History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2), Part 34

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 34
USA > Wisconsin > Pepin County > History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2) > Part 34

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1, 1874, and grew up :hool and at the State r's store and later be v the George Tarraas eneral manager. The ve his country in one he civil service as a

MR. AND MRS. CHARLES PETERSON

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Y. M. C. A. worker at New York City, about July 1 and, soon was on his way to France, where he and his co-workers have spent their time minis- tering to the welfare of the men in military service. This is Mr. Tarrant's third voyage and visit to continental Europe.

John McMahon, an elderly, but still active agriculturist, who is engaged in operating the homestead in section 3, Frankfort township, on which he settled, March 25, 1884, was born in Franklin county, New York, May 25, 1846. His parents were John and Sarah (Banningor) McMahon, natives of Quebec, Canada, who moved from that province to New York State, where they lived for seven years. Subsequently returning to Canada, they were engaged in farming in that country until their retirement and removal to Montreal, in which city they died. They had four children, of which John, the subject of this sketch, was the third in order of birth. John McMahon, second of the name and subject of this sketch, attended school in Franklin county, New York, and St. Lawrence county, Canada. At 14 years of age he worked in logging camps in Canada. He was 19 when he came to Wisconsin and began working in lumber mills and on the Chippewa River. He was also employed for 12 years on the boom at Round Hill. After some years spent in this kind of work he began the inde- pendent life of a farmer on his present place, which he has never since left. Here he has 164 acres of good land, on which he does general farming, and in spite of his age (71 years) is still able to do a good day's work, enjoying very good health. With a sound constitution and such active exercise as he indulges in in the open air, he may still look forward to some years of useful activity on the farm. He is doing a prosperous business and getting his share of the benefits arising from the present strong demand for all farm products and the high prices for such now prevailing. His political principles are those of the Republican party. Mr. McMahon was married March 25, 1869, to Evangeline Bowman, whose father was Nicholas Bow- man, and who was educated in Frankfort township, this county. Mrs. McMahon, like her husband, is still strong and active, and expert in attend- ing to her household duties, and together they are quite able to hold their own with most of the younger generation. They have had four children, all sons-Earl D., John, Nathan and Walter. Earl D., who was a farmer, died June 5, 1904. John married Winifred Eeds, of St. Paul. Nathan, in partnership with Walter Bowman, is conducting a well drilling outfit at Durand. He married June Barton and has two children-Tina and Ray- mond. Walter, who married Mary Kirk, is now in the United States ser- vice.

Frank Keys, a well-known and popular citizen of Waterville township, Pepin county, where he is operating a good farm of 80 acres, was born in Bethel, Maine, Nov. 11, 1863, son of John and Martha Ellen (Macumber) Keys. Both parents are now deceased. The mother, who was a native of Nova Scotia, in 1869 removed to Vermont, and two years later contracted a second marriage, becoming the wife of C. W. Hill, with whom she came west about 1878, locating in Pierce county, Wisconsin. After living there four years they returned east and resided two years in Connecticut, and then settled in Boyd, Chippewa county, Wisconsin, where Mr. Hill followed

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the blacksmith's trade for four years. Later he moved to Elmwood, Wis- consin, where he died in 1913. He had been previously married to Elvira Whitney, who died in 1872. His second wife, Mrs. Martha Ellen Hill, died in Waterville township, on the farm of her son, Frank Keys, in 1908. Frank Keys, who was his parents' only child, attended school in both Ver- mont and Connecticut, and also, after coming west, in Waterville town- ship, Pepin county. He began working out when 12 years old, the first three years for his board and clothes, after which he was paid in addition six dollars a month. When 16 or 17 years of age he went back to Con- necticut, where he remained two years. When he returned to Wisconsin he located in Boyd, Chippewa county, remained two years there and then entered the employ of C. D. Hawn, of Rock Elm Center, for whom he worked eight years. At the end of that time he bought a farm in Water- ville township, which he operated, also working for others at intervals, until 1892, when he bought his present farm, which was partially im- proved. He continued the improvements, clearing the land and erecting buildings until he had developed his tract of 80 acres into his present well cultivated farm. He is also a stockholder in the Waterville Creamery Company, the Telephone Company and the Woodman Hall Company. He belongs to the camp of Modern Woodmen of America at Arkansaw. In politics he is independent, and has served as school clerk two terms. Mr. Keys was married, June 12, 1892, to Alvira Hewitt, who was born at Nel- son, Buffalo county, Wisconsin, daughter of Luther and Mary (Leavitt) Hewitt. He and his wife are the parents of four children-Clair, who mar- ried Clara Hubbell, a native of Wittenberg, Wisconsin, and who was drafted into the United States army in the spring of 1917; and Nina Bernice, Donald and Herbert, who are residing at home.

