Monroe County Historic Business Index
This database is an index of entries transcribed from business and telephone directories published in or for Monroe County, WI. Names and addresses of every county business, organization, and professional enterprise listed in available business directories and telephone books, from 1875 onward (non-inclusive years), are presented here.
The index also includes the names of business owners listed on the Industry/Manufacturers Schedules from the 1860, 1870, and 1880 US Federal Censuses for Monroe County, Wisconsin. In some instances, farmers with a side business like a sawmill, gristmill, or carpentry will be listed in a Census Manufacturing Schedule even though they are not listed in other business directories. Besides the name, type, and location of a business listed in a Census Manufacturing Schedule, the record may include: the amount of capital invested, quantity and value of resources used, quantity of yearly production, and number of individuals hired.
Directory Listing Copying Service:
The Monroe County Local History Room will provide copies of pages from directories indexed in the database for a nominal fee ($5.00 per listing). Simply find your person in the index, click on "Get Copy of Listing." All requested listings will be added to a Shopping Cart. To submit your request via the mail, print off your Order Form and mail payment to our address. Be aware that the original directory entries provide no additional information about a particular business. However, the Census Manufacturing Schedule records often do.