a part of his time at first was spent in working for others, as was the case with most of the pioneers in this region, but in spite of a slow start he made progress, which was gradually accelerated until he found himself

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the owner of a fine farm. Here he has since resided and is now numbered among the prosperous citizens of his township. At various times he has held office in the Norwegian Lutheran church, which he helped to estab- lish. Mr. Lee's first wife, Oler, died at the age of 67 years, and he subse- quently married Mrs. Hans Olson, a widow. His children are all of the first marriage.

Martin Lee, a farmer on the old Lee homestead in section 9, Dover township, Buffalo county, was born in Norway, Oct. 1, 1865, son of Ole K. and Oler Lee. His school days were limited in extent but were spent in this township, and at an early age he began to make himself useful on the home farm. Here he has always remained, and has assisted greatly in its devel- opment, among other things having erected a good frame residence. He was a shareholder in the old cheese factory and also took shares in the creamery when it started, having always believed in encouraging home industries. He now has the active management of the farm in his hands and is raising good stock and making the place yield satisfactory financial returns. He is a member and has been an officer in the Norwegian Lu- theran church. Mr. Lee married Anna Larson, a native of Dane county, Wisconsin, and he and his wife have five children: Elmer, Christ, Emma, Oscar and Tilda.

John Spehn, a well-known and respected citizen of Fountain City, where he is engaged in the farm implement business, was born in Wash- ington county, Wisconsin, Feb. 15, 1848, son of Severin and Verena (Brug- ger) Spehn. The parents were natives of Baden, Germany, and came to America when young people, the father in 1845 and the mother in 1846. They were married in Washington county, Wisconsin, where Severin Spehn engaged in farming. In 1854 they came to Buffalo county, buying 260 acres of government land in Cross township, where they established a home, building a small log house, 14 by 16 feet in size. Later Mr. Spehn built a frame house and other farm buildings, clearing the land and farm- ing there until 1889, when he retired. His death occurred in 1902, and that of his wife in 1907. They had a family of 13 children: John, Fred- ericka, George, Mary, Fred, Rosa, Lizzie, Emma, Sophia, Christine, Jacob, Verena and Paulina. John Spehn was a child of four years when he came with his parents to Buffalo county in 1854. He grew up on the home farm in Cross township, attended the district school in boyhood, and farmed with his father until he was 29 years old, when he married. In 1875 he bought 160 acres of the old homestead, on which he had built a residence for himself and wife. There he remained until 1885, when he moved to Fountain City, where he engaged in the hotel business as proprietor of the Central House. In that business he was engaged for 15 years, or until 1900, when he entered into his present business as a dealer in farm imple- ments. While living on his farm Mr. Spehn served two years as assessor and two years as town treasurer, and was also a member of the school board. Since taking up his residence in town he has served twelve years as assessor and still holds that office. He owns a nice home on the corner of Jefferson and North streets. Mr. Spehn was married Jan. 31, 1877, to Clara Arenz, who was born in Prussia, April 29, 1848, and who came

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MR. AND MRS. SEVERIN SPEHN-MATHIAS ARENS MR. AND MRS. JOHN SPEHN

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STEPHEN BAURES AND FAMILY

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+., America in 1855 with her parents, Mathias and Helena (Gralen) Arenz, family locating in Fountain City, this county. Mr. Arenz was a nail- ath by trade, but here he operated a lime kiln and was engaged in farm- · in Milton township until 1877. After that he resided with the subject this sketch until he was accidentally killed in 1887. His wife died in 1857. Their children were Jacob, Angeline, Lizzie, Theodore, Nicholas, Clara, Theodore (second) and Hubert. Mr. and Mrs. Spehn have had seven children : Lizzie, Helen, William, Christina, John, George and Robert, of whom Robert is now deceased. The family are members of the Catholic church and of St. Joseph's Society.

