DORA (OESAU) LANDRY

Dora (Oesau) Landry

Landry, John B. (31 Oct 1849 - 4 Jun 1931) 
Again the grim reaper, Death, has taken another pioneer from our midst; and 
soon ours will only be a memory of those hardy, early pioneers who had the 
courage and conviction to hew these beautiful farms out of the wilderness 
when the future had very much less promise for them than what ours has for 
us. 
John B. Landry was born at Bia Chaleur, Quebec, Canada, Oct. 31, 1849, the 
son of Peter and Orlea Landry, who reared a family of twelve children. He 
began his career by helping in the construction of the Canadian Pacific 
Railroad from coast to coast, then came to Wisconsin in the late seventies 
to work for the lumber concerns, among them being the Eau Claire Lumber Co. 
The many big pine stumps still in evidence in this territory give mute 
evidence ot his ceaseless labor. Few of his old friens are left to tell the 
tales of those early historic days in the lumber camps during the winter, 
the log drives down the Eau Claire Rivers in the spring, and the work on the 
old Company Farm (the section now owned b W. H. Krause and other) during the 
summer. On Aug. 18, 1886, he purchased the tract of wild land in the town of 
Reseburg, Clark Co., Wis., which has never changed ownership since. Here he 
spent a part of his time clearing enough land for his first buildings, and 
worked at the Sterling Mill four miles east of Thorp during the next few 
years. Those were the days of oxen and when Sterling was a busy town with a 
mill running twenty hours per day. On Nov. 15, 1888, he was united in marriage 
with Dora M. Oesau, who was born in New Holstein, Wis., Jan. 23, 1861; and 
they set to work solving life's problems together and establishing the farm 
that stands today as a monument to their untiring efforts. But just when the 
future began to look bright, great hardships were heaped upon them because of 
the accident that befell Mr. Landry when he was struck by a Wis. Central 
passenger train and suffered the loss of his right leg on Feb. 1, 1894. That 
year, the Township of Reseburg was organized and he was elected its first 
treasurer, an office he held for many years. Despite the handicap of being 
crippled, he cleared his entire farm; and with the help of his wife, gave 
each of his four children a high school and college education. Early in May 
1926, he suffered his fist apoplectic stroke from which he recovered quite 
well; but on June 4, 1927, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Frank Krampeter, 
in Gilmanton, he was stricken with a second stroke which took away his speech 
and left him entirely helpless. Since that time he was a patient sufferer at 
Sacred Heart Hospital at Eau Claire, where on May 29th, he was stricken with 
the third stroke from which he never recovered and was called to his eternal 
reward early Sunday morning. Funeral services were held Tuesday morning from 
his old home, the place dearest to him; and from St. Bernard's Catholic Church, 
with Rev. Muckerheide officiating. And now after his many years among us, he 
is resting beside his wife who preceded him in death on Oct. 26, 1924. 
Surviving him to mourn his death are: Wallace of Neillsville, Howard of Cadott, 
Harry of Kilbourn, and Belle (Mrs. Frank Krampeter) of Gilmanton; also his 
brother Peter of Carleton, Can., and his sisters, Marie of Carleton, Canada, 
and Virginia of Berlin, N.H. The memory of his integrity, courage, jovial 
disposition, and patience during all of his suffering, together with those of 
his fellow early settlers shall be always with us and shall be an incentive 
for us to carry on their good work. 
Source: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 06/11/1931
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Landry, Dora (23 Jan 1861 - 26 Oct 1924) 
Dora Oesau was born in New Holstein, Wis., on Jan. 23, 1861 and died at her 
home south of the village (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) on Sunday Oc.t 26, 1924, 
after an illness of six months of pernicious anemia. 
She spent her girlhood days in New Holstein, and in 1887 came to Thorp. On Nov. 
15, 1887, she was united in marriage with John Landry. They settled on the farm 
south of the village, where they have since resided. 
Mrs. Landry was beloved by all who knew her. Through her generous personality 
and amiable disposition, she acquired a host of friends, who held her in highest 
regard. She was a faithful and loving wife and mother, intensely devoted to her 
home and family circle. She, with her husband, were among the pioneers, and 
greatly interested in their active days in the development of their community. 
The passing of this beautiful life brings sadness to the many who knew her and 
her unfailing devotion. 
The large funeral and profusion of beautiful flowers which were given as a last 
tribute to her memory was evidence of the esteem in which she was held by her 
many acquaintances. 
Besides her husband she leaves to mourn her death, four children, Wallace and 
Mrs. Frank Krampeter of Gilmanton, Howard of Cadott, and Harry of Kilbourn, three 
sisters, Mrs. Theo. Voss of Kiel, Mrs. Maggie Laurent and Mrs. Fred Borck of Thorp, 
and two brothers, Arthur Oesau of Manitowoc and George Oesau of Kiel. 
Funeral services took place at St. Bernard's Church, Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock, 
Rev. Fr. Neises officiating, interment being made in St. Bernard's Cemetery. 
Those attending the funeral from out of town were, Mrs. Theo. Voss from Kiel, Arthur 
Oesau from Manitowoc, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Schoer and Mrs. Adam Schluecter of Chilton, 
Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Landry of Gilmanton, Mr. and Mrs. Barry Landry of Kilbourn, 
Howard Landry of Cadott, Miss Faye Hyslop of Madison, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Dietrich, 
Mesdames Anna Dugal, Fred Goetz and Lawrence Dugal of Cadott, and Messrs. Charles 
Podhola, G. A. Hinterburg and E. A. Gustman of the American Legion, Cadott, Mr. and 
Mrs. Matt Girnau, Eau Claire, and John and Helmer Dueyson of Loyal. 
Source: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 11/06/1924
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1870 United States Federal Census, Calumet co.
Name: Tjask P Oesaw 
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1836 
Age in 1870: 34 
Birthplace: Hos; Pru 
Home in 1870: New Holstein, Calumet, Wisconsin 
Race: White 
Gender: Male 
Post Office: New Holstein 
Household Members: Name Age 
Tjask P Oesaw 34 
Magretha Oesaw 35 
Mathews Oesaw 12 
Christena Oesaw 11 
Dorette Oesaw 9 
Georg Oesaw 7 
Betty Oesaw 5 
Arthur Oesaw 3 
Anna Oesaw 2 
Gretchen Oesaw 4/12 
Johan Weber 75