History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2), Part 43

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 43
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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).

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English school for three months. After farming in the vicinity of Jeffer- son for three years, he came to Pepin county and took up his residence with an uncle in Waterville township. The following spring he went to Minnesota, where he was engaged in farm work for one season, spending the following winter in the pineries. For twelve seasons thereafter he worked at lumbering on the Chippewa river for Knapp, Stout & Co., and at the end of that time purchased his present farm, or rather 80 acres of it, the tract consisting of wild land. In true pioneer fashion he took up his residence in a log house and set to work to develop a farm. His labors have borne good fruit, as he now has an excellent farm of 240 acres, on which he is successfully breeding Durham cattle, Shropshire sheep, Poland-China hogs and a good grade of horses, realizing good returns from the different branches of his business. He is also a stockholder in the Waterville Creamery and the Telephone Company. In politics he is a Democrat and in religion a Roman Catholic.

Mr. Breunig was married on Nov. 8, 1886, to Anna Keller, who was born in Darien, Walworth county, Wis., daughter of Carl and Elizabeth (Sattler) Keller. To him and his wife have been born the following chil- dren: Charles E., who travels as a demonstrator in the employ of the Minneapolis Traction Company; Eva Elizabeth, wife of Frank Schultz, re- siding in Pierce county, and who has four children, Helen, Blanche, William and Evaline; John, who died in infancy; Ida Margaret, wife of J. E. Dun- bar, of Clifford, N. D., her husband being an expert machinist; J. William, who married Anna Marie Hei and has one child, Leona Elizabeth; Carolina Henrietta, who was married May 14, 1918, to Richard McCardle, a machine gun instructor in the United States army; Mary Annabel, who married David Bein, of Waterville township, and has one son, Wayne William; Henry Emil and Laura Regina, who are residing at home; and another child who died in infancy.

Carl Keller, formerly engaged in agriculture in Waterville township, Pepin county, was born in Baden, Germany, July 21, 1832, and came to the United States when 21 years of age. Landing at New York he spent some time there, then went to Toledo, Ohio, and later continued his west- ern progress to Chicago, where for a while he was engaged in driving a bread wagon. In that city he was married to Elizabeth Sattler, who was born in Tyrol, Austria, Dec. 9, 1836. Turning their backs on the great city, Mr. and Mrs. Keller went to Darien, Wis., where he worked in an elevator and also on a farm owned by the proprietor of the elevator, remaining there about three years. Removing to Eau Galle, Dunn county, in 1861, he found employment running an edger in the sawmill of Carson & Rand, and was thus occupied for 11 years. He then came to a farm in Waterville town- ship, which he had selected some time previously, he and his wife making their home in a small log house. The rest of his life was spent in the de- velopment of his farm, on which he died in 1890. His wife is now residing on the old homestead with her son, Henry.

William C. Richardson, now serving in his seventh year as county clerk of Pepin county, was born in Waterville township, this county, May 18, 1877, son of Charles and Mary (Carington) Richardson, being the fifth born

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MR. AND MRS. MICHAEL LIDDY

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in a family of 12 children. He acquired his education in the district school and at the Pepin high school, beginning attendance at the latter when 16 years of age. During the summers he worked at farming and also did such work as he could in winter to pay for his schooling. After completing his literary education he worked for others for a year and then rented his father's farm for four years. At the end of that time he engaged in the meat business at Elmwood, in which, however, he continued but a short time there, going to Pepin for a short period of business activity and then to Arkansaw, this county, where he was engaged in the meat business for 18 months. He then sold out, having been elected to his first term of office as register of deeds, which office he held for four years, until elected as county clerk. Mr. Richardson is a stockholder in the Farmers' Co-operative Telephone Company. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In politics he is a Republican. In addition to the offices already mentioned, Mr. Richardson was deputy clerk of the circuit court for ten years. In the camp of Modern Woodmen, to which he belongs, he served as clerk seven years. He was also chairman of the Soldiers' Relief Committee of the county for three years, and was census enumerator in Waterville township in 1900.

Mr. Richardson was married Jan. 7, 1904, to Clara Taylor, who was born in Waterville township, Pepin county, daughter of Peter J. and Rosella (Martin) Taylor. Her parents, both natives of Vermont, were early set- tlers in Pepin county, where Mr. Taylor was engaged in farming. The latter died in January, 1917, and his wife in the following month of the same year. They had resided on their farm until their death. Mr. Taylor had served on the township board for a number of years until taken sick, and had also been for a long time a member of the school board. He and his wife had six children, of whom their daughter, Clara, was the fifth in order of birth. She was educated in the schools of Pepin county. Mr. and Mrs. Richardson have three children: Pearl Verene, born May 25, 1905; Clinton Clark, born March 10, 1907; and Leona May, born May 22, 1910. All three are residing at home.

Michael Liddy, a pioneer settler of Waterville township, who a few years ago passed from life's scenes to the world beyond the tomb, was born in County Clare, Ireland, Jan. 27, 1829. Soon after attaining his majority he emigrated to the United States and instead of remaining in the East to swell the population of the already congested large cities, he struck boldly out into the wilderness of the Northwest, appearing in Eau Galle, Wis., in June, 1851. There he worked first for Mr. Carson and was later for three years in the employ of Carson & Rand. There was then no store at Winona or Durand, the nearest place at which supplies were obtainable being a small trading post at Reed's Landing, Wis., now Trempealeau. While working at Eau Galle, or for the Carson & Rand Lumber Company, Mr. Liddy had occasion to visit what is now Waterville township, Pepin county, and while here selected the land in section 11 that is now a part of the farm of his son, James H. He at once made his ownership secure by walk- ing to the land office at Hudson, where he got the deed to the property. For a while, however, he remained in the employ of Carson & Rand, and

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when he finally moved onto his land it was to remain until his retirement from active life, May 2, 1907. Here he was married in 1855 to Ann Martin, who was a native of County Mayo, Ireland, and she proved a worthy help- meet to him through the many years of their happy domestic life. Their first dwelling on the land he had secured was a log house, 16 by 24 feet, in ground dimensions. Though not a palatial residence, it was cozy and com- fortable, and sufficed for their needs for many long years to come. Here also their 12 children were born. While the Civil War was in progress Mr. Liddy was drafted for service and would have gone as a soldier but for the fact that he was needed at home for the support of his family. He, there- fore, procured a substitute, to whom he promised 80 acres of land and $100 in money. It was soon discovered, however, that the township had drafted three more men than its quota, but notwithstanding this and the subse- quent release of the substitute, Mr. Liddy gave the man the 80 acres of land, an example of unusual generosity which serves as a key to his char- acter. Mr. Liddy became the owner of 160 acres of good land, which he cleared and cultivated industriously, and in course of time achieved a well deserved prosperity. On May 2, 1907, he said good bye to the farm and took up his residence in Durand, where, after some years of comfortable retirement, he died Jan. 27, 1912, mourned by his family and regretted by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. During his active career he took a strong interest in all matters of public utility and, among other things, assisted in organizing his school district. He was a Catholic in religion, attending the church of that faith at Eau Galle. His wife, who survived him, is now residing at the home of her son-in-law, John Wei- shapple, a well known hardware merchant of Durand. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Liddy were as follows: Ellen, who married M. Drier, of Durand; Margaret, who married Edward Breunig, of Durand; James H., now oper- ating the old homestead; Catherine, who married E. A. Morin, of Duluth; Mary, now deceased, who was the wife of I. Heit, Jr .; Clara, who married Bert Guthrie, of Boyd, Wis .; Jessie, wife of Louis King, of Durand; Alice Luella, wife of John Weishapple, of Durand, and three who died in infancy.

James H. Liddy, a prominent farmer and stock raiser, operating the old Liddy homestead in section 11, Waterville township, Pepin county, was born in the log house of his parents, Michael and Ann (Martin) Liddy, on this same farm, April 3, 1865. He was the fourth member of the family, and in his boyhood attended district school No. 3, of which district his father was one of the organizers. His industrial career up to the present time has been spent entirely in farming, and he is personally familiar, both with pioneer and modern methods, as he was his father's assistant in the earlier years, when there was still some pioneer work to be done, and later adopted modern methods and machinery as they came into vogue. When 18 years old he took charge of the farm and has operated it ever since, having now 200 acres of land. All the more modern improvements have been installed by him and his place is a valuable, well-equipped and well-cared for piece of agricultural property, yielding good returns for the work put into it. As a stockman he is breeding Holstein cattle and Duroc- Jersey hogs, and aside from these immediate interests which demand his

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personal attention, he is financially interested in the Waterville Creamery Company, the Telephone Company and the Woodman Hall Company. Be- longing to the Modern Woodmen of America, he is now serving as vice president of the camp at Arkansaw. Of the creamery company he was treasurer for seven years and manager one year. He has also held town- ship office, having formerly been assessor for three years until he declined further service; and he was a school officer for 21 years, serving 12 years as treasurer and nine years as clerk, after which he declined further service in that position also. He attends the Catholic church at Arkansaw. On April 28, 1900, Mr. Liddy was united in marriage with Josephine Auth, who was born in Waubeek township, Pepin county, daughter of Garrette and Augusta (Haag) Auth. He and his wife are the parents of four children : Bessie, Earl G., Hazel and Helen. The two last mentioned are unmarried and residing at home. Earl G., who is assisting his father on the farm, married Pauline Radle. Bessie married B. A. Styer, a normal school grad- uate, who for two years was a teacher in Texas, and who is now a farmer in Dunn county, Wis. She has two children, Edward and Lois.

