Personal:
"Joseph Wagner was a cheesemaker in Germany. It was said that he
made a very good swiss cheese which he sold to other cheese lovers
in the community." (Source: Our Founder's Legacy: A History of
Millerville by Helen Joos Cichy)
"A very painful (if not fatal) accident happened to Jos. Wagoner.
Last week while at the elevator in Evansville, waiting to unload
his wheat, a train came in, which frightened a team standing
near, which, in trying to get away from the cars, jumped over
Mr. W's sled, drawing their load after them, knocking him down,
and the sled passed over him. It is thought by some that he
cannot live." (Source: The Alexandria Post, December 31, 1880)
Obituaries:
Death of Joseph Wagner
Joseph Wagner, Sr. of Millerville, died last Sunday. Mr. Wagner
was one of the oldest residents of Douglas county, locating in
Millerville about thirty-eight years ago. He was about
seventy-seven years of age and leaves four sons--Adolph,
Joseph, Peter, and John. The funeral was held Tuesday and the
interment was in the Catholic cemetery at Millerville.
(Source: Alexandria Post News, Thursday, July 30, 1908)
Card of Thanks.
The undersigned desire to express our sincere thanks to all who
so kindly showed their interest and sympathy and gave their
assistance during the late illness and funeral of our father
Joseph Wagner.
Adolph Wagner
Joe Wagner
John Wagner
Peter Wagner.
(Source: The Brandon Echo)
Another Pioneer Gone.
Monday morning, after a brief illness of two days, Joseph
Wagner, Sen., died quietly and peacefully at the home of
his son, John Wagner, where he has been living since spring.
Mr. Wagner was born in Tyrol, Austria, May 20, 1830, and was
therefore seventy-eight years old. He emigrated to America and
arrived in Bloomington, Illinois on August 12, 1886. [sic: probably
1866] There he and his brother George remained one year when it was
decided that it would be better for his brother in Minnesota
and on that account both arrived in Millerville where Joseph
Wagner located on the old homestead now occupied by his son Peter.
George died about nine years later and was the third person
buried in the Millerville cemetery.
The following year he married Miss Annie Mary Stricker. To
them were born Adolph, Joseph, John and Peter, all of them
living in Millerville. Mrs. Wagner died January 19, 1893.
After his wife's death he seemed rather restless and left all
his farms to his sons. He lived about two years in
New Ulm and about the same length of time in Alexandria.
He was one of the leading men of his community and at one time
owned 1200 acres of land in Millerville and 600 in Brandon
township. The land in Brandon was sold but that in Millerville
was divided among his four sons all of whom live on the farms
now. At one time he also owned the Evansville flouring mills
and a large share in the Brandon flouring mills.
He was always industrious and sober. He took an intense interest
in church affairs and remained true to his religious views to
the last. The reason for his remaining away from his sons so
much was principally so he could be closer to a church and
attend services regularly. He and Mr. Peter Lorsung were really
the founders of the Catholic church, Millerville and for years
Mr. Lorsung was the secretary and Mr. Wagner the treasurer.
From this church has since developed the churches at Urbank and
at Brandon. It usually devolved ugon [sic] Mr. Wagner to look
after the transportation of the bishop and during the first years
before the railroads were built this was quite a task. The usual
route was to take the bishop from Alexandria to Millerville and
from there to Perham, the entire trip having to be made with a
yoke of oxen.
The funeral took place from the Catholic church in Millerville
Tuesday forenoon at ten o'clock and the remains were laid to
rest alongside of the body of his wife. Only a few days before
he died he took a trip to Alexandria, Parkers Prairie and from
there by team to John Kraemer's near Urbank. He returned by
the same route.
(Source: The Brandon Echo, Thursday, July 30, 1908)
Naturalization:
First Papers: October 3, 1867 McLean County Court,
McLean County, Illinois, USA; renounced allegiance to
"the Emperor of Austria"
Final Papers: October 8, 1873 Douglas County District Court,
Alexandria, MN, USA witnesses: A. J. Ames & A. J. Goodwin
renounced allegiance to the Emperor of Austria
(the next day, his brother, George Wagner, got his final papers
in the same court. Also witnessed by A. J. Ames. Also renounced
allegiance to Emperor of Austria. First Papers in Douglas County
District Court.)
Land:
In 1886, Joseph Wagner owned 818 acres of land in Millerville
Township in 4 different parcels south of the Village of Millerville
(Sections 25, 26, 27, 33, and 34, Township 130 North, Range 39 West
of the 5th Principal Meridian). George Wagner also owned 160 acres
in the same area (Section 26). (Source: 1886 Douglas County Plat Book)
In 1912, Joseph's land had been divided among his 4 sons.
Peter Wagner owned the main parcel of
447.90 acres (Sections 27 & 34). John S. Wagner owned 200 acres
(Sections 27 & 33). Adolph Wagner owned 320 acres (Sections 24, 25
& 26). Joe Wagner, Jr. owned 240 acres, including all of the land
that had belonged to George Wagner (Section 26). (Source: 1912
Douglas County Plat Book)
In 1940, Joseph P. Wagner owned 184.06
acres. (Sections 26 & 35). Peter Wagner's land had been divided among
Peter, Jr., Math, Elmer and Aloys Wagner. Joe Wagner, Jr.'s land was
owned by John Pischke. John S. Wagner's land was owned by George J.
Kraemer. Adolph Wagner's land was owned by George H. Wagner.
(Source: 1940 Douglas County Plat Book)
Boarders:
In 1895, Joseph Wagner lived with two of his sons, John and
Peter, and with three boarders. Louisa Kajihan(?), age 63,
born in Minnesota. Frederick, age 20, born in Prussia.
Frank Buscher, age 20, born in Minnesota. (Source: 1895
Minnesota Population Census)
E-mail: dwagner2@isd.net
©2003 DJW
Last Modified:
February 24, 2003