Memorial Addresses. 
557 
John G. Meacham, M. D., became an annual member of the 
Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters in 1877. 
John G. Meacham, Jr. 
Racine, Wis. 
CHRISTIAN PREUSSER. 
(Compiled by the Secretary from the Milwaukee Sentinel of June 7, 8, and 9, 1899.) 
Christian Preusser was born at Idstein, dukedom of Nassau, 
Germany, in 1826. He left school at fifteen years of age in 
order to learn the trade of watchmaker and jeweler. He came 
to Milwaukee in 1844 and opened a small jewelry store on East 
Water street. His business increased steadily until, in 1855, 
the brick building at East Water and Mason streets, which is 
still occupied by the firm, was erected for its accommodation. 
Mr. Preusser’s brother, Gustav, had become a partner with him, 
but the firm name was changed some years ago to the C. Preus¬ 
ser Jewelry company, which to-day is one of the largest jewelry 
firms in the Northwest. Mr. Christian Preusser was president 
of the company. 
Mr. Preusser devoted much of his energy also to the fire in¬ 
surance business. He was elected a director of the Milwaukee 
Mechanics’ Insurance company in 1853; and in 1854, when the 
company had struggled for existence through two years and 
was on the verge of going out of business, Mr. Preusser was 
elected president. He had great confidence in the ultimate 
success of the company, devoted much time to its business, and 
for the next few years more than once employed his private 
means to meet its losses. Gradually the company prospered until 
now it is reputed to be one of the soundest fire insurance com¬ 
panies in the country. A year ago a new company was organ¬ 
ized, the Milwaukee Fire Insurance company, of which also Mr. 
Preusser was made president. 
He always took an active part in early public affairs. He 
was a member of the Volunteer Fire department when S. S. 
Daggett was chief, and Gen. Rufus King, E. P. Allis and John 
