WI BIO - Dane Co - MORETH, Carl
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol II, pp 421-422

Carl MORETH, a farmer and stock raiser of section 2, Bristol Township, Dane 
County, WI, was born in the Rhine province, Germany, 28 Feb 1828, a son of 
Antone MORETH, who lived and died in that country. Our subject attended 
school until fourteen years of age, the following year taught school, the 
next two years was employed in watching woods, was engaged as a bookkeeper in 
Sawbroken two years, and then worked for a priest a number of years. In 1855 
he came on a sailing vessel, "Confederation," to America, and landed in New 
York after a voyage of thirty-nine days. He was then thirty-two years of 
age, and without money. Mr. MORETH spent two weeks in Toledo [Lucas County], 
Ohio, then came by railroad to Milwaukee, WI, and then rode in a wagon with a 
farmer of Columbia County. He remained there three days, and then went to 
the settlement near East Bristol, Bristol Township [Dane County, WI], where 
he worked on a farm for Joseph DARR five months, for another gentleman one 
year, fifteen days for Jim LINCOLN, nine months for John DERR, and six months 
for Rev. MOORE. He next farmed on shares one [p 422] year, the following 
year paid cash rent for a farm in Sun Prairie Township [Dane County], was 
then employed by a farmer, and later spent two months in St. Louis [St. Louis 
County, MO]. During this time he succeeded in saving $1,500, and also owns a 
half acre of land in East Bristol. Mr. MORETH then remained in that city 
five years, during which time he purchased 40 acres of land in Bristol 
Township, but afterward sold his entire property and bought 80 acres of his 
present farm, for which he paid $2,900. He afterward bought 40 acres, 
adjoining, on section 3, erected a good, commodious residence, barns, etc., 
and he now owns 160 acres of fine land in one body. In addition to this he 
has 160 acres on section 10, and he now cultivates his entire place of 320 
acres.

Mr. MORETH was married 29 December 1861 to Theresia SCHENACHER, a native of 
Bavaria, Germany, and a daughter of Andrew SCHENACHER. In 1846, at the age 
of eleven years, she came with her parents to America, landing in this 
country after a voyage of thirty-six days. After settling in Bristol 
Township, Dane County, WI, the father had only $50, with which he purchased 
80 acres of land. He first stopped with his nephew, and immediately began 
the erection of his shanty, which he covered with hay and brush. The family, 
consisting of parents and nine children, began their pioneer life in this 
small hut, with no money, and at that time only four families resided in this 
vicinity. They ground their wheat in a coffee mill, and lived mostly on 
bread and potatoes, principally the latter. Wheat was hauled to Milwaukee, 
by oxen, and sold at a small price, at times receiving only eighteen cents 
per bushel. In 1857 Mr. SCHENACHER's eldest son purchased his farm, and he 
then bought 40 acres on section 11, but five years later he sold all but one 
acre of that place, where he remained until 1884. Mrs. SCHENACHER died in 
1872, and was buried in the Catholic Cemetery in Bristol Township [Dane 
County, WI]. Since the mother's death, the father [Andrew] has made his home 
with his daughter, Mrs. MORETH, and is now ninety-two years of age. He has 
contributed his full share toward the development of Dane County, has always 
been a man of good habits, and still bids fair to live for many years. He 
has lived to see his children all in good circumstances, which is the 
legitimate fruit of his labor and sacrifice, and he nears the grave with the 
satisfaction of knowing that his life was well spent, not selfishly, but for 
the good of others.

Mr. and Mrs. MORETH have had thirteen children: [only twelve are named here] 
Mary Catrina, wife of J. SCHMIDT, of Bristol Township; Katrina, now Mrs. 
Valentine FOX, of Hampden, Columbia County, WI; Barbara, formerly a student 
in the Fond du Lac College, is now teaching in the Sisters' school; Ange, of 
Cambridge [Dane County], WI; Madeline, at home; Maggie, in the convent at 
Fond du Lac [Fond du Lac County, WI]; Antonia A., at home; Frank, who is 
being educated for a priest at Fond du Lac; Fred, deceased; Annie Margaret, 
Hilda, Theresia and Charles Joseph, at home. [Note that 12 are named.]

Submitted by Cathy Kubly