My Genealogy Hound

JOSEPH W. HAUSER. Throughout Berrien County this well-known fruit-grower of St. Joseph Township occupies a position among the most successful and progressive of our German-American citizens. In the best sense of the word he is truly self made, having through his untiring exertions and good judgment risen from an humble rank to a foremost place in his community. To-day, as the result of his intelligent efforts, he is the owner of one of the finest fruit farms of the township, and is numbered among the men of means in the county.

The fruit farm belonging to Mr. Hauser consists of forty-five acres, the entire tract being planted with various varieties of fruits. He has the place subdivided as follows: two acres planted to apples, ten to peaches, ten to pears, two to cherries, two to quinces, one-half acre to plums, one to strawberries, eleven to blackberries, four to raspberries, two to currants and gooseberries, and ten to grapes. At the time of locating here he found a few grape vines, apple trees and blackberry bushes, but with that exception no attempt at improvement had been made. In the cultivation of fruit he exercises sound common-sense, and the result is that his fruit is second in quality to none other raised in the county. During the season of 1892 he raised about one thousand bushels of peaches, which averaged in selling $1 a bushel, and about one hundred and fifty bushels that sold for $1.50 a bushel.

A native of Germany, our subject was born in Hesse-Nassau, May 11, 1843, and is the son of Jacob and Elizabeth Hauser. His father was born in Stei bach, Germany, and was reared to the life of a farmer, following agricultural operations throughout his entire career. A man of prominence in his community, he was elected to the position of Alderman of Steinbach, in which office he served for several years. He was also Treasurer for a number of years, and served as a member of the Land Appraisement Committee of the county. In his religious convictions he was a Roman Catholic. His property in Germany consisted of thirty acres, which in that country was considered a large farm.

In the parental family there were eight children, all being sons, and all of whom reached maturity. Five of the number are still living, viz.: William, a farmer residing in Steinbach, Germany; Jacob, who occupies the old homestead in Germany; Joseph W., of this sketch; George, a resident of London, England, and a baker by trade; and Philip, who follows the occupation of a turner at Lawrence, Mass. The deceased bore the names of John, Adolph W. and Frantz. Joseph W. was reared on the old home place and at the age of fifteen was apprenticed to learn the trade of a wagon-maker, paying $72 (in Prussian money) for the privilege of learning and serving an apprenticeship of two and one-half years. At the expiration of that time he worked for six months at his trade, and subsequently traveled throughout the entire southern portion of Germany, following his trade at various places for three years.

Being then drafted into the army, Mr. Hauser served in the ranks from the 29th of March, 1864, until the 23d of November, 1866. At the expiration of his term of service, he worked for six months in the employ of the man under whom he had learned his trade. In 1867 he emigrated to the United States, and after a sojourn of three weeks in New York he came West to Chicago, where he was employed at his trade for three months. He was similarly employed in Hanover and Brunswick, Ind., but returned to Chicago after an absence of a half-year. Nine months later he came to Benton Harbor, Mich., and, opening a shop, conducted a successful business as a wagon-maker for nine months. Meantime Mr. Hauser had established a home of his own. On the 7th of January, 1869, he was united in marriage with Miss Frances Paczkowaka, a native of Poland, whose birth occurred December 4, 1851. Twelve children were born of the union, of whom eight are now living, viz.: John J., who is twenty-two years of age (1893); Joseph N., nineteen; Francis Philip, sixteen; Mary Elizabeth, thirteen; Elizabeth Catharina, eleven; Frances, nine; George Peter, seven; and Jennie Annie, four. The children are being given every educational advantage possible. The eldest son was a student in Benton Harbor College, while Joseph has been conducting his studies in the same institution for three years.

From Benton Harbor Mr. Hauser removed to St. Joseph, where he opened a shop and was engaged in the wagon-maker’s business for one year. Disposing of the shop to Samuel L. Hennon, he remained in the employ of that gentleman for two years, after which he was in business for himself. From 1872 until 1884 the enterprise was conducted under the name of Hauser & McMullen, and afterward Mr. McMullen retired and our subject continued in business alone. Upon selling out to Walker & Schnieder, he purchased the place where he has since resided. He is a man of prominence in his community and is an influential Republican. For two years he served as Alderman of St. Joseph, and is the present Assessor of his school district. He and his family are identified with the Roman Catholic Church.