Frederick William Schwantes, 1885

stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org on Sun, 11 Feb 2001

Surname: SCHWANTES, MELLINTINE, MARTIN

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

FREDERICK WILLIAM SCHWANTES, proprietor of Pleasant Ridge Cheese Factory, in Grant Township, is a business man who is making rapid strides on the road to prosperity. He was born on a farm near Marathon, in Marathon County, Wis., April 7, 1885, son of Herman and Tine (Mellintine) Schwantes. Both parents were born in Germany, the father, in 1854, and the mother, in 1856. They were married in Marathon County, Wis., Herman being one of the first settlers in his neighborhood. The land was covered with timber and there were no roads. He often carried supplies on his back for three miles over the trail. Of the 120 acres which he purchased he cleared forty. For a number of years he was chairman of the board, and was a man whom all respected for his industry and other sterling qualities.

Frederick W. Schwantes grew up on his parent’s and was educated in the district school. He left the farm and went to Spencer, where he spent two years in a cheese factory, learning the process Of cheese-making. Being fully equipped with this knowledge, he came to Clark County seven years ago and bought the Pleasant Ridge Cheese Factory, then being operated by Herman Martin. He began with an output of 2,000 pounds per year, which he has since increased to 13,000 pounds, having also enlarged the plant to meet the requirements of his growing business. His product is of high quality and commands a good market. Mr. Schwantes, through his own energy and ability, has taken a prominent place among the successful business men of Clark County. He was married to Ida Griepentrog, daughter of Ferdinand Griepentrog, a Pioneer of Marathon County, Wis., and he and his wife have five children: Francisco, Lother, Edna, Elnora and Eldor.