Bio: Menzner, Philip (1866 - 19??)

Contact: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Menzner, Fricke

---Source: History of Marathon County Wisconsin and Representative Citizens, by Louis Marchetti, 1913.

Menzner, Philip (20 May 1866 - 19??)

PHILIP MENZNER, postmaster at Marathon City, has large business interests here, owns and operates a saw mill, and has been engaged in manufacturing lumber at this point since 1894. He was born at Rheinpfalz, Germany, May 20, 1866, a son of L. H. Menzner and wife, the former of who died in Germany in 1872. Four years later the mother of Philip Menzner joined him in America.  

Philip Menzner was sixteen years of age when he left his native land and came alone to the United States, his first location being in Indiana where he spent the summer and in the fall of the same year came to Wisconsin where he has continued to reside. For four years he worked on farms during the summer seasons and at lumbering in the big woods during the winters and afterward engaged in lumbering and logging in Marathon County and, as above mentioned, began manufacturing in 1894 at Marathon City. His mill, which was built by his father-in-law, Henry Fricke, stands on the site of the first mill ever erected here. For a number of years Mr. Menzner was engaged also in the general mercantile business here and his influence has been at all times beneficial as a promoter of the town's best interests. In politics he is a Republican and in July, 1897, was appointed postmaster. Through his efforts three rural mail routes have been established and all of the call and lock boxes provided are now rented. Although the town's business has probably quadrupled since he became postmaster he keeps the mail service satisfactory to every citizen and both as man and public official is held in esteem.  

In 1893 Mr. Menzner was married to Miss Helen Fricke, who was born at Marathon City and is a daughter of Henry and Veronica Fricke, who were pioneer settlers here. Mr. and Mrs. Menzner have four children: Elmer, Fred, Philip and Margaret. The family residence stands on Main Street. At different times Mr. Menzner has served in town offices, at present being a member of the school board and for five years was president of the town council. He belongs to some German social organizations and also to the Modern Woodmen of America at Wausau. Wis.