History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2), Part 28

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 28
USA > Wisconsin > Pepin County > History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2) > Part 28

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Fred Hacker, who for many years has been engaged in general farming in Albany township, Pepin county, his farm of 120 acres lying in section 25, was born in Prussia, Germany, Aug. 10, 1856. His father's name was also Fred and both parents were natives of Prussia. They had one other child besides the subject of this sketch, and after the mother died, which event occurred when Fred, Jr., was three years old, her husband contracted a second marriage, of which four children were born. In 1861 Fred Hacker, Sr., came to America, locating in Chicago, which city he made his home until his death in 1913, during that period witnessing many wonderful changes, including the military and patriotic excitement in the Civil War period, the Great Fire of 1871, and the vast expansion of the city to its present dimensions. During his active period he worked at the cabinet- maker's trade, which he had learned in Germany, but retired at the age of 76, some ten years before his death. He was a charter member of the Lutheran church to which he belonged and was an active church worker. In his youth he has served in the German army. Fred Hacker, Jr., was educated in a parochial school in Chicago, and resided in that city until he was 21 years old. Then removing to Wisconsin, he engaged in lumber- ing, working in the woods for 13 years in one place or another. At the end of that time he took up his present farm of 120 acres, which he had bought in 1883 for $200, and here he led a bachelor's life until his marriage, his first dwelling being a small shanty. Since then he has greatly improved the land and now has a very good farm, which he is operating profitably, and is increasing in prosperity from year to year. Following in his father's footsteps, he has retained membership in the Lutheran church, which he helps to support. He has served as school director three years

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and in politics is independent. The marriage of Mr. Hacker took place May 4, 1899, his bride being Laura Robinson, who was born in Modena, Buffalo county, Wisconsin, March 22, 1873, daughter of James and Emily (Searles) Robinson. Her people, who came from Illinois, were pioneers in Buffalo county, Mr. Robinson being a farmer. He is now residing with his son, Henry. Mrs. Robinson died when her daughter Laura was a child of six years, and the latter was educated in Buffalo county, attending district school. Mr. and Mrs. Hacker have four children: Henry, Minnie, Emily and Frederick, Jr., all residing at home.

Andrew Rohrscheib, an early settler of Albany township, Pepin county, now deceased, was born in Eppelheim, Baden, Germany, Feb. 23, 1852. His parents died when he was quite young, but he attended common school in Germany until 14 years of age, then entered a drawing school there, and also learned the mason's trade. His only other schooling was comprised within a few weeks' attendance after coming to this country. It was on Oct. 18, 1869, that he said good-bye to his native land and on November 11 he was among the immigrants who landed at Castle Garden, New York City. With the whole North American continent before him, he made choice of Albany township, Pepin county, Wisconsin, as the scene of his- future activities and lost no time in reaching it. Here he homesteaded four forties of land and purchased three forties, which gave him a farm of 280 acres, which he afterwards developed and improved into a high state of cultivation, also erecting good buildings. For a number of years, nowever, he continued to work at intervals at the trades of mason and plasterer. He was also one of the first stockholders in the Mondovi Creamery. In politics he was a Republican, and as he was a man of much force of character, he naturally became more or less prominent in local affairs, serving four years as chairman of the township board, as town clerk, as constable, and as clerk of the committee on state affairs-an appointment that he received in 1889. His death, which took place March 4, 1911, deprived Albany town- ship of one of its most useful and respected citizens, and his loss was deeply deplored. The Lutheran church in the vicinity also lost one of its leading and most consistent members, and the M. W. A. camp an active worker. Mr. Rohrscheib was married in 1873 to Christina Machmeier, who was born in Milwaukee, Wis., April 2, 1853, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Breiter) Machmeier. She was the eldest of her parents' seven children and attended district school in Albany township. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rohrscheib, as follows: George, April 26, 1874, who married Anna Sharf, and now resides in the state of Washington, where he is engaged in lumbering; Elizabeth, born July 13, 1875, who is the wife of Daniel Madia and resides in Chicago; Frank, born Sept. 17, 1877, who died Nov. 14, 1882; Otto, born July 23, 1881, now a resident of Durand; Lena, born Nov. 21, 1883, wife of William Yochom, a machinist in the paper mill at Eau Claire; Walter, born June 24, 1885, who is engaged in the garage and automobile business at Mondovi; Franz, born Oct. 12, 1888, and Curtis, July 30, 1890, who are residing at home and operating the farm; Ella, born May 7, 1892, a school teacher, living at home, and Emma, born July 26, 1892, who is a trained nurse and resides at St. Paul, Minn. With the assistance of her

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sons Mrs. Rohrscheib has operated the farm since her husband's death. She is a lady widely known and highly esteemed, and the family, including all the children have a high standing in the community.

