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Carl Hilgendorf bio

Surname: HILGENDORF, RICHARDT, SCHRAP, IHDE, KRAUTH, RUPNOW, ZIMMERMAN

From "Dodge County Wisconsin Past and Present" 1913, S. J. Clarke Publishing, Chicago, Volume II, page 27.

"Carl Hilgendorf, who is the present incumbent of the office of county treasurer, was for many years actively and successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits in Oak Grove township, where he owns a valuable farm. He is one of the estimable citizens Germany has furnished Dodge County, his birth having occurred in the province of Pommern, on the 2d of February, 1854.

His parents, William and Frederica (Richardt) Hilgendorf, were born, reared and married in the same province, the father's natal day being the 28th of October, 1828, and the mother's January 3, 1827. The father, who was a carpenter, emigrated to the United States with his family in 1868, first locating in Theresa township, this county, where he followed his trade for four years. At the expiration of that period he bought a tract of land in Oak Grove township, giving his undivided attention to its further improvement and cultivation during the remainder of his active life. He passed away on his farm on the 28th of November, 1892, and the mother on the 13th of February, 1895. They were the parents of seven children, of whom our subject is the eldest. In order of birth the others are as follows : August, who is a contractor in Juneau; William, deceased; Herman, who follows the mason's trade and also conducts a general mercantile store in the village of Oak Grove; John, a carpenter contractor residing in California; Ulrike, the wife of Herman Zimmerman, a retired farmer; and Ernest, a carpenter of Menomonee, Wisconsin.

"The education of Carl Hilgendorf was acquired in the common schools of his native land, which he attended until he accompanied his parents to America at the age of fourteen years. He subsequently learned the carpenter's trade from his father, whom he also assisted with the cultivation of the home farm, remaining with his parents until he was married. For eight years thereafter he followed his trade, but at the expiration of that time he bought the old homestead from his father and once more turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. His energies were entirely devoted to diversified farming and stockraising from that period until the autumn of 1910, when he was elected to his present office. Prior to entering upon his official duties he removed to Juneau, where he owns a very attractive, modern residence and here he expects to pass the remainder of his life. Mr. Hilgendorf has met with success in his undertakings and holds the title to two hundred and five acres of farm land in this county. He is also financially interested in the Essmann Cheese Company, of which he has been secretary for twenty-five years, and is a stockholder and the present treasurer of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Juneau.

"On the 19th of December, 1878, Mr. Hilgendorf was married to Miss Louisa Schrap, who was born in Lomira township, this county, on the 16th of April, 1856. She is a daughter of Carl and Henrietta (Moerike) Schrap, natives of Germany, and well known pioneer farming people of Oak Grove township, where they resided until 1893. In the latter year they came to Juneau and here the father is now living retired at the age of seventy-nine years, the mother being two years his junior. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hilgendorf : Ida, the wife of Herman Ihde, of Juneau; Eddie, who married Frances Krauth and resides in Hubbard township; Emil, who married Martha Rupnow and is residing on one of his father's farms in Oak Grove township; and Martha, Adela and Alma, all of whom are residing at home.

"The family belong to the Lutheran church, of which Mr. Hilgendorf was treasurer for eleven years. Politically he endorses the democratic party. He is public-spirited in matters of citizenship and has always taken an interest in local politics, having served as treasurer of his township for one year and as chairman for seven. He is a man of practical ideas and clear judgment, whose energies were intelligently directed toward the achievement of a definite purpose, which he attained. In the discharge of his official duties he is manifesting the same qualities that characterized him in the development of his private interests, and is therefore fully equal to his responsibilities."

Contributed by Marcia Gehl