Diary of Alfred E. Potter February, 1935

01.  Friday: Father James C. Hogan pastor of St. Peter's Church and dean of the Catholic clergy in Oshkosh passed away suddenly tonight at a basketball game in St. Peter's Recreation Hall.

02.  Saturday: Rev. Father Hogan was born in Westport Wisc. Aug. 6 – 1869

03.  Sunday:

04.  Monday: Drive to Milwaukee this afternoon with F. W. Mueller and John Demgen.  The roads are fair.  Had dinner at the “Old Heidelberg” Restaurant staid for the evening.

05.  Tuesday: Attended Rexall Meet this morning with Mr. Mueller and John Demgen.  John Patterson is President of the Wisconsin – Upper Michigan Club.  Rev. Father Hogan services at Saint Peter’s today.  Bishop Rohde

06.  Wednesday:

07.  Thursday:

08.  Friday:

09.  Saturday:

10.  Sunday: Donald (son) goes to church all by himself.

11.  Monday: Donald celebrates his seventh birthday.  He has a little party after school.  Junior and Dickie Hill are over, also Mark and Teddy Steckbauer Alvin Ruedinger.

12.  Tuesday: Lincoln Birthday.  Attended the Father and Son Banquet of the Boy Scouts on the south side at the Peace Lutheran Recreation Hall.

13.  Wednesday: Bruno Hauptman is found guilty in the first degree of the Kidnapping and murder of the Lindbergh Baby.  He is given the death sentence by the judge.  Sam Wolfe, former cigarmaker died early this morning at his home 1028 South Main Street.  His wife is a Gelhar daughter.  Born in Billings Mass. Nov. 16 – 1888.

14.  Thursday:

15.  Friday: Sam Wolfe laid to rest this morning.  Services at Saint Vincent’s.

16.  Saturday: Leona Drexler has a birthday.  She is 25, and she doesn’t like it.  Rev. Joseph C. Short, arrived this afternoon from Wabeno to take up duty at Saint Peter’s Church.  He is the newly appointed Pastor to succeed Rev. James C. Hogan.

17.  Sunday:

18.  Monday:

19.  Tuesday: Mary Anne made the bed today all by herself, and does a nice job too!

20.  Wednesday: Grandma Baier is 85 years old today and she celebrates too.  We were over in the evening and helped her celebrate.  She enjoyed the date immensely.

21.  Thursday:

22.  Friday:

23.  Saturday:

24.  Sunday: Attended six Oclock Mass this morning.  It is nice and warm when we got to the church but turned cold while we were attending service.  It is my Sunday on at the store, that means all day.  During the day a blizzard begins and gets worse toward evening.  Temperature is about 10° above zero.  I did some shoveling after work but it did little good.  Thres attended Saint Vincent’s Keeno party and won a dishpan.

25.  Monday: It is still snowing and blowing. All Hiways are blocked. Railroad trains are all the way from 5 to 12 hours late. We can not use our motorcycle for deliveries and I use my car making about 65 miles around town. Mrs. Hermina Andrashko passed away this morning at Sunnyview San. Born Sept. 27, 1873 in Austria. Cousin to Mrs. Potter.

26.  Tuesday: Temperature is at 4° below this morning.

27.  Wednesday: Frank Parker passed away last night at Mercy Hospital.  Brother to Ira Parker.  His Father Ira Sr. passed away some time ago.  They comprised The Ira Parker & Sons Paint Company.  Frank was born on July 2 – 1882 in Chicago.

28.  Thursday:

Diary of Alfred E. Potter January, 1935

01.  Tuesday: Happy New Year, and a happy new year it is.  Got home at 4.30 A.M. from Mr. Mueller’s birthday party, that is my car had to be shoved home.  It is a snappy day.  Attended 10 o’clock service at St. John’s.  In the afternoon visited at John Drexler’s, Joe Drexler’s, and Ottillie Drexler’s.  Sister Claire Marie is here on a visit.  Clara Drexler from Milwaukee is also here.

02.  Wednesday: Had company this evening.  John Drexler, his daughter’s Caroline, Clara and Sister Claire Marie, also Matt Baier, Lena Ray Ostertag and Ann Baier are here for a visit.  Donald and Mary Ann visit at Joe Drexlers on Hay St..

