Since 1890 Lewis Polster has carried on farming in Door county and is now the owner of a well improved and valuable farm on section 2, Sevastapol township. A native of Wisconsin, he was born in the town of Russell, Sheboygan county, November 22, 1865, and is a son of Charles and Anna Polster, who were born in Germany but came to the United States during their youth and were married in Sheboygan county, this state, where the father purchased a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits for a number of years. He died in December, 1886, and the mother departed this life December 28, 1916, both being laid to rest in the Russell cemetery. In the family were six children, Lewis being the second in order of birth, but only two of the number are now living, the younger being Otto, who still resides on the old homestead in Sheboygan county.

Like most farm boys, Lewis Polster early became familiar with all the duties of the farm and at the same time pursued his studies in the district schools as he found opportunity until sixteen years of age. He then worked for his father until he was twenty-two years old and afterward rented the home farm for one year. The following two years were spent at Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, where he worked as a railroad section hand, but on the 10th of September, 1890, he came to Door county and purchased the west half of the northeast quarter of section 11, Sevastapol township, twenty-eight acres of which had been cleared. He removed the timber from the remainder of the tract and made all of the improvements upon that place and later purchased the west half of the southeast quarter of section 2 of the same township, whereon he has resided ever since. He has erected good and substantial buildings for the shelter of grain and stock and is a progressive, wide-awake farmer who has made a success of his chosen calling.

On the 15th of March, 1888, Mr. Polster married Miss Amelia Henschel, a daughter of Herman and Mary Henschel, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Wisconsin. For some years her father followed farming in Sheboygan county, this state, but later removed to Sturgeon Bay, Door county, where he passed away, his remains being interred in Bayside cemetery. Mrs. Henschel is now living at Russell, Sheboygan county, Of the six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Polster, Florence died at the age of thirteen months and the others are still living namely: Amanda, at home; Lottie, the wife of Joseph Pichette, of Egg Harbor; Selma, of Racine, Wisconsin; and Eda and Helen, both at home.

The family hold membership in the German Lutheran church and Mr. Polster is a supporter of the republican party, taking a commendable interest in public affairs. He has served as school director and pathmaster for one term each but prefers to give his attention principally to his business interests and is regarded as one of the representative farmers of his community.

Return to the Sheboygan Page

Return to Bios page