STOLTE, William & Edward George
Commemorative and Biographical Record of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, 
WI. Chicago: Ogle, 1901, pp 362-364

Biography of William STOLTE (pp 363-364) - father of Edward George STOLTE 
(his bio below)

William STOLTE, one of the most successful business men of Reedsburg, Sauk 
County, WI, was born at Hohenbunstorf, province of Hanover, Germany, 02 Mar 
1833. He is the only survivor of the family of George and Dora (EVERS) 
STOLTE, which included six sons and two daughters, all the others having died 
in childhood. The STOLTE family is one of two which existed in the vicinity 
of Hohenbunstorf as early as the year 1300. A consecutive genealogical 
record has been preserved since 1680, earlier records having been destroyed 
during the Thirty-Years War in Germany. Members of the family have been 
extensive farmers for several centuries, but owning to the custom of 
entailing property, which existed in Germany at that time, George STOLTE 
inherited but little of his father's estate. He came to the U. S. in 1862 
and died at Reedsburg [Sauk County, WI] at the age of 78 years. His wife 
passed away at the age of 71 years.

William STOLTE learned the tailor trade in his native land and with a view to 
bettering his fortunes, came, in 1860, to this county. He worked at his 
trade two years in Madison [Dane County], WI, after which he purchased a 
small stock of clothes and opened a merchant tailoring business at Kilbourn 
City [Columbia County], WI. At the end of three years of successful business 
there, he located, in the fall of 1865, at Reedsburg [Sauk County, WI] and, 
in company with Deidrich SCHWEKE, opened a general store. After the death of 
his partner, which occurred about four years later, he continued the business 
alone, doing a profitable trade until 1883, when he sold out the stock and 
took a trip to Europe, spending several months in rest and recreation. In 
the meantime (1865) he bought the Alba House, a three-story frame hotel 
building, which he enlarged and improved [p 364], fitting it up as a 
first-class hostlery and changing the name to the Central House. Besides the 
hotel this building contained a store, and for some time a cigar factory. 
Mr. STOLTE has never been the active proprietor of the hotel, but rented it 
until 1891, when his son, Edward George STOLTE took charge. [The biography 
of Edward George STOLTE follows below.] The Central House was destroyed by 
fire on 12 Apr 1896, whereupon Mr. STOLTE at once replaced it with the 
present "Hotel STOLTE." It is a substantial brick edifice, the most 
conspicuous building in the city of Reedsburg [Sauk County, WI]. From time 
to time he has made a number of other improvements in the town, including his 
private residence on the south side, which was erected in 1888. He also owns 
a valuable farm lying mostly within the city limits, and is considered one of 
the most prosperous citizens of Sauk County.

On 21 Dec 1862 Mr. STOLTE was married to Dora MEYER, a native of the same 
locality as her husband. She is a daughter of George and Dorothea 
(REITZMANN) MEYER, who became residents of Sauk County, settling near 
Loganville, where Mr. MEYER lived to the age of nearly 90 years, and his wife 
to the age of 76 years. Mr. MEYER was born at Himbergen, Province of 
Hanover, and spent several years in the Prussian army. He accompanied 
Napolean's expedition to Moscow and was captured by the Russians, remaining a 
prisoner in that country for two or three years. Of the nine children born 
to Mr. and Mrs. STOLTE, one died in infancy. The survivors are: (1) Dora, 
(2) Nana, (3) Louise, Mrs. E. H. MARRIOTT, of Baraboo [Sauk County, WI]; 
(4) Lida, (5) Lena, (6) Freda, (7) William, (8) Edward G. and (9) 
George. All have enjoyed good educational advantages and each of the sons is 
occupying a responsible position in business.

Mr. STOLTE has always been a liberal contributor to worthy public 
enterprises. Soon after he located in Reedsburg [Sauk County, WI] he and his 
partner, Mr. SCHWEKE, erected at their own expense the house of worship known 
as St. Peter's Lutheran church. When this congregation was divided in 1871, 
he became a member of the Evangelical Lutheran St. Johannes church, with 
which he and his family are still identified. He also helped to organize the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows at this place, being a member of Reedsburg 
Lodge, No. 135, and of Germania Encampment, No. 17. Since becoming a citizen 
of the U. S. he has been a consistent Democrat. He was for a number of years 
a member of the village board of supervisors, and has served the city as 
trustee and treasurer. In 1888 he was the candidate of his party for county 
treasurer.

Biography of Edward George STOLTE (pp 362-363) - son of William STOLTE

Edward George STOLTE, manager of the Hotel STOLTE at Reedsburg [Sauk County, 
WI], was born in that place, 01 Dec 1867, and is a son of William STOLTE. 
Our subject's education was obtained in the public schools of his native town 
and at the age of 18 years he entered the employ of the Chicago & 
Northwestern Railroad as baggage man at Reedsburg station. After continuing 
in that capacity for three or four years he assumed charge of the Central 
House, the leading hotel of the town, which his father had owned for several 
years previous to that time. He conducted this house until it burned down in 
1896, and has been manager of the Hotel STOLTE since it was opened for 
business in Jan 1897. The house is commodius, [p 363] conveniently arranged 
and fitted up with every modern convenience. In its management he is ably 
assisted by his two sisters, Dora and Nana, who give their personal attention 
to the cuisine and domestic arrangements, these departments being models of 
neatness and order. Mr. STOLTE is a wide-awake and accommodating landlord 
and it is due to the combined efforts of the brother and sisters that the 
house enjoys the reputation of one of the most thoroughly equipped and best 
managed hotels to be found in the state of WI.

In connection with his brother, William A. STOLTE, in Sep 1898, he purchased 
the business of the Reedsburg Telephone Company and has since been in active 
charge of that enterprise. He has placed a new exchange in the hotel, 
affording a ready means of communticaton with all parts of the city and with 
many neighboring towns to guests of the house, as well as to the citizens of 
Reedsburg.

Mr. STOLTE is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, holding official 
positions in the local lodge, chapter, council and commandery. He is also 
identified with the order of the Eastern Star and with the Knights of 
Pythias. He has always taken an intelligent interest in public affairs. 
Since 1891 he has served as city constable. At that date he was also 
appointed deputy sheriff for Sauk County and served two years in that 
capacity, being the youngest man who ever filled that position. Mr. STOLTE 
enjoys the good will of the traveling public in a noteworthy degree and few 
men of his age in Sauk County are held in as high a regard by their fellow 
citizens. Mr. STOLTE was married on 20 Sep 1900 to Miss Florence Pegler 
FRENCH, daughter of W. H. and Sarah (MORTON) FRENCH, prominent residents of 
Reedsburg [Sauk County], WI.

Contributed by Cathy Kubly