SHEBOYGAN HISTORY

William F. Grube, Page 727

WILLIAM F. GRUBE is a well-known business man of the Chair City, where he has made his home for thirty-four years.  He was born in Lahenberg, Hanover, Germany, February 9, 1850, being a son of Louis and Lizzie Grube, who were natives of the same province.  His father was a prosperous farmer in the Old Country, but, believing the United States a better place for his children, he severed the ties of home and kindred, and in 1859 set sail from Bremen for Baltimore, Md.  So slow were the means of travel at that time, that it took nine weeks to cross the ocean.  The family consisted of the parents and six children, three sons and three daughters.  Coming direct to Sheboygan, the parents spent the remainder of their lives in this city.  The father's death occurred in October, 1890, in the eighty-second year of his age.  The mother passed away in 1888, at the age of seventy-six.  Prior to the emigration of the family to this country, the eldest son, Frederick, had come to the United States, in 1853, and located at Sheboygan.  He is now a farmer of Wood County, Wis.  The six children who came with their parents are as follows:  Wilhelmine, the wife of Henry Bowe, of Sheboygan; Caroline, who married Gottlieb Zurheide, of this city; Amelia, who became the wife of William Nack, who also resides in the Chair City; Louis, a saloon-keeper of the same place; William F. and August H., who constitute the well-known boot and shoe firm of Grube Bros.

    The subject of this notice, having attended the public schools until fifteen years of age, spent two years with his brother-in-law, Mr. Bowe, in learning the shoemaker's trade.  The succeeding three years he traveled and worked at the same.  Mr. Grube has passed through quite an interesting and varied business career.  Quitting the trade he had learned, he turned his attention to coopering, and for some seven or eight years carried on that line of business in partnership with his brother.  They had a large and lucrative trade, giving employment to some ten men.  The next venture in which we find our subject is that of keeping a boarding-house and saloon, which he followed some six years.  In 1890, he became a member of the firm of Grube Bros.  They carry a large and well-assorted stock, and are recognized as one of the leading firms, in their line, in the city.

    Mr. Grube was married August 17, 1873, to Miss Bertha, sister of Christian Neumeister.  The wedding ceremony was performed in the Chair City.  Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Grube:  Amanda; Alfred, who is learning the drug business; William and Gustav.

    Mr. Grube is a member of the following civic societies:  Sons of Herman, Knights of the Maccabees, and the Patriarchal Circle.  Politically, he is a stanch Democrat, but has never been an office-seeker, preferring to devote himself to his business interests, in which he has been fairly successful.