History of Clark County, Wisconsin (1918).

                 Fred D. Riedel

FRED D. RIEDEL, a prominent agriculturist of Grant Township, who has also for many years served as one of the officials of his township, was born in Germany, Aug. 14, 1854, son of Christian and Anna Riedel. The father, like his son, the subject of this sketch, was born in Schlasing, Germany, and was a farmer and wagon-wheel repairer, and he and his wife were married in their native land, her father being a tailor in the town of Dumnovitz, Schlasing. Christian Riedel and his family-his children consisting of four sons-came to the United States in 1863 and located on a tract of land in the vicinity of Chicago, this tract being now included within the city limits. It consisted of eighty acres and was offered free for five years to anyone who would fence it. Mr. Riedel's intention was to come to Wisconsin, after a short visit there, but owing to the persuasions of a friend he remained there until 1873, when he moved to Clark County, where he subsequently died. Of his children, one son, Robert, settled, In 1873, on a farm in Section 2, Grant Township, this county, and operated it for thirty-three years, dying in 1906. Another son, August, came to Neillsville in 1871 and worked twenty years in the grist mill. He bought a farm in Section 3, Grant Township, where he is now living. Dan, another of the four sons conducted a carpenter's shop in Neillsville and worked on the const ruction of the court house, school house and other important buildings. He died of typhoid fever in 1882.

Fred D. Riedel was 9 years old when he came to this country, and was 19 when he settled in Neillsville, Clark County. He worked four years in the grist mill and then engaged in the carpenter's trade. In 1878 he purchased the home farm, the land of which was cut, but not stumped, and there was a log house and barn on the place. To the original forty acres he added eighty more five years later. He had bought a horse team, but had to hire an ox team for the heavy work. In five years he had the land all cleared and was engaged in raising cattle and sheep, with oats as his principal crop, his market being then in Marshfield. As the roads were not open in summer, however, he had to haul most of his supplies in the winter with a sledge.

On May 9, 1882, he was married to Maggie Klopf, who was born in Sheboygan County, Wis., April 1, 1861, daughter of John and Louise (Freverth) Klopf. He had at this time a small frame house on his farm in which he and his wife began housekeeping. His career since then has been one of industry and perseverance, followed by success and he and his family are among the well-to-do and respected residents of Grant Town.