Biographical Sketch of

Martin Manthey

Transcribed by Joan Benner



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 521 - 522


Martin Manthey, a leading grocer and insurance agent of Princeton, Wis., is numbered among the enterprising 
and successful business men of Green Lake County, and for a number of years has engaged in the pursuit which 
he still follows. He is of German birth and his parents, Jacob and Catherine (Harn) Manthey, were also natives 
of the same country. By occupation his father was a farmer and followed that business throughout his entire
life, his death occurring in Germany about the year 1845. Ten years previous his wife had been called home, 
dying when our subject was a babe of nine months. Four children graced the union of that couple, but the two 
eldest, John and Samuel, are deceased. Joseph is a resident of Minnesota; and Martin completes the family. 
After the death of his first wife, Mr. Manthey was again married.


Our subject was born Aug. 17, 1834, and on the death of his mother was taken to the home of his relatives by 
whom he was reared until about seventeen years of age, during which time he acquired a common school education. 
He then started out in life for himself dependent alone upon his own resources for a livelihood. He may truly 
be called a self-made man and deserves no little credit for his successful career. Entering a tailoring 
establishment he served an apprenticeship of four years, after which he was employed at various places for 
a period of two years. He had now reached the age of eighteen and believing that he might better his condition 
by removal to the new world, he bade goodbye to his native country and embarked on the broad Atlantic, reaching 
Quebec after a long voyage. He found himself without money in a strange city where he could go to no one for 
aid. His destination was Milwaukee and he had to work his way to that city. Without a cent in his pocket and 
no roof to shelter him he began the search for employment, but for a whole week could obtain no position. Many
of less resolute disposition would have given up in despair but he kept up a brave heart and he finally succeeded 
in securing work at his trade, receiving his board and one dollar a week. At the end of the month he determined 
to work by the piece, performing his labor at his boarding place. In that way he lived for three months and then 
went to West Bend, Wis., where for almost a year he engaged in business for himself.

Unacquainted with the English language except what he picked up during this interval, he determined to engage in 
farm labor and devote every possible minute to the study of our tongue. Through the spring and summer he remained 
upon the farm and in the autumn of 1854 came to Princeton, with the intention of making it his home should he be 
successful in securing work as a tailor, but this he did not do and so started for the home of his brother living 
some eight miles in the country. The journey though a short one was accomplished under great difficulties. The fall 
rains had swollen the rivers until the bridges were all washed away and he was thus forced to swim across the streams. 
The mud was too very deep, but at last, foot-sore and weary, he reached his brother's home, where he remained for 
three days. He then visited among other relatives for about a month, after which he returned to princeton, working at 
his trade until the succeeding year. His next venture was as a salesman and for seven years he served in that capacity, 
after which he again engaged in tailoring for a year. Once more he accepted a clerkship, continuing in that line for 
four or five years, when he started upon the road as traveling agent for a fire insurance company. The succeeding 
five years were spent in that manner, after which he again engaged in clerking, but after a year established himself 
as grocer, in which line of business he has since continued. The firm of M. Manthey and Son is one of the leading 
grocery houses in the county and in connection with the general business of such a store is engaged quite extensively 
in buying and shipping butter, eggs and poultry.

On the 14th day of October, 1862, the marriage of Martin Manthey and Apolina Duschinske was celebrated and of their 
union nine children have been born, but only four are now living--John H., the junior partner of the grocery firm 
before mentioned; Sophia, widow of John Buschke who resides with her parents; Ador A., who is employed in his father's 
store; and Frank, the youngest, yet at home.

Mr. Manthey possesses business ability of a high order, which combined with energy, steadfastness of purpose and 
fair dealing has won him great success. As a citizen, he is public spirited and progressive and has often been called 
upon to serve the public in offical positions. He served as Treasurer, Justice of the Peace and Constable for two 
years each and for one year was Supervisor and village Trustee. He gives liberally in support of all worthy enterprises 
and has ever discharged his duties as a citizen in a faithful and loyal manner. He supports the principles of the 
Democratic party, and himself and wife, who are members of the Catholic Church, are highly esteemed by all. 

 




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