Bio: Nusbaum, Appolinaire J. (Commemorative Bio - 1895)

Poster: Crystal Wendt

Appolinaire J. Nusbaum

Appolinaire J. Nusbaum is a wide awake and progressive business man of Merrill. He was born in the little village of Lann, France, April 13, 1842, and is a son of A. J. Nusbaum, Sr., also a native off the same country, who was a French soldier and served for eight years under Napoleon. His death occurred in 1848. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Adelle Gunde Hilbet, and by her first marriage had four children; Bernard, who died at the age of twenty years; Appolinaire J.; Eliza, who died in infancy; and Martin, who is still in France. After the death of Mr. Nusbaum, the widow was married again, becoming the wife of John Meyer. His death occurred in 1871, and Mrs. Meyer, who was of German descent, passed away in 1877. They had three children: Eliza, John and Edward.

When fifteen years of age Mr. Nusbaum, whose name introduces this review, began to learn the trade of cabinet making, which he followed for many years in France, being employed in Paris and other cities. He became an expert workman, and took the first premium for fine work in the city of Toulon, in 1866. He was married in France, in 1868, to Miss Valeri, but the following year was called upon to mourn the death of his wife.

In 1874 Mr. Nusbaum bade adieu to the land of his birth, and crossing the Atlantic to America, took up his residence in La Crosse, Wis., where for three years he was employed by Tillmann Brothers. In April, 1880, he came to Merrill, and opened the first cabinet shop in the city. He has since built up an excellent trade, and now has a large furniture store in which he carries a good stock, but his finest furniture is of his own manufacture. He learned his trade when all fine furniture was manufactured by hand, and some of his work far excels that manufactured by machinery. He has the qualities of a successful merchant, being wide-awake, enterprising and progressive, and has the tact of pleasing the varied tastes of the varied people with whom a business man in always sure some in contact.

While in La Crosse, Mr. Nusbaum was united in marriage August 15, 1876, with Mrs. Anna Everknitz, who was born in Germany, and by her first marriage had three daughters, only one of whom is now living. There were two sons by the second marriage, John N. and Albert A. The mother died October 25, 1889, and on the 6th of April, 1890. Mr. Nusbaum came to America with the hope of benefiting his financial condition, and this hope has been realized, for, as the result of his industry and good management, he is now the possessor of a comfortable competence.

---Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the Upper Wisconsin Counties of Waupaca, Portage, Wood, Marathon, Lincoln, Oneida, Vilas, Langlade and Shawano. publ. 1895 by J. H. Beers & Co., Chicago 1110 pages, illustrated; Page 718