Bio: Sternitzky, Charles (History - 1832)

Contact: Janet Schwarze

Surnames: STERNITZKY MILLER SATERLEE TIFT MARSH

----Source: 1891 History of Clark and Jackson County, Wisconsin, by Franklyn, Curtiss-Wedge

CHARLES Sternitzky, has been an important factor in the early history of Lynn Township, Clark County, and is to-day one of the prominent farmers and business men of Lynn. He was born in Germany, May 5, 1832, and was only eight years old when he was brought to this country by his parents who had a family of four children. In 1841 his father located in Milwaukee, where he remained twelve years, working by the month, and during that time not only supported his family, but also saved enough of his earning to buy forty acres of land near Milwaukee. In 1856 he took up his abode in Clark County, bought 280 acres of land and became one of the early pioneers of Lynn Township.

The subject of this sketch remained with his parents until he was twenty-eight years of age. Then he started out for himself, on eighty acres of wild land. During this winter he was employed in the pineries and in the summer worked on his farm. By judicious management he accumulated money enough in this way to buy eighty acres more land. His farm was a wilderness at the time he bought it, but he industriously went to work to clear it up, and not only accomplished that work, but also added to it by more recent purchase, now being the owner of 120 acres of choice land. This is located on section 8, Lynn Township, and adjoins the village of Lynn. Until 1889 Mr. Sternitzky gave his attention to agricultural pursuits. In that year he entered into a partnership with the Ure Brothers, in the general merchandise business, and in June, 1890, he bought out their interest and is continuing the business alsone. He keeps in stock a choice selection of goods and has a fine trade that extends over a large amount of territory.

Mr. Sternitzky was married, February 25, 1861, to Katie Miller, daughter of Lamberd Miller, an old pioneer of Clark County. He had a family of four daughters, Katie being the second born. She received her education in this country and her husband was educated in the German schools of Milwaukee. The latter is fond of reading and keeps himself posted on current topics of the day. Mr. and Mrs. Sternitzky have two sons and two daughters, all having received fair educational advantages. Anna attended the district schools and also devoted two terms to the study of the German language. She is now assisting her father in the store. Mr. Sternitzky has served the public in many capacities was School Director one term Treasurer and Clerk of the School Board three years Town Clerk five years Chairman of the Town Board five years Treasurer of the Town Board four years Assessor two years Justice of the Peace since the town of Lynn was organized is now a Notary Public, and has been Postmaster nineteen years. He was one of the foremost men in the organization of the Lynn Mutual Fire Insurance Company, in 1878, and has been secretary of the same since its organization. He has never taken much interest in politics until the present election has always been a Democrat. He favors the public school system, while he believes that parents should have a control over their own children in selecting what studies they pursue.

In speaking of the early hardships the pioneers endured, Mr. Sternitzky remarked that, in 1856, when he located in Lynn, they had to go a distance of sixty-five miles for seed wheat, and some of their provisions were brought from La Crosse. That winter a deep snow fell, and the advent of spring was welcomed by all.

STERNITZKY MILLER SATERLEE TIFT MARSH