USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume II > Part 44
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On the 8th of October, 1885, Mr. Upmeyer was married to Miss Lena Bues, a daugh- ter of Friedrich Bues of the Starke Dredge & Dock Company of Milwaukee, who was also born in Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Upmeyer have become parents of three daughters: Elsa, Alma and Helen. The last named is now the wife of Clarence C. Niss of the firm of Charles Niss & Sons, leading furniture dealers of Milwaukee. Mr. and Mrs. Clarence C. Niss have two children, William and Robert Niss. Mr. Upmeyer maintains his home at 3324 Wells street in Milwaukee and, like his partner, has a beautiful summer residence on Pine Lake. It would he impossible to overestimate the part that Lonis W. Bunde and William H. Upmeyer have played in the commercial development of the city. Actuated at all times by a most progressive spirit, their work characterized by thoroughness, close application and enterprise, they have steadily advanced until long since they have occupied a foremost place in the ranks of Milwaukee's most prominent, progressive and honored merchants.
ADOLPH J. ZIMMERMANN.
Adolph J. Zimmermann is the president of the Quality Biscuit Company of Mil- waukee, one of the foremost business enterprises. The affairs of the company are most ably and wisely guided hy Mr. Zimmermann, who is widely recognized as a pro- gressive man, possessing in large measure that quality which for want of a better term has been called commercial sense. He quickly recognizes and utilizes an opportunity and at all times is seeking new methods of improving the business. Mr. Zimmermann was horn in Mequon, Wisconsin, October 2, 1875, a son of Frank and Anna (Herbst) Zimmermann, both of whom were natives of Mequon. The father was owner and operator of a brewery in his native town and has now passed away. The family re- moved to Milwaukee about 1890 and A. J. Zimmermann was educated in the public schools of Mequon and of Milwaukee. When his textbooks were put aside he began learning the iron molder's trade, at which he worked for six years. He then gave up that business and pursued a commercial course in the Spencerian Business College, after which he entered the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company, with which he remained for two years. He was afterward connected with the Robert A. Johnston Company in the confectionery and cracker business, his association with that house covering twelve years, during which time he worked his way steadily up-
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ADOLPH J. ZIMMERMANN
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ward, winning various promotions until he was made assistant to the credit manager. He severed his connection with the Johnston Company in 1911 and organized the Quality Biscuit Company, beginning business on a small scale. He has since been forced to make two additions to his plant in order to meet the increasing demands of his trade, one of these being made in 1915, the other in 1918. The business was originally capitalized for one hundred thousand dollars and this has been increased until the capital stock is now three hundred and fifty thousand dollars fully paid up. Mr. Zimmermann has certainly made a great success of his undertaking and deserves much credit for the manner in which he has built up one of the important enterprises of the city. He has twenty traveling salesmen on the road, selling the output of the firm's bakery, which includes more than one hundred different kinds of crackers and cookies. As the name indicates the concern has never sacrificed quality to quantity, but has sent out goods of highest standard and by reason of the excellence of its products its business has steadily grown and increased until it is now one of the most gratifying proportions. The building which was completed in 1911 at 696 South Pierce street is a four-story brick structure, eighty-four by one hundred and forty feet. There are now two hundred and sixty employes and the trade is constantly grow- ing. It extends throughout Wisconsin and the sales for 1920 amounted to about one million, five hundred thousand dollars. The officers of the company are: A. J. Zimmer- mann, president; W. C. Zimmermann, vice president; L. N. Pierron, secretary and treasurer.
In 1913 Mr. Zimmermann was united in marriage to Miss Huldena Zechinato, whose ancestors came originally from Italy and France. Four children have been born of this marriage: Ruth, Robert, Jane and John. Mr. Zimmermann is a Mason, who has attained the thirty-second degree in the order and is a member of Tripoli Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He belongs to the Milwaukee Association of Commerce, being keenly interested in all of its projects and plans for the city's development, the exten- sion of its trade relations and the maintenance of high civic standards. He belongs also to the City Club and to the Rotary Club and has membership in the Milwaukee Athletic Club and the Blue Mound Country Club. His associates in these organizations find him a genial, courteous man who easily wins friendship, while those who have met him in business relations also speak of him in terms of high regard.