Alexander Koller, who is engaged in operating a good farm of 1431/2 acres, most of which lies in the township of Durand, and the 20 in Canton township, Buffalo county, was born in Widefield, Austria, Feb. 17, 1859, son of Matthias and Carolina (Laedold) Koller, the parents being natives of the same place. The father died in Austria, being accidentally killed while felling a tree. The mother came to America with the rest of the family in 1880, settling in Lima township, Pepin county, Wisconsin, where she remained some years. Later she went to California to live with her daughter, Elizabeth, and died at Los Angeles. The father served in the regular army in Austria. Alexander Koller was the second born in a family of three children. He attended school in Adelprintz, Austria, and was 16 years of age when his father died. He worked for others until he came to this country in 1880, and after arriving here obtained employment on the river for the Beef Slough Company, and occasionally at other occu- pations. When he first came here he could not speak English, but soon picked up enough of the language to make himself understood. In 1881 he went to Castleton, North Dakota, where he worked on a farm and was otherwise employed, from June to September. Then returning to Pepin county he did work of one kind or another in Durand, and also worked on the river for seven years. About the end of that time he bought a farm in Lima township, Pepin county, where he resided three years, after which he came to his present location. As above stated, his farm consists of 1431/2 acres, of which 125 acres are in Durand township, where his resi- dence is located, and the rest in Canton township. He has put in modern improvements and has a completely equipped and profitable farm on which he raises both crops and stock. He is also a shareholder in the Home Telephone Company and is quick to support any home enterprise that promises to be for the benefit of the community. He has taken part in local government affairs, having served 12 years as township treasurer, in politics being independent. A Catholic in religion, he attends the church of that faith in Lima. Mr. Koller was married, Jan. 20, 1885, to Walburga Spindler, who was born in Austria, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Weis- singer) Spindler. Her parents, also natives of Austria, came to this coun- try in 1869, locating in Lima township, this county, where the father en- gaged in farming. He died March 21, 1916, but Mrs. Mary Spindler is still living in Lima township. Mr. and Mrs. Koller have had eight children : Mary, wife of John Traun, a farmer of Durand township, and has two chil- dren, Wilfred and Raymond; Frankie, who died at the age of two years; Edward, a resident of Lima township and a farmer, who married Theresa Bauer, and has one child, Annabell; Alexander, who is proprietor of the Durand Feed Mill; Emma, wife of John Prissel, a railroad fireman, and has one child, Catherine, and Esther, Frederick and Florence, who are residing at home.

John Fidi, proprietor of the old Fidi homestead in Section 32, Albany township, was born on the farm where he now lives, Dec. 21, 1876, son of

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Alois and Mary (Nowalk) Fidi. The parents were natives of Austria, where they were married, coming to the United States about 1870, and settling at once on this farm, which was then nothing but wild land, with primitive surroundings, the bears being among their nearest and most numerous neighbors. The first home of the family here was a small log house, in which the subject of this sketch was born. Alois Fidi worked a part of his time for others, making improvements on his place as he was able. In time he became the owner of a flourishing farm of 160 acres, and was active in church work and other local affairs. He is still living and resides with his son John on the old homestead. His wife died about 1910. They had a family of six children, namely: Mary, now living in Mondovi; Anna, deceased; John, subject of this sketch; Agnes and Frank (twins) ; Henry, August and Ralph. The two last mentioned are now in the United States service. John Fidi lived at home until he was 23 years old and then went to work for Frank Gueldner, and afterwards for George Howard, in whose employ he remained for eight years. He was then with Joe Brunner for two years, and at the end of that time returned to the old home, of which he took charge, and where he is now carrying on general farming successfully, devoting his entire time to the work and making modern improvements as they are needed. He is a member of the Roman Catholic church and in politics is independent. So far he has not married.

