Sunday, February 15, 2015

Diary of Alfred E. Potter April, 1955

01.  Friday: Up at 520 and to 6 Oclock Mass.  Thres to 8 Oclock Mass with the Christian Mothers and Altar Society, they also have breakfast after at the School Gym.
Com.  Don’s family – Mary Ann
02.  Saturday: We have news that Mary Samer’s husband John Finneman died at Sidney Montana last Monday of a heart attack.  Born Jan. 17 – 1877 in St. Cloud Minn.  Married to Mary August 31-1914 at Fairview Montana.  He had a nice Jewelry business at Sidney.  Mary was an optometrist.  John retired nine years ago.
03.  Sunday: To 730 Hi Mass –Father Schorn – Service of blessing the Palms was slightly different from other years.  Service lasted 1 ½ hours but it was never tire ate at any time.  Don – Eddie Heip – Joe Baier – Ray Schmidt to Sheboygan to bowl, Don takes our new Ford.  They stop at Gale Robertshaw’s in Fond du Lac on the way over.  Thres and I at Fiss and Bills tonite – Rosary for John B. Finneman.  We had a long visit with Mary (his wife).  Mary belonged to the Reindl Club before we were married.  Father Ed Schimberg was our Spiritual Director. 
Com.  Father Umhoefer
04.  Monday: [R 4 M] Temperature about 35° at 630 when Thres and I go to Holy Mass.  Norm Brown is over this noon.
Com.  John B. Finneman
05.  Tuesday: [Churchill resigns as Prime Minister.  Ernie Siewert is Mayor again.] No 6.45 Mass this morning.  Holy Communion at 700.  Election day today and the vote for Mayor and County Judge should be close.  Attended Kiwanis luncheon Rev. Stahmer – 10th St. Methodist Minister gave a Lenten Talk.  Thres attends the Potluck of the South Side B.M. Auxiliary.  She also bakes a large loaf of Rye Bread for the party.  Prime Minister Winston Churchill resigns today.  This has been expected for some time.  He has been in the public eye for 55 years.  He handed the Queen his resignation with tears in his eyes.  One year ago the C. I. O. Union workers at Kohler Co. Kohler Wis. went on strike.  They are still at it.  Attend Cemetery Board Meet at 430.
Com.  August D. Hansen
06. Wednesday: [Anthony Eden new Prime Minister] Well the storm of the election is over and there are many surprizes and disappointments.  Ernie Siewert defeated John Voss 7255 to 6001.  Herbert Mueller our present district attorney defeated Harry Riley (endorsed by 37 attorneys) 12476 – 11916.  This was indeed a surprize, Mueller was unendorsed.  Ray Novotny says he thinks people do not like to be dictated to at election.  Sir Anthony Eden 57 is summoned by the Queen to Buckingham Palace and becomes Prime Minister to succeed Sir Winston Churchill.
07.  Thursday: [MW 9 M] I dropped in at Ernie Siewerts Market this morning to congratulate him and to make what may be my last purchase from him, before he is installed as Mayor.  Cliff Kloeckner was promoted to Captain by the Police and Fire Board yesterday.  Bill Bormann was promoted to Lieutenant.  Kloeckner has been a fireman for 17 years.
08.  Friday: [P M Pay Day First Tre Ore St. Vincents] Good Friday turns out to be a beautiful day.  Mama and I attend the full “Tre Ore” Service at St. Vincents.  Its the first time we have it here.  Mama and Mary Ann makes 78 “Gropfens.” Don gets 18 of them.  Jackie Mauritz from Springfield Illinois drops in at my office this afternoon.  Stan and Marge are here for the Easter holiday.  Got Ambition to write letters tonight to Betty George Harden – Marge Carl Radomski – Leona –Romney Czekalski –Father Norbert Wilger – Stevens Point.
09.  Saturday: [M 9 M Saturday, April 16th] Joe Weisheipl brings Marge to work.  She tells me she thinks this will be the last time, as she told him she is going to divorce him.  They have’nt lived together for three years.  Made an appointment with Charles Barnard for next Wednesday.  Donald takes off the storm windows at the cottage this afternoon.  I worked most of the day.  Tonight at 10 Oclock we get company from Berlin, Harry Agnes – Mary Kujawa.  Had a nice visit until midnight.
