BIOGRAPHIES:  Michael MOUSEL, Spring Brook Township, Dunn Co., WI

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Submitted by:  Laura Abood <wabood@msn.com>  11 May 2005
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Michael Mousel, a progressive farmer in the town of Spring Brook,
whose career illustrated the value of self-help, was born in the
Duchy of Luxemburg, Jan. 8, 1854, son of John and Anna M. (Gasper)
Mousel.  The parents, who were farmers, spent their lives in their
native land.  Their children were:  Nicholas, who came to this
country, worked with his brothers John and Barney and then returned
to Luxemburg; Michael, subject of this sketch; Mary, now Mrs. Peter
Kramer of Eau Claire; Elizabeth, still in Luxemburg, and now the wife
of Theodore Elinger; John, a farmer in the town of Spring Brook, Dunn
County; Susan, who became the wife of John Kiefer of Luxemburg, but
is now deceased; Matthias, residing in Luxemburg; J. Barney, in the
town of Spring Brook, Dunn County; and Anna, who is Mrs. Paul Fellon
of Stayton, Ore.  Michael Mousel acquired his education in his native
land after which he was engaged in farm labor there for a number of
years.  In 1881 he showed his ambition and progressive spirit by
cutting loose from the old home and emigrating to the United States
in search of better opportunities for advancement.  From New York he
journeyed to Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, in the following year went
to Minnesota, and in his third year in this country came to Dunn
County, where for a year he did farm labor in Elk Mound and the
vicinity.  In 1885 he went back to Luxemburg to get a wife, returned
with his bride to this country and in 1887 began to build up a farm
home, buying 80 acres of land in Section 9, town of Spring Brook, the
tract being a partly improved farm on which was a small frame house. 
He at once built a small barn to shelter his team and two cows, later
adding other buildings as he was able until he had a good and
complete set.  He also bought 40 acres more land and still later
another 40-acre tract, and now has a total of 160 acres, of which he
has cleared 70.  He carries on general farming and dairying, having
started with mixed cattle, which he has since replaced by grade
Holsteins.  Mr. Mousel in 1921 rented his farm to his son John, but
still resides on it.  He is a stockholder in the Elk Mound
Cooperative Creamery.  His marriage, to which reference has already
been made, took place in Luxemburg, Dec. 22, 1886, uniting him with
Mary Beckius, who was born there Aug. 11, 1864, daughter of John B.
and Margaret (Kelsen) Beckius.  He and his wife are the parents of
six children, Cornelius, Nicholas, Michael, Margaret, John J. and
William, whose records in brief are as follows:  Cornelius, born Oct.
17, 1887, is now in the employ of George O. Chrislow of the town of
Spring Brook.  Nicholas, born Aug. 31, 1889, and who owns and
operates a farm in the town of Elk Mound, married Anna M. Zimmer, and
has had five children, Marie H., Mary (deceased), Agnes, Lawrence,
Clarence and James.  Michael A., born July 13, 1891, married Margaret
Zimmer.  They reside at Elmwood, Pierce County, and are the parents
of five children, Raymond, Elinora, Donald, Robert and Andrew. 
Margaret, born Dec. 8, 1893, is Mrs. Michael Yaeger of the town of
Spring Brook and the mother of four children, Raymond, Leo, Cornelius
and Odellia.  John J., born July 17, 1897, is now operating the home
farm, and William, born Dec. 12, 1901, is also residing on it.  Mr.
Mousel and his family are members of the St. Joseph's Catholic
Congregation at Elk Mound.
 
Transcribed from the "History of Dunn County Wisconsin, 1925" page 471

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