Frederic Wendelin Harnishfeger b. Oct. 1846 Burgjoss, Hess (near Ashaffenburg, Bavaria) now Germany.
Came to U.S. 1866 Piqua, Ohio, 1867 Evansville; naturalization: 1865-1868, Gibson Co. Indiana, 1906-07, Vanderburgh Co. Indiana; Pioneer shoemaker: 315 No. 1st St.
Married 2 Feb.1873, Elizabeth Hassler b.20 Mar. 1849 d.15Apr.1910. dau of Daniel & Barbara Hassler.

After coming to the U.S. Frederic W spent nearly a year in Piqua Ohio and held odd jobs,
After arriving in Evansville worked several jobs including the Charles Ruhl Shoe Store at 12 S.E Second St.
In 1873 he worked at John S Walz, Grocer , Cross and Centre St,
In 1874 shortly after his marriage Fred W began the shoe manufacturing business in Evansville specializing in Boot & Shoe per an advertisement in the directory in Evansville that reads:

"HARNISHFEGER SHOE MANUFACTURING 120 LOCUST ST , DEALER IN BOOTS AND SHOES , CUSTON MADE, ALSO BOOT AND GAITER UPPERS"

His home address at the time was 308 Upper 1ST St in Evansville.
Fred & Elizabeth were the parents of 15 children :

Frederich Henry
Mary Elizabeth (Lensing)
Anna - Catholic sister
Cecila - Catholic sister
Joseph A
Leo
Elizabeth Lillian (her unnamed twin sister died at birth)
Twins George & Charles died at birth
Twins Frank C (he died at birth) & Matilda
Twins Johan & Elizabeth (died at birth)

Pioneer citizen of Evansville is Dead

F W Harnishfeger dies Wednesday after an illness of two weeks

Was born in Germany

F W Harnishfeger 68 years old of 329 East Indiana Street died at 7 o'clock Wednesday morning following an illness of two weeks.

Mr Harnishfeger was one of the pioneer businessman in the city conducting a shoe manufacturing shop on Upper First Street.

Mr Harnishfeger was born in Bavaria Germany and came to America in 1866,
He married in 1871 to Miss Elizabeth Hassler.

He leaves five daughters Misses Anna,Celia,Julia,Elizabeth Harnishfegerand Mrs W H Lensing, he leaves three sons Frederick,Joseph and Leo Hanishfeger.

He was secretary of the St Joseph Cemetery Association and a member of Knights of Columbus also a member Catholic Benevolent Legion Society.

Funeral arrangements will not be made until the arrival of his brother Leo who is in California.