History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2), Part 7

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 7
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ANTON ROTHERING AND FAMILY

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successful farmers of Buffalo county, Mr. Hansen is a Norwegian. He was born Oct. 3, 1864, son of Syver and Gunnild Hansen, and was about 2 years old when he accompanied his parents to the United States and to Modena township, this county. Here in his boyhood he trudged to and from the little log school house of his district, carrying his well-thumbed spelling book or his arithmetic, each day becoming better acquainted with their contents. But to his educational opportunities there was a limit im- posed by the stern and practical realities of life, and the time came when he was obliged to lay aside his books and take up the industrial tasks belonging to the daily work on his parents' farm. There he received another sort of education, which has, perhaps, been equally beneficial to him, as it has enabled him to take an assured place among that inde- pendent and prosperous class of workers, the farmers of the nation. In 1894 he and his brother Ben took charge of the old homestead and operated it together until 1900, in which latter year our subject came to his present farm, of which he is the sole proprietor. Here he has shown his enter- prise by making a number of valuable improvements. Among the build- ings he has erected on the place are a basement barn, the main part of which measures 54 by 34 feet, and an addition attached to it 24 by 34 feet ; also a silo 14 by 42 feet. He has also a fine hog-house and has set out a good orchard. The house, barn and outbuildings are equipped with electric light. Mr. Hansen raises thoroughbred Holstein cattle, thoroughbred Percheron horses and a good grade of hogs, each branch of his business being conducted at a good profit. He is also a shareholder in the Modena creamery and in the Farmers' State Bank of Modena. He was for five years a member and clerk of the school board of his district, resigning in July, 1918, and his religious faith identifies him with the Norwegian Luth- eran church. In 1901 Mr. Hansen married Julia Teigen, who was born in Buffalo county, daughter of Hans O. Teigen, a pioneer of Nelson and Mon- dovi townships, this county. He and his wife had eight children, one of whom, Olga, is now deceased. The living are George, Helen, Mabel, Edith, Clarence, Grace and Henry.

Anton Rothering, proprietor of one of the best farms in Waumandee township, Buffalo county, and who is also one of the leading citizens of that township, was born on this farm, Aug. 12, 1863, son of Gerhardt and Mary (Kennebeck) Rothering. The parents were both natives of Ger- many, the father coming to this country in 1858 and the mother in 1856. They were married in Waumandee township and there settled, where Gerhardt engaged in farming, an occupation which he has followed dur- ing his entire industrial career. He is still living and is a widower, his wife having passed away some twelve years ago. Since 1897 he has been retired and makes his home in Marshfield, Wis. They had six children: Her- man, Anton, Mary, Anna, Minnie and Bernhardt. Anton Rothering passed his boyhood days in Waumandee and up to a certain age attended school and assisted his parents. He was about six months past his majority when he began working on his own account, though for others, and was thus engaged until he was 25, at which time he married. After that event he was occupied for two years in hauling cream. He then rented his

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father's farm for six years and at the end of that time purchased it. Then in 1911 he bought an adjoining farm, by which purchase he became the proprietor altogether of 454 acres, the area of his present farm, which is located in sections 26 and 27. About 225 acres are cleared, the remainder being in woodland and bluffs. Mr. Rothering is engaged in general farm- ing, including in particular dairying and the raising of swine. He has a good herd of milch cows with a full-blooded Shorthorn bull. In 1914 Mr. Rothering built a new barn 36 by 120 feet in size, with a stone basement and cement floor. The house is a good frame structure. Mr. Rothering is doing a profitable business as a farmer, and is a shareholder in the Cochrane and Fountain City creameries. For two years he was a member of the town board and for twelve years treasurer of his school district. On May 1, 1888, he was married to Johanna Brandt, who was born in Michi- gan, May 1, 1870, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Ramus) Brandt. Her parents were born in Germany, the father for a number of years following the trade of a tailor, but becoming a farmer after arriving in the United States and settling in Glencoe township, Buffalo county, Wis. Later they moved to Minnesota, but both are now deceased. They had six children : Kate, Jacob, John, Frances, Johanna and Anna. Mr. and Mrs. Rothering have been the parents of eleven children, seven sons and four daughters, namely: Albert, born March 31, 1889; Dora, Oct. 1, 1892; Helen, Aug. 27, 1894; Harry, Jan. 1, 1896; Rudolph, March 6, 1898; Joseph, May ? 1900; Clarence, June 3, 1902; Norbert, July 29, 1904; Deward, Sept. 22, 1907; Vernice, Sept. 3, 1912. Dora is the wife of Emil Abts, of Cross township, and Helen the wife of Clarence Angst, of Winor a. Harry is now working out. The family are affiliated religiously with the Catholic church.

