Frederick F. Kleinschmidt, 1857

stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org on Sun, 18 Feb 2001

Surname: KLEINSCHMIDT, YONKE, RETZLAFF, PETERS, JENSEN

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

FREDERICK F. KLEINSCHMIDT, a well-known farmer of Lynn Township, Section 1, is a native of this township, having been born in a log cabin belonging to the Yonke family, Feb. 18, 1857. At the time of his birth his parents had recently arrived in the county, and were stopping temporarily at the Yonkes until the father could build a log cabin of his own.

He was the first white child born in the township, there being few other settlers here at the time. In the spring of 1858 the parents moved onto their own tract of eighty acres in Section 1, where they led a pioneer life for years, having to carry provisions on their backs from Neillsville. The latter place was nearly two miles away, and there Frederick F. attended school, the school-having a floor made out of split logs. Later, he pursued his studies in the log schoolhouse that stood on the old Newman place in Section 2. This had home-made benches, and there also his future wife attended F school. The district had been organized by our subject's father, George Kleinschmidt, whose wife in maidenhood was Wilhelmina Caroline Louisa Retzlaff, both parents being natives of Germany. They were German Lutherans, and in early days church services were often held in their cabin. When Frederick was old enough he helped to clear the parental homestead, and later worked at logging in the winters, going on the drive in spring. In time his father gave him eighty acres adjoining the old homestead, on which he built a barn, 40 by 70 feet in size.

On March 10, 1891, he married Mary Jensen, who was born in Calumet County, Feb. 5, 1873, daughter of Peter and Christiana (Peters) Jensen. The parents were born and married in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, and came as a young couple to the United States in or about 1864,by sailing vessel. They located first in Calumet County, Wis., later settling in Section 4, Lynn Township, Clark County, where the father cleared a tract of land. This he sold, buying acres in Section 11, Lynn Township. He and his wife did pioneer work for a number of years, using an ox team. In 1915 they celebrated their golden wedding. They had six children: Anna, Emma, Herman, Bertha, Mary and Henry.

The Jensen family are German Lutherans in religious faith. Since locating on his present farm, Mr. Kleinschmidt had greatly improved it.

He now owns 180 acres of land, which is largely cleared. He is also a member of the Co-operative Elevator Company at Chili. For a number of years he has served the township as supervisor. He is engaged in general farming, keeping a good grade of stock. He and his wife have had four children, one of whom, Louie, is now deceased. The survivors are Edward, Arthur, and Luella. The family are members of the German Lutheran Church.