Dr. Ohswaldt was one of the pioneer doctors of Oconto County.  He came to the area of Stiles in 1881 residing there until 1899 when he moved to Oconto Falls. He spent the majority of the balance of his life in the county, except for a period of six and one half years, commencing in circa 1914 until 1920.  During this time he resided in Sagola, Michigan before returning to Oconto Falls.

He suffered the hardships of being in a developing area, the hardship and grief of some personal problems and the mixed emotions all medical doctors go through. He start his practice in the area at a time of dirt roads, if there were any; operated on people with only the light of kerosene lamps; and during a time when medical bills were many times paid by the barter system, if at all, instead of cash.

The developing area did not have any of the conveniences of the day, which were enjoyed by people in larger cities in the east and there was no hospital when he started his practice. He went through personal problems in his marriage as evident by his divorce from his wife Jessie. Divorce is always a traumatic situation and was not accepted as it is today. As a professional man who is supposed to not get emotionally involved with his patience, the death of his wife Julie’s nephew’s, Art Matravers, wife and infant twin sons had to be emotional. With the medical knowledge of the time it was unavoidable. The most helpless feeling had to be when he was admitting his son to a hospital to have him die instantly while next to him.  For a man who dedicated his life to his medical practice and was proud of his skills these had to be among the more stressful times, to loose family members and be unable to do anything.

In the process of researching for this a Paul Ohswaldt/Oshwaldt was found in Oconto vital records, recorded as being a farmer.  No connection has been researched to Dr. Ohswaldt.

Following 2 generations of this family as researched in Oconto county records, obituaries and newspaper articles. The surname was found spelled Ohswaldt, Ohswald and Oshwaldt in records and newspapers.

             1.  Dr. Herman F. OHSWALDT was born in New York, NY
          4/17/1857.  Dr. died 10/22/1946 Oconto, Wisconsin, at 89 years
          of age.  Obit from the Oconto Falls Herald, 10/17/1946

                        Dr. Herman F. Ohswaldt, 89, an Oconto county physician for the past 65 years, died at his home in
                    Oconto Falls Tuesday after an illness of four months.  He had practiced medicine until he
                    became ill of a heart ailment, and had hoped to recover sufficiently to round out another year
                    in his profession.

                        He was a barber's apprentice before starting his medical studies at Bellevue hospital in New York.
                    He received his degree in 1879, and began his practice in that state, later 2 moving to Green Bay.
                    In 1881 he came to Stiles, later moving to Oconto Falls.  Except for six and one-half years as company
                    surgeon for the Sagola Lumber Co. and the Milwaukee Road, he lived in Oconto County.

                        The "Ohswaldt Friendship club" organized by many of Dr. Ohswaldt's patients, celebrated "Ohswaldt Day"
                    in Oconto Falls in 1941 with the rest of the community, in honor of the country doctor who had attended
                    five generations in that area.
 

                        Dr. Ohswaldt performed, with another physician, the first appendectomy in Oconto County on a kitchen
                    table in a log cabin.  During his long practice he brought several thousands babies into the world.  He seldom
                    bothered to send bills, but often scolded patients for delaying treatment because of a lack of funds.  He was
                    also known as a musician and poet in this section.  His hobby was gardening and he spent may hours working
                    in the yard of his home

                       Surviving are his wife and two daughters. Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at the Methodist church.

              He married twice.  He married Jessie L. PERRY in New York,
          New York, circa 1879.  Jessie was born Smithsboro, Laga Co.,
          N.Y..  Jessie was the daughter of A. A. PERRY and (?) PERRY.
          Jessie died 09/18/1933 Greshen, WI..  Death certificate filed
          in Shawno and Oconto Co. Oconto VR Vol. 11 pg. 780.

                     Death Notice: Dr. Herman F. Ohswaldt, Oconto Falls had a sister, Mrs. Franklin (Ruby) H. Nicholas
                    who lived in Binghamton, N.Y. Herman F. Ohswaldt was born April 17, 1857 in New York City. Went to
                    school in New York and Louisville, KY. Buried Evergreen Cemetery, Block 46, N1/2 of Lot 11.

             He married twice.  He married Jessie L. PERRY in New York,
          New York, circa 1879.  Jessie was born Smithsboro, Laga Co.,
          N.Y..  Jessie was the daughter of A. A. PERRY and (?) PERRY.
          Jessie died 09/18/1933 Greshen, WI..  Death certificate filed
          in Shawno and Oconto Co. Oconto VR Vol. 11 pg. 780.
          Occupation housework. Buried Oconto Falls, Woodlawn cemetery
          in Ohswaldt plot.

                     Mrs. H. F. Oshwaldt and children will leave for a month's visit with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Perry.

             He married Julia LACOURT in Iron Mountain, MI, 9/28/1914.
          Julia was born in Little River, WI. 10/23/1869.  Julia was the
          daughter of Jean Joseph LACOURT and Mary Elizabeth PENSIS.
          Julia died 10/22/1949 in Oconto Falls, Wisconsin, at 79 years
          of age.  Oconto VR, Vol. 17, pg. 97.  Her obit appeared in the
          Oconto Falls paper on Sept. 15, 1949.

                     Mrs. H. F. Ohswaldt, 80, wife of the late Dr. Ohswaldt, died at 7 o'clock Tuesday morning at the Oconto Falls
                    hospital.  She submitted to surgery Monday evening at 9:30 and never regained consciousness.

                        The former Julia Margaret LaCourt was born in Little River, Oconto county, Oct. 28, 1868.  She was engaged
                    in dress making for a number of years in Menomonee and also operated a beauty shop in Appleton for two years
                    before her marriage Sept. 28, 1914 at Iron Mountain, Mich.  The couple lived at Sagola, Mich. for six years
                    before settling in Oconto Falls in 1920.

                        Mrs. Ohswaldt was very active in fraternal affairs.  She was a member of the Royal Neighbors and served as
                    marshal for a number of years.  She was a member of W.B.A. and honorary member of the W.S.C.S.
                    of the Methodist church.

                        The body was removed to the O'Neil funeral home and will remain there until 12:00 o'clock Friday noon when it
                    will be removed to Methodist church where services will be conducted at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon.
                    Rev. R. L Greene will officiate with burial in the Evergreen cemetery, Oconto.

                        Survivors are one sister, Mrs. Lucy Matravers, Couillardville, two step daughters, Mrs. Susie Miller, Manitowoc;
                    Mrs. Agnes Yahr, Chicago, a niece, Mrs. Allie R. Allen with whom she made her home; one great grandson,
                    Frederick Ohswaldt and several nephews and nieces.  Her husband preceded her in death Oct. 22, 1946.  The day,
                    hour and place of death were identical with that of his wife.  They were also attended by the same nurse.

                        Buried Evergreen Cemetery, Block 46, N1/2 of Lot 11.

                    Oconto Falls, April 21, 1939:
                        Members of Older Generation Still active at Oconto Falls. A number of older residents of Oconto Falls and vicinity
                    who 4 have watched and helped this section of the state grow and develop are still quite active in the affairs of this
                    community. Following are thumbnail sketches of some of the better-known members of Oconto Falls elder generation.......

                        Dr. Herman Frederick Ohswaldt, 82, one of Oconto Falls' leading physicians and surgeons despite his advanced age,
                    is very active and enjoying good health.  He still answers all night calls and travels all over the county on relief work.
                    He has for the last 60 years practiced medicine in and around Oconto Falls.  After the first year of practice in the
                    community he began to perform surgical operations in company with Dr. O'Keefe, one of the most noted surgeons in
                    Oconto County. These two performed the first operation for appendicitis in this part of the state.  Dr. Ohswaldt is
                    active in fraternal circles, belonging to the Odd Fellows, Woodman and Blue lodge of the F. and A. M. of Crystal Falls,
                    Michigan.  He has been at various times health officer and city physician and is at present county physician.
                    Dr. Ohswaldt was born April 17, 1857 in New York City. He came to Green Bay in 1881 and was associated with the
                    elder Dr. W.H. Bartran until May of that year, when he came to Oconto County.

             Dr. Herman F. OHSWALDT and Jessie L. PERRY had the
          following children:

                    i. Susie Belle OHSWALDT was born in Stiles,
                       Wisconsin Prior to 1885.  Her name appears as
                       sibling on brother Frank's birth record. She
                       married (?) MILLER.
                           Information from step-mother's obit.  Lived
                       in Manitowoc, WI in 1949.
               2   ii. Frances Albert "Frank" OHSWALDT was born
                       10/05/1885.
                  iii. Ida L. OHSWALDT was born in Stiles, Wisconsin 20
                       April 1890.  Ida died 28 Sept. 1891 in Stiles,
                       Wisconsin, at 1 year of age.  Gravestone found at
                       Stiles City cemetery.  Dates from gravestone.
                   iv. Ruth Agnes Esther OSHWALDT was born in Stiles,
                       Wisconsin 14 Nov. 1892.  Oconto VR, Vol. 3, pg.
                       223.  Known as Agnes, living in Green Bay in 1944
                       when her brother died and living in  Chicago when
                       her stepmother died in 1949. She married (?)
                       YAHR.

             2.  Frances Albert "Frank" OHSWALDT (Dr. Herman F.1) was
          born in Stiles, Wisconsin 10/05/1885.  Oconto VR., Vol 2, pg.
          259. Frances died 10/13/1944 Oconto Falls, WI., at 59 years of
          age.  Oconto VR, Vol. 15, pg. 442.  Occupation paper mill
          forman.  Buried Woodlawn Cemetery Oconto Falls.  The informant
          and physician signing the certificate was his father. The
          death certificate indicates he was divorced at time of death.
          The will of Frank is case #9384 in Oconto County.

                        While he was being registered at the local hospital on Monday noon, by his father, Dr. H. F. Ohswaldt, Frank
                    Ohswaldt collapsed and passed away instantly following two months of ill health. Death was due to a cerebral
                    hemorrhage.  He had suffered a stroke about two months ago.

                        Mr. Ohswaldt had been a resident of the city since 1899 when the family moved here from Stiles. He was born
                    there October 5, 1885.  He had been employed at the paper mill for years as foreman.

                        Besides his father, who is 87 years of age, Mr. Ohswaldt is survived by five sons, Francis of El Paso, Texas,
                    Norval of Portland, Oregon, S/Sgt. Robert of Camp Swift, Texas, Corporal Ralph in France and Ambrose who is
                    in the Navy last stationed in Rhode Island, and two daughters, Mrs. Clark Pyle (Ruth) of Los Angeles, California
                    and Lieutenant Beatrice with the Army Nurses Corps in Belgium.  Two sisters Mrs. Susan Miller of Manitowoc
                    and Mrs. Agnes Yahr of Green Bay also survive.

                        Robert and Francis are expected home for the rites, but none of the others will be able to come, unless the
                    message reached Ambrose when he was not on sea duty.  Norval and his family spent part of the summer here
                    and have just moved to Portland from Texas will not be able to come.

                        Funeral rites will be conducted at the O'Neill Funeral Home, where the remains lie in state, on Saturday
                    afternoon at two o'clock.  The Rev. Marvin Schilling will officiate.

                        Sincere sympathy is extended to the bereaved, and special prayers are being said for the children who are so
                    widely scattered at this time.

             He married twice.  He married Beatrice LIFEBER (LEFEVRE)
          circa 1904.  No marriage record found in Oconto County.
             Beatrice was born in Canada May 1887.  Her name is also
          found spelled Lefebre on some records. Beatrice was the
          daughter of Leau LIFEBER.
             Beatrice died May 18, 1916 Oconto Falls, WI., at 29 years
          of age.  Death certificate Oconto VR, Vol 7, pg. 51. Informant
          Frank Ohswaldt.  No obit found in Oconto Falls newspaper.
             He married Elle BUSKE circa 1917. Elle was born in Appleton.  No
          Record of this marriage found in Oconto County.nd. The second wife's
          name and place of birth taken from son Ambrose's birth record.
              There is some indication they were divorced circa 1924.
          Frank's second marriage was obviously a major problem based on
          records in the Oconto County court house.   There is a number
          of cases in the probate court records involving some of his
          children from his first marriage.  None of these records have
          been checked.
             Elle was born in Appleton, WI..

             Frances Albert "Frank" OHSWALDT and Beatrice LIFEBER
          (LEFEVRE) had the following children:

                    i. Francis C. OHSWALDT was born Oconto Falls, WI.
                       05/02/1906.  Oconto VR, Vol. 5, pg 235.  A
                       correction was made to this one on 10/15/1956 to
                       indicate twin birth. No record found of twin.
                       Francis died April 1997 at 90 years of age.
                           Information from Social Security Death
                       Records. No last residence listed.  Birth same as
                       from Oconto VR.  Card issued California.
                           Francis living in El Paso, Texas at time of
                       father's death.
                   ii. Norval OHSWALDT was born Oconto Falls, WI. 14
                       Dec. 1907.  Oconto VR, Vol. 6, pg. 10. Norval
                       died 15 Aug. 2000 in Portland, OR, at 92 years of
                       age.
                           Dates from SS death records.  Last residence
                       zip 97213, Portland Multnomah, OR.  Card isued
                       Wisconsin. He married Sylvia BARTZ Mountain, WI.,
                       Aug 28, 1933.  Oconto VR., Vol 9, pg 41.  This is
                       a Michigan license with a copy recorded in Oconto
                       Co.
                           Married by Pastor Neil Martin, with witnesses
                       Mrs. Clara Martin and Mrs. Jessie Bartz.
                          Sylvia was born Mountain, WI..  Sylvia is the
                       daughter of Albert BARTZ and Jessie HERMING.
                           Living in Oconto Falls in 1935 and Portland,
                       Oregon in 1944.
                   iii. Ruth Evelyn OHSWALDT was born Oconto Falls, WI.
                       15 April 1909.  Oconto VR, Vol. 7, pg 105. She
                       married Clark PYLE.  Ruth evidently had a second
                       marriage as she is listed as Ruth Pyle Gibbons,
                       age 38, living in Los Angeles, Calif. in the list
                       of descendents in her fathers probate records.
                   iv. Clarice Antonette OHSWALDT was born Oconto Falls,
                       WI. 3 June 1910.  Oconto VR, Vol. 7, pg 924.
                       Clarice died 1933 at 23 years of age.  Buried
                       Woodlawn cemetery Oconto Falls in the Ohswaldt
                       plot # 109.  Date from gravestone.
                           Probate court case 5193, TB sanitarium
                       committment circa 1933.  This would indicate
                       Clarice's cause of death is probably TB.  Buried
                       Woodlawn cemetery, Oconto Falls.
                    v. Robert Tyrus OHSWALDT was born Oconto Falls, WI.
                       19 May 1912.  Oconto VR, Vol. 9, pg. 21.
                           Stationed at Camp Swift, Texas in father's
                       obit. Address in pobate records indicate Los
                       Angeles, California.
                   vi. Ralph Anthony OHSWALDT was born Oconto Falls, WI.
                       08 May 1914.  Oconto VR, Vol. 10, pg. 23. Ralph
                       died July 1978 in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, at 64
                       years of age.  Dates from SS death records.  Last
                       residence 53916, Beaver Dam, Dodge, WI.  Card
                       issued Wisconsin.  In father's probate records
                       address listed as Madison, WI.
                  vii. Beatrice OHSWALDT was born in Oconto County,
                       Wisconsin 01 Mar. 1916.  Oconto VR, Vol. 11, pg.
                       134.  Beatrice was an adopted daughter. Beatrice
                       died 17 May 2001 in Ozaukee Co., WI., at 85 years
                       of age.  Ozaukee Country Register of Deeds.  Last
                       residence 53092, Thiensville, Ozaukee, WI.
                       Social security card issued Wisconsin. Article
                       from Oconto Falls Hearld newspaper in 1940.

                        Oconto Falls-Miss Beatrice Ohswaldt, R.N., who spent last week at the Dr. H.T. Ohswaldt and Frank Ohswaldt
                    homes, left for Cleveland, Ohio, where she has a nursing position at the Marine hospital.  Since graduating from
                    the local high school with the class of 1934, Beatrice has graduated from Milwaukee County Hospital, Wauwatosa,
                    and was a member of the nursing staff at Columbia hospital, Milwaukee, for a year and a half.  Beatrice not only
                    enjoys her profession, she wholesomely enjoys life, and she has many friends in her home town who are wishing her
                    continued success and happiness in her chosen work.

                           At the time of her father's death was station
                        in Belgium with the Army Nurses Corps.  In her
                       father's probate records her address is listed as
                       Milwaukee.

             Frances Albert "Frank" OHSWALDT and Elle BUSKE had the
          following child:

                 viii. Ambrose Bertram OHSWALDT was born Oconto Falls,
                       WI. 24 Sept. 1917.  Oconto VR., Vol. 11 pg. 958.
                       Ambrose died 5 Dec. 1992 Tucson, AZ., at 75 years
                       of age.  Dates from SS death records.  Last
                       residence Zip 85746, Tucson, Pima, AZ.  Card
                       issued Michigan. In his father's probate records
                       residence listed as Chicago.

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