Pgs 922-923

FRANZ  F.  KOSKE, a popular and successful business man of Green Valley township, Shawano county, was born in the city of Pyritz, Pomerania, Germany, and is a son of Samuel and Hannah (Bretlof) Koske, who were both born in the above-named city.
     
Samuel Koske received a good education, and when a young man learned the trade of blacksmith, which he followed up to the time of his retirement, a few years ago. He now resides in Pyritz; his wife died in 1869. They had the following-named children: August, Albert, and Rudolph, who live in Germany; Bernard, in Berlin, Germany; Amelia, now Mrs. Emil Schmidt, of Shawano county, Wis.; Franz F., subject of this sketch; Bertha, living in Germany; and Reinhold, in Pulcifer, Wisconsin.
     
Franz F. Koske received a good common-school education, and at the age of fifteen commenced to learn the trade of miller, at which he served three years, following this trade in Germany, and after coming to America. In June, 1882, he sailed from Hamburg, and, after a voyage of nineteen days, landed in New York, thence coming directly to Monroe, Green Co., Wis., where he remained five months with friends, working on a farm three months out of the five. Going then to Shawano. Shawano Co., Wis., he secured work there as head miller in the mill of Fred Kost, remaining in his employ four months, after which he came to Pulcifer, and was head miller here for Schwarz & Bergner for four years.
     
On November 7, 1884, Franz F. Koske was united in marriage, in Dodge county, Wis., with Miss Louise Heldt, who was born in Lomira, Dodge county, and they have had three children, namely: Herbert, Hattie and Otto. The parents of Mrs. Koske, Gottfried and Mary (Besco) Heldt, have been married fifty years. They were born in Germany, came to the United States after their marriage, and settled on a farm in Mayville, Dodge Co., Wis., where they now reside. In 1888 Mr. Koske erected his present place of business, where his trade has so increased that he is now building a large addition to the store. He also carries on a small farm. He is a Democrat in politics, but has never sought office. Mr. Koske is pleasant, affable, much respected in the community, and has many friends.