History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2), Part 5

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 5
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August Herrmann, a general farmer, owning a farm of 200 acres, in section 5, Lincoln township, Buffalo county, was born in Germany, April 30, 1859, son of Carl and Johanna (Dobbert) Herrmann. The family came to the United States in 1883, and for a number of years the father, Carl Herrmann, was a workingman in Buffalo county, but owned land which he rented to others. He died in 1916, his wife having previously passed away, in 1914. They had three children: August, subject of this sketch ; Johanna, born in 1861, who married Edmond Hornburg, and Carl, born in 1865, who is now a shoemaker in Winona, Minn. August Herrmann was educated in Germany and was about 24 years old when he came to America. After arriving in Buffalo county, Wisconsin, he worked out as a farm hand for four years, and then rented a farm in Waumandee township, which he operated for two years. He subsequently rented the farm on which he now resides, and after operating under rental for four years, purchased it in 1891, since which time he has been engaged in its cultiva- tion and improvement. It contains 200 acres, of which 100 are clear, the

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balance being in woodland. Mr. Herrmann has erected all the buildings now in use on his farm, and has also dug a good well which furnishes an adequate water supply. The old barn being destroyed by a cyclone, he replaced it with another, 30 by 50 feet, with a stone basement, to which he has added a 24-foot addition. This barn has cement floors and is equipped with patent stanchions and running water, being modern and sanitary. It was constructed by Mr. Herrmann's son, Robert, who is a master carpenter. The house, erected seven years ago, is a modern frame building of nine rooms. Mr. Herrmann does mixed farming, but mostly dairying and hog raising. His cattle are of the Holstein breed. Mr. Herrmann was married, Dec. 6, 1885, to Wilhelmina Kohagan, who was born in Germany, in 1863, daughter of Carl and Sophie (Sheffert) Kohagan, her parents being natives of Germany, who came to the United States in December, 1883. They had but two children, the other being a son, August, who remained in Germany. To Mr. and Mrs. Herrmann seven children have been born: Louisa, who married Fritz Giese; Wil- liam, who married Luvina Schatler; Robert, who is a carpenter, living at home; George, also on the homestead; Alfred and Emil, who are attending school, and a son (the third born), who died at the age of six months.

Gustav G. F. Marks, one of the leading farmers of Lincoln township, Buffalo county, residing in section 32, was born in Winona, Minn., March 16, 1869, son of August and Amelia (Paustz) Marks. The father was a native of Germany, who came to the United States in the sixties, locating in La Crosse, Wis. From that place he went to Winona by team, there being then no railroad, and after a residence of two years in Winona, crossed the river into Buffalo county, Wisconsin, locating in Lincoln town- ship, where for 30 years he followed the blacksmith's trade. He and his wife had ten children, two of whom, August and Albert, are now deceased. The living are Charles, Mary, Gustav G. F., Herman, Anna, Ida, Henry and Olga. Both the parents are now deceased. Gustav G. F. Marks acquired an elementary education in the district school, also attending the Lutheran school at Winona, for a year. Learning the blacksmith's trade from his father, he followed it for a number of years in early manhood in Lincoln. For three years also he drove the U. S. mail wagon in Milwaukee. In the year of his marriage, 1895, he located on the farm on which he now lives, taking possession of it in August. It contains 342 acres, of which about 125 acres are cleared, the rest being mostly in woodland. Here he is en- gaged in general farming, especially in dairying and the breeding of swine. He has remodeled the house and has a good set of buildings, having him- self erected a barn, granary and hog house. His equipment is thoroughly modern and includes an electric light plant. His land is also rich and fertile, and altogether his farm is one of the best in this part of the county. Mr. Marks is also a stockholder in Jahn's Valley Telephone Com- pany. He was town treasurer for seven years, roadmaster for eight years, and has also served on the district school board as clerk. On Feb. 13, 1895, Mr. Marks was married to Paulina Zirzow, who was born in Lincoln town- ship, May 1, 1867, daughter of Frederick and Johanna (Heubsch) Zirzow. Her parents are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Marks two children have

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been born: Esther, Nov. 18, 1895, and Harry, Feb. 21, 1899. They are both residing on the home farm.

