WI BIO - Dane Co - MAYER, Casper
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol II, 496-497

Casper MAYER, deceased, for years one of the prominent German-American 
citizens of Madison, Dane County, WI, died at his home, 615 Gorham Street, 08 
Jun 1884. Coming to Madison in Nov 1853, he began life in this city as a 
dealer in wines and liquors, having brought his stock from the city of 
Milwaukee [Milwaukee County, WI], where he had been in business prior to 
coming to this place. Having established himself in Madison, he soon became 
popular with the public, his business growing from the time he started. For 
some time he was located on King Street, but later moved to No. 11 Main 
Street, at which place he was actively engaged until the time of his death. 
The general opinion expressed concerning Mr. MAYER was that he was a friend 
to everyone, and he was always regarded as one of the best of the 
German-American citizens. His care that no ill should occur to anyone from 
any abuse of the goods he had for sale was well known. With his capable and 
efficient wife he accumulated a handsome competency, and at the time of his 
decease left a wide circle of mourning friends. In 1862 our subject made a 
visit to Germany to once more see his aged mother, for whom he had cared 
since the death of his father. That sad event occurred when Casper was but a 
mere boy, and he had ever since carefully looked after her wants, always 
sending her a part of his income, even when it was very small.

With no one to help him, our subject came to this country alone, and tried 
the best he could to earn a living at Chillicothe, Ohio, [p 497] whence in 
1847, he came to Milwaukee. In the latter city he was married, in 1848, 
having at that time a small fruit stand, but in 1849 he began the business 
which he afterward conducted so successfully. His place in Madison was 
always called "Casper's Place."

Casper MAYER was born in Gattemheim, Germany, near Friedberg, in the Province 
of Baden, 01 Nov 1821. He came of good, respectable, German parents, who had 
lived worthy lives in Germany. His father, Casper MAYER, died in his native 
province when our subject was but a small boy. He was engaged in the oil 
manufacturing business. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was 
Agatha HUHN, and she lived to be seventy-three years of age, dying in her 
native province, and both she and her husband had been members of the Roman 
Catholic Church. Our subject was the only son of the family, and had but one 
sister, Walie, who died at the age of fourteen years. Mr. MAYER of this 
notice, after the death of his father, went to live with an uncle, a brother 
of his father, who was in easy circumstances, and he gave young MAYER a 
practical education and also taught him the trade of shoemaker. This was not 
at all congenial to our subject and he did not resume it after coming to 
America. In politics our subject was an independent Democrat, and was a man 
who had never sought office, was generous to a fault, and always gave 
liberally to everything which seemed to promise good to his city or State.

In Milwaukee [Milwaukee County], WI, 30 Oct 1848, Casper MAYER was married to 
Miss Elizabeth STEINLE, who was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, 18 Aug 1829, a 
daughter of Joseph and Eva (ANER) STEINLE, natives of Wurtemberg, who were 
there reared and married, remaining until Mrs. MAYER of this sketch was seven 
years of age. She was one of two children, still living, her sister being 
Anna M., the wife of Thomas PIGGOTT, now living in Chicago [Cook County, IL], 
where he is engaged as a mechanic. Joseph STEINLE was a second time married, 
in his native province, to Miss Frances KOENELY, and later the family came to 
the U. S., in 1840, via Havre de Grace, landing in New York City. Three 
months after leaving their home they had settled down in Lancaster [Fairfield 
County], Ohio, where they remained six years and then removed to Milwaukee, 
where the last days of their lives were spent.

Mrs. MAYER, the wife of the our subject, became well known as a most 
excellent cook, and in this way assisted her husband very materially. She 
was always cheerful, willing to assist, and was one of the best wives, highly 
esteemed everywhere. As Mr. MAYER conducted a restaurant with his other 
business, Mrs. MAYER had a chance to show how well she could manage her part 
of the business. For years he was an active supporter of the Holy Redeemer 
Catholic Church. Mr. and Mrs. MAYER were the parents of seven children, all 
of whom are yet living: Anna R. and Elizabeth, at home; M. Theresa, the wife 
of Peter HOVEN, now living in New Haven [New Haven County], CT, where he 
conducts a carriage factory; Emilie F., the wife of Stephen BAAS, who runs 
the pleasure boats in Madison and resides in the city, having one child; 
Alexius H. and Casper Adolph, who now conducts the business left by his 
father. He has been twice married and has two sons, Charles B. and Adolph L. 
R.; Bertha M. is a prominent teacher of art in this city [Madison, WI]; and 
Helen L. is a student at the State University [at Madison, WI]. [The 
structure of the above sentence is somewhat ambiguous, but appears to 
indicate that the seven children are Anna R., Elizabeth, M. Theresa, Emilie 
F., Casper Adolph, Bertha M., and Helen L.]

Submitted by Cathy Kubly