The Stiever Family

Biography Michael Walch, one of the successful farmers of Oak Ridge, Whitewater townhship, was born October 6, 1846, in Luxemburg, a son of Nicholas and Catherine (Burg) Walch, the former of whom was born in 1808 adn died in 1892, and the latter of whom was born in 1798 and died in 1849. The subject of this sketch was reared in Germany, and came to America in 1865. After spending three years in Dubuque, Iowa, he came to Minnesota in 1868. For a while, with his headquarters at Winona, he worked at whatever he could find. He finally located on the 110 acres which he now occupies. Of this tract, only forty-five acres were broken. On the property was a frame shanty, a log stable with a roof of straw, a corn crib built of logs and covered with straw and a few other small buildings, also thatched with straw. He was married in 1874, and he and his wife started in to establish for themselves a place among the substantial families of the community. By hard work and frugality they have made many improvements. Mr. Walch has a fine place of 390 acres in Whitewater and a good farm of 290 acres in Norton. He has one of the finest brick residences in the neighborhood, and good buildings for the housing of his stock, crops and implements. Mr. Walch has taken a prominent part in school affairs and has served as school clerk for many years. Michael Walch was married in 1874 to Tracy Stiever, who died May 24, 1911, at the age of sixty-three years. She bore her husband seven children: Mary, Clara, now wife of John Kronebusch; Frank H., on the farm owned by his father in Norton township; Peter, who died January 28, 1910, at the age of twenty-five; Eddie, at home; Andrew, who died at the age of nine months; and Louis, at home. History of Winona County, Volume 2, pub 1913 p 792-793 Obit for Michael Walch

Obituary Michael Walch, Early Settler of County Dies Came from Belgium When Boy of 19 -- Lived in County 50 Years -- Funeral at Oak Ridge Thursday Michael Walch, aged 79, early settler, and Winona county resident for 50 years, died yesterday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. John Kronebusch, at Plainview from the infirminties of old age. He is survived by five children, Miss Mary Walch of Dubuque, Ia., Mrs. John Kronebusch of Plainview, Minn., Frank Walch, Louis Walch and Edward Walch, all of Oak Ridge, Minn. Michael Walch was born October 6, 1846 in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. When he was 19 years of age he came from Antwerp, Belgium for American on a sailing ship. After working in the middle west for some time he arrived by steamer at Minneiska in 1868. He was employed in Winona for aout two years and in the spring of 1872 he purchased land in the vicinity of Oak Ridge, where he made his home for many years. In 1874 Mr. Walch was united in marriage with Miss Theresa Stiever of Oak Ridge. There was seven childrn by this marriage, five of whom are still living. Mrs. Walch passed away in 1911. In late years Mr. Walch made his home with his daughter in Plainview. Funeral services will be held Thursday morning at 9:30 at Oak Ridge at St. Mary's Church by the Rev. Father Anthony Hennekes. Burial will be made at St. Mary's Cemetery. Winona Republican-Herald, Oct. 6, 1925

Michael Walch was a brother of Nicholas Walch (m. to Clara Kemp), who is buried nearby. They were both sons of Nicholas Walch and Catherine Burg of Bigelbach, Luxembourg. Another brother (apparently also named Nicholas)settled in Detroit, MI.)