USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume II > Part 61
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Mr. Harnischfeger was born at Salmuenster, Germany, in 1855, a son of Konstan- tin and Christina (Adrian) Harnischfeger, who spent their lives in their native country, where the father was born in 1817 and the mother in 1818. The former was for many years proprietor of a tanning business and passed away in 1889.
While spending his youthful days under the parental roof Henry Harnischfeger attended the public schools of his native country and afterward learned the lock- smith's trade, while later, attracted hy the opportunities of the new world, he came to the United States in 1872, hoping that here he might wrest fortune from the hands of fate. He arrived in New York on the 9th of April and his earnest desire to become proficient in his chosen line of work prompted him to enter the employ of the tool department of the Singer Manufacturing Company at Elizabeth, New Jersey, remain- ing there one year. He next became an employe in the tool department of the Brown & Sharpe Manufacturing Company at Providence, Rhode Island, and remained with that concern for nine months. He then returned to the Singer Manufacturing Com- pany, with which lie was connected for eight years.
In 1881 Mr. Harnischfeger removed to Milwaukee and was assigned to the position of foreman of the milling machine department of the Whitehill Sewing Machine Com- pany, which was then founding a new industry in Milwaukee. While thus engaged he met Alonzo Pawling and the latter's first partner, Moritz Weis, who were then asso- ciated in business under the name of the Milwaukee Tool and Pattern Works. A little later Mr. Harnischfeger purchased the interest of Mr. Weis in the business and the firm style was then changed to Pawling & Harnischfeger. The original partners had secured a small frame building on Florida street, where they had carried on their enter- prise for about a year when Mr. Harnischfeger acquired the interest of Mr. Weis. The growth of the business from that time has been continuous and the first shop was soon abandoned for a larger building, twenty-six by fifty feet, at Clinton & Oregon streets, the power plant consisting of a four by six steam engine and upright boiler. The new firm engaged in general jobbing work in both the machine and pattern lines and in the building of machinery under contract. They were somewhat handicapped by limited capital and equipment, but in 1886 and 1887 small additions were made to the factory, permitting of increased production. At that time their output largely con- sisted of carving machines, brickmaking machines and a special device called the Poppet Valve Governor. In the year 1887 an event occurred at a local manufacturing plant which played an important part in the future of Pawling and Harnischfeger. The Edward P. Allis Company ( now known as Allis-Chalmers) placed A. J. Shaw, who was then in its employ, in charge of the rebuilding of one of the rope driven traveling cranes then in operation at its plant. Mr. Shaw devoted considerable time and thought
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to the task and his solution revolutionized traveling crane design; he replaced the com- plicated rope driven mechanism with individual electric motors for the three inde- pendent movements of a traveling crane. Pawling & Harnischfeger had the honor of being the builders of the first three motor electric traveling cranes after the recon- struction of two cranes at the Allis plant. The operation of this electric crane was so successful that a company was organized to manufacture cranes with electric motive power for the three movements of a crane, the three organizers of the new business being Messrs. Pawling, Harnischfeger, and Shaw. The enterprise was established under the name of the Shaw Electric Crane Company, with Mr. Harnischfeger as presi- dent. From that time forward Pawling and Harnischfeger were permanently asso- ciated with the crane industry. The new company erected a brick building fifty by ninety feet, giving it greatly enlarged facilities. Later Mr. Shaw withdrew and was succeeded by Mathias A. Beck as chief engineer, and to him was assigned the task of designing a complete line of cranes and hoisting machinery, steam feed engines for sawmills, steam steering gears for ships and horizontal drilling and boring machines. In 1892 a foundry was erected across from the main factory and at a subsequent date this was converted into a machine shop and a foundry purchased of Gardiner Camp- bell, adjacent to the main factory. In 1898 a three-story addition was built to the machine shop, providing extra erecting areas on the ground floor and facilities for the manufacture of motors and electrical equipment, designed by the company engineers, with particular regard for the exacting requirements of crane service. On the 15th of February, 1903, the company met misfortune in the destruction of its principal shop by fire, but within ten days temporary quarters had been secured and the plant was again in operation. This same spirit of determination and resourcefulness has characterized the business since its inception. Plans were immediately drawn for a new shop to be particularly adapted to the manufacture of electric traveling cranes and heavy machinery and to embody every desirable feature of improved factory con- struction. It was in 1904 that the first units of the present modern plant were erected, ready for occupancy in the following spring. Mr. Harnischfeger in his farsighted business vision saw the future value and demand for mechanical means of replacing the ardnous hand labor required in the digging and refilling of trenches and general earth excavation work and in 1912 engineers were engaged to design and develop a line of wheel and boom type trenching machines, draglines, backfillers, tampers, power shovels and excavator cranes, with the result that today the firm manufactures and sells the most complete line of excavating machinery in the world.
The same high grade standard of design workmanship and the use of only the best of materials which have made a national reputation for the company as builders of electric cranes and machine tools have been adhered to in the design and construc- tion of the excavating machinery.
This department has had a steady growth requiring additional extensions to the main plant and today the plant covers four hundred thousand square feet of floor space and with its storage yards and proving grounds a total of twenty-eight acres. All machinery in the mammoth plant is operated either individually or in group by electric motors with current supplied from the power house generators. Each shop and bay has its separate switch and circuit breakers and each set of machines contained in a group can be individually controlled as well, so that when necessary the machinery in one bay or group can be halted without affecting any other part of the plant.
One of the chief features of the success of this gigantic business is the fact that the original partners have been able to surround themselves with a corps of most efficient assistants and many of their employes have been with them through a long period of years. Under normal conditions they employ an average of one thousand men and there is no wide gap between executives and employes, the relation being most intimate and friendly. Mr. Harnischfeger early expressed the wish that his workmen should have all that could be desired from the standpoint of comfort and convenience and the plant, therefore, is the physical embodiment of that wish and an expression of the man and his ideal. A Welfare Association, entirely an employes' organization, offers the men aid when sick, makes it easy for them to do their buying, saving and banking by furnishing local store and bank facilities and provides various social affairs during the year.
The output of the company is the latest word in crane and excavator manufacture and it is represented in every section of the country, having branch sales offices in New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Chicago, New Orleans, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Seattle and District representatives in all important business centers in the United States. The officers of the company are: Henry Harnischfeger, president and treasurer; A. G. Henricks, first vice president; Walter Harnischfeger, second vice president; and Rene von Schleinitz, secretary. The most expert engineers and mechanics are secured and the company has never deviated from its original purpose of giving to the public the best that can be produced in the line of its manufacture. Quality and service have been its constant watchwords.
On the 30th of August, 1892, Mr. Harnischfeger was united in marriage to Miss
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Marie E. Kauwertz of Milwaukee, a daughter of Frederick and Marie (Geyer) Kau- wertz and a granddaughter of Rev. Mr. Geyer, who was one of the prominent Lutheran clergymen of Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Harnischfeger became the parents of four children, two of whom are living: Frieda is the wife of Rene von Schleinitz, secretary of the Pawling & Harnischfeger Company, and they have two children, Frederick- Henry and Rene; Walter, who is a vice president of the company, was married in October, 1920, to Miss Eleanor McGehan.
Mr. Harnischfeger belongs to the Turnverein, the Wisconsin Club, the Old Settlers Club and the Milwaukee Association of Commerce. He likewise has membership in the Wisconsin Natural History Society and has been a most active worker in the Associated Charities of Milwaukee. He has not allied himself with political party nor religious organization but is a man of broad and liberal views and stands for high ideals, manifesting at all times a kindly spirit in his relation with his fellowmen. Starting out in the business world empty-handed, he has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for here he found the business oppor- tunities which he sought and his record proves that self-acquired efficiency, thorough- ness and determination will win prominence and prosperity. He has long been a dominant figure in the industrial life of Milwaukee and his history should serve as a source of encouragement, stimulus and inspiration to others.
