USA > Wisconsin > Buffalo County > History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2) > Part 39
USA > Wisconsin > Pepin County > History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2) > Part 39
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Frank Trinko, proprietor of a good stock and general farm of 340 acres, located in section 35, Waterville township, was born in Austria, Nov. 18, 1857, son of Lawrence and Barbara (Shadden) Trinko, the parents being also natives of Austria. The father was a farmer, and also engaged in other business. He died in his native land, and in 1892 his wife came to America, making her home with her son, Frank. She died in Durand in July, 1914. Frank Trinko, who was the second born in a family of four children, was educated in Austria and came to this country with the Schind- ler family in 1881. . Locating in Durand, he worked for others at lumbering, river work and other occupations, not being able to speak a word of English when he arrived. After five years thus spent he bought a farm in Lima township, which he operated for 16 years, at the end of that time selling it and coming to his present farm, containing 340 acres, which he is operating with the aid of his sons, not now being able to do any hard work on account of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He is breeding up in Dur- ham cattle and also raises Poland-China hogs and other good stock. He is a stockholder in the Arkansaw Creamery. Mr. Trinko is a member of the Roman Catholic church at Durand. In politics he is independent and for- merly served on the school board. He was married, May 6, 1886, to Frances Schindler, who was born in Austria, daughter of Vinz and Agnes (Endle) Schindler. Her parents, natives of Austria, came to America in 1881, arriv- ing in Durand, Pepin county, June 4. They settled on a farm in Lima town- ship, where they are still residing, except the mother, who died in 1912.
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Frances, who was the eldest of their three children, attended school in Austria. Mr. and Mrs. Trinko's family circle has been enlarged by the birth of five children : Mary, Annie, Frank and John (twins) and Leo, all of whom are residing at home, the three sons operating the farm. John, however, was drafted for service in the United States army, being assigned to an artillery regiment located at Camp Taylor, Kentucky. He was discharged Dec. 15, 1918. Mr. Trinko belongs to the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin. He is one of the prosperous citizens of his township and he and his family are highly respected.
Max Donath, who is now engaged in farming in section 26, Pepin town- ship, Pepin county, has had a varied career, having formerly been a Luth- eran pastor. He was born in Germany, Nov. 14, 1867, son of Gottlieb and Caroline (Urban) Donath. The father, who was born in Germany in 1839, was a man of good education, who taught school at Sprensberg, that coun- try, for 52 years, and was also for many years a government official. He died in his native land in 1911. His wife, born in 1836, died in 1912. Neither ever came to America. Max Donath acquired his elementary education in a village school, which he left in 1881 to enter a college located near Berlin. Completing his studies there in 1887, he remained at home for awhile and then for four years was engaged in teaching school. At the end of that period he sailed for the United States, on his arrival here locating in Milwaukee. From there he went to Racine, Wis., where he studied for the ministry, being ordained a pastor in the German and English Lutheran church in 1904. After serving in the ministry for ten years, he found him- self obliged to give it up on account of poor health. He accordingly took up farming, in 1913 being located at Spooner, Wis. From there he removed to South Dakota, where he did missionary work, his son working on a farm. In 1915 he came to his present farm of 160 acres in section 26, Pepin town- ship, which, with his son's assistance, he is operating on a profitable basis. He is a member of the German and English Lutheran church at Pepin, and in politics is a Republican. Mr. Donath was married March 1, 1892, to Mary Hansen, a native of Germany, whose parents were farmers. Her father died when she was 4 years old. Mr. and Mrs. Donath have two children, William and Emma, both of whom are residing at home. Mr. Donath is a man of courage and determination, who has successfully adapted himself to a new sphere in life after being compelled to give up the occupa- tion for which he has fitted himself. He has found farming a more health- ful pursuit than the ministry, and has become one of the prosperous citizens of the community in which he now makes his home and where he is widely known and respected.
Daniel T. Barnes, now living retired in Dunn county, Wisconsin, was born at Becket, Mass., and during most of his active career has been a farmer. In the Civil war he served three years as a private in a Massa- chusetts regiment and returned home unwounded. A year or two later he left his native state and came west to Wisconsin. Locating in Pepin county, he worked for others on farms in Waubeek township for a number of years, after which he rented farms and worked some years for himself. He was tnen postmaster for six or seven years at Eau Galle, Dunn county, subse-
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MAX DONATH AND FAMILY
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quently taking up the painter's trade, at which he worked for a number of years. Six months after the free rural delivery system went into effect Mr. Barnes became connected with the postoffice at Eau Galle as carrier and carried mail until March, 1914, since which time he has lived retired. He has recently sold some farm lands that he bought a number of years ago, but still owns land in the county. Mr. Barnes married Abigail Downes, who was born in Waubeek township, this county, and they have had two children: Flora G., wife of Arthur C. Smith, who is engaged in the insur- ance business in Durand, and Clayton D., a farmer in Waterville township.
Clayton D. Barnes, proprietor of a general stock farm of 80 acres in section 17, Waterville township, was born at Eau Galle, Dunn county, Wis., Sept. 6, 1890, son of Daniel T. and Abigail (Downes) Barnes. In his boy- hood days he attended school in Eau Galle and Durand, and began working out on farms at the age of 14 years. When a little older he also worked in the woods at lumbering, and was engaged in teaming and other work until his marriage in 1909, when he came to his present farm. This consists of 80 acres of valuable land, provided with all necessary buildings, and here Mr. Barnes is engaged in breeding Poland-China hogs and other good stock, his investment yielding good returns. He is a member of the American Society of Equity and in politics is independent. Mr. Barnes was married July 8, 1909, to Elgin Culp, who was born at Eagle Bend, Todd county, Minn., daughter of Eugene and Mary (Bossard) Culp. She was educated in Minnesota and at Arkansaw, Wis. Her mother is now deceased, but her father is still living, being a resident of Bemidji, Minn. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes have two children, Gerald Sidney, who was born Dec. 9, 1915, and Bernice E., born Oct. 11, 1917.
John Sweeney, proprietor of a general stock farm of 80 acres in section 3, Waterville township, was born in this township, Feb. 9, 1867, son of James and Ann (Scahal) Sweeney. The parents were natives of Tipperary, but were married in Eau Galle, Dunn county, Wis., the father coming to America when a boy of eight years with some of his relatives. The party landed in Canada, where the others remained, James Sweeney coming to this vicinity about 1850. Here after a while he found employment with Car- son & Rand, well-known lumbermen of those days, and worked for them for a number of years. He then became a homesteader, taking up the land that now forms the farm of his son, John. This, of course, was then a wild tract, and his first dwelling was a small log shanty which remained his home until it burned down a few years later. It was then replaced by a bet- ter log house, in which all his children were born but one. In time he de- veloped his place into a good 160-acre farm, on which he spent the rest of his life, dying in 1888. He was a member of the Catholic church and was one of the organizers of the school district. His wife, who survived him, died Nov. 15, 1912. They had a family of six children, of whom John was the third in order of birth. John Sweeney acquired his education in district school No. 3. He resided with his father until 21 years old and then entered the employ of Michael Drier, for whom he hauled lumber for a year. At the end of that time he returned to the homestead, which he has since operated as a general stock farm, having installed various modern improvements,
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including pulley equipment. He is also a stockholder in the Waterville Creamery and the Telephone Company. On Jan. 29, 1891, John Sweeney was united in marriage with Clara Robelia, who was born in Eau Galle township, Dunn county, Wisconsin, daughter of Richard and Virginia (Keller) Robelia. Mr. and Mrs. Sweeney have been the parents of five children: Grace Ann, a graduate of school district No. 3; James Alexan- der, who married Blanche Myres and is a farmer in Waterville township; Walter, deceased; Ethel Virginia and Richard. Richard Robelia, father of Mrs. John Sweeney, was born in Germany and was there married to Vir- ginia Keller, who was also a native of that country. They came to Amer- ica about the same time as James Sweeney, and Mr. Robelia also worked for Carson & Rand for a number of years, being employed by them as saw filer. Later he settled on a farm two miles north of Eau Galle, where he is still living, having now reached the venerable age of 93 years. Before coming to this country he had served in the German army. Though he never aspired to public office he took a close and often active interest in all matters concerning the welfare of the community in which he lived. His wife died about 1905. They were the parents of nine children, of whom their daughter Clara (Mrs. John Sweeney) was the eighth in order of birth.
