History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2), Part 29

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 29
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Levi Winget, father of Mrs. Charles A. Van Brunt, was a native of

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Ohio, as was also his wife, Phoebe Rouse Winget. They were among the emigrants to California after the discovery of gold there in 1849, traveling overland, and remained in that state four years. Then returning east they settled on a farm in Minnesota and remained there until 1866, when they came to Canton township, Buffalo county, Wisconsin, where they re- sided for twenty years, and where Mrs. Winget died in 1874. She and her husband lived in happy domestic union for many years, having been married in 1849. After her death Mr. Winget located on a farm near Menominie, Wis., where he died December 6, 1915. Their daughter Olive (Mrs. Van Brunt) was educated in the schools of Buffalo county and in the normal school at River Falls, Wisconsin, and is a lady of culture and refinement, having many friends of high standing in both Pepin and Buffalo counties.

Alonzo Sanborn, a pioneer settler in Pepin township, Pepin county, where in very early days he served as township clerk, and who has long since passed away, was born in Montpelier in 1832, son of Jeremiah San- born. His mother's name is not now remembered. Neither of his parents ever came west. Alonzo attended school in his native state, where he resided for many years. Then, in 1857, he turned his face to the west, finally arriving in Pepin county, Wisconsin. For a number of years he was engaged in business in Pepin village, in partnership with H. M. Bul- lard. After that he moved to Dead Lake, where he became an extensive land owner, and was engaged in farming, also furnishing wood to the steamboats, having previously conducted the Dead Lake House for some years. His service as township clerk has already been recorded. He was an enterprising and prominent citizen in his day, well known and popular. He was not, however, destined to enjoy long life, as his death took place on March 24, 1870, at Dead Lake, Frankfort township. Mr. Sanborn was married in December, 1861, to Elizabeth Eckler, who was born near Brook- ville, Jefferson county, Pennsylvania, daughter of George and Amelia (Car- rier) Eckler. Of this union three children were born: Mary, now de- ceased, who was the wife of Horace Frazer, also now deceased; William, now retired, who resides with his mother; and Hannah, deceased, whose husband, Carl Morsback, is now living in Durand. Mrs. Sanborn moved to Durand in 1908, and has recently disposed of her farm. She is a lady of independent means, is highly esteemed, and has a wide circle of friends and acquaintances in the western part of Pepin county.

George Eckler, a pioneer settler of Pepin, Wis., in 1854, was born in Pennsylvania, March 9, 1800. He came to this place from Jefferson county, Pennsylvania, where he had been engaged in lumbering. He had married Amelia Carrier, a native of Pennsylvania, who was born May 5, 1801, and they already had a family of children, the number of which was finally increased to ten. Mr. Eckler became an extensive land owner at Pepin, where he resided until 1858. He then moved to Dead Lake, Frankfort township, where for many years he was engaged in the hotel business. Later he operated a hotel for a number of years at Durand, but retained his residence at Dead Lake, where his death took place in 1879. His wife

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survived him ten years, dying in 1889. One of their daughters, Elizabeth, who married Alonzo Sanborn, is now residing in Durand, a widow.

John J. Morgan, M. D., one of the leading citizens of Durand, Wis., where he has long been engaged in medical practice, and has also partici- pated in public affairs, was born at Wethersfield, Wyoming county, New York, June 12, 1846, son of Jeremiah G. and Lovisa (Buck) Morgan. The father, born in Vermont in February, 1804, was a farmer and carpenter by occupation, and was one of the oldest men who served in the Civil War, being 58 when he enlisted in 1862 in the 130th New York regiment. He was then a widower, his wife, who was born in Wyoming county, New York, in 1819, having died in 1855. Four of Jeremiah Morgan's sons also enlisted, one of them, Elias, in the 136th regiment. The father served eighteen months and was then discharged because of disability, returning to Wyo- ming county, and taking up his residence at Hermitage, on a small tract of land, where he died in February, 1875. John J. Morgan was the youngest of his parents' nine children. Losing his mother when he was seven years of age, he went to live with a married sister. His literary education was obtained at Pike's Seminary, a Free Will Baptist school in his native county, and in another school at Hermitage, N. Y. In order to pay his expenses through school he worked at farming. In due time he entered the medical department of the University of New York, at Buffalo, N. Y., where he was graduated with the class of 1873. He began the practice of his pro- fession in New York State, and also taught school for a while, in order to pay his debts. Then, on February 15, 1875, he came to Durand, Wis., and entered into medical practice here. In 1880 he was elected county clerk of Pepin county, the duties of which office he attended to without giving up his practice as a physician. He also graduated in law, but made little or no use of his qualifications in that direction. In 1897 Dr. Morgan founded the Durand Drug Company, which he operated alone for six months, then took in two partners, but later sold out his interests in the concern. He has held various public offices. As a Republican he was elected to the Wisconsin General Assembly in 1914. He was mayor of Durand three years, from 1902 to 1905, and his career as county clerk lasted eight years. Dr. Morgan was married, October 27, 1887, to Jane Humphrey, who was born in the state of Vermont, her true family name being Noyes. Her parents died when she was very young and she was adopted by Dr. Syl- vanus Humphrey of Vermont. She removed with him and his family to New Brunswick, N. J., and from there to Sparta, Wis., and later, about 1871, to Durand, Dr. Humphrey engaging in the drug business here, in which he continued until his death in 1878. His wife, who had been a mother to young Jane Noyes, died in the spring of 1914. Dr. and Mrs. Morgan are the parents of two children: Lucy L. and Margaret. Lucy L. was graduated at the University of Wisconsin in library science, which she is now engaged in teaching in the employ of the Detroit (Mich.) Library Board, being now in her fourth year. Margaret, who was graduated at Milwaukee Downer College, taught three years in the Durand high school. She married Paul R. Newcomb, formerly of this county, who is now a prac- ticing attorney in Milwaukee. Dr. Morgan is a member of the Masonic

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LEOPOLD WITTIG

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lodge at Durand; also of the Wisconsin State Medical Society and the Dunn and Pepin Counties Medical Society.

Samuel A. Morris, who died in Durand, Pepin county, May 25, 1914, had been a resident of Pepin and Buffalo counties for many years, and was a well known and highly esteemed citizen. He was born in the county of Sussex, England, September 16, 1840, son of Stephen and Anna Morris. The parents, who also were natives of England, came to America in 1849, locating at Lewiston, on the Niagara River, in Niagara county, New York. There he and his wife both died of cholera, which they contracted on board ship coming over. Samuel A. Morris, who was the eldest in a family of four children, was only nine years old when he lost his parents. He at- tended school at Lewiston, N. Y., and at other places in the same county, but had to begin industrial life at an early age, working for the family who had given him shelter when he became an orphan. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted in the 49th New York Volunteers as a private and served subsequently for four years, having the good fortune to return without having been wounded. He then returned to his old home, where he was married, and in 1866 came to Pepin courty, locating in Durand township. There he remained for a number of years and then moved to Buffalo county, farming in Maxville township, that county, until 1911. He then retired and took up his residence in Durand, where, as above recorded, his death occurred. He was a member of Grand Army post here and was a man who took a warm interest in the prosperity of the community in which he had made his home. Mr. Morris was married in Lewiston, N. Y., October 9, 1865, to Adelaide Knapp, who was born in Niagara county, New York, March 22, 1847, daughter of John and Nancy (Kniscurran) Knapp. Her parents came to Niagara county from Green county, New York, the father being a farmer by occupation. He was a soldier of the war of 1812. Their daughter Adelaide was educated in Niagara county, New York. She survives her husband and is now residing in Durand, where she has many warm friends. She and her husband had three children: Gertrude, George and Carrie V. George died in 1893. Carrie V. is single and resides with her mother. Gertrude is the wife of Albert Biggerstaff, a blacksmith, and resides in Oregon. She has two children, Thomas and Adelaide.

Leopold Wittig, a progressive farmer operating 320 acres of land in section 28, Lima township, Pepin county, was born in Austria, November 15, 1836, son of Ferthen and Eva (Bender) Wittig. The father was a silk weaver by trade and died when the subject of this sketch was but two years old. His wife, Mrs. Eva Wittig, survived him until 1877, when she, too, passed away. Neither of them ever came to America. Their son Leopold was the second born of three children. On his father's death he went to reside with an uncle, and when twenty years old entered the Aus- trian army, in which he served from 1857 to 1867. He advanced to the rank of an officer of two stars, and at the end of his military service re- turned home for a residence of three years. In 1870 he was married to Mary Brunner, who was born in Austria in 1839, daughter of Paul and Josephine (Weiss) Brunner. Her father was a farmer and both he and his wife came to this country, but are now deceased, Mrs. Mary Brunner

