Source: History and Biography of Central and Northern Minnesota, Geo. A. Ogle & Co., Chicago, 1904. Transcribed by Mary Kay Krogman.
Theodore Brockhoff, a prosperous merchant and extensive land owner of Wadena county, is an old settler if that region and has gained a host of friends during his life there. He is engaged in the hardware business in Wadena and Fergus Falls, and does an extensive business in this line.
Mr. Brockhoff was born on a farm in Manitowoc county, Wisconsin, August 29, 1855, and was a son of Henry Brockhoff. His father was a native of Germany and came to America in the spring of 1853 with his wife. This was the only move he made throughout his career and he followed farming successfully throughout his life. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Gertrude Baumgardner, was a native of the same place as our subject's father. Of a family of thirteen children born to this worthy couple our subject was the second in order of birth. He was raised on the farm in Wisconsin and aided in transforming a pioneer farm into a well cultivated farm. He attended the country school four miles from his home a few weeks, and altogether had but a limited schooling, but by study and observation has since acquired a good education. When he was nine years of age he and his mother had the care of the farm, owing to the father being drafted into the army. He did not serve, being rejected, and returned to his home, but during his absence our subject passed through many experiences. Driving oxen to harrow he was too small to take their yokes off at nooning and had to go to a neighbor's to assist him. When about the house he was a great help to his mother with the housework and the care of his younger brothers and sisters. At the age of sixteen years he went to Manitowoc and there spent three years learning the blacksmith's trade. During two years of this time he had but fifty cents spending money. After completing his apprenticeship he went to Milwaukee and there worked at his trade two years and then established a shop near his home at Clark's Mills. He conducted the business there one year; and then through the crookedness of a wagon-maker he lost his tools and an investment of $100. Being short of capital he traveled westward to Albert Lea, Minnesota, and secured work on a gravel train. On reaching Jordan he wished to quit his position where he had endured many hardships, and finally was compelled to walk forty miles to Minneapolis to secure his wages, starting at night and securing a few hours rest in a box car at Chaska on his way. He then returned to Jordan and worked five months on a farm. He then followed his trade a year and a half in St. Paul and vicinity, and in the spring of 1880, went to Wadena and established a blacksmith shop there. This was the second shop of the kind in the town and he and his partner manufactured the first wagon in the county. In one year and nine months he bought his partner out and conducted the business alone. The country was new and business prospered for Mr. Brockhoff and during the winter months he worked long hours doing a general blacksmithing and repairing business. He had the largest shop in the county and did an extensive business, employing four men, the business keeping himself and all the employes busy. He continued in the blacksmith business until 1891, when he disposed of the same for a farm and the same year started in the hardware business, purchasing the stock of George H. Green in Wadena. This store was established by Mr. Green and John Weeks about 1887 and Mr. Brockhoff continued business at the old place until 1894 when he and William King built the present brick store building. In 1894 Harry Holler became a partner with Mr. Brockhoff and they conducted the business together four years, when they sold the stock and retired temporarily from the business in Wadena. Mr. Brockhoff owned a stock which he had purchased in Staples and this he removed to Deer Creek. Ottertail county, where he had erected a building for the purpose and he conducted business there until January, 1900. In the meantime he and A. H. Holzer purchased the stock which Mr. Brockhoff had sold about eight months previous. They now have a store 99x25 feet, including a tinshop, and they carry a complete line of hardware, etc. Mr. Brockhoff owned some Minneapolis property, which he turned toward a hardware business in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. This business was established in 1895 with a $1,500 stock and this has been increased to a $5,000 stock and occupies a 50-foot-front store building. The store is owned by Br. Brockhoff and A. H. Spiekerman. Mr. Brockhoff has engaged in buying and selling real estate in Wadena county since his residence there and has owned at different times no less than twenty-two different farms in Wadena and Ottertail counties. He is now the owner of a fine tract of 320 acres, which is partly improved, and upon which he engages successfully in agriculture. He also has property in Duluth. During the summer of 1900 he erected a modern and comfortable residence and now enjoys a pleasant home and successful business.
M. Brockhoff was married in the fall of 1882 to Miss Susanna Peffer. Mrs. Brockhoff was born in Stearns county Minnesota, and was a daughter of Lawrence Peffer. Her father was a native of Germany, and came to America about 1850, and settled in Wisconsin. He later moved to Minnesota, where Mrs. Brockhoff was reared and educated. Mr. and Mrs. Brockhoff are the parents of one daughter. Mary, who was born in 1885. She is an accomplished musician and is attending school in Wadena, and is one of the promising young ladies of that community. Mr. Brockhoff is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters and St. Joseph's Society, and is also a member of the Catholic church. He has taken an active part in church work and was one of the promoters of the establishment of a church at Wadena and the erection of a house of worship. He was trustee of the church eight years. This denomination now owns the largest church in this part of the county. Mr. Brockhoff was a member of the first city council of Wadena.
Theodore Brockhoff, a prosperous merchant and extensive land owner of Wadena county, is an old settler if that region and has gained a host of friends during his life there. He is engaged in the hardware business in Wadena and Fergus Falls, and does an extensive business in this line.
Mr. Brockhoff was born on a farm in Manitowoc county, Wisconsin, August 29, 1855, and was a son of Henry Brockhoff. His father was a native of Germany and came to America in the spring of 1853 with his wife. This was the only move he made throughout his career and he followed farming successfully throughout his life. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Gertrude Baumgardner, was a native of the same place as our subject's father. Of a family of thirteen children born to this worthy couple our subject was the second in order of birth. He was raised on the farm in Wisconsin and aided in transforming a pioneer farm into a well cultivated farm. He attended the country school four miles from his home a few weeks, and altogether had but a limited schooling, but by study and observation has since acquired a good education. When he was nine years of age he and his mother had the care of the farm, owing to the father being drafted into the army. He did not serve, being rejected, and returned to his home, but during his absence our subject passed through many experiences. Driving oxen to harrow he was too small to take their yokes off at nooning and had to go to a neighbor's to assist him. When about the house he was a great help to his mother with the housework and the care of his younger brothers and sisters. At the age of sixteen years he went to Manitowoc and there spent three years learning the blacksmith's trade. During two years of this time he had but fifty cents spending money. After completing his apprenticeship he went to Milwaukee and there worked at his trade two years and then established a shop near his home at Clark's Mills. He conducted the business there one year; and then through the crookedness of a wagon-maker he lost his tools and an investment of $100. Being short of capital he traveled westward to Albert Lea, Minnesota, and secured work on a gravel train. On reaching Jordan he wished to quit his position where he had endured many hardships, and finally was compelled to walk forty miles to Minneapolis to secure his wages, starting at night and securing a few hours rest in a box car at Chaska on his way. He then returned to Jordan and worked five months on a farm. He then followed his trade a year and a half in St. Paul and vicinity, and in the spring of 1880, went to Wadena and established a blacksmith shop there. This was the second shop of the kind in the town and he and his partner manufactured the first wagon in the county. In one year and nine months he bought his partner out and conducted the business alone. The country was new and business prospered for Mr. Brockhoff and during the winter months he worked long hours doing a general blacksmithing and repairing business. He had the largest shop in the county and did an extensive business, employing four men, the business keeping himself and all the employes busy. He continued in the blacksmith business until 1891, when he disposed of the same for a farm and the same year started in the hardware business, purchasing the stock of George H. Green in Wadena. This store was established by Mr. Green and John Weeks about 1887 and Mr. Brockhoff continued business at the old place until 1894 when he and William King built the present brick store building. In 1894 Harry Holler became a partner with Mr. Brockhoff and they conducted the business together four years, when they sold the stock and retired temporarily from the business in Wadena. Mr. Brockhoff owned a stock which he had purchased in Staples and this he removed to Deer Creek. Ottertail county, where he had erected a building for the purpose and he conducted business there until January, 1900. In the meantime he and A. H. Holzer purchased the stock which Mr. Brockhoff had sold about eight months previous. They now have a store 99x25 feet, including a tinshop, and they carry a complete line of hardware, etc. Mr. Brockhoff owned some Minneapolis property, which he turned toward a hardware business in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. This business was established in 1895 with a $1,500 stock and this has been increased to a $5,000 stock and occupies a 50-foot-front store building. The store is owned by Br. Brockhoff and A. H. Spiekerman. Mr. Brockhoff has engaged in buying and selling real estate in Wadena county since his residence there and has owned at different times no less than twenty-two different farms in Wadena and Ottertail counties. He is now the owner of a fine tract of 320 acres, which is partly improved, and upon which he engages successfully in agriculture. He also has property in Duluth. During the summer of 1900 he erected a modern and comfortable residence and now enjoys a pleasant home and successful business.
