Bios of Freese, Joseph H. (b.1830) Wabasha Co., MN
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Made available to The USGenWeb Archives by: Barbara Timm
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This bio comes from "HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY" 1920.
Check out Barbara's site for more great information on this book:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~mnwabbio/wab3.htm
There are also some pictures and information from descendents for some 
of the bios on her pages.

Freese, Joseph H. (page 626), who for the last nine years has been
conducting a good-sized farm in Watopa Township, was born in Greenfield
Township, Wabasha County, Minn., November 25, 1885, son of Clem and Sophia
(Grass) Freese. The parents were natives of Germany, where Clem Freese was
born in 1856. He came to the United States in the early sixties, at the
age of seven years, settling in Iowa, whence he moved to Wabasha County,
Minn., in 1885. Here he bought 160 acres of land in Watopa Township, later
another tract of the same size, and afterwards one of 98 acres, making a
total of 418 acres. On that farm he resided until 1911, in which year he
moved to Breckenridge, Minn., and is now living on a farm which he
purchased there. He aided in the development of Watopa Township, improving
his place here by the erection of good buildings and bringing most of his
land under cultivation. His marriage to Sophia Grass, who was born in
Germany, took place February 15, 1884. They became the parents of 11
children: Joseph, Mary, Theresa, Bernard, Anestasia, Frances, Clara,
Albert, Lloyd, Lawrence and James. Mary is now Mrs. Lawrence Schanhara;
Theresa is the wife of A. L. Flock; Anestasia is the widow of Ben Wild;
and Frances the wife of Patrick Curren. Mrs. Sophia Freeze, the mother of
these children, died April 15, 1917. Joseph H. Freese acquired his
education in the district school in Watopa Township and the St. Felix high
school at Wabasha. He was reared on his parents' farm and worked for his
father until 1911. He then began his career as an independent farmer by
renting his present farm of 418 acres in sections 4, 8 and 9, Watopa
Township, which he expects to purchase later. Among his contemplated
improvements for this summer (1920) are the erection of a good silo. His
operations as a general farmer and stock raiser have been carried on
energetically and intelligently and he is making good financial progress.
For 10 years he has been a member of the school board of district No. 69.
In religion he is a Catholic and he belongs to the order of Knights of
Columbus. Mr. Freese was married February 15, 1911, to Cecelia Plein,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Plein, and the children born of this union
are as follows: Edwin C. January 8, 1912; Leona F., May 30 1913; James J.,
September 2, 1916; and Viola E., November 16, 1918.

John Plein, father of Mrs. Joseph H. Freese, was born in Highland
township, Wabasha county, Minn., August 12, 1864. After growing to manhood
he farmed in Highland Township until 1905, and then moved to Kellogg,
where he and his wife, whose maiden name was Anna Schoweiler, now reside.
They have had four children: Cecelia, Theresa (Mrs. John Schierts),
Ferdinand, and Clarence.

Webmaster's Comment: I am including here the obituary of Mary Plein
Williams, 07/29/1872 ~ 04/06/1925. She was the first wife of Zene
Williams. A year after she died, Zene married Mara Harnack Timm, the widow
of Adolph Timm, my ex-husband's great-uncle.
Death of Mrs. Zenas Williams
The Plainview News, Plainview, Minnesota Friday, April 10, 1925 (Page 10)

The sudden and unexpected death of Mrs. Zenas Williams at Rollingstone on
Monday, April 6, 1925 was a shock to friends and acquaintances. Although
she had been ill for some time, none were aware that her condition was so
critical. She had been ailing for the past three years and for the past
three months had been quite ill at times. On Sunday she suffered a stroke
which was the cause of her sudden death. For the past few weeks she had
been stopping at the home of Mrs. Peter Weis at Rollingstone where she was
receiving medical treatment. Mary (Plein) Williams was born in Greenfield
Township July 29, 1872 and has spent her life in this community. Her
family was numbered among the early settlers of this community. For many
years she has made her home in this village and was well known to all in
this community. She is survived by her husband, three brothers and one
sister; George and Jacob Plein of this village, John Plein of Kellogg and
Mrs. Lizzie Peters of Kellogg. She was united in marriage on July 19, 1920
to Zenas Williams and after their marriage they continued to make their
home in Plainview. Services were held from St. Joachim's Catholic Church
Thursday morning at 9:30, Rev. D. J. Lavery officiating and interment was
made in St. Joachim's Cemetery. The sympathy of the community is extended
to the bereaved husband and relatives in this sad hour.