Bio of Stehr, John 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.

Stehr, John (page 716), proprietor of one of the best farms in Chester, of
which township he is a leading citizen was born in Featherstone Township,
Goodhue County, Minn., son of Jacob D. and Metta (Quast) Stehr. The
parents, natives of Hanover, Germany came to America in 1867, settling in
Goodhue County, Minn., where they were engaged in farming until 1897. In
that year Mrs. Metta Stehr died, and her husband, Jacob D. Stehr, moved to
Chester Township, Wabasha County, where he lived until 1907. After that he
moved to Lake City, where he resided until his death on January 27, 1920.
He had contracted a second marriage, and his second wife is now living in
Lake City. He was a member of the German Lutheran church. By his first
wife, Metta, he had six children: Dietrich (deceased), Margaret, John,
Metta, Mary and Henry. John Stehr acquired his elementary education in a
district school in Goodhue County and subsequently attended a business
college at Red Wing, in which place he also worked in a shoe store for a
year and a half. After that until 1896 he was associated with his father,
for whom he worked. He then rented the home farm for two years. After that
he removed to Chester Township, Wabasha County, where he rented the old
homestead of his wife's grandparents, Ernest and Julia Radke, a place on
which the grandparents had lived for over 50 years. Ernest Radke died in
1893 and his wife in 1916. Mr. Stehr then bought the interests of the
heirs to this property, containing 160 acres in section 2. He also
acquired other land, inheriting 120 acres in section 1, Chester Township,
and in 1919 bought 80 acres in section 11, making a total of 360 acres
that he now owns. He has build a good silo on his property, and repaired
the original buildings, and is carrying on a prosperous business as a
general farmer and stock raiser. As a good citizen he has taken a helpful
interest in local affairs, having served seven years as clerk on the town
board and 18 years as clerk of school district No. 65. Like his father, he
is a Lutheran in religion. Mr. Stehr was married December 2, 1896, to
Pauline Sprikes, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick W. Sprikes of Chester
Township, this county. Her parents were early settlers in Wabasha County,
the father coming here from Germany in 1868. The mother was born in
Wisconsin, and they were married in Chester Township, Wabasha county,
Minn. Mr. Sprikes is still living, at present residing in Minneapolis.
Mrs. Sprikes died in 1893. They had five children, Pauline, Sophia,
Edward, Frank and Edward (second), the last mentioned being now deceased.
To Mr. and Mrs. Stehr nine children have been born, as follows: Ernest E.,
August 10, 1898; Rudolph H., March 19, 1900; Henrietta M., August 10,
1902; Albert J. February 8, 1905; Ida S., April 20, 1906; Florence P.,
July 15, 1908; John W., May 31, 1911; Lenora E., August 6, 1914, and
Herbert D., June 22, 1919. All the children reside with their parents on
the home farm, and the family is one of high social standing in this part
of the county.