Clark County, Wisconsin - Biographical sketches, 1918 (part 6 of 18)

Frederick J. Seif, Sr., member of F. P. Seif & Sons, dealers in farm implements, at Neillsville, was born in Oshkosh, Wis., June 19, 1851, son of Joseph and Christina (Syler) Seif. The father was a carpenter by trade and he and his wife were natives of Germany. They were married in their native land about 1846, and immediately set out for the United States, making the voyage in a sailing vessel, which was so slow that they were several months on the ocean. After arriving in this country they located first in Pennsylvania, where they remained for a year, coming west at the end of that time to Oshkosh, Wis. There Mr. Seif followed his trade for about six years and then moved to Dale in the adjoining county of Outagamie, near which place he bought eighty acres of land in the woods, and began pioneer farming. Two other families accompanied them and between them they had an ox team and wagon. By that time Joseph and his wife had five children - Otto, Joseph, Jr., Frederick J., Sophia and Paulina. Oshkosh, twenty-four miles away, was their trading point, but there were no roads, and the winter was the only time they could get through with a team. In summer they had to carry a pack on their backs. Frequently, when short of flour, they ground corn in their coffee mill. On this farm Joseph Seif and wife lived until about 1891, his death taking place in Dale ten years later, when he was 77 years old. His wife died at the age of 89 about 1907. The children born on the farm in Dale Township were August, Christine and John. Frederick J. Seif had but limited educational advantages as he had to aid in supporting himself at an early age, In the log schoolhouse of the district he got through the third reader and later attended night school. He grew to manhood on the home farm and at the age of 24 years came to Clark County. In the same year, 1875, he had married Mary Weisner, who was born on a farm in West Bend, Wis., in 1857, and they drove to Neillsville together. Buying a farm of eighty acres of wild land in section 8, Sherwood Township, he put up a log house, 16 by 20 feet in size, and with an ox team, which he had driven up from Dale, he commenced the breaking of the land. His wife owned a cow and thus they started in a modest way, having a struggle with poverty and privation during the early years, but making gradual progress as time passed. He and his wife lived there eight years, during which time they had five children born to them - Frank, William, John, David and Charles. At last Mr. Seif sold out and moved to what is now Seif Township, which was named for him, he being one of the first settlers there, He started in that township with a tract of eighty acres in section 2, to which he later added 200 acres more. Twenty acres of the original tract had been cleared and there was a log house and log barn on the place. There Mr. Seif spent twenty-eight years, during which time the township was organized, he being one of those who helped to organize it. He was also chairman of the Weston township board before Seif Township was set off, and was the first chairman of the latter township board. In Weston Township also he served two years as assessor and two years as a member of the town board. His public activities also included the school district, which he helped to start in Seif Township, serving as school clerk during his entire residence there, helping to build the schoolhouse and to rebuild it after it was burned down. In 1906 Mr. Seif came to Neillsville and two years later entered into the implement business in partnership with L. H. Howard. In 1913 Fred Stelloh bought Mr. Howard's interest, which partnership continued until Oct. 26, 1916, at which time it became F. J. Seif & Sons, the sons being Charles and Fred. They handle a full line of implements and automobile supplies, and are doing a prosperous business, which extends throughout the surrounding territory. Mr. Seif is also a stockholder in the Farmers' Co-operative Elevator Company, and in the Neillsville Canning Factory. As one of Neillsville's leading citizens, he has taken part at times in local government, serving six years on the council and two years as mayor. His religious affiliations are with the Reformed Church, of which his mother was a member. Fraternally he belongs to the Woodmen and his wife to the Lady Maccabees. In addition to the children already mentioned, two others were born to them in Seif Township - Fred and Louis. Of their entire family all are living except William, who died at the age of 22 years. At this writing Louis is Second Lieutenant in Company M, 127th Infantry, stationed at Waco, Tex.

Joseph Kopp, for many years proprietor of West Levis Dairy Farm, located in section 6, Levis Township, was one of the early settlers in this township and a Civil War veteran. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, Sept. 28, 1838, son of Michael and Anna Marie (Rung) Kopp. Educated in his native land, Joseph Kopp grew up on a farm, acquiring a knowledge of agriculture and was employed in farm work until he came to the United States in 1862, landing at New York from a steamer after a voyage of seventeen days. Coming west as far as Illinois, he remained in that state for two years and then enlisted in Company D, 64th Illinois regiment, being mustered in at Quincy, Ill. He served until the close of the war, taking part in seventeen hard battles, besides a number of skirmishes, being what is known in military parlance as a sharpshooter. He was with Sherman's army in the fighting before Atlanta, at Kenesaw Mountain, Marietta, and the famous March to the Sea. Taking part in the Grand Review at Washington, D. C., being mustered out at Louisville, Ky. There were but 350 men left of his regiment, which had been mustered in with 1,050. Mr. Kopp came out of the great struggle without a scratch. Returning to Illinois, he remained there a few months, and then went to St. Charles, Minn., where he engaged in farming. Later he bought a farm in the township of Elba, Winona County, that state, it containing 160 acres of land, of which he sold eighty. He then set to work to improve the other eighty acres. He was married Mar. 3, 1867, to Louisa Shock, who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Jan. 3, 1848, daughter of Benjamin and Frances Shock, who were natives of Baden, Germany. The Shocks resided in Cincinnati many years, then went to farming in St. Charles Township, Winona County, Subsequently they returned to Cincinnati, where Benjamin and his wife died. Mr .Kopp remained on his farm in Elba Township for eight years, by the end of which time he had cleared and broken all the land. He then sold out and took up his residence in the village of St. Charles, where he conducted a restaurant business. After awhile he sold out that business also and in the spring of 1876 came to Clark County, for the next four years working on a farm in Washburn Township. He then homesteaded the present place in section 6, Levis Township, it being a tract covered with woods and not accessible by any road. He had a horse, a cow and a few chickens. He built a frame house, 16 by 24 feet in size, and a log barn, but soon after suffered a great loss by a fire that destroyed his buildings, and he had to begin all over again. The farm contained 120 acres, of which he cleared a large part. He built a nice six room house, a barn, 42 by 66 feet in size, and other good buildings, and followed a profitable dairy business. When he first settled here the nearest road was two miles away and he had to carry his supplies that distance to the house, but since then conditions have changed and in his latter years enjoyed the benefit of good roads, ready markets and other modern conveniences, becoming one of the thriving men of his township. He was a member of the G.A. R, post at Neillsville and formerly belonged to the Knights of Honor. He and his wife have been the parents of six children: Frank Joseph, who resides in Andover, So. Dakota; Fred William, now deceased; Joseph M., residing on the home farm; George Alexander, who married Bernice Winton, and also lives on the home farm; Clara, now deceased, who was the wife of Wm. Cook, and at her death left one daughter, Neorna L.; and Frances, who is deceased. Myr. Kopp died Sept. 17, 1917.

Peter 8S. Severson, manager of the Pleasant Ridge Creamery in Grant Township, was born at Black River Falls, Feb. 12, 1890, son of Iver and Ida (Peterson) Severson. The father, Iver, was born in Norway and came to the United States about 1875, with his parents, he being then about 11 years old. A sister, Marie, completed the family, but later another child, Rena, was born in Jackson County, Wis., where they settled, Iver's father, whose name was Sever, finding employment in a sawmill at Rudds. Later they removed to a place, or homestead, near Black River, in Irving Township and began pioneer farm life in a log cabin, using oxen for breaking the land. After three years in that place, however, Sever and his wife went to live with their daughter, Rena, who had married Oscar Olson of Black River. Peter 8. Severson's education was obtained in the district school and high school in Albin Township, Jackson County, Wis. He began industrial life in the woods, where he worked for a number of winters, soon after, however, becoming an employee of the creamery at Irving, where he gained his first knowledge of butter making and other dairy work. To increase his knowledge he attended the dairy school at Madison, where he was graduated in 1910. For the next two years he made practical use of his knowledge as manager of the Ellis Creek Creamery Company at Green Bay, Wis. From there he came to the Pleasant Ridge Creamery in Grant Township, Clark County, 1913, and since then has made improvements in the plant and improved the quality and increased the quantity of the output. Mr. Severson is a member of the Scandinavian Lutheran Church. He was married, Jan. 30, 1913, to Lena Larson, of Northfield Township, Jackson County, Wis., and has one child, Perry, who was born July 4, 1914,

David Hillert, proprietor of a profitable farm in section 11, Grant township, is a man who has achieved success through earnest effort, having started in life without any extraneous advantages. He was born in Ausaka, Wis., June 28, 1854, son of George and Louise (Schmact) Hillert. The parents were born in Germany and married in Berlin, the father following the various occupations of farmer, carpenter and miller. In 1852 he and his family, consisting of his wife and three children - Anna, Gottlieb and another that died after they had settled in this country, took passage on a sailing vessel for the United States and in due time reached