Corliece Poquett, who, after considerable agricultural experience in various locations, is now proprietor of a good 80-acre farm in section 16, Waterville township, Pepin county, was born in this township, Oct. 7, 1871, son of Corliece and Eliza Poquett. The parents were both natives of Ver- mont. The father, whose life-long vocation was that of farming, came to Pepin county about 1857, or 1858, locating near Arkansaw. The tract of land on which he settled was wild, and his first dwelling was a small log house. He continued there improving his place until about two years be- fore his death, when he retired and took up his residence with his daughter, Mrs. Charles Thompson, at whose home he passed away in March, 1905. His wife had previously departed from this life, in 1900. Of their family of seven children their son Corliece was the youngest. Corliece Poquett, Jr., in his boyhood attended school on Dead Lake Prairie, Waterville town- ship. He resided at home until his marriage, in 1894, and for one year operated the home farm. Then he rented a farm for two years, after which he came to the farm on which he now resides, which he conducted for three years. Returning to the old homestead, he again took up agri- cultural work there, but a year later moved to another farm in Waterville township, his removal being caused by the burning of his residence. Later, he came back to his present farm and remained here a year. Then he worked on the Taylor farm for two years, on the Weston farm for a year and a half, and on the Catura farm for a year. While working on the last mentioned place he was engaged in building up the home farm, to which at last he once more returned, and has made no further removals. He has well improved the place and has carried on modern farming with profitable results. He also for a while owned another farm, one of 45 acres, located a mile away, but has since sold it and bought 20 acres adjoining the home farm, which gives the latter an area of 80 acres. In politics Mr. Poquett is a Republican with independent tendencies. His fraternal affiliations are with the Modern Woodmen of America at Arkansaw. In November, 1894, Mr. Poquett was united in marriage with Margaret Supri, who was

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born in Menomonie, Wis., daughter of Charles and Ellen (Drinkwine) Supri. Her parents were born in Canada, the father Dec. 3, 1848, and the mother Sept. 11, 1849. Coming to Wisconsin they were married in Fond du Lac county, and removed to Menomonie in 1875. After a residence there of three years they came to Waterville township, Pepin county, locating on a farm at Forestvale. There Mr. Supri remained until his death, in April, 1917. He was a well known and respected citizen, and had served for a number of years as a member of the school board. His wife is still living on the farm. Of their six children their daughter Margaret was the third born. She attended school in Waterville township, and also the Catholic parochial school at Durand for part of one term. Mr. and Mrs. Poquett have been the parents of seven children, two of whom died in in- fancy, and one, Albert Lemmie, at the age of nine years. Their respective names, aside from those who died in infancy, are: Lena Belle, Albert Lemmie (deceased), Gladys Mary, Russell Joseph and Marie Ethel. The survivors are residing at home. Albert Lemmie, before his death, had at- tended the Forestvale school for three years. Mr. Poquett and the surviv- ing members of his family are Catholics in religion, being members of St. Joseph's Catholic church of Arkansaw.

Joseph A. Fox, one of the representative farmers and early pioneers of Pepin county, now located in section 23, Durand Township, was born at St. Johns, Canada, Nov. 28, 1851, son of Thomas and Bridget (McAleer) Fox. The parents were natives of Ireland, whence they emigrated to Montreal, Canada, where they were married, and from there came to the States, locating in Waukesha, Wis. From the latter place they came to Pepin county in 1862, being among the fisi settlers in this locality. The first home here was a sod shanty, and their most numerous neighbors and frequent visitors were the Indians. The valley in which they settled was named after them, and has since been known as Fox Valley. They cleared, grubbed and broke land for a good farm, taking their place in time among the successful and representative farmers of Durand township. Thomas Fox was a veterinarian of the old school, and practiced as such before com- ing to Pepin county, after which he devoted his entire life to farming. During the Civil War he was drafted for service, but was soon afterwards honorably discharged. He and his wife, Bridget, were the parents of seven children: John L., Thomas S., Joseph A., George M., Francis C., James B. and one who died in infancy. Mrs. Thomas Fox died in 1902. Her hus- band survived her three years, passing away in 1905.

