George John Knoll, 1855

stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org on Thu, 15 Feb 2001

Surname: KNOLL, STUMPER, STUBNER, MUSKA, BROWN

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

GEORGE JOHN KNOLL, who owns and operates a farm of 103 acres, lying partly in Loyal and partly in Sherman Township, is one of the self-made men of his locality, having attained his present prosperity solely through hard work and perseverance. He was born in Germany, Dec. 28, 1855, son of John and Sarah (Stumpner) Knoll. The parents, who died in Germany, had three children: Margaret, Washuta and George J., of whom the last mentioned was the only one to come to the United States.

George J. Knoll arrived in this country in 1883, a single man. He was familiar with ordinary agricultural methods, as in Germany he had worked out for the farmers. Locating first in Indiana, he stayed there one year, and then coming to Wisconsin, worked for two years on farms in Washura County. Arriving in Clark County in 1887, he bought eighty acres of land in Section 12, Loyal Township, the tract being covered with timber. It was reached by trail, there being no road over which a load could be driven here.  Mr. Knoll started the work of improvement by building a frame house but for the first two years his progress was very slow, as he had neither stock nor implements-practically nothing but his hands and two or three small tools, such as axes. It was only at the end of the time mentioned that he managed to put up a log barn, and procure a team of oxen and a cow. His place of supplies was at Spencer, from which he carried home flour and other necessaries on his back. With the acquisition of the oxen and cow, however, Mr. Knoll felt brave enough to undertake the responsibilities of domestic live, and he and Sarah Stubner were united in marriage that year. She was a native of Baltimore, and for about eight years she proved a worthy helpmate to her husband. At the end of that time she died, April 23, 1896, at the age of 48 years, leaving three children: John, who now resides on the homestead with his father; Louie, who is deceased, and Elizabeth, now the wife of Richard Muska, a farmer of Sherman Township, Mr. Knoll married for his second wife, Hulda Brown of Saxville, Waushara County, Wis., of which union there have been four children born, Margaret, Esther, Bertha and Clarence, all of whom reside at home.

Since buying his land in Loyal Township, Mr. Knoll has increased the size of his farm by purchasing an additional tract of twenty-three acres just across the road in Sherman Township. He has built a basement barn, 36 by 90 feet in dimensions and is raising a good grade of stock, including hogs and horses. A good road, which he helped to have put through, now passes his farm, known as "Twin Creek Dairy Farm." He is also a shareholder in the Wausau Packing plant. He has held office on the school board and is a man respected for his achievements and his reliable character as a good neighbor.