Peter Stefan

Source: History of Northern Wisconsin: Containing an Account of Its Settlement, Growth, Development, and Resources, an Extensive Sketch of Its Counties, Cities, Towns and Villages, Their Improvements, Industries, Manufactories, Biographical Sketches, Portraits of Prominent Men and Early Settlers, Views of County Seats, Etc. Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1881. p. 73

PETER STEFAN, general merchandise, Ashland, was born in Bavaria, Germany, Aug. 15, 1838; came to America in 1846; stopped at Buffalo, N.Y., where he learned the butcher's trade, which, not suiting him, he worked in a saw-mill, afterward learning the carpenter's trade, and in West Seneca, went to day and night school till 1852, when he went to Chicago and worked at his trade. He then returned to Buffalo, N.Y., and went into a saw-mill for himself; but the dam was washed out and he then took a sawmill in Hamburg. In 1863 he recruited for the service and enlisted in the 98th N.Y. militia, and was mustered out in 1864. In 1867 he went to Chicago and from there to Duluth, Minn., where he put up the first wagon and blacksmith shop, staying till 1872, when he and Wilhelm came to Ashland and went into the liquor business. In 1876 they dissolved, and Mr. Stefen built on Vaughn's Division. He has been Assessor and Justice, and in 1874 he married Miss Catherine Lenhard, of New York. They have two children, Charles and Catherine.