03.  Thursday: Had Joe Drexler’s Daughters Marion, Joan, and Corrinne over to visit Donald and Mary Ann.  The Fortnight Jollies sheephead club are here this evening.  Donald and Mary Ann had quite a time showing them all of their Christmas Presents.

04.  Friday: Took Donald and Mary Ann to Fretchel’s to make their Christmas Visit.

05.  Saturday:

06.  Sunday: Six Oclock Mass this morning and then to work.  Took Donald and Mary Ann two Weisheipl’s attended St. Vincent’s Holy Hour, then out to Weisheipl’s for our Christmas Visit.  Dropped in to see Herman Steckbauer for a while.  Then back to work till 7 Oclock.  Home to look after Tommy and I get company.  Louis and Mary Mauritz are over.  Well they staid until 9 Oclock, then I drove back to Heips, to take home the family.  The weather today was ideal.

07.  Monday: Gov. Phil La Follette is again sworn in as Governor of Wisconsin.  He succeeds Gov. Albert Schmedeman.

08.  Tuesday: Sleet and some snow of this morning.  Rather foggy out too.  Visited at Ed Fretchel’s tonight Matt, Lena Baier and Ann are there also.  The Heips came over at 10.30 P.M.  We broke up at 12.45 A.M.  Say goodbye to Sister Claire Marie this afternoon.

09.  Wednesday: It still slippery and foggy out.  Ann Baier well this morning, and injured both knees.

10.  Thursday:

11.  Friday: Received a letter from Verona Kern, Sebeka, Minn. Today.  Was surely surprised to hear from her.

12.  Saturday: We are having an old fashioned snowstorm and blizzard, the temperature is moderate.  Had a surprise visitor tonite.  Leo Kern dropped in on his way from Green Bay to Milwaukee.  He was a operated in November and is feeling fairly good.  His appendix and gallbladder had to be removed.  He severed an attack of a bad cold well in the hospital.  He is now living at 2629 North Fourth Street Phone Concord 0278 W

13.  Sunday: To work at 8 A.M. to 10.30 Mass and what a crowd there was in attendance.  I guess people did not like to go to early service this morning.  It is turning colder.  Had company this afternoon Grandma Baier – Lena and Ann are over.  Grandma hadn’t seen our Christmas Tree.  Had Mary Ann to church for the first time today.

14.  Monday: We begin taking inventory at the stores today.  It is 10° below zero this morning.  Joe Baier is not using his car today.  Margaret and Rose Drexler are over tonite.  I get a tongue lashing from Margaret because Carl, her sweetie was in town, stopped here, honked and I didn’t hear him.  Well she cooled off, a couple of beers and 2-3 Star Hennessey’s did the job.

15.  Tuesday:

16.  Wednesday: Drove to Appleton this morning with Art Mueller.  Roads are somewhat slippery.  Doug Hunt was there.

17.  Thursday:

18.  Friday:

19.  Saturday:

20.  Sunday: Attended six Oclock Mass this morning.  Met with Francis Lamb and Mass Ford this afternoon.  It is getting colder this evening.

21.  Monday: Fifteen below zero this morning.  Roads are drifted in with snow very badly and traffic on the highways is at a standstill.  Well I’m back as chauffeur again.

22.  Tuesday: Took Grandma Baier out to Rose Baiers this morning.  Its 10 below and getting warmer, altho we are promised another cold spell.  Joe Heip invited me to Anton Serwas home tonight.  Well I accepted.  Father Keller, Aloys Kinateder, Joe Heip Jr. were also there.  Had a nice game of cards a swell lunch, broke up the party at 1.30 A.M.  I could hardly get my car started, and find it is 15° below zero when I get home.

23.  Wednesday: It is 24° below zero officially altho my thermometer registers at 26° below.  Agnes Carpenter 766 Hi Street passed away this morning at 8.15.  Born in Oshkosh Jan. 19 -1900.  She was teacher at the Roosevelt School.  Knew her quite well when I was out to the West Side Store some ten years ago.

24.  Thursday: It is 26° below zero this morning.  Attended the Annual Meeting of the Oshkosh Area Council Boy Scouts of America.  Elwyn Nelson gets the Silver Beaver Award.

25.  Friday: Took Joe Hemmer and the luggage for Troop 18 out to the Scout Shack this afternoon.  There was so much snow, the boys had to come out to the hiway to help unload.  Victor Scott’s father Clarence Scott passed away this morning at 4.30.  Born March 30 – 1863 in Oshkosh.  Death must have been unexpected as Back was at the Boy Scout Council Banquet last night.

26.  Saturday:

27.  Sunday:

28.  Monday: St. John's Cathedral Milwaukee razed by fire early this morning, about 1:30 A.M. The loss is inestimable as many priceless relics and paintings were lost.  Also the Main Altar and the very expensive organ.

29.  Tuesday:

30.   Wednesday:

31.  Thursday: During the last six months Oshkosh has received from the state $14 613.80 as its share of the liquor tax.

Diary of Alfred E. Potter December, 1934

01.  Saturday: Up and 5³⁰ this morning to take care of the furnace and Tommy etc.  The wife is sick too and can’t get out of bed, so I just crawl in when the Doctor comes and then back out again.  Plenty to keep me busy until 12 P.M. and then I’m all in.  Took a Sod. Crystal to sleep, but I didn’t, I’d just talked.  The children staid to Heips today, till evening.  Anna Heip is to have a birthday tomorrow, she will be 52.

02.  Sunday: Donald is the only member or family to go to church today.  Up all day but have a drive off which nearly drives me crazy.  Ann Baier and Joe come over this afternoon, and we make out orders.  Its a nice day out.  The children out to Heips till evening Joe hit Doc Mueller’s car and bent his fender.  William B Murphy died at 930 this morning at his home 1312 So. Main Street.  Born in Milwaukee April 2 – 1877.  Burial Tuesday A.M. at St. Vincent’s.  William used to be railroad man and also bartender at Christ Genal’s.

03.  Monday: Another bad day and Joe Heip has to drive to Madison.  John B. Abrams, President Oshkosh Tent and Awning Company died this morning at 6 Oclock at Mercy Hospital following a stroke of apoplexy.  Born April 4 – 1886.  His home at 32 Hazel.  Funeral Wednesday afternoon Rev. Barnett Trinity Episcopal Church will officiate.  Steve Young lost his dad August last Saturday.  He was hit by a truck driven by Leo Schiessl at the Corner of Jackson and Scott Streets.  Born in Germany Jan. 4 – 1882.  Brother to George Young Chairman of the County Board.

04.  Tuesday:

05.  Wednesday:

06.  Thursday:

07.  Friday:

08.  Saturday:

09.  Sunday:

10.  Monday:

11.  Tuesday:

12.  Wednesday:

13.  Thursday:

14.  Friday:

15.  Saturday:

16.  Sunday:

17.  Monday:

18.  Tuesday:

19.  Wednesday:

20.  Thursday:

21.  Friday:

22.  Saturday: Christmas Spirit has attacked the people with a vim today.  Business is very good.  Well, it should be we’ve waited all week for real spurt.

23.  Sunday:

24.  Monday:

25.  Tuesday: Business is fair today, but who cares.  Well I might save this is the happiest Christmas I have spent in good many a year.  Santa Claus arrived at 12 A.M. and did the children have fun.  They stayed up until 2 A.M. and to bed and up again at 6 A.M.  Had lots of company, Lena Baier Ann, Joe, Joe Hemmer, Gene Binder, Pete Hemmer, Joe Weisheipl Sr.  Ann –Rose –Marion Weisheipl and to top it off Mr. F. W. Mueller and Mrs., Harold Eva, Art and Margaret Fred Baumgartner and Loretta came over about 11 P.M. and stayed until 2 A.M.  During the afternoon Harry Kujawa –Agnes – and Baby –Anna Drexler and daughters Leona and Rose were over.  I visited them too in the afternoon, also Jacob Paulick Sr. and Mrs., and took Gene Hemmer out to see her husband at Sunnyview.

26.  Wednesday: Winter is here in reality today with 12 below Zero weather.  Rev. John Nuernberg is in for a short visit.  He bought a few belated Christmas presents.  He offered a mass for mother at 8 A.M. yesterday.  Frank Werner is over to settle my sickness claim with Times Insurance Company, Result 45 dollars.

