USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume II > Part 51
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On the 1st of August, 1919, Dr. Kenney took his present position with the city as chief of the bureau of communicable diseases, having charge of the laboratory and control of all contagious diseases. He is a member of the Milwaukee Medical Society, the Milwaukee County Medical Society and the Wisconsin State Medical Society
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and at all times keeps in touch with the trend of modern professional thought and progress.
On the 7th of October, 1913, Dr. Kenney was married to Eunice K. Thomsen of Milwaukee, and they have two children: Eunice, born September 21, 1917; and Keith, born August 6, 1920. Dr. Kenney belongs to the Milwaukee Lodge, No. 46, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, to the Thirty-second Division Veterans Association and to Alonzo Cudworth Post of the American Legion and is one of the distinguished citizens and honored veterans of Milwaukee.
WILLIAM L. PIEPLOW.
William L. Pieplow, secretary of the Alcazar Range & Heater Company, belongs to that class of men whose definite purpose and intelligently directed effort constitutes an element in public progress and general advancement as well as in individual success. The worth of his work in city affairs has been widely acknowledged and covers a broad scope. Mr. Pieplow was born at Bay View, one of the attractive residential sec- tions of Milwaukee, April 12, 1876, his parents being Charles and Caroline Pieplow, natives of Mecklenburg, Germany. Establishing their home in Milwaukee many years ago, they here resided until called to their final rest. The father, who had been a sailor on the high seas in young manhood, was afterward identified with navigation interests on the Great Lakes. Subsequently he acted as foreman in the rolling mills of the Illinois Steel Company at Bay View for more than twenty-five years. He and his wife were consistent members of the Lutheran church and for an extended period Mrs. Pieplow was president of the Ladies' Aid Society of St. Lucas Evangelical church.
In the Lutheran parochial school and the public schools of Milwaukee, William L. Pieplow acquired his early education and afterward attended business college. He started out to provide for his own support when a youth of fifteen as a clerk in a hardware store. Three years before this time he had become cornet player in the Bay View Band and has always been deeply interested in music. In 1893 he accepted the position of office manager and associate editor of the American School Board Journal and made valuable contribution to the educational interests of Milwaukee during the decade in which he continued to act in the dual capacity. In this connection William George Bruce, publisher of the Journal, wrote of him: "I have had the opportunity of viewing the subject of this sketch at a close range and to observe from time to time his development and progress. When Pieplow came to the School Board Journal, of which I am publisher, he was fresh from a business school and inexperienced in the ways of the world. But he realized that he had much to learn, much to acquire, much to digest. He took an accurate measurement of himself, threw all conceit to the winds and applied himself with industry to his task. He not only became an accurate ac- countant and a good correspondent but he also mastered the English language so as io make him a forceful writer on school administrative topics. This in itself was an achievement. It not only meant close application to duty but at the same time a broadening of vision and a strengthening in general educational equipment. It re- quired a dogged determination to swing himself into a higher and broader field of useful activity. Thus Mr. Pieplow succeeded in raising himself from a mere office clerk into an editorial writer on school administration of a higher order. During this time he also acquired proficiency in executive labors.
"When Mr. Pieplow entered the school board he at once assumed a commanding
position. His familiarity with the subject of school administration, together with the high aims and purposes with which he was imbued and the unflinching attitude on all measures making for the better schools, were soon recognized. When he went to the legislature to ask for the abolishment of a school board of which he himself was a member it was freely predicted that he was doomed to oblivion. Some of his closest friends were antagonistic to his efforts. The progressive element to which he had allied himself and whose most prominent exponent he had become, won its battle. Instead of oblivion, new honors awaited him. The judges of the local courts, to whom was assigned the task of creating a new school board, placed Mr. Pieplow's name first on the list of appointees. In the whole contest he was a picturesque figure, at all times eloquent and forceful, unselfish and bold.
"Mr. Pieplow is capable of much work, solving intricate problems and surmounting difficult obstacles. Mr. Pieplow is a fine type of the progressive man of the day. Let us have more just like him."
On retiring from his connection with the School Board Journal Mr. Pieplow en- tered upon a two years' connection with Charles Lohr and Edward Boyle in the monu- ment business and in 1905 became advertising manager of the A. J. Lindemann & Hover- son Company. A little later he accepted the management of the Arcadian Malleable Range Company and then became secretary of the Alcazar Range & Heater Company. In 1921 he concluded a trusteeship of the Frank J. Cameron estate, of which Adrian
WILLIAM L. PIEPLOW
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Cameron was the beneficiary, the estate amounting to a quarter of a million dollars. Mr. Pieplow is also the president of the Security Loan & Building Association and thus his business activities have largely been of a character that have contributed to public progress and improvement as well as to individual advancement.
On the 24th of April, 1901, Mr. Pieplow was married to Miss Emilie Klingbeil of Milwaukee, and they have one daughter, Erna, whose birth occurred May 6, 1903.
In politics Mr. Pieplow has ever been an earnest republican, working untiringly for the success of the party principles because of his belief in their efficacy as factors in good government. Mr. Pieplow has served as a member of the Milwaukee school board since 1902, having been reelected in 1913 and again in 1919. He served as presi- dent thereof for two successive terms-from 1917 until 1919-and he had previously been president of the board in 1908-9, being called to the office when but thirty-two years of age. He has made many valuable suggestions for the improvement of the condition of the schools and his labors have been a tangible asset in bringing the public school system of the city up to its present high standard. In May, 1920, and again in 1921, he was elected president of the Milwaukee library board of trustees and he has been a director of the South Division Civic Association. His interest centers wherever the welfare of the community is under consideration and no plan or project for public benefit seeks his aid in vain. Both he and his wife are consistent members of the Layton Park English Lutheran church. His interest in music continues and he has served as the president of the Handel Choir, one of the representative musical organizations of the city, and is vice president of the A Capella Choir, a celebrated chorus organization of Milwaukee.
WILLIAM CHARLES McMAHON.
William Charles McMahon has since 1912 been prominently identified with in- dustrial interests of Milwaukee as vice president of the Northwestern Malleable Iron Company. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on the 30th of September, 1866, his parents being Robert and Ellen ( Hurrell) McMahon, the former a native of Ire- land and the latter of Maine. Both are deceased. Robert McMahon conducted a foundry and machine shop in Pittsburgh throughout his active business career.
William C. McMahon obtained his education in the public and high schools of his native city and after putting aside his textbooks entered the employ of the Oliver Iron & Steel Company, in which connection he gained thorough and comprehensive knowledge of the business. He was eventually sent upon the road as a traveling salesman for the Oliver Iron & Steel Company, in the service of which he remained until 1900, when he went to Detroit as assistant manager of the Michigan Malleable Iron Company. In 1906 he removed to Racine, Wisconsin, where he acted as presi- dent of the Belle City Malleable Iron Company until 1912, when he came to Mil- waukee and has here continued in the position of vice president of the Northwestern Malleable Iron Company. His excellent executive ability, his sound judgment and progressive spirit have been valuable elements in the successful control of this large industrial concern, for his long experience has given him intimate understanding of the business in principle and detail. He is likewise the secretary and treasurer of the Anchor Company of Illinois, manufacturers of railroad specialties, and is a director in the Joliet Railway Supply Company of Chicago.
In 1894 Mr. McMahon was united in marriage to Miss Laura Howard of Pitts- burgh, Pennsylvania. His appreciation of the social amenities of life is indicated in his club connections, which include membership in the Milwaukee Club, the Fox Point Hunting Club, the Chicago Club, the Union League Club of Chicago, the Detroit Club of Detroit, Michigan, and the Sommerset Club of Racine, Wisconsin.
ARCHER GILLETT LANGLOIS.
