History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2), Part 24

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 24
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Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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in early life a farmer and served in the Civil War. Returning to Minne- sota after the war he engaged in farming in that state until his practical retirement about 1903 or 1904, when he took up his residence in Monte- video, where he now lives. He still owns land and is also a stockholder in several local enterprises including the First National Bank of Montevideo. For a number of years he served as county commissioner there. His wife, Mrs. Brainard's mother, who was born in Owatonna, Minn., is also living. Mr. and Mrs. Brainard have four children: George V., Carroll K., Docela M. and Kathryn. George V., who was graduated in pharmacy from the state university at Madison, is now a regular pharmacist, having passed examination and taken his first papers. He is associate editor on the Northwestern Druggist, at St. Paul. Carroll K., residing at home, is a bookkeeper in the bank. Docela and Kathryn are attending high school. Mr. Brainard is a member and active worker in the Masonic order, belong- ing to the Blue Lodge at Durand, of which he has passed through the chairs, also to the Chapter and Eastern Star here, and to the Commandery at Eau Claire. He is past patron of the Eastern Star, also past noble grand in the Odd Fellows lodge and a member of the encampment of that order. Enterprising and energetic, he has proved his forceful charac- teristics in whatever work he has taken hold of and his career has been one of continuous progress.

Albert Dunbar, an early settler in Waterville township, Pepin county, where he was engaged in farming for many years, was born in the state of New York, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits from his youth. He married Harriet Mosher and they came west and settled in this town- ship previous to the Civil War. In that momentous struggle Mr. Dunbar took part as a member of a Wisconsin cavalry regiment. Escaping death and wounds he came home safely and spent the rest of his life on his farm here, dying in August, 1911. His wife is still living and makes her home in Arkansaw, this county. They had six children: Alfretta, who died in childhood; Archie A., a farmer in section 21, Waterville township; Carrie, formerly a school teacher, who is now residing with her mother and draw- ing a teacher's pension; Albert L. (Bert), a farmer in section 28, Water- ville township; Hattie, wife of E. F. Wondersee, a contractor and builder living in Minneapolis; and Clyde, who is the present postmaster at Arkan- saw.

W. Clyde Dunbar, a popular resident of Arkansaw, of which village he is the present postmaster, was born on the old Dunbar homestead, in Waterville township, Pepin county, Feb. 17, 1880, son of Albert and Harriet (Mosher) Dunbar. After graduating from the Arkansaw village school, he spent one year in Durand high school and subsequently took a busi- ness course in Minneapolis, having, however, previously taught school for five years in Germany Valley, Buffalo county, near Mondovi. After his graduation from the business college he entered the employ of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company, doing clerical work for four or five years in the office connected with the shops at Minneapolis. Then re- turning to Waterville township he worked on the home farm for a year, at the end of which time he was appointed to his present position of post-

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ATIKVA GNV DNRIMASTI LEADAV

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master at Arkansaw and is now serving in his fifth year. He resides in the village with his mother and sister, Carrie. While living in Minneapolis Mr. Dunbar studied music and painting, having strongly marked talent in both directions and he still continues his practice in both these arts as a means of recreation and amusement. His regular hours of work are devoted to his duties as postmaster.

August C. Lieffring, proprietor of Riverview Farm, in section 9, Wau- beek township, Pepin county, where he is engaged in general farming and stock raising, is a native of the neighboring county of Buffalo, having been born there in Canton township, May 1, 1873. He was the third born of the twelve children of Charles and Katherine (Jentjen) Lieffring, the father being a native of Belgium and the mother of Luxemburg. Both were born in 1834. Charles Lieffring came to this country when a child of ten years, his wife much later, in 1853. His early years in America were spent in New York State. He and his wife were married in Red Wing, Minn., from which place they removed later to Canton township, Buffalo county, Wisconsin. For some years Charles Lieffring was a steam- boat engineer on the Mississippi river. He is now deceased, but his wife is living in Eau Galle, Dunn county, Wisconsin. August C. Lieffring ac- quired his education in the school of his district. He began working out at the age of 14 years and after awhile went to Iowa, where he spent three or four years. Then returning home he worked on his parents' homestead in Waubeek township, engaged in various farm duties, until his marriage in 1905. On that event he moved to the farm he now owns and operates- a good farm of 230 acres, which he has improved to a considerable extent, increasing its value. Besides raising the usual crops, he is a successful breeder of Holstein cattle, and is doing a prosperous business, with good prospects for the future. In politics a Democrat, he has served on the Waubeek township board for several years, and has also for six years been town assessor. He is a member of the Catholic church at Eau Galle. Mr. Lieffring was married June 28, 1905, to Martha, daughter of Joseph and Agnes St. Martin. Her parents, who were of French descent, were among the early settlers of Pepin county, are now living in Waterville township. The father served as a soldier during the entire period of the Civil War. Their daughter Martha (Mrs. Lieffring) was educated in the school of her district in Pepin county. Mr. and Mrs. Lieffring have no children of their own, but are rearing a nephew, named Charles Smith, giving him a good home.

Frank M. Faast is one of the enterprising citizens of Lima township, Pepin county, who is engaged in the profitable business of farming, operat- ing 150 acres in section 18, and having also 80 acres of timber land. He was born in this township, Dec. 3, 1879, being the youngest of the seven children of Anton and Jane (Schedauer) Faast. The father and mother were natives of Austria, the year of the former's nativity being 1837 and that of the latter 1841. It was in 1860 that Anton Faast left his native land for the United States, on his arrival locating in Milwaukee. He was married in Madison, and in 1870 he and his family came to Lima township, Pepin county, settling on a farm. He took an active part in local politics

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and for a number of years was a member of the town and school boards. He died in Lima township, in the spring of 1903, his wife having passed away in the fall of 1902. Frank M. Faast attended the public schools in Lima township and subsequently began working on his father's farm, of which he is now the owner and proprietor, having succeeded to it after his father's death. It is a well improved piece of property, well equipped with good buildings and modern machinery-everything necessary for general farming, which Mr. Faast is carrying on with good financial re- sults. In politics he is a Democrat and has served as pathmaster and as a member of the Lima town board. He is a prominent member of the Cath- olic church at Lima, and as one of the trustees was instrumental in estab- lishing Sacred Heart boarding school. April 19, 1904, Mr. Faast was united in marriage with Bertha Brindle, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Bauer) Brindle. Her parents were born in Austria, and on coming to the United States some fifty years ago settled first in Eau Claire and later in the vil- lage of Eau Galle, Dunn county, Wisconsin. They are now living on a farm in Albany township, Pepin county. Mrs. Faast was educated in this local- ity, attending school first in Eau Galle village and later in Lima township, Pepin county. Mr. and Mrs. Faast are the parents of four children, Ella Laura, Amelia Johanna, Vera May and Frances Antonia, all residing at home.

Hollis B. Griffin, a well known and respected resident of Waterville township, who is engaged in operating a small but valuable farm at Ar- kansaw, was born in Whitingham township, Windham county, Vermont, March 2, 1843, son of Viets and Emily (Mowery) Griffin. The father, who was born in Stonington, Conn., May 18, 1800, in early life was a shoemaker, but later bought a farm in Vermont, where he followed agriculture subse- quently until his death in the fall of 1870. His wife, who was born in Ox- ford, Oxford county, Maine, August 14, 1808, died a few years after him. Hollis B. Griffin was the eighth born of his parents' ten children. He attended school for a limited time in Vermont, and when 13 years of age began working out. For three years he was in the employ of a brother, his remuneration being $50 a period of three years, and his father collect- ing his wages. Then returning home he took charge of the farm until he was 20 years old. The Civil War was now raging and, inspired with patri- otic feelings, he enlisted in Company F, 17th Vermont Volunteers, as a private, and served from October 13, 1863, to July 25, 1865. He escaped wounds, but was confined to the hospital one month from an abscess on his knee. On coming out of the service he went into a furniture factory in Clinton, N. Y., remaining there until October of the following year. He then came west, locating at Delaware Center, Iowa, where he found em- ployment until 1869. On December 24, 1869, he arrived in Winona, Minn. There he remained a few weeks and then came to Arkansaw, Pepin county, Wisconsin, arriving here November 9, 1870. The furniture factory was then nearing completion and he soon found employment in it, working there until August, 1880. After that he started a meat market in Arkansaw, buying cattle all over the country for Maby & Boughton and was thus occu- pied until 1883. He then sold out and built a wagon shop in Arkansaw,

