The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1918-02-01
JUDGE A. R. PfAU

became suddenly i'll, and the power
of medical science and tender loving
care could not avert the end
Judge Pfau's life was long and
eyentful, and his years were filled
with useful and conscientious work
for the public, and with the kindest of
care for his own family circle. He
was the builder of his own fortune
and his was the master mind of his
own brilliant career. He was born in
Prussia on February IA, 1S47, and his
childhood days were tinged with sad
ness, as he was left an orphan while
still a child in arms. His parents and
their family, consisting of three sons
and daughter, took passage for
America when he was but two years
of age. The father and mother both
died on the ship coming across, leav-
ing the children orphans, the care of
the smaller children devolving On the
daughter, then girl sixteen years of
age. She cared for them until the
ship reached New York harbor, where
kind people who had heard of their
misfortune adopted the little ones.
1t was about 1849 when the young
people landed on the shores of what
to them was strange and foreign
country. Mr.. and Mrs Stephen Wood
adopted the baby, Albert Robert. and
the brother Frank was adopted by Q
family by the name of Halstead The
brother Theodore. drifted away from
the rest and has never been heard
from, so it is not known if he is liv-
ing or dead. Miss Caroline married
Professor Schroeder, and continued to
live in the east. Frank Halstead lived
in Mankato for many years and
served as street commissioner here.
Began Study of Law Early.
Mr.. and Mrs. Wood took their
adopted son home to Mount Kisco, a
short distance from New York, where
he attended the schools and grew to
manhood, commencing the study of
law in the office of Judge R. S. Hart
when about eighteen years of age.
When a young man Albert Robert
Pau came west as far as Wisconsin,
and spent some time at Juneau and
at Watertown, practicing law at the
latter place. He came to Mankato in
1869 and at once opened a law Of
nee, becoming very successful in his
chosen profession. On June l, 1871, he
was united to Miss Cornelia Brown of
Mankato, and they continued to make
their home in this city. Mr.. Pau was
associated with a number of well
known lawyers, his partners in BUSH
ness in their order of succession be-
ing Myron Willard of this city, his
first law partner; Charles M. Bell,
Harry Baker, E. P. Freeman, with
whom he was associated for many
years: Ira P. Shissler, and w. E..
Young. Judge Pfau's son, A. R. Pau,
Jr., became his partner in 1895, and
the office of the firm has been locat-
ed for several years in the First Ma
tional bank building, being one of the
most widely known law firms in the
state
Was a Successful Lawyer.
Judge Pau was landmark in
Mankato-not only as lawyer who
enjoyed an enviable reputation as a
practitioner at the bar, but as a
citizen who had done much for the
community. Socially, Judge Pfau was
genial and affable, and he was at his
best when entertaining his friends
He was an admirable host, a pleasant
companion, a delightful conversation
alist and from his storehouse of use
full knowledge he impaired informa-
ton that was always beneficial to
those who were so fortunate as to be
in his presence while he was speak.
ing. He was man kind of heart and
possessed the noblest impulses. He