The 1860 United States census showed Frederick Greiner (age 4, born in Minnesota) living with his parents Frederick (age 30, born in Germany, hotel) and Catherine (age 25, born in Germany) and living in Chaska, Minnesota. His other siblings were Mathilda (age 2, born in Minnesota) and Sofie (age 9 months, born in Minnesota).
The 1875 Minnesota census showed Fred Greiner (age 19, born in Minnesota) living with his parents Frederick (age 46, born in Germany) and Kate (age 40, born in Germany) in Chaska, Minnesota. His other siblings were Sophia (age 16, born in Minnesota), Helena (age 9, born in Minnesota), Victor (age 5, born in Minnesota), and Laura (age 1, born in Minnesota).
The 1880 United States census showed Frederick Greiner (age 24, born in Minnesota, station agent) living with his parents Frederick (age 51, born in Germany, county officer) and Catherine (age 45, born in Germany) and living in Chaska, Minnesota. His other siblings were Lena (age 14, born in Minnesota), Victor (age 10, born in Minnesota), Laura (age 6, born in Minnesota), Robert (age 4, born in Minnesota), and George (age 1, born in Minnesota).
The 1895 Minnesota census showed Fred Greiner Jr. (age 38, born in Minnesota, brick maker) married to Maggie (age 26, born in Minnesota) and living in Chaska, Minnesota. Children Oscar (age 6, born in Minnesota) and Maggie (age 4, born in Minnesota) also lived with the couple.
The 1900 United States census showed Fred Greiner (age 44, born in December 1855 in Minnesota, brick manufacturer) married to Magdalene E. (age 31, born in July 1868 in Minnesota) and living in Chaska, Minnesota. Children Oscar F. (age 11, born in May 1889 in Minnesota) and Florence M. (age 9, born in April 1891 in Minnesota) also lived with the couple.
The 1905 Minnesota census showed Fred Greiner (age 49, born in Minnesota, brick manufacturing) married to Maggea (age 38, born in Minnesota) and living in Chaska, Minnesota. Children Osker (age 16, born in Minnesota) and Florina M. (age 14, born in Minnesota) also lived with the couple.
Greiner, Frederick, brick and tile manufacturer; born at Chaska, Minn., Dec. 25, 1855; educated in public schools of Chaska and St. Paul, Minn.; Moravian Academy, Chaska, graduating, June 1872. Taught school 1872-73; deputy register of deeds, Carver Co., Minn., 1873-76; telegraph operator and station agent, Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Ry., at Chaska, 1876-92. Has been engaged in manufacture of brick and tile from 1882 to present time, the firm being Greiner & Corning, with factory at Chaska and office in St. Paul; also engaged in fire insurance business since 1900. President Chaska Canning Co.; director Carver County Sugar Co. and Carver County State Bank. Member Chaska Board of Education; mayor of Chaska, 1892-98; member State Board of Equalization, 1900-04. Republican (member congressional committee, 3rd district). Mason; member I.O.O.F. Married at Chaska, Dec. 28, 1887, to Miss Magdalene E. Salter. Address: Chaska, Minn. (The Book of Minnesotans: A Biographical Dictionary of Leading Living Men of the State of Minnesota., Edited by Albert Nelson Marquis, A. N. Marquis & Company, Chicago, 1907, Page 198)
Frederick Greiner died April 5, 1910.
Late Frederick Greiner Laid To Rest Last Friday Afternoon. Hundreds of Friends Come From Far and Near To Pay a Last Token of Respect To The Illustrious Dead. The Herald made mention, both in an extra edition published Tuesday afternoon, and in our regular edition of last Thursday, of the death of Mr. Frederick Greiner, which occurred at Chattanooga, Tenn., Tuesday morning at 4:15 A. M., April 5, 1910. At the time we had little data and few particulars on which to write an obituary and furthermore the Herald, like our citizens in general was too much grieved and shocked to enter into a lengthy article. Mr. Greiner was so well known, so highly esteemed, so prominently identified with everything pertaining to Chaska and her people, that it was hard indeed to realize that he was no more. On the morning of Monday, February 27th, we were surprised to learn that Mr. Greiner had gone south in company with his brother V. J., of Mapleton, his sister, Miss Laura, and Miss Nellie Moore of this city, ostensibly on a pleasure trip. Shortly after the Herald was informed that he was at Chattanooga, Tenn., and expected to be home in a few weeks apparently as well as ever, and ready for the brick manufacturing season. His brother Victor only went as far as Chicago, returning to his home, never considering his brother in a serious condition whatever, no more so than did many "old home" friends. Alas, fate had decreed otherwise, and they were destined soon to receive a message that was to cause deep sorrow and mourning, and leave the hearts of those who loved and honored him desolate and weeping.