Milwaukee, then merely a small village. There they remained for awhile, Mr. Hillert working at whatever he could find to do, He then rented land in the town of Kaham, Wausaka County, but after remaining there for three or four years he and his family removed to Sheboygan County, There he secured a tract of wild land in Sherman Township, put up a log building and began the laborious task of developing a homestead. At first, when he began working for the farmers, he had to cradle wheat all day for thirty-five cents, but later in Sheboygan County received $1 a day. After he had secured an ox team he made faster progress on his farm, which in time he brought to a fair state of development. Born Aug. 9, 1819, he died in 1900. His wife, who was born in November, 1819, died in 1902. In addition to the three children who accompanied them from Germany, five others were born to them in Wisconsin - David, Louisa, Johanna, Henry and Martha. The parents were members of the German Lutheran Church. David Hillert grew to manhood in Sheboygan County, where, in his boyhood, he attended the log schoolhouse of his district, with one window on each side and in which the scholars used benches, made of split logs. When old enough he began working as a farm hand, earning $12 a month and was thus occupied until 1875, when, being still a single man, he bought his present farm in section 11, Grant Township, Clark County, and which then consisted of eighty acres of wild land. On it he built a one-room log house, 18 by 26 feet, which occupied the site of the present substantial ten-room house. Mr. Hillert started the development of his farm with nothing but an ox and a grubhoe, making his own drag; but after a year on the place he secured a team of oxen. For awhile he boarded with his brother. On Oct. 18, 1877, he was married at the house of his brother, Gottlieb, to Wilhelmina Krumhauer, who was born in Brandenburg, Germany, Oct. 29, 1855, daughter of August and Elizabeth (Liesky) Krumhauer. Her parents came to the United States in 1867, accompanied by two daughters, Wilhelmina and Henrietta, the latter of whom married Henry Byer and died in 1915. After five weeks on the ocean in a sailing vessel they landed in America and proceeded to Sheboygan County, Wis., where Mr. Krumhauer located on a farm, where they remained until March, 1876. They then came to Lynn Township, Clark County, and took a farm on which there was a log house and barn and a small clearing. In their latter years he and his wife resided with the subject of this sketch, but both are now deceased. They were members of the German Lutheran Church. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Hillert moved into the log house he had built, and began clearing his land, in which labor his wife helped him. His first barn was also of logs and measured 16 by 20 feet. Since those days he has made steady advances in prosperity, his farm being now well developed and increased in size by additional purchases of land to 200 acres. He has erected a good basement barn, 36 by 74 feet in dimensions, together with other necessary buildings and is carrying on general farming with profitable results. He is also a stockholder in the Bank of Granton and in the Wausau packing plant. Though not a township official he has served on the board of the German parochial school. He and his wife had five chil-

Wilhelm Kalsow

Wilhelm Kalsow, a prosperous dairy farmer of Weston Township, his farm being located in section 18, was born in Prussia, Germany, Mar. 23, 1846. His father, Frederick, was a workingman and married Louise Krouse, also a native of Prussia. They came to the United States in 1865 with five children: William, Fred, Wilhelmina, Amelia and August, On arriving in this country they proceeded to Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis., in the vicinity of which place Frederick Kalsow rented a farm on which they lived for five years, and there another child, Matilda, was born, At the end of the period mentioned Mr. Kalsow bought eighty acres of land near Farmington, Jefferson County, which was cleared, and on it he remained five years engaged in farming. He then sold it and bought a sixty-acre tract in the same vicinity, which place proved his final home, as he stayed there until his death, age 84. His wife died on the place at age 87. Wilhelm Kalsow remained at home until he was 30 years old, at which time he married Augusta Klickman, a native of Prussia, Germany, who had just arrived in America with her parents, her father being a workingman, who settled in Watertown, Wis. Mr. Kalsow and his wife then came to Clark County and bought forty acres of land in section 18, Weston Township. The tract was wild, but there was a small clearing on which a log shack had been built. Here they settled and with a team of oxen Mr. Kalsow began clearing the land and farming in true pioneer style, grubbing in his crops and cradling the grain. He also worked in the woods two winters, but gave his main attention to his farm, on which he has since made many improvements, among other things, building a good twelve-room house and a barn 46 by 36 feet. He is now successfully engaged in dairying and is also a stockholder in the local creamery. He and his wife are the parents of eight children: Emma, who lives in Utah; Anna, in Berlin, Wis.; Otto, residing at home; Lilly, who lives on a farm in Clark County; Martha and Theresa, also in Clark County; Gustave, in Minnesota, and Edward, a resident of Clark County. Mr. Kalsow is doing a profitable business and has built up his present prosperity through hard work and perseverance. Mrs, Kalsow died in 1900. She was born in 1855. The family are members of German Lutheran Church.

James Sindelar, who is making good progress as a farmer and stock raiser in section 33, Hewett Township, after many years of earnest effort, was born in Brack, Bohemia, Nov. 17, 1866, son of Anton and Annie (Fricek) Sindelar. The parents were farming people and had six children: James, John, Joseph, Anton, Mary and Antonia. James Sindelar, by which name he is usually known, resided with his parents until he was 13 years old and then began industrial life in a butcher shop in his native land, continuing in the same occupation for a number of years. He was married in November, 1888, to Amelia Tykac, whose father, Louis Tykac, was a game warden for the king. His marriage took place at Brack, Bohemia, and he continued in the butchering and meat market business until 1890, when he came with his family to the United States, locating first in Baltimore, Md. There he worked in a butcher shop for two years and then came west as far as Chicago, in which city he followed the same occupation for six years. At the end of that time, or about 1898, he came to Clark County, Wis., halting at Columbia, where he bought sixty acres of wild land in section 33, Hewett Township. The surroundings were all of the pioneer kind, as there was no road by the place and no house on it. Provided only with an axe, he commenced the arduous task of carving out a home in the wilderness, and had soon built a log house and barn - the first requisites of a pioneer farmer, As he was unable at first to get a living from the land, for three years he returned each winter to Chicago and worked at his old trade in meat markets, coming back to the farm in summer to continue the work of improvement. Gradually the farm became profitable and after fifteen years on it he erected a nine-room frame house and several other small buildings, and in the present year, 1917, he has built a basement barn, 30 by 42 feet in size. He has cleared forty acres of his land and has bought sixty more for his son. His cattle are high grade Holstein and Guernsey animals, and he also raises Poland-China hogs. Mr. Sindelar belongs to the Modern Woodmen and in religion is a Catholic. He and his wife have had three children: August and Charles, who are both deceased, and Otakar, who is now a mail carrier on the rural route from Columbia, and who, like his father, belongs to the Modern Woodmen. He is also town clerk of Hewett Township.

William Schilling, proprietor of Little Meadow Lark Farm, in section 12, Loyal Township, was born on a farm in Waukesha County, Wis., June 22, 1856. His parents were Albert and Augusta (Greitentraugh) Schilling, both natives of Berlin, Germany, where they were married. By occupation they were farmers. In 1851 they came with their family to the United States, being seven weeks and five days on the ocean in a sailing vessel. They had then two children - Herman and Fred. Settling in Waukesha, Wis., Albert Schilling worked out for two years and then rented a farm. After six years he removed to Jefferson County, where he bought a farm in Jefferson Township, consisting of 130 acres, which he subsequently cleared, and on which he resided until two years before his death, which took place in the same township when he was 72 years old. His wife died at the age of 68. Their children born in Wisconsin were William and two daughters, who died in infancy. The family were members of the German Lutheran Church, of which Albert Schilling was a trustee and president for three years. William Schilling was reared to manhood in Jefferson County. His educational opportunities were limited as at an early age he had to assist his father in clearing the farm. In this way, however, he got the experience that was afterwards of much value to him. At the age of 24 he started out for himself, going to Illinois, where he worked for seventeen months on a farm, returning to Jefferson County for the following winter. Then for three summers he worked for a farmer near Whitewater, Wis. In that neighborhood he worked for five or six years. He was then married, Jan, 18, 1881, to Elizabeth Prell, of Jefferson Township, Jefferson County, daughter of John and Marie (Peterman) Prell, who came as a young married couple from Germany to Wisconsin. After his marriage he and his wife located near Whitewater, about a mile and a half from the dairy farm of C. M. Clark, for whom Mr. Schilling worked for one year. Then, in 1883, he came to Loyal, Clark County. Here he bought a tract of forty acres in section 2, of which about six or seven acres were cleared. There was also a log shack and log stable on the place, in the former of which they made their home that fall. They had a yoke of cattle and two cows with which to begin farming, and from this start they forged ahead on the road to prosperity, which they attained in time. When he had cleared off the forty acres Mr. Schilling bought forty more and cleared a part of that. He also erected a frame house of five rooms to replace the one-room log shanty, and built a barn 36 by 56 feet, and a large tool shed 20 by 46 feet. He raised good graded stock for which he found a ready _ market and became numbered among the successful farmers of his township. About 1913 he sold that farm and bought forty acres in section 12, the land being all wooded. On this he began again the work of improvement, building a neat frame house and barn and on this place, known as Little Meadow Brook Farm, he has since made good progress. He is a member of the Equity Association and has at times taken part in the affairs of local government, serving on the township side board for five years and as school treasurer nine years. As a member of the German Lutheran Church he has been especially active in the cause of religion, having helped to build three churches, namely: in 1883, the log church in section 3, the church in Loyal in 1893, and the present church edifice in Loyal, which was erected in 1914. He and his wife have had three children: Hattie, wife of Max Faus, and the mother of one child, Norma: Frankie, who is depot agent at Connerce, Mont., and Albert, a farmer of Beaver Township, Clark County.