Hans Steen, who for some years past has been making good progress along agricultural lines in Maxville township, Buffalo county, was born in Norway, March 16, 1887, son of Thomas and Mary Steen. He was 6 months old when he came with his parents to America, they settling in this township, where subsequently seven more children were born into the fam- ily circle. Here Hans passed through his educational period, attending the school of his district. At the age of 16 years he began working out for others and so continued until 1907, when he began independent farming on his father's farm. In 1910 he took 160 acres of wild land in the woods of section 13, Maxville township, where the only sign of civilization was a rough road which had been cut through the vicinity. Mr. Steen has worked hard to improve his place and has now got 40 acres cleared and good buildings erected. He is raising good stock and is coming to the front as a successful and prosperous farmer. He is also a member of the school board of his district, and his religious affiliations are with the Methodist church. Mr. Steen was married Dec. 17, 1913, to June Johnston, a native of Maxville township, Buffalo county, and daughter of William and Etta Johnston. He and his wife have been the parents of two children : Darrell, born Oct. 15, 1914, and Kenneth, born Feb. 2, 1916, who died Jan. 28, 1918.

Robert Krause, a well-known and respected farmer of Waumandee township, Buffalo county, was born in Germany, Dec. 23, 1844, son of Rob- ert and Lena (Altmann) Krause. At the age of 12 years he accompanied

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ROBERT KRAUSE AND FAMILY

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NICHOLAS ROTERING

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his parents to the United States. Landing at New York City, they pro- ceeded thence to Buffalo, N. Y., from which place they came directly to Buffalo county, Wisconsin, settling in Waumandee township, where Robert Krause, the elder, engaged in farming. Both he and his wife are now deceased. They had four children: Agnes, who is living in Rock Island, Ill .; Robert, Jr., subject of this sketch; Augusta, deceased, and Mary, who is living in Everett, Wash. Robert Krause, Jr., attended school in Ger- many until he was 11 years old and two winters in America. His youthful days in Waumandee township were spent amid pioneer surroundings, as at that time there were very few settlers, the Indians, of whom there were hundreds, being much more numerous than the whites. Until arriving at the age of 24 years he was engaged in assisting his father in developing the home farm, and then, marrying, he rented one-half of it and began his independent career as an agriculturist. He had at first 160 acres. Since then he has sold 40 acres, leaving him with 120, the present size of his farm. Of this area 110 acres are cleared, the rest being in woodland. The buildings, which are in good condition, were all erected by him. Mr. Krause worked hard in early years, but his labors have placed him in pos- session of a good farm which yields him a comfortable income. He raises both grain and stock. For seven years he served as treasurer of his school district, and he has always taken a lively interest in the progress and development of his township and county. Mr. Krause was married in Waumandee in 1868 to Augusta Binder, who was born in Sheboygan, Wis., March 12, 1849, daughter of Frederick and Carolina (Flagge) Binder. Her parents, who came to America in the fifties, had twelve children, nine of whom are now living. Mr. Binder was a mason by trade. Both he and his wife are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Robert Krause eight children were born: Hermina, in May, 1869, who died at the age of 38 years; Edward, born June 12, 1871, and now a resident of Winona, Minn .; Johanna, born Aug. 29, 1873, who is the wife of Jacob Mueller and resides in Fountain City; Julia, born July 9, 1876, who is residing on the home farm; Otto, born Aug. 18, 1879, also living at home; a daughter who died in infancy; Hugo, born July 9, 1883, and a son, born July 4, 1887. They are members of the German Lutheran Church.

Nicholas Rotering, a prosperous farmer and dairyman of Waumandee township, Buffalo county, residing in section 26, was born in Germany, Nov. 21, 1851, son of Anton and Gertrude (Hunkar) Rotering. The father was a native of Westphalia, Germany, and came to the United States in 1869, settling in Schoepps Valley, Buffalo county. His life occupation was that of a farmer. His wife, whom he married in this country, was a native of the same German province as himself. Both are now deceased. They had seven children: Gerhardt, now a resident of Marshfield, Wis .; Wil- liam, who died at the age of 65 years; Herman, who died at the age of 56 years; Bernhardt, who died at the age of 67; Henry, who resides in Milton township; Nicholas, subject of this sketch, and Johanna, who was married in Germany and died there. Nicholas Rotering in his youth attended school in Germany. He was 18 years old when he came to the United States and soon found employment with farmers, working as a farm hand for six

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or seven years. About a year before his marriage he took the homestead on which he now lives and which then contained 160 acres. Later he pur- chased 240 acres more land, making in all some 400 acres, of which 200 acres are cleared, the remainder being in woodland and bluffs. Mr. Roter- ing is engaged in mixed farming, mainly dairying and hog raising. He has erected all the buildings on his farm, his barn, 36 by 76 feet, having a stone basement. His cattle are graded and of the Shorthorn breed. While Mr. Rotering's time and attention are devoted mainly to his farming interests, he has also served in local office, having formerly been for three terms a member of the board of supervisors. He was also school clerk three years and school treasurer eight years, and in his public service has always shown the qualities of a good citizen and careful business man. As a farmer he is industrious and enterprising and has been successful.

He was married, May 3, 1877, to Rosa Greenwaldt, who was born in Dubuque, Iowa, Sept. 23, 1859, daughter of Jacob and Susan (Spore) Greenwaldt. She was one of a family of five children, one of whom, Rob- ert, is now living in St. Paul. The others died in middle age, Mrs. Roter- ing's death occurring March 4, 1917. Her parents passed away about thirty years ago. The father, Jacob Greenwaldt, was a native of Switzer- land and a blacksmith by trade, but after coming to this country was en- gaged in farming. To Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Rotering twelve children were born, whose record in brief is as follows: Nicholas, born Feb. 18, 1878, who is county attorney at Butte, Mont .; George, born July 24, 1879, now deceased; Robert, born Feb. 8, 1881, who is a farmer in North Dakota; Samuel, born Oct. 11, 1882, who is deceased; Lewis, born Jan. - , 1885, and now a soldier in the United States army; Edwin, born April 27, 1887, who is a blacksmith in North Dakota; Frank, born May 11, 1889, who is residing at home; Hulda, born Aug. 22, 1891, who is now a Red Cross nurse; Susan, born Dec. 21, 1894; Esther, born April 3, 1896, who is residing at home; Leona, born Oct. 5, 1898, now deceased, and Alex, born Oct. 6, 1900, who is residing at home.

Robert Simpson, one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Maxville township, where he is engaged in agriculture, was born in the north of Ireland, Oct. 30, 1871, son of Robert and Mary Simp- son. The parents, who were farming people, lived and died in Ireland. They had a family of eight children: Bridget, Jane, Mary, Margaret, Rob- ert, James and Hugh. Bridget and Robert were the only members of the family to come to the United States, the former coming first. Robert was a young boy when thirty years ago, or in 1887, he left his native land for the United States. He had received some schooling in Ireland, and for some time after arriving in Wisconsin lived with his uncle, James Smith, at Elroy, Wis. When he began industrial life he engaged in driving logs on the Chippewa river, following that occupation for one season, after which he worked in the woods until he married in 1902. After that he farmed during the summer, working in the woods in winter, and in course of time cleared up 100 acres of land, his tract lying in sections 28, 29, 32 and 33. This he sold in 1908 and bought his present place of 160 acres in sections 29 and 30, on which he has built a good house and barn and

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DAVID ANGST AND FAMILY

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where he is doing a successful farming business, raising good stock. His success has been attained by hard work and steady, persevering industry, which he has manifested so conspicuously as to gain the respect and con- fidence of his fellow citizens. As men of reliability are in demand for the public service, it is not surprising to learn that Mr. Simpson has spent con- siderable time in office, having been supervisor seven years, assessor for two years, township clerk one year and treasurer one term, besides hold- ing the office of clerk on the school board for some twelve or thirteen years. Mr. Simpson was married, in 1902, to Mamie Shoemaker, who was born in Maxwell township, daughter of Beltus and Margaret (Bilderbeck) Shoe- maker. He and his wife have been the parents of six children: Marion, Ellen, Grace, Robert, Margaret and Jane, of whom the last mentioned is now deceased.

David Angst, who is numbered among the successful agriculturists of Waumandee township, Buffalo county, residing in section 13, and who is also one of the leading citizens of his township, was born in Lima, Adams county, Ill., April 16, 1865, son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Goodwin) Angst. The father, who was born in Canton of Zurich, Switzerland, Dec. 27, 1836, came to the United States in 1855, landing in this country after a voyage of 67 days. He settled in Buffalo county, Wisconsin, in 1865, and was here engaged in farming until his death, which took place April 8, 1892. His wife, who was born in Franklin, Ind., May 13, 1839, died Aug. 22, 1908. Their children were: David, subject of this sketch; Clara, wife of William Holman; Walter, who married Mary Thoma; Mary Luella, wife of Otto Holman; Dudley, who married Belle Coleman; Della, who is the widow of William Edelbach; Turilla, wife of Fred W. Schroeder; Oscar J., who mar- ried Gertrude Blackman and Cora, wife of Adam Ritcher. David Angst finished his public school education at the age of 16 years, after which he assisted his father on the home farm until he was 23. After that he worked out at farming for three years. Then in 1891 he rented a farm in Waumandee township, which he worked for three years, subsequently renting the Charles Kirchner farm for a period of five years, and later the home farm of his parents for seven years. In 1894 he bought the Reuben Powell farm, which he operated in connection with the home farm, and in 1902 he purchased the farm on which he now resides, which was known as the Matthias Waters farm. The Powell farm contains 120 acres, of which 94 acres are cleared, while the home farm contains 200 acres, having a cleared area of 160 acres, the rest being in woodland. In 1914 Mr. Angst bought 80 acres of the home farm. He is engaged in general farming, mainly dairying and general farming and stock raising. His barn, which has a stone basement, is 40 by 96 feet in size, and his residence is a frame structure of 11 rooms. Mr. Angst had a good herd of graded Red Polled cattle. For 25 years he has owned and operated a threshing outfit, also a wood-sawing outfit, and a clover-hulling machine. For two terms he served as supervisor of his township, was school clerk two terms, and is at present a director on the school board. He is a stockholder and director in the Waumandee Co-operative Creamery Company. He was married Feb. 24, 1891, to Caroline Roesch, who was born in Glencoe town-

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ship, Buffalo county, Wisconsin, Jan. 6, 1869, daughter of Christoph and Ursula (Gartmann) Roesch. The children in the Roesch family were: Fredericka, now deceased; Mary, who married Christ Florin, Mr. Florin being now deceased; John, who resides in Arcadia; Caroline, who is Mrs. David Angst; Rose, who is the wife of John Ruppert, and Anton, who is single and resides in Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Angst have had six children : Clarence, Viola, Wilmer, Orvin, Lora and Vernon. Clarence, who was born April 18, 1892, and who attended high school and business college, mar- ried Helen Rothering and is now engaged as automobile mechanic in Winona. Viola died at the age of 14 months. Wilmer, born June 24, 1896, attended high school and is now residing on the home farm. Orvin, born May 20, 1900, was also a high school student and resides at home, together with Lora, who was born June 20, 1904, and Vernon, born Dec. 5, 1908.

Henry N. Smith, a well-known farmer of Maxville township, who has resided here many years, was born in Huntington county, province of Quebec, Canada, Aug. 3, 1852. His father was Nathan J. Smith and his mother in maidenhood Mary Ann Brown, they being natives respectively of Vermont and Canada. Nathan was a son of James Smith, of Ireland, and his wife a daughter of Albert Brown, who traced his descent from early French settlers in Canada. Nathan J. Smith, who was one of a fam- ily of four children-James, Elizabeth, Nathan J. and Benjamin-was born, as already stated, in Vermont, but grew up for the most part in New York State. Locating in Canada, he engaged in farming there and remained until the breaking out of the Civil War, when, impelled by patriotism-for he did not need to return-he enlisted in Company B, 118th New York Regiment, with which he served two and one-half years. On going to the front he left his wife at home with four children-Henry, Amanda, Jane and Eveline. This home was in New York, where he had returned on the breaking out of the war. After receiving an honorable discharge from the army, Mr. Smith returned home, and on June 18 left with his family for Wisconsin, arriving at Durand, July 8. For four years he farmed in Dunn county and then moved to Lima township, Pepin county, residing there four years also. His next removal was to Canton township, Buffalo county, but after a few years there he located in Maxville town- ship, where he remained until 1881. The next 12 years of his life were spent in North Dakota, after which he went to Kansas, where he died at the age of 69 years. His first wife, Mary Ann, had died in 1866 at the age of 33 years, and he had subsequently married Neomi Carver, of which union there were no children born. He was a member of the Methodist church. The children born to him and his first wife after his enlistment in the army were Eliza, Herman and William. Henry N.Smith was educated in the schools of New York State and Wisconsin. At the age of 16 years he began working on the river and was thus occupied until river work stopped, which was when he had reached the age of 20. He then took up farming in Maxville township and was thus engaged until he retired, his son Herman taking care of the farm. The latter, however, having been called to serve in the present war, Mr. Smith has had to resume manage- ment of the farm. He has at various times held public office, including

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NICHOLAS CHRIST AND FAMILY

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that of township assessor, in which he served twelve or fourteen years, was a member of the side board two years and was school clerk a number of years. His farm is a profitable one, on which he raises good stock. Mr. Smith was married, in 1875, to Christina Nimmo, who was born in Vernon, Waukesha county, Wis., daughter of Alexander and Elizabeth (Sinclair) Nimmo. Her parents were natives of Scotland, who in 1861 located in Maxville township, where Mr. Nimmo was engaged in farming until his death. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of six children: Harry, Frank, John S., Frances, now Mrs. Joseph Golden, of North Dakota, Her- man and Jennie, who is the wife of Bert Yoger, of Cold Harbor, N. D. John and Herman are unmarried. Harry is engaged in farming in Max- ville township. Frank is also a farmer in Maxville. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have twelve grandchildren.

