Bio: Schwantes, Ferdinand W. (Brighton Farmer - 1930)

Contact: ken@wiclarkcountyhistory.org.

Surnames: Schwantes, Mellenthin, Gehrke, Schultz

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Wood Co., Wis.) 23 May 1930

Schwantes, Ferdinand W. (Brighton Farmer - 1930)

Ferdinand W. Schwantes was born November 14, 1869, in Germany, and in 1873 immigrated to America with his parents. The family settled near Watertown, Wisconsin, and five years later moved to a farm three and one-half miles northeast of Spencer, in the town of Brighton. They were among the earliest settlers in the community, which was practically a wilderness. He attended public school for five years, and the Lutheran Day School for one year, after which he was confirmed with the first class in the Spencer Lutheran church, May 13, 1883. After leaving school he worked three seasons as a farmhand in Dodge County, and 14 winters in logging camps. In 1907 he took over the management of the home farm, consisting of 80 acres, about 40 acres cleared and 25 improved. The log buildings have been replaced since then with a modern set of frame buildings, including house, barn, granary, hog house and other smaller sheds. At present there are 63 acres under cultivation, the other 13 being used for pasture. He has also added another 80 acres to his holdings, the tract being mostly timberland. His livestock consists of 30 head of grade Holsteins, 4 horses, Chester White hogs and White Leghorn chickens.

He was married November 14, 1901, to Miss Martha Mellenthin of the town of Unity. They have seven children, three of whom are married. They are: Mrs. Alfred Gehrke (Esther), of Clintonville; Mrs. Albert Schultz (Adella), town of Unity; Arthur, manager of the home farm; Miss Viola, who taught the past year at the Sawyer School in the town of Spencer; Miss Erna, who taught at the Harding School, town of Brighton; and Evelyn and Herbert, students at the Spencer High School.

He has served in various official capacities in the township and school district, being treasurer of the latter since 1903. He was town supervisor for three years, road overseer for three years, assessor for fourteen years and treasurer for two years. Politically, he is Independent. His hobbies are reading and sightseeing.