MN AHGP Archives-Brown Co. 1882 Bios
Brown County biographies from the 1882 History of the Minnesota Valley, including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota
Cottonwood Twp.
John Manderfeld was born in Prussia in 1824. Came to America in 1851 and followed the tanning business in Chicago two years. In 1853 he removed to Dubuque, and engaged in fanning there until coming to Minnesota in 1855; he settled on his present farm in Cottonwood. Has held several offices of trust in the town and county; was justice of the peace for twenty-one years, county commissioner one term, and has been sheriff of Brown county three years. Married in 1853 Miss Cicilia Legro. C. W., Clara, Peter, Minnie and Frank are their children.
Alonzo Nichols was born in West Virginia in 1852, and when a child of two years accompanied his parents to Missouri, and in 1856 to Minnesota, locating in Cottonwood on the farm where he now lives. Mr. Nichols has served his town as clerk. His marriage with Miss Kate Seibert took place in 1879. Esther A. is their only child. Mr. Nichols' father, Peyton Nichols, was one of the first county commissioners, also one of the first town board, and held many other offices. Was in the second battle of New Ulm, and was twice wounded. He died in 1863.
Theodor Rein, a native of Germany, was born in 1833. Came to America in 1858, and soon after located a home in Cottonwood; he was among the early settlers of the town. He has been town supervisor three years, and town treasurer the same length of time. Mr. Rein participated in the battle of New Ulm in 1862. In 1875 erected a brick residence at a cost of about $4,000; it is the finest house in the town. Married in 1853 Miss L. Andrews. Alfred is their only living child.
Joseph Schafer, a native of Germany, was born in 1822. Came to America in 1845 and located in Iowa, but removed to Minnesota in 1855; settled on his present farm in Cottonwood township, Brown county. In 1861 he went into the army and participated in the defense of New Ulm; served three years. Was united in marriage in 1854 with Miss Teressa Brook. Dena, Joseph, Anna, Caroline, Teressa, Mary, Fritz and Lizzie are their children.
Emil Schloman, who was born in 1852, is a native of Prussia. Came to America with his patents in 1869 and settled in Madelia, Watonwan county, Minnesota. After learning the trade of a carpenter he was employed at that work several years. In 1866 he located in Cottonwood township on his present farm. His marriage with Miss Louisa Spenner took place in 1880. They are the parents of one child: Anna.
Joseph Schnobrich was born in Austria in 1841, and in 1858 came to America. Soon after arriving he located in Cottonwood township, Brown county, where he has since lived. In 1863 joined Company M, Second Minnesota cavalry, of which he was sergeant; on returning from the army he came to his former home. Has been assessor of the town for the past nine years. Mr. Schnobrich married in 1865 Miss Annie Pect, who has borne him seven children: Martin, Lizzie, Joseph, George, Frank, Teressa and Henry.
Frederick Shrip, whose native country was Prussia, was born in 1824. Came to America in 1846 and for about ten years made his home in Wisconsin. Coming thence to Minnesota he settled on a farm in Cottonwood township, on which he still lives. His marriage with Miss Anna Sephet took place in 1851. Fred, John, Kate, Louisa, Mary, and William are their children.
John B. Sturm was born in Cottonwood, Brown county, Minnesota, in 1858, and is the son of B. Sturm, who was one of the earliest settlers of the town, having located here in 1855. He has received a common school education in this county and is now located on a farm.
Alexander Waibel a native of Germany was born in 1829. He came to America and settled in New Jersey in 1853, and two years subsequently came west to Minnesota. He settled on section 19 of Cottonwood township on his present well cultivated farm. Mr. Waibel was at the siege of New Ulm in 1862. Married in 1852, Miss Z. Kuhpe. John, Margaret, Alex., Ada, Caroline, Bernhardt, Benedict, Henry, Mary, Theodore and Zeciblia.
Fritz Yahncke was born in Germany, in 1832. Came to America and for one year was in Chicago and in 1856 came to Minnesota. He settled in Cottonwood township where he has since lived on his farm on section 20. He was at the defense of New Ulm against the Indians in 1862. Mr. Yahncke has been one of the town supervisors for the past two years. Married in 1861, Miss Charlotte Schur, who has borne him seven children: Robert, Louisa, Amelia, Clara, George, Lizzie and Fritz.
� 2005 Minnesota AHGP