Individual Details
Johann "John" B. Ahles Sr.
(June 7, 1836 - March 28, 1921)
"John Ahles"
A pioneer farmer, living on Section 15, Rockville Township, was born in Prussia, Germany, Jun 7, 1836, son of Mathew and Margaret Ahles.
In the family of Mathew and Margaret were 7 boys and 1 girl. Mathew, the oldest son was 1st ot come to America.
The father Mathew died in Germany, and the mother, Margaret, brought the remainder of her family to America. She became a respected resident of Rockville, and died at the good old age of 80.
John Ahles was but 18 years of age when he came to America with his mother in 1854. The voyage was a long, tedious one, made by a sailing vessel.
For a time the subject of this mention lived in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Then he went to Illinois. In 1865 he came to Stearns County and located on a farm on Section 15, Rockville.
A part of his 16 by 24 log house is still standing, and is used as a part of a stable. For 15 years, Mr. Ahles did his work on the farm with the assistance of an oxen team. Aside from this ox team, his stock originally consisted of one cow, which he purchased at the price of $50.
Mr. Ahles has become a sucessful man, and has raised a splendid family of children. He is well though of throughout the community, and his fellow citizens have honored him by electing him to such positions as town clerk and asessor.
John Ahles married Lucy Bauer, born in Germany, the daughter of Gottlieb Bauer, the pioneer. She died in July 1912. Mr. and Mrs. John Ahles have had 15 children:
Gotthard July 2 1867 deceased
Margaretha Jan 30 1869
Matthias Feb 10, 1870
Johannes Mar 29, 1871
Paul Mar 26, 1872
Gertrude Sept 20 1873 deceased
Gotthard Jan 3, 1875
Maria Mar 4 1876
Joseph Dec 30, 1878
Christopher Mar 1 1880
Anna Marie May 27 1881
Lucy Jul 15 1882
Franz Joseph Mar 8 1884 deceased
Peter Jun 3 1885
Nicholas Mar 23, 1887
JOHN AHLES
John Ahles was the last of the brothers to come to Minnesota and settle in Rockville Township in 1862. It seems that Christopher and Mathias were very fond of their youngest brother and wished to have him nearby.
In 1861 Christopher bought a piece of property adjoining his own along the lake front and later he sold land to John, suggesting a plan on his part. The deed for this property interested me immensly, as it was signed by President Abraham Lincoln!
Much of the credit for John coming to Minnesota goes to the two women in the family, great grandmother and her daughter-in-law, Christopher's wife, since they looked after the farm animals as well as each other while the two Ahles men went to seek their brother, at that time working in Illinois, possibly the same area in which they, too, ahd worked prior to coming to Minnesota.
The three Ahles brothers were back in Minnesota by spring, since on May 13, 1862 John bought his first parcel of land from Christopher Bauer, his future brother-in-law, on May 22, 1862 and the last portion three years later from H.C. Wait (who had surveyed and platted Rockville village) on November 22, 1865.
Christopher's and John's farms lay adjacent to each other, both with considerable lake front. John paid $1.25 per acre for his land and probably paid cash, since he had been working and earning for more than seven years.
John soon purchased a team of oxen with which he worked the land for 15 years before aquiring horses. John also bought a cow for $50, the only other farm animal he aquired immediately. he also built a log house, which he used until his family grew and required a larger home.
As soon as they were able to do so, the Ahles children joined their parents in walking the 5 miles to St. Wendel's for mass. St. Wendel's was very dear to John Ahles. All the children were baptised and received other sacrements there.
Even after a church was built in Rockville in 1911, which was less than half the distance to Luxemburg, John insisted on attending St. Wendel's for the big feasts, especially Easter, until his death in 1921.
Grandfather was described as a pleasant person of many talents and skills. Mitchell (author of History of Stearns County Minnesota) says of him, "Mr. Ahles has become a successful man and has raised a splendid family. He is well thought of and his fellow citizens have honored him by electing him to such positions as Town Clerk and Assessor." John told his children that one of the reasons he was elected to those positions was that he had the ability to read and write in English as well as German.
Exerpts from the book, "All I Know About the Roots and Shoots of the Joseph and Elizabeth Nett Ahles Family" by Antonette Ahles, OSF, 1992 (distributed to family):
The couple had known each other for four years during which time the families had assisted each other in many ways. By the time of their marriage, John's farm was well developed and productive, and Lucy had mastered household skills and had considerable experience in caring for young children.
Lucy and John had 15 children of whom 12 grew to adulthood, eight boys and four girls. The other two Ahles families were even larger, 17 and 19, and each family lost several children because of communicable disease.
Lucy and John lived out their lives on the farm with the Gotthard Ahles family. Lucy suffered a stroke after which she required a wheelchair. She must have been greatly loved by her children as all 12 gathered with their spouses for her funeral in 1913.
At that time a family photo was taken into which a photo of Lucy was inserted. Grandfather lived until 1921. Both Lucy and John, like their parents, were buried in St. Wendel's Cemetery in Luxemburg.
Should you wish to see Grandfather's farm which remained in the family for 2 more generations, and the lake which he and his children loved so much, the following route will get you there: From St. Cloud take State Hwy #23 West. Just before entering Rockville, turn south (left) onto County Road #47. After a short distance and a curve or two, you will get to North Shore and Grand Lake Road. Turn right on this road. The farm to the right of the road at the junction of Ahles Road, is the original John Ahles farm.
The house is the second house that Grandfather built to which the Gotthard Ahles family added. Going west on Ahles Road the next farm is the original Christopher Ahles farm. To get to Luxemburg, take Ahles Road east until you reach State Hwy #15, turn right and you will immediately see St. Wendel's Church. Today the distance is only about 4 1/2 miles. Undoubtedly, Ahles road is built over the original trail that led to the church in Luxemburg.
Obituary of John Ahles (Daily Journal, Stearns Co., MN Newspaper, March 29, 1921)
John Ahles Died Monday; Father of County Attorney Ahles Answers Call
John Ahles, Sr., father of County Attorney Paul Ahles, died on Monday afternoon at 2:30 at his home in the town of Rockville following an illness of one month. He was 85 years of age, having been born in 1836 in Trier, Germany, the second youngest of seven sons.
Following the death of his father, John Ahles came with his mother and brothers to the United States in 1854, settling first in Minnesota, then going to Illinois, where he was employed on a farm for several years. In 1865 he returned to Minnesota and the next year was married to Lucy Bauer. This union was blessed with twelve children, all of whom survive their parents. The mother died on July 26, 1912.
The children are: Mrs. Margaret Barthey, Albertville; Math. Ahles, Waubon; John Ahles, Jr., Albany; Paul Ahles, St. Cloud; Gotthard Ahles, Rockville, with whom the father had made his home on the old homestead; Mrs. Mary Weymann, Melrose; Joseph Ahles, Blue Grass; Cristopher Ahles, Albany: Mrs. Anna Kuppner, Rockville, Mrs. Lucy Kuppner, Le Sauk; Peter Ahles, Albany, and Nicholas Ahles, St. Cloud.
Mr. Ahles was held in the highest esteem by all of this friends and neighbors, and held various offices in the town government from time to time. The funeral will be held on Wednesday morning at nine o'clock from the St. Wendel church in St. Augusta township, and burial will be in the churchyard there beside the remains of his wife, who died in 1912.
Obituary of John Ahles (Nordstern, German language newspaper, Stearns Co., MN, March 31, 1921, pg. P-2)
Rockville- They are inexorably dying out, those trail-breakers of culture who have turned out land from a wilderness into modern civilization, and, in doing so, bore many deprivations and hardship, the likes of which the present generation know not.
On Monday afternoon, John Ahles, who has been ill for some time, but only bed-ridden for four weeks, passed away after being well-prepared for the inevidtable journey into eternity.
The deceased was born in 1836 in Obersgesen, County of Bitburg, Trier, Germany, from where he emigrated to america in 1854, and made his first home in Stearns County. From here, however, he returned to Illinois, and after staying there for 10 years, he came back to Stearns County in 1865, and established his permanent home on a farm 2 miles from Rockville, after he had married his wife in 1866, and where he now has laid his tired head to rest.
Johann Ahles was a man of rare energy and amiability, dedicated to the fulfillment of his obligations with great fidelity and devoition, in his calling, which he pursued with great diligence, in his family, which he guided as a provident husband and father, in his church, in which he particiated with great interest in all its undertakings, and in the area of charities, ever and always doing his full and entire share, it will be proper to say of him that in him there passes a virtuous man.
In the departed, there is taken from us a man with a kind heeart, a noble character, who's memory, among near relatives as well as all who knew of his good manly characterisitics will not be extinguised.
The children mouring the death of their good old father are: Mrs. Margaretha Barthel from Albertville, MN; Mathias Ahles from Wauburn, MN; John of Albany, Paul Ahles, County Attorney at St. Cloud; Mrs. Maria Weymann of Melrose; Gotthard, with home the deceased had spent the evening of his life, in Rockville; Christoph from Albany; Joseph of Blue Grass, Minnesota, Mrs. Anna Krippner of Rockville, Mrs. Luzia Krippner from the town of Le Sauk; Peter Ahles, attorney-at-law in Albany; and Nikolaus of the firm of Bath and Ahles in St. Cloud.
Burial was on Wed. morning in St. Wendelin's Cemetery with the attendance of a large number of relatives and acquaintances after a requeum in St. Wendelin's Church, conducted by Rev. Pastor Brender. There good old father Ahles rests at the side of his wife, who preceded him into eternity already in 1912 [sic]. To the departed eternal peace, and to the survivors our sincerest condolences.
A pioneer farmer, living on Section 15, Rockville Township, was born in Prussia, Germany, Jun 7, 1836, son of Mathew and Margaret Ahles.
In the family of Mathew and Margaret were 7 boys and 1 girl. Mathew, the oldest son was 1st ot come to America.
The father Mathew died in Germany, and the mother, Margaret, brought the remainder of her family to America. She became a respected resident of Rockville, and died at the good old age of 80.
John Ahles was but 18 years of age when he came to America with his mother in 1854. The voyage was a long, tedious one, made by a sailing vessel.
For a time the subject of this mention lived in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Then he went to Illinois. In 1865 he came to Stearns County and located on a farm on Section 15, Rockville.
A part of his 16 by 24 log house is still standing, and is used as a part of a stable. For 15 years, Mr. Ahles did his work on the farm with the assistance of an oxen team. Aside from this ox team, his stock originally consisted of one cow, which he purchased at the price of $50.
Mr. Ahles has become a sucessful man, and has raised a splendid family of children. He is well though of throughout the community, and his fellow citizens have honored him by electing him to such positions as town clerk and asessor.
John Ahles married Lucy Bauer, born in Germany, the daughter of Gottlieb Bauer, the pioneer. She died in July 1912. Mr. and Mrs. John Ahles have had 15 children:
Gotthard July 2 1867 deceased
Margaretha Jan 30 1869
Matthias Feb 10, 1870
Johannes Mar 29, 1871
Paul Mar 26, 1872
Gertrude Sept 20 1873 deceased
Gotthard Jan 3, 1875
Maria Mar 4 1876
Joseph Dec 30, 1878
Christopher Mar 1 1880
Anna Marie May 27 1881
Lucy Jul 15 1882
Franz Joseph Mar 8 1884 deceased
Peter Jun 3 1885
Nicholas Mar 23, 1887
JOHN AHLES
John Ahles was the last of the brothers to come to Minnesota and settle in Rockville Township in 1862. It seems that Christopher and Mathias were very fond of their youngest brother and wished to have him nearby.
In 1861 Christopher bought a piece of property adjoining his own along the lake front and later he sold land to John, suggesting a plan on his part. The deed for this property interested me immensly, as it was signed by President Abraham Lincoln!
Much of the credit for John coming to Minnesota goes to the two women in the family, great grandmother and her daughter-in-law, Christopher's wife, since they looked after the farm animals as well as each other while the two Ahles men went to seek their brother, at that time working in Illinois, possibly the same area in which they, too, ahd worked prior to coming to Minnesota.
The three Ahles brothers were back in Minnesota by spring, since on May 13, 1862 John bought his first parcel of land from Christopher Bauer, his future brother-in-law, on May 22, 1862 and the last portion three years later from H.C. Wait (who had surveyed and platted Rockville village) on November 22, 1865.
Christopher's and John's farms lay adjacent to each other, both with considerable lake front. John paid $1.25 per acre for his land and probably paid cash, since he had been working and earning for more than seven years.
John soon purchased a team of oxen with which he worked the land for 15 years before aquiring horses. John also bought a cow for $50, the only other farm animal he aquired immediately. he also built a log house, which he used until his family grew and required a larger home.
As soon as they were able to do so, the Ahles children joined their parents in walking the 5 miles to St. Wendel's for mass. St. Wendel's was very dear to John Ahles. All the children were baptised and received other sacrements there.
Even after a church was built in Rockville in 1911, which was less than half the distance to Luxemburg, John insisted on attending St. Wendel's for the big feasts, especially Easter, until his death in 1921.
Grandfather was described as a pleasant person of many talents and skills. Mitchell (author of History of Stearns County Minnesota) says of him, "Mr. Ahles has become a successful man and has raised a splendid family. He is well thought of and his fellow citizens have honored him by electing him to such positions as Town Clerk and Assessor." John told his children that one of the reasons he was elected to those positions was that he had the ability to read and write in English as well as German.
Exerpts from the book, "All I Know About the Roots and Shoots of the Joseph and Elizabeth Nett Ahles Family" by Antonette Ahles, OSF, 1992 (distributed to family):
The couple had known each other for four years during which time the families had assisted each other in many ways. By the time of their marriage, John's farm was well developed and productive, and Lucy had mastered household skills and had considerable experience in caring for young children.
Lucy and John had 15 children of whom 12 grew to adulthood, eight boys and four girls. The other two Ahles families were even larger, 17 and 19, and each family lost several children because of communicable disease.
Lucy and John lived out their lives on the farm with the Gotthard Ahles family. Lucy suffered a stroke after which she required a wheelchair. She must have been greatly loved by her children as all 12 gathered with their spouses for her funeral in 1913.
At that time a family photo was taken into which a photo of Lucy was inserted. Grandfather lived until 1921. Both Lucy and John, like their parents, were buried in St. Wendel's Cemetery in Luxemburg.
Should you wish to see Grandfather's farm which remained in the family for 2 more generations, and the lake which he and his children loved so much, the following route will get you there: From St. Cloud take State Hwy #23 West. Just before entering Rockville, turn south (left) onto County Road #47. After a short distance and a curve or two, you will get to North Shore and Grand Lake Road. Turn right on this road. The farm to the right of the road at the junction of Ahles Road, is the original John Ahles farm.
The house is the second house that Grandfather built to which the Gotthard Ahles family added. Going west on Ahles Road the next farm is the original Christopher Ahles farm. To get to Luxemburg, take Ahles Road east until you reach State Hwy #15, turn right and you will immediately see St. Wendel's Church. Today the distance is only about 4 1/2 miles. Undoubtedly, Ahles road is built over the original trail that led to the church in Luxemburg.
Obituary of John Ahles (Daily Journal, Stearns Co., MN Newspaper, March 29, 1921)
John Ahles Died Monday; Father of County Attorney Ahles Answers Call
John Ahles, Sr., father of County Attorney Paul Ahles, died on Monday afternoon at 2:30 at his home in the town of Rockville following an illness of one month. He was 85 years of age, having been born in 1836 in Trier, Germany, the second youngest of seven sons.
Following the death of his father, John Ahles came with his mother and brothers to the United States in 1854, settling first in Minnesota, then going to Illinois, where he was employed on a farm for several years. In 1865 he returned to Minnesota and the next year was married to Lucy Bauer. This union was blessed with twelve children, all of whom survive their parents. The mother died on July 26, 1912.
The children are: Mrs. Margaret Barthey, Albertville; Math. Ahles, Waubon; John Ahles, Jr., Albany; Paul Ahles, St. Cloud; Gotthard Ahles, Rockville, with whom the father had made his home on the old homestead; Mrs. Mary Weymann, Melrose; Joseph Ahles, Blue Grass; Cristopher Ahles, Albany: Mrs. Anna Kuppner, Rockville, Mrs. Lucy Kuppner, Le Sauk; Peter Ahles, Albany, and Nicholas Ahles, St. Cloud.
Mr. Ahles was held in the highest esteem by all of this friends and neighbors, and held various offices in the town government from time to time. The funeral will be held on Wednesday morning at nine o'clock from the St. Wendel church in St. Augusta township, and burial will be in the churchyard there beside the remains of his wife, who died in 1912.
Obituary of John Ahles (Nordstern, German language newspaper, Stearns Co., MN, March 31, 1921, pg. P-2)
Rockville- They are inexorably dying out, those trail-breakers of culture who have turned out land from a wilderness into modern civilization, and, in doing so, bore many deprivations and hardship, the likes of which the present generation know not.
On Monday afternoon, John Ahles, who has been ill for some time, but only bed-ridden for four weeks, passed away after being well-prepared for the inevidtable journey into eternity.
The deceased was born in 1836 in Obersgesen, County of Bitburg, Trier, Germany, from where he emigrated to america in 1854, and made his first home in Stearns County. From here, however, he returned to Illinois, and after staying there for 10 years, he came back to Stearns County in 1865, and established his permanent home on a farm 2 miles from Rockville, after he had married his wife in 1866, and where he now has laid his tired head to rest.
Johann Ahles was a man of rare energy and amiability, dedicated to the fulfillment of his obligations with great fidelity and devoition, in his calling, which he pursued with great diligence, in his family, which he guided as a provident husband and father, in his church, in which he particiated with great interest in all its undertakings, and in the area of charities, ever and always doing his full and entire share, it will be proper to say of him that in him there passes a virtuous man.
In the departed, there is taken from us a man with a kind heeart, a noble character, who's memory, among near relatives as well as all who knew of his good manly characterisitics will not be extinguised.
The children mouring the death of their good old father are: Mrs. Margaretha Barthel from Albertville, MN; Mathias Ahles from Wauburn, MN; John of Albany, Paul Ahles, County Attorney at St. Cloud; Mrs. Maria Weymann of Melrose; Gotthard, with home the deceased had spent the evening of his life, in Rockville; Christoph from Albany; Joseph of Blue Grass, Minnesota, Mrs. Anna Krippner of Rockville, Mrs. Luzia Krippner from the town of Le Sauk; Peter Ahles, attorney-at-law in Albany; and Nikolaus of the firm of Bath and Ahles in St. Cloud.
Burial was on Wed. morning in St. Wendelin's Cemetery with the attendance of a large number of relatives and acquaintances after a requeum in St. Wendelin's Church, conducted by Rev. Pastor Brender. There good old father Ahles rests at the side of his wife, who preceded him into eternity already in 1912 [sic]. To the departed eternal peace, and to the survivors our sincerest condolences.
Events
| Birth | June 7, 1836 | Obersgegen, Preischeid, N of Trier, Prussia, Germany | |||
| Marriage | June 6, 1866 | Rockville Twp., Stearns Co., MN - Lucia "Lucy" Bauer | |||
| Death | March 28, 1921 | Rockville Twp., Stearns Co., MN |
Families
| Spouse | Lucia "Lucy" Bauer (1846 - 1913) |
| Child | Henry Ahles (1867 - ) |
| Child | Gothard L. Ahles (1867 - 1936) |
| Child | Margaretha Ahles (1869 - ) |
| Child | Mathias Ahles (1870 - 1943) |
| Child | Johannes "John " Ahles Jr. (1871 - 1931) |
| Child | Paul Ahles (1872 - 1962) |
| Child | Gertrude Ahles (1873 - 1876) |
| Child | Gotthard H. Ahles (1875 - 1943) |
| Child | Mary "Marie" Ahles (1876 - 1951) |
| Child | Joseph Ahles (1878 - 1958) |
| Child | Christopher Ahles (1880 - 1937) |
| Child | Anna Marie Ahles (1881 - 1958) |
| Child | Lucy Ahles (1882 - ) |
| Child | Franz Joseph Ahles (1884 - ) |
| Child | Peter Ahles (1885 - 1959) |
| Child | Nicholas Mathew Ahles (1887 - 1961) |
| Father | Mathias "Mathew" Ahles (1803 - 1850) |
| Mother | Margaretha "Margaret" Schmartz (1799 - 1882) |
| Sibling | Mathias "Mathew" Ahles (1825 - 1845) |
| Sibling | Christopher "Christ" Ahles (1827 - 1913) |
| Sibling | Johann Baptist Ahles (1829 - ) |
| Sibling | Mathias Ahles (1832 - 1910) |
| Sibling | Nicholas Ahles (1834 - 1844) |
| Sibling | Fredrick Wilhelm Ahles (1837 - ) |
| Sibling | Magdalena Ahles (1841 - 1850) |
| Sibling | Boy Ahles (1843 - 1843) |