USA > Wisconsin > Monroe County > History of Monroe County, Wisconsin, past and present : including an account of the cities, towns and villages of the county [microform] > Part 81
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 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91
Fraternally, Mr. Pierce is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Beavers.
John C. Pingel,* farmer, section twenty-seven, Tomah town- ship, Monroe county, Wisconsin, was born in the town of Wilton, April 11, 1871. He is a son of John and Beatrice (Fisher) Pin- gel, natives of Germany. John Pingel is now living in the town of Tomah, at the age of seventy-three years.
838
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
John C. attended the district schools up to his sixteenth year and began to make his way and gain a livelihood at the age of seventeen years, when he was employed as a farm hand at twelve dollars per month. and continued at this occupation until 1894, when he was employed in the saw mills at Ackley, Minn., until 1902, when he came to Monroe county, and purchased 180 acres of land in sections twenty-seven and thirty-four, Tomah town- ship. where he now resides. Since his purchase he has added extensive improvements by erecting a barn 34x60 feet in 1911, and has put the land under a high state of cultivation. His farm is also well stocked with a fine grade of horses, cattle and hogs.
September 25, 1894, Mr. Pingel was united in marriage with Minnie Runion, in Minnesota. They have five children. viz. : Ida HI., John F .. George E., Walter R. and Clara S. Mr. Pingel is one of the progressive citizens of his township and takes an interest in all public matters for the good of his town and county. He is a member of the Woodmen of the World, and in politics is a Republican.
Albert G. Prescott, secretary and manager of the Greenfield Creamery at Tunnel City, Monroe county, is a native of Farm- ington, Maine, where he was born August 19, 1864, and is the only son and eldest child in a family of two children born to George C. and Naomi (Whitney) Prescott. also a native of Maine. The other. Jennie, is the wife of G. A. Hackett, and resides in La Grange township. George (. Prescott. father of our subject. served during the Civil War in the Fifth Regiment Maine Bat- tery ; the parents came to Monroe county in 1867, when our sub- ject was three years of age, and settled in La Grange township, where the father died in 1892, at the age of sixty-three years.
Albert G. was reared on the home farm and attended the dis- triet school. In 1888 he was employed by the Chicago. Milwau- kee & St. Paul railroad in lowa and South Dakota. After a short time thus spent. he returned to the home farm, which he successfully carried on until the death of his father. when he became the owner, and which he continued to conduct until 1908, when he assumed his present duties as secretary and man- ager of the Greenfield Creamery. which under his management has shown an increased business each year. The members of the organization are: William Gasper, president : George fleser. vice-president : A. G. Prescott. secretary and manager: E. C. Graham, treasurer. The board of directors are: Joseph Zastoupil, William Hines and T. J. Rowan. During his busy life. Mr.
1
839
BIOGRAPHY
Prescott has found time outside of his personal affairs to serve as clerk of his town, treasurer and member of the town board. For four years he served as a member of Company K, Third Regiment, Wisconsin National Guard, and in fraternal matters is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America.
On April 3, 1889, Mr. Prescott was married to Miss Sarah Hackett, daughter of G. O. Hackett, of Plattville, Wis. To them have been born five children, viz .: Florence is the wife of Charles Johson, of Greenfield township, and Minnie married George John- son, and lives in Greenfield township. George W., Claude E., and Dora M. reside at home.
Irving Price,* son of Sanford and Phoebe Price, was born on September 7, 1850, in Washington county, New York, and is the only child living of a family of two. Ilis father was born in 1826, and died in 1885; his mother was born in 1831. The family came to Dane county, Wisconsin, in 1853, and were among the early settlers in that part of the country, and after living there for a time, they decided to move to Columbia county, where the opportunities seemed more favorable, and where he sought employment at varied occupations for several years, with rea- sonably good success. He was a bright and energetic young man and through his faithful efforts and close application to work it was not long before he was making a comfortable livelihood for his family. He was courageous and forceful in his habits, and where duty demanded he was the first to act. In 1862 he enlisted in the Eighth Wisconsin Battery, which he followed to the end of the war, and his army history alone would make an interest- ing volume. Among the many encounters in which he partici- pated were the following: battle of Bay Springs, August 2, 1862; battle of Iuka, Miss., September 19, 1862; battle of Chaften Ilills, October 8, 1862; battle of Lancaster, October 8, 1862; battle of Corinth, November 3 and 4, 1862; battle of Stone River, Decem- ber 30 and 31, 1862; battle of Chickamauga, September 19 and 20, 1863; battle of Mission Ridge, November 24, 1863, and battle of Lookout Mountain, November 25, 1863. After obtaining his discharge in 1865, he returned to Dane county for a short time. then moved to Monroe county with his family of two children, and purchased a forty-acre tract of land in section thirty-two, which was his homestead until his death, and which has since been conducted by our subject, who lives here with his mother, who is now (1912) in her eighty-fifth year, and the quaint little
840
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
home with its occupants has for many years been the center of attraction for a large circle of friends who hold them in the highest esteem.
Mr. Price is a Republican in politics and takes an active inter- est in all matters pertaining to the welfare of his community.
Frank F. Prielipp. To the younger class of progressive farm- ers of Greenfield township belongs Frank Prielipp, of section thirteen. A native of Milwaukee, Wis., he was born November 8. 1882, the son of Ferdinand and Lonisa (Albright) Prielipp, natives of Germany. They emigrated to America in the early 80's and engaged in farming, first on an eighty-acre tract. but subsequently moved to the farm of 120 acres, which our subject now conducts, and which at that time was mostly wild land. The father established the family home. cleared and subdued the land, erected buildings and engaged in general farming, at which he was successful. Mrs. Prielipp, mother of our subject. lived to the age of thirty-two years, and died in 1894.
Frank F. attended the common schools and spent his boy- ·hood on the farm, and since 1909 has had full management of the home place, and in 1912 purchased from George Il. Dohle, of section seven, La Grange township, his finely improved and pro- duetive farm of 120 acres which he works in connection with his old homestead farm. Mr. Prielipp is one of a family of five sis- ters and brothers. Of the others. Lena married Levi Ryekman and resides at Rockford. III .: Emma is the wife of Adolph Sell, Greenfield township: Martha is the wife of E. Snowberry. of Tunnel City. and Otto Prielipp, of La Grange township.
On March 27, 1906. Mr. Prielipp married Miss JJulia Heser. daughter of William and Cora (Kenyon) Heser, of Pleasant Val- ley, Greenfield township. They have two children, viz .: Ralph A., born December 3. 1908, and Luella L., born January 22. 1911.
Louis Pollock was born on a farm in section thirty-six. Sparta township, where he now resides, November 30. 1871. son of Julius and Minnie (Secert) Pollock, natives of Germany, who emigrated to the United States in the late sixties. They came to Monroe county, Wisconsin, and purchased a farm of 160 acres. where our subject now resides, from Hagerman Palmer: here he lived until 1902. when he removed to the city of Sparta. He is a carpenter and joiner by trade and at times, as occasion demanded. followed his trade in connection with his farming operations. Lonis was reared on the home farm and attended the district schools, and when his parents removed to Sparta assumed the management of the farm.
1
841
BIOGRAPHY
On May 18, 1901, he was married to Miss Lucy Lord, daugh- ter of Edward and Mary (Sprague) Lord, of Lafayette town- ship. Mrs. Lord died in 1897, at the age of forty years. Mr. and Mrs. Polloek have five children, viz .: Alvina Alnora, born October 18, 1902; Carl Alexander, born March 18, 1904; Bertha May, born July 24, 1905; Marie Mimie, born April 30, 1907, and August Louis, born April 20, 1909.
Jacob L. Poss belongs to the younger class of successful farm- ers of Wells township, Monroe county, where he was born June 10, 1878, and is the eldest in a family of ten children born to Henry and Louisa (Johnson) Poss. The father was born in the state of New York and the mother in Denmark. The parents are both living in the town of Wells, and are numbered among the most progressive people of that section. Jacob attended the pub- lic schools of his neighborhood until he was sixteen years old ; he remained at home until he was twenty-three, employed at farm work, and afterwards spent four years in Sparta, engaged in teaming. In 1909, associated with his brother, he purchased a farm of 320 acres in sections twenty-five and twenty-six, Leon township, where he now makes his home with his sister. He carries on general farming and makes a specialty of breeding and dealing in Holstein cattle and Poland-China hogs. Mr. Poss adheres to the principles of the Republican party, and is one of the wide-awake young farmers of Cannon Valley.
