Bio: Fred Mueller, 1878

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surname: MUELLER, HARP

----Source: History of Clark County, Wisconsin (1918), by Franklyn, Curtiss-Wedge


Fred Mueller, Brothers and Sisters

FRED MUELLER, an enterprising and successful farmer of Sherman Township, was born on his parents' homestead, in section 28, this township, Jan. 30, 1878. The parents were Carl and Etta (Harp) Mueller, both natives of Pommern, Germany. The father, Carl, came to the United States when about 25 years old, and his wife at the age of 9, with her parents; both made the voyage on a sailing vessel. They were married in Milwaukee in October, 1875, and at a subsequent date came to Spencer, Clark Count having then one child, Henry, aged 9 months. On arriving here Carl Mueller bought a tract of eighty acres in section 28, Sherman Township. The land was mostly wooded, but about four acres had been chopped over, and there was a log house and barn on the place.

Mr. Mueller had been a farmer in his native land, though under less primitive conditions. In starting he secured a team and cow from Milwaukee. There was no road by his farm And for several years he had to carry flour on his back through the woods. He often walked to Spencer 'with butter and eggs, being paid six cents a dozen for eggs and ten cents a pound for butter. In time he cleared up the land and built a house of five rooms, since rebuilt and enlarged to eleven rooms by his sons and daughters. He also built a basement barn, 40 by 90 by 20 feet in size, put up outbuildings and set out a good orchard. He raised good stock and, in time, became one of the prosperous citizens of his township.

He was born in October, 1834, dying in 1913, at the age of 79 years. His wife, who was born June 3, 1859, died April 25, 1915, at the age of 56. They had eight children: Henry (deceased), Fred, Minnie (deceased), George, August, John, Mary, wife of Chas. Rahm, and Charles. Carl Mueller was a member of the German Lutheran Church, and helped to establish the church in Sherman Township. He was of a genial disposition and quiet domestic tastes and never cared for public office.

Fred Mueller was reared to farming on his parents' homestead. He erected the silo which now stands on the farm, and which measures 14 by 32 feet, but now has 160 acres of his own-a tract that has been cleared from the woods. While actively engaged in farming, like his father, he kept good stock, but now rents out the farm. As one of the substantial and prosperous men of Sherman Township, he is widely known and respected. He was reared in the faith of the Lutheran Church, of which his father was a member.