SHEBOYGAN HISTORY

Philip Lubenstine, Page 255

PHILIP LUBENSTINE owns and operates a fine farm of one hundred and forty-nine acres on section 7, Sherman Township.  Nearly the entire amount is under cultivation, and the well-tilled fields yield to the owner a golden tribute.  The buildings are of the latest improved type, and attest the progressive and practical spirit of the owner, who is numbered among the leading agriculturists of the county.

    Mr. Lubenstine, a native of Baden, Germany, was born June 5, 1829.  His father Philip Lubenstine, Sr., was born in the same country, and there married Louisa Krueger.  In March, 1846, he started with his family for America, and after a voyage of forty-six days on a sailing-vessel reached his destination.  the trip was a very stormy one, and sea-sickness added its horrors to the terrors of the voyage.  Landing in the Empire State, they witnessed the celebration of Independence Day.  By way of Albany, Buffalo and the Great Lakes, the family made their way to Milwaukee, where they spent three weeks.  The father then purchased eighty acres of land in Washington County, built a log cabin, and in September the family took up their residence there.  At that time they had no neighbors, but within a few months six families sought homes in that locality.  The Indians, however, were not wanting, wolves and bears were frequently seen, and deer and other wild game were very plentiful.  There were no roads save Indian trails.  The family resided in Washington County until April, 1866, when they removed to the farm upon which Louis Lubenstine now resides.  the mother died November 12, 1891.

    There were thirteen children, seven of whom are yet living, namely:  Philip; Catherine, wife of Louis Ralschap, who is living near Aberdeen, Brown County, S. Dak., J. W., of Batavia, who is Chairman of Scott Township, and a member of the State Legislature; J. C., a farmer of Sherman township; Louis, who occupies the old homestead; Mary, wife of Ferdinand Hodel, a farmer of Sherman Township; and Louisa, wife of William Kunnitz, of South Dakota.

    Philip Lubenstine, whose name heads this record, left home and began life for himself in March, 1866.  He had at that time about $1,000, which he had made at threshing.  On the 22d of March, he was joined in marriage with Johanna Hark, who was born in Prussia, Germany.  They have become the parents of twelve children, of whom the following yet survive:  William Fred, a farmer of Lyndon township; Edward Henry, a blacksmith of Milwaukee; John L.; Charles B.; Philip Robert; George; Mina Elizabeth; Mary Helena, wife of Henry Ditman, a farmer of Scott Township; Rosa and Ida Johanna.

    Mr. Lubenstine manifested his loyalty to his adopted country during the late war by enlisting, February 23, 1864, in Company B, twenty-sixth Wisconsin Infantry.  This regiment went to Milwaukee, thence to Madison, and on the 23d of April to Tennessee.  Our subject went with Sherman on the campaign to Atlanta, and during the battle of Resaca was wounded.  He was shot in the elbow, and the joint has since been stiff.  He now receives a pension, as a slight compensation for his services.

    Mr. Lubenstine cast his first Presidential vote for Lincoln, and has since been a stalwart Republican.  Religiously, he is a member of the Evangelical Society of Batavia.  Public spirited and progressive, he manifests a commendable interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community, and his efforts have done much toward the upbuilding and advancement of the county.