27.  Thursday: The weather is moderating and Aloys Metzen and myself deliver the Christmas Presents to the Doctors of Oshkosh.

28.  Friday:

29.  Saturday:

30.   Sunday:

31.  Monday: Mr. F. W. Muellers birthday he is 61 today.  Worked all day till 10.30 P.M. Margaret Drexler is here when I get home.  Drove over to Mr. Mueller’s at 11.30 to help him celebrate his birthday.  The party was a merry one, it lasted till ?  I got home at 4.30 A.M. had to be pushed home, my battery went dead.

Diary of Alfred E. Potter November, 1934

01.  Thursday: Oshkosh Banks are paying 2% on savings deposits and certificates of deposit from today.  They have been paid 3%. All Saints Day.  Took Donald to 8 o’clock Mass this morning.  He behaves quite well.

02.  Friday: All Souls Day

03.  Saturday: This is the day of rain.  Business at our store is normal, but the North store suffered considerably.

04.  Sunday: This is my birthday, but I don’t get much of a kick out of that.  Attended six Oclock mass then to work.  In the afternoon took Anna Heip Mary and the children to Sacred Heart Cemetery back to work at 5:00 PM.  Ann and Thres went to St. Mary’s Keeno Party.  We learn that the St. Vincent’s Bazaar was a success, the proceeds being 2640 dollars.

05.  Monday: Got in 3 ton Coke from F. Kriz today.  Jos. Palecek died Saturday evening at a Rhinelander Hospital.  He had been employed by the Diamond Match Company for years.  Move about a year ago to live with Louis at Lake Tomahawk, when Mrs. Palecek passed away.  He was born in Germany in 1856.  He was quite a character while he lived in Oshkosh.  Funeral from St. Vincent’s Wednesday morning at 9.

06.  Tuesday: This is Election Day, the Contests are hot and spirited.  Jos. Weisheipl lost to George Young by only 74 votes.  This is Emma Siewert’s birthday, she is 48.  Mrs. Clara Schneider wife of Dr. Jos. S. Schneider retired Oshkosh dentist died at her home 494 Washington Blvd. this morning at 4 Oclock.  Born October 26 – 1865.  She was Vic Leininger’s mother-in-law.

07.  Wednesday: Had Joe and Anna Heip over for the evening.  Anna had quite a time getting over the election results.

08.  Thursday:

09.  Friday:

10.  Saturday: Had Donald and Mary Ann vaccinated by Dr. Bitter this morning.

11.  Sunday: Attended 6 A M Mass.  And getting used to getting up early Sunday mornings.  Took Ed Fretchel and his boys to the cottage, worked the morning thru, after dinner took Sisters to Appleton to see Sister Christore who passed away Friday.  Back to work its six and after work took Carl Radomski, Margaret and Joe Heip to Berlin.  Harry and Agnes Kujawa were not home, so we drove out to his folks and there they were.  Well, we had a fine time.  Thres and Anna Heip played Keeno at St. John.

12.  Monday: Another Keno Party for Thres and Anna Heip, this time at the Raulf Hotel by the C. W. Club of Oshkosh.  Thres won a prize but she didn’t like it.  It was too small.

13.  Tuesday: Thres has a birthday.  She is 48 today.  Donald bought a dress, and Mary Ann bought Stockings for the birthday Presents.  Attended the first Concert given under the auspices of the Oshkosh Civic Male Chorus.  Tomford Harris is the Artist.  He surely is some pianist.  His concert was very well taken.

14.  Wednesday: Ed Fretchel and Thres are over tonite.  Fred paints the furnace in Aluminum and it looks good.  Heip and myself went to John Spanbauer’s sheephead tournament.  Heip won 50¢, I won what Paddy shot at.  Our Nyal 2 for 1 Sale begins today.  Donald is very restless tonite with the sore ear.

15.  Thursday: This is a beautiful day.

16.  Friday:

17.  Saturday: Business is pretty good today, in spite of rain.  Today is the last day of our Nyal Sale.  According to the County Board of Canvassers the official vote for Register of Deeds: Joe Weisheipl 7811 Votes Gailand Dahlstrom 7131 (Votes) Geo. B. Young 7899 (Votes) Joe loses by 88 votes.

18.  Sunday: Attended 6 Oclock Mass this morning, then on the job all day until 10.45 P.M.

19.  Monday: Pietro Cardinal Gasparri People Secretary of State under 3 Popes died last night at Vatican City.  He was one of the Church’s most eminent Statesman.  Born in Visco, Diocese Norcin, Italy made 5-1852.  Ordained to the priesthood and 1877.  Pope Pius X entrusted to him the colossal undertaking of modifying and codifying the Canon Law.  This task took him more than 12 years to complete and his accomplishment was praised by Catholic Prelates throughout the world.

20.  Tuesday: Took Sister Florence to St. Mary’s at Menasha this morning.  John D. Boeshaar 739 South Park Ave. passed away last night at 10.30.  Born July 8 – 1861.  He was one of our former neighbors when we lived on South Park Ave..

21.  Wednesday: Walter Bowen died unexpectedly at 3.35 this morning at his home 466 Washington Blvd. Walter was district manager of the New York Mutual Life Insurance Co.  Born Aug. 8 – 1883, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Bowen.

22.  Thursday: It is still raining.  This is our sixth day of rain altho we have been promised cold weather every day since Sunday by the weather forecasters.

23.  Friday:

24.  Saturday: Governor Schmedeman is back on the job today, minus his left leg, which had to be amputated some weeks back following gangrene poisoning from an injury to his foot.

25.  Sunday: Attended 6 A.M. Mass.  Then to work part of the morning.  Lena Baier was taken ill in church this morning.  Dropped in to see her during the morning, she is feeling better.  In the afternoon took the children out to Joe Heip’s.  Bill Lampert and Conley dropped in to see that Joe votes for a new courthouse at Monday mornings County Session.  Governor Schmedeman is 70 years old today.

26.  Monday: Mrs. Ed Steckbauer 704 – 15^th Street, uses her mother Mrs. Agnes Berendt.  She died suddenly this morning at 10 Oclock at her home 259 Pearl St.

27.  Tuesday: Took a drive to Milwaukee with Mr. Mueller.  Dropped in at Mutual Drug, bought some Holliday Items from John Lange.  Had lunch with George Scattergood.  Visited Drug Service Bureau in the afternoon and also John Patterson at Wauwatosa.  Back home at 6 P.M.  George (Baby Face) Nelson is killed, but the U.S. suffered the loss of two Federal Agents Samuel Cowley and Herman Hollis.  Nelson had been Public Enemy #1, this title now goes to John Hamilton former first lieutenant of John Dillinger’s Mob.  Karl W Raasch died at 8.45 this morning.  Born Feb. 8 – 1888.  Stage manager at the Oshkosh.

28.  Wednesday: The children have their Thanksgiving parties at the various schools.  Anton Girens died at St. Mary’s Hospital this morning.  Born in Luxemburg Nov.  19-1852. Father to Joe – John – William – Frank also Mrs. Joseph Len, Mrs. Peter Ronalo and Mrs. Earl Nelson Fond du Lac.  Dr. John Schneider’s (U. S.) Mother Magdalene passed away last night at 7²⁰ at the home of her daughter Mrs. Herman Zellmer are 25 Sterling St..  Born in Black Wolf Jan. 1 – 1853.  Her husband the late Philip Schneider was bridge tender on the old Main Street Bridge when I was a boy.  Went to school with Frank and D.  Survived by 3 daughters 6 Sons.

29.   Thursday: Thanksgiving Day and I am laid up with a fine general cold.  I like to be laid up on hollidays, last year I was home for Christmas and also for New Year.  It is very unpleasant weather out.  Had a fine 8 pound Turkey, but we gave it a way to Joe Heips.  Greg Sitters Brother, Doctor Stephen Sitter is married at Milwaukee at St. Matthews Church, Bride Laura Elizabeth Tanner.  Rev. Paul Tanner brother of the bride performed the ceremony.

30.  Friday: Peggy Mueller’s birthday.  She is 5 years of age.  Had Dr. Kleinschmidt over to see me this morning.  Well I should stay in bed, a few days.