Bio: Oelrich, Gustave, & Emilie - Early Spencer Area Farm (1886)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Oelrich, Schwantes, Naatz

Source: Spencer Centennial Book (1874 – 1974)

Gustave Oelrich, who was born in Schleswig Holstein, Germany, March 26, 1849, came to Chicago in 1869. He married Emilie Schwantes in 1876 and they remained in Chicago until 1882, when they moved to Sullivan, Wisconsin. From there they moved to Spencer in 1886. Mr. Oelrich bought land north and west of Spencer in the Town of Brighton, where he cleared the land and established a farm. They remained there the rest of their lives and reared five sons and two daughters.

Following his father death, the youngest son, George, remained on the farm with his mother, later marrying Linda Naatz, the youngest daughter of the farmer next door. They lost their only son in a drowning accident. They are now retired, but still reside on the Oelrich homestead. The farm has an area of 107 acres. The fields are rented.