Luther Hewitt, a pioneer settler of Buffalo county, Wisconsin, now deceased, was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, June 9, 1824. In early life he was employed on the Erie Canal, owning a boat which he operated until 1850. He then emigrated to Marquette county, Wisconsin, where he lived three years, working for others, after which he came to Buffalo county. Here, besides farming, he operated a flat-boat on Beef Slough across the Mississippi river and was thus engaged for a number of years. His death took place Oct. 14, 1892. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Leavitt and who was born at Crown Point, Essex County, N. Y., Feb. 20, 1829, survived him a number of years, passing away Nov. 7, 1914. Mr. Hewitt was a prominent man in his locality and a member of the school board of his district. He and his wife had a family of ten children, of whom Alvira (Mrs. Frank Keys), was the youngest. She was educated in a school at Cascade. Buffalo county.

Louis Gueldner, who is engaged in agriculture and stock raising on a good farm of 160 acres in sections 31 and 32, Albany township, Pepin county, was born in this township, July 23, 1865, son of John S. and Alvena (Guessner) Gueldner. He acquired his education in an old log schoolhouse in this township, and after his mother's death, which occurred in 1869, resided with his father until 21 years of age. He then rented the home farm for two years and at the end of that time purchased his present farm,

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vater he moved to Elmwood, Wi- Jeen previously married to Eva wife, Mrs. Martha Ellen Hil, to: her son, Frank Keys, in 1% lild, attended school in both Va- ming west, in Watervile tor: ut when 12 years old, the fis r which he was paid in additir 's of age he went back to Co- When he returned to Wisconse tined two years there and the ock Elm Center, for whom he le he bought a farm in Water- rking for others at interak irm, which was partially is learing the land and erecting 80 acres into his present vel in the Waterville Creamery Voodman Hall Company. He : America at Arkansaw. l school clerk two terms. No. ewitt, who was born at Ne Luther and Mary (Leavitt) r children-Clair, who mar- Wisconsin, and who w spring of 1917; and Nima : at home.

lo county, Wisconsin, DOT a, June 9, 1824. In early a boat which he operated inty, Wisconsin, where be hich he came to Bufal flat-boat on Beef Slough d for a number of years whose maiden name was ssex County, N. Y., Feb. away Nov. 7, 1914. Mr. a member of the school nily of ten children, df :. She was educated in

and stock raising on bany township, Pepin of John S. and Alvens an old log schoolhouse ich occurred in 1869, hen rented the home sed his present farm,

MR. AND MRS. LOUIS GUELDNER

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consisting of 160 acres of valuable land on which he raises both crops and stock, doing a paying business. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers' Creamery at Mondovi and the Equity Elevator there, having also other financial interests. His church is the German Lutheran, while in politics he is independent. He was elected and served as supervisor when 29 years of age, and was township chairman for three years, though never disposed to seek public office. Mr. Gueldner was married in April, 1891, to Clara Dreyser, who was born in Saxony, Germany, March 13, 1868, daughter of Richard and Dora (Kreyer) Dreyser, both parents being natives of Ger- many. There the father died, and the surviving members of the family came to America in April, 1890, settling on a farm in Lima township, this county, where Mrs. Dreyser died eleven years later. Mr. and Mrs. Gueld- ner have no living children. They are well known people in Albany town- ship and are popular among a large acquaintance.

John S. Gueldner, an early settler in Albany township, Pepin county, but now deceased, was born in Saxony, Germany, March 27, 1836. At the age of 26 years he came to the United States and located at Portage, Wis- consin, where he remained three years working for others. On landing in this country he could not speak English, but subsequently acquired the ability to speak and understand it. From Portage he came to Albany township, Pepin county, and settled on a farm adjoining that now occupied by his son, Louis, in section 31. There he took up his residence in a small log building and began to develop a farm. For the first two years he had to work out to earn a living, improving his land as he found opportunity, and that his time was fully occupied is evidenced from the fact that he had to walk nine miles to his work. As a pedestrian, however, he had few equals, and used to walk to Eau Claire and back even after reaching the age of 68 years. Penmanship was another accomplishment in which he excelled, writing a very fine hand. A member of the Methodist Episcopal church, he took a warm interest in educational and religious work, and in early days was for some time chairman of the township board and town treasurer for fifteen years. When the Civil war drafts were made he was excused from service on account of poor health. He lived to the age of over 75 years, however, passing away Nov. 20, 1911. Mr. Gueldner was married in Albany township, Pepin county, Wisconsin, to Alvena Guessner, who, like himself, was born in Saxony, Germany. She died many years before him, in 1869. They were the parents of five children, of whom their son, Louis, was the third in order of birth.

