Monday, January 19, 2015

Diary of Alfred E. Potter January, 1953

01.  Thursday: We are home from Weisheipls at 2 A.M.  Attend 9 Oclock Mass at St. Vincents and then to work.  Spend 7 ½ hours writing orders and find myself pretty tired after completing the job.  It might be interesting to note that we had 42 phone calls after six oclock at the store and three at the house.  One lady in particular was quite provoked because our store was not open in the evening.
02.  Friday: Took a drive to Berlin this morning to see Harry about a loan for me and Art Mueller on our new 1953 project.  He granted it.  Bill Haidlinger passed away a year ago today R.I.P.
03.  Saturday: Busy today making out W 2’s for our help and ourselves.  These are information as to each ones salary, social security and income tax withheld
04.  Sunday: To 730 Mass, St. Vincents – Father Wagner; then to work.  Took a drive to Neenah this afternoon to see the Norman Brown family.  Only Sybelle and Tommie were home.  Norm is at Schwandts in Appleton taking an order.  On our way home we stopped at “Town Grill” for dinner.  Met Arthur H. Mueller (T and S Tobacco) there. 
Com.  Bill Haidlinger
05.  Monday: Today is the day we purchase the building on the northeast corner of Main and Otter Streets.  It belonged to the Clara Kelly estate.  It took place in Walter Patri's office, I paid a cool sum of 69000 today.  I had 1000 dollars as retainer fee previously making the total 70,000.  Norm Brown is in town and over to our place for the noon meal.
06.  Tuesday: To Kiwanis Club luncheon had a very interesting speaker James K. Eyre Jr.  He spoke on the Roosevelt – MacArthur conflict, I also bought one of his books.
07.  
08.  Thursday: Ken Sepersky is in town.  We worked on orders all day.  He took me to the Town Grill for lunch.  This evening was kept busy sending out mail orders.  Had a call at 930 tonite from Marge Haverty.  Home from work at 10.30.
09.  Friday: [R 2 M] Had a card from the Capuchin Fathers at Mount Calvary that Father Theodore Roemer passed away suddenly yesterday.  He had been with the faculty since 1933.  He was a member of the Fond du Lac and the State Historical Societies, also a member of the Gallery of Living Catholic Authors and many other Societies.  Father passed away Wednesday, not yesterday.  Had a visit with Marge Haverty this afternoon.  She now lives at 296 Bowen St.
10.  Saturday: Drove to Mt Calvary this morning to attend funeral services for Very Rev. Father Theodore Roemer.  He was the Editor of the Alumni News.  Met Fathers Linzmeier –Edward Wagner, Pete Hildebrand –Gerard – Gratian – Rev.  Gerald Walker.  Back in Oshkosh by 11.45.  Father Gerald is much improved, Father Gratian told me that Father Theodore said Holy Mass Wednesday morning.  Mary Ann works tonite and so do I.
11.  Sunday: To 730 Mass – Holy Name Society – Father Wagner Sermon Father Milbauer about Holy Family. 
Com.  Father Theodore Roemer
12.  Monday: [R 4 M] Mary Ann begins working at 12 Noon today.  Had Norm Brown over this noon.  Took Thres over to Raymond O. Simpson for treatment for her dizziness.  Jean Powers and Hank Loewen are quietly married this evening.
13.  Tuesday: [TG] A beautiful day.  Met Julius Sandstedt this morning and went over the plans for our new store.  He will also check the building for any repairs it may need.  To Kiwanis luncheon Leo Lania, War Correspondent who interviewed Hitler and later denounced by Hitler as a Nazi foe, spent 2 ½ years in various prisons including Dachau and Buchenwald was our speaker, and a very good one.  Had a visit with Gordon Hough, manager of The Penny Co. He congratulates on our new venture.  Marge Haverty is over to get her schedule from Art Mueller, it proves to be unsatisfactory. 
14.  Wednesday: [R 4 M] Oshkosh Centennial Heritage has a luncheon meeting at the afternoon.  Harold Arentsen – Fred Leist –Jessie Miller –_____ Nonweiler –Ed Radke and myself attended.  We may have to disband the organization unless we get some fast and drastic action.  Thres and Emma Siewert play cards at Mrs. Milton Schaefers 92 Parkway, and tonight we entertain Ed and Thres Fretschl, Emma Siewert and Annie Weisheipl.  I took them all home at 2 A.M.  Donald and his family were over also, he showed movies we took last summer.
15.  Thursday: I had another meeting with Marge Haverty at her home this evening.  Her mother was there and she looks to be in perfect health.  Marge thinks the schedule I suggested for her is just what she wants and will begin working for us next Monday noon.  Thres plays cards at Emma Siewerts tonite with Mrs. Notzke and Mrs. Ed Beck.
16.  Friday: [R 4 M    TEG] Postmaster Ray Novotny tells me he is to advertise for a substation on Main Street.  This is a follow up of my conversation with him some time ago in regard to opening a station at our new store when ready for occupancy.  Father Alphonse Wagner is in this morning somewhat disappointed because he has'nt found a couple to go with him to Florida.  Tonite he's back and tells me Ed and Mrs. Kalupa from Kaukauna are going with him.  They will make good company for him.
17.  Saturday: Today is Debbie's birthday, she is 3 years old and I would say pretty smart for her age.  This afternoon we are being treated to a snow storm which may last thru the evening, and it does.  We are at Donald’s tonite to help Debbie celebrate her birthday.  Grandpa and Grandma Felker are there also.  Donald took us over and brought us back home and then Mary Ann and I shoveled our walks and driveways.
18.  Sunday: Took Mrs. Anna Jungwirth to church and home as usual, we learn that this is her birthday, she is 78 and still spry for her age.  She works at several places, doing cleaning etc.  Visited Aunt Mary this afternoon.  She is unusually happy, knows me by name, but not Thres, think she is my sweetheart – well of course she is.  Also saw Alvina Putzer, she expects to be home in a week.  Viewed the remains of Karl Binder at Sitters.  Worked tonight. 
M.O.  Karl Binder
19.  Monday: Dropped in to see Uncle Joe Heip this noon.  He shows constant improvement.  Annie tells me they are having Ray Simpson come to the house to give him treatments.  Took Thres – Emma Siewert Lemke – Mary Fenzl to Dess Wirtz’s where they play cards, and incidentally this is Ed Wirtzs birthday.  Marge Haverty begins working at our South Side Store this noon.  Hope she’ll like it.
20.  Tuesday: Dwight Eisenhower is inaugurated today as our 34th President.   Took Thres out to the Weisheipl's to see the inauguration and parade on television.  This afternoon Thres takes another treatment from Ray Simpson.
21.  Wednesday: Florian (Sunny) Peck from Abbott Labs is in town.  Another one of the old businesses on Oregon Street closes its doors.  Matt Meyers food store next to Norkofskis tavern which has been run by his wife Alma since his death is closed and she will help her son in West Algoma.
22.  Thursday: John Bolger is in town today.  He tells me about the Catholic Discussion Club he belongs to at Madison.  Ed Huntz “Upjohn representative ” moves his family to Oconto today, where he will be working in a retail drug store with an opportunity to buy in later if he likes it there.
23.  Friday: Herman Jansen, my barber for 35 years was taken suddenly ill this morning at 3 Oclock.  Don’t know just yet what he is stricken with.
24.  Saturday: Edward Weisheipl has a birthday.  I believe he is 35.
25.  Sunday: We all get up early for change and attend Six O’clock Mass.  Mary Ann is working for Billy Mauritz today, while he attends the Ice Follies in Milwaukee. 
Com.  Father Theodore Roemer O.M. Cap.
26.  Monday: [R 2 M   TUG] Pope Pius XII is battling a case of bronchial pneumonia.  He has been ill since last Thursday with what was at first thought to be influenza.  According to reports he is out of danger.
27.  Tuesday: To Kiwanis luncheon.
28.  Wednesday: Mr. James Quinn is in to see me this morning to straighten out some things he said about me.  He sells bibles.  Father Alphonse Wagner sent him in.  This afternoon I meet Vincent McGuire, representing Will & Baumer Candle Co. He is from Chicago, knows Penny Bloechl well and also visited her mother here on 17th St.
29.  Thursday: Got the sad news that Herman Jansen passed away at his home 336 – 14th this morning at 2 Oclock.  Born Aug. 4 – 1891 married Angie Bohveman Oct. 17 – 1917.  Open the barber shop at 1012 Oregon March 12 -1917.  Lucy Faust Brandenstein died suddenly of a heart attack at 215 PM at Mercy Hospital reception desk, where she had gone to visit her husband George, who is a patient at the hospital with a broken ankle.  Married Nov. 29 – 1923.  She was Joe Robl’s company for years stuck with him until he passed away.
30.  Friday: [R 4 M] Thres and me are up to Dr. Will Wagner’s for a check up.  Thres blood pressure 200 over 94, mine the Dr. stated is like a high school boys 128 over 72.  Thres baked a 5 #loaf of her famous rye bread which we delivered to the Jansens.  Then out to KC Club for fish and shrimp.  Patsy Waters waited on us as usual.  John and Mary Kubasta are at table with us.  They came to town at 6 oclock this evening from out two months vacation in Tampa Florida.  They say at times it was quite cool there this winter.  Also met Rose and Ed Binder.  After the dinner, we picked up Emma Lemke and paid our last respects to Herman Jansen at Marquardts.  I had quite a visit with his sister Mrs. Farrow, the nurse, also met Angies sister whom I had not seen for many years.  Then to Poklasny’s to pay last respects to Lucy Faust Brandenstein. 
1 M.O. Mrs. Brandenstein
31.  Saturday: Art Hazen is called from work, to take his dad to _____ Illinois to see his uncle Father Hazen who is ill with double pneumonia.  Herman Jansen laid to rest this afternoon.  I was one of the pallbearers.  Tonite to the Mode.


No comments:

Post a Comment