| Notes |
- SOURCE: CHIPPEWA FALLS HERALD TELEGRAM OBITUARY
April 19, 1933
W. WEYENBERG IS CALLED BY DEATH AT HOME TUESDAY
Pioneer Shoe Manufacturer and Retailer Passed Away After Three Weeks Illness
William Weyenberg, 74 years old, pioneer shoe retailer and manufacturer of the city, died at his home shortly before 5 o'clock Tuesday afternoon after an illness of more than three weeks. Mr. Weyenberg came to Chippewa Falls from Appleton in 1885 and engaged in the retail shoe business on Spring Street at the same location now occupied by the Weyenberg Shoe Store. After about ten years he organized the Weyenberg Shoe Manufacturing Factory Co., the factory being located over the store. The business developed and after disposing of his retail business the manufacturing business was moved to Milwaukee in 1900. After living there two years, Mr. Weyenberg disposed of his interest in the Weyenberg Shoe Manufacturing Co., to his brother, Martin, and his nephew, F.L. Weyenberg, and returned to Chippewa Falls.
Organizes L.W. Company.
After returning here, he purchased the retail shoe business of the E. Poznanski Co., which he conducted for two years and then organized the L.W. Shoe Co., with the factory located over his store. This company grew until the upstairs plant was outgrown, and then the large and modern factory building on E. Central Street was erected. In 1921 the L.W. Shoe Co., was disposed of to the Olson Shoe Co., which later was acquired by the Foshay Shoe Co., which later failed when the Foshay intrests collapsed. The building is now vacant pending disposition of the Foshay holdings. After disposing of his interests in the L.W. Co., Mr. Weyenberg retired for two years and then purchased the business of the Greenwald Shoe Co., which was located on Bridge Street. This business was moved to his own building on Spring Street and he was active in it management until forced to retire by illness on March 25. Mr. Weyenberg was active in business affairs of this city and was instrumental in organization of the Chippewa Paper Box Co., and the Chippewa Glove Factory. Last year he assisted in the organization of the Lakeside Shoe Co., which is now manufacturing hand made shoes in the factory over the shoe store.
Born at Little Chute
Mr. Weyenberg was born at Little Chute, Wisconsin March 25, 1859, and spent practically all of his life in Wisconsin. He obtained his education in the public schools at Appleton and his first employment was in a large chair factory there. After three years with that concern, he went to Milwaukee where he followed the same line of work for two years when he returned to Appleton to work for his old employer. After a year the factory was destroyed by fire and it was then he became conected with the retail shoe business. On June 3, 1884, he married Miss Angeline De Kelver at Green Bay, Wisconsin, and the following year they came to Chippewa Falls and he opened a retail shoe store under his own name. Besides his extensive business activities, Mr. Weyenberg was prominent in Catholic circles throughout his life. Being a member of Catholic Knights of Wisconsin, Catholic Order of Foresters and the Catholic Federation of Wisconsin. He was also a member of the Elks Lodge.
Surviving are two sons, William A. and Leo C. of this city and three daughters, Helen now Sr. Cornelia of the Notre Dame Order; Mrs. Charles H. Danner and Mrs. E.F. Stumpf of this city. Funeral services will be held at Notre Dame Church at 9 o'clock Friday morning with interment at Hope Cemetery.
|
1859 - 1933 (74 years)
