Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The Big Bend Country, embracing
Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties, State of Washington",
published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.
FRED HUESMANN, of the firm of
Baske & Huesmann, dealers in lumber, paints and oil, resides in Davenport,
Lincoln county, where he is recognized as a progressive and influential
citizen. He was born in Germany, June 21, 1869, the son of Ferdinand
and Kathrina (Johnson) Huesmann. The father was a contractor for
street work, and died in 1895. The mother still lives at Holstein,
Germany.
Having been educated in the public schools
of his native town, our subject learned the trade of a carpenter, and came
to the United States, in 1886, locating in Chicago where he remained three
years. He came to Davenport in 1889 and engaged in contracting and
building. He is a master of his profession, and erected the Catholic
church, Lutheran parsonage and Auditorium, and many of the finest residences
in the city. In 1898 he formed a partnership with Fred Baske, and
they continued the same business until 1900, when they decided to give
the lumber business their entire attention. The firm has extensive
yard facilities and they probably carry the largest stock of lumber in
the Big Bend country. They also own a quarter section of wheat land
near Edwald; a section of state land in Douglas county; their store building
and lot; a half block for the purpose of a lumber yard; one and one-half
blocks near the depot; and a half block up the track on which stands a
frame warehouse 40by50 feet in size, which they rent. Mr. Huesmann
owns a handsome two-story residence in the city of Davenport.
Our subject has three brothers and two sisters.;
John, in Chicago; Adolph, in Minnesota; Ludolf, in Germany; Mary, wife
of Charles Dappner, of Chicago; and Julia, now in Germany. February
4, 1892, at Davenport, Mr. Huesmann was married to Bertha Fortanier, born
in New York city, the daughter of Robert Fortanier, a native of Germany,
now retired from business and living in Davenport. Mrs. Huesmann
has one half brother, Charles, and one half sister, Mary, wife of A. Kloster,
a farmer living near Harrington. Mr. Huesmann is a member of the
A. O. U. W. and the W. W., while politically he is a Republican, though
not active. He is an energetic and sagacious business man, highly
esteemed and popular with all with whom he is associated.
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