- CONRAD K. ELMER, in his life time one of the most prominent
and most extensive farmers of
- Monroe, Green county, was a native of Canton Glarus, Switzerland,
born March 6, 1842, and was brought by his parents to America
when a little child.
- J. Ulrich ELMER, his father, was a native of Switzerland,
where he was engaged as a trader and
- stock dealer. He brought his family to this country in 1850,
and settled in Green county, Wis., where he followed farming
until his death in 1893. He had married Ferina MARTY, in his
native land, and by her had a family of fourteen children, nine
of whom are now living: John; Ulrich; Henry; Jacob; Adam; Barbara,
wife of Abraham KUBLI; Lenke, wife of Isaac STAUFFACHER; Mary,
wife of Peter STAUFFACHER; and Ferina, wife of Peter ELMER. All
but the last named make their homes in Green county, and she
resides in Austin, Minn. Mrs. Ferina (MARTY) ELMER was a daughter
of a Mr. MARTY, a native of Switzerland, who came to America
and joined the early settlers of Green county, Wisconsin.
- Conrad K. ELMER was early educated to the life of a farmer,
and continued to follow it as an
- occupation throughout his entire life. His literary training
was all acquired by an attendance at the district schools, although
by careful observation and intelligent reading in later life,
he became a well-informed man. When he first started out in life
for himself, he rented land, and his first purchase consisted
of 120 acres, which he afterward disposed of, and in company
with two of his brothers, purchased 300 acres in Sylvester township.
This partnership continued for two years, at the end of which
time Mr. ELMER purchased the interests of his two brothers, and
conducted this large farm alone for three years, and then sold
it, purchasing in its stead 200 acres in the township of Monroe,
where he made his home the remainder of his life. In all this
time he continued to add to his original purchase, at one time
being the owner of 520 acres of well improved real estate, but
at his death his farm consisted of but 156 acres, the remainder
having been sold off or divided with his children. He was honest,
industrious and a highly esteemed citizen. He was loyal to his
adopted country, and when, in 1861, the Civil war threatened
the dissolution of the Union he became a member of the 31st Wis.
V.I. becoming a private in Company B. and served three years.
He took part in Sherman's famous march to the sea, and was at
Washington, D.C. When the war was over, he returned to his farm,
and busied himself again with the pursuits of peace.
- On Nov. 23, 1866, Mr. ELMER was united in marriage with Miss
Lisetta WENGER, a daughter
- of John WENGER, who came to America in 1854, with his ten
motherless children, his wife having passed away in 1847. Four
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. ELMER, one of whom died in
infancy. The others are: John A., mentioned below; Freny E.,
who married John BABLER, and lives in New Glarus township; and
Henry, who died at the age of two years. In their religious belief
both Mr. and Mrs. ELMER were faithful and consistent members
of the German Evangelical Church. In politics he was a Republican,
and acceptably filled the office of supervisor for one term.
Though in feeble health for two years previous, Mr. ELMER's last
illness was in reality but a week in duration, and the end came
peacefully Feb. 2, 1901, when he was aged 58 years, 10 months
and 27 days. Besides his widow and two children, he left four
sisters and five brothers to mourn his loss. His eldest brother,
Mathias, preceded him to the better land by but a few days.
- John A. ELMER, who inherited the old homestead and 200 acres
of fine land, is an industrious
- young farmer, a worthy success of his highly respected father.
He was married Feb. 11, 1897, to Miss Alice DISCHER, daughter
of John and Louisa (BRUNI) DISCHER, and they have two interesting
children: Freddie Roy and John Conrad. John DISCHER was a native
of Switzerland, as was also his wife and his death occurred there
in 1883, at the early age of forty years. His widow bravely sought
to make a home for her little ones, and with four of the six
children came to America in 1887, and her other two children,
Louisa and Alice, followed two years later. The four accompanying
their mother were: John, Fred, Rosa and David. Mrs. DISCHER married
again, her second husband being Martin HANSELMANN, who has since
departed this life. They had three children, only one of whom
survives, Andrew, now a resident of Clarno township, Green county.
-
- Taken from "Commemorative Biographical Record of
the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette Wisconsin,"
(c)1901 Union Publishing; pp. 491-492.
-
- Courtesy of Carol.
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