Placing correct valuation upon life and its opportunities and early recognizing the eternal principle that industry wins, Archer Gillett Langlois has made steady advance- ment in his business career until he is now the second vice president and cashier of the Park Savings Bank of Milwaukee. His youthful experiences were those of the farm bred hoy. He was born on a farm near Corliss, in Racine county, Wisconsin, July 20, 1878, and is a son of Nicholas and Elizabeth (Gillett) Langlois, the former a native of Guernsey, one of the group of Channel Islands and an English possession but inhabited by the French. The father came to the United States in 1848 and settled in Racine county, Wisconsin, taking up his abode on a farm which remained his place of residence until his death in the fall of 1898. For six years he had survived his wife, who was born in this state and who passed away in 1892.
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Archer G. Langlois was reared on a farm, early taking part in the work of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. In the winter months he attended the conntry schools of District No. 1 in Racine connty until he reached the age of eighteen years, when he started ont in the business world as a bank clerk in Racine. There he obtained valuable lessons and training in banking and his faithfulness and loyalty to the interests which he represented were indicated in the fact that he remained in the institution altogether for about twenty years. Landable ambition and desire for success prompted him, however, to reach ont along broadening lines and in 1915 he organized the Park Savings Bank, which was capitalized for fifty thousand dollars. He sold the stock nntil it was all disposed of and on the 1st of December, 1915, he opened the bank for business, ocenpying the position of cashier and director. He has since guided the destiny of the institution to success and with the passing years the business has steadily and substantially grown. Since the bank was organized it has not lost a penny and under his direction the business has been established upon a sonnd basis. He has heen exceedingly careful in his loans and investments and his conservative methods have bronght to him the confidence and generons support of many patrons. Mr. Langlois had his best training and his credits through his connection with the Bradstreet Company as local representative, extending over a period of twelve years in Racine. This was an invaluable experience for him, enabling him to gain wide knowledge along lines that have been particularly helpful in the conduct of his present business. The new quarters which the bank is now occupying are the last word in bank equipment and convenience. Everything is thoroughly modern and up-to-date and the bank is one of the finest in the country in a city of this size, and in fact would be a credit to any city. It is supplied with burglar alarms, has large vanlts with solid steel doors and every equipment to safeguard depositors and promote their convenience and comfort in transacting business. The present officers are: Jesse Cappon, president; Alexander Ritter, vice president; A. G. Langlois, second vice president and cashier; F. G. Exner, assistant cashier; and Elsie A. Riegger, chief clerk.
Mr. Langlois is married and has one child, Carol Elizabeth. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias, to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and to the Masonic fraternity. He took a very active part in all war work, in the promotion of the Liberty Loan and Red Cross drives and the Milwaukee County Relief Fund, also in the Salva- tion Army and Y. M. C. A. drives. He received a certificate of distinguished financial service, which was given to him at the end of his war work. Mr. Langlois is recog- nized as a splendid organizer. He does things quickly, yet back of this is a thorough understanding of what he is attempting, for he is continnally thinking ont along lines that have to do with his chosen business and thus he is equipped for any emergency when it arises. He has the happy faculty of winning friends easily and of retaining their high regard through his capability and trustworthiness. He is always willing to assist others by his advice and many there are who have benefited by his wisdom and judgment in commercial matters.
WALKER BUCKNER.
Walker Buckner was for many years one of the honored citizens of Wisconsin. Strong in his ability to plan and perform, strong in his honor and his good name, he left his impress in marked measure npon the history of the state and so lived his life that it reflected the ntmost credit upon the history of a family whose ancestral record shows many distinguished names. For a long period he was Wisconsin representative at Milwaukee of the great New York Life Insurance Company and withal he was a courteous, cultured, Christian gentleman, who commanded and received the confidence and respect of all who knew him.
