Clarence W. & Phoebe (Cain) Karnopp

By Donelda Wildung (Nee Karnopp), contributed by Tia Christensen.

We believe that he went to school until the 8th grade. Had had a hard time in school as he could only speak German when he started. He went to Green Grove school in the township of Beaver, WI. He was born on the Karnopp farm and I was too. He was baptized, confirmed and married in the Oak Grove Lutheran Church. Their farm was near Unity and Loyal, WI.

When he was about 17, he and his dad were in the forest doing some logging and a tree fell on his dad. My dad had to go for help as he couldn't get him out. It was raining and his dad got pneumonia and died as a result. My dad continued working with his mother on the dairy farm. In 1936 dad married Phoebe Cain. They sated on the farm until after I was born in 1937. Then they moved to work on a farm in Chili, WI. Leaving there, they moved to Braun settlement near Greenwood, WI. They worked on a dairy farm until I was in the 2nd grade. My mother's sister and husband, Signe and Chester Hebert, bought the Karnopp farm. Dad packed up his family to move back to the Karnopp place. His other had remarried and sold the farm to the Heberts. In the fall, dad got a job at the Blue Moon cheese factory. He worked there until he died at 60.

Dad worked first in the intake at the dairy, dumping milk. Eventually he began making butter and cheese. He said he never wanted to become a licensed cheese maker, so he wouldn't be in charge.

He was a hard working man and worked many long hours. He also did many odd jobs for people and also did a lot of painting houses.

One interesting thing that I thought of was  dad never spoke of his father all the time I was growing up.

He played softball until he was in his 50's and was an avid bowler. He loved playing card and having a beer or two. He was a big tease and loved to tease the little ones. He had a temper, but would blow up one minute and forget about the next. He never seemed to hold a grudge. Wish you and your children could have known him. You would have loved him.

Dad was buried at Riverside Cemetery on Hwy 29 between Thorp and Withee WI. The cemetery is near the Black River where he frequently went fishing. An appropriate resting place for a fishing enthusiast that he was.

Thank you.  I am the primary researcher in my family on our history.  Surnames from Wisconsin include Karnopp, Becker, Draeger, Haese, Rabenrhost, and Cain.