Arthur S. Plummer, a well-to-do farmer of Waterville township, Pepin county, was born in Durand township, this county, Dec. 25, 1857, being a Christmas gift to his parents, Samuel L. and Eunice C. (Belknap) Plum- mer. The father, for many years county judge of Pepin county, was a man who had an interesting history, elsewhere narrated in this volume. Arthur S. Plummer began his school days in the Marble district, Waterville town- ship, and later attended the Plummer school in Waterville township. He resided at home until reaching the age of 22 years and then went to North Dakota, where for awhile he was engaged in threshing and other agricul- tural occupations, to which he had served an apprenticeship on his father's

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farm. Having no notion of working for others all his life, however, he only awaited a favorable opportunity of beginning an independent career, and accordingly, in 1888, he purchased his present farm of 120 acres in section 35, Waterville township, where he has since made steady strides on the road to fortune, following general farming. His land is productive and his build- ings and equipment up to date, presenting a neat and thriving appearance- an index to the character of the owner, who inherited from his parents the qualities that make for success. Mr. Plummer devotes all his working hours to his farm, but is also a stockholder in the Arkansaw Creamery. In his political principles he is a Republican with independent proclivities, and although not ambitious of public distinction, he has performed useful ser- vice in local office, having been clerk of the school board one term, treas- urer of the school district three terms and overseer of highways six terms. Mr. Plummer was united in marriage, Dec. 23, 1897, to Anna Kuhn, who was born in Durand, this county, daughter of Jacob and Caroline (Miller) Kuhn. Her father was a native of Germany, who came to this country when a young man at a date not long subsequent to the close of the Civil war and followed the trade of stone mason in Durand, Nelson and other places in this part of Wisconsin, also for a year or two carrying on business as a lime burner at Durand. He died in Misha Mokwa, about 1912, having been the father of ten children, of whom Anna was the ninth born. The latter's mother died in Durand about 1877, Mr. Kuhn subsequently contracting a second marriage, by which union there were thirteen children. Mr. and Mrs. Plummer are the parents of three children-Thelma I., who was grad- uated from the Plummer school at the age of 13 years, in the class of 1917, and is now attending the high school at Arkansaw, and Vera P. and George F., all residing at home. Mr. and Mrs. Plummer also reared a boy, Leroy A., who takes the surname of Plummer, and who is at present in Minnesota, though making his foster parents' residence his home. The subject of this sketch and his wife belong to the Society of Beavers at Arkansaw. They are popular among a wide acquaintance in Waterville township and the vicinity.

Alvin Holstein, proprietor of a fine farm of 240 acres in section 20, Albany township, was born in Saxony, Germany, Jan. 3, 1873, son of Charles and Louisa (Dreyssee) Holstein. His parents were natives of the same German state and came to this country in 1873, locating in La Crosse county, Wisconsin, where they resided two years. They then removed to the farm now owned by their son, Alvin, where the father died in 1908 and the mother in 1900. They were worthy, industrious people who had the respect of their neighbors, though Charles Holstein never held public office. As a cultivator of the soil, however, he performed useful work and helped to develop the agricultural resources of the township. Alvin Holstein was the fourth born of his parents' children, of whom there were five. He resided with his parents until he was 26 years old and from the early age of 15 was the practical manager of the farm. After his marriage in 1912 he rented the place, which became his property on his father's death, when he bought the interests of the other heirs. He has 240 acres of valuable land, and is doing general farming on a profitable basis, also owning stock in the La

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O AND PEPIN COUNTIES

for others all his life, however, lex beginning an independent career. z 's present farm of 120 acres in secs ; since made steady strides on the His land is productive and his tos ting a neat and thriving appearas- :, who inherited from his parees ? lummer devotes all his working is: in the Arkansaw Creamery. hs with independent proclivities 2 iction, he has performed usefaie f the school board one term, 5% nd overseer of highways sir tas c. 23, 1897, to Anna Kuhn, who m Jacob and Caroline (Miller) Kit who came to this country wher: t to the close of the Civil wE. irand, Nelson and other places ! wo carrying on business as s' cwa, about 1912, having ben3 as the ninth born. The kcz: Kuhn subsequently contractag : 'ere thirteen children. Mr. s. dren-Thelma I., who was ps of 13 years, in the class of !" ansaw, and Vera P. and Garp mmer also reared a boy, Let who is at present in Mindest his home. The subject of # Beavers at Arkansas. Dx Waterville township and#

n of 240 acres in section * y, Jan. 3, 1873, son of Charte ts were natives of the sure 1873, locating in La Crase ars. They then removed : the father died in 1908 Ex strious people who had tein never held public atie. d useful work and helped 3 ip. Alvin Holstein was ty iere were five. He resides om the early age of 15ml carriage in 1912 he rezas r's death, when he boup's es of valuable land, and'> owning stock in the L

