USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume II > Part 36
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At the present time the employes of the company number one hundred and seventy-five, with practically an even division between male and female help and while no definite plan is made in connection with welfare work Mr. Downing is never- theless constantly striving to create the working force of the Downing Box Com- pany into one large family. He manifests a personal interest in his employes and they recognize the fact that faithfulness and capability on their part always means promotion as opportunity offers.
E. G. Bradley, who is the vice president of the Downing Box Company, has been associated with the manufacture of paper boxes since the early years of its develop- ment and has continually brought forth ideas which have materially added to the progress of the industry.
The secretary and treasurer of the company is E. F. Johnson, who has been identified with the paper industry since 1911 and has risen from the ranks to the responsible position which he now fills. From the beginning the company has maintained the highest standards and has ever striven to reach the most advanced ideals in its line of manufacture and shipment. The results achieved indicate thorough study and a marked comprehension of the needs of the market along the firm's line. The business has developed into one of the important productive in- dustries of Milwaukee and in control of the enterprise are men who are well quali- fied for leadership in the business world.
SIDNEY ORREN NEFF.
Sidney Orren Neff, vessel owner and navigator, who for a quarter of a century was prominent in connection with marine interests of Milwaukee, was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, October 2, 1863, and was a representative of one of the old families of New York, his parents being Samuel and Marcelia (Ellenwood) Neff. The father's birth occurred March 31, 1842, in New Lisbon, New York, while the mother was born April 19, 1844, at Peru, New York. Removing westward in 1855, the family home was established in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where Samuel Neff continued to reside until 1887, when he took his family to Appleton, a year later, however, removing to Milwaukee. Samuel Neff was a captain of one of the vessels on the Great Lakes and sailed on fresh water for many years. After removing to Milwaukee he organized the firm of Samuel Neff & Sons, vessel owners, and continned in the business until his demise, which occurred February 21, 1904. For several years he had survived his wife, who
SIDNEY O. NEFF
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died December 15, 1899. Mr. Neff had attained the thirty-second degree in Scottish Rite Masonry and also belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was survived by two sons: Sidney O. and Charles S.
Captain Sidney O. Neff pursued his early education in the Oshkosh public schools and afterward attended business college in the same city. His interests were directed along maritime lines from his early youth and when still quite young he became a sailor on one of his father's vessels and had advanced to a captaincy before attaining his majority. Following the reorganization of the business after his father's death in 1904 Sidney O. Neff became manager of the company, but in 1905 he and his brother divided their interests, each taking half of the equipment. He then headed his own business enterprise until his life's labors were ended on the 17th of December, 1907. He was recognized as a man of marked business capability, resourceful, energetic and determined, and his long experience with marine interests brought him to a notable point of success. He was also one of the directors of the Merchants' & Manufacturers' Bank of Milwaukee and for a number of years prior to his demise successfully engaged in the real estate business. He held membership in and was one of the directors of the Lumber Carriers Association.
On the 30th of December, 1891, Mr. Neff was married to Miss Lucy Jane Olcott, a daughter of John Byron and Mary Ann (Armstrong) Olcott, of Oshkosh, the former a son of Lucius and Lanra (Sherman) Olcott, who were pioneer settlers of Wisconsin. Lucius Olcott conducted the old American Hotel of Milwaukee for a year at a very early day and later established a blacksmith shop at Burlington, Wisconsin, and in 1848 he went to Oshkosh. There he again entered the hotel business, in which he continued for a number of years in company with his son John Byron. Finally, how- ever, the hotel was sold and he engaged in agricultural pursuits. John Byron Olcott was born in Essex county, New York, but the greater part of his life was passed in Wisconsin and he became well known through his connection with hotel and farming interests. He passed away December 20, 1904, while his wife, who was born in Genesee county, New York, survived until July 4, 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Neff became the parents of three sons: two of whom served in the World war. The eldest son, Samuel O. Neff, offered his services at America's entrance into the war but was rejected for physical reasons. In 1918, however, he was drafted and sent to Camp Grant hut was again rejected. John Byron Neff served for three months at the Great Lakes Training Sta- tion. Lucius Sidney Neff enlisted in April, 1917, in what became the One Hundred and Twenty-first Heavy Field Artillery under Colonel Westfall and sailed for France in March, 1918, on the Leviathan. He served for over two years with the Thirty-second Division, taking part in all of the principal engagements in which that division participated. He received an honorable discharge in 1919,
In his political views Captain Sidney O. Neff was a republican, interested in the success of his party and earnestly supporting its principles, yet never seeking office as a reward for party fealty. He held membership in the Congregational church, which found in him an earnest worker and he, too, was well known in Masonic circles, be- coming a Consistory Mason and a member of the Eastern Star. His life at all times commanded for him the respect and confidence of his fellowmen. A native son of Wisconsin, he always lived in the southern section of the state and for twenty years made his home in Milwaukee, where the sterling worth of his character brought to him confidence and high esteem, while his ability led to the attainment of substantial success.