His birth occurred at North Middletown, Bourbon connty, Kentucky, October 11, 1838, his parents being Samnel and Lonisa M. (Dodge) Buckner. The ancestral line is traced back to an early period in the colonization of Virginia, and first mention of the family on the records of that state is of John Buckner of York county, who patented a thousand acres of land in Gloucester county in 1667. He was classed with those men who left their impress upon the colonial history of the Old Dominion by reason of their progressiveness and their high standards of honor. Not only did he develop his ex- tensive and valnable landed estate but also engaged extensively and profitably in mer- cantile pursnits. One of his sons gained the rank of major in the colonial militia and took active part in the Indian warfare of that period. Another representative of the name served under the command of Washington in the Revolutionary war, and the family has given to America not only many soldiers and patriots but also distinguished statesmen, clergymen, lawyers and merchants. This number included General Simon Bolivar Buckner. of Kentucky, who served as governor of his state and was vice pres- idential candidate on the national gold democratic ticket with General John M. Palmer
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of Illinois in 1896. The birth of Samuel Buckner, father of Walker Buckner, occurred in Caroline county, Virginia, November 18, 1801, and both he and his wife spent their last days in Independence, Jackson county, Missouri, where he departed this life in 1877, his wife surviving until December 25, 1880.
Their son, Walker Buckner, had the advantage of careful rearing amid the cultured and refined atmosphere of his parents' home, and throughout bis entire career one was reminded of the old saying that "Blood will tell," for his record ever reflected credit and honor upon a distinguished family name. Because of the innate refinement of his nature, he avoided everything that was gross and common. While he heid to high ideals he possessed, too, those practical qualities which make for success in business, and in 1866, at twenty-eight years, he entered the insurance field by becoming a local agent for the Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company and for one or two fire insurance companies at Paris. Kentucky. Success attended his labors from the beginning and in 1869 he was appointed agent for the Equitable Life Insurance Com- pany of New York, with headquarters at Kansas City, a position which he most credit- ably filled for a period of ten years.
On the 1st of September, 1879, Mr. Buckner was made manager for Wisconsin of the New York Life Company and such was the ability which he displayed in that responsible position that his territory was broadened after a few years to include South Dakota, Nebraska and Iowa. He remained as Wisconsin manager for the New York Life, with headquarters at Milwaukee, until the latter part of 1894, when failing health obliged him to retire and he was succeeded by his son Samuel O. He, in considerable measure, recovered bis health, so that on the 1st of January, 1897, he was appointed general manager of one of the leading agencies of the New York Life Insurance Company at Chicago and continued thus to serve until he passed to the home beyond, at which time one of the newspapers of Chicago commenting upon his active and useful career said: "From a theoretical and practical standpoint Mr. Buckner had few equals and no superiors in the business of life insurance. The progressive record of his three sons, as well as of many successful agents of the New York Life who were instructed by him, amply testify to his marked ahility as an educator of agents. Grown aweary of life's fitful battle, Walker Buckner lay down to rest at his home in Evanston, Illinois, on Monday, August 12, 1901, with his children by his bedside to minister lovingly to him in his last moments and make the transition from life to death as painless and peaceful as possible. Thus passed away one of nature's noblemen. A southern gentleman of the old school, Mr. Buckner was at all times the soul of politeness, and even during his last illness he displayed on more than one occasion that courteous trait of char- acter that was inherent in him."
