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Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/
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Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
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History of Buffalo & Pepin Counties, Wisconsin - Vol. 1
pub. H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co., Winona, MN - 1919

         [page 132-133]

         JOHN BAECHLER, SR., a pioneer of Waumandee township, Buffalo
       county,  was a native of Switzerland, where he grew up and learned
       the trade of shoemaker. Coming to America while still a young man,
       he was married in Cleveland, Ohio, to ANNA HUTTLE, also a native
       of Switzerland. About the end of July, in the year 1856, he and
       his wife, with three children - ALEXANDER, ANNA and JOHN - set
       out for the West, their immediate objective being Winona, Minn.
       After a short stay there they came to Buffalo county, Wisconsin,
       securing a tract of 160 acres of wild land in Waumandee township.
       A log house and log barn were built, the former 16 by 14 feet in
       size, and with an ox team MR. BAECHLER began the pioneer labor of
       developing a farm. In order to earn money for current expenses
       before the farm became productive, he often made boots and shoes
       for the neighbors, among others, for JUDGE FUGINA'S father, then
       a pack peddler. The story of pioneer days has been often told,
       but even then it is hard for those of the present generation to
       realize what privations were endured by those who did the pioneer
       work in this section. About the only time when MR. BAECHLER'S
       family tasted white bread during the first few years on the home-
       stead, was at Christmas time, when a few loaves were brought from
       Winona. The trip to that place was usually made on foot, in the
       winter time snow shoes being used. After MR. BAECHLER had begun
       to raise a little wheat, it was at first ground into coarse flour
       in a coffee-mill. The work in the field was all done by hand, the
       grain being cradled. MR. BAECHLER had been a member of the Reformed
       church, but had later embraced the doctrines of Methodism, and as
       there was no church of that denomination then in the township,
       religious services were held in private homes, in turn, among
       others, the BAECHLER home; and those who remember the religious
       excitement aroused in early days by the stirring sermons and im-
       passioned exhortations of the old-time circuit-riding preachers
       can imagine how the log beams and rafters of the BAECHLER dwelling
       often resounded to the lusty chorus of "Amen" and "Praise the Lord"
       which went up alike from saints and sinners. Afterwards services
       were held in a log schoolhouse which was erected on MR. BAECHLER'S
       farm, and which he helped to build. The schoolhouse was later re-
       moved to its present location. Among the early teachers was MRS.
       CHARLES HOHMAN, then MISS KIRCHNER. To his original tract of land
       MR. BAECHLER added sixty acres, thus making a farm of 120 acres.
       While his life lasted he worked hard and made good progress in
       improving his farm, but he was not spared to see the full fruits
       of his labors, as on March 10, 1881, he was accidentally drowned
       in the Little Waumandee, a stream that flowed through his farm,
       though his death took place three miles above his home, while
       he was trying to cross the stream at high water. He was then 48
       years old. After his death the family rented the farm for five
       years and took up their residence in Fountain City. During the
       years that had elapsed important changes had taken place in the
       household. MR. BAECHLER'S first wife, MRS. ANNA HUTTLE BAECHLER,
       had died about 1862, six years after they had settled on the
       homestead, and he had subsequently married her sister ROSA. The
       latter died after a year and a half of married life, and MR.
       BAECHLER had taken for his third wife MARY SCHAFFER, by whom
       he was survived.

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