Encyclopedia Dubuque
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WITTER, Louis
WITTER, Louis. (Heidelberg, Germany, July 13, 1837--Dubuque, Nov. 2, 1909). The son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Brown) Witter, attended district schools in Germany until fifteen years of age. He then began learning the carpenter's trade, serving a three years' apprenticeship. In 1868 he sailed for New York and started at once for Dubuque.
Before his emigration, Mr. Witter was married. In 1868 his first wife Louise (Rowdebush) Witter, left him with two children, Louisa and Cornelius. On the May 6, 1869, Mr. Witter married Miss Mary Groebe. They had six children, three sons and three daughters, Louis, William, Frank, Elizabeth, Annie and Clara.
When Mr. Witter came to Dubuque, he worked at his trade as an employee of others until 1882, when he began business on his own. Among the many buildings credited to him were the home of Charles Hollnagle and the Herman business block. Cornelius and Louis F. Witter learned the carpenter's trade and joined their father's business.
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Source:
Portrait and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties, Iowa. Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1894, p. 125