John Purdy, one of the substantial farmers and leading citi- zens of Pleasant Valley, Greenfield township, was born in Middle- port, N. Y., August 11, 1854, and is the fourth child of a family of six children born to Daniel C. and Susan (Savage) Purdy, natives of New York state. They came to Wisconsin in 1859, when our subject was five years old. Soon after their arrival in Sparta, they moved to Greenfield township, where they located and set- tled on three forties of wild land, to which they afterwards made addition. He cleared the land and made a home for himself and family, and engaged in general farming and stock raising. and there the parents made their home until their decease. The father died in 1881, at the age of sixty-four, and the mother passed away in 1884. They were thrifty and energetic, and considered among the best class of pioneer settlers and held the confidenee and esteem of all who knew them, and in honor of the family the section where they lived was named "Purdy Val- ley." Of their other children besides our subject, E. A. Purdy died in Purdy Valley in April, 1911, at the age of sixty-four years; Mary resides in Tomah, and is the wife of Albert Dixon ;
842
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Frank also resides at Tomah; Emma married Fred Heser, of Greenfield, and Byron is also a resident of Greenfield.
John J. Purdy, the subject of this sketch, received his educa- tion in the district school and remained at home assisting with the work on the farm until he reached the age of nineteen, when he started life on his own resources ; he first rented a farm, which he carried on until 1876, when he purchased the first forty acres of his present farm, to which he added until now he has one of the best farms of 100 acres, where he lives, to be found in the county. Ile has also purchased forty aeres in Grant township and forty acres in La Grange. When he began on this farm, the greater part of it was covered with heavy timber, which he cleared, subdued and brought to a high state of cultivation, erecting a commodious residence and outbuildings, and has made various other improvements as conditions demanded. He keeps his place well supplied with modern equipments, and in his farm- ing operations employs the most up-to-date methods. Mr. Purdy comes from one of the old line and representative families of the county, and is considered one of Monroe county's well-to-do and most influential citizens. In all public matters of his town and county, he takes a prominent part, and any movement for the betterment of his community receives his hearty support. Hle has been a member of the Side board for two years and assessor for his town for two years.
He was married October 24, 1875, to Miss Elizabeth Oakley, accomplished daughter of Nehemiah and Fannie (Woodard) Oakley, pioneers and influential citizens of Greenfield township, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. To Mr. and Mrs. Purdy have been born five children, viz .: Adelbert. who resides in the town of La Grange; Estella is the wife of Albert Griffin, of Grant township; Lettie, the wife of Leslie Hart, who resides in the town of Grant; Milo A. lives on the homestead farm, and Mabel A. lives at home. Mrs. Purdy is the third child of a family of seven children; the others are: Sarah. deceased : Elveretta, wife of Stowell Brown; Wellington. of Oregon : Oscar. of Washington; Mina, the wife of H. Griffin, of Grant town- ship, and Arcenith, wife of Edwin Purdy. of Greenfield township.
Thomas Quinn, one of Monroe county's prosperous farmers and highly esteemed citizens, was born in County Maide, Ireland, in 1831. Ilis parents were William and Betsey (Waters) Quinn. who lived and died in Ireland. When seventeen years of age. in 1848, Thomas emigrated to the United States, and after his arrival worked six years on a farm in Chester county, New York.
1
JOHN PURDY AND FAMILY
1
:
843
BIOGRAPHY
At the end of that time he came West, working for six months at Dixon, Ill., then moved to Waukesha county, Wisconsin, and worked on a farm until 1861. In the last named year he came to Monroe county, and settled on eighty acres of land in section eight, Wellington township, which he had previously purchased. This land he cleared and brought to a good state of cultivation, and improved by erecting a comfortable residence, good barns and other farm buildings, making it one of the good farm homes in the town. He has added to his original purchase from time to time, until he now has 160 acres of as good land as is to be found in the township. From 1861 to 1864 he worked for a lum- ber company, getting out pine logs, which he rafted down the Kickapoo river.
In 1865 he enlisted in the Fifty-second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry and served on the frontier until his regiment was mus- tered out. He was a brave and efficient soldier, and served with honor to himself and his country.
Hle was married in New York state in 1853, to Miss Jane Quirk, by whom he had two children, one son and one daughter, viz .: Elizabeth married James Barry, a prosperous farmer of the same township; they had six children: Thomas, Ettie Jane, Mary, Theresa, Josephine, Ambrose, Blanch and Sylvester. Will- iam Quinn. the youngest, married Miss Catherine Daugherty, dalughter of Eugene and Mary (Gehan) Dangherty. Their chil- dren are : Raymond, Arthur. Barnard. Thomas, Earl W., Edward A. and Erwin J.
After many years of faithful devotion to her husband and children, Mrs. Thomas Quinn died. November 5, 1892, honored and respected by all who knew her. Thomas Quinn is a member of the Grand Army Post at Newark, Wis., and has always taken a keen interest in all matters pertaining to the welfare of his county, and has been clerk of the school board. Coming to America without means, he has by honest and persistent effort gained a place among the well-to-do farmers of Monroe county.
Louis Radke,* who owns one of the best 160-acre farms in Wellington township, was born July 7. 1875, in La Salle county, Illinois, the son of Louis and Caroline (Bartz) Radke, both natives of Germany. Louis, Sr., came to America in 1872 and located in La Salle county, where he was married and worked for abont eleven years in the zine factories. and in 1883 moved to Wisconsin and bought three forty-acre tracts of land in sec- tion nine, in the township of Wellington, which was made the family homestead, and where Mr. Radke died in 1910. He made
844
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
many improvements on his farm after he bought it: a new resi- dence was built in 1891 and a barn in 1900, and, with the other commodious ontbuildings which correspond, makes it an ideal country home. Mrs. Radke, his widow, is still living, at the age of sixty years. They were both members of the Lutheran church, and Mr. Radke, formerly a Democrat in politics, was affiliated with the Republican party during the latter years of his life. They had a family of five children, four of whom are now living.
Louis, Jr., is the fourth child. He attended the district schools until he was seventeen and always lived at home on the farm, the mainstay of his parents. He was married September 5, 1907, in the town of Wilton, Monroe county, to Miss Anna Schroder. daughter of John and Anna Schroder. She is the fifth of a family of ten children, and her father was one of the early German set- tlers of Monroe county, and died in 1911. Mr. and Mrs. Radke have three children : Ila, Wilmer and Werner.
Mr. Radke is a successful general farmer and a good lively citizen. In connection with his farming, he has a fine dairy business and keeps his farm well supplied with a good grade of stock. He is independent in his polities, and both he and his wife are devoted members of the Lutheran church.
W-H. Randall, a native of Monroe county, Wisconsin. was born in section sixteen, Tomah township, May 10, 1857. He is the son of John and Ann ( Watson) Randall, natives of Eng- land, who came to America, their family locating near Beloit, Wis .. where he homesteaded eighty acres of land. residing there until 1855, when they removed to Monroe county, locating in the town of Tomah, where the father purchased eighty acres of land, to which was later added forty acres. all being in section sixteen. Mr. Randall, father of our subject, made this his per- manent home until his death in 1876. His widow, mother of our subject, is still living at the age of eighty-three years. John Randall was one of the early pioneers of the town of Tomah. which had only a few settlers in that early day, which was before the city of Tomah was started. The farm which he by incessant toil brought to a fine state of cultivation, and made into a valuable home, was at the time of its purchase covered with a thick growth of timber. Mr. Randall was a sincere Christian gentleman and a consistent and faithful member of the Church of England. Mrs. Randall, mother of our subject, is a Baptist in religious belief.
W. H. is the only son in a family of four children, three of
.
845
BIOGRAPHIY
whom are living. As he grew to manhood, much of the respon- sibility of the farm devolved upon him, and he performed an important part in the clearing and grubbing of the land on the homestead, bringing it to a high state of cultivation, so that when Mr. Randall came into possession of this farm he found himself on the road to success, conducting a lucrative dairy business, and his farm is now well stocked with good horses and cattle, making a specialty of Poland-China hogs. The farm residence where he now resides was built in 1865, and the barn was built in 1863. Our subject has held the office of town clerk for two terms, and has been school director for thirty-two years. He with his estimable wife were members of the Baptist church.
December 23, 1880. he was united in marriage with Miss Eva Dewey, daughter of N. Dewey, a prominent pioneer citizen of Ridgeville township. The Dewey family came from Vermont and settled in Ridgeville township. Mrs. Randall was one of a family of three children. She died in 1890. One daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Randall : Grace L., born May 20, 1886. She was educated in the district school and is a member of the class of 1904, Tomah High School. Mr. Randall affiliates with the Repub- lican party, and was a director in the old Tunnel City Creamery and a stockholder in the Farmers' Co-operative Creamery of Tomah.
Fred C. Rath is one of the pioneers and prosperous and thrifty farmers of Little Falls township. He was born at Hoboken. N. J., October 8, 1855, the son of Charles and Mary (Blindt) Rath, natives of Germany. In 1860, when our subject was five years of age. his parents came west to Wisconsin and settled in Little Falls township, Monroe county, and were among the early and most highly respected citizens of that town. During the Civil War the father enlisted and served with distinction until his death in 1864, at Nashville, Tenn., leaving his widow, mother of our subject, with a family of six children. Fred was engaged in the milling business in Minnesota until he married, then returned to the old homestead, and later purchased another farm, which made him an extensive wheat farm, and has since followed the raising of wheat and stock.
On October 4, 1879, Mr. Rath was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Risser, daughter of Andreas and Salome Risser. well-to-do citizens of Wisconsin. To Mr. and Mrs. Rath have been born three children: they are Pearl M., Russell R., and Floyd C. Rath.
846
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Frank J. Rehberg, proprietor of the Highland dairy farm in section thirty-six, Greenfield township, Monroe county. one of the most progressive farmers of his town and county. was born in Adrian township. October 29. 1872. His parents. Egidins. native of Germany. and Agnes ( Zastoupil ) Rehberg, a native of Austria. came to America, and the father settled first at Neilsville. Wis .. thence came to Monroe county and located in Adrian township. where he married and continued to reside until November. 1910 : they then moved to the city of Tomah. where they have since lived. They are the parents of nine children. viz. : Frank. Otto. Agnes, William. Anna. Joseph. John. all residents of Monroe county, and two who died in infancy.
Frank J. was reared on the home farm, spending his boyhood attending the distriet school and helping with the farm work. He remained at home until he reached the age of twenty-two. then started out for himself. He first purchased a team, and for one Year was engaged in hanling milk for Bernard Drowatzky. and continued in that occupation for three seasons, then married and purchased a farm in Ridgeville township, which he carried on for two years, at the same time hauling cream, and at the end of that time he was employed by the Elgin Creamery Company and for four years operated creameries for them at various points : he next rented a farm in Adrian township, which he conducted for two years, and in 1904 purchased his present farm of 100 acres in Greenfield township, which he has since carried on snecessfully. The place is well improved with up-to-date buildings, and the soil is in a high state of cultivation : he has cleared fifteen acres since he owned it. and in 1908 erected a modern residence and in 1910 equipped it with additional modern appliances: in 1909 he built his siło and hen house and established a system of water works. The barn is thirty by sixty feet. with sixteen-foot posts and sits on a wall of quarry stone. Mr. Rehberg makes a specialty of Jersey cattle, and by his daily record is able to tell what each cow pro- dnees in money value. and with his milk separator, pure water and modern inventions, together with the advantages of the agri- cultural course he pursued at the University of Wisconsin. he is able to bring about results from seientifie methods in keeping with his day and age.
In addition to his farming operations. Mr. Rehberg takes a commendable interest in the affairs of his town and county. He has been school director in Adrian township. road supervisor. treasurer of the school district and school clerk. He was married. October 29. 1896. to Miss Mary Drowatzky, daughter of Bernard
847
BIOGRAPHY
and Ernestine ( Kurst ) Drowatzky, natives of Germany and resi- dents of Tomah. They came to America more than fifty years ago and were among the early settlers of Monroe county. Mr. and Mrs. Rehberg have a family of four children, viz. : Alva E., Harold C .. Raymond L. and Arthur I. Mrs. Rehberg is a former well known teacher in Monroe county. and is the seventh child in order of birth in a family of fourteen children, eleven of whom are now living (1912). as follows: Ernest W .. a resident of Wich- ita. Kan .; Frank O., of Tomah: Anna B., wife of George Davis, of Elroy. Wis. ; Charles B., cashier of the Tomah State Bank; Ida, wife of L. J. Pingle. Tomah township; Minnie L., wife of II. J. Coleman, Omak. Wash .: Dora F .. a teacher in Oregon : Bertha D., a teacher at Tomah : Rosa D., teacher in Washington. and Ella S., teacher in Tomah. In religions faith, both Mr. and Mrs. Rehberg are members of the German Lutheran church of Tomah.
John W. Reich," a representative German of Monroe county. who resides on his farm in section twenty-five. Greenfield town- ship, was born in Prussia. December 7. 1841. His parents, Fred- erick and Dorothy (Riek) Reich, were also natives of Prussia. where the father spent his life. His widow. mother of our sub- ject. afterward came to Tunnel City to live with her son. In the year 1868. Mr. Reich came to Monroe county and established himself in a blacksmith shop. and. after following his trade for ten years, in 1878 he purchased his present farm of seventy-five aeres, which is now conducted by his son. Albert I. Reich. The land has been brought to a high state of enltivation and is weil improved with a good and substantial elass of buildings, all of which have been built since he purchased the farm.
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.