History of Clark County, Wisconsin (1918)

GEORGE KOEHN, a progressive and representative farmer of Mayville Township, who has attained a high,degree of prosperity through long continued and intelligently directed effort, was born in Outagamie County, Wis., Oct. 18, 1866, son of John and Elizabeth (Stark) Koehn. His parents were natives of Germany, who came to America when young. The father was a railroad man and followed this occupation in New York State until 1851, when he came to Wisconsin. George Koehn, in his boyhood, attended the district and public schools of Outagamie County, and there grew to manhood. He followed various lines of work until 1897, and then engaged in agriculture for himself in his native county, renting in succession several farms. By hard work and economy he made progress and saved money, and in 1899 he came to Clark County and purchased his present farm in Section 14, Mayville Township. When he took this farm it was only partly cleared, but by energetic effort and perseverance he has developed it into one of the best dairy farms in Mayville Township.

In 1907 Mr. Koehn built his large and attractive residence, and in 1914 he erected a fine and commodious barn, 36 by 100 feet in ground dimensions. He has also built two large silos, one of 100 tons and the other of 150 tons capacity, and in addition, has a good set of outbuildings for the housing of, his machinery, grain, hogs and fowls. His stock is well kept and of good strains, and includes Guernesy cattle, Duroe-Jersey hogs and Black Percheron horses. Mr. Koehn operates his farm in a strictly modern, scientific manner, and his thorough knowledge of every branch of his business, coupled with his great energy and undeviating honesty, has won for him the crown of success.

A wideawake citizen, he takes a keen interest in town affairs, and the cause of good government, and has himself served efficiently as town clerk.

Mr. Koehn was married May 19, 1896, to Martha Christon, who was born in Outagamie County, Wis., daughter of William and Marie Christon. Her father is one of the representative farmers of Outagamie County. Her mother died in 1914. Mr. and Mrs. Koehn have five children, all of whom are doing credit to the parental name. They are Adela, Walter, George, Eleanor and Milched. Adela was graduated from the eighth grade at Dorchester, the high school at Abbotsford, the Teachers' Training School at Medford, Wis., and the business college at Oshkosh, Wis., and is now a proficient teacher. Walter was graduated from the eighth grade at Dorchester and the Abbotsford high school, and is now a student in the Oshkosh State Normal School. George is residing at home and assisting his father on the farm. Eleanor is attending school, as also is Milched.