Brown County, Minnesota - Biographical sketches, 1916 (part 3 of 9)

It was in 1851, two years after their marriage, that Anton Ochs and his wife came to the United States. For several years they made their home near Buffalo, New York. They came to Minnesota in the spring of 1856 and pre-empted a farm six miles west of where the town of New Ulm was then located, which farm Mr. Ochs worked until the Indian outbreak in August, 1862. During those trying days he joined the company of Captain Steinhauser and was one of the defenders of New Ulm until relief came. He then removed to St. Paul with his family, but returned to New Ulm a year later and engaged in the mason-contracting business until he retired in 1890. He spent his declining years in New Ulm, one of the best-known men in that city.

He died in 1902, at the age of seventy-seven years, and his widow died in the following year, 1903, she being seventythree at the time of her death. Anton Ochs and his wife were earnest members of the Catholic church and their children were reared in that faith. There were twelve of these children who grew to maturity, as follow: Cecelia, widow of Louis Schilling, of New Uhn; Rose, wife of John Manderfeld, of New Ulm; A. C. Casimir, of Springfield, this county; Rudolph, of LeSueur, this state; Mary, wife of Emanuel Schotzko, of St. Peter, in the neighboring county of Nicollet; William, of New Ulm; Ida, unmarried, who also lives in New* Ulm; J. Anton, the immediate subject of this biographical sketch; Albert, of Faribault, this state; Louis, of Canby, this state ; Matilda, wife of Edward Baer, of New Ulm, and Otto, of Rochester, this state.

J. Anton Ochs received his education in the parochial schools at New Ulm and early entered upon a commercial career, beginning as a clerk in a store in that city, thus becoming thoroughly grounded in the principles of merchandising. His father was only a fairly well-to-do man and as there were so many children in the family he had to rely from the very start of his career upon his own efforts as a means of earning a proper support. In 1888 J. Anton Ochs went to Faribault, where he presently engaged in business in partnership with his elder brother, William, who then was a teacher in the state school for the deaf, and this partnership continued for a number of years, the brothers gradually extending their business until they had stores in Faribault, Rochester and New Ulm. J. Anton Ochs remained at Faribault for about fourteen years, at the end of which time he returned to New Ulm and established his present "Bee Hive" store and has been thus engaged ever since, having built up a very flourishing business in general dry goods and women's ready-to-wear garments. Starting with practically nothing but a fine taste for the dry goods business and some practical experience in that line, he has prospered largely, as he deserves to prosper, and may very properly be referred to as a "self-made" man, in all that often abused term implies.

On September 16, 1896, J. Anton Ochs was united in marriage to Emma Thielmane, who was born at Faribault, this state, October 8, 1874, daughter of Leonard and Leo Cadie (Joachim) Thielmane, both natives of Belgium, who became residents of this section of Minnesota in the early days of settlement hereabout. Leonard Thielmane was born at Grande Hallet, Belgium, November 3, 1839, son of Leonard and Therese (Le Beau) Thielmane, the former a mason contractor, who were the parents of eight children, Leonard, Marie Therese, Rosalie, Lambertine, Charles, Arnold, Louis and Julia. In the early sixties the junior Leonard Thielmane and his brother, Louis, came to America and in 1865, Leonard Thielmane located at Faribault, this state, where he married Leo Cadie Joachim, who was born at Thieuises, Belgium, October 11, 1849, and who was but eight years old when she came to this country with her parents, Dieu Donne and Marie Barbe (Charie) Joachim, from Thieuises, the family settling in 1857 in Rice county, this state, near the then rapidly growing village of Faribault. Dieu Donne J oachim and his wife were the parents of seven children, Louis, Joseph, Charles, Rosalie, Mary, Josephine and Leo Cadie. To Leonard Thielmane and wife five children were born, Dieu Donne, Leonard, Ellen, Emma

To J. Anton and Emma (Thielmane) Ochs five children have been born, namely: Ferdinand A., born on October 21, 1897; Ellen N., August 16, 1899; Anton J., April 13, 1901 ; Irene L., December 26, 1906, and Imelda, November 20, 1911. Mr. and Mrs. Ochs are members of the Catholic church and take a warm interest in all good works in and about New Ulm, being held in high regard by their many friends hereabout. Mr. Ochs is a member of the Knights of Columbus; of the St. Joseph Society and of the Catholic Order of Foresters, in the affairs of which several organizations he takes an active interest.

Gottlieb Oswald

Gottlieb Oswald, city treasurer of New Ulm, this county, a position which he has held since his election for his first term in 1908, having been re-elected at each successive election since then, is a native of Germany, born on April 4, 1849, son of Leonard and Lavina (Gesile) Oswald, also natives of the Fatherland. Leonard Oswald was a contractor and builder and in 1853 came to the United States, seeking a new home. He began working at his trade in New York state and shortly afterward was joined there by his family. A year or two later the family left Buffalo and went to Chicago, where Mr. Oswald worked as a builder for a couple of years, at the end of which time he moved his family to New Ulm and there established his permanent home. He took an active part in early building operations in New Ulm and helped in the construction of the old Eagle roller mills. He was active in the defense of the city during the Indian massacre and at one time during that trying period had a close call for his life, having been one of a reconnoitering party, two of the members of which were slain by the redskins, he finding safety in flight. He entered a homestead at the edge of the town of Milf ord and there made his home until 1873, in which year he retired from the farm and moved back to New Ulm, where his death occurred the following year, 1874. He and his wife were the parents of sixteen children, of whom six, Joseph, Angelica, Kunigundi, Fred, Dorothy and Gottlieb, came to America, the elder children remaining in Germany.

Gottlieb Oswald was about five years old when his parents settled in this country and was about ten years old when he accompanied them to New Ulm, which has been his home ever since. He grew up on the farm and early learned the brewer's trade, at which he worked for sixteen years, a part of the time at New Ulm and a part of the time at St. Paul. He then returned to his father's farm and after operating that place for some time again located in New Ulm and in 1908 was elected to the important and responsible office of city treasurer, which position he still holds.

On November 15, 1874, Gottlieb Oswald was united in marriage to Wilhelmina Wolfe, who was born in Prussia, daughter of William Wolfe and wife, who came to the United States in 1872, settling at New Ulm, and to this union four children have been born, namely : Fred, a postoffice clerk at New Ulm, who married Eliza Helman and has five children; Otto, laundryman, of New Ulm, who married Florence Gilley and has five children ; Emilia, who married Charles Rice, a New Ulm laundryman, and has four children; Albert, who married Barbara Abrosh and lives at Minneapolis, where he is employed as a letter carrier. Mrs. Oswald died on December 10, 1910, and Mr. Oswald now lives with his son, Otto. Mrs. Oswald was a member of the Lutheran church and Mr. Oswald still takes an active part in the good works of that church. Mr. Oswald is a Socialist in his political views and takes an active interest in the extension of the cause of that party in this part of the state.

Theo Wiebel

Theo Wiebel, a well-known farmer and stockman of Cottonwood township, this county, proprietor of a well-kept farm of three hundred and nineteen acres a little more than seven miles from New Ulm, his trading point, is a native son of Brown county, born on the pioneer farm on which he still makes his home, August 22, 1872, son of Alexander and Cecelia Wiebel, natives of Germany and pioneers of this county, for years regarded as among the leading residents of Cottonwood township.

Alexander Wiebel was trained as a harness-maker in his native land. He came to the United States in 1853, landing at New York City, proceeding thence to New Jersey, where he workd as a farm hand for a year, at the end of which time he came West and for a short time was employed as a farm hand in Iowa. In 1855 he joined the considerable German colony that even then had gathered in the New Ulm settlement and homesteaded a quarter of a section of land in Cottonwood township, this county, thus having been one of the very earliest settlers of that part of Brown county. There he made his home for thirty-nine years, retiring from the farm in 1894 to a pleasant home in New Ulm, where his death occurred shortly afterward. To him and his wife twelve children were born, namely: John, Margaret, Alex, Caroline, Edward, Bernard, Benedict, Henry, Mary, Theo, Cecelia, deceased, and one who died in infancy.

received his schooling in school No. 4, in the neighborhood of his home. He quit school when about thirteen years old and thereafter gave his whole attention to the work of helping develop the home farm. He married in 1893 and upon his father's retirement the next year rented the home place and there has ever since continued to make his home. After his father's death he bought the farm from his mother and has been the owner of the same since 1896. He has put most of the present improvements on the place, has a comfortable brick house and is very pleasantly situated, an excellent automobile adding to the comfort of himself and family. Mr. Wiebel has given a good citizen's attention to local political affairs and is the present supervisor of Cottonwood township, an office he has held for more than ten years. He also has been treasurer of the school board for three years.

In 1893 Theo Wiebel was united in marriage to Anna Liesenfeld, who was born in Sigel township, this county, daughter of Peter and Gertrude Liesenfeld, natives of Germany and early settlers of Brown county, pioneers of Sigel township, who were the parents of eight children, four sons and four daughters. To this union was born one child, Oscar. Mr. and Mrs. Wiebel are members of the Catholic church at Searles and take an active part in parish affairs.

