WI BIO - Dane Co - MINCH, William
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol I, pp 234-235

William MINCH, a prominent merchant of Paoli, dates his residence in Dane 
County, Wisconsin, from 1854. He was born in Rhein Pfalz, Bavaria, 22 June 
1845, being a son of Bernard and Franciska MINCH, who were born, 
respectively, 23 January 1815 and 24 October 1815. Bernard MINCH was a 
farmer and carried on an agricultural life in his native land until 1854, 
when he came to the U. S. The family landed in New York City in April, and 
at once started for Wisconsin. They were able to come as far as Stoughton 
[Dane County], Wisconsin, by rail, and then took wagons to Madison. At once 
Mr. MINCH purchased 80 acres of land in Montrose Township [Dane County, WI]. 
At this time the land here was all a wilderness, the land entirely unimproved 
and covered with timber. As quickly as possible a log cabin was erected for 
the protection of the family, and Mr. MINCH began the improvement of his 
farm. He had about $600 in money and his family did not endure as many 
hardships as did those who came entirely without means. He continued tilling 
the soil until 1876, when he retired from active labor, but still resides on 
the [p 235] farm, which now consists of 180 acres of well improved land. He 
is an adherent of the Democratic party, but only takes enough interest in it 
to vote. Both parents were members of the Roman Catholic Church.

They [Bernard and Franciska MINCH] reared a family of five girls and one boy: 
Catherine, married to Frank MENG, and resides in Mazomanie [Dane County], 
WI; Salome, married Jacob SCHROEDER and resides in Middleton [Dane County], 
where she is Postmistress; Barbara, married Jacob STRICKER and resides in 
Middleton; Elizabeth married Fred SAUER and resides on the old homestead, and 
Gertrude married Anthony SCHILLINGER and resides in Mazomanie.

Our subject [William MINCH] was the only son of the family and third in order 
of birth. He was only nine years of age when the family came to the U. S., 
was reared on the farm and was taught in the district school. At the age of 
twenty-three years he married Barbara FISCHER, a daughter of John and 
Catherine FISCHER. She was also born in Bavaria, in the same town as her 
husband and came with her parents to America on the same vessel with the 
MINCH family. They also settled in Montrose Township [Dane County, WI], 
where they have passed their remaining years. After marriage [William MINCH] 
resided nearly two years on the farm with his parents, and then established a 
general mercantile business. In this he was associated with Jacob SCHROEDER, 
as partner, and the firm name was Minch & Schroeder. The business was 
carried on until the death of Mr. SCHROEDER in 1875, but Mrs. SCHROEDER 
retained an interest in the business until 1879, at which time our subject 
became sole proprietor and is now one of the successful merchants of the 
county, carrying a general and excellent stock of goods.

Mr. and Mrs. [William] MINCH have three sons and two daughters living, one 
daughter, Lena, having died at the age of thirteen years. The names of the 
living children are: Carl, Jacob, Salome, Lizzie, and William. In politics 
Mr. MINCH is a Democrat, but would not willingly accept public office. All 
his life he has been actively occupied in business, for five years conducing 
an hotel at Paoli [Dane County, WI]. He received from his father $1,000, and 
by good judgment increased this by successful investment. Being upright and 
industrious, he has succeeded in whatever he has undertaken.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly