MAEGERLEIN, Francis
Commemorative and Biographical Record of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, 
WI. Chicago: Ogle, 1901, p 545-546

Much of the civilization of the world has come from the Teutonic race. Mr. 
Francis MAEGERLEIN, one of the most enterprising and successful business men 
of Sauk County, WI, is a worthy representative of this class. He was born in 
Mechlenburg, Germany, 14 Jun 1841, and is a son of John George MAEGERLEIN, 
who was a butcher by trade, as was also his father, grandfather and the 
ancestors of our subject as far back as known. He was in a measure brought 
up to the same business. In 1850, when nine years of age, he sailed with the 
family from Hamburg on a brig which was eight long weeks in crossing the 
Atlantic. Landing in NY they proceeded by steamboat to Albany [NY], and 
thence by canal and the Great Lakes to Milwaukee, where they arrived two 
weeks later. After five years spent in that city they came to Sauk County 
[WI] on 21 Mar 1855, and the father purchased 160 acres of land in Honey 
Creek Township. This locality was then all wild and unimproved, few 
settlements had been made and there were no roads, but in going from place to 
place the pioneers followed the cattle paths and Indian trails. There were 
only two teams of horses in the township, cattle being used for all purposes, 
and there were still a good many Indians here. The father, with the 
assistance of his family, commenced to clear and improve his farm, and to its 
cultivation he devoted his energies until his death. His wife survived him 
for some time, dying in Sauk City [Sauk County, WI] about six years ago.

To this worthy couple were born three children, of whom our subject is the 
oldest. He attended the public schools of his native land from he age of six 
years until coming to America, and was a student for a short time in the 
schools of this country, but the greater part of his education has not been 
gained from text books but has come through observation and contact with the 
business world. He has a good practical knowledge of men and affairs and is 
well qualified to fill almost any position in business or public life. After 
the death of his father he took charge of the home farm, which he now owns, 
successfully operating the same until coming to Sauk City [Sauk County, WI] 
in 1882. The people of Honey Creek Township by this time were numerous, and 
land was developed and adorned with many nice homes, and they were loth to 
have him leave the township, as he proved a valuable member of the [p 546] 
community; but having a son and an adopted daughter to educate, he decided to 
locate in Sauk City, where the educational advantages were better. On coming 
here he embarked in business as a dealer in farm machinery and grain, and 
being a progressive, wide-awake business man, he met with success from the 
very start, selling over $15,000 worth of machinery in two years. At present 
he has an elevator near the depot and he and his son are engaged in the grain 
business under the firm name of Francis MAEGERLEIN & Son. He is also one of 
the board of five directors and a stockholder in the canning factory; was 
instumental in organizing the Sauk City Press Publishing Company, of which he 
was the first president, and succeeded in placing the paper, "Wisconsin 
Workman," on a good paying basis and secured the present efficient editor, 
Charles F. NINMAN.

In Honey Creek Township, Mr. MAEGERLEIN married Miss Jane QUIRK, a native of 
Lower Canada, and they have one child, John, who is engaged in business with 
his father. As a Democrat Mr. MAEGERLEIN has taken an active and prominent 
part in local politics, and although Honey Creek Township was strongly 
Republican, his popularity and ability were such that he was chosen to fill 
many postions of trust and responsibility. For five consecutive years he 
represented that township on the board of supervisors, and has been elected 
to the same body since coming to Sauk City. He has also been chairman of the 
board for Prairie du Sac Township; was assessor one year; postmaster of Sauk 
City for four years and three months; president of the village two terms; and 
treasurer three years. His public and private life are alike above reproach; 
he has most efficiently discharged all duties that have devolved upon him, 
and has the confidence and respect of the entire community. In religious 
faith he is a Catholic.

Contributed by Cathy Kubly