USA > Wisconsin > Buffalo County > History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2) > Part 51
USA > Wisconsin > Pepin County > History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2) > Part 51
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John Cowell, proprietor of a farm of 80 acres in section 5, Albany township, was born in Canada, Sept. 17, 1878, being the seventh child in the family of eleven born to Hezekiel and Anna (Barry) Cowell. The par- ents were also natives of Canada, the father being born in 1826. It was thirty years ago that they came to Wisconsin, settling in Dunn county, whence they subsequently removed to Albany township, Pepin county. John Cowell acquired the rudiments of knowledge in a Canadian school and afterwards attended schools in Dunn and Pepin counties, this state. As the parental farm was unimproved when first occupied by the Cowells, he soon had to make himself useful, assisting his father to grub and clear the land, the grubbing being a particularly arduous job, as it had to be done on the entire farm. About fourteen years ago, when his father died, he began to farm the place which he now owns and operates, and he has since remained here, carrying on general agriculture with profitable results. Mr. Cowell was united in marriage, Aug. 12, 1907, to Norrie Scott, daughter of John and Matty Scott. Her parents were farming people who came to Albany township, Pepin county, from Indiana, their native state, Mr. Scott becoming a prominent citizen of this township, where he is still living, and which he has served as a member of the town board, having also held office in his district school board. Mrs. Scott is now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Cowell five children have been born: Hattie, John, Edward, Merrill and Annabelle, all residing at home.
George Olbert, a prosperous general farmer residing in section 28, Albany township, was born in Pepin county, this township, Sept. 14, 1864. His parents were Michael and Anna (Kassel) Olbert, the father born in
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Baden, Germany, Feb. 15, 1828, the mother in Hessen a few years later. Michael Olbert was one of the pioneers of Pepin county, having previously resided in Pittsburgh, Pa., and Milwaukee, Wis. On arriving here he set- tled on the farm where Louis Geldner now lives and on which he erected a small log shanty of one room. The usual pioneer work of clearing and grubbing followed, and by the time the Civil War broke out he had four acres cleared. During this period he carried his flour and other supplies from Eau Galle or that vicinity, where also for some time he worked in a sawmill, walking back and forth between the mill and his home. Later he went to Milwaukee, where he married Anna Kassel, bringing his wife back with him to his claim. He served as a soldier during the last nine months of the war. He had helped six of his neighbors to find substitutes, but was finally obliged to go himself and was injured in the service. On his return home he resumed farming, remaining on his original homestead five years. At the end of that time, his brother having died, he bought the latter's homestead and removed to it, spending the rest of his life there and dying in 1911. His first wife, Anna, had died a number of years previously, and after her death he later contracted a second marriage. For a number of years he served as a member of the town board and proved his usefulness. He also helped to organize the school district, being one of its first officers, and was an active church worker. George Olbert was the second born in a family of nine children. He attended school in Albany township and resided at home until 21 years of age. One season he spent in the employ of John Rider, of Buffalo county, and then took up the blacksmith's trade, working in Eau Claire and also in Mondovi, where he, with a partner, con- ducted a shop for about eight years, they having erected their own build- ing. Finding himself no longer able to stand the hard labor of blacksmith- ing, Mr. Olbert then gave it up and entered the employ of Pat Malony, of Mondovi, remaining with him eleven years. He then moved onto his pres- ent farm, which he had previously purchased and on which he erected a barn. Since then he has made a number of other improvements, all of a modern type, and now has a good farm of 82 acres which yields him a satisfactory profit. He is also a stockholder in the Co-operative Creamery at Mondovi. He is a member of the Lutheran church, and in politics is a Republican, but has always declined local office. Mr. Olbert has never married.
