The Family of G. R. Broeske, 1874

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: BROESKE, VOIGT, RODEWALD, GREINKE, HAMEL, FLENTIE

----Source: History of Clark County, Wisconsin (1918, pg. 564- 656.

                                  G. R. Broeske & Family

G. R. BROESKE, proprietor of one of the best farms in Mayville Township, lying in Section 28, was born in Germany Feb. 7, 1874, son of Theodore and Louisa (Voigt) Broeske. At the age of 11 years he came to this country with his parents, who located at Arlington Heights, a suburb of Chicago, the father being employed in a factory there for some years. The latter died in April, 1914, but his wife still resides at Arlington Heights. They had eight child-ten, all born in Germany where four of them died. Those living are: Emily, now Mrs. Henry Rodewald, of Elk Grove, Ill.; Paul, of Arlington Heights; Hannah, now Mrs. August Greinke, of Arlington Heights, and G. R., subject of this sketch. G. R. Broeske, after finishing
his public school education, began working for the Diamond Sewing Machine Company, of Arlington Heights, Ill., but later took a position with the Monarch Cycle Company, of Chicago.

At the age of 22 he entered the employ of the McCormick Harvester Company and traveled for them until 1906. He had been only about two years in their employ, however, when he took his first step in the direction of an agricultural career by purchasing eighty acres of wild and timbered land in Section 28, Mayville Township, Clark County, Wis. On this tract he began the work of improvement, working early and late to clear it. In 1912 he bought eighty acres more across the road in Section 21, which gave him 160 acres, now developed into a fine farm. Previous to this latter purchase, or in 1904, he had built his first house and moved onto his farm, to which, since 1906, he has given his whole attention, having in the year last mentioned severed his connection with the harvester company.

In 1911, Mr. Broeske enlarged his house, so that it now contains eleven rooms, and in the following year he built a barn 32 by 60 feet in size. He has a highly productive and profitable farm on which he keeps graded Guernsey cattle, milking fifteen cows, and is also grading up on Percheron horses. He is president of the local union of the Equity Shipping Association, of the American Society of Equity, and a member of the Dorchester Co-operation Mercantile Company. In 1907 he was elected clerk of the Mayville town board, in which position he is still serving.

Mr. Broeske was married May 14, 1896, to Pauline Flentie, who was born at Arlington Heights, Ill., March 24, 1876, daughter of Conrad and Augusta (Tyler) Flentie, whose family, with her, numbered five children, the other four being: Augusta, now Mrs. William Copeland, of Mayville Township, Clark County; Arnold, of Appleton, Wis.; Emert, of Stevens Point, Wis.; and Irene, now Mrs. Mahlon Hamel, of Kintire, N. Dak. Conrad Flentie, Mrs. Broeske's father, for thirty years was a traveling salesman for the McCormick Harvester Company. He now owns land in Clark County. He held office on his township board and also ran for the General Assembly, being defeated by but a few votes. Mrs. Conrad Flentie died July 13, 1917. Mr. and Mrs. Broeske have four children: Elroy, born July 17, 1897; Gertrude, born Nov. 6, 1898; Edwin, born Oct. 3, 1903, and Ruth born Oct. 6, 1913. The family are members of the Evangelical Peace Church of Dorchester, Mr. Broeske being president of the congregation.