Biographies

  MEDBERY, John White was born at Fundysbush, New York, Mar.19, 1839. In 1848, he moved with his parents to Leroy, Wis. where he grew to manhood. He enlisted for the Civil War in July, 1861, in Company B, 1st Wis. Cav. for three years. He was discharged Sept. 1, 1864, with sunstroke and chronic diarrhea. He gave his address as Copp, Potter County, S.D..

On Sept.29, 1864, he married Mary Jeannette Richmond of Quarterline, Wis. To this union five children were born, John Herbert who passed away just3 days before his father; Hiram, of Lebanon, S.D.; Mrs. Maude Patterson of Gettysburg; Mrs. Edith Fitch of Vermillion, S.D.; and another daughter.

They lived in Troy, Wis. where he had charge of the postoffice for many years. In 1886, they moved to Potter County to Avon Springs Township, NW quarter of section 19. He also had NE quarter of section 14 in Elida Township. After leaving his land in Avon Springs they moved to Gettysburg until 1910 when they moved to Long Beach, Cal. where they spent the remaining years of their lives. John White Medbery died May 16, 1927, at Long Beach, Cal.

Survivors were his wife, Mary, one son and three daughters, 23 grand children, 3 great grandchildren, one brother, M. H. Medbery, one sister, Mrs. Emma Carver of Anaheim, Cal. He is buried in the Angelus Abbey Mausoleum in Long Beach, Cal.

Sources: 1890 Federal Census; Potter County News, May 20, 1927. Back to Bio Index

MEDBERY, Martin H. "Matt" "Death Parts Gettysburg Couple Married Nearly 70 Years". This headline told the story of Potter County losing their last Civil War veteran. Martin H. Medbery was born in Braadalben, Fulton County, New York Apr.30, 1843. He moved to Wis. and enlisted in the Civil War in Company E, 1st Wis. Hvy. Art. in Sept. 1864 as a private. He saw no battles because his troops were stationed about 10 miles SE of Washington, D.C. At the time Lincoln was shot he was walking post some eight miles away. He watched as the lights of Washington went out about 11 o'clock that night which was very unusual, it excited his curiosity, and then they found out what had happened.

M. H. Medbery and Angie Shumway were married at Reedsburg, Wis, Feb.10, 1867. They moved to Potter County, in 1884, and homesteaded in Elida, the NE quarter and SE quarter of section 26. They farmed this land for 22 years before moving to Gettysburg. Mr. Medbery engaged in the painters trade for about 20 years before he really retired.

He had joined the Masonic order in Reedsburg, Wis. in Apr. 1866, and held that membership till his death. He transferred to the Gettysburg Lodge in 1907. He was also a member of the O.E.S. and held the office of Patron in Waneta Chapter in Gettysburg for many years.

In 1935 Matt became ill and his family thought it best to move him to the care of the State Soldier's Home at Hot Springs. He died Jan.21, 1937 at Battle Mountain Sanatorium, Hot Springs, S.D..

Survivors included his wife, Angie, and four children: Frank of Hot Springs; Mrs. E. E. McConnell of Sunset, Texas; Mrs. George Klein of Gettysburg; and Iva M. Breene of Gettysburg. There were 17 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. Gettysburg's grand old man, for years, one to whom has been allotted a life span of much more than "four score and ten" is gone. He had had good health the greater part of his long life which enabled him to take part in community activities, and never be a burden to others.

Sources: 1890 Federal Soldier's Census; Potter County News, Jan.28, 1937; Centennial Atlas. Back to Bio Index

WILSON, Alexander was born in Salinia New York, on Jan. 26,1835, to William Wilson and Lydia Burchaw. He moved with his parents to DeKalb County, Ill. when he was 9 years old and lived there until age 14. In 1849 he went to Kankakee County to livc with his uncle, Alexander Buschine. Or Mar 26, 1857 he married Miss Hannah Rantz. He enlisted in the Union Guards of Kankakee on Aug. 11, 1862. Then on Oct. 1st, 1862, at the age of 27, he enlisted in Company B, of the 113 III. Inf. as a private. He was discharged June 20, 1865. In 1867 he moved back to DeKalb County to live before coming to Potter County in 1883. He found a homestead in Cunningham Township in SE quarter of section 14 and NW quarter of section 2. He joined the G.A.R. as the 33rd member. He was in his usual good health until he was at the barn one day and felt strange and went to the house to lay down, and a few days later Alexander peacefully passed away at his home in Cunningham township on April 20,1915. He left to mourn him, his widow and two grown children; Mrs. W. M. Russell and W. J. Wilson; two grandchildren, William Russell & Everette Poille; three brothers Matt, Ed and Harrison; and one sister, Mrs. Haverly E. Price.

1900 census recorded his wife Hannah (Rantz) was born Nov. 1833 in Ohio She gave birth to 6 children but only two living in 1900. Their grandson Everette Poille was living with them. He was born in Nov. 1888 in Dakota Territory.

Sources: 1941 WPA Cemetery Survey; 1885 Special Ex-Soldier's Census; 1890 Federal Soldier's Census; 1900 Census. Back to Bio Index

Mr. Wilson came to Dakota Territory in 1886 and filed on a claim in Cunningham Twp., SE quarter in section 27. In 1887 he brought his family here and established his home on his homestead. He farmed until 1892 when he moved to Gettysburg and erected a house. In 1900 his son, Charles, married May Dimond Burnside. In 1902 Harrison moved to Des Moines, Iowa, where he lived until his death in Jan.of 1923. He was preceded in death by his wife on Dec. 29,1920.

He joined the G.A.R. on May 13, 1893.

1900 Census: Harrison Wilson was a wheelwright. Second wife Martha (Dimond) was born in N.Y. in July of 1854 and was married in 1881. Children: Bonnie born June of 1884 in Ill. and Leston born July of 1897 in S.D.

Sources: 1890 Federal Soldier's Census; Potter County 1900 Census; Centennial Atlas; 0. E. Mesick's Obit Book Back to Bio Index

Milton & Agness Russell

William Milton (1861-1935), son of Caleb and Catherine Russell, was born in Butler Co., PA. in 1861. One of ten grown children, he came with his family to Potter Co. in 1886 and they settled in Avon Springs and Pleasant View townships.

Other family members who lived in Potter Co. were Elmer G. of Lebanon, Austin C. of Pleasant View Twp., O. D. "Ode" of Lebanon a nd Lottie (Mrs. D. B. Raphael) later of Redfield.

"Milt" married M. Agnes Wilson, daughter of Alex and Lavina Wilson in 1893 and they settled in Cunningham Twp. where they farmed and raised stock.

The story is told of the time when Mitt accompanied a carload of his livestock to the Chicago market. While there, he happened to strike up a conversation with a young Italian man who was grieving over the loss of his wifc who had recently died in childbirth, leaving him with an infant son. The young father was desperate, not knowing how he was going to be able to care for a baby, since he was without means and had to hold down a job. Milton and Aggie were childless and had desired a child for several years, so Milt grasped the opportunity and told the young father that if he would give him the baby they would love it and raise it as their own. The young man agreed and Milt, on the return trip, personally attended to the baby's needs and held him all the way home. On his arrival in Lebanon he handed the precious bundle to Aggie who was ecstatic with joy.

They named the baby William. The Russell's only child, he grew up in Potter Co., married Wilma Combellick and lived here until her death. He later remarried and moved to Eugene, Ore.

In 1917 Milton and Aggie, a kind and gentle couple, moved into east Gettysburg, where they lived until their deaths.

-Information from Margaret Shaw

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GOTTLIEB and AUGUSTA (HENKE) SIEBRASSE

The Potter County Siebrassee family is descended from Fredrick William Siebrasse (1783 - 1871) who emigrated from Europe about 1850. He left with his two brothers and three sons - one with a wife and two children. Their sailing ship landed in New Orleans. One brother went to South America and was never heard from again. The other settled in Missouri on the family's trek north. Fredrick settled at Red Wing, Minn. with his three sons, William Fredrick, Gottlieb and Miner.

William F. (1822-1903), eldest son of Fredrick W., homesteaded near Northville' S.D. and is buried there. He and his wife Anne Herman came from Germany with their two children -Anne (Mrs. Fred Nierman) and Henry. Henry died on the way over and was buried at sea. William and Anne had one more child, Gottlieb Henry, before her death in 1854. In 1858 William F. married Catherine Wilhelmina and had six more children - William of Mellet-te, Chris of Montana, Lydia (Mrs. Carl Bierman), Martha (Mrs. Fred Bay), Minnie and Emma.

Gottlieb (1843-1876), second son of Frederick W. Siebrasse, lived with his family in Minnesota until he was killed in a logging accident. After that the drought of the 1870s split the family, some migrating to South Dakota and others to Canada.

Miner (third son of Fredrick W.), a butcher, died at 45. Little else is known of him.

Gottlieb Henry (1852-1933), third child of William F. and Anne (Herman) Siebrasse, was born in Minnesota. His mother Anne died when he was very young

In 1875, Gottlieb (aged 23) took his half-brother Will to Young County, Tex. to a warmer climate, the family hoping that a change would improve his lung ailment. Will had then lost one lung and had a steel plate in his chest - which later saved his life when he was shot. They farmed there for two years with no success, sold the land and Will went back to Minnesota. In 1879 he homesteaded near Mellette

Gottlieb, after leaving the Texas farm got a job driving four mules on a grader, helping to build the first railroad between Dallas and Fort Worth. He next drove a four-mule freight wagon, hauling supplies to the ranches between Weatherford and the Panhandle. The Indians were still on the warpath but he was never caught as were some of the other freighters. At this time the King Ranch put up the first barbed wire fence which lengthened his trip by 20 miles.

In early 1883, he came north for a visit, driving his mules and freight wagon with all his possessions, planning to visit his sister at Northville first. He happencd to camp on the SW ¼ of Sec. 21 in Artichoke Twp. as he passed through Potter County.

That same year, after visiting his family he moved back to the Artichoke campsite and there lived in his wagon until a claim shack could be built of lumber hauled from Blunt.

On March 14, 1888, he married Augusta Louise Henke at her home in Fayette Twp. The best man was John B. Buchholz and Augusta's sister Rose was the bridesmaid. The minister was Adolph Dulitz of the German Methodist Church of Miliford Twp., Sully Co. The records of this church (existent from the early 1880s to the 1920s) were moved to Tolstoy. German was the only language spoken in the church and all the hymns were sung in German. Gottlieb, a long time member, and Augusta, both baptized there, were originally German Lutherans. There being no Lutheran Church in the area, Augusta joined a non-denominational sect and on her death July 19, 1936 she was buried by this group.

Augusta, born Aug.31, 1862, came to America when only six months old. She was the daughter of Martin and Anna Rosie (Schadler) Henke. As a young woman she worked at the Buffalo House for Mrs. O'Brian and later for the Henry Rausch family during Mrs. Rausch's illness. Here she met Gottlieb as he hauled water from the Rausch farm before he dug an artesian well of his own.

Gottlieb and Augusta's Artichoke homestead house was dug two feet into the ground, built of 12 foot boards set on end and nailed to 2 x 4's at the bottom, middle and top. Batts were nailed over the cracks. The roof, built the same way, had cedar shingles. The shack, with two 2 x 2 foot windows on east and west walls, had a south door with two steps down to an all dirt floor. Bed, stove and table sat against the north, east and west walls.

After the marriage, they bought a one-room house and moved it next to the claim shack. As the family grew, more rooms were added until they had three bedrooms and a living room. A still larger home was built in the late teens. The funerals of Gottlieb and Augusta were held here and the three youngest daughters were married in the home.

Augusta carded, spun and knitted wool from their own sheep for most of the family's warm winter clothing. Wood from the Missouri River was used for heating and cooking.

Gottlieb helped build the railroad from Gettysburg to Forest City.

The family admired and appreciated the river cedar, and trees that Gottlieb planted are still growing on the homestead, at the farms of his daughters, Susie and Anne, and at his sister's homestead at Northville.

The children of Gottlieb and Augusta were:

Will (died in infancy), Susanna Lydia (1890-1973), Louis Wesley (1892-1960), Anna Augusta (1894-1972), Anton Fredrick (1896-1905), Henrietta Eulalia (1899- ), Henry Gottlieb (1901- ), Ardina Rose (1903-1943), Irna Alice (1906- ) and Leo Edwin (1909- ).

Henrietta, Henry, Lena and Leo are still living (in 1982). All the children were delivered by Aunt Kate Sutton, as were most of the neighborhood children Letters existing today show that William F. and Gottlieb had a very neat, clear and distinct way of writing German.

Susanna Lydia (Westphal)

Carl Arthur Westphal (b. Sept.14, 1885) at Lansing, Iowa, and Susanna (Susie) Siebrasse (b. May 11,1890) in Potter Coulity were married Dec. 8, 1909 in Redfield.

Their eight children and birth dates are: Lee Gus (8-1-1910); Floyd Francis (8-24-1912); Raymond Richard (1-14-1914): Edna Ellen (3-17-1916); Evyleen Kathleen (4-5-1919); Marvin Willard (11-12-1922); Elmer Earl (9-19-1926): Glenn Arthur (8-16-1929).

LEE, on Feb. 1, 1933, married Berenice Joachim (b. 2-18-1912). Their five children are: Darlene (Mrs. Billy Potts); Mary Ann (Mrs. David Block); Juanita (Mrs. Jerry Griese); Terry married Peggy Reitz, second marriage to Daphne Lynne Sarvis; Jerry married Mary Anne Kaiser.

FLOYD, on Sept. 1, 1934, married Doris Pearl Robbennolt (b. 12-5-1913). Their two daughters are Lila (Mrs. Donald Brown) and Sharon (Mrs. Melvin Olsen).

RAYMOND died in infancy on Feb. 1, 1914.

EDNA, on June 1, 1936, married Donald Currier (b. 8-29-1913). Their four daughters are: Donna (Mrs. Donald Lee): Carol (Mrs. Daniel Eggebraaten): Brenda (Mrs. Glen Collard): Susan (Mrs. Donald Wilson).

EVYLEEN, on Jan. 1, 1944, married Elmer Holmberg (b. 4-23-1916) of Hartford, South Dakota. They had one son Jeffrey Lynn.

MARVIN, on April 24, 1947, married Elsie Kennedy (b. 3-13-1929). She died at Pierre May 7, 1970. Their children are: Thomas, married to

Diana Townsend; Timothy, married to Sheila Thompson; Sammy Lee married to Carlotta Jacobs; Sally Lynn; Greggory (b. 6-9-1958-

d. 6-3-1975); Gary and wife Lisa have one child Tiffany.

ELMER, on Dec. 4, 1951, married Violet Homby Kimbley (b. 11-2-1928 and d. 3-18-1969). They had three children: Dennis, child of Vi's former marriage; Patricia (Cozino); Barney married Connie Sawtell, Second marriage to Sheila McCain. After Vi's death Elmer, on Nov. 7, 1971, married Wanda Lehman (b. 8-27-1924).

GLENN, on April 3, 1949, married Jeanette Adams (b. 11-21-1930). Their five children are: Glenda (Mrs. Jeffery Varnell); Cynthia Ann, born 44-1953, died 12-27-1970; Lynette (Mrs. Kenneth Zimmerman); Robert married Debra Hawkinson; Connie Lee, born 8-1-1960.

The parents, Carl Arthur died May 8, 1935, and Susie died April 13, 1973.

-Juanita Westphal Griese

Annie Augusta (Todd)

Charles Maurice Todd (Fcb. 28,1890-Nov. 14, 1964) was born and is buried near Gettysburg. He farmed all his life. On Sept.10, 1912 he married Annie Augusta Siebrasse (Aug. 4, 1894-Feb. 12, 1972) at her home near Agar.

Their nine children were: Violet Laurie (b. May 22, 1913), lived only two days; Orville Charles (b. Feb. 17, 1915) a farmer, married Lorraine Gamble (b. April 20, 1916) on June 16, 1946 at Miller; Ronnelly Henry (b. Dec.27, 1916) a farmer and carpenter, lives in Onida, married Marie McCamly (b. Nov. 2,1921) on June 26, 1941 in Pierre, have six children - Rona, Annis (Stuart), Judy (Meyer), Gary, Curtis and Alan; Rose Perla (b. Nov.27, 1918) a nurse and farm wife, married Leonard George Tarrell (b. Nov. 15, 1918-d. Feb.20, 1982) on January 8, 1941 at Laverne, Minn., had sons, Ronne and Donnie; Lewellyn Maurice (b. Jan. 7, 1921) farms in Sully and Potter counties, married Alosia Emmaline LaRosh (b. June 9, 1921) on Jan.28, 1942, have daughters - Linda, Dorcas (Storer), Vickie, Peggy (Glanzer), Shirley (Nickel) and Colleen; Fern Joyce (b. Sept. 1, 1925) taught school for 19 years at Blunt and Onida, presently a bookkeeper at Oahe Electric Co-op, married on Aug. 25, 1948 to Leonard Joseph Poll-man (b. May 31, 1921), a farmer near Blunt, have daughters - Wancta (Wollman) and Darla (Rogers); Anton John (b. Sept.16, 1927) farms near Onida, on Sept.26, 1948 married Grace Angeline Ruckle (b. July 31, 1928), have seven children - Ann (Weber), Charles, Kathleen, Daniel, Jeffrey, Jane and Tamara; Basil Dean (b. April 16, 1933) a carpenter living at Okotoks, Canada, on May 3, 1957 married Claire Margaret Hoff (b. June 14, 1933), have foster children and their own four - Jonathan, Theodore, Nathaniel and Elliott; Arlo Elvis (b. March 28, 1941) farms the original Charles Todd place, on June 13, 1965 married Karen Rae Clark (b. Nov. 5, 1942), have children-Julie, Donna, James and Doris.

-Joyce Todd Pollman

Henrietta Eulalia (Meyers)

Henrietta (Etta), born Feb. 12, 1899, sixth child of Gottlieb and Augusta Siebrasse, mar-ried Gus Meyers (deceased).

They had four sons-Virgil Glenn (b. July 1, 1926) is deceased. Ivan Dean (b. Oct. 3, 1927) and his wife Debris had two children, Dennis and Cheryl (Ohanneson). Widowed in 1972, he married Elsie P. Stout in 1980. He has a grocery business and is in real estate investments. Elvin (b. Sept.23, 1941) is chief pilot and flight instructor of E.R.A. at Lake Charles, La. He and his wife Judy have daughters, Stephanie (17) and Natalie (2). Larry (b. Oct.12, 1943) is a commercial pilot and flight instructor. He and his wife Karen Rae have children Kathleen Rae and Paul Jason.

Henry Gottlieb

Henry, son of Gottlieb and Augusta Sic-brasse, was born Feb.], 1901. His wife Emily Louise (Evans) is deceased. Their children are twins, Louella (1920-1970) and Leola (b. Nov.1920), Donald (b. May 1924) and Delbert Dewayne (b. Jan.30, 1929).

LOUELLA married Everett Owens (1922- 1970). Their two sons - Raymond is a doctor in Pierre and Monte is an investment advisor in Oklahoma.

LEOLA, married to George Hall, have three children-William, Gettysburg merchant; James, an electronics repairman at Rapid City and Carmen West.

DONALD and his wife Joyce have nine children - Donata (Lenz), Douglas, Robert, Kathleen (Bernard), Pamela (Thomas), Colby, Jeannie, RoxAnne and Terry Lynn.

DELBERT married Doreen Stinnett Aug. 20, 1950, at Brighton, Colo. They have six children - Dewayne, married to Linda Olson of Redfield, reside at Brookings; Delene (Mrs. Rick Ellenbecker), in farming; Dianne, Consultant for Sperry Rand, St. Paul; Donna, senior at Am. U., Washington, D.C.; Daniel, freshman at S.D.S.U. and David at G.H.S.

Ardina Rose (Weilner)

Ardina Rose, daughter of Gottlieb and Augusta Siebrasse, was born July 25, 1903 and died July 25, 1943. She married Henry Wellner Nov.28, 1924. They had six children: Virginia (b. Nov. 22, 1925), a teacher, is married to Gene Horton, lives in Chattanooga, Tenn., and have daughters, Judy, Carol, Patty, and Sue; Ellen (b. May 25, 1928) married Donald Morrison, resides in Minneapolis, their children are Sharon, Charles, Janice and Linda; Peggy (b. June 15, 1930), a telephone business manager, married Claude Steele, resides at Charlotte, N.C., their childrcn are Ted, John, Ronald ajid Keith; Douglas (b. Jan.11, 1932), an insurance inspector, married Jeannie Smith, live in Connecticut and have children, Douglas Jr., Debbie and Tina; Ramona (b. March 15, 1935) married a minister, David Lewis, lives at Springfield, Mo., have daughters Rebecca and Cassandra; Audrey (b. Jan.29, 1937), an insurance executive, married Taylor Daggett, lives in Greensboro, N.C., and has one son Jimmy.

Lena Alice (Reuter)

Lena Alice, daughter of Gottlieb and Augusta Siebrasse, born Feb.27, 1906, married Carl W. Reuter (Jan.29, 1902-Dec. 24, 1978).

Their children are: Allen C. born Dec. 11, 1927, married Karen Patzloff and farms at Humboldt; Betty Lou, born Aug. 19, 1931, married LeRoy Rasmussen also a farmer at Humboldt; Darlene F. born July 1,1925, mar-ried Roger Soocum, a teacher; Nancy C. born March 16, 1938, not marricd, is a medical pathologist at McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls.

-Delbert Siebrasse, except those entries otherwise attributed

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