- SEBASTIAN GRIESBACH. One of the well-known and influential families of Center township is that of Griesbach, worthy representatives of which may be found in Sebastian, John and Henry Griesbach, brothers, sons of Casper Griesbach. Casper Griesbach was a native of Germany, and came from that country to the United States in 1860, when twenty-three years of age. Landing at New York, he proceeded thence to Milwaukee, on to Appleton, and eventually to Center township, where he purchased land in the woods and built a log house. He subsequently became one of the county's most prominent farmers and large landholders, improving his land and erecting new buildings from time to time, and finally, in 1899, he retired from active labor and went to live in Appleton, where he has his own house. Mr. Griesbach married Annie Bauer, who was born in Germany and came to this country as a girl with her parents, and she still survives. They had a family of eight children. Sebastian Griesbach was born December 31, 1868, on the home farm, and his education was secured in the district schools. Being the eldest of the family, he naturally had more of the home responsibility upon his shoulders when a boy, and had limited opportunity to secure an education, but made the most of such chances as he had, and has since educated himself by self teaching, much reading and keen observation. When his father retired, he bought his present place of 120 acres, a part of the old homestead, and here he has successfully carried on general farming and dairying operations to the present time. On April 18, 1899, Mr. Griesbach was married to Josephine Deimer, daughter of Joseph and Anna Deimer, of Ellington township. She was born in Appleton, but received her schooling in Greenville township, her father having moved from the city into the country, Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Griesbach, namely: Annie, born December 29, 1899, who died in infancy; George, born November 21, 1901; Edward, born October 28, 1903; Martha, born October 15, 1904; Claire, born April 17, 1906; Lewis Henry, born January 29, 1908, and Henry Lewis, born January 18, 1909. Mr. and Mrs. Griesbach belong to St. Edward's Catholic church, at Mackville. In political matters he is a democrat.
John Griesbach was born April 16, 1874 on the old home place, in the stone house built by his father to replace the original log cabin. His education was secured in the district schools of his neighborhood and the Catholic Sisters' school at Mackville, but when he was about fifteen years of age he completed his studies and took up his duties on the home farm. On April 12, 1899, he married Sophia Ellenbecker, daughter of Richard and Annie Ellenbecker, of Center township. After his marriage, Mr. Griesbach's father moved to Appleton and sold the 200 acres to John and Henry Griesbach, and they lived on this place one and one-half years, at the end of which time John Griesbach erected a new house and barns on the land, to which he moved, and where he has lived to the present time, being engaged in general farming and also carrying on dairying. He has a family of six children, namely: Marie, Annie, Anthony, Robert, Hobart and Leonard. He and Mrs. Griesbach belong to the Catholic church at Mackville, and in political matters he is a democrat.
Henry Griesbach was born April 8, 1877, on his father's farm, where he now resides, and secured his education in the district schools and the Sisters' school at Mackville, attending the latter until he had reached the age of fourteen or fifteen years. He always worked on the home place, and at the time of his father's retirement, he purchased his present farm with his brother, John. He was married October 25, 1899, to Annie Decker, daughter of Peter and Margaret Decker, of Center township, and four children have been born to this union: Peter, born July 6, 1900; Joseph, born January 19, 1903; Katherine, born December 22, 1905, and Herman, born September 21, 1907. Like the other members of this old and honored family, Mr. and Mrs. Griesbach are consistent members of St. Edward's Catholic church.
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1874 - 1954 (80 years)
1910 Census
