Franz (Frank) BITZAN

Frank Bitzan & Mathilda Mielke were united in marriage in Nov 1883. Mathilda was born in Millerville.

The couple took over the management and ownership of the homestead in 1885 when he purchased 20

additional acres from Henry Bustin. In 1905 they purchased the Landeen Homestead of Peter Lofdal

for the sum of $15,450 for the 310 acre farm. In 1903 they bought the Mathias Meyers farm for

the sum of $6,500. Frank Bitzan bought these farms for his sons, Albert, Joseph and Peter Bitzan.

These farms continue to be in ownership and management of these families.

Frank Bitzan was born on Sept 9, 1859. With his parents he immigrated to America at the age of

eight years, arriving on July 26, 1868. The family settled in St. Paul. After three years they

came to Millerville where the father filed on a homestead. On November 27, 1883, he married

Miss Mathilda Mielke also of Millerville. The couple were the parents of eleven children,

two died in infancy. The family homestead is still in possession of the family.

The ox must be given credit for having cleared every inch of land that was opened for cultivation

during the nineteenth century. In 1903, Mat Meyers sold his homestead to Frank Bitzan for $6,500.

This property is now in possession of his son Joseph and his wife Barbara Hockert Bitzan.

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