USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume II > Part 49
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wankee. On leaving his native land Frank Giebish came to the new world and pro- ceeded into the interior of the country, settling in Milwaukee, where he engaged in the liquor business to the time of his death.
John A. Giebish obtained his education in the thirteenth ward school and in the Catholic parochial school, and when his textbooks were put aside he learned the painter's trade. In 1904 he entered the employ of the H. Barkow Company as a painter and has been associated with the business continnonsly since, working his way npward to the position of superintendent of the paint department, while npon the death of Herman Barkow, the founder of the business, he was elected to the vice presidency of the company, which position he is now filling. His practical knowledge of the trade enables him to direct the services of many of the employes of the honse, which is now enjoying an extensive and growing business.
On the 8th of June, 1904, Mr. Giebish was united in marriage to Miss Amalia Gor- miller, a daughter of Casper Gormiller of Milwaukee. They now have two children, Edward and Victor. The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church and Mr. Giebish also has membership with the Catholic Order of Foresters, the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin and St. Joseph's Benevolent Society. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and politically he maintains an independent course. The activities of his life, however, have been concentrated npon business and today the major part of his time and attention is given to the manage- ment of the interests of the H. Barkow Company. He has fifteen high-class painters under his supervision in the paint shop, doing expert work, and the company enjoys in this regard a reputation second to none.
ALBERT C. ELSER.
Albert C. Elser, vice president of the Second Ward Savings Bank of Milwaukee, his native city, was born August 31, 1871, his parents being John and Franciska Elser. While spending his youthfnl days under the parental roof he attended the Milwaukee University School and further qualified for the active and responsible duties of life by becoming a student in the Spencerian Business College, thus receiving his training for the business world. He next entered the meat market owned by his father and was associated with the business for twenty years. His connection with the banking interests of the city covers an extended period, for he has been the vice president and one of the directors of the Second Ward Savings Bank for the past nine years and is active in formulating the policy and directing the activities of the institution.
On the 14th of March, 1900, Mr. Elser was married to Miss Mathilde Uihlein, danghter of Alfred Uihlein of the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company. To Mr. and Mrs. Elser has been born four children: Gertrude, Elizabeth, Alfred and Marianne.
During the World war Mr. Elser was active in promoting the varions Red Cross and Liberty Loan drives. He is identified with the Association of Commerce and gives hearty aid and cooperation to the plans of that organization for the city's benefit and npbuilding. He is prominently and popularly known in club circles, having member- ship in the City, Rotary, Milwaukee Athletic, Milwaukee Country, Milwaukee and Town Clubs, and his friends in these organizations are legion.
ERNST HILDEBRAND KRONSHAGE.
A well known figure in journalistic circles is Ernst Hildebrand Kronshage, formerly editor in chief of the Milwaukee Free Press and now editorial writer and associate editor of the Wisconsin News. He has also been associated with theatrical interests and has largely npheld high standards in connection with dramatic productions in this city. A native of Wisconsin, he was born in Boscobel, August 3, 1875, a son of Theodore and Pauline (Hildebrand) Kronshage. The father was one of the early settlers and pioneer merchants of Boscobel and is now president of the Central State Bank.
The son, Ernst H. Kronshage, obtained a public school education in his native city, completing his course there by gradnation in 1893. He afterward attended the University of Wisconsin and is numbered among its alumni of 1898. At his gradnation the Bachelor of Arts degree was conferred upon him and he was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa fraternity in recognition of his scholastic record. He was also awarded the John C. Freeman fellowship in English literature. After a period of study abroad, he took np newspaper work in this city. He served first as dramatic critic and Sunday editor on the Milwaukee Free Press and afterward was advanced to the position of editorial writer, while finally he became editor in chief and largely shaped the policy of that paper. He is now editorial writer and associate editor of the Wisconsin News
ALBERT C. ELSER
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and his journalistic activities have made him widely known. Aside from his news- paper work he has been interested in promoting the theatrical arts in Milwaukee. He assisted in organizing and had the management of the Pabst English Stock Company in 1907 and The Modern Players in 1917. He wrote the scenario of the Shakespeare Tercentenary Pageant, which was held at the Auditorium, and he acted on the produ- cing committee. His labors have been far-reaching in connection with the improvement of public taste in drama and he has done much to uphold the highest standard of the histrionic art in Milwaukee.
