Biographical Sketch of

Richard Mueller

Transcribed by Barbara Voss


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 460 - 461

Richard Mueller, the enterprising druggist of Princeton, like many of his leading fellow townsmen is of German birth. 
Of a family of nine children born to Michael and Amalie Mueller, he was the eldest. His mother is a native of Poland, 
his father of France, who traces his ancestry back to the time of the Huguenots. By profession he was a teacher in the 
old country and continued to make his home in Germany until 1881, when he came to America, locating in Princeton, that 
he might spend the remainder of his days near his children, all of whom, with one exception, are residents of this 
State. Herman, the second of the family makes his home in Ripon; Gustave is engaged in the practice of medicine in 
Menasha; Olga is the wife of Otto Rupp of Sheboygan, agent of the American Express Company; Eugenie is the wife of 
Fritz Muehlbradt and is still living with her husband in Germany; Arthur resides in Princeton, as does also the next 
younger, Franz, who is a pharmacist; Fritz makes his home in Ripon; and Alma, who completes the family is yet with 
her parents.

In his native land our subject was reared to manhood, receiving a liberal education in the schools of that country, 
graduating from the Gymnasium at Bromberg, Prussia. When seventeen years of age, having completed his studies, he began 
preparing himself for a business career. He entered a lawyer�s office with the intention of making the legal profession 
his life work, and shortly afterward was appointed Register of the Common Court at Schubin, Germany, in which capacity he 
served for three months. Very favorable were the reports which had reached him of this country and he then determined 
to try his fortune in the New World. In the month of April 1868, bidding good-bye to home and friends, he embarked upon 
the broad Atlantic and at length arrived safely in New York, whence he went direct to St. Louis. Mo., where for a short 
time he was engaged in drilling stone. In that way he earned his first money in the New World. His next place of 
residence was St. Paul, Minn., but after a short time he removed from that city to Rum River Reservation, Minn., where 
he was employed as a farm hand for some ten weeks, at the end of which time he again resumed his travels, continuing 
on until reaching Ripon, Wis. His search for employment in that city was vain and he walked from there to Princeton, 
where he entered the employ of a merchant, receiving $8 per month for his services as salesman. Four years were spent 
in that line in Princeton, after which he clerked for three years in Oshkosh and one year in Appleton, Wis. He then 
came again to the city where he now makes his home, entering the employ of August Swanke as book-keeper. He wished to 
establish in business for himself and in order to increase his financial resources during that time he engaged in 
teaching an evening school. At the expiration of a year he found that as a result of his industry he had some little 
capital and on the 19th day of May 1875 in company with his brother Gustave, who is now engaged in the practice of 
medicine at Menasha, he opened a drug store. The firm was dissolved in 1887, since which time our subject has been sole 
proprietor, his brother Franz, however, assisting him in his duties. From the establishment of the store it has received 
a liberal patronage and the trade is constantly increasing. It is one of the largest establishments of the kind in the 
county and its owner has a wide reputation for fair and honest dealing, which any might envy. He devotes careful 
attention to all details, is systematic and exact and his business is on a firm financial basis. 

Mr. Mueller has held the offices of County Treasurer, Town Clerk and Justice of the Peace, the duties of which he 
discharged to the satisfaction of all concerned. He has also filled several school offices and has ever exerted his 
influence for the advancement of the cause of education. Since 1870, he has supported the Democratic Party. Socially, 
he is a member of the Princeton Turn Verein, of which he has been Speaker for two terms and teacher of gymnastics and 
calisthenics for eight years.






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