Of this tract only 45 acres were broken. On the property was a frame shanty, a log stable with a roof of straw, a corn crib built of logs and covered with straw, and a few other small buildings, also thatched with straw.

In 1874 he married Theresa Stiever and they started to establish for themselves a place among the substantial families of the community. By hard work and frugality they acquired 390 acres in Whitewater Twshp and another good farm of 269 acres in Norton Twshp. A new brick house was erected on Oak Ridge. ‎(TWDR, 30, AUG 1878, 3:4)‎