Bio: Gruber, Frank C. (1914)

Contact: crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org.
 

Surnames: Gruber, Rosenfeldt, Ihle, Barker, Erlandson, Johnson

----Source: History of Eau Claire County Wisconsin (1914) pages 722-723

Frank C. Gruber, the well known confectioner and ice cream manufacturer of Eau Claire, where he was born November 4, 1875. His parents, Thomas and Rosalia (Rosenfeldt) were natives of Austria Hungary. The father, who was born in the town of Johannsthal, near Vienna, came to the United States on his wedding tour in 1870. He was a carpenter by trade, having served his apprenticeship in his native country. He came to Eau Claire, where he followed carpentering and finally engaged in contracting. He formed a partnership with Mr. P. Ihle, under the firm name of Gruber & Ihle, which partnership continued for about thirty years. After the dissolution of this firm Mr. Gruber continued in the contracting and building line until his death at the age of seventy-six years. During the many years of business he built a number of churches and fine residences in the Chippewa valley. He was a member of the German Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, La Crosse Association and the Sacred Heart Society. Of six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Gruber three are now living: Frank C., the subject of this sketch; Thomas, a tea and coffee salesman, and Sarah, wife of a papermaker of Eau Claire. Those deceased are Mary, Clara and Ann.

Frank C. received his education in the public schools and the Shafer & Stohl College, where he took a course in Latin and algebra classics. He was first employed as office boy by Dr. Barker; was employed as elevator boy by the Pioneer Furniture Company, and then for seven years was salesman for the Grand Union Tea Company. He then served three years as assistant civil engineer for the Omaha railroad, and for ten years was employed in a store at Chicago, where he learned the art of window dressing. He became proficient in that line and is well known among the business concerns in Chicago as one of the best window dressers in the business and has received many attractive offers to return to that field, but prefers to reside in the city of his birth. In September, 1912, he gave up his Chicago position and returned to Eau Claire. He rented a spacious store at 305 North Barstow street and embarked in the confectionery business and the manufacture of ice cream. His business has been a success from the start, and he now practically controls the ice cream trade of the city. His store is one of the best furnished, with up-to-date fixtures and extra fine soda fountain. He caters to the best trade and gives employment to nine people.

Mr. Gruber is one of the hustling young business men of Eau Claire and is well known for his honorable and upright dealings. He is a member of the Maccabees, the German Catholic Church and the I. T. I. Company. He is independent in politics and takes an active part in the city's affairs. He has represented the first ward in the city council five years, having been three times elected alderman without opposition.

On January 13, 1910, he married Emma Erlandson, daughter of Samuel and Clara (Johnson) Erlandson, of Eau Claire.