Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2014 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Historic Michigan Volume III, Part No. I [132-133] HISTORY OF MUSKEGON COUNTY CASTENHOLZ is a name which means much in the history of Muskegon. JOSEPH, WILL and RAYMOND CASTENHOLZ, of the well-known firm of CASTENHOLZ Brothers, real estate operators, need little introduction to residents of this community. The name they bear has long been an honored one. JOHN CASTENHOLZ, SR., the founder of the family, was born in Germany and came with his parents to the United States when four years old. He received his early education in the public schools of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where his parents settled, later entering a butcher shop, where he learned the details of the meat business. He then obtained employment in a packing house, and acquired a thorough knowledge of killing, dressing and packing meats for the wholesale trade. Seeing the opportunities in this business, he risked his savings in establishing a packing-house of his own. The venture was successful, and in 1869, when he disposed of his holdings in Milwau- kee, the business was one of which he might be justly proud. Removing to Muskegon, which was then a small but rapidly growing town, he erected the Muskegon stockyards on a site on Getty avenue. He gave his undivided attention to the new industry, keeping abreast of the times and from time to time installing newer and more modern equip- ment. This industry, which his sons were later to acquire, was known throught the state as an ideal one for the production of dressed meats. His wife, Miss ELIZABETH WEINGARTNER, of Milwaukee, was a native of Alsace-Lorraine, who came to the United States with her parents when she was yet a child. To this union were born seven children: JOHN, NICHOLAS, JOSEPH, HENRY, WILL, GERTUTINDE and BARBARA. JOHN CASTENHOLZ, SR., continued as head of the business he founded until his death in 1882. His five sons, whom he had trained carefully to succed him in the business, then assumed control of the Muskegon stockyards, which they operated under the firm name of CASTENHOLZ Brothers. In 1914 the plant was leased by the ALBERS Brothers, who continued the packing business until 1917. At the time of the leasing CASTENHOLZ Brothers retired from the packing business to enter the real estate work, subdividing and selling holdings which they had acquired in and adjacent to Muskegon. The name CASTENHOLZ Brothers was retained by the four sons who continued in the real estate busi- ness, NICHOLAS CASTENHOLZ having dropped out of the firm to enter another occupation. In 1916 JOHN CASTENHOLZ retired from active participation in the affairs of the company, which specialized in development of subdivisions, having been elected road commissioner of Muskegon county. He was re-elected from time to time, and held this position at the time of his death in August, 1925. The three brothers, JOSEPH, HENRY and WILL CASTENHOLZ, enjoyed continued suc- cess in the real estate business, and in 1922, when death removed HENRY CASTENHOLZ, the surviving members of the firm accepted RAYMOND, son of JOSEPH CASTENHOLZ, as a partner. These three men are the present heads of the CASTENHOLZ Brothers Company, which is trusted alike by large and small investors in Muskegon real property. PAUL CASTENHOLZ, head of the Laporte Neckwear Company, Muskegon, is another son of JOSEPH and MARY (COLE) CASTENHOLZ. =========================================================================== Transcriber's Note: JOHN CASTENHOLZ, SR., did not go directly from Milwaukee to Muskegon in 1869 as the above article states. In 1870 he was residing in Pentwater, Oceana County, Michigan where, in January, 1871, he opened a market next to the North Western Hotel. Source: 1870 Census, Penwater, Oceana County, MI East Shore News, Pentwater, MI - 20 Jan. 1871