My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM KROHNE, residing upon section 14, Pipestone Township, Berrien County, Mich., a leading citizen and extensive and successful general agriculturist, has for a number of years been actively identified with the progressive interests and official work of his locality. A man of sterling character and executive ability, he has discharged with fidelity the duties of various positions of trust, and is now serving with efficiency as Supervisor. Our subject, a young man of energetic enterprise, was born upon the homestead, where he now cultivates the fertile soil, January 4, 1868. His parents, William and Angeline (First) Krohne, were both natives of Germany, where they spent their early years, the Krohne and First families both later emigrating from the Old Country to the United States and settling in Cincinnati, Ohio. In that city the father and mother received their schooling, and, growing up to manhood and womanhood, were married. They remained in Cincinnati until they were about twenty years of age and then decided to try their fortunes in the farther West and came to Michigan, almost immediately locating upon the old Krohne farm.

The homestead was partially cultivated and improved when the father purchased it, but he later built a residence at an expense of $2,000 and erected other substantial and excellent improvements. William Krohne, Sr., after a long life of busy usefulness, passed away in 1881, mourned by a large circle of old-time friends and sorrowing relatives. His venerable wife still survives. The parents were both members of the Lutheran Church and the father was ever a leader in church work, giving liberally in support of his denomination. The children who blessed the home were six in number, three sons and three daughters. Sophia, the wife of Sydney Rector, lives in Sodus Township and has one son; Elizabeth is the wife of Lewis Stevens, of Pipestone Township, and has one son; Vera, the wife of Fred Kettler, residing in Pipestone Township, has no children; William, Warren and Henry complete the list. The father was a gardener in Cincinnati, and owned four highly-cultivated acres near that city. Two hundred acres of the two hundred and sixty acres in Pipestone Township are finely cultivated, and a ninety-acre farm in Keeler Township is all under improvement. Hard-working and a thrifty manager, the father accumulated a comfortable competence and gave his children a good start in life.

Our subject is engaged in mixed farming on the old place, and raises an excellent grade of stock. Educated in the common schools of the home district, Mr. Krohne was early trained to assist in the daily round of farming duties, and at the death of his father, when William was only fourteen years of age, he ably managed the farm. Always busy, Mr. Krohne has yet found time to devote to public affairs, and, an ardent Republican, is deeply interested in both local and National issues. He has with ability represented his party at various conventions and has faithfully discharged the duties of School Inspector of Pipestone Township, and has been Treasurer of the same. As Supervisor for a number of terms, our subject has materially aided in the promotion of public enterprise and needed improvements, and has by his liberal spirit and intelligent ability won the high regard of the entire community with whom he has been associated from his birth.