Bio of Herman AHLERS (b.1874 d.1916), Wabasha Co., MN USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Made available to The USGenWeb Archives by: Martha J. Berryman Herman Ahlers, who was for some years an enterprising and prosperous farmer of Glasgow Township, was born in Westphalia, Germany, April 9, 1874, son of Martin and Mary Ahlers. He attended common school in his native land to the age of 14 and was then bound out to a farmer. After following agricultural pursuits in Germany until October, 1900, he came to America in company with Henry Stamschror. Having no money at the time, he worked as a farm hand for two years in Glasgow Township, and afterwards for a year on the farm of Chris Grass of Wabasha Township. On November 19, 1902, Mr. Ahlers married Anna Helmsorig, who was born in Westphalia, Germany, October 11, 1880, and to whom he had become attached while in the old country. After his marriage he started in for himself, renting farms for four years in Glasgow and Highland Townships. In 1906 he bought 200 acres in sections 2 and 3, Glasgow, and 11 acres in section 11, the place being known as the Nick Zeimetz farm. The land was improved, but the buildings were poor. The latter condition he remedied in time, in 1914 building a good residence of nine rooms. With better buildings and an adequate equipment he followed general farming successfully, and had got everything into good shape when he met with a sudden and accidental death, being killed by lightening April 19, 1916. At the time of his death he was serving as supervisor, having filled that position for three years. He was a consistent member of the Catholic church and a good citizen, respected and esteemed throughout Glasgow Township and the vicinity. Since his death his widow has conducted the farm and has made further improvements on it. In 1920 she built a frame barn, 32 by 76 by 14 feet, and a silo 12 by 28 feet in size, and her equipment includes a Chalmers auto car. Mr. and Mrs. Ahlers were the parents of eight children, all of whom are now living, namely: Bernard Joseph, born January 23, 1904; Henry Herman, November 1, 1905; Aloysius Anton, July 14, 1907; Marie Helen, March 31, 1909; Martin Henry, December 31, 1911; Martha Catherine, 1912; Anna Bertha, January 14, 1914; and Gertrude Magdaline, November 28, 1915. Note: This biography was taken from the book "History of Wabasha County" copyrighted in 1920.