| 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. |
Dubuque
County IAGenWeb