On the 30th of October, 1907, in this city, Mr. Kronshage was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude Tallman, a daughter of Charles and Isabelle Tallman. Mrs. Kronshage is a graduate of the Syracuse University of New York and by her marriage she has become the mother of three daughters: Julie, Elsa and Hilde. The parents are mem- bers of the Plymouth Congregational church. In politics Mr. Kronshage is a pro- gressive republican always alive to the vital interests and questions of the day and keeping in touch with the trend of modern thought and advancement as exemplified in the opinions and the labors of the leading statesmen of the country. He has member- ship in the Delta Upsilon fraternity, in the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Artists' Loft, the Old Settlers' Club and the Walrus Club.
CAPTAIN HENRY E. RUGGABER.
Captain Henry E. Ruggaber, custodian and register of deeds of Milwaukee county and vice president of the Northern Building & Loan Association, was born June 26, 1877, in the city which is still his home, his parents being August B. and Bertha (Kuhn) Ruggaber. The family was founded in Milwaukee in pioneer times. Angust B. Ruggaber was born on Twelfth street between Cherry and Galena streets and his wife was a native of the town of Franklin, Milwaukee county. Her people, too, settled in this section of the state when the work of progress and improvement seemed scarcely begun here. The maternal grandfather of Captain Ruggaber was a soldier of the Civil war. August B. Ruggaber was a shoemaker by trade and followed that pursuit for many years. In 1889 and 1890 he served as deputy sheriff of Milwaukee county.
Captain Ruggaber was educated in the public schools of Milwaukee and after put- ting aside his textbooks turned his attention to the clothing business. In 1897 he was appointed custodian of the register of deeds under Henry A. Verges and has since occupied this position, covering a period of twenty-five years. He has discharged his duties with entire satisfaction to his superiors and to the general public and has made a most competent and faithful official. He is also secretary of the Northern Building & Loan Association.
On the 18th of May, 1901, Captain Ruggaber was married to Miss Pauline A. Sievers of Milwaukee, and they have two sons: Gordon and Carlton. Captain Ruggaber is a member of the Knights of Pythias and is captain of Columbia Company, No. 8, of uniform rank. He has also been a member of the Masonic fraternity for twenty- one years and is a loyal follower of the teachings and purposes of the craft. He was one of the members of the jubilee committee having in charge the celebration of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the founding of this city. He has taken a most active interest in the public life of the community, doing much to further its progress and welfare and occupies a high position in public regard.
GEORGE ABBOT MORISON.
It is an old saying that a chain is not stronger than its weakest link, nor is a business organization stronger than the men who have charge of each department. Efficiency must be maintained in each branch or there is a lack of harmony and con- certed action productive of the results that constitute the whole. Meeting every re- quirement of his position, George Abbot Morison is now doing splendid service for the great organization which he represents, being the secretary and sales manager of the Bucyrus Company of South Milwaukee, one of the most extensive and important industrial interests of the city. He comes to this state from New England, his birth having occurred in Peterboro, New Hampshire, August 5, 1879, his parents being the Rev. Robert S. and Anne T. ( Abbot) Morison, the former a native of Massachusetts, while the latter was born in Washington, D. C. The father was a Unitarian minister and was secretary of the Harvard University Divinity School during the greater part of his life.
George A. Morison was educated in the east, pursuing his academic course in the Phillips Exeter Academy at Exeter, New Hampshire, from which he was graduated
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in 1896, after which he entered Harvard University and won his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1900. When his college days were over he spent a short time in making timber surveys in connection with the division of forestry of the United States govern- ment. On the 4th of January, 1901, he came to South Milwaukee and has since been identified with the Bucyrus Company. He first worked in the shop as a machinist's apprentice and later became assistant to the superintendent, next was promoted to production manager and afterward became assistant secretary and then secretary of the company. He has spent twenty years with this corporation, advancing steadily to his present position of large responsibility.
