Charles Augustus Neefe (b. January 1, 1834, d. October 2, 1906)
Charles Augustus Neefe (son of Charles Frederick Neefe and Christiana E. Leonhard) was born January 1, 1834 in Germany, and died October 2, 1906 in Township of Bloom, Richland , WI100. He married Nancy M. See on June 4, 1857 in Richmond Township,Richland County, WI.
Notes for Charles Augustus Neefe:
Name: Charles Neefe Arrival Date: Mar 21, 1839 Age: 5 Gender: M Port of Departure: Bremen Place of Origin: Germany Ship Name: Louise Fredericke Family Number: 285046 National Archives' Series Number: M259-18 Port of Arrival: New Orleans
Source Information: Ancestry.com. New Orleans, 1820-1850 Passenger and Immigration Lists [database online]. Provo, Utah: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2003. Original data: New Orleans, Louisiana. Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at New Orleans, LA, 1820-1902. Micropublication M259, rolls # 1-33. National Archives, Washington, D.C.
Taken from History of Crawford and Richland Counties, Wisconsin - Union Publishing Company - Springfield, IL - 1884
Neefe, Charles A. page 986
Charles A Neefe, a native of Germany, was born Jan. 1, 1834, and emigrated to the United States with his parents at the age of two years. They first settled in St. Louis Co., Mo., where they remained eight or nine years, then removed to the lead mines of Grant Co., Wis., remaining until 1846, when he came to Richland county and settled in the town of Orion. Mr. Neefe has been a resident of the county ever since. He now owns 110 acres of land and a saw-mill, and is now doing a thriving business. He was married in 1857 to Nancy M See, who was born Jan. 7, 1836, in New York city, and came to Richland county in 1855. Mr. and Mrs. Neefe are the parents of five children --- Maria, Christina, Emma, Frank and Frederick. Maria is now the wife of Ellot Jones; and Christina, of Hughey Clark. Mr. Neefe enlisted in 1861 in the 6th Wisconsin Battery, and was discharged in 1864. While in the service he was injured by the premature discharge of a gun, of which he was first gunner. In 1859 he went on a gold hunting expedition to Pike's Peak, and was successful only in getting financially ruined. He, in company with three others, returned to Omaha, Neb., on foot. There, one of his comrades sold his gun for enough money to procure them passage to St. Joseph, Mo. At that point Mr. Neefe took a twenty-dollar piece, which he had saved, and paid their fare to Prairie du Chien, Wis., and having nothing to pay for food, he sawed wood for the cook of the boat, and so paid his own and his companions' board. On arriving at Prairie du Chien he tried to sell his gun to get his sick comrade home, but could get only $3 and a glass of beer for it. He accepted the offer, however, sent his comrade home and returned to his home himself, arriving in Richland county a poorer but wiser man. He has never left the county since without money enough to bring him home. Mr. Neefe was formerly a democrat; since the war, however, he has been a republican, but is not so bound to party but that he can and does vote for the best man.
Neefe's Mill. Neefe's mill was originally erected on section 36, in 1857, by James and Z Jones. Then, as now, it was located on the west branch of Pine river. In 1879 Charles A Neefe rebuilt the mill and still owns and operates it. It is equipped with an improved circular saw, planer, matcher, lath saw, ripper and cut-off saw. Its capacity is 7000 feet per day. The mill does excellent work and is having a good business.
February 3, 1881 Richland Republican and Observer
The land office at LaCrosse received a request by Adison Blood who intended to file a homestead claim for the NE 1/4 of the SW 1/4 of Section 1, Township 11 and the SE1/4 of the SW1/4 Section 36, Township 11 Range 1 West. He names witnesses to prove his continuous residence and C.A. Neefe is one witness.
