This was William Ristow. He was born Friedrich Wilhelm Ristau on May 14, 1856 in Zakrzewke, Kreis Flatow, West Prussia, a former province of Germany. He was the son of Daniel Ristau and Rosine Semerau.

His mother Rosine (Semerau) Ristau was October 1827 in Pempersin, Kreis Flatow, West Prussia. She married Daniel Ristau February 27, 1848 also in Pempersin, Kreis Flatow, West Prussia.

William, his parents and other siblings immigrated to America on May 8, 1858, arriving on the S.S. Atalanta. They settled in the town of Maine, Marathon County.

Williams's father, Daniel Ristau was drafted into the Military during the Civil War. He died November 27, 1864 on Sherman's March in Georgia. The body was never recovered.

William married Hulda Hoffman. She died in 1890 leaving 5 children, Herbert (Hubert), Alexander, Conrad, Walter F. and Lydia. William eventually remarried to Antonia Wilde who died in 1953. William and Antonia had 9 children, Adeline, Daniel Carl, Alfred, Elgard C., Frieda, Verna Ann, Paul who died in 1911 in a terrible farm accident, Louis Harry J. and William Harry.

Obituaries

Obituary 1

Wausau Daily Record Herald
Friday Evening, March 21, 1941
Page 2, Column 7

Ristow Funeral

Private funeral services for William Ristow, 1026 ½ S. Third avenue, who died yesterday, will be held tomorrow morning at 10:30 o'clock at the Helke funeral home, following which the body will be taken to Grace Evangelical and Reformed church at 11 o'clock for services at 2 o'clock. The Rev. Otto R. Gerber will officiate and burial will be in Pine Grove cemetery. Original plans called for the body to remain at the funeral home until taken to the church for the services.

Obituary 2

Wausau Daily Record Herald
Saturday Evening, March 22, 1941
Page 2, column 5

Ristow Services

Funeral services for William Ristown 1026 ½ S. Third avenue, who died Thursday, were held this afternoon at Grace Evangelical and Reformed church, the Rev. Otto R. Gerber officiating. Burial was in Pine Grove cemetery. Pallbearers were Raymond, Leonard and Wilbur Soukuo, George Beilke Jr., Lawrence Artus and Walter Schultz. Private services for the family were also held at the Helke funeral home this morning.