USA > Wisconsin > Buffalo County > History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2) > Part 8
USA > Wisconsin > Pepin County > History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2) > Part 8
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71
Michael J. Schmidtknecht, a representative farmer of Waumandee township, Buffalo county, was born in Waumandee township, Feb. 15, 1876. His parents were John and Mary (Reuter) Schmidtknecht, the father being a native of New York State and the mother of Indiana. The former is now dead, but the latter is living and resides in Waumandee village. They had nine children: Rosa, Michael J., Louis, George, Frank, Josephine, Minnie, William, and a twin brother of William who died at birth. Michael J. Schmidtknecht acquired his education in the district school and until the age of 26 years was engaged in helping his father on the home farm. He then rented his present farm for nine years, buying it Dec. 24, 1910. Its area is 258 acres, of which 170 acres are cleared, and one of the prin- cipal buildings is a fine barn erected in 1913, 34x60 feet, and in 1918 he built to it an addition 28 by 60 feet. Mr. Schmidtknecht has also a good
Digitized by Google
MICHAEL SCHMIDTKNECHT AND FAMILY
Digitized by Google
Digitized by
-
567
HISTORY OF BUFFALO AND PEPIN COUNTIES
silo recently erected. He has a mixed herd of cattle, with a full-blooded Shorthorn bull. He is also the owner of a threshing machine, with which he does not only his own threshing but also that of some of his neighbors. His other business interests include those of a stockholder in the Cochrane Farmers' Telephone Company, of which he was a director, and also in the Garden Valley Creamery Company. Mr. Schmidtknecht was united in marriage, Jan. 26, 1902, with Katie Salwey, who was born in Lincoln town- ship, March 14, 1881, daughter of Bernhard and Catherine (Martin) Sal- wey. Mr. and Mrs. Schmidtknecht have been the parents of eight children, the first born of whom, a daughter, died in infancy. The others who are living were born as follows: Emma, Oct. 20, 1903; Wilma, April 24, 1905; Ormine, Oct. 10, 1907; Levi, Nov. 2, 1909; Arnold, Feb. 2, 1912, and Alton and Alta, twins, Aug. 26, 1914, all living at home.
Thomas Thompson, a pioneer of Modena township, Buffalo county, and in his day one of that township's leading men, was born in Norway, April 9, 1835, on a farm the name of which was "Hatlevik." As he grew up he made farming his occupation. On April 9, 1861, his twenty-sixth birthday, he was married to Anna Serum, and eleven days later, April 20, they left home bound for the United States. Their embarkation on board the sailing vessel Victoria which brought them across took place on May 2, and on June 14 they arrived in Iowa county, Wisconsin. There they remained until September, 1862, when they came to Buffalo county, locat- ing on 80 acres of land in Church valley, Modena township. Soon after Mr. Thompson bought 80 acres more from Mr. Babcock. On the original tract there was an old log house with a board floor in which he and his wife took up their residence. They had one cow and a yoke of oxen, aside from which their resources consisted of two pairs of willing hands and a strong determination to succeed in the work of home building. It is unnecessary to relate the successive steps in Mr. Thompson's progress. The details were practically identical with those connected with the lives of other . pioneers whose histories may be found in this volume. The measure of success that he achieved, however, was greater than that to which many of them attained, as he not only cleared and developed his original land, but became the owner altogether of 450 acres. The frame house and two barns now standing on the property were erected by him. He also helped to start the Burnside creamery, in which he was a shareholder, and was one of the founders of the Norwegian Lutheran church, of which he was trustee for many years and also deacon. Before the church was erected the minister often stayed at the home of Mr. Thompson, and for several years his old log house was used for a church. He also saw public service as town supervisor, assessor and treasurer, and as a member of the school board of his district. He also in the early days had a blacksmith shop on the farm and did work from far and near. Mr. Thompson's death took place April 30, 1913. His wife, who survived him and who was born Nov. 14, 1835, is now living at. the age of 83 years. Their children were: Sevrina, wife of Ole T. Sande; Christ, of West Salem; Thomas T., now liv- ing on the old homestead; Anna, wife of Andre Qualy; Martin, of Modena township, living on part of the old homstead; Mary, who married Christ
Digitized by Google
568
HISTORY OF BUFFALO AND PEPIN COUNTIES
Qualy and died in 1900 at the age of 28 years; Christian, who died in 1891 at the age of 15 years, and Sever, a resident of Modena valley.