John Gaetke

John Gaetke, well-known farmer and stockman of Cottonwood township, this county, proprietor of a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres situated eight miles from New Ulm, and one and one-half miles from Searles, on the main highway, is a native son of Brown county, having been born on the homestead farm where he now makes his home and where he has lived most all his life, September 15, 1861, son of Christian and Sophia (Ballou) Gaetke, natives of Germany and early settlers in Brown county.

Christian Gaetke came to the United States in 1855, landing at the port of New York, whence he came West without delay, to Watertown, Wisconsin, and worked at different work for about two years, and then came to Minnesota, locating in Brown county, thus having been among the earliest settlers of this county. He homesteaded a quarter of a section of land in Cottonwood township, married a daughter of one of the pioneers of that section and there established his home, spending the rest of his life on that homestead farm, his death occurring in 1895. To him and his wife three children were born, of whom the subject of this sketch is the youngest, the others being Louis and Caroline.

John Gaetke grew to manhood on the homestead farm on which he still lives and assisted very materially in the development of the same. He quit school when thirteen years of age and thereafter devoted himself to the assistance of his father. After his father's death he assumed the management of the farm and remained there until 1897, in which year he moved to New Ulm, where he remained for six years. He then bought the interests of the other heirs in the home farm and returned there and has made that place his home ever since. Mr. Gaetke has added about three thousand dollars worth of improvements to the place and in 1911 erected a new brick house, which is equipped with a hot-water heating plant and many conveniences for comfortable housekeeping. He has given considerable attention to the raising of Shorthorn cattle and has done well in that line of agriculture. He has an excellent automobile, a great convenience to himself and family, and is looked upon as one of the most energetic and progressive farmers in his neighborhood.

In 1891 John Gaetke was united in marriage to Ida Scholtz, who was born in Sigel township, this county, daughter of Christian and Mary Scholtz, natives of Germany and pioneers of Brown county, substantial farming people of Sigel township and the parents of thirteen children, three sons and ten daughters, and to this union three children have been born, Elmer John, Amain Henry and Lucila Ida. Mr. and Mrs. Gaetke attend the Methodist church at New Ulm and are properly interested in community good works. Mr. Gaetke is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and takes a warm interest in the affairs of that organization. He has for years taken an active interest in local civic affairs and for nine years served as treasurer of his school district. He is an "independent" voter.

William Backer

William Backer, city clerk of New Ulm and one of the best-known and most popular young men in Brown county, is a native son of that county, having been born on a farm in Cottonwood township, June 9, 1886, son of August C. and Martha (Pfisterer) Backer, the former a native of Germany and the latter of the state of Wisconsin, former wellknown residents of Cottonwood township, now living comfortably retired in the city of New Ulm.

August C. Backet was about seven years of age when he came to the United States with his parents, the family first settling in Wisconsin. Besides himself there were three other children in the family, he having two brothers and a sister, Charles, Fred and Emma. Later the family came to Minnesota and located at LeSueur, where Grandfather Backer and his wife spent their last days, both living to ripe old ages. August C. Backer married Martha Pfisterer, who was born in Wisconsin, third in order of birth of the four children born to her parents, who were natives of Germany, the other children of the Pfisterer family having been Henry, William and Louise, and in 1875 came to Brown county. He bought a farm of two hundred acres in Cottonwood township and there he established his home and reared his family, he and his wife remaining there until 1901, in which year they retired from the farm and have since been making their home in New Ulm, where they enjoy many evidences of .the high regard in which they are held by the whole community. In their religious persuasion they are of the Evangelical faith and for years have been warmly interested in the various beneficences of the church of that denomination. To them seven children have been born, all of whom are still living, namely. Henry, of Sunnyside, Washington; Esther, wife of William Humann, of Cottonwood township, this county ; Louise, wife of August C. Dahl, of New Ulm; Harry, of Jamestown, North Dakota ; Dora, wife of Michael Werner, of Cottonwood township; William, the immediate subject of this biographical sketch, and Caroline, who is at home with her parents.

William Backer lived on the old home farm in Cottonwood township during his early youth, receiving his elementary education in the district school in that neighborhood. He was about fifteen years old when his parents moved to New Ulm and he completed his public-school course in the high school in that city, supplementing the same by a course in a commercial school at Mankato, after which he began clerking in a grocery store in New Ulm. He was thus engaged for awhile and then took employment with the wholesale produce house of Stuebe Brothers as a bookkeeper, remaining with that concern for five years, at the end of which time he transferred his services to the offices of the roller mills company at New Ulm and was engaged there until he entered upon his official duties as city clerk of New Ulm, to which important public office he was elected on the Republican ticket in the spring of 1914, and in which capacity he is now serving in a most satisfactory manner.

On June 20, 1911, William Backer was united in marriage to Hedwig Janke, who was born in New Ulm, daughter of William Janke, a well-known wagon-maker of that city, and wife, who have been residents of New Ulm for years. Mrs. Backer is the second in order of birth of the nine children born to her parents, her brothers and sisters being Helen, Martha, Louise, Herman, William, Waldemar, Hilding and Elda. Mrs. Backer is a member of the Lutheran church and both she and her husband take a propei part in the various social activities of their home town, being held in high esteem by their many friends there and throughout the county generally.

George W. Mauch

George W. Mauch, farmer of Milford township, Brown county, Minnesota, held in high esteem by his fellow citizens not only because of his excellent personal characteristics, but also because of his ability as a business man and up-todate farmer, is a native of Wisconsin, born in Addison township, Washington county, on September 9, 1865, a son of Mathias and Margaret (Moll) Mauch, both natives of Wurtemberg, in Germany. Mathias was sixteen years of age when he was brought to this country by his parents and they settled in Wisconsin near the place where the Moll family located upon coming to this country, when Margaret was twelve years of age. Both families entered land in Washington county and there the young people were married and later came to Brown county, this state, in 1868. Mathias Mauch bought a farm of five hundred and twenty acres in Milford township, there being at that time a small log cabin on the land and about twenty acres under cultivation. Mathias farmed here until 1896 when he retired and took up his residence in New Ulm, where he died on January 9, 1912. Subject's mother is living at New Ulm. Mathias Mauch was one of the citizens of this section who took an active interest in the development of community life and for many years served as a member of the school board. He was the father of four children: Henry, Victoria (Mrs. Hillesheim), George, the subject of this sketch, and Lawrence.

George W. Mauch And Family

became associated with his father in the management of the extensive farm home. At the time of his father's retirement, he rented the place until 1914, when he bought out the interests of the other heirs. He has long since demonstrated unusual business ability and his method of farming is that approved by the latest scientific research. He balances his grain production with the live stock raised in a way to gain the best returns, putting about one hundred and eighty acres per annum to corn and smaller grains and producing from eighty to one hundred hogs annually for the markets, also a carload of cattle in addition to what he keeps on the place. He has a silo of two hundred tons capacity in addition to all necessary barns and other buildings of latest approved type and a residence which is up-to-date in every way. Mr. Mauch is well worthy in every way of the esteem accorded him by his fellow citizens who have known him through a long number of years.

On November 26, 1892, George W. Mauch was united in marriage with Louise Haengartner, daughter of Andrew Haengartner, and to their union one child, a daughter, Esther, has been born. Politically, Mr. Mauch is an independent voter and one who takes more than a passive interest in the administration of local affairs.

Theodore Mohr

Theodore Mohr, well-known and well-to-do farmer and stockman of Cottonwood township, this county, proprietor of a well-kept farm of four hundred and eighty acres lying n little more than five miles from New Ulm, on the main highway, is a native son of Brown county, having been born on the farm where he still makes his home, July 22, 1858, son of Martin and Caroline (Rein) Mohr, natives of Austria, who came to America in 1854.

Martin Mohr landed at the port of New York, proceeding directly thence to Ohio, where he stayed about a year, at the end of which time they moved to Iowa, making his home for awhile in the neighborhood of Dubuque. In 1856 he came to Minnesota and homesteaded a tract of land on the outskirts of New Ulm, in this county. A year later Martin Mohr sold his homestead right there and moved over into Cottonwood township, where he homesteaded a quarter of section 18 and there established his home, living there until 1893, in which year he retired from the farm and moved to New Ulm, where he spent his last days, his death occurring in 1894. Martin Mohr was one of the pioneers of Brown county and was widely known throughout the county. During the troublous times of the Indian uprising in 1862 he and his family fled from the homestead farm and found refuge in St. Peter until the trouble was at an end. He and his wife were the parents of but two children, the subject of this sketch and a daughter, Sophia.

schools at the age of eighteen. He was a valuable assistant to his father in the labors of developing the home place and after his father retired from the farm assumed the management of the same. Upon his father's death he inherited the home farm, which he still owns and operates and to which he has added by purchase until he now is the owner of a fine place of four hundred and eighty acres, upon which about eight thousand dollars has been spent in improvements; and is regarded as one of the substantial farmers of the county.

In 1885 Theodore Mohr was united in marriage to Barbara Sturm, who was born in Bavaria, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth (Kunts) Sturm, parents of twelve children, three sons and nine daughters, who came to this country in 1868, settling in Brown county, where they established their home, and to this union five children have been born, Alma, Amelia, Emma, Martin and Willie. The two elder daughters are married and the remaining children are at home with their parents. Alma Mohr married Frank Schneider, of Sigel township, this county, and has four children. Amelia Mohr married Victor Dauer and lives in the town of Cottonwood. Mr. and Mrs. Mohr are members of the Catholic church at New Ulm and their children have been reared in that faith. Mr. Mohr is a member of the St. Joseph Society and takes a warm interest in the affairs of that organization.

