Bio: Guenther, Leonard (1828 - ?)
Contact: crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Guenther, Stark

----Source: The History of Northern Wisconsin (Marathon County, Wis.) 1881, page 571

LEONARD GUENTHER, the father of Charles E., Anton, Thomas, Mary and Leonard, Jr., was born in Baden, Germany, Nov. 30, 1828. He settled at Watertown, Wis., in 1844, when he followed the bakery business; then he went to Beaver Dam and was engaged in the same business for some time; from there he went into the Wisconsin pineries about four miles above Knowlton, at Drake's mills, and engaged as head sawyer, where he remained four years. He afterward went to Knowlton, made shingles and followed the lumber business, running the river, etc., for seven years. He was married in 1854 in Portage Co., Wis. They moved in their present home, and kept hotel and began the mercantile business about 1874, which is continued by the family. Mr. Guenther was the founder of the Catholic Church in Knowlton, he was one of the pioneer settlers in the then wilderness, and did much to improve it. He was a member of the County Board several years. Mrs. Guenther's maiden name was Rosalia Stark. She was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, Feb. 20, 1828. The family consists of five children. The two oldest boys are married. Charles E. lives near the old homestead, and is at present engaged in the lumber business. Anton, the next oldest, lives at home with the rest of the family. Mr. Leonard Guenther, the father of the family, died some time ago.