About Us

The Wagner family came to the United States from Auerbach, Germany in 1889. Jacob Edward Wagner and his wife Caroline (Baker) Wagner had 8 children. The first four children died in Germany. Three of the surviving children Caroline, Elizabeth, and William came to America with their parents. Jacob Edward Wagner Jr. at the age of 9 came across the ocean 1 year later by himself on a cattle ship from Germany. Caroline married Wesley Wass and had 2 children, Daisy and Maude Wass. Jacob Sr. lived to be 91 years old . Caroline died of the flu at 39 years old. They rest at Clark’s Chapel Cemetery near Monroeville, Indiana.

In 1903 at the age of 71 years old Jacob Sr. sold all his land in Indiana and helped his children relocate in northern Michigan. He purchased our farm 120 acres in Monroe center. He purchased a farm on M-37 where Tractor supply now sits, and also is said to purchased a saloon for his daughter Elizabeth.

Jacob E Wagner jr. (1851-1937) was born in Germany. Jacob E Wagner jr. married Emma Emile (Murphy) Wagner. Jacob Jr. and Emma had 8 children. Herbert Lorenzo Wagner, Audrey Alminda, (Simsa), Nila, Fern, Fayma, Truman, Roy, and Freda. He moved to this area around 1903. Jacob jr. took over ownership of the farm in August of 1922.
Herbert Lorenzo Wagner (1899-1969) was born in Adams County , Indiana. He married Anna Margery Champion (1893-1977) of Grant township on June 21, 1913. Herbert and Anna had four children Adelene Elizabeth (1914-1961) who married Charles DeLorme, Karl Wagner (1916-2003) who married Tina Amidon, Beatrice (Betty) (1921-1980) who married John Wall, and Robert (Bob) Dale (1925- ) who married Phyllis Walter. They had 2 children, Sherry (1955-1956) and Pam Nazar (1958-). Herbert took over ownership of the farm at Monroe Center on June 11, 1937.

Karl Wagner was born on Hilltop road on June 5th 1916 about 1 mile from the home farm. He married Tina Mae Amidon of Grawn, on January 1, 1951. They had two children Brent and Brenda. Karl purchased another 42 acers and a home on a Youker where He and Tina raised their family. He purchased the farm on August 25, 1968. He raised dairy cattle, beef cattle, and pigs.

Brent Wagner was born on February 11, 1954. He married Peggy Smith of Buckley on September 29, 1973. They had 2 children Paul and Adam. Brent and Peggy live in the original house at the home farm. They took over 50% ownership in 1990 and the balance on Febuary 5, 1992. They had a hog operation but in the late 90’s switch to cash crop and beef cattle.

Paul Wagner was born on Oct 30, 1978. He married Amanda (Mandy) Bliss of Traverse City on August 14, 2004. They have two children, Karl and Riley and live 2 doors down from the main farm.

Adam Wagner was born on July 16, 1982. He married Betsy Brimmer of Buckley Oct 16 2004. They have three children, Lilly, Morgan, and Hunter.  They built a home on the farm along the north property line on the home farm.

Adam and Paul farmed in partnership under A&P farms until 2016 when Wagner Farms LLC was formed combining A&P Farms and Wagner Farms into the operation it is today.

Many of the Wagner family members are buried at the Monroe Center Cemetery that borders the farm.