Diary of Alfred E. Potter January, 1939

01.  Sunday: Attended 7³⁰ Mass this morning, then to work.  Visited at Ottilie will the Drexlers this afternoon.  The whole relation were there Joe –Celia and family, Matt and Amanda Drexler – John –Anna Drexler and family –Mike Drexler was the guest of honor, Aloys Mugerauer –Esther and family.  We also stopped at Lena Baier’s. William Mauritz and family and Ray Ostertag and family were there.  After work in the evening we played cards at Joe Weisheipl’s.  Joe has been laid up all day with a bad cold.

02. Monday: To work at 10 A.M. this is really my day on.  Got thru at 12 midnight.  Had much company during the evening and afternoon - Matt, Amanda Drexler; Joe, Celia Drexler and family; Alois Mugerauer and family.  Thres took the family to John Drexler's for supper.  Anna Drexler, Leona and Margaret visited with us at night.  Mama Potter gets a new job, president of the “Christian Mother's Society” of St. Vincents. 

03.  Tuesday: Donald cannot go back to school today.  He is in bed with Stomach Flu almost the same is Mary Ann had.  Mary Ann attends birthday party at Alice Wolf.  She must have had a good time from 4 Oclock until 8¹⁵ in the evening.

04.  Wednesday: A heavy fog hovers over the town today.  During the day it turns to rain.

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08.  Sunday: This is a beautiful day.  Children have their annual procession at St. Vincents with the collection for the little pagan babies.  Took the family and Grandma Baier for a ride this afternoon after church.  Stopped at Menominee Park to watch the iceboats – motorcycles - autos on Lake Winnebago.  Bill and Emma Siewert are here for the evening.  Party breaks up at 1 A.M.

09.  Monday: Today is a day of rain and plenty of.  Annual Meeting of Mueller Potter Drug Company stockholders.  Same officers reelected.

10.  Tuesday: Doesn’t look natural a bit to see no snow on the ground, and yet that is exactly the condition in our fair city this January 10^th.

11.  Wednesday: We have our Christmas visit at Ed Fretchel’s Home, The Heips in ourselves.  Joe Heip is still coughing.  Had my eyes to island this afternoon for an examination this evening by Dr. Hugs.  Mama Potter is my chauffeur while the eyes are blinded.

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13.  Friday: I feel like the grip coming on, chills up and down my spine and headache and generally very tired.

14.  Saturday: Worked this morning but laid up this afternoon.

15.  Sunday: A cold is a good hold on me today.  Made out my orders at home tonight, Thres and Mary Ann take them to the post office.

16.  Monday: Mr. Cameron, Eli Lilly Representative and Rose Weisheipl are here for a visit, and I’m in top shape.  It is snowing and it looks as tho we are going back to good old winter scenes again.

17. Tuesday: More company this morning Joe Weisheipl Sr. – Art Mueller – Ed Fretchel – Rose Weisheipl.  I feel so good this morning that I think I’ll be back to work tomorrow.  OH, OH, I crowed too soon I go into reverse this afternoon and spend a very bad evening and a tough night.

18.  Wednesday: Ed Weisheipl – Rose Weisheipl –Joe Baier are here today.  Eddie W. has a cold coming on.  Joe Weisheipl Jr. is laid up with a cold and is unable to play tonight at the “Club Raulf.” Had a short talk with Sister Virginia “Mercy Hospital” this evening.

19.  Thursday: Norbert and Esther Mueller Rose Weisheipl are the visitors this morning.  Mama Potter is feeling very bad this morning.  F.W. Mueller is over this afternoon.  We have a fairly lengthy visit, together.  A large basket of fruit and other goodies arrives from the “Sunshine Club” this afternoon.

20.  Friday: Norman Brown is over this morning, and Rose as usual with the mail.  I feel quite a bit better today and am in hopes of getting on the job soon.  Joe Baier is in this evening.  Called the Fretchel’s and find Mrs. is still in bed.  Ed’s ankle is pretty good again.  Mama Potter has to stay in bed today.

21.  Saturday: Go back on the job this morning and it seems great to be back.  Mama Potter is still in bed.

22.  Sunday: Attended 9 Oclock Mass then to work.  In the afternoon visited at Fretchels.  Thres is still in bed.  Visited at the Heip’s and delivered Keeno tickets to Anna.  Well she was very lucky at St. Vincent’s Keeno.  She won 3 times.  Lena Baier won 4 times.  Mama Potter could not attend church today.  Temperatures are down today, about 10° below zero.

23.  Monday: Temperature is going up.  Visited Dr. Norman Kleinschmit for a checkup on my teeth.  He left me off easy, only 3 dollars.  Rothenbach Shoe Store is the scene of a fire this noon about one oclock.  Frank R. and Jordan Demler were testing a gasoline stove when it exploded and set the back end of the store on fire.  Thres feels somewhat better, she is up most of the day.  Little Raymond Ostertag – Anne Baiers little boy is 3 years of age today.

24.  Tuesday: Ma Potter is able to be up today.  She goes to Mrs. Procknows for a game of cards in the evening.  Edward Weisheipl has a birthday.  He tells us he is a man now; he must be 21.

25.  Wednesday: Temperatures dropped to 9° below zero during the night.  Visited Thres Fretchel, she is still in bed.  Southern Chile is stricken by a severe earthquake.  It is not known how many have lost their lives but it will no doubt run into many thousands.

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27.  Friday: Bill Mauritz has a birthday.  Visited with Anna and Leona Drexler a little while this evening.  Leona does not like her work at the overall shop very much these days.

28.  Saturday: Caroline (Lena) Baier (Aunt Lena) has a birthday.  Mary Ann visits with her and little Raymond – Jimmy – Joan and Billy are there also.  Ed Gertsch found dead in a car at the South Side Motor Sales this morning.  Ed was bookkeeper and brother-in-law to Walter Spaltholz.  I knew him well.  John Gloeser 607 – 6^th St. died of a heart attack this morning at his home.  He was a schoolmate of mine at St. Vincents.

29.  Sunday: Marriage bans announced at 6 O’clock Mass for “deceased” Gilbert Botz and Margaret Ostertag.  I didn’t Gib was dead.

30.  Monday: Raymond Ostertag Sr. has a birthday.  Chicago is visited by a severe snowstorm.  From 11³⁰ last night until 2 oclock this afternoon 14.9 inches of snow fell on the level.

31.  Tuesday: Today is a grand day here, women Chicago there’s still digging out of the snow.  Aunt Mary is flirting with a cold.

Diary of Alfred E. Potter December, 1937

01.  Wednesday: Mrs. Koelbl is laid to rest.  Joe – Matt –Celia – Manda Drexler and Joe and Ann Weisheipl are over to visit with us today.  We learn a new game “Rummy Royal.”

02.  Thursday: Ann Drexler is not feeling so well these days.  Bob Gittings is back from Chicago.  He is laid off from work until further notice.

03.  Friday: Municipal Judge Henry Hughes is appointed Circuit Judge today by Governor La Follette to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Judge Beglinger. Sam Luchsinger is appointed to take Judge Hughes place.  City Father is adopt 3.60 as our tax rate for 1938.

04.  Saturday: We get a new lady clerk at the Self Side Store: Ruth Bender is the name.  She is 20 years of age.

05.  Sunday: Six oclock Mass this morning.

06.  Monday: Took Mrs. Hemmer over to Mercy Hospital to see Joe.  Her feet have bother her so much lately, we had to miss up our visit for several days.  Well she has some new warm felt shoes now and that may help some.

07.  Tuesday: Cent package to Resl Kroll Rothbauer in Böhmish Röhren Böhnerwold Czecho Slovakia

08.  Wednesday: To seven oclock Mass this morning.  The temperature drops considerably and is it 2° below at midnight.  I spend the evening home doing some work for the store.

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10.  Friday: Joe Hemmer taken home from the hospital this afternoon by Joe Baier.

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12.  Sunday: Six oclock mass then to work for most of the day.  Thres and Ann take in the last Keeno Party of the year at Saint Vincents.  Had company after work tonite Bob and Rose Gittings Joe and Corky Heip.  They make an awful hole in the herring jar.

13.  Monday: I visited Joe Hemmer at his house, he is doing fine.  His mother is doing fairly well with her rheumatism.  Josephine Pable, Tony and Mary’s Mother passed away peacefully this afternoon at 4³⁰.  Born in Austria Feb 18 – 1861.  Also survived by Joe and Charles Pable.

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16.  Thursday: Mrs. Josephine Pable laid to rest.

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24.  Friday: Well we’re all glad that the Christmas rush is nearly over.  Delivered presents to the doctors this morning and more this afternoon and evening.

25.  Saturday: Attended midnight Mass at Saint John’s.  A beautiful service.  Weather is ideal.  Church is packed.  Stopped at the Heips this P.M. took Lena Baier along.  Joe Weisheipl Juniors lady friend Marge Haverty gets a diamond from Joe for Christmas.  Joe says it put a big hole in his pocket.  We have company tonight Harry – Agnes – Mary – Jackie Kujawa –Rose – Bob – Teddy Gittings –Ernie Clark – Leona – Anna Drexler – Margaret Radomsky.  Karl Radomsky pulls in at 12.30 but the folks had just left.

26.  Sunday: Six Oclock mass as usual, am a little tired this morning.

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28.  Tuesday: Frank Schuster 77 died this afternoon at 2.45 at 617 – 19^th Street.  Born in Austria September 6 – 1860.  Father to Zip Schuster –Carl Schuster – Frank – Ruppert –Otto Mrs. Earl Plummer and Mrs. Henry Duex.

29.  Wednesday: I take a night off, the first one in a long time.  We have company, Ed and Thres Fretchel, Joe and Anna Weisheipl, Bob Rose and Teddy Gittings.

30.  Thursday: Harold –Eva Mueller and Billy and Barbara are over for a visit tonite.

31.  Friday: Frank Schuster laid to rest this morning.

Diary of Alfred E. Potter November, 1937

01.  Monday: To Seven Oclock Mass this morning. It is raining and thundering out.

02.  Tuesday: To Seven Oclock Mass this morning.

03.  Wednesday: Joe Heip and Anna are over for a pre-birthday party for us only.  Well we did get quite a kick out of it.  They left it 2 A.M.  Our Aunt Mary celebrates in the bathroom this morning.  Karl Zarter Sr. is 97 years of age today.  He gets quite a write up in the paper also picture showing 5 Generations of the Zarter Family.

04.  Thursday: A birthday for me, and 47 today.  Did a few presents as usual, a bottle of Scotch from Joe Baier, shirts – ties and socks from the rest of folks.  Wisconsin Avenue Bridge is closed to auto traffic today.  Mrs. Susan Lutz 626 So Park Ave. passed away this afternoon at three Oclock.  Born September 19 – 1865 at St. Augustine Wisc.  Mother to Bob –Renhen – Olivia and Celia Lutz (Cody).  Celia lives in Yakima, Washington.

05.  Friday: First Friday to seven o'clock church services at St. Vincent's.  Ed Fretschel gets a wonderful parcel post package.  A present for him turned out to be a badly shot to pieces pheasant and a dead cat.  And he sure gets the razz-berries from the store crew.  Our neighbors the “Baranowskis” have a Leach Stoker installed.  Paid a last visit to Mrs. Paulick this evening.  She was in the state of coma and died about ½ hour after I left the house.

06.  Saturday: Emma (Miller) Siewert is 51 years old today.  Celia Paulick (Mrs. Art Faust) also has a birthday.  She is 29.  Attended prayer at Paulicks tonite.  Joe Paulick is here from Chicago.

07.  Sunday: To Six O’clock Mass this morning.  Then to work.  Paid respects to the Lutz family.  After work in the evening visited with Bill and Emma Siewert.  Played Sheephead got home 1.30 A.M. and its raining.

08.  Monday: Mrs. Susan Lutz is laid to rest this morning.  Anna Baier Ostertag is blessed with a little boy this afternoon.

09.  Tuesday: attended funeral of Mrs. Mary Paulick this morning.  Stopped at Baier’s to see the new baby.  Took a drive to Sunnyview San.  This afternoon.  Visited Dr. L.A. Schoen from Fremont.  Mrs. Schoen is here for a visit with 2 of their kiddies.

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11.  Thursday: This is my busy day.  Distributed about 300 Red Cross Enrollment Blanks to various business houses and Manufacturing Plants.  Also out to Sunnyview and the State Hospital.  While at Sunnyview visited Dr. Schoen, and Cliff Reichenberger.  The Doctor tells me he had a bad hemorrhage last night.

12.  Friday: Fred Yahr, President of Yahr Lange Inc, and who had lots of fun this summer, his house being closed for a long time by a strike, paid me a visit this afternoon.  He is looking none the worse after all the trouble he’s had.  Forty hours begins at Sacred Heart.

13.  Saturday: This is Mama Potter's birthday, 51 years old, and it rains most of the time.  John Sitter and Henry Meyer open an undertaking establishment in the Steckbauer building 7th and Ohio Streets next to Precours Food Shop.

14.  Sunday: To Six Oclock Mass.  Its raining and very dark.  Then to work.

15.  Monday: Monthly clerks meeting tonite, but we are short some of the girls.  Rose and Naomi are to a surprise part at Margaret Muellers in honor of Margaret Voelz, who is to be married Thanksgiving Day to Karl Hansen.  John Jervell - Bauer & Black representative speaks to the clerks and tells them how to sell “Velure Lotion.”

16.  Tuesday: Another party for Margaret Voelz at Myra Neuenfeldts.

17.  Wednesday: I go to the movies for a change.  “Fight for your Lady” with Jack Oakie – John Boles – Ida Lupino – Margot Grahame starring.  Also a detective picture “Torchy Blaine” with Glenda Farrell and Barton MacLane.  Received a beautiful “Spiritual Bouquet” from the Sisters at Mercy Hospital.

18.  Thursday: Took Ed and Karl Fretchel to the cottage to take out the dock from the lake.  It really looks like winter this morning, a coat of snow on the ground, the first one to stick this fall.  Thres goes to St. Mary’s Bazaar and wins a basket of groceries.  Had quite a surprise this morning.  Our “Tommy” was disturbed outside by a large dog, so he came into the house and goes toilet in the bathtub.  Pretty smart for cat.  Judge Fred Beglinger passes away this morning at Mercy Hospital.  He had a bad fall into the basement of his home last Saturday.

19.  Friday: Forty hour begins at St. Vincent’s.  Run into Bill Pable and Miriam Moore in the Court House this afternoon.  They are headed for Art Hedkes office to get a marriage license.

20.  Saturday: Father John Nierenberg of Wautoma drops in this morning.

21.  Sunday: To six oclock mass then to work.  Had company this afternoon.  Rose and Bob Gittings are here.  Carl and Margaret Radomsky dropped in also, quite a surprise.  Forty Hour Devotion ends at St. Vincent’s.  We also took in the supper at St. Josaphats Church.  They serve Polish Ham and it was delicious.  Saw many business men there.

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23.  Tuesday: This is a big night for some of our boys at the store.  Joe Baier to a stag for Wm Pable, Art Mueller to a stag to break in Karl Hansen who is soon to be married to Margaret Voelz.

24.  Wednesday: Joe and Art are pretty well played out this morning.

25.  Thursday: A beautiful day.  Worked most of the day.  Took time out to see Karl Hansen and Margaret Voelz united in marriage at Rev. Kochs English Lutheran Church at 4.30 P.M.  It’s a lovely ceremony and a packed Church.  Little Peggy Mueller

26.  Friday: Rose and Agnes are over for a visit this afternoon –with their kiddies Teddy – Mary – and Jackie.  This is the most beautiful day.  M

27.  Saturday: This is a day of fog – rain – and snow.  Bill Pable and Miriam Moore are married at St. Vincent’s Parsonage this afternoon.  Joe Hemmer is best man.

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29.  Monday: Joe Hemmer is operated for double rupture at Mercy Hospital by Dr. Geo Lynch.

30.  Tuesday: Took Joe Hemmer’s Mother over to the hospital to see him, and then over to view the remains of Mrs. Koelbl.

Diary of Alfred E. Potter October, 1937

01.  Friday: First Friday, to church at 7 A.M. and its raining.

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03.  Sunday: This is my all day on.  Dick Doman has a birthday.  F.W. Mueller’s golden anniversary in the drug business.

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05.  Tuesday: Beautiful day and warm.  Temperature is at 75°.

06.  Wednesday: Took Anna and Joe Weisheipl along to supper at Winneconne benefit Father Victor Kandy’s St. Mary’s Parish.  Played some Bingo, won nothing.  Met quite a number of Oshkosh people there, among them Postmaster Ray Novotny and Mrs. and their little girl.  World Series baseball begins at New York.  Yanks defeat Giants 8-1.  Ed Fretchel wins a dollar.

07. Thursday: The Yankees beat the Giants again 8-1.  This is Fire Prevention Week and Donald (son) marches in the Fire Prevention Parade this afternoon.

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09.  Saturday: The Giants beat the Yankees today 7-3.  Margaret Voelz wins the dollar.

10.  Sunday: Holy Name Sunday Six oclock Mass as usual.  Then to work.  Earl Fuhs is here for the day for Madison.  Robert Voelz is helping out at Oscar Rennebohm’s store No. 13.  Rose Weisheipl has a birthday.  She is 26.  Will and Emma Siewert were our house guests this evening.  The “Yanks” beat the “Giants” 4 – 2 winning the “World Baseball Series” in 5 games.  Joe Hemmer does some kind of celebrating all by himself.  Don’t know just what it is unless it is because Margaret is gone.

11.  Monday: We have our Monthly Store meeting tonite.  Glen Travers “Abbott Traveling Representative” was the speaker.  He gave the folks a fine sale talk.  Laurence Churchill head Clerk at our North Side Store is laid up with rheumatism.

12.  Tuesday: This is a busy day.  Had Red Cross meeting this evening.  Rev. Oberleiter is our new Roll Call Chairman, Rev. Mansfield associate chairman in the rural districts, Mrs. R.H. Bitter – Henry Zentner and George Savage are also on our committee.  Attended Market Day Associations entertainment at the Chevrolet Garage.  Had a large attendance – Keeno – Floor Show – and Dancing by Joe Vogt Orchestra.  Bill and Emma Siewert were with us.  Started “Coal Fire” in the furnace today.  This will no doubt mean steady from now until the latter part of Spring.

13.  Wednesday: Took a drive this afternoon to Princeton to see Sam Kepler, Alka\seltzer Salesman.  He has heart trouble, and we’ll have to be home until January.  He has a beautiful home, a lovely rock garden, his basement is made into a beautiful recreation room.  Stopped at Wautoma, to see Father John Nuerenberg.  Ann was there, Father is out hunting.  Ed Fretchel did some work at the cottage.  Rexall One Cent Sale Begins today.  Genevieve Steckbauer is married to Frank Rohde of Eureka at Sacred Heart Church at 9⁰⁰ this morning.  Her dad Frank Steckbauer works at the Continental

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17.  Sunday: Six O’clock Mass as usual.  St. Vincent’s Bazaar begins today.  I worked at the store morning attend Bazaar in the afternoon work again the evening.  Had some luck at the Bazaar.  Won 6 times on the wheel. Thres won a basket of groceries playing Keeno.  Joe Baier is also lucky, wins a blanket and a basket of groceries.

18.  Monday: Attended meeting of our Red Cross Roll Call Committee and it looks as tho we should be going places if Rev. Oberleiter and Rev. Mansfields plans mature.  Store meeting after work.  Planning 50^th anniversary Sale also with testimonial dinner in honor of Mr. F. W. Mueller.  Celia Drexler’s dad, Liebreich Schettl passed away this morning at 3 A.M.

19.  Tuesday: This is a day of Fog and Rain.  Mary Ann calls it a “Froggy Day.” She says “Ooh I hate these “Froggy Days.”

20.  Wednesday: Took the children out to view the remains of Liebreich Schettl.  Stopped at Cecelia Drexler’s and ran into a birthday party for little Corinne.  She is 7.  Thres and Mary Ann attend St. Vincent’s Bazaar.  Joe Heip and myself spend the evening at home.

21.  Thursday: Thres and Ann Weisheipl attend St. Peter’s Bazaar.  Thres wins a bushel of apples and 10 pounds sugar.

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23.  Saturday: Harvey Thompson and Rose are married 25 years today.  Took a drive to Sunnyview San.  This afternoon.  Dr. L.A. Schoen of Fremont is confined there.  He has been there since July.  I had a nice visit with him.  Met Cliff Reichenberger, he is looking well and may not have to stay much longer.

24.  Sunday: Aunt Mary’s birthday.  She is 64.  This is a beautiful day.

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27.  Wednesday: Attended regional conference of the Red Cross at Fond du Lac with Earl Fuller.  Very interesting.  “Maurice Reddy” Asst National Director “Disaster Relief” of Washington, D.C. proves an interesting speaker.  This is a guy location for Mueller Potter Drug Company.  We have a surprise party on Mr. F.W. Mueller at the American Legion Clubhouse.  It sure was a surprise to him.  About 30 were there.  Besides our employees John and Mrs. Hackbarth Waldo Reichardt, Mrs. Mueller, Mrs. Potter –Eva Mueller –Margaret – Esther Mueller – Loretta Baumgartner were there.  Party broke up at 2 A.M.  Joe Weisheipl Jr. played piano for us.

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29.  Friday: A beautiful day.  Ed Fretchel puts in our storm windows.  Temperature is at 80° degrees.

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31.  Sunday: To six Oclock Mass then to work.  This is my all day Sunday to work.  I picked up the first cold of the Season, and I’m sick with the too.  Temperature is 22° this morning.