Surnames: Seif, Wiesner, Howard, Stelloh, Poppe, Schanke, Hauser

----Source: Neillsville Press (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) Thursday, 03/11/1926

Seif, Frederick J. (9 July 1851 - 8 Mar. 1926)

LIVED HERE FOR OVER FIFTY YEARS

Frederick J. Seif died at Marshfield hospital Monday afternoon, March 8, about 4 o’clock. He underwent a severe surgical operation on Thursday and never fully rallied from the effects of the operation, though he was conscious much of the time and recognized members of the family.

Mr. Seif was born in Oshkosh, July 9, 1851. When a boy his parents moved to Dale, Wisconsin, where he grew to manhood and assisted his father in clearing up a farm. This was a pioneer region at that time, most of the family supplies having to be hauled from Oshkosh some 24 miles away. Children growing up in such communities early learned the habits of industry and independence, and although school facilities were limited, and Mr. Seif had to leave school at an early age, he later attended a night school and acquired sufficient education so that he filled places of responsibility in later years.

On July 5, 1875 he was married to Miss Mary Wiesner at Dale, Wis., and the same year they came to Clark County, driving through with an ox team. They bought 80 acres of land in the town of Sherwood and again began the pioneer life. They lived on this place eight years, making a considerable clearing, and then sold out and moved to what is now the town of Seif, there buying eighty acres. To this he added from time to time by purchase until he had 200 acres, with a large clearing, and good farm buildings. In 1906 Mr. and Mrs. Seif moved to Neillsville, their son John taking charge of the farm. They built a fine residence on Grand Avenue, which has been their home ever since. Shortly after moving to Neillsville Mr. Seif went into the farm implement business with L. H. Howard, Fred Stelloh bought out Mr. Howard’s interest and after some time Mr. Seif’s sons, Charles and Fred Jr. took over the entire business.

Mr. Seif has always taken an active and helpful interest in public affairs. When on the farm he was for several years chairman of his town, had served as assessor and school clerk, and after moving to the city he served six years as alderman from his ward and was four years mayor of Neillsville. He was a man of good judgment, honest in private and public business, always ready to be of service to those about him. It would be well indeed with the world if all men had given as honest, faithful service in life as did Mr. Seif.

On July 5, of last year, Mr. and Mrs. Seif celebrated their golden wedding at which time there were gathered at their home many relatives. It was a most joyful occasion and it then seemed ad if Mr. and Mrs. Seif might have many years of happy life together, but a fatal disease had come upon him, which failed to yield to medical treatment.

Mr. Seif leaves to mourn his death his wife and four sons, John living on the old farm in the town of Seif; David on a farm in Pine Valley and Charles and Fred Jr. in Neillsville. Three sons, William, Frank, Louis are deceased. He leaves ten grandchildren, also two brothers, Joseph of Dale and John of Antigo, and two sisters, Mrs. Emil Poppe of Neillsville and Mrs. Herman Schanke of Dale.

The funeral will be held Friday afternoon, 1 o’clock at the house and 2 o’clock at the Reformed church, Rev. Caleb Hauser officiating.