History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2), Part 17

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 17
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John Anibas, a general farmer in Lima township, Pepin county, oper- ating 126 acres in section 26, was born in Austria, June 23, 1865, son of Anton and Johanna (Ibel) Anibas. The parents came to the United States in 1892, Anton Anibas settling on a farm in Durand township, this county, where both he and his wife subsequently died. John, the subject of this sketch, attended school in his native land and was 18 years old when he came to America. He worked out for others, carefully saving as much of his earnings as possible until he was able to purchase his present farm, to which he came in 1891. This he is operating successfully, raising the usual crops and keeping a sufficiency of good stock. He is also financially interested in the Inter-County Telephone Company. Independent in pol- itics, he has never aspired to public office. He attends the Catholic church in Lima. In March, 1891, Mr. Anibas gave up bachelor life and was united in marriage with Mary Sabelko, who was born in Austria, daughter of Michael and Johanna (Durham) Sabelko, natives of the same country. The family located in Lima township at an early date and Mr. and Mrs. Sabelko are still residing here. Of their four children Mary was the third in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Anibas are the parents of eleven children: Frank, John, Andrew, Mary, Florian, Louisa, Agnes, Anthony, Anna, Philip and Thomas. All are unmarried and all are residing at home except Andrew, who is temporarily absent.

William P. Averill, proprietor of the old Averill homestead in section 31, Lima township, Pepin county, was born in this township Sept. 13, 1862, son of Harvey Putnam and Frances (Keenan) Averill. The father, who was a native of New York state, when a young man learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for a while as a journeyman. His wife was a native of Ireland. Harvey P. Averill came to Pepin county in 1855, locat-

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JOSEPH H. BRUNNER FAMILY AND RESIDENCE

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ing on the land that now constitutes the farm of his son, William P. At that time, of course, it was wild, and he was the first settler in the locality. One of his first acts was to build a log house, in which he resided with his brother. Later, at the time of his marriage, he built one for himself. He became the owner of 120 acres of land and resided on the place until his death, which occurred in May, 1874. His wife survived him but a short time, passing away in August of the same year. During the Civil War Mr. Averill served in the quartermaster's department with a Wisconsin regiment. William P. Averill, who was the eldest of six children, attended district school in Lima township. He resided at home until he was about 12 years of age, and after his parents' death, went to live with his uncle. At the age of 22 he began operating the home farm, where he has since remained. He now owns the original 120 acres, on which he has made all the most important improvements, and is carrying on general farming suc- cessfully. He is also a stockholder and vice president of the Inter-County Telephone Company. He has held various township offices and has served as school director. Mr. Averill was united in marriage Nov. 17, 1889, to Lillian Dorwin, who was born in the town of Durand, daughter of Vivus W. and Helen M. (Van Hoesen) Dorwin, who came to Durand, Pepin county, from Adams county, Wisconsin, in 1856. He and his wife are the parents of four children: Harvey Putnam, Lillian May, Ella Cora and William Phillip. Mr. Averill belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, including both the lodge and encampment.

Joseph H. Brunner, a general farmer and stock raiser of Lima town- . ship, Pepin county, was born in this township and county, Feb. 12, 1874, son of Joseph and Mary (Falkner) Brunner. The parents were born and married in Austria, coming to the United States in 1871, the year of their marriage, when they were each 29 years old. They located on a farm in Lima township, one mile from the present residence of their son, John A. Brunner. Joseph Brunner is now living with his daughter, Mrs. Frank Schumpf, in Durand, his wife having died in October, 1915. Joseph H. Brunner was educated in the school located in the Howard district, Lima township, and was early trained to agricultural work on the home farm. He was married Nov. 24, 1903, to Mary Bauer, who was born in Wiscon- sin and who died June 12, 1915. She had been the mother of three chil- dren: Florence, who died Sept. 17, 1915; Eleanor and Joseph Henry, the two latter residing with their father. It was at the birth of Joseph Henry that the mother died. At the time of his marriage to Mary Bauer, Mr. Brunner began the improvements on his present farm, which consists of 200 acres of land, 40 acres of which lie in Buffalo county. He has erected substantial and commodious buildings and has a good equipment of agricultural tools and machinery. His residence is of red brick, contains eleven rooms and is heated with hot water and lighted with electricity from his own electric plant. He is now engaged in breeding Guernsey cattle and Poland-China hogs, besides raising crops, and has taken rank among the enterprising and successful farmers of the township. On Oct. 17, 1916, he married for his second wife Julia Bauer, who was born in Lima

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township, daughter of John J. and Victoria (Schuch) Bauer. Her parents, who came from Austria, were early settlers in Lima township, and Mrs. Victoria Bauer still resides here. The father is now deceased: Joseph H. Brunner is a stockholder in the Inter-County Telephone Company. He is a member of the Catholic Church in Lima, also of the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin, and the Catholic Family Protective Association.

