From History of Walworth County Wisconsin by Albert Clayton Beckwith, Vol. II, 
publ. 1912, Page 1451-1452
 
FREDERICK WENDT.  In presenting the following brief sketch of Frederick WENDT, 
now living retired from the active duties of life in his pleasant home in East 
Troy, we find that the battle of life has been well fought by this 
enterprising, self-made, foreign-born citizen.  That he is endowed with 
financial abilities of no mean order must be admitted, yet there is added to 
this an honest determination of purpose and a kind heart, which has impelled 
him to help others while he was making a path to prosperity for himself.  From 
an early age his desire has been to earn every cent needed in the prosecution 
of his business.  He has always lived up to his principle; and how as old age 
creeps on apace, with the ambition to accumulate not so strong on him as in 
earlier years, no longer being a necessity, free from embarrassing debts and 
with unencumbered property, he stands among the financially strong men of his 
town and township.  He is plain and unassuming in manner and by reason of his 
noble character is frequently sought for as counselor and friend.
 
Mr. WENDT was born in Germany in 1856, the son of Frederick and Sophia WENDT, 
both born in Germany, where they spent their early lives, finally emigrating 
to America, and locating in Lafayette township, Walworth county, Wisconsin in 
1864.  Later the father purchased sixty acres in Spring Prairie township and 
sixty-seven acres in East Troy township.  Here they developed a find farm and 
spent the rest of their lives, the father dying at the home of the subject in 
East Troy in 1899, his wife having died in 1892.  They had but one child, 
Frederick, of this sketch.  Politically, the father was a Republican, and a 
member of the German Methodist Episcopal church.
 
Frederick WENDT was reared on the farm and received his education in the 
public schools of Troy, Walworth county.  When young he learned the harness-
maker's trade, which he followed in East Troy, beginning business there in 
1881 and continuing until 1886, when he purchased ninety-seven and one-half 
acres, which he still owns, together with the homestead of sixty-seven acres.  
He farmed for a number of years very successfully and he is now living in 
retirement, in his fine, modern residence, which he built on East Main street, 
East Troy.  He also owns the building now used as a bakery, also another 
residence property.  Politically, he is a Republican and he belongs to the 
Methodist Episcopal church.
 
Mr. WENDT was married in 1879 to Louisa KEBLER, who was born in Spring 
Prairie, Walworth county, on August 8, 1856.  She is the daughter of John and 
Ann (DECKER) KEBLER, both natives of Germany, where they spent their early 
lives, emigrating to Walworth county, Wisconsin, about 1853 and located in 
Spring Prairie township and there established a good home.  He was a shoemaker 
by trade.  His death occurred on August 12, 1895, and his wife died on 
February 14, 1897.  Politically, he was a Republican, and a member of the 
German Methodist Episcopal church.
 
Mrs. WENDT grew to womanhood in Spring Prairie township and there received her 
education in the public schools.
 
To Mr. and Mrs. WENDT four children have been born, namely: Walwin F., who is 
farming in East Troy, township, was educated in the East Troy high school; 
Herman G., who was educated in the high school in East Troy, is also engaged 
in farming; Franklin C., also educated in the East Troy high school, is 
farming on the old home place; Elfie C., who was graduated from the East Troy 
high school, married Herbert WALES, and lives near Elkhorn.
 
Submitted by Carol