ALBERT WALTERS.
Albert Walters, chief deputy United States marshal, residing at North Milwaukee, was born in Washington county, Wisconsin, January 13, 1869, a son of Peter and Anna (Stacey) Walters, hoth of whom were of American birth. Both the father and mother were pioneers of Dodge county, Wisconsin, their families having located there when the Indians still lived in the district. The families were also friends of Solo- mon Juneau, the first settler of Milwaukee. Peter Walters served as a soldier in the Civil war, while his ancestors were connected with the earlier wars of the country. Albert Walters was born and reared on the old home farm, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He pursued his education in the public schools at Juneau, Dodge county, Wisconsin, and when his textbooks were put aside he began learning the steamfitter's trade, at which he worked for a period of twenty years. He was also business manager for the Steamfitters' Union for nine years and filled the position of secretary and treasurer of the Build- ing Trades Council for eight years. In 1915 he was appointed chief deputy United States marshal by the Hon. Samuel W. Randolph, United States marshal, and was reappointed in 1920, so that he has served for a period covering more than six years. He came to Milwaukee in the fall of 1890 and removed to North Milwaukee in 1911, having made his home in the smaller city through the past decade.
Mr. Walters is a veteran of the Spanish-American war, having served with the rank of sergeant in Company G, Fourth Wisconsin Infantry, for a period of nine months. He was a member of the Wisconsin Guards for several years, always holding a commission. He belonged to the old Chapman Guards and has three honorable discharges from the state militia of Wisconsin and also holds an honorable discharge paper from the United States service. He has always taken a deep and helpful interest in local affairs, cooperating heartily in every project or measure for the general good, and his aid is regarded as an assured fact in support of any plan looking to the continued benefit and civic advancement of the city.
Mr. Walters has been married twice. He belongs to Prospect Lodge of the Knights of Pythias and is also identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His official duties and activity in all matters of citizenship have made him widely known and all who are acquainted with his record in any way know that he is ever loyal to duty, discharging every task assigned him without fear or favor. He has gained many friends and made a few enemies but the latter are those who do not hold them- selves amenable to law.
AUGUST J. ABE.
August J. Abe, funeral director of North Milwaukee, was born in Stettin, Ger- many, November 19, 1887, and is a son of William and Lena (Brach) Abe, who were also natives of that country, whence they came to America in 1889, settling in Ripon, Wisconsin, where the father has since followed the occupation of farming. The mother passed away in 1916. August J. Abe was but two years of age when brought to the United States by his parents and was reared on the home farm to the age of sixteen years, attending
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the country schools through the winter seasons and working in the fields in the sum- mer months from the time that he was old enough to handle the plow. Believing that he could make more rapid advance in the business world by leaving the farm. he decided to take up undertaking and in 1908 passed the required state examination at Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He established business on his own account in North Mil- waukee in 1913, opening a furniture store as well as undertaking establishment, and he has been active in both lines since that time. He has gained a large trade in furniture sales and a liberal patronage in the undertaking department, being the only undertaker in North Milwaukee. His success is due to close application, thor- oughness and reliability-qualities which are always far-reaching and resultant.
On the 18th of June, 1913, Mr. Abe was married to Miss Emma Slater of Archibald, Ohio, and they have one daughter, Lucille, who was born March 20, 1915. Mr. Abe is a member of the Masonic fraternity and also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Mystic Workers of the World, while along business lines he has connection with the Undertakers' Association and the Liverymen's Association. During the war period he served on the Thrift Stamp committee and in connection with the Liberty Loan drives. Aside from his furniture and undertaking business he is the vice president of the Domestic Realty Company of North Milwaukee. In all that he undertakes he displays diligence, thoroughness and earnestness and these are manifest in his public relations as well as in the conduct of his private business affairs,
E. O. HENDERSON.
E. O. Henderson, assistant general manager of the Chicago, Racine & Milwaukee Steamship Line, was born in Bristol, Connecticut, September 8, 1864, and is a son of Harry F. and Frances (Smith) Henderson, who were natives of Connecticut, the father being superintendent of a clock factory in Bristol for a number of years.
Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, E. O. Henderson acquired a public school education in his native city and in 1881, when a youth of seventeen years, he made his way to Chicago, where he was employed by the Western Electric Company, remaining with that corporation until 1889. He then engaged in steam- boating with the Northern Michigan Transportation Company and served for several years on the lakes as purser and in higher positions. He was afterward made traveling freight and passenger agent for the company and in 1909 was sent to Milwaukee as general agent. In 1919 he was made assistant general manager of the Chicago, Racine & Milwaukee Line, which company was created as an outgrowth of the old transporta- tion line. This company owns and operates three steel steamers, known as the Illinois, Puritan and Pilgrim, which ply between Chicago, Racine and Milwaukee and are in service as freight and passenger carriers throughout the year. Mr. Henderson has tull charge of the Milwaukee office and business and the two large buildings which are owned by the Milwaukee Terminal Company, these being two of the largest build- ings on the lake. He has devoted the greater part of his time since entering upon his business career to this field of activity and is a well known terminal man.
In 1905 Mr. Henderson was married to Miss Emma Goebig of Chicago, and they have one daughter, Grace. During the war period Mr. Henderson was very active in support of all measures which tended to uphold the interests of the government. He was at the head of a committee selling Liberty bonds and received a medat from the government in recognition of his splendid work in this connection. He belongs to the Milwaukee Athletic Club, to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, to the Milwaukee Association of Commerce, to the Calumet Club and to the Milwaukee Traffic Club-connections which indicate the nature of his interests and activities outside of business. He is alert to every opportunity for the advancement of civic interests and standards and his cooperation at all times can be counted upon to further any plan or project for the general good.
JOHN W. WOLLER.
John W. Woller, clerk of the municipal district court, has filled this position since 1907, an annual election retaining him in the office in recognition of the fidelity and capability that he has always displayed in the performance of his official duties. Mr. Woller was born in Milwaukee, March 15, 1868, and is a son of John and Anna (Volbrecht) Woller, both of whom were natives of Germany, whence they came to the new world, settling in Milwaukee about 1852. Here they were married and began their domestic life, casting in their lot among the pioneer residents of this city. The
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father was for many years engaged in the tailoring business. Both he and his wife are deceased.
John W. Woller was educated in the parochial and public schools and also at- tended Meyer's Business College for one year. When his school days were over he became an employe in the law office of David Rose, with whom he continued for a year and in 1890 he secured a position as an employe of the municipal district court, acting as one of the assistant clerks at a salary of sixty dollars per month. He has filled every position in this office, with which he has now been connected for thirty- one years. In 1907 he was appointed clerk and remained as the incumbent until 1913, when he was elected to the office and has been reelected at each succeeding election. No higher testimonial of fidelity and trustworthiness can be given than the fact that for more than three decades he has so served. When he entered the office the collection of fines amounted to between fifteen and twenty thousand dollars a year. Something of the growth of the business of the office is indicated in the fact that the fines now amount to more than two hundred thousand dollars annually. Mr. Woller has become widely known throughout the city as an official over whose record there falls no shadow of wrong nor suspicion of evil. He has manifested not only promptness and accuracy in the conduct of the duties of the position but also sound judgment and keen intuition in handling affairs connected with the office. The fines which are collected come mostly from the foreigners and Mr. Woller has taken great interest in having these people settle their troubles outside of court, very often send- ing a police court officer to aid them in settling their disputes.
