HISTORY OF WOOD COUNTY



as a farmer, was born in Rubicon Township, Dodge County, Wis., Oct. 23, 1854,
son of John G. and Martha (Herman) Behringer. The parents were natives of
Wurtemburg, Germany, the father born in June, 1800, and the mother June 24,
1812. They were married in their native land and in 1848, the year of the
German
revolution, in order to escape home troubles, they emigrated to the United
States,
settling in Dodge County, Wisconsin, where, having some means, they were
able
to make a good start on a farm, on which they subsequently passed many years,
both ending their lives there, the father in 1881 and the mother in 1897.
Their
children, the first three of whom were born in Germany, were: Caroline, now
de-
ceased; Christina, who is the widow of Henry Blaser of Dodge County; George,
residing on the old home farm in that county; Herman, a resident of Milwaukee;
Ernest R., of Marshfield; and William of Dodge County, Wis. Ernest R. Beh-
ringer was educated in the common or district school, and remained on the
home
farm until he was 23 years old. Then, in 1877, he began to learn the carpenter's
trade under the guidance of David Gawn, a carpenter in the neighborhood,
who
was a native of the Isle of Man. With Mr. Gawn young Behringer remained two
years, at the end of which time he formed a partnership with Thomas Bloor,
of
Rubicon and began business for himself, being thus occupied until 1882, when
he
gave up carpenter work for a while and bought an improved farm of 55 acres
in
Rubicon and took up his residence on it. He was by this time provided with
a
wife, as on Dec. 31, 1881, he had been united in marriage with Mary Jane
Monroe,
daughter of Patrick and Ann Monroe of Hartford, Washington County, Wis. Mr.
Behringer continued farming until his wife's death, which occured March 14,
1884.
Their union had been a short one and they had no children. This bereavement
caused Mr. Behringer to rent out his farm and resume the carpenter's trade,
which
he followed again for three years or more. On Aug. 23, 1888, occurred his
second
marriage, his bride being Mary Catherine Mueller, who was born on a farm
in
Herman Township, Dodge County, Wis., May 13, 1855, daughter of Matthias and
Frederica (Reidley) Mueller. Mr. Behringer now went back to farming, but
didn't remain at it long, as in the fall of 1889 he and his wife moved to
Milwaukee,
where for four years and a half he followed his trade. The spring of 1894
found
them back on the Dodge County farm, and this time they remained six years,
or
until 1900, when they sold the farm and came to Wood County, locating on
an
improved farm of 120 acres in Marshfield Township. There Mr. Behringer fol-
lowed agriculture successfully until 1919, except for a period of seven years,
which
he spent in Chili, Clark County, where with others, including P. N. Christensen,
of Wood County, he organized the Chili State Bank, becoming its president,
which
position he still holds. In 1919 Mr. Behringer retired from farming and bought
a
comfortable residence at; 725 West Fifth Street, Marshfield, where he and
his wife
are enjoying the fruits of their former industry. While they have had no
children
of their own, they have reared an adopted daughter, Mary E. Alvord, who was
born at Greenville, S. C., Feb. 15, 1885, was left an orphan, and-came into
their
home when nine years old. Mr. and Mrs. Behringer gave her a good education,
and on March 23, 1908, she became the wife of Otto Sampe, who operates a
cheese
factory at Athens, Marathon County, Wis., where they reside. She has six
chil-
dren: Ina, born March 12, 1909; Alvard, Nov. 10, 1911; Mabel, June 30, 1913;
Ernest, Nov. 7, 1916; Eleanor in January, 1918, and Florence, Feb. 11, 1921.
Mr.
Behringer and his family are members of the Emmanuel Lutheran Congregation
(Wisconsin Synod) of Marshfield. In politics he is independent. The parents
of
Mrs. Behringer, Matthias and Frederica (Reidley) Mueller, were born and married
in Wurtemburg, Germany, and came to the United States in February, 1854,
landing after a voyage of 12 weeks. With small means, and accompanied by
their
four eldest children, they settled on a farm in Dodge County, Wisconsin,
which
place they subsequently developed. Two other children were subsequently born
to them there, the full list being as follows: Frederica, now Mrs. C. Heublien,
of
Dodge County, Wis.; Johanna, widow of Judge William Hirth of Marshfield;
Christina, wife of Carl Ueber of Schleisingerville, Wis.; John, who is a
retired



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