Thomas T. Thompson, well known in Modena township, Buffalo county, where he resides as a successful farmer and also as one of the town officials, was born on his present farm in section 7, Sept. 10, 1866, son of Thomas and Anna (Serum) Thompson. In early days he pored over the pages of his spelling-book and arithmetic in the little log school house of his dis- trict and the rest of his time, when he was not asleep or eating his frugal meals, was spent mostly in the open air helping his father in the work of the farm. That healthful training fitted him in time for the serious busi- ness of life, and when he took over 185 acres of the old homestead, over twenty years ago, he knew how to handle his land with profitable results. He has never married, and his household is presided over by his mother, who has also brought up her grandson, Martin, son of her daughter Mary, who died when her babe was but 11 days old. Mr. Thompson has held the office of town treasurer for five years in succession, and is now school clerk. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church and has assisted in mission work, being a man with a high standard in life and one who never shirks his duties.
Charles Jahn, proprietor of Glenwood Farm, in Jahns valley, Lincoln township, Buffalo county, his residence being in section 31, was born June 12, 1883, and is a son of Charles and Clara (Loesel) Jahn, pioneer settlers in this township and after whom this valley was named. His parents were born in Germany, the father coming to this country in 1857 and the mother in the early sixties. His father died in 1897, while his mother resides at Arcadia, Wis. They had a large family of eleven children, the first born of whom died in infancy, as also did one other, the ninth in order of birth. The others who are living are: Bertha, Emelia, Louisa, Augusta, Sophia and Anna (twins), Rosa, Charles, Jr., and Clara. Charles Jahn (Jr.) acquired the elements of an English education in the district school and subsequently for a short time attended the high school. He then took a short course in agriculture at Madison, being graduated in the spring of 1903. Since his return from college he has operated the old homestead, which contains 372 acres, about 186 acres being under the plow and the rest being woodland and hills. As a general farmer he is enjoying a pros- perous career, raising high-grade Holstein cattle, doing considerable dairy- ing and also raising swine for the market, as well as grain. His barn, built in 1914, measures 36 by 100 feet, having a stone basement, there being a cement and stone silo in connection therewith. His residence is a good frame building. Mr. Jahn is a stockholder in the Jahn's Valley Tele- phone Company and is also its clerk. He was clerk of the town board for four years, and is now serving in that position on the school board of his district. As an enterprising and successful farmer and useful citizen he holds a well-recognized place in Lincoln township. He was married Nov. 20, 1913, to Sarah Loesel, who was born in Lincoln township, May 17, 1887, daughter of William and Mary (Haigh) Loesel. He and his wife have two children-Arline, who was born March 8, 1915, and Marjorie, born Jan. 16, 1918.
.
Digitized by Google
MR. AND MRS. THOMAS THOMPSON T. T. THOMPSON-MARTIN QUALE
Digitized by Google
Digitized by
MR. AND MRS. CHARLES JAHN
L
Digitized by Google
Digitized by Google
Digitized by
-
EDWARD MILLER AND FAMILY HENRY MATTAUSCH AND FAMILY
Digitized by Google
-
Digitized by
MR. AND MRS. PAUL KINDSCHY
Digitized by
-
569
HISTORY OF BUFFALO AND PEPIN COUNTIES
Paul Kindschy, a representative farmer of Lincoln township, Buffalo county, proprietor of Lone Pine Farm, containing 495 acres, was born in Alma township, this county, May 17, 1875, son of Paul and Frederica (Shiner) Kindschy. His father was a native of Switzerland, and his mother of St. Louis, Mo. They settled in Buffalo county in 1866 and are now residing in Waumandee. They had eight children: Henry, Andrew, Paul, Lorenz, Christina, Mary, Paulina and Christ, the last mentioned of whom is now deceased. Paul Kindschy in his early manhood assisted his father in improving and cultivating the home farm and was thus occupied until he was between 21 and 22 years of age. He then married and bought a farm in Waumandee township, Buffalo county, on which he resided for nineteen years and which he still owns, though it is now rented out to a tenant. It contains 280 acres of land, of which 80 acres are cleared, the rest being woodland. Mr. Kindschy came to his present farm in 1915 and has since been engaged in its operation. . Of its 495 acres of area, 260 acres are cleared, the rest being in woodland. Mr. Kindschy does mixed farming, giving particular attention to dairying and the raising of swine. He has a good set of buildings, his barn being 64 by 36 feet in size and provided with a stone basement. In operating the farm he has the assist- ance of his sons, and his business has assumed large dimensions, yielding him good returns for the money and labor invested in it. Mr. Kindschy was married Aug. 29, 1896, to Mary Barto, who was born in Pennsylvania, Feb. 2, 1877, daughter of John and Sarah Jane (Havois) Barto. She was the youngest child of her parents, who had three, the oldest being Margaret and the second Frank. Both her parents are living and are residents of Alma township. To Mr. and Mrs. Kindschy eight children have been born, two of whom-Roma and Paul-died in infancy. The living are: Henry, born Oct. 25, 1897; Alvin, June 8, 1899; Clarence, April 14, 1904; Lorina, April 12, 1908; Edwin, Jan. 2, 1911, and Goldina, June 8, 1916. Mr. Kindschy and his family attend the Reformed church.
