Muschewske, Louis C. "Lou" 1881 - 1957

MUSCHEWSKE, ORTMAN, SOLTAU, OATES

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 11/7/2024 at 03:06:43

Clayton County Register, 14 Nov. 1957.

Funeral services for Louis C. Muschewske, 76, retired printer and newspaper man, were held at Guttenberg Tuesday, Nov. 12. Burial was in the city cemetery at Guttenberg.

Muschewske died at his home in Rock Island, Ill., last Saturday night, Nov. 09, following several years of ill health.

Lou, as he was commonly known, was born in Elkader on July 19, 1881. He was the son of Friedrich Wilhelm and Elisa (Ortman) Muschewske. His father was a native of Prussia who fought in the Franko-Prussia war in 1870-71 and then came to America after the close of the conflict. His mother was born in Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Germany.

Muschewske was educated in the Elkader schools and on June 20, 1898, began his apprenticeship on the Nord Iowa Herold, a German language newspaper published in the building that is now occupied by the Cowie Studio in Elkader.

Later he was associated with other newspapers in the state until on May 12, 1911, he entered partnership with his younger brother, Harry J., to purchase the Guttenberg Press at Guttenberg.

On October 04, 1911, he was married to Miss Minnie K. Soltau of Guttenberg. To this union was born one daughter, Wilma.

In 1922 the brothers sold The Press because of Lou's ill health. After regaining his health he moved to Rock Island, Ill., in 1943 and became associated with the Wagner Printing company of Davenport. He served with this company until his retirement two years ago.

He was a longtime member of the Guttenberg lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Surviving are his wife and daughter, Mrs. _eryl Oates, both of Rock Island. and his brother, Harry, of Elkader.

In his younger days Muschewske was a member of a well-known dance band that operated out of Elkader for a number of years.