CHARLES SUMNER PEARCE.
It is a trite saying that there is always room at the top, but it is also one of which the world seems to take little heed, else it would serve as a spur to ambition and con- stitute a stimulus for renewed and concentrated efforts. Here and there, however, are found men whose determined purpose carried them beyond their fellows and who use each chance for advancement wisely and well. Verification of this statement is found in the life record of Charles Sumner Pearce, the vice president of the Palmolive Com- pany, one of the largest toilet soap manufacturing concerns of the world. He was born in Walworth, Walworth county, Wisconsin, September 16, 1877, and is a son of George D. and Emily (Baker) Pearce, who were natives of Oneida county, New York, but came to Wisconsin in 1852, settling in Walworth, the father following the occupation of farming. He became one of the pioneer residents of the state, taking up his abode here at a time when the farmers had to haul their grain to Milwaukee, the nearest railroad point. Both he and his wife are deceased.
Charles S. Pearce, after obtaining a district school education and continuing his studies in the high school at Sharon, Wisconsin, entered the State University at Madison and was graduated on the completion of the literary course with the class of 1900. He then continued his law studies in the University of Wisconsin and was graduated in 1903. The same year he was admitted to the bar and is now a member of the Milwaukee Bar Association, but has never practiced, turning his attention to commercial interests.
It was in July, 1903, that Mr. Pearce became associated with the Palmolive Company in a minor position. At that time Caleb E. Johnson, the president, was looking for a young college man who was ambitious to work up in the business and he found the one he sought in Mr. Pearce, who has advanced steadily through the sales and adver- tising department to an executive position, having been made vice president of this large corporation in December, 1920. His progress has resulted from his close applica- tion, his thoroughness and his energy and today he is second executive in one of the largest soap companies of the world. The "one brand" toilet soap, Palmolive, has the largest sale of any soap in the world. The employes of the company now total about two thousand and the business is steadily growing. The company aside from its Milwaukee establishment maintains a manufacturing plant in Portland, Oregon, and one in Toronto, Canada, and has twenty-four branch offices, including several foreign offices, one in London, another in Paris, a third in Shanghai, and a fourth in Sidney, together with all of the large cities in the United States and Canada. These
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offices and plants are under the supervision of Mr. Pearce, who through individual efforts has won a reputation that has made him known in business circles not only throughout America but in many foreign lands as well. He is also a director of the Troco Nut Butter Company, of the Johnson Building Corporation and president of the Concord Investment Company, while with a number of the subsidiary companies of the Palmolive Company, he is closely associated as stockholder and official.
On the 2d of June, 1909, Mr. Pearce was married to Miss Vivian Coates of Corsicana, Texas, and they have two children: Jane Coates and Charles Silsbee. Mr. Pearce is well known in the leading club organizations of his adopted city, belonging to the Milwaukee Club, Milwaukee Athletic Club, Wisconsin Club, Blue Mound Country Club, Yacht Club, and the Rotary Club. During the war period he was active in all the drives and was chairman of Group 9, giving his hearty aid and cooperation to all the organized efforts for the country's benefit and the support of her military forces at home and abroad. It has been said that "Peace hath her victories no less renowned than war," and certainly Mr. Pearce is one of the heroes of the bloodless battle and has come off victor in the efforts to win advancement and success. Had he not improved his college opportunities he would not have been qualified for the proffered position of the vice president of the Palmolive Company. From the starting point his progress has been continuous until he is now the second executive in a mammoth concern and as the architect of his own fortunes he has builded wisely and well.
EDGAR JUDD PORTER, D. C.
Prominent among the chiropractors of Milwaukee is Dr. Edgar Judd Porter, who has been practicing in this city since 1916. He is one of Milwaukee's native sons, his birth having occurred here on the 13th of February, 1893, a son of George Y. and Ellen F. (Judd) Porter. George Porter was born on the farm of his father, Willard G. Porter, in Waukesha county and died in 1916. He won prominence in the real estate and insur- ance circles of Milwaukee. The grandfather of our subject was a native of Vermont and for many years was classed among the representative agriculturists of Waukesha county. Mrs. Ellen F. Porter is living and makes her home with Dr. Porter. She was a daughter of Alfred Judd, who was born near Ithaca, New York, and came to Wis- consin in 1845, locating in the town of Waterford, Racine county.
In the acquirement of an education Edgar Judd Porter attended the Milwaukee grade schools and graduated from the South Division high school in 1911. He then enrolled in Marquette University and became a student in the department of civil engineering, completing that course in the required time, In 1915 he entered the Palmer school of Chiropractic and graduated from that institution in 1916 with the degreeof D. C. He immediately took up practice in Milwaukee, where he has remained ever since, having an extensive and steadily increasing patronage. He maintains offices in Suite 404 of the Majestic building and from all over the state people come to him for treatment.
On the 10th of January, 1920, Dr. Porter was united in marriage to Miss Natalie Sommer, a daughter of Solomon Sommer of Milwaukee. Her father was born in Ger- many and later removed to Russia, in which country Mrs. Porter's birth occurred. To the union of Dr. and Mrs. Porter one daughter has been born, Constance Elizabeth.
Although Dr. Porter leans toward the republican party, he follows an independent course in politics and has never taken an active part. Fraternally he is a member of the Loyal Order of Moose at Milwaukee and he likewise holds membership in the Kiwanis Club. In line with his profession he is a member of the Milwaukee Chiro- practors Association, the Wisconsin Chiropractic Association and the Universal Chiro- practors Association. Dr. Porter is a trained civil engineer and an expert on X-ray work, having in his office the latest machine and using this largely in diagnosing cases. Unlike many chiropractors, therefore, he never gropes in the dark when treating a patient and this feature of his practice has been one of the causes of his great success. He has won the utmost confidence and respect of all persons with whom he has come in contact and he stands high in his profession.
CHALMER BOORMAN TRAVER.
Chalmer Boorman Traver, secretary of the Milwaukee Association of Commerce, is a man of broad vision as well as of practical executive ability, and the combination of these qualities well fits him for the responsibilities of his present connection. Mr. Traver was born in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, March 29, 1889, his parents being Frank A. and Jennie ( Boorman) Traver, both of whom are also natives of Wisconsin.
Mr. Traver is an alumnus of the old East Side high school and the University of
DR. EDGAR J. PORTER
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Wisconsin, which he attended from 1907 to 1910. For some time he was a reporter on the old Evening Wisconsin and also did special work for the Milwaukee Sentinel and the old Milwaukee Free Press, thus gaining broad experience through newspaper con- nections. Later he was with the Banker-Manufacturer as associate editor and left that position to enter the army in the spring of 1918. He became a lieutenant of field artillery, stationed at Camp Taylor, Louisville, Kentucky, and afterward at Camp Jackson, South Carolina, as instructor of gunnery and battery executive officer.
After receiving his discharge Mr. Traver went west and for a few months engaged in silver mining in Arizona. On the 1st of November, 1919, he returned to Milwaukee to accept the position of secretary of the Milwaukee Association of Commerce and through the intervening period has been very active in the upbuilding of this organization.
On the 28th of December, 1920, Mr. Traver was married to Miss Zoa McComb of Wichita, Kansas. They reside at 560 Astor street. Mr. Traver is a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, and is identified with various clubs and patriotic and com- mercial organizations. He belongs to the Milwaukee Athletic Club, the Milwaukee Press Club and to Alonzo Cudworth Post of the American Legion. He is vice president of the Wisconsin Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, a member of the Optimists Club and of the University of Wisconsin Alumni Association, one of the di- rectors of the Wisconsin Commercial Secretaries Association and a member of the National Association of Commercial Organization Secretaries.
JOHN J. CARY.
Milwaukee county has been signally favored in the class of men who have -ocenpied her public offices. There have been but few who have been called to positions of public trust who have not been loyal to the work reposed in them, and numbered with the men who are now carefully and wisely directing the business affairs of the county is John J. Cary, who is filling the office of member of the board of supervisors. He was born in the city of Milwaukee, May 8, 1883, and is a son of Richard J. and Catharine (Code) Cary, both of whom were also natives of this city. The family on both sides were early settlers of Milwaukee and of Irish lineage. The father was a cabinetmaker by trade and was associated with the firm of Matthew Brothers, furniture dealers, for a number of years. He afterward engaged in the saloon business and passed away in 1905. His widow is living and yet makes her home in Milwaukee.
John J. Cary was educated in the public and parochial schools of this city, passing through consecutive grades to the high school. On the 2d of July, 1902, he became associated with the Fidelity & Casualty Company of New York as a messenger boy and he has since filled various positions with the company, being promoted to the office of cashier in 1914. He has served with the company for twenty years and is one of the best known insurance men of the city. His capability and fidelity are plainly indicated by his long connection with the corporation which he represents and he has done a large amount of business, which has brought him to a position of affluence and has added materially to the resources of the company.
On the 23d of September, 1908, Mr. Cary was married to Miss Lillian Fitzgerald of Kaukauna. Wisconsin, and they have become the parents of two children: Genevieve Patricia. who was born March 17, 1912; and William Francis, born September 3, 1915. The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church and Mr. Cary is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Order of Foresters. He is also connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. In April, 1920, he was elected a member of the board of supervisors of Milwaukee county. He is now serving on the committees on finance, public buildings and grounds, sheriffs and coroners and unemployed, these being the most important committees of the board. His public record is highly satisfactory, by reason of the promptness and efficiency with which he discharges his duties and the thoroughness with which he delves to the root of all public matters, learning exactly what is best to do in regard to the business of the county.
MORTON R. HUNTER.
Morton R. Hunter, president of the Hunter Machinery Company, handling construc- tion and industrial equipment, with plant and offices at 208-210 Wells street in Milwaukee, was born in Chicago in 1891. He was accorded liberal educational privileges, completing a course in civil engineering in the University of Michigan. Following his graduation he became identified with the engineering department of the Chicago & North Western Railroad and made steady progress in his business career. His thoroughness and
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ability brought him prominently to the front and he became assistant editor of the Engineering Record. His identification with the Hunter Machinery Company dates from its incorporation in 1916, at which time business was established under the name of the Kern-Hunter Company with a capital stock of five thousand dollars. Success attended the venture from the beginning and in 1917 the capital stock was increased to twelve thousand dollars. In the following year the name was changed to the Hunter Machinery Company and the capital increased to twenty-five thousand dollars, while in 1922 the company became capitalized for forty thousand dollars. Something of the steady growth dollars in the year 1916 to over seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars in 1921. Mr. Hunter has been president of the company from the beginning, with M. P. Allen as of the business is indicated in the fact that the sales have increased from fifty thousand secretary and treasurer. The company occupies its own property, including warehouse and shop, and is now engaged in the erection of a modern office building. They carry an extensive stock for construction and industrial equipment and their slogan is: "Our machinery and supplies make good or we do." The company keeps the largest purely construction equipment stock in Wisconsin and all orders are promptly filled. This is the oldest firm in their line in Wisconsin and they employ construction equipment mechanics to render service to their patrons. They do not handle any one machine but everything that is in demand, their stock covering indeed a wide range, as their catalogue and advertising sheet show.
On the 12th of February, 1917, Mr. Hunter was united in marriage to Miss Hazel Marie Uebele of Chicago, and they have one son. Mr. Hunter's appreciation of the social amenities of life is indicated in his connection with the Milwaukee Athletic Club, the Wisconsin Club and the Michigan Alumni Association. He is also identified with many prominent trade organizations and societies, belonging to the American Association of Engineers, the Builders & Traders Exchange, the Association of Commerce and the Associated Equipment Distributors. Of the last named he is the national secretary. He is also the secretary of the Housing Corporation of the Association of Commerce and he belongs to the Kiwanis Club. His interests are indeed broad and varied and he is a well known figure in construction circles.
FRED C. ELLIS.
Fred C. Ellis, long recognized as one of the eminent members of the Milwaukee bar, was born September 14, 1874, in Oconto, Wisconsin, his parents being Oakman and Carrie (Farnsworth) Ellis. The father was a native of Oldtown, Maine, while the mother was born in Racine, Wisconsin. Oakman Ellis came to this state at the close of the Civil war and engaged in the lumber business.
