Rudolf Mueller, Sr.
Source: History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties, Wisconsin, Volume I Illustrated; compiled by Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge, published by H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co., Winona, Minn. (1919) page 198 transcribed by Mary Saggio.

RUDOLF MUELLER, SR., proprietor of Swiss Dale Farm in Section 31, Alma township, who has also for a number of years taken a prominent part in public affairs, was born in Switzerland, April 8, 1857, son of John and Marguerite (Fluor) Mueller. The parents were born in Switzerland, the father Dec. 20, 1820, and the mother Jan. 15 the same year. They were married in 1844 and came to America in 1869, settling in Bangor, La Crosse county, Wisconsin, and removing to Buffalo county in 1870. John Mueller died Oct. 27, 1893, and his wife Dec. 21, 1896. Of their family of eight children four are now living: Andrew, born March 9, 1854, who married Katherine Meisser and resides in Alma township; Ursula, born Oct. 20, 1845, who is the widow of John Jost and lives in Mondovi; Rudolf, subject of this sketch, and Valentine, born March 12, 1860, who married Lucy Meng and became a widower in 1908.

Rudolf Mueller, Sr., after acquiring his elementary education, attended the State Normal School at River Falls, Wisconsin, until he was 21 years old, after which he taught school for ten terms, and during the summer vacations worked at the trade of stone mason. For eight years, from 1894 to 1902, he was county clerk of Buffalo county, and while a resident of Alma served as mayor of the city. For eight years he has held the office of supervisor. In 1908 Mr. Mueller traded certain city property of his for the farm in section 31, Alma township, where he now lives. This farm contains 120 acres, of which 60 acres are cleared, the balance being in meadow and woodland. He is engaged in general farming, but particularly in dairying and the raising of hogs. His buildings are all good, his barn being a modern structure, 36 by 72 feet in size, with stone basement and cement floor. It was erected in 1909 and is supplemented by a concrete-block silo. His house contains eight rooms with a bath and is equipped with a hot-water heating plant.

Mr. Mueller was first married in 1883, to Louisa Schilling, by whom he had four children: Rudolph Roy, born June 14, 1884; Irvin Daniel, born May 21, 1887; Benjamin Harrison, born Feb. 8, 1890, and Marguerite Louisa, born March 20, 1892, who is the wife of Edwin U. Wald. Mrs. Louisa Mueller died Aug. 28, 1894. On April 20, 1895,

Mr. Mueller was united in marriage with Elizabeth Gross, who was born in Alma township, March 2, 1872, daughter of Jacob and Justina (Kuehn) Gross. Of this union seven children have been born: Jacob Oscar, June 13, 1896; Olga Elizabeth, March 24, 1898; Arnold, who died at the age of three years; Oliver Peter, Sept. 8, 1903; Harvy Christ, Aug. 9, 1905; Andrew Anton, Dec. 27, 1908, and Herbert Fred, Oct. 2, 1911.

Three of Mr. Mueller's sons are now in the United States service, Benjamin Harrison being second lieutenant in Company C, 167th Infantry, and now in France; Jacob Oscar, in the navy, and Irvin Daniel, in the aviation service in France. In politics Mr. Mueller is a Republican. He and his family are religiously affiliated with the Lutheran church.

Married Louise Schilling, she died 1894
Children:
1. Rudolf Roy (1884-1942)
2. Irvine Daniel (1887-1937) veteran,
3. Benjamin Harrison (1890-1918) died in France in War
4. Margaret Louise (Edwin) Wald (1892-1978)

Married Elizabeth Gross
Children:
5. Jacob Oscar (1896-1991) veteran, of Forest Lake, MN
6. Oliver Peter (1903-1995)
7. Harvey Christ, (1905-1987)
8. Andrew Anton (1908-2000)
9. Herbert Fred (1911-1925)
10. Olga E. Kauth (1898-1997), all at home.
11. Arnold Conrad (1900-1902)