Individual Details

Archiwum Archidiecezjalne, ul. Kaninia 12, 50328 Wroclaw, Poland, 11 Mar 1991
"1872, 14th of February, was christened a legitimate son of shoemaker and resident Robert Freundt, and of his wife Augusta nee Lux, born on the 12th of the month, by chaplain Thienel. He received the name of Robert. Godparents were church warden Franz Kahler, from here, maiden Maria Karras, daughter of the harnessmaker Albert Karras, both from here."

EMIGRATED:
01 April 1887, vessel WESER, Port of Baltimore

NATURALIZATION:
(St. Croix Series 62, Index to Naturalization, UW-River Falls ARC)
Naturalized September 23, 1914.

HSO, 20 Jun 1985, "Historic Hudson" by Willis H. Miller
One of Hudson's best known businessmen more than a half century ago was Robert A. Friend (1872-1955), who was a grocer and restaurant owner.
Friend was born in Germany in 1872, but came to America with his parents in 1886.
Soon after his arrival in Hudson as a youth, he went to work for his uncle, John Lux (sometimes spelled Lucks), in his grocery store. This store was where the Country Squire Furntiure is now located at 512 Second St.
It wasn't long before young Robert Friend went into business for himself. In the mid-1890's he purchased the Gem Restaurant at 212 Locust Street (in the Gatchell building) that had previously been operated briefly by Langdon Ansley. Friend changed the name of the establishment after the turn of the century to Palace of Sweets. It became a popular and successful business. Its location was excellent. On the second floor of the building was the office of Dr. L. P. Mayer, one of the city's best known physicians.
In 1898-99 the city directory listed the Gem Restaurant and Robert Friend as a "dealer in fruits, confectionery and oysters."
In that same year, 1898, Friend advertised that he sold candies and mixed nuts from 6 cents to 8 cents, plus Christmas tree ornaments, shelled nuts, toys and chinaware.
According to Frances (Beaudry) Powers, a niece of Robert Friend, the Palace of Sweets was a special place to go and its wonderful oyster stew was known far and wide. Mrs. Powers' mother, Otillia (Friend) Beaudry, was a cook at the restaurant before she got married [1904], and often recaled that various clubs and organizations came to the restaurat for its special oyster stew. The restaurant, too, was a busy place after various functions at the Armory, which was less than a block away.
As a promotion for his business in 1916, Friend advertised in the Star-Observer that a gold watch (a 17-jewel Elgin) would be awarded free every month to the holder of a lucky number. Coupons would be given with every 5 cents purchase of candy, ice cream, soda, school supplies, tobacco and cigars.
He continued in the Palace of Sweets until about 1917, when he disposed of the business, but shortly afterwards bought the Hudson Bottling Works at 406 Second Street from Gerhard Wallesch (1858-1933), who had manufactures carbonated beverages and mineral waters in Hudson since 1901.
Competition was strong in the beverage business in the 1920s and, by 1927, Friend wanted to make a change. He sold out to the Casanova Beverage Company, which took over his operation.
Friend didn't wait too long to get back into business, this time establishing a small, neighborhood grocery store at the same address on Second Street, where he had conducted his beverage operation.
The grocery store was a successful business and kept him occupied right up to his retirement in 1937, when he sold out to Ray Hall.
From his arrival in Hudson, he was a devout member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church. He was a charter member of the local chapter of the Knights of Columbus, serving as its Grand Knight twice, 1921-23 and 1942-44.
Robert Friend was married twice. His first wife, Mary Siegel, whom he married in 1902, died in 1918. Three years later, in 1921, he married Anna Riedel. He had two children by his first wife: Robert, Jr. (1905-1957) and Frances (now Mrs. Ray Thome of New Richmond).
I remember him well. He was an active, wiry man who wore a small mustache and spoke with a hearty German accent. I recall how much he enjoyed visiting with his fellow countryman and shoe repairman, Otto Abel, when both of them could speak in their native tongue.
Mr. and Mrs. Friend lived at 624 Fourth Street in the house now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Daniel A. Bauer. One of the impressive features of the Friend house was the rown of magnificent blue spruce trees on the north side of the building.

