SHEBOYGAN HISTORY

Frederick David D. Mueller, Page 234

FREDERICK DAVID D. MUELLER, mason contractor and builder, was born in Brandenburg, Germany, April 3, 1852, and is a son of Frederick D. and Wilhelmine (Wendt) Mueller.  Mr. Mueller's parents, with their family, came to America in 1855, settling in Sheboygan.  Frederick D. D. was but three years old when he arrived in the Chair City.  He attended school here, and when of suitable age learned the trade of mason and brick layer, after which he worked as a journeyman mason until 1874, when he formed a partnership with Christian Ackermann, under the firm name of Mueller & Ackermann, mason contractors and builders.  They erected many of the prominent business and public buildings and residences of Sheboygan, doing the most extensive business in their line of any masons in the county.  Among the buildings erected by them may be mentioned several school buildings, those of the First, Second, Fourth and Eighth Wards; the Evergreen City Hotel; the National Hotel; the Sheboygan Chronic Insane Asylum; the Grand Hotel; Schlicht's Block, on Eighth Street; Henry Mueller's Block; the Phoenix Chair Company's plant, and that of the Sheboygan Chair Company; the Roenitz Tannery; Gutsch's Brewery; Johan's Block; the Pfeifer Block; the principal business buildings on Eighth Street; the South Side Catholic Church; a large portion of the J. J. Vollrath Manufacturing Company's plant; the Crocker Chair Company's factory (B), and the Winter Lumber Company's lumber factory.  They also erected many fine residences, among which may be named those of Mayor Frank Geele, Otto Foeste, Christian Neumeister and numerous others.  They also carried on the manufacture of brick extensively, and had an active existence from 1874 to 1891, covering a period of seventeen years, after which the firm was dissolved by mutual consent.

    Mr. Mueller was married in Sheboygan, on the 14th of November, 1874, to Miss Anna Wedell.  Mrs. Mueller was born in Sheboygan and is a daughter of Otto Wedell, now deceased, who was an old settler of Sheboygan.  Mr. Mueller's parents are still living and are residents of the Chair City.  They are members of the German Lutheran Church.

    Prior to going into business with Mr. Ackermann, Mr. Mueller went to Chicago, where he was employed at his trade for four years.  After the great fire of 1871 he helped to re-build the great metropolis of the West.  He also worked in Muskegon, Mich., helping to build the court house while there.

    In politics, Mr. Mueller is a Republican and has served both city and county in official positions.  He was Alderman from the First Ward in 1887--88--89 and '90.  In the fall of 1889, he was elected Sheriff of Sheboygan County, and served as such from January, 1890, to December, 1891.  He made a most efficient and faithful Sheriff and a useful member of the City Council.

    Mr. Mueller has a fine brick residence at the northwest corner of Seventh and Michigan Streets, and owns six other houses, which he rents.  He makes a point of building and selling residences, and has accumulated a good property.  His life has been a busy, helpful one, and he has earned a good name, both in a business way and as a citizen.