Joseph A. Fox in his boyhood attended school in Durand township, and resided on the old homestead, taking care of his parents in their latter years. After their death he continued there until January, 1913, when he turned that place over to his son, Henry Thomas, and came to his pres- ent farm of 60 acres in section 23, which he is conducting successfully as a general farmer, also raising pure-bred Shropshire sheep. He is a mem- ber of the Catholic church at Durand, and in politics is a Democrat. Through hard work and close attention to business he has attained prosper- ity, and is numbered among the reliable and respected citizens of his town- ship. Joseph A. Fox was united in marriage June 20, 1880, to Anna M.

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MR. AND MRS. JOSEPH A. FOX

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Pattison, who was born in Ireland, March 20, 1858, and came to America at the age of 22 years on the steamship Arizona, landing in this country after a voyage of six days. Mr. and Mrs. Fox are the parents of three children: Katherine, who is a member of the Catholic Order of St. Frances, being known as Sister Raymond, and located in Ohio; Henry Thomas, a resident of Madison, Wis., located at the University stock pavilion, and Anna B., a trained nurse, now connected with Red Cross work at Los Angeles, Cal. In addition to his church affiliations, Mr. Fox is a member of the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin.

William Catura, proprietor of a farm in Waterville township, Pepin county, where he is giving special attention to the breeding and training of fast horses, was born in Franklin county, New York, Oct. 15, 1855, son of Frank and Martha (Brown) Catura. The parents were natives of Can- ada, the father's occupation being that of a farmer and real estate dealer. From Canada Frank Catura removed to New York State, and from there, about 1867, to Wisconsin, locating in Big Cooley, Pepin county. After remaining there one year he removed to Dead Lake Prairie, he and his family making their home in a small log house while he cleared and im- proved his land. After a while the log house gave place to a better dwelling, and in time he developed a good farm with all necessary buildings and equipment. When at last he retired he took up his residence in Arkansaw, where he died in December, 1912, between Christmas Day and New Year's Day following. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In the Civil War he served three years as a private in a New York regiment, and sustained injuries while engaged in constructing breastworks. The death of Mrs. Frank Catura occurred about seven years before that of her husband. They had six children, of whom William was the fifth in order of birth. The latter was educated in the district schools of Waterville township, and resided at home until 20 years of age. A year later he bought 40 acres of land, subsequently raised the size of his farm to 80 acres, but having recently sold 40 acres has thus reduced his farm to its original dimensions. At the age of 18 he began handling fast horses, and has since been engaged to a large extent in that kind of work, his farm being equipped with suitable buildings, including stables and a barn 50 by 26 feet in size. He also has a private track for training the horses, and has followed the racing circuit since he was 21 years old. This work, in fact, constitutes the greater part of his business, and in it he has made a gratifying success. In politics he is practically independent, though with a leaning to Repub- lican principles.

Mr. Catura was married in October, 1892, to Addie Pruner, who was born in the state of New York, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ecker Pruner. Her parents were also natives of that state. The parents on coming west settled first in Minnesota, from which state they came to Pepin county, Wis., arriving a few years later than the Caturas, and locating near Plum City. Mrs. Catura's mother is now living at Tacoma, Wash.

Emil Joseph Scholz, a well known and respected citizen of Waterville township, Pepin county, engaged in general farming in section 20, was born in Ella, Frankfort township, this county, March 4, 1893, son of Joseph

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and Lena (Schwab) Scholz. The parents were both born in Germany, the father in 1862 and the mother May 16, 1868. Joseph Scholz came to America when a young man of 20 years, and locating at Ella, this town- ship, worked for a while on a farm. Later, he bought land and engaged in agriculture on his own account. He died in Little Plum Valley, three miles west of Ella. March 26, 1896. His wife, Mrs. Lena Scholz, to whom he was married in Pepin county, continued to reside on the home farm until her son, Emil J., moved to his present place, since which time she has lived with him. Emil Joseph, who was the younger of two children, attended school at Little Plum Valley, Frankfort township, Pepin county, and also for two years a Catholic school at Durand. From the age of 16 years to that of 21 he operated his mother's farm, which he then purchased, operating it sub- sequently on his own account until March, 1914, when he sold it and came to his present place. Here he has 120 acres of good land, and is carrying on general farming, raising both crops and stock. He is also financially interested in the creamery at Arkansaw, and is a member of the American Society of Equity. In politics he is a Republican with independent tenden- cies, and in religion a Roman Catholic, attending church at Plum City, Pierce county. Oct. 14, 1914, Mr. Scholz was married to Lizzie Schmitt, who was born just across the county line in Pierce county, daughter of J. M. and Mary Ann (Gillet) Schmitt. Her parents were born in Fond du Lac county, the father, Oct. 3, 1852, the mother, Feb. 16, 1857. In early life J. M. Schmitt was a carpenter, but since 1885 he and his wife have resided on a farm situated on the county line, between Pepin and Pierce counties, 40 acres of the farm lying in Pepin county. He is now, however, practically retired, his sons operating the farm. The daughter, Mary Ann, who is the youngest of her parents' three children, attended school in Pierce county. Mr. and Mrs. Scholz are the parents of two children, Marie Magdalena and Edward Joseph.