HST, 21Jun1895, by S. Curtiss Simonds
ROBERT FRIEND'S GEM RESTAURANT
This neat well named establishment was bought by Mr. Friend, June 1, 1895,having been previously run for a short time by Mr. Langdon Ansley. Robert has since run it with good success and made it a popular resort for young and old. A choice line of fruits, confectionery, soft drinks and palatable eatables can always be found at the Gem. Mr. Friend was born in Germany 26 years ago and came to this city in 1886.

HST, 15Jun1900
The confectionery store of Robert Friend is very neat and kept up in good shape. Miss Mary Bailey still retains her old position.

HST, 12Apr1901, p7
ADVERTISEMENT
ROBERT'S 'ROUND THE CORNER
Thats the Place for Soda Water
Fountain opened for Season 1901
Fruits, Nuts, Confections
Robert Friend

HST, 25Oct1901, p1
ADVERTISEMENT
Oysters
R NOW ON TAP
Raws, Fries and Stews
at
Robert Friend Confectioner
Hudson, Wisconsin

Republican-Voice, New Richmond, 31Jan1902
Robert Friend, a confectioner and fruit dealer, and Mollie Siegal, a young lady of St. Paul, were marrired Tuesday in the latter city at the home of the bride's parents.

HST, Dec 1902
ADVERTISEMENT
Phone 198
A QUAKER?
No, Although Robert Friend is a "Friend", he is not a Quaker, for he believes
in having everything tasty and up-to-date, so much so in fact that he makes his competitors seem as ancient as those old Plymouth folk. Step in and see those handsome new bon bon boxes, those delicious chocolates and confectionary and fruits of every kind and of the best quality. If you go to ROBERT FRIEND'S for your bon bons, be with the crowd and say SURE THING.

True Republican, 13 Mar 1903, p3
Robert Friend is bearing his blushing honors very becomingly over the advent of a little daughter in the family.

St.Croix Observer, Ready for Christmas, 8 Dec1903, p1
The "Palace of Sweets" will be found sweeter than ever before and tastefully decorated with holiday candies, nuts and fruits as well as notions. Mr. Robert Friend and Miss Friend are too well known to need introductions.

HST, 4Mar1904, p1
BOARD OF TRADE BANQUET
Attending the Board of Trade Banquet held at Elk's Hall were R. Friend and A. Karras...

HST, 23Dec1904, p4
ICE CREAM
Give us your Xmas order early
Brick Ice Cream

ca 1904
Next Wednesday we will receive half a car load of Xmas Trees which will be sold at 15 cents, 25 cents and 40 cents each. Robert Friend's

True Republican (or HST), 24Aug1905
Hold on Mr. Census taker, wait a minute. Robert Friend has a report to make. It's a boy and a fine one.


1905 Advertisement
BRICK ICE CREAM, Frozen extra hard to be carried home. A new way of putting up ice cream when purchasers desire to take it home. It is frozen in one quart bricks, wrapped in parchment paper, incased in a neat paper box, making a handy package to carry. Will keep firm about two hours. Pure ice cream in 5 gallon cans at 70 cents per gallon. ROBERT FRIEND'S CONFECTIONERY

HST, 11Dec1905, p1
Advertisement
Have You Tried any of that new lot of candy just received. It looks good, it tastes good and all say it is good. You will say the same. Christmas confectionery a speciality. Robert Friend

HST, 8 Sep 1899, p8
Marriage Bells
Christoph-Schnabel.
In St. Paul, at Assumption church, Tuesday morning, September 5, 1899, by Rev. Father Domnick, John Christoph of Hudson and Miss Anna Schnable [sic] of St. Paul. . . . Robert Friend was best man.

HST, 14Dec1906, p2
FRIEND's
"PALACE OF SWEETS"
Tons of Candy

St. Croix Observer, 7May1907, p5
Robert Friend has begn work on the foundation and has the lumber in readiness for a new residence on the corner of Fourth and Vine streets.

St. Croix Observer, 14Aug1907, p5
Robert Friend's fine new residence at 4th and Vine streets is nearing completion.