10.  Sunday: [Frank Binder 720 So. Park 62 today.] A beautiful day, temperature 75°. To 730 Hi Mass with Holy Name. Then to work until 1230. Took Donald and family to Town Grill for dinner. Children are over at noon for egg hunt around our house. They are still a little slow at finding things, but they did get a lot of fun out of it. Took a drive to the cottage, found the Robert Brands are there. They tried their luck at fishing. Met Art Mueller (T and S) at the post office today. He is looking good.
Com.  Arthur H. Mueller
11.  Monday: Norm Brown with us.  Thres and auxiliary to play cards at Vees Haveman’s.  Thres and Emma had just arrived when the news came over the phone that Herb Nolte (Vees’ brother) had just passed away suddenly.  Art Mueller (T and S) dropped in at my office this afternoon.  He tells me he must take at least 4 Sitz baths a day with one hour of rest after each bath.  Attended Holy Name Meeting tonight, about 25 men present.  Dan Sullivan from Appleton spoke on being an “Enthusiastic Catholic.” Met Dan after the meeting.  Learn he is a salesman Agent – sells “fired bricks ” etc.
12.  Tuesday: Stopped to see Louis Haveman and Meta Shekey this morning, to extend my sympathy.  To Kiwanis luncheon program not interesting to me.  Youngman spoke on Circle K Clubs.  Milwaukee Braves opened the season by defeating Cincinnati Redlegs 4 - 2.  Baseball field at Milwaukee has been shortened in right and left field.  Old distance 376 feet new distance 355 feet, new fence 7 ft.
13.  Wednesday: Our Spring One Cent Sale begins today.  The weather is not too pleasant.  Some heavy showers.
14.  Thursday: Attended funeral services for Herb Nolte at Fiss and Bills.  Father McKeough offers prayers.  Met with Ed Binder this noon to prepare for tonite’s S.S.B.M. meeting tonite.  Had a nice meeting this evening about 30 men present.  Guests Mayor Elect Siewert –John Fitzgerald – Virginia Williams.  Harold Zellner spoke on Loyalty Day.
15.  Friday: Deadline for personal income taxes both State and Federal today. Francis Lamb is in with our tax reports; all he needs is the checks.  As I got to the store to go to work, little Donnie met me saying “You don wanna work, lets take a ride in your car.” Pretty smart for a 2 year old. He got his ride.
16.  Saturday: [Marge Weisheipl breaks to force news to Joe.] All of todays news is to be found recorded on April 9 by mistake.  Met Greg Hazen at Post office today, he tells me he is due to begin work there May 1st.
17.  Sunday: To 730 Hi Mass Father Milbauer.  A beautiful day, took Debbie and Donnie along to the Post Office.  This afternoon we take a drive through Menominee Park then to Menasha – Neenah – Appleton, back in time for the Ed Sullivan show on T.V.  Don and family spend the afternoon at the cottage.  About 930 tonite we get company Art and Agnes Hazen.  Art has a problem – Alvin Golz wants him to get into the New Rexall Store at Hales Corners.  Also had an opportunity to start a store on Biebel’s Corner across from St. Vincents Church. 
Com.  Resei Drexler
18.  Monday: [Dr. Albert Einstein died.  B.D. Rutherford N.J. back to work after 5 week strike] Norm Brown is with us this noon.  He tells about being to Pharmaceutical Meeting at Green Bay last night.  Hi Egan was also there.  Thres plays cards at Wm Tobobins.  Alma does the entertaining.  Attended meeting of S.S.B.M. Club Directors, and presided over same.  Alma Ratzberg died this morning at 6.10 at her home 1911 Oregon St. Alma Hoffman married Herbert Ratzberg June 23 – 1920.  Dr. Albert Einstein world famous physicist died today at Princeton Hospital.  He rewrote the physical laws of the Universe and unlocked the door to the atomic age.  He added time as the fourth dimension to length –breadth and depth.  He died of a ruptured main artery of the abdomen.
19.  Tuesday: Took Donald along to Kiwanis luncheon.  Don Mereen from Milwaukee showed some excellent picture slides and gave some interesting highlights on photografy with music.  Joe Drexler is reelected Chairman of the Winnebago County Board of Supervisors.  This is Joe’s third term.  John Heigl Neenah is named Vice Chairman.
20.  Wednesday: [R 4 M] Took Ed Binder with me to Optimist Club Luncheon.  “Alice in Dairyland” Miss Mary Ellen McCabe is the speaker and she is a good one.  She is 19 and 6 foot tall.  This is also Ralph Emerson Day at the Optimists.  Ralph is honored and presented with the gift.  Becton Dickinson resumed operations Monday.  They had been closed by a five week strike.
