1918 HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY, WI

WILLIAM BEYER, one of the settlers of Pine Valley Township, in 1869, but now deceased, was born in Germany, May 31, 1846, son of Carl and Wilhelmina (Baldo) Beyer. He came to the United States with his parents in 1867, the voyage on a sailing vessel occupying forty-six days. They located first in Washington County, Wis., near Cedarburg, where they remained for about two years, at the end of that time coming to Clark County and taking 160 acres of land in Pine Valley Township. It was a wild tract and no buildings had been erected, so Carl Beyer's first task was to put up a log house, after which he began to clear his land, making use of an ox team. There, after making considerable improvements, he and his wife subsequently died, both at the age of about 72 years. Their son, William, who was about 21 years of age, when he came with them to America, had taken an active part in developing the homestead, on which he remained and farmed for himself after his parents' death. He continued the improvements on the improvements on the place, erecting better buildings, and made his home on it until 1908, when he removed to the state of Oregon. He had increased the size of the farm to 440 acres and left it in good condition, and in addition to his interests therein, he was a member of the co-operative creamery company and of the elevator and lumber companies.

A member of the Lutheran Church in his vicinity, he served as its trustee. He married Augustina Putkammer, who was born in Germany and came to this country about 1870, with her mother, Charlotte and her step-father, Ferdinand Putkammer. They, like the Beyers, settled first in Washington County, Wis., coming afterwards to Clark County and taking land in Pine Valley Township, where they spent the rest of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. William Beyer were the parents of twelve children: Oscar, Ida, Wilhelm, Clara, Herman, Helmit, August, Alma (now deceased), Carl, Albert, Hilda and Bertha.