Carl J. Ruff, proprietor of Meadow View Farm, in section 19, Lincoln township, and who is also connected officially with the Praag Cheese Fac- tory, is a man of wide acquaintance in Buffalo county, and of high stand- ing as a citizen. He was born in Alma township, this county, Oct. 14, 1870, son of George and Julia (Krause) Ruff. His parents, though of German origin, were married in this country and resided for about a year in Buf- falo, N. Y. Thence they removed to Wabasha, Minn., and two years later to Alma township, Buffalo county, Wis., taking a farm in section 23. There George Ruff died in 1881, and about two years later his widow married Matthias G. Ruff, who survived her, her death taking place on the farm, March 14, 1917. By her first husband she had three children: Anna, now the wife of Charles Hilgert; Paulina, wife of Ernst Klug, and Carl, the subject of this sketch. Her children by her second husband were: Emil, now residing with his father, on the home farm; and Alice, who is the wife of Theodore Kreibich. Carl J. Ruff, in early manhood, and up to the age of 26 years, worked out as a hired hand on various farms. He then married and bought the farm of 303 acres on which he now resides, and of which 150 acres are under the plow, the rest being woodland, meadow and bluff. He raises most of the usual farm crops and gives special atten- tion to dairying and the breeding of swine, meeting with good success in all branches of his business. He has two barns, one built in 1902, meas- uring 34 by 70 feet; and the other, with stone basement, measuring 32 by 56 feet. Two years ago he erected a modern hog barn. His residence is a substantial stone house of nine rooms. Of the Praag Cheese Factory he is secretary and treasurer, as well as a director and stockholder. He has served as school director for six years, but gives his principal attention to his farming interests, which have yearly increased in importance. On May 16, 1896, Mr. Ruff was united in marriage with Marguerite Vollmer, who was born in Alma township, July 31, 1875, daughter of John G. and Marguerite (Huscon) Vollmer. She was the seventh born in a family of eight children-John, Joseph, Mary, Anna, Simon, George, Marguerite and Henry. Anna and Henry are now deceased, as also is the mother, Mrs. Marguerite Vollmer, who passed from this life some four years ago. To Mr. and Mrs. Ruff six children have been born: George, April 29, 1897; Irvine, Jan. 29, 1899; Wilma, April 21, 1901; Mabel, May 16, 1903; Clar- ence, April 23, 1906, and Arnold, Dec. 18, 1909.

Paul Lanicca, one of the leading citizens of Alma township, Buffalo county, who has served many years in public office, and is also proprietor of an excellent farm in section 6, was born in Switzerland, March 7, 1858, son of John Thomas and Ursula (Lanicca) Lanicca. The parents were married in Switzerland, where the father was born, April 15, 1815. They came to America in 1868, locating in Washington county, Wisconsin. Sub- sequently they removed to Alma township, Buffalo county, buying the farm on which their son, Paul, now resides. Here John T. Lanicca died in 1890, at the age of 75 years, and his wife in 1892, at the age of 74 years. Their children were: Elsbeth, who is now living in Alma, the widow of

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CARL RUFF AND FAMILY

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J. P. Allemann; Ursula, who married John Buchly, and is now deceased, as also is her husband; Mary, who is the wife of Jacob Faller, and lives in Alma; Marguerite, now deceased, who was the wife of John Risch, and whose only surviving child, Lena, born April 4, 1888, is now residing with the subject of this sketch; Christian, who died in 1880, at the age of 25 vears; Paul, subject of this memoir, and Verona, born July 7, 1864, who resides with her brother. Paul Lanicca spent his youthful days on the farm, assisting his father to develop and improve it. In 1890, on the father's death, it became his property, and he has since operated it on his own account. Its area is 200 acres, of which 75 acres are cleared, the remainder being in woodland and meadow. Mr. Lanicca does mixed farm- ing and has a herd of registered Shorthorn cattle, to the breeding of which variety he gives particular attention. He also raises hogs for the market and grows grain and other farm crops, realizing good financial returns, and his buildings and farm equipment are modern and in good condition. Mr. Lanicca served three years as chairman of the Alma town board and was supervisor on the side board for two years. He has been district school clerk for 20 years. Fraternally he belongs to the lodge of Modern Woodmen of America at Alma.

