Bio: Meissner, Charles S. (History - 1860)
Poster: Janet Schwarze
----Surnames: MEISSNER PUFF SCHMIDT OTT
----Source: 1891 History of Clark and Jackson Co., Wisconsin
CHARLES S. MEISSNER, a representative farmer and dairyman in Rock Township, was born in Saxony, Germany, October 16, 1860, son of Fred and Rica (Puff) Meissner. The parents were operating a small farm in that country, but the father was by trade a stone cutter and mason, as was his father before him.
In 1864, Charles S. Meissner being then three and a half years of age, the family removed from Germany to the United States and located on a farm in Caledonia Township, Racine County, Wisconsin. On this place, Charles S. grew to maturity he attended the district schools and completed a course in the Spencerian Business College at Milwaukee, besides assisting in the operation of the farm.
October 9, 1883, he was united in marriage with Ida W. Smith (Schmidt) of Caledonia Township, Racine County, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Meissner began their life together on a farm in Caledonia Township, Racine County, which place they made their home until 1896. They moved to Taylor County, Wisconsin where they bought and operated a farm until 1902, in which year they sold out and coming to Wood County, bought the present place in Section 4, Rock Township, nine miles southwest of Marshfield. This farm, consisting of 160 acres, Mr. Meissner has developed and improved, and it is now a representative of the agricultural properties that have brought Wood County to the front among the farming and dairying regions of the country. One hundred and fifteen acres are under cultivation, the balance being timber and pasture. Mr. Meissner has replaced the inadequate buildings with which it was equipped when it came unto his hands, building commodious frame barns and silos, and in 1910 he erected a comfortable frame house. He makes dairying his chief interest and has his place stocked with a good herd of Holstein and Guernsey cattle, having purebred registered sires at the head this herd he is constantly building up and improving, and most of the product of the farm is turned back into the cattle.
Mrs. Meissner, born January 14, 1865, passed away May 30, 1916, to the deep sorrow of her many friends. Mr. and Mrs. Meissner were the parents of seven children Charles, Edwin, Arbie, Elmer, Ervin, Alma, and Earl.
Charles, born October 18, 1884, is living on a farm in Clark County, Wisconsin. He is married and the father of two children, Eileen and Olive.
Edwin, born February 21, 1886, is also farming in Clark County, is married, and has one child, Harland.
Arbie, born May 15, 1887, is a shoe cutter by trade he is living in Milwaukee, is married, and has one child, Marlin.
Elmer, born January 4, 1890, died in September 1898.
Ervin, born March 4, 1896, was married April 13, 1919, and is living with his father on the farm in Wood County, keeping the house.
Alma, born July 19, 1898, is now Mrs. Emil G. Ott, of Rock Township, having married August 8, 1918.
Earl, born March 18, 1905, is living at home.
Mr. Meissner, Republican in politics, served as postmaster at Caledonia, in Racine County, for seven and a half years, being appointed under Cleveland's administration and serving also under Harrison. He is a member of St. John's German Lutheran Church in Lincoln Township, and served this congregation for many years as treasurer and as president.
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MEISSNER PUFF SCHMIDT OTT