HSO, 18Feb1909
Mrs. Robert Friend entertaied the Euchre Club Thursday evening.

HSO, 28 Nov 1919, p5
Robert Friend was a Twin City caller Friday.

NH: Theresa told me that Robert Friend had traveled back to Germany after the death of his first wife, Marie Sigel, to ask Anna Riedel to marry him. A search of the online Ellis Island passenger records seems to confirm this.

Passenger Record for Robert Friend Passenger Record for Anna Riedel
Ethnicity: Ethnicity: German
Place of Residence: Hudson, Wis. Place of Residence: Nurnberg, Germany
Date of Arrival: 30 Oct 1920 Date of Arrival: 18 Oct 1921
Age on Arrival: 48 yr. Age on Arrival: 44 yr.
Gender: M Gender: F
Marital Status: M Marital Status: S
Ship of Travel: Finland Ship of Travel: Mount Clay
Port of Departure: Antwerp, Belgium Port of Departure: Hamburg, Germany

Passport Application:
Form for Naturalized Citizen
State of Wisconsin
County of St. Croix
I, Robert Friend, a Naturalized and Loyal Citizen of the United States, hereby apply to the Department of State, at Washington, for a Passport.
I solemnly swear that I was born at Germany on February 12, 1872; that my father, Robert Friend, born in Germany and is now deceased; that I emigrated to the United States, sailing from Germany about April 1887; that I resided 33 years, uninterruptedly, in the United States, from 1887 to 1920, at Hudson, Wisconsin; that I was naturalized as a citizen of the United States befor the Circuit Court of St. Croix County at Hudson, Wisconsin, on January 7th, 1914, as shown by the Certificate of Naturalization presented herewith...my permanent residence being at Hudson, Wisconsin where I follow the occupation of Merchant. I am about to go abroad temporarily, and intend to return to the United States within six months with the purpose of residing and performing the duties of citizenship therein; and I desired a passport for use in visiting the countries hereafter named for the following purposes: Holland, visit; France, visit. I intend to leave the United States from the port of New York sailing onboard the Ryndam on August 18thm 1920. Signed, Robert Friend.

HSO, 28Oct1921, p1
Miss Anna Riedel of Nurnberg, Germany, and Robert Friend of this city were married at St. Patrick's church Thursday morning, Oct. 27, by Rev. Msgr. Barney.
Robert Gartmann attended the groom. They have made their home at the residence of the groom, Fourth and Vine streets. The bride was a former resident of Hudson and the many friends of both extend congratulations.

HSO, 17 Jul 1924, p1
MOST ALL IN ONE DAY
Saturday was a day of strikes, hits, scratches and spares. Robert Friend, Jr., was going up Vine street in the big bottling works truck and swerved to the left to make the turn into his own yard. Along came a tourist car which tried to pass the truck at the moment it was about to swerve. It struck the walk on the right side, fortunately at the crossing. The springs came into full play and with one bound over the alley crossing car and driver chased over the lawn in front of the Dickey residence and dshed among the trees with the agility of a young fawn. The driver was spared any serious outcome.


HSO, 22Feb1934, p5, c2
Mrs. Robert Friend has been confined to her home the past months with a seige of illness but is now reported very much improved and able to be up and around.

HSO, 7 Jun 1945, p5, Local News
The Memorial Day guests of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Friend and the Rev. J. H. Benson were: Mrs. Roy Roberts, Mrs. Etta Karras Montieth of Minneapolis and Mrs. Amy Karras Burnson, Mr. and Mrs. Myron Karras and daughter, Betty, and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Friend, Jr. and son Jimmy of St. Paul. A picnic lunch was served on the lawn to the guests.

