History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2), Part 19

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

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Elmer H. Rushenberg, who is engaged in operating the old Rushen- berg homestead in Lima township, a good farm of 80 acres, was born at Martell, Pierce county, Wisconsin, Aug. 15, 1867, son of John and Julia (McGee) Rushenberg. The parents were natives of Pennsylvania, the father born in Pittsburgh and the mother in Warren county. Coming to Wiscon- sin in 1866, they located at El Paso, Pierce county, where John Rushenberg engaged in mill work for a short time. Afterward he took up farming and also spent a number of winters in the woods as a lumberman. In 1877 he came with his family to Pepin county, locating one mile from the farm on which his son Elmer now lives, to which latter he removed later. Here his death took place in 1898. He was a veteran of the Civil War, having served as a private in the 111th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers. He was discharged before the expiration of his term of service on account of dis- ability. His wife is now living on the farm with her son, Elmer H., who was the first born of their four children. Two of those children are now dead, and the other survivor is John L., who resides at Fond du Lac, St. Louis county, Minnesota. Elmer H. Rushenberg in his boyhood attended district school in Lima township and also spent one winter at the Durand high school. He began working away from home when 16 years old and subsequently went to Ashland, Wis., where he was in the employ of a whole- sale meat firm. On his father's death, being 31 years old, he returned home to manage the farm and care for his mother, and has since remained here. He is carrying on general farming successfully, raising both grain and stock, and is also interested as a stockholder in the Inter-County Tele- phone Company. He belongs to the camp of Modern Woodmen of America at Durand. In politics he is a Republican, but has not hitherto served in public office.

Andrew Prissel, a general farmer residing in section 25, Lima town- ship, was born in this township Nov. 26, 1878, son of Leo and Josephine Prissel. The parents were born and married in Austria and came to Amer- ica and to Lima township in 1870, settling on an unimproved farm and starting pioneer life in a log house and building also a log barn. For some . time Leo Prissel worked out but in time succeeded in clearing and develop-

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ANDREW PRISSEL AND FAMILY MR. AND MRS. LEO PRISSEL,

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ing a farm which supported him and his family. In time also he acquired other property, becoming the owner of a number of farms and being gen- erally recognized as an enterprising and prosperous citizen. He continued actively employed until his death in 1901. He had served as a member of the school board. His wife died in September, 1915. Andrew Prissel was the fifth born in a family of nine children. He attended school in Lima township and when a lad of 15 began working for others at intervals, but resided on the home farm until his marriage, helping his father when not otherwise employed. In October, 1903, he was united in marriage with Barbara Brunner, who was born in Lima township, daughter of Ferdinand and Josephine (Bauer) Brunner, her parents being natives of Austria who came to this country in 1869 and developed a fine farm in that township. There they resided until their death, the father dying in February, 1918, and the mother in 1908. At the time of his marriage Andrew Prissel took the farm on which he now resides and of which he is the owner. It con- tains 120 acres of excellent land, is provided with modern buildings and is thoroughly equipped with all necessary implements and machinery for general farming. Mr. Prissel is operating it successfully and is also a stockholder in the Inter-County Telephone Company and the Auditorium Company of Durand. He served for a short time on the school board, and in politics is independent. He is a member of the Catholic church and of the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Prissell have three chil- dren, Anna, John and Mary, all of whom are residing with their parents. Joseph W. Turner, one of the leading farmers of Lima township resid- ing in section 4, was born in Walworth county, Wisconsin, May 6, 1850, son of John and Elizabeth (Vickers) Turner. The parents were natives of England, but were married in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., the father coming to this country when 17 years old, and the mother when about 13. John Turner first located in New York city, where for a short time he worked at the carpenter's trade. Afterwards he followed the same occupation in Pennsylvania, in which state he remained for a number of years. He then became a pioneer settler in Walworth county, where he used to haul wheat a distance of 90 miles to the mill, camping out on the way. In 1866 he removed from Walworth to Fond du Lac county, and twelve years later to Columbia county, where he spent his last years, dying at the age of 88. His wife had passed away 20 years before. They were the parents of eight children, of whom Joseph W. was the second in order of birth. Joseph W. Turner was educated in the district schools of Fond du Lac county. Resid- ing at home until his marriage, he then began farming for himself on 40 acres of land in Columbia county. There he resided until 1887, in which year he came to Pepin county and took charge of a large farm in Lima township, of which his present estate formed a part. For nine years he remained its manager, and for the next three years rented and operated it on his own account, making a number of improvements thereon. He then purchased the property, which at that time contained 440 acres, but later sold 160 acres and operated the rest, which he continued to do until the marriage of his son in 1914. Since then, as a general farmer, he has operated 220 acres, except that in the year 1917 he rented out a small tract.

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He has made a number of additional improvements on the place, and is doing a profitable business. In politics Mr. Turner is a Republican and is now serving in his tenth year as school clerk. He was married Dec. 31, 1875, to 'Eliza Elwood, who was born in Fairwater, Fond du Lac county, daughter of John and Gertrude Elwood. Her parents were natives of the province of Quebec, Canada, whence they removed to the state of New York, and from there to Wisconsin. Both died in Barron county, this state, the father in 1878, the mother many years later, in 1915. Mr. and Mrs. Turner have three children: Edith, John and Mary. Edith, who is the wife of John Wade, a carpenter, resides in Pepin county, one mile east of the Turner farm, her husband being also a land owner. She has four children, Albert, Hazel, Gladys and Alfred. John, who lives on the Turner homestead, married Meysel Drinkwine, and has two children, Violet and John. Mary is the wife of William Lane, a farmer living six miles north- west of Menomonie and has four children, Willis, Kenneth, Russell, and an infant son born Sept. 8, 1918.

Charles Prissel, a thriving farmer operating 140 acres of land in sec- tion 26, Lima township, Pepin county, was born in this township, Nov. 18, 1883, son of Leo and Josephine Prissel. The parents came to this town- ship from Austria in 1870, and taking unimproved land, spent a number of years as pioneer farmers, their residence and barn being constructed of logs. In time, however, they prospered, Leo Prissel becoming the owner of a number of farms and taking rank among the enterprising and suc- cessful agriculturists of the township. He was a member of the school board of his district and continued his active career until his death in 1901. His wife survived him, dying in 1915. They had a famly of nine children. Charles Prissel was brought up on his parents' farm and attended school in the Bear Creek district. Until his marriage in 1909 he assisted his father and then located on his present farm and began an independent career. He is engaged in general farming with profitable results, his land being valuable and his buildings substantial and adequate in size and num- ber, and aside from his regular business he is also a stockholder in the Inter- County Telephone Company. In politics he is a Democrat, but has hitherto taken no part in public affairs. In 1918 he was elected as secretary of the school board of District No. 8. He is a member of the Catholic church in Lima township, and also of the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin. Mr. Prissel was married in May, 1909, to Theresa Fugler, who was born at Red Cedar, Dunn county, Wisconsin, daughter of Joseph and Josephine Fugler. Her parents settled at Red Cedar at an early date, coming from Austria, and are still residing there, Mr. Fugler being engaged in farming. Mrs. Prissel was the youngest of their five children. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Prissel are Edward, Mary, Nora, Josie, Helen, Leo and Bruatine, all residing at home.

Anton Weiss, a prominent farmer of Lima township, Pepin county, who has also held important office in the county, was born in Austria Janu- ary 5, 1868, son of John and Mary (Kamerer) Weiss. He was 13 years old when in May, 1881, he accompanied his parents to the United States. Fol- lowing the trend of emigration to the great Northwest, they located in

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Lima township, this county, where John Weiss bought eighty acres of land and engaged in cultivating the soil. In that occupation he continued for a number of years, meeting with good success, and is still living on his farm in section 17, though now retired. He and his wife have had two children: Anton, the direct subject of this sketch, and Ernestine, who is unmarried and resides at home. Anton Weiss attended school in his native land and afterwards the school of his district in Lima township. When about 19 years of age, having saved some money, he bought the farm on which he now lives, but continued his residence on the home farm until he had attained his majority, at which time he came to live on his own property, and has since remained here. He has 266 acres, with eighty acres of timber land on "the island," and is carrying on general farming according to modern methods and on a profitable basis. He is also a stock- holder in the Inter-County Telephone Company and the First National Bank, and has served as secretary of the former company. For two years he has also held the office of secretary in the Roman Catholic church at Lima, of which he is a member, belonging also to the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin. In politics Mr. Weiss is a Democrat with independent pro- clivities. He served efficiently for two years in the office of county treas- urer and for twelve years was a member of the school board. He was married in June, 1897, to Mary Brunner, daughter of John and Barbara (Wissinger) Brunner. Her parents, natives of Austria, came to this coun- try in 1871 and located on a farm in Lima township, this county, where Mr. Brunner died in 1912. His wife is still residing on the old home farm. Of their five children their daughter Mary was the third in order of birth. She was educated in the schools of this township. Mr. and Mrs. Weiss are the parents of two sons, John and Alfred, both of whom are residing at home.