Edwin O. Baker, an enterprising and successful farmer of Lima town- ship, Pepin county, was born in Durand, this county Nov. 11, 1879, son of Edward J. and Jennie E. (Hamilton) Baker. The father was a physician and surgeon who had acquired his education in various places and who was a competent member of his profession, having taken a post-graduate course after receiving his degree. He practiced at Durand for a number of years and then removed to Menomonie, where he died in 1885. His wife is still living and resides with her son, Edwin O. Edwin O. Baker was the only child of his parents. He has resided on his present farm since he was eight years old, it having previously belonged to his grand- father, William Henry Hamilton, and has operated it since he was 21. It contains 220 acres of valuable land, which he operates as a dairy and stock farm with satisfactory financial results. He has put on all the improvements and has a good set of buildings with modern equipment, the farm presenting a neat and thriving appearance. Mr. Baker is also a stockholder in the Tarrant Creamery and in the Inter-County Telephone Company. His fraternal society affiliations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he is a member of the Congregational church. In politics he is independent, but has never aspired to public office, having hitherto declined to serve. Mr. Baker was united in marriage Oct. 18, 1911, with Clara A. Keyes, who was born in Maxville township, Buffalo county, Wisconsin, daughter of Nathan and Mary Ellen (Fox) Keyes. Her parents, who now live in Durand, were formerly farming people in Buffalo county, Mr. Keyes, during his active career in that county, being a well known and prominent citizen, serving at various times in both town- ship and county offices. He is now retired. Mrs. Baker, who was the fifth born in a family of six children, was educated in Buffalo county, where she attended district school. Mr. and Mrs. Baker have a family of four children, Edwin Owen, Jr., Clara Amelia, Mary Jane and William Nathan.

Charles Brunner, proprietor of a fine farm of 240 acres in section 35, Lima township, Pepin county, was born in Bierbach, Austria, Oct. 28, 1868, son of Ferdinand and Josephine (Bauer) Brunner. The parents, who came to this country from Austria, developed a good farm in Lima township, on which their son, John F., now resides and where Ferdinand Brunner died in 1918. Charles attended school in the Howard district, this town- ship and resided with his parents until his marriage, June 10, 1904, to Theresa Brunner, who was born in Lima township on the farm of her par- ents, John and Barbara (Weisinger) Brunner. Her parents came to this country from Austria and became prosperous farmers of Lima township, Pepin county. The father died in 1911 after a long and useful career, but his wife is still living and resides with her son, John Brunner, Jr., who

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CHARLES BRUNNER AND FAMILY MR. AND MRS. FERDINAND BRUNNER

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now owns the old homestead. At the time of his marriage Charles Brun- ner began operations on the farm where he now lives and which he has since greatly improved. He has erected good modern buildings, well equipped with all desirable conveniences and all of which are lighted with electricity, which he also uses to some extent for power purposes. He carries on general farming on a considerable scale with profitable results, and is also a stockholder in the Inter-County Telephone Company. He and his wife are the parents of three children, Clara, Anna and Gertrude. All are members of the Catholic church, Mr. and Mrs. Brunner also belong- ing to the Catholic Family Protective Association, and he being a member of the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin.

