Discover the fascinating history of Appleton with the Appleton Historical Society and Appleton Public Library! Join us for engaging, monthly presentations where history comes alive – every 2nd Wednesday at 6:30 pm (no December meeting). Each session features a different speaker and topic, all dedicated to celebrating and exploring Appleton’s rich past. Best of all, it’s completely free and open to everyone – no membership required! Learn more about Appleton Historical Society at
https://www.appletonhistory.com/.
This month’s presentation: Fred Hoeppner Sons Builders
Join the Appleton Historical Society on Wednesday July 9 at 6:30 PM for an engaging evening with Chuck “Gus” Hoeppner and his cousins, Ann, Jennifer, and Bob as they dive into the rich history of the Hoeppner family and their lasting impact on the Appleton community. Our presenters will share the fascinating story of three generations of the Hoeppner family and the evolution of their businesses, including Fred Hoeppner Sons Builders, the company behind some of Appleton’s most iconic homes.
Gus and his cousins will trace his great-grandfather Fred Hoeppner’s (Friedrich Johann Höppner) journey from his beginnings in 1896 as the plant foreman of the E. F. Wieckert Millwork Plant, to his involvement with The Standard Manufacturing & Millwork Company. In 1906 Friedrich branched out to establish Fred Hoeppner Sons, a company that would thrive under his leadership and, later, with his sons, Paul, Herman, Ernie, and Fred Jr. taking over in the 1920s. In 1958, Gus’s dad, Chuck (the son of Herman), took the helm of Friedrich’s sons. In 1964, Chuck also purchased The Standard, creating Hoeppner Architectural Millwork, which operated alongside Fred Hoeppner Sons until 1983 when the Coated Paper Company acquired the property and Chuck retired.
This presentation will highlight the Hoeppner family’s contributions to the Appleton community, showcasing the 110+ homes that still stand today, each a testament to the Hoeppner legacy, and the several large renovations to existing businesses in downtown Appleton.
Presented by Gus Hoeppner, his cousins, and potentially Fredrich’s granddaughter, 94-year-old Charlotte Hoeppner McEldowney, if she can make the trip from Tucson, AZ.
Assisting Gus for the presentation is Jennifer McEldowney Jones (Charlotte’s daughter), Robert “Bob” Hoeppner (great-grandson to Friedrich), and Ann Stumpf Allen (granddaughter to Fred Jr.).
Today, Gus lives in Maryland and spends his summers at the family lake house outside of Gresham. Ann lives north of Milwaukee; Jennifer lives in Tucson, spending her summers in Green Bay; and Bob lives at his lake house outside of Wild Rose.
Also check out other Meetups in Appleton.