Frank Lewis Owen, a prominent representative of the agricultural interests of Canton township, Buffalo county, where he has resided since childhood, was born in Wabasha county, Minn., Oct. 25, 1862, son of Lewis and Lydia Owen. He was but a small child when his parents located in what is now known as Owen valley, this township, and here he grew to manhood, receiving the ordinary educational advantages afforded by the school of his district. In 1888 he began independent operations on a tract of 100 acres, formerly owned by his father, and which forms a part of his present farm. As it was unprovided with buildings, he erected a house in the same year, putting up other buildings as needed, and in 1907 he built his present barn, measuring 34 by 56 feet, with 16-foot posts, stone base- ment with cement floor, and equipped with patent stanchions. He has also added to it a silo 12 by 34 feet in size, and his farm is now well provided both with house, barn and outbuildings. Its size has also been increased to 250 acres. The land is fruitful and well cultivated, and Mr. Owen is raising a good grade of Shorthorn cattle, horses, and Jersey-Red swine, for which he finds a profitable market. Taking an interest in everything that concerns the welfare and progress of his township, he has devoted a part of his time to service on the school board of his district. Mr. Owen assumed domestic responsibilities in 1888, when he was united in marriage with Della Mock, daughter of William and Lucinda Mock. Their family circle has been enlarged by the birth of nine children: Lee, Frank, Effie, Burr, Edna, Earl, William, Ora and Robert.

Knute H. Brenn, the founder of the Brenn family in Naples township, Buffalo county, was born near Christiania, Norway, in 1824. In 1854 he was married in his native land to Esther, daughter of Eric and Esther Bjergo, also a native of Norway, and born in 1821. For ten years after his marriage he continued to reside in Norway and then, in 1864, he came to America, landing at Quebec, Canada, from which place he proceeded

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to Green county, Wisconsin. There he farmed until 1872, in which year he came with an ox team and wagon to Buffalo county, locating on wild land in section 28, Naples township, a tract of 160 acres. There were no buildings but a sod house in a side hill, in which he and his family made their home for three years. In 1876 he built the upright of the present frame house, and in time, with the assistance of his sons, he cleared be- tween 25 and 30 acres of his land. Mr. Brenn was a hard worker, and was prominent among the sturdy Norwegians of the community. He was also one of the founders of the Norden congregation of the Norwegian Luth- eran church in Naples township, to which he and his family belonged. His death occurred in 1894, and that of his wife in 1898. Their remains now rest at Norden, in Naples township. Their children were: Halvor, who is now farming on the old homestead; Mary, wife of A. O. Jutrud, of Naples township; Knute K., a farmer, in section 22, Naples township, and Eric, who died in 1879. All the children, but Knute K., were born in Norway.

Halvor Brenn, a representative farmer, residing in Naples township, Buffalo county, was born in Norway, Nov. 24, 1856, son of Knute H. and Esther (Bjergo) Brenn. He came to America with his parents in 1864, landing at Quebec, whence they proceeded to Green county, Wisconsin. In 1872 they removed to Naples township, Buffalo county, and here the subject of this sketch was reared to manhood. His education was limited, but for a short time he attended district school. The rest of his time was spent in helping his father grub and clear the farm, or in working out to earn money for the support of the family in their strenuous pioneer days. On Nov. 18, 1889, he married Bertha, daughter of Andrew and Reude Amberson, of Naples township, and he and his bride began dor es- tic life on the Brenn homestead, in which he bought a half interest. Among the buildings he erected are the frame house, consisting of an upright, 16 by 24 by 14 feet, with a wing 18 by 20 by 14 feet; a barn, 40 by 74 by 20 feet, with cement floors, built in 1899; a granary, 16 by 24 by 14; poul- try house, 16 by 34 by 8; three tool sheds, two being 16 by 32 by 8, and the other, 18 by 20 by 8 feet; a hog house, 16 by 20 by 8; sheep barn, 20 by 30 by 10; a kitchen and woodhouse, 14 by 20 by 8, and a milkhouse, 8 by 10 by 8 feet, all the buildings being in good shape. Mr. Brenn was successfully engaged in general farming and dairying, raising Red Poll cattle, Shropshire sheep and a good grade of swine, until 1917, when he rented the farm to his son, Christian, for one year, and retired to Mondovi, having acquired a competency and established a record as one of the best farmers in this region. His farm, consisting of 160 acres, is beautifully situated in a valley six and a half miles southeast of Mondovi. The chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Halvor Brenn were as follows: Emma, born Dec. 23, 1890; Christian, born Jan. 7, 1892; Edna, born Sept. 20, 1893; . Helma, born Dec. 18, 1900, and Myrtle, born Sept. 28, 1910. Helma died an infant, in 1901. Edna is now Mrs. Gunder Berg, of Strum, Wis. The others are residing at home on the farm, except Christian, who is now at Camp Grant, in the United States service.

Charles L. Dienger, a well known farmer and dairyman of Lincoln township, Buffalo county, residing in section 25. is a man who has attained

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a prosperous condition in life through his own enterprise and industry, having begun without any extraneous advantages. He was born in Buffalo City, Wis., Feb. 15, 1866, son of Carl and Fredericka (Kubach) Dienger. His parents were born in Germany, the father, Jan. 16, 1825, and the mother, Nov. 19, 1835. The former came to the United States in 1852, and the latter in June, 1859. They were married in Buffalo City, Wis., and located in Belvidere township, on a farm. Carl Dienger died June 6, 1907, but his wife is still living, and is now residing with her son, Charles L. They were the parents of eleven children, the first born, a son, dying in infancy. The others were: Caroline, who died at the age of four years; John Christian, born Feb. 21, 1863; Fred, born July 17, 1864; Charles L., born Feb. 15, 1866; Adolph, born in October, 1868, who died when about six months old; Christiana, born Dec. 20, 1870, who died at the age of five years; Mary, born Dec. 20, 1872, who died at the age of 20 years; Fred- ericka, born March 10, 1874, who died at the age of 16 years; Julius, born July 23, 1876, and Jacob, born Jan. 13, 1878. Those not mentioned as deceased are now living. Charles L. Dienger, in his youthful days, as- sisted his father on the home farm, working out at times until arriving at the age of 22 years, when he purchased the farm on which he now lives. After operating it for four years he sold it, but four years later repurchased it and has since remained its owner. It is a farm of 188 acres, of which about 80 acres are cleared. Mr. Dienger, while he does general farming, makes a specialty of dairying and hog raising, keeping a good herd of graded Holstein milch cows. His barn measures 34 by 60 feet, and has a stone basement with a cement floor, in connection therewith being a tile silo, 12 by 30 feet in size. The residence is an eight-room house built in 1909, and is equipped with a good lighting system and other modern con- veniences. Among the other farm buildings are a chicken house, 14 by 28 feet, and a granary, all being in good condition. Mr. Dienger devotes practically all his time to the improvement of his place, but has served as school clerk for six years. He is enjoying a large measure of pros- perity and is numbered among the well to do residents of his township. On Sept. 19, 1891, he assumed the responsibilities of domestic life, being united in marriage with Wilhelmina Sohn, who was born in Belvidere township, June 29, 1872, daughter of Herman and Ernestina (Passon) Sohn. She was the eldest of a family of seven children, the others being: Ida, born Oct. 9, 1873, now deceased: Ernst, who died in infancy ; Albert, born July 6, 1876; Bertha, born Jan. 8, 1878, who died at the age of 20 years; Louisa, born Feb. 12, 1879, and Anna, born Feb. 21, 1880. To Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Dienger six children have been born: Arthur, Aug. 7, 1892; Roy, Oct. 20, 1893; Wilhelmina, Nov. 14, 1895; William, Oct. 29, 1898; Elnora, Aug. 17, 1902, and Arda, April 9, 1909. All are residing on the home farm. The family belongs to the Lutheran church. He was one of the organizers of the Gross Cheese Association, and is still a stockholder.

Martin Christian Johnson, a well to do farmer of Canton township, Buffalo county, was born in Modena township, this county, March 8, 1882. His parents were John M. and Anna (Espen) Johnson, natives of Norway, who were married in this county, the mother being the daughter of Otto

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and Anna (Paulson) Espen, early settlers in Canton township. Martin C. was only a year old when the family moved to Norwegian valley, Nelson township, and when he was ten they moved again, this time to Canton town- ship. Here he grew to manhood, his education being acquired in the dis- trict school. Remaining on the home farm until reaching the age of 23 years, he then began an independent career, buying a tract of 150 acres in section 30, Canton township, where he is now located. Here he has erected all the buildings, which include a basement barn 34 by 50 feet; a horse barn 20 by 28 feet; a machine shed 24 by 60 and a chicken coop 14 by 24 feet in size. His stock, all of a good quality, consists of Shorthorn cattle, Poland-China swine and Percheron horses, in addition to his chickens, of which he has a good-sized flock. He is doing a good farming business and is also a shareholder in the Equity Packing Company, at South St. Paul. Mr. Johnson married Emma Christianson, who was born in Modena town- ship, this county, daughter of Shur and Anna Christianson. He and his wife have six children: Josephine Alice, Silas Adolph, Anga Moy, Jessie Orvilla, Marvin Edward and Wallace Alvin.