On the 25th of October, 1893, was celebrated the marriage of John W. Woller and Miss Anna Stocken of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. They have become parents of three children: Florence C., now the wife of Herman Netter of Netter Heiser & Company; Frank A., who is connected with the Plankinton Hotel; and John C., who is employed in the clerk's office. Frank A. was with the Thirty-second Division in the World war, connected with Battery A, of the One Hundred and Twenty-first Field Artillery under General Westfall and he was at Leon Springs during the trouble on the Mexican border. He afterward went overseas and was at the front in the some of the most hotly contested battles of the war. After a time he was transferred to the supply company and in both companies rendered valuable aid to the cause of world democracy. Mr. Woller took a helpful interest in all the war activities and was at the head of such affairs in his department. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and is also a member of the Elks Club and in every relation of life he manifests the fraternal spirit which is promoted by the order in which he has membership.
PERRY D. GATES.
Strong in his ability to plan and perform, strong in his honor and his good name, Perry D. Gates, president of the First National Bank of Wauwatosa, has made for himself a most creditable position in the community in which he resides. He was born in Janesville, Wisconsin, September 16, 1883, and is a son of the Rev. Horatio and Sibyl (Olmstead) Gates. The father, a native of New York, removed to Nashotah, Wisconsin, and there attended the seminary. He was graduated therefrom as an Episcopal minister and has devoted his life to the work of preaching the gospel, filling the pulpit in many places over the country. In 1895 he located in Wauwatosa, where he remained until 1904, when he went to Willmar, Minnesota, there continuing for several years. He is now a resident of Milwaukee. To him and his wife were born three sons and a daughter: Perry D .; Dwight, who was with the marines in France. serving as chief petty officer and also becoming chief hospital apprentice. He was awarded the Croix de Guerre and was also decorated by General Pershing, having aided in making the brilliant military history that has made the name of the marines to be imperishably written upon America's annals. He died in the United States Hospital at Brest, France, after an illness of only a few days; the daughter, Edith Louise, is now the wife of Theodore W. Miller of New York, a landscape artist and the builder of the Lincoln Memorial at Hodgenville, Kentucky; the other son is Philip C., who is in the offices of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company in Chicago.
Perry D. Gates was educated in the public schools, but his opportunities in that direction were somewhat limited, owing to the necessary removal of the family occasioned by his father's accepting pastorates at various places. However, he was for two years a student in the old Milwaukee Academy and in 1899, when yet a boy, he entered the First National Bank of Milwaukee as a messenger, working his way up through various positions. Later he became connected with the West Side Bank of Milwaukee, where he was teller for seven years. He then spent about a year in business for himself and in 1911 he became connected with the First National Bank of Wauwatosa as assistant cashier. In 1912 he was made cashier and in 1916 was
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chosen a director, while in January, 1921, he was elected to the presidency and is today one of the youngest bank presidents in the country. He has virtually given his business life to banking and well merits the promotions that have come to him, bring- ing him to his present position of prominence and responsibility.
On the 30th of April, 1908, Mr. Gates was married to Miss Delia Dousman of Mil- waukee, and they are parents of three sons and a daughter: Marion, John, Robert and Edward.
During the World war Mr. Gates was very active in war work and appointed all the local chairmen in the organization of his district and built up a wonderful organ- ization to promote the various drives and assist in every service in which the country called for aid in holding the home lines. He handled nearly all of the war funds of the different drives in this locality. He belongs to the Robert Morris Club, to the Stickney Field Club and the City Club of Milwaukee and is also a member of the Masonic fraternity, holding membership in Wauwatosa Lodge No. 267, A. F. & A. M., and in Wauwatosa Chapter, R. A. M. His life has been actuated by a most progressive spirit, leading to his constant advancement in connection with everything that he has under- taken.
JOHN J. HANDLEY.
John J. Handley, member of the board of park commissioners of Milwaukee and secretary-treasurer of the Wisconsin Federation of Labor, was born in Dodge county, this state, August 5, 1876, and is a son of Michael and Mary E. (Coleman) Handley. The father, a native of Ireland, came to the new world with his parents when but four years of age. He took up the occupation of farming after attaining man's estate and devoted a number of years to agricultural pursuits in Dodge county, Wisconsin, but is now living retired, enjoying a well earned rest. His wife was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and is also living.
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