Frank M. Krejei, proprietor of a paying farm in section 33, York Township, was born in Washington County, Wis., Nov. 4, 1859, son of John and Mary (Kunesh) Krejci, who were natives of Kurope, where they were married. The parents came to the United States in the latter forties of the 19th century, accompanied by one child, Barbara. Landing in this country after a six weeks' voyage in a sailing vessel, they proceeded to Washington County, Wisconsin. John Krejci had been a farmer in Germany and he now secured a piece of improved land in Trention Township, Washington County, and began the work of improvement with an ox team. His place was located thirty-two miles from Milwaukee, then an insignificent hamlet, to which he often walked, bringing home provisions on his back, There he resided until the last ten years of his life, when he moved to Milwaukee, He had cleared and improved his farm, erecting good buildings on it and had reached a state of comparative prosperity, He died at the age of 84 years and his wife at that of 66, In addition to their daughter Barbara, they had eight children born in Washington County: Mary, Joe, Barbara, second (the first of the name having died young), Frank M., Wencil, Joe (second), Anna and Louis. Frank M. Krejci attended school in Washington County and grew to manhood on the farm. He began working independently at the age of 20 years, and after spending two years at farming, took up the carpenters' trade, at which he was occupied for three years. In 1885 he was united in marriage with Ann Schaefer, who was born in Washington County, daughter of Joe Schaefer and his wife, Mary (Chaska) Schaefer, both parents being natives of Germany. Coming to Clark County as a young married couple, Mr. Krejci and wife resided for the first winter with John Klinkee, and in the following spring moved onto their present place in section 33, York Township. It then consisted of eighty acres of wild land and there being no road, they had to cut their way in. Mr. Krejci built a log house of one room, 14 by 26 feet in dimensions, and also a log barn, and then proceeded with the arduous task of developing afarm. It was not until the next spring that he got a cow, and it was five years later when he got a yoke of steers. His first crops were grubbed in, and he often walked to Neillsville carrying home supplies on his back. His wife, accompanying him, carried eggs and butter to market, receiving six cents a pound for butter, In course of time, by his own hard labor, he got his land cleared, also building a nice brick residence of eight rooms, a barn 36 by 48 feet, and a silo of 100 tons capacity. He raises a good grade of stock and is the proprietor of a good farm which renders profitable returns for the labor invested in it. In early days Mr. Krejci himself spun wool to make yarn, his wife and daughters doing the knitting. He is a shareholder in the Granton State Bank and the packing plant at Wausau and was formerly a member of the company that operated the old cheese factory. For one year he served as a member of the township side board. He and his wife have six children: Victor, unmarried, a farmer of Fremont Township; Emma, now Mrs. Louis Hemp, of Neillsville, who has two children, Lea and Warren; Mary, wife of George Hales and the mother of two children, Roma and Marion; Thomas, Stella and Edwin, all reside at home.

Ernest Schwan, formerly a pioneer farmer of Loyal Township, but now living retired in the village of Loyal, is a well known and highly respected citizen in this part of the county. He was born in West Prussia, Feb. 10, 1846, son of Gottlieb and Anna (Kremien) Schwan, his father being a Farmer, and was one of five children - Ernest, Gottlieb, William, Carolina and August. He was educated in Germany, working on his parents' farm in his spare time, and remaining in his native land until 1869. He then came alone to the United States, locating in Cream Lake County, Wis., where he found his first employment with an Irish farmer, who hired him for $26.00 a month. After spending three days with this farmer, however, he felt dissatisfied, as he was unable to speak English and neither the farmer nor anyone in the vicinity could speak German, so he started to leave and go elsewhere, but the farmer came after him and persuaded him to remain. He stayed there three years and then went to Appleton, Wis., where he hired out as a lumbering jack, going into the woods and in the spring working on the drive. While on this latter work he took a trip on a raft from ten miles above Wausau, Wis., to St. Louis, the trip occupying four weeks, for which he received $100. On his return he settled in Hartford, Wis., and was there married, Nov. 10, 1872, to Henriette Pobanz, who was born in Pommern, Germany, June 29, 1851, her father, Carl, being a farmer. She had come to the United States with her brother, Julius. After his marriage Mr. Schwan remained in Hartford about a year, working in a hat factory. He and his wife then came to Loyal,

Clark County, and bought eighty acres of timber land in Loyal Township, section 2, of which tract about three acres were cleared. There was also a small shack standing on the place which had been erected by the previous owner, and into this he and his wife moved. They had an axe and a cow, but no funds, and he was obliged to work two years in the woods in order to live, so during that time made little progress in improving his place. After that, however, he began to improve his property and gradually developed it into a good farm, raising cattle and horses, besides the usual crops. Prosperity came in time and he was at last able to build a twelveroom brick house and a frame basement barn, measuring 40 by 72 feet, and added to his land until he owned 120 acres, In the early days like all or most of the pioneers, he had to take long walks for supplies, going to Unity, Spencer and Loyal, and returning with them on his back. On that farm he spent thirty-nine years, during which time he cleared seventy acres of his land. He was also prominent in local affairs, serving as school treasurer of Loyal township for thirty-two years and was a member of the township board two years. He also helped to build the first German Lutheran Church in that township, it being constructed of logs, In 1913 Mr. Schwan retired from farming and took up his residence in the village of Loyal, where he now makes his home. He and his wife have had seven children, of whom the following is a brief record: Ella is the wife of Adolph Grob, and resides at Pine River, Wis. She has two children - Norma and Margaret. Otto, who married Martha Luther, resides in Beaver Township, and has five children - Ernest, Harold, Adeline, Esther and Ronald. Martha is the wife of Robert Grob, of Pine River, and has two children - Harley and Dorothy. Charles was killed on the railroad in Portola, Cal. Louis resides in Chicago. Marie is now Mrs. Harry Voss, of Spokeville, Wis., and has two children - Zelma and Herbert. Esther, the seventh child, is married to W. E. Meyer . They reside at Manitowoc, Wis.

Herman H. Henning, proprietor of a well-equipped grocery store at Chili, and one who has taken an active part in the development of Fremont Township, was born at. New Holstein, Calumet County, Wis., April 26, 1870, son of John and Catherina Henning. The parents were born, reared and married in Schlesswig-Holstein, Germany, the father being a carpenter by trade. They left Germany for America with two children - John and Jacob - being sixty-nine days on the water, and on landing proceeded to Calumet County, Wis. In 1874 they came to Clark County, locating in section 27, Fremont Township, where John Henning took up eighty acres of wild land. There were no roads and he and his family were driven to the place from Marshfield, arriving Oct. 4. He had made a previous visit to the land, when, with Mr. Snow, George Waterman, Geo. Kleinschmidt and Jason Phillips, he had built a log house of one room, measuring 14 by 22 feet. The first summer they got a cow and grubbed in the first crop by hand, which when harvested, he threshed with a flail. He got ninety bushels of wheat off two acres of land, which was sewn among the stumps, and this was hauled to Marshfield on a jumper, though he often walked to and from that place. The floor for their cabin was carried home on his back. Those were the days when luxuries and superfluities were unknown and when the art of living was reduced to its lowest terms. A pound of sugar lasted the family two years, so it may be inferred that they seldom tasted it; a silver dollar lasted a similar length of time. Mrs. Henning spun wool to make clothes for the seven children, and when clothes were badly needed Mrs. Henning sometimes sat up till after midnight at the same occupation, though she was up at four o'clock in the morning to get breakfast. By the time his land was about cleared he bought forty acres more and continued the work of improvement. In 1884 he built the frame house of nine rooms that is now the family residence, and built a barn, planing the lumber himself. He made the shoes for the family and also made the bedsteads, and it was not until twenty years ago that they saw a spring bed, John Henning was also one of the organizers of Fremont Township and for many years one of its foremost citizens. He and his wife are both now living at Marshfield, the former being 76 and the latter 73 years old. Truly they did their part in the days of their youth and strength and are now enjoying a well-earned rest from their former labors. Being members of the Lutheran Church, services were often held in their log house in early days. They had eight children: John, Jacob, Herman H., August, Anna, Mary, Kate and Bertha, the last mentioned of whom is now deceased. Herman H. Henning grew to manhood on his parents' farm, his early conditions of life being such that he had no opportunity of obtaining an education, attending school only about twenty days in all. At the age of 14 he began working in the woods in winter, being employed on the farm in summer from an earlier age. He remained at home until about 1894, when he took part in establishing the village of Chili, being now the only survivor of those who took part in that work. He had at the time $15 in money, and with that small capital he started selling farm implements. The railroad had been constructed the year before, Mr .Sawyer had the post office, and Mr, Henning carried the mail from the depot across the stumped land. Mr. Henning succeeded in the implement business and continued in it until 1913, when he sold out and started the general grocery store of which he is now the proprietor. In 1915 he again entered the implement business in connection with the grocery. He also took an active part in many other enterprises that have helped to develop the town, among them, helping to establish the bank, of the examining committee of which © he is now a member, He aided in building the side-tract and schoolhouse and the Chili Co-operative Produce Company had him for one of its promoters, he being now a stockholder in the concern. Mr, Henning was married in 1900, to Cora Frazier, daughter of John Frazier, of Marshfield, Wis. He and his wife have three children: Gladys, Curtiss and Maynard, all of whom are residing at home.

Delbert Martin Winchell, a successful dairy farmer of Mayville Township, section 2, was born on his present homestead, Aug. 28, 1885, son of Albert and Martha (Ferguson) Winchell, The father was from New York State and was a veteran of the Civil War, serving four years in the light artillery, subsequently becoming a member of the G. A. R. Post at Dorchester, this county. After his honorable discharge from the army, he bought eighty acres near Bloomfield, Wis., and then later, in 1878, removed to

Mr. And Mrs. Albert Winchell Mr. And Mrs. Delbert M. Winchell

Plainfield. After remaining at the latter place two years, he came in 1880, to Mayville Township, Clark County, and homesteaded the land now constituting the farm of his son Delbert, it being then a tract of timber land of 160 acres. To this place he drove from Colby with oxen, cutting his way through the woods. He then built a log cabin and took up the arduous tasks of a pioneer farmer. In the course of time he made good progress and developed a profitable farm, building the present residence in 1885 and also erecting other buildings as they were needed. At an early date he foresaw the growth of the dairy industry and gave special attention to it, keeping Jersey cattle and shipping his cream to Ashland. He was the first farmer in the vicinity of Dorchester to buy a cream separator, this being about 1896. His religious affiliations were the Methodist Episcopal Church. Albert Winchell died Nov. 9, 1913, at the age of 77 years. His wife, who survives him, resides in Dorchester. They had ten children: Charles, now deceased; Frank, who died while serving as a soldier in the Spanish-American War; Ida, now Mrs. Al Hunt, of Dorchester; Edna, wife of Herman Will, of Little Black, Wis.; Ada, wife of Wilbur Kayhart, of Marathon County, Wis.; Joseph, residing in Mayville Township, this county ; Dwight, who lives in Indiana; Eva, Addie and Arthur, who are deceased; and Delbert M., proprietor of the home farm. Delbert M. Winchell was married April 3, 1907, to Clara Krakenberger, who was born in Dorchester, Clark County, Feb. 15, 1888, daughter of George and Caroline (Edler) Krakenberger. D. M. Winchell graduated from Dorchester grade school, class 1903. One year after his marriage Mr. Winchell left home and rented a farm in the neighborhood, which he operated for three years. He then returned to the home farm, as his father, whose health was failing, was not able to attend to the work. In 1913 he built a 60-ton silo and from time to time has made other improvements, keeping the property in good shape. He is now engaged in raising graded Guernsey cattle, milking eleven cows with the intention of gradually increasing the number, as he has done in the past. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers' Co-operative creamery at Stetsonville, Wis. He and his wife are the parents of five children, born as follows: Harold, Oct. 21, 1909; Vernetta, May 18, 1911; Eunice, Feb. 6, 1912; Nora, Feb. 18, 1915, and Donavin, born April 18, 1917. Mr. Winchell is a stockholder in the Dorchester Co-operative Mercantile Co.

Charles Herbert Hall, proprietor of a fine dairy farm in Sherman Township, though now retired from active work, was born at Ft. Atkinson, Wis., March 12, 1850, son of Samuel C. and Fidelia (Curtis) Hall. Samuel C. Hall, who was from Ashfield, Mass., was a machinist and blacksmith by trade. After coming West he located at Ft. Atkinson, from which place he later removed to Whitewater, and then, in 1869, to Columbus, Wis., where he engaged in the manufacture of wagons, taking his son, Charles H., into partnership, the latter had received a good mechanical training in Milwaukee, and had taught school for a year or two before entering the wagonmaking business. After remaining in Columbus for about ten years they came in 1879 to Spencer, in Marathon County, near the Clark County line, Charles H. coming first to look up a good location. Here they started a sawmill, which father and son carried on together until the fire of 1886 wiped out their business. Samuel C. Hall then took up his residence in Clark County, but later went to Seattle, where he died, his wife passing away in Clark County. They had four children: Charles H., Hannah, Sarah and William. In 1881 Charles H. Hall had bought 400 acres of timberland in Sherman Township, Clark County, where he erected a sawmill, cutting on an average 1,000,000 feet of timber from his own and adjacent land on contract. This business he followed for some twenty years, giving employment to a good-sized crew of men. The ruins of his old mill may yet be seen. About the year 1900, or soon after, he began clearing more land for farming purposes, and now owns 680 acres, of which 240 has been cleared. On this excellent farm he raised full-blooded Holstein and Durham cattle. He has a fine comfortable farm house, and a barn 38 by 116 feet in size. Mr. Hall has never cared much for public office, but has served as school clerk. He is a member of the Masonic Blue Lodge at Greenwood, and of the Chapter at Neillsville, also belonging to the Woodmen's Camp at Spencer. He is a man of broad and liberal views, keeping well up with the times, and is of a hospitable disposition. Mr. Hall was married Jan, 6, 1880, to Josephine Lowth, of Columbus, Wis., daughter of Matthew and Mary Lowth. She died Feb, 13, 1911, at the age of 50 years, leaving eight children: William, now of Helena, Mont., who married Minnie Miller, and has two children, Josephine and Harold; Catherine, now Mrs. Albert Hazletine, of Loyal; Roderick, who lives in Fargo, N. D.; Mercy, who is the wife of Robert Rose, of Montana, and has three children, Josephine, Margaret and Alice; Pauline, who is teaching school; Isabella, formerly a school teacher, who is living at home; Alice, now Mrs. Blaine Sworthout, resides in Bonduel, Wis., and Agnes, who is a school teacher.

Herbert W. Fradette, a progressive farmer of York Township, was born in Warner Township, in a log shanty one and a half miles west of Greenwood, Clark County, Wis., April 27, 1878, son of Augustus and Mary (Fuzee) Fradette. The parents were both born in Canada, the father April 27, 1833, the mother Jan. 23, 1846. Augustus Fradette, on coming to Warner Township, Clark County, homesteaded forty acres of wild land located in the woods, and on which there was no building. The Indians were close neighbors, and had a sugar-bush on this tract. Putting up some log buildings, he began the work of developing a farm, residing there for twenty-three years, at the end of which time he retired and moved to Greenwood. He made use of oxen up to the last few years of his active career, and worked in the woods during the winters up to the age of 60 years. His religious affiliations were with the Methodist Church. His death occurred in Greenwood, Dec. 12, 1911. By his first marriage, to Mary Hubble, he had two children, Samantha and Sarah. By his second wife, Mary, mother of the subject of this sketch, he had eight: Adelaide V., Edith V., Herbert W., Charlotte L., James H., Bessie M., Ella and Martha. The son, James, taught school for eighteen years and two, of the daughters were also teachers, Bessie for two years and Adelaide for four. All the daughters were members of the Methodist Church. The mother, Mrs. Mary Fradette, is now living with a son near Withee. Herbert W. Fradette, the direct subject of this memoir, grew to manhood on his par- ents' farm in Warner Township, in his youth attending the Greenwood school, and began his industrial career in the lumber camps. As a lover of horses, he took pleasure in driving a four or six horse team in the camps, and gave his animals excellent care. About twenty-nine years of his life were spent in the vicinity of Greenwood, during some twelve years of which he was employed in the woods. Mr. Fradette then bought forty acres of wild land near Christie, which he cleared and improved by erecting good buildings. In 1891 he came to York township and bought a tract of eighty acres in Section 33, it being a partly improved place. On this he has made extensive improvements, having among other things, built an eight-ton silo, besides clearing up the unimproved land. He has a good herd of Jersey cattle, mixed with Holstein, of his own raising, in which he takes justifiable pride, and as a farmer is doing a successful business. Mr. Fradette was married on Sept. 23, 1908, to Edna Virginia Raymond, who was born in Weston Township, Clark County, Wis., Jan. 13, 1876, being a daughter of Eben Delos and Charlotte M. (Tuttle) Raymond, On the paternal side her grandparents were Luther and Julia Ann Raymond, who brought the family to Wisconsin from New York State, locating at or in the vicinity of Waukesha. Thence two years later they removed to Fond du Lac County, securing a tract of wild land, from which Luther Raymond developed a farm. Eben Delos Raymond was born at Manlius, N. Y., July 19, 1834, and in his boyhood resided in Erie County, that state. When 9 years old he accompanied his parents to Waukesha County, Wis. At the age of 21 he was married in Fond du Lac County, Sept. 27, 1855, to Charlotte M. Tuttle. It was in the year 1870 that they removed to Clark County, locating on a tract of wild land Weston Township residing there until about 1910 or 1911. Mr. Raymond then retired and moved to Granton, where his death occurred Jan. 20, 1916. When he first came to Weston Township there was only a foot path to his land, and the Indians were plentiful in the vicinity. It was two years before he and his wife got a cow. He became a prominent citizen of his township and served as school officer. His wife, Charlotte, was born in Euclid, Ohio, Feb, 10, 1836, and at the age of three years removed with her parents to Licking County, Ohio. She was 18 when the family moved to Fond du Lac County. She now resides with the subject of this sketch, Mr. Fradette. For many years she has been a faithful member of the Methodist Church, as was also her husband. Her parents were Vanransaler and Clarissa (Crozier) Tuttle. Mrs. Edna Fradette, like her mother, is a member of the Methodist Church, which she has served as deaconess and as a teacher in the Sunday school. She was graduated from the Christi school, also attending school at Neillsville, and was a teacher for four years in Weston Township and Hewitsville, Clark County. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Fradette are: Clare Wesley, born June 15, 1909; Carol Idele, born Aug. 14, 1911; Herbert Raymond, born June 6, 1913, and June Rose, born June 15, 1916. All were christened in the Methodist Church.

Daniel Ernest Gluch, who died in Grant Township, Nov. 14, 1913, was an early settler in the township, coming here in 1871, and was a man who, through industry and thrift, had fought his way upward from poverty to a condition of comfortable prosperity, and a prominent place in the community in which he lived. He was born in Slassen, Germany, Nov. 3, 1848, son of Johann and Susana (Hyder) Gluch, whose other children were Gotlieb, Henry, John and Rosena. The parents were farmers who lived and died in their native land. Daniel E. Gluch was the only member of the family to emigrate to the United States. He was brought up on the farm and was a young man when in 1871 he appeared in Grant Township, this county, and took up his residence at the house of Carl Worchel. The lumbering industry was then flourishing, and there were always opportunities for strong young men to go into the woods logging. To this work he applied himself, and was thus occupied for nine years. On Noy. 28, 1872, the year after his arrival in Clark County, he assumed domestic responsibilities, being united in marriage with Mary Pischer. She was born in Germany, Oct. 1, 1851, daughter of Gotlieb and Marie (Gluch) Pischer. She was one of a family of seven children - Henry, Gotlieb, William, Christina, Daniel, Mary and Johann. All of these children came in 1871 to the United States States, leaving the parents in Germany, The latter came later to this country, but afterwards returned to Germany, where they died. The children, on their arrival here went to the home of an uncle, Johann Gluch, who lived in Grant Township. Daniel E. Gluch and wife, after their marriage, resided for two years at the home of Ferdinand Johnson. At the end of that time Mr. Gluch secured 140 acres of land in Section 9, Grant Township. It was covered with pine stumps, wood and brush, and there was no road in the vicinity. One of his first acts was to build a log house, 24 by 18 feet in size, and containing two rooms. He possessed a hoe and an axe, and he taking one and his wife the other, they worked together in the clearing of their place. After a while he got two oxen, but it was not until the fourth year of their residence on the place that they got a cow, the event being a red-letter day in their lives. In the same year also they got eight chickens, so had now made a fair start on the road to prosperity. It was hard work, however, and they often had to carry home flour and feed on their backs from Neillsville. To that village also Mrs. Gluch used to take her butter and eggs, with raspberries she had picked, walking all the way through the woods, and when she got to market receiving only 8 cents a pound for her butter, 10 cents a dozen for eggs and 10 cents a quart for raspberries. But conditions improved with the lapse of time. Mr. Gluch got his farm cleared and put up good buildings on it, including a modern house of ten rooms; a barn 60 by 40 feet, to take the place of the original log barn, and a silo 36 by 16 feet. He raised good stock, besides the usual crops, and at one time was the owner of the cheese factory, known as the Star cheese factory. He also became a considerable land owner, buying in all five tracts of eighty acres each, so that he was able to give each of his sons a good start in life. A German Lutheran in religion, he aided in establishing and supporting the Pischer church. Daniel E, Gluch and wife had eight children: August, a resident of Neillsville; Christine, wife of Henry Garbusch; Daniel, who resides on a farm in Grant Township; Amelia, now Mrs, Robert Garbusch; Herman, of Grant Township; Ida, wife of Archie Howard, of Neillsville; John, who lives on the home place, and Alwin, who died when eight days old. John Gluch, mentioned above, was born on his parents' farm, March 24, 1891, and took over the farm in 1915, which he is now operating successfully. He was married Dec. 25, 1914, to Lillie Garbusch, who was born in Grant. Township, daughter of David and Emelia Garbusch. He and his wife have one child, Lelia, who was born Jan, 1, 1916.

George Henry Hintz, the first and present chairman of the Hendren Township Board, and a successful dairy farmer of this township, was born in Stephenson County, Ill., Oct. 22, 1880, his parents being Frederick Charles and Augusta (Kapine) Hintz, The latter were natives of Germany, who came to this country in a sailing vessel, accompanied by three children, two daughters and a son, and on arriving here settled in Illinois on a farm. George Henry Hintz was educated in the district school, and at the age of 22 years, Sept. 22, 1902, married Mary Clair, a native of Illinois, who was born April 6, 1881. He then rented a farm for three years, after which he came to Clark County in search of a home. In 1909 he took up 160 acres of wild land at Willard, in Sections 15 and 16, Hendren Township, there being then no road in the vicinity, and, having built a shanty, 14 by 28 feet, moved into it with his wife and two children, Paul and Ralph. When he began to improve the place he had two horses, three cows and a calf, eleven head of sheep and one hog, besides a plow and wagon, and he soon built a frame barn 24 by 36 feet. He has now seventy acres cleared, his sheep helping in this work by browsing off the second growth. Mr. Hintz has also a fine two-story house, 24 by 26 feet, a basement barn with cement floor and swing stanchions, 40 by 86 feet in size, with room for twenty-five head of cattle, and a silo 14 by 28 feet. He raises thoroughbred Shorthorns. He helped to start the Willard cheese factory in July, 1914, and was its first vice president. This factory, which started with forty patrons, now has eightythree, and averages 11,000 pounds of milk a day. After serving as vice president for two years, Mr. Hintz became its manager, and one of its board of directors, on Feb, 3, 1917, becoming its president. He also helped to establish his school district and served on its board, and is, as already mentioned, chairman of the township board. He has always been an earnest advocate of good roads, and has helped to get them in Hendren Township. His religious affiliations are with the Dunkard, or Brethren Church. He and his wife are the parents of six children; four born in Clark County: Roland, Boyd, Katherine and Bernice, besides the two already mentioned born in Stephenson County, Il.

George W. Trogner, a well-known resident of Neillsville, of which place he is one of the most useful and respected citizens, was born in the state of New York, Aug. 13, 1846. His parents, Joseph and Elizabeth Trogner, were of German ancestry, but were born in America, the parents of both having been born in Germany. Joseph Trogner, who was a farmer, settled in Wisconsin in 1848, taking a homestead in Green County. The subject of this sketch was a young man of 18 years, or thereabouts, when, in 1864, he enlisted for service in the Civil War, becoming a member of Company H, 38th Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers. The regiment joined the Army of the Potomac before Petersburg, and took part in the opera- tions which resulted in the capture of the Weldon Railroad, in the action at Poplar Grove Church, and various skirmishes, until the close of the war, being mustered out at Madison in 1865. He then went into the woods and engaged in logging, but soon came to Neillsville to work in the mill of Hewett & Woods, two years later being placed in charge of the mill. Being a carpenter by trade, he helped to build many of the early residences in Neillsville, and was thus occupied for three years. He then built the first wagon shop in the village, and made the first wagon and the first buggy ever manufactured in Clark County. Later, Mr. Trogner entered into carpenter work as a contractor, and also did general contracting. He built the First National Bank Building, the North Side School Building, the Clark County Bank Building, and the furniture factory. He also superintended the construction of the Library Building, and the Neillsville Bank Building, and erected many fine residences, including his own dwelling, which is finished inside with walnut and red birch; also Banker Cornelius' residence. For fourteen years Mr. Trogner owned and operated the Neillsville Planing Mill, which was then a saw and planing mill and shingle mill. While thus occupied he built a substantial wood-working and carpenter shop, without a doubt the finest in the Northwest. As an expert cabinetmaker and mechanic he has gained a wide reputation. He has a very large and complete set of tools, each the best of its kind, and his work benches are models of convenience and construction. His supply of nails and screws would do credit to a large hardware store, and there is probably no man in Clark County who knows better how to use the various implements and accessories with which he has surrounded himself. In the rear end of his shop he has a fine planing machine, and a universal machine for doing all kinds of fine work. The machinery being propelled by an 8-horse power gasoline engine. Mr. Trogner has traveled as far West as Portland, Ore., where he followed his trade for a time. In Neillsville he has served eight years as alderman, assisting to pass whatever measures were enacted for the general good of the community. He is a member of the local G. A. R. post, and is the oldest member of Lodge No. 198, I. O. O. F., of Neillsville, joining it forty-three years ago. He has also been through the Grand Lodge, No. 44, of Pine Valley, and is a member of the Grand Encampment, having been through that also. Mr. Trogner was first married to Sarah Smith of Black River Falls, daughter of Fred Smith, a pioneer of that region, She died, leaving four children: Charles, now residing in Washington, D. C., who is the second largest printer of the United States today; being next to the highest man in the Government Building office; George and Minnie, who are deceased, and Kate, wife of William Kavolts, of Marion, Ohio. Mr. Trogner married for his second wife Mrs. Sarah Perry, the widow of Edward F. Perry, and who, by her first husband, had one child, Maude, now Mrs. 8. M. Crandall of Portland Ore. Of Mr. Trogner's second marriage one child has been born, Walter J., who is now a prominent attorney, residing in Minneapolis, with offices at 805 and 807 Palace Building.

George and Mary (Schweiger) Spangler. The parents, who were natives of Germany, were married in Milwaukee in 1846, immediately, or soon after landing in this country from a sailing vessel which took ninety-three days to make the trip from Europe to America, George Spangler was a mason by trade, and after his marriage he and his wife resided for some years in Milwaukee, There he bought a piece of land that afterwards rose to a high valuation with the growth of the city. Selling this land he removed to Jefferson County, where, before his death, he cleared up two farms. He was a member of the Catholic Church. He and his wife had nine children, of whom eight grew to maturity and six are now living. Their names were, respectively, Kate, Michael, George, John, Annie, Mary, Joe, Walberger and Casper. Joseph Spangler acquired his education in the log schoolhouse of his district and in the parochial school. At the age of 17 he struck out for himself, first going to Waukesha, and afterwards to Monroe County, Wis., coming to Clark County when he was 18 years old, about 1879. Here he worked in lumber camps and for the farmers. A year later he bought a tract of land in Section 5, York Township, it being located in the woods and away from any road, so that he had to cut his way in. At the age of 22 years he located on the place and lived there subsequently as a bachelor for nine years. At first he resided in a frame shanty and worked at clearing his farm without the aid of implements, or stock. It was two years before he got a horse team, later securing an ox team, and it was five years from the time he started before he had a cow, He bought a new wagon after he had been there three years, and he often walked to and from the market, carrying stuff on his back. About 1893 Mr. Spangler was married to Rosa Pompo, who was born on a farm at Russville, Trempealeau County, Wis., Sept. 4, 1877. His subsequent career has been one of steady progress, and he now has a good brick house of seven rooms; a basement barn, 36 by 80 feet, built in 1903, and a stone silo, 14 by 26 feet. He has increased the size of his farm from 80 to 200 acres, and raises graded Holstein cattle and a good grade of horses. He also grows quite a considerable quantity of fruit. All this progress has been the result of hard work, continued over many years, but he is now reaping the reward of his industry. He and his wife have seven children: Tony, Lenora, Joe, Paulina, Phillip, Frank and Anna.

Ernest Grottke, a progressive farmer of Section 7, Grant Township, was born in Schlassing, Germany, Jan, 8, 1872, son of Carl Gotlieb and Anna Rosa (Pauel) Grottke. He was educated in Germany, and had little chance for attending school after he came to this country with his parents' family in 1886. He was then about 15 years old, and soon after he began working out for farmers and was thus occupied until he located for himself on eighty acres of land in Section 7. This was stumpy land with no buildings on it. At the time he settled on it he had just married Anna Scharff, the date of their marriage being - , 18 - . Mr. Grottke put up the frame of a house and by the year 1900 had a handsome nine-room brick house completed. Later, he built a good barn, 40 by 52 feet, and a machine shed, and silo 13 by 34. He now owns 160 acres of well tilled land, and raises Holstein cattle and other good stock. Like his father, he is a member of the

German Lutheran Church. He and his wife have had eight children: Elma, Walter, Ida, William and Edward (twins), Bernhardt, Herb and Arnold, of whom Edward is now deceased.

Carl Gotlieb Grottke, a prosperous farmer of Grant Township, who has achieved prosperity wholly as the result of his own exertions, having begun farming in this township as a pioneer, without money or any other resources, except good health, a strong physique and a courageous spirit, was born in Selassing, Province of Breslow, town of Schottay, Germany, Aug. 5, 1844, son of Carl and Susana (Korsege) Grottke. His parents, who were farmers, lived and died in Germany. They had seven children: Lena, Donthea, Carlina, Carl, William, Ernest and Rosa, of whom Carl, Carlina and Lena came to the United States, the others remaining in Germany. Carlina is now the widow of Carl Ratch, of Grant Township; Lena is the wife of a Mr. Ginther, of Lynn Township, Clark County. Carl G. Grottke attended school in Germany and grew up on his parents' farm. On Feb. 28, 1866, he was married in that country to Anna Rose Pauel, who was born in Schlassing, Germany, Jan. 8, 1848. Her father was Paul Pauel, who was born in Russia, where he served in the army, but subsequently went to Germany, where he also was a soldier, and where he made his home until his death at the age of 48 years, April 9, 1849. He and his wife had five children: Carlina, Susana, Helena Carl and Anna Rosa, the last mentioned being the only one of the family to come to the United States, and being now the only survivor. In 1885 Carl G. Grottke came alone to the United States to investigate conditions in the Northwest with the view to bringing his family here for permanent settlement. He was not accompanied by his family, as he found it necessary first to earn money to pay for their passage, and could do so quicker in this country than in Germany. As soon as possible he sent them the money and a little later his wife arrived here with their three children - Ernest, Paulina and Gustave. Of the two latter, Paulina is now a resident of New Lisbon, Wis., and Gustave is deceased, The family first located in Lynn Township, but soon removed to Grant Township, where Mr. Grottke rented a farm, which he operated for two years, and at the end of that time found himself with $25 in cash. Although not yet a capitalist, he now purchased a tract of 120 acres, the price being $775. The place was covered with stumps, stones, brush and logs, having been the site of a logging camp, and there was a logging shanty on the land, which he and his family immediately appropriated for a residence. After living in it a while it burned down and Mr. Grottke replaced it by a frame dwelling. The latter, however, was destroyed by a tornado, and then Mr. Grottke built a cement-block house, which so far has defied the elemtns and now constitutes the family residence. When he started to clear the farm he had nothing but his hands for tools, but borrowed a team from one of his neighbors. He and his wife also had two cows and twentyfive chickens. In the summer time they picked berries, which they carried to Neillsville and sold for 7 or 8 cents a quart, and the money was always well earned. Both Mr. and Mrs, Grottke worked in the fields during the earlier days, but later they got a team of horses and Mr. Grottke attended to the outside work, while his wife presided over the household. They were German Lutherans in religious faith, and he had served on the board of his church in Germany. After coming here he filled a similar position in the church in Lynn Township, and later in the Granton Church. Since those early days he and his family have advanced in prosperity, and in the regard and estimation of their neighbors. Their success has been well deserved, and their farm is now highly improved, with good buildings. Of their children, two have been mentioned already, and a sketch of their son Ernest will be herein given,

Charles C. Sniteman, proprietor of the Mammoth Silver Front Store in Neillsville, the largest drug store in Clark County, carrying a full and complete supply of drugs and sundries, including stationary, wall paper, periodicals, etc., was born in New York State Sept. 17, 1851. His father died when he was young and from his early youth he has been dependent upon his own resources. His school days were passed at Peoria, Ill., and largely before the days of free schools, but he continued for a while after the introduction of the free education laws. When it became time for him to choose a vocation in life, he decided upon pharmacy,and after the usual course of study was graduated in 1871 from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. He then located in Peoria, Ill., for the practice of his profession, and remained there for some seven or eight years. On Jan. 15, 1879, he came to Neillsville, Wis., to manage the store of Henry Myers, and also to seek health among the pine woods of Clark County, the latter, indeed, being the chief reason for his coming here. In a short time he bought out the interest of Henry Myers, forming a partnership with Isaiah Myers, a brother of Henry. A year later he bought out this partner also, and has continued here as sole proprietor of the business, having occupied the same location since 1879, a period of thirty-eight years. The business, however, was incorporated in 1891, under the state laws, and is known as the C. C. Sniteman Company. As a business man, Mr. Sniteman has been highly successful and through honesty and enterprise has gained a wide patronage, some of his patrons having traded with him for many years. He has never sought or held political office. For many years he has been a member of the Masonic order, which he joined at Peoria, Ill., when 21 years old, and being now a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery. He also belongs to the Odd Fellows' Lodge at Neillsville, and is a member of the Business Club. Formerly he was secretary and director of the Neillsville Furniture Company and treasurer of the old Lighting Company that went out of business. At the present time, aside from his drug business, he is treasurer of the Neillsville Opera House and contributed largely to its construction and financing. Mr. Sniteman was at one time a member of the state militia of Illinois, and later, after coming to this state, served fifteen years on the staff of the colonel of the Third Regiment, Wisconsin National Guard, as hospital steward, serving on the non-commissioned staff. At the breaking out of the Spanish-American War he reported as ready for duty, but was rejected on account of rheumatism. He stands high in Neillsville as a successful business man and a loyal citizen.

of Adam and Mary (Mercle) Kauth. He is a grandson of Phillip Kauth, a native of Germany, who came when a single man to the United States, landing in this country after a voyage of sixty days in a sailing vessel. Phillip settled in Washington County, Wis., where he married Catherine, also a native of Germany, who came to this country on a vessel that took ninety-six days to make the trip. They settled in the woods and in time carved out a home from the wilderness, not, however, without much labor and suffering many hardships in the earlier days. Their children were: Philip, Adam, Catherine, Ragina and Elizabeth. Philip Kauth took place among the prominent citizens of the locality, helping to organize the township and also to start St. Bonifice Catholic Church, of which he and his family were members. His son Adam, was born in Washington County, where he always lived, though neither he nor his wife reached old age, Adam dying when 49 years old, and his wife at the age of 46. Their children were: John, of Washburn Township, and Peter and Andrew, the last named is dead, having been accidentally shot while hunting. Peter resides at Lake Mills, Wis. John P. Kauth acquired his education in the district school and in the parochial school of the St. Mathias Church. As soon as he was old enough he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed in Milwaukee for twelve years. He then took a farm in Washington Township, which he operated for awhile, but which he sold in 1903, coming to Clark County. Here he bought a tract of eighty acres in section 14, Washburn Township, the same which constitutes his present farm. Twenty acres of the land were cleared and there were log buildings on the place. He had one horse and a light buggy and about half a dozen chickens, with a rooster, and later he got acow. At first Mr. Kauth had great trouble with the soil, which seemed unproductive, being composed almost entirely of quack grass sod. His first crops amounted to nothing, being so poor that he did not take the trouble to harvest them; but, by raising cows and using the fertilizer thus obtained he finally made it produce, and can now raise more hay from one acre than he then could from four. He has increased the size of his farm to 160 acres and now milks twenty-five cows. One of the adjuncts of his farm is a nice orchard of fruit trees and he also has a fine apiary of Italian bees, as well as a beautiful flower garden. His cattle are of the Holstein breed and he also raises a good grade of Belgian and Percheron horses. A good modern house, which he erected, burned, leaving him and his family with no personal possessions but the clothes on their backs, but though this was a severe loss, he started again, building another house, which is well furnished. He has also erected a barn, with cement floor basement, 36 by 80 feet, and a silo of 100 tons capacity, 14 by 30 feet in size. Mr. Kauth is a member of the Farmers' Co-operative Elevator and Lumber Company of Neillsville, also of the Shortville Creamery, serving five years as its director. He has also served two years as supervisor and nine years as a member of the school board. His fraternal affiliations are with the Odd Fellows of Neillsville and the Mystic workers. Mr. Kauth was married Noy. 27, 1894, to Anna Lahr, daughter of Nicholas and Elizabeth (Pineon) Lahr, of Washington County, Wis. ~ Her parents are now deceased, Nicholas Lahr dying at the age of 65 years, and his wife at that of 84. Mr. and Mrs. Kauth are the parents of four children; Herbert, Helen, Lena and Norbert. Lena married Ordie Marshall, and resides in section 16, Washburn Township. The others are living at home. Mr. and Mrs. Kauth and their son Herbert, are all members of the Mystic Workers of the World.

