John Kauper was born March 27, 1848, in Bavaria, Germany. When he was seven years old, he came with his family to the United States and settled with his parents in the vicinity of Goldendale in the town of Germantown. When he was 14, the family moved to the St. Lawrence area.

On March 19, 1865, when he was not quite 17 years old, he went to Lomira and enlisted in Co. K, 11th Wisconsin Infantry under an alias, John Herman. He was mustered out on September 14, 1865 and returned to Washington County.

In 1873, Kauper married Miss Anna Regenfuss. The couple established themselves on a farm on what is now Highway 83. They moved to Hartford in 1913. They had seven children: a son George (1874-1919), Frank of Hartford, Kunigunda (Mrs. Jacob Brumm) of Hartford, Elizabeth (Mrs. John Dreikosen) of Marathon City, Barbara (Mrs. Michael Brumm) or Milwaukee, Louis of Hartford, and Anna (Mrs. Nicholas Zerny) of Harvey. There were 23 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

John Kauper was a member of Hartford's GAR Post 165 and served as Hartford's town treasurer for one year. He was proud of never having missed a Memorial Day ceremony in Hartford.

Kauper was affectionately called the last of Hartford's three "Johns," all of whom were Civil War veterans and resided there. John Lau died in 1937 and John Piek passed away in 1933.

Mrs. Kauper died in June 1933 and Mr. Kauper then went to Harvey, Illinois, to live with his daughter, Anna. He died there on February 21, 1939. His death was ascribed to weakness brought on by advanced age. Several days preceding his demise he was stricken with pneumonia, which he was too weak to overcome. He sank steadily until death claimed him. The funeral was held on Saturday, February 26th, at 9:30am at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, St. Lawrence, the Rev. O. Ullrich officiating. Hartford's John E. Courtney American Legion Post conducted military services at the last rites. Burial was in the parish cemetery.

Information from:
1870 and 1920 Federal Census
Proceedings of the 73rd Annual Wis. GAR Dept. Encampment
Roster of Wisconsin Volunteers in the War of Rebellion
Washington County Historical Society
West Bend News, March 2, 1939

Research by PCC Andrew Bollen

Last Updated: