August Weisenhorn
USGENWEB Montana Archives
May be copied for non-profit purposes.
History of Montana,by Joaquin Miller, 1894

August Weisenhorn, a Montana pioneer of 1863 and one of 
Helena's businessmen and successful manufacturers, was 
born in Germany, January 29, 1842. His father, Silas 
Weisenhorn, a German manufacturer and hotel keeper was 
married in Germany and in 1857 came with his family to 
America and settled at Qunicy, Illinois, where he
purchased a farm and resided until 1890 when his 
death occurred in the 84th year of his age. His 
wife had died two years previously, in her 78th 
year.August Weisenhorn was the third in a family 
of seven children, six of whom are living and was 
fifteen years old when he came to America. He remained 
on the farm with his father and learned the blacksmith 
trade and when he attained maturity started with a mule 
team for Montana. He stopped and worked at his trade 
about two months in Colorado then came on to Virginia 
City and opened a shop there which he ran two years 
afterward moving to Diamond City where he continued 
his trade until 1870. That year he sold out and 
returned to Quincy Illinois, established a carriage 
and wagon manufactory, operated the same two years 
and in 1872 sold out. That year he came to Helena, 
Montana with a stock of carriages and wagons and 
located in a building which together with his stock 
was soon afterwards burned, entailing the loss of 
all his accumulations. Then he began working at his 
trade again. For two years he was in the employ of
 Alexander Camp, after which, in partnership with 
Wallace Brown, he bought out Mr. Camp and has since 
been engaged in the manufacture of carriages and 
wagons. After six years Weisenhorn and Brown dissolved 
partnership and Mr. Weisenhorn continued in business 
alone. In 1889 the Weisenhorn Manufacturing Company 
was organized, Senator T.C. Power and Joseph Q. 
Townsend being its presidentand manager. Mr. Weisenhorn 
was married March 26, 1878 to Emma J. Buscher, a native 
of Indiana and a daughter of Henry Buscher.They have 
five children: Birdie E., Lafayette A., Barbara; Ottie 
and Frances--all born in Helena.

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