Clark County, Wisconsin - Biographical sketches, 1918 (part 3 of 18)

William I. Waterman, proprietor of the old Waterman homestead in section 29, Grant Township, was born on his present farm, June 6, 1878, son of William and Paulina (Borham) Waterman. The father was a native of England and came to the United States with his parents, they settling in New York State, where they lived for about three years. They then moved to Virginia, in the vicinity of Richmond, where William Waterman was employed on the construction of the 150-mile plank roadway which was built before the war. When the war broke out, influenced by his surroundings and the people with whom he associated, he joined the Confederate army and was twice shot in the left arm, which had to be amputated. It was while he was home on a furlough on account of his injuries that he married Paulina Borham, this being just before the end of the war. After their marriage they resided in Virginia for three years, and then, about 1868, came to Clark County, where they rented a farm for eight years. In 1876 Mr. Waterman bought the tract of eighty acres in section 29, Grant Township, which now constitutes the homestead of his son and namesake. Although handicapped by having only one arm, he built a log house, 16 by 24 feet, and a log barn, 16 by 18, and in time succeeded in clearing thirty*acres. Although he had fought for the Southern cause, he was popular with his neighbors, who admired his courage and. determination and were glad to see him succeed. His wife, Paulina, was a native of Virgina, her people being farmers. Of the children of William Waterman and wife, two were born in that state, Edward and John, the latter of whom resides in Minneapolis. Edward married Angie Babeock and lives on a farm in Shotville, Wis. He and his wife have three children: Mabel, Gladys and Eunice. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Waterman, who were born in Clark County, are as follows: William L, of Grant township; Henry, who lives in Dodson, Mont.; Della, now Mrs. George Vine of Clark County; Nelson, who married Cora Shoop, and now resides in Aimery, Wis.; and Mame, now Mrs. Arthur Lovless, of Crandon, Wis. William I. Waterman has always resided on the home farm on which he was born, and to the ownership of which he succeeded. He has operated the place successfully, raising Holstein cattle and Poland-China hogs, and is a member of the Farmers Co-operative Elevator Company and of the creamery at Neillsville. His residence is now a good substantial eightroom dwelling and he has also improved the farm by the erection of a new barn, 36 by 60 feet. He is a member of the Odd Fellows' Lodge at Neillsville, and of the Beaver colony at the same place. For three years he served as school clerk of District No. 1, Grant Township. Mr, Waterman was married Sept. 21, 1904, to Richie March, daughter of Mills March, her mother, then a widow, being proprietor of a boarding-house in Madison, Wis. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Waterman are: Elva, born Oct. 5, 1905, and Victor, born Mar. 26, 1907. Mills March, father of Mrs. Waterman, was born at Saddleworth, Yorkshire, England, July 6, 1824, son of Samuel and Mary (Mills) March. His paternal grandfather was Ralph March, who died Aug. 7, 1820, at the age of 52 years. Samuel March was born Mar. 14, 1795, and died Mar. 22, 1868. His wife, Mary, was born Oct. 4, 1792, and died Jan. 8, 1874. Mills March came from England to New York and was for fourteen years a foreman in the Brooklyn navy yard. Thence he went to Canada, where for ten years he had charge of government work. He subsequently removed to Iowa and died at Decorah, that state, Oct. 9, 1899. He married Ruth Knopp, who was born in East Canada, Mar. 6, 1845, and who now resides with her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Waterman.

Fred W. Fischer, a prosperous citizen of Worden township, proprietor of a good farm in 240 acres, on which he is doing a good stock and dairying business, was born in Washington County, Wis., June 13, 1864, son of William and Jeanette (Phistoria) Fischer. His parents were born in Germany and came to America in 1862, The father engaged in farming in Sheboygan County, Wis., where he resided most of his life after coming to this country. He died in 1910 at the age of 79 years, his wife dying in 1913, at the age of 83. Their children were: Louisa, Jeanette, William, Fred W., Kate, Chors, Mary and Henry. Fred W. Fischer first engaged in farming in Sheboygan County, coming to Clark County in Mar., 1907, when he bought a farm in sections 1 and 12, Worden Township, to which he has since added eighty acres in section 31, Withee. His original place was partly improved, and he has continued the improvements, the most marked of which have been the erection of a barn, 155 by 42 feet in size, with concrete floor, and installing an electric light plant for the illumination of his house and barns. Mr. Fischer specializes in raising full-blooded Holstein cattle, having a registered sire and milking thirty cows. He also raises full-blooded Percheron horses, four of those he owns being registered. His principal crops are hay, corn and oats. He has served as treasurer of the local school board for six years. He is a director in the Big 4 Canning Factory at Stanley, and takes an active part in its progress. Mr. Fischer was married, Jan. 27, 1891, to Elizabeth Peters, who was born in Washington County, daughter of Michael and Mary (Wagner) Peters. Her father was a farmer by occupation and a prominent citizen of that county, taking an active part in local affairs and serving on the county board and also several terms as county treasurer. He died in 1906 at the age of 67 years. His wife, who survived him, is still living in Washington

Fred W. Fischer And Family

County. Their children were; Mary, Michael, Elizabeth, Katie, John, Steven, Caroline, George, Frank and Henry. Mr. and Mrs, Fischer are the parents of six children, who were born as follows: Alma, now the wife of Frank Smith, of Worden, born Nov. 6, 1891; Leo, Aug. 25, 1893; Cardulia, Mar. 3, 1897; Anton, Mar. 21, 1898; Charley, Feb, 24, 1904, and Jeanette, April 18, 1908. The daughter, Alma, has two children: Raymond, born May 4, 1913, and Dorothy, Mar. 15, 1916. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic Church, in the local congregation of which, Mr. Fischer is a member of the finance committee.

George Fisher, Sr., a respected resident of Sherman Township, who has done pioneer work in this locality, having developed a good farm from the wilderness, was born in Sheboygan County, Wis., Oct, 28, 1859. His parents, Gottleib and Lena (Kreitsinger) Fisher, were natives of Ohio who, after settling in Sheboygan County resided there for the rest of their lives. George Fisher, in his boyhood, attended the log school of his district and grew up on his parents' farm, on which he acquired a knowledge of agriculture. At the age of 18 he came to Clark County, whither his brother John had preceded him, and secured with him 160 acres of wild land in Sherman Township. It was an isolated spot, there being no road past it, and the land was covered with timber. Here Mr. Fisher built a little shanty and lived a bachelor's life, getting his supplies from Spencer. He and his brother were joint owners in the land, which they began to clear with an ox team that they had brought. After four years George Fisher married Fredrica Staley, a native of Germany, who had come to Clark County from Milwaukee. He and his wife took up their residence in a log house of two rooms, measuring 16 by 26 feet, which he built. They had one cow and a team of oxen and began with eighty acres of land, Mr. Fisher later doubling the size of his farm by purchasing the eighty-acre tract of his brother, both of which he cleared. He also bought eighty acres in the southern part of the township and erected buildings on it, and in addition to that, 120 acres more of wild land. After developing his original tract into a good farm he sold it, and has lately begun the clearing of forty acres more of wild land in order to keep occupied. He also keeps farm machinery for sale. When Mr. Fisher sold his original farm not a stump was left on the land. A good brick house of eight rooms, 32 by 32 feet in dimensions, stood on it, which he had erected, and a barn 46 by 90 feet, in addition to another barn. His only farm building when he started, aside from the log house, was a log stable, 12 by 16 feet, just large enough to accommodate his team of oxen. At one time he suffered from a fire, but he soon repaired damages, and his energy was always proof against misfortune. He helped to organize the first creamery in this locality, served one term on the township board and has also held office on the school board. He also helped to build Veefkind Lutheran Church, of which he isa member. He and his wife are the parents of seven children: George, Jr., Charles, Henry, William, Herman, Frank and Lena, all of whom are living.

27, 1857. Both his parents died in Norway and he, with two brothers, both now deceased, subsequently came to the United States. He had had a good schooling in his native land and there became accustomed to farm work, having also been a sailor in the Norwegian coasting trade for nine or ten years. He was 30 years old when he arrived in this country and located first in La Crosse, Wis. For about a year he was engaged in railroad work, and after that spent ten winters in the woods engaged in lumbering. He also worked in sawmills at intervals. In 1895 he bought his present farm, a tract of eighty acres in section 23, Sherwood Township, but it was not until a year later that he moved onto it, During his first few years on the place he had nothing but his hands to work with. Then he procured a horse and finally a team of horses. He began his stock operations with one cow, cleared the farm by his own efforts and erected the buildings. He is now conducting a profitable dairy farm, keeping good common stock, and is one of the prosperous citizens of his township. He was educated in the Lutheran faith.