Edward W. Johnson, who is operating a farm of 206 acres in section 35, Frankfort township, is a good representative of the agricultural class of this township, of which he is a native, his birth having taken place here June 28, 1881. His parents were Louis and Christina Johnson, who came to this country from Sweden, where the father was born in 1831. Settling in Frankfort township, this county, Louis Johnson cleared a farm in the woods, thus doing his part in the work of civilization. He and his wife are now deceased, his death having occurred June 26, 1891. Edward W. John- son acquired the elements of knowledge in district school No. 4, Frankfort township. At the age of 17, being a strong and active youth, he began working out for farmers in Minnesota and subsequently worked for others until he took his present farm and started in for himself in 1904. On his
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206 acres he follows a general plan of farming, keeping Oxford sheep and Poland-China hogs. Possessing the chief elements of success in a laudable ambition and an industrious disposition, he is already well established and has good prospects for the future. In politics he is independent. Mr. Johnson was married, Dec. 11, 1904, to Hulda Dahlgren, who was born in Frankfort township, this county, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nels Dahlgren, her parents being natives of Sweden. She attended the district school at Elk Creek, Frankfort township. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have one child, Myrtle.
Wesley Lenhart, an industrious farmer residing in section 33, Frank- fort township, Pepin county, where he has a neat and well-kept farm of 133 acres, was born in Pepin township, this county, March 26, 1886, son of Herman and Clara (Brandt) Lenhart, who died when he was an infant. In his boyhood he attended district school in this township and at the age of 14 began working out for farmers in Pepin county, later working on farms in North Dakota. With this experience he began operations on his present farm in 1911, and during the six years that have since elapsed has made good progress, carrying on general agriculture. The good prices now prevailing for all products of the farm have made agriculture one of the most profitable occupations, and Mr. Lenhart is a partaker in the general prosperity of his class. With good prospects for the future, he is pursuing the industrious tenor of his way and is one of the respected citizens of his township. In politics he is independent, voting for the man rather than for the party. On Sept. 20, 1911, the year in which he took his farm, Mr. Lenhart was united in marriage with Margaret Frank, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Frank. Her parents, who were born in Germany, are now living on a large farm in Pepin township, in the rural schools of which township she was educated. Mr. and Mrs. Lenhart have two children: Leroy and Bernice.
Henry John Meixner, a prosperous agriculturist of Waterville town- ship, Pepin county, whose flourishing farm of 160 acres lies in section 2, was born in this township, near the village of Arkansaw, Nov. 4, 1891. His parents, Frank and Theresa (Andrel) Meixner, were born in Austria and came to Waterville township, Pepin county, Wisconsin, in 1881, locating on a farm in section 11 that is now occupied by their son, Frank, Jr. The mother died in 1892, and the father, though living, is now retired from active work. Henry John Meixner in his boyhood attended school in Arkansaw village. He resided with his parents until 23 years old, assist- ing his father most of the time, though he began working for others at intervals when he was 21. On his marriage in 1915 he came to his present place and began general farming on his own account, having 160 acres of good land with suitable buildings. He is meeting with good success and getting satisfactory returns on his investment. He is a member of the Catholic church at Arkansaw. On April 13, 1915, Mr. Meixner was united in marriage with Ruth Clara Hill, who was born in Waterville township, near Arkansaw, daughter of Pearl and Hannah (Gushelbauer) Hill. Her father, who was born in the State of Connecticut in 1862, has always been a farmer and is still in active life, having a farm in this township. Mrs.
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Meixner's mother, a native of Austria, died in 1913, and her father subse- quently contracted a second marriage, of which nine children have been born. By his first wife, Hannah, he had four children, Ruth Clara being the second in order of birth. Mr. Hill served as clerk of his school district for thirteen years and also at times held other local offices. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America at Arkansaw, being one of the officers of the camp.
Michael Resler, who is profitably carrying on general farming and dairying in section 25, Waterville township, Pepin county, was born in Austria, April 19, 1866, son of Michael and Mary (Frazel) Resler. The parents, natives of the same country, came to the United States about 1870, locating on a farm in Lima township, this county, on which they resided many years and where the father died in 1913. The mother is still living on the old homestead. Of their large family of eleven children, Michael, Jr., was the third born. He attended district school in Lima town- ship and remained with his parents until 18 years old, after which he worked out until he was 26, giving his earnings to his father. He then married, and after that event was engaged in farming for a year on his own account. At the end of that time he took up carpenter work, which he followed in Durand as his regular occupation for ten years. Since the end of that period he has been operating the farm on which he now resides, though he still does carpenter work occasionally. He has 130 acres of good land with adequate buildings, and is carrying on his agricultural and dairy- ing operations with satisfactory financial returns. He is a member of the Catholic church at Durand, and in politics is independent. Mr. Resler was married, May 23, 1893, to Rosa Boehm, who was born in Lima township, daughter of Dominic and Rosella (Bauer) Boehm. Her parents came 1) this country early, the father being a young man. He afterwards made four trips back to Austria, bringing immigrants with him on his return. Before his marriage he was a shoemaker, but he afterwards became an extensive land owner, and after an active life is now residing in Durand retired, his wife being also living. Their daughter Rosa, the eldest of their ten children, never attended school, as her father, being a well-educated man, taught all his children at home. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Resler: Frank and Henry, who died in infancy ; Joseph, Felix and Elizabeth, residing at home; Mary, who died at the age of 8 years; and John, Andrew, Gertrude and Rosella, who are all living at home.