The cause of death was leakage of the heart. The remains were brought to this city Thursday morning, and lay in state at the beautiful family home, until Friday afternoon, when the services were conducted, and the remains were consigned to mother earth in Mt. Pleasant cemetery. Hundreds of friends, from all over the county and many distant points, including delegations of Masons from the Shakopee, Carver, Jordan and Excelsior lodges, the local I. O. O. F., followed the body to its final resting place. The services at the house were conducted by John W. R. Winter and Jane Becker Winter, Readers of the First Church of Christ Scientists of Minneapolis. At the grave W. C. Odell gave the funeral rites of the Masons, which are beautiful and impressive, likewise that of the I. O. O. F., delivered in German by Gottlieb Beurlen. The honorary pall-bearers were: Judge J. W. Morrison, Senator F. E. DuToit, George W. Ocobock, Henry W. Strobach, Philip Riedele, Jul. Stege, and Mr. Cameron. The active pall-bearers were: J. W. L. Corning, Albert Teske, Fred C. Hicks, William Elke, J. A. Schmidt and M. Melvin. The relatives and friends from abroad at the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. Robert Greiner, Sarles, N. D., George Greiner, Hibbing; Mrs. C. F. Henk, Clark, S. D., Mrs. G. Schrimpf and daughter, Bowdon, N. D., Mrs. E. Frey, Mrs. J. Hudick, Mrs. Wm. Black and Mrs. J. F. Smith of St. Paul; Mrs. Jos. Schutz, Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Busse, Miss Kate Salter, Frank Moore, A. Backee and wife, C. Morton, and H. Freeman, Minneapolis; R. F. Salter, Marshalltown, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Salter, New Prague; Mr. and Mrs. J. Dols, Elbow Lake; J. W. L. Corning, Mr. Cameron, St. Paul, besides many warm personal friends from the surrounding towns.
The late Frederick Greiner was born in this city Dec. 25, 1855, and was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Greiner. He received his education here and grew to manhood in his native city. In early life he learned the art of telegraphing and for several years was station agent for the C. M. & St. P. Ry. Later he purchased the Gregg & Griswold brick yard, one of our early brick manufacturies, and combining it with the old Henning yard, rapidly rose in the business circles of this city. Some years later he took into partnership with him, Mr. J. W. L. Corning of St. Paul, and the firm was known as Greiner & Corning. Only last year they decided to incorporate and changed the name to the Chaska Brick & Tile Co. Mr. Greiner was a hard worker, was well adapted to business in personality, aggressiveness, and ability to go ahead in the face of adverse circumstances. These qualities above all we believe finally overcame all obstacles and made his business ventures the success he had planned and hoped for in the beginning. Previous to the free silver issue he was a democrat, like his father who had served the county as Register of Deeds for so many years and in 1904 was the democratic candidate for the legislature from this county, but was defeated in a tight race by the late Hon. Henry Hoeffken. This was the only time his name appeared on a ballot for office in this county. He later became a republican and for years was prominent in its ranks, at the time of his death being a member of the congressional committee.
During the administration of Gov. Van Sant, Mr. Greiner served on the State Board of Equalization and as in everything he made a good record. He was conscientious, true to his every promise, and served the city faithfully as Mayor, also for years as a member of the Board of Education. He was a member of the local I. O. O. F., and A. F. & A. M., lodges, and when the Commercial Club was organized this winter, he was prevailed upon to serve as its first president. It will also be remembered that Mr. Greiner was one of the leading spirits in the Chaska fairs of years ago, and had he lived we feel sure would have done for the commercial club what he had done for everything he undertook – stuck to it until success crowned his efforts. He had only several years ago built a magnificent home on lake Minnetonka which he called "Casa Loma," and took much pleasure in the beautiful place. Since the death of his wife several years ago, his sister Miss Laura has had charge of the home, his son and daughter being away at school most of the time. He was essentially a Chaska man, took much pride in the city and her people, and did much to promote its best interests, laboring unselfishly for a grander, better and larger Chaska, one that would be known far and wide as a model town to live in, and a city whose manufactured articles brought her fame and fortune. His work had not been finished, but the Creator had seen fit to remove him nevertheless, and we must bow in humble submission to His will. The many beautiful floral tributes which completely covered the casket and lined the grave were mute evidence that a most respected man had passed away. He is survived by a son and daughter, Oscar F., and Miss Florence, and his brothers, Victor J., of Mapleton, Robert of Sarles, N. D., George of Hibbing, Minn., Mrs. Gust Schrimpf of Bowdon, N. D., Mrs. Chas. Henk, Clark, S. D., and Miss Laura, Chaska, to whom the Herald extends the deepest sympathy of the community in their sad bereavement. (Weekly Valley Herald, Thursday, April 14, 1910, Volume XLVIII, Number 30, Page 1)