Alexander Metcalf, who died on his farm in section 28, Waterville township, May 26, 1917, was a widely known and esteemed citizen, whose loss was much regretted. He was born at Glen Haven, Grant county, Wis- consin, Dec. 23, 1858, son of William and Elizabeth (Curtis) Metcalf. The father was born in Yorkshire, England, March 31, 1817, and was a farmer by occupation. He was a pioneer of Grant county, coming from Michigan, where he had previously settled, and he died in Grant county, Sept. 14, 1871. His wife, Elizabeth, was born at Lansing, N. Y., Aug. 31, 1826, and after his death removed to Pepin county, with her children, in the fall of 1872, settling on Maple Ridge in Waterville township, where she lived for a number of years. The last eight years of her life were spent with her son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Metcalf. Alexander Metcalf was the sixth born in a family of eight children. He attended school in Grant county, and also to some extent in Waterville township, Pepin county. After his father's death he resided with his mother until his marriage in 1884, and a year later bought the farm on which his widow now resides, consisting of 120 acres of valuable land. Here he carried on general farming successfully, having a well improved farm over which he exercised careful supervision until shortly before his death. He was a stockholder in the Farmers' Telephone Company and other local enter- prises, and at the time of his death was a member of the Waterville town- ship board, having also held school office for several years. In politics he was a Republican and, religiously, a member of the church of the Latter Day Saints. Mr. Metcalf was married, Nov. 26, 1884, to Dora Rands, who was born in Waterville township, Pepin county, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Place) Rands. Her father was a native of England, born May 30, 1835, and came to the United States with his parents when a lad of

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MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM METCALF MR. AND MRS. JOHN RANDS ALEX. METCALF AND FAMILY

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five years. They located at Dead Lake Prairie, Pepin county, Wisconsin, where they bought land and engaged in improving it. Later the family moved to Canada, where the parents died. John Rands subsequently re- turned to Dead Lake Prairie, this county. After the Civil War broke out he enlisted and went to the front, where he was actively engaged as a soldier. While home on a furlough the war came to an end and he resumed industrial life. In 1899 he moved to Murry, Rusk county, Wisconsin, and later to Ladysmith, that county, where he is now living retired. While a resident of Waterville township he held school office for a number of years. Of the nine children of Mr. and Mrs. Rands the daughter Dora (Mrs. Met- calf) was the second in order of birth. She attended school in Big Cooley, where she now resides. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Metcalf was blessed by the birth of five children: Alonzo, a farmer in Waterville town- ship, who married Jessie Catura and has one child, Grace; Owen, who operated the home farm for his mother until 1917, when he bought a farm of his own, which he is now operating, and who married Grace Doughty; Burr, who died in 1903, at the age of nine years, and Mildred and Willis, residing at home. Mrs. Metcalf is a member and president of the Ladies' Aid Society, taking pleasure in all useful and benevolent work and highly thought of among a wide acquaintance.

David B. Gifford, one of the pioneers of Bear Creek Valley, Canton township, Buffalo county, was born in Scotland, in 1836, and was a lad of 18 years when he came to America, locating at Geneseo, Wis., where he found employment working for others. He was married in Geneseo, Wis., to Sarah Stringer, who was born in England, in 1842. Coming to Bear Creek Valley before the Civil War, he bought land and began pioneer farming. The war, however, interrupted his industrial career, as he en- listed nine months before its close, as a private in a Wisconsin regiment, and served until the surrender of Lee. Coming home after receiving a gunshot wound in the service, he resumed work on his farm. The tract on which he had settled was wild land, and his home was a log house, while for the first few years a plain log barn was his only other farm building. In time, however, other and better buildings made their appearance, adapted to all the purposes of modern agriculture. He also bought more land from time to time until he owned 420 acres in Buffalo county, and a farm of 120 acres in Dunn county near Eau Galle. He was a pioneer breeder of Durham cattle in this section and made another specialty of raising Poland-China hogs, meeting with good success in both branches of industry. Among his other interests were those as a stockholder in the old Bear Creek Creamery. Though he never cared particularly for public office he consented to serve when called upon, and was thus a member of the township board for a number of years and for several years treasurer of his school district. As a farmer his knowledge was thorough and practical and he made his land yield good returns. His death occurred in 1914. His wife is now living with her son, Wallace, in Buffalo county. They had a family of eight children: Mary, William H., Jennie, David A., John, Edwin, Charles and Wallace F., of whom Jennie and Edwin are deceased.

