businessman, politician, Congressman, b. Ansbach, Bavaria, Germany. He migrated to the U.S. with his parents in 1840, settling in Seneca County, Ohio. From 1850 to 1855 he engaged in the mercantile business in Tiffin, Ohio. In 1855 he moved to Wisconsin, settling in Cascade where he operated a general store, a farm, and a flour mill. In 1868 he bought a half interest in the Sheboygan Falls Woolen Mills, soon became sole owner, and in 1887 enlarged the plant operations and incorporated the company. In 1889 he established a glass factory at his old home in Tiffin, Ohio. Both businesses were successful. A Democrat, he held local political offices; and in 1888 was elected to Congress, serving three terms (Mar. 1889-Mar. 1895). In Congress, he served on the committees of expenditure, interstate and foreign commerce, and was instrumental in securing appropriations for the erection of a government building and harbor improvements for Sheboygan. After leaving Congress, he lived in retirement until his death. Biog. Dir. Amer. Cong. (1928); C. Zillier, ed., Hist. of Sheboygan Co. (2 vols., Chicago, 1912); Sheboygan Telegram, Aug. 12, 1904.Learn More
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[Source: Dictionary of Wisconsin biography]
