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MELCHIOR LUCHSINGER

Among the sturdy and progressive Swiss element who have done so much for the general development of Fayette county and at the same time have bettered their condition, now owning nice, substantial homes and valuable landed estates, is Melchior Luchsinger, of Pleasant Valley township, who was born in the canton of Glaris, Switzerland, April 9, 1838. He is the son of J.P. and Barbara (Tschudi) Luchsinger, people of high standing in their native community in Switzerland. Their son Melchior received a good education in the schools of his native country, having attended two years in a school that would in America be termed a high school, and since coming here he has greatly broadened his early education by general reading and contact with his fellows. After leaving school he worked for three years in the emigration office. Then, in 1875, at the age of seventeen years, he came to America, first locating in Ohio, later removing to Iowa, then to Wisconsin. In 1880 his father and sister came to America, arriving here in the springtime, and in the fall of that year J.P. Luchsinger, the father, returned to Switzerland and brought his wife and his other daughter to the United States. He then purchased a valuable farm of two hundred and thirty acres, about one and one-half miles south of Elgin, where his son, Melchior, of this review, now resides, this place having become the permanent home of the family and here they prospered, developed one of the best farms in the township and in due course of time had a pleasant home. The father died here some years ago, after a life of honor and usefulness, but his widow survives, living on the old home place, making four generations in the same house.

Melchior Luchsinger has lived here ever since the place was purchased, and he carries on dairying and general farming very successfully. In 1895 he was one of the organizers of the Farmers’ Dairy Company of Elgin, which company purchased the holdings of the Union Creamery Company, at which time Mr. Luchsinger became director, remaining as such for a period of three years, then was made secretary, which office he has since held and the large success of the undertaking is due in no small measure to his able management of its affairs. The firm is well known throughout this locality and an extensive trade is carried on throughout the year.

Mr. Luchsinger was married in 1880 to Esther A. Miller, daughter of John F. Miller, Sr., a prominent pioneer citizen of Pleasant Valley township, where Mrs. Luchsinger was reared and educated. To Mr. and Mrs. Luchsinger the following children have been born: Peter married Laura Maurer and he is farming on the home place; Mary and John and both living at home.

Members of this family belong to the Baptist church at Elgin and they are liberal supporters of the same. Politically, Mr. Luchsinger is independent, preferring to cast his vote for the man whom he deems best qualified for the office sought rather than for the party. He has served very ably and acceptably as clerk of Pleasant Valley township, also as secretary of the township schools.

~transcribed for the Fayette Co IAGenWeb Project by Nancy Schroeder