Frank Haiden, a prosperous general farmer, located in section 4, Lima township, was born in Austria, October 10, 1858, son of Michael and Racey (Trucka) Haiden, also natives of that country. The family came to Amer- ica in June, 1872, and proceeding to Pepin county, Wisconsin, settled in Lima township, where Michael Haiden bought land and developed one of the finest farms in the township, residing here for the remainder of his life, which closed in 1901. His wife survived him a few years, passing away in 1905. They had four children, of whom Frank was the third born. Frank Haiden was educated in Lima township, attending district school. He resided for the most part with his parents, assisting his father, but occasionally working away from home, and thus passed his time until his marriage. He then bought the old homestead, where he has 120 acres of land, besides an additional tract of twenty acres of timber land. His im- provements and equipment are thoroughly modern and he is carrying on general farming with good financial returns, also being a stockholder in the Inter-County Telephone Company. He is a member of the Roman Catholic church at Lima, and has served three years on the district school board, in politics being independent. Mr. Haiden was married January 8, 1883, to Mary Kaughman, daughter of James and Emma (Anna) Kaugh- man. Her parents, natives of Austria, came to this country in 1882, set-

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tling in Eau Galle township, Dunn county, on a farm, where Mr. Kaughman died in 1910 and his wife in 1914. Their daughter Mary was the eldest of their six children. Mr. and Mrs. Haiden have a family of children num- bering eleven, whose record in brief is as follows: Andrew, who is a farmer in Albany township, this county, married Birdie Bauer. Frank, Jr., a farmer, residing two miles east in Lima township, married Racie Komro. Racie is the wife of Henry Forster and lives in Durand. Barbara is the wife of Philip Prizel, a farmer of Lima township. Dora is the wife of Louis Bauer of Lima township; Mary, the wife of Ebbe Greene, a barber of Hillsdale, Wis., while Henry, Anna, Rose, Charles and Robert are living at home.

Oscar L. Nichols, a pioneer settler of Pepin county, now deceased, was born in New York State, October 12, 1825. He became a farmer, and emi- grating to Wisconsin, located first in Dodge county, coming from there to Pepin county in 1868, and settling on land east of Durand in Durand town- ship, the location being east of Skinner Prairie and near Fall Creek, where he remained two years. From there he moved to Mondovi township, Buf- falo county, on land southeast of the present farm of his son Albert L. Nichols, who resides in section 36, Lima township, Pepin county. There he remained practically for the rest of his life, his death occurring in 1901. His wife, whose maiden name was Henrietta Melscher, was born in Ger- many in 1835; she died in 1891. They had a family of twelve children: Edward B., Albert L., Anna, Eunice, Franklin B., John, who died in infancy, Mary, Emma, Henry, Harvey, Enoch and Henrietta.

Albert Louis Nichols, a well known farmer of section 36, Lima town- ship, was born at Hustisford, Dodge county, Wisconsin, May 18, 1856, son of Oscar L. and Henrietta (Melscher) Nichols, who came to Pepin county in 1868. He attended school in Hustisford, Dodge county, and later at Skin- ner Prairie, Pepin county, and in Mondovi township, Buffalo county. He began working out when only 14 years of age, but assisted his father at intervals until he was 24. He then engaged in farming in Lima township. Two years later, December 25, 1882, he married Laura Prescott, who was born in Sparta, Wis., daughter of Lyman and Sarah (Barnard) Prescott. Her father, a farmer, was a native of Pennsylvania, her mother of Canada. They located in Sparta before that town was placed on the map. Both are now deceased. Of their five children Laura was the third born. After his marriage Mr. Nichols bought a place in the vicinity of his last farm. Six years later he came to his present farm in section 36, Lima township, where he has forty acres of valuable land and does general farming. He has been successful and has taken his place among the prosperous citizens of the township. Although not participating actively in public affairs, he takes a good citizen's interest in the welfare of the community in which he resides and is always willing to support any practical project for its ad- vancement. He and his wife are the parents of eight children: Albert Edward, who is a farmer residing on the parental homestead; Minnie Alice, wife of Seymour Cooper, and a resident of East Pepin, Albany township; Endora, Edith, Arthur William, Inez, Susie and Henry Lyman, residing at home. Another child, Harvey, born after Arthur W., died in childhood.