On the 1st of January, 1906, Mr. Morison was married to Miss Amelia Huntley Elmore of Milwaukee, and they have become the parents of three children: Robert S., Elting E. and John H. Mr. Morison was very active during the World war, serving as chairman or vice chairman of all Liberty Loan, War Savings and Red Cross cam- paigns of the territory outside of the city limits of Milwaukee in Milwaukee county. He was chairman of the South Milwaukee branch of the Red Cross and was one of the Four-Minute men, doing effective labor along various lines in connection with the war activities. He is a director and trustee of various civic, philanthropic and commercial organizations. He is prominently and popularly known in club circles, having membership in the University Club of Milwaukee, the Milwaukee Athletic Club, the City Club and also in the University Club of Chicago and the Harvard Club of New York. He is prominent as an alumnus of Harvard University, being secretary of the Associated Harvard Clubs, president of the Harvard Club of Mil- waukee and a member of various committees connected with Harvard University. Well descended and well bred, his preliminary educational training qualifying him for responsibilities and important duties, he has by the force of his character and his developed powers reached a gratifying and enviable place in the business circles of Wisconsin.
WALTER SCOTT BARTLETT.
Walter Scott Bartlett, one of the prominent young attorneys of Milwaukee, a veteran of the late war and a representative of one of the old and honored families of this city, was born in Milwaukee, January 3, 1888, a son of Dr. Edwin Wilcox Bart- lett, for many years a distinguished physician of this city, and a grandson of Elias Bartlett, who was a former of Vermont, the family having been established in New England at an early period in the colonization of the new world. Dr. Homer L. Bart- lett, a very prominent physician of Brooklyn, New York, was a brother of Dr. Edwin Wilcox Bartlett. The latter was born in Jericho, Vermont, in 1839 and pursued his education in the medical department of the University of Vermont at Burlington after which he studied in Paris, Vienna and Berlin for two years. He came to Milwaukee about 1873 as a young physician of wide knowledge but comparatively little experience. As the years passed he won rank as the leading specialist on the treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat and established the first hospital of that character in Milwaukee, the location being on Jefferson street, opposite the site of the Hotel Pfister. Not only did he enjoy an extensive private practice but was also recognized as an able educator and was retained as lecturer in the Milwaukee Medical School, which was later incorporated in the medical college of Marquette University. For several years he was a member of the Milwaukee school board and the cause of educa- tion found in him a stalwart champion. He served as a member and president of the board of the Milwaukee Public Museum and was very active in removing the museum from the old Exposition building to its present location. In fact he did much to fur- ther intellectual and cultural progress in Milwaukee and his labors were far-reaching and resultant. On the 6th of August, 1874, he was married to Helen F. Ball, who was born in East Troy, Wisconsin, a daughter of Edward H. Ball, a native of New York, who in young manhood came to Wisconsin and established a grocery store at East Troy. In 1860 he removed to Milwaukee and became a member of the firm of Ball & Goodrich, well known wholesale grocers of this city. He had a family of five children, a son and four daughters: Edward H., who lived in Chicago and was president of the Chicago Belting Company; Mrs. Charles Allis, whose husband was for years president of the Allis-Chalmers Company; Mrs. Robert Camp, of Milwaukee, now deceased; Mrs. Oren T. Blodgett; and Mrs. Edwin Wilcox Bartlett. Both Dr. Bartlett and his wife were prominently known socially in Milwaukee and enjoyed the high esteem of many friends, moving in the best social circles of the city. The death of Dr. Bartlett occurred September 11, 1913, while his wife survived until October 11, 1920.
