SHEBOYGAN HISTORY

John Siegmund, Page 586

JOHN SIEGMUND, a prosperous and successful farmer of this county, resides on section 18, in the town of Rhine.  He is a son of Jacob and Hannah (Willius) Siegmund, and was born October 26, 1835, being a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany.  He was educated in his native country, where his boyhood was passed, emigrating to the United States at the age of thirteen years.  In company with his parents he sailed from London for New York in 1848.  They were on the ocean some thirty-five days, and on landing in the latter city came at once to Wisconsin, settling in Germantown, where they made their home form five years.

    In March of 1853, this pioneer family made their way to Sheboygan County, where they bought eighty acres of land, situated on section 18, in the town of Rhine.  The tract was in its wild state, but Mr. Siegmund was a man of energy and will, and one who was not to be discouraged by the outlook.  Here the parents passed the remainder of their lives.  After a few years of hard work, Mr. Siegmund added eighty acres to his original purchase; this, however, lies in Russell Township.  He and his wife were numbered among the honored pioneers, and after a residence of thirty-four years in his adopted country, the former passed from this life.  He was born September 14, 1805, and died January 3, 1887.  He died as he had lived, an honored and respected citizen.  His good wife, who was born the 23d of October, 1809, died October 19, 1882.  She was a kind Christian lady, and, with her husband, was a member of the Evangelical Church.  Four children came to bless the union of Jacob and Hannah Siegmund, as follows:  Jacob, who lives in Oregon, Marion County; John, the subject of this article; Helena, who became the wife of John H. Leimatz, of Plymouth, and died some eight years ago; and George, a farmer in the town of Russell, this county.

    John Siegmund was united in marriage to Rosina Klump, a daughter of Christopher and Margaret Klump, June 10, 1860.  She was born July 1, 1842, and is a native of Ozaukee County, Wis.  Mr. and Mrs. Siegmund have four children, two sons and two daughters.  Jacob, born March 3, 1861, is a farmer in the town of Russell, on section 1: Otto, born September 25, 1862, is still at home; Johanna, born February 8, 1867, became the wife of F. Conrad, a farmer of Russell Township; and Caroline, born December 7, 1873, is at home with her parents.

    Since 1868, Mr. Siegmund has operated the old homestead on his own responsibility, and has made of it an excellent farm.  It is in a good state of cultivation, and has the necessary buildings thereon.  In improving his farm, he has but carried out the work begun by his honored father, whose worthy example of right living has been of more value to his children than gold.  In his political sentiments, Mr. Siegmund is a Republican, and were all the family, and in religious faith they are members of the Evangelical Church.