SHEBOYGAN HISTORY

John Klokow, Page 321

JOHN KLOKOW is an old settler and a soldier of the late war, who was born in Uchermark, Prussia, March 18, 1826, and is a son of Joachim and Dorothea (Fritz) Klokow.  The former died December 24, 1883, having just passed his ninety-first birthday.  The mother was called home on New Year's Day of 1865.  By a former marriage she had four children, one of whom is living, Christian Henning, who resides in Herman Township.  A brother of our subject came to the United States three years later then he did, and died on the farm now operated by Mr. Klokow.

    Our subject is one of four children and the only one of the family in the United States.  He has one brother who is still living in Germany.  John is the youngest of the family, and in his native land received a good common-school education.  At the age of fifteen he commenced learning the stone-mason's trade, which business he followed for eleven years.  In 1852 he sailed from Hamburg to New York, in the ship "Hirsche," and was six weeks on the briny deep.  He proceeded direct from New York to Sheboygan County, where he became owner of eighty acres on section 3, Herman Township.  A few years subsequently he purchased his father-in-law's farm, which adjoined his own.

    It was on the 18th of October, 1864, that Mr. Klokow tendered his services in the defense of the Stars and Stripes, and was assigned to Company B, Sixth Wisconsin Infantry.  He participated in the battles  of Hatchie's Run and Petersburgh; also took part in the Grand Review in Washington.  He was discharged May 30, 1865, at the Carver United States Hospital.  On one occasion his company was in a flank movement in the thickest of the fight, and were ordered to fall on their faces to let the bullets pass over them.  An order was then given to move, but as he was lying on his ear he did not hear, nor did he see the company go.  In a moment he found himself alone, and it is needless to say that he spared no effort to find his company, which he overtook in the night.

    Returning from southern battlefields, Mr. Klokow two years later bought one hundred and sixty acres of land, the farm where he still lives.  It was nearly all thickly timbered, but energetically he set to work, and has himself cleared one hundred and forty acres, brought it under good cultivation, and put a substantial brick house and other buildings thereon.  He has made his possessions by his own industrious efforts, and is justly considered one of the best farmers of the township.

    On New Year's Day, 1853, was celebrated the marriage in Herman Township of Mr. Klokow and Henrietta, daughter of Michael and Anna (Breger) Schultz.  She was born in Sechausen, Prussia, November 6, 1829, and with her parents crossed the ocean on the same ship on which her future husband was a passenger.  The vessel encountered fearful storms, and the main mast and rigging were carried away.  Six children, three sons and three daughters, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Klokow.  Only two are living, the eldest and youngest of the family.  Charles married Pauline Willgroup, and is a farmer of Manitowoc County.  Frederick married Helen Kegler and has seven children.  He is now operating the old homestead.

    John Klokow and his entire family are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.  In politics, he is a Republican, and has served as Township Supervisor.  Socially, he is a member of Gustav Wintermeyer Post No. 187, G. A. R., of Sheboygan.