Corey Geiger, author of ‘The Wisconsin Farm They Built,’ to appear at Manitowoc library

By Brandon Reid, Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter

Elmer Pritzl was thrown into adulthood at 16 after his mother, Anna, was killed by a train. He quickly found work at a local foundry.

By age 18, Elmer had been promoted to foreman at the foundry, supervising men double and triple his age during the Great Depression.

But Elmer’s career ended abruptly five years later when he fell in love with a farmer’s daughter, Julia Burich.

Six months after their wedding, Julia’s father passed away, and with no living male relatives left in her life, Julia’s mother, Anna Burich, asked, “Elmer, will you run my farm?”

So, Elmer — born a city boy — transformed his life and began a love affair with a Wisconsin family farm.

The story of Elmer and Julia and their family farm is told in the book “The Wisconsin Farm They Built: Tales of Family & Fortitude,” by Corey Geiger. Geiger will be featured in an author event at Manitowoc Public Library, 707 Quay St., from 6 to 7:30 p.m. March 13 in the Balkansky Community Room.

During the March 13 event, Geiger will discuss his award-winning novel while pairing his rural roots with lively storytelling.

Find out more at www.manitowoclibrary.org/event/wisconsin-farm-they-built-tales-family-and-fortitude-author-event-corey-geiger-20928.