Bio: Chartier, Frank E. (1852 – 19??)

Contact: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Chartier, Muck, Winterling, McInnis                               

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

Chartier, Frank E. (15 February 1862 – 19??)

FRANK E. CHARTIER, deceased, for a number of years, was one of the best known men in the insurance business in this section of Wisconsin, and organized the Chartier Insurance Agency at Wausau, of which he was the head, his partner being his only son, Ray E. Chartier. He was succeeded in business by his son and his widow, Mrs. Louise Chartier, and the firm name remained the Chartier Insurance Agency. Frank E. Chartier was born at Farmington, Jefferson County. Wis., February 15, 1852, and was a son of Francis and Lucinda Chartier.  

Francis Chartier was one of the early settlers in southern Wisconsin, coming to the state when a large part of it was practically a wilderness. He secured a small tract of land on which he built a log cabin, and subsequently added to his possessions until in the course of time he became a man of substance and a prosperous farmer. When his active period was over he and wife retired to Oconomowoc, where his death occurred in 1895, and that of his widow two years later.  

Frank E. Chartier was reared on the home farm and remained with his parents until he was twenty-five years of age, in the meanwhile attending the country schools. For two years after leaving home he traveled in the interests of a marble firm of Logansport, Ind., but a serious attack of typhoid fever interrupted his business career at that time and he returned home.

After regaining his normal health he embarked in the farm implement business and conducted it for two years, then went into the coal and grain business at Oconomowoc and remained so engaged until 1893 when he came to Wausau. Here he was interested in the life insurance business for a time, but later turned his entire attention to fire insurance and dealing in real estate. At that time, on account of the excessive high rates the citizens organized a Mutual Fire Insurance Company, with the active assistance of Mr. Chartier, and this organization existed for two years when, its object having been accomplished, the lowering of rates, it was sold to a stock company. The Chartier Insurance Agency handles insurance, real estate and loans, making a specialty of improved, cut-over and timber lands. As illustrative of the confidence placed in the firm, the following list is given of the old line companies represented: Germania, Girard Fire and Marine, Glens Falls, Boston, Agricultural, City of New York, Dubuque Fire and Marine, Prussian National, National Lumber, Farmers of York, Williamsburgh Western, Pittsburgh Underwriters, County Fire of Philadelphia, Williamsburgh City, Allemannia of Pittsburgh, Duquesne, Ben Franklin, German of Indiana, Security of Iowa, United States and the Central National. As an able, honest, and upright business man Mr. Chartier secured and preserved the respect and esteem of all who had relations with him. His death occurred at his home in Wausau, January 10, 1912, when he was aged fifty nine years.  

In 1883, in Jefferson County, Wis., Mr. Chartier was married to Miss Louise Muck, who was born and reared there, a daughter of Adam and Elizabeth (Winterling) Muck. The father of Mrs. Chartier was a dealer in meats and live stock. His death occurred in 1872. The mother resides with Mrs. Chartier at Wausau, being now aged eighty years. One son, Ray E., was born to Mr. and Mrs. Chartier. After attending High School and business college Ray E. Chartier became associated with his father when seventeen years of age. He married Miss Chalmers McInnis and they have one child, Frank E., named for his grandfather and great-grandfather. Frank E. Chartier was a Mason and took much interest in fraternal matters.