MR. AND MRS. ALVIN HOLSTEIN-MR. AND MRS. CARL HOLSTEIN

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Crosse Packing Company. He is independent in politics; served as con- stable one term, and is a member of the Lutheran church. On Sept. 25, 1912, he was united in marriage to Mary Komro, daughter of Joseph and Christine (Risler) Komro. Her parents were natives of Austria, the father born March 19, 1862, and the mother Sept. 18, 1871. The former came to America when a lad of 17 years, bought land in Lima township, this county, and engaged in farming. He still resides in that township and is actively engaged, his wife also surviving. In girlhood she attended the Fall Creek schoolhouse in Lima township, walking two miles to the school in all kinds . of weather. Mr. and Mrs. Holstein have had five children-William Martin, Leona Renada, Norma Bertha, who died in infancy, Ethel and Josephine Elsie. The living children are residing at home.

Christian Rageth, who is now living retired on his farm of 100 acres in section 20, Frankfort township, Pepin county, was born in Switzerland in 1857. While a young child, in 1861, he accompanied his parents to Buffalo county, Wisconsin, where as he grew up he engaged in farming, remaining there for a number of years. Later he moved to Bogus Creek Valley, Pepin township, Pepin county, and from the latter place to the farm he now owns in Frankfort township, which he cleared and improved, putting up new buildings. He was married in 1880 to Anna Mathis, who was born in Galena, Illinois, in 1863, and who died in 1912. Their children were: Emil, now engaged in managing the home farm for his father; George, who mar- ried Elda White and lives at Elmwood, Pierce county, Wisconsin; Peter, a farmer in Frankfort township, who married Ellen Bishop; Edwin, who mar- ried Kittie White and is a farmer in Pepin county; and Adolph and Ben- jamin, who are members of the machine-gun company attached to the .Sixth Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry.

Emil Rageth, who is engaged in managing the Christian Rageth farm in section 20, Frankfort township, Pepin county, was born in Pepin town- ship, Pepin county, Nov. 2, 1883, son of Christian and Anna (Mathis) Rageth. He was educated in the district school in Frankfort, this township, and was brought up to agricultural pursuits on the home farm, which he has managed since his father's retirement. He keeps Holstein cattle, with other good stock, and the well improved place presents an appearance of neatness and thrift that show him to be a master of the business in which he is engaged, and which in these strenuous times yields good financial returns to the industrious.

Rev. Welcome S. York, who died at his home in Durand, Wis., was for many years a prominent citizen of Pepin county, as a minister of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, taking an active and efficient part in its religious development, and also for a number of years being engaged in agriculture. He was born in Allegheny county, New York, January 15, 1845. In early life he worked as a lumberman in an eastern state. Then, about sixteen months before the close of the Civil War, he enlisted as a private in Com- pany A, 85th New York Volunteers, and served to the close of the war. He took part in several battles and, though never wounded, was confined in a hospital for some time on account of fever. On his honorable discharge from the service he came to Frankfort township, Pepin county, Wisconsin,

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and took a homestead on which he engaged in farming, his first dwelling on it being a log house. In 1884 he was ordained as a minister of the Metho- dist Episcopal church and was subsequently active in the ministry until about one year before his death, Oct. 30, 1915, and up to the close of his life officiated at a proportion of the funerals in his vicinity. About 1907 he sold his original homestead and purchased another farm near Durand, which he operated until eight years before his death. his last eight years being spent in retirement in Durand. At various times he was an official of Frank- fort township, serving as treasurer and chairman of the board, and for twenty years or more he was secretary of the Soldiers' Relief Fund in Pepin county. He was founder of the Methodist church in Frankfort township, and also caused the free book system to be adopted in Pepin county. In many other ways, also, he proved his worth as a good and enterprising citi- zen, supporting all practical schemes for the moral or material betterment of the community when he did not himself originate them. His death was felt to be a distinct loss both to his township and to the county generally. His remains now repose in Dead Lake Prairie Cemetery. Mr. York married Laura Whicher, who was born at Frankfort, Ind., Jan. 19, 1853, and who is still living, making her home in Durand, though spending much of her time with her son, Jesse G. York, a farmer of Waterville township, this county. They had two children-Jesse G., above mentioned, and Ralph, who was accidentally drowned in 1894. Mrs. York spends a part of her winters in California.

Jesse G. York, a well-known farmer of Waterville township, Pepin county, was born in Frankfort township, this county, Feb. 11, 1875, son of Rev. Welcome S. and Laura (Whicher) York. In his early years he attended school at Frankfort and subsequently the Pepin high school. When 18 years . old he bought a pair of horses and took a logging job in Frankfort township, being thus occupied for four or five years. He then went to Greeley, Dela- ware county, Iowa, to enter the employ as salesman of A. B. Holbert, who was engaged in the draft-horse importing business, and for whom he worked during the selling season for three and a half years. At the age of 21 years Mr. York bought his present farm, which was then heavily tim- bered, and from it he has taken more than a million feet of lumber and over a thousand cords of wood, the farm, which contains 220 acres of land, being now in a high state of cultivation. In addition to raising the usual crops, he is engaged in stock raising and horse breeding, in the latter branch of his business confining himself chiefly or wholly to Belgian horses, of which he has on hand a number of full-blooded animals, including imported brood mares. He also keeps a number of Oxford sheep. Mr. York is regarded as one of the best judges of horseflesh in Pepin and Buffalo counties, and is a member of the Belgian Horse Breeders' Association. He has well improved his farm, which is provided with good modern buildings, and has taken a prominent place among the successful farmers and stock raisers of Pepin county. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and to the Good Templars. He is a member of the Prohibition party, but has always declined public office.

Mr. York was married May 5, 1899, to Mabel Hoyt, who was born at

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FRANK AND JOHN YOUNGMAN AND FAMILY

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Oak Center, Wabasha county, Minn., daughter of Henry and Sarah (Taylor) Hoyt. Her father, born in Clearfield, Pa., in 1833, was a farmer during his active years. He came west at an early date and in 1862 was a cavalry soldier on the frontier, as a member of the Second Minnesota Regiment helping to put down the Indian uprising in Minnesota and taking part in the battles at New Ulm and elsewhere. He now makes his home with his son- in-law, Mr. York. His wife died in 1911. They were the parents of six children, of whom their daughter, Mabel, was the third in order of birth. She was educated in Wabasha county, Minnesota, attending school at Lake City. Mr. and Mrs. York have a wide circle of friends and acquaintances throughout Pepin county and are prominent members of the community in which they reside.

John Youngman, who died at his home in Waterville township, Pepin county, May 19, 1916, was born in Leifreitz, Austria, Dec. 7, 1873, and was therefore only in his forty-third year when called from the scene of his earthly labors. His parents were Anton and Hannah (Kines) Youngman, both natives of Austria, who came to the United States in 1894, two years after he had come over, and located in Lima township, this county. Later they moved to Rock Falls, Dunn county, where they lived until 1917, when they returned to Pepin county, where Anton Youngman is now living with a married daughter, Mrs. Youngman having died in August, 1917. They had eight children, of whom John was the third in order of birth. John Young- man acquired his education in Austria and was 19 years old when he came to America. Locating in Lima township, he worked for some time for an uncle, but after his parents arrived he married, bought a farm in the town- ship and engaged in agricultural pursuits. After crcrating the farm for five years, he moved to Eau Galle and was engaged in farming there for five years, or until 1911, when he came to the farm in section 10, Waterville township, now owned by his widow. It contains 160 acres of good land, well improved and developed. Mr. Youngman was also a stockholder in the local creamery and telephone company. In politics he voted according to circum- stances, being bound by no political party, and he always declined office. He was a member of the Catholic church. In April, 1901, Mr. Youngman was united in marriage with Mary Bauer, who was born in Bear Creek Val- ley, Lima township, daughter of Louis, Sr., and Thakla (Rossler) Bauer, who were natives of Austria. Her father came to the United States when a boy with his parents, and after living with them until the age of 23 years, engaged in farming for himself. He is now operating 300 acres of land in Lima township and is a prosperous and widely-known farmer and stock raiser. Mrs. Youngman's mother is also living. After her husband's death Mrs. Youngman engaged a man to operate the farm until Nov. 6, 1917, when she married Frank Youngman, a brother of her first husband, who now takes charge of the farming operations. She has three children- Mary Helen, Amelia Hannah and Lucy Margaret, by her first marriage.

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History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2), Part 34

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

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