Christian D. Nehlsen, a notable pioneer of Pepin village and county, who came here over 60 years ago, and who is now living in the village at the venerable age of 91 years, was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany (then a part of Denmark), July 1, 1827, only twelve years after the battle of Waterloo and six years after the death of the great Napoleon. His parents were Claus and Katherine Nehlsen. The father, who was a shoe- maker in Rodenbeck, had, like most able-bodied men of that period, also been a soldier. The subject of this sketch, who was baptized and after- wards confirmed in the Lutheran church at Westensee, acquired a good education in the village school. At the age of 15 he began to learn the painter's trade at Kiel, Germany, and later he also learned that of carpen- ter. From Kiel he went to Norway, where he worked for four years, and then was called into service in the German army and fought in the war with Denmark from 1849 to 1851, being discharged with the rank of sergeant. In the same year, 1851, he set out for the United States, resolved to try his fortune in a land of greater opportunities. His first location on this side of the Atlantic was at Rochester, N. Y., from which city he went to Erie, Pa., and from the latter place to Davenport, Iowa. He now beheld the waters of the great Mississippi river as they came rolling down from the mys-

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MR. AND MRS. C. D. NEHLSEN

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terious north, and it was not long before he felt a strong temptation to explore the upper country in search of a place to establish a home. Setting out in 1856 he arrived in Pepin, where there were then scarcely half a dozen houses. The locality, however, appealed to him, and he determined to give it a trial. There being no lumber in the settlement with which to build a house, he, with two other men, set out for Menomonie, which was the nearest place where it could be procured. The journey, of course, was through the wilderness, as there were no roads nor even a trail to follow. Their first night in the open was spent in a deserted lumber camp, and later they found a sugar camp, where they were given a night's lodging. At Menomonie they had to wait while the lumber was being sawed. Then, making it into a raft, they floated it down the Menomonie branch of the Chippewa river, and down the Chippewa to Pepin, that being the only available method of transportation. It was not long, however, before Mr. Nehlsen secured land and engaged in farming in Pepin township, being thus occupied for 13 years. Those years were crowded with hard work, for farming is not play even in these modern times, and what it was in pioneer days every old settler knows. Later, Mr. Nehlsen was identified with the business life of Pepin village, owning and operating a grain elevator here, and also a retail lumber yard. His proprietorship of these latter industries lasted about five years, at the end of which time he took up the carpenter's trade, for which there was now sufficient scope, as the place was growing with the advent of new settlers. During the time that he was engaged in contract work as a carpenter, Mr. Nehlsen built all the churches now stand- ing in the village, together with many schools and residences, both in the village and the adjacent country. In 1903 he retired from active work, and has since resided in the village of Pepin as one of its best known and most honored citizens. He has been a member of the Republican party since it was first organized. Mr. Nehlsen was married in 1852, at Davenport, Iowa, to Cecelia Ladyhoff, daughter of Claus and Margaret Ladyhoff. She was born in Holstein, Germany, Jan. 26, 1835, her parents belonged to the wealthy class of farmers and were the owners of a large farm and fine orchard. On arriving in this country. they settled in Davenport, Iowa, where the father died a few months later. She attended school in Daven- port, Iowa, and was also confirmed in the Lutheran church in that city. Mrs. Ladyhoff survived her husband and lived to the advanced age of 82 years. Mr. and Mrs. Nehlsen had a family of ten children, namely: Au- gusta, John, Julia, Amelia, Lena, Rose, Sara, Charles, Edward and Lillian. Of these children four are now deceased. Augusta died in 1873, and John in infancy, while the death of Charles was a tragedy, he being drowned in Lake Pepin, in 1882. Julia married C. M. Hilliard, an attorney of Durand, and has three children, Ruth L., a school teacher, and Hugh Stanley and William C., who are farmers in Montana. Amelia was the wife of J. F. Newcomb, now deceased, and her children are: Glenn, who is in the office of the stock yard at South St. Paul, and Chester, who became an engineer on the Burlington road, later entered the United States army, but is now again engaged in railroad work. Lena became the wife of J. W. Hamilton, a merchant of Durand, but is now deceased. She left a son, William H.

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History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2), Part 43

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

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