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LOUIS HOCH AND FAMILY

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ich he conducted for a year. Then selling that, he started a hardware store, which he conducted from 1884 to 1889, when he bought his present farm of twenty-two and a half acres at Arkansaw, where he expects to spend the remainder of his life, having recently sold all other holdings. In politics Mr. Griffin is independent. He served two years as township treasurer, declining further service, and was two years postmaster at Ar- kansaw, finally resigning from that position. Mr. Griffin was first married August 4, 1866, to Mary Jane Gardner, a native of Clinton county, New York, and daughter of Benjamin M. and Katherine (Williams) Gardner, her father being a native of Greenbush, Rensselaer county, New York, and her mother of Wales. Her mother died in Delaware, Iowa, in 1867 and Mr. Gardner subsequently resided until June 29, 1884, with his son in law, Mr. Griffin. Mrs. Mary Jane Griffin died September 27, 1897. She had been the mother of four children: Katherine Winnifred, who died in in- fancy, and Clinton Marshall, Clayton Albert and Grace Edna, all of whom are now deceased. On October 23, 1898, Mr. Griffin was united in marriage with Edith May Sanders, who was born in Hartford, Wis., daughter of Samuel and Mary (Burns) Sanders. Her father was born in Hull, Eng- land, and was a farmer by occupation, his wife being a native of Hartford, Wis. They settled in Spring Valley, Pierce county, Wisconsin, where Mr. Sanders died in 1909. He had served in the Civil War as a private in the 25th Wisconsin Regiment, and his wife is now residing in the soldiers' home at Waupaca. Of Mr. Griffin's second marriage no children were born.

Ludwig Hoch, better known as "Louis" Hoch, owner of a fine farm of 240 acres in section 24, Albany township, a part of which he operates, was born in Belvidere township, Buffalo county, Wisconsin, July 4, 1860, son of Andrew and Anna Mary (Miller) Hoch. The father, born in the state of Baden, Germany, came to this country when a young man, locating in Buffalo county, where he married, his wife being a native of Switzer- land. Their first home on the land they secured was a log house, in which they resided for a number of years, Mr. Hoch in the meanwhile making improvements as rapidly as possible. In time he retired and moved with his wife to Wabasha, Minn., but later crossed back into Wisconsin and took up their residence in Alma, where Mr. Hoch died. Mr. Hoch was a veteran of the Civil War, having served in a Wisconsin regiment. His wife is still a resident of Alma. They had a large family of eleven children, of whom Louis was the second in order of birth. He attended district school in Buffalo county and lived at home until about 24 years of age. Then buying land in Alma township, he engaged in farming on his own account, remain- ing there some nine or ten years. At the end of that time he sold out and came to his present farm, where he has 240 acres of excellent land, 160 acres of which he rents out, residing on and operating the other eighty acres. He carries on general farming successfully, being a practical agri- culturist, and has reaped good returns for his exertions. In politics he is independent. Mr. Hoch was married May 26, 1887, to Margaret Eikamp, who was born in Buffalo county, Wisconsin, June 9, 1857, daughter of Wilke and Rena (Winter) Eikamp, her parents being natives of Holland. The father came to this country at an early date. Mr. and Mrs. Hoch have

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three children: Maria Anna, better known as Mary Ann, born June 6, 1888, who is unmarried; Louisa, born July 19, 1889, who was married April 20, 1910, to John O. D. Mikesell, and resides with her husband on the Hoch farm, having one child, Harley ; and Ludwig, Jr., born January 6, 1892, who was married March 19, 1914, to Selma Jahn, has two children, Curtiss and Laverne, and is engaged in farming in Mondovi township, Buffalo county.

Alois Brantner, a well known general farmer in section 2, Albany township, Pepin county, was born in Austria in 1841, son of Johan and Mary Brantner, the parents being natives of that country. The father dying in early manhood, his widow subsequently came to this country and to Pepin county, Wisconsin, settling on a farm in Lima township. Alois Brantner was educated in Austria and resided in that country until 1881, when he came to Pepin county, Wisconsin. Agriculture was his occupa- tion and he first followed it here in Lima township, developing a good farm from a tract of comparatively unimproved land. In 1899 he came to Albany township and settled on his present farm, which he has brought into good condition, and where he is carrying on a good business in general farming, raising the usual crops and keeping good stock. The recent and present demand for all farm products has redounded to his benefit and he now finds himself in a prosperous condition of life, a result achieved, however, only through steady and persevering industry. He is independent in politics and belongs to the Catholic congregation at Rock Falls. Mr. Brantner was married to Barbara Trove, a native of Austria, who came to Lima township, this county, about the same time as the Brantners, her parents being farmers. Mr. and Mrs. Brantner have four children, Robert, Thomas, John . and Alex. Robert, who married Frances Poeschel, is a farmer in Albany township, and has five children, Robert, Walter, Henry, Anna and Mary. Thomas, who married Ludy Fiede, is also a farmer in Albany township. He has two children, Edwin and Clara.

Leopold Brantner, a general farmer operating 160 acres in section 7, Albany township, Pepin county, was born in Lima township, this county, September 18, 1886. His parents, George and Agnes (Risler) Brantner, were natives of Austria, where in 1871 the father served in the army. Both are now deceased. For a number of years they farmed in Lima township, this county, having come to the United States in 1881. Leopold Brantner in his youth attended district school in Lima township, and was brought up on the home farm. At the age of 18 years he started working out for farmers and for ten years was thus engaged, acquiring much practical ex- perience. Three years ago he began farming on his present farm, which contains 160 acres of good land and is provided with adequate buildings and implements. Mr. Brantner is a Republican in politics and is a member of the Catholic church at Rock Falls. Mr. Brantner was married, April 20, 1915, to Grace Pichler, daughter of Florian and Lena (Bauer) Pichler. Her father was born in Austria April 25, 1866, and settled in Pepin county in 1902. Her mother was born in Lima township, this county, where Mr. and Mrs. Pichler lived for some time after their marriage. At the present time they are living on a farm in Albany township. Mr. and Mrs. Brant-

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HI. STAUB AND FAMILY

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ner are the parents of two children, Richard and Romanus, the latter born June 24, 1918.

Henry Staub. Among the general farmers of Albany township, Pepin county, who have had a successful career and are in thriving circumstances is the subject of this sketch, who was born in Switzerland, December 1, 1865. His parents were Caspar and Anna (Wachler) Staub, the former born in 1813 and the latter in 1818. Both were natives of that little repub- lic situated among the Alps, which has had such a long and glorious history, and whose sons have always been sturdy champions of freedom, which they have maintained for themselves often in spite of powerful enemies. The parents of Mr. Staub were in humble circumstances, his father being the village tailor. They gave their son such education as they could, however, and as he grew up he listened with interest to stories of America, the land across the sea, where abundant opportunities existed for the ambitious and industrious. He was soon to put these stories to the proof, for at the age of 16 he found himself in the United States, a whole continent before him, with the reward of fortune for those who had the ability to grasp it. A hardware store in New York was the scene of his first industrial efforts in the New World. He was not there long, however, as in 1883 he arrived in Alma, Buffalo county, Wisconsin. Here he went to work on a farm, but too ambitious to continue working long for others, he soon rented a farm for himself, which he operated under rental for five years. In those days the prices for farm produce were much lower than at present and many farmers found it hard to make money, but Mr. Staub made progress and saved something every year, until in 1896 he found himself in a position to purchase his present farm of 200 acres in section 17, Albany township. To its improvement and cultivation he has since devoted his efforts, and now has the place in excellent condition, with good buildings, adequate ma- chinery, and everything necessary to modern farming on a profitable basis -a most creditable record, fit to inspire the youth of the present day to achieve similar industrial triumphs. As one of the responsible men of his township Mr. Staub has been called upon to take part in local government and has served efficiently as a member of the town board. In politics he is a Republican. On January 12, 1893, Mr. Staub was united in marriage with Mary Ottinger, who was born in Pepin county, March 31, 1876, daugh- ter of John and Minnie (Dryssee) Ottinger. Her father was a native of Switzerland and her mother of Germany, but they were early settlers in this section, and Mrs. Staub as a girl attended rural school in Albany town- ship, this county. Seven children have come to enlarge the domestic circle of Mr. and Mrs. Staub-Minnie, Louisa, Paul, Fred, Mary, Henry and Eddie. Henry and Eddie are now deceased. Minnie, who is the wife of Fred Struck, a farmer in Albany township, Pepin county, has one child, Raymond.

John Kothbauer, a progressive and well to do farmer, operating a fine farm of 280 acres in section 15, Albany township, Pepin county, was born in Austria, November 18, 1870, son of Frank and Elizabeth Kothbauer. The parents were natives of Austria, the father born in 1847. They came to the United States about thirty-eight years ago, settling in Lima town- ship, Pepin county, on a farm. He is still living, but is now retired and

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resides in Mondovi. John Kothbauer attended school in Germany and was ten years old when he came to the United States with his parents. After they settled in Lima township he continued his studies for a while in the district school, but soon had to become industrially active, working on his parents' farm until he was 23 years old. After that he worked for other farmers until he married. Twelve years ago he began farming on his pres- ent place, a fine piece of agricultural property, which he has built up and greatly improved and modernized. He carries on general farming, keeping the Holstein breed of cattle, besides other good stock, and is meeting with good financial returns. Mr. Kothbauer is a thorough master of his busi- ness, which he conducts in an orderly and systematic manner, his buildings being neat and substantial and his machinery of the best and most modern type. He is a hard worker and good manager and his present prosperity is the result of his own industry and ability. He is a Democrat in politics and a member of the Catholic church at Rock Falls. Mr. Kothbauer was married, April 14, 1896, to Lena Schrenk, daughter of Florian and Anna (Priessel) Schrenk, natives of Austria. She attended school in that coun- try, and in 1866 her father fought in the Austrian army against Germany. Coming to the United States in 1892, the family settled in Albany township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Kothbauer have a family of eight children, all residing at home, whose names respectively are Andrew, Eleanor, Leo, Edward, Lucille, Anna, Verena and William.

Florian Pichler, a prominent representative of the agricultural indus- try in Albany township, Pepin county, is a man who is making his way in the world through enterprise, backed by a thorough practical knowledge of his vocation, and steady and persistent effort. He was born in Austria, April 25, 1866, son of Joseph and Anna (Schlosser) Pichler. The parents came to the United States with their family in 1881 and settled on a farm in Lima township, this county, which property they cleared and improved. Both are now deceased. Florian Pichler was 15 years old when he came to this country. He had attended school in Austria and after his arrival here he took his place in the ranks of industry, helping on his parents' farm for a while, and at the age of 18 obtaining employment on the railroad. All this, however, was but preliminary to his real work in life. In time he came into possession of the home farm in Lima township, on which he remained until about 1901. He then sold it and bought his present farm of 280 acres in section 9, Albany township. Since then, having full scope for his ability, he has devoted his time to improving the property, in which enterprise he has made big strides, having now an excellent and well paying farm. He has cleared up most of the land, and his buildings and machin- ery are of modern type and thoroughly adequate to all the purposes of profitable farming. In politics he is a Democrat and he attends the Cath- olic church at Rock Falls. October 24, 1893, Mr. Pichler married Lena Bauer, daughter of Paul Bauer. Her parents, who settled in Lima town- ship many years ago on coming from Austria, are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Pichler have a large family, numbering ten children. Thus, though but little past his prime, Mr. Pichler has attained a comfortable position in life and is privileged to see his children's children growing up around him.

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ELLIS WEAVER AND FAMILY

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Ellis Weaver, in former years a well known and respected citizen of Durand township, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits, was born in Germany, January 1, 1854, son of Stephen and Mary Weaver. The par- ents, also natives of Germany, came to the United States with their family in 1856, locating in Dodge county, Wisconsin. There the mother died a few years later, and the father subsequently married again, spending the rest of his life in that locality. By the first marriage there were three children. Ellis Weaver attended school for a short time in Lima town- ship, Pepin county, to which he came when 12 years old, accompanying a Mr. Dixon. When old enough to begin industrial life he worked out for others until his marriage in 1880, when he rented a farm in Durand town- ship, which he operated for nineteen years. In 1902 he bought a farm at Red Cedar, Dunn county, and there he resided until his death, September 28, 1909. He was for some time a stockholder in the co-operative store and creamery in Durand. Mr. Weaver's marriage took place July 3, 1880, the bride being Miss Salina Vradenburg. She was born in Deerfield, Steele county, Minnesota, daughter of Christopher and Maria (Benner) Vraden- burg. After her husband's death Mrs. Weaver resided on the farm in Dunn county until 1912, when she sold it and moved to Durand, her pres- ent place of residence. Here she has a pleasant home, the property con- sisting of a good house with an acre of ground, and conveniently situated. She and her husband had one child, Lester E., who died in 1886. An adopted son, Norman Ellis, born February 9, 1903, is attending school. Mrs. Weaver is a member of the Eastern Star lodge; the Rebeckah Lodge, I. O. O. F., of which she is at the present time warden; the Red Cross So- ciety and the Cemetery Association, taking active part in the work of all these associations. Mr. Weaver was both a Mason and an Odd Fellow.

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History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2), Part 24

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

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