603 North Sixth Street

—of The Commons Neighborhood —

1834
John and Herman Wilke arrived from Hanover, Germany.

1850's
John and Herman established successful farms in Portage Des Sioux Township, now Orchard Farms.

1860's
John and Herman both served for the Union during the Civil War, John's rank is unknown; Herman's rank was Lieutenant in the Home Guard. Southern renegades raided Herman Wilke's farm to kill him. His assailant was shot by Henry Kettler, a hired hand. Kettler served as a private in the Civil War 1861-1862.

1867
John Wilke purchased half of this block along 6th Street.

1873
John Wilke purchased the rest of this block along 7th Street.

1889
John Wilke had this house built for his retirement.

It is a brick Queca Ann with a double brick dentils beneath the cornices. The steep hipped roof has two cross gables. The turned porch posts support a spindled frieze suspended from the porch roof. The bay windows with their concave mansard roofs are distinctive.

1902
In order to pay John Wilke's heirs, house and lot were sold to the highest bidder, Henry Kettler, the long time family friend and defender.

The house remained with Kettler and his heirs for almost 80 years.

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Circa 1940
612 North Sixth Street
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1900
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809 Jefferson Street
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