Matthias N. Wells, now living retired in Neillsville after many years of activity along agricultural lines, his labors in which branch of industry were crowned with success, was born in Stowe, Lamoile County, Vt., at the foot of Green Mountain, June 5, 1845, son of Hawley and Susan (Harlow) Wells. The father, Hawley Wells, was born, reared and married in Vermont, and there he and his wife had six children born: Rowena, Alonzo, Cordelia, Mary, Matthias N., and Lydia. In 1848 he joined the westward tide of emigration, locating first in Vernon, Waukesha County, Wis., where he rented a farm and stayed two years. He then removed to another farm in the sdme county, and two years later to a third. Again he moved, this time to the township of Hustisford, Dodge County, where he bought a partly improved farm of eighty acres, which he cultivated for a few years. Then, after some further wandering, he settled in 1864 in Ashburn Township, Dodge County, where he died. Matthias N. Wells remained with his parents until he was 15 years of age. He had attended school in Dodge County and then worked out for about three years. Nov. 12, 1863, he enlisted in the Seventh Wisconsin Battery of Light Artillery, at Milwaukee, where he was mustered on Jan. 12. Joining his company at Memphis, Tenn., he took part subsequently in the operations against the Confederate General Forrest, helping to repel the latter's raid on Memphis in August, 1864, and taking part in the battle of Guntown, Miss. His command then returned to Memphis and was held there on garrison and scouting duty. Mr. Wells was discharged July 20, 1865, at Milwaukee, and then returned to Dodge County. There he bought a farm, and on Oct. 23, 1867, he was married to Alberta M. Pettengill, their wedding ceremony taking place at Neosho. She was born at Morristown, Vt., but her father was then a farmer and shoemaker in Dodge County. After Mr. Wells and his wife had resided on their farm four years they came to Neillsville, where Mr. Wells bought a tract of 120 acres of wild land in sections 28 and 21, Pine Valley Township, Clark County. There was a logging stable on the place, in which they lived the first summer, while he built a log house and barn. He had obtained his land by trading for it a team of horses, and they being gone, he had nothing left to start with. For seven years he carried supplies home on his back from Neillsville, except on those rare occasions when a neighbor would help him. He had oxen in the summer but had to sell them in the winter, as he had no feed for them. The winters he spent in the woods and the summers on his farm, working out much of the time to support his family, and clearing his land in his spare time. His work in the woods was continued for eight winters. His possessions were acquired slowly and with difficulty. At one time he bought a cow for which he paid $40, earning the money by working for $1.25 a day and having to walk eight miles to his work. For thirty-one years he lived in the old log house and then erected a seven-room frame house and a basement barn, 34 by 56 feet. He cleared about forty acres of his land, using the rest for pasture and raising graded Guernsey cattle and Poland-China hogs. On that farm Mr. Wells spent forty-five years of his life and then, in 1915, he and his wife moved to Neillsville and bought a comfortable home, where they are enjoying a well-earned rest. He owns 100 shares in the Pine Valley Butter Company of Neillsville. While on the farm he served four years as school director, and was a man of influence in his township, respected by all. He and his wife are the parents of three children: Willis C., now in Kalispell, Mont., who married Theoline Solon, and has two children, Mabel and Lawrence; Berton H., who married Jeanette Charles, resides in Neillsville, and Hattie May, now Mrs. Edwin Lloyd of Pine Valley Township, and who has eleven children, Louie, Eunice, Vera, Tina, Byno, Ray, May, Guy, Thomas, Calver and Elva. Mr. Wells is a member of Chas. E. Brown Post, No. 48, G. A. R., of which he is also chaplain. He also belongs to the Guardians of Liberty. Mrs, Wells is president of the Woman's Relief Corps, No. 10, of Neillsville. On Oct. 23, 1917, they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, and on Saturday afternoon and evening of Nov. 17, they were tendered a reception by the G. A. R. and W.R. C., the post presenting Mr. Wells with a gold G. A. R. badge, and the Relief Corps presenting Mrs. Wells with a gold recogniton badge of that body.

George W. Holeton, whose record as soldier, farmer and business man is one to command respect, now lives retired at Abbotsford, and is one of the best known men in this part of the state. He was born at Poland, Mahoning County, Ohio, July 9, 1840, son of Richard S. and Mary Ann (Miller) Holeton. The father, who was a native of New Jersey, was a millwright by trade and resided for many years at Niles, Ohio, where both he and his wife died. The latter was born in Ireland and was but one year old when she came to America with her parents, they locating in Philadelphia. She was married to Richard S. Holeton, in Poland, Ohio. Richard S. Holeton was of one-half Scotch, one-quarter English and onequarter Holland Dutch blood, while his wife was three quarters Scotch, and one-quarter Irish. George W. Holeton acquired his elementary education in the district and public schools of Poland, Ohio, and afterwards took aseminary course. He then took up millwright work with his father, being thus occupied for three years, after which he engaged in business as a carpenter and contractor. On the breaking out of the Civil War, when

President Lincoln issued his first call for volunteers, Mr. Holeton, then 20 years old, enlisted as a private in Company E, 23d Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for three years' service, and on June 8, 1861, was appointed corporal. This regiment contained among its members two men who afterwards attained to the highest office in the nation, that of President, namely, William McKinley, captain of Co. G, and R. B. Hayes, major of the regiment, On April 13, 1863, Corporal Holeton was made sergeant. On Dec. 29, 1863, he re-enlisted as a veteran volunteer in the same company of the same regiment, and on April 20, 1865, was commissioned as second :lieutenant of Company G, that regiment under Captain McKinley. He was honorably discharged at Cleveland, Ohio, Aug. 3, 1865, having served four years and two months, lacking three days. Among the battles in which Mr. Holeton was engaged were those of Carnifax Ferry, Giles Court House, South Mountain, Hockingsport, Cloud Mountain, New River Bridge, New Market, Piedmont, Lynchburg, Monocacy, Cable Town, Snicker's Ferry, Winchester, Stevenson Depot, Carter Farm, Martinsburg, Cedar Creek (first), Halltown, Berryville, Apequon, Fisher's Hill, and Cedar Creek (second), besides a good many skirmishes. On Sept. 14, 1862, at the battle of South Mountain, Maryland, he was wounded in the right leg by a gunshot, and for two days lay in an orchard at Middletown, Md., being then taken to a church at Fredericks City, where he remained three days. From there he was taken in a box car to Philadelphia with many other wounded soldiers and put in the old armory building, then being used as a hospital, at the corner of 16th and Filbert streets, where he received good care. After remaining there for about three months he rejoined his regiment. On several other occasions during his period of service he received minor wounds. After his discharge from the army Mr. Holeton returned to Niles, Ohio, and resumed his trade of carpenter, also engaging in business as a jobber contractor. In October, 1871, he came to Clark County, Wis., making the journey by rail to Humbird, from there by stage to Neillsville, and from Neillsville going to Marathon County, where he located a soldiers' homestead of 160 acres in section 20, Town 29, Range 2, his tract being the southwest quarter of the section. His homestead certificate is No. 372, dated Aug. 1, 1874, and signed by U. S. Grant. Upon his arrival he put up a board shanty, hauling the boards from Loyal. His first load of goods he sent up from Neillsville, where he was then living and doing carpenter work. In March, 1872, his family arrived from Ohio, with their household goods, landing at Stevens Point, then the end of the railroad, and moving onto the farm April 1. Soon afterward there came to live with them, Mrs. Holeton's sister, then in her teens, now Mrs. August Homsted, of Dorchester. Mr. Holeton erected a good log cabin, 18 by 24 feet, with a scoop roof. He sold forty acres of his farm to his brother-in-law, Charles Ferguson, who was not then old enough to take a homestead, Mr. Holeton's land was all wild and covered with heavy timber, most of it being hardwood. He worked early and late in improving his place and by industry and perseverance, coupled with farsightedness and general good judgment, he made steady progress which was gradually accelerated as conditions improved. In time his log house was replaced by a small frame house, and the latter by a modern farm house of nine rooms. A good barn and a complete set of out-buildings were also erected. Mr. Holeton cleared ninety-five acres of his land, of which eighty acres were under the plow. Thirty acres are still in timber. One of his principal industries was sheep raising and he kept usually from fifty to 100 head, full-blooded animals of the Leicester breed. He also raised horses and mules and was engaged in diversified farming, becoming one of the most successful farmers of Marathon county, and was so prominent as a citizen that the township in which he settled was, in 1876, named in his honor, with a slight difference in spelling, the name given to it being Holton. He was the second chairman of the town board, serving two years, and on April 15, 1875, had the first school district set off - District No. 1, in the western part of the township - Miss Florence Barker of Loyal, Clark County, being the first teacher. Mr. Holeton was clerk of the school board for twenty-six years, and also served with credit for many years as justice of the peace and in other offices, and as a public spirited citizen took a warm and helpful interest in every worthy cause. He helped to build the little church in his community and also the grist mill at Dorchester. In 1910 Mr. Holeton purchased his present residence in Abbotsford, rented his farm and retired from active work. He is still ready, however, to perform the duties of a good citizen whenever his services may be needed and since coming to Abbotsford has served two years on the village council. In 1915 he joined Abbotsford Lodge, No. 298, A. F. & A. M. He was a charter member of Howard F. Prime Post, No. 168, G. A. R., of Dorchester, being later transferred to the Isaac N. Earl Post, No. 112, at Colby, where he now belongs. Both he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star, Mrs. Holeton also belonging to the Woman's Relief Corps at Colby . Mr. Holeton was married, April 4, 1867, at Niles, Ohio, to Emma A. Ferguson, who was born in Wethersfield Township, Trumbull County, Ohio, Sept. 17, 1848, daughter of Aaron and Elizabeth (Carleton) Ferguson. He and his wife are the parents of four children: Ralph C., born Jan, 8, 1868; Gertrude Emma, Jan. 27, 1870; George R., Jan. 2, 1878, and Mary Maude, April 29, 1881. Ralph C. is a representative farmer and breeder of pure blooded Guernsey cattle in Holton Township, Marathon County, this state. He married Grace Jarvis, and has one child, Elizabeth. Prof. George R. is a resident of Olds, Alberta, Canada, where he has charge of the mechanics' department in one of the Provincial schools of agriculture. He married Mabel C. Glass, and they have four children: Richard, Mary, Douglass and William. Mary Maude is the wife of S. A. Jerdee, who is engaged in the mercantile business at Arkdale, Wis., where he is postmaster and notary public. Gertrude Emma married Lorell M. Cole, who was born Nov. 24, 1866, at Hicksville, Ohio, and is now professor of manual training at the James Millikin University, Decatur, Ill. Their children are: Ruth Esther (adopted), born at Chicago, Nov. 16, 1892, and married Dec. 25, 1915, to John S. Hyer, of the United States Navy; Evelyn Percy, born April 22, 1896, at Colby, Wis., now a teacher at Decatur, Ill.; Merry Mirth, born at Colby, Wis., Dec. 15, 1898, now a student at the James Millikin University; George Lorell, born at

The fourth of April, 1917, was the golden anniversary of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Holeton, but on account of the latter not being in good health at that time, its celebration was postponed to August 26, when all their children gathered at the home, and the occasion, though quiet, was a very enjoyable one. They were the recipients of many handsome gifts. They are members of the Presbyterian Church at Abbotsford, in which village and the vicinity, as in Marathon County, they have numerous friends, keeping open house and showing a generous hospitality. The Holeton family, on both sides, has long been noted for its intense loyalty and patriotism, a reputation which George W. Holeton's distinguished war record has most admirably sustained. Richard Holeton, father of Richard 8S. Holeton, was born and reared in New Jersey, and was wounded in the leg in the war of 1912. Francis Carleton, great grandfather of Mrs. George W. Holeton, and grandfather of her mother, Elizabeth (Carleton) Ferguson, was born in County Down in the northern part of Ireland in 1756, of Scotch ancestry. He came to America in 1774, and was a valiant soldier in the terrible struggle which gave birth to this Nation. Through seven years of the Revolutionary War he bravely fought for our National independence. He was in some of the hardest fought battles of the war, including Monmouth and Trenton. His high and noble spirt of patriotism inspired his three sons during the struggle of 1812, and led quite a number of his later descendants to enlist in the Union Army during the Civil War, and the noble traditions of the entire family are upholding a number of the present younger generation of the family who are fighting now in France under Old Glory for Freedom and Liberty.

Edwin Eli Weast, who for a number of years until his death on Feb. 11, 1911, was one of the prominent and successful farmers of Weston Township, was born in Hartford, Washington County, Wis., Dec. 11, 1858. His parents were William and Laura (Pickett) Weast, William being a farmer from Catteraugus County, New York, where he grew to manhood and was married. He and his wife then came to Menominee, Wis., and later to Washington County, thence, in 1870, going to Kansas, where he died in 1871. His wife died in February, 1916. They had five children: Nellie, Frederick, Edwin E., Henry and Eva. Edwin E. Weast was the third child of his parents. His schooling was limited, as he had to give up attendance after he was 9 years old, and at 12, when his father died, the main burden of supporting the family fell upon his young shoulders. So far as a boy of his age could, he rose to the responsibility, his efforts proving more fruitful with advancing years. Growing to manhood on the farm, he succeeded, with such help as he could obtain, in wresting a living from the soil, and was married Jan. 25, 1881, to Ada Carnes, who was born on a farm at Hebron, Jefferson County, Wis., April 13, 1859, her parents being William and Eliza (Hollender) Carnes. Her father was born in Buffalo County, New York, his wife being a native of Pennsylvania and of German parentage. The Carnes family were of Scotch descent, and William Carnes' lifelong occupation was farming. He and his wife had five children: Eliza, Ada,

Mr. And Mrs. William A. Wegner

Susie, Etta and William. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Weast went to Kansas, where they stayed a few months, living on a prairie farm. They then returned to Wisconsin, in 1882, settling in Clark County, Mr. Weast buying thirty-eight acres of land in Section 4, Weston Township, which was the old Robert Ross place. There were no buildings on it, nor any roads near it, and they first had to rent a dwelling. They had a horse team, however, and in the year of their arrival Mr. Weast got two cows. As soon as possible he built a good frame house of three rooms, now enlarged to thirteen rooms. Their first barn was a log structure, but he later built a good basement barn. From the modest beginning which he made, Mr. Weast through hard work and perseverance advanced gradually but surely on the road to prosperity. In time he made additional purchases of land until at the present time the estate contains nearly 400 acres. Though he never cared for public office, he served in it occasionally as a good citizen willing to do his part, being at one time a member of the township board and school clerk for seven years. He belonged to the Odd Fellows lodge at Greenwood and was a member of the Methodist Church, and a man highly respected for his sterling character. He left four children: Pearl, who resides in Seattle; Floyd, who is in St. Louis, and Ruth and William, who reside at home with their mother. Since the death of Mr. Weast, Mrs. Weast has managed the farm. She is a member of the M. E. Church, also of the Rebeckah lodge of Greenwood.

William August Wegner, a well known and respected resident of Grant Township, who has achieved success along agricultural lines, though without any initial advantages, was born in Pommern, Germany, Feb. 25, 1845. son of Johoon and Christina (Schuemacher) Wegner. The father was a weaver by trade and both he and his wife died in Germany. They had eight children: Johoon, Carl, Wilhelm, William A., Carolina, Franc, Augusta and Louisa, the last mentioned of whom is deceased. The family were members of the German Lutheran Church. Four of the children came to the United States: William, Carolina, Louisa and Augusta. Carolina was married in Germany to Helmot Bloom and came to Clark County in 1882, and Louisa, who was unmarried, in 1884. William A, Wegner, subject of this sketch, attended school in his native land and learned the harness-maker's trade there, which he followed as a journeyman. He was married there in April, 1872, to Frederica Witt, who was born in Pommern, Sept. 17, 1841, daughter of Carl and Christina (Benstorf) Witt, whose children were Ludwig, Gustaf, Frederica, Carl, Carolina and Theodore. The daughter, Frederica (Mrs. Wegner), was the only one to come to America, which she did with her husband and four children in 1883. These children were: Albert, who is now a farmer in Rush County, Wis.; Otto and Mox, of Marshfield, Wis., where they are engaged in the garage business, and Rudolph, who lives on the home farm. On reaching Clark County, to which he came from Germany, Mr. Wegner located in Neillsville. Procuring a wheelbarrow, he began work in the stave yard, as he was without capital and had to earn a living in any way he could. This work he continued for three years, during which time he and his wife were as saving and economical as possible. Owing to their thrift, by 1886 he found him- self able to start in for himself at farming, and accordingly bought eighty acres in section twenty-nine, Grand Township, of which tract a part had been cleared by Henry Hartson. There was a log stable and also a log house, 18 by 20 feet, on the land. Mr. Wegner had no tools but an axe with which to begin, and as progress was slow under such circumstances, he had to continue working in the stave yard during the winters for two years more, working on his farm in the summer. He had, however, a cow when he started and the second year he procured an ox team. Each summer he made a little more progress, and after quitting the stave yard he worked during the winters in a logging camp, driving an ox team. In time he bought forty acres more land and kept adding to his improvements, among which were his present brick residence of nine rooms, erected in 1902; a barn, 36 by 60 feet in size, and a silo of 100 tons capacity. He raises Holstein graded cattle, a good grade of horses and Chester-White hogs, He is also a member of the Farmers' Co-operative Elevator & Lumber Company, of Neillsville, and is interested in the Wausau Packing Plant and the Pleasant Ridge Creamery, which latter concern he helped to organize, also serving on its board of managers for many years. His society affiliations are with the sons of Herman, and he was formerly a member of the school board of his district. Rudolph Wegner, son of William A. and Frederica (Witt) Wegner, was born in Germany, Jan. 2, 1882, and was a babe when he came to America with his parents. In his boyhood he attended the district school and has since remained on the home farm, of which, as above mentioned, he is now the manager. He also is a stockholder in the Wausau Packing Company and the Pleasant Ridge Creamery. He was married June 14, 1905, to Lydia Brown, who was born in Jefferson County, Wis., daughter of Herman and Augusta (Weiswange) Brown. Her father, a native of Germany, on coming to this country, located in Jefferson County, this state, but subsequently settled in Grant Township, Clark County, having a farm of forty acres in section 32, on which he cleared the land and built a frame house. He was making good progress on the road to prosperity when he was killed by lightning. His widow subsequently married Fred Pirwitz, of Grant Township. Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Wegner are the parents of two children, Gertrude and Helen. He is now school clerk of his district.

