Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2025 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== History of Buffalo & Pepin Counties, Wisconsin - Vol. 1 pub. H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co., Winona, MN - 1919 [page 190-191] OTTMAR PROBST, proprietor of a general repair shop in Alma, Buffalo county, may be regarded as a pioneer of Alma, though he was but a child when he made his first appearance here. He was born in Switzerland in 1849, on Nov. 5, son of MARTIN and ANNA MARIE PROBST. His parents left Switzerland with four chil- dren in 1855, landing in this country after a voyage of 28 days in a sailing vessel, and coming directly to Buffalo county. It was at night when they landed at the site of Alma, that spot on the river being then known as "the Twelve Mile Bluff." An uncle of the subject of this sketch, by name VICTOR PROBST, had come to America from Switzerland in 1841, locating in Ohio, where he worked at the trade of cabinet-maker. He now joined the rest of the family in their Buffalo county home, thus making seven members, with the four children - CHARLES, FRANCIS, OTTMAR and ELIZABETH. MARTIN PROBST, the father, cut wood and cleared a little patch of land, but being a wood turner by trade, he took up that and followed it in his lit- tle slab shanty, which was the first dwelling of the family here. Later the residence was much improved. MARTIN died in Alma at the age of 67 years, his wife dying at that of 45. At one time he served as road commissioner, having been dirt- path master in Switzerland. He was a member of the Catholic church. OTTMAR PROBST in his boyhood attended school in Alma, and as he grew up learned wood turning from his father, also at times working on farms. He started in the boat building business, which he followed for awhile, and also made spin- ning wheels and repaired those brought from Switzerland by his neighbors. In 1889 he bought the place where he now has his shop, which is well equiped for repairs of all kinds. MR. PROBST has a wood lathe spindle made from a gun barrel brought from Switzerland. He hewed and dried the wood to make the frame-work, and it is still in a fine state of pre- servation, and is used by him, being operated by foot-tread power. ===========================================================================