C. F. Kaiser

C. F. Kaiser, well-known building contractor at New Ulm, this county, is a native of Germany, having been born in the city of Salzwadel in the kingdom of Saxony, April 26, 1871, son of F. and Emilia Kaiser, both natives of that same kingdom. F. Kaiser was a weaver and the owner of a small woolen-mill at Salzwadel, where he lived many years, later moving to Hanover, where he spent the remainder of his life. He and his wife were the parents of five children, four of whom are still living; but the subject of this sketch is the only one of these living in Brown county.

C. F. Kaiser received his education in the schools of Hanover and was trained to the carpenter's trade, becoming a very competent workman. When he was past twentyone years of age he came to the United States, locating at Mankato, this state, in 1892. He followed his trade there for about two years, at the end of which time he moved over to New Ulm, in 1894, and began working as a carpenter. The next year he married and established a home there and has ever since made his home in that city. In the year 1904 Mr. Kaiser engaged in the contracting business on his own account and has become one of the most successful contractors and builders in the city, employing a large force of men and doing work all over this part of the country. Among the numerous substantial structures he has built at New Ulm may be cited the Washington and Lincoln school building.

Engel, daughter of Fritz Engel and wife, and to this union two children have been born, Herman and Elsie. Mr. Kaiser is a member of the New Ulm branch of the Sons of Hermann, of the local lodge of the Modern Woodmen of America and of the Turnverein, in the affairs of all of which organizations he takes a warm interest. He is an "independent" voter.

Chaeles A. Stolz

Charles A. Stolz, well-known and enterprising hardware merchant, of New Ulm, this county, is a native son of Minnesota, having been born in the village of Carver, Carver county, this state, March 8, 1869, son of August and Catherine (Rothmeyer) Stolz, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Austria, pioneers of this part of Minnesota and for many years influential and highly respected residents of Courtland township, over the river in the neighboring county of Nicollet, where their last days were spent.

August Stolz was born in the province of Posen, Germany, son of sturdy farming folk, his father a soldier in his country's wars in the forties. He had three brothers and two sisters, Louis, William, Fred, Christina and Gertrude. His mother, Ernestina, died and his father married again, having a son, Martin, by his second marriage. The father died in his native land when well past middle age. In 1851 August Stolz left Germany and came to the United States, his journey in a sailing vessel requiring nine weeks. Upon arriving on this side he located in Chicago, where he remained for three years, at the end of which time he came to Minnesota and settled on the Indian reservation at what is now the neighborhood of New Ulm, where he was employed by the government as a teamster, and was thus a resident here when the county was organized in 1855. He also was here during the time of the Indian uprising and massacre in 1862 and did service for one year during the

Civil War as a member of the Minnesota Heavy Artillery. Previous to that experience he had married Catherine Rothmeyer, who had come to this country with her widowed mother, Mrs. Barbara Rothmeyer, whose only child she was, from Austria, she having been born and reared near the great city of Vienna, and settled in New Ulm, a member of one of the earliest parties of colonists which located in this part of Minnesota. The widow Rothmeyer was a resident of this section for many years, she having been about eighty-six years of age at the time of her death.

At the close of his military experience August Stolz settled down on a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, over the river in Courtland township, Nicollet county, one mile from New Ulm, and there he established his home, cleared the place, reared his family, became a substantial and useful citizen and spent the rest of his life there, dying on June 24, 1893, at the age of sixty-seven years. His widow survived him for twenty years, her death occurring on September 4, 1913, she then being seventy-six years of age. Both were earnest members of the Lutheran church and their children were reared in that faith. There were eight of these children, namely : Minnie, wife of George P. Dietz, of New Ulm; Anna, wife of William Boerger, of New Ulm; Charles A., the immediate subject of this biographical sketch; Mary, unmarried, who also lives at New Ulm ; Fred, the manager of the local plant of a large lumber company at Nicollet, this state, and three who died in youth.

Charles A. Stoltz was reared on the paternal farm in the neighborhood of New Ulm, receiving his elementary education in the district school in the vicinity of his home, which he supplemented by a course in the Dr. Martin Lu- ther College at New Ulm, after which he entered Gustavus Adolphus College at St. Peter, for the benefit of the business course in that institution. He then taught school in his home district for four years, meanwhile continuing to assist his father on the farm during the summers, and then began clerking in a hardware store at New Ulm and was thus engaged for five years, at the end of which time he was appointed deputy sheriff and jailer for Brown county, in which official capacity he served for four years. In the fall of 1890 Mr. Stolz married and for five years thereafter was engaged in managing, in his own behalf, his father-inlaw's limekiln, the Heymann kiln, in Nicollet county. At the end of that time he returned to New Ulm and was made manager of the New Ulm Hardware Company's store at that place. Five years later he became a half partner in that concern and in 1913 became the sole proprietor of the store, which he still owns and which he is operating very successfully, being one of the best-known and most progressive merchants in this section of the state. Mr. Stolz will owns an interest in the old home farm and is largely interested in the Farmers and Merchants Bank of New Ulm, of which sound old financial institution he is vice-president.

On October 14, 1890, Charles A. Stolz was united in marriage to Ida Heymann, who was born in Cottonwood township, this county, February 2, 1866, daughter of John and Caroline (Ruhnow) Heymann, natives of Prussia, who came to America shortly after their marriage and settled in this county in May, 1862, being thus among the pioneers of this section of the state. John Heymann, who for many years has been recognized as one of the most substantial citizens of this and Nicollet county, is still living. His wife died on September 8, 1912. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom six are now living, Minnie, Emma, Ida, Otto, Bertha and Tillie.

To Charles A. and Ida (Heymann) Stolz three children have been born, daughters all, Edna, a graduate of the New Ulm high school and a business college, who is now bookkeeper in her father's store; Elma, a graduate of the New Ulm high school and of the normal department of that city's excellent schools, who is now a teacher in the public schools of the county, and Caroline, now a student in the high school. Mr. and Mrs. Stolz are members of the Congregational church, of which organization Mr. Stolz is one of the trustees, and they and their daughters are regarded as among the leaders in the social and cultural activities of the city, being held in high esteem by all. Mr. Stolz is an " independent" in his political views and is a stanch advocate of good government, ever holding the individual fitness of the various candidates for public place above the mere parties which those individuals represent. He is a member of the local lodge of the Modern Woodmen of America, in the affairs of which he takes a warm interest, and is also a member of the Junior Pioneers.

Julius Berndt

Julius Berndt, well-known architect and surveyor and superintendent of the noble monument to Hermann at New Ulm, who also is one of the few remaining survivors of that hardy band of pioneers who braved the hardships of the wilderness and laid the foundation for the present social and material well-being of this favored section of Minnesota back in the middle part of the last century, is a native of Germany, having been born in Kloster, Heinrick Aan, Breslau, in Prussia, March 13, 1832, son of John and Josepha (Kottvitz) Berndt, who were the parents of fourteen children, of whom the venerable architect at New Ulm is now the sole survivor.

Johann Berndt was a small merchant in his home village in Breslau. Determining to better his condition he came to the United States about the year 1850, with a view to seeking out a location in which to go into business, leaving his family in Germany. He located in Chicago, where he began working as a carpenter, and in 1852 was joined there by his sons, Julius and Herman. The next year, in 1853, Johann Berndt became a victim of the cholera scourge and died in Chicago, his dreams of creating a new and better home for his family in this country unrealized. His widow, who continued to make her home in her native land, died there when past ninety years of age.

Julius Berndt was twenty years of age when he came to America. He readily found employment in Chicago, having received an excellent education in the schools of

Breslau, his course having been directed with particular reference to civil engineering and architecture, and he was a skilled draftsman and architect. In 1857 he joined the Chicago Landverein and put in his lot with that of the hardy colonists of his own nationality in Brown county. Immediately upon his arrival here his special talents were recognized and utilized by the pioneer community, he having been the first duly elected official surveyor of Brown county, a position which he held continuously for a period of thirty years and in the performance of the duties of which office he rendered a most signal service in behalf of the commonwealth. In addition to performing his official duties he also was constantly called upon to lend his services as an architect to the new community and he became a general building contractor, continuing thus actively engaged until his retirement from business in 1899, during which time he had superintended the erection of many of the most important buildings in the county. In the fall of

1861, four years after his arrival in this county, Mr. Berndt married one of the pioneer girls of this community and he and his wife witnessed the full horrors of the massacre of

1862. Mr. Berndt was one of the most distinguished of the valorous home defenders during that awful period and was one of the provost marshals of the town during the time it was under siege. He received the appointment of first lieutenant of the Brown county camp of Light Artillery, Twenty-second Regiment, Minnesota National Guard, and upon the conclusion of his military service received from Governor Ramsey a certificate of commendation for his valor, patriotism and fidelity to duty.

enthusiastic member of that powerful and benevolent association, the Society of the Sons of Hermann, one of the strongest and most popular German societies in the United States, which since its organization in 1840 has disbursed nearly fifteen million dollars among its members, and was the prime factor in the movement which led to the selection of New Ulm as the site for the erection of the noble monument to Hermann, built in honor of the society and dedicated on September 25, 1897, in the presence of a great concourse of people, numbering about twenty-four thousand. Upon the completion of the monument Mr. Berndt was made superintendent of the same and since then has been devoted to its care and preservation.

On September 14, 1861, Julius Berndt was united in marriage to Mina Kiesling, who was born in the kingdom of Saxony, November 9, 1844, daughter of August Kiesling and wife, who were among the earliest and most influential pioneers of Brown county, and to this union twelve children have been born, as follow: Herman, who died when one year old ; Ida, who married Anton Gag and died at the age of twenty-three; Sophia, who married William Pfaender, Jr., a biographical sketch of whom is presented elsewhere in this volume; Julia, who since the death of the wife of her brother, Julius, is at home with her parents, taking care of her brother's bereaved children, Ruth Alice and Albert Julius; August, a tinner, of New Ulm, who married Ida Liesch and has two children, Victor and George; Bertha, who married Charles Davin, a well-known Brown county farmer, and has eight children, Armin, Roland, Elsie, Rosa, August, Chester, Ernest and Bernen ; Julius, a well-known citizen of New Ulm, who married Alice Baumann, who died, leaving two children, named above ; Rudolph, of Minneapolis, who married and has two children, Norman and Florence ; Rosa, who married Barney Greig, of New Ulm ; Hugo, now deceased, who married Beulah Knighten and had four children, Robert, Russell, Herbert and Tom Knighten ; Robert, who married Julia Hammond and lives in Huron, South Dakota, and Emil, who is unmarried.

Mr. and Mrs. Berndt celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage on September 14, 1911, the occasion being made one of rejoicing among their many friends. Despite the growing weight of their years, both are still hale and well preserved, active and vigorous, and continue to take a warm interest in local affairs. They have witnessed the development of this favored section of the state from the days of the very beginning of a social order hereabout and have done well their parts in promoting that wonderful development. They have a very wide acquaintance throughout the city and county and are held in the very highest esteem throughout the whole community.

Herman Held

Herman Held, president and manager of the New TJlm Stone Company at New Ulm, this county, who also is prominently identified with numerous other industrial concerns in and about the city, being thus one of the most active and energetic business men in this section of the state, is a native son of New Ulm, having been born there on July 23, 1875. Herman Held grew up in the old family home on South German street in New Ulm, and was graduated from the New Ulm high school in 1892. He then worked one year at St. Paul and in the winter of 1893-94 taught school in district No. 2, in Brown county. He then entered the Normal School at Winona, from which he was graduated in 1895 and for three years thereafter taught school in New Ulm. He then engaged in the book and stationery business with his brother, Otto, in New Ulm, and was thus engaged until 1906, during a part of which time and continuing until 1913 he was the local agent for the United States Express Company and the Adams Express Company. In 1906 Herman Held was placed in charge of the late Jacob Pfenninger's private affairs and from 1909 to the present has been one of the trustees of the Pf enninger estate.

In 1909 Herman Held formed a partnership with Elmer H. Haeberle and took over the ice business of the Leonard Haeberle estate, later organizing the New Ulm Ice Company, which they are still successfully conducting. In addition to his extensive connection with the New Ulm Stone Company, of which latter concern he is the president and general manager, Mr. Held has other business interests hereabout. He is a director of the New Ulm Savings and Loan Association and president of the Pioneer Nursery Company. In general public affairs he also ever has taken an active interest and is a member of the board of education and of the board of health.

Christian Sprenger

Christian Sprenger, veteran clerk in the extensive mercantile establishment of Crone Brothers at New Ulm, this county, and one of the best-known and most popular figures in the commercial life of this section, was born on the Atlantic ocean while his parents were on their way to this country, August 11, 1855, son of Peter and Mary (Eigenberger) Sprenger, both natives of Bohemia, and has been a resident of Brown county since the first year of his life.

Peter Sprenger was reared in Bohemia, one of the seven children born to his parents, farming people in that country, the children being Anton, Peter, Weinzel, John, Joseph, Mary and Simon. There Peter Sprenger married Mary Engenberger, who was the youngest of the three children born to her parents, who later also came to the United States and became pioneers of Delaware county, Iowa, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Their three children were Joseph, Barbara and Mary. In the summer of 1855 Peter Sprenger and his wife came to the United States and on the way over their first child was born. Upon their arrival in this country the Sprengers immediately came West and their first winter was spent in Iowa. Early in the following spring, 1856, they came to Minnesota, locating in Brown county, where, in Cottonwood township, they homesteaded a quarter of a section of land and there established their home, thus becoming among the earliest settlers of that section. Peter Sprenger was a good farmer and developed a valuable property on his quarter section. During the Indian uprising in 1862 he was one of the defenders of New Ulm and ever did his part in the work of promoting the best interests of this region in pioneer days. He and his wife were devout Catholics and were helpful in all local good works. Mrs. Sprenger died in 1884, at the age of fifty-six years. In 1892 Peter Sprenger retired from the farm and moved to New Ulm, where he spent his last days, his death occurring in 1904, he then being past eighty years of age. He and his wife were the parents of six children, namely: Christian, the immediate subject of this biographical sketch; Catherine, deceased, who was the wife of Frank Schneider, of New Ulm; Mary, who is the wife of J ohn Liesenf eldt, of Park Rapids, this state ; Anton, of Searls, this county ; Henry, of Webster City, Iowa, and John, deceased.

Christian Sprenger was not a year old when his parents settled in this county and he grew up on the home farm in Cottonwood township, receiving his early education in the schools of New Ulm. When eighteen years of age he went to Iowa, where for several years he made his home with his maternal grandparents, working on the farm during the summers and going to school during the winters. He then returned home and aided in the work of his father's farm for two years, at the end of which time he went to work for Benke Brothers and was thus engaged for a year, after which he returned to the home farm, where he remained another year. He then, in 1880, began clerking in the store of Theodore Crone & Sons at New Ulm, that store now being operated by Crone Brothers, and has ever since been thu§ engaged, a period covering more than thirty-five years of continuous service in the one store, during which time he has become one of the best-known figures in commercial circles in this part of the state.

On November 8, 1882, Christian Sprenger was united in marriage to Bertha Gareis, who was born in Germany, second in order of birth of the eight children born to her parents, John Gareis and Fredericka Backer, the others having been Rosa, Rika, Susanna, Margaret, Margaret (second), John and Fred. John Gareis and his family came to the United States in 1871 and located on a farm in Milford township, this county, where he and his wife spent their last days, well-known residents of that community. John Gareis was the son of George and Roseina Gareis, who were the parents of four children, George, John, Johannes and Barbara.

To Christian and Bertha (Gareis) Sprenger five children have been born, as follow: Emil, who is a linotype operator at Toledo, Ohio; Edward, who lives in St. Paul, this state; Leo, proprietor of a men's furnishing store in New Ulm ; Chrysinthia, who is at home, and Alphonse, also at home. Mr. and Mrs. Sprenger are earnest members of the Catholic church and their children have been reared in that faith, the family being held in high regard throughout this community. Mr. Sprenger is a member of the St. Joseph Society of the Catholic church, in the affairs of which he takes a warm interest.

Alfred Hellmann

Alfred Hellmann, well-known druggist and pharmacist at New Ulm, this county, has lived in that city all his life, havign been born there on May 8, 1870, son of August and Sophia (Welzien) Hellmann, natives of Mecklenberg- Schwerin, Germany, and early settlers of the New Ulm neighborhood, both of whom spent their last days here.

August Hellmann, father of Alfred, left his native land in 1852 when a young man and came to the United States, locating in Chicago, in which city he found employment at his trade of wagon-making, and where he, in 1854, was married to Sophia Welzien. When the Chicago Landverein's party was made up to help colonize this section of Minnesota in the year 1855 he joined the colonists and came to Brown county, entering a homestead claim to a quarter section of land in Milford township adjoining the city of New Ulm, which he proceeded to develop and where he made his home, until the Indian outbreak in 1862, and was one of the defenders of New Ulm. After the Indian war August Hellman enlisted for service in behalf of the Union cause and served with the army in the south until the close of the war. Upon the conclusion of his military service he returned and settled in New Ulm, where he resumed his trade as a wagon-maker and blacksmith and was thus engaged until the year 1885 when he retired from business. Mr. Hellmann died in 1914, having lived to be ninety-one years of age. Mrs. Hellmann died in 1902 at the age of sixty-nine years. To August Hellmann and wife seven chil- dren were born, namely : George, of Chicago ; Lisetta, unmarried, of Milwaukee ; Frida, wife of O. M. Olsen, of New Ulm; Alfred, the immediate subject of this biographical sketch; Ida, wife of O. C. Schumacher, of Milwaukee, and two who died in early youth.

Alfred Hellmann was reared in New Ulm, the city of his birth, and was educated in the public schools of that city. At the age of sixteen he began clerking in a drug store and from the very beginning of that connection made a careful study of pharmacy. He passed his examination under the state pharmacy laws at the age of twenty-one and has ever since been an active pharmacist and druggist. In February, 1914, he bought the store of his employer, O. M. Olsen, in which store he had been employed continuously for twenty-eight years, and has since been conducting the same on his own account. The Hellmann drug store is one of the best-known mercantile establishments in New Ulm and its proprietor is regarded as one of the "live" business men of the city, enterprising, energetic and public spirited, enjoying the full confidence and regard of his business associates and the community generally. Mr. Hellmann is an active and influential member of the local Turnverein and is held in high esteem by his many friends hereabout. Though affiliated with the Republican party for years, he is in reality an "independent" in his political views and supports with his suffrage such candidates for public office as he believes best fitted for the faithful performance of the duties of the offices to which they aspire.

Edwaed L. Alwin

Edward L. Alwin, a well-known clerk in the postoffice at New Ulm, who for years was one of the ablest school teachers in this county, is a native-born son of Brown county, having been born on a pioneer farm in the neighborhood of the Cottonwood banks, two and one-half miles from New Ulm, in Cottonwod township, December 1, 1863, son of William and Wilhelmina (Gruening) Alwin, both natives of Germany and early settlers of this county, the former of whom died in 1910, at the age of eighty-five years, and the latter of whom is still living, being now past ninety years of age.

William Alwin was born in Prussia. He was bereft by death of his parents, Andrew Alwin and wife, peasant farmers, when he was seven years old and he was thereafter reared in the family of his uncle, William Kreuger. At the age of twenty-one he entered upon his military service and was stationed three years in the barracks at Berlin. At the age of twenty-eight he married Wilhelmina Gruening, one of the twelve children born to her parents, the others who grew to maturity having been Gottlieb, Henrietta, Julia, Herman, Ada, August and Fritz. Mrs. Alwin 's father was a schoolmaster and church organist, as well as clerk of his church, the duty of reading the Scripture, in the absence of the pastor, thus falling upon him. Both he and his wife lived to be upwards of sixty years old.

Milwaukee. The next year, in company with a number of other persons of German birth, they left Milwaukee and came to Minnesota, arriving at New Ulm on July 1, 1855, being thus among the very early settlers of this section of the state. William Alwin had practically no money, but he and his wife had strong hands and willing hearts and after homesteading a quarter of a section of land in Cottonwood township entered heartily upon the task of creating a home in the wilderness. During the trying times of the Indian uprising, in 1862, William Alwin was one of the sturdy defenders of New Ulm and in all ways did well his duty as a citizen during the pioneer days and throughout his long life in this community. He and his wife were German Methodists and were among the founders of the church of that denomination in this community. In 1885 they retired from the farm, turning the management of the same over to their son, Rudolph, and moved into New Ulm, where Mr. Alwin spent the rest of his days. His widow, who still survives him, celebrated the ninety-first anniversary of her birth on February 14, 1916.

To William and Wilhelmina (Gruening) Alwin nine children were born, all of whom are still living, as follow : Fred, of Sleepy Eye, this county; Herman, of St. Paul; Adolph, of New Ulm ; Rudolph, who makes his home on the homestead farm in Cottonwood township ; Emil, of Milnor, North Dakota ; Albert, of Minneapolis ; Edward, the immediate subject of this biographical sketch; William, also of New Ulm, and Edwina, wife of Herman Breitkruetz, of Arlington, in the neighboring county of Sibley.

in the city school in New Ulm, supplementing the same by a course of three years at the State Normal School at Mankato, upon the completion of which he entered the ranks of Brown county's excellent and well-trained corps of teachers and taught sixteen terms in the district schools of the county. He then took the civil service examination for postoffice clerks, which he passed with credit, and in 1903 was appointed clerk in the postoffice at New Ulm, a position which he has held ever since and in the performance of the duties of which he has rendered faithful and efficient service.

On November 8, 1895, Edward L. Alwin was united in marriage to Anna Schneider, who was born in the city of Berlin, daughter of Herman and Caroline (Bleck) Schneider, both of whom were born at Gartz, in the province of Pomerania, and who were the parents of nine children, those besides Mrs. Alwin having been Otto, Frieda, Herman, Mary, Robert, Bertha and two who died in youth. Herman Schneider and his family came to the United States when the daughter, Anna, was eight years old and settled in New Ulm, where Mr. and Mrs. Schneider spent the remainder of their lives, the latter dying in 1907 and the former in 1910.

To Edward L. and Anna (Schneider) Alwin seven children have been born, Lloyd, Winona, Olive, Wilbur, Myrtle, Evelyn and Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Alwin are members of the German Methodist church, in the various beneficences of which they take a warm interest, and are held in the highest esteem by their many friends hereabout. They have a very pleasant home at 219 North State street in New Ulm, erected in 1910, and which is the scene of much quiet hospitality.

Andreas Amann

Andreas Amann, well-known proprietor of the popular Merchants hotel at New Ulm, who has been a resident of this community, off and on, since 1873, is a native of Germany, having been born in Upper Trauversbourg, Wurtemberg, November 5, 1850, son of Martin and Maria (Haller) Amann, both natives of Germany, well-to-do farming people, both of whom spent their lives there, the latter dying in 1882 and the former in 1888, he then being about sixty-four years of age. They were the parents of five children, three sons and two daughters, those besides the subject of this sketch being Martin, of Germany ; Johann Baptiste, of New Ulm ; Pauline, who died unmarried, and Theresa, who also died unmarried, all of whom were reared in the faith of the Catholic church.

Andreas Amann was reared in his native land and there acquired a thorough working knowledge of the blacksmith trade, which he followed for some years. In 1873, he then being twenty-three years of age, he came to the United States and proceeded directly to Minnesota, locating at New Ulm, this county, where he remained for a couple of years. He then went to California, where he remained for a year, at the end of which time he returned East and settled on a farm in Carroll county, Illinois, where he remained three years. He then returned to this section of Minnesota and at Courtland, over the river in Nicollet county, opened a blacksmith and wagon shop, which he conducted quite successfully for nine years, at the end of which time he re- turned to New Ulm and engaged in the retail liquor business and was thus engaged until in September, 1914, when he rented the old Merchants hotel, which he ever since has been conducting and which he has made one of the most popular hostelries in this part of the state.

In 1877, Andreas Amann was united in marriage to Catherine Sturm, youngest of the six children of John and Dora Sturm, well-known residents of this county at that time, both now deceased, whose other children were Bernhard, Paul, Theresa, Anna and Mary, and to this union five children were born, as follow : John B., of Sleepy Eye, this county, who married Emma Bellig and has three children, Arthur, Sylvia and Irene; Anna, who married John Forster, to which union twelve children were born, Lucy, Adelaide, Hugo, Rosa, Harold, Marcella, Elfretta, Margaret, Helen, Marie, Grace and Alma ; Bernhard, who married Rosa Reinhart and has four children, Henry, Rosa, Raymond and Loretta; Lucy, who lives at home, and Adelaide, also at home. The mother of these children died on November 8, 1889, and on June 29, 1891, Mr. Amann married, secondly, Theresa Kamm, who was born near Gleisenberg, Germany, January 6, 1872, daughter of John and Maria (Kopp) Kamm, the former of whom died in Germany in 1877, at the age of about thirty-eight, his widow and her three children, Carl, Volberga and Theresa, then coming to America, in 1881, and settling in New Ulm. John Kamm was the second in order of birth of the five children born to his parents, Joseph and Barbara Kamm, farming people in Germany, the others having been Christopher, Joseph, Helen and Anna. His wife was one of the considerable family of children born to her parents, Peter and Bar-

To Andreas and Theresa (Kamm) Amann seven children have been born, Andrew, Charles, Adolph, Edwin, Frank, Harry and Hildegarde. Mr. and Mrs. Amann are members of the Catholic church and their children have been reared in that faith. Mr. Amann is a member of the St. Joseph Society and Mrs. Amann is a member of St. Elizabeth's Society and of the Christian Mothers' Society, in the affairs of which organizations they are warmly interested. Mr. Amann is an " independent" Democrat and for years has given close attention to local political affairs. For three years he served as a member of the New Ulm city council and does his part in advancing the general interests of his home city, he and his family being held in high regard by their many friends hereabout.

Dr. Otto John Seifert, one of the best-known young physicians in this part of the state, who has been practicing his profession at New Ulm since the fall of 1912, having located there after a period of valuable experience as interne in the city hospital at Minneapolis, is a native son of Brown county, having been born on a farm in Sigel township, February 5, 1888, son of Henry and Anna (Forster) Seifert, the former also a native of this county and the latter of the state of Wisconsin, both of whom long have been residents of the city of New Ulm.

Henry Seifert was born on a pioneer farm in Cottonwood township, this county, son of John Seifert and wife, natives of Bohemia and early settlers of Brown county, long substantial and influential residents of the Cottonwood neighborhood, whose last days were spent in New Ulm, both living to be upwards of seventy years of age. J ohn Seifert and wife were among the earliest of the Bohemian colonists to settle in this part of the state and they reared their family on the homestead farm in Cotton wood township. John Seifert was one of the brave home defenders during the time of the Indian uprising in 1862. In their declining years he and his wife retired from the farm and spent the rest of their lives in New Ulm. They were the parents of nine children, Catherine, Mary, Anna, Peter, John, Henry, Joseph and two who died in youth. Henry Seifert was reared on the home farm in Cottonwood township and grew up as a farmer boy. He married Anna Forster, daughter of

Carl and Barbara Forster, natives of Bavaria, early settlers of this county, both of whom lived to be upwards of seventy years of age. Carl Forster and wife upon coming to America first became residents of Wisconsin, but presently came to this county, where they spent the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of eight children, Anna, George, John, Charles, Frank, Rose, Albert and one who died in youth. Not long after his marriage Henry Seif ert left the farm and moved to LeSueur, later moving to the city of New Ulm, where he has for years been engaged in the retail liquor business. He and his wife are members of the Catholic church. To him and his wife six children have been born, namely: Dr. Otto J., the immediate subject of this biographical sketch ; Dr. Arthur V., a well-known dentist at New Ulm ; Leo, a law student ; Elsie, who married Dr. Omer Warner, of Canby, this state; Harry, who died in 1892, at the age of two years, and Myra.

Otto J. Seifert was reared at New Ulm and received his elementary education in the parochial schools there, after which he spent five years in St. Thomas Military Academy. He then entered the University of Minnesota and was graduated from that institution in 1910, with the degree of Bachelor of Science, immediately thereafter entering the medical department of the same university, from which he was graduated in 1912. Upon receiving his diploma, Doctor Seifert was appointed an interne in the city hospital at Minneapolis and after a period of valuable service there, during which he acquired much practical experience in the practice of his profession, he returned to his home in New Ulm and, in the fall of 1912, opened an office and has ever since been quite successfully engaged in prac- tice. Doctor Seifert is the present health officer of New Ulm and county physician for the first district. He is a member of the Brown County Medical Society, the Minnesota State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, in the affairs of all of which organizations he takes much interest, and is regarded as one of the rising young medical men of this part of the state.

On October 28, 1912, Dr. Otto J. Seifert was united in marriage to Marian Nettie Field, of Amery, Wisconsin, who was born in that city, June 8, 1892, daughter of Louis S. and Jeannette Field, both natives of Rockford, Illinois, who for years have been prominent residents of Amery. Louis S. Field is a miller there, one of the leading men of the town. To him and his wife but two children have been born, Marian and William. Mrs. Seifert is a graduate of the Amery high school and of the Nurses Training School at Minneapolis, in which latter city she formed an acquaintance with Doctor Seifert.

To Dr. Otto J. and Marian N. (Field) Seifert one child has been born, a daughter, Muriel. Doctor and Mrs. Seifert are members of the Catholic church and take an active interest in the various social and cultural activities of their home city, being held in high esteem by all hereabout. Doctor Seifert is a member of the Knights of Columbus, of the Catholic Order of Foresters and of the St. Joseph Society, taking an active part in the affairs of all.

Paul W. Hackbarth

Paul W. Hackbarth, well-known and progressive young merchant, of New Ulm, this county, who is the proprietor of a modern and well-stocked shoe store in the Buenger block in that city, is a native of Germany, having been born in Pommern, June 25, 1876, son of August and Ida (Robein) Hackbarth, natives of that same district of Germany, who later became residents of New Ulm, where the former still lives.

August Hackbarth was reared in his native land and became a carpenter. He married there Ida Robein and continued to make his home there until 1881, in which year he and his family came to the United States and settled in New Ulm, where Mr. Hackbarth became a well-known carpenter and builder, many buildings in that city still testifying to the substantial character of his work. For some years past he has been living practically retired from the active labors of life. His wife died in 1906, at the age of sixty-two. August Hackbarth and wife were members of the Lutheran church and their children were reared in that faith. There are seven of these children, as follow: Emily, who is the wife of Albert Barbrecht, of New Ulm ; Frank, of Nicollet, this state; Emma, wife of John Pelzl, of Sleepy Eye, this county ; Paulina, wife of Edward Wilbrecht, of New Ulm ; Paul W., the subject of this biographical sketch; William, of Nortonville, this state, and Frieda, of New Ulm.

attending both the public and parochial schools. He then began clerking for Willibald Eibner, baker and confectioner, and was thus engaged for six years, at the end of which time he became interested in his father's trade and for three years worked as a carpenter. He then began to work in the furniture and undertaking establishment of L. J. Buenger and was thus engaged until 1904, in which year he bought the Frank Dietz shoe store, moved the stock of the same into a fine room in the Buenger block and has there ever since been engaged in the shoe trade, in which he has been quite successful. He has a handsomely appointed and well-equipped store and is rated as one of the most enterprising merchants in the city, possessing the entire confidence and respect of commercial circles generally throughout this section of the state.

On October 8, 1902, Paul W. Hackbarth was united in marriage to Matilda Buenger, who was born in New Ulm, daughter of Louis and Henrietta (Ipps) Buenger, a further history of which interesting family in this county is set out in a biographical sketch relating to Emil Buenger, presented elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Hackbarth are members of the Lutheran church and take an active part in the various social and cultural activities of their home town, being held in high regard by their many friends hereabout. Mr. Hackbarth is a Republican and has ever given a good citizen's attention to local political affairs, but has never been an aspirant for public office.

Adolph Schubert

Adolph Schubert, proprietor of the "Evergreen Stock Farm" located in Milford township and accounted one of the best improved farms in Brown county, Minnesota, was born in Wisconsin on January 20, 1862, a son of Prank and Mary Schubert, both natives of Germany.

Frank Schubert was but eighteen years of age when he came to this country and located in Wisconsin, where for a number of years he worked as a farm hand. It was there he was married, and purchasing a farm, continued to make that state his home until 1866 when he came to this county and located in Milford township, where Adolph now resides. Frank Schubert's farm consisted of one hundred and sixty acres of unimproved land when he purchased it, and he industriously farmed and greatly improved his holdings, so that at the time of his retirement he had made wonderful strides toward reclaiming his land from the grasp of the wilderness. His death occurred at New Ulm in 1907, where he had taken up his residence after leaving the farm. Frank Schubert was a man who stood high in the estimation of his friends, being very popular among the people of his own nationality, and as an enterprising man he took a keen interest in local affairs. He served as town clerk for some time, was township assessor for a number of years and also county treasurer of Brown county for some time, discharging the various duties thus devolving upon him in a manner satisfactory to all interested. Frank Schubert was the father of nine children, seven of whom are living at the present time.

Adolph Schubert was a small boy when his parents came to this county and his education was received in the early schools of Milford township. He remained as his father's assistant until he was twenty-three years of age, when he was married and then arranged to rent the farm from his father. He later came into possession of the entire farm and now has three hundred and twenty acres, same being considered about the best improved farm in the county. Since obtaining possession of the place, Mr. Schubert has added about five thousand dollars worth of improvements to land and buildings and has an attractive home. The farm derives its name from the clump of evergreen trees surrounding the house and this, with a spacious lawn, makes an excellent appearance. Mr. Schubert divides his attention between grain growing and the raising of live stock, being uniformly successful in his ventures.

In 1885, Mr. Schubert was united in marriage to Angeline Richartz, daughter of Theo Richartz, and to their union two children have been born, Theresa and Martha. Mr. Schubert and family are communicants of the Roman Catholic church at New Ulm and politically, he is an independent voter. As a representative citizen of the county, it is with pleasure this short sketch of his career is included in this volume.

John H. Forster

John H. Forster, well-known furniture dealer and undertaker at New Ulna, is a native son of Brown county, having been born on a farm in Sigel township, September 10, 1873, son of Carl and Barbara (Steiner) Furster, both natives of Austria, for years prominent farming people of this county, whose last days were spent in comfortable retirement in New TJlm.

Carl Forster was born in Austria, son of Martin and Margaret (Forster) Forster, who though bearing the same surnames were no blood relation to each other, and who emigrated with their family from that country to the United States, locating first in Wisconsin and then coming to Minnesota and settling in Brown county, where both spent the remainer of their lives, Martin Forster having been eightyseven years of age at the time of his death. They were the parents of five children, namely: Mrs. Mary Hacker, of New Ulm; Carl, father of the immediate subject of this biographical sketch; Mrs. Theresa Scharenbroich, of St. Cloud, this state; Mrs. Katie Federspiel, of Racine, Wisconsin, and Mrs. Anna Backus.

Carl Forster was thirteen years old when he came to America with his parents, who settled at Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and there he grew to manhood and acquired a common-school education. In that city he married Barbara Steiner, who also was born in Austria, daughter of Albert Steiner and wife, who came to America and settled in the Manitowoc neighborhood, where they spent the rest of their lives on a farm. Albert Steiner and wife were the parents of three children, John, Mrs. Anna Kulneck and Barbara. After his marriage Carl Forster became a farmer and was thus engaged in the vicinity of Manitowoc until 1868, in which year he came to Minnesota and settled in Brown county. He bought a farm of two hundred and seven acres in Sigel township and there established his family, quickly becoming recognized as one of the leading men in that community. In their later years Carl Forster and wife retired from the farm and moved to New Ulm, where the former died on December 17, 1913, at the age of seventy-four years, and the latter, January 26, 1910, aged sixty-one. Both were earnest members of the Catholic church and their children were reared in that faith. There were eight of these children, as follow : Mrs. Henry Seif ert, of New Ulm ; George P., of Springfield, this county, Charles A., deceased ; John H., the subject of this sketch; Frank, who occupies the old family homestead in Sigel township ; Albert died in 1910 in Canada; Mrs. Rose Gaag, of Minneapolis, and a daughter who died in infancy.

John H. Forster was reared on the old home farm in Sigel township, attending both the public and the parochial schools, upon the completion of which elementary course, when he was sixteen years old, he went to Sleepy Eye, this county, and there learned the harness-making trade, following the same for four years. He then entered a business college at Minneapolis and there took a comprehensive course in commercial forms, after which he returned to New Ulm and for three years was engaged as a harness-maker there in the store of August Quense, at the end of which time he bought the Quense establishment and conducted the same for four years. Then selling out the harness business, he bought an interest in the furniture and undertaking establishment of his brother, Charles, at New Ulm, and one year later, in 1901, bought his brother's interest in the same and since then has conducted the business alone, being the proprietor of one of the most extensive and completely equipped establishments of this character hereabout. Mr. Forster 's establishment occupies three floors and he carries a large and first-class line of goods in the furniture line, while the undertaking department is conducted along the most modern lines approved by up-to-date funeral directors.

On February 1, 1898, John H. Forster was united in marriage to Anna Amann, who was born in the state of Illinois, daughter of Andreas and Catherine (Sturm) Amann, the former a native of German and the latter of this county, who were the parents of six children, namely : John, of Sleepy Eye, this county ; Anna, who married Mr. Forster; Benjamin, Lucy, Adelaide and Martin, the latter of whom is deceased.

To John H. and Anna (Amann) Forster twelve children have been born : Lucy, Adelaide, Hugo, Rosa, Harold, Marcella, Elfretta, Marguerite, Marie, Helen, Grace and Alma. Mr. and Mrs. Forster are members of the Catholic church and take a warm interest in parish affairs. They also are concerned in the general good work of the community and are held in high regard by their many friends. Mr. Forster is a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Order of Foresters and the St. Joseph Society, in the affairs of which he takes an active interest. He is a Democrat and takes a good citizen's part in political affairs, though not an office seeker.

John P. Graff, D. V- S.

Dr. John P. Graff, county commissioner and former mayor of New Ulm, a well-known veterinary surgeon, who also is engaged in the livery and automobile business at New Ulm, one of the best-known citizens of Brown county, is a native son of New Ulm, having been born in that city on July 17, 1877, son of John and Catherine (Schnitz) Graff, both natives of Germany, the former of Prussia and the latter of Luxemburg.

John Graff came to America with his parents in the latter fifties of the last century and in 1859 came to Minnesota, settling in New Ulm, where he presently became the owner of the old Union hotel, which was burned down during the time of the Indian attack on that city in 1862. His father died not long after coming here, leaving four childern, Mrs. Henry Vajen, Mrs. Charles Sommer, John and Lena, who married Charles Ross and now lives in Wellington, Kansas, she being the only surviving member of the family. Grandmother Graff married, secondly, Philip Gross, who also was a pioneer of Brown county, proprietor of the Union hotel at New Ulm, and both lived to old age. After the destruction of his hotel during the Indian outbreak, John Graff engaged in the real estate and cattle business in New Ulm and was thus quite successfully engaged until he retired from business some years before his death, his last days being spent in New Ulm. He was a member of the Lutheran church and his wife was a member of the Catholic church. They were the parents of seven children, namely : Fred, deceased ; Amelia, wife of William Brust, of Sleepy Eye, this county; George, of Ivanhoe, Lincoln county, this state ; Helena, wife of J. P. Jensen, of Bozeman, Montana; Dr. John P., the immediate subject of this biographical sketch, and two who died in youth.

Upon completing the course in the public schools of New Ulm, John P. Graff entered St. John's University at Collegeville, this state, from which institution he presently was graduated, after which he entered the Chicago Veterinary College, at Chicago, Illinois, from which he was graduated in 1902. Upon receiving his diploma, Doctor Graff returned to New Ulm and immediately opened an office for the practice of veterinary surgery and has been quite successfully thus engaged ever since. In 1904 Doctor Graff established the flourishing livery business which he has since conducted and in 1910 added a line of automobiles to the same, in which latter department of the business he also has been quite successful, being recognized as one of the substantial business men of the city.

On November 24, 1902, not long after establishing himself in practice in New Ulm, Dr. John P. Graff was united in marriage to Theresa Eichmann, who was born in New Ulm on October 26, 1876, daughter of John and Margaret (Brown) Eichmann, natives of Germany and early settlers in New Ulm, of whose children three are still living, Martha, wife of Joseph M. Arbes, John and Mrs. Graff.

To Dr. John P. and Theresa (Eichmann) Graff two children have been born, Richard J. and J ohn W. Doctor and Mrs. Graff are earnest members of the Catholic church and take their part in good works hereabout, being held in high regard by all. The doctor is a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Order of Foresters and the St. Joseph Society of the Catholic church. He is a stanch Republican and for years has given his thoughtful attention to local political affairs. The confidence which this community has in his executive abilities and sound judgment is attested by the fact that he for two terms was elected as an alderman and then was elected mayor, in which capacity he rendered such excellent public service that he was re-elected, thus serving two terms in that important office. He then was elected a member of the board of county commissioners and is now serving in that capacity.

Hon. Jacob Klossner, Jr

Hon. J acob Klossner, J r., former member of the Minnesota Legislature, a well-known retired farmer and merchant, of New Ulm, commander of the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic, acting mayor of the town for five months, former deputy clerk of the court of Nicollet county, for years an influential member of the New Ulm city council, actively connected with extensive banking interests hereabout, owner of much valuable real estate in New Ulm and in other ways interested in the general activities of this community, is a native of Switzerland, having been born in the canton of Bern, December 23, 1846, son of Jacob and Catherina Susanna (Kroepfle) Klossner, both of Swiss parentage, who later became pioneer residents of this part of Minnesota, where their last days were spent.

The elder Jacob Klossner was the only son of his parents, Christian and Susanna Klossner, also natives of Canton Bern, he having had a sister, who married Christian Klossner, who, though bearing the same name as that of her father, was not a blood kinsman. The Klossners were small farmers in Switzerland and the younger Jacob grew up as a farmer and a manufacturer of cheese. He served as a soldier in the army of the republic during the War of 1848 and was a sturdy, stalwart citizen. He married Catherine Susanna Kroepfle, first-born of the four daughters of her parents, she having had three sisters, Magdalena, Rosina and Mary. The Kroepfles also were small farmers in Bern. Grandfather Kroepfle died in his native land when forty-

In 1850 the elder Jacob Klossner and his family came to the United States, proceeding immediately to Joliet, Illinois, in the neighborhood of which then rapidly growing city they lived for six years, engaged in farming. In 1856, attracted by the glowing reports then being sent out from this part of Minnesota, Mr. Klossner and his family came here, proceeding directly to the New Ulm settlement. After a bit of prospecting he secured the relinquishment of a claim on a quarter of a section of land in Lafayette township, in the neighboring county of Nicollet, for which he paid the dispirited homesteader one hundred dollars. He paid the same man forty dollars for a cow. His wife in the meantime had secured a couple of hens and thus equipped the Klossners set up their new home in what then was practically a wilderness, when the final details of settlement were effected Mr. Klossner having left as a cash basis of operations but three dollars and fifty cents. Both he and his wife, however, possessed strong hearts and willing hands and their energy and industry quickly won out. As their children grew up they also were helpful and the family eventually owned four hundred and thirty-three acres surrounding the homestead, a well-improved and well-kept farm. The elder Jacob Klossner was not only a man of substance in his community, but he was a man of large personal influence and both he and his wife did much in the way of bringing about proper social and economic conditions in the formative period of their neighborhood. Mr. Klossner for a number of years was school director, school treasurer and township treasurer in Lafayette township and in other ways contributed of his time and energies in the public service. After living on the homestead farm for about thirty-eight years he and his wife retired from the farm and moved to New Ulm, where Mr. Klossner died in 1897, at the age of seventy-three years. His widow, who still survives him, celebrated her ninety-second birthday on April 23, 1915.

To Jacob and Catherina Susanna (Kroepfle) Klossner the following children were born, namely : Jacob, the immediate subject of this biographical sketch; Catherine, who married John Schurch and died in Minneapolis in 1871; Fred, who died in infancy; Fred (second), who lives at Klossners Station, in the neighboring county of Nicollet; John, who occupies the old family homestead in Lafayette township, same county; Caroline, deceased, who was the wife of Henry Kingsberg ; Henry, who lives in Texas ; William, of Winthrop, in the neighboring county of Sibley; Emily, widow of Frank Kiesling, of Winthrop, and Sophia, wife of Ole Johnson, of Pelican Rapids, in Ottertail county, this state.

The younger Jacob Klossner was three years old when his parents came to America and he was nine years old when the family located in the New Ulm settlement. He grew to manhood on the homestead farm over on the other side of the river and, as the eldest son, was from the first a great aid to his father in the development of the place. He had his schooling in the little old log school house in that neighborhood and has a distinct recollection to this day of the manner in which the wind whistled through the unchinked crevices between the logs. He was about sixteen years old when the Indian uprising spread terror throughout this part of the state and he enlisted in Company L, First Min- nesota Mounted Rangers, with which he served valiantly through all that troublous time. He early began to take an interest in civic affairs and was for many years continuously in the public service in one capacity or another, his willingness to serve and his pronounced ability in that direction making him a valuable public servant. When the school district in his neighborhood was organized he was made the first clerk of the same and served continuously in that capacity until he moved to town. For thirteen years, while living on the farm, he was town clerk and for several years he served as deputy clerk of Nicollet county. Mr. Klossner 's capacity for public service was recognized by his neighbors, who gladly honored him with the election in three consecutive elections to the position of representative from his district in the lower house of the Minnesota General Assembly and in all his service in the House, Representative Klossner acquitted himself with honor and dignity and with credit to his district. In the meantime Mr. Klossner had married and was developing a very fine bit of farm property. Upon starting farming for himself, Mr. Klossner bought two hundred and twelve acres of "railroad" land, thirty acres of which he gave to a neighbor. He developed the rest and improved the same until he had a model farm and there he and his family made their home until March 17, 1884, at which time they moved to New Ulm, where they have since made their home.

Upon locating in New Ulm Mr. Klossner engaged in the hardware and agricultural implement business and was thus quite successfully engaged until he retired from business in 1902. Not long after becoming a resident of New Ulm, Mr. Klossner was elected to the city council and for six years he served as presiding officer of that body, during about five months of which time he also served as acting mayor of the town. Mr. Klossner owns a beautiful residence at 311 North German street, in New Ulm, which has been his home for more than thirty years. He also is the owner of a fine business block on South Minnesota street and has built several brick business houses on that same street, besides which he owns an admirably improved farm of two hundred and three acres in Milford township and three improved farms and some wild land in Rush and Jackson counties, Wisconsin. Ever since he made his home in New Ulm Mr. Klossner has displayed an active interest in the development of the best interests of that city and has long been recognized as one of the most progressive, energetic and public-spirited citizens of the town. He is vicepresident of the Citizens State Bank of Gaylord, in Sibley county, and a director of the Citizens State Bank of Fairfax, in Renville county.

On March 1, 1873, Jacob Klossner, Jr., was united in marriage to Sophia Bloss, who was born in the city of Cincinnati, June 9, 1852, daughter of William and Marie (Bieman) Bloss, natives of Germany, the former of whom was born in Prussia and the latter in Brunswick. William Bloss was the eldest of the five children born to his parents, William and Margaret Bloss, both of whom died in their native land, and Mrs. Bloss was the eldest of the seven children born to her parents, the others having been Anna, Margaret, Herman, Henry, John and Marie. William Bloss and his family came to Minnesota from Cincinnati in 1861 and located in the New Ulm settlement, where they remained for about eight months, at the end of which time they settled on a farm in Lafayette township, Nicollet county, and thus were neighbors to the Klossners during pioneer days. In their declining years Mr. and Mrs. Bloss returned to New Ulm and there spent their last days, the former dying at the age of seventy-eight and the latter at the age of seventy-six. They were the parents of eight children, Louisa, Sophia, Henry, Wilhelmina, Anna, Christian, Caroline and Frederick.

To Jacob and Sophia (Bloss) Klossner six children have been born, as follow: Rosalie, who died when three years old; Lillian, deceased, who married Elmer Shepard, to which union one child was born, a son, John, now deceased; Franklin, who died when eighteen months old; Eva, who married William B. Mather and has two children, Amy and William B.; one who died in infancy, and Howard. Mrs. Klossner is a member of the Congregational church, as are her children, and the family long has been prominently identified with the various social and cultural activities of their home town, being held in the highest esteem by all hereabout. Mr. Klossner is one of the most active members of Hecker Post No. 48, Grand Army of the Republic, of New Ulm, of which he has been commander since 1900. He also is a member of Charity Lodge No. 98, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; New Ulm Chapter No. 57, Royal Arch Masons; DeMolay Commandery No. 26, Knights Templar, at New Ulm, and of Zurah Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Minneapolis, in the affairs of all of which organizations he takes a warm interest.

Rev. George Mayer

Rev. George Mayer, pastor of the Evangelical Priedens church (Church of Peace), at New Ulm, this county, is a native of Wisconsin, having been born on a farm twenty-five miles northwest of Milwaukee, that state, October 11, 1857, son of George and Julia (Mueller) Mayer, both natives of Germany, who came to the United States after their marriage on February 20, 1851, and settled on the farm above mentioned. George Mayer was a good farmer and prospered in his undertakings. The quarter section on which he first settled he bought for two dollars the acre. As he prospered he added to his holdings until he became the owner of four hundred acres of well cultivated land. Before coming to this country he had served in the German army. He and his wife were the parents of five children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the only one living in Brown county.

George Mayer received his elementary education in the schools in the neighborhood of his home and early determined to enter the gospel ministry. With this end in view he entered Elmhurst College, from which he was graduated four years later. Thus equipped by preparatory study, he entered the Evangelical Theological Seminary at St. Louis and upon completing a three-years course there, was ordained to the ministry on August 23, 1882, at Lenzburg, in St. Clair county, Illinois. Even before his ordination, Rev. George Mayer had been serving a church at Lenzburg and after his ordination was formally installed as pastor of that church. He remained there until in December, 1883, at which time he accepted a call to the church at Pana, Illinois, and was pastor of that church until April 25, 1887. He then accepted a call to the churches at Summerfield and Lebanon, in Illinois, and after a service of more than six years in that double parish was called to St. John's Evangelical church at Minneapolis, where he remained until 1906, in which year he accepted the call of the congregation of the Evangelical Priedens church at New Ulm and has ever since been serving as pastor of that parish, during which time he has performed a fine service in the way of extending the interests of the church in both a spiritual and a material way. In the year 1907 Reverend Mayer organized the Evangelical Friedens church at Essig, Minnesota, where he holds services every other Sunday. He also holds services at Nicollet, Minnesota, every other Sunday.

On June 29, 1887, the Rev. George Mayer was united in marriage to Louise Schlierbach and to this union seven children have been born, Alma Leona, Rowland, G. L., Olga Anita, Leona V., George F., Laura H. and Dorothy Evelyn. The Rev. Mr. Mayer is an "independent" Republican and gives a good citizen's attention to the political affairs of the county.

Emil P. Buenger

Emil F. Buenger, well-known furniture dealer and undertaker at New Ulna, this county, enjoys the unique distinction of carrying on his extensive business on the site of the place of his birth, he having been born in the building then occupying the site of his present large and well-stocked store building on September 22, 1877, son of Louis and Henrietta (Ipps) Buenger, both natives of Germany, the former of whom, a pioneer furniture dealer in New Ulm, is still living in that city, having been retired from business life since 1896.

Louis Buenger was born in Hanover, the second in order of birth of the three children born to his parents, he having had a brother, Henry, and a sister, Mrs. William Jurgens. His parents were substantial people in their native land and spent all their lives there. When he was fourteen years old Louis Buenger joined a party of Germans that was then emigrating to the United States and upon arriving in this country proceeded to Cincinnati, where he was engaged in the building trades until 1864, in which year he came to Minnesota, settling at New Ulm, where, in partnership with William Ruemke, he engaged in general house building, the firm becoming quite successful contractors, many of the most substantial buildings in the rapidly growing town of that day having been erected by them. Not long after locating in New Ulm Louis Buenger married Henrietta Ipps, who was born in Mecklenburg-Schwerin and who had come to America when a girl, with her parents, John Ipps and wife, and her two brothers, Henry and Charles, the family locating in New Ulm, being among the early settlers of that place, John Ipps spending the rest of his life there, he being ninety-one years of age at the time of his death, his wife dying at St. Paul.

In 1874 Louis Buenger gave up his work as a building contractor and engaged in the furniture business in New Ulm, establishing his store on the site it still occupies under the present proprietorship of his son, and made his home in rooms above the store room. There he continued in business, enlarging the store as the growing demands of the business necessitated, until 1896, in which yeare he retired from business and his son, Louis J. Buenger became his successor. In addition to being one of the leading business men of New Ulm in an early day, Louis Buenger was also one of the leaders in the civic life of the developing community and for years served the public very usefully in the capacity of a city councilman. He and his wife were devoted Lutherans and were among the leaders in the work of organizing the congregation of that communion in New Ulm, having been enrolled among the charter members of the church there. Mrs. Buenger died in 1903, at the age of fifty-five years, and her husband still survives her. They were the parents of nine children, namely : Louis J., who now makes his home in Minneapolis ; Emma, wife of Fred Backer, of New Ulm; Anna, wife of Robert Fritsche, of Aberdeen, South Dakota ; Charles H., of Kenosha, Wisconsin; Emil F., the immediate subject of this biographical sketch; Matilda, wife of Paul Hackbarth, of New Ulm;

Emil F. Buenger grew to manhood in New Ulm and early learned the details of the furniture business in his father's store. Upon completing the course in the public schools of his home town he took a comprehensive business course in the Dr. Martin Luther College and was thereafter a valuable aid to his father in the latter 's store. Upon the retirement of the elder Buenger in 1896 and the taking over of the business by the elder son, Louis J., Emil P. Buenger continued his connection with the store, under the direction of his brother, until 1900, in which year he went to Lamberton, where he and his brother, Louis, had established a branch store and there he remained for two years, managing the latter store. In 1902 he returned to New Ulm and was engaged there in the offices of the Eagle Roller Mill Company until 1912, in which year he bought the old furniture store from his brother, Louis, and has since then been conducting the business alone, making a fine success of the same. The store occupies three floors and a basement and Mr. Buenger carries a large and first-class stock of goods. His imdertaking department also is well equipped, the business in that department being carried on in full accordance with the latest and best approved practices of the modern f uneral director.