Christian Dällenbach
b. 16 January 1881, d. 22 March 1965
Last Edited=16 Apr 2005

     Christian Dällenbach was born on 16 January 1881 in Oberhofen am Thunersee, Canton Bern, Switzerland.² He was the son of Johannes Dällenbach and Elisabeth Lee Hodel.¹ He immigrated with his parents in 1882 to the United States of America.³ See a picture of the Daellenbach family taken circa 1897. Christian, age 19, was enumerated in the household of his parents on the 1900 Federal Census in Dorchester, Clark County, Wisconsin.⁴ Follow the link to see the census image.
          Christian married Minnie Prenge , daughter of Christian Prange and Hannahricha Schultz, on 11 November 1906 in Abbotsford, Clark County, Wisconsin but the marriage was registered in neighboring Marathon County. They met at the church across the road from the Prange farm. Chris was organizing the church choir there.⁵ He was 25 years old; she was 18 years old. Christian and Minnie had at least 7 children. These children are John, Estella Adelia, Oswald Arthur, Myron Lester, George Harry, Lucille Ruth and Doris Jean.⁶
          Christian, age 29, and Minnie, age 22, were enumerated on the 1910 Federal Census in Abbotsford. Also enumerated in this household were their daughter, Estella (age 1 year and 7 months), and Christian's sister, Emma (age 18). They own their farm with a mortgage.⁷ Follow the link to see the census image. He had different kinds of jobs throughout his career. He worked as a farmer and a carpenter. He also worked in the timber industry. Sometime after 1912, Chris and Minnie moved to Atken (MN) to run a dairy farm. The cows had "bangs" disease which caused the cows to abort their calves. They left there and moved to Brainerd (MN) where Chris worked as a repairman on the railroad "roundhouse." Then they moved to Proctor. In 1914, they purchased the Siren farm and began to clear off the south forty. Lumber for the first home and barn came from the Len Howard saw mill just to the north of the farm. The original place, 160 acres, was purchased for $2500.⁸
          Due to a need for men to serve during World War I, the United States instituted a draft. With no end in sight for World War I, the United States instituted its third and final draft registration. It included all men who were between the ages of 18 and 21, and 31 to 45 years of age. This added younger men than the previous registrations, those who were born between September 12, 1897 and September 12, 1900; and added an older group of men, born between September 12, 1873 and September 12, 1888. Christian filled out a draft card on 9 September 1918 in Siren, Burnett County, Wisconsin. He was 37 years old and a Swiss subject. He lived in Siren. He worked as a machinist helper for D. Manry Company in Proctor (St. Louis County, MN). He was described as medium height and build with blue eyes and dark brown hair.⁹
          Christian, age 38, and Minnie, age 31, were enumerated on the 1920 Federal Census in Siren town, Burnett County, Wisconsin. Also enumerated in this household were their children, Estella (age 11), Oswald (age 9), Myron (age 7), and George (age 3 years and 4 months), and Minnie's mother, Mrs. Hannahricha (Schultz) Prenge (age 70). He is listed as being an "alien." He has been in the county since 1882. Minnie was born in the U.S. but is also listed as an "alien." This is because the wife's citizenship was based on her husband's citizenship status.⁶ Christian worked as a farmer. Follow the link to see the census image.
          Christian, age 49, and Minnie, age 41, were enumerated on the 1930 Federal Census in Siren. Also enumerated in this household were their children: Oswald (age 19), Myron (age 17), George (age 13), Lucille (age 8), and Doris (age 3 years and 1 month). Their eldest known child, Estella, is not living here; she would be about 21 years old. They own their house which was valued at $600 and they own a radio. Christian is not a U.S. military veteran.¹⁰ Christian worked as a farmer. Follow the link to see the census image.
          In 1947, Christian was living in Siren town. The directory also lists Myron Daelenbach, one Christian's sons.¹¹ Christian was listed as a brother of Emil Daellenbach in the obituary published on 17 October 1948 in an unknown Great Falls Newspaper. Click on the icon to read a transcription of the text.¹² In 1948, Christian was living in Siren.¹² Christian died on 22 March 1965 in Siren.¹³ He was buried in Siren.¹⁴ He was 84 old. His Social Security Number was 395-34-9675 and was issued in Wisconsin.¹⁵