HSO, 20Oct1955
Robert Friend, 83, Former Hudson Businessman, Buried on Saturday
Robert Friend, 83, 624 Fourth Street, died suddenly Thursday morning, October 13, at his home.
Son of Robert and Augusta (Lux) Friend, he was born in New Altmansdorf, Germany, and came to this country June 1, 1886 (Ascension Day) arriving in Baltimore.
He was employed for a time by his uncle Mr. Lux in the grocery business soon after his arrival in Hudson.
He started his own business, a confectionary known as the "Palace of Sweets" in the Gatchell Building on Locust Street, in 1894 and continued until 1917.
In 1919 he bought the Hudson Bottling Works and in 1927 started a grocery store on 2nd Street, (now known as Ray Hall Grocery) which he operated until his retirement in April 1937.
In 1902 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary (Mollie) Siegel of St. Paul in that city, who preceded him in death in 1918. A son, Robert, Jr., of Kankakee, Illinous; and a daughter, Frances (Mrs. Raymond Thome) of Hudson, were born to them.
On October 27, 1921 he married Miss Anna Riedel at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Hudson. Besides his wife Anna, son Robert and daughter Frances, he is survived by one sister, Mrs. Anna Gartmann of Hudson, two grandchildren, 6 nieces and nephews.
He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church and served as a trustee for many years. He was a charter member of St. Croix Council No. 1762 Nights of Columbus and was a Grant Knight from 1921 to 1923 and from 1932 to 1944; and served as Financial Secretary from 1914 until 1928 and received an Honorary Life Membership in that organization. He was also a member of the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin and Lodge No. 640 B.P.O. Elks.
Funeral services were Saturday, at 8:30 a.m. at the Jasper-Kramer Funeral Home and at 9:00 a.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church with Msgr. John M. Owens officiating. Interment was in St. Patrick's cemetery.

They don’t write up accidents like this anymore -
Hudson Star-Observer, 17 Jul 1924, p1
Saturday was a day of strikes, hits, scratches and spares. Robert Friend, Jr., was going up Vine street in the big bottling works truck and swerved to the left to make the turn into his own yard. Along came a tourist car which tried to pass the truck at the moment it was about to swerve. It struck the walk on the right side, fortunately at the crossing. The springs came into full play and with one bound over the alley crossing car and driver chased over the lawn in front of the Dickey residence and dashed among the trees with the agility of a young fawn. The driver was spared any serious outcome.


1910 Census:
Resides Fourth St., residence 139/family 147
Friend, Robert
Head, white male, age 38, married 8 years, born Germany, both parents born Germany, emigrated 1888, Na,
reads, writes and speaks English, store propritor
Friend, Mary
Wife, age 31, has had 2 children/2 living, born Germany, both parents born Germany, emigrated 18880,
reads, writes and speaks English
Friend, Frances
Daughter, age 7, born Wisconsin
Friend, Robert
Son, age 4, born Wisconsin

Birth	12 Feb 1872	Neu Altmannsdorf, Kreis of Munsterberg, District of Breslau, Prussia
Christen	14 Feb 1872	Neu Altmannsdorf, Kreis of Munsterberg, District of Breslau, Prussia
Occupation	1894 - 1917	Palace of Sweets confectionary - Gatchel building, Locust St., Hudson, St. Croix County, Wisconsin
Marriage	Jan 1902	St.Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota - Mary Anna "Marie" Siegel
Occupation	1919	Hudson Bottling Works, Hudson , St. Croix County, Wisconsin
Marriage	27 Oct 1921	Hudson, St. Croix County, Wisconsin, St.Patrick's - Anna Babbette Riedel
Occupation	1927	Started a grocery store on Second St., Hudson, St. Croix County, Wisconsin
Occupation	9 Apr 1930	Proprietor, Grocery store - Hudson or Baldwin, St. Croix County, Wisconsin
Death	13 Oct 1955	Hudson, St. Croix County, Wisconsin
Burial	15 Oct 1955	St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery, Hudson, St. Croix County, Wisconsin
Radio in 1930		Yes

Spouse	Mary Anna "Marie" Siegel (1873 - )
Child	Frances Mary Friend ( - 1991)
Child	Robert Edwin Friend (1905 - )

Spouse

Anna Babbette Riedel (1876 - 1962)

Father	Robert Friend (1836 - 1906)
Mother	Augusta Lux (1835 - 1918)
Sibling	Max Josef Friend (1866 - 1894)
Sibling	Anna Friend (1868 - 1957)
Sibling	Ottilia Friend (1873 - 1949)