21.  Thursday: [M 9 M] To 645 Holy Mass this morning with Thres.  View the remains of Alma Ratzberg at Grace Lutheran Church.  Services at 130 P.M. 
Com.  Thanksgiving St. Jude
22.  [M 6 M   R 4 M]
23.  Saturday [M 9 M] Did quite a bit of cleaning up especially in my desk at home.  This evening Thres and me go to see movies at the Mode for a change.  “Saskatchewan” with Alan Ladd and Shelly Winters in color, think we’ve seen this before and “Spike Jones” and his city slickers in “Fireman Save my Child” are extremely funny.
24.  Sunday: Its a rainy morning, picked up Mrs. Jungwirth at her home, took her to Hi Mass with us.  And Father Schorn said in his sermon the weather was appropriate because he spoke on water.  Very interesting about how water purifiers, and of course Holy Water in its many uses.  The rain lasts all day long.  Don and family are over for the evening.  Joe Baier visits Emma at the State Hospital. 
Com.  Joe Weisheipls Sr.
25.  Monday: [M 3 M   R 2 M] To 645 Mass.  Sister Virginia is in town, had a surprize phone call from her at 8.45.  She came to the store at 930 and we had a very pleasant visit, for about ¾ hour.  She does’nt look a day older, then when she left Oshkosh ___ years ago.  Had a conference with Ray Novotny this morning and then to Alexian Brothers for a visit with Brother Eugene.  Norm Brown is here for weekly luncheon.  Rumors have it that Doctor George Lynch passed away.  I called Bud Hrnak, he knows nothing of it.  Rose W. tells Marge W. she is not mad at her any longer. 
Com.  Caroline Baier
26.  Tuesday: [M 6 M] To 645 Mass.  Father Milbauer.  Kiwanis has Mrs. Angus Lookaround (Mrs. Phoebe Jewell Nichols) as the speaker.  Her talk is about the Menominee Indians, and is very interesting.  Chief Oshkosh was a Menominee and his name and “The Brave.” Don and family are here for the evening. 
Com.  Matt Baier
27.  Wednesday: [R 4 M] To 645 Mass.  Caspar Fluor died this morning at 10.30 at his home 103 Grove Street.  Born Feb. 26 – 1875.  Married Clara Beutler in 1931.  Funeral Friday at 2 P.M. St. Pauls Church – B. Romanowski officiating.  Frank Steckbauer and his sons Leo and Eugene purchase 1/3 interest in the Beckwith Building.  This gives them the controlling interest as the acquired 1/3 5 years ago from the Marion Roc trust.  They paid about 47000 for the last 1/3 interest.  Don and family spend the evening with us. 
Com.  Grandma Baier
28.  Thursday: To 645 Mass.  The rain that was promised for yesterday has not arrived as yet.  Harvey Lhost who used to call on us for Lederle Labs is back on this territory, made his first call this morning.  We are glad to have him back.  Mother is at the Lady Foresters bake sale and card party tonite and I attended the Sixth Album of Harmony by the S.P.E.B.S.. I.S.A. at the Grand Theater.  It was fine entertainment.  The Schmitt Brothers – Two Rivers were exceptional. 
Com.  (Sister in law) Anna (Mrs. John) Drexler
29.  Friday: [R 4 M] Yesterday afternoon Thres plays cards at Annie Heips.  Thres Fretschl  – Mame Erbes – Emma Lemke – Maxine Siewert are also there for the kill at cards.  Took Thres and Mary Ann to KC Club 40 evening meal.  Business is pretty good out there.  After the meal we attended the “Swimming Pool Follies” “All HomeTalent” and very good.  Announcement in the paper states John (Bobbie) Rozek is eligible to attend National School Patrol Congress at Washington May 5-6 and 7.
30.  Saturday: Today is Loyalty Day in Oshkosh, put on by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.  I’m kept busy, getting in touch with Paul Wertsch about a car.  Well he had a nice one, but no decorations.  Bought some flags and then had quite a time getting someone to go with us.  Tried Harold Zweifel – Reed Havemann – Wilbur Siewert – Joe Stadtmueller finally got Fred Pittelkow and Clarence Deniger to go with us.  A beautiful day, a fine parade, but hardly any one stayed for Senator Wiley’s speech.

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