A History of Luxemburg Township and Village, 1855-1983

208 Pages·1983·46.534 MB·English

by  Carol Jean Simonar

HISTORY OF
LUXEMBURG,
WISCONSIN
A collection of
Family and Business Histories
We dedicate this book to our grandparents who
left their mother country for a foreign land with a
few meager possessions and a lot of courage. They
carved homes and farms out of the virgin forests.
conquering the wilderness with hard work and de
termination. Their faith in God helped them triumph
over many hardships, dangers and heartaches. We
owe them a debt of gratitude that can never fully be
repaid. In this book we nope to have their memories
linger on for future generations to appreciate.
Compiled by
Carol Jean Simonar
Edited by
Carol J Simonar and Neoma Michalski
Copyrighted 1983 by
Luxemburg Diamond Jubilee
and Historical Committee
l
GRAND·DUCHE DE· GROSSHERZCX
GRAND-DUCHY OF· GRCX.miERTOG
LUXEMBOURG
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2
In 1506 Luxembourg became Spanish property,
but remained a part of the Holy Roman Empire.
The peace of Utrecht of 1713, at the end of the War
of Spanish Succession, gave the duchy to Austl'ia.
France gained control in 1795.
The Congress of Vienna made Luxembourg a
grand duchy in 1815. It gave Luxembourg to William
I of the Netherlands in exchange for his estates of
Nassau, which went to Prussia.
In 1830 attempts were made to include all Luxem
bourg in the new kingdom of Belgium. Nine years
later the western part was given to Belgium and is
still a province of that country. But the eastern part,
which is the present country of Luxembourg, re
mained an independent country under the Nether
lands king.
The Treaty of London in 1867 made Luxembourg
DUCHY OF LUXEMBOURG
a neutral, unarmed territory. The country was ruled
by the kings of the Netherlands until 1890. In that
It is one of the smallest and oldest independent year William III died and was succeeded by his
countries in Europe and covers an area that is daughter, Wilhelmina. Luxembourg then broke away
smaller than Rhode Island. The chief products are from the Netherlands because its laws did not then
agriculture, cattle, grapes, potatoes, wheat, beer, ce permit a female ruler. Duke Adolph of Nassau
ramics. fertilizer, leather and wine. Luxemburg is (1817-1905) became ruler of Luxemburg as grand
one of the world's great steel producers, with more duke. He was followed by his son William Alexis.
than five million tons of steel produced annually. After William's death the throne passed to his eldest
The City of Luxembourg, which has almost 80,000 daughter. Marie Adelaide. At the outbreak of WW I,
persons is the capital of the country with twisting the Germans overran the country. Luxembourg re
cobblestone side streets, tall narrow houses with mained under German control until the end of the
steep gabled roofs. The city boasts o( 80 bridges war. In 1919 Marie Adelaide abdicated in favor of
over deep gorges cut by the Alzette and Petrusse her sister, Charlotte. Luxembourg made a treaty with
Rivers. There is one university and few private Belgium in 1922 vyhich abolished most taxes and
schools and technical colleges in the city. Over 130 customs between the two countries.
ancient castles dot the landscape of this beautiful During WW II Luxembourg was invaded by Ger
country. man troops in 1940. The Grand Duchess Charlotte
The flag has horizontal red. white and blue and her government went into exile in London and
stripes (top to bottom). The colors come from the Montreal. Luxembourg became an important battle
coat of arms of Luxembourg adopted in 1845. The ground at the end of 1944-1945, when the Battle of
unit of money is the franc. the Bulge was fought in the northern part of the
The people are a mixture of nationalities. This is country. Grand Duchess Charlotte returned after the
because of intermarriages with the people of nearby war and the country became a charter member of
countries that once ruled the grand duchy. As a re the United Nations in 1945. In 1961 Charlotte's son
sult, many persons are partly of French. Belgian, Prince Jean was given executive powers in her be
Dutch or German origin. The people speak French half. She abdicated in 1964 in his favor.
and German (the official languages) and Lutzen bur During 1845 to 1857 crops failed and a depression
gesch an unwritten folk dialect. settled over the land causing about 20,000 Luxem
Luxembourg's geographic position has exposed the bourgers to flee their country. Also many young
country to many battles. The country originally was men were facing military service and did not want
called Lucilinburhuc (little castle). It was one of the to go to war again. Some of them settled in Wiscon
minor principalities of the Holy Roman Empire. It sin while others settled in other states.
became prominent in 1308 when Count Henry IV of
ACHIEVING STATEHOOD
Luxembourg became Henry VII, Holy Roman Em
peror. Henry's grandson, Emperor, Charles IV,
raised Luxembourg to the rank of a duchy. He gave Wisconsin achieved statehood as the nation was
it to his half brother, Wenceslas, whose family held generating a new head of economic steam following
it until 1443. Then it was owned by Burgundy and the Depression of 1837 and the end of the Mexican
Austria. War.
3
A flood of Belgians. Hollanders, Scandinavians cob Brown. Commander-in-Chief of the U S Army
and Irish came in 1840. What is now Wisconsin had and one of the few successful American Com
only 18.139 inhabitants, mostly native born Ameri manders in the War of 1812.
cans from the eastern seaboard. By 1846 the popula Milwaukee County was set off from Brown and
tion had risen to 155,277 and by 1847 to 210,54£. the western boundary of the latter was enlarged in
The census of 1850 pushed the total to 305,309, most 1834 to extend to the Wisconsin River. In 1836 the
of whom were of European origin. entire counties of Sheboygan, Fond du .Lac. Man
A bill enabling Wisconsin to become a state was itowoc and Marquette, likewise the townships of
introduced in Coogress on January 9. 1846. by Mor Washington. Dodge and Portage were taken from
gan L. Martin, the. territorial delegate. Passlng Con Brown.
gress, ir was approved by the President on August Between the years of 1840 and 1850 Winnebago
10, 1846. and Calumet counties were erected from a portion
The second constitutional convention assembled in of Brown and Marquette, Portage and Manitowoc
Madison on December 15, 1847 with Morgan L. counties enlarged from the same source. In 1851
Martin of Brovvn County as president. The territory Oconto was pared off from the parent stem and that
now boasted of a population of 210,54.6 and the de same year Door and Kewaunee counties were also
sire for statehood had become all but universal. On carved out of Bro\Nn.
May 29, 1848, President Polk approved a new act of Kewaunee County was created by Chapter 363 of
Congress. based upon the accepted constitution, the Laws of Wisconsin by the legislature on April
whereby Wisconsin was admitted to the sisterhood 16, 1852 and approved by Governor .Leonard J. Far
of states. The first election was held in 1848. well. The act created one town in the county.
) ' ' ' Kewaunee, and attached the county to Manitowoc
for all judicial purposes. The seat of Justice was lo
cated in the village of Kewaunee and the first town
meeting to elect officers was held at the residence
of John Volk near Kewaunee on the first Tuesday of
I
April.
I The first record of any happenings in the county
were in November of 1855, when a census was tak
HO
en and 1109 people were found within its limits.
~
The first general election was held in 1856.
LUXEMBURG TOWNSHIP
Edward Decker found his way across from Mena
sha to Casco in 1855 and being an enterprising
young man immediately conceived the idea of or
ganizing a town and township. Casco was founded
as a township April of 1857 and included the pre
sent limits of the town of Luxemburg. Mr. Decker
W1scmm11 111 IS.lb
came from Casco. Maine and the New Englander
gave the name of his home town to the new settle
ment.
FORMATION OF COUNTIES Luxemburg, after detachment from Casco in 1883,
was named for the people who first settled here.
In 1816 Wisconsin was part of Tllinois Territory They came from the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
The Arendt's, Colle's, Kaut's and Merens families.
but was shifted to Michigan Territory when Illinois
The geographic location of Luxemburg Township
became a state in 1818. One of lhe first acts of
is in the northwest part of Kewaunee County, Town
Michigan Governor Lewis Cass was to divide the
area between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi 24 North, Range 23 East. It was founded 100 years
into three counties. What is now the Upper Penin ago in 1883. Following is a list of the township offi
cials. Some years a complete list was not recorded
sula became Michilimachinac County, while Wis
and one year no record was found.
consin was split down the middle, the area west of
the line being designated Crawford. Everylhing east
was Brown County, in honor of Mnjor General )a-
4
1883 f. B. Vnndenhouten. S111>crvisor Freel Lohf. Assessor
john Arenr.ll Mich;rnl Ley. Justice Peace
john Bower. Chairman August Radue, Clerk Charles Pinchnrl
Peter Arendt. Supervisor Chnrles Cruder, Treasurer john Luebeck. Consletble
Fred Lohr Fred Lohr. Asse.~sor Felix Marsell
Michael Lev. Clerk Frank Bertrand
Nick Kaul, Treasurer 1891 Gustav Ilcrtrand
August Struck, Assessor
Joseph Filz. Justice of Pence Mir:h:1el Peol. Chnlrnrnn 1898
Joseph Peliljean f. B. Vn11dcnhoute11. Supervisor
George Krcmo John Arendt Oesif'e Colh1. Chairman
August Radue, Jr. August R;1due, Clerk Anton Kollross. Supervisor
Frank Berirand, Constable Chnrlcs Grntlet. Treasurer Nick Daul
John Luebeck. Jr Fred Lohf. Assessor Frank Ricki. Clerk
Joseph Hilrdinger Wenzel Snidl. Treasurer
11192 J. B. Vnndenhoulen. Assessor
188~ Michael Ley, justice Peace
Michael Lev. Chairman Charles Pinchart
john Bower. Chairman Joseph Seid't. Supervisor fohn Lueheck. Constable
Pete.r Arendt, Supervisor J. B. Vandenhouten Frank Bertrand
Fred Loh£ Michael Arendt. Clerk Gustm· Bertrt1n<l
Michael Ley. Clerk Charles Cruder. Treasurer
Nick 1<<1ul. Treasurer Fred Loh f. Assessor 1899
August Struck. Assessor Miclwel Ley. Justice Peaco
Louis $weedier. Justice Peace j. B. Vandunho11ten Desire Culle. Chairman
August Radue Charles Vorpahl, Supervisor
Joseph Hartinger. Constable 1893 Constant jandrain
John L11eb1Jck Frank Ricki. Clerk
Fronk Bertrand Michael Ley. Chuirman Wenzel Seidl, Treasurer
I. B. Vandenhouten, Supt:ivisur Charles Sell. Assessor
1885 P•~tcr Arend! ]. D. Vandenhoulen. Justice Peace
Michael Arendt. Clerk Albert Nuhlicek
john Bower, Chairman fo seph Weinfurter. Treasurer
Joseph Weinfurter, Supervisor Fmd Lohf. Assessor 1900
August Radue Joseph Petitjean. Justice Pm1ce
Michael Ley. Clerk Desire Colle. Cl1Airman
ChMles Grueder, Trmisurer lfl!M ChHrles Vorpnhl. Supervisor
August Struck, Assessor Gustav Oertrnnd
loseph Petitjean. Justice Peace tvlit:htwl Ley. Chairman Frank Ricki. Clerk
joseph Hartinger, Constable PelfJr Seid I, Supervisnr Wenzel Seidl, Trcnsurer
John Luebeck l.011i:; Friux f. B. Vandenhoulen, Assessor
joseph Haevers Chnrle:; j. Sell. Clerk Christ Drury, Justice Peace
josflph Weinfurter. 'l'rna~,Jrnr Frank RachlR
1886 ). 0. Vandenhoulcn, Assessor
Michael Lt!y. Justice Peace 1901
Simon Thibodeau, Chairman J. B. Vandenhouten
Eugene Cravillion, Supervisor J1Jhn l,uebeck, Constnblu Desire Colle. Chairman
j oseph Hnrtingnr Felix Marsell John Linzmeier, Superviwr
Joseph f-'117., Clerk Peter Boucher
Chorles Pinchart, Treasurer ll)!l5 Frnn k RiGkl. ClA rk
Joseph Dela·in, Assessor 1Nen7.P.I Snicll. Treasurer
fvl ic hf1 e I l.\ly, Justice Pea cc Mi<:h;rnl Ar~rnclt, Chairmun Charles Sell, Assessor
John Eno~ Pc·!ler Seid I. Supervisor Chrisl Drury, justice Pecu;e
j. Hnev!lrS Louis 1:·riHx J. B. Vandenh1rnt1:rn
CharllJ.!; I· Sell, Clerk t\lbert Nuhlicak
11187 fu seph Weinfurter. Trt!asunw Georgi~ P.lfner. Constable
Frnd t.uh f, Assessor Felix l\·1nrsell
Simon Thibodeau, Chairman Mlchoel Ley. Juslicc Pence Anton Grasse!
Peter ArcrndL Supervisor juscph Pelitjean
Joseph Hilrtinger J11hn Lueheck. Constnbln 1902
Joseph Filz. Clerk rt:tix Marcelle
Charlns Pinchart. Treasurer Micllc1el Arendt, Chairman
William Lohr. Assessor !ll9G john Linzmeier, Supervisor
Michael Ley, Justice Peace Gustav Jiindraln
John Enas Mich1wl Arendt. Ch;iirmnn Fr1rnk Ricki, Clerk
J. H11evers JosF:ph Friex. Supervisor Peter Seidl. Treasurer
loseph Liebl Fred Lohr, Assessor
1888 tvlichool Ley. Clerk Desire Colle, justice Peace
losoph Weinfurter. Trm1surnr Christ Drury
Herman Ulrich. Chairman j. B. Vanhouten. Assnssnr Felix Marcelle. Constable
Michael Peet, Supervisor Charles P1nchart, JusticCJ l'eace George Bali>.tl
Pcler jonet I. 13. Vandenl1outen Herman Meade
Michael Lev. Clerk lol~ Petry
Charles Pin.chart. Treasurer 190;J
Charles Grueder. Assessor 1897
Michael Arendt, Chairman
1889 missing Michael Arnndt. Chairman Joseph Liebl. Supervisor
Jo scph Liebl. Supervis<)r josnph Friex
1890 J~eph Friex Charles Sell. Clerk
Chnrlt!S Soll. Clerk Peter Seidl. Tre<1surer
Michncl Peot. Chairman· Wonzcl Seidl. Trm1surnr Freel Luhf. Assessor
5
Alhert NuhHcek. Juslice Peace
Anton Kollross 1909 Michciel Arendt, Chairmnn
). 0. Vandenhouten Eugnnc~ IV!arcelle, Supervisor
P~ilix Marcelle, Constable Anton Kollross. Chairman Ch<Hles Tillard
George Ilaierl Joseph f<idin, Supervisor Prank Rickl. Cle1'k
Herman Meade Joseph Liebl Anton Kollross. Treasurer
Charles Sell. Clerk Victor Lament, Assessor
't90-I John J. Peot. Treasurer
Josoph Jonet. Assessor 191 (i
Michael ;\rendt. Chail'man August Rarhu~. )ustlcri Peace
[·o~eph Liebl. Supervisor Gusl Meade Michael Arendt, Chairman
Joseph Friex Louis 1-laevers Eugene tvtarcelle. Supervisor
Charles Sell, Clerk Charles Sell George Dorner
Peter Seidl. Trea~urer Gust Bertrand, Constable Fronk Ricki. Clerk
Fred Lohr. Assessor Felix Marcelle L. Vandt>.nhoulen. Treasurer
Frank Rick], [us1ice Peace Mike Schroeder Victor L:mrenl Asses.'\Or
Desire Colle
Fnlix Marselle, Constn ble 1910 '.1917 rmd 19'18
Oliver DeBauch
JV1 ike Salen tine Anion Kollross. Chtiirman Mike Arendt. Chairman
[osoph Jndin, Supervisor [oseµh Friex. Supervisor
1905 Joseph Liebl Eugene Marcelle
Chcirles Sell. Clerk Frank Ricki. Clerk
August Radue. Chairman ohn J. Peot, Treasurer L. Vnnd1rnhouten, Treasurer
J O$eph Liebl. Supervisor fo seph Jonet. t\ssessol' Peter Seidl, Assessol'
[osr.ph Fri.ex Louis llaevers, Justice Peace Joseph DuBois. Justice Peace
John L. Miller. Clerk Frnnk Ricki Peter Thill
1-'eler Seidl. T1·eosurer August Radue Gus Bertrand. Constable
J. 0, Vandenhoutnn, Assessor Gust Meade Nick Daul
N.i ck Spitzer, [ustice Peace Felix Marsell, Constable
