Biographical Sketch of

Ferdinand W. Meinke

Transcribed by Joan Benner for the Marquette Co WI Pages



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Page 527

Ferdinand W. Meinke, a prominent merchant of Westfield, has carried on 
business at that place since November 11, 1882. He was born in Marquette 
County, on the 4th of January, 1857, his birth occurring in the town of 
Newton. His parents, Ferdinand and Henrietta Meinke, pioneers of the 
county, settled in the town of Crystal Lake in 1850, and two years 
afterward became residents of the town of Newton. Both father and mother 
were natives of Germany, and are numbered among the earliest German 
settlers of Marquette county. Ferdinand Meinke enlisted in the country's 
service as a member of Company H, 44th Wisconsin Regiment, in 1864, and 
remained with his command until the close of the war. Soon after his 
return home he sold his farm in the town of Newton, and purchased land in 
the town of Westfield, but is now a resident of the village of that name. 
In 1889 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died in the 
month of March. They were parents of six children, five of whom are 
living: William, who resides on the old homestead; Ernest W., a 
blacksmith, who make shis home at Iroquois, near Huron, S. D.; Ferdinand 
W., of this sketch; Julius, who is a wagon maker by trade, and a member 
of the firm Meinke & Springborn, of Westfield; and Randolph, who completes
the family, and who has been in the employ of his brother Ferdinand W. 
in the capacity of clerk since Nov. 11, 1882, up to the present time.

Our subject passed his early life in the usual manner of lads, spending 
his time mid play and work, and in the public schools of Westfield 
acquired his education. His experience in the mercantile business began 
in 1872, when his father and C. L. Krentz engaged in that business in 
Westfield, Ferdinand W. acting as their clerk. Subsequently his father 
retired from the firm, and William Pagel became associated with Mr. 
krentz, but afterward the old association was resumed. When he severed 
his connection with the firm of Krentz & Meinke, our subject engaged in 
a similar capacity with A. F. Mosier & Co., with whom he remained two 
months, having accumulated sufficient capital to embark in business for 
himself. This he did in Harrisville, in 1879, and for three years did a 
fair business at that place, but thinking to better his condition, he 
came to Westfield in November, 1882, and has carried on operations in 
that village continuously since. He is numbered among the principal 
merchants of the county, as well as of Westfield, and carries an 
extensive line of all kinds of merchandise with the exception of hardware.

In 1879, Mr. Meinke led to the marriage altar Miss Matilda Blasing, 
daughter of Frederick Blasing, a resident of Westfield, and this young 
couple are widely and favorably known throughout the community in which 
they make their home.

The marked degree of success to which Mr. Meinke has attained in business 
is due to his own individual efforts, his enterprise and excellent 
ability. Cordial and genial in disposition, fair and honorable in all his 
business transactions, he has secured the confidence and respect of the 
community, and his trade is increasing in importance from year to year. 







Back to the Marquette Pages Menu