WI BIO - Dane Co - STEIN, Christian R.
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol II, pp 332-333

Christian R. STEIN, a leading German citizen of Madison, Dane County, 
Wisconsin, a resident of this city since 1854, was born in the province of 
Baden, Germany, 08 March 1829, and reared in the practical German way. When 
nineteen years of age he set sail for the United States from Havre de Grace, 
on the sailing vessel "St. Dennis," arriving in New York City after a voyage 
of thirty-two days. After spending some time in Rochester, [Monroe County], 
New York, he came on to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1852 he started out all 
alone for California, going via the Nicaragua route, landing in San 
Francisco, from where he proceeded to Hangtown; thence back to Sacramento 
again, and finally to Weaverville, Trinity County, California, where he 
engaged in mining on East Weaver Creek, being very successful, having the 
best mine on the entire creek. After about eighteen months, with his belts 
well filled with glittering dust, he set his face toward home, but when he 
reached San Francisco he was attacked by highwaymen who were leading him to a 
supposed hotel. Taking in the surroundings he saw that he was being led into 
a trap, so made good use of a pair of strong arms, knocked down several of 
his assailants, made his way into the street, where he was surrounded again. 
He had part of his money in a belt around his body, which they did not 
discover, and only $5 in his pocketbook, and agreed to let them have that if 
they let him go, which they did. He made his way back to New York, thence to 
Milwaukee, reaching there in the fall of 1853. The following spring he came 
to Madison.

Christian R. STEIN is the first and only one of his family to come to 
America, his emigration being caused by the revolution of 1848, in which he 
was a volunteer. His father, Godfried STEIN, was a well to do baker, who 
died in his native land, at about the age of seventy. His wife, Conigund 
(WEIS) STEIN, died about ten years before her husband, aged sixty years. 
They were both members of the Catholic Church. One brother of our subject, 
Conrad, is yet living in Germany, being the successor to his father's 
business. Another brother, Valentine, died about two years ago. He was a 
prominent lawyer in his native town. Four sisters, Teckla, Theresa, Glara, 
and Barbara, are all married and have families in Germany. Since Mr. STEIN 
came to this country he has made five trips back to his native land to visit 
his old home.

After coming to Madison in the spring of 1854, Christian R. STEIN began the 
manufacture of soap, but after several years he established a grocery store 
on East Washington Avenue, continuing to operate the same for about twenty 
years. At the same time he was engaged in the lumber business under the firm 
name of Moore & Stein. After a few years Mr. STEIN bought his partner's 
interest, continuing it on his own account for about ten years, when he 
associated Mr. A. H. KAYSER and William WEISKOPF, his sons-in-law, with him, 
under the firm name of C. R. Stein & Company. They carry all kinds of soft 
and hard lumber for general house furnishing supplies, and have one of [p 
333] the largest trades in the city. In addition they have a yard in Paoli 
[Dane County], Wisconsin. During his residence here Mr. STEIN has been one 
of the live, energetic Germans of the city, and a leader of the people of his 
nationality in the place. He takes an active interest in local matters that 
have for their object the betterment of the community. He is also the 
proprietor of a large elevator manufactory located at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 
under the management of his son-in-law, P. H. BRODESSER, known as the 
Drodesser Manufacturing Company. This establishment employs from 50 to 60 
men all the time. When our subject came to Madison he had lost nearly 
everything, and is now one of the wealthiest citizens.

Christian R. STEIN has served one term as Alderman in the Common Council of 
the city; is a member of the Madison Business Club, the Freemasons and 
Knights of Pythias, and organized the order of Druids in Madison, known as 
Madison Grove, No. 4, in 1857; he was also a member of the old fire company, 
when hand engines were used.

Christian R. STEIN was married in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, WI, about 
1853, to Miss Frankie BAUMANN, who was born, reared and educated in Baden, 
Germany, coming to the United States in 1853. She died at her home in 
Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin, 24 November 1889, aged fifty-eight years. 
During her lifetime she proved herself a true woman in every sense of the 
word. The Catholic Church had in her a faithful member. To the several 
children born to Christian R. and Frankie (BAUMANN) STEIN, Mrs. STEIN proved 
herself a kind and indulgent mother. Their names were as follows: (1) 
Teckla, widow of Fritz RENTER, who died eleven years ago in Madison, a 
successful business man; (2) Hedwig, wife of A. H. KAYSER of the C. R. Stein 
Company, in the wholesale lumber business, and secretary of the Madison 
Lumber Company; (3) Bertha, wife of William WEISKOPF of the C. R. Stein 
Lumber Company, in the retail lumber trade; (4) Ottilia, wife of P. H. 
BRODESSER, manager and secretary of the Brodesser Manufacturing Company; and 
(5) Ida, wife of Emil MEYER, a wholesale liquor dealer on East Chicago 
Avenue, Chicago, Cook County, IL. Christian R. STEIN enjoys the respect and 
esteem of all who know him, and his family of daughters are a credit to him.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly