USA > Wisconsin > Buffalo County > History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2) > Part 23
USA > Wisconsin > Pepin County > History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2) > Part 23
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Edward Olson, better known as "Ed" Olson, a successful agriculturist, operating a fine farm of 100 acres in section 24, Albany township, Pepin county, was born in Lille Hammer, Norway ,November 23, 1860, a son of Ole and Carrie (Hanson) Targeson. The father was a farmer, and both he and his wife, also natives of Norway, lived and died in their native land. Ed Olson attended school in Norway and one winter in Wisconsin. He was 18 years old when he came to the United States, settling at once in Buffalo county, Wisconsin, where he worked seven months as a farm hand for his brother. After that he worked a year for another farmer and then en- gaged in carpenter work in Buffalo county. In this occupation he con- tinued for eleven years, at the end of which time he bought his present farm of 100 acres in section 24, Albany township, five miles north of Mon- dovi. The land is valuable and he has made all adequate improvements of a modern type. He is successfully breeding Holstein cattle and Poland- China hogs and doing a profitable business, giving practically his whole time to the farm. He is a member of the Farmers' County Protective Association, and religiously is affiliated with the Lutheran church. In 1918 he erected a fine new barn, 36x80 feet, with full stone basement and com-
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MR. AND MRS. ED. OLSON
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plete modern equipment. He has greatly remodeled and enlarged his resi- dence and has a full complement of outbuildings. Mr. Olson was married, December 1, 1892, to Mary Anderson, who was born in Buffalo county, Wisconsin, November 25, 1872, daughter of Andrew and Sarah (Bergstad) Anderson. Her parents, natives of Norway, homesteaded a farm in Buf- falo county at an early date, and led a quiet, unobtrusive life, being indus- trious, hard-working people and good neighbors, but not ambitious of dis- tinction, Mr. Anderson never holding any political office. Their daughter Mary was educated in Buffalo county, attending district school. Mr. and Mrs. Olson are the parents of eight children: Selma Agnes, wife of Peter Sather, a farmer of Eau Claire county, Wisconsin; Harry Christ, unmar- ried, who was a bookkeeper in a bank at Stanley, Wis., but is now in the United States service; and Arnold, Myrtle Edna, Jessie Ruth, Cora Arvilla, Raymond O. and Shirley Albert, residing at home.
Newton Hubbard, who, after a successful career as a farmer, is now living practically retired at his home in section 3, Lima township, Pepin county, was born in Oakfield township, Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, March 19, 1851, son of Hamilton W. and Margaret (Innes) Hubbard. The parents were born and married in Geneseo county, New York, but came to Wisconsin at an early date, settling in Fond du Lac county, where they resided for a number of years. From there they removed to Tyrone, Dunn county, where also they resided a considerable time. There Mrs. Margaret Hubbard died. Her husband became bookkeeper for a railroad contractor and died in Michigan in 1909. He had been a prominent citizen of his local- ity, serving as chairman of the township board and also as township clerk. They were the parents of a large family numbering thirteen children, of whom Newton was the seventh in order of birth. Newton Hubbard at- tended school in Dunn county and resided at home until 26 years old. He had begun working out at the age of 22, threshing and doing other farm work, and for nine years operated a threshing outfit. Then he bought a farm in Dunn county and engaged in agricultural operations on his own account, becoming owner of 240 acres of land. His son now. operates the main farm, Mr. Hubbard doing little active work. He is a stockholder in the Inter-county Telephone Company and is interested in other local enter- prises. In 1916 he erected a fine bungalow residence of cement blocks, where he now makes his home. While living in Peru township, Dunn county, he served thirteen years as township assessor, his long service in that somewhat difficult office being a tribute to his capacity and fair-minded judgment. In politics he is independent. On July 1, 1878, Mr. Hubbard was united in marriage with Mary McGee, a native of Pennsylvania. She died eleven months later and Mr. Hubbard was married, April 12, 1880, to Emma Fleischauer, who was born in Chicago, Ill., daughter of August and Margaret Fleischauer. Her parents, natives of Germany, came to Wiscon- sin many years ago, locating first in La Crosse county, whence they came to Lima township, Pepin county. Here Mr. Fleischauer died, but his wife is still living and now resides with her son, two miles southwest of Ar- kansaw. Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard are the parents of five children, Nora, Clinton, Clayton, Bert and Mabel. Nora is the wife of John McGuine, a
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well known farmer of Durand township, and has one child, Kenneth Clair. Clinton, who is city marshal of Durand, where he resides, married Mary Young, and has one child, Lloyd. Clayton, who resides in Oshkosh, Wis., is a salesman for the Watkins Medical Company. He married Emma Ruge, and they have two children, Carene and Robert. Bert, who is farming on the old homestead in Dunn county, married Ruth Catt, and they have three children, Eveolyn, Allan and Alvera. Mabel is the wife of John Misfeldt, a carpenter and contractor of Clark county, and has two children, Loren Laverne and Clyde Chester.
John A. Anderson is one of the leading representatives of the agricul- tural industry in Frankfort township, Pepin county, his farm of 288 acres in section 10 being a valuable piece of farming property. He was born in Smaland, Sweden, March 25, 1864, son of Andrew and Anna (Johnson) Anderson, the parents being natives of the same locality. The father was born in 1832 and on emigrating to the United States located in Henry county, Illinois, where he remained for a year. He removed from there to St. Peter, Minn., coming from the latter place to Pierce county, Wiscon- sin, where he lived six years. The rest of his life was spent in St. Paul, where he died in 1882. His wife, who was born in 1826, died in 1914, hav- ing survived him about thirty-two years. John A. Anderson attended village school in St. Peter, Minn., where the family lived for some years. At the age of 17, being then in St. Paul, he began working in the St. Paul Sash and Door Factory and was employed there for thirteen years. Then, at the age of 30, he took up farming in Pierce county, Wisconsin, and was thus occupied in that county for one year, when he bought his present farm in Frankfort township, Pepin county, a fine estate of 288 acres of fertile land, modern buildings and machinery, where he is carrying on general farming on a profitable basis, keeping pure-bred Red-Poll cattle. He is also a share-holder in the Arkansaw Co-operative Creamery and the Farmers' Telephone Company. In 1918 Mr. Anderson erected a fine new modern house of fifteen rooms, installed with furnace heat, hot and cold water, and electric lights, which not only forms a delightful and comfort- able home but is an ornament to the landscape of which it forms a part. As one of the leading citizens of Frankfort township, he has been called on to take part in the affairs of local government. For eighteen years he has been a member of the school board of his district, has served on the town board, and was for one term clerk of court of Pepin county. He is a member of the Methodist church in Frankfort township. Mr. Anderson was married, September 7, 1889, to Ida Peterson, a native of Sweden, born April 15, 1861, who came to the United States at the age of 21 years. Both her parents are now deceased. Her father, whose name was Peter Peter- son, had an adventurous career, taking part in the rush to California after the discovery of gold there in 1849, and a few years later in the rush to the Australian diggings. He made three trips to America but finally died in his native Sweden. The home life of Mr. and Mrs. Anderson has been broadened by the birth of two children: Reuben, born June 7, 1890, who assisted his father on the home farm, and for three years served as town clerk of Frankfort township, but who is now in the United States service
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JOHN A. ANDERSON AND FAMILY
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in France; and Leslie, born May 30, 1893, who is residing at home. Mr. Anderson and his family stand high in the social life of the community in which they reside.
William Harman, who is engaged in stock raising and general farming on a fine farm of 147 acres in section 23, Waterville township, was born in Canton township, Buffalo county, May 15, 1875, son of Joseph and Mary (Gaillard) Harman. The father, born in Belgium in August, 1840, has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits since he was old enough to work. He came to America with his parents when four years of age and resided in New York until 1865, when he came to Wisconsin, locating on a farm in Canton township, Buffalo county. The land was so wild that he had to chop trees to make room for a small log house. In that location he remained until 1899, by which time he had a large farm, having made addi- tional purchases of land. He then moved to a farm in Dunn county, near Eau Galle, where he still resides, living with his youngest son. His wife, who was born in France, is also living. William Harman, who was born in the primitive log house of his parents, in his boyhood attended the school of his district in Canton township, Buffalo county, which also was a log structure. Residing at home until he had attained his majority, he then bought a farm on Maple Ridge in Waterville township, an unimproved piece of property, which he subsequently developed into a good farm, operating it until the spring of 1915, when he sold it and came to his present place. Here he has 147 acres of valuable land, which he is operating chiefly as a stock farm, breeding up in Guernsey cattle, of which he keeps a number of high class animals on hand, and also breeds Duroc-Jersey hogs. He has added to the improvements a fine barn, pulley-equipped, and measuring 34 by 82 feet, and his other buildings are both substantial and adequate to the purposes for which they were designed. Mr. Harman has achieved success in his line of industry and is numbered among the prosperous citi- zens of his township. He has also taken an active interest in other local enterprises. He is now serving in his fourth year as president of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company, having formerly been its di- rector for three years; and is serving in his fifth year as president of the Arkansaw Telephone Company. For a number of years also Mr. Harman was secretary of the Arkansaw Co-operative Association and suffered con- siderable loss when it failed. He is a member of the Roman Catholic church at Arkansaw and president of the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin at the same place. For fifteen years he served as school treasurer in dis- trict No. 9, was township assessor two years and is now serving in his fourth term as chairman of the Waterville town board. In politics he is independent. He is a member of the American Association of Equity. On February 24, 1897, Mr. Harman was united in marriage with Barbara Schlosser, who was born in Lima township, this county, daughter of Law- rence and Tresia Schlosser. Her parents, who were natives of Austria, were early settlers in Pepin county, Mr. Schlosser becoming a farmer in Lima township. He died about 1914. His wife is now residing in Water- ville township, near Arkansaw. Their daughter Barbara is one of their youngest children, of whom they had twelve, and is a twin. Mr. and Mrs.
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Harman have seven children: Henry Louis, Lucy, Fred Lawrence, Mary, Rosa, Andrew William and Carl Benedict, all residing at home.
Joseph C. Plett, proprietor of a fine general stock farm of 320 acres in sections 29, 30, 31 and 32, Albany township, Pepin county, was born in Buffalo county, Wisconsin, near Gilmanton, Oct. 24, 1879. His parents were George and Theresa (Mattausch) Plett, the father being a native of Germany and the mother of Switzerland. They were married, however, in Wisconsin, George Plett coming to America when a young man and locating near Gilmanton, where he resided for about two years. Later he bought land in Buffalo county and was engaged in farming there until about 1900, when he moved to the farm in Albany township, Pepin county, now occupied by his son Joseph. He became quite a prosperous citizen, being the owner of several farms, but finally retired and is now living in Mondovi. Joseph C. Plett was the third born in his parents' family of nine children. He attended district school in Buffalo county, and lived with his father until 21 years old, helping him to operate his extensive farms. After his marriage he settled on the place where he now lives, which he is operating as a general stock farm, breeding Durham cattle, Shropshire sheep and other good stock. He devotes all his working hours to the farm and so far has taken no part in local government affairs. In 1918 Mr. Plett erected a fine residence of nine rooms, of modern construc- tion, and installed with bath, hot and cold water, furnace heat and electric lights. He has also built a new barn, 24 by 46 feet in ground dimensions, with modern equipment. On June 30, 1909, Mr. Plett was united in mar- riage with Emma Schreiner, daughter of Fred and Theresa (Yahn) Schreiner, of Albany. He and his wife are the parents of one child, Lenora Medora, who was born July 13, 1911. Mrs. Plett's father, Frederick Schreiner, was born on the old Schreiner homestead in Albany township, Sept. 10, 1861, his parents being Charles and Dora Schreiner, well known and respected farming people of this township.
Fred Brunner, Jr., a successful farmer residing in section 35, Durand township, Pepin county, was born in Lima township, May 30, 1887, son of Fred and Mary (Webber) Brunner. He attended district school in his native township and resided with his father until his marriage, when he bought his present farm, consisting of 140 acres of valuable land. Here he is carrying on general farming with profitable results, and is numbered among the well to do men of his township. Independent in politics, he has never aspired to public office, giving his whole attention to his farm- ing interests. He is a member of the Roman Catholic church at Lima. Mr. Brunner was married June 18, 1912, to Mary Brentner, who was born in Lima township, this county, daughter of George and Agnes (Rissler) Brentner. Her father was a native of Austria, where he served in the regular army, but came to America when a young man and was married in Pepin county, Wisconsin. He owned a farm in Lima township, where he died Sept. 20, 1914. His wife, who survived him, is still residing on the home place. They had a large family numbering 14 children, of whom Mary (Mrs. Fred Brunner) was the fifth in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs.
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JOSEPH C. PLETT AND FAMILY
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JOHN BRUNNER JR. AND FAMILY-MR. AND MRS. JOHN BRUNNER SR.
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Brunner have three children: Margaret Mary, Clarence Frederick and Marion Helen.
John Brunner, Sr., who died in Lima township, Pepin county, Wiscon- sin, Oct. 27, 1911, was an early settler in the township and a man who had done good work along pioneer lines. He was born in Austria, Nov. 27, 1837, and came to the United States when 32 or 33 years of age. Making his way to this county and township, he bought 80 acres of land in section 27 and set to work to develop a farm. He. was enterprising and industrious and had a successful career, becoming a prosperous general farmer and dairyman, and building one of the first frame houses in the township. In time he increased the size of his farm to 240 acres, clearing and cultivating the land and erecting good buildings, in short doing that kind of work that transforms a wilderness into a flourishing agricultural community. He married Barbara Weissinger, also a native of Austria, and they were the parents of five children: John, Jr., proprietor of the old homestead; Racie, wife of Charlie Brunner; Mary, wife of Anton Weiss, of Lima town- ship; Lena, wife of August Buehm of Durand, and Stella, wife of John Ableidinger of Lima township. The mother of these children is still living on the old homestead.
John Brunner, Jr., proprietor of the old Brunner homestead in sec- tion 27, Lima township, Pepin county, and a prominent business man, was born on the farm on which he now lives, Aug. 28, 1874, son of John, Sr., and Barbara (Weissinger) Brunner. As a boy he acquired the elements of knowledge in district school No. 7, Lima township, and was early in- structed in the various branches of farm work by his father, with whom he remained associated until he was 30 years old. He then became the owner of the homestead, on which he has made some valuable improve- ments. In addition to the 240 acres it contains, Mr. Brunner owns 68 acres in Dunn township, Dunn county. He carries on general farming success- fully and in addition to his agricultural interests is a director in the Inter- County Telephone Company, the Durand Auditorium Company, a stock- holder in the Tarrant Creamery Company and the Peoples Bank of St. Paul, Minn., and for eight years has been president of the First National Bank of Durand. Independent in politics, he has been chairman of the Lima town board for five years and is now serving in his second year as chairman of the county board. Mr. Brunner was married Oct. 27, 1909, to Barbara Fidi, who was born on a farm in this township, daughter of Philip Fidi. Her parents came to this country from Austria and were early settlers in this township. Both are living, the father being an active farmer. Their daughter, Barbara, was the second born of their three children, and in her girlhood attended school in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Brunner are the parents of five children: Mary Theresa, Henrietta, Lucy, Anabel and Florence, all living at home. Mr. Brunner is a member of the Family Protective Society and of the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin.
Mathias Brunner, proprietor of Pepin County Guernsey Farm, in sec- tion 33, Lima township, Pepin county, is one of the leading farmers in this part of the county. He was born on the farm on which he now lives, Feb. 12, 1881, son of Joseph and Mary (Falkner) Brunner. The parents were
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both born in Austria in 1842. Marrying in that country in 1871, they came to America in June of the same year, locating on the present farm of their son, Mathias, where Joseph Brunner still resides. His wife died in Octo- ber, 1915. Mathias Brunner attended the Howard school in Lima town- ship, and was reared on his parents' farm, residing with the parents until his marriage. He then took over the farm and has since operated it. He had assisted his father in its development and has continued to improve the place. The farm contains 160 acres and Mr. Brunner also owns 40 acres of timber land in Maxville township, and 40 acres in Canton town- ship, Buffalo county. He is engaged in breeding Guernsey cattle and Po- land-China hogs, and is doing a lucrative dairy business. Mr. Brunner is one of the leading alfalfa growers in Lima township, in which line of farm- ing he was a pioneer here. He now plants about 30 acres of alfalfa. Aside from his immediate farming interests, he is a stockholder in the Tarrant Co-operative Creamery, the Inter-County Telephone Company and the First National Bank of Durand. He is also a trustee of the Catholic church at Lima, and was instrumental in having the boarding school located at that place. Mr. Brunner was united in marriage, Nov. 24, 1907, with Julia Prissel, who was born in Lima township, daughter of Leo and Josephine Prissel. Her parents were natives of Austria, where they were married, coming to America a few years later than the Brunner family, and locating on a farm in Lima township, where they resided many years and finally died, the father about 1901 and the mother in 1915. Their daughter, Julia, who was the youngest of nine children, was educated in the district school in Lima township. Mr. and Mrs. Brunner have five children: Lawrence, Julia, Matthew, Francis Joseph and Julius William, all residing at home. Mr. Brunner belongs to the Catholic Family Protective Association. Proprietor of one of the best farms in his township, he is a prosperous citizen, and takes a public spirited interest in whatever makes for the good of the community in which he resides.
John F. Brunner, a well known farmer of Lima township, Pepin county, was born on the farm on which he now resides, in section 27, June 24, 1875, son of Ferdinand and Josephine (Bauer) Brunner. The parents, natives of Austria, came to this country in 1869, locating on this farm, which they developed from a wild state into a fine piece of agricultural property. Their first residence on the place was a small log house which the father built, but which has been replaced long since by a good modern house. He owned 140 acres of valuable land, and besides working to advance his own interests, was a useful citizen of the township, helping to build the Lima church and in various ways showing public spirit. He lived on the old homestead, making his living with his son, John F., until his death, Feb. 17, 1918. His wife died Nov. 5, 1901. John F. Brunner was the second born in a family of three children. In his boyhood he at- tended the Howard school, in Lima township, and resided on the home farm assisting his father in its development and operation until his mar- riage. This latter event, which occurred Oct. 8, 1902, united him in domes- tic life with Mary Prissel, who was born in Pepin county, Wisconsin, daugh- ter of Leo and Josephine (Albrecht) Prissel. Her parents were natives
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of Austria who came to the United States somewhat later than the Brunner family, settling in Lima township on a farm. They, also, did their part in advancing civilization in the township, improving and cultivating the land and supporting religious and moral enterprises. Their work done, they now rest from their labors, having both passed from life's scenes. Of their nine children the daughter Mary was the sixth born. She attended school in this township and was brought up to domestic duties, in which she be- came proficient. John F. Brunner became the owner of the home farm at the time of his marriage and has since operated it with good financial results, doing general farming, including dairying and stock raising. His tract of 140 acres is highly improved, his buildings being well constructed, commodious and up to date. Both he and his wife are members of the Catholic Family Protective Association, and Mr. Brunner of the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin. They have three children: Andrew, born Oct. 24, 1903; Richard, born Oct. 28, 1910; and Edward J., born Sept. 11, 1914; all residing at home.
K. K. Brainard, cashier of the First National Bank of Durand, Pepin county, and one of the leading business men in the county, was born at St. Charles, Minn., Feb. 23, 1870, son of Wesley C. and Hattie C. (Boyd) Randall. The father, a native of Keane, N. H., was a farmer, while his wife, Mr. Brainard's mother, was born at St. Charles, Minn. The latter died when the subject of this sketch was but five weeks old, he being one of two children, and he was adopted and reared by an aunt, taking the surname of Brainard, which he has since retained. He attended school, including the high school, at Montevideo, Minn., also taking a preparatory commercial course there, which included bookkeeping. Residing with his adopted parents until reaching the age of 19 years, he then went to Edgerly, N. D., where he entered the station service of the Northern Pacific Rail- road. After remaining two years with that road he changed to the service of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul road, at the same place, subse- quently being transferred successively to other points on the same road. He was stationed at Marlett, N. D., for seven years, coming thence to Durand in October, 1904, and remaining in the service of the road here until he resigned in May, 1909, after having spent 17 consecutive years in its employ. He gave up that position in order to become cashier of the bank with which he is now connected, and which was then a state bank, it becoming the First National Bank of Durand in October, 1915. Mr. Brainard has since continued with it in the same capacity. He is also a stockholder in the Peoples Bank of St. Paul and the Midland Trust and Savings Bank of that city, and a considerable land owner in Wisconsin, Oregon and Montana, his holdings in Wisconsin being timber lands. Since coming to Durand he has closely identified himself with the business and social life of the place, and is now serving as vice president of the Com- mercial Club and as treasurer of the Fair association. In politics a Repub- lican, he has served as a member of the county board from Durand, but has no particular cravings after official position. Mr. Brainard was united in marriage, Oct. 24, 1892, to Mary E. Kohr, who was born at Montevideo, Minn., daughter of John and Eliza (Albertus) Kohr. Her father, who was
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