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dying in Lima township, this county. In 1873 Mr. Wittig came with his wife to the United States, locating in Lima township, Pepin county, Wis- consin, where he worked one summer for John Brunner. He then bought eighty acres of land which now forms a part of his present farm, and on which he built a small log shack and log stable, starting to farm with a yoke of oxen and three cows. Later he purchased more land, gradually increasing the size of his farm to its present acreage. The tract is com- posed of valuable land and is well adapted to general farming which Mr. Wittig carries on, raising feed for his own stock. He also keeps a large apiary, having about 60 stands of bees. His house was built in 1891 and the barns in 1899, the latter being of thoroughly modern type with all convenient accessories. Mr. Wittig has made good progress in the devel- opment of his place and is doing a successful business as a farmer. He is a Democrat in politics, but so far has taken no active part in public affairs. He sustained a heavy bereavement in the loss of his wife, who died on Christmas Day, 1905. They had had eight children, of whom the following is a brief record: Leo is a farmer in Buffalo county. Tennie, who married John Weisenbeck, is now deceased. John is a farmer in Lima township. Rosa resides in Lima township with her brother John. Thomas is a farmer in Ross county, Wisconsin. Rufus spends a part of his time on the home farm. Mary married John Schober and lives on a farm near Elmwood, Wis.

John Wittig, who owns and cultivates a good farm of 280 acres in sections 34 and 35, Lima township, was born in Austria, April 16, 1872, son of Leopold and Mary (Brunner) Wittig. His parents were married in Austria in 1870 and came to the United States three years later, the father, after working out one summer, buying land in section 28, where he now has a farm of 320 acres. John Wittig attended the Howard school in Lima township and was subsequently associated with his father in agricultural work until about ten years ago, when he bought the farm on which he now lives. Here he is profitably engaged in general farming, including stock raising and dairying. As a progressive citizen, with a good eye to busi- ness, Mr. Wittig is not averse to occasionally investing some of his spare capital in other enterprises, and is thus a stockholder in the Inter-County Telephone Company and the La Crosse Packing Company. In politics he is independent.

Michael Poeschl, a well known farmer of section 2, Lima township, Pepin county, was born in Austria, September 10, 1881. His parents, Vinz and Josie (Zerhofer) Poeschl, came to the United States from Austria in 1883, locating in Durand, Pepin county, Wisconsin. Buying land in the vicinity the father engaged in farming and is still living on his farm, though now retired from active work. His wife is also living. Michael Poeschl was the third born of his parents' children. He attended school for a limited period in Lima township and when a lad of 15 years began working for farmers for wages of $9.50 a month. This occupation he followed, however, only for a part of his time, as he was also engaged for three years in railroad work and at intervals was employed as a carpenter. When he married, in 1907, he bought his present farm, which contains

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120 acres of valuable land and where he is carrying on general farming successfully, realizing good returns for his work. Mr. Poeschl owns and operates a clover huller in his section, with profitable results. He is a member of the Catholic church at Lima and in politics is independent. In September, 1907, Mr. Poeschl was united in marriage with Mary Zeilin- ger, who was born in Lima township, Pepin county, daughter of Leo and Theresa (Fedie) Zeilinger, her parents being natives of Austria, though married in this country. They now reside in Dunn county, close to the Pepin county line, on a farm that they have occupied for many years. Mrs. Poeschl was the fourth born of their family of eleven children, and was educated in the school at Bear Creek. Mr. and Mrs. Poeschl have four children: Mary Matilda, Hubert William, Clarence Marcus and Willis Walter.

Louis H. Machmeier, who is engaged in agricultural operations on a farm of 200 acres in section 30, Albany township, Pepin county, was born in this township, within half a mile of his present residence, November 2, 1863, son of Martin and Elizabeth (Kassle) Machmeier. His parents were pioneer settlers in this township in 1857. Louis was the second born in a family of five children. He attended district school in Albany township, this county, and had a year's schooling at Modena, in Buffalo county. On his father's death in 1875, the mother being previously deceased, the family was broken up, and Louis, then 12 years old, went to live with Jacob Mach- meier, working a year for $6.00 a month. After that for a number of years he worked in the woods during the winters, and for two years in a sawmill at Meridian. In these and other employments he continued until his marriage in 1891, at which time he started farming on his own account, buying 160 acres of land in section 9, Albany township. It was unim- proved and he cleared twenty-five acres, subsequently adding other land until he had 250 acres. About 1901 he sold that place and bought his present farm in section 30, consisting of 200 acres, on which he carries on general farming, paying particular attention to dairying, for which pur- pose he is breeding up in Holstein cattle. He has put in the modern im- provements on his place, which is in excellent condition, and is doing a successful business. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers' Co-operative Creamery at Mondovi, and in the Farmers' Elevator there. Independent in politics, Mr. Machmeier has taken an active part in local government affairs, having served as chairman of the township board for two years, and for three years as treasurer, which office he is now holding. He has also held school office in district No. 2 for nine years. In religion he is a Lutheran. Mr. Machmeier was married about 1891 to Matilda Rieck, who was born at Modena, Buffalo county, Wisconsin, daughter of William and Mary (Weber) Rieck. The father, who was born near Berlin, Germany, was an early settler in Buffalo county, Wisconsin, where he died about 1913. His wife, who survives him, is still residing on the old farm there. Their family numbered four children, of whom Matilda was the second born. Mr. and Mrs. Machmeier have a family of six children, all living, namely: Renata, wife of Charles Schreiner, residing in Albany township; Cardula, who is a teacher in Thompson Valley, Buffalo county; Therese,

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also a teacher in Buffalo county ; and Rufus, Martin and William, who are residing at home.

Martin Machmeier, one of the earliest pioneer settlers in Albany town- ship, was born in Germany and came to this country when a young man, locating first in Milwaukee, then a small and unimportant place. After living there for two years, during which time he was engaged in railroad work, he came in 1857 to Albany township, Pepin county, being accom- panied by his wife, whom he had married in Milwaukee, and whose maiden name was Elizabeth Kassle. Taking forty acres of land in section 32, Albany township, he built a log shanty, which was the family home for a number of years. While engaged in clearing his land, he worked at inter- vals for others, and he and his wife often walked to and from Eau Galle, a distance of twenty-five miles each way, carrying provisions, the children remaining at home during their absence. Later he bought sixty more acres of land, thus increasing the size of his farm to 100 acres. He was chairman of the township board for a number of years, and was one of the organizers of his school district, besides being active in the Lutheran church. Toward the latter part of the Civil War he was drafted for serv- ice, but never went to the front, as the war was over by the time he reached Madison. In 1875 he died on his farm, his wife having died previously, in 1867. They were the parents of five children.

Frank Weber, proprietor of an excellent farm of 288 acres in section 31, Lima township, Pepin county, was born in Austria, March 2, 1864. He never to his knowledge saw his father to know him and was reared by his grandmother until he was 14 years of age. His school days were spent in his birthplace of Adel Brintz. Coming to America at the age of 17 years, unable to speak English, he succeeded, however, in obtaining em- ploment, working out for others, and then went into the woods to work at lumbering. By thus working out he soon picked up a fair knowledge of English and after a while learned to speak it with fluency. He then worked on a farm for two years and after that returned to the woods, being en- gaged in lumbering and river work for a number of seasons. Finally he determined to settle down on a farm of his own and accordingly bought 120 acres of wild land in section 2, Lima township, which he improved by clearing and the erection of buildings. That place he finally sold and about 1906 bought his present farm containing 280 acres of valuable land, which is provided with modern buildings and everything necessary for conducting agricultural operations according to the most improved methods, and this place he is now operating on a profitable basis. Mr. Weber is also a stock- holder in the Inter-County Telephone Company. He served as school di- rector for a number of years and is now a member of the Lima township side board. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Weber was married in 1890 to Mary Bauer, who was born in Austria, daughter of John and Josephine (Komro) Bauer. Her parents, natives of Austria, came to America about 1881, settling on a farm in Lima township. The mother died about 1901, but Mr. Bauer is still residing in the township with his son Charlie. They had four children, of whom the daughter Mary was the eldest. Mr. and Mrs. Weber have had twelve children: Mary, who

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MR. AND MRS. WARREN WOOD-CHARLES K. FLEISHAUER- MRS. MARGARET PLEISHAUER

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is unmarried and resides at home; Frank, a farmer of Albany township, who married Nellie Weisenbeck; Henry, who married Mary Weisenbeck, and is associated with his brother Frank in farming, the two families re- siding in the same house; Louis, who is now a private in the United States army; John, Edward, William, Matilda, Emma, Florence, Rosa and a child (the eighth born) who died at the age of three years. All the living chil- dren mentioned after Henry are residing at home with their parents. The family are members of the Lima Catholic church.

John L. Kohlman, who is engaged in operating a good dairy farm of 225 acres in section 35, Lima township, Pepin county, was born in this township August 14, 1883, son of Louis and Augusta (Asbach) Kohlman. The parents were respectively natives of Austria and Germany, but were married in this county, the father being one of the early settlers here. He is still living on the farm on which he first settled. Their first dwell- ing on the place, in which the subject of this sketch was born, was a log shack, but later Mr. Kohlman built a better house and made many other improvements. The farm is now operated by his son, Louis, his wife and himself making their home there. They were the parents of four children, of whom John was the second in order of birth. John Kohlman acquired his education in the school at Fall Creek. In his youth he worked on the home farm, and at times for others than his father. For two years at a somewhat later period he conducted the skimming station in Lima town- ship, and for five years was proprietor of a threshing outfit. After his marriage in 1909 Mr. Kohlman operated his father-in-law's farm for four years and then bought his present farm in section 35, Lima township, which he is conducting successfully as a general dairy farm. He is also a stockholder in the Inter-County Telephone Company, and in the Audito- rium at Durand. He was married in September, 1909, to Nellie Schlosser, who was born in Lima township, this county, daughter of Vinz and Hen- rietta (Shell) Schlosser. Her father, a native of Austria, was an early settler in Lima township. Mr. and Mrs. Kohlman are the parents of seven children: Martha, Anna Mary, Mary, Hilda, John, Jr., Frank and Walter. The family are members of the Catholic church, and Mr. Kohlman of the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin. In politics he is independent.

Charles K. Fleishauer, who is successfully operating a general stock farm in section 22, Waterville township, Pepin county, was born in Lima township, this county, September 19, 1878. His parents were August and Margaret (Huebner) Fleishauer, both natives of Germany, the father born in Prussia, January 2, 1826, and the mother in Bavaria, July 9, 1836. The former, having learned the trade of locksmith in his native land, came to the United States when a young man, locating in New York. He later returned to Germany, remained there a while and then came back to Amer- ica. After residing in La Crosse county for about fifteen years, about 1874 he settled in Pepin county, buying land in Lima township, where he was subsequently engaged in farming until his death, January 28, 1892. His wife is still living and now makes her home with her son Charles. Charles K. Fleishauer was the youngest in a family of fourteen children. He attended district school in Lima township and subsequently took a

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short course in agriculture at Madison, Wis. He was 13 years old when his father died, and at the age of 16 he was taking care of his mother, as well as earning his own living, managing the home farm in Lima township. In 1901 they moved to Waterville township, where he operated the old Plummer farm, being for two years a partner with his brother Ernest. Then selling that place he came to his present farm, where he has 120 acres of valuable land, which he operates as a general stock farm, breeding up in Guernsey cattle and other good stock. He is also financially inter- ested in the creamery and the telephone company, having formerly served for six years as manager of the Waterville Co-operative Creamery. In politics he is a Republican and has served as clerk of his school district. Mr. Fleishauer was married August 6, 1903, to Grace Wood, who was born at Saxville, Waushara county, Wis., daughter of Warren A. and Ella (Mc- Auley) Wood. Her parents, both natives of Wisconsin, and the father in early life a farmer, located in Mondovi, Buffalo county, where he later engaged in the marble and monument business, continuing in it until 1916. He then engaged in mercantile business at Mondovi, which he later sold and is now living in retirement. His wife died in Mondovi a number of years ago. Mrs. Fleishauer was the eldest of their four children. She attended school in Mondovi, Buffalo county, and previous to her marriage was engaged in teaching in both Buffalo and Pepin counties. The home life of Mr. and Mrs. Fleishauer has been perfected by the birth of three children, Wayne Ralph, Galen and Ella Irene. Mr. Fleishauer is a member of the Masonic lodge at Durand and of the Beavers at Arkansaw. An energetic, enterprising man in the prime of life, he has already accom- plished much and is increasing in prosperity from year to year.

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History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2), Part 29

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

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