Name/Title
Business, Histories, Waupun Bottling Works, Otto AmthorScope and Content
AMTHOR, OTTO WAUPUN BOTTLING WORKS
(Notes found in Lena Luck's records)
OTTO AMTHOR
Waupun Bottling Works
Worked as shoemaker at state Prison
Operated Tavern next to Catholic Church
Rural Route ~ mail carrier
While still carrying mail--started 1st laundry in basement of home for numerous years.
Then discontinued laundry--started 1st soda water bottling plant --
Still retained R R mail route. His children, Walter and Alma helped wash and refill bottles by hand.
In time he installed bottle wash machinery. Followed by other modern bottling machinery. Soda business flourishing. Quit R R mail delivery to devote full time to soda business.
Adding bottle beer, he delivered goods to surrounding territory, including
Fox Lake, Lake Emily, Little Green, Markesan, Brandon, Oak Center, Oakfield,etc with horse drawn rigs. Distributed Lomira, West Bend, Schlitz, Foxhead, Old Style, Kingsbury, 'vVort and Near Beer, etc.
Later he took in Walter Paskey as partner and they added many kinds of cigars, cigerettes, tobacco, candy, gum, paper articles, ice cream supplies, etc. At this time we had 3-4 modern trucks and equipment.
Employed 3 Luck boys, Alf. Bohnert, Turtleotte and Art Pettack--steady.
Also others on bush week ends curing summer ptcnics and celebrations.
Mr. Amthor was really busy man. Very active lodge member--Eagles, Masons, K.P. etc. Held office in these many times and enjoyed it all. So as not to be bored in spare time, he held office of City Tax Collector, Treasurer for 25-30 years. His daughter Alma helped him some and she also held record of being on city and school election boards for 37 years. Quite a record for both; with never an enemy or unkind word toward anyone.
All gone to final reward. Except his son's wife Zella and I. God Bless them both.
Art Pettack Dec. 20th, 1975Acquisition
Accession
2001.0034Source or Donor
Waupun Historical SocietyAcquisition Method
Collected by Staff