- MICHAEL J.GAYHART, one of the enterprising and progressive young farmers of Outagamie county, who has spent his entire life in Grand Chute township, is now the owner of a fine farm of forty acres. He was born on the farm on which he now lives, April 14, 1880, and is a son of Michael and Elizabeth (Bohn) Gayhart, the former born in Tonawanda, New York, September 29, 1836, and the latter in Weisbach, Germany, September 29, 1833. Michael Gayhart was reared on a New York farm, and in 1854 came with his parents to Wisconsin, the family settling at Barton. In 1862 Mr. Gayhart came to Outagamie county, and after his marriage located in Appleton, where for about eight years he was engaged in teaming for a Mr. Finney. At the end of this period he opened a brickyard near the city, which he continued to operate for about fifteen years, and also engaged in farming in the summers and working in the woods winters at lumbering. He had previously purchased the farm in Grand Chute township that is now occupied by his son, Michael J., and here he farmed for one year, then renting it and removing to Split Rock, Wisconsin, where he was engaged in lumbering and operating a sawmill until 1891. In the latter year he returned to the farm, where he spent the balance of his life, dying December 30, 1899. He and his wife had a family of twelve children: Anna, the wife of William Aderman, in the lumber business at Appleton; Lizzie, wife of John Miller, a farmer of Grand Chute township; Caroline, wife of Michael Spielbauer, a member of the Appleton Fire Department; Minnie, wife of George Carter, a farmer of Paris, California,; Jennie, wife of Frank Merrit, a resident of Pasadena., California; Hattie, who is single and resides at home; Henry and Lena, who are deceased; Emma, wife of William Miller, a Grand Chute farmer; Laura, who is single and residing at home; Mary, wife of Ben Derby, a farmer of West Menasha; and Michael J.
Michael J. Gayhart attended the district schools of Grand Chute township, the district school at Split Rock and St. Joseph's school in Appleton. With the exception of a few winters spent in the woods, he has always resided on his present farm, of which he took charge at the time of his father's death. He now has forty acres under cultivation, and is carrying on general farming with great success. His land is finely cultivated and yields large crops, his buildings are modern and substantial, and his stock of good breed and well-fed appearance. Mr. Gayhart is a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, and in politics he is a Democrat. He has never married.
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1880 - 1971 (91 years)
Biography
