BIOGRAPHIES: John AUSMAN, Elk Mound, Dunn County, WI ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor, or the legal representative of the contributor, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Laura Abood 27 June 2002 ==================================================================== From the 1925 History of Dunn County. JOHN AUSMAN, one of the notable pioneers of Dunn County, now deceased, was born in Hessen, Germany, Dec. 14, 1830, son of Henry and Anna M. (Weigand) Ausman. Coming to America in 1846, the parents settled at what is now Oil City, Pennsylvania, with their seven children--four sons and three daughters; they later came to Dun County where they spent the remainder of their lives with their children. The children above alluded to were: John, subject of this sketch; Nicholas, who is deceased; Henry, deceased; Fred, deceased; Martha, (deceased) who was the wife of Frank Scheibe; Catherine, who married Fred Harley, and Elizabeth, who married Michael Webert, both these daughters having also passed away. John Ausman was reared in Pennsylvania, where he attended school. When about 20 years old he came west to St. Louis and subsequently spent some time along the Mississippi River going as far north as Minneapolis, or St. Anthony's Falls, where there was only a single pitched claim shanty, St. Paul, however, being a flourishing trading-post. Mr. Ausman was employed for a short time at Read's Landing, on the Minnesota bank of the Mississippi opposite the mouth of the Chippewa, but in the early 50's came the Chippewa to the site of Eau Claire, the latter place at that time consisting of a few rudely built houses. He took part in building some of the first houses and sawmills in Eau Claire, where he lived during the winter months when not engaged in logging for himself in the forests of northern Wisconsin, or for the Ingraham-Kennedy Company. In 1859 Mr. Ausman decided to secure a tract of land for himself. Knowing the country westward toward Menomonie, he went on Elk Creek and then, climbing to the top of Elk Mound hill, which commands an extensive view, from that point he chose the spot that was to be his home for the rest of his life. On Feb. 22, 1869, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Schweitzer of Chippewa Falls, who was born in Germany, Nov. 15, 1853, and had come to this country with her parents when three years old, the family settling at Chippewa Falls, where she was reared. She proved a faithful wife and helpmate and a living mother, and together they built up a model home. Through much younger than her husband, she passed away before him, on May 6, 1919, her loss being deeply mourned. He lived a few years longer, passing away July 3, 1923, at the venerable age of 93 years, seven months and 23 days. All his life he had enjoyed the best of health and his end was quick and peaceful. He had worked the greater part of the day among the trees and scenery along Elk Creek, which he loved, and had returned home about 3 o'clock in the afternoon apparently in his usual health. At 4 o'clock he retired to his bed, where a few moments later he was found dead by a member of his family, death having been due to heart failure. Thus passed away one of the few pioneers who have lived to see this part of the country transformed from a wilderness to its present condition. He had seen the march of progress from the ox team to the auto truck and car, and even to the aeroplane, and took a keen interest in the development. Possessed with a good memory, he could entertain his relatives and friends with interesting stories of pioneer days. In early life he took an active part in public affairs in his community, serving on the town and county board and for some years being treasurer of school district No. 5. He also helped to organize the Bank of Elk Mound, in which he was a stockholder. Mr. and Mrs. John Ausman were blessed with a family of 12 children, of whom five are now living, the record being briefly as follows: John, born, Sept. 13, 1870, died in his 34th year on March 4, 1904; Anna, born April 25, 1872, died Sept. 2, 1973; Julia, born March 14, 1874, is now Mrs. Archie Stallmann of Yates, Mo.; William, born April 2, 1876, died June 16, 1885; Louise, born April 15, 1878, died March 29, 1896; Arthur, born April 17, 1880, died July 1, 1880; Flora, born May 14, 1881, is now living in Los Angeles, Calif.; Elizabeth, born Aug. 9, 1884, is now Mrs. Emil Link of the town of Spring Brook; Milton, born Oct. 13, 1886, is a prominent farmer of the town of Spring Brook; Julius, born Sept. 21, 1888, died Aug. 1, 1916; Esther, born Jan. 5, 1891, is now Mrs. M. R. Owen of Richey, Mont.; and Vincent, born Nov. 19, 1896, died Feb. 13, 1899. Thus all the seven children who are deceased died before either of their parents, and the latter, therefore, had sorrow in this life in parting from their loved ones.