In his early youth Fred C. Ellis became a pupil in the public schools of his native city and at the age of fourteen he matriculated in the Lake Forest Academy at Lake Forest, Illinois. There he was graduated on the completion of a preparatory course in 1892, after which he entered Amherst College at Amherst, Massachusetts, and finished his studies by graduation in 1896. Having thus qualified by liberal college training for life's practical and responsible duties, he returned to Wisconsin and here entered upon the study of law in the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He carefully prepared for the bar and was graduated in 1898, in which year he was admitted to practice in the courts of this state. He then entered the law firm of Olin & Buller, with which he remained until 1901, when he came from Madison to Milwaukee and here formed a partnership with Willett Spooner. This firm maintained an existence with the two partners until 1911, when it became Lines, Spooner, Ellis & Quarles, ranking as one of the foremost law firms of the state. Mr. Ellis remained a partner until his death and was long accounted one of the foremost representatives of the Milwaukee bar. His knowledge of the law was comprehensive and exact and he was seldom, if ever, at fault in the application of a legal principle. He found ready solution for intricate and in- volved legal problems and his presentatiou of a case was always clear, concise and convincing.
On the 23d of November, 1904, Mr. Ellis was married to Miss Augusta Helmholz, a daughter of A. C. and Elizabeth ( Vogel) Helmholz, the former a native of Germany, while the latter was born in Milwaukee. Mr. Helmholz came to Milwaukee in the year 1861 in company with his parents, while the Vogel family arrived in the early '50s. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ellis: Oakman, whose hirth occurred April 8, 1906; Frederick B., born September 30, 1907; Farnsworth, February 17, 1911; and Elizabeth, July 11, 1916.
The family circle was broken by the hand of death when on the 17th of April, 1917, Mr. Ellis was called to his final rest. He was widely and favorably known here-a popular member of the Milwaukee Club, the University Club and the Town Club. His friends were legion and everywhere he was spoken of in terms of the highest regard. He was a lifelong republican, much interested in politics and thoroughly informed at
FRED C. ELLIS
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all times concerning the leading questions and issues of the day, but he never aspired to office. He belonged to the Congregational church and his life, ever guided by high principles, made him one of the valued citizens of Milwaukee, honored and respected by all who knew him because of his marked capability in this profession, his fidelity in citizenship, his loyalty to the highest moral standards and his devotion to his home and family.
WILLIAM H. MOMSEN.
William H. Momsen, superintendent of the Milwaukee County House of Correction, and one of the well known and efficient public officials, loyal at all times to the trust reposed in him, was born in this city and is the owner of the house in which he first opened his eyes to the light of day. His parents were Peter A. and Louise A. (Grunert) Momsen, both of whom were natives of Germany, coming to Milwaukee about 1849. The father crossed the Atlantic alone, while the mother came with her parents and their marriage was celebrated in this city. Peter A. Momsen was a cabinetmaker by trade and for a number of years was in the employ of A. D. Seaman & Company. He led a life of industry and usefulness and retired from business a few years prior to his death, which occurred in 1910.
William H. Momsen was educated in the public schools of Milwaukee and also attended the Spencerian Business College. He afterward started out in the business world as an employe of the banking firm of Houghton, McCord & Company, whom he served as messenger boy. He remained with that company for thirteen years, winning promotion from time to time until he was serving as teller, when he resigned to enter the Plankinton Bank as assistant cashier. Later he was advanced to the position of cashier and remained with that institution until 1893. He next turned his attention to the real estate and loan business and was thus engaged until his appointment as inspector of the House of Correction in the fall of 1903. This position he has since filled and his record is one highly creditable, his labors being a notable force in the improvement of the institution and methods of its conduct. The House of Correction has a farm comprising four hundred and seventy-five acres and the inmates are required to work thereon. The building can accommodate about eight hundred and an individual can be sent to the institution for five years. The buildings are located on a beautiful site, the grounds are well kept and everything about the place is conducted along the most sanitary lines and indicates the most thorough and efficient supervision on the part of the superintendent.
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