FUCHSEN, PETER J.

FUCHSEN, WELTER, ELBERT, KERKER

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 4/7/2004 at 10:13:37

Biography reproduced from page 335 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Peter J. Fuchsen is one of Kossuth county’s sons and has from childhood made his home here. He owns and operates a quarter section of land which he has well improved and brought to a high state of fertility, and is one of the trustees of Garfield township. He was born in this township in 1879, a son of Peter and Katherine (Welter) Fuchsen, both natives of Germany. The father emigrated to the new world in 1856 and settled in Dubuque, Iowa, his first occupation being as an employe in a warehouse on the Mississippi river. He remained thus employed for twelve years and then came to Kossuth county in 1870, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land near West Bend, Garfield township, and later added to his realty until he had at one time four hundred acres. He improved his farm and operated it until 1905, when he retired from active life and removed to West Bend, where he is now living at the age of seventy-eight years. His wife passed away on August 18, 1911.

Peter J. Fuchsen was reared and educated in this county, attending its common schools in the acquirement of his education. He remained with his parents on the farm until the time of his marriage, when he rented some land and began farming on his own account, residing on the same place for seven years. He then purchased one hundred and sixty acres from his father in Garfield township which he immediately set about to improve. Since that time he has remained on the one hundred and sixty acres which he purchased and now has it in a high state of cultivation as a result of his enterprise and labor.

Mr. Fuchsen was married February 12, 1901, to Miss Emma Elbert, a daughter of Joseph P. and Margaret (Kerker) Elbert, both natives of Illinois. The father is a blacksmith by trade and was thus employed in Illinois until 1893, when he came to Kossuth county and bought a farm in Whittemore township, upon which he made his home until 1910. He then retired from active work and returned to Metamora, Illinois, where he is now living at the age of fifty-six years. The mother is also living, having reached the age of fifty-two years. To Mr. and Mrs. Fuchsen seven children have been born, namely: Ceclia K., aged ten years; Luella J., eight years; Edward G., seven years; May M., five years; Irene S., four years; Sylvester G., two years; and Joseph P., an infant.

Politically Mr. Fuchsen gives his allegiance to the democratic party and is now serving his second year as trustee of the township. He and all of the members of his family affiliate with the Catholic church, being prominent in that organization. He is one of the highly respected men of his township and is well known in agricultural and political circles, being greatly esteemed by a large number of people.