CHARLES A. NEEFE merits consideration in this work as being one of the sterling pioneer citizens of Richland county and a member of one of the first families to settle in this section of the state; he is. also a veteran of the war of the Rebellion and for many years he has been successfully identified with the agricultural industry in the town of Bloom. Mr. Neefe was born Jan. 1, 1834, in Saxony, Germany, where also were born his parents, Charles and Christina Neefe. The parents immigrated to America in 1837, landing in the city of New Orleans and thence proceeding up the Mississippi river to St. Louis, where the father was employed at the cabinetmaker's trade for several years. In 1843 he removed with his family to Galena, Ill., and in 1846 he came to Richland county, Wis., and bought a quarter section of heavily timbered land in the town of Orion. His was one of the first houses erected in the township, the same having been a log cabin of the most primitive type. After he had established his family in the little pioneer home his wife and one of their children were taken ill and as no physician could be secured in this section they returned to Galena, Ill., so that they might have the requisite medical attention. The subject of this sketch and his paternal uncle remained on the claim and in 1848 the remainder of the family returned to the embryonic farm. Mr. Neefe recalls that while his mother was still ill he went to visit the family in Galena, and he was attired in a suit of buckskin at the time. His mother was mortified at his appearance and provided him with a suit of woolen clothing in place of his primitive garb. The father lived on his old homestead until after the Civil War, having cleared much of his land and made good improvements on the place. He accumulated 220 acres and was one of the substantial pioneer farmers of the county. After leaving the farm he conducted a general store at Avoca and later had a similar enterprise in Cottage Grove, Dane county, where his devoted wife died. He soon afterward removed to Sheffield, Ia., where he passed the remainder of his life. He was a Democrat in politics until the time of the Civil War, when he espoused the cause of the Republican party, of which he was ever afterward a loyal supporter. He and his wife were consistent members of the German Evangelical church. Of their five children the subject of this review was the first born; Julius is a resident of Riverview, this state; Annie, who became the wife of William Uphuff, is now deceased; Eliza is the wife of William Knolty, and they reside near Sheffield, Ia.; and Emma is the wife of John Albright, residing in the state of Nebraska. Charles A. received very limited educational advantages in his boyhood days, having attended school in the little pioneer log schoolhouse for a few weeks only and early beginning to do much strenuous work in connection with reclaiming and cultivating the home farm. He remained with his parents until he was sixteen years of age and then found outside employment, eventually earning enough money to "buy his time" from his father. He was employed for some time in the pineries on the upper Wisconsin river during the winters, and in the spring and summer seasons he assisted in the driving of the logs down the river, becoming expert in this hazardous work. In 1857 he married and located on his forty acres of wild land in the town of Orion, this county. He reclaimed the greater portion of the farm and made improvements in the way of buildings, the place continuing to be the family home until 1865. Sept. 13, 1861, Mr. Neefe enlisted as a member of the Sixth Battery, Wisconsin light artillery, Henry Dillon being captain of his company. He proceeded with his command to Cairo, Ill., and he took part in the siege of Island No. 10 and in the battle of Shiloh, then proceeding by boat to Hamburg, Tenn., and participating in the siege of Corinth. The battery passed the summer of 1862 in Mississippi and in the fall was in the two days' engagement at Corinth, passing the winter south of Holly Springs, Miss., and later going to Memphis, Tenn., and in the following spring taking part in the Yoho expedition in Arkansas. The command later re-crossed the Mississippi and took part in several engagements of importance, including the battle of Jackson and that of Champion Hills. The troops thereafter crossed the Black river on a bridge made of cotton bales and the Sixth Wisconsin Battery took part in the siege of Vicksburg, later going again to Memphis and thence starting on the march to