Mike Radle, proprietor of a small but excellent stock farm in section 11, Waterville township, Pepin county, was born in Austria, Sept. 29, 1862, son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Eltant) Radle. He attended school for a limited period in his native land and there learned the blacksmith's trade. Coming to the United States in 1881, a year before his parents, he was here married at the age of 21 and settled on a 20-acre tract one mile west of where he now resides. On that land, where he made his independent start in life, he cut the first tree and built a small log cabin, and in addition to improving his land did blacksmith work, residing there five years. He then traded that farm for another 20-acre tract in the vicinity, but was deprived of the latter property two years later. Building a blacksmith's
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shop on his father's farm, he bought another tract of wild land, this time of 40 acres, and made a new start. After residing on that property twenty- six years and making valuable improvements on it, he gave it to his son William and bought his present farm of 40 acres, which was his old home. He keeps good stock of all kinds and is breeding up in Holstein cattle. Aside from his immediate farm interests, he is a stockholder in the Waterville Creamery Company and in the Telephone Company. Religiously a member of the Roman Catholic church, in politics he is a Democrat with independent proclivities. Mr. Radle was married in 1883 to Margaret Dreier, who was born in Arkansaw, Pepin county, daughter of Lawrence and Mary Dreier, natives of Bohemia. Lawrence Dreier came to the United States on a sailing vessel, the voyage lasting sixty-two days, settled in Jefferson county, Wisconsin, where he resided a few years, afterwards going to Eau Galle, where he entered the employ of Carson & Rand. Later he settled on wild land in the vicinity of Arkansaw and was engaged in farming there until his death, which occurred in 1903. He served as school officer, but was not otherwise active in public affairs. His wife died in 1896. Their daughter Margaret, who was the sixth born in a family of eight children, was educated in the district school in Waterville township. Mr. and Mrs. Radle have reared a large family of children, whose record in part is as follows: Henry, who is a contractor and builder in Min- neapolis, married Clara Lucas, of Durand, Wis. William, residing on the old homestead, married Barbara Youngwood, of Lima township. Ida is the wife of Henry Brunner. Mamie, wife of Thomas Upleidinger, resides at Conan, N. D. Lucy, unmarried, is a trained nurse living in St. Paul. Paul resides at home.
