Bio: August Schlender (1866  - ?)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org on Tue, 13 Feb 2001

Surnames: SCHLENDER, LEBODA, SIMONDS, CRAMER

----Source: 1918 History of Clark Co., WI, by Franklyn, Curtiss-Wedge

AUGUST SCHLENDER, merchant, and one of the most active business men of Hewett Township, was born near Berlin, Germany, March 22, 1866, son of August and Hannah Schlender. The family came to America by steamer in 1876, there being at that time four children: Minnie, William, August and Augusta. The parents settled at Baraboo, Wis., in the vicinity of which place they spent the rest of their lives in farming. August, who had obtained his schooling in Germany, remained about three years on his parents' farm, and then, at the age of 13 years, began work in a mill near Baraboo. Later he gave up the milling business on account of his health, and at the age of 21 came to Neillsville, Clark County, and went into the saloon business, first in partnership with Mr. Le Boda and afterwards continuing the business alone.

Thus occupied until 1896, he then came to Columbia, Hewett Township, which village had been started about a year before, and was an isolated community, there being no wagon road to the place. Here he engaged in the saloon business for one year, and then opened the second general merchandise store in the place, subsequently buying out the other firm. He erected his own building, the main part of which is 18 by 50 feet in dimensions, to which two additions, each 24 by 24 feet, have since been added. Here he is doing a good business, carrying a good line of flour, groceries and other articles such as are in demand in every small community, with many things less frequently called for.

Mr. Schlender has taken an active part in the development of the community since he located here, being always on the lookout for opportunities to advance its interests. Thus he worked hard to secure the establishment of the cucumber pickling plant of Libby, McNeill & Libby, which pays out about $5,000 or $6,000 a year to the farmers and gardeners, and has been a great help to the community. This factory was the first of its kind that Libby, McNeill &.Libby established in the state.

In addition to his store, Mr. Schlender owns other buildings and real estate in the town site of Columbia, and, while working for the good of the town, has also advanced his own prosperity, being now one of its leading citizens.

He was township clerk of Hewett Township for two years, and was treasurer of the school board for a number of years. He also helped to start the school, which is a graded school of two rooms. He was postmaster of Columbia for ten years, being succeeded two years ago by his daughter Mabel, who now holds that office. His fraternal society affiliations are with the Woodmen, he being a charter member of the lodge at Columbia.

Mr. Schlender was married June 26,1888, to Mrs. Susan Simonds, of Baraboo, Wis., daughter of Jacob Cramer, who came from Germany to Baraboo. He and his wife have one child, Mabel, above mentioned, who, besides being the efficient post mistress of Columbia, is an accomplished musician, both vocal and instrumental. By her former marriage, Mrs. Schiender has a son, Irvin Simonds, who for many years assisted his stepfather in the business at Columbia, but is now a carpenter in the employ of the U. S. government at Sioux City, Iowa.