Olf Lamo, a resident of Maxville township, Buffalo county, now re- tired from active work, is a member of the hardy and industrious Nor- wegian race that has taken a prominent part in the building up of many communities in this and other northwestern states. He was born in Norway, December 4, 1854, and acquired his education and began industrial life in his native land. The conditions there were not favorable to the speedy acquirement of wealth, for he worked a whole year for three dol- lars and a suit of clothes; the second year he did better so far as cash remuneration was concerned, for he received six dollars. He had formed the project of coming to America to better his condition, but he had to exercise considerable patience and be rigidly economical for some years before he found himself with enough money to pay for his passage. At last in 1877 he left Norway, and on arriving on this side of the Atlantic made his way to Buffalo county, Wisconsin, locating first in Canton town- ship, where he found work at grubbing land. Although not a highly paid occupation, his savings accumulated much more rapidly here than they did in Norway and it was not a great while before he found himself able to get married and begin farming on a place of his own. His bride was Therba Torgason, who was born in Norway in 1862 and who had come to the United States in 1871 with her parents, Sunda and Anna Torgason, they locating near Menominie, Wis. The farm Mr. Lamo bought was merely a tract of 120 acres of land in section 24, Maxville township, as there were no buildings on it, and he first had to erect a log house before beginning any other improvements. All things were done in time, however, a good house and barn and other buildings being erected and the land well cul- tivated. On that place he resided for thirty years and then retiring, built a house on an adjoining site, where he and his wife are now living. They are the parents of nine children and have nine grandchildren, the former being Caroline, Julia, Mary, Thomas, Sever, Theo, Joe, Myrtle and Adelaide. The family are affiliated religiously with the Norwegian Luth- eran church, in which Mr. Lamo has held official position.

Nicholas Christ, a well-known and respected general farmer of Wau- mandee township, Buffalo county, residing in section 2, was born in Montana township. March 14, 1872, son of Conrad and Margaret (Florin) Christ. The parents were natives of Switzerland, the father coming to

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the United States in 1856. They had twelve children: Joseph, who met an accidental death at the age of about 1 year; Christian, now residing in Montana township; Margaret, wife of John Arduser; John, who lives in Montana township; Peter, a resident of Montana township; Mary, wife of Christ Ruedy, of Arcadia, Wis .; Andrew, deceased; Nicholas, subject of this sketch; Anna, a twin sister of Nicholas, who is the wife of Christ Alleman; William, who lives in Arcadia; Conrad, residing in Eau Claire, Wis., and Sulla, who married Martin Alleman and lives in Montana town- ship. Nicholas Christ acquired his education in the district school and was for a number of years industrially active on the home farm as his father's assistant. Afterwards he spent two years working in North Dakota, returning home at the end of that time and resuming his resi- dence on the homestead, though working out for the most part until 27 years of age. After that he helped his father for two years and at the end of that time rented the home farm, operating it under rental for seven years. He then bought the farm on which he now lives and which con- tains 100 acres, all the land being cleared. Here he does general farming, including in particular dairying and the raising of swine for the market. He has made some important improvements on his property, building the house-a brick veneered structure-about four years ago, and enlarging his barn by an addition of 30 feet. The latter has a stone basement and its total dimensions are 30 by 74 feet. Mr. Christ has a herd of mixed cattle, chiefly milch cows, and is a stockholder in the Garden Valley Creamery. He has made a steady progress in prosperity since taking his farm, and is a man of energy, full of the modern spirit. On June 22, 1899, Mr. Christ was united in marriage with Sulla Florin, who was born in Waumandee township, Feb. 7, 1877, daughter of Leonard and Ursula (Thoeny) Florin. Her parents, now deceased, were natives of Switzerland and had seven children: Christ, Andrew, Sulla, Mary, Betty, Anna and Leonard. By a previous marriage the father had also another child, Dorothy, who mar- ried John Grass, of Fountain City. Mr. and Mrs. Florin came to the United States in 1856, settling in Sauk county and later in Waumandee township. To Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Christ four children have been born : Elsie Marie, May 23, 1900; Wilma, April 22, 1906; Palma, June 20, 1911, and Ruby, Sept. 29, 1913. Wilma and Palma are attending school.

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History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2), Part 7

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

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