John Mons Johnson, who settled in Buffalo county, in the seventh decade of the last century, and died in Canton township, Nov. 9, 1908, was born in Norway, April 11, 1850, being one of the seven children-five sons and two daughters-of Mons and Mary Johnson. At the age of about 20 years he emigrated to the United States, making the voyage in a sailing vessel. His first settlement was made in Minnesota, but in the same fall he went to Lodi, Columbia county, Wisconsin, where he remained three or four years. He then came to Buffalo county, and was here married on May 9, 1878, to Anna Espen, who was born in Norway, July 3, 1842, daugh- ter of Otto and Anna (Paulson) Espen, and who had come to this country in 1867, her family, a year or two later, locating in Canton township, Buf- falo county. After his marriage Mr. Johnson settled on land in Modena township, where for five years he carried on pioneer farming, he and his wife living in a log house which he had erected, and oxen being used on the farm for draught purposes. At the end of the period mentioned he moved to Nelson township, where again he built a log house and farmed for nine years. He and his family then removed to Canton township, where he got 160 acres of land, on which were some poor buildings. It was not long, however, before lightning struck the barn and it burned down, so he made a virtue of necessity by erecting a better one, and in time he improved the place in many other ways, before his death finding himself the owner of a good farm. He was a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church and one of its trustees. His wife, who survived him, is still living on the farm in Canton township. Their children were: Martin C., a farmer in Canton township; Albert A., now proprietor of the old homestead farm; Mary, wife of Clayton Kees, of Maxville township, and Carrie, wife of Martin Anderson, of Maxwell township.

William Schaub, proprietor of Valley View Farm, and one of the lead- ing farmers of Lincoln township, Buffalo county, who has also served as chairman of the town board for 15 years, was born in this township, Sept. 21, 1867. His parents were Frederick M. and Amalia (Huebsch) Schaub,

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the father a native of Prussia, Germany, and the mother of Austria. The former was a farmer most of his life, and came to Lincoln township, this county, in 1853, being among the pioneer settlers here. He died at the age of 65 years, in 1886, his death being the result of an accident. His wife, to whom he was married in this country, is still living, and resides with her son, William, the subject of this sketch. They had five children: Mary, who died at the age of 37 years; Julia, who is the wife of William Esbach, Sr., of Lincoln township; Josephine, who died at the age of 37 years; Caroline, who is now Mrs. Charles Guenther, of Alma, and William, of Lincoln township. William Schaub was 19 years old at the time of his father's death, and he subsequently operated the farm for his mother until he was 23, at which time he purchased it, and has since resided there- on. Its area is 441 acres, of which 200 acres are now tillable, the rest being in woodland. Here Mr. Schaub is engaged in general farming, giving his chief attention to dairying and general farming. His barn, which he has rebuilt and enlarged several times, now measures 52 by 110 feet, and in connection therewith is a good stave silo. His other buildings, including the frame residence, are substantial and adequate to the needs of a fairly large business. As already stated, Mr. Schaub has served as chairman of the town board for 15 years, and has been supervisor for three years; thus taking an active part in the affairs of local government, in which con- nection he has displayed good business ability and a large share of public spirit. By virtue of the office of chairman he served efficiently on the county board. On Feb. 3, 1891, he was united in marriage with Sarah Ann Haigh, who was born in Lincoln township, June 6, 1871, daughter of John and Ann (Mitchel) Haigh. Her father was married twice, by his first wife, Ann, having nine children: Thomas, David, George, Mary, Han- nah, John W., James, Sarah and Ellen. He had also nine children by his second wife, whose maiden name was Mary Loesel, they being respectively : Joseph, Emil, Daisy, Emma, Lucy, Frances, Clara, a son that died in in- fancy, and Richard. The parents of this family are both now living, and reside in Lincoln township. To Mr. and Mrs. William Schaub eight chil- dren have been born: Adlai F., May 13, 1892; Mabel Ann, July 1, 1895; Roswell, Aug. 13, 1897; Wilma, Jan. 3, 1900; Clarence, Aug. 9, 1902; Linda, Dec. 8, 1907; Melvin, Jan. 12, 1912, and Wilferd, Sept. 10, 1914, Adlai F., after completing his district school studies, took a short course in the agricultural college at Madison, Wis., connected with the State Uni- versity. He subsequently went to Minneapolis, Minn., where he entered the employ of the Minneapolis Street Railway Company. He died Dec. 30, 1916. Mabel Ann died Nov. 1, 1896, at the age of 18 months. Roswell and the younger children are all residing at home.

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History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2), Part 5

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

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