USA > Wisconsin > Buffalo County > History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2) > Part 37
USA > Wisconsin > Pepin County > History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2) > Part 37
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HENRY GLASBRENNER AND FAMILY
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farm, thus doing good work in helping to improve this section of the country. His last years were spent on a farm in Waterville township, where he died, Aug. 18, 1913. His wife now resides on the small farm near the Arkansaw church in this township. They had a large family, numbering twelve children, of whom Julia was the ninth in order of birth. She attended school in Bear Creek Valley, Buffalo county. To Mr. and Mrs. Drier two children have been born: Henry Clarence, born Dec. 23, 1901, who is his father's assistant on the farm; and Laura Amelia, born May 29, 1905, who also is residing at home. Mr. Drier and his son belong to the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin, and he and his family are esteemed members of the community in which they reside.
Henry Glasbrenner, formerly a well known and successful farmer of Pepin township, Pepin county, was born in Germany, Aug. 31, 1849, son of Lenhart Glasbrenner, also a native of that country, where he followed the shoemaker's trade. He attended school in Germany and was 33 years old when he came to this country, settling first at Princeton, Ill., where he was employed in farming and brickmaking. He came to Pepin township, this county, in 1887. After working out until about 1888, Mr. Glasbrenner then purchased land in section 4, Pepin township, which he improved in time into a good farm, being an industrious and enterprising man. It now contains 177 acres, is well equipped with good buildings and an ample supply of machinery, and is operated by his widow and son Henry. Mr. Glasbrenner was a Republican in politics and a member of the Luth- eran church in Pepin. In 1878 Mr. Glasbrenner was united in marriage with Lena Grup, who was born in Germany, June 23, 1856, her parents, now deceased, being farmers. Of this union seven children were born: Lena, Charles, Henry, William, Ernest, John and Rosa. Lena is now residing in Princeton, Ill. Charles married Mary Johnston and is a farmer at Maxbass, N. Dak. He has one child, Gladys. Henry, who was engaged in operating the home farm, married Emelda Wojahn. In October, 1917, he went to Stillwater, Minn., where he is employed in a munition and manu- facturing plant. William is a sergeant in the United States army. Ernest is butter maker in a creamery at New Prague, Minn. John, who was employed on a farm at Princeton, Ill., is now operating the home farm. Rosa resides at home with her mother and brother Henry. The family is one of high respectability and is in substantial circumstances, taking an active interest in whatever is for the welfare and progress of the com- munity in which they reside.
Claude C. Clemens, D. D. S., one of the leading dentists of Pepin county, engaged in practice in Durand, was born at El Paso, Woodford county, Ill., Aug. 26, 1879, son of James Thompson and Matilda M. (St. John) Clemens. The father, who was born in Marshall county, that state, Dec. 7, 1850, was during the latter part of his life engaged in the business of bottling soda water and other beverages at Fairbury, Livingston county, Ill., where he died Sept. 15, 1890. He was a man of forceful character and a much respected citizen of his community, in which he at various times served in public office. His wife, who was born in Chenoa, Livingston county, Ill., after his death, moved to Galesburg, Ill., where she resided
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until 1900. She is now living at the home of her son, the subject of this sketch. In addition to this son, Mr. and Mrs. James T. Clemens had a daughter, who, in 1900, accompanied her mother to Europe for a year's travel and study. Six months of that time were spent in Munich, Germany, where she studied music and the French and German languages. After returning home in 1901 she was in Knox College for two and a half years, and at the age of 19 had finished the first semester of her junior year, when her health failed, and her mother took her to Denver, Colo., where she spent three months. She then went to Biloxi, Miss., and later to Com- fort, Texas, where she passed away, Feb. 23, 1906. She was a member of the Delta Delta Delta Sorority at Knox College. Claude C. Clemens was the elder of his parents' two children. He attended public school at Fair- bury, Ill., and was subsequently a pupil at Kenyon Military Academy, at Gambier, Ohio, and still later at Knox College, Galesburg, where he spent two years. In the class of 1902 he was graduated from the Chicago College of Dental Surgery. By this time he had had some industrial experience, having, during his vacation, while a pupil at the military school, worked in a wholesale extract house in Chicago, later, during his vacations while at Knox College, worked in a clothing store, and also for one full year, and having after that bought a half interest in a grocery store, with which he was connected for about one year, disposing of his interest therein to attend dental college. After receiving his degree as doctor of dental surgery he began practice in La Crosse, where he remained between five and six years. His health then failing, Dr. Clemens resolved to seek a new location farther west. He had already started when, happening to make a stop in Durand, he was impressed by the opportunities here and resolved to try the location. This proved a fortunate resolution, as he has not only succeeded in working up an excellent practice here, but his health quickly began to improve so that he soon gave up all idea of making another move, finding everything satisfactory where he is. He has identi- fied himself closely with the business and social life of the place, taking a useful part in its various activities. For two years he served as city treasurer, he is the present secretary of the Commercial Club and holds the same office in the County Council of Defense. In politics he is a Repub- lican, and in religious faith a Presbyterian, being a member of the church or that denomination in Fairbury, Ill. Dr. Clemens has now resided in this city since 1908, and has been steadily engaged in the practice of his profession, in which he is well skilled. He is also a stockholder in the First National Bank and has other financial interests. He belongs both to the Blue Lodge and Chapter of the Masonic order at Durand, being the present master of the former, and is exceptionally proficient in Masonic work. His other society affiliations are with the Beta Theta Phi and Delta Sigma Delta college fraternities. Dr. Clemens was married, Oct. 26, 1904, to Evelyn Irvine, who was born at Beef Slough No. 2, Buffalo county, Wisconsin, daughter of William and Ellen (Collins) Irvine. Her father, a native of Canada, after residing in that country for a number of years, moved to Trempealeau, Wis., where he died in 1890. A man of some inventive genius, he originated the machine for making the plugs used in
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MR. AND MRS. JOHN FLEMING-MR. AND MRS. JAMES FLEMING-MR. AND MRS. J. S. M.COURTIE
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rafting. His wife Ellen, who was born in Ireland, is still living in Trem- pealeau. Their daughter Evelyn (Mrs. Clemens), who was the third born in a family of four children, was educated in the public schools of Trem- pealeau. Dr. and Mrs. Clemens have one child, James Irvine, who was born Sept. 29, 1905, and is now attending school at Durand.
James Fleming, a pioneer of Pepin township, Pepin county, in his day widely known and respected, but now deceased, was born at Kittanning, Armstrong county, Penn., Aug. 31, 1816, and died at Pepin, May 14, 1887. He was of Irish descent, his parents being John and Sarah (Everett) Flem- ing. After acquiring a limited education, James Fleming, at 19 years of age, began life as a pilot on a lumber raft, running on the Allegheny and Ohio rivers. In 1837 he made a trip as far as New Orleans. He was mar- ried, Dec. 27, 1838, to Susan, daughter of Henry and Betsy (Gumbert) Pence. She was born March 31, 1820. Mr. Fleming worked as a carpen- ter, as an employee in a distillery, and at farming until 1848, when he removed to Jefferson county, Pennsylvania, where he bought a farm and also engaged in lumbering. In 1854 he made a trip to Pepin and decided to locate here with his family. The following year he loaded his goods and family into a wagon and started to drive to Wisconsin. One horse became lame, and he then shipped his outfit on a steamboat from Pitts- burgh, paying all his ready money for their fare to Dubuque, Iowa. On the route he was seized with cholera and landed penniless at Davenport. A part of the wagon had been miscarried, so they were unable to proceed by team. Riding the horses out a few miles, they were met and befriended by a farmer, who kindly entertained the family, gave Mr. Fleming medi- cine, which soon caused him to recover, and advanced him a small sum of money. The balance of his wagon having arrived in the meanwhile, the family drove to Le Claire, Iowa, where Mr. Fleming got work teaming, with the proceeds of which the journey was continued to Guttenburg, Iowa. Here he took passage by steamer to Reed's Landing, Minn., agree- ing to leave the goods as security for a portion of their fare, which was advanced by a merchant at Reed's on their arrival, who took security on the goods. Crossing to Pepin, Mr. Fleming began teaming, redeemed his goods, and the following year, 1856, made a claim on section 17, township 23, range 14. Here he built a log cabin and bgean the work of developing a farm, continuing to make improvements until his death. He was an active enterprising man, a member of the Protestant Methodist church and respected by all who knew him. His wife died about 1894. Their children were as follows: John, born March 23, 1840, now a farmer in section 19, Pepin township; Nancy J., born Nov. 6, 1841, who died Dec. 7, 1845; Elizabeth, born Dec. 14, 1842, who died Dec. 2, 1845; Thomas M., born Oct. 13, 1844, who died Dec. 1, 1845; Milton, born April 6, 1846, who lives at Plum Creek, Pepin county ; Eliza A., born June 19, 1847, who first married Fred Young, after his death became the wife of Frank Dunn, and now lives with her son, James, at Chisholm, Minn., and Sarah E., born Feb. 27, 1849, who died Feb. 2, 1890.
John Fleming, who is now living retired on his farm of 160 acres in section 19, Pepin township, Pepin county, was born in Bethlehem, Penn.,
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March 23, 1840, son of James and Susan (Pence) Fleming. He was a boy of 15 when he set out with his parents for the West, they settling on land in Pepin township, in 1855. Until he was 19 years old he attended district school for a part of the time, but, being the eldest child in the family, and for some years the only one able to be of service, as several had died in infancy, he was his father's chief assistant in helping to clear and cultivate the parental acres. At the age of 21 he began working out as a farm laborer and was thus employed until 1862, during which time he resided at home. In the year last mentioned he bought a farm in section 19, Pepin township, and having married, began domestic life. From time to time he purchased more land until by 1876 he was the owner of 410 acres, and was successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising, breeding Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China hogs. In that work he con- tinued until 1914, since which time he has lived retired. During his active career he served as a member of the town and school boards, on which he rendered efficient service, working for the best interests of the community in which he lived and endeavoring to improve the educational facilities of his school district. In politics he is a Republican and he is a member of the Methodist church at Pepin. On Aug. 21, 1862, John Fleming was united in marriage with Mary J. Littel, daughter of Aaron and Mary (Brown) Littel. She was born at Presque Isle, Mich., Sept. 26, 1848, and died in 1912. Of this union ten children were born-William Henry, Eugene Burton, Milton Fenner, Clara, Truman, May, James, Arminda, Sher- man A. and John F .- whose record in brief is as follows: William Henry married Mattie Broatch, and is now a school teacher at Billings, Mont. Eugene Burton, who is a farmer in Pepin county, married Eva Wheeler, and has two children, Elsie and Alvin. Milton, who is now in the lumber business, at Pepin, married Nellie Fenner, and has one child, Lloyd. Clara is the wife of George Wheeler, a mail carrier, attached to the Pepin post office, and has six children, Elva, Velma, Marlin, Myra, Ralph and Graydon. Truman, who is engaged in transfer business at Glenwood, Wis., married Maud Saddler, now deceased. He has four children, Lyla, Raymond, Glenn and Lucile. May is the wife of Orlo Fuller, a mail clerk on the Green Bay and Western Railway, and her children are Glae, Zella, Eunice and Royce. James, who was a dentist at Durand, is now deceased. He left three chil- dren, James Clinton, Jock and Richard. Arminda is the wife of George Barnes, who is engaged in the dray business at Glenwood City. She has three children, Dale, Myrtle and Elton. Sherman A., who is connected with a lumber yard at Pepin village, married Goldie Saddler, and has five children, Carol, Morris, Ned, Roule and Bema. John F., who was born in 1866, died in the following year. It will thus be seen that Mr. Fleming has eight living children and 28 grandchildren. On July 31, 1915, he mar- ried for his second wife, Mrs. Christina Siefert, daughter of David Hetrich, of Nelson township, Buffalo county, Wisconsin, where, in her girlhood she attended district school. Her mother is deceased, but her father is still living. Mrs. Christina Fleming died in 1917, and in August, 1918, Mr. Fleming married for his third wife, Mrs. Jennie Gates, of Arkansaw, Wis., daughter of Jacob S. and Margaret McCourtie, who came to Pepin county
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C. M. HILLIARD
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from New York State and settled in Dead Lake Prairie, Waterville town- ship, in 1855 or 1856.
Joseph Hilliard, in former days a farmer and well known citizen of Pepin township, Pepin county, was born in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, May 13, 1823. Both in the early and latter periods of his life he was en- gaged in farming, but for a number of years he also followed the carpen- ter's trade. In the Civil War he served as a soldier in Company B, 56th Pennsylvania Regiment. After being mustered out he came, in July, 1865, to Pepin county, Wisconsin, arriving on the eighteenth of the month, and locating in Hicks Valley. He bought a farm in section 18 from William B. Hicks and also purchased 40 acres of school land in section 16, in the same township. This land he improved and developed, and in 1874 built a brick house on his farm, which was his residence up to the time of his death, July 4, 1886. Mr. Hilliard was married, Oct. 17, 1850, to Charlotte Tabitha Howard, who was born in Jefferson county, Pennsylvania, Dec. 8, 1831. He and his wife had a family of ten children: Mary Frances, who married Lucius Byington, who came from Connecticut in 1863 and settled in Frank- fort township, Pepin county; Caleb M., of Durand, who is now one of the prominent lawyers of Pepin county ; Alvin B., a resident of Los Angeles, Calif .; William F., who died at Lidgerwood, North Dakota, March 16, 1915; Milton L., who is in the grocery business at St. Paul Park, Minn .; Oliver Grant, who died at Redlands, Calif., March 9, 1891; John Wesley, a wholesale grocer at Pipestone, Minn .; Zylla Etta, who married Rev. John D. Rumsey, in September, 1890, and died at Vinton, Iowa, Sept. 21, 1904; Joseph L., a traveling salesman, residing at Minneapolis, and Jacob Oscar, who is superintendent of the interurban railroad at Tacoma, Wash. Mrs. Joseph Hilliard died July 19, 1915.
Caleb M. Hilliard, of Durand, a prominent representative of the legal profession of Pepin county, was born in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, Dec. 13, 1853, son of Joseph and Charlotte Tabitha (Howard) Hilliard. In July, 1865, his parents settled in Pepin township, Pepin county, Wis., and engaged in farming. He attended the district school, subsequently continued his studies in Pepin and in Galesville University, now Gale col- lege, at Galesville, Trempealeau county, until he was 21 years old, except for the time that he spent in college, he resided at home and worked on the farm. During the winter of 1874-75, and also in 1878, he was engaged in teaching school. In 1881 he was graduated from the law department of Wisconsin University at Madison, and on August 15, that year, opened a law office in Pepin, where he practiced his profession until Nov. 17, 1884, when he came to Durand. Here he has continued in the practice of law very successfully, having offices over the First National Bank. He was the first clerk of the village of Pepin, served five terms on the county board and was a member of the school board for three years. He was appointed district attorney in 1915, by Gov. Philipp, serving one term, and was city attorney one year, taking office in 1908. During the last 25 years Mr. Hilliard has devoted a part of his time to agriculture, owning 22 acres of land within the city limits, which he operates personally, raising hay, pota- toes, corn and beans. He also has a farm of 80 acres in Buffalo county,
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eight miles south of Durand. Mr. Hilliard was married, Feb. 23, 1885, to Julia Nehlsen, daughter of C. D. and Cecelia (Ladehoff) Nehlsen, who were natives of Germany. Her father, born July 1, 1827, came to the United States about 1851, locating in Davenport, Iowa, where he married. A few years later he and his wife came to Pepin county, and engaged in farming for a while. Afterwards he bought grain at Pepin for seven years and worked at the bricklayer's and carpenter's trades, which latter he followed until he retired at the age of 75 years. He and his wife are living at Pepin at this writing, he being the oldest man now in this vicinity. They had ten children, of whom their daughter, Julia, was the third born, and eight of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Hilliard have three children: Ruth Lillian, born Sept. 16, 1886; Hugh Stanley, born Oct. 23, 1889, and William Cassidy, born June 29, 1898. Hugh and William reside on a hay ranch near Harlem, Mont. Ruth L. is a graduate of the Durand high school and La Crosse, Wis., Normal School, where she was graduated with the first class in 1910. Mr. Hilliard is independent in politics and is a strong sup- porter of President Wilson. On the tenth day of August, 1918, Governor Philipp again appointed him district attorney for Pepin county, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Hon. W. E. Plummer, on July 10, 1918. At the outbreak of the European war he insensibly took sides with France and Belgium and their allies and staunchly supported the declaration of war by the United States against Germany, and in every way upheld the Government after its entry into the war. In December, 1917, he was made chairman of the Legal Advisory Board for Pepin county, and later was chosen chairman of the War History Committee for the county, and has furnished much of the matter for the article published in this volume on the part Pepin county took in the war.
George Buchanan, a pioneer settler in Pepin county, now passed away, was born in New York state, March 7, 1848. He was always a farmer by occupation and was engaged in threshing every fall for 36 years. Coming to Pepin county, when a young man, he was here married to Rhoda Sutton, who was born in Pennsylvania, April 21, 1853. Buying land in Waterville township, about a mile from the site of the present village of Arkansaw, he engaged in farming, his first buildings being a small frame house 16 by 20 feet in ground dimensions, and a small log barn. On this farm he resided until about five or six years before his death, clearing and improving it, and then moved to Arkansaw and engaged in the freighting business be- tween that place and Durand. For a number of years he served as a mem- ber of his district school board, but cared for no other office. He died March 21, 1910. His wife now resides in Arkansaw, where, for the sake of having some occupation, she carries on a restaurant business during the summer months. They were the parents of three children: William F., who now owns and operates the old homestead; Delia, wife of W. Taylor, the present sheriff of Pepin county, and residing in Durand, and Eleanor, wife of Arthur Barton, who is connected with the Standard Oil Company at La Crosse.
William Frederick Buchanan, who owns and operates a valuable stock farm of 80 acres, located in Waterville township, one mile from the village
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of Arkansaw, was born in Arkansaw, Pepin county, Oct. 3, 1871, son of George and Rhoda (Sutton) Buchanan. When a boy he attended school in Arkansaw and has always resided on the home farm, which he assisted his father to clear and improve. On Feb. 2, 1898, he was united in mar- riage with Leona Barton, who was born at Porcupine, Pepin county, daugh- ter of Albert and Lina (Ames) Barton. Her parents were of Eastern birth, the father being a farmer who settled in Pepin county at an early date, later removing to near Valley City, N. D., where he died, but where his wife is still living. Their daughter, Leona, who was the youngest of three children, was educated at Valley City, where she spent her girlhood. At the time of his marriage Mr. Buchanan bought the old homestead and has since operated it successfully, breeding Guernsey cattle and Poland- China hogs. His improvements are all modern and the farm well equipped with everything necessary for up-to-date stock farming. He is also a stock- holder in the Waterville Creamery. He and his wife belong to the Beaver lodge at Arkansaw, of which he is the present treasurer. They have a family of two children, Zelda Angeline and Wilma Lenona, both living at home.
Andrew Olbert, who is engaged in general farming in section 28, Albany township, Pepin county, was born in this township, Oct. 13, 1876, son of Michael and Maria (Walmer) Olbert. The father, who was born in Baden, Germany, in 1828, on coming to the United States, located first in Pittsburgh, Penn. Thence he went to Milwaukee, from which place he came to Pepin county, taking a farm in Albany township. He served nine months in the Civil War, was injured and returned home and resumed farming. Five years later he bought the homestead of his brother, Jacob, in section 28, Albany township, the brother having died, and on it he spent the rest of his life, dying in 1911. He had first married Anna Kassel of Milwaukee, and after her death was united in marriage with Mary Walmer, who is now dead. Andrew Olbert, who was the first child of his father's second marriage, in his boyhood attended district school in Albany town- ship, his time outside of school hours being spent for the most part in assisting his father on the home farm, which was his regular occupation subsequently until he reached the age of 21 years. He then spent eight months in North Dakota and after his return resumed work on the home farm, occasionally working for others until his marriage in 1903. After the latter event he operated rented land in Lima township for six years, afterwards moving onto his brother's farm in Albany, where he spent five years. Then for a year and a half he was in the employ of the Eau Claire Packing Company, was engaged in threshing during the next fall, and at the end of that time came to his present location-a farm of 80 acres in section 28, Albany township-which belonged to his father-in-law, and which he is renting. Here he is giving his attention to general farming, raising both crops and stock, and is steadily advancing in prosperity. He has served on the school board of his district for a number of years and in politics is a Republican, with independent proclivities. The mar- riage of Mr. Olbert, in 1903, as previously mentioned, united him with Miss Sophia Dreysse, who was born in Albany, daughter of Henry and Barbara
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(Fletch) Dreysse. He and his wife have six children: Homer, Irene, Mildred, Olive, Evelyn and Russell. Henry Dreysse, who was born in Ger- many, after coming to this country, in 1860, resided for a while in eastern Wisconsin, removing to Albany township, Pepin county. Here he spent the rest of his life in farming, dying in 1914. He was a Civil War veteran, having served to the close of the war in a Wisconsin regiment. His wife passed away a number of years before him. Of their seven children, Sophia (Mrs. Olbert), was the sixth in order of birth.
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