From "History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin", 1881, p. 753. City of La Crosse AUGUST FRANZ, saloon and restaurant keeper; was born in Prussia in 1840. He lost his father in childhood, and when 13 years of age, his mother started for America, with her family of seven children; she, with one son and one daughter, died on the passage, and August, with three brothers and one sister, made their way to Wisconsin, and settled at Black River Falls. In April, 1861, he enlisted in Co. K, 5th W. V. I., and went out as a private, and was in the service till June, 1865; he was wounded five times during his term of service, four times at Cold Harbor and once at Sailor's Creek, April 6, 1865, by a ball passing through his body, striking his right breast and coming out near the spine; he received a captain's commission, dated April 2, 1865, for gallantry displayed at the charge on the works at Petersburg, Va., and at the battle of Sailor's Creek, April 6, 1865, he being the first man to plant our colors on the rebel works; when mustered out he belonged to Co. A, that company having been consolidated with Co. K and one or two others. Since the war, he has been running as pilot on the Mississippi River in summer, and spending his winters in the South, till the last three years, has been in his present business. [I am not related to this family and have no further information. I'm posting this as a service and hope it helps!]