Obit: Pollnow, Carl (1855 - 1936)

Contact: Crystal Wendt

Surnames: Pollnow, Loerch, Johnson, Warlum, Milton, Yankee, Sole, Buth, Switzenberg, Lefstad, Langreck

----Sources: Neillsville Press (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 31 Dec. 1936

Pollnow, Carl (21 Sept. 1855 - 23 Dec. 1936)

Carl Pollnow was born in Lensten Province Pomern, Germany, Sept. 21, 1855 and when very young the family moved to Rasten where he got his schooling and grew to manhood. At the age of 17, merely a boy, on March 12, 1873 he left his boyhood home for that long trip to America and landed in Chicago on April 8 where he was employed for some time. There a few years alter he had his parents join him from the old country. Then they came to Neillsville, Wisconsin, then an unsettled country - no railroads and hardly any wagon roads. In 1877 they settled on their tract of land in the town of Hewett which remained his home to the end.

On July 25, 1880 he was united in marriage to Christian Loerch of Winona, Minnesota who preceded him in death two years ago in the same home where he passed away at 1:35 p.m. Wednesday, December 23 of old age and complications.

He leaves to mourn his passing, then children living and two deceased, Ann in infancy and Louis in the World War; Albert (Bert) of Neillsville; Fred at home; Emma (Mrs. Hans Johnson) Eau Claire; Alvina, (Mrs. P. M. Warlum) Neillsville; Rose, (Mrs. James Milton) Neillsville; Walter at Home, Ruth (Mrs. Arnold Yankee) Neillsville; Susie, (Mrs. Oscar Sole) Eau Claire; also 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren and a host of other relatives. His brothers and sisters have all preceded him in death.

Mr. Pollnow was a man of the highest type, intensely devoted to his family and keenly alert to the affairs of his community. In the early days he worked in the lumber camps during the winter and took part in the log drives in the spring. During the summer months he cleared up his land and built up his farm. Mr. Pollnow took an active part in town affairs and was a member of the town board of Hewett for a number of years. He was a devoted member of the Pine Valley Lutheran church from time it was dedicated. His death marks the passing of the last of the early Pioneers of the Town of Hewett.

Interment was made in the Neillsville Cemetery Dec. 24, Rev. Buth, pastor of his church, officiating. Pallbearers were his five sons-in-law and grandson. His three daughters, Mrs. Fritz Switzenberg, Miss Virginia Milton and Miss Yvonne Sole were flowers bearers.

Friends and relatives from out of town who were here for the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Lefstad and son, Alger, Eau Claire; Ben Langreck and three sons, Arpin; Mr. and Mrs. Julius Langreck, Marshfield; and Mr. and Mrs. Fritz Switzenberg and daughter, Ann of Barron.