Bio: Schirpke, John (1875 - 19??)

Contact: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Schirpke, Petrie

----Source: History of Marathon County Wisconsin and Representative Citizens, by Louis Marchetti, 1913.

Schirpke, John (30 November 1875 - 19??)

John Schirpke, who is county treasurer of Marathon County, Wis., is one of the representative men of this section who, through years of stable and honorable business dealings, gained popularity and secured the full confidence of his fellow citizens. He is a native of Wisconsin, born in Calumet County, November 30, 1875, and is a son of Frank and Rosie Schirpke. For many years after coming from Germany they lived on their farm in Calumet County but in 1903 retired to Marathon City, in Marathon County, where they still reside, highly respected people and devout members of the Catholic Church.

John Schirpke remained on the home farm until he was thirteen years of age and then went to his brother's farm in the town of Frankfort, Marathon County. He was of sturdy build and robust constitution and soon began to work in the woods and for some years spent the long winter months in the lumber camps and during the summers followed farming with his father. Afterward he learned the carpenter trade and worked at that during the summer months but when rigorous weather again set in he was off for the deep woods of Marathon County, the free and wholesome life of the lumber regions not only bringing him good health but also proving satisfactory in a financial way. From being an ordinary carpenter he became a carpenter contractor in the town of Frankfort, from which he moved, in 1897, to Haider, in the town of Emmet, where he embarked in a general mercantile business and so continued until his first election to the responsible office he yet fills. Prior to the establishing of the free rural delivery there he was postmaster of the village. Always a stanch supporter of Democratic doctrines and candidates, Mr. Schirpke became a leader in local political circles and in November, 1910, was elected county treasurer, the seal of approval being placed on his administration by his reelection in November, 1912.

Mr. Schirpke was married in 191 1, to Miss Christina Petrie, of Marathon county, and they have one son, Walter. They are members of the Catholic Church and Mr. Schirpke is identified fraternally with the Catholic order of Foresters and with the Eagles. He was one of the organizers and is a stockholder of the Wausau Brewing Company.