Henry James Kees, who is conducting a flourishing farm of 140 acres in Durand township, was born in Maxville township, Buffalo county, Wis., Nov. 26, 1882. His parents were George W. and Amanda (Hurlburt) Kees. The father, born in East Troy, Wis., in 1828, in early life was a farmer. Later he engaged in the butcher's trade in Durand, which he followed for about thirty years, also becoming a land owner in the county. He is now retired and resides in Durand. During his active career he held various township and city offices. His wife, who was a year older than he, died April 12, 1912. Her parents were Horace and Anna (Miller) Hurlburt, the father born in St. Lawrence county in 1810 and the mother in Vermont in 1813. They removed from Franklin county, New York, to Dane county, Wisconsin, in 1854, and to Buffalo county in the following year. Both are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. George K. Kees were the parents of nine children. Henry James Kees, who was the youngest child of his parents, attended school in Durand. He resided with his parents, assisting his fa- ther until reaching the age of 21 years. He then entered the employ of the George Tarrant & Sons Company as a clerk, remaining with them two years, when he again went to work for his father and remained with him for about seven years longer. At the end of that time he purchased his present farm, which was then unimproved. It contains 140 acres of valua- ble land, on which he has made extensive improvements, all of excellent quality. As a farmer he is conducting a profitable business and has taken
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rank among the prosperous citizens of his township. Mr. Kees was mar. ried, Feb. 6, 1907, to Theresa Bratner, who was born in Lima township, Pepin county, Wisconsin, daughter of George and Agnes (Ressler) Brat- ner. Her parents were both natives of Austria, the father born March 29, 1857, and the mother April 19, 1863. George Bratner in early life served in the Austrian army. His regular trade was that of a mason, but he also had some experience as a baker and in other capacities. He came to America at the age of 18 years, locating in Durand, where for four years he operated a lime quarry for Miles D. Prindle. He then worked as a mason for some time and then moved onto a farm in Canton township, Buffalo county. Staying there two years, he then bought land in Lima township, Pepin county, and farmed there subsequently until his death, Sept. 18, 1914. For a number of years he served on the school board. He and his wife had fourteen children, of whom their daughter Theresa was the third in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Kees have four children: Harold George, born Nov. 8, 1907; Henrietta Pearl, born Sept. 3, 1909; William Howard, born July 14, 1912, and Galand Douglas, born June 10, 1914.
John Traun, a progressive farmer of section 23, Durand township, Pepin county, was born in Lima township, this county, Nov. 15, 1881, son of John and Victoria (Bauer) Traun. The parents were born and married in Austria and came to America in the spring of 1881, locating in Lima township, this county, where John Traun, Sr., engaged in farming. Later he sold his place there and moved to Maxville township, Buffalo county, where he died Aug. 30, 1896. He had several times held office and was a man well known and respected. His wife subsequently married John F. Bauer and now resides with her second husband on a farm in Lima township. John Traun, who was the eldest of his parents' seven children attended school in Lima township and also in Maxville township, Buffalo county. At the time of his father's death he took charge of the home farm and resided with his mother until 1903, when he began to work for an uncle, and was thus occupied for one year. Afterwards he worked an equal length of time for Anton Wise, and in 1905 bought his present place, a farm of 1283/4 acres of valuable land, located in section 23, Durand township, Pepin county, two and a half miles east of Durand. To this place he devotes his entire time and has made all the important improve- ments on it. He carries on general farming with good financial results. Mr. Traun was married, Aug. 21, 1906, to Theresa Koller, who was born in Lima township, Pepin county, daughter of Alexander and Walberga (Spindler) Koller. Her parents, who were born in Austria, are now pros- perous farmers in Durand township. Mr. and Mrs. Traun have two chil- dren: Wilfred John and Raymond Paul.
John Berger, who is engaged in general farming in section 12, Lima township, Pepin county, was born in Canton township, Buffalo county, Wis., March 25, 1892. His parents, Frank and Racey (Berger) Berger, were natives of Austria who were married in Wisconsin, the father coming to this country with his parents when a babe. After attaining to maturity he became a land owner and farmer in Buffalo county. Later he moved to Pepin county and is now engaged in farming there. He is a member
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.of the school board of his district and has served in various township offices. His wife is also living. They have been the parents of 12 children, of whom John was the third born. John Berger attended school at Fall Creek, Pepin county, and when 15 years old began working out for others. He resided at home until his marriage and then bought his present farm containing 60 acres of land. Besides carrying on general farming he hauls cream three days a week to the Meridian creamery. On May 4, 1915, Mr. Berger was united in marriage with Lucy J. Bauer, who was born in Lima township, Pepin county, Wis., daughter of John J. and Bertha (Kauf- man) Bauer. Her parents, who were Austrians, were early settlers in Lima township and still reside on a farm here. They have ten children, of whom Lucy was the fourth in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Berger have one child, Charles Edward, born Nov. 2, 1916.
Horace Richards, at one time sheriff of Pepin county, but now de- ceased, was born in the western part of New York State, and in early life was a farmer. He was married in his native state to Mary Morgan, also a native of western New York, and in 1869 came with his wife and family to Pepin county, locating in the village of Pepin where he was en- gaged in mercantile business until 1874. Then, being elected sheriff of the county, he moved to Durand. After serving as sheriff for two years Mr. Richards went to Maiden Rock, Pierce county, and from that time until his death was engaged in the hotel business there. His wife survived him several years. They were the parents of six children.
