Bio: Carl Dahnert (1859  - ?)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org on Sat, 17 Feb 2001

Surnames: DAHNERT, BOOCH, SYMDON, FRANCOMB, DAHL, SEELOW, WILKE

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

                          Carl Dahnert and Family

CARL DAHNERT, proprietor of a farm of 200 acres, in section 2, Levis Township, was born in Brenuenberg, Prussia, Aug. 20, 1859, son of William and Mary (Booch) Dahnert. The parents were married in Germany, where five children were born to them: Minnie, August, William, Carl and Ferdinand. The mother died in Germany and William Dahnert, with his son August, soon afterwards came to the United States, locating in Jefferson County, Wis., where August bought a farm. William, after staying there a short time, came to Dane County, to reside with his son Carl, who had also come to the United States and bought a farm in that county. Later he took up his residence again with August, who, in the meanwhile, had moved to Winona, Minn., and with whom he remained until August's death. He then lived with his son William, in Taylor County, where he died, in 1903. Carl Dahnert, while still residing in his native land, worked out during the summer months, attending school in winter, and lived at home until he Was 18 years old. He continued working for others until he was 22, and then came alone to America, first working out on a farm in Jefferson County, Wisconsin.

He was thus occupied for five years, and during that time, Nov. 6, 1881, he was married to Alvina Symdon, a native of Germany, whose father, Chris Symdon, was a farmer. In 1884 he went with his wife; to Stoughton, Wis., where he found employment in the grist-mill, remaining five years. At the end of that time he bought a farm of eighty acres in Dane County, which was improved, and on which he resided for thirteen years. Then, in 1900, he sold it and, coming to Clark County, bought 200 acres in section 2, Levis, Township, this being a partly improved farm. Here he started with four -head of cattle, and since then he has cleared eighty acres of the land, erected a fine residence, built basement barn, 36 by 100 feet in size, a silo of 128 tons capacity two granaries and a machine shed. He raises Holstein and Durham cattle, and is doing a profitable business.

Mr. Dahnert formerly held stock in the creamery. For three years he served as as school treasurer. He and his wife have been the parents of ten children: Lena, William, Anna, Charles, Albert, Herman, Bennie, Henry, Dorothy and Ethel. Lena, who married William Hiking, resides in the village of Neillsville and has eight children—Albert, Frank, Alice, Edna, Harold, Charles, Rosie and Robert. William is in the employ of the International Harvester Company. Anna, who married Frank Francomb, of St. Paul, Minn. is now deceased. Charles married Amelia Dahl and lives in Levis Township. They have one son, Vernon C. Albert, at this writing, is in Texas as a member of Company A, Third Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. Herman, who married Anna Seelow, is residing at home. Bennie is a resident of Neillsville. Henry and Ethel are residing at home. Dorothy is the wife of Arnold Wilke, of Neillsville. Mr. Dahnert and his family are members of the Reformed Church, and he also belongs to the order of Beavers.