EDWARD F. NIEDECKEN.
Determined purpose and unfaltering energy have brought Edward F. Niedecken to the creditable position which he occupies in business circles in Milwaukee as the vice president of the Hoffmann & Billings Manufacturing Company. He was born in Walworth county, Wisconsin, June 15, 1871, and is a son of Joseph and Katharina ( Hosch) Niedecken, who were natives of Missouri and of Germany, respectively, the father following the occupation of farming as a life work.
In the public schools of Milwaukee, Edward F. Niedecken pursued his early edu- cation and later entered the University of Wisconsin, in which he pursued a special course in engineering. He initiated his business career as an employe of Filer & Stowell Company before becoming a university student and after his return he re- entered this firm's employ as a mechanical draftsman. His association with the Hoffmann & Billings Company dates from 1894, at which time he was placed in charge of the Corliss engine department and continued in that connection until the department was closed down in 1896, the firm desiring to concentrate its efforts and attention along the line of other departments. Mr. Niedecken then took charge of the buying and became vice president of the company, with which he has now been associated for twenty-eight years. His entire time has been devoted to this busi-
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ness and his efforts have constituted an important element in the continued growth and success of the undertaking. During the World war Mr. Niedecken was active in support of all of the various drives for the benefit of the country and her military forces. He was group chairman of the plumbing and heating material activities and spent much of his time in promoting the different drives.
On the 31st of October, 1895, Mr. Niedecken was married to Miss Matilda Hoffmann, danghter of J. C. Hoffmann, founder of the business of the Hoffmann & Billings Company. Mr. Niedecken is well known in Masonic circles, having taken the various degrees of the York and Scottish Rite bodies, while with the Nobles of Tripoli Temple of the Mystic Shrine he has crossed the sands of the desert. He has become a Knights Templar Mason in Ivanhoe Commandery and has reached the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in Wisconsin Consistory. He also helongs to the Engineers Society and thus has social as well as business relations with those who are active in the same field of industrial enterprise. He also has mem- bership in the Milwaukee Athletic Club and in the Wisconsin Club. His life has been passed in this state, his educational opportunties were those accorded by her institutions of learning and at all times he has been a most loyal and progressive supporter of her interests and her development.
LOUIS A. FUERSTENAU, M. D.
Continually broadening his knowledge through wide study and promoting his ex- perience through a constantly growing practice, Dr. Louis A. Fuerstenau is now accounted one of the able surgeons of Milwaukee. Here he has been engaged in practice since 1911 and his skill and efficiency are attested by many who have come under his treatment and ministration. He was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin, August 29, 1881, a son of the Rev. August F. Fuerstenan, a Methodist minister who is now serving a church in Chicago with which he has been identified for many years. He was born in Germany and is of French descent. He came to the United States with his parents when a child and has since resided in the middle west.
Dr. Fuerstenau was reared in Chicago and was graduated from the Joseph Medill high school of that city with the class of 1900. He was afterward a student in a Methodist college at Berea, Ohio, for two years and later he spent four years in the Northwestern University Medical College of Chicago, from which he was graduated with the M. D. degree in 1909. Immediately afterward he came to this city and for a year was interne in the Milwaukee Hospital, while for six months he was connected with the Johnson Emergency Hospital. Since 1911 he has engaged in active practice, now devoting his attention entirely to surgery, and in this field he has developed his skill to a notable point. For ten years he taught anatomy as a member of the faculty of the Marquette Medical College and for five years of that period was also instructor in surgery. He served for one year as president of the board of trustees at the Johnson Emergency Hospital and is now on the staff of that hospital. He was also connected with the staff of St. Mary's Hospital for a decade. He belongs to the Milwaukee County Medical Society and the Wisconsin State Medical Society and he has ever utilized the means at hand to promote his knowledge and advance his skill in his specialized professional field.
On the 15th of April, 1914, Dr. Fuerstenau was married to Miss Vera Mueller of Mil- waukee, who was born and reared in this city and is a granddaughter of the late Phillip Gross, well known hardware merchant. Dr. and Mrs. Fuerstenau have two children: Donald, born June 23, 1916; and Jean Aileen, born November 7, 1919. Dr. and Mrs. Fuerstenau hold membership in the Methodist church and he is a thirty- second degree Mason, a Mystic Shriner and a member of the Knights of Pythias. He is fond of bowling, hasehall, motoring, hunting and fishing and in his intelligently directed recreational interests finds a necessary balance for his intense professional activity. He greatly enjoys reading and aside from his medical works has an extensive and well selected private library.
CORNELIUS L. BENOY.
Cornelius L. Benoy, editor and proprietor of the Wauwatosa News, was born in Boscohel, Wisconsin, October 22, 1889, and is a son of John R. and Ida (Massman) Benoy, both of whom were natives of this state. On both the paternal and maternal lines the ancestry comes from England, although the Benoy family was originally from France. Arriving in this country, the founder of the family in the new world settled in Boscobel abont 1848. The grandfather, John Benoy, was a blacksmith and wagon maker and carried on those occupations at Boscobel for many years, or
DR. LOUIS A. FUERSTENAU
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until the time of his death. His son, John R. Benoy, removed to Wauwatosa on the 2d of July, 1895, four days previous to the fire. He worked with L. R. Gridley, the founder of the Wauwatosa News, and later purchased Mr. Gridley's interest in the business and became sole proprietor, continuing to publish the paper until 1921, when he retired and was succeeded by his son, Cornelius L.
In the public schools Cornelius L. Benoy pursued his education, passing through consecutive grades to his graduation from the high school. When his textbooks were put aside he entered the printing office of the Wauwatosa News and there remained for about six years, after which he removed to Carterville, Illinois, and became one of the founders of the Carterville Herald, continuing with that paper for three years. He then again came to Milwaukee and was employed by the Cutler-Hammer Manu- facturing Company for three years, but in April, 1921, upon his father's retirement he purchased the Wauwatosa News, of which he is now sole owner and proprietor. This is an eight-page weekly with a large circulation, covering the entire city. He has been quite successful in carrying on the project and the subscription of the paper is increasing most satisfactorily. He has made it a live interesting journal, devoted to the welfare of the community and the News is today a welcome visitor in many a household in Milwaukee county. Mr. Benoy also does job work of every descrip- tion and his business of this character has reached gratifying proportions.
On the 1st of January, 1916, Mr. Benoy was married to Miss Grace Phillips of Wauwatosa, a daughter of John E. Phillips, a carpenter contractor of this city. . Mr. Benoy has membership in Wauwatosa Lodge, No. 267, A. F. & A. M., also in the United Typothetae of America and with the Men's Club of Wauwatosa. He is favorably known among a constantly broadening circle of friends and is regarded as one of the stalwart champions of the community in which he makes his home.
HENRY P. BOHMANN.
Henry P. Bohmann, superintendent of waterworks and water purification of Mil- waukee, is a man of broad scientific attainments and wide practical experience, being thus splendidly qualified for the important and responsible position which he holds. He has given most satisfactory service through twenty-eight years connection with the water supply department of the city. Moreover, his life history stands in con- tradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is not without honor save in, his own country, for Mr. Bohmann has won distinctive preferment and recognized credit for his achievements in the city where his life has been passed. He is a native son of Milwaukee, born September 26, 1866, his parents being Henry and Anna Mary (Nipper) Bohmann, both of whom were natives of Germany. They came to this country about 1849, settling in the fifth ward of Milwaukee, where their remaining days were passed, the father engaging in business as a mason contractor.