David A. Gifford, who is engaged in general farming and stock raising

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in section 23, Waterville township, Pepin county, was born in Bear Creek Valley, Buffalo county, Wisconsin, Sept. 9, 1868, son of David B. and Sarah (Stringer) Gifford, he being the fourth born of their eight children. He attended school in his home district and resided with his parents until the time of his marriage and then bought land in Bear Creek Valley, where he spent four years in developing a farm. At the end of that time he came to his present farm in Waterville township, containing 200 acres, and on which he has erected excellent buildings, his place being fully equipped for general farming purposes according to modern methods. One of the more important branches of his business is the breeding of Durham cattle, in which he is meeting with good success. His other financial interests are those of a stockholder in the Waterville creamery and the Farmers' Tele- phone Company at Arkansaw. While not politically active Mr. Gifford has held various township offices. While he adheres to the principles of the Republican party, he reserves the right to vote for the fittest candidate. He attends the Methodist Episcopal church, his fraternal society affiliations being with the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Gifford was married Nov. 28, 1894, to Dora Herschlip, who was born in Bear Creek Valley, Buf- falo county, daughter of Henry and Gusta (Steinke) Herschlip. He and his wife have three children: Elsie Matilda, wife of Ray DeMarce, a farmer of Waterville township; Wallace Andrew, who is assisting his father in operating the home farm, and Mildred M., residing at home.

Henry Herschlip, formerly engaged in agricultural operations in Bear Creek Valley, Canton township, Buffalo county, was born in Germany. His mother dying when he was very young, he, while still a lad, accompanied his father to the United States, settling in Bear Creek Valley, Buffalo county, Wisconsin, where he grew to manhood, working at the age of about 18 years for David B. Gifford. He later bought land in that vicinity and developed a farm, which he afterwards sold, moving to North Dakota, where he took a farm in McHenry county, northeast of Minot, where he is still living, operating half a section of land. His wife, whose maiden name was Gusta Steinke, was also born in Germany, and is also living. They have had eight children, of whom the second born was Dora, now the wife of David A. Gifford, of Waterville township, Pepin county.

Frederick William Tappe, proprietor of a farm of 270 acres of land in section 14, Durand township, was born in Dayton township, Richland county, Wisconsin, March 18, 1876, son of Charles H. and Anna (Fidler) Tappe. Charles H. Tappe, the father, was born in Berlin, Germany, June 25, 1845, and was brought by his parents to the United States when four years of age. From New York, where they landed, they went on to Toledo, Cumberland county, Illinois, and thence to Galena, that state. He was about 18 years old when he came to Wisconsin and engaged in farming in Richland county, and there he remained until his death, April 15, 1917, when in his seventy-second year. His wife Anna, who was born in Rich- land county, Wisconsin, April 14, 1866, is now residing there. Frederick W. Tappe, the direct subject of this sketch, was the eldest of his parents' four children. He attended common school in Richland county and also a German Lutheran parochial school. When 18 years of age he

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FREDERICK WILLIAM TAPPE AND FAMILY

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went to Illinois and worked on a farm for one year, then returning home to assist his father. Later he went to La Crosse, where he was employed in a meat market for some time, after which he spent one summer in the west working at the carpenter's trade. When he married in 1907 he went on a farm in Dover township, Buffalo county, but remained there only one year, removing to Gilmanton township, the same county, where he farmed for six years. He then came to his present farm in Durand township, Pepin county, a farm of 270 acres, situated in section 14, three miles east of Durand. Here he is successfully engaged in general farming, having a well improved place. He belongs to the fraternal order of Redmen and in politics is a Republican with independent proclivities. Mr. Tappe was married April 9, 1907, to Lizzie Zittel, who was born near Alma, Buffalo county, daughter of Anton and Mary (Dick) Zittel. He and his wife have eight children, whose respective names, with dates of birth are as follows: Thiern, Jan. 25, 1908; Leona, June 2, 1909; Charles Calvin, Dec. 21, 1910; Roland W., April 25, 1913; Rosetta, Nov. 2, 1914; Cilda, March 2, 1915, and Yoma, born April 13, 1918.

