Bio of SIFFERLE, Joseph A. (b.1858 d.1922), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical

Vol II, pg 533-534
JOSEPH A. SIFFERLE
Joseph A. Sifferle was prominently connected with the cooperage business in
Minneapolis for many years, entering that field of labor as one of its pioneers
in this city. As the years passed he developed his interests to large
proportions and won place among the prominent representatives of industrial
activity here. Mr. Sifferle was born in Racine, Wisconsin, April 6, 1858, and
was a son of Andrew and Tressa (Arnold) Sifferle, both of whom were natives of
Alsace-Lorraine, France. They came to America in 1856, settling first at Salem,
Massachusetts, but in 1857 continued their westward journey to Racine,
Wisconsin, where they lived until 1870 and then removed to Minneapolis. The
father was engaged in the cooperage business in Racine and upon reaching
Minneapolis continued in the same line of activity.
Joseph A. Sifferle obtained his education in the public schools of his native
city to the age of twelve years and then accompanied his parents to Minneapolis,
where he also studied for a time. He later organized and established one of the
first cooper­age shops in this city, operating under the name of the Phoenix
Barrel Shop in 1880. This was started as a cooperative company and in 1889 was
consolidated with another business of similar character, under the name of the
Hennepin County Barrel Com­pany. About ten years later Mr. Sifferle sold his
interest in that enterprise and engaged in the brokerage business for two years.
He became connected with the Cooperative Barrel Company in 1903 and after three
years' association therewith was elected to the presidency, in which capacity he
continued to serve until 1917, when the business was consolidated with that of
the North Star Barrel Company, of which Mr. Sifferle had been the president from
the 17th of January, 1922. He continued as the chief executive officer of the
latter company to the time of his death and thus for many years was a prominent
figure in connection with the cooperage business in this city and active in
promoting the industry, which has always been an important one here, owing to
the extensive shipments sent from Minneapolis each year. Mr. Sifferle was one of
the organizers of the Hennepin Savings & Loan Association and in business
affairs his judgment was sound and his insight notably keen.
In 1890 occurred the marriage of Joseph A. Sifferle and Miss Regina Bros, a
daughter of Mathew and Barbara Bros, natives of France, whence they came to
America in 1852. Both the father and mother died a little later and Regina was
adopted by Florian Rossmanith, a resident of St. Paul, who died on the 5th of
July, 1922. Mr. and Mrs. Sifferle became the parents of six children, five of
whom are living: Joseph A. L.; John Florian; Marie, deceased; Arthur Andrew;
Florence Virginia; and Edwin Francis. John Florian served in the navy, being on
duty at the Bay Ridge naval station, while Joseph A. L. served in the ordnance
section of the United States army, being on duty at the plant of the Minneapolis
Steel & Machinery Company.
Mr. Sifferle was a member of St. Elizabeth's Catholic church and he and his
father were among its founders. He died in that faith June 10, 1922. He had been
active along various other lines, being one of the organizers and a charter
member of the National Guard at Minneapolis, a member of the Modern Woodmen of
America, and associated with M. J. Gill, Harry Lund and Peter Haverstein as one
of the organizers of Cedar Camp, of which he became the first venerable counsel.
He was also one of the organizers of the Cooper's Band, of which he was leader
more than forty years ago. This was a well known organization and in the early
days all that Minneapolis had in the way of a musical organization. He gave his
political allegiance to the republican party and was a delegate to various
conventions. His interests and activities were broad and varied, touching many
of those things which bear upon the welfare and progress of the community, and
all who knew him held him in warm regard.