Henry Mattausch, who is successfully engaged in a general mer- cantile business at Praag, Lincoln township, Buffalo county, as a mem- ber of the firm of Miller & Mattausch, was born in Praag, this county, Sept. 6, 1879, son of William and Gertrude (Tillmann) Mattausch, who were born respectively in Austria and the United States. They had six children : Henry, Joseph, Gusta, Nicholas, Ella and Julia, the last mentioned of whom died in infancy. Henry Mattausch acquired his education in the school of . his district and was associated with his father on the latter's farm in Lincoln township until 1906, when he entered into his present business as a partner with Edward Miller. This enterprise has proved successful and the firm now carries a stock worth about $10,000 and have a good store building, with a saloon in connection with it. Mr. Mattausch owns a good house in which he resides, and is now serving as town treasurer of Lin- coln township. He was married Nov. 27, 1909, to Emelia Miller, who was born in Clark county, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Herbel) Mueller, the former of whom is now living at the age of 69 years, the latter being deceased. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Mueller were George, Albert, Louisa (deceased), Edward, Emelia (Mrs. Mattausch), Theodore, Arthur
Digitized by Google
570
HISTORY OF BUFFALO AND PEPIN COUNTIES
and Calvin. To Mr. and Mrs. Mattausch two children have been born: Lester H., Feb. 3, 1913, and Dolores, May 18, 1914.
John Plank, who is following a successful career as a general farmer in section 27, Waumandee township, Buffalo county, was born in Germany, April 28, 1855, son of Michael and Katrina (Haag) Plank. The father was a baker by trade and both he and his wife died in Germany, their native land. Of their seven cihldren, two came to the United States- George, who is now deceased, and John, the subject of this sketch, who was 30 years old when he arrived here. He had learned the baker's trade from his father and worked at it for awhile in New York and later in Milwaukee and other cities. He then worked out as a farmer in Waumandee town- ship. In the fall of 1890 he purchased the farm on which he now lives, which contains 200 acres, of which 90 acres are cleared. Here he is doing mixed farming, giving his special attention to dairying and hog raising. His present buildings were erected by him and include a barn 32 by 60 feet with stone basement. Mr. Plank is also a shareholder in the Cochrane Telephone Company and also in the Cochrane and Fountain City cream- eries. As a good practical farmer he has made substantial progress and is now numbered among the well-to-do citizens of his township. On April 24, 1895, he was married to Ida Groeschel, who was born in Germany, Nov. 7, 1863, daughter of Carl and Johanna (Reitz) Groeschel. She was one of a family of five children-Carl, Carolina, Anna, Matilda and Ida, of whom Carl and Matilda are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. John Plank have three children: George Carl, born Feb. 7, 1896; Eddie Herman, born June 19, 1898, and Fritz, born April 3, 1900. The family are members of the Luth- eran church.
Andrew Lindstrom, a former citizen of Maxville township, Buffalo county, but now deceased, was in his day a man well known and respected in the northwestern part of Buffalo county. He was a native of Sweden, born Feb. 14, 1846, and came to the United States in 1871, locating in Buffalo county, Wisconsin, where he was married, in 1880, to Christina Larson, who was born in Norway, March 8, 1850. She came to this country in 1866 by sailing vessel, being 13 weeks on the ocean. After their mar- riage Mr. and Mrs. Lindstrom settled on Beef Slough, in Nelson township, he being employed as brailing boss for several years on the river. In 1882 he secured a farm in section 33, Maxville township, and with his wife moved onto the place in 1884. Only an old log building had been erected, and a large part of the land needed clearing. In time he increased the size of his farm to 240 acres and built a good brick veneer house, with substantial barns, having become one of the prosperous farmers of the township. Here he spent the rest of his life, dying Oct. 31, 1909. He was one of the active members of the Lutheran church, and among other work that he did, helped to improve the church yard. He had been a widower for some years before his death, his wife having passed away Dec. 18, 1903. They had seven children: John, Christian M., Emil, Solo- mon, Carl, Anna and Carrie. All are now living except Carl, who died at the age of six years.
Digitized by Google
-
JOHN PLANK AND FAMILY
-
Digitized by
Digitized by
Digitized by Google
D. D. LOOMIS AND FAMILY
Digitized by
571
HISTORY OF BUFFALO AND PEPIN COUNTIES
Christian M. Lindstrom, a successful farmer of Maxville township, Buffalo county, was born in Nelson township, this county, June 12, 1883, son of Andrew and Christina (Larson) Lindstrom. He was educated in the district school, and, with the exception of a few months spent in the west, he has devoted his life to farming at home. He is now serving as chairman of the Maxville township board, having previously been super- visor on the side board. He has also been a member of the school board of his district for several years. His religious affiliations are with the Lu- theran church. Christian M. Lindstrom was married, 1907, to Mary Lille- skov, who was born in Modena township, daughter of John and Rosa Lilleskov. Mr. and Mrs. Lindstrom are the parents of two living children : Christine and Alfred. Another child, Rosebelle, died at the age of six months. The Lindstrom Brothers, since the death of their parents have operated the home farm, and have added to it 320 acres purchased from William Jost, thus making a farm of 560 acres. The brothers carry on general farming, and make a specialty of Poland China swine, good Per- cheron horses, and other reliable stock. They are considered among the most substantial people of the township. They hold stock in the Nelson Telephone Co. and in the Burnside Creamery, of which latter organization Christian M. is a director.
Dennison D. Loomis, proprietor of the Loomis Homestead in section 21, Dover township, Buffalo county, was born in Vermont, May 3, 1833, son of Jonah and Phoebe (Blanchard) Loomis. On both the paternal and maternal side he comes of old New England ancestry, his mother's father having been a Revolutionary soldier. The parents, who were farmers, spent their lives in Vermont, the mother dying when the subject of this sketch was 15 years old. In addition to Dennison there were seven other children in the family; one a son who died young, two daughters, Sallie and Phoebe-these three being older than the subject of this sketch-and three sons and a daughter, who were younger. Dennison D. Loomis was educated in the schools of Vermont, and remained in that state until he was 17 years old. He then came west to Fond du Lac, Wis., where he farmed for a year or more, after which he moved to La Crosse county, and in 1855, after attaining his majority, came to Gilmanton, Buffalo county, where some settlers from Vermont were then located. Here he took a pre-emption claim of eighty acres, made some improvements on it, and afterwards rented it out, and engaged in farming elsewhere. The Civil War coming on, he enlisted on November 18, 1861, in Company B, Second Wisconsin Cavalry, with which he served until his discharge, De- cember 25, 1863. During his military service he participated in engage- ments at Yellville, Helena, Prairie Grove and La Grange in Arkansas, the Siege of Vicksburg, Red Bone Church, Miss., and Ingraham's Plantation. After his honorable discharge from the army he returned to Gilmanton township, this county, and for a year or so thereafter was comparatively inactive, being sick from the effects of his hard service. On his recovery he took up farming again on his pre-emption claim, on which he had erected a log building. After two or three years he sold out and bought another farm in this township, remaining on it one year. On July 29,
Digitized by Google
572
HISTORY OF BUFFALO AND PEPIN COUNTIES
1866, Mr. Loomis was united in marriage with Ella Britton, who was born in Allegany county, Pennsylvania, March 9, 1850, daughter of George W. and Harriet (Longcore) Britton. The newly wedded couple took up their residence on a homestead in section 21, Dover township, which is the same on which they are living today. It consisted of 160 acres of wild land, on which Mr. Loomis had to erect a log building. During the half century or more that he has resided on this place he has made extensive improve- ments, and it is now a good farm, well cultivated and with convenient and substantial buildings. Aside from his immediate farming interests Mr. Loomis helped to establish the local cheese factory, and later the creamery, of which latter he was president for twelve years. He also owned shares in the Gilmanton State Bank, which, however, he has presented to his chil- dren. For many years he served as a member of the school board. He and his family have made donations to various churches, including in par- ticular the Union church in Gilmanton. In July, 1916, Mr. and Mrs. Loomis had the felicity of celebrating their Golden Wedding, upon which event they received many congratulations. During their long residence in the county they have made numerous friends, being acquainted with all the old resi- dents in this part of it and with most of the later comers except the most recent. They have had eight children in all, three of whom-Jessie, Ray- mond and Roy-are now deceased. Those living: Carrie, now, Mrs. George Jaquish, residing near Eau Claire; Charles and Guy, of Dover township; Blanche, wife of Nathan Jaquish, of Dover township; and George, who is residing at home.
George W. Britton, father of Mrs. Dennison D. Loomis, was married to Harriet Longcore in Allegany county, New York, March 1, 1849. Within three years they were parted by the death of Mrs. Britton, which occurred July 9, 1852. . She left two children, Ella and William. On January 20, 1853, Mr. Britton married Maria C. Sipperly, at Lockport, N. Y., and of this union one son, M. Eugene, was born. His wife had also one child, Emma Sipperly, which he adopted. Mr. Britton worked as a lumberman, coming to Eau Claire in 1858. On April 15 of that year he moved to Du- rand and continued work at the lumber industry until May 1, 1859, when he built a hotel at Bear Creek, near Durand. There he suffered a bereave- ment in the loss of his son William; who was drowned in the Chippewa river. Later Mr. Britton sold his hotel and bought a meat market at Durand, where he remained until he volunteered for service in the Civil War, December 16, 1863, leaving home for La Crosse on the twenty-eighth and reaching that place January 16, 1864. The following condensed notes from Mr. Britton's diary kept at the time summarizes his war experiences : "Landed in La Crosse Saturday night, January 16, 1864; reported on the 18th to headquarters; had all the fifteen men I took with me on hand, Wednesday, the 20th. Met Col. Robinson and Col. Fennigen at the West- . ern House, La Crosse. Left La Crosse, January 26, 1864, for Camp Ran- dall at Madison; reported at headquarters at 8:00 o'clock in the evening and went into barracks at 10:00 o'clock the 27th. Was appointed corporal of the Guards and went to the capital with them. It was very cold. The 5th I was in the hospital with a bad cold; was discharged from the hospital
Digitized by Google
573
HISTORY OF BUFFALO AND PEPIN COUNTIES
3:00 p. m. February 6. On the 12th left Madison for Milwaukee; arrived there in the evening and reached camp on the morning of the 16th. April 21 went on picket duty five miles from camp; had orders to hold our line at all hazards. Stayed there all day and all night in very stormy weather. On the 22d went on reserve; stayed on picket till 10:00 a. m. In the night our lines were attacked by the Rebels, but we drove them back. May 5 went on the first line of battle in the pine woods; was in the fight till the troops fell back. It was hard fighting that day; had to fall back and build breastworks. Moved to left of the road leading to Richmond. Ordered to hold it at all hazards. The shells flew lively. General Wadsworth was shot from his horse and killed in the fight. May 30, our troops had a hard battle but I was not in it, being very ill; the regiment was there and had hard fighting. June 16, we fought in front of Petersburg; hard fight- ing. Here I was nearly worn out. June 18, more hard fighting. I was wounded and taken to the hospital at City Point. July 2, I was carried on board a boat and arrived at Alexandria July 4 and was taken to the Meth- odist Church Hospital. Dr. Williams thought I could not live." Mr. Brit- ton recovered, however, but not being strong enough for further service was discharged and was brought home by his wife. During his absence, on February 16, 1864, his house had burned down, leaving his family in hard circumstances. On July 4, 1865, after his return home, he came to Gilmanton and located on a farm. From there he subsequently moved to Eau Claire, where he conducted the Central House until 1873. He then bought the Monghela on the west side, which burned to the ground. On its destruction he went back to Gilmanton and took up his residence again on the farm, remaining there until his wife was taken sick. In the hope of a cure she was taken to a hospital in Buffalo, N. Y., but it being impossible to do anything for her, she was brought back to Eau Claire and lived until the following September. Mr. Britton then went to Gilmanton and spent the winter with his daughter, Mrs. Ella Loomis. In July he went west and spent the summer, subsequently returning to Eau Claire. On October 24, 1897, he married Mary Moses of Nebraska, and took a home on Water street, Eau Claire, where he now resides.
Joseph Berni, one of the pioneer settlers in Belvidere township, Buffalo county, who was also among the earliest white settlers in the county, was born in Switzerland in 1811. It was in the early forties that he first came to the United States, but after residing in the country awhile he returned to Switzerland. Just before the breaking out of the Mexican War he again came to America and, enlisting as a soldier, took part in that war. Up to this time and for a short time afterwards he had been a great wanderer, visiting many states, and, when not a soldier, working at his trade of cooper. After leaving the army he took up his residence for a while in Galena, Ill. In 1849 he left that place and came up the river to Twelve Mile Bluff, Buffalo county, Wisconsin, and was among the first to take land near Cochrane, securing 160 acres. He was married in 1852 to Mar- garet Neukomme, who was born in Switzerland March 1, 1836, and had come to the United States in 1851. They settled on the old Henry Klein place, section 9, township 20, range 12, in Belvidere, near Cochrane. In
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.