WI BIO - Dane Co - FISCHER, William
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol II, pp 383-384

William FISCHER, a successful merchant and the Postmaster at Paoli, Dane 
County, Wisconsin, the oldest merchant in the place, his residence in Dane 
County, WI, dating from 1854, was born in Rhein Pfalz, Bavaria, 24 August 
1837, a son of John and Catherine FISCHER, natives of Bavaria, born in 1809 
and 1814, respectively. John FISCHER owned a very good farm in his native 
land, but concluded that he could do better in the New World, and thus in 
1854 started for the U. S., landing in New York in April, coming at once to 
Wisconsin, by rail to Stoughton, Dane County, Wisconsin, [p 384] thence to 
Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin, by wagon. He at once entered 160 acres of 
Government land, in Section 5, Montrose Township, and also purchased 86 acres 
of land, all of which was unimproved and covered with timber.

John FISCHER built a log cabin and the family commenced life in true pioneer 
style. There were no roads, and the nearest market was Madison, sixteen 
miles distant, but he had expected hardships and difficulties as he had but 
little money when he came to the U. S. He was a very hard working man, 
persevering, industrious and economical, and gave his whole attention to 
farming and gained a competency before he died, in 1880, his wife surviving 
him ten years. They were both members of the Roman Catholic Church, and he 
found the Democratic party to best agree with his political views. John and 
Catherine FISCHER had five children born to them, three of whom grew to 
maturity: Catharine, who is now the wife of Frank DUPPLER and resides in 
Montrose Township, Dane County, WI; Barbara, wife of William MINCH, of the 
same township; and William, our subject, who is the oldest of the three.

William FISCHER attended the district schools after coming to the U. S., and 
ably assisted in clearing the farm. He resided at home until he was 
twenty-six years of age, when he took a trip East. He went to Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania, where he engaged in clerking for some time, then went to 
Tyrone, Blair County, Pennsylvania, and engaged in the same occupation, but 
after three years residence in the East, he returned to Wisconsin, and 
established the business at Paoli, which he still conducts, and has been 
Postmaster of the town since 1866. He also represents four fire insurance 
companies.

William FISCHER was married in 1867 to Miss Emilia SITZMAN, daughter of Peter 
and Anna Maria SITZMAN, then living in the city of Madison, Dane County, 
Wisconsin. Anna Maria SITZMAN was born in West Point, Orange County, New 
York, and accompanied her parents to Wisconsin. William and Emilia (SITZMAN) 
FISCHER have four children: Emma; Julia, now the wife of Paul KRAUSE, of 
Chicago, Cook County, Illinois; Irena and Anna. All of the children have 
been well educated. In politics William FISCHER is a Democrat, and has been 
called upon to serve in the offices of Town Treasurer and Township Clerk, the 
former for a period of seven years, and the latter for ten years. 
Twenty-five years of married life have not changed his love of humor, and he 
is still fond of his jokes, and is a genial and entertaining gentleman.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly