Louis Witter Bio

Louis Witter

Biography of Louis Witter taken from Portrait and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties, Iowa. Chicago: Chapman Publishing Co. 1894. Page 125.

LOUIS WITTER

Louis Witter is a leading business man of Dubuque.  There are many firms engaged in 
contracting and building in this city and among them that of L. Witter & Sons takes front 
rank on account of the excellent work which it turns out.  Mr. Witter is a man of excellent
business and executive ability and in his undertakings has met with success.  The record of 
his life is as follows:  He was born in Heidelberg, Germany, in the year 1837, and is a son
of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Brown) Witter, both of whom were natives of Germany and there 
spent their entire lives.  The father was a blacksmith by trade.

Mr. Witter whose name heads this record spent his boyhood days in the Fatherland and acquired
such educational advantages as were afforded by the district schools, which he attended 
until fifteen years of age.  He then began learning the carpenter's trade, serving a three
years' apprenticeship, during which time he thoroughly mastered the business, becoming an
efficient workman.  He followed his chosen occupation in Germany in 1868, and with the hope 
of bettering his financial condition he sailed for New  York, and when he had landed on 
American soil started at once for Dubuque.

Ere his emigration Mr. Witter was married.  In 1866 he was joined in wedlock with Miss Louise
Rowdebush, who died in 1868, leaving two children, a son and daughter, Louisa and Cornelius.
On the 6th of May, 1869, Mr. Witter was again married, his second union being with Miss 
Mary Groebe.  To them have been born six children, three sons and three daughters, Louis, 
William, Frank, Elizabeth, Annie and Clara.  The parents are consistent and faithful members
of St. john's Lutheran Church, and are highly respected citizens of the community.  Their
home is located on White Street.

When Mr. Witter came to Dubuque, he worked at his trade in the employ of others for some 
time, being thus engaged until 1882, when he began business in his own interest.  He is now
a prominent contractor and builder, and the liberal patronage which he receives yields him
a good income.  Among the many fine buildings which stand as monuments to his thrift and 
enterprise are the home of Charles Hollnagle, the Herman business block and many others.

Cornelius Witter, who is the junior member of the firm, is a thoroughgoing young business man
and an expert mechanic.  He was born in Germany in 1868, and during his infancy was brought by 
his father to America.  he acquired his education in the schools of Dubuque and then learned
the carpenter's trade, becoming very proficient in that line.  To the practical experience 
and tried judgment of his father he adds the enterprise and ambition of a young man, and the 
combination therefore make an excellent firm.

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