Person Page - 195

     In 1855 A. B. Kaercher has in his possession the Government Patent given in 1855 and signed by Franklin Pierce to his father, John Kaercher, for 160 acres of land in Fillmore County, Minnesota, where John Kaercher founded the Village of Preston, and erected the second flouring mill in the Territory of Minnesota. page 318. In 1855 John Kaercher built the first grist mill in Fillmore County in 1855 and named his colony after his chief millwright, Luther Preston. John Michael Kaercher purchased land on 15 October 1855 at Preston, Fillmore, Minnesota, Section 6 Location NW Acres 158.02.

     Barbara Kraemer purchased land on 15 January 1858 at Preston, Fillmore, Minnesota, Section 6 Location N«NE Acres 80.29.

     Aaron Benjamin Kaercher purchased land on 25 October 1888 at Township 121N Range 46W, Minnesota, Section 16, Land Office Benson, Total Acres 158.5; Document Number 1828. Circa 1898 A. B. Kaercher is an attorney of Ortonville, Minnesota. He was born at Preston, Fillmore County, Minnesota, on January 20, 1860. His father, John Kaercher, was engaged in the milling business at Preston. Mr. Kaercher, senior, was a native of Strassburg, but was brought to Canada by his parents when an infant. He was left an orphan at an early age, and was thrown largely upon his own resources, and achieved a large measure of success entirely through his own industry, ability and indomitable will. He came to Fillmore County when a young man and laid out the village of Preston, building the flour mills at that place, and at the age of twenty-five was one of the most prominent business men in Southern Minnesota. He now resides near South Bend, Washington. His wife was Barbara Kraemer, who was also a native of Strassburg. Mrs. Kaercher died January 12, 1865, at Preston. Aaron was one of six children. His early education was limited. He attended the graded schools at Preston until fifteen years of age when he entered his father's office as bookkeeper. After three years he went into the mill as apprentice and learned the trade, and when nineteen took charge of the flouring mill at Kendallville, Iowa. Later he returned to Minnesota, and in 1881 went with his father to Big Stone City, Dakota. Within a short time they began the erection of a mill at Ortonville, Minnesota, and a few years later entered upon the project of dredging a canal to connect Big Stone Lake with Lake Traverse. After expending sixty-five thousand dollars and not receiving the assistance promised, they found the undertaking beyond their means and were obliged to abandon the scheme for a time. In 1884 Mr. Kaercher began the study of law and pursued it at leisure moments until 1890, when he was admitted to the bar. He at once moved to Browns Valley and formed a law partnership with A. S. Crossfield. In the political campaign of that year Mr. Kaercher took a very active part, and to further his efforts he established a newspaper, "The Traverse County Times," published at Wheaton. This adventure was followed a few years after by the establishment of the Big Stone County Journal at Ortonville, which he controlled. page 263.
Mr. Kaercher's political affiliations have always been with the Republican party, though he has been independent in his ideas. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the Knights of Pythias. On February 20, 1881, he was married to Gertrude Martha Johnson, at Clear Grit, Fillmore County, Minnesota. Miss Johnson's father was a Methodist minister and a native of the Isle of Man. They have eight children, Rubin Aaron, Mabel Gertrude, John Michael, Grace Fayette, Roscoe Conklin, Lemuel Amerman, Belva Lorraine and Cecil Edison. Mr. Kaercher is of a determined, energetic and aggressive disposition, at the same time being cool and deliberate in action. At the age of sixteen he had charge of important business affairs and managed them successfully, giving evidence of the practical business ability which has since been made much more prominent. He is still a young man and is regarded by his friends as having an excellent future before him.⁶

     In 1915 at Minnesota History and Biography article.

     Katherine J. Hogan had 4 with 4 living in 1900 children.

     Helen May Leech had 5 with 4 living in 1910 children.

     Laurence Hans Petersen obtained US Social Security Card at Wisconsin; last residence Reedsburg, Sauk, Wisconsin; last benefit Baraboo, Sauk, Wisconsin. On 11 September 1918 at Sauk, Wisconsin, WWI Draft Registration.

     Harlan James Peterson lived in 2006 at Madison, Dane, Wisconsin.