William Scheel, who is profitably engaged in agriculture in section 18, Weston Township, was born in Heidekafel, Germany, May 7, 1866, son of Gottlieb and Louisa (Mitte) Scheel. The father died in Germany, leaving two children, William and Augusta. The latter was married in Germany to Ludwig Hemp and they came to the United States, locating in Jefferson County, Wis. Later they came to Weston Township, Clark County, and began to develop a farm from a piece of wild land. William was married in Germany to Anna Quast, who was born June 4, 1851, and while still residing in their native land they had six children, one of whom, Otto, died. The other five, Bertha, Mary, Lena, Martha and Ida, came with their parents to the United States in 1882, William being also accompanied by his mother. They settled in Clark County, Wisconsin, where William at first worked at anything he could find to do, among other things, mowing grass among the stumps on his sister's place in Weston Township. After he had been here two years he rented a house in the township and in the winter found employment at logging. His ambition, of course, was to get a farm of his own, and after awhile he secured eighty acres of land in section 19, there being a log house and a log barn on the place, but the land was mostly wild. He had one cow the first year, but no team, which he got later. There he stayed about sixteen years, getting the land well cleared up. His first dwelling, after the log house, was a frame building, which burned down, and he then built his present residence, coming to this farm in section 18 in 1899. It was a tract of 120 acres, of which twenty acres had been cleared of stumps, and, like his other tract, there was a log house and barn on the place. In eighteen years he had cleared this tract, and has built a good frame house, a basement barn, 38 by 76 feet in size, has double silos, a new tool shed, 30 by 60 feet, a basement hog barn, 18 by 30 feet, and a shed 18 by 40 feet in size. The Lutheran Church, of which he is a member, being an active worker therein, was built on land that he donated for that purpose from his farm. In addition to his farming interests, which keep him busy, Mr. Scheel has a financial interest in the local cheese factory. His children, born in Germany, has been mentioned, but he and his wife have had seven others, who were born in this country, and whose names respectively are: Ernest, Paul (died), Wilhelm, Clara, Elsie, Anna and Louis. All but Louis and Anna are married. Bertha is the wife of W. B. Thoma, of Weston, and Mary the wife of August Duddi, of Seif, Lena is the widow of Lars Roehler and lives in St. Paul. Martha married Ed Gall, of Park Falls, Wis.; Ida married Theodore Kalsow, of Weston; Ernest married Patra Kirn and lives at Turtle Lake, Wis. Paul is deceased. William married Helene Klueckman and resides on the home farm. He has four children, Dora, Lillia, Herna and Louise. Clara married Alex Korn, of Shickley, Nebr. Elsie is the wife of Rudolph Daevel, of Milwaukee, Louis resides in Clinton, Wis., and Anna lives on the home farm.

George D. Schultz, a well-to-do dairy farmer and stock raiser of section 19, Levis Township, who is also a prominent citizen and official of that township, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., August 18, 1849, son of Phillip and Barbara (Roser) Schultz. Both parents were born in the province of Alsace, France, and came with their respective parents to the United States by sailing vessel. They were married in the early forties in Eden Township, Erie County, N. Y., and settled in Buffalo, N. Y., where he owned two boats on the Erie Canal, though by trade he was a cooper, and at times worked at his trade until 1870. He was also at one time a member of the police force and chief of the fire department. He and his wife had five children born in New York state: Elizabeth, George, Henry, Martin and Louise. Another died in infancy. In 1853 Phillip and his wife and family came to Wisconsin, locating in Milwaukee, where he stayed over winter, in the spring removing to Mayville, Dodge County, Wis. There he bought ninety-two acres of land and built a log house and barn. He had no stock; there were no roads and he had to walk to Mayville for supplies. In time he erected frame buildings and cleared seventy-five acres of his land, his death occuring Dec. 19, 1905, His wife died March 12, 1899. George D. Schultz remained on the home farm until he was 21 years old. He then went to work in the woods on Black River for Harrison Lowery, also working on Cunningham creek two winters, returning home each summer, At this time he was also engaged in the charcoal business. For seventeen winters Mr. Schultz worked in the woods and then became foreman for The Black River Improvement Co. at Dell's Dam. On July 4, 1878, at the age of 29 years, he was married to Mary Leapold, a native of Illinois, whose father, George Leapold, was a laborer in Jackson County. Mr. Schultz continued to work in the woods for five years after his marriage and then was employed at Dell's Dam, becoming foreman after two years. That position he held for 23 years, making 25 years on the Dam. During his stay there he saw at one time a mass of timber in a jam estimated to contain 75,000,000 feet. In 1881 he had bought sixty-three acres of wild land near the dam, on which he built a log house and barn, and here he settled in 1882, the tract being in section 18, Levis Township. He had no stock or implements, and his only tools were an axe and canthook, with which he started to clear the land, getting his supplies at Neillsville. He has since cleared forty acres and has bought forty acres more in section 18, Levis Township. He has erected an eleven room house and a basement barn, 36 by 60 feet, and is raising graded Jersey cattle and Jersey Red hogs. For many years Mr. Schultz has taken an active part in local affairs, having served as township supervisor for a long period, as chairman of the township board two years, district school clerk 17 years and director on the school board for many years. He belongs to the Odd Fellows lodge at Neillsville. The family circle of Mr. and Mrs. Schultz has been gradually enlarged by the birth of seven children, one of whom, however, is now deceased, and others have married and have homes of their own, The record is as follows: Bessie is the wife of F. Abend of Alma Center, Wis., and has one child, Bernard. Florence, now Mrs. Arne Bakken, of Jackson County, Wis., has one child, Marion. Hattie, who married Omar Blinco, of Alma Center, is a resident of that place. Oscar is deceased. Philip is with Headquarters Company, 121st Machine Gun Batallion, Camp MacArthur, Waco, Texas. Hazel and Guy live at home with their parents. The religious affiliations of the family are with the Presbyterian Church.

Albert Welsh, a pioneer settler of Loyal Township, where he resided for many years, was born in Steuben County, New York, Dec. 9, 1845, son of Uri and Rhoda (Kilburn) Welsh. Soon after his birth the family moved to Illinois, where, when he was about a year old, his mother died. Two years later the father, with his two children, J. Henry and Albert, removed to Dodge County, Wis., and a year later he died at Watertown, Jefferson County. The two orphan boys then went to live with their grandfather, John Welsh, at Iron Ridge, Dodge County, Wis., where Albert attended school and grew to manhood. In May, 1864, he enlisted for the 100 days' service in Company C, 41st Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. After serving for that time he re-enlisted in Company B, 52d Wisconsin Volunteers, as a corporal, and served until the close of the war, being mustered out at Ft. Leavenworth, Kans., and honorably discharged at Madison, Wis. In the same year, 1865, he came to Clark County, and took a homestead of 160 acres in Loyal Township, which, however, he relinquished at the end of three months. Later he returned to Dodge County, where he remained until 1869, subsequently going to Washington County, Wis., where he engaged in farming. There, on July 3, 1870, he was united in marriage with Zeette A. Mowry, of that county, and in the same year they came to Clark County, locating half a mile west of Loyal, in section 16, where Mr. Welsh bought 80 acres of wild land. Building a log house and barn, he then set to work and cleared five acres of the land, after which he sold the place to his aunt, Mrs. E. Clark, and moved onto the Weaver farm in the same township, On the latter place he remained for a period of fourteen years, subsequently buying a farm of forty acres a mile and a quarter north of Loyal, where he built a house, broke and cleared the land and established a home, becoming one of the representative citizens of the community. For three years he served as school treasurer of his district and for an equal length of time as a member of the town board. In 1906 Mr. Welsh went to Montana and took a homestead of 160 acres in Wibaux County, where he has continued to reside. He has greatly improved his farm there and has bought additional land until he now owns 800 acres in the county. He is a stockholder in the Grain Growers' Elevator at Wibaux, also in the Farmers' Co-operative Store at Beach, N. D., and the Farmers' Terminal Elevator at St. Paul, Minn. His fraternal society affiliations are with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Grand Army of the Republic. After a happy domestic life of over 32 years, death called Mrs. Zeette A. Welsh from her husband's side and she passed to the Great Beyond. They had been the parents of ten children, of whom three - Floyd, Serle and Geneva - are now deceased. Those living are: Burton Uri, Albian E., Jennie M., Fred J., Kitty B., Ruth H., and Raleigh M. Burton Uri and Albian E. are farmers at Wibaux, Mont.; Jennie M., now Mrs. James Roscoe, also resides there, as does Fred J. Kitty B, is the wife of Henry Wynhoff, of Elmira, Wash.; Ruth H. is the wife of Leo Hilt, of Wibaux, Mont., and Raleigh H. resides there with his father. Mr. Welsh's career is that of a "self-made man," and his success reflects credit on his industry and enterprise. From the condition of an orphan boy dependent upon others, he has risen to a position of comparative affluence, through no devious method, but by honest toil intelligently directed, and the crown of success is rightly his.

J. H. Welsh, a respected resident of the village of Loyal, where he has lived for the last 30 years, was born in Steuben County, New York, June 12, 1843. His parents were Uri and Rhoda (Kilburn) Welsh, the father a native of that state and a carpenter by trade. They were married in the same state and there two children were born to them, J. Henry, subject of this sketch, and Albert. Later the family moved to Shabbona Grove, De Kalb County, IIl., and there Mrs. Rhoda Welsh died, Later Uri removed with his children to Dodge County, Wis. A year after they removed he, himself, died at Watertown, Jefferson County. The subject of this sketch and his brother, being only five and three years old respectively, then went to live with their grandfather, John Welsh, at Iron Ridge, Dodge County,

Wis., and there J. Henry remained until he was 17 years old, By this time the Civil war had broken out and on April 24, 1861, he enlisted for three months in the First Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. O. B. Twogood and Col, J. E. Starkweather, the company being organized in response to President Lincoln's first call for 75,000 men. He was discharged at Milwaukee, Aug. 21, 1861, at the expiration of his term of service. On August 7, 1862, he again enlisted as a private, this time in Company 1, 29th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, for three years' service, under Capt. O. C. Bissell and Col. C. R. Gill, the regiment being assigned to the First Brigade, Hoovey's Division, 18th Corps, Army of the Gulf. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant the same year. June 26, 1863, he was wounded by a minie ball at Vicksburg and spent the next six weeks in Geosha Hospital at Memphis, Tenn. Mr. Welsh saw plenty of hard fighting during his military career, taking part in the following battles or military actions: Falling Waters, Va.; Helena, Ark.; Friar's Point, Diwall's Bluffs, Port Gibson, Fourteen Mile Creek, Champion Hill, the siege of Vicksburg, Carrion Crow Bayou, Spanish Lake La.; Sabine Cross Roads, Cane River Crossing, Alexandria, Marksville, Simport, Atchafalay River, Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely, He was honorably discharged at Madison, Wis., June 22, 1865, and returned to Iron Ridge, where he worked out for awhile. In the fall of that year, however, he came to Loyal, Clark County, and went to work for his uncle in the woods, being thus employed through the winter. He then returned to Iron Ridge. The next year he came back to Clark County and took a homestead of 160 acres of wild timber land in Loyal Township, on which he cleared a space and built a shack, starting to clear the land. For three winters also he hauled logs in the woods. At the end of that time Mr. Welsh-went to Kansas, where he worked out and was also deputy U. S. marshal for three years. For eighteen years he resided on the southern boundry of Kansas, and was married, near Caney, Kansas, Dec. 10, 1874, to Mary E. Hodges, daughter of John and Jane (Stradley) Hodges. Her father was a wagon-maker, born and reared in Virginia, where also he and his wife were married, but had resided in Illinois, from which state they had come to Kansas. Mrs. Hodges was a-native of North Carolina. Mr. Welsh lived in Kansas for fourteen years after his marriage and then returned to Loyal, Wis., finding only three of the old settlers' houses then in the village. Not staying here long, he went on to Spencer, where he and his family resided two years. At the end of that time he rented a farm in Loyal township, on which he lived three years, subsequently purchasing a tract of ten acres. About 1890 Mr. Welsh took up his residence in the village of Loyal, where, altogether, he has spent nearly 30 years of his life. He was treasurer of the school board for four years and has always taken a warm interest in the progress and development of the village. He is a member of Col. C. R. Gill Post, G. A. R., and was a charter member of the local camp of Modern Woodmen of America, Both he and his wife belong to the Royal Neighbors, as also does their daughter, Laura Jeanette; and Mrs. Welsh for many years was an active member of the Woman's Relief Corps, the ladies' branch of the G. A. R. Mr. Welsh is now 74 years old and his wife 62, both enjoying good health. They have long been recognized as people of sterling worth and are highly respected. They and their family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Welsh have had six children: Laura Jeanette, Carrie, William W., James Albert, Lula H., and Cora. Three are now deceased, Carrie dying in infancy, James Albert at the age of six years, and Cora, in Loyal, at the age of 18 years. Laura Jeanette, who was born in Caney, Kansas, graduated from the Loyal high school, after which she taught school for several years. She then took the full course at the Stevens Point Normal School, graduating in the class of 1912, and is now a proficient teacher. William W., who was born in Illinois, married Maggie Vogel, and they reside in Montana and have one child, Jeanette. Lulu H., born in Kansas, is now Mrs. Walter Mack, of Loyal Village, and has one child, Mildred.

Gottleib Meinholdt, who died in Eaton Township, July 9, 1905, was known as an early settler in that township, a man who had done good pioneer work as a logger and farmer. He was born in Saxony, Germany, and was reared in his native land where he married Wilhelmina Reindorf. A cooper by trade, he thus gained his living in Germany until he and his family emigrated to the United States, locating at Franklin, Sheboygan County. There two more children, Gustave and Emma, were born to him. In 1879 he bought eighty acres of wild land in Sections 7 and 8, Eaton Township, on which tract he built a log house and barn, but having no stock, or anything on which to live, he went to work in the woods for Mr. Withee, as also did his sons. After being thus occupied for two winters, he gave up that kind of work, as it was too hard for a man of his age, and thenceforth did what he could towards clearing the farm. Before his death he lived to see forty acres cleared. His wife died in West Salem, Wis. Two children, Bernhardt and Anna, were born in Clark County.

Gustave Meinholdt, a well-to-do farmer and dairyman of Section 5, Eaton Township, was born in the village of Franklin, Sheboygan County, Wis., Dec. 20, 1871, son of Gottleib and Wilhelmina (Reindorf) Meinholdt, who brought him to Eaton Township in 1879. He obtained his schooling in Clark County and worked on his father's farm until he was 21 years old. He then began working in the woods in winter and at farming and railroad work in summer, and was thus employed for about fourteen years. In the meanwhile he bought eighty acres in Section 5, Eaton Township, it being a wild tract of land on which there was a small clearing but no buildings. In 1890 he built a frame barn, 40 by 68 feet in size, and a sevenroom frame house, and began clearing the place during the summers, working out in the winter, On May 14, 1913, Mr. Meinholdt married Martha Marquardt, who was born in Clark County, Oct. 21, 1882. Her father, Ferdinand Marquardt, was a pioneer, who came from Germany in the early days and established himself in the wild woods of what is now Green Grove Township, Clark County. They had many interesting experiences, he and his wife often walking seven miles to the nearest store, while she carried produce in her apron to exchange for groceries. Mr. Meinhardt brought his wife to his home, where he had previously lived as a bachelor, and together they started the further development of the place. He has now cleared about eighty acres, and besides dairying, is now raising hogs and a few horses. He is a stockholder in the West Eaton Creamery and in the Farmers' Store at Greenwood, For a number of years he served as treasurer and director of the school board. Mr. and Mrs. Meinholdt have two children: Mercedes Ruth, who was born Sept. 13, 1904, and Arlene Dora, born Oct. 5, 1916.

William Henry Dows, for many years a well known agriculturist of Grant Township, was born at Waterville, Maine, June 17, 1836, son of Jacob and Ada (Withum) Dows. The father, Jacob, who was a native of New York, was a mason and contractor by occupation, and settled in Maine, where he died at the age of 48 years. His wife died when her son William, the subject of this sketch, was quite young. The latter had but limited educational opportunities, as he had to begin work at an early age. For some years he was employed on farms along the Merrimac River, in New Hampshire, and at the age of 14 began working in the pine woods, also for some eleven months on the drive and later, after returning home, was engaged in collecting logs on the Kennebec River. During the next fall and winter he drove a horse team, after that resuming work on the Kennebec River, where he remained until it froze over. He then went back to the New Hampshire woods and later drove on the Merrimac for 105 days in succession. Then, after a visit home, he worked on Baker River, New Hampshire, peeling bark for the tanneries, and haying. During the next three months he was sick with a fever and remained at home, but on his recovery went to Howellsville, Maine, where he worked in a mill until the fall and then drove a horse team until the following spring, when he did miscellaneous work until it was time to drive logs again. His next employment was in Brookline, Mass., a suburb of Boston, where for a year and a half he took care of horses in a livery stable. After that he worked on a farm near Lynn, Mass., for a year, subsequently going to Lyfield to work for his sister's husband, in whose employ he remained for three and a half years. At the end of that time he came to Wisconsin, locating at Pewaukee, where he worked out for a time. The Civil war was now in progress and Mr. Dows enlisted for service in the 18th Wisconsin regiment, in Company A, being mustered in at Madison. The regiment was attached to the 15th Army Corps, from which it was later transferred to the 17th Corps, and Mr. Dows saw service at the Second battle of Nashville, Newbern, N. C., Wise's Fork, Pittsburgh Landing and other places. For some time the regiment was in camp near Richmond, then marched to Alexandria and camped at Arlington Heights, being later ordered to Franklin, three or four miles out of Washington, where they stayed three weeks. The war being now over, they were ordered home and were mustered out at Madison, Mr. Dows having served one year and ten weeks. He received a wound in the right arm at the battle of Wiese's Forks, which lasted three days. Leaving Madison June 22, 1865, Mr. Dows took stage coach to Black River Falls, with a Mr. Slocumb, and from there set out at 7:00 p. m., to walk to Grant Township, Clark County, arriving in Neillsville the next morning, June 24. In Grant Township he selected land in Section 21, the tract consisting of eighty acres. On this he built a shack in which he took up his abode for awhile, but that fall put up an upright. On Sept. 23, 1865, Mr. Dows was married to Ann Duffy, a native of Scotland, and they took up their abode on his land and began housekeeping. After clearing up a part of this tract he sold it and got another of eighty acres in the same section, a part of which was cleared, and there being a log house and barn on the place. He and his wife had the usual pioneer experiences, but in time he developed the place into a good farm. Mrs. Dows died March 11, 1894, at the age of 59 years. She left one daughter, Mary Ellen, who married Warren Page, and died Aug. 9, 1908, at the age of 41 years. Some time after the death of his wife, Mr. Dows gave up farming to associate himself in the hardware business at Granton with his son-in-law. In the fall of 1906, he engaged in farming in Granton Township with his son-in-law, and in the spring of 1917 removed with him to Neillsville, where he died Nov. 23, of that year.

Emmett A. Webster, pioneer, one of the leading citizens of Fremont Township, and one of the first to settle here, was born in Sylvester Township, Green County, Wisconsin, Sept. 7, 1844, His parents were Benjamin and Laura (Babcock) Webster, the father born in Vermont, Jan, 13, 1822, and the mother in New York state, Dec. 24, 1826. They were married in Cortland County, N. Y., and came to Wisconsin soon afterwards, about 1840, locating temporarily on a piece of prairie land in Sylvester Township, Green County, where they remained two years. They then made a permanent location in Sylvester Township, Green County, on the place where their son, Emmett, was born, their first dwelling there being a log house 16 by 24 feet in size and containing two rooms and an attic. Their source of supplies was ten miles away, a distance that they had to walk, going and coming, and they began pioneer farming with their hands for their principal tools, There Benjamin Webster and his family resided until 1862, in which year he moved to Jackson County. They had at this time five children: Emmett, Eugene, Flora and Libbie, who were born in Green County, and Elvira, who was born in New York state, while Mrs. Webster was visiting there. By a subsequent marriage of Mr. Webster there was a son, Jay. Benjamin, the father, with his two sons, Emmet and Eugene, enlisted for service in the Civil war; Emmett in Company E, 13th Wisconsin regiment, and Benjamin and Eugene in Company I, 31st Wisconsin regiment, Eugene serving about two years. Benjamin Webster served nearly a year, and then located on a farm in Jackson County. He was at this time a widower, as his wife had died in Sylvester Township, Green County, on Christmas Day, 1859, at the age of 33 years. On locating in Jackson County he took a farm there on which he resided for two years, and then moved, with the surviving members of his family, to Humbird, Clark County, to which the railroad had just been constructed. There he resided for twenty-seven years, during a part of which time he drove the stage between Hum ird and Neillsville. His death occurred when he was seventyfive years old, Oct. 3, 1897.

The service of Emmett Webster in the Civil war lasted for three years, eight months and twenty-six days, and included participation in the battles of Fort Donaldson, Shiloh, Clarksville, Tenn., Hopkinsville, Chattanooga, and Fayetteville and Bentonville, South Carolina, when he was with Sherman's army. During his entire service he held the position of drummer in his regiment and left the army without having received a scratch, though he had been in some of the hardest fought battles of the war. On his discharge from the army he rejoined the family in Jackson County, Wis., and later came with them to Clark County. While at Humbird he worked out on a farm and also in the woods at lumbering. Up to September 6, 1868, he remained a bachelor, and was then united in marriage at Humbird, with Flora E. Snow, who was born in New York state, Sept. 22, 1844, and was just 15 days younger than himself. Her parents were Harvey and Charlotte (Ball) Snow, who removed from New York to Michigan, and from the latter state to Alma Center, Wis. From there Mr. Snow moved to Lynn Township, Clark County, where he engaged in farming. He was born Feb. 23, 1818, and died in Lynn Township, Clark County, 1890; his wife, Charlotte, was born Nov. 14, 1821 and died in Michigan, July 25, 1863. After their marriage, Emmett Webster and wife located on forty acres of wild land in Section 35, Township 25, Range 1 East, Fremont Township, where they were practically isolated from civilization by the absence of roads. Here Mr. Webster built the first log house in Fremont Township, it measuring 16 by 26 feet. It was furnished with a board floor and he, himself, split the shingles for the roof. This dwelling contained three rooms and an attic, in which respect it was superior to many of the log houses built by later settlers, some of which had only one room. When he and his wife began domestic life on this farm, their cash capital consisted of fifty cents, but they had strong hands and willing hearts, which was, in those days, of more importance. Mr. Webster often carried flour and other supplies on his back from Neillsville, which was the only way to get them home. They succeeded in procuring a cow the first summer and also dug in a few potatoes, but it was some time before Mr. Webster got an ox team, having to raise the animals himself. In the winter he worked in the lumber camps and on the drive in spring, clearing his farm during the summer time. In time he built a frame house of eight rooms, he and his family moving into it Oct. 18, 1907. He helped to build the old Snow schoolhouse, a log structure that stood on the corner near his farm. From those old pioneer days up to the present time, Mr. Webster's history has been one of continuous progress and he and his family are now enjoying a comfortable prosperity. His farm is nearly all cleared and is well provided with good, substantial buildings and an adequate equipment of tools and machinery. His land is fertile and he has been successful in raising Durham cattle. As one of the earliest residents of the township, and a loyal and substantial citizen, he has frequently been called upon to serve in public office, having been chairman of the township board, township clerk for ten years and clerk of the school district for thirteen years. He has been a director of the Lynn Fire Insurance Company and agent for both the fire and cyclone companies, and is a director of the Lynn Telephone Company. Many years ago, when the cheese factory was started, be became interested in it and served for some years as its treasurer. His wife, Mrs. Flora E. Webster, died Dec. 24, 1908. She was born Sept. 22, 1844, and therefore was 64 years, three months and two days old. They had been the parents of nine children: Cora E., Alfred J., Alice L., Myrtle C,, Loren H., Edward J. (now deceased), Harold E., Lawrence B. and Lyle H.

Oliver Milligan, residing on a farm in Section 21, Loyal Township, though now practically retired from active labor, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, Nov. 9, 1838, His parents, John and Mary (McKendry) Milligan, were farming people, and he remained at home with them until he was fifteen years old, in the meanwhile attending school. In 1853 he came alone to the United States, landing in this country after a voyage of 31 days in a sailing vessel. Locating first in Philadelphia, he went from that city to New Jersey, where he had an uncle who was a farmer, and for whom he worked for six months. Afterwards he worked four years on a truck farm in that vicinity, and then, when 20 years old, came to Wisconsin, locating in Jackson County. There he worked one summer on a farm and the next winter in the woods at lumbering. He logged four winters for William B. Price, going on the drive in the spring and on the rafts in summer. Afterwards he worked on the Hewett farm at Neillsville one winter. In the spring of 1864 Mr. Milligan enlisted at Neillsville, Wis., in Co. G, Fifth Wis. Vol. Inf. The regiment was sent to Virginia and all the next winter lay in front of Petersburg, engaged for the most part in skirmishing, and helping to take Petersburg in the spring. After the surrender of Lee the men were discharged and Mr. Milligan returned to Neillsville, where he again went to work on the Hewett farm. Five years later, on May 21, 1870, he was married to Henrietta Lyons, a native of Hartford, Washington County, Wis., and daughter of Elijah B. and Phoebe (Hager) Lyons, both natives of Paterson, N. J., who came to Loyal Township, this county, at the close of the Civil war, and here remained. After his marriage Mr. Milligan continued to work for James Hewett, being altogether 19 years in his employ. He then bought forty acres of wild land in Seetion 29, Loyal Township, clearing a place on which to build a log house and barn. For some time he had to work out in the winter, remaining on his farm in summer. Like the other early settlers in the locality, he had to carry supplies on his back from Neillsville. He bought two cows and a few years later a yoke of oxen. After working for many winters, he was able to spend all his time on his farm and made faster progress. That place was his home and that of his family for thirty-five years, during which time he succeeded in clearing all his land. Mr. Milligan then sold his farm and bought the Chet Stow place of ten acres near the village of Loyal, in Section 21, Loyal Township, and on this he has since resided, no longer doing hard and laborious work, but having enough to attend to about his place to keep him agreeably occupied. He was formerly a stockholder in the North Star Cheese factory. He and his wife are the parents of seven children, whose record in brief is as follows: William married Grace Payne, and is now living in Oregon. John is in Minnesota. Frank married Eva Chadwick and resides in Loyal. Dolly is now Mrs. Dan Castner, of Loyal, and has five children - Glen, Elva, Claude, Alice and Inez. Hugh, who lives in Loyal Township, married Bertha Stoneberg and has

Edward Missling, a well-to-do farmer of Longwood Township, owner of 240 acres of land, was born in Fond du Lae County, Wis., June 27, 1872, son of Louis and Sophia (Bergman) Missling. His parents were of German birth and came to this country in 1869, locating first at Waupun, Wis., and later in Outagamie County, where Louis Missling engaged in farming. He died in 1877 at the age of fifty years, and his wife, Feb. 4, 1908, at the age of seventy-five. The father's death left the mother a widow with a large family, the oldest seventeen years old, and Edward but five. Edward was reared on the home farm, a tract of forty acres, and received his education in the district schools, As a young man he became interested in creamery work and followed this line for eighteen years. He and his brother, under the firm name of Missling Brothers, had a combined cheese factory and creamery in Black Creek Township, Outagamie County, and a cheese factory five miles from there in Main Township. They also had a farm of 270 acres, and engaged extensively in stock raising. The brothers were prominent men in Black Creek Township, and helped to build the Lutheran Church there. After a successful career there, the brothers moved to Appleton, where they purchased the Briggs House, a deteriorated hotel, and improved the property into the modern place that it is today. Edward, William and Richard Missling came to Clark County, Edward and William purchasing a considerable tract of land in Longwood Township, most of which they sold, Edward now having 240 acres. This farm was improved when he secured it, but he has made many further improvements, having cleared a large amount of land, built fences and done other necessary work. He has now 130 acres of plowed land and has lately built a silo of 100 tons capacity. Mr. Missling raises Durham cattle, milking forty cows, and also raising Chester-White hogs. His crops are hay, corn, oats, barley, peas and potatoes. He helped to organize the Longwood Dairy Co., of which for two years he was secretary and manager.

Mr. Missling was married Oct. 17, 1900, to Minnie Dreger, who was born in Germany, May 20, 1870, and came to America with her father and sister, the mother having died in her native land. The father, Michael Dreger, settled at Fond du Lac, Wis., where he died in 1903 at the age of seventy-one years. Besides Minnie, there were two other girls in the family, Laura, now Mrs. Fred Bohlman, of Fond du Lac, and Emma, now Mrs. Julius Schmidt, of Oshkosh, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Missling have five children: Eva, born Feb. 18, 1902; Raymond, June 27, 1903; Robert, Jan. 1, 1905; Linda, Jan. 30, 1907, and Herbert, August 28, 1910. The family faith is that of the German Lutheran Church, Mr. Missling being one of the trustees of the church at Longwood, in the building of which he and his brother, William, were among the most active promoters.

O. B. Matteson, in former years a prominent factor in the lumbering and farming industries of Clark County, but now living retired in the village of Unity, was born in Kenosha, Wis., Oct. 10, 1847, son of Silas C. and Emily (Stanford) Matteson. His parents were natives of New York state, who migrated west to Wisconsin in 1845 and for one year resided in

Kenosha, the father following the varied occupations of farmer, lawyer and collector. A few years later they removed to Newcastle, now Campbellsport, Fond du Lac County, and engaged in farming there, which he followed chiefly for the rest of his active life. During his declining years he made his home with his children. He died in Kenosha, where both he and his wife are buried, the latter dying, however, in Chicago. Their family numbered 15 children, those now living being O. B., Jared, Clark, Hannah, Lillie, Etta, Jesse, Sarah and Ella. The deceased are Artemisia, Emily, Seth, Bertha, and two who died unnamed.

O. B. Matteson acquired his education in the public schools of Fond du Lac County and in Lawrence College of Appleton, Wis. In 1871 he came to Clark County and engaged in teaching, being one of the first teachers and educators in Beaver Township, where he located. This occupation he followed for five years in the township and vicinity. His homestead, which he secured on his arrival, consisted of eighty acres of land, all wild and heavily timbered, which he cleared and broke, erecting first a log house after the manner of the pioneer settlers. As the years passed he added to his land until he had a farm of 240 acres, and also erecting a modern frame house, barns and outbuildings for the housing of his stock, grain and machinery. During early days, in addition to farming, he engaged quite extensively in logging and lumbering, buying the land and cutting the timber, sometimes selling the raw logs and sometimes having it sawed into lumber which he sold. In this connection he became widely known both throughout Clark County and the state. During all this time he continued to reside on his farm, carrying on diversified farming, but in his later years making a specialty of choice grain and oats, Mr. Matteson also took an active part in township affairs, serving at various times on the town board, both as town clerk and supervisor, and doing efficient work on the school board for twenty-five years. His political principles are those of the Republican party. In 1914 Mr. Matteson sold his farm and moved to the village of Unity, where he purchased a comfortable residence in which he and his wife are spending the afternoon of life, in the enjoyment of many comforts earned by long years of hard and persistent toil. It was on Noy. 9, 1874, that Mr. Matteson was united in marriage with Jennie Shanks, daughter of Thomas Shanks, one of the early settlers of Clark County. Mrs. Matteson was born Jan. 19, 1857, acquired her education in the public schools, and, like her husband, was for several years one of the early school teachers of Clark County. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Matteson. The first child, Bertha, was born Nov. 20, 1877, died Aug. 21, 1878. The second was Maynard S., born Oct. 8, 1879, is now living in Milwaukee, where he is engaged in the manufacture of the Pfau Motor Pump, and where he has purchased a permanent home. He married Minnie Justman and has one child, Jesse, Angela B., the third child, was born Dec. 27, 1888. She acquired her elementary education in the common schools, was graduated from the Loyal high school in the class of 1907, and then followed teaching for four years and a half. She subsequently entered the State Normal School at Stevens Point, where she mastered the domestic science course, of which branch of knowledge she has since been a teacher. Benage O., the youngest child of Mr. and Mrs. Matteson, was born Sept. 5, 1895, and is now a resident of Fond du Lac, Wis. On May 5, 1917, he married Sophia Forsmo, and they have a son, Floyd Benage, born April 19, 1918. The religious affiliations of the Matteson family are with the Methodist Episcopal Church.

John W. Lawrence, the present postmaster of Humbird, and one of the leading citizens of that place, was born at Manitowoc, Wis., Nov. 29, 1861, son ot George W. and Isabella (Shepeck) Lawrence. The father was a native of Vermont and had come with his parents to Manitowoc when a young man. It was there that he married Isabella Shepeck, who had accompanied her parents to that place from Bohemia. For some years he followed the occupation of a sailor on the Great Lakes, but finally gave that up and engaged in farming about seven miles from Manitowoc. He was not permitted long to enjoy the fruits of his labor, however, as he died at the age of 42 years, six months and 14 days. His wife died at about the same age. They had three children :, Asa, now a soldier in the regular army, stationed at Panama; Anna, wife of L. L. Bacchus, of Chicago, and John W., of Humbird, Wis. John W. Lawrence, who was the youngest member of the family, was reared on his parents' farm, and when he grew up engaged in various lines of industry, including lumbering and rail road work, residing at Reedsville four years. In 1884 he was united in marriage, at Garden Valley, Jackson County, Wis., to Margaret Curtis, a daughter of W. D. Curtis, and then located at Fairchild, being employed on the railroad four years. The fourteen years following he was engaged in farming in Garden Valley, and while there served nine years as school clerk. In the year 1900 Mr. Lawrence came to Humbird, Clark County, and engaged in the life insurance business, being one of the promoters and directors of the Farmers' Life Insurance Company of Humbird. He has since taken a warm interest in the affairs of the village, helping to organize the Commercial Club and the Automobile Club, and was made postmaster in August, 1915. He and his wife have two children: Harry L., and Ross C., both of whom are residing at home.

Richard F. Kountz, justice, present city attorney of Neillsville, is a man whose career illustrates in a marked manner the value of self-help. Mr. Kountz was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., Oct. 25, 1848, son of Hiram and Elizabeth (Sirwell) Kountz. The father, Hiram, who was also a native of Pennsylvania, was a steamboat captain, plying on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. He died at Louisville, Ky., in 1854. His parents were John and Anna J. Kountz, John also being a native of Pennsylvania and a riverman. The first ancestor of the family in this country was the father of John, who came to Pennsylvania from Holland. Mrs. Elizabeth Kountz, the mother of Judge Kountz, was a native of England, coming to this country with her parents, Richard and Elizabeth Sirwell, who located in Pittsburgh, where Mr. Sirwell followed the trade of watchmaker. Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Kountz had two children: Richard F., the subject of this sketch, and W. H., who is now a resident of San Francisco.

The father of Judge Kountz died when the latter was a young child, and his widow did the best she could to educate her children, but was un- able to give them superior advantages. In 1858 she married a Mr. Wild, and moved onto a farm in Ohio, where the family resided until 1865. In the meanwhile Mr- Wild enlisted and served in the Civil war as a member of the 31st Ohio regiment. Their next removal was to Pittsburgh, where Richard F, found employment in a tin and hardware store and was thus occupied for about three years. In October, 1868, he left home and went to Ft. Dodge, Iowa, where he spent the following winter, in the March following removing to Black River Falls, Jackson County. There he worked in a store for awhile, and also bought wheat for firms in that line of business, and later established a little store of his own at Humbird. In June, 1874, Mr. Kountz came to Neillsville and went into the mercantile business with his brother, W. H. Kountz. The partnership lasted only one year, however, and at the end of that time the subject of this sketch became a clerk once more and followed various occupations until 1876 or 1877, when he was elected justice of the peace, which position he held for eight or ten years. It was while holding this position that he got into close touch with law questions and was led to study the subject. In those days there were many rough characters in the county, as there are in all primitive communities, and the law was somewhat loosely administered. Brutal assaults, often caused by drunkenness, were not uncommon, and the offenders were usually, or practically always, let off with a slight fine. The first case Judge Kountz had to try was one of this nature. The prisoner promptly pleaded guilty, being ready to pay the usual fine, but was most disagreeably surprised when the Judge instantly sentenced him to thirty days in jail, This policy he follewed up in every case of the kind brought before him, and the well deserved severity had a good effect, as the rough characters left town and peaceable citizens were soon able to walk the streets in safety. Though Judge Kountz never went to law school, he studied his profession faithful, providing himself with the usual text books, which he studied so thoroughly that in 1879 he was admitted to the bar, and has since practiced successfully as an attorney. He held the office of county commissioner for a number of years, was police judge, and has been city attorney. In 1885 he became connected with the electric light plant, which he operated and managed until two years ago. He was also secretary for a number of years of the Black River Railroad Company, that constructed the road from Merrillan te Neillsville. Fraternally he is identified with the lodge of Woodmen. Judge Kountz was united in marriage, 1872, to Emma J. Bailey, a native of New Hampshire, who came with her parents, Abner and Julia Bailey, to Black River Falls, Wis., later locating at Greenwood. He and his wife have had one child, Kittie, now residing at home.

George John Knoll, who owns and operates a farm of 108 acres, lying partly in Loyal and partly in Sherman Township, is one of the self-made men of his locality, having attained his present prosperity solely through hard work and perseverance. He was born in Germany, Dec. 28, 1855, son of John and Sarah (Stumpner) Knoll. The parents, who died in Germany, had three children: Margaret, Washuta and George J., of whom the last mentioned was the only one to come to the United States.

familiar with ordinary agricultural methods, as in Germany he had worked out for the farmers. Locating first in Indiana, he stayed there one year, and then coming to Wisconsin, worked for two years on farms in Washura County. Arriving in Clark County in 1887, he bought eighty acres of land in Section 12, Loyal Township, the tract being covered with timber. It was reached by trail, there being no road over which a load could be driven. Here Mr. Knoll started the work of improvement by building a frame house, but for the first two years his progress was very slow, as he had neither stock nor implements - practically nothing but his hands and two or three small tools, such as axes. It was only at the end of the time mentioned that he managed to put up a log barn, and procure a team of oxen and a cow. His place of supplies was at Spencer, from which he carried home flour and other necessaries on his back. With the acquisition of the oxen and cow, however, Mr. Knoll felt brave enough to undertake the responsibilities of domestic live, and he and Sarah Stubner were united in marriage that year. She was a native of Baltimore, and for about eight years she proved a worthy helpmate to her husband. At the end of that time she died, April 23, 1896, at the age of 48 years, leaving three children: John, who now resides on the homestead with his father; Louie, who is deceased, and Elizabeth, now the wife of Richard Muska, a farmer of Sherman Township, Mr. Knoll married for his second wife, Hulda Brown of Saxville, Waushara County, Wis., of which union there have been four children born, Margaret, Esther, Bertha and Clarence, all of whom reside at home. Since buying his land in Loyal Township, Mr. Knoll has increased the size of his farm by purchasing an additional tract of twenty-three acres just across the road in Sherman Township. He hag built a basement barn, 36 by 90 feet in dimensions and is raising a good grade of stock, including hogs and horses. A good road, which he helped to have put through, now passes his farm, known as "Twin Creek Dairy Farm." He is also a shareholder in the Wausau Packing plant. He has held office on the school board and is a man respected for his achievements and his reliable character as a good neighbor.

