Elmer Lenz

LENZ, HAYES, HAUGH

Posted By: Errin Wilker (email)
Date: 1/20/2014 at 19:09:15

Elmer Lenz, who served the La Crosse Tribune in the New Albin area in dual capacity, marked his 65th birthday at his home here Wednesday. Lenz is both the La Crosse Tribune correspondent and carrier, holding the latter job since August 1952. Does he mind being a carrier “boy” at the age of 65? “Not a bit,” says he. “You are as young as you feel.”

He was born March 6, 1892, on a farm in Crooked Creek Township, Houston County, Minnesota, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Lenz. He attended the rural school.

Lenz came to New Albin in October 1912 and entered an apprenticeship at the John Haugh Harness Shop, where he learned the harness and saddler business. At that time harness parts had to be sewn by hand. The year after his apprenticeship he bought the business from Haugh and operated it until May 1918, when he entered the Army, seeing overseas service. His father ran the business until his return in June 1919.

He married the former Miss Mattie Hayes at Waukon on April 21, 1921, and continued in the harness business until 1934.

He then was employed at the Mendenhall Lumber Company for 13 years. After that he held several other jobs in New Albin businesses until he took the Tribune job. He served two terms on the Town Council and was chief of the New Albin Fire Department for two years.

In January 1952, he had a major operation at a veterans’ hospital.

He is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion and an honorary member of the New Albin Fire Department.

~La Crosse Tribune, La Crosse, WI, March 1957

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