History of Clark County, Wisconsin (1918)

CONRAD G. FRANTZ, a prosperous farmer and respected citizen of Pine Valley Township, was, born in a log house on his parents' homestead in section 23, this township, Dec. 11, 1856, the parents being George and Barbara Frantz, the pioneer. His early years were spent in pioneer farming, as he helped his father to clear the farm, driving an ox team. At the age of 20 years he struck out for himself, and, having had some experience in lumber camps, in which he had been employed when only 14 years old, he took up that occupation, working in the woods and on the river driving logs, and being foreman both in camp and on the drive. For six years he was in the employ of the Lloyds Gullon Lumber Company, and for two winters worked for Anson Green. He also drove logs for Mr. Coleman of LaCrosse, and, when only a boy, for Chauncey Blakeslee, on Cunningham Creek. In the meanwhile he had located his present farm in section 26, consisting of 120 acres, covered with timber and without buildings. On this he erected a log house, which is still standing, and a log barn.

On Aug. 17, 1880, he was married to Christine Weisner, who was born in Wisconsin, Oct. 24, 1861, daughter of Fred Weisner, a farmer of Wood County. His wife assisted him to build the log house and he began the work of improvement with an ox team. Since then the farm has been increased to the size of 200 acres and is well improved, Mr. Frantz building a twelve-room house of stone and lumber, in 1905. Among his other buildings are a barn, 40 by 70 feet in size, built in 1903, and a silo, 14 by 32 feet. He raises a good grade of stock and has been successful in his operations. Aside from his farming interests he is a shareholder in the Farmers' Co-operative Elevator and Lumber Company of Neillsville, and a director in the Pine Valley Butter Company. In township affairs Mr. Frantz was side supervisor for several years, and in 1910 was elected chairman, being appointed in 1911 and re-elected in 1912, since when he has served continuously. He is a member of the Odd Fellows' Lodge, No. 198, a Neillsville, and the Encampment at Merrillan, and of the Equitable Fraternity Union.

He and his wife are the parents of five children: Bessie, who graduated from Neillsville high school, was a teacher, and is now the wife of E. J. Roethe, of Fennimore Robert, who resides at home Ben, a graduate of the Neillsville high school and of business college, and now associated with County Judge O. W. Schoengarth George, who, after graduating from the Neillsville high school, graduated from the University of Wisconsin in the class of 1917, and Gladys, who, after graduating from the Neillsville high school, is now a teacher.