History of Clark County, Wisconsin (1918)

CHARLES FREDERICK LUCHT, who is profitably engaged in farming in Section 20, Sherman Township, was born in Prussia, Germany, Sept. 10, 1859. His parents were William and Caroline (Rodke) Lucht, the father being a farmer. They passed their lives in their native land, their family in time including eight children-August, Herman, Fred, Charles F., Bertha, Minnie, Oreka and Emelia. Charles F. remained at home until he was 16 years old. He then worked out on farms for about two years, after which he went to work in a blacksmith's shop, and was thus occupied for four years. In 1880 he emigrated to the United States, locating at Braddock, Pa., where he was employed in the Carnegie steel mills, and remained about eight years. On Sept. 20, 1882, he was united in marriage with Emelia lwan, who was born in Pommern, Germany, Sept. 1, 1862, daughter of Edward and Hannah (Pieper) Iwan, and who was reared and educated in her native place. Her father, who was a steel worker, emigrated from Germany to Pennsylvania and later removed to Marathon County, Wis., where he and his wife spent the rest of their lives.

Mr. Lucht remained in Pennsylvania for about eight years after his marriage, and then came to Wisconsin, settling at Athens, Marathon County, on forty acres of wild land, of which about ten acres were cleared. There was a small log house and barn on the place, and he started with some cows and horses, working out a part of the time, however, in logging camps and on the railroad. After remaining there four years he sold out and went to Boyd, Wis., but a month later came to Spokeville, Sherman Township, Clark County. While residing there he worked about four years on the railroad and seven years in the lumber mill. He then bought forty acres of land in Section 20, Sherman Township, two acres of the tract being chopped over and a small shanty standing on the place. Here he has built a nine-room brick house and a basement barn 74 by 36 feet, and has cleared the land, having now a good farm. For four years he has been a director on the school board.

Mr. and Mrs. Lucht have a family of eight children-Sophia, wife of William Duerrneyer, of Beaver Township, Clark County Vena, wife of Alfred Oestreich, of Sherman Township, who has one son, Elmer Charles, who married Elsie Oestreich, resides in Loyal Township, and has three children, Elaine, Gerhart and Ruth Elizabeth, wife of Gus Voight, who lives in Sherman Township, and has one child, Sophia Theresa, now Mrs. William Fischer, of Sherman Township William, who married Lena Fischer, and has a daughter, Lucile Martha and Arthur, who reside at home. The family are members of the German Lutheran Church.