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MR. AND MRS. OSCAR NICHOLS MR. AND MRS. LYMAN D. PRESCOTT

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Sylvester Falkner, a general farmer in Lima township, whose farm of 180 acres is situated in section 36, was born in Austria, November 6, 1866, son of Sylvester and Agnes (Flushing) Falkner. The parents, also natives of Austria, spent their lives in their native land, the father being engaged in farming. Neither ever came to this country. Sylvester, Jr., was the eldest of five children. He attended school in Austria, coming to the United States at the age of 26, in 1893. After working for others until 1900, he bought his present farm, which he operates in a general way, raising both crops and stock with good financial returns. He is also a stockholder in the Tarrant Creamery Company. Mr. Falkner was married in 1904 to Barbara Upludinger, who was born in Austria, in which country her parents still reside. Mr. and Mrs. Falkner have four children: Joseph- ine, Grace, John and August, all residing at home. The family are mem- bers of the Catholic church and of the Catholic Family Protective Associa- tion, Mr. Falkner also belonging to the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin.

Andrew Hitz, a well-to-do farmer of Lima township, Pepin county, was born in Austria in April, 1853, son of Martin and Rosa Hitz. The parents were also natives of Austria, in which country they died. The subject of this sketch, because of illness in boyhood, never attended school. He came to America in 1880 and to Pepin county in 1881, locating on the farm on which he now resides and where he is doing general farming. Starting with eighty acres of land, in section 7, he gradually increased his holdings until he had 640 acres, but having given each of his sons a farm, he has now forty acres left. Like most successful farmers nowadays, he gives a good deal of his attention to dairying. He is also a stockholder in the Inter-County Telephone Company. Religiously a member of the Catholic church at Lima, in politics he is a Democrat. Mr. Hitz was married in 1878 to Julia Ramerill, a native of Austria, whose parents never came to this country. He has four children: Julia, wife of Charles Bauer, a farmer of Lima township; Mary, wife of Louis Shabauer, residing three miles east in Lima township; Matt, who has a farm across the road from his father, and who married Mary Fedi, and Frank, who married Hannah Mexner and resides on the home farm.

William E. Alkire, a farmer residing in section 26, Durand township, Pepin county, was born in Durand, this county, April 13, 1864, son of Isaac D. and Louisa (Elmore) Alkire. He resided at home until one year before his marriage, when he came to his present farm, which he had purchased. There were then no buildings on the property and he had to make all the improvements, which have been extensive. The farm now contains 152 acres and is well provided with modern buildings, tools and machinery. Here Mr. Alkire carried on agricultural operations for a number of years, giving particular attention to breeding Jersey cattle. He is now living retired, having leased his farm land to others. He has served as town clerk of Durand township since 1887 with the exception of the years 1905, 1906 and 1917, and for twenty-one years he has been clerk of School Dis- trict No. 4. When only a lad attending school, Mr. Alkire shared his father's interest in scientific curios. He has made extensive additions to his father's collection, which is now one of the largest-perhaps the largest

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of a general character-in the state, containing specimens from every part of the globe. They are kept in a building 16 by 24 feet in ground dimen- sions, and for proper display should have twice that much space. Mr. Alkire was married September 8, 1885, in Lima township, to Carrie How- ard, of Lima, who was born June 25, 1866, daughter of Lucius and Betsey (Kinney) Howard. Mr. and Mrs. Alkire have one daughter, Anna Bell, who is a musical artist of considerable ability, spending much of her time in traveling with the Cora Youngblood Corson Company. When not thus engaged she resides at home. She is a graduate of Durand high school, and acquired her musical education in the Minneapolis School of Music and at Warren, Ohio.

Isaac D. Alkire, for many years a prominent farmer of Durand town- ship, and widely known for his researches in geology and archaeology, was born near Springfield, Ill., December 2, 1826. He was reared to agricul- tural pursuits and remained in his native state until 1861, when he came to Wisconsin. Upon his arrival here he purchased a farm in Lima town- ship, Pepin county, which he operated for four years, the latter three of which he lived in Durand. After the close of the Civil War he purchased a farm in the outskirts of Durand, where he lived until his death, January 25, 1913. A man of inquiring mind and studious habits, he early began making a collection of curios, and before his death he had acquired one of the largest private collections of its kind in the state. Mr. Alkire married Louisa Elmore, born near Springfield, Ill., September 30, 1832, and died near Durand, August 12, 1916. They were the parents of two children: Lissa Bell, now deceased, and William E., a farmer of Durand township.

