HISTORY OF MANITOWOC COUNTY


was born in Newton, July io, i887, the daughter of William and Wilhelmina
(Strodthoff) Meyer, both of whom were natives of Germany and on coming
to America settled in Manitowoc county. Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt have become
the parents of two children: Wilhelmina, who was born on the home farm,
and a son, Hugo. Mr. Schmidt is now serving as road superintendent, an
office which his father held for several years. All interests which tend
to pro-
mote the public welfare receive his indorsement and support, and although
he is
yet a young man he stands as one of the progressive residents of this county.
GEORGE BRUNNER.
George Brunner, a blacksmith by trade, has for the past ten years been
giving his attention to the operation of his farm in Manitowoc Rapids township,
which was formerly the property of his father. He is a native of Manitowoc
county, his birth having occurred in Newton township on April 24, i876, and
is
a son of Frank and Theresa (Zipperer) Brunner. The father was born in Aus-
tria in I833, and there he was reared to the age of twenty-two years when
he
determined to become a citizen of the United States. He took passage for
America in i854, coming directly to this county, where he worked as a farm
hand for several years thereafter. He was a thrifty and enterprising youth
and during that period saved enough money to purchase a tract of land in
Frank-
lin township, that was partially improved. Here he resided for ten years,
applying himself energetically to the further improvement and cultivation
of
his farm. He then disposed of the place, realizing thereon a handsome profit,
and acquired some land in Newton township. After residing there a simi-
lar period he sold out and came to Manitowoc Rapids township, where he
bought the farm on which our subject is now living. He actively engaged in
the
operation of his land until i902, when he withdrew from the work of the
fields and retired with sufficient means to spend his latter years in comfort
and
free from toil. Mr. and Mrs. Brunner were married in i863, and to them were
born fifteen children, ten of whom are still living.
The early years in the life of George Brunner did not differ particularly
from those of other farmer lads of the period, his time being divided between
the work of the school room, the tasks assigned by his parents and such amuse-
ments as appeal to every youth. In the acquirement of his education he at-
tended the Catholic school at Silver Lake until he had attained the age of
four-
teen years. He then became self-supporting and for six years thereafter worked
out as a farm hand. When he was twenty he went to the village of Cato, and
learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for four and a half years
there-
after. Agricultural pursuits being more to his liking he bought the old home
place, and has ever since been engaged in its operation. He is a capable
agricul-
turist, enterprising and practical in his methods and is meeting with good
suc-
cess. In connecton with the cultivation of his fields he is also raising
stock, while
he and his younger brother, Joseph, are associated in the operation of a
hay
press.
In i899 Mr. Brunner was married to Miss Mary Schisl, a daughter of An-


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