Anton Zittel, who died in Mondovi, Buffalo county, Wisconsin, Sept. 8, 1909, after an agricultural career of many years in that county, was born in Germany, in 1845, and was brought to the United States by his parents when a lad of four years. His life for a number of years subse- quently was spent partly in Ohio and partly in Indiana. Then continuing his western pilgrimage, he reached Wisconsin and took up farm work in Buffalo county. In the Civil War he enlisted in a Wisconsin regiment and served until the end of the war, after which he returned home and resumed farming in the locality he had left when he became a soldier. About 18- he took a farm near Alma, Buffalo county, which he operated for several years, and removed from that place to a location near Gil- manton, where he continued farming, and where his death occurred, as already recorded. Mr. Zittel married Mary Dick, who was born in Indiana, March 9, 1859, and who is now in Mondovi Village. Mr. and Mrs. Zittel had a large family of 14 children, one of whom, a daughter, Lizzie, is now the wife of Frederick W. Tappe, a prominent farmer of Durand township, Pepin county.

Charles C. Van Brunt, an early settler in Buffalo and Pepin counties, who passd from this life but a few years ago, was born in New York, August, 1829. In early life he was engaged in operating tow boats on the Erie Canal, but also spent considerable time in working for farmers. From the state of New York he removed to that of Pennsylvania, then traveled westward until he reached Illinois, and from the latter state came in 1857 to Buffalo county, Wisconsin, locating with his family on a farm in Max- ville township. Two years later he took up his residence in Durand, where for several years he worked in the sawmill. Then returning to his farm, he operated it until 1887, in which year he retired from active work. The rest of his life was spent in Durand, where he died Feb. 19, 1911, in his eighty-second year. He had for many years been a prominent citizen of Maxville township, serving on the town board for a number of terms, and always taking a keen interest in the progress and prosperity of the

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community. His wife survived him only a few months, passing away July 29, 1911. They had a family of three children : Charles A., of Durand; Theodore, who died at the age of two years, and W. E., of Colfax, Dunn county, Wisconsin.

Charles A. Van Brunt, a well known and highly respected citizen of Durand, Pepin county, where he is now serving as justice of the peace, was born in McHenry county, Illinois, January 30, 1857, the eldest child of Charles C. and Zillah (Van Gelder) Van Brunt. His parents removing to Buffalo county, Wisconsin, in the year of his birth, he subsequently attended school in Maxville township, after taking a two years' course at the River Falls (Wis.) Normal School. Until reaching the age of 22 years he worked on his father's farm. After that he rented and operated farms in summer and taught school during the winter, and was thus occupied until 1885, when he bought a farm in Maxville township, on which he lived for a num- ber of years. He then purchased his father's farm in that township and spent the next twenty years of his life in operating it, meeting with good success and accumulating a fair competency. In 1914 he gave up the farm and took up his residence in Durand, where he has since lived retired from active work. Mr. Van Brunt is independent in politics. While residing in Maxville township, Buffalo county, he was a member of the town board for a number of years and for eighteen years served on the school board. He has been justice of the peace in Durand since 1915. Fraternally he belongs to the local camp of Woodmen and is a member of the Methodist church at Durand. On October 9, 1879, Mr. Van Brunt was united in mar- riage with Olive Winget, daughter of Levi and Phoebe (Rouse) Winget. Of this union have been born seven children: Edward C., Zillah, Annabell, Philip S., Cyrus W., Grace Agnes and Dicky B. Edward C., who is a farmer in Durand, married Mattie Brown, and they have one child, Victor. Zillah is the wife of Harry Moats, a farmer of Modena township, Buffalo county, and has two children, Ralph and Wallace. Annabell is the wife of Orin Larson and lives on a farm near Colfax, Dunn county. Philip S., who mar- ried Myrtle Hallock, is a farmer in Buffalo county, on the old farm, and has two children, Glenn and Ross Darell. Cyrus W. married Blanche Fox and resides in the village of Durand, and they have one child, Fern Fox. Grace Agnes, wife of Clinton Waldren, a business man of Minneapolis, Minn., has one child, Rodney J. Dicky B. was killed by lightning in the barn on the farm when six years old, on June 23, 1896. In 1905, just nine years later, while Mr. Van Brunt and his son were sitting down to milk, lightning again visited them, striking the stable and killing three cows next to the one that the son was milking, which was knocked down, the son being dazed, but neither he nor the father being injured. Since coming to Durand Mr. Van Brunt has taken a close interest in the welfare and progress of the community and is a citizen of high standing. His duties as justice of the peace give him sufficient employment and still allow him time for reading and social intercourse. As he is but little past the prime of life it may be reasonably expected that he will remain a useful and respected member of the community for many long years to come.

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History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2), Part 28

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

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