I B. Vand<-!nhot1ten George Unznrnior 19Hl
:nink Ricki C11sL Bertrand
Desire Colle Michael Arendt, Chciirman
Nick Schroeder. Constable '1911 [oseph Friex, Supervisor
Felix Marsell Euge1rn Marcelle
George Linzmeler Michael Arendt, Chairman [oseph Baierl. fr. Clerk
[oseph Jadin. Supervisor Joseph Aschenbrenner, Trea$urer
1!106 Joseph Liebl Pe1er Seidl, Assessor
Frnnk Ricki, CIE:1rk Jos fluBois, Justice Pence
August Rndue, Cbalrm11n John ). Peol, Treasurer Petol' 'T'hill
Joseph LiHbl. Supervisor PetM S1~idl. Assessor Gus Del'lrand. Conslnble
Jnst:!ph Friex Gust Meade. jusllce Peace Nick Daul
Albert Liebl. Clork Louis Friex
Peter Seidl. Tre<1surer Charles R. Seidl 1920
J. B. Vl!ndenhouten. Asst>.ssor Felix Marcelle. Constable
Desire Colle, Ju.~tlce Peace Gus Bertrand Mlclwel Arendt. Chairman
Frnn'k Rickl Gt!Mge Linzmeier Joseph F1·iex, Supervisol'
Nick Spitzer Eugene Marcelle
"1912 Joseph Baietl. fr. Clerk
1907 [os Aschenbrenner. Treasurer
Michael Arendt, Chairman Pete1• Seidl. Assessor
1\ui,'ltSt Radue, Ch11irman Joseph Friex Martin Haevers, fu slice Peace
Henry Hartinger. Supervisor [oseph Lir.hl Gus Bertrand, Constable
Joseph Liebl Frnnk Ricki. ClArk Nick Daul
Alherl Liebl. Clerk John ). Peot. Treasurer
Peter Seidl, Trcrrn11rer Peter Seidl. AsseSS-01' 1921
j. B. V<indenhouten. Assessor Cust Meade, jusllce PP.ace
John Miller. Justice Peace Louis Friex Michael Arendt. Chnirrnan
}. B. Vandenhoutcn Ch11rles R. Seidl Eugene Marcelle. Supervisor
Joseph Jonet Felix Marcelli~. Con.5t11hle jo~eph Fril!x
G1~1·hal'I Nenrlle. Constnble Cns l31~rtrand Joseph Bciierl, Jr. Clerk
Joseph Farnerec George Linzrneier Jos Aschenbl'enner, Treasurer
Ar'l Bazlen Viclor Laurent. Assessor
Oliver DeBa11ch 1913 MArtin Haevers. Justice Peace
Gus J3.,rtrand. Constable
l!l08 Michael Arendt. Chairman Nick Daul
Louis friex. Supervisor
August Radue, Chnirman Joseph [. [onet 1922
JosBph Fricx. Supervisor Fronk Ricki, Clerk
Joseph Liebl A.nton Kollross. Treosurer Michnel Arendt, Chnli'mao
Alber! Liebl. Clerk Peter Seidl. Assi>-'>.~or Eugene Marcelle. Superviso1·
Peter Liebl. Clerk [oseph Friex
Peter Seidl. Treasurer 1914 Jose1>h Baierl. Jr. Clerk
J. R. Vandenl1oulen, Assessor [os Aschenbrenner. Treasurer
Louis Haevers, J1 1stice Peace Michael Al'Mdl. Chr1irman \!i clor Laurent, Assessor
Clrnrles Sell Charles Tillard. Supervisor M<Jrlin J-Iaevers, [uslice Peace
lohn Miller Hemy Alsieen Gus Bertrand, Constable
[. B. Vandenhouren Frank Ricki, Clerk Nick Onul
Gus Bertrand. Constable An ton Kollross. 1'reosu rer
Qfi,·e1· DeBa11ch Victor Laurent. Assessor 1923
FeHx Marcelle
·t915 lvlich~el Arendt. Ch<li1·man
6