SHEBOYGAN HISTORY

Louis Sonntag, Page 645

LOUIS SONNTAG, a plumber and gas-fitter, and dealer in hot-water heating apparatus, established business in Sheboygan in 1886.  He was born in Alsace, France, now Germany, on the 24th of April, 1854, and is a son of Sebastian and Mary Ann (Zehler) Sonntag.  After attending school in his native country until seventeen years old, in 1871, he emigrated to the United States, and made his home in Dayton, Ohio.  There he attended St. Mary's Institute, of which his uncle was Principal, for two years.  Having completed his course at the institute, he served a regular apprenticeship to the plumber's trade in Dayton.  In January, 1877, he removed to Ft. Wayne, Ind., where he worked at his trade until 1885, when he removed to Sheboygan, Wis.  After working a short time for the Sheboygan Gas Company, he, in February, 1886, began business for himself, in company with C. Keller, but continued that connection only until the following May, since which time he has been alone in business.

    On the 7th of November, 1882, Mr. Sonntag was married, at Ft. Wayne, Ind., to miss Catherine Myers.  Mrs. Sonntag was born in St. Louis, Mo., and is a daughter of George and Rosa (McBennett) Myers.

    To this union six children have been born, three sons and three daughters:  Mary C., Annie Rosa, Joseph Sebastian, Louis Francis, Julia Agatha and Maximan Nicholas Augustine.

    Mr. and Mrs. Sonntag are members of the Catholic Church.  In politics, Mr. Sonntag is a Democrat.  He carries a general stock of brass goods for steam, water and gas fitting, and also does sewer contracting for the city.  While he s not the oldest in his line of business in the city, he has, by the excellence of his work, promptness of execution and reasonableness of prices, won a fair share of patronage, and is doing a prosperous business.