Bio: C. Rudolph Frantz (1872  - ?)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org on Sat, 10 Feb 2001

Surnames: FRANTZ, SONTAG, WHITTOF, HOHNSTEIN, PATTERSON, FRANKLIN

----Source: 1918 History of Clark Co., WI, by Franklyn, Curtiss-Wedge

C. RUDOLPH FRANTZ, a highly respected resident of Neillsville, now living retired after a long and successful career as an agriculturist and dairy farrner, was born on his parents' homestead in Pine Valley Township, June 16, 1872. The parents were George and Barbara (Sontag) Frantz, pioneers of that township. Like the sons of most of the early settlers, he grew up on the home farm, attending district school, and learning habits of industry. His parents removing to Washburn Township, he accompanied them there and helped to pay for the place, his father and he conducting the farm together. In 1899 the father willed the place to him and he took over its management and worked it as his own, the father and mother making their home with him. In 1908 it was found that the will was lost, so the father gave him a deed to the farm outright, but continued to make his home an it in his declining years being made pleasant and free from care. At the time the deed was given the farm consisted of eighty acres of which about forty-five acres had been cleared. Since then C. Rudolph together with his son, has cleared and grubbed the balance and brought the land to a high state of cultivation. He has also added other land to the farm, by purchase, until it now contains 200 acres. He has also greatly improved the property, having erected a barn 34 by 60 feet in size, remodeled the house, put up various outbuildings, including a garage, and installed an acetylene gas plant, which furnishes light for house, barn, garage and outbuildings. In operating this property, Mr. Frantz followed general dairy farming, having a fine herd of high grade Holstein cattle.

He was one of the leading citizens of his township, serving as a member of the board of supervisors. He was also, and still is, a stockholder in the Shortville Creamery Company. On Oct. 22, 1917. Mr. Frantz rented his farm, stock and equipment, and moved to Neillsville, where he purchased a fine residence and two acres of land, and where he and his family, together with his father and mother, now reside. He is a member of the local Odd Fellows Lodge, the Mystic Workers of the World and the Loyal Order of Moose.

On March 20, 1896, Mr. Frantz was united in marriage with Elizabeth Hohnstein, who was born in Germany, Sept. 15, 1877, daughter of Fred and Elizabeth (Whitthof) Hohnstein. She, like her husband, is a member of the Mystic Workers. Three children have been born to them: Elmer, Clara and Ruby. Ehner, born in 1896, has always remained at home and assisted his father on the farm. Clara, born Aug. 4, 1898, was graduated from the Neillsville high school when only 17 years of age. She subsequently took the normal training course and for the past two years has been a teacher in Washburn Township. Ruby, born April 27, 1905, is a student in the Neillsville graded school. Mr. Frantz and his family attend the Presbyterian Church. They occupy a high social standing and are people who take a lively interest in whatever makes good for the welfare and improvement of the Community in which they reside.

Fred Hohnstein an esteemed resident of Neillsville, where he and his wife have lived retired for the past fourteen years, was born in Germany, and came to America in 1883, locating at Utica, Illinois. There he engaged in market gardening, which occupation he had followed in his native land. Residing at Utica Until 1894, he then retired and came to Neillsville, which place has since been his home. He has now attained the age of 66 years and his wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Whitthof, that of 68. They are the parents of eight children, all now living, namely: Henrietta, now Mrs. Arthur Patterson, of Placerville, Cal.; Rudolph, residing in Hoquiam, Wash.; Elizabeth, wife of, C. Rudolph Frantz; Frederick, of Alma Center, Wis.; William, of Hoquiam, Wash.; Peter, a farmer in Washburn Township, Clark County, Wis.; Anna, wife of Charles Franklin, residing on the old Franklin homestead at Rockford, Ill., of which city Mr. Franklin's father was one of the earliest settlers; and Irene, wife of Henry Wallace, of Stevens Point, Wis.