Obit: Schwantes, Ferdinand W. (1870 - 1937)

Contact: ken@wiclarkcountyhistory.org and History Buffs

Surnames: Schwantes, Stapel, Mellenthin, Gehrke, Schultz, Carlson, Klein

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Wood Co., Wis.) Friday, 22 Jan. 1937

----Schwantes, Ferdinand W. (14 Nov. 1870 - 21 Jan. 1937)

Spencer-Ferdinand W. Schwantes, 66, died at his home here, at 2:30 p.m. Thursday of pneumonia, having been ill only three days. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran church, preceded by short services at the home at 1:45. The Rev. A. C. Stapel will officiate and burial will take place in the North cemetery.

Mr. Schwantes was born in Germany on Nov. 14, 1870, and came to the United States with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Schwantes, at the age of 3.

He was married to Martha Mellenthin of Spencer at St. John’s Lutheran church, two miles north of here, on Nov. 14, 1901. He had come to the Spencer community from Dodge county while still a boy, his parents purchasing the farm in the town of Brighton which is now operated by his son, Arthur.

He was assessor of the town of Brighton for 15 years, treasurer for two years, and clerk of the school board for 25 years, and has been deacon of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran church for about 15 years. He and Mrs. Schwantes moved into the village about three years ago.

They celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary and Mr. Schwantes’ birthday last Nov. 14, when a family reunion was held at their home.

Mr. Schwantes’ sudden death was a shock to many, as he had been about the village, greeting friends on Monday.

He is survived by Mrs. Schwantes, two sons, Arthur and Herbert, Spencer; five daughters, Mrs. Alfred Gehrke, Clintonville; Mrs. Albert Schultz, Spencer; Mrs. Oscar Carlson, Unity; Miss Erna Schwantes, Mosinee, and Mrs. Leo Klein, Spencer, and nine grandchildren.

Biographical Information

1900 Federal Census, Brighton township, Marathon, Wisconsin

Name: Ferdinand Schwantes
Residence: Brighton township, Marathon, Wisconsin
Birth Date: Nov 1869
Birthplace: Germany
Head-of-Household
Spouse Birth Place:
Father Name: Frank Schwantes
Father Birthplace: Germany
Mother Name: Elizabeth Schwantes
Mother Birthplace: Germany
Race or Color (expanded): White
Head-of-household Name:
Gender: Male
Marital Status: Single
Years Married:
Estimated Marriage Year:
Mother How Many Children:
Number Living Children:
Immigration Year: 1873
Enumeration District: 0072
Sheet Number and Letter: 6A
Household Members
Ferdinand Schwantes M
Parent Frank Schwantes M, b. Aug 1832
Parent Elizabeth Schwantes F, b. Oct 1835, mother of 10 children, 5 living
Albert Siebarth M
Albert Siebarth M
Leona Siebarth F
 

1905 Wisconsin State Census, Brighton, Marathon, Wisconsin

Name: Ferd Schwantes
Residence: Brighton, Marathon, Wisconsin
Age: 35y
Estimated Birth Year: Abt 1870
Birthplace: Germany
Relationship to Head of Household: Head
Race: White
Gender: Male
Marital Status: Married
Place of Birth: Parent 1: Germany
Place of Birth: Parent 2:
Family Number: 84
Page Number: 83
Line Number: 15
Ferd Schwantes M 35y
Spouse Martha Schwantes F 22y
Child Esther Schwantes F 2y
Child Adelaide Schwantes F 1y
Leona Siebert F 6y
 

1920 Federal Census, Marathon, Wisconsin

Name: Ferd Schwantes
Residence: , Marathon, Wisconsin
Estimated Birth Year: 1870
Age: 50
Birthplace: Germany
Head of Household
Gender: Male
Race: White
Marital Status: Married
Father's Birthplace: Germany
Mother's Birthplace: Germany
Sheet Number: 6
Household Members
Ferd Schwantes M 50y
Spouse Martha Schwantes F 37y
Ester Schwantes F 17y
Adelia Schwantes F 15y
Anther Schwantes M 13y
Viola Schwantes F 11y
Erna Schwantes F 9y
Evelyn Schwantes F 5y
Herbert Schwantes M 3y6m