Chattanooga and Missionary Ridge, at which latter point it took part in a two days' fight. Mr. Neefe was later with his command in the rear of General Sherman's forces in the Georgia campaign, his final service being that of guard duty on a railroad bridge at Cartersville, Ga. He was mustered out Oct. 10, 1864, at the expiration of his term of service, and received his honorable discharge after his return to Madison, W is. At Vicksburg he was wounded in the spine, by the premature discharge of a cannon, but he refused to go to the hospital and remained at the post of duty, having been made gunner and was a corporal at the time of his discharge. After the close of his long and faithful service as a soldier of the Union, Mr. Neefe returned to Richland county, disposed of his original farm and purchased 140 acres of land in section 36, town of Bloom. A considerable portion had been reclaimed and a sawmill was established on the place. He erected excellent buildings, made other improvements and for a number of years operated the mill in connection with his general farming. Of late his health has been somewhat impaired and he is living in a measure retired from active labor, having accumulated a competency through his well directed efforts. He has been the architect of his own fortunes and is also self-educated, being a man of broad information and mature judgment. He has so ordered his life in all its relations as to win and retain the confidence and esteem of his fellow men and he has a wide circle of friends in this section of the state. He is a stanch Republican and for several years he served as chairman of the town board of Bloom. He is affiliated with the Grand Army of the Republic and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has been an extensive traveler, especially through the west, and has widened his fund of knowledge through this means. In 1857 Mr. Neefe was united in marriage to Miss Nancy M. See, who was born in New York city, in 1836, being a daughter of John C. and Maria (Knapp) See, both of whom were likewise native of the state of New York, where the father died in 1840, having been a successful school-teacher. In 1856 his widow came with her five children to Richland county and settled on Ash creek. Mrs. See contracted a second marriage, becoming the wife of Eli Booth, and both passed the closing years of their lives in the town of Orion, this county. Five children were born of the first marriage: Henry, deceased; Mary and Rebecca, twins, the former being deceased and the latter a resident of Minnesota: Frank, deceased; and Nancy M., wife of the subject of this sketch. Mr. and Mrs. Neefe have five children: Maria is the wife of Elliott E. Jones, of West Lima, this county; Christina is the wife of Hugh Clark, of Mendota, LaSalle county, Ill.; Emma is the wife of Simon Lepley, of West Lima; Richard F., who married Eliza Bonham. is engaged in mining at Freedom, Wis.; and Julius Frederick, who has charge of the operation of his father's homestead farm, married Miss May Klingeman.
Tales the Tombstones Tell - Republican Observer November 10, 1955
In the old burying ground are 35 soldiers resting, one L B. Madding, a Mexican War veteran. Buried also in the cemetery are four members of the Neefe family, all soldiers, who include a father, a son, a grandson and a great grandson. They are Charles A. Neefe, veteran of the Civil War, who died October 2, 1906; his son Frank R., Spanish-American war veteran, killed in an explosion in Colorado, November 12, 1912; Dale, a grandson of Charles A., veteran of World War I, who died in September, 1923; and the last to die was Willard Neefe, veteran of World War II. his death being on October 17, 1944. Quite a record for one family but a consoling thought is that they all are resting in the little country cemetery close to the old home; and as the Rockbridge monument said "Dying is but going home."
Charles A. Neefe, Civil War veteran, was born in Germany on January 1, 1834, came with his parents to America when he was two years old. They first settled in Missouri, moved from there to Grant county and to Richland county in 1846, settling in the town of Orion, and from there Mr. Neefe moved to near Woodstock. There he farmed and in 1879 purchased a saw mill. It was first owned by James and Z. Jones, built in 1857, an up and down saw did the work. Mr. Neefe rebuilt the mill and equipped it with more modern machinery, water power being derived from a dam and mill race. This dam and mill race are still in evidence close to the Woodstock cemetery.
Name: Charles A Neefe , Residence: Sextonville, Wisconsin Enlistment Date: 13 September 1861 Distinguished Service: DISTINGUISHED SERVICE Side Served: Union State Served: Wisconsin Unit Numbers: 3123 3123 Service Record: Promoted to Full Corporal Enlisted as a Private on 13 September 1861 Enlisted in 6th Light Artillery Regiment Wisconsin on 13 September 1861. Mustered out 6th Light Artillery Regiment Wisconsin on 10 October 1864
Regiment: 6th Light Artillery Battery WI Date Mustered: 18 July 1865 Regiment Type: Light Artillery Enlisted Died of Disease or Accident: 1 Officers Died of Disease or Accident: 6 Enlisted Killed or Mortally Wounded: 0 Regimental Soldiers and History: List of Soldiers
Regimental History Sixth Light Battery WISCONSIN (3-YEARS)
Sixth Light Battery. -- Capts., Henry Dillon, Thomas R. Hood, James G. Simpson; First Lieuts., Henry Dillon, Samuel F. Clark, John Jenawein, Thomas R. Hood, Alba S. Sweet, Second Lieuts., John W. Fancher, James G. Simpson, Sylvester E. Sweet, Daniel T. Noyes, John Jenawein, Lucius N. Keller.
This battery, known as the "Buena Vista Artillery," was organized at Lone Rock in Sept., 1861, but was transferred to Camp Utley, Racine, where it was mustered in Oct. 2, and left the state March 15, 1862.
It reported at St. Louis, was ordered to New Madrid, and placed in charge of a battery during the siege of Island No. 10. It was in reserve during the siege of Corinth, but took part in the battle in October.
It spent the winter in Tennessee, joined the movement toward Vicksburg in the spring of 1863, went to Helena and was sent out on several minor expeditions. It participated at Port Gibson, was in a sharp skirmish at Jones' cross-roads; was at the battle of Raymond in reserve; took part in the battle of Jackson; was engaged at Champion's Hill, and was in the trenches before Vicksburg from May 19 until the surrender.
It remained at Vicksburg until Sept. 12, then moved to Chattanooga and was in the battle at Missionary Ridge. It was then on railroad guard duty until Jan. 7, 1864. It wintered at Huntsville Ala., and spent the summer on the Etowah River near Cartersville, Ga. most of the time in Fort Etowah.
On Nov. 10 it left for Nashville and joined the reserve battery at Fort Barry. On Jan. 7, 1865, it was transferred to the reserve garrison artillery. The men were armed with muskets on Jan. 16 and assigned to provost guard duty.
On Feb. 17 it was sent to a permanent camp at Chattanooga and was mustered out at Madison July 18, 1865.
Its original strength was 157. Gain by recruits, 82 substitutes, 2; reenlistments, 34; total, 275. Loss by death, 29; desertion, 5; transfer, 9, discharge, 36, mustered out, 196.
Source: The Union Army, vol. 4, p. 81
Battles Fought
Fought on 04 October 1862 at Corinth, MS. Fought on 03 July 1863 at Vicksburg, MS. Fought on 24 August 1864.
More About Charles Augustus Neefe: Burial: Unknown, Woodstock Cemetery,Bloom Twnshp,Richland Co.,WI. Census 1: 1850, Richland County, WI; age 18; occupation: farmer; Birthplace: Germany.101 Census 2: June 18, 1860, P.O. Orion, Richmond Twnshp, Richland Co., WI; living just ahead of parents with Nancy and no children. Census 3: August 2, 1870, P.O. West Branch, Bloom Twnshp, Richland Co., WI. Immigration: March 21, 1839, Arrived in New Orleans from Bremen on the ship Louise Fredericke; age 5. Military service 1: September 13, 1861, Enlisted in Sextonville for the Civil War.102 Military service 2: Corporal; 6th Wisconsin Light Artillery.102 Military service 3: October 10, 1864, Mustered out of Service.102
More About Charles Augustus Neefe and Nancy M. See: Marriage: June 4, 1857, Richmond Township,Richland County, WI.
Children of Charles Augustus Neefe and Nancy M. See are:
+Mariah Anna Neefe, b. June 6, 1860, Orion, Richland Co., WI, d. February 24, 1947, Pettibone, Lacrosse Co., WI.
Charles Augustus Neefe (b. January 1, 1834, d. October 2, 1906)
Notes for Charles Augustus Neefe: