Flersheim's Whisky Distillery and Cattle Farm | Painting | Wisconsin Historical Society

Painting

Flersheim's Whisky Distillery and Cattle Farm

Flersheim's Whisky Distillery and Cattle Farm | Painting | Wisconsin Historical Society
Friedrich Flersheim immigrated from Mecklenburg to Illinois in the early 1850s, and after farming for a time built this distillery on the Black River in Wisconsin. It produced more than a thousand gallons a day, and the waste was used to fatten the nearly 700 cattle on the property. The animals looked healthy, especially the bulls, and were "bought for a good profit" by meat buyers from Chicago. Butter and cheese were produced from the cows. In the early years, Flersheim related, each winter when the first snow fell bears and wolves harassed his homestead, looking for food. He trapped many of these animals and kept the teeth and claws as trophies on his table. The distillery pictured here is substantial, and has a fine house in the center.

Taken from Hölzlhuber's description of the scene, translated by Vera Kroner.
DESCRIPTION
Friedrich Flersheim immigrated from Mecklenburg to Illinois in the early 1850s, and after farming for a time built this distillery on the Black River in Wisconsin. It produced more than a thousand gallons a day, and the waste was used to fatten the nearly 700 cattle on the property. The animals looked healthy, especially the bulls, and were "bought for a good profit" by meat buyers from Chicago. Butter and cheese were produced from the cows. In the early years, Flersheim related, each winter when the first snow fell bears and wolves harassed his homestead, looking for food. He trapped many of these animals and kept the teeth and claws as trophies on his table. The distillery pictured here is substantial, and has a fine house in the center. Taken from Hölzlhuber's description of the scene, translated by Vera Kroner.
RECORD DETAILS
Image ID:28150
Creation Date:circa 1858
Creator Name:Hölzlhuber, Franz, 1826-1898
City:
County:
State:
Collection Name:Franz Hölzlhuber sketches and associated materials, 1856-1860, 1959
Genre:Painting
Original Format Type:paintings
Original Format Number:PH 3131.28
Original Dimensions:8 x 5.5 inches
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This image is one of forty-two watercolor drawings from a sketchbook by Holzlhuber, documenting his trip to the U.S., especially to Wisconsin and Canada in 1856-1860.
SUBJECTS
Horses
Trees
Alcoholic beverages
Beverage industry
Liquor industry
Farms
Fences
Factories
Men
Horse-drawn vehicles
Wagons

How to Purchase a Copy

Buy The Image

For commercial or non-profit use, please contact Image Sales.

By clicking "BUY" you agree to our Terms of Use.

10-percent discount for Society Members.

Image-purchasing questions? Please Contact Us.

RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS
This image is issued by the Wisconsin Historical Society. Use of the image requires written permission from the staff of the Collections Division. It may not be sold or redistributed, copied or distributed as a photograph, electronic file, or any other media. The image should not be significantly altered through conventional or electronic means. Images altered beyond standard cropping and resizing require further negotiation with a staff member. The user is responsible for all issues of copyright. Please Credit: Wisconsin Historical Society.
Reference Details
Location:Wisconsin Historical Society Archives, 4th Floor, Madison, Wisconsin

How to View in Person

To view this image, visit the Archives Research Room on the 4th floor at the Society Headquarters building in Madison, WI. Print out this index page and present it to the librarian. Use the links below to plan your visit to the Society's Archives.

Checking Out Materials

Visual materials in the Archives do not circulate and must be viewed in the Society's Archives Research Room.

How to Cite

For the purposes of a bibliography entry or footnote, follow this model:

Wisconsin Historical Society Citation
Wisconsin Historical Society, Creator, Title, Image ID. Viewed online at (copy and paste image page link).
Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research Citation
Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research, Creator, Title, Image ID. Viewed online at (copy and paste image page link).

Have Questions?

Contact our Archives staff by email.