The 1880 United States census showed Frederick Habhegger (age 43, born in Switzerland, brick maker) married to Catherine (age 40, born in Germany) and living in Lisbon, Juneau County, Wisconsin. Children Frederick (age 17, born in Ohio), Caroline (age 16, born in Ohio), John (age 14, born in Ohio), Alice (age 12, born in Wisconsin), Emma (age 10, born in Wisconsin), Louis (age 7, born in Wisconsin), William (age 3, born in Wisconsin), and Edna (age 1, born in Wisconsin) also lived with the couple.
The 1885 Minnesota census showed Fred Habhegger (age 45, born in Switzerland) married to Caroline (age 40, born in Germany) and living in Twin Lakes Township, Carlton County, Minnesota. Children Fred (age 22, born in Wisconsin), Carrie (age 19, born in Wisconsin), John (age 20, born in Wisconsin), Alice (age 17, born in Wisconsin), Emma (age 16, born in Wisconsin), Annie (age 14, born in Wisconsin), Louis (age 12, born in Wisconsin), Wm. (age 10, born in Wisconsin), and Ida (age 7, born in Wisconsin) also lived with the couple.
The 1895 Minnesota census showed Fred Habhegger (age 57, born in Switzerland, brick manufacturer) living in Twin Lakes Township, Carlton County, Minnesota. Children John (age 29, born in Ohio, foreman), Anni (age 23, born in Wisconsin), Louis (age 22, born in Wisconsin), William (age 18, born in Wisconsin), and Edna (age 16, born in Wisconsin) also lived with Fred.
The 1900 United States census showed Fred Habhegger (age 63, born in December 1836 in Switzerland, brick manufacturer) living with his sons John (age 34, born in May 1866 in Kentucky, day laborer) and William (age 23, born in December 1876 in Wisconsin, day laborer) in Twin Lakes Township, Carlton County, Minnesota.
Page 474. No business man of Wrenshall, Carlton county, is better known or has met with more pronounced success in his business ventures than Fred Habhegger. This gentleman is a man of good judgment, enterprising and progressive, and by his close application to business he has built up a trade in general merchandise and is the pioneer business man of the thriving town of Wrenshall. His portrait is shown upon another page of this volume. Mr. Habhegger was born on a farm in Switzerland, in 1836. His father was a farmer by occupation and served in the army of Switzerland. The family came to America in 1853, landing in New York city. They located at Watertown, Wisconsin, where the father engaged in business. Our subject attended the common schools and assisted on the farm. He started brick making and worked in the yards at La Crosse, Wisconsin, one year, and then went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and worked there until 1867, and thoroughly learned the business. During the war he served in the Ohio militia. He
Page 477. started in business for himself at New Lisbon, Wisconsin, in 1867, at brick making, and also followed farming to some extent, but he had no capital. He continued in business there until 1882, when he went to northern Minnesota and located near Carlton. He bought land at Clear Creek, and there started a small brick yard and was in business at that point until 1888. Meanwhile the railroad was built, and in 1888 Mr. Habhegger went to Wrenshall. Soon after his locating there the town of Wrenshall was started and the name given the place of honor of a Northern Pacific Railroad official. Our subject was the first citizen and built the first building in the town. He established a brick yard there the same year. Fire destroyed his residence, brick yard and machinery in 1889, entailing a loss of six thousand dollars. The first years there our subject made from six hundred thousand to seven hundred thousand bricks per annum, and he now turns out four million. He also engages in farming to a small extent, and in 1900 established a general store and conducts a profitable business.
Mr. Habhegger was married in 1862 to Miss Catherine Baumunk. The ceremony was solemnized at Cincinnati, Ohio. Mrs. Habhegger was born in Germany, and come to America when she was child and located with her parents on a farm in Kentucky. She died at Wrenshall, Minnesota, in 1888. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Habhegger, namely: F. J., Caroline (deceased), John, Alice, Emma, Annie, Willie, Edith and Louis. Mr. Habhegger is an active citizen in public affairs, and is chairman of the township board. He is deeply interested in educational affairs, and has served as school treasurer since the organization of the board. Politically he is a Republican and is a staunch advocate of party principles and an earnest worker for the same. (Compendium of History and Biography of Northern Minnesota, Geo. A. Ogle & Co., Chicago, 1902)
The 1910 United States census showed Fred Habhegger (age 73, born in Switzerland, brickyard) living with his son John C. (age 42, born in Ohio, brick maker) in Wrenshall Township, Carlton County, Minnesota.
The 1920 United States census showed Fred Habhegger (age 83, born in Switzerland, brick manufacturer) living with his son John (age 53, born in Ohio, brickyard manager) in Silver Brook Township, Carlton County, Minnesota.
Fred Jacob Habhegger died November 5, 1921, in Carlton County, Minnesota.