M. Brockhoff was married in the fall of 1882 to Miss Susanna Peffer. Mrs. Brockhoff was born in Stearns county Minnesota, and was a daughter of Lawrence Peffer. Her father was a native of Germany, and came to America about 1850, and settled in Wisconsin. He later moved to Minnesota, where Mrs. Brockhoff was reared and educated. Mr. and Mrs. Brockhoff are the parents of one daughter. Mary, who was born in 1885. She is an accomplished musician and is attending school in Wadena, and is one of the promising young ladies of that community. Mr. Brockhoff is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters and St. Joseph's Society, and is also a member of the Catholic church. He has taken an active part in church work and was one of the promoters of the establishment of a church at Wadena and the erection of a house of worship. He was trustee of the church eight years. This denomination now owns the largest church in this part of the county. Mr. Brockhoff was a member of the first city council of Wadena.
Source: History and Biography of Central and Northern Minnesota, Geo. A. Ogle & Co., Chicago, 1904. Transcribed by Mary Kay Krogman.
Theodore Brockhoff, a prosperous merchant and extensive land owner of Wadena county, is an old settler if that region and has gained a host of friends during his life there. He is engaged in the hardware business in Wadena and Fergus Falls, and does an extensive business in this line.
Mr. Brockhoff was born on a farm in Manitowoc county, Wisconsin, August 29, 1855, and was a son of Henry Brockhoff. His father was a native of Germany and came to America in the spring of 1853 with his wife. This was the only move he made throughout his career and he followed farming successfully throughout his life. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Gertrude Baumgardner, was a native of the same place as our subject's father. Of a family of thirteen children born to this worthy couple our subject was the second in order of birth. He was raised on the farm in Wisconsin and aided in transforming a pioneer farm into a well cultivated farm. He attended the country school four miles from his home a few weeks, and altogether had but a limited schooling, but by study and observation has since acquired a good education. When he was nine years of age he and his mother had the care of the farm, owing to the father being drafted into the army. He did not serve, being rejected, and returned to his home, but during his absence our subject passed through many experiences. Driving oxen to harrow he was too small to take their yokes off at nooning and had to go to a neighbor's to assist him. When about the house he was a great help to his mother with the housework and the care of his younger brothers and sisters. At the age of sixteen years he went to Manitowoc and there spent three years learning the blacksmith's trade. During two years of this time he had but fifty cents spending money. After completing his apprenticeship he went to Milwaukee and there worked at his trade two years and then established a shop near his home at Clark's Mills. He conducted the business there one year; and then through the crookedness of a wagon-maker he lost his tools and an investment of $100. Being short of capital he traveled westward to Albert Lea, Minnesota, and secured work on a gravel train. On reaching Jordan he wished to quit his position where he had endured many hardships, and finally was compelled to walk forty miles to Minneapolis to secure his wages, starting at night and securing a few hours rest in a box car at Chaska on his way. He then returned to Jordan and worked five months on a farm. He then followed his trade a year and a half in St. Paul and vicinity, and in the spring of 1880, went to Wadena and established a blacksmith shop there. This was the second shop of the kind in the town and he and his partner manufactured the first wagon in the county. In one year and nine months he bought his partner out and conducted the business alone. The country was new and business prospered for Mr. Brockhoff and during the winter months he worked long hours doing a general blacksmithing and repairing business. He had the largest shop in the county and did an extensive business, employing four men, the business keeping himself and all the employes busy. He continued in the blacksmith business until 1891, when he disposed of the same for a farm and the same year started in the hardware business, purchasing the stock of George H. Green in Wadena. This store was established by Mr. Green and John Weeks about 1887 and Mr. Brockhoff continued business at the old place until 1894 when he and William King built the present brick store building. In 1894 Harry Holler became a partner with Mr. Brockhoff and they conducted the business together four years, when they sold the stock and retired temporarily from the business in Wadena. Mr. Brockhoff owned a stock which he had purchased in Staples and this he removed to Deer Creek. Ottertail county, where he had erected a building for the purpose and he conducted business there until January, 1900. In the meantime he and A. H. Holzer purchased the stock which Mr. Brockhoff had sold about eight months previous. They now have a store 99x25 feet, including a tinshop, and they carry a complete line of hardware, etc. Mr. Brockhoff owned some Minneapolis property, which he turned toward a hardware business in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. This business was established in 1895 with a $1,500 stock and this has been increased to a $5,000 stock and occupies a 50-foot-front store building. The store is owned by Br. Brockhoff and A. H. Spiekerman. Mr. Brockhoff has engaged in buying and selling real estate in Wadena county since his residence there and has owned at different times no less than twenty-two different farms in Wadena and Ottertail counties. He is now the owner of a fine tract of 320 acres, which is partly improved, and upon which he engages successfully in agriculture. He also has property in Duluth. During the summer of 1900 he erected a modern and comfortable residence and now enjoys a pleasant home and successful business.
M. Brockhoff was married in the fall of 1882 to Miss Susanna Peffer. Mrs. Brockhoff was born in Stearns county Minnesota, and was a daughter of Lawrence Peffer. Her father was a native of Germany, and came to America about 1850, and settled in Wisconsin. He later moved to Minnesota, where Mrs. Brockhoff was reared and educated. Mr. and Mrs. Brockhoff are the parents of one daughter. Mary, who was born in 1885. She is an accomplished musician and is attending school in Wadena, and is one of the promising young ladies of that community. Mr. Brockhoff is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters and St. Joseph's Society, and is also a member of the Catholic church. He has taken an active part in church work and was one of the promoters of the establishment of a church at Wadena and the erection of a house of worship. He was trustee of the church eight years. This denomination now owns the largest church in this part of the county. Mr. Brockhoff was a member of the first city council of Wadena.
Theodore Brockhoff, a prosperous merchant and extensive land owner of Wadena county, is an old settler if that region and has gained a host of friends during his life there. He is engaged in the hardware business in Wadena and Fergus Falls, and does an extensive business in this line.
Mr. Brockhoff was born on a farm in Manitowoc county, Wisconsin, August 29, 1855, and was a son of Henry Brockhoff. His father was a native of Germany and came to America in the spring of 1853 with his wife. This was the only move he made throughout his career and he followed farming successfully throughout his life. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Gertrude Baumgardner, was a native of the same place as our subject's father. Of a family of thirteen children born to this worthy couple our subject was the second in order of birth. He was raised on the farm in Wisconsin and aided in transforming a pioneer farm into a well cultivated farm. He attended the country school four miles from his home a few weeks, and altogether had but a limited schooling, but by study and observation has since acquired a good education. When he was nine years of age he and his mother had the care of the farm, owing to the father being drafted into the army. He did not serve, being rejected, and returned to his home, but during his absence our subject passed through many experiences. Driving oxen to harrow he was too small to take their yokes off at nooning and had to go to a neighbor's to assist him. When about the house he was a great help to his mother with the housework and the care of his younger brothers and sisters. At the age of sixteen years he went to Manitowoc and there spent three years learning the blacksmith's trade. During two years of this time he had but fifty cents spending money. After completing his apprenticeship he went to Milwaukee and there worked at his trade two years and then established a shop near his home at Clark's Mills. He conducted the business there one year; and then through the crookedness of a wagon-maker he lost his tools and an investment of $100. Being short of capital he traveled westward to Albert Lea, Minnesota, and secured work on a gravel train. On reaching Jordan he wished to quit his position where he had endured many hardships, and finally was compelled to walk forty miles to Minneapolis to secure his wages, starting at night and securing a few hours rest in a box car at Chaska on his way. He then returned to Jordan and worked five months on a farm. He then followed his trade a year and a half in St. Paul and vicinity, and in the spring of 1880, went to Wadena and established a blacksmith shop there. This was the second shop of the kind in the town and he and his partner manufactured the first wagon in the county. In one year and nine months he bought his partner out and conducted the business alone. The country was new and business prospered for Mr. Brockhoff and during the winter months he worked long hours doing a general blacksmithing and repairing business. He had the largest shop in the county and did an extensive business, employing four men, the business keeping himself and all the employes busy. He continued in the blacksmith business until 1891, when he disposed of the same for a farm and the same year started in the hardware business, purchasing the stock of George H. Green in Wadena. This store was established by Mr. Green and John Weeks about 1887 and Mr. Brockhoff continued business at the old place until 1894 when he and William King built the present brick store building. In 1894 Harry Holler became a partner with Mr. Brockhoff and they conducted the business together four years, when they sold the stock and retired temporarily from the business in Wadena. Mr. Brockhoff owned a stock which he had purchased in Staples and this he removed to Deer Creek. Ottertail county, where he had erected a building for the purpose and he conducted business there until January, 1900. In the meantime he and A. H. Holzer purchased the stock which Mr. Brockhoff had sold about eight months previous. They now have a store 99x25 feet, including a tinshop, and they carry a complete line of hardware, etc. Mr. Brockhoff owned some Minneapolis property, which he turned toward a hardware business in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. This business was established in 1895 with a $1,500 stock and this has been increased to a $5,000 stock and occupies a 50-foot-front store building. The store is owned by Br. Brockhoff and A. H. Spiekerman. Mr. Brockhoff has engaged in buying and selling real estate in Wadena county since his residence there and has owned at different times no less than twenty-two different farms in Wadena and Ottertail counties. He is now the owner of a fine tract of 320 acres, which is partly improved, and upon which he engages successfully in agriculture. He also has property in Duluth. During the summer of 1900 he erected a modern and comfortable residence and now enjoys a pleasant home and successful business.
M. Brockhoff was married in the fall of 1882 to Miss Susanna Peffer. Mrs. Brockhoff was born in Stearns county Minnesota, and was a daughter of Lawrence Peffer. Her father was a native of Germany, and came to America about 1850, and settled in Wisconsin. He later moved to Minnesota, where Mrs. Brockhoff was reared and educated. Mr. and Mrs. Brockhoff are the parents of one daughter. Mary, who was born in 1885. She is an accomplished musician and is attending school in Wadena, and is one of the promising young ladies of that community. Mr. Brockhoff is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters and St. Joseph's Society, and is also a member of the Catholic church. He has taken an active part in church work and was one of the promoters of the establishment of a church at Wadena and the erection of a house of worship. He was trustee of the church eight years. This denomination now owns the largest church in this part of the county. Mr. Brockhoff was a member of the first city council of Wadena.
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