Charles Brandstedter, proprietor of the A. Brandstedter general store at Humbird, Mentor Township, Clark County, and a man who has for a number of years taken a prominent part in local affairs, was born in Jackson County, Wis., Feb. 6, 1859, son of John and Mary (Kendel) Brandstedter. The parents were natives of Germany, the father coming to the United States when a young man. They settled in Jackson County, this state, where John Brandstedter engaged in farming, building a log cabin, in which his son Charles was born. The latters' mother died at the age of 47 years, having borne her husband eight children; Charles, Elizabeth, John, Mary, Catherine, Nicholas, deceased; Minnie and Emma. After his first wifes' death John Brandstedter married, secondly, Elizabeth Newman. Of this marriage there were six children: George, Dena, Matthew, Joseph, Frank and Theresa. Charles Brandstedter, at the the age of 18 years, left the farm and went to work on the Huntzinger farm for three years. He then went to Fairchild, where he obtained a position as clerk in the store of M. Pedrick, but after remaining with him a short time, took up farm work again. He was also employed in the furniture factory at Neillsville for seven years. Then he again entered mercantile business, working in various stores until 1901, in which year he bought out G. W. Crandell, of Humbird, and has since conducted his present business on a profitable basis. He is also a stockholder in the Central Wisconsin Telephone Company and the Wisconsin Light and Power Company. He has been elected several times as a member of the town board, being its treasurer from 1903 to 1908, and from 1911 to 1912. For the past twenty years he has been a member of the M. W. A. Camp at Humbird, holding the office of clerk for the first eight years. In politics he is a Democrat, and in religion a Catholic.

Mr. Brandstedter was united in marriage Oct. 4, 1886, to Anna Heim, who was born at Waterloo, Wis., daughter of Valentine and Tresa (Schmidt) Heim. Her father, who was engaged for a number of years in the milling business at Humbird, is now retired. He is a widower, his wife having died about seven years ago. They have four children now living: Anna, Oscar, Emma and William. Mr. and Mrs. Brandstedter were the parents of three children: Mamie, born March 28, 1888, who is clerk for her father; Elsie, born Jan. 19, 1891, who died Jan, 27, 1912, and Rozella, born June 4, 1895, who is teaching school.

Webster Monroe Winn, a settler of York Township, now successfully operating a grist-mill in Granton, is a native of Wisconsin, having been born in a log cabin in Sheboygan County, Aug. 26, 1857. His parents were Simeon J. and Adaline (Mallory) Winn, both natives of Canada, the father of Colburne and the mother of Coburg. They were married in Wisconsin, to which state Simeon J. Winn came in 1852, taking a homestead in Greenbush Township, Sheboygan County, the land being covered with timber. Adaline Mallory was already living in this state when he came, and after their marriage they settled on his farm, which he began to clear, like other early settlers, with an ox team. They had to carry their provisions from the nearest trading post, which was five miles away. There they remianed for five years, during which time two children were born to them - Alice, who died in infancy, and Webster M. At the end of the period mentioned they moved from Sheboygan County to Canada, where they resided for several years, and had two more children - Fremont, who died in Fargo, N. D., in 1879, and Ella, who died in 1878. Susequently, returning to Sheboygan County, Mr. Winn rented a farm for several years, and in 1875, while residing there, his wife died at the age of 38 years. In the following year, 1876, he married for his second wife Martha Johnson, of Fond du Lac, by whom he had three children - all born in Clark County, Wis. Guy, now residing on the old homestead in Clark County; and Jennie and Etta, who are now living in Clark County. In 1876 Simeon J. Winn and family came to Clark County, locating on eighty acres of wild land in York Township, on which he built a log house, subsequently clearing the land. After developing his farm and attaining a fair degree of prosperity, he died at the age of 72 years. His second wife is still living. They were worthy people, and he was a member and supporter of the Methodist Church. Webster M. Winn had limited opportunities for obtaining an education, but succeeded in acquiring the most necessary elements of knowledge. He was 19 years old when he came to Clark County, and at first went to work ina shingle mill, which stood on the site of the present village of Granton, which was then known as Mapleworks. He also cut grass on the site of the present village. Later, he worked for George Brooks on a farm east of where the township hall now stands. Another employer of his was L. C. Chandler, when he helped to haul the rock for Judge O'Neill's residence. He worked four months for Mr. Brooks, and on the arrival of winter he went into the woods and was employed in cutting timber. The next spring he went to Owatonna, Minn., where he found work moving buildings. Afterwards, for a while, he drove an ox team in the woods. He now resolved to work for himself and, accordingly, he secured a piece of wild land in Section 27, York Township, and during the first year, being still a bachelor, resided with a neighbor. He then erected a frame house, and in 1881 was married to Kate L. Isham, a native of Lacross County, Wis., born in 1858, whose father, a carpenter, had located at West Salem, Wis., and had helped to build the first frame house in La Crosse. Mr. Winn began domestic life in the little frame house he had built on his land. He had no wagon when he began, and he and his wife often went visiting on one of the old-fashioned "Jumpers." In time he cleared his farm, the size of which he increased to 160 acres. He also built a house of nine rooms; a barn 36 by 60 feet (his first barn having been a small log structure) and two silos. Besides raising shorthorn cattle he helped to organize and built a creamery and cheese factory, and for a number of years served in the office of justice of the peace. His wife, a member of the Methodist Church, taught the first school in District No. 3, York Township. In 1910 they moved to Granton, where Mr. Winn bought and sold cattle and other stock, and later he bought the feed mill, which he now operates in company with his son, Byrl. His rise since pioneer days has been gradual, but sure, and he has not only attained to a prosperous condition in life, but has won the respect of a large circle of friends and acquaintances, in which his wife equally shares. On the incorporation of the village of Granton, in 1916, he was chosen as its first supervisor. Mr. and Mrs. Winn have five children: Bertha, Clifford L., Floyd, Byrl and Ruby. Bertha, formerly a teacher, married Paul Finner; they reside at Bangor, Wis., where he holds a position as school principal, and has two children, Winn and Richard. Clifford L., who married May Dubes, resides on the home farm, and has two children, Ralph and Ronald. Floyd married Dora Wage, daughter of Thomas Wage. Byrl married Lela Potter and has one child, Auril. Ruby is a professional nurse.

Clemens Herman Kuechenmeister, a progressive farmer of Grant Township, occupying a prominent place in the community, is a native of Wisconsin, having been born in Washington County, Feb. 2, 1867, son of Carl and Henriette (Schubert) Kuechenmeister. The parents were both born in Saxony, Germany, the father July 7, 1828, and the mother Dec. 5, the same year. Carl learned the trade of carpenter, and at the age of 19 came to the United States alone, crossing the ocean in a sailing vessel. Locating in Washington County, Wis., he worked at his trade to get a start, and then bought forty acres of wild land, on which he built a log cabin. His farm was situated forty miles from Milwaukee, and the site of which was then mostly a tamarack swamp, and twelve miles from Port Washington, and he frequently made trips to each of these places on foot, carrying home provisions. There he lived for twenty-three years, during which time he improved his farm, putting up good buildings, A firm member of the German Lutheran Church, he was active in religious affairs, and in early days services were often held in his log cabin, In 1870, Carl Kuechenmeister sold his farm and removed with his family to Clark County, locating in Section 28, Grant Township, where his son, Clemens H., now lives. His land consisted of 120 acres, all covered with timber, except three acres, the timber on which had been slashed. There was a log building on the place, consisting of one room and an attic, in size 12 by 12 feet, Into this he and his family moved, and it was their home for two years. On coming here he had brought with him two horses, two cows and some tools, so was not as destitute of means as some of the pioneer settlers in the county, who started with nothing. After a while he erected a larger log house, 20 by 30 feet, with a kitchen, 16 by 20 feet - in those days a very respectable dwelling; and later he built a frame barn. There were no roads when he came here, but in time conditions improved, and he, himself, made good progress, being a strong, industrious man, so that he was finally able to give each of his sons a farm in Grant Township, having from time to time purchased more land. He was a great lover of home and church, and a man whom all respected for his sterling qualities, On July 30, 1907, he passed away, his wife following him to the grave less than a year later, on June 29, 1908. They had six children, born as follows: Ida, Dec. 24, 1849; Louis, Nov. 27, 1851; Rineholt, July 7, 1853; Thelma, Feb. 23, 1856; Oscar, June 14, 1861, and Clemens, Feb. 2, 1867. Clemens Kuechenmeister was educated in the district schools of Clark County, attending the old Kurth school in District 5. He has always resided on the home farm, which he now owns, and on which he has made a number of improvements. These include an eleven-room modern house, and additions to the frame barn which his father built, making it now 40 by 76 feet in size; also a silo 14 by 32 feet. He is a member of the Farmers' Co-operative Elevator and Lumber Company of Neillsville, and of the co-operative meat plant at Wausau, and is numbered among the progressive and successful men of his township. Mr. Kuechenmeister was married Sept. 26, 1894, to Elizabeth Hanke, daughter of Ernest Hanke, a pioneer of Clark County. He and his wife have two children - Ernest and Anetta.