Michael Grasser, a prosperous farmer of section 2, Grant Township, was born near Salzburg, Germany, Sépt. 26, 1849. The father, Joseph Grasser, was a farmer in Germany; the maiden name of his wife, mother of Michael, was Catrina Halter. Both of them died in their native land. Michael Grasser served in the French army in the War of 1870, between France and Germany, and was captured at Salzburg, but escaped at dusk, while on the march with other prisoners, being forced to swim the river three times that night to elude pursuers. In 1871 he came to the United States, locating first in Chicago, where he arrived with one dollar, which the drayman took for hauling him to a friend's house. He had a brother, Louie, in Sheboygan County, Wis., who had come to America ten years before, and on communicating with him, Louie sent him ten dollars and he went to his brother's farm, where he stayed two months. This brother, after living twelve years in Sheboygan County, went back to Germany, where he is now conducting a butcher's shop. After leaving Louie's farm, Michael Grasser went to Hayden, Calumet County, Wis., where he learned the blacksmith's trade, remaining there three years. His next move was to Potterstown, Wis., and there he worked in a blacksmith's shop for five years. In 1878 he came to Clark County, locating at Mapleworks, which was about half a mile southeast of where Granton now stands. There he conducted a blacksmith shop for thirteen years, during which time he formed a wide acquaintance. He had purchased in 1882 the farm of which he is now the owner, consisting of forty acres of land, of which ten acres had been cleared, and in 1891 he moved onto it. The advent of the railroad caused the abandonment of Mapleworks, the residents and merchants moving to what is now the village of Granton, and Mr. Grasser about the same time moved his house and barn to his farm, which was only half a mile west. Here he has since been engaged in general farming with profitable results. He served on the township board for a number of years and is numbered among the reliable and substantial citizens of the township. Mr. Grasser was united in marriage, Nov. 7, 1876, to Mary Browneacker, at Potterstown, Wis. Her parents were Florin and Mary Browneacker, the father being a farmer of Calumet County, Wis., the other children in the family being Stephen, Annette and Elizabeth. The daughter Mary was born in Austria-Hungary, Oct. 28, 1851, and came to this country with her family in 1856, the vessel being three months on the ocean. Mr. and Mrs. Grasser have been the parents of five children: Stephen, who went to Alaska and from whom no news has been received since 1904; Louie, who is an electrician, living in Seattle; Mary, who lives in Minneapolis, and travels for the Robert Sfraus millinery concern; Mollie, who is a trained nurse, and travels from coast to coast, and Alma, now Mrs. John Harien of Glendive, Mont. Although Mr. Grasser never went to school he

Herman Braatz, one of the most progressive young farmers of Clark County, who by hard work and perseverance has developed from the forest a fine and productive farm, was born on the homestead of his parents, Richard and Amelia (Scholz) Braatz, in Grant Township, Mar. 2, 1881. Herman's schooling was somewhat 'irregular, as he had to help his father in clearing the latter's farm, but during the winter time he usually worked in the lumber woods, being thus occupied for a number of years. He was united in marriage, June 26, 1907, to Nellie Ruege, a native of Grant Township and daughter of William Ruege. He had already begun to improve a tract of eighty acres in section 27, Grant Township, on which he built an eight-room brick veneer house, in which he and his wife took up their residence. Later he built a good barn, 36 by 68 feet, with basement, cement floors and patent stanchions; also a silo, 36 by 12 feet, and a toolshed with cement floor, 24 by 56 feet in size, with a hog building and other necessary structures. There was a grove of maple trees on his farm, which he has saved for the production of maple sugar. He also has an orchard of Dutchess apples and other fine varieties of fruit. He raises Durham cattle and graded Percheron horses successfully, finding a ready market for his stock, while his tilled land is fruitful and grows bountiful crops. Mr. Braatz is a member of the Farmers' Co-operative Elevator and Lumber Company, of Neillsville, a stockholder in the Wausau Packing Plant and a patron of the cheese factory. He held the office of supervisor for 1910, and since 1911 has been manager of Lynn Telephone Co. A German Lutheran in religious faith, he is serving as trustee of his church. He and his wife are the parents of four children: Esther, Erwin, Victor and Donald.

Richard F, Braatz, who is successfully engaged in the pursuit of agriculture on a farm in section 22, Grant Township, was born in Prussia, Germany, May 17, 1841, son of Michael and Wilhelmina (Baker) Braatz. The father was a wagonmaker, who emigrated to the United States in 1849, accompanied by his wife and six sons, Louie (now deceased), Henry, Richard, William (of West Bend), Emil, and Anton, the last mentioned now residing on the homestead in Washington County, Wis. The voyage across the Atlantic occupied eleven weeks and three days, being made in a slow sailing vessel. On landing Michael Braatz and his family made their way to Milwaukee and resided at a point near there for about two weeks. He then bought forty acres of land, thirty miles from the site of that now flourishing city, but which then was mostly a swamp with a few scattered houses in the vicinity, and on his tract built a log house, into which he and his family moved. Starting with nothing but his hands to work with, he made at first slow progress, and had to walk to Milwaukee for his supplies; but in course of time he developed a good farm, erecting on it a substantial brick residence, with other buildings. There he died many years afterwards at the age of 84, his wife passing away at the age of 78 years. They were members of the German Lutheran Church. Richard F, Braatz was eight years old when he accompanied his parents to America. He had attended school two years in Germany, but afterwards had no further chance to improve his education except by occasional attendance at evening school. Brought up on his parents' farm he learned the science of agriculture as then practiced and was familiar with pioneer conditions as his father's assistant for years before he started in for himself. When he did so start he bought 160 acres in section 22, Grant Township, this being in 1866, when he was 25 years old, and still single. He had served three years and ten days as a soldier in the Civil War, having enlisted in 1861, in the Second Battalion of Wisconsin Light Artillery. His battery had been stationed successively at Fortress Monroe, Hughes Pine, Yorktown and around Richmond. He had escaped wounds or captivity and was in good physical condition. Building a log shanty on his land, it standing about fifteen rods west of the present house, he began the arduous labor of improving and developing a farm. For some time he remained a bachelor, but in 1873 he changed his condition, being united in marriage with Amelia Scholz, who was born in the vicinity of Milwaukee. She died when about 40 years old, having borne him five children: Clara, now living on the homestead; Almina, wife of William Kurton; Henry, of Grant Township; Herman, also residing in Grant Township, and Carl, now living on the homestead. As the sons grew up they assisted their father in clearing the farm and in making the improvements on it, and in time they received their reward, as he accumulated some 320 acres of land, of which they got a share. Among the buildings erected on his place by Mr. Braatz were a good substantial house of ten rooms; three barns, two of them 62 by 30 feet in size, and one 30 by 40 feet, and a silo 14 by 40 feet. In early days he often walked to Neillsville after supper, carrying butter and eggs to market, for which, prices being then very low, he received only a few cents, the stores then paying about eight or ten cents a pound for butter and about ten cents a dozen for eggs. Since those times Mr, Braatz has seen great changes, mostly for the better, so far as the farmers are concerned; but the road from poverty to prosperity was long and tedious. He now has a fine and flourishing farm, raising, besides the usual crops, a good grade of Durham cattle and horses. At one time he also raised sheep. In addition to his farming interests, he is a stockholder in the Pleasant Ridge Cheese Factory, in the Farmers' Co-operative Elevator and Lumber Co. of Neillsville, and in the First National Bank of Neillsville. Mr. Braatz - married for his second wife, Christiana Riedel, April 24, 1892, daughter of John Riedel, a pioneer of Clark County. She was born in Germany, Dec. 5, 1849.

Herbert Owen Huckstead, one of the leading farmers and stockmen of Grant Township, was born in the county of Kent, England, May 4, 1865, son of Henry and Elizabeth (Holland) Huckstead. His parents were farming people there and had four children: Elizabeth, who married Walter Hills (now deceased), of Des Moines, lowa; Mercy, now Mrs. Allen Coffin, of Des Moines; Herbert, of Grant Township, Clark County, and Kate, who is the wife of F. W. Mowe, of Pella, lowa. In 1862 Henry Huckstead left England with his family for the United States, making the voyage of fourteen days on a steamer. Heading for Clark County, Wis., they made the latter part of their journey, from Black River to Grant Township, by stage, and located on twenty acres of wild land in section 20. Here Mr. Huckstead built a frame house and began the development of a farm, using an ox team, In 1885 he sold out and went to Iowa, locating on a farm in Humboldt County and there his wife died in 1905, at the age of 76 years. Subsequently he returned to Clark County, where he spent the rest of his life, dying in 1915, at the age of 82. They were faithful members of the Methodist Church. Herbert O. Huckstead was educated in a district school in Grant Township, but his studies were not long continued, as he had to begin industrial life at an early age. For awhile he worked in the lumber camps, and then struck out as a farmer in Humboldt County, Iowa, raising Durham cattle. In 1905 he returned to Clark County, and on Noy. 29, that year, he was married to Hattie Reed, daughter of the pioneer, Thomas Reed. He first rented the Thomas Reed farm of 120 acres, and later purchased it, Since locating on the farm he has made some good improvements on it, building a barn 40 by 60 feet, and a silo 14 by 35 feet, besides other necessary buildings. He raises pure-bred Holstein cattle and aside from his direct farming interests is a member of the Farmers' Co-operative Elevator and Lumber Company of Neillsville, which he helped to organize. He also aided in the organization of the Farmers' Co-operative Creamery, which he has served as secretary for twenty-five years, and has been a member of the school board. His religious affiliations are with the Methodist Church, and he belongs also to the lodge and encampment of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mrs. Huckstead is a member of the Ladies' Aid Society of Pleasant Ridge, Grant Township. Their family includes three children, Harold, Dorothy and Ruth.

Sims Edward Blackman, an early settler of Grant Township, now passed away, but who, during his career of over thirty years in this county was a man held in high esteem, was born in the county of Kent, England, Mar. 27, 1848. His parents were Sims and Charlotte (Waterman) Blackman, also natives of England, who were married in Kent and passed their lives there as farmers. They had eleven children - Ann, Charlotte, Fannie, Hattie, Mary, Carrie, Jane, Sims E., Edward, James and John. Sims RE. Blackman attended school in England and there learned the mason's trade. At the age of 22 years he came to the United States, and a year later located in Clark County, Wis., being the only son of the family to settle in the West. Here he worked at his trade of a mason, building the court house and jail at Neillsville, the Neillsville Bank, the Presbyterian and Methodist churches, and various brick and stone residences or business blocks. In 1875 or about forty-three years ago, he bought a tract of land in section 24, Grant Township. Some clearing had been done on the land and there was a log house on the place. Mr. Blackman continued to work at his trade, paying others to make the improvements of his farm until it was all cleared. He, himself, however, not only made the brick, but built the handsome solid brick residence now standing on the farm. He also erected a basement barn, 38 by 54 feet in size, and by a purchase of sixty more acres of land he increased the size of his farm to 100 acres. He also became a stockholder in the Pleasant Ridge Creamery. For sixteen years he served as a member of the school board. An earnest member of the

Mr. And Mrs. Robert Howard Mr. And Mrs. Sims Eh. Blackman

Methodist Church, he served as its steward and as Sunday school superintendent, and in early days, before the erection of the church edifice, services were often held in his log house. His death, which occurred July 8, 1900, when he was 54 years old, was an event regretted throughout the township and vicinity, as his sterling character had made him many friends. Sims E. Blackman was married, Dec. 3, 1878, at the home of his bride's father, to Mary Howard, who was born April 21, 1856, in the one room log house of her parents, Robert and Rachel (Pope) Howard, of Grant Township. Her father was a native of Cambridge, England, his father, also named Robert, being a farmer. Robert Howard, second, came to the United States at an early age, and was later married in Chicago, Ill. In 1855 he and his wife Rachel, drove with an ox team from Elgin, Il, to Clark County, Wis., and after arriving in the county had to cut a road from Neillsville to their land in Grant Township, which was covered with timber. He and his wife often rode to church on a "jumper." They had five children: Mary, John, George, Leonard and Rachel. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Blackman, all of whom are living, are as follows: Ralph, who lives on the family homestead; Charlotte, wife of Albert Duge, of Bunker Hill, Indiana; Evelyn, who married Milo Woodford, of Stewart, Wyo.; Elgie R., residing on the homestead; Sadie, wife of Gus Rudeen, of Pine Bluff, Wyo., and Clifford, who, like his brothers, lives on the homestead.

Otto Albert Hantke, a respected resident of Grant Township, engaged in operating the old Hantke farm, was born on that part of the farm which lies in section 27, and which was the homestead of his parents, Ernest and Amelia (Thrum) Hantke. Ernest Hantke was born in Germany, Aug. 12, 1840, and came to the United States with neighbors when only about 12 years old, the voyage lasting twelve weeks. He attended school in Milwaukee and was subsequently married in that city to Amelia Thrum, who was born in West Prussia, Germany, Oct. 27, 1845, daughter of Henry and Lenora Thrum, who were farming people. Her father died in Germany and his widow subsequently married August Schaldach. Coming to this country, they settled first in Milwaukee, but a short time after moved to La Crosse. The children of Henry and Lenora Thrum were Lena, Gotlieb, Minnie, Amelia, Tina and Ferdinand. The children by Mrs. Thrum's marriage with August Schaldach were William and Fred, born in Germany, and Carl and Herman, who were born in Wisconsin. The parents spent the rest of their lives as farmers in La Crosse County, Ernest Hantke and wife also moved to La Crosse and resided there for awhile, coming to Clark County in 1863, with three children - Liza, Louis and Paulina. This journey they made by train to Black River Falls and then drove with their own team of oxen to Neillsville. They settled on 120 acres in Grant Township, moving into the log shanty which stood on the place. Besides their ox team they had two cows and half a dozen chickens. Within a few years Mr. Hantke had erected a new and more commodious log house. His wife spun wool and knit socks and mittens, while he worked in the woods two winters in order to get a little money in hand. They often drove in their ox team, or walked, to the Fischer German Lutheran Church, and Mrs. Hantke sometimes walked to Neillsville, a basket on each arm to sell farm produce. She received only 10 cents a pound for butter and the same price for a dozen eggs - a big contrast with the prices that prevail at the present day. Ernest Hantke died on that farm at the age of 50 years, after making good progress in its development. He was a worthy and respected citizen and served both on the school board and on the board of his church, of which he was a leading member and strong supporter. His widow is still living. Their children were: Elizabeth, Ida (deceased), Louis, Pauline, Otto, August (deceased), Ernest (deceased), Anna, Minnie and Oscar, Otto A. Hantke was educated in the old McPherson district school in Grant Township and grew to manhood on his parents' farm, where he acquired a competent knowledge of agriculture in assisting his father. When a young man he also spent two winters in the woods. In time he came into possession of the homestead, which was then a tract of 120 acres, but to which he has since added an improved tract of eighty acres, lying across the road in sections 28 and 33. He is carrying on general farming successfully, raising a good grade of stock and has served as supervisor of the township and as a member of the school board. Mr. Hantke was first married to Mary Lazotta, daughter of Mathias Lazotta, a pioneer settler in Grant Township. She died at the age of 32, leaving four children: Leo, Reuben, Anthony and Lillian. Mr. Hantke married for his second wife, Mrs. Otellia Jacobt, daughter of Joseph Jacobt, and widow of Gustaf Wolf, Of this second marriage no children have been born. By her former marriage Mrs. Hantke had one child, Elsie.

Earl Casper Wood, a well-known and respected resident of Pine Valley Township, engaged in the pursuit of agriculture, was born on his present homestead in section 18, Dec. 1, 1889. The homestead, and the house in which he was born, were formerly the property of his grandfather, Alonzo Wood, afterwards coming into possession of our subject's father, David Wood. Earl Casper's education was obtained in the district school and the high school at Neillsville. Growing to manhood on the home farm, he acquired a knowledge of agriculture and then engaged in the lumber business as a logging contractor. After being thus occupied for about one year, Mr. Wood turned his attention to farming, taking up that occupation on the old homestead in Pine Valley, which has a most picturesque location, overlooking the valley and the surrounding hills, and commanding an extensive and beautiful view. He raises good stock and as a farmer has been successful. Mr. Wood married, Dec. 5, 1914, Glen Woodcock, who was born in Sheboygan County, Wis., Feb. 14, 1896, a daughter of Earl and Jennie (Flemming) Woodcock, who located some ten years ago in Clark County, and now resides in section 9, Pine Valley Township. Mr. and Mrs. Wood are the parents of two children: Ruth and Dorothy.

Carl C. Berg, proprietor of a profitable farm in section 31, Fremont Township, was born in Solor, Norway, April 27, 1851. His parents were Carl H. and Ellen (Hendricks) Berg, the father being a farmer by occupation, as was also the father of Ellen Hendricks. They came to America in 1892, but after residing for a year in Wisconsin, Carl H. Berg and wife returned to Norway, where they died. Carl C., the direct subject of this memoir, remained at home until he was 20 years old, and then came to the