Porter A. Richards, an enterprising business man of Durand, Pepin county, was born in Wyoming county, New York, June 10, 1854, son of Horace and Mary (Morgan) Richards. His boyhood days were passed amid scenes fraught with historical associations pertaining to the revolu- tionary period, and he was about 15 years old when in 1869 he accompa- nied his parents to Pepin county, Wisconsin. He attended school for awhile in Pepin and also took a business course in La Crosse. For about five years, he was engaged in teaching school. After that he was for six years in the employ of a grain firm at Wabasha, Minn. Having by that time acquired a good knowledge of the business in all its details Mr. Rich- ards engaged in the grain, flour and feed business for himself in Eau Claire, Wis., remaining there six years. In 1890 he came to Durand and engaged in the same business here, which he has followed up to the present time, also dealing in fuel. In addition to this he conducts a transfer business, for the last 27 years has been agent of the Standard Oil Com- pany, and for 20 years also Mr. Richards has handled produce for a Chi- cago firm. He is conducting a successful business which he has built up to its present proportions through his own industry and enterprise, and has taken rank among the leading merchants of the place. In politics a Republican, he served one year as alderman of Durand and also one year as city clerk. Mr. Richards was married in April, 1880, to Maggie Dyer, who was born in southern Wisconsin, daughter of Wayne B. and Ursula (Bush) Dyer. Her parents, who came to Wisconsin from the east- ern States, located in Durand, where Mr. Dyer served for some time as justice of the peace. Both are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Richards have
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five children: Ralph H., now engaged in the lumber business at Brandon, N. D .; Blanche, wife of John Bauer, a traveling salesman residing in Wa- tertown, S. D., and Alice, Helen and Mary, who were educated in Durand and at normal schools and are now teachers, Helen having also taken a drawing course at Detroit, Mich. Mr. Richards' fraternal affiliations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Fred Sidell Harkness, a well known business man of Durand, Pepin County, where he is engaged in stock buying, was born at Sparta, Wiscon- sin, April 18, 1858, son of Forrest and Zylpha (Haviland) Harkness. The parents were natives of New York State, the father being a stock dealer by occupation. Coming west in 1856, they settled at Sparta, Wis., where Forrest Harkness engaged in the packing business, being a member of the firm of Moffitt, Cargill & Harkness. Later he opened a packing plant on his own account at Black River Falls, operating it independently for some six years, and about 1872 selling to Drummond & Brooks the first carload of hams they ever bought at wholesale. Moving subsequently to Eau Claire, he was engaged in the meat business there until 1881. In 1886 he came with his family to Durand, and was here engaged in buying and shipping stock until his death, which occurred in the year 1900. His wife died July 22, 1894. Fred Sidell Harkness, who was one of a family of four children, attended school at Sparta and Black River Falls. At the age of 16 years he began learning the butcher's trade at Eau Claire under his father, and for some time was engaged in it. He then worked five years on the Chippewa Valley railroad. In 1887 he came to Durand and engaged in the stock business buying extensively all over this part of the state for the Drummond Packing Company, in which he is assisted by his son, Arthur F. As a business man Mr. Harkness has gained a high standing throughout this section, and has also taken a prominent part in the affairs of the community in which he lives. He served as mayor of Durand for two years, was alderman four years, and was for one year sec- retary of the Fair Association. In politics he is a Democrat, while his re- ligious affiliations are with the Congregational church. On January 14, 1887, Mr. Harkness was united in marriage with Amelia Perical, who was born at Eau Calle, Dunn county, Wis., daughter of Frank and Mary (Drier) Perical. Her parents, who are both now deceased, came from Jefferson county, this state. Mr. Perical, who was a farmer, died in 1889, and was survived by his wife until 1916. They were worthy people, much respected in their community. Mr. and Mrs. Harkness are the parents of two children: Bessie, who graduated from the University of Wisconsin and is now a high school teacher; and Arthur Forrest, already mentioned as being associated with his father in business. Mr. Harkness is a member of the orders of Foresters and Beavers, his wife also belonging to the latter order. They are prominent members of the best society in Durand.
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