Lucius Howard, an early settler of Lima township, was born at Ricl - field, Summit county, Ohio, December 6, 1832, son of Hiram and Amanda M. (Starr) Howard. He was taken to Rockton, Ill., as a boy, and there engaged in farm work and teaming. He first came to this region in 1855, when he engaged in lumbering on the Chippewa. He was married the following year, and about a year later settled in Lima township, making the trip from Rock county, Wisconsin, overland by team. He pre-empted a tract of land, erected a pole cabin, and with such primitive means as were at his disposal started farming. As time passed he prospered until he owned a well stocked farm of 240 acres. He served in numerous local offices, and was widely esteemed as a hospitable courteous gentleman. He was married at Avon, Rock county, Wisconsin, June 10, 1856, to Betsey Kinney, born in Independence township, Summit county, Ohio, daughter of Joseph and Roxana (Wilson) Kinney, natives of Vermont of English descent. Mr. and Mrs. Howard had six children, Joseph S., Hiram, Cephas W., Carrie, who married William E. Alkire, Addie M. and George L.

Hiram Howard, father of Lucius Howard, was born in New York State, April 25, 1808, of mixed English and Welsh descent. He was taken as a boy to Pennsylvania, from which state he moved to Ohio, where he married Amanda M. Starr, the daughter of Christopher and Betsy Starr, the former of whom was a sea captain, and both of whom were New Eng- landers of English descent. Mrs. Amanda M. Howard died March 4, 1844,

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and Hiram Howard afterward married Mrs. Lucy Triplet, and moved the family to Rockton, Ill.

Lucius Howard, a pioneer settler in Pepin county, Wisconsin, in 1857, who laid the foundations of the fine farm in Lima township now operated by his son, George L. Howard, was born at Richfield, Summit county, Ohio, December 1, 1832, son of Hiram and Amanda M. (Starr) Howard. His paternal grandfather was of English descent and his grandmother was a Welsh woman. They had four children: Timothy, Hiram, Philander and Lucinda. Hiram Howard was born in the state of New York, April 25, 1808, and died at Spring Valley, Rock county, Wisconsin, June 2, 1860. While a boy he went to Pennsylvania, and later to Richfield, Ohio, where he was married in 1831. Mrs. Amanda M. Howard was born in Connecti- cut, and her parents, Christopher and Betsey Starr, were Yankees, and the former was a sea captain. Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Howard's children were Lucius, Franklin P., Almira A. and Francis T. Lucius Howard attended school regularly until his mother's death, which occurred March 5, 1844, after which he had little opportunity for schooling. His father afterwards married Mrs. Lucy Triplet and the family removed to Rockton, Ill. There Lucius worked at farming, teaming and such-like occupations until 1853, when he came to Rock county, Wisconsin. In 1855 and 1856 he spent about nine months lumbering on the Chippewa river. He was married at Avon, Rock county, June 10, 1856, to Betsey, daughter of Joseph and Rox- ana (Wilson) Kinney. Mr. and Mrs. Kinney were born in Vermont, but the family were of English descent. Mrs. Howard was born in Independ- ence township, Summit county, Ohio. About a year after his marriage, or in 1857, Mr. and Mrs. Howard removed to Lima township, Pepin county, pre-empting land in section 28, of which he was the first owner after the government. Upon him devolved the hard pioneer labor of clearing and developing the farm, which in time he enlarged by additional land pur- chases until he owned 240 acres. His first dwelling here was a pole cabin, and he made other improvements as fast as his limited means would permit. When he took up his residence on the place game was not over plentiful, most of the deer having been killed during the deep snow of the previous winter. Bears occasionally came in sight, however, for several yeras. In time Mr. Howard succeeded in bringing his farm into a high state of culti- vation. As one of the leading men in his township, his aid in governmental affairs was frequently solicited and he took enough time from his own private business to serve as clerk, assessor, chairman of the township board, etc. He was also one of the organizers of the State Bank of Durand, now the First National Bank, and a stockholder in it. As a farmer and stock raiser he was successful and, among other things, laid the foundation of the fine dairy herd now on the farm. Mr. Howard's death was the result of injuries received in a street car accident, while he was driving in a cutter with Mr. David Wilson, between Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls. Mr. Wilson died within ten hours, while Mr. Howard lived five weeks after- wards, passing away January 20, 1902. The sad event caused much sorrow in the community, of which he had been for so many years one of the most highly esteemed citizens. His wife is still living and resides on the old

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History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2), Part 19

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

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