John Weishapple, a thriving merchant of Durand, Pepin county, where he is engaged in the hardware business in company with Dan Brown, under the firm name of John Weishapple & Co., was born in Durand, Wis., Dec. 16, 1881, son of John, Sr., and Mary (Briar) Weishapple. The parents were born in Austria, the father, May 29, 1848, and the mother, Sept. 4, 1855, and were married in that country, Jan. 16, 1881. Not long after their marriage they set out for America, coming directly to Durand and passing through, or stopping in Chicago on Decoration Day. In Durand the father followed his trade, which was that of a mason, until he finally retired from active work. He is still living and resides here with his wife. They had two children, of whom John, Jr., was the elder. Anton is in the drug business in Durand. John Weishapple, Jr., was graduated from the Durand high school, June 5, 1900. He had previously begun industrial life, however, at the early age of 11 years, and while attending school was employed in a sawmill during the vacations. He also worked some time for the Telephone company. After his graduation from the high school he went to work for the Light and Power Company, being thus engaged from July 5 to Sept. 20, 1900. At the end of that time he entered the store of Vautrat Bros., hardware dealers, in whose employ he continued until Oct. 8, 1913. He and Mr. Brown then bought out the business, which they have since conducted very successfully, carrying a general line of hard- ware and other articles connected with this branch of business. Mr. Weishapple is also interested in other local enterprises, among them the Durand Auditorium, of which he is secretary and a director, and owns both residence and business property in Durand. He is a member of the Catho- lic church and belongs fraternally to the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin. In politics he is independent. Mr. Weishapple was married June 20, 1906, to Alice Luella Liddy, who was born at Arkansaw, Waterville township,
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MR. AND MRS. AUGUST SCHREINER
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Pepin county, daughter of Michael and Ann (Martin) Liddy. Her parents were both natives of Ireland, the father born in 1829 and the mother in 1839. They were married in the old cathedral at St. Paul and came to 'epin county at an early date, when the Indians were still here. Mr. Liddy was engaged in lumbering for a number of years, but afterwards took up farming, which was his occupation until 1907. He then retired and moved to Durand. Mrs. Liddy now resides with her daughter, Mrs. Weishapple. The latter, who was the youngest of their children, was educated in the district schools of Pepin county. Mr. and Mrs. Weishapple have two chil- dren: Jean Evelyn and Jack Edward.
Charles Schreiner, one of the earliest settlers in Pepin county, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, and came to America when a young man. Choosing the Northwest as the scene of his future career, he located first in Columbia county, Wisconsin, whence he came to Pepin county among the pioneers of this section. Securing land in the southern part of Albany township, he made his abode in a small log house and so industrious and economical was he that he obtained a living from his land from the first. In common with the other pioneer settlers he made his early improvements with the help of oxen, which he used for a number of years, and often car- ried flour on his back from Durand, a distance of fifteen miles. In time he became the owner of considerable land and real estate, including city prop- erty in Mondovi. One of the live and enterprising citizens of his township, he took an active interest in all commendable public enterprises, which he supported to the best of his ability. In the Civil War he enlisted as a soldier and served from the time of his enlistment until its close. His death took place about 1906. He and his wife Dora, whom he married in Wisconsin, and who, like himself, was a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Ger- many, were the parents of ten children.
August Schreiner, a large land owner in Albany township, Pepin county, and well known as a breeder of fine Percheron horses, was born in a log house on the farm of his parents, Charles and Dora Schreiner, in section 32, this township, Aug. 28, 1867. Trained to agriculture in his youth, he has always followed that and kindred lines of occupation, in all of which he has been eminently successful. He now owns 300 acres of land, most of it lying in sections 31 and 32, Albany township; also a tract of 20 acres across the line in Buffalo county. Mr. Schreiner is now practically retired from land cultivation, giving his chief attention to breeding and handling Percheron horses, and also operating a threshing outfit in the fall season. During his long and active career he has made money and is now well to do. Mr. Schreiner first married Mary Pabst, who was born near Portage, Colum- bia county, Wisconsin, and was some years younger than her husband. She died Jan. 8, 1914, leaving three children: Charles, who married Renetta Machmeier, of Albany township, and is a farmer; Bessie, wife of Adolph Dreyssee, of this township, and who has one child, Margaret, and Walter B., separately mentioned in this volume. On Nov. 23, 1918, Mr. Schreiner mar- ried for his second wife, Mary Albert, of Albany township.
