Bio of Plein, John H. (b.1870) 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.

Plein, John H., a prominent farmer of Highland Township, residing in
section 22, was born in Glasgow Township, Wabasha County, June 26, 1870,
son of Peter and Kate (Valler) Plein. The father, Peter Plein, was born in
the Duchy of Luxemburg and came to America in 1862, locating in Glasgow
Township, Wabasha County, Minn., where for a number of years he worked on
farms. He then bought a small farm on which he lived and which he operated
for half a century, but is now retired and residing with his son John H.
He was married to Kate Valler in 1869, and she died in March, 1874. They
had six children: John H., Peter, Anna, Lizzie, Katie and Mike. Of these
children Katie and Lizzie are now deceased. John H. Plein was reared in
Glasgow Township, where he attended district school. He performed farm
labor for his father and others until 1895, in which year he started in
for himself, buying 160 acres in section 22, Highland Township. He has
built a large barn and outbuildings, and installed an electric lighting
system for all buildings, the farm and buildings being now in excellent
condition. He carries on general farming, raising good cattle and Chester-
White hogs, and keeping full-blooded sires at the head of his herds. In
religion a Catholic, he belongs to the Old Settlers' Association of
Wabasha County; also to the Equitable Fraternal Union, the Knights of
Columbus, the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Modern Samaritans, of
which his wife is also a member. Mr. Plein was first married April 7,
1896, to Lora Unbrecht, who died November 20, 1901. By her he had five
children: Alvin B., born March 13, 1897; Ralph J., April 19, 1898; Floyd
E., May 22, 1899; Eunice Fl, July 20, 1900, and Ethel, February 21, 1901.
On April 17, 1917, Ralph J., enlisted in the U. S. navy and subsequently
made 15 trips across the Atlantic on a U. S. transport vessel. He was
discharged in September, 1919, and is now in Minneapolis. Alvin B.
enlisted in the army August 15, 1918, in a machine gun company, and was
sent to Minnesota University farm, later to Camp Hancock, and then to Camp
Dodge, being discharged January 9, 1919. Eunice F. is now Mrs. Hubert
Weise of Plainview Township. Ethel is residing at home. Mr. Plein was
married secondly, in 1908, to Ida Maahs and of this union ten children
have been born, as follows: Elsie B., April 4, 1904 (died December 23,
1907); Erving J., born July 21, 1905; Johnnie J., July 23, 1906; Francis
E., February 13, 1908; Stella A., April 22, 1909; Lawrence A., April 21,
1910; Viola E., July 21, 1911; Florence P., September 29, 1913; Arthur C.,
April 22, 1915, and Joseph A. June 22, 1918. All the surviving children
are residing on the home farm.