Marie Mathys was born in 1821, likely in the canton of Graubünden in Switzerland. In Graubünden, she married Anton Meng. They had six children: Peter Florian (October 10, 1847), Margaretha (July 28, 1852), Leonard, Albert, Lutzia, and Elizabeth (December 28, 1855). At least a few of their children (including Elizabeth) were born in Says, Graubünden, Switzerland (sometimes written ‘Sais.’
Canton Graubünden (1806 Copper Engraving)
The family set sail for America in 1856 to find a new home where others of the locality had already gone from whom came reports of new freedom and opportunity. The voyage across the Atlantic took 30 days.
Says, Graubünden
The Mengs came first to the Swiss settlement in Sauk County, Wisconsin and remained there about seven years. Then, in 1863 they came to Buffalo County, Wisconsin, making the journey in a covered wagon drawn by oxen. They settled in Buffalo River valley (sometimes called Beef River valley), near what became the village of Tell. They put down roots on a farm near the town of Alma, Wisconsin.
Sauk County, Wisconsin
Their son-in-law Robert Wenger bought the farm from them. The Mengs whereabouts in their later years are unknown.
19th Century Alma, Wisconsin