Walter B. Schreiner, of Albany township, Pepin county, was born in this township, Dec. 23, 1888, son of August and Mary (Pabst) Schreiner.
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He was educated in this township, attending district school No. 3, and re- siding with his father until attaining his majority, when he and his brother Charles, rented the home farm, which they operated two years. They were successfully engaged in breeding Holstein cattle, Poland-China hogs and Shropshire sheep, giving special attention to this branch of the farming industry, also raising the usual crops. In 1916 Mr. Schreiner served as township assessor. He was also school clerk for four years and has been elected to serve three more in the same office. In politics he is independent. He is now attending the Mankato business college at Mankato, Minn., taking up bookkeeping, typewriting and other commercial studies.
Nils Gilbert, a well known farmer in section 22, Frankfort township, Pepin county, was born in Sweden, Sept. 14, 1859, son of Ole and Ulrika (Carlson) Gilbert. His parents were natives of Gilberga, Varmland, Sweden, the mother born in 1833. She died March 15, 1914. Ole Gilbert was a farmer by occupation, and never came to this country. He died in Sweden about 1906. Nils Gilbert attended school in Sweden and at the age of 16 years began working out for farmers. Coming to the United States in May, 1882, he settled in Frankfort township, where for several years he worked out on a farm. In 1885 he started out for himself on his present farm of 40 acres in section 22. He follows a general plan of farming and in these days of high prices finds a ready market for his produce. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers Telephone Company. He is a member of the district school board, having served eleven years as a school treas- urer and several years as director, and of the Baptist church at Lund, Pepin township. In politics he is independent, voting for the man rather than for the party. On Nov. 4, 1892, Mr. Gilbert was united in marriage with Amanda Erikson, who was born in Varmland, Sweden, Feb. 18, 1864. She was educated in the schools of her native land, coming to America in June, 1882, and living in Chicago until 1887. In 1889 she came to Frankfort township, Pepin county, from St. Cloud, Minn. She died April 4, 1917, leaving five children: Oscar and Elmer, now in the United States service; Ruth and Lillian, residing on the home farm, and Hulda A., who lives in Minneapolis.
Andrew L. Coburn, a prosperous stock farmer, operating 97 acres in the northern part of Waterville township, his residence lying in section 3, with 40 acres more just across the line in Dunn county, was born in Huntingdon county, Province of Quebec, Canada, Dec. 29, 1852. His par- ents were Adam and Abigail (Murray) Coburn, the father born in Hed- dington, Scotland, June 25, 1815, the mother in the state of New York some years later. Adam Coburn learned the watchmaker's trade when a youth, but at the age of 17 years went to Montreal, where he worked for some time as a printer. Later he bought land and became a farmer in Hunting- don county, Quebec, remaining thus occupied until he came to Pepin county, Wisconsin, in 1865, when he settled on the farm now owned and operated by his son, Andrew L. Here his first dwelling was a log house, but he sub- sequently made a number of improvements, cultivating the land until his death in 1880. He was an industrious and useful citizen and one of the organizers of his school district. His wife, who was born in Franklin
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county, New York, in 1831, died in 1900, surviving him about 20 years. Andrew L. Coburn was the fourth born in a family of eight children. He attended school in Canada, later for a short time in Eau Galle, and then in district No. 3, Waterville township, Pepin county. At the age of 14 he had begun working out, being employed for seven months in a shingle mill in Waubeek township. At intervals he also worked for others, spending one summer in Minnesota and another-that of 1872-in Robison's mill, near Eau Claire. When 21 years old he again worked in Minnesota, harvesting and threshing, and in 1876 went to work in the woods of Barron county, near the site of the present village of Cumberland. After being thus or otherwise employed in various places, in company with his brother, Adam, he bought a tract of woodland in section 5, Waterville township, of which they cleared ten acres and planted it with corn and potatoes. Mr. Coburn then went to Minnesota for another harvest and later sold his interest in his land to his brother, operating the home farm for his mother during the fol- lowing summer. The next year was spent on a farm in Eau Galle township, after which he was engaged in teaming for two years. Then returning to the home farm, he has since resided here, having bought the place after his mother's death. Here