Bio: Grunewald, Gustav (1863 – 19??)

Contact: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Grunewald, Huhn, Brant, Ratz, Lepack, Clotere, Jones, Fulmer, Hanson

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

Grunewald, Gustav (1 June 1863 – 19??)

GUSTAV GRUNEWALD, who has many important business interests and owns considerable valuable property at Athens, Wisconsin, is one of the well know men of Marathon County and for the past thirty-one years has been a resident of Athens. He was born June 1, 1863, in Germany, and is a son of August and Louise (Huhn) Grunewald. The parents of Mr. Grunewald remained in Germany until 1885, the father working at his trade of blacksmith. Both parents are now deceased but their children all survive, as follows: Gustav, Herman, who still lives in Germany; Tena, who is the wife of Edward Brant; Bertha, who is the wife of Carl Ratz; and Frank.  

Gustav Grunewald remained in his native land until he was nineteen years of age, attending school as does every German boy, and learning the blacksmith trade with his father. In 1882 he came to the United States and for one year lived at Wausau, Wisconsin, from there moved to Hatley but very soon afterward settled permanently at Athens. Here he has continued ever since and through industry and good judgment has built up prosperous business enterprises and has become a leading man of the place. He owns a blacksmith shop and a wagon and sleigh shop, both manufacturing and repairing, and gives several men employment all the year round. He also owns a general store, a fine residence that he occupies and another that he rents out, and has two business blocks, together with stock in some local concerns. He has also been active in public affairs and was elected town treasurer on the democratic ticket and for thirteen years served also as school treasurer. In every position of trust and responsibility he has shown himself a man of capacity and integrity.  

Mr. Grunewald was married first to Miss Josephine Lepack, who died in 1900, the mother of the following children: Anna, wife of Walter Clotere, Frances, Henry, John, George, deceased, Margaret and Frank. In 1901 Mr. Grunewald was married (second) to Mrs. Alverna Jones, widow of Edward Jones and mother of four children: Caroline, wife of George Fulmer; Agnes, wife of William Hanson; Ethel, a teacher in the public schools; and Elmer. Mr. Grunewald is a member of the German Lutheran Church. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and attends the lodge at Athens.