- JOHN WITTLIN is a native of Wisconsin, having been born in the town of Germantown, Washington county, December 31, 1845, a son of Burkart and Catherine (Degen) Wittlin. Burkart Wittlin was born March 7, 1813, near Basel, in Switzerland, and came to the United States in 1844. He bought a farm in the town of Germantown, Washington county, Wisconsin, where he resided until July 4, 1864, when he moved to Outagamie county, Wisconsin, and bought a farm comprising 320 acres of wild land, near the present residence of his son John, in the town of Center. On this farm he built a log house, 20x36 feet, in which he resided until his death, July 12, 1878. Mrs. Catherine Wittlin, also a native of Switzerland, was born near Basel, October 16, 1816, and died on the homestead in Outagamie county, February 27, 1893. To this honored couple were born four children, John being the oldest, all of whom are living. John Wittlin was reared to farming pursuits by his father, and was educated at the district school in his locality, and the German and English Academy in Milwaukee. On November 26, 1870, he married Miss Catherine Durick, daughter of Michael and Nora (O'Brien) Durick, natives of Limerick, Ireland, both of whom died near the residence of our subject, the father at the age of sixty-four and the mother when sixty-five. Miss Catherine Durick was born in Ozaukee county, Wisconsin, April 14, 1848, one of a family of five children, four of whom are still living.
To John Wittlin and wife have been born eleven children, of whom two died young: Michael J., born June 15, 1876, died September 17, 1876; Peter J., born June 20, 1885, died September 19, 1886. The others were born as follows: Catherine H., December 30, 1871, married Peter Nussbaum, of Ellington; Mary E., December 22, 1872, married Herman Frahm, of Grand Chute; John B., June 5, 1874; Margaret A., August 29, 1877, married John Casey, of Ellington; Emma A., August 13, 1879, married Robert O'Brien, of near Royalton, Waupaca county; Jane S., November 6, 1880; James F., June 22, 1883; Helen C., September 4, 1887; and Florence G., October 2, 1893 .
The mother of these children, after a short sickness and an unsuccessful operation at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, in Appleton, died October 28, 1910, and was buried in Ellington. She was a faithful member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church at Stephensville.
Mr. Wittlin, after his marriage, at once settled on his present farm, given to him by his father, his father giving each of the sons a tract of eighty acres, and here he has ever since been engaged in mixed farming, in which he has met with the good success his skill and industry deserve. In politics he is a member of the Democratic party, and cast his first presidential vote for Horatio Seymour in 1868. He has won the entire confidence of his fellow citizens. He has served as town clerk for eighteen years, district school clerk for forty years, and chairman of the town board two years. For twenty-two years he has been, and still is, one of the directors of the Farmers' Home Mutual Insurance Company. During five years he served as postmaster at Wittlin. Throughout his life, whether in official positions or private interests, Mr. Wittlin has displayed integrity of character and force of purpose that has gained for him an enviable reputation among his fellow townsmen .
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- John Wittlin, 75, one of the earliest pioneers of the county, died Thursday noon at his home, 1178 Packard street. He was born at Germantown, near Milwaukee, and moved to the town of Center 56 years ago, where he made his home until 4 years ago when he removed to Appleton. He is survived by seven daughters and two sons, Mrs. Herman Frahm, Greenville; Mrs. John Casey, Stepensville; Mrs. Robert O'Brien, New London; Mrs. James Makens, Britton, South Dakota; Sister Myra C.F.A., Fond du Lac; Mrs. Peter Nussbaum and Miss Nellie Wittlin, Appleton; John Wittlin, Menominee Falls; and James Wittlin of Center. He is also survived by three brothers, Burkart, Julius and Arnold Wittlin of this city. Funeral arrangements will be announced later.
Appleton Post Crescent Thur., Jan. 13, 1921 pg. 2
WITTLIN FUNERAL
Brief funeral services for the late John Wittln, Sr., will be held at 8 o'clock Saturday morning from the residence, 1178 Packard street. The body will then be conveyed to St. Patrick church, Stephensville, where the Rev. Edward Schimberg will have charge of the burial rites. Burial will be at St. Patrick cemetery.
Appleton Post Crescent Fri., Jan. 14, 1921 pg.
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1845 - 1921 (75 years)
Biography
