Pfeiffer

Michael Pfeiffer and Margaretha Vogl

Memories of the Pfeiffer family

As told by Michael Pfeiffer's daughter, Margaret Pfeiffer Ringelstetter, to her son Leo Ringelstetter (regarding the Pfeiffer family): They left Germany May 24, 1885 to immigrate to United States. Arrived June 9, 1885 to Spring Green. Two days by train to Bremen; nine days to New York. Steamer Fulda. 1600 Marks. By train to Spring Green. Thomas Schwartz took them in on farm in Wilson Creek. Michael was a farmer, musician and weaver. He worked on railroad construction first in Bavaria. Bought Mike Rieder farm 3 months later, took possession Aug. 1885 for $2400. Farm in Upper Wilson Creek, Town of Spring Green, Wisconsin. Sold to son-in-law Mike Ringelstetter for $8000 about 1915. Margaret [Pfeiffer] married Michael Ringelstetter, May 7, 1903 at Plain. [Michael Ringelstetter] bought Henry Frank farm next to Pfeiffer homestead $5500 Oct. 1903. Bought [Pfeiffer] homestead about 1915. Sold both to Herman J. Ringelstetter, April 1919.

As told by Anne Kraemer Frank (age 97) on April 28, 1996:

Anne remembered Michael Pfeiffer very well and recalled that Michael took his two big white horses to town to get a keg of beer. Michael buried the beer keg in the ground to keep the beer cool. Michael was a saxaphone player. Anne's brother wanted to buy the saxaphone, but Michael did not sell it.

As told by Gisela Frank Kraemer (Mrs. Edward Kraemer) (age 102) on June 19, 1996:

Gisela Frank was born in Upper Wilson Creek. The Frank home is across the hill from the Herman Ringelstetter - Mike Pfeiffer farm. The Frank home is located on Wilson Creek Rd. A lady named Pfeiffer died in a log house. When Mrs. Pfeiffer died, the wake was at the Pfeiffer log house. From the house they went by horse and buggy up to Plain to church with the funeral procession. There was no hearse in those days. They used a milk wagon. When asked if Gisela knew Mike Pfeiffer, she said she not recognize the name Mike. She just knew him as Pfeiffer. They called people by their last name. Mr. Pfeiffer was in the army in Germany; he liked music. Joseph Nachreiner had an accordion. Mr. Pfeiffer played Joseph's accordion. The Pfeiffers walked to church at Plain. They walked over the hill by Laubmeiers, it must've been a mile. Then from there they went up where Haas' live.

As told by Anton Blau (age 73) of Plain, Wisconsin on November 6, 1977:

"Well anyhow, this Mike Pfeiffer, he was Mike Ringelstetter's dad [correction: father-in-law], and he stayed with Mike on the farm. And as I remember, I was just a kid, the story goes: He couldn't understand English and the salesman said to Mike, "Hello, Mr. Pfeiffer." Mr. Pfeiffer said in German, "Ya da meestdee bean y'all da va" [spelled how Anton said it]. That meant: He was the barn cleaner all the time. [Anton chuckles] One didn't know what the other one said. I jist can barely remember him. If it wouldn't be for that story, I probably wouldn't."

1893 Sauk County, Wisconsin, plat map

Spring Green Township, Section 27: M. Pfifer, 120 acres

1895 Wisconsin State Census

Spring Green township, Sauk County, Wisconsin

Michael Pfiefer

1 male

3 females

4 born in Germany

Stained-glass window

In 1900, Michael and Margaretha Pfeiffer donated a stained glass window for the newly-built St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church located on North Washington Street in Spring Green. The names "Michael & Margaretha Pfeifer" were inscribed on the window. The location of the window was in the southwest corner of the building. When entering through the main entrance doors, it was the first window on the right, on the long side of the building. On March 2, 1988, a fire destroyed the church, including the Pfeiffer window.

1900 U.S. Federal Census

Spring Green Township, Sauk County, Wisconsin

Lines 16-18

16) Michael Phife [Pfeiffer], head, white, male, age 67, born March 1833, married 35 years, born Germany, occupation farmer, immigration year 1885, living in United States 15 years, Naturalized.

17) Margaret Phife [Pfeiffer], wife, white, female, age 71, born Dec. 1828, married 35 years, 4 children born, 4 children living, born Germany, immigration year 1885, living in United States 15 years.

18) Margaret Phife [Pfeiffer], daughter, white, female, age 28, single, born Aug. 1871, born Germany, immigration year 1885, living in United States 15 years.

Baptism record found and transcribed by Georg Blau of Höchstädt-Donau, Germany in 1996, from Bischöfliches Zentralarchiv in Regensburg, Germany, Band XIII, Seite 242, Fiche 217:

Margaretha Vogl was born December 28, 1828 in Irlach, Kreis Cham, Bavaria, the daughter of Andreas Vogl and Barbara Stangl. A picture of Margaretha has not been found.

Baptism record found and transcribed by Georg Blau of Höchstädt-Donau, Germany in 1996, from Bischöfliches Zentralarchiv in Regensburg, Germany; transcription/translation updated on 8/23/2017:

Translation note: Time of birth was 1/4 9 which means 8:15. It is not 9:15 or 8:45, as one might think. That is the German system of calculating time.

Source: Tiefenbach parish, Band V Fiche 99 Seiten 212-213 (Volume 5, microfiche 99, pages 212-213). Tiefenbach, Kreis Cham, Oberpfalz, Bavaria, Germany.

Repository: Bischöfliches Zentralarchiv, Regensburg, Germany