Biography: Winnebago County, Wisconsin: Alexander Billstein ************************************************************************ Submitted by Kathy Grace, January 2005 © All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************************************ History of northern Wisconsin: containing an account of its settlement, growth, development, and resources, an extensive sketch of its counties, cities, towns and villages, their improvements, industries, manufactories, biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers, views of county seats, etc. Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1881 p. 1172 Alexander Billstein, merchant; was born in Hess Darmstadt, Germany, Oct. 5, 1831; came to America in 1851; lived in Ohio until 1854; then came to Milwaukee where he remained until he came to Neenah, May 7, 1856; since coming here, he has been engaged continuously in mercantile business (never sold out nor failed); he is also extensively engaged in dealing in wool, hops, grain, furs, hides, pelts, etc.; he does a business of about $175,000 per annum; he does all the hide, pelt and hop business here; some years he handles 1,000 bale of hops, and so far this season, he has bought over 200,000 pounds of wool. Mr. B. was President of the village two terms; in 1875, he was Mayor, and has served as Alderman; he is a member of A., F. & A. M., I.O.O.F., and K. of H. He was married in Milwaukee, May 4, 1856, to Elizabeth Alschul; she was born near the city of Prague, in Bohemia; they have five children- Sarah, now Mrs. H. Katz, of Yankton, Dak., Belle, Moses, Eva and Celia.