Stepping into Rural Wisconsin: Grandpa Charly's Life Vignettes, from Prussia to the Midwest

An unforgettable true story of immigration, resilience, and rural life in early 20th-century Wisconsin.

While many historical memoirs chronicle European immigration to the U.S., few spotlight the unique stories of Prussian families who settled in the rural Midwest. In Stepping into Rural Wisconsin, authors Edward Kuehn and Linda Ruggeri bring to life the experiences of Carl and Hulda, Prussian immigrants who arrived in Ripon, Wisconsin, in the late 1800s.

Drawing comparisons to the landscapes described in Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House in the Big Woods, this richly detailed memoir immerses readers in the textures and rhythms of small-town life, uncovering how one family’s journey mirrors the broader immigrant experience in America.

Through a blend of personal recollections, historical research, and archival material, this memoir offers:

• Biographical vignettes that illuminate rural life in Wisconsin from the 1890s through the 1930s—from harvesting fields to raising families in tight-knit communities.

• Historical insight into first-generation American identity, built from interviews, photographs, and records sourced from regional historical societies.

• A valuable teaching and tourism companion for those exploring Wisconsin’s immigrant roots, ideal for educators, historical societies, and heritage travelers.

Readers of Jimmy Carter’s A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety will appreciate the grounded storytelling and enduring values captured in Stepping into Rural Wisconsin. This memoir is a heartfelt tribute to the quiet heroism of rural American families—an essential addition to the bookshelf of anyone interested in Wisconsin history or immigrant heritage.

Linda Ruggeri is a writer and nonfiction editor, and the former executive director of the Green Lake Country Visitors Bureau. She's worked closely with twelve Wisconsin Historical Societies and museums, successfully promoting heritage tourism in rural Wisconsin. Linda is an avid reader and has lived in California, Córdoba (Argentina), Naples (Italy), Windsor (Canada), and Green Lake (Wisconsin). She holds a Communications and Fine Arts degree from Loyola Marymount University and currently lives in Los Angeles, where she works as a full-time nonfiction freelance editor. You can follow her work on Instagram @lindaruggerieditor, on Twitter @LindaRuggeri, and see her work at www.theinsightfuleditor.com

Edward J. Kuehn was born and raised in Ripon, Wisconsin, and is the grandson of Charly Kuehn, on whose life the book is based. After serving in the Wisconsin National Guard, he completed a college degree under the GI Bill and pursued a teaching career. This kindled Ed's curiosity for writing, and his lifelong dream to research and learn more about his first-generation American grandparents. Ed is an avid reader, and in his free time, he likes to write, read, and take long walks through the neighborhood, occasionally dabbling in Haiku. He currently lives in Green Lake, Wisconsin.