WI BIO - Dane Co - DUFRENNE, Fred W.
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol I, pp 218-220

Fred W. DUFRENNE, of Dane County, WI, was born in Madison, Dane County, WI, 
16 May 1864, a son of Fred W. and Adelaide (NELLES) DUFRENNE. The father was 
born in Sotommelen, Germany, 28 Feb 1835, a son of Remme and Anna DUFRENNE. 
Remme DUFRENNE was a native of France, a soldier of the French war, and his 
death occurred at a very old age. The father of our subject was employed as 
a mail carrier in Germany when a young man, and at the age of 18 years he 
began to learn the trade of a shoemaker with John BUSHMAN, with whom he 
remained [p 219] three years. In 1856 Renne DUFRENNE came to the U. S., on 
the steamer "Burussia," and after landing at NY, went immediately to Chicago, 
Cook County, IL, where he followed his trade two months; followed the same 
occupation at LaCrosse [LaCrosse County], WI, about seven months; was with F. 
A. STOLTZ, of Madison, WI, for a time; was clerk and manager of a general 
store at Black Earth [Dane County, WI] from 1867 to 1869, and in 1869 opened 
a store in Middleton, Dane County, WI, with S. SHURINGER. Four years later 
Renne DUFRENNE bought the entire store, later sold a half interest to D. 
LYLE, and they continued for many years under the firm style of Dufrenne & 
Lyle. During the late war, Renne DUFRENNE served in Company I, Battery D, 
for 11 months, and was a Democrat in his political views, although his first 
presidential vote was case for Abraham LINCOLN. Religiously, he was a member 
of the Catholic Church.

The mother of our subject [Adelaide (NELLES) DUFRENNE] was also born in 
Sotommelen, Germany, 08 Apr 1835, a daughter of Henry and Anna (PESCH) 
NELLES, also natives of Germany. The mother died in her native place at the 
age of 42 years. Henry NELLES was born in 1807, was a market gardener and 
farmer by occupation, and came to the U. S. in 1857, in company with his 
seven children. After a voyage of 16 days he landed in NY, and then came to 
LaCrosse [LaCrosse County], WI. A short time afterward he purchased 120 
acres of partly improved land in Cross Plains Township, Dane county, WI, 
where he remained until about 1872, and in that year went to Chicago and 
retired from active labor. Henry NELLES died at the home of his son, Winnand 
NELLES, in Chicago, Cook County, IL, at the age of 69 years.

Fred W. and Adelaide (NELLES) DUFRENNE were married in Madison, Dane county, 
WI, 23 Jul 1858, and reared a family of nine children, five now living: 
Anna, born 28 Jun 1859, married Philip SNYDER, and they have one child, 
Willie; Fred W., our subject; Martin, born 04 Oct 1866; Lizzie, born 02 Jan 
1869; and Lena, born 14 Feb 1876, is at home.

Fred W. DUFRENNE, the subject of this sketch, is now at the head of his 
deceased father's store, with Mr. LYLE. He is a Democrat in his political 
views, and his first vote was cast for CLEVELAND. In 1889 Fred W. DUFRENNE 
was married to Emma SCHROEDER, who was born in Verona, Dane County, WI, 17 
Apr 1870, a daughter of Jacob and Salome (MINCH) SCHROEDER. Jacob SCHROEDER 
was born in Germany on 29 Sep 1841, and died 31 Oct 1875. He was the son of 
Casper and Margaret SCHROEDER. Casper SCHROEDER was engaged in a paper mill 
until 1851, when he came to America, with a wife and five children, and first 
rented land in Verona, Dane County, WI. He then purchased 160 acres of 
unimproved land, erected a small house and other necessary improvements, and 
later bought and moved to another home of 40 acres. There Casper SCHROEDER 
spent the remainder of his life, dying at about the age of 62 years.

Jacob SCHROEDER, the father of Mrs. DUFRENNE, remained at home until 21 years 
of age, and then enlisted in the 23rd WI Volunteer Infantry, Company I, but 
after two years of service, on account of sickness, was discharged from the 
Marine Hospital, at New Orleans. Jacob SCHROEDER then remained on his 
father's farm until 12 Nov 1868, when he was married to Miss Salome MINCH, 
who was born in Rhine province, Germany, 07 Dec 1842, a daughter of Bernard 
and Frances (FISHER) MINCH, who were born in that [p 220] province in 1815. 
Frances (FISHER) MINCH was a daughter of John and Lizzie FISHER, both of whom 
died in Germany. Bernard MINCH was employed in a vineyard in his native 
country until in May 1853, when he and his wife sailed from Havre, landing in 
NY after a voyage of 54 days. Then they came by canal and lakes to 
Milwaukee, WI, purchased 200 acres in Montrose, Dane County, WI, and erected 
a log house, 16x20 feet. Previous to this four families lived in one log 
house covered with straw. Soon afterward Bernard MINCH built a stone house, 
then considered a fine dwelling, and in which the parents of Mrs. DUFRENNE 
and also one married daughter still reside.

After marriage, Jacob SCHROEDER purchased an hotel in Verona, which he 
conducted three years, and then in company with a brother-in-law, bought a 
general store and hotel in Paoli [Dane County, WI]. After Jacob SCHROEDER 
died, Mrs. Salome (MINCH) SCHROEDER conducted the hotel and store about three 
years, then sold her interest in the store and moved to Madison, Dane County, 
WI, for the purpose of educating her children. In 1884 she removed to 
Middleton, Dane County, WI, where in 1888 she was appointed Postmistress, 
also opened a confectionery store, and has been engaged in both occupations 
since that time. Mrs. Jacob SCHROEDER had two children, only one now living, 
the wife of our subject. Fred W. and Emma (SCHROEDER) DUFRENNE had one son, 
Willie, born in Dane County, WI, 24 May 1890, and died 17 Sep 1892.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly