Michael Einhorn

As printed in 1894

MICHAEL EINHORN, a farmer residing on section 30, Homer Township, is one of the worthy citizens that Germany has furnished to America. He was born in Selz, April 8, 1828, and is a son of Peter Einiiorn, also a native of Germany. Having arrived at years of maturity, the father there married Margaret Wisham. He was a contractor and builder, and followed that business in his native laud until 1844, when, with the hope of bettering his financial condition, he sailed for America. Locating in Cook County, Ill., he there purchased land and turned his attention to farming, which he carried on up to the time of his death. He passed away in March, 1851, and left a widow and six children to mourn his loss. He was the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land, and upon his farm his wife remained for two years, when she, too, passed away, in March, 1853. The parents therefore did not long enjoy their new home. Upon the mother's death the heirs sold the property, receiving for it about 8 per acre.

Michael Einhorn continued a resident of Cook County until 1862. He was a young man of sixteen years at the time of his emigration to America. When he had attained his majority his father gave him 200 in money and he started out in life for himself. He first turned his attention to farming, but soon after went to Chicago, where for fourteen years he was employed by the McCormick Bindery Company. He was frugal and industrious, and, saving his earnings, he had on the expiration of that period a not inconsiderable sum. As before stated, he left Cook County in 1862, and came to Winona County, Minn. In Wilson Township he purchased one hundred and forty acres of land at $10 per acre, and upon that farm madeliis home for five years. In the mean time it had more than doubled its value, and lie sold out for 135 per acre, tous realizing a good profit, lie next purchased a quarter-section of land in Wilson Township. Tills was an unimproved tract, for which he gave $5 per acre. Not a furrow had been turned thereon, but with ciiaracteristic energy he began its development, and the raw prairie was soon made to j'ield to him bounteous harvests in return for the care and labor he bestowed upon them. For fifteen years he continued its cultivation and made it a valuable tract. At length he sold out for $4,000 and removed to Winona, where the two succeeding years of iiis life were passed. On purchasing another farm he became the owner of a one hundred and sixty acre tract, on which he made his home for four years. He then sold that property and bought the farm on which he now resides.

On the 6th of May, 1851, Mr. Einhorn was united in marriage with Miss Barbara Kraudwick, daughter of Arnold and Annie (Schwartz) Kraudwick. Both parents were natives of Germany, and came from Prussia to America in the year 1843. They located on a farm in Cook County, Ill., where they made their home for some time, and then came to Winona County, settling in the town of Wilson, on the Chatfleld road. There Mr. Kraudwick engaged in keeping a tavern, which was largely patronized by the traveling public, and therefore yielded to him a good income. He carried on business along that line until his death, which occurred on the 2d of February, 1867. His wife met her death October 29, 1880, when seventy-nine years of age, being cruelly murdered by robbers, who killed her and then took all her money, which amounted to a considerable sum, as she did a large business and handled considerable cash. The rogues also fired the house, but it did not burn. Mr. and Mrs. Kraudwick had four children, of whom two are now living.

To Mr. and Mrs. Einhorn were born fourteen children, of whom the following are living, the others having died in infancy: Michael, born October 11, 1856; Mary, November 24, 1859; Tracy, November 8, 1860; Annie, August 29, 1863; Henry, September 8, 1865; Elizabeth, April 2,1867; Sophia, May 18, 1869; Bernard, December 20, 1871; Herman, May 22, 1873; Catherine, March 7, 1875; and George, May 22, 1877. Michael was married April 11, 1882, to Anna Carpenter, after whose death he married Mary Koenig; Tracy became the wife of Nicholas Lombard, April 13. 1885; Annie wedded Conrad Koenig, October 12, 1886; Mary became the wife of Bernard Weiser, November 13, 1888; and flenry was married to Bertie Harvey, November 13, 1891.

Mr. Einhorn is a self-made man and deserves great credit for his success in life. He started out empty-handed, and, depending entirely upon his own resources, he has steadily worked his way upward, overcoming the difficulties and obstacles in his path by diligence and earnest effort, and thus has won prosperity. He is not only recognized as a leading farmer, but is also one of the progressive and public-spirited citizens of the county. In his political views he is a Democrat, and he and his family are members of the Catholic Church.

James Holt.

As printed in Portrait and biographical record of Winona county, Minnesota. Containing biographical sketches of prominent ... citizens .. (1894). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.