~ Biographical Sketch ~

     Frances Fischer was born on Sunday, December 1, 1850, daughter of Frank (I) Fischer and Agnes Zastoupel.^1,2

Frances Fischer emigrated from Vienna, Austria, with her parents and her siblings, Sophie and Frank, Junior. Her sister Agnes married and remained in Austria. As a child, Frances had the task of watching the geese as they fed in the meadows of their small farm near Vienna.³ She made hair pin lace.³

Frances Fischer married August Neuendorf (Neidorft), son of Gotlieb Neuendorf and Wilhelmine Schulz, on February 12, 1874 in Oakdale Township, Monroe County, Wisconsin. Their marriage certificate states that a Jerman ceremony was contracted. John August Neuendorf is stated to be of white color, birthplace as Jermany, and is shown to be a farmer residing in the Oakdale Township. His father is listed as Gotlib Neuendorf and his mother is listed as Vileumen Neuendorf. Francis Fisher is listed as the wife's name previous to marriage. Her parents are listed as Frank Fisher and Agnes Fisher. The marriage was contracted the first day of January. The marriage ceremony was performed on 12 Feb 1874, by E. L. Matthews, Justice of the Peace, residing in Town of Oak Dale. The witnesses were Henry Rougga and brother of the bride, Frank Fisher, Jr.^3,4,5

A second marriage for this couple was discovered in the Monroe County Registar's office. The date is 21 years after their original "Jerman" ceremony and the reason for this second ceremony is unknown at the time of this writting in 2004. The type of ceremony for this marriage is listed as Statutory. August Neuendorf is recorded as being a farmer in Oakdale, having been born in Germany. His parents are listed as Gotleib Neundorf and Minnie Schultz. Frances Fischer is recorded as being born in Germany. Her parents are shown to be Frank Fischer and Agnes Zastoupel. The color of the parties is recorded as white. This marriage was contracted in Tomah on 30 Nov 1895 with Cleric Maxwell of Tomah pronouncing. Witnesses were Mrs. Lizzie Noble and Charles Raudon. The date of registration was 10 Dec 1895.⁶

Frances made a German pastry called Kolatchkies, she taught her duaghter-in-law Augusta how to make them. The recipe and technique was then passed down to her daughters and our family has enjoyed them ever since. Granddaughter, Alice Krueger Prell, recalled that Frances, her grandmother, baked delicious Bohemian Christmas bread with braided dough across the top, and said it was very tasty and a special treat.⁷

On October 9, 1912, her son, Herman, married Augusta Ottielia Reetz.^8,9

On September 28, 1928, her son, Otto, married Belle Bold.^4,1

Frances Neuendorf (Neidorft) died on March 30, 1939 at age 88. She was found dead in a chair at her son Otto's home where she had been residing.^10,11

Her obituary in the Oakdale news column of the Tomah Journal read as follows:

Frances Fischer-Neuendorf was born December 1, 1850 in Austria. In 1869 she came to America with her parents, one brother and one sister (one sister remaining in Austria). Their first stay was in Watertown. From there they moved to a farm in the Township of Clifton, Monroe County. After living on this farm for a few years, the family moved to live on another farm in the Township of Oakdale.

On February 12, 1874 she married August Neuendorf and the couple settled on a farm next to her home.

Fifteen children were born to them, seven of them dying in infancy; Anna passed away at the age of 11 months; Ida passed away at the age of 11 years; Bertha Sonnenberg of Milwaukee passed away in 1925; and Edward of Wilton passed away in 1934.

Mrs. Neuendorf passed away at the home of her son Otto in the Town of Oakdale on March 30, 1939. She had reached the age of 88 years, three months and 30 days.

She left to mourn two sons, Herman of Dubuque, Ia. and Otto of Oakdale; two daughters, Mrs. Emma Waltman of Hibbing, MN and Mrs. Minnie Krueger of Oakdale; 16 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Her husband passed away in April 1917.

She was a member of the Lutheran Church of Clifton. Services were held at White's Funeral Parlors on Sunday, April 2, Pastor H. Schaller officiating.

.²

A second (unidentified) obituary was found in the family history collection of her granddaughter, Helen Burkart and it reads as follows:

Mrs. Aug. Neuendorf
Passes Away March 30

Frances Fisher was born on December 1, 1850, in Austria and came to America in 1869 with her parents. The family settled at Watertown and later moved to a farm at Clifton. After living on this farm for a few years the family moved to another farm in the town of Oakdale.

On February 12, 1874, she was united in marriage with all this Neuendorf. Fifteen children were born to this union seven of whom died in infancy. Her husband passed away in April, 1917.

Mrs. Neuendorf passed away on March 30, 1939, at the home of her son, Otto, in the town of Oakdale, at the age of 88 years, three months and 30 days.

Surviving are two sons, Herman Neuendorf, Dubuque, Iowa, and Otto Neuendorf, Oakdale; two daughters, Mrs. Emma Waltman, Hibbing, Minnesota, and Mrs. Minnie Krueger, Oakdale; sixteen grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at the White Funeral Home in Tomah Sunday afternoon, the Rev. H. Schaller officiating. Interment was in the Oakdale cemetery .¹

Frances and August were the parents of 15 children, seven of them being deceased in infancy and Anna deceased at age 11. They had two pairs of twins, Minnie (Krueger) Neuendorf was the only one that lived.^3,11