BIOGRAPHIES: Albert G. GIESE, Menomonie, 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 20 August 2002 ==================================================================== Albert G. Giese, one of the pioneer lumbermen and farmers of Dunn County, now living retired in the city of Menomonie, was born in Germany, Sept. 29, 1848. He was educated in his native land, where he learned the blacksmith's trade, and was about 16 years old, or in his 16th year, when he came to the United States in 1864, while the Civil War was still in progress. As he had no immediate interest in that struggle, he at once came west to Wisconsin, locating in Watertown, where he found work at his trade, following it there until 1875. He then came to Dunn County, entering the employ of Knapp, Stout & Co., with whom he remained for eight years. Then buying 120 acres of wild brush land, he began farming. Eighty acres of this land was in the town of Tainter and 40 acres across the line in the town of Red Cedar. He first put up a small frame house and a log barn, then began clearing and breaking the land, going through the usual routine of pioneer development work. His farm assumed a more cultivated appearance every year and in time he built a large barn of 34 x 74 feet and remodeled the house into a good modern residence, the buildings being electrically lighted. There he followed general farming, making specialties of dairying and hog raising. In 1906, after an agricultural career of 23 years, during which he continually advanced in prosperity, Mr. Giese retired, the farm being taken over by his son Edward, and, moving to Menomonie, he built a fine modern residence at No. 520 Twelfth Street, corner of Sixth Avenue. In 1914 he sold the farm to his son. Mr. Giese helped to organize the Rusk Creamery Company, in which he is now a stockholder. In 1877 he was married in the town of Tainter, Dunn County, to Matilda Albright, who died Dec. 11, 1922, leaving the son Edward above mentioned, who was the only child of the union, and whose biographical record is given under his own name. As much of Mr. Giese's success in life was due to the faithful cooperation and effective work of his wife, a brief review of her personal history and antecedents is a necessary addition to this article. Matilda Albright was born in Germany, Jan. 14, 1853, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Albright, with whom she came to America in 1856 as a young child, scarce out of babyhood. The family resided for a number of years in Watertown, Wis., where she attended school. In 1875 they came to Dunn County, Mr. Albright buying a tract of wild land in the town of Tainter, where in time he cleared and developed a farm of 280 acres. There his wife died in 1880. As he grew older Mr. Albright's eyesight began to fail and for several years previous to his death he was totally blind. He passed away on July 28, 1898, at the age of 85 years. For many years after he had lost his eyesight the farm was conducted by his son Harry; but the latter having died in North Menomonie in 1914, it is now operated by Harry's son Fred, who is a representative of the third generation to reside on it. Matilda Albright remained at home with her parents until her marriage to Albert G. Giese, Oct. 5, 1877. She proved an ideal wife and mother, a type of the noble pioneer woman of whom we hear too little today, but whose self-sacrificing devotion, courage, and industry, played perhaps as large a part in the development and civilization of this region as the more conspicuous work of the men. Without desire for self-advertisement, they bravely took up the task nearest at hand as bravely and efficiently accomplished it, helping their husbands even in the roughest work of pioneer home building, in the care and training of their children, and the extending of help and hospitality to their neighbors, satisfied to earn as their reward the love of those who called them wife or mother, and to leave to them when they laid down the burden of life the rich heritage of a good name; and a place in the memories of their loved ones. Such a woman was Mrs. Matilda Giese. For years during the early period of her married life she might have been seen in the woods or fields with her husband, taking part in the hardest labor and rendering him material assistance, and whatever trials befell them she never faltered or grew weary of well doing. To her both husband and son owe a debt of gratitude which in this brief memorial they are glad to pay. - Source unknown