Peter J. Saxer Biography


	This biography is from "Memorial and biographical record; an illustrated
 	compendium of biography, containing a compendium of local biography,
	including biographical sketches of prominent old settlers and 
	representative citizens of South Dakota..." Published by G. A. Ogle & 
	Co., Chicago, 1899. Pages 715-716

	Scan, OCR and editing by Maurice Krueger,mkrueger@iw.net, 1998. 

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PETER J. SAXER, who owns and operates a well-improved farm on section 
12, Richland township, Beadle county, first saw the light August 12, 
1842, as it was reflected from the Alpine heights in Switzerland. His 
parents were Peter and Ursula (Meingelt) Saxer, in whose family were 
fifteen children. twelve are still living and Peter J. is the third in 
order of birth. The father worked in the customhouse of his native 
village, but finding it hard to bring up so large a family on the wages 
be received, he decided to emigrate to America, which he did when our 
subject was in his twelfth year, first settling in Galena, Ill. A year 
later be removed to Dubuque, Iowa, and on again changing his residence 
located on farm near La Crosse, in La Crosse county, Wisconsin. 

Our subject worked with his father on the home farm until after the 
Civil war broke out, when, feeling that his adopted country needed his 
services, be enlisted at La Crosse, December 30, 1863, in Company D, 
Fourteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. His discharge papers show that 
be passed through the following engagements: The Red river expedition, 
in 1864; the battle of Tupelo, July 13; the battle of Nashville, 
December 15 and 16; also the siege of Vicksburg, from March 27 to April 
9, 1865, when the city surrendered; and discharged in Mobile, Alabama. 

Returning to his home at the close of the war, Mr. Saxer resumed 
farming which be continued to follow even through four years of 
privations in Minnesota, known as the grasshopper time. This turned him 
back toward his old home in Wisconsin, but this time as renter, and he 
remained there three years. Going to Wausau, that state, be engaged in 
the lumber business there for a time, but in April, 1883, we find him 
located on the southwest quarter of section 7, Logan township, Beadle 
county, South Dakota. Not being successful in getting water on this 
claim, be sold it and bought the northeast quarter of section 12, 
Richland township. While farming in Wisconsin he worked at carpentering 
at odd times, and since coming to Dakota this has been of great value 
to him, giving him additional employment, besides enabling him to erect 
for himself good, substantial buildings that are models of neatness and 
comfort. 

In La Crosse county, Wisconsin, Mr. Saxer was married, May 30, 1869, to 
Miss Louisa A. Wetzel, who was born January 8, 1852, a daughter of 
Gustaf M. and Bertha (Liebrecht) Wetzel. Of this union seven children 
have been born, their names And date; of birth being As follows: John 
P. (deceased), April 20, 1870; John M., August 14, 1971; Paul L., 
September 11, 1873; Claud L., October 16, 1878; Arthur H., August 20, 
1880; Lucia L., July 12, 1884; and Edward R., duly 14, 1886. Of this 
interesting family four have graduated from the public schools. 

In early life Mr. Saxer voted with the Republican party, but during 
President Grant's administration be was converted to Democracy, and 
later teas identified himself with the Populists. At present be 
chairman of his township, and also chairman of the township school 
board. His support is always given those interests which be behaves 
calculated to advance the interests of his community, and be is one of 
the most highly respected and esteemed citizens of Richland township.