Message #: 1284 Date Posted: 11-06-2001 Subject: Rahm, Peter (History - 1836) Posted by: Transcriber Email: Posted4U@Charter.net Surnames: RAHM LUTZ HAAS TAYLOR CORNELIUS   History of Clark County, Wisconsin (1918 Mr. & Mrs. Charles Rahm Mr. & Mrs. Peter Rahm PETER RAHM, who died on his farm in Sherman Township, July 22, 1912, was an early settler here, and a man who had done good pioneer work in developing a farm from the wilderness. He was born in South Germany, near the French boundary line, June 24, 1836. In June, 1863, he was married in Germany to Elizabeth Lutz. For a number of years after their marriage he and his wife continued to reside in their native land, and there four sons and three daughters were born to them, namely: Edward, Phillip, Charles, August, Bertha, Lena and Anna. In 1880 the family, emigrated to the United States, landing at New York and traveling west to Sheboygan, Wis., where they resided for one year. They then came to Sherman Township, Clark County, Mr. Rahm buying eighty acres of land of William Haas, which had been the old Taylor homestead. As an improved tract it was provided with a log house and barn. As a part of the bargain Mr. Rahm also got an old ox, which, together with a cow constituted his original stock. The road was then only turnpiked for eighty rods, the rest being corduroy. When not engaged in improving his farm Mr. Rahm did various other kinds of work to earn money for the current expenses of his family. Among other things, he hauled lumber for Joe Marsh before the railroad was built, and then made a trip with logs to the old Upham switch. He also hauled staves and later shingles to Mapleworks, now Granton. His wife often walked to, Spencer with butter and eggs, bringing back domestic supplies and at times he, himself, would make the trip with his team of oxen for which he had to carry feed to give them on the journey while they rested at frequent intervals. His first reaper was bought from Charles Cornelius of Neillsville, who was then in the implement business. Mr. Rahm in time acquired 120 acres of land and built a barn 36 by 80 feet in size. Ile always kept good stock, raised the usual grains, and became prosperous. He never cared for public office, but was an active member of the German Lutheran Church in his neighborhood. A strong, rugged man, he plowed all the land broken on his farm, continuing that hard work even at the age History of Clark County, Wisconsin (1918).

MRS. AMANDA SMITH, who came to Clark County in 1878, says. "I was born in Rutland County, 'Vt., in 1838. My mother died when I was 3 years old. When I was 12 years of age I came to Manitowoc County, Wis., with my uncle. At the age of 15, I was married, and subsequently reared a family of eight children, all born in Manitowoc. In 1878 we came to Clark County, traveling by rail to Hatfield, then by team and wagon to a settlement called Christie. We passed through Neillsville, which at that time was a small village. There were some farms cleared, but most of the land was covered with timber. From Christie we moved to Greenwood and lived there one year, then went to Longwood. Here we built a house, which was all open. We could see stars through the roof at night. We had no stairs and had to climb a ladder to get to the second story. We soon started to repair and improve the building, and when completed we opened the house as a hotel. For a time our guests were obliged to sleep on straw spread on the floors. We finally enlarged the building and used to keep the logging crews. Just as we had gotten the house all fixed up and paid for, it caught fire and burned down. We then moved over the Longwood store, starting another hotel, and soon had a fine trade, but immediately started a new building, and soon had it ready to move into. We lived at Longwood, keeping hotel all the time, until 1900, when we came to Withee. The town has grown about two-thirds since we came here."