Greenwood, Clark Co., Wisconsin

William Fricke was born February 17, 1820 in Diepolz, Hanover, Germany.  August 9, 1852, he married Eva Fritsche who was born March 15, 1830 to Gotfried and Justine (Dobig) Fritsche who were both natives of Saxony, Germany.

William was a soldier in the German revolution in 1848- 49, having fought against the king. He was in favor of a republic, and when he saw they had failed, he, with others, took passage on a ship for the United States. Stopping first in Milwaukee, in the fall of 1849, Mr. Fricke worked at the shoemaker's trade until the summer of 1850, when he removed to Newburg, Washington County, Wisconsin, where he worked at his trade until 1855. In that year he went to Waco, Texas, remaining until 1857, and then returned to Newburg, where he worked at his trade until 1876. He then came to this county, and settled on his present farm of eighty acres, sixty of which is cleared.

Mr. and Mrs. Fricke have had twelve children.  One son, Robert, died in Milwaukee May 1, 1880, at the age of twenty-four years. He was one of the best telegraph operators in that city. Another son, Otto, died April 15, 1880, at the age of twenty years.

Mr. Fricke was a Christian who identified with any church.  He was a member of the Town Board twice, and also of the School Board several years. Politically he was a Democrat.

William died February 17, 1897 and Eva died July 9, 1901. Both of them are buried in the Greenwood City Cemetery.