Gustave Meinholdt, 1871

Posted4U@Charter.net on Wed, 14 Feb 2001

Surname: MEINHOLDT, REINDORF, MARQUARDT

Source: History of Clark County, Wisconsin (1918), by Franklyn, Curtiss-Wedge

GUSTAVE MEINHOLDT, a well-to-do farmer and dairyman of Section 5, "Eaton Township, was born in the village of Franklin, Sheboygan County, Wis., Dec. 20, 1871, son of Gottleib and Wilhelmina (Reindorf) Meinholdt, who brought him to Eaton Township in 1879. He obtained his schooling in Clark County and worked on his father's farm until he was 21 years old began working in the woods in winter and at farming and railroad work in summer, and was thus employed for about fourteen years. In the meanwhile he bought eighty acres in Section 5, Eaton Township, it being a wild tract of land on which there was a small clearing but no buildings.

In 1890 he built a frame barn, 40 by 68 feet in size, and a seven-room frame house, and began clearing the place during the summers, working out in the winter. On May 14, 1913, Mr. Meinholdt married Martha Marquardt, who was born in Clark County, Oct. 21, 1882. Her father, Ferdinand Marquardt, was a pioneer, who came from Germany in the early days and established himself in the wild woods of what is now Green Grove Township, Clark County. They had many interesting experiences, and his wife often walking seven miles to the nearest store, while she carried produce in her apron to exchange for groceries. Mr. Meinhardt brought his wife to his home, where he had previously lived as a bachelor, and together they started the further development of the place. He has now cleared about eighty acres, and besides dairying, is now raising hogs and a few horses.

He is a stockholder in the West Eaton Creamery and in the Farmers' Store at Greenwood. For a number of years he served as treasurer and director of the school board. Mr. and Mrs. Meinholdt have two children: Mercedes Ruth, who was born Sept. 13, 1904, and Arlene Dora, born Oct. 5, 1916.