SHEBOYGAN HISTORY

Henry Imig, Page 679

HENRY IMIG is one of the early settlers of Sheboygan, where he has carried on merchant-tailoring for over forty years.  His birth occurred in Simmern, Prussia, Germany, December 6, 1838.  When thirteen years of age, young Henry accompanied his parents, Michael and Julia (Koelsh) Imig, to the New World.  In 1851, the family, consisting of the parents and five children, took passage aboard a sailing-vessel which touched at London, England, thence going to New York.  the trip was a remarkably quick one for those times, requiring only twenty-two days to cross the ocean.  On the 2d of May, of the same year, they arrived at the Evergreen City.  the father, who had carried on merchant-tailoring in his native land, embarked in the same line of business here.  He was permitted to enjoy his new home but two years, when he was suddenly taken away.  As a member of a volunteer fire Company, he was called out to save burning property, when, by accident, he was run over by the fire engine and so seriously injured that he died three days later.  His widow still survives, being seventy-seven years of age.  Upon the death of the father, his two sons, Henry and Charles, took up the business where it had been dropped, and successfully conducted it for twenty-three years in partnership.  In 1891, the latter retired from the business, when the former's eldest son, Henry C., became a partner in the establishment, the firm assuming the title of H. Imig & Co.  They do a prosperous business at the same stand where it was established forty-two years ago by Michael Imig.

    The gentleman whose name heads this article was married in the city where he has done business for so many years, September 25, 1865, to Miss Mina Walther, who was born in Saxony, Germany, and when a child accompanied her parents to this country.  She has become the mother of six children.  Minnie is the wife O. B. Henchel, of Milwaukee; Lydia married John Balzer, of Sheboygan; Meta, Henry C., Mary and Clara are at home.

    Henry C. Imig, the junior member of the firm, was born in Sheboygan, May 21, 1870.  Good educational privileges were afforded him in the public schools of his native city.  When fifteen of age, he commenced to learn the tailor's trade in his father's establishment.  To further equip himself for his calling, he took a course in cutting, both in Cleveland, Ohio, and New York City.  Upon the completion of that course, he became a member of the firm of H. Imig & Co., in 1890.  He is a young man who stands high in both business and social circles.

    In 1884, Mr. Imig, Sr., replaced the frame building in which his father had done business with an elegant two-story brick structure, 21 x 88 feet.  In this is kept a full line of goods, such as would be found in any first-class house of the kind.

    Both Mr. and Mrs. Imig are members of the German Reformed Church.  In politics, Mr. Imig has taken no active part, as his business interests have always demanded his entire time and attention.