Bio: Laabs, Bernard F. (1875 - 19??)

Contact: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Laabs, Bartz, Pautz, Kreutzer, McKinley, Garske

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

Laabs, Bernard F. (7 July 1875 - 19??)

BERNARD F. LAABS,* music dealer, at Wausau, Wis., was born in this city, July 7, 1875, and is a son of August and Julia (Bartz) Laabs, who were born, reared and married in Germany. They came to Wisconsin in 1864 and often described early conditions to their children, relating how they walked the entire distance from Merlin, Wis., to Waukesha, on account of lack of transportation facilities. August Laabs acquired a farm near Wausau and cultivated it until 1906, when he sold it and purchased a residence in Wausau, living retired during the rest of his life, and dying in April, 1911. His widow still survives, being in her seventy-third year. Six sons and one daughter were born to them: Julius, who lives in Lincoln County. Wis.; Annie, who is the wife of Henry Pautz, of Wausau: Robert, who lives in Mitchell County, Ia.; Otto, who is a resident of Wausau; Albert, who is deceased; and Bernard F. and Emile, both of Wausau.  

Bernard F. Laabs attended a German school for four months and spent several winter evening terms in the Wausau Business College, but from the age of fifteen years has made his own way in the world. As a boy he entered the employ of the St. Paul Railroad Company and remained one and one-half years, afterward, for eleven years, was with A. L. Kreutzer, and for eight years was with the James Music Company as a salesman. Upon the retirement of this company from business he embarked in the same line for himself, establishing his present store on March 1, 1912, at No. 314 Scott Street. He has every reason to be satisfied with his future prospects, having secured the confidence of the public during his long association with other concerns and having made personal friends in all sections. From early manhood he has taken an intelligent and active part in politics and cast his first vote for William McKinley for president of the United States. He was the Republican nominee for register of deeds in the September primaries, 1912.  

In 1899 Mr. Laabs was married to Miss Emma Garske, of Berlin, Marathon County, and they have five children: Bernard, Ruth, Kermit, Voliva, and Quenton. Mr. and Mrs. Laabs are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He belongs to the fraternal order of Modern Woodmen of America, to the Fraternal Reserve Association, the E. F. L. and to the United Commercial Travelers.