Wisconsin War Bride Diary II -

Book excerpt: My name is Charles Herbert Ripp. My name derived from maternal Great UncleCharles Zuercher - an early 1900s cheese baron. Within his life, cold storageand cheese manufacturing flourished in rural Decatur Township within GreenCounty, Wisconsin. Charles shipped cheese globally; and was far ahead of hiscompetitors' business. Middle name Herbert was derived from my father'sfirst name (Herbert John Ripp). The Ripp family was German ancestry; andthe Zuercher family (Mom) were also Ellis Island Swiss immigrants. The firstbrew of Esser's beer was accomplished in Grandpa Ripp's garage in CrossPlains, Wi.. Thus, there is beer and cheese legacy within our family. I havebeen called Charles (schooling), Charlie, Chuck, Chucky, Herby, Little Herbyand Ripp. I have far too many names; but everyone means well. When Mom(The War Bride) called me Charles Herbert, I immediately knew I was doomed(grounding, paddling, scolding). Most people called me Chucky - some spelledit distastefully Chuckie. Why waste alphabet letters with a long spelling of thename? That's me; and I'm here to tell everyone what it was like growing up insmall-town America a couple generations prior. Please follow along.