USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume II > Part 42
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It has been said that when the city boy crosses swords with the farm bred lad the odds are against him, for there is something in the early rising, the tasks of the farm and the environment of such a life that brings out self-defended strength and leads to the development of character and the recognition of the value of industry. The youthful experiences of Adolph J. Schmitz were those of the boy who spends his youth on a pioneer farm, learning the lessons day by day that nature teaches, while at the same time his parents accorded him liberal educational advantages in keeping with their means. He mastered the branches of learning tanght in the public schools and afterward acquired his higher academic and professional education largely through his own labors. He was for a time a student in the German Reformed Mission House at Franklin, Sheboygan county, and subsequently matriculated in Ripon College at Ripon, Wisconsin, while later he entered the University of Wisconsin at Madison, where for three years he followed the academic course, there pursuing his law studies until graduated as one of the alumni of 1875, the degree of Bachelor of Law being at that time conferred upon him.
Mr. Schmitz entered upon the practice of his profession at Manitowoc and was not long in winning a good clientele, for he soon demonstrated his ability to cope with intricate and involved problems of law and conduct his reasoning to a logical conclusion. He remained in active practice there for a period of more than two decades and in 1896 sought the broader field offered in Milwaukee. Throughout the intervening years he has continued in practice here and has enjoyed constantly in- creasing success. He prepares his cases with great thoroughness and care and is seldom, if ever, at fault in the application of a legal principle. His knowledge of the law is comprehensive and exact and his reasoning at all times clear and forceful. Following his removal to Milwaukee he became a member of the firm of O'Connor, Hammel & Schmitz and with a change in partnership relations the firm style of O'Connor, Schmitz & Wild was adopted, his associates being J. L. O'Connor and Robert Wild. In 1910 Edwin J. Gross joined the firm, his name being added to the firm title and with the retirement of Mr. O'Connor on the 1st of July, 1912, the present firm style of Schmitz, Wild & Gross was assumed.
No history of Milwaukee would be complete without reference to the part Mr.
ADOLPH J. SCHMITZ
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Schmitz has taken in shaping political thought and action here. He has ever been a stalwart advocate of democratic principles since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and his opinions have carried great weight in party councils. It is a recognized fact that he has ever advocated the rights of the people against the rule of special privilege without fear or favor. While residing in Manitowoc county he served for ten years as district attorney, also served on the board of county supervisors and was a member of the city council of Manitowoc. In 1892 he was a delegate to the democratic national convention and in 1894 was the democratic nominee for the office of lieutenant governor. In 1910 he was made his party's nominee for governor and in 1912 was a candidate for that office at the primary, being defeated by a very small margin. His party greatly appreciates his leadership because of his clear insight into many of the vital questions of the day and his recognized support of the interest of the masses against the classes. He stands fearlessly for whatever he believes to he right and none ever questions the honesty of his convictions no matter how much they may differ from him in political opinion. He analyzes each public question with the same thoroughness that he does his law cases and he is at all times ready to defend his decision by intelligent argument that indicates that he has delved far below the surface and on many occasions reached the very root of the matter.
Most pleasantly situated in his home life Mr. Schmitz was married in 1877 to Miss Bertha Franz, also a native of Manitowoc county, and they have become parents of two sons and two daughters: Meta, who is the wife of Henry E. Murphy of Man- itowoc; Hilda, the wife of Gordon M. Day of Milwaukee; Walter A., who married Ethel E. Pauling; and Roland F., who wedded Ethel E. Rankin. Walter A. is connected with the Travelers Life Insurance Company in Milwaukee and Roland F. is connected with a bond house in Philadelphia. Both of the daughters are graduates of the State Normal School of Milwaukee and prior to her marriage Mrs. Murphy was a successful and popular teacher in the public schools of this city. For a quarter of a century Mr. Schmitz has heen an honored resident of Milwaukee, not only hecause of his political prominence, but by reason of the position to which he has attained in pro- fessional circles, for above all he is a lawyer, thoroughly informed concerning the principles of jurisprudence, earnest in purpose and devoted to the interests of his clients. He is a valued member of the Milwaukee County and Wisconsin State Bar Associations and such is the regard which his fellow members of the bar entertain for him that his opinions are seldom seriously questioned in court.
CHARLES EDWARD IDE, M. D.
Dr. Charles Edward Ide, medical director and superintendent of the Muirdale and Blue Mound Sanitarium at Wauwatosa, was born in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, January 11, 1874. his parents being the Rev. George H. and Mary (Sanborn) Ide, who were natives of Vermont and New Hampshire, respectively. The father made his way west- ward to Milwaukee in December, 1880, and hecame pastor of the Grand Avenne Con- gregational church, filling the pulpit there for twenty-two years. He was known all over the county and was a most prominent representative of the ministry, doing a very valuable work in the moral uplift of the city and the surrounding district. He was a trustee of Beloit College and at one time was vice president of the Dartmouth Alumni Association. His activities outside of church work made him widely known and his life of great usefulness brought to him the respect and honor of all. He passed away in 1903.
Dr. Ide was educated in the Milwaukee public schools, completing his studies in the East Side high school. After deciding upon the practice of medicine as a life work he attended Rush Medical College of Chicago, and was graduated therefrom in 1900. He had previously attended Beloit College and in his liberal literary training laid the foundation upon which to build the superstructure of professional learning. Following the completion of his medical course he acted as interne for a year in the Passavant Memorial Hospital of Chicago and for one year was senior resident physician in the Johnstown Emergency Hospital at Milwaukee. At this time he was also clinical in- structor in medicine in the Physicians and Surgeons Medical College of Milwaukee. In 1902 he went to Redlands, California, and was associated in practice there with his uncle; Dr. C. A. Sanhorn, for a period of fifteen years and during that time was also consulting physician in medicine at the San Bernardino County Hospital. He likewise acted as consulting physician at the Mentone Sanitarium for the treatment of tuhercu- losis and was president of the hoard of health. In 1907 he went abroad and pursued a postgradute course in Vienna, Austria.
In 1918 Dr. Ide received a commission as captain in the Medical Corps of the United States army and was in the service as a member of the tuberculosis section until January, 1920. After leaving the army he received a commission as surgeon of the Reserve Corps of the United States Public Health Service and was stationed at
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Prescott, Arizona, being chief of the medical service at Whipple Barracks. On the 1st of December, 1920. he received appointment as superintendent and medical director of Muirdale Sanitarium and on the 1st of January, 1921, he also hecame medical director and superintendent of the Blue Mound Sanitarium, when the county took over that institution from the city. He is now most carefully directing the work carried on in these institutions and his high professional attainments well qualify him for the re- sponsibilities that devolve upon him. He was chief medical examiner for the United States General Hospital, No. 21, for a year, which is the largest tuberculosis hospital in the country under government control. Dr. Ide is likewise assistant professor of clinical medicine in Marquette University of Milwaukee. On the 9th of February, 1907, Dr. Ide was married to Miss Margaret E. Davis of Redlands, California, a daughter of Mrs. Jennie Davis of that place. They have two sons: George Henry and John Davis. They occupy an attractive residence on the sanitarium grounds. While Dr. Ide is a wellread man, keeping in touch with the general topics and interests of the day, he de- votes the major part of his attention to his professional activities and has never lightly regarded his duties in this connection. He is well known as one of the leading specialists on tuberculosis in this country. His many years of study of this disease have brought him in close tonch with the leading thinkers along this line and his own research work and the knowledge that he has gained through experience, have placed him with those whose opinions concerning tuhercular troubles are regarded as authority.
GEORGE LOUIS BALDAUF.
George Louis Baldauf, secretary and treasurer of the Baldauf Drug Company at Thirty-fifth and North avenue in Milwaukee, was one of the pioneer business men of that section of the city, and while he established his store there when it was largely an unsettled district, he has lived to see it develop into one of the most popular and prosperous divisions of the city and at all times his store has been a leader in the onward movement. His birth occurred in what was the old ninth ward of Mil- waukee, September 4, 1869, his parents heing Joseph and Katharine (Knoernschild) Baldauf. The father was a native of Austria and the mother of Germany. They came to Milwaukee ahout 1865 and lived on Twelfth and Galena streets. The father was a school teacher in the tenth district for many years and is there remembered as a most devoted and proficient educator, contributing much to progress in that section.
