Bio: Schlegel, Ernest E. (1865 – 1911)

Contact: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Schlegel, Pick, Brunswick, Boehm, Rahberger, Wiler,

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

---Schlegel, Ernest E. (1 February – 23 November 1911)

ERNEST E. SCHLEGEL, deceased, who, for twenty-seven years had been a resident of Athens, Wis., at the time of death, November 23, 1911, was one of the very prominent men of Marathon county. He was vice president of the Bank of Athens and also of the Ceres Roller Mills Company, and financially interested in many other important business concerns. He was born in the town of Mequon, near Grafton, in Ozaukee county, Wis., February 1, 1865, the oldest of seven children born to Charles Schlegel and wife, the others being: Oscar; Henry; Matilda, wife of Benjamin W. Pick; Charles; Cora, wife of Hugo Brunswick; and George.  

Ernest Edward Schlegel spent his boyhood and youth in Ozaukee County and in 1884 accompanied his father to Athens, then known as Black Creek Falls. The father established the Ceres Roller Mills Company, placing the management in the hands of his son Ernest, who ever afterward had charge of the mill and acquired a controlling interest in the same. He was a capable business man and exercised his foresight and judgment not only for his own benefit but also for the general welfare of the community and many a struggling business concern, in its early days, was placed on a sound foundation by his timely aid and interest. In 1900 he assisted in organizing the Bank of Athens, was its vice president and on its directing board, and was a large stockholder in the Athens Printing Company, in both the Athens and the Marathon County Telephone Companies and in the Central Park Association. He was long connected officially with school and village government and performed every duty of life in a manly, straightforward manner that secured and preserved the confidence, respect and esteem of his fellow citizens.  

At West Bend, Wis., Mr. Schlegel was married, April 29, 1890, to Miss Mary Boehm, who survives him. She was born in Germany and was four years old when her parents, Joseph and Mary (Alder) Boehm, brought her to Wisconsin. To Joseph Boehm and wife the following children were born: Joseph, who is deceased; Mary; Theresa, who is the wife of Joseph Rahberger; August; and Anna, who is deceased and was the wife of Clemens Wiler. To Mr. and Mrs. Schlegel eight children were born, namely: George; Ernst and Fred, twins; Florence; Jeanette; Helen; Marie and Mabel. The family belongs to the Evangelical Church.

Mr. Schlegel's last illness was of a month's duration and as it was diagnosed as an abscess on the brain it was deemed advisable to take him to the Milwaukee Hospital where an operation was performed, from which, however, he did not rally. He was a member of the Masonic Blue Lodge of Abbotsford and of the Masonic Chapter of Medford and belonged also to the Black Creek Aerie of Eagles.