Bio: Molter, Nicholas P. (1859 – 19??)

Contact: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Molter, Simon, Schoenemann, Weiler, Hett, Marson

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

Molter, Nicholas P. (17 October 1859 – 19??)

NICHOLAS P. MOLTER, who is at the head of the Nicholas P. Molter Plumbing & Heating Company, No. 206 Scott Street, Wausau, has been a resident of this city since 1908, coming here from Chicago, Illinois, where he was born October 17, 1859. He is a son of Peter and Anna M. (Simon) Molter, who were natives of Berfeld Trier, Germany. They came to America in 1845, landing at New Orleans, where they remained one year and then came north to Chicago, Illinois. There Peter Molter continued to live until his death in 1874, when aged sixty-one years. He was a Roman Catholic in religion. Of his family of children reared in Chicago, there are three living: Mary, who is the wife of J. Henry Schoenemann; Kate, who is the wife of Jacob Weiler; and Nicholas P.  

In his native city Nicholas P. Molter attended school and assisted his father in the foundry and machine shops where he was employed, until he was fourteen years of age, when he entered upon his apprenticeship to the plumber's trade, which he completed and has been in the business ever since. His first visit to Wausau was made in 1884, when he came here to be married, after which he returned to Chicago and went into the plumbing business and continued until he decided to return to Wausau. Here he embarked in the same business as a partner of Benedict J. Hett, his brother-in-law, who had learned the business with Mr. Molter in the latter’s Chicago establishment. The firm of Hett & Molter existed until January, 1913, when Mr. Hett retired, and A. R. Marson and H. P. Molter, the latter being a son of Nicholas P. Molter, were admitted as partners. A general plumbing business, including steam and hot water heating, is carried on, and the firm, as a business house, stands high in public confidence.  

In 1884 Mr. Molter was married at Wausau, to Miss Bertha T. Hett, whose father, Henry Hett, was born in Germany and came to the United States in 1846. Mrs. Molter passed her childhood in Chicago and came to Wausau in 1881, teaching school in this county until her marriage when once more she lived in Chicago. Since returning to Wausau with her husband and children in 1908, she has renewed many old friendships. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Molter, namely: Frank, who is deceased; H. P., who is a member of the Nicholas P. Molter Plumbing & Heating Company: Benedict A., who is in business at Los Angeles, Cal.: Catherine, who, after graduating from the Wausau High School and the Oshkosh Normal School, became a teacher at Appleton, Wisconsin.; Edna, who is a student in the Wausau High School; and Leander J. who attends St. Mary's School. Mr. Molter and family are members of the Catholic Church. He belongs to the Royal League and the Catholic Order of Foresters, and to other local organizations.