Bio: Colombo, Joseph L. (1870 – 19??)

Contact: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Colombo, Schwab, Sercomb, Wheeler, Crawford

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

Colombo, Joseph L. (22 December 1870 – 19??)

JOSEPH L. COLOMBO, who is in business at No. 112 Scott street, Wausau, Wis., contractor in heating and sheet metal worker, is one of the reliable and representative business men of this city, of which he has been a resident for six years. He was born in the village of Baden, near Toronto, Canada, December 22, 1870, and is a son of John Colombo, who was in the linseed oil business at the time of his death in 1896. The other members of the family still live in Canada.  

Joseph L. Colombo was reared in his native place, attended school and learned sheet metal working. His first visit to the United States was when he crossed the border and made his way to Chicago to attend the World's Columbian Exhibition and his judgment told him that business opportunities were to be found in the Republic. He went to Milwaukee, Wis., and went to work for the Schwab & Sercomb, now the R. J. Schwab & Sons Company, where he continued to be employed for thirteen years, ten of these as a man on the road entrusted with the installing of heating apparatus, his wages climbing from two dollars a day to $150 a month and expenses. He was what is termed "trouble man" for the company and became almost invaluable. When he came to Wausau he went into partnership in the firm of A. B. Wheeler & Sons Company, after which, with two partners, he embarked in business for himself, eighteen months later purchasing his partner's interests.  

On April 26, 1893, Mr. Colombo was married at Toronto, to Miss Adela Crawford, and they have had two children, the one survivor, Arthur, being a college student at St. Joseph's, Dubuque, la. Mr. Colombo and family are members of the Catholic Church. In sheet metal work, perhaps Mr. Colombo has no superior in the state and all over this section he fills heavy contracts, giving constant employment to eight workmen. Politically he –has never been active although as a citizen he commands respect and confidence.