Bio: Muenchow, Otto (1873 – 19??)

Contact: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Muenchow, Erdman, Buechner

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

Muenchow, Otto (19 September 1873 – 19??)

OTTO MUENCHOW, one of the representative business men of Wausau, Wisconsin, a general merchant, with quarters at Nos. 103-105 Grand avenue, has been a lifelong resident of this city, in which he was born, September 29. 1873. He is a son of Carl and Carolina (Erdman) Muenchow, both of whom came to America from Germany. They came to Wausau in 1873 and here the father died in 1888, but the mother survives.  

Otto Muenchow obtained his education in the Lutheran parochial schools at Wausau but when thirteen years of age began to be self supporting, working in the sash and door factory where he continued for seventeen years. There he learned the trade of saw filing and worked in that capacity the following nine years. Mr. Muenchow was then appointed superintendent of the construction of the Stinchfield Creek canal, which is eight feet in diameter, built entirely of concrete. This is by far the largest canal construction in this part of the state. In 1906 Mr. Muenchow embarked in the mercantile business, erecting a fine two-story brick block on the corner of Grand and Forest streets, with dimensions of 36 x 68 feet. He has been a very useful and public spirited resident of the First ward, which he served as a member of the city council for four years, retiring in 1905.  

Mr. Muenchow married Miss Margaret Buechner, a daughter of John Buechner, formerly town treasurer of the Town of Johnson, Marathon County, and one of the first settlers at Athens, Wisconsin. Mr. Muenchow was reared in the Lutheran Church.