BIOGRAPHIES: William KOLLER, Durand Township, Pepin Co., WI

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Submitted by:  oldstufn@hotmail.com  on  26 May 2005
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William Koller, a well known farmer of section 23, Durand Township, 
Pepin County, was born in the township of Lima, this county, April 9, 
1889, son of Engelbert and Mary (Dallemahls) Koller. The parents were 
natives of Austria, the father born Oct. 26, 1851, and the mother Sept. 
5, 1851. They came to America, in 1880, and locating in Lima Township, 
Pepin County, Wis., bought land and engaged in farming. There Englebert 
Koller continued until his death July 5th, 1908. He was one of the 
prominent citizens of the township and served on its board, and was 
treasurer for a number of years, being also a member of the district 
school board. He also helped to found the Bear Creek creamery, now 
abandoned. His widow now resides with a son in Durand Township. Their 
family consisted of eight children: Joseph, born May16, 1882, now 
residing on the old homestead; Lena, born Jan. 25, 1877, now wife of 
Carl Schuch, a farmer of Rock Creek, Dunn County; Mary born Jan. 28, 
1880, wife of Anton M. Bauer, a farmer of Albany township, Pepin County; 
William, of Durand township; Ignatz, born July 25, 1891, a farmer of 
Durand Township; Frank Koller, born Feb.  23, 1884, who died April 28, 
1895; Wilbert, born Aug. 4, 1887, who died Aug. 11, 1887; and John, born 
Feb 6, 1878, who died Feb 26, 1909. William Koller attended district 
school No. 2 in Lima Township and resided at home until 3 years after 
the death of his father. He then bought from his brother John a farm in 
Albany Township, which he operated for two years. Then selling that 
place, he came to his present farm, which contains 182 acres of valuable 
land which he operates in a general way, raising both crops and stock. 
He has improved the place, which is now modern and up to date in every 
respect. In politics he is independent and in religion a member of the 
Catholic Church at Lima. He was married June 27, 1911, to Laura Kraeft, 
who was born in Durand, April 1, 1890, daughter of Robert and Mary 
(Brenner) Kraeft. She was a graduate of the Durand High School belonging 
to the class of 1909 and taught several years in the rural districts. Mr. 
and Mrs. Koller have two children: Wilma Anna, born June 3, 1912 and 
Katherine Marie, born April 3, 1914. His wife, Mary Brenner Kraeft, was 
born in Canton Township, Buffalo County, Wis., March 5 1863. She is still 
living, being a resident of Durand. They were the parents of four 
children: Louisa, now deceased; Laura, wife of William Koller; Edward who 
resides in St. Paul, Minn., and Theresa, who is single and lives with her 
mother, being employed as a telephone operator at Durand, Wis. 

-Transcribed from the "History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin, 
1919," page 900

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