Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/1134

 is i HISTOEY OF GOODHUE COUXTY cabin, hauling all their lumber from Red "Wing by ox team. They also conveyed their grain to that city by the same means. In the family there are six sons and daughters. The mother is deceased, but the father is still living, having reached the age of seventy- seven years. J. M. R. Olmstad received his education in the com- mon schools, and then took a two years' course in St. Olaf 's Col- lege, and later two years in Carlton College. Upon his return he took up farming on the home place, where he still remains. The family estate consists of 453 acres, all in Leon toAvnship. Of this 300 acres is under the plow, and on this rich land the family car- ries on general farming, making a specialty of high grade cattle and hogs. The subject of this sketch has served for six years as town clerk, and his father was at one time supervisor. The Olmstad farm is well developed and improved and has many neat buildings, making the place well suited for agricultural pursuits along the latest approved methods. Oscar R. Wermuth. the leading furrier of Red Wing, having an establishment located on Main street, is a German by birth, having first seen the light of day in the German empire, Novem- ber 24, 1873. His father, William AVermuth, and his mother, whose maiden name was Augusta Fredricka, came to America in 1879 and lived about seven years in Chicago, the father working at his trade as furrier. They then located at St. Paul, where William AVermuth opened a fur establishment, remaining in this business until his death. April 11, 1907. The mother died Febru- ary 11, 1907. Oscar R. went through the public and high schools of St. Paul and also took a course in manual training. At the age of nineteen he started in life for himself as a clerk in the Standard" office, remaining seven years. Another year, during which time he was employed as clerk in the Minnesota Club, com- pleted his residence in St. Paul. He came to Red Wing in the fall of 1896, and with his father as partner opened a fur dealing establishment on Plum street. This firm was later changed to O. R. AVermuth & Co., with Oscar R. AVermuth and Fred A. Busch as partners. This business Mr. Wermuth has since continued, the store now being on Alain street. The business is constantly increasing, and Air. Wermuth handles not only the finest goods but also has the select trade of Red AVing and the surrounding country. Air. AVermuth is a Democrat in politics and belongs to the AVoodmen, the United Workmen, the Yeomen, the Elks, the Red Alen, the Samaritans, the Union Commercial Travelers and the Red AVing Commercial Club. He served four years as a member of Company G. Oscar R. AVermuth was married June 26, 1901, to Elizabeth C. .AUtzler, of Red W 7 ing, daughter of Daniel and Bertha (Denslage) Metzler, the former of whom, a native of Germany, was a Red AVing brewer. He died July 27,