George L. Baldauf was educated in the ward schools to the age of about fourteen years when he put aside his texthooks in order to earn his living, heing apprenticed to the drug business. He was graduated in pharmacy in 1886, and established a drug store on Twenty-fourth and Vliet streets, which he continued to conduct until 1896, at
which time he sold the establishment. In 1898 he opened a store in a small room at Thirty-first and North avenue and three years later he erected a building at the corner of Thirty-fifth and North avenue, where he is still found. All around him was vacant property. No sewer had been put in and no water on North avenue and few of the streets in the vicinity had been laid out. However, he had great faith in this section, believing that the future held much in store for the district, and his prophesy has been fulfilled. In fact he is today one of the best known business men along North avenue. He was also a director in the original North Avenue State Bank, which was located directly east of the railroad track at that time. The business of the institution grew so rapidly that it was deemed wise to establish another bank at Thirty-fifth and North avenue, which was known as the Wisconsin State Savings Bank, and of this Mr. Baldauf became president. At length the officials of the two hanks got together with the idea of consolidating their interests and after thorough consideration this course was agreed upon, the nanie of the North Avenue Bank being retained. Of this Mr. Baldauf is the vice president. He is also the vice president of the Northwestern Mutual Build- ing & Loan Association and his progressiveness makes him a most valued resident of the city.
On the 22d of November, 1898, Mr. Baldauf was married to Miss Mary A. Carney of Milwaukee and they have two children: Eleanor Kathryn and Helen Joyce.
Mr. Baldauf was a member of war draft local board, Division No. 4, having the largest division in Milwaukee and was also active in all the war drives. He was one of the organizers of the Milwaukee Veterans Drug Club, of which he is vice president, is a member of the Old Settlers Club and was marshal of the original Marquette Uni- versity drive, in which there were about four hundred coworkers. He helongs to the Milwaukee Athletic Club, to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Order of Foresters and the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin and he also has membership with the Royal League. One of the local papers in a sketch of Mr. Baldauf said: "You will travel far before you will find a neater, larger, better, busier, more successful store than the one operated at the corner of Thirty-fifth
GEORGE L. BALDAUF
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and North avenue, while the twenty odd years of history back of the establishment has been marked by one success after another. The store is absolutely modern-the fixtures and fountain are handsome and adequate-a well conducted soda grill is main- tained, at which are served the most refreshing drinks-the usual line of druggists sundries, stationery. confections, cigars, etc., are offered, but withal the drug depart- ment and the prescription department are still paramount. It is a pleasure to deal at a concern of this caliber. Although he employs competent assistance Mr. Baldauf is personally active in the business at all times-he is a successful business man and a valued citizen. Personally our friend is a very 'presentable' man, being distinguished physically by a large and rugged frame, mentally by an acute intellect and socially by an affable disposition. We need more of this kind on the north side."
CHARLES M. SCHOEN, M. D.
Dr. Charles M. Schoen, actively engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Milwaukee, his native city, was born on the 30th of September, 1871, and is a son of Peter Schoen, who for many years was buyer with the T. A. Chapman Company, owners of a large department store. He died in 1893, at the age of forty-eight years, and is survived by his widow, who bore the maiden name of Mary Donahue. She was born in New York, while her husband was a native of Germany, and thus Dr. Schoen comes of German and Trish ancestry.
Reared in Milwaukee, Dr. Schoen has spent his life here and after acquiring his preliminary education continued his studies in the Marquette Academy, from which he was graduated in 1890. For a year thereafter he was a teacher in the academy and then for nine years was in the employ of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Com- pany. He afterward became a student in the medical department of the University of Illinois, there remaining for four years, or until his graduation in 1905, at which time the M. D. degree was conferred upon him. For a period of five years thereafter he was city chemist of Milwaukee and at the same time engaged in the private practice of medicine. He became associated in medical practice with Dr. D. J. Hayes, the partner- ship being maintained for eight years, and he is now connected with Dr. A. J. Weber, this association having been maintained for a period of nine years. Dr. Schoen belongs to the Milwaukee County Medical Society, the Wisconsin State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. Through the proceedings of these bodies and through his reading he keeps in touch with the trend of modern professional thought, development and progress.
On the 8th of September, 1910, Dr. Schoen was married to Miss Diana Baehner of Milwaukee and they have one son, Charles A., who was born September 10, 1911. The religious faith of the family is that of the Roman Catholic church and by reason of his church connection Dr. Schoen has been admitted to membership with the Knights of Columbus. He also belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and he gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. He is fond of bowling and in the game finds needed recreation, constituting an even balance for intense professional activity. Whatever success he has achieved or enjoyed is attributahle entirely to his own labors, for he chose as a life work a calling in which advancement rests solely upon individual capability and merit. He has a wide acquaintance in this city, where his life has been passed, and his friends are legion.
THEODORE F. HABHEGGER.
Theodore F. Hahhegger, a native son of Milwaukee and one of the well known representatives of industrial activity here, needs no special introduction to the readers of this volume, for he has an extensive acquaintance in the city in which almost his entire life has been passed. He was born on the 25th of April, 1866, and is a son of Theodore Habhegger, Sr., who is mentioned at length in connection with the sketch of Albert C. Habhegger on another page of this work. He obtained his education in the Hadley school and when his school days were over entered his father's shop, acquaint- ing himself with every phase of the work of carriage and wagon building. He was thus employed until 1887, when he went to Chicago and was afterward in Detroit and other cities, working at his trade at all times and gaining broad and valuable experi- ence in connection with the business. Subsequently he returned to Milwaukee and became an active factor in the conduct and growth of the business of which his father was the head. When the father withdrew from a partnership relation and erected a shop independently in 1876, it was one of the largest and most progressive establish- ments of the kind in the city and Theodore F. Habhegger now has in his possession an
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interesting picture of this shop and also of the one owned by the previously existing firm of Haekler & Habhegger. Following the father's death in 1901, the two brothers, Albert C. and Theodore F. Habhegger, succeeded to the business which had been established by the father in 1876 and they have since conducted it with growing success. The hum of industry is constantly heard within the factory walls and the business furnishes employment to a large force of workmen.
It was while working at his trade elsewhere that Theodore F. Habhegger in Princeton, Illinois, became acquainted with and married Miss Johanna N. Edlefsen, a daughter of Fred Edlefsen. They are now the parents of three children, two of whom were horn in Peoria, Illinois. Irene A., the eldest, is the wife of George J. Doerschleg, a native of Madison, Wisconsin, but now residing in Kern, California. Theodore C. Habhegger (III) is with his father in the shop and George A., the youngest of the family, is attending normal school.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Hahhegger is a Mason and an Odd Fellow and loyally follows the teachings and purposes of these orders. He maintains a liberal course in politics, voting according to the dictates of his judgment without regard to party ties. . He belongs to the Old Settlers Club by reason of the fact of his long residence in Milwaukee and his connection with one of the oldest and most honored pioneer families here. A student of history cannot carry his investigations far into the records of Milwaukee without learning of the close and prominent connection of the Habhegger family with the industrial development of the city and at all times the name has stood as a synonym for integrity as well as for industry and enterprise.
WILLIAM H. WILLIAMSON.
William H. Williamson of Milwaukee was not only one of the best known and talented organists of the entire middle west but was recognized as one of the accom- plished musicians of the country. More than that, he was a philanthropist, constantly extending a helping hand and making his art a source of benefit and pleasure to all. His personal attributes, his modest and unassuming manner, his good cheer and his kindly spirit won him the love of all and especially of the young people who came under his instruction. The news of his demise therefore carried sorrow to many hearts in Milwaukee when on the 8th day of February, 1921, he passed away.
Mr. Williamsen was born in St. Ives, England, September 2, 1860, a son of William H. and Ann (Day) Williamson. He acquired his early education in Craddock College and afterward attended the University of Durham, England. His musical education was acquired under the training of Professor Stainer and Professor Barnett of the Royal Academy of Music in London. Coming to the United States in 1895, Mr. Wil- liamson made his way to La Crosse, Wisconsin, where for a time he was organist at Christ church, hut after a brief period he removed to Milwaukee and hecame organist of St. Paul's during the pastorate of the Rev. Charles Stanley Lester. He continued to act as organist and choir master up to the time of his death and was greatly be- loved by two generations of choir hoys. While thus serving in St. Paul's church he was instructor to hundreds of Milwaukee lads in liturgical music and developed one of the largest and finest vested choirs in the country, maintaining, as it has, through- ont the years its distinctive and beautiful collective voice. One of the local papers, speaking of Mr. Williamson in this connection, said: "In the training of his choir boys he performed a work greater even than the development of voices. Each lad who passed under his hands received the stamp of the choir master's strong character. The boys adored him. He was not only instructor but their pal and friend. He par- ticipated in their games and sports until his illness compelled him to give up. To discover a good voice and train it was a keen delight to Mr. Williamson. Many a youth had from him the foundation of musical education."
While Mr. Williamson gave much thought and effort to his work as organist and choir master at St. Paul's, his attention was not limited thereto, for he also acted as organist and choir master in the Wisconsin Consistory of Scottish Rite Masons and also in Temple Emann-El. He was likewise choir master for All Saints cathedral and St. James Episcopal church and was organist of the Arion Musical Club. The Wis- consin Conservatory of Music numhered him as one of its faculty and there he taught musical history for years. He likewise trained the new vested choir of St. John's cathedral, while for years he freely gave his services as organist at the annual banquets of the St. Andrew's Society.
Mr. Williamson's compositions have been splendidly received. He was the com- poser ef many heautiful works, including a Te Deum and a setting of "Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah." His organ recitals, held at St. Paul's were always largely attended and constituted a most potent element in the musical education of the city.
In 1913 Mr. Williamson was united in marriage to Miss Clara Eastman, a daughter of George W. Eastman, a native of Buffalo, New York, and a member of St. James
WILLIAM HI. WILLIAMSON
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Episcopal church. Mr. Williamson was a thirty-second degree Mason and a loyal fol- lower of the teachings and purposes of the craft. He was a master of various languages, hut notwithstanding his linguistic powers and his high rank as one of the leading musicians of the country, he was most modest and unassuming in manner, meeting with cordiality all who came to him and never seeking to impress any with a sense of his own superiority. Kindliness beamed from his eye and good cheer radiated from his handctasp. What he did for Milwaukee can never be estimated. His was a con- tribution to the cultural development of the city, taking people from the more sordid things of life and adding to the beauty and joy of existence in an appreciation of that art which by many is regarded as the highest of all art forms.
CYRIL J. ATKINSON.
Cyril J. Atkinson, metallurgist and engineering chemist of high professional at- tainments and extensive clientele, was born in London, England, October 31, 1875, a son of James and Emily (Grimer) Atkinson of London. The father was an engineer and was one of the inventors of the gas engine, which is known and used all over the world. He was also the first Englishman to win the premium and medal of the Franklin Institute of Philadelphia on the gas engine.
Cyril J. Atkinson was educated at the International University College of London and in the Victoria University of Manchester, England, from which he was graduated with the B. S. C. degree. He then became experimental engineer with Crossley Brothers of Oppenshaw, England, and was afterward made consulting engineer for the Calico Printers Association at Manchester, England. Subsequently he engaged in business on his own account as a consulting engineer and in December, 1905, he came to the United States, settling in Milwaukee, where he accepted the position of designing engineer with the International Harvester Company. At a later period he went to Betoit, Wisconsin, as consulting engineer for the Fairbanks, Morse Manufacturing Company and in 1915 he began practicing independently in Milwaukee, where he has since been located. With the passing years he has gained a large clientage and is recognized as one of the ablest metallurgists and engineering chemists of this part of the country. He is testing ma- terial for the automotive industry and other engineering concerns and is also acting as consulting engineer upon other matters of a similar nature. His broad experience, his thorough preliminary training and his constant later study have well qualified him for important work of this character and he has long since reached the point of success and prominence.
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