Their son, Walter Scott Bartlett, was educated in the public schools of this city until graduated from the East Division high school as a member of the class of 1906. He. next entered the University of Wisconsin and won his Bachelor of Arts degree as one of the alumni of 1910. He afterward became a graduate student at the Harvard
WALTER S. BARTLETT
Vol. II-31
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Law School, where he pursued his law course, his LL. B. degree being conferred upon him in 1913. Immediately afterward he entered upon active practice at Milwaukee and for three years was associated with the firm of Miller, Mack & Fairchild. In April, 1917, Mr. Bartlett enlisted for service in the World war, joining the First Reserve Officers' Training Camp at Fort Sheridan, and there won his commission as second lieutenant. He was assigned to the Three Hundred and Twenty-ninth Field Artillery at Camp Custer, Battle Creek. Michigan, and on the 1st of January, 1918, was commissioned first lieutenant. He was graduated from the Fort Sill ( Okla.) School of Fire in May, 1918. and in the following July went overseas. After training at the artillery school at Coetquidan, France, he went up to the front on the 25th of October and was in action on the St. Mihiel sector at Thiaucourt until the armistice was signed on the 11th of November. He arrived in the United States April 2, 1919, and received his discharge on the 27th of the same month. Following his return he opened a law office at 728 First Wisconsin National Bank building, where he is now located and is associated in prac- tice with Robert R. Freeman, Stanley C. Hauxhurst and Henry J. Bendinger. He special- izes in corporation law and has already secured a clientage that is extensive and im- portant. His practice is steadily growing and his ability is attested by his colleagues and contemporaries in the profession.
On the 29th of December, 1917, Mr. Bartlett was united in marriage to Miss Ruth Fitch, a daughter of Grant Fitch, vice president of the National Exchange Bank. Her father was born in Milwaukee and was graduated from Yale University with the class of 1881. He is a son of William Grant Fitch, one of the most prominent residents of Milwaukee. The grandfather of Mrs. Bartlett in the maternal line was Robert Eliot, one of the pioneer grain dealers of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett have become parents of two children, Eliot Fitch and Walter Scott, Jr.
In his political views älr. Bartlett has always been a republican but never an active party worker nor an aspirant for office. He is a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity at the University of Wisconsin, belongs to the University Club, the Town Club, of which he is the secretary, and the Milwaukee Country Club. He is likewise a member of the Cudworth Post of the American Legion. That he has interest in many activities which have their root in broad humanitarian principles is indicated in the fact that he was one of the organizers of the Legal Aid Society in 1915 and was chosen vice presi- dent at the first election and is now serving as a director of that organization. He is also at the present time serving as secretary of the Milwaukee Country Day School. He has ever recognized the duties, obligations and responsibilties of life and has con- tinually extended a helping hand along many lines that are bringing solution to the great sociological and economic problems of the country.
PETER HUBERT BRODESSER.
Peter Hubert Brodesser, mechanical engineer and elevator manufacturer, who is now manager with the Kaestner & Hecht Company of Milwaukee, was born in Cologne, Germany, March 6, 1863. His father, Peter J. Brodesser, also a native of Cologne, fol- lowed merchandising in that city and became a prominent business man there, passing away in 1869. He was married to Miss Marie Birkhauser, who was born in Muelheim- on-the-Rhine and who, following the death of her husband, came to the United States with her family in 1871. They landed in New York and made their way at once west- ward to Milwaukee. She was a daughter of Joseph Birkhauser and she came with five of her brothers to the new world. Her remaining days were spent in Milwaukee, where her death occurred March 3, 1901, when she was seventy-two years of age.
Peter H. Brodesser was brought to America by his mother, when a lad of eight years and his education was acquired in the public schools of this city. He afterward learned the machinists trade in the shop of Peter Weisel and was there employed for five years. He later accepted a position as stationary engineer with the Best Brewing Company and during this service prepared through private study and through study in the evening schools, to enter the University of Wisconsin at Madison. While attending that institution he pursued a mechanical engineering course, covering three years and met all of his expenses and his tuition, from his earnings. He then accepted a posi- tion as mechanical engineer with the Bullock Machine Company of Chicago, building Corliss engines, there remaining for a year and a half. Later he returned to Milwaukee. where he established a machine shop on Clybourn street, conducting it for two years, the business being carried on under the name of Brodesser & Ternes. The steady growth of the enterprise led to the purchase of a place on Commerce street, to which the busi- ness was removed in order to secure more commodious quarters. Carrying on his work of study and experimentation Mr. Brodesser produced several inventions along mechani- cal lines in connection with elevators, meat rockers and bark conveyors for tanneries. These inventions today are in use throughout the world. In 1890 Mr. Brodesser pur-
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chased the interest of Mr. Ternes in the business and reorganized under the name of the Brodesser Elevator Manufacturing Company, in which George Mueller became his associate. In 1895, however, he acquired the interest of Mr. Mueller and at one time his father-in-law, Christian R. Stein of Madison, was also interested in the Brodesser Elevator Manufacturing Company. In 1902 Mr. Brodesser purchased an acre of land at Burleigh and Weil streets and there erected a large elevator plant, which he leased to his corporation, a removal then being made from Commerce street. Mr. Brodesser retired from the business in 1914. In 1919 he took the agency for the Kaestner & Hecht Company, manufacturers of passenger and freight electric elevators and he continues in that connection, being general agent for Wisconsin and northern Michigan. His long experience with the elevator trade well qualifies him for the responsibilitet duties that devolve upon him and he is today a most prominent figure in connection with elevator interests in the middle west. His inventive genius has given to the world many valuable devices and he now has an invention, the patent on which is pending, that enables an electric elevator to stop exactly at a floor and to operate at a saving of about forty per cent of power.
On the 27th of October, 1888, Mr. Brodesser was married to Miss Otillie C. Stein, a daughter of Christian Stein of Madison, Wisconsin, who is a banker and retired lumber dealer. He was born in Tauberischofsheim, Germany, and became a prominent citizen of Madison, where he passed away in 1907. To Mr. and Mrs. Brodesser have been born five children: Elza, being the eldest; Roman A. married Margaret Lueck, a daughter of William Lueck, ice cream manufacturer of Milwaukee and they have one daughter, Nancy; Marie, the next of the family, is now the wife of Albert Luterbach of Mil- waukee, and they have two children, Dorothy aud Lorraine. Mr. Luterbach is comp- troller of the Palm Olive Company; Lorraine is the wife of Harry Martin of Milwaukee, and they have two children, Harry and Jacob P .; Evyline, the youngest of the family, is attending the State Normal School. The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church and they are communicants in the Holy Rosary parish. Mr. Brodesser belongs to the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin and be is a member of the Milwaukee Athletic Club. In politics he is a republican but has never been an aspirant for public office. He has ever been a wide reader and lover of good literature and possesses a fine private library. He largely devotes his leisure hours to the perfection of inventions along the line of his chosen life work. He has taken out six patents and has one pend- ing, as previously indicated, which will revolutionize the construction of elevators. During the World war he entered the engineering service but the armistice was signed before he was called upon for active duty. His son, Roman A. Brodesser, however, was a first lieutenant in the gas division and served for nine months in France. He was educated in mechanical engineering at the University of Wisconsin. He was married before enlisting, after which he went overseas, rendering valuable aid in the cause of. the American and allied armies. Such in brief is the history of Peter H. Brodesser, who became a resident of Milwaukee at the age of eight years and has spent the greater part of his life in this city, closely identified with its industrial and commercial de- velopment. His name is widely known by reason of his inventions and the prominent position which he has made for himself in business circles aud his entire record is one which reflects credit and honor upon the city with which his fortunes have been cast.
WILLIAM JAMES E. CLANCY, M. D.
Dr. William James E. Clancy, medical director of the Blue Mound Sanitarium, situated at Wauwatosa, was born. in Milwaukee, October 25, 1885, and is a son of James and Mary (Schutz) Clancy, the former a native of Ireland, while the latter was born in Milwaukee, where her parents settled in early pioneer times. James Clancy was a coffee and tea merchant, who conducted business successfully for many years and then lived retired for a considerable period prior to his death, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil. He also served as one of the supervisors of Mil- waukee county and filled the position of deputy sheriff. He had a very wide'acquaint- ance in this part of the state, having resided in the county for forty-five years and the sterling traits of his character and his business ability gained him the regard of his fellowmen and the substantial reward of business enterprise.
Dr. Clancy was educated in the parochial schools of Milwaukee, in the Marquette Academy and in the Marquette University, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, while a little later his Alma Mater conferred upon him the Master of Arts degree. He spent two years as a student in the St. Louis University medical department and was graduated from Marquette University with the M. D. degree in 1911. He afterward spent one year in hospital work, gaining that broad and valuable experience which can never be secured as quickly in any other way as through hospital practice. Opening an office in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, he there followed his profession for four years and was also located at Augusta, Wisconsin, for three years.
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