- DANIEL WICHSER, senior member of the firm of WICHSER &
BABLER, somewhat
- extensively engaged in business in Monticello, where they
handle all kinds of agricultural implements, windmills, pumps,
tanks, heaters, pipes, fittings, gas engines and almost anything
a modern and well-conducted farm may need, is a hustling and
energetic young man with a host of friends throughout this section.
- Mr. WICHSER was born in Canton Glarus, Switzerland, Oct.
8, 1869, and is a son of Casper
- and Sarah (BLUMER) WICHSER, both natives of the canton just
mentioned. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom
nine are now living: Magdalena (the wife of Franz HEFTY), Sarah
(who married Jacob KUNDERT), Elsbeth (who married Melchior ZWIKY),
all three still making their homes in Switzerland; Jacob (who
lives in Italy), Fred (of Switzerland), Melchior (who remained
in Switzerland, until 1883, when he too came to America), Rosa
(the widow of Jacob SCHINDLER, of Switzerland), Daniel (who came
to Wisconsin), and Balz (who is located in Beloit). The father
worked in a cotton factory in the city of Betschwandan, where
he died in 1894, at the age of sixty-four years. His widow still
has her home in that city. They were both members of the Swiss
Reformed Church. The paternal grandfather of Daniel WICHSER was
Melchior WICHSER, who was killed by a fall in the mountains in
middle life; he was the father of four children, and was engaged
in various occupations. The maternal grandfather of Daniel WICHSER
was Jacob BLUMER; he died in Switzerland at the age of seventy
years and left a small family.
- Daniel WICHSER was reared in Canton Glarus, where he received
the benefit of the very
- excellent common school system that prevails in the Mountain
Republic. After his school days were ended he entered a cotton
factory, where he was engaged for three years. He worked a year
in a sawmill, and another on a railroad. This terminated his
career in his native land, as he came to America, making his
home in Monticello, Wis., where he has lived to the present time.
He crossed the ocean in 1888, and his successful career in this
country is but another illustration of the value of pluck and
determination, which the lives of thousands of his compatriots
have already given to the world. For the first three years after
his arrival in this country Mr. WICHSER worked on a farm, and
was then employed in the town of Monticello as a machinist. By
this time he felt competent to engage in business for himself,
and forming a partnership with James E. MOORE, they operated
together for a year in the windmill and pump business. For two
years he carried on this business alone, and united with Ezra
L. BABLER, under the firm name of WICHSER & BABLER, the two
have carried on business together up to the present time. They
are doing well, as they are both capable and reliable workmen,
understand their business thoroughly and have the confidence
of their patrons to a marked degree.
- Mr. WICHSER was married March 8, 1897, to Miss Sarah ZWEIFEL,
a daughter of Fred and
- Sarah (VOEGELI) ZWEIFEL. To this union have come two children,
Wilbert Lincoln and Nina. Mr. and Mrs. WICHSER are members of
the Swiss Reformed Church. Politically he is an active Republican,
and his standing in the community is attested by his election
to the village board. He owns his own home in the village and
has built a very complete shop. While still a young man, he is
regarded as one of the leading business men of this section.
-
- Taken from "Commemorative Biographical Record of
the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette Wisconsin,"
(c)1901 Union Publishing; pp. 875-876.
-
- Courtesy of Carol.
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