Herman G. Heck, a prosperous agriculturist of Modena township, Buffalo county, was born on a farm in La Crosse county, Wisconsin, July 1, 1863, son of August and Wilhelmina (Lucen) Heck. The parents, who were natives of Germany, were married in that country and came to the United States in 1860 with three children, Emelia, August and Louis. The voyage was made in a sailing vessel and took nine weeks. The father had been a tailor in Germany, but on arriving in La Crosse county, Wisconsin, he took up farming as a manager, residing there for a year and a half. He and his family then drove with an ox team to Buffalo county, settling in the township of Canton, where he got 120 acres of land, to which he later added 160 more. Like most of the early settlers, he had to build a log house for his first dwelling. There he lived for the rest of his life, which was prolonged to the advanced age of 90 years. He was a Lutheran in religious faith and a director of his church for some years. The children born to him and his wife in the United States were Herman G., Adolph, William, Bertha, Hulda, Gusta, Pauline and John. Herman G. Heck in his boyhood attended the district school, but his education was limited, as he had to make himself useful on his parents' farm at an early age. When 21 years old he left home and worked out for two or three years, and at the age of 24 was married to Ida Pfund, daughter of Adoiph Pfund. For five years after his marriage he rented his father-in-law's farm and then bought his present farm of 134 acres in Modena township, which at the time he took possession was partially improved. In 1910 he rebuilt the house, and he has also erected a new barn and set out a fine grove of pine trees, his place being now in excellent condition. Besides being en- gaged successfully in the raising of graded Jersey cattle and other good stock, he is a shareholder in the creamery at Modena, which he helped to organize and of which he was for 16 years one of its vice presidents and a director. He has held office on the district school board and for a num- ber of years was treasurer of the Lutheran church. One of the substantial and reliable citizens of his township, he is a man well known and respected. His family numbers eleven children: Tobia, postmistress at Modena; Watomer, who is married and resides in Buffalo county; Herbert, who is married and lives in Marathon county ; and Freda, Alma, a graduate nurse; William, Helen, Marcus, Paul, Raymond and Gerald.

Stephen Baures, a retired agriculturist, now residing at Fountain City, Buffalo county, was born in a log house on the farm of his parents in Cross township, Feb. 15, 1866, the father, John Baures, being a pioneer

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of that locality. When Stephen was 16 years old he accompanied his father to town, the latter taking up his residence here. He had had little chance to get an education, and was obliged to become industrially active. For one year he worked on the railroad as section hand. Afterwards he was employed as a farm hand and otherwise until reaching the age of 21, when he took over his father's original homestead in Cross township, on which the old pioneer log house is still standing. His father and mother resided with him for one year, and he was then married, Feb. 26, 1888, to Lizzie Duellman, a native of Cross township, and daughter of Henry and Wilhelmina (Biddeger) Duellman. After that for 32 years Mr. Baures continued farming. He bought 80 acres more land, erected good buildings, and kept up the work of clearing until he had 100 acres under the plow. He then rented the place to his sons Emil and Edward and moved to Fountain City, where he bought his present home, which was once owned by his wife's parents. In the fall of 1917 he bought a farm of 200 acres, known as the John Hill Farm, in Cross township, for $15,000, for his son Edward. Mr. Baures is a stockholder in the Fountain City creamery. While resid- ing in Cross township, he held office on the town side board. A Catholic in religious faith, he helped to build the church edifice and priest's house of his parish, and is now janitor of the church, school and cemetery. He and his wife are the parents of five children : Emil, born May 14, 1892, who now owns the home farm and who married Agnes Siebenaler ; Edward, born Sept. 7, 1896; now owner of the farm previously mentioned in Cross township and who married Emma Wolf; Martha, born March 1, 1902; Verna, born Aug. 5, 1907; and Bertha, born July 12, 1913.

Edward J. Ruplinger, cashier of the Mondovi State Bank, of Mondovi, Wis., was born at West Bend, Wis., Dec. 13, 1884, son of Michael and Mary (Ritger) Ruplinger. The father, born in Washington county, Wisconsin, .July 22, 1850, removed in 1885 to Hewitt, Wis., where he engaged in the lumber business and was proprietor of heading and stave factories until November, 1899. He then removed to Mondovi, Buffalo county, and until 1906 conducted a general mercantile and implement business, subsequently going to Orleans, Neb., where he is now residing and is a land owner. His wife Mary was born in New York State, May 19, 1848.

Edward J. Ruplinger acquired his early education in the district and parochial schools, supplementing it with commercial courses, including typewriting. Thus equipped, he engaged in clerking in his father's stores at various places, and later for about a year followed the printing business in Mondovi. After that he was for some time, up to July, 1905, telegraph operator and assistant railroad agent, and then became assistant cashier of the Buffalo County Bank here. Promoted to the position of cashier in January, 1908, he has since continued to serve in that capacity, and is also engaged in the insurance business. He has proved himself efficient and obliging, and is popular with the patrons of the bank, which is a thriving institution. Mr. Ruplinger is also secretary and a director of the Mondovi Canning Company, and is one of the active factors in the business devel- opment of the city. From 1912 to 1918 he served as city treasurer, and for four years has been treasurer of the Catholic church here. He was

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married, June 5, 1906, to Emma F. Lehmann, of Mondovi, who was born in Belvidere township, Buffalo county, Wis., March 23, 1885, daughter of Jacob and Louise (Zimmerman) Lehmann. Her father, who was a farmer, is now deceased, but her mother is still living and resides in Mondovi, being now 77 years old. Mr. and Mrs. Ruplinger have had two children: Doug- lass, born Nov. 6, 1909, who died Nov. 12, 1909; and Vincent Edward, born Nov. 2, 1912.

