United States Biographical Dictionary-Minnesota 1879, page 554:

HON. JOSEPH CAPSER
SAUK CENTER

The first general stock of goods in Sauk Center was brought hither by Joseph Capser, for the last fifteen years a prominent merchant here. He is a native of Bavaria, Germany, where he was born on the 5th of March, *1833. His father, Casper Capser, in his younger years was a bugler in the army of Napolean Bonaparte (a pet of the great captain), and subsequently a music teacher, and a licensed hunter in the forests of Bavaria. The mother of Joseph was Juliana Overmeyer. He received a classical education before leaving the old world. In May, 1846, came with the family to the United States, and settled at Saint Mary's, Elk county, Pennsylvania, where his father was engaged in farming, surveying and dealing in real estate, the son assisting in tilling the soil. About nine years later the family removed to Westmoreland county, young Capser meantime going into the pineries of Pennsylvania, and continuing in the lumber business about ten years.
In 1857 Mr. Capser came to the "North Star State," farmed near Saint Joseph till the spring of 1864, and then opened a store at Sauk Center, dealing in general merchandise here ever since that date. He has also at times done something at money loaning, and is numbered amont the prudent and successful busines-men of the place. He carries a full and fine assortment of goods, has an extensive acquaintence, and is doing an extensive business.
Mr. Capser represented Stearns county in the state senate in 1875 and 1876. Being a democrat, he was chairman of no committee, but was on half-a-dozen committees (hospital for the insane, institution for the deaf and dumb and the blind, state prison, etc), and was an earnest worker for the general interests of the commonwealth. He was in the great fight on the senatorial question in 1875, when Judge McMillan was finally elected to the United States senate, and one of the leaders on the democratic side. At the expiration of his senatorial term he was renominated, but declined to run. He was a presidential elector in 1876, and for several years a member of the democratic state central committee.
Mr. Capser was reared in the Catholic church. He is a man of unblemished character, and holds a prominent place in the community. He has a liberal share of public spirit.
His wife was Mary Ann (Ley), a native of Wisconsin. They were joined in marriage on the 3d of May, 1864, and have six children,- Henry C., Josephine J., Sophronia C., Albert J., Edward A. and George W. The first-mentioned son is a college student, and is noted for his oratorical powers. On the 4th of July, 1876, when only seven years old, he spoke, in company with Senator Wesphal, before twenty two lodges of grangers, there being two thousand people present, and he astonished everybody with his displays of rhetorical skill. All of Mr. Capser's children but the youngest are at school, he taking great pains to fit them for spheres of usefulness as well as influence.

United States Biographical Dictionary-Minnesota 1879, page 554:

HON. JOSEPH CAPSER
SAUK CENTER

The first general stock of goods in Sauk Center was brought hither by Joseph Capser, for the last fifteen years a prominent merchant here. He is a native of Bavaria, Germany, where he was born on the 5th of March, *1833. His father, Casper Capser, in his younger years was a bugler in the army of Napolean Bonaparte (a pet of the great captain), and subsequently a music teacher, and a licensed hunter in the forests of Bavaria. The mother of Joseph was Juliana Overmeyer. He received a classical education before leaving the old world. In May, 1846, came with the family to the United States, and settled at Saint Mary's, Elk county, Pennsylvania, where his father was engaged in farming, surveying and dealing in real estate, the son assisting in tilling the soil. About nine years later the family removed to Westmoreland county, young Capser meantime going into the pineries of Pennsylvania, and continuing in the lumber business about ten years.
In 1857 Mr. Capser came to the "North Star State," farmed near Saint Joseph till the spring of 1864, and then opened a store at Sauk Center, dealing in general merchandise here ever since that date. He has also at times done something at money loaning, and is numbered amont the prudent and successful busines-men of the place. He carries a full and fine assortment of goods, has an extensive acquaintence, and is doing an extensive business.
Mr. Capser represented Stearns county in the state senate in 1875 and 1876. Being a democrat, he was chairman of no committee, but was on half-a-dozen committees (hospital for the insane, institution for the deaf and dumb and the blind, state prison, etc), and was an earnest worker for the general interests of the commonwealth. He was in the great fight on the senatorial question in 1875, when Judge McMillan was finally elected to the United States senate, and one of the leaders on the democratic side. At the expiration of his senatorial term he was renominated, but declined to run. He was a presidential elector in 1876, and for several years a member of the democratic state central committee.
Mr. Capser was reared in the Catholic church. He is a man of unblemished character, and holds a prominent place in the community. He has a liberal share of public spirit.
His wife was Mary Ann (Ley), a native of Wisconsin. They were joined in marriage on the 3d of May, 1864, and have six children,- Henry C., Josephine J., Sophronia C., Albert J., Edward A. and George W. The first-mentioned son is a college student, and is noted for his oratorical powers. On the 4th of July, 1876, when only seven years old, he spoke, in company with Senator Wesphal, before twenty two lodges of grangers, there being two thousand people present, and he astonished everybody with his displays of rhetorical skill. All of Mr. Capser's children but the youngest are at school, he taking great pains to fit them for spheres of usefulness as well as influence.