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Carl Manthey: 1851-1943

Posted February 9, 2021

When you visit the cemeteries in Northeast Wisconsin, you may have seen some of my work.  I am Carl Manthey, I am a marble cutter by trade and supplied many of the headstones and monuments for the families in the area.

I was born on May 11, 1851 in Stettin, Germany. My parents decided to emigrate to America when I was about 18, and we settled in Chicago. I went to work at the Grant Marble Company, where I learned the skills to cut and carve marble. In 1879, my parents moved to Green Bay and I decided to move with them. Upon my arrival to Green Bay, I joined into partnership with Gottlieb Kurtz as Kurtz and Manthey Marble Works. Two years later, I bought out my partner’s half of the business. My marble works was so successful I needed a larger location, so in 1892, I moved my business from the southeast side of the Walnut Street bridge to S. Washington Street at the base of Doty Street.

In 1910, the business was incorporated, and two of my sons got involved in the business. Also, the switch from Marble to Granite required a new and larger building. We moved the business a few blocks south to the corner of S. Washington and Chicago Streets. 

I passed away on April 25, 1943 at the age of 91 and was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery.  As for my business, it continued until 1967, when it was purchased by Schultz Memorials, which today is Schlaefer-Martin Memorials.