SHEBOYGAN HISTORY

Carl Reich, Page 387

CARL REICH, one of the sterling old German citizens of Sheboygan County, has been identified with the welfare of this community since 1849, and is well and favorable known.  His pleasant home is situated on section 10, Wilson Township.  He is a native of Prussia, born February 10, 1824, being one of three sons and four daughters, children of Peter and Jennie (Hopf) Reich.  The father was a native of the same province as our subject, and followed agricultural pursuits in his native land.  Thinking to better his financial condition, he bade adieu to the Fatherland and set sail for America, the home of the free.  He started from Bremen in a sailing-vessel, his destination being New York.  On reaching that city he at once continued his westward journey and became a settler of Sheboygan County.

    Carl Reich was well educated in his native land, and came to Wisconsin when he was twenty-five years of age.  His family had about $1,000 in money when they left the shores of Germany.  Our subject spent the first two years of his life in the United States, working in the copper mines of Lake Superior, after which he returned to Germany, and there married Miss Caroline Fritz, in 1847.  With his bride he immediately returned to America, which has since been their home.  They have had a family of ten children, three sons and seven daughters, three of whom are now deceased.  Those living are as follows:  Charles, August, William, Emma, Ida, Louisa and Jennie.  The mother, who is a cultured and well-educated lady, has aided her husband in accumulating a fortune, and with him holds membership with the German Lutheran Church of Wilson Township.

    When Mr. Reich returned to America, he went to Lake Superior and remained there about one year.  Coming to this county, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, for which he paid $7,000.  There was not a sign of improvement or cultivation upon the land when he became its owner, and the first home of the family was the log cabin of pioneer days.  Sheboygan was a place of about a thousand inhabitants, and remnants of several tribes of Indians were often seen upon his farm.  Wild game, such as deer, geese and ducks, was abundant.  Thus it may be seen that Mr. Reich has witnessed the entire development of the county, having seen its marvelous growth and transformation from an almost unbroken wilderness to one of the most beautiful counties in the State.

    Our subject has been a honorable and upright citizen these many years, and enjoys the entire regard and respect of all who know him.  As a believer in the education of the rising generation, he has given his children good advantages for learning both the English and German languages.  He affiliates with the Democratic party and has strenuously upheld its measures, as he understands them.  Officially, he has been honored with several positions in the township, which shows that the people have regarded him as an able and honest man.  He was elected Township Treasurer for two years, and has also been elected to the office of Township Assessor, which position he held two consecutive years.  For a period of four years he has served as Township Clerk, for two years was Chairman of the Town Board, and for a like time was Justice of the Peace.  As a Director of the public schools he acted for three years, and in whatever capacity he has served, has been true to the duties devolving upon him.  His homestead comprises one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land, which has upon it a beautiful and commodious brick residence, located only one file from the city limits of Sheboygan.  The land is valued at $100 per acre, and the many improvements upon the place are all substantial and suitable.