| Additional Information: | A 'site file' exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office.
OWNER DATES USE
John Luchsinger 1878-1922 residence
Elizabeth Luchsinger? 1922-1926 residence
W.L. Dobbs 1926-1956 residence
Considerable space was devoted to Mr. Luchsinger in "Southwester Wisconsin: Old Crawford County," p. 187-19-89. This is likely a chapter in an unknown book.
It reads:
The death of John Luchsinger at Monroe, Wisconsin, on the 23d of April, 1922, was a distinct loss to his city and state, for he was a natural leader of thought and action, a man of marked public spirit, a lawyer and jurist of high standing, and also enjoyed an enviable reputation as a financier. Deprived of advantages in his youth, he was an apt pupil in the school of experience, daily mastering of lessons of life and thereby developing his powers. He was born in Canton Glarus, Switzerland, June 29, 1839, and when five years of age was brought to this country by his parents, John and Barbara (Wild) Luchsinger, who settled in Syracuse, New York, in 1845. There the father was employed as a stone builder and stonecutter, later following his trade in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
In the Quaker city John Luchsinger, Jr., pursued his education, which was acquired under difficulties. At the age of twelve years he left grammar school and sought and obtained a situation in a woolen mill. There he labored ten hous a day, receiving two dollars a week for his work, and attended a night school, for he was ambitious and determined to advance. In 1856 he came to Wisconsin with his parents who acquired a tract of two hundred acres in Green county which at that time was sparsely settled. The split rails to fence the land, building thereon a log house and barn, and experienced the various phases of frontier life. The father died in 1861, when a young man, and upon John Luchsinger, Jr., and his mother devolved the responsibility of cultivating and developing the homestead at New Glarus.
The son had become conversant with the various processes used in producing Swiss cheese and was one of the first to make it here successfully. His keen, alert mind enabled him to early recognize the possibilities of the dairy industry in Green county and in its development he was largely instrumental. He assisted in building a cheese factory, created a wide market for the products of the family homestead, and was financially interested in the first milk condensery in the state.
Mr. Luchsinger furthered the advancement of his section of the state in every possible way, and upon the establishment of a school district he was chosen a member of the school board and district clerk. Afterward he was made chairman of the town board, next assuming the duties of tax assessor, and in 1879 became chairman of the county board of commissioners. From 1882 until 1886 he was treasurer of Green county, studying law at Monroe during that time, and in 1884 was admitted to the bar, qualifying for practice in the circuit and supreme courts of the state. A stanch adherent of the republican party, he was elected on its ticket to the Wisconsin house of representatives and was a member of that lawmaking body in 1872, 1875, 1876, 1877 and 1886, serving in all for five terms.
Removing from New Glarus to Monroe in 1878, Mr. Luchsinger soon became a dominant factor in the life of the city. He was elected to the board of education in 1879 and in 1894 was the popular choice for mayor of Monroe, wisely administering the affairs of the municipality. He exerted considerable influence in the councils of his party and was a delegate to many republican state conventions, as well as to the national convention in 1900. His last public office was that of probate judge for Green county during 1918-19 and this trust, like all others reposed in him, was faithfully and capably discharged. He had been appointed by Governor Philipp to complete the unexpired term of Judge John M. Becker, who was removed from office.
In 1887 Mr. Luchsinger entered upon his long connection with the Citizens State Banck of Monroe, acceptin the post of assistant cashier, and a year later was elected its vice president. In 1917 he resigned to take up the duties of president and so continued until his death, manifesting foresight, mature judgment and executive force in controlling the affairs of the institution, which prospered under his leadership.
On the 12th of August, 1868, Mr. Luchsinger was married to Miss Elsbeth Kundert, a daughter of Henry Kundert, of New Glarus, and they became the parents of eleven children: John, Henry E., Samuel C., Thomas W., Frank B. and George M (of whom extended mention ismade elsewhere in this work), Elsbeth, Barbara, Edna, and two who died in infancy.
Mr. Luchsinger was a communicant of the Swiss Reformed Church and a generous contributor to its support. He held high offices in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, including that of grand master for Wisconsin, and also in the Patriarchs Militant and the Rebekah auxiliary. For a number of years he was vice president and curator of the Wisconsin State Historical Society and to its proceedings contributed several papers on the Swiss colony of New Glarus and on its dairy industry. A man of strong will, high aims and forceful personality, Mr. Luchsinger played well his part in life, constantly broadening his field of usefulness, and left to his family not only a substantial competence but a possession of far greater value--an untarnished name. |
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