FRED RAHN, a farmer of Section 2, Hoard Township, who has attained prosperity after many years of hard toil, having developed a good farm from the wilderness, was born in Germany, Oct. 28, 1855, son of Ferdinand and Augusta (Klug) Rahn. The parents came to America with their family in 1873, locating in Milwaukee, where they resided three years. Then they removed to Clark County, settling on the northwest quarter of Section 2, in what is now Hoard Township, but which was then a part of Mayville Township. The land was covered with timber and their first dwelling was a log house, which Ferdinand Rahn erected. He died in 1880 at the age of 68 years, after having cleared fifteen acres of his land. His wife died in 1896, when 69 years old. They had four children-William and Emily, who are now deceased Fred, subject of this sketch, and Albert, who resides in Hoard Township. Fred Rahn homesteaded his present farm of eighty acres in 1877, it then consisting of a tract of wild land. For some time he had no team to work with, but made the best progress he could, his farm improving from year to year. His first dwelling was a log cabin, in which he resided for a number of years. In 1909 he built his present frame house of eight rooms, and now has a barn 40 by 64 feet in size, and a granary 16 by 24, all built of lumber from the farm. The latter is now well developed, and for a number of years has been conducted on a profitable basis, Mr. Rahn raising hay, oats, barley and corn. He also breeds mixed cattle, milking twelve cows, and raises some sheep and Berkshire hogs. Through his own labors he has carved a comfortable and attractive home, out of what was formerly a wilderness, and takes rank among the progressive and successful farmers of his township. He has done good service for several years as a supervisor of his township, and also for several years as director of School District No. 1, in this township.

Mr. Rahn was first married in May, 1885, to Dora Ackerman, who was born in Germany and came to America with her parents in 1881, they settling in Taylor County, Wis. She died Feb. 2, 1886, leaving one child, Elizabeth, who married George Olson, and now lives in Montana.

On June 15, 1888, Mr. Rahn married for his second wife Carrie Kinow, who was born in Germany, and with her sister settled in Pleasant Valley Township, Eau Claire County, Wis. Her parents, Christ and Frederika Kinow, died in Germany. Three children have been born of this second marriage: Emma, now Mrs. Clinton Young, of Stanley, Wis. Elsie and Fred, who reside at home. Emma has two children, Bernice and Donald.