Charles Benjamin, who is associated with his brother Arthur in the ownership and operation of a farm of 320 acres in sections 7, 8 and 18, Nelson township, Buffalo county, was born in Cascade Valley, this county, June 19, 1885, son of Peter and Olina Benjamin. He was the second born child in a family of eight and was reared on the homestead, attending the Burnside school. Remaining on the home farm until about 1907, he then went to work for an uncle, Ever Johnson, with whom he was associated for about four years, at the end of that time coming to his present loca- tion, and with his brother Arthur purchasing the farm they now own and operate together. The place is well equipped with good buildings, some of the more valuable improvements having been made by the two brothers. As general farmers and stock raisers they are doing a successful business, and are shareholders in the Farmers' Terminal Packing Company of New- port, near South St. Paul. Arthur is at present serving as a director on the district school board.

Joseph Erwin Ward, in former years a prominent citizen of Lima township, Pepin county, who was also the owner of a considerable tract of land in the adjoining township of Canton, Buffalo county, was a native of New York State, but left his early home when a boy and come to Wisconsin, settling at Brodhead in Green county, whence in 1852 he came to Pepin county with a party of surveyors who proceeded on their way to survey lands on the sites of the present cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Mak- ing his home in section 32, Lima township, Mr. Ward homesteaded a large tract of land just across the county line in Canton township, Buffalo county, most of which is now owned by his son, John P. Ward. He built the first frame house in this vicinity, and his wife taught the first school, making use of her residence as a schoolhouse until a building was erected for the purpose. She received a certain amount for each pupil, but was obliged to take a part of her pay in corn and other merchandise. In the meanwhile Mr. Ward spent his time in clearing and developing his land, a task of considerable magnitude, but in which in time he made good prog- ress. Thus he spent the rest of his life and finally passed away. Though he never had any ambition for public office, he occasionally yielded to the desire of his friends and neighbors, and served on the county board and . in other official positions when his services were needed. Mr. Ward mar- ried Esther Plumer, who is also now deceased. They were the parents of four children, of whom the eldest was Nathaniel P.

Nathaniel P. Ward. On Feb. 16, 1916, there passed away at his home one of the best known and most highly esteemed citizens of Lima township, Pepin county. Nathaniel P. Ward was born on his parents' farm in section 32, this township, Nov. 22, 1861, son of Joseph Erwin and Esther (Plumer)

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Ward, and was therefore but little past the meridian of life when death called him away from the scene of his earthly labors. He acquired a bet- ter education than most farmers' sons in early days were able to secure, attending school at Averill and the River Falls Normal School. After the age of 13, however, his studies were intermittent, as he was obliged to work on the home farm during the summers up to the age of 21, but his school attendance was continued during the winter months until he had reached the age of 19 years. He also worked the farm for two years after his marriage. At the age of 23 he bought the Nelson Sabins farm, which was the first land taken up from the government in Lima township, and on it he subsequently installed all the modern improvements. It contains 135 acres and is pleasantly situated on the Durand-Mondovi road. In addition to this property he owned the farm of 220 acres where his wife's parents lived, and also 160 acres near Brookings, S. D. Mr. Ward was a very . active man, not only giving close attention to his own business, in which he achieved a gratifying success, but also taking a warm interest in pub- lic affairs, especially those connected with the township and county in which he resided. He remained thus activo until April, 1914, nearly three years before his death, when he practically retired, having urgent need of rest. He was a stockholder in the Farmers' Co-operative Store, the Inter-County Telephone Company and the Co-operative Creamery at Tar- rant. Though not a member, he attended the Methodist Episcopal Church of Bear Creek. In politics he was a Republican. On March 28, 1883, Mr. Ward was united in marriage with Sophia Newton, who was born in Durand, Wis., daughter of Rowland H. and Annis (Williams) Newton. She was educated in a district school, which she attended up to the age of 14 years, and in the high school at Cleveland, Ohio, and is now residing on the farm left by her husband, which is now owned by her son Joseph Erwin in section 33, Lima township. She is a member of the Red Cross Association at Durand and is a lady who stands high in social circles in this locality. To Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel P. Ward four children were born: Florence W., Nathaniel P., Jr., Joseph Erwin and Adelaide Mary. Florence W. is the wife of Thomas B. Watters, connected with the First National Bank of Denver, Colo. Nathaniel P., Jr., is now residing in the house built by his grandfather, Joseph Erwin Ward, the first frame house erected in Lima township, and where his father, Nathaniel P. Ward, was born. Joseph Erwin is engaged in farming the old homestead, on which his mother resides. Adelaide Mary is a pupil in the Eau Claire Normal School.

Rowland H. Newton, an early settler in Canton township, Buffalo county, where he resided for over half a century, was born in Catteraugus county, New York, and in early manhood followed the printer's trade in Warren and Ravenna, Ohio. On account of his health he finally gave up that occupation and in October, 1861, came west to Durand, Wis. There he remained during the following winter. He then rented a farm in Lima township, Pepin county, but operated it only one year, at the end of that time buying the farm in Canton township, Buffalo county, upon which he passed the rest of his life, his death occurring in November, 1914. Be- sides cultivating and improving his place, a task to which he devoted many

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FERDINAND BRUNNER AND FAMILY

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years, he at times served on his district school board and in other local offices. Mr. Newton married Annis Williams, who is still residing on the farm, which is now owned by the sons of N. P. Ward.

Nathaniel P. Ward, Jr., proprietor of the old Ward home farm in section 5, Canton township, Buffalo county, was born in section 32, Lima township, Pepin county, Jan. 19, 1890, son of Nathaniel P., Sr., and Sophia (Newton) Ward. In his youth he attended district school No. 7 in Lima township and also the Durand high school. Until reaching the age of 21 years he remained at home and assisted his father on the farm, and was then married, Feb. 28, 1911, to Winifred E. Plummer, daughter of William E. and Rose (Oesterreicher) Plummer. Her father, who was born in Durand, Pepin county, in 1861, is now county attorney of Pepin county. Her mother was born in Austria in 1872. The family is one of high standing in Pepin county, William E. Plummer being one of the best known and most popular citizens in the county. After his marriage, Mr. Ward engaged in farming on the old homestead, of which he is now the pro- prietor. The farm contains 200 acres, of which 25 acres lie in Pepin county and the rest in Buffalo county, his residence being on the Buffalo county side. The county line runs through his yard. Mr. Ward devotes his time to the operation and improvement of his farm, which is a fine piece of agri- cultural property, well kept and with substantial buildings. He is also a stockholder in the Tarrant Co-operative Creamery and in the Inter-County Telephone Company. In politics he is independent and has never aspired to public office. He is a member of the Blue Lodge of Masons at Durand, having recorded his E. P. degree. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Ward con- sists of three children: Nathaniel Plummer, born Feb. 29, 1912; William Plummer, born Dec. 12, 1913; and Florence Emily, born April 19, 1915.

Ferdinand Brunner, an extensive land owner in Lima township, en- gaged in agricultural pursuits in section 4, was born in Austria, May 22, 1854, son of Frank and Mary (Bauer) Brunner, who were natives of the same country. The father was born in 1818 and his wife in 1815. They were well advanced in middle life when they came to the United States in 1872, locating in Lima township, this county, where Frank Brunner bought a small farm. In time he became a large land owner and achieved success as a farmer, becoming one of the prosperous citizens of his township. Both he and his wife attained to advanced age, the latter dying first in 1905, and Mr. Brunner in 1908. They had a family of eight children. Fer- dinand Brunner, who was the seventh born child, attended school in Aus- tria, accompanied his parents to America and resided with them until he was 30 years of age, or until about the time of his marriage. He then engaged in farming for himself in section 4, Lima township, beginning with 120 acres. After residing on that farm for 23 years, during which time he made good progress on the road to prosperity, he moved to his present location, a fine farm of 320 acres, in addition to which he owns another tract of 40 acres in this township and has 30 acres of woodland on "the island." He is also a stockholder in the Inter-County Telephone Company. Mr. Brunner has been school treasurer for nine years, and is independent in politics. He is a member of the Roman Catholic Church

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at Lima. On Jan. 27, 1885, Mr. Brunner was married to Mary Webber, who was born in Austria, daughter of John and Agnes (Wesenbeck) Web- ber, the parents being also natives of that country. Coming to the United States in 1881, they located on a farm in Lima township, this county, on which Mr. Webber died in 1891, and his wife in 1910. He had served in the Austrian army, and was a man of industrious habits and a prosperous farmer. The Webber family was a large one, the daughter Mary (Mrs. Brunner) being one of the older children. She acquired her education in Austria. To Mr. and Mrs. Ferdinand Brunner were born the following children: Dora, who died as the result of being accidentally shot when 19 years of age; Ferdinand, Jr., a farmer in Bear Creek Valley, Lima town- ship; Mary, wife of Rufus Youngwitt, residing in Dunn county, not far from his father's farm; Agnes, who died in infancy; Agnes, second, wife of Carl Zeidinger, residing in Dunn county, near Eau Galle; Andrew, who lives with his father on the home farm; Rosa, wife of Joseph Zeidinger, residing near the church in Lima township; and Leo, Frank and Wilhelm, living on the home farm. Mrs. Mary Brunner, the mother of the above mentioned children, died March 7, 1910. Mr. Brunner belongs to the Cath- olic Knights of Wisconsin. He has attained a comfortable position in life through his own industry and is a man who stands high in the regard of his neighbors.

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History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2), Part 16

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

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