Mr. Buckner was married September 2, 1858, at Pleasant Hill, Cass county, Missouri, to Margaret Ann Tully, whose birth occurred March 18, 1837, her father be- ing Dr. David O. Tully, an eminent physician and surgeon of Kentucky. Mrs. Buckner died July 12, 1885, her death being an irreparable loss to her family. Mr. and Mrs. Buckner had five children. The eldest, Katherine Louisa, was born December 16, 1860, and died in Biltmore, North Carolina, February 13, 1909, having gone there for the benefit of her health. Samuel Owen Buckner, the next of the family, is mentioned at length on another page of this work. Thomas Aylette Buckner, born in Bloomington, Illinois, January 18, 1865, was largely educated in an academy at Independence, Missouri, of which his uncle, William Aylette Buckner, was president. On the 7th of April, 1880, at the age of fifteen, he became office boy in Milwaukee for the New York Life Insurance Company and gradually won promotion until he became a solicitor for the company and later cashier in the company's office at Kansas City. Subsequently he was made a director there and on the 15th of February, 1892, was appointed general inspector of agencies. On the 12th of December, 1900, he was elected fourth vice presi- dent of the New York Life Insurance Company and on the 13th of May, 1903, was elected vice president, while since April 10, 1901, he has been a member of the board of trustees of this great corporation. He was married June 4, 1889, to Myrtie Lewis, and they make their home in New York and are the parents of two children, Thomas A., Jr., and Mary O. Tully Scott Buckner, the third son of Walker Buckner, was born December 2, 1866, and became one of the organizers of the junior department of the Milwaukee Young Men's Christian Association, of which he was serving as president at the time of his death, which occurred in St. Paul, Minnesota, September 22, 1886. Walker Buckner, Jr., the youngest of the five children of the family, was born in Inde- pendence, Missouri, March 16, 1871, was graduated from the public schools of Mil- waukee at the age of fourteen and became identified with the New York Life Insur- ance Company, with which the family has been so closely associated for many years. When nineteen years of age he was given charge of the company's business in Minne- sota and for four years made his headquarters at St. Paul. He was then transferred to St. Louis as inspector of agencies and in 1904 was sent to Paris, France, as super- intendent of agencies, being placed in charge of the business of the New York Life in Europe. In 1911 he was made second vice president of the company and retained his residence in Paris from 1904 until after the outbreak of the World war, when he re-
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turned to New York, where he is now living. While in Europe he reorganized the entire agency system of his company on that continent and made a record that won for him the highest praise of the officers of the corporation. He was married Decem- ber 11, 1894, to Eva May Orton, of Milwaukee, daughter of John J. Orton, a prominent pioneer lawyer of this city, and four children were born to their marriage, Tully Orton, Walker Thornton, John Jay and Lewis Probasco. While in Paris Mr. and Mrs. Walker Buckner, Jr., were active members of the American church and, interested in art and music, their home was continually open to American students in Paris, it becoming their custom to entertain forty or fifty of these on Thanksgiving and Christmas. In January, 1913, Walker Buckner, Jr., received a telegram from the Italian minister of commerce and agriculture saying that the Order of Commander of the Crown of Italy was conferred upon him by the king of that country and this information was con- firmed by the following letter received on the 25th of the same month. "I take pleasure in announcing to you that His Majesty, the King, deigning to adhere to the wish ex- pressed by me, has appointed your good self, of his own free will, Commander of the Crown of Italy. I reserve to myself the forwarding to you of the relative Diploma after your good self will have returned the enclosed blank with the required data filled in, and in the meantime I am pleased to transmit to you the insignia of the Honorary distinction conferred upon you." The insignia referred to in this letter is a beautiful enamel and gold maltese cross, about two inches in diameter. This order carries with it the privilege of wearing a small rosette in the button-hole bearing the Italian colors, red and white. The honor conferred upon Mr. Buckner by the king was a matter of great surprise to him and was an evidence of the satisfaction and appre- ciation of the Italian government of the negotiations which he had conducted in 1912 on behalf of the New York Life Insurance Company, which resulted in the business of that company in Italy being transferred to the Italian government.
The foregoing account of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Walker Buckner indicates how splendidly their records have upheld an honored family name. The sons, entering upon the line of business to which the father gave his attention and benefiting by the thorough instruction and guidance of the father, have risen to great heights in insur- ance circles, being now prominently associated as officials and executives with one of the oldest and strongest of the insurance companies in the entire country. When the father passed on Darwin P. Kingsley, who was then third vice president of the New York Life and who later became president, said, "In the president's absence, I an- nounce, with profound sorrow, the loss of a venerable and honored member of our Nylic household. Few men, directly or indirectly, ever had or ever can have so great an influence on the destinies of the New York Life. For more than twenty years and for all the period of the company's great activity in the middle west, Mr. Walker Buckner was a leading figure and a faithful servant. His influence on the growth of the com- pany is not measured by his individual service as general agent and manager. He has three sons in the service of the company-all successful men and all holding important positions. Mr. Buckner was a man of keen intelligence, refined tastes, unquestioned integrity and unswerving loyalty. He was one of the Old Guard. His example will remain as an inspiration and an object lesson to all our organization."
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