Louis Bauer, Sr., for many years engaged in agricultural work in Lima township, and until recently operating 300 acres of land, was born in Aus- tria, June 10, 1854. His parents were Florian and Elizabeth (Prissel) Bauer, both natives of Austria, who came to America in 1872 and resided for a short time in New York State. From there they came to Pepin county, locating on a farm in Lima township, where Florian Bauer died in 1892. His wife survived him eight years. In Austria Mr. Bauer had been a caretaker over an estate, but his life was spent in farming after coming to the United States. Louis Bauer, Sr., was the second born in a family of three children. He attended school in Austria, but had only 28 days schooling in America. About a year after coming to this country Mr. Bauer went to work in a sawmill at Eau Galle, Wis., where he remained two years. He then took up farming in Lima township, Pepin county, having purchased a farm of 120 acres here, which he culti- vated until 1915. He then moved onto the farm he now owns, containing about 300 acres of land, and was prosperously engaged in raising cattle, hogs, horses and other stock, besides various crops, until he rented all but 80 acres of the farm to his son Vinz, and in the summer of 1918 erected a new residence in which he now lives. The 80 acres which he retained he is still operating. At one time Mr. Bauer was the owner of 840 acres. He is a stockholder in the Inter-County Telephone Company. For a number of years he served as township treasurer and was for a consider- able time treasurer of the school board. He is a member of the Roman Catholic church and in politics is independent. Mr. Bauer was married Sept. 13, 1877, to Thakla Rossler, who was born in Austria, daughter of Michael and Mary (Frasl) Rossler. Her parents, natives of that coun- try, came to America in 1874 and located in Lima township, this county, where Mr. Rossler was engaged in farming until his death, Feb. 16, 1913. In his native land he had been a carpenter. His wife is still living and resides with a son in this township. Of their ten children Thakla was the eldest, and was educated in Austria. Mr. and Mrs. Bauer have had thirteen children, three of whom are now deceased, the record being as follows: Michael, a farmer of Lima township, who married Anna Young- mann; Racey, who married Florian Komro, and had two children, both she and her husband being now deceased; Mary, widow of John Young- mann, a farmer who resided near Arkansaw, Pepin county; Victoria, wife of John Komro, a farmer of Albany township; Hannah, wife of Michael

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Weber, a farmer of Dunn county, living near Eau Galle; Florian, who mar- ried Anna Bechold, and is a farmer in Albany township; Philip, deceased; Joseph, who married Mary Pichler, and lives on the old home farm; Louis, who married Dora Heddon, and is farming in Lima township, near the Bauer homestead; Vinz, who married Jennie Pichler, and lives on the old homestead, which he has rented from his father; Antoine, deceased; and Katherine and Martena, residing at home.

John A. Brunner, who is engaged. in a general mercantile business at Tarrant, in Lima township, Pepin county, was born in this township, May 16, 1872, son of Joseph and Mary (Falkner) Brunner. The parents were born in Austria in 1842 and were married there in 1871, coming to America in June of the same year. They located on a farm in Lima township, Pepin county, Wisconsin, the farm being now the residence and property of their son Matthew, and which is situated one mile from John A. Brunner's store. Mrs. Mary Brunner died in October, 1915, and her husband, Joseph, is now living in Durand with his daughter, Mrs. Frank Schumpf. While residing in his native land, Joseph Brunner had served as a soldier in the Austrian army. John A. Brunner was the first born in a family of four children. He was educated in the district school in Lima township and later studied for one term in the dairy school connected with the Wisconsin University at Madison. He resided at home until he was 19 years of age and then became employed in the creamery of Tarrant & Sons at Tarrant, where he remained for seven years. Then, acting in the interest of the Tarrants, he opened what was known as the Tarrant store, which he conducted for about nine years. He then, in 1913, became connected with the Pepin County Co-operative Company, in 1913 becoming sole owner of the busi- ness, which he has conducted on his own account up to the present time, carrying a general line of merchandise. The store is located in a new and modern building, and Mr. Brunner has also a new and commodious resi- dence. He was married April 4, 1899, to Jennie Nicholas, who was born in Durand, Pepin county, Wisconsin, daughter of Henry and Mary (Bauer) Nicholas. Her parents were Austrians, Mr. Nicholas coming to the United States about the same time as the Brunners, and his wife following a year later. He was a tailor by trade and established himself in business in Durand, being thus occupied there until his death, Aug. 15, 1898. His wife died June 13, 1914. They had a large family of whom their daughter Jennie was the youngest member. John A. Brunner and wife have one child, Dorothy Mary, who is residing at home. Mr. Brunner is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. In politics he is a Democrat with independent tendencies, and his religion is that of the Catholic church. As a business man he has a good record, conducting his store according to modern methods, and observing strict honesty and impartiality in his dealings with his customers. He has achieved a large measure of success and is one of the prosperous citizens of Lima township.

Rev. Martin Caspar, pastor of Holy Rosary Roman Catholic church in Lima township, was born in Luxemburg, July 14, 1874, son of Ferdinand and Ernestine (Wyland) Caspar, both parents being natives of the same locality. The father was a postmaster of his native town in Luxemburg.

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MR. AND MRS. JOSEPH BRUNNER MR. AND MRS. JOHN A. BRUNNER

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REV. MARTIN CASPAR

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He died in 1900 in his native land, and his wife in 1899, neither of them ever coming to America. Rev. Martin Caspar was the elder of two chil- dren. He attended school first in Luxemburg and afterwards the Uni- versity of Luvaine, Belgium, and was ordained priest in 1901. His life has since been spent in church work. Almost immediately after his ordination he came to Stratford, Wis., and was in charge of the Catholic church there for twelve years, at the end of that time coming to his present parish in Lima township. Here he has been instrumental in effecting some impor- tant improvements, including the parish school, erected in 1915 at a cost of $18,000, now enrolling 100 pupils. This fine work was accomplished through the efforts of Father Caspar and the trustees, Matt Brunner and Frank Faast. The parish contains 150 families, or about 800 souls. Father Caspar is also a member of the Schutz Gesellchaft, a family protective asso- ciation, and of the Foresters and Catholic Knights of Wisconsin, Mike Brunner being the leading officer of the Schutz Gesellchaft Association.

Louis Bauer, a well known and respected resident of Durand township, Pepin county, also owning property in Lima township, was born in Austria in 1854. Coming to this country when a young man of 18, he settled on land in section 35, Lima township, that now constitutes the farm of his son, Mike L. He was married in this county to Teckla Roessler, like him- self, a native of Austria and born in 1859. Probably not one of the early settlers in this locality, or even in the county, began life here under more adverse conditions. When he arrived he was unable to speak English, and on the occasion of his marriage he was so poor that he had to borrow a pair of shoes in order that he might make a presentable appearance, having none of his own, or none that would pass inspection as such. Aside from what schooling he had had in his native land, he had attended school for 40 days in Pepin county, which preparation completed his educational equipment. Under these not altogether promising conditions Mr. Bauer began his independent career as an inhabitant of this county. To trace out in detail his gradual rise to prosperity would be to repeat an oft-told story. Suffice it to say that he showed himself possessed of the necessary qualifications of a hardy pioneer farmer, having good health, with an abun- dance of industry, patience and perseverance, and thus endowed, he could hardly fail of success. In time he became the owner of more than a sec- tion of land, most of which he ultimately distributed among his sons, he himself now residing in Durand township, near Red Cedar, though his buildings, or all of them save his residence, are in Lima township. He is still pursuing an active career, not from necessity, but because he takes pleasure in work and prefers to remain in the harness as long as he feels able. Aside from advancing his own personal interests and those of his family, Mr. Bauer has at various times taken an active part in church and school work and in various other enterprises for the benefit of the com- munity in which he lives. He and his wife, who is also living, have been the parents of thirteen children.

Mike L. Bauer, a prosperous farmer residing in section 35, Lima town- ship, Pepin county, was born on the farm where he now lives, Sept. 25, 1880, son of Louis and Teckla (Roessler) Bauer. In his boyhood he attended

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district school, residing with his parents until he was 21 years of age. He then took charge of the homestead and operated it for three years, after- wards buying a farm at Rock Falls, Dunn county, on which he remained seven years. Then selling that farm, Mr. Bauer returned to the old home- stead, and, buying 85 acres more land, thus became possessed of a farm of 185 acres. He is giving special attention to dairying and raising cattle and hogs, breeding up to high-grade stock. In the fall he operates a thresh- ing outfit. Mr. Bauer was married Feb. 12, 1901, to Anna Youngman, who was born in Austria, daughter of Anton and Hannah (Kines) Youngman. Her parents came to America from Austria in 1894, locating in Lima town- ship on a farm near Lima church. From that locality they subsequently removed to Rock Falls, Dunn county, where Mr. Youngman is still engaged in farming. Mrs. Youngman died in 1917. He and his wife were the par- ents of nine children, six of whom are now living. Their daughter Anna, who was the fifth in order of birth, attended school both in Austria and Lima township, Pepin county. Mr. and Mrs. Bauer have nine children, all residing at home, whose names respectively are: Anton, Lucy, Carl, Johnnie, Henry, Mike, Jr., Philip, Mary and Dora. The family are members of the Catholic church at Lima, Mr. Bauer also belonging to the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin. An active and enterprising citizen, he has gained a prosperous condition in life and is a man widely known and respected.

