BIOGRAPHIES:   John A. LATSCH, Latsch Valley, Trempealeau Co., WI

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Submitted by:  Nance Sampson, Trempealeau Co. WIGenWeb CC on 26 October 2003
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**Posted for informational purposes only - poster is not related to the 
subject of this biography and has no further information.

John A. Latsch, philanthropist, public benefactor and leading wholesale 
grocer, is a native of Trempealeau County, having been born in Latsch Valley, 
Aug. 15, 1860, son of John and Anna (Buol) Latsch, the pioneers.  He left 
Trempealeau Co8unty with the family in 1867, and has since spent his life in 
Winona.  In 1874 he started working for his father in the retail grocery 
business in Winona, and since 1887 he has been connected with the large 
wholesale grocery firm of Latsch & Son, of which he is now the head.  A lover 
of the out-of-doors, Mr. Latsch has long dreamed of presenting to the general 
public tracts of land for public recreation.  Already he had presented for 
public use a strip of land extending from Winona nearly to Minneiska, along 
the Misissippi river, which will be used as a game preserve and general 
recreation tract.  He is now planning to present Trempealeau Mountain to the 
state of Wisconsin.  The John A. Latsch public baths, across the Mississippi 
River from Winona, are another boon to the people from Mr. Latsch's generosity.  
And his friends declare that this is but the beginning of an elaborate project 
which he has under way for the establishing of reserves, which will be open to 
the public for all time for recreation, health and sport.  Trempealeau County 
has benefited directly by his benefactions, and is proud of having given birth 
to this distinguished and generous citizen, whose name will be honored in 
gratitude for countless generations.  As modest as he is big hearted, Mr. 
Latsch shrinks from public expressions of gratitude, and lives an active life 
of quiet modesty, taking his greatest delight in his business through which 
he realizes the money for his gifts, and in spending his time out in the open, 
enjoying those delights which he has now made possible for the general public.

- Transcribed from the "History of Trempealeau County Wisconsin, 1917," 
page 785


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