Borcherdt, Frederick 1811 - 1877 | Wisconsin Historical Society

Historical Essay

Borcherdt, Frederick 1811 - 1877

Borcherdt, Frederick 1811 - 1877 | Wisconsin Historical Society
businessman, newspaperman, diplomat, b. Chemitz, Saxony. He graduated from the Univ. of Dresden. In 1833 he visited the U.S., decided to remain, and settled in Detroit. In 1841 he moved to Wisconsin, settling in Neshoto where he purchased a sawmill. He was the first German settler in Manitowoc County, and was instrumental in encouraging other German families to move to the area. After living in other towns in the county, he settled in Manitowoc about 1856 where he operated a general store. In 1869 he purchased the Manitowoc Tribune, editing this paper until 1874 when he turned the management over to his son, Edward, and accepted an appointment as U.S. consul in Leghorn, Italy. He was serving in this capacity when he died. L. Falge, ed., Hist. of Manitowoc Co. (2 vols., Chicago [1912]); Manitowoc Tribune, Sept. 13, 1877; Manitowoc Pilot, Sept. 6, 1877; WPA MS.

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[Source: Dictionary of Wisconsin biography]