Edward Fleming, who is operating a farm of 240 acres lying partly in Pepin and partly in Buffalo county, was born in Madison, Wis., May 27, 1862, son of Michael and Elizabeth (Burns) Fleming. The parents were natives of Ireland, the father born March 15, 1835, and his wife a few years earlier. Michael Fleming, who came to this country about 1853, in early life was a railroad man. He and his wife settled on the farm now owned by their son Edward when it consisted of wild land without im- provements. With courage and resolution he faced the pioneer task of developing a farm, and in time succeeded, his wife proving a worthy help- mate. In 1900 he sold the property to his son and took up his residence in Mondovi, where he remained for a few years, afterwards returning to the farm on which his death occurred in 1916. His wife is now also deceased. Edward Fleming was the third born of four children. He attended school in Canton township, Buffalo county, and for a number of years subsequently resided with his parents. He then went to Plainview, Minn., where he spent two years engaged in threshing. Returning home at the end of that time, he took charge of the parental homestead, which he purchased in 1900. Forty acres of the farm lie in section 34, Lima township, Pepin county, and the other 200 acres in Canton township, Buffalo county, the boundary line between the two counties passing through his farm, and Mr. Fleming's residence standing on the Buffalo county side of the road. He is doing a successful business in general farming, having a well-improved place with good buildings and modern implements and machinery, and is one of the prosperous citizens of this locality. In religion Mr. Fleming is a Catholic, and his society affiliations include membership in the Cath- olic Order of Foresters. In politics he is independent.

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MR. AND MRS. LOUIS BAUER-MR. AND MRS. ANTON YOUNGMAN

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MR. AND MRS. JOSEPH VOGLER JOHN M. BAUER ROBERT BAUER AND FAMILY

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Joseph Hayden, a progressive farmer of Lima township, Pepin county, vas born in Austria in 1855, son of Michael and Racey (Trucka) Hayden. "he parents, natives of Austria, came to the United States in June, 1872, ocating in this township, where the father developed a good farm. Joseph vas 16 years old when he came to America. He had but very limited ducational opportunities, but what he lacks in learning he has made up or by industry. In his youth he worked for five years in a sawmill at Eau }alle and then bought his present farm of 160 acres on which he has since esided. He also owns another farm of 126 acres in the vicinity and raises lorses, cattle and other stock, doing a very successful business. His farm n section 6 is one of the best in the township, having excellent modern buildings and a full equipment of tools and implements, to which con- lition he has himself developed it. He is a member of the Catholic church .t Lima and is independent in politics. Mr. Hayden was united in mar- iage in 1887 with Mary Jungwirth, who was born in Austria, daughter f Sebastian Jungwirth. Her mother died when Mary was 12 years old, .nd her father subsequently marrying again, came to the United States .nd was an early settler in Pepin county. Mr. and Mrs. Hayden are the arents of seven children: Agnes, Lucy and August, who are unmarried, eside at home; Hannah, who married Ignatiz Weber, lives in Lima town- hip; John, who married Mary Bauer, is a resident of Albany township; Mloron, who married Racy Brunner; and Leo, who married Clara Weis- inger, are also residents of Albany township.

Robert Bauer, a prosperous farmer of section 10, Lima township, 'epin county, was born in Austria, Sept. 21, 1874, son of John M. and Jose- shine (Komro) Bauer, the parents also being natives of Austria. They ame to America in 1879, locating in this township, where Mr. Bauer bought and. For three or four years, however, he worked on the railroad and hen took up farming on his land, spending many years in its cultivation ind being active in various matters pertaining to the improvement of his ownship in general. He is still living on the farm with his son Charlie. While in Austria he served as a member of the regular army. Robert Bauer, who was the fifth born in a family of six children, attended the Looney school in Lima township. He resided at home until he was about '1 or 22 years of age, assisting his father most of the time, but working for others at intervals, and then bought the land that constitutes his pres- ent farm, amounting to 145 acres, unimproved. Since then he has increased the size of the farm to 199 acres, and made all the improvements, his build- ngs and machinery being adapted to all the purposes of modern farming. He operates a threshing outfit every year and is a stockholder in the Inter- state Telephone Company. In religion a Catholic, he attends the church of that faith at Lima, and in politics is independent. In October, 1898, Mr. Bauer was united in marriage with Anna Vogler, who was born in Lima :ownship, this county, daughter of Joseph and Josephine (Brunner) Vogler. Her parents came from Austria in 1878 and located on a farm in Lima township. Mr. and Mrs. Bauer have four children of their own: Richard, Racie, Gertrude and Herman. They have also an adopted daughter, Mary,

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History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2), Part 17

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

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