he has two tracts of 97 and 40 acres, respectively, the 40 acres being in Dunn county, and is operating the place as a general stock farm. He is also interested financially in the Waterville Creamery and the Farmers' Telephone Company. A Republican in politics, Mr. Coburn served two or three terms as school director and was township assessor for six or seven terms. He is a member of the camp of Modern Woodmen of America at Arkansaw. Mr. Coburn was first married in 1884 to Anna Woods, who was born in Hemmingsford, Canada, daughter of Dawson and Katherine (Davison) Woods, being the twelfth born in their family of 14 children. She died July 19, 1885, leaving one child, Edward George, who died at the age of three years. On the 2d of March, 1886, Mr. Coburn was united in marriage with Harriet T. Woods, a sister of his first wife. She was born in Eau Galle, Dunn county, and was educated in the district schools of that county. The children of this second union are as follows: Abbie Belle, wife of Charles A. Parker, a farmer of Union township, Pierce county ; Katie M., now Mrs. Robert Burk, of Union township, Pierce county; Adam, who died in childhood; John D., who is assisting in the operation of the home farm; Benjamin D., now in the United States service; Jennie L., Hazel D. and Myrtle E., who reside at home, and Andrew Laverne, who died in infancy.
Dawson Woods, father of both the first and second Mrs. Coburn, was born in the north of Ireland, as was also his wife, Katherine Davison. They both came to Canada as young people and were there married in 1866, set- tling in Eau Galle township, Dunn county, Wisconsin, where Mr. Woods engaged in farming. Before giving his attention to the soil, however, he worked awhile for the Eau Claire Saw Mill Company. After he began farming he continued in that occupation until his death in November, 1902. He had survived his wife several years, she having passed away in 1897. While a resident of Canada, Mr. Woods served in the Canadian militia.
Chauncey S. Goodrich, a pioneer of Waubeek township, was born in New York State, of early American stock, a family tradition being that he
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was descended from one of two Goodrich brothers, who came to America some time during the American revolution. He was reared to farm pursuits in his native state and was there married. Filled with the same spirit that had made his ancestors venture across the Atlantic to a new land, he came west in 1855 and lived for a while in Iowa. Two years later, in 1857, he came to Wisconsin and located on a tract of unimproved land in section 16, Waubeek township, Pepin county. Living in a pioneer country, he and his family endured all the hardships of frontier life, but as the years passed his industry, integrity and hard work brought their fruits of prosperity and comfort. Highly respected in the community, he exerted a considerable in- fluence on public affairs and served in various township offices for many years. After a long and useful life he died on his farm in 1893. His wife, Amy Williams, who shared his toil and joys for so many years, was a direct descendant of Roger Williams, the founder of Rhode Island, and perhaps the most conspicuous champion of liberty of conscience in religion in the early colonial days. The direct line of descent from Roger Williams was through Joseph Williams, James Williams, Frederick Williams and Alpheus Wil- liams, the latter being Mrs. Goodrich's father. Mrs. Goodrich survived her husband several years, dying in 1897. They were the parents of two children, Sylvester A., who lives on the home farm, and Jennie M., now deceased.
Jennie M. Goodrich, a leading educator of western Wisconsin and for several terms superintendent of Pepin county schools, was born in Waubeek township, this county, May 7, 1858, the daughter of Chauncey S. and Amy (Williams) Goodrich, the pioneers. She grew to womanhood on the farm and early manifested an interest in pedagogical pursuits, her early education being acquired in the district schools and in the Menomonie High School. At the age of 15 she engaged in teaching, a profession she followed for the remainder of her life. Her early schools were in Pepin and surrounding counties. At the age of 19 she entered the State Normal School at River Falls, Wis., and graduated with honors four years later. With this addi- tional preparation, she taught in various high schools in Chippewa, Eau Claire and Pepin counties. From 1889 to 1893 she was county superin- tendent of Pepin county. With this exception she continued her high school work until a few months before her death in 1895. She was highly trained and experienced as a teacher and deeply loved as a friend, and her death was sincerely mourned not only by her relatives and associates, but also by the many hundred pupils whose lives had been enriched by her instruc- tion and example.
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