Henry P. Bohmann was educated in private and public schools of Milwaukee and initiated his business career by accepting a position as bookkeeper with William Calla- way, a coal dealer, and the founder of the present Edward Callaway Coal Company. Mr. Bohmann continued with that business for about five years and afterward acted for three years as head bookkeeper with the Allied Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He next engaged in the real estate and fire insurance business for about three years, or until the widespread financial panic of 1892. In that year he retired from the business and was offered the position of general bookkeeper on the board of public works. This he accepted and continued to serve in that capacity until April, 1902, when he was appointed in charge of the waterworks accounts. Since then he has been interested in the waterworks department and he made up his mind that he was going to learn the business thoroughly. Accordingly, he purchased all the books and literature on waterworks operation that he could secure, and studied them thoroughly, the number including a library of twenty volumes of the proceedings of the American Water Works Association, giving the practical experience of men engaged in this field of work. In March, 1912, when the position of superintendent of waterworks was created, owing to the practical knowledge which Mr. Bohmann had gained and the recognition of his ability by the commissioner of public works, he was appointed to his present position and thus his connection with the department has extended over a period of twenty-eight years. He is today acknowledged an authority upon questions relative to the operation and control of waterworks and has given entire satisfaction to the public in this position. When he took up the duties of the office in 1912 the revenue was forty-five dollars and eighty cents for every million gallons pumped. He has gradually increased the revenue, which in 1919 was fifty dollars and eleven cents per million gallons, the highest return since the present meter rate was put in force. He has standardized all the brass goods in use in the different pumping stations and departments and he did a notable work in locating the cause of the obnoxious taste in the water, finding it to be from the waste of industrial plants, coming from coal-tar
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derivatives from coke and phenol plants that produced the taste when diluted even to one part in five hundred million. Prior to Mr. Bohmann's investigation and dis- covery it was thought that the taste in Milwaukee's water came from chlorine alone put in the water for its purification and such was the belief of the water department of other cities. After thorough investigation and experiments, however, Mr. Boh- mann was of the opinion that there were other sources of the unpleasantness of taste in the Milwaukee water supply than that which would come from chlorine. This taste was most manifest when the winds were in certain direction and Mr. Bohmann came to the conclusion that the waters were heing polluted hy waste from industrial plants containing objectionable elements of coal-tar derivation. As some of these plants were in government control appeal was made to the then secretary of war, N. D. Baker, as well as to the state board of health and the United States public health service. Thorough investigation and control showed that Mr. Bohmann was right in his surmise and the conditions awakened the interest and attention of scientific men throughout the country. For his service in this direction Mr. Bohmann received many letters of commendation from leading business interests of Milwaukee. It was he who also introduced the system of sealing and inspection of automatic sprinkler systems.
On the 12th of July, 1892, Mr. Bohmann was married to Miss Caroline Stamm of Milwaukee, and they have one daughter, Mrs. Arthur T. Karow, and a son, Edgar H., who was in the Student's Army Training School during the war. Mr. Bohmann is a member of the Elks Club and a valued representative of the American Water Works Association.
ALBERT P. KUNZELMANN.
One of the most attractive retail establishments of Milwaukee is the furniture house of Kunzelmann & Esser at Nos. 454 to 464 Mitchell street. This business has had a steady and substantial growth, the store existing as one of the enterprising com- mercial establishments of Milwaukee since 1900. Mr. Kunzelmann, the founder of the business, was born in Louisville, Kentucky, January 25, 1875, and is a son of Philip and Emma ( Zoeller) Kunzelmann, who were born in Wurttemberg, on the Rhine, Germany, They came to the new world in their youth and were married in Kentucky. The father, who was an expert maltster, is deceased.
Albert P. Kunzelmann was educated in St. Anthony's parochial school in Mil- waukee, having come to this city in 1882, when a lad of but seven years. When his textbooks were put aside he learned the tinner's trade with Ferdinand Stamm, with whom he remained for five years. He was next employed by the Hansen Fur Company, selling fur coats and robes, and remained with them for three years, at the end of which time they discontinued their store on Wisconsin street. Mr. Kunzelmann then engaged in the furniture business with R. R. Fleck of Bay View, with whom he was thus associated for seven years, and on the expiration of that period he established a furniture business on his own account in 1900, opening a store on Mitchell street. Here he has since carried a full line of home furnishings, handling both the high priced and moderate products of the leading furniture manufacturers of the country. His is a well kept and attractive establishment. He started with one little room, twenty by sixty-four feet, but his trade steadily grew and two years afterward he secured another room, twenty-two by sixty-four feet. This proved to be insufficient and a year later he added an adjoining room, eighteen by forty feet, thus occupying the entire so-called Zaleski block. In 1906 he purchased an additional fifty feet frontage on Mitchell street, on which lot was erected a three-story building, and still the business grew and developed, so that in 1909 Mr. Kunzelmann acquired a lot one hundred by forty- five feet and erected thereon an eight-story fireproof building, which is used entirely as salesrooms. The business of Kunzelmann & Esser is one of the best known furniture establishments in this section of the country. They now carry a large and most attractive stock and in 1910 purchased additional property to the north, on which was erected a garage, a receiving room, shipping room and warehouse, this being a three- story fireproof building seventy-five by one hundred and sixty feet. The firm has recently purchased sixty feet east of the present store on Mitchell street and will erect one of the most modern retail home furnishing stores in the northwest. The concern now has more square feet of floor space than any other furnishing house in the northwest. While Mr. Kunzelmann started the business independently under his own name, his trade increased so rapidly that he admitted his half brother, Joseph T. Esser, to a partnership under the firm style of Kunzelmann & Esser and thus the business has since been carried on. The trade is now one of mammoth proportions and the business has for many years been a most gratifying commercial enterprise of Mil- waukee. Mr. Kunzelmann is also a director of the Mitchell Street State Bank, is presi- dent of the John M. Schneider Land Company, president of the Mitchell Street Land
ALBERT P. KUNZELMANN
Vol. 11-23
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Company, a director of the Peoples Land Company and a stockholder in numerous other enterprises.
In 1900 Mr. Kunzelmann was married to Miss Elizabeth Betty Bambrick of Ilion, New York, and they have four children: Leroy, Lester, Norma and Fabian. The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church and Mr. Kunzelmann is a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He is also identified with other societies and he is a member of the Milwaukee Athletic Club. Coming to this city at the age of seven years, he has practically spent his life here and the course which he has followed has gained for him not only substantial wealth but also the confidence and warm regard of his fellowmen.
ALBERT HEATH.
Albert Heath, who has one of the largest exclusive grocery and delicatessen stores in Milwaukee, has developed his business along substantial lines, employing industry, close application, thoroughness and reliability as the salient features in attaining his present-day prosperity. Mr. Heath was born at Poquonock Bridge, Connecticut, August 16, 1846, his parents being John R. and Emily (Eldredge) Heath, the former a native of the state of New York, while the latter was born in New York city. They came to Wisconsin in 1856, settling at Brandon, Fond du Lac county, where the father engaged in buying wheat for about four years. In the spring of 1862 he removed to Milwaukee, where he resided until 1866 and then became a resident of New Jersey, where his remaining days were passed, his death occurring in 1871.
Two years before his father's death, or in 1869, Albert Heath, then twenty-three years of age, returned to Milwaukee. He had attended the public schools of Brandon and of Milwaukee and upon his return to this city he secured a clerkship in a grocery store at No. 196 West Water street, there continuing for ten years-a fact which indicates his absolute faithfulness and capability. He was also for two years con- nected with the store of C. J. Russell on Wisconsin street and in June, 1884, he opened a store at No. 2106 Wells street. In 1889 he removed to his present location at 2027-29 Wells and Twenty-first, beginning with a small store but increasing his stock in order to meet the growing demands of his trade until he had one of the largest exclusive grocery and delicatessen stores in the city, and for the past eight years he has conducted a bakery in connection therewith. For thirteen years, too, he has owned and conducted a store at No. 597 Downer avenue, where he carries a large stock of groceries and delicatessen products. In March, 1910, he incorporated his business under the name of The Albert Heath Company and has since conducted both establishments under that firm style. He is the president of the company, his associate officers being John H. Seip, vice president; Arthur S. Heath, secretary and treasurer; and F. O. Lovell, who is the manager of the east side store.
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