Genealogy Index to Lannon Residents - Past & Present
Frank & Matthew Berschens General Merchandise Store
Compiled and Edited by Michael R. Reilly
Last Revised 03/03/2005
Horses lined the street on a Farmer's Fair Day about 1910 as the farmers and their wagons congregated in front of the Berschens Bros. General Merchandise Store (Frank and Matt). At the time the street was Menomonee Ave, but today it is Lannon Road.
Berschens Family
May 8, 1888 a Frank Berschens. died in Town of Menomonee, Waukesha Co.; born in Prussia in 1850; widow Catharina (Catharine), age 28 in 1880 Census. Frank was a farmer not in the mercantile business. Possible brother of John below? Source: Waukesha Freeman.
In the 1880 Census a John Berschens (older brother of Frank?), age 39 (born 2 May 1842), lived next door (in the Town of Menomonee) with his wife Magdalena, age 40, and son Matthias, age 12, born in Prussia, and dau. Elizabeth, age 10, born in Wisconsin (Berschens immigrated to Wisconsin from Germany about 1870).
The 1900 Census shows a John Berschens, b. 1840, living in the Town of Menomonee with wife Magdalena, b. 1838, with son Mathias, b. 1867 (age 32), and son Frank, b. 1881 (age 18). Mathias was a son cutter and Frank worked as a farm laborer.
In 1910, the Census has a 27 year old Frank Berschens living with Frank Schroeder, his wife Mary and Dau. Viola. Frank is listed as being Schroeder's "partner" in the grocery business.
July 7, 1910, Waukesha Freeman reports that Frank Berschens marries Rose Goeller, dau. of Mr & Mrs. Nicholas Goeller at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Menomonee Falls. Bride is from the Falls, and Frank is a businessman in Lannon where he lives. Frank, Jr. born between 1881 and 1884.
| The Schroeder General Store in Lannon, c. 1905. Frank Schroeder went into the grocery business here while his brother Fred operated a meat market northwest of this store. The store was immediately south of the old wooden Lannon Graded School, today address is W204 N7266 Lannon Rd.). When Frank and Fred learned of the Northwestern Railroad coming to Templeton, they both sold their businesses. Frank sold his to partner Frank Berschens (and Matt Berschens ?), and Fred to H. Walter's & Sons sometime in 1910. Source: Fred Keller's Retrospect, Sussex Sun. |
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As of Nov 6, 1919 the Waukesha Freeman indicates that Frank and his wife are in Lannon, Town of Menomonee, and again in 1922. 1930 Census - Frank is in Lannon with wife, Rose, age 45. His occupation - Proprietor of a general store.
1920 Census shows Berschens
, Mathew L., age 35, living in Dane County, Madison Township, with wife Mary J., age 30, son, John T., age 7, and son Robert B.(?), age 6. He was born in Wisconsin, his wife in Illinois. His parents were both born in Germany while Mary's were both from Ireland. It indicates he was working at the State Capitol but in what capacity isn't listed.The 1930 Census still has Matt in Dane County working as a truck driver, living with Mary and son John.
A John Berschens lived in Dane Co. and married a Anna Mary Mergen on 1 Feb 1897 in Martinsville, Dane Co, WI. John died on 31 May 1932 and was buried 3 Jun 1932 in Waunakee, Dane Co, WI. Source: 1880 Census: www.familysearch.org A number of other Berschens lived in Illinois. Related?