History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2), Part 32

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 32
USA > Wisconsin > Pepin County > History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2) > Part 32

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).

Justin M. Landwehr, publisher of the Buffalo County Republikaner, at Fountain City, was born July 20, 1885, at Fountain City, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Landwehr. Frank Landwehr was born in Germany and came to this country in 1872, to Galena, Ill., later he moved to Bellevue, Iowa, where he was married to Emma Herdeg, on Oct. 29, 1878. In 1884 they moved to Fountain City, where he has conducted a barber shop since that time. Justin Landwehr attended the Catholic and public schools in Foun- tain City up to the year 1900, when he took employment at the printing office of the Republikaner, at that time published by Emil Wittzack. He was in the employment of Mr. Wittzack for 10 years, and on June 8, 1910, bought him out. In politics, Mr. Landwehr is a Democrat. The family faith is that of the Catholic church.

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WILLIAM T. PLUMMER

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John Buehler, a pioneer, to whose efforts were largely due the crea- tion of Buffalo county, was born in Switzerland, and came to Wisconsin in 1850. From Grant county, he shortly afterward came to what is now Buffalo county, and was one of the prime movers in the work which resulted in the formation of the county. When the county was organized he was elected first sheriff, receiving the entire eighteen votes cast. He was twice thereafter re-elected, and in 1890 was elected county treasurer. He built the first grist mill at Fountain City about 1857, moved to Alma in 1872, kept the Sherman House for many years, and died at Fountain City in 1904. His wife, Mary Veraguth was likewise born in Switzerland, and came to Wisconsin in 1855.

Theodore Buehler, dean of the Buffalo County bar, was born at Foun- tain City, Oct. 23, 1857, son of John and Mary (Veraguth) Buehler, the pioneers. He received a common school education, taught a district school in 1872 and 1874, then went to Eau Claire, Wis., and read law in the offices of Ellis & Moser, and Meggett & Teall. He returned to Buffalo county in 1877, did clerical work in the office of Conrad Moser, was admitted to the bar in 1878, and has practiced law at Alma ever since. He was elected district attorney in 1881, and again served from 1909 to 1916. From 1893 to 1897 he was postmaster at Alma. He is a member of numerous organ- izations, and has been active in the various war work of the past two years. In politics he is a Democrat. He was married Jan. 19, 1880, to Julia Kneer, who was born Dec. 18, 1858, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mat- thias Kneer, who for many years conducted the Kneer House at Eau Claire. Mr. and Mrs. Buehler have seven children.

William T. Plummer, a well to do farmer, residing in section 23, Durand township, was born in Salem, Mass., August 7, 1856, son of William K. and Harriet (Taylor) Plummer. His parents were both born in the eastern part of New Hampshire, the father Aug. 12, 1826, and the mother April 10, 1830. The former became a dentist, which profession he fol- lowed for some time in the eastern states, coming to Wisconsin in June, 1857, and locating on Skinner Prairie, just north of Durand. Here he con- tinued to practice dentistry, but also purchased a small farm, which he operated until his death in August, 1860. He and his wife, Harriet, were the parents of three children: Mary, who became the wife of M. Clem- enceaux, the present premier of France; Susie K., who died in 1893, and William T. Some time after her husband's death Mrs. Harriet Plummer married for her second husband, L. G. Wood, by whom she had two chil- dren: Harry, born at Wood's Corners, in Durand township, Jan. 24, 1868, who is now cashier of the First National Bank of Warren, Minn., and Hat- tie, who is deceased. The mother of these children, after residing in Pepin county until 1881, removed to Warren, Minn., where she died in 1905. William T. Plummer, who was the youngest of his father's three children, attended school in Durand until he was ten years of age, and then became a pupil in the Wood school, afterwards attending Gale University, at Gales- ville, Wis. At the age of 17 years he began earning his own living work- ing for others, and was thus engaged until his marriage in 1879, at which time he began farming on his own account, operating land on shares for

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about 11 years. He then bought what was known as the old Stewart farm, which he operated for 15 years, at the end of that time moving to his present place. The Stewart farm he sold two years later. At his present location he has 68 acres of valuable land on which he is carrying on general farming, having a well equipped place both with respect to buildings and machinery. Mr. Plummer is also a stockholder in the Home Telephone Company and owns city property in Durand, both residence property and vacant lots. He has made money by hard work and has invested it wisely, being now recognized as one of the prosperous citizens of his township. In addition to the above mentioned interests he is now serving in his eleventh year as a director in the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Com- pany. He has also had experience as a public official, having formerly for a number of years been a member of the township board and a director on the school board of his district. In politics he is a Republican. On April 2, 1879, Mr. Plummer was united in marriage with Gertrude Van Hoesen, daughter of John and Jeanette (James) Van Hoesen. Her par- ents were natives of New York State and came to Pepin county in the spring of 1867, settling on land that is now a part of Mr. Plummer's farm. Here Mr. Van Hoesen died in 1885 and his wife in September, 1901. They had two children, of whom their daughter Gertrude, was the younger. The other, Ella, died at Joplin, Mo., in March, 1918. Mr. and Mrs. Plum- mer have one child, Mary F., who is now the wife of William Van Hoesen, and resides on a farm in Durand township. She has two children, Marcel and Evelyn. Mr. Plummer is a member of several fraternal societies, in- cluding the Odd Fellows, Modern Woodmen of America and Beavers, in the last mentioned order belonging to the Worthy Council. Mrs. Plummer is a member of the Beavers and of the Red Cross society.

Samuel Lane Plummer, formerly county judge of Pepin county, and one of its leading business men and agriculturists, was born at New Hamp- ton, N. H., March 5, 1828, son of Samuel and Lydia Plummer. His school- ing was limited, and when 16 years of age he began to learn the carpen- ter's trade. A year later he went to Massachusetts, working in Lowell, Lawrence and Boston until he was 20 years of age, when he sailed for New Orleans, earning his passage by mending sails during the voyage. A year later he went up the Mississippi river to Cairo, and thence on foot 600 miles to Beloit, Wis., where he arrived in 1849. The next year he returned to Massachusetts, renewing his acquaintance with Eunice Craig Belknap, and two years later she joined him in southern Wisconsin, and they were married at Spring Grove, Green county, May 29, 1852. She was born March 10, 1825, at Barnston, East Canada, and was the second child of Mitchel Belknap and Elsie Chartley Mosher, natives of New Hampshire, who had a family of 18 children. After residing several years at Spring Grove, Mr. and Mrs. Plummer removed in 1855 to Bear Creek Valley and soon after to the village of Durand. Mr. Plummer built a saw mill on Bear Creek, which was the first frame building erected in the valley. In 1861 he purchased of the Hon. M. D. Bartlett a farm on Dead Lake Prairie, Waterville township, to which he removed, operating it until 1890, when he took up his residence in the village of Arkansaw. He had already iden-

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tified himself with the business life of the village, having in 1882 opened a general merchandise store there, which, with his sons, he conducted up to the time of his death. Mr. Plummer was elected county judge of Pepin county, in 1861, and held that office for 20 years. In 1874 he represented Dunn and Pepin counties in the legislature. He was chairman of the town of Waterville for over 20 years, during much of which time he was chair- man of the county board. His integrity and ability were widely known and he held many positions of trust and responsibility. At three o'clock on Sunday morning, March 21, 1897, Judge Plummer died at his home in Arkansaw, surrounded by his entire family. He was one of the oldest as well as one of the most prominent settlers of the county and was held in high esteem by all classes of citizens. His wife and eight children sur- vived him, the latter being Samuel F., Frank S., David, Arthur S., Mary H. (Mrs. Walter Anderson), William E., Carrie A. (Mrs. B. L. Milliren), and Lane L. One daughter, Lillian E., who was the wife of Frank L. Rounds, died June 22, 1892. Mrs. Eunice C. Belknap Plummer continued to reside at her home in Arkansaw until Feb. 23, 1900, when she passed from life's scenes to rejoin her husband. A consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, she was a prayerful and godly woman, and an exemplary wife and mother, who had made her life a blessing by counsel and example to her children and grandchildren. In seeing all her children well settled in life she had realized her chief earthly desire and the final summons found her fully prepared. Comforted by their presence in her final moments, and by faith in her Redeemer, she entered upon her heavenly reward.

Frank S. Plummer, for a number of years a highly esteemed citizen of Waterville township, Pepin county, where, until his death, March 21, 1914, he was engaged in agricultural pursuits, was born at Broadhead, Green county, Wis., Oct. 30, 1854, son of Samuel L. and Eunice C. (Belknap) Plummer. His parents locating in Waterville township, Pepin county, in 1861, he attended district school here and at an early age began working out. When 17 years old he became connected with the logging industry being employed in the woods in winter and on the river in spring, and con- tinued to be thus occupied, with intervals of farm work, until his marriage in 1888. Then settling on a farm in Waterville township, he operated it for nine years, subsequently farmed at another location for a short time, then resided three months in Arkansaw village, and finally took the farm in section 35, Waterville township, on which his widow now resides. It consists of 160 acres, with 118 more separated from the main body by Dead Lake. On this property he made many improvements, carrying on general farming with profitable results, and was recognized as one of Waterville township's progressive and reliable citizens. He was one of the first stock- holders in the telephone company, but later sold his interests in that con- cern. At the time of his death he was a member of the county board, and had served on the school board for a number of years. In politics he was a Republican, while his fraternal connections were with the Odd Fellows. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His tastes were strongly domestic and he found his greatest pleasure in the society of his wife and children. Frank S. Plummer was married, Sept. 9, 1888, to

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Lillian R. Tawye, who was born near Glencoe, McLeod county, Minn., daughter of Joseph L. and Rosabel (Demo) Tawye. Their domestic life was perfected by the birth of four children, Lillie C., Nettie R., Frank H. and William E. Lillie C. is now the wife of Harry W. Barton, a farmer of Wabasha county, Minn .; Nettie R., who is engaged in the dressmaking business in Durand married Ralph H. Kriss; Frank H., enlisted in the army July 12, 1917, and is now in service. William E., who married Agnes Brukner, of Durand, was in the employ of Richard Walters, of that place, until he joined the United States army in France. Since her husband's death Mrs. Plummer has resided on the home farm, but expects at no dis- tant date to dispose of the property and retire to some other location.

Joseph Tawye, Sr., in former days a well known and respected citizen of Waterville township, but now passed away, was born at St. John, Can- ada, March 12, 1834. With his parents he moved to Massachusetts, when eleven years old, a few years later to Vermont, and in 1852 to the state of New York. At Dickinson, that state, he was married, Dec. 31, 1853, to Rosabel Demo, who was born at North Ero, Grand Isle county, Vermont, May 29, 1833, and who moved to Franklin county, New York, in 1852. In 1866 Mr. and Mrs. Tawye came west to Minnesota, settling near Glencoe, McLeod county, but after a stay there of two years they came to a home near Arkansaw, then removed to Pepin, where they lived five years, return- ing to the town of Waterville in 1880. Here Mr. Tawye resided until his death, at the age of 71 years, April 26, 1905. He was an unusually kind husband and father, a man of excellent habits, a good neighbor and an honest, patriotic citizen. He was also one of those brave men who risked their lives to save the union of the states, enlisting Aug. 27, 1862, in the Volunteer Infantry of New York, and being honorably discharged June 3, 1863. During the dark days of 1864, when the fate of the nation seemed to hang in the balance, he enlisted in the Sixth New York Heavy Artillery, and served until the end of the war. At his funeral the G. A. R. veterans formed the guard of honor and laid his remains to rest in the Arkansaw cemetery with many tears. His wife, Rosabel, survived him until Aug. 3, 1913, when on Sunday morning she passed away at her home in Arkansaw, aged 80 years, two months and two days. Eight children survived their aged mother, namely, Henry, Windfield, Josettie, Joseph, Willie, Lillie, Andrew and Rose.

Lewis C. Schrader, proprietor of a very productive farm of 160 acres in Waubeek township, Pepin county, was born in Jefferson county, Wiscon- sin, Dec. 31, 1861, son of William and Amelia (Strese) Schrader. Both parents were born in Prussia, Germany, the father Sept. 24, 1830, and the mother in 1839. In 1866 they settled on a farm in Waterville township, Pepin county, and after living for a number of years a life of contented and honest industry, they both passed to their final rest. Their family was large, numbering 11 children, of whom Lewis C. was the second in order of birth. The others were: Etta, August, Paulina, William, Matilda, Amelia, Margaret, Clara, Albert and Edward. Lewis C. Schrader attended district school in Waterville township. He began working out for neigh- boring farmers when 16 years old and at the age of 27 years bought the

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MR. AND MRS. PHILLIP SCHECKEL MR. AND MRS. LEWIS C. SCHRADER MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM SCHRADER

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place where he now lives. The place was then covered with timber which he has cleared off by his own efforts. His farm is now under good cultiva- tion and is yielding satisfactory financial returns. Mr. Schrader is a Catho- lic in religion and attends the church of that faith at Eau Galle. In politics a Republican, he has been a member of the Waubeek town board for sev- eral years. On Dec. 26, 1889, Mr. Schrader was united in marriage with Margaret Scheckel, daughter of Phillip and Margaret (White) Scheckel. Mr. and Mrs. Schrader have four children: Mary Idell, Charles Phillip, Jacob Paul and Ida Pearl. Mary Idell married Wesley Burke, a farmer in Eau Galle township, Dunn county, and they have three children, Margaret, Geraldine and Joseph Darrell. Charles Phillip, whose home is at Rhine- lander, Wis., is now in the United States service. He married Irene Peterson.

Phillip Scheckel, pioneer steamboat captain on the Chippewa river, and for a number of years one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Waubeek township, Pepin county, was born in Luxemburg, Nov. 15, 1834. While still a boy he lost his father, who was killed in a runaway accident. As he grew older he heard about America, which he came to realize was a land of superior opportunities for the industrious and ambitious. The facts he learned made him resolve to seek his fortune here and he freely expressed this intention. His mother sought to discour- age this ambition and one day jokingly offered him money to make the journey. To her surprise he accepted it and embarked for America. Mr. Scheckel reached Dubuque, Iowa, where he had a cousin, in the spring of 1855. In October of that year he came up the river to this section, which was then a mere wilderness, the site of the present city of Durand being a swamp. In speaking of those early conditions Mr. Scheckel remarked: "If anybody had told me this land would some day amount to something, or a city be built on it, I wouldn't have believed it. But as years went by the land was drained, a site platted, and the old town moved down from the mouth of Bear Creek. The change has surely been a wonderful one." In the fall of 1855 Mr. Scheckel looked over this section, went to Eau Claire and then to Menominie, where he entered the employ of Knapp, Stout & Co. He stayed, however, but two days, and then journeyed to Hudson and back to Beef Slough, spending the winter chopping wood in the bot- toms near Alma. In the spring of 1856 he was hired by Carson & Rand, for whom he worked until 1857, and then again entered the employ of Knapp, Stout & Co. That winter was spent in the pineries and the next

spring Mr. Scheckel hired out to C. C. Washburn, afterwards senator, who had a sawmill in Waubeek and stayed with him seven years, during which time he became a pilot on one of Mr. Washburn's boats. In the winter, with four yoke of oxen and teams, he built bridges over creeks to facilitate travel to the pineries. During those years he had many interesting experi- ences, occasionally pleasant, but often otherwise. In 1861 the Waubeek boom broke and the men in camp at Menominee went on a strike because they had no molasses, but a compromise was effected and they returned to work on being promised fried cakes. In 1864 Mr. Scheckel again hired out to Knapp, Stout & Co. and remained in their employ for a period of

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36 years. The last raft of the company was towed down the river by him in 1892 to Reed's Landing. In 1870 he made a successful entry into poli- tics, being elected county treasurer by a majority of 237 in a strongly Republican election. In Stockholm they called him Scheckelson, many believing he was a Scandinavian. After 1857 and until his death, Sept. 24, 1910, Captain Scheckel-to give him the name by which he was usually known-resided in Waubeek. During his long and active career, which in earlier days was full of adventure, he showed himself a resourceful and enterprising man. He was the first to build brush wing dams to aid navi- gation, but an invention he did not patent, and which might have made him rich, was the jinny-pole for holding rafts together. This proved very useful. In 1861 he built the boat called the "Golden Star," which he sold in 1863 to Capt. Herman. Among the early river boats was the "Phil Scheckel," named after the Captain, which not so many years ago was still in service, being used, however, in ocean transportation work off the coast of Florida by the Standard Oil Company. In 1866 Captain Scheckel was united in marriage with Margartha White, who died in 1904. This union was blessed by seven children : Mary, now Mrs. Henry Manore, of Durand; Margaret, now Mrs. L. C. Schrader; Charles; Jessie, wife of Ed Taylor, of Arkansaw; Anna, who married Fred Mans, of Eau Galle, Dunn county ; Ida, who is deceased, and Catherine.

The Weber Brothers, Frank, Jr., and Henry, are among the enterpris- ing and successful young farmers and stock raisers of Albany township, Pepin county, their farm of 320 acres being located in section 28. They are sons of Frank, Sr., and Mary (Bauer) Weber, the date of Frank junior's nativity being June 21, 1892, and that of Henry, March 16, 1894. The father, Frank Weber, Sr., was born in Austria, in 1864, and was there educated, being reared by his grandmother until the age of 14. When 17 years old he came to America, and although unable to speak English, soon found employment working for others and in the woods at lumbering. He later engaged in farming and is now operating 288 acres in section 31, Lima township. His wife, Mary Bauer Weber, was born in Austria, daughter of John and Sophia (Komro) Bauer. Her parents came to America about 1884, settling on a farm in Lima township, this county. Her father is still living, but her mother died about 1905. Frank Weber, Jr., and his brother Henry, were both born in Lima township, and attended school here in their youth. They received a good training in agricultural methods and are both thoroughly practical farmers. On October 27, 1914, Frank Weber mar- ried Amelia Weisenbeck, and then he and his brother began farming on their present place, which they had purchased together. The farm con- sists of 320 acres of valuable land, with good substantial buildings, and they are operating it as a general stock farm, breeding up in Durham cat- tle and also raising sheep and hogs. On June 6, 1917, Henry Weber was united in marriage with Mary Weisenbeck, a sister of his brother's wife, and the two families occupy the same residence. The Weisenbeck sisters were born in Burnside Valley, Buffalo county, and are daughters of Michael and Anna (Fidi) Weisenbeck, the father being a native of Germany and the mother of Lima township, this county. Michael Weisenbeck is now

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THEODORE OLSON AND FAMILY

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operating a large farm in Buffalo county and is a stockholder in the Burn- side Creamery. The two daughters, Amelia and Mary, were the two eldest children in a family of 13, Amelia being the first born. One child, Marion Anna, has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Frank Weber, Jr. The two families belong to the Catholic church at Mondovi.

Theodore Olson, proprietor of an excellent farm of 220 acres in sec- tion 20, Frankfort township, Pepin county, is a good representative of the self-made man, owing nothing to any initial advantages of fortune, but enjoying solely the reward of his own industry. He was born in Frank- fort township, this county, Feb. 12, 1873, son of Ole and Christina (Ander- son) Olson. The parents were born in Sweden, the father in 1839. Settling in Frankfort township, they here engaged in farming. In 1881 the father died, the mother having passed away several years before, and Theodore was left an orphan at the age of seven years. His subsequent years up to the age of 14 were spent with relatives in Minnesota, and he then began working away from home. He was employed on farms in Illinois and after- wards went to Chicago, where he worked for the Standard Oil Company. Since he returned to Pepin county in 1898, he has been engaged in agri- cultural pursuits at his present location. His farm of 220 acres is well improved, being provided with modern buildings and up-to-date machinery, and he is operating it as a stock farm, breeding Hereford cattle. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers' Telephone Company. Independent in politics, he is a member of the town and school boards, on both which he has performed useful service, and he is a member of the Lutheran church at Little Plum, Frankfort township. Mr. Olson was married, Nov. 27, 1900, to Hannah Ericson, who was born in this township, daughter of Erick and Brita Ericson, her parents being farmers and natives of Sweden. She was educated at the Little Plum school in Frankfort township. Mr. and Mrs. Olson are the parents of three children: Marvel Christina, is at- tending the high school of Pepin; John Clifford and Theodore Franklin, all residing at home, and who give bright promise of future usefulness in whatever station of life they may occupy. Thirty-six years have elapsed since Mr. Olson was left an orphan child, but during that period he has climbed steadily upward until he now occupies an independent position in life, and is one of the leading men of the community in which he resides. His record shows the value of self-help and may well be imitated by the youth of the present generation.

William Maxwell, who is now living practically retired near the vil- lage of Arkansaw, Waterville township, Pepin county, was an early settler in this county, having arrived here half a century ago. He was born at Hemmingford, in the province of Quebec, Canada, June 11, 1841, son of William and Isabella (Flood) Maxwell. The parents were both natives of County Donegal, Ireland, in which country they were married. Soon after- wards they emigrated to Canada, where the father engaged in farming. At a later period he removed to Irondale, Upper Canada, where the rest of his life was spent. Previous to his removal his first wife, Isabella, had died, and he subsequently contracted a second marriage. There were four children born of the first union, of whom the subject of this memoir was

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History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2), Part 32

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

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