Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1891-12-17
Jos. Nathan & Son.

NO name among all the business men
of our pleasant and thriving city, better
illustrates the force of pluck and energy
than does that of Mr.. Joseph Nathan,
who day ranks as one of our most
esteemed and successful merchants.
The success which has come to him is
the result of years of persevering indus
try, coupled with the possession of bus.
mess abilities of marked degree. Mr..
Nathan started life poor boy of poor
parents, and was born on the banks OF
the beautiful and historic river Rhine,
in Germany, in the pretty and song
famed town OF St Goar, in the month
of roses, 1886 When thirteen years OF
age young Nathan came to this country
with his parents. His father. Jacob
Nathan, being still alive with us and
known as one of our sturdiest and most
respected citizens, hale and hearty in
his S4th year. Jacob Nathan's family
first located in ST. Louis, where they
remained one winter, coming to this
vicinity in the spring of 1850, the year
cholera ragged with snch violence in this
country. All of the Nathan family be-
| ing afflicted with this disease except the
gentleman whose name is under review.
On reaching this neighborhood the fam
lily located at point three and one hall
miles from Lancaster, and for two years
engaged in mining when their attention
was given to farming, which was carried
on with varying success until 1858,
when farming was relnquished and the
family moved to this city, where the
elder Nathan embarked in the general
merchandising business. In 1858 Joseph
Nathan was united in marriage at this
place 10 Miss Anna Nj. Griffin, an esti-
mable lady from Fayette County, Penn
sylvania, by which union there has been
born seven children; four boys. Frank,
Harry, Joe and Jay, and three girls,
Flora, Carrie and May The year fol
lowing his marriage Mr.. Nathan and
wife left for California, where for six
years he was engaged in mining in that
state and Nevada territory, returning to
Lancaster IN 1865. On returning TO
this city he purchased his fathers bust
ness. which was continued under the
firm title of Nathan, Schreiner & Co.
The company being Mr.. Adolph Nathan
brother of Joseph. MIR. Adolph
Nathan is now in Chicago a member OF
the firm of Kuhn, Nathan and Fisher. on
the corner Of Franklin and Jackson
streets, one OF the very leading firms OF
that city. MIR. Adolph Nathan being
also a mem Der of the Worlds Fair
Board. The business of Nathan. Schroi.
ner & Co. was continued until the re-
moval of Adolph to Chicago when it
was dissolved. Mr. Joseph Nathan re-
tanning the meat and grocery depart
ments, while Mr. Schreiner continues to
run the dry goods and clothing business.
Mr.. Nathan's store is large one in a
substantial brick building on Monroe
street, directly opposite the east front
of the Court House, while Mr.. Schrei-
ner's big store is on Main street. Mr..
Nathan has practically retired from the
business, which is now under the care
full control of his son Harry. Mr..
Nathan is interested in the management
of the State Bank, of which institution
he is one of the directors. He is also
largely interested in numerous other
enterprises Of considerable magnitude
The fact that the Kelley Institute is
located here is due to the personal
efforts of Mr. Nathan. When Mr..
Nathan first preached his purpose Of
endeavoring to secure the Institute for
this city, he so warmly and persistently
advocated the idea as to be called q
crank; yet it was just this kind of crank
mess needed at that time, and after hav-
ing determined to secure the Institute
/ he went at it with the Same vigor and
energy he has always displayed in his
other enterprises, His earnest advocacy
of this plan in time won over the sup
port of DR.. A. H. Barber. John Schrei-
nera brother-in law, and Mr. Jos. Book.
This quartette at once set to work and
the Institute was brought to our city