Leo Augustus Kleinschmidt, 1865

stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org on Sun, 11 Feb 2001

Surname: KLEINSCHMIDT, RETZLAFF, BARTH

Source: 1918 History of Clark Co., WI, by Franklyn, Curtiss-Wedge

LEO AUGUSTUS KLEINSCHMIDT, a prosperous citizen of Lynn Township, who is engaged in the pursuit of agriculture, was born in a log house on his parents' homestead in Section 1, this township, Nov. 19, 1865, son of George Kleinschmidt, his mother's maiden name being Wilhelmina Caroline Louisa Retzlaff. In his boyhood he attended the log schoolhouse in District 2, and later, when not helping to clear the home farm, worked at logging in the woods, in the winter, going on the drive in spring. At the age of 27 years he was married to Anna Barth, who was born in Calumet County, daughter of Ernest Barth, a settler in Section 1.

About the time of his marriage he got a tract of 160 acres in Section 12, Lynn Township, on which there were no buildings, though two acres of the land were cleared. On this tract he built a frame house and subsequently bought 110 acres more land. Since-he came to the place he has made many improvements on it, developing it into a good farm. He keeps a good grade of stock, giving special attention to Holstein and Guernsey cattle. Mr. Kleinschmidt is also a member of the Co-operative Creamery Company at Nasonville, of which he was vice president for two years, and of the Farmers' Elevator at Chili, besides being a stockholder in the Bank of Chili. He has a good basement barn, measuring 36 by 70 feet, and his residence is a commodious dwelling of nine rooms.

For the last ten years he has been a member of the township board, and was clerk of the board for three years. He served as a member of the school board twenty-five years. He is now township treasurer. His wife is a member of the Royal Neighbors connected with the camp of Modern Woodmen of America, No. 2543.

They have four children: Leona, who is engaged in teaching; William H., who was educated in the district school; Lula, who is a teacher; Stella, and William H., who is serving as an apprentice seaman in the U. S. Navy.