USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume II > Part 63
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Mr. Weber did service for his country during the World war period as a member of the examining draft board. He is prominent in the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin and served as president of the order for four years. His business record has been characterized by thorough reliability as well as progressiveness and he is today one of the substantial men of the city.
JULIUS BACHER.
Julius Bacher, president of the Julius Bacher Agency, Incorporated, handling liability insurance, was the pioneer in this field in Milwaukee and has the largest busi- ness in his line depending on one-man power in the west. A spirit of indomitable energy and of laudable ambition has actuated him at every point in his career and by reason of this he has steadily advanced to the position of leadership which he now occupies. Born in Germany, he came to Milwaukee in 1890 and here entered the life insurance field as a representative of the Prudential Life Insurance Company. Later, however, in 1895, he turned his attention to liability lines and was so successful that his agency steadily grew and developed and is now one of the largest in the state, representing many companies. His firm acts as general agent for the Zurich, the Iowa Bonding & Casualty Company and the Northwestern Casualty Company, all of which are liability companies, and others. They also represent various fire insurance corpora- tions. Mr. Bacher has ever been the moving spirit in this undertaking. In fact his business o'ertops that of any other company depending on one-man power, for Mr. Bacher has no sub-agents. His success has come as the result of well defined purpose and carefully thought out plans, and obstacles and difficulties in his path have seemed to serve as an impetus for renewed effort on his part.
In 1913 Mr. Bacher was married to Miss Ilse Maass of Milwaukee and in the city they have many friends, the hospitality of a large number of the attractive homes here being cordially extended to them. Mr. Bacher is a member of the Milwaukee Athletic Club and the Von Steuben Society.
WILLIAM FRAWLEY HANNAN.
William Frawley Hannan, attorney at law, who has many notable professional successes to his credit, was born in Milwaukee, July 16, 1886, and is a son of James and Mary (Frawley) Hannan, both of whom were natives of County Limerick, Ireland. The mother left her native land in 1850 and became a resident of Milwaukee, while in 1853 the father bade adieu to the Emerald isle and sailed for the new world. Settling in the Cream city he was engaged in the insurance business for a number of years. He served for four years in the Fifty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry dur- ing the Civil war and at all times he was a most loyal supporter of those interests and activities which he deemed factors in the upbuilding and development of community and commonwealth.
William Frawley Hannan obtained his education in the public schools of Milwau- kee and passing through consecutive grades is numbered among the graduates of the West Division high school. He is also a graduate of the University of Wisconsin. completing a course in the College of Letters and Science in 1908 and in the College of Law in 1912. He was admitted to the bar the same year and has since been engaged in practice here as a partner of the firm of Hannan, Johnson & Goldschmidt, his asso- ciates being James A. Johnson and William J. Goldschmidt. They have continued in the general practice of law and Mr. Hannan has tried many kinds of cases, trying them
JULIUS BACHER
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well. The more difficult the situation the more arduously he applies himself to the mastery of the question before him. Perhaps his most notable work has been that of counsel for the Milwaukee Teachers Association since 1916 and as such he is respon- sible for the salary increase for teachers, having organized and conducted the campaign to secure a better wage for teachers. In fact he conducted two successful cam- paigns, one in 1919, during the regular session of the legislature, and one in 1920, during the special session, which resulted in the present salary schedule for teachers, fixing the minimum salary for the teachers of the grade schools at twelve hundred dollars and the maximum salary at twenty-four hundred dollars per year. In the legis- lative session of 1921 he was responsible for the improvement of the Milwaukee teachers' pension law. He has taken great interest in promoting educational progress and his work in behalf of the teachers has occupied much of his attention during the past five years. He thoroughly understands that competent service in the schools must receive adequate compensation, for in the employment of underpaid teachers mediocre ability will be secured.
Mr. Hannan is a member of the Milwaukee Press Club and also of the Theta Delta Chi of New York. He has a very wide acquaintance in this city, where his life has been passed and aff respect him for his firm and unwavering stand in support of any principle or measure which he deems right. )
JOSEPH E. TIERNEY.
Joseph E. Tierney, city attorney of West Allis, was born in Menominee, Michigan, May 5, 1886. His parents, William and Bridget ( Welsh) Tierney, were natives of Ire- land, the father coming to the United States in the early '70s and settling in Mar- quette, Michigan, where he was engaged in the lumber business and in mining. He passed away in Menominee, Michigan, in 1902, having for three years survived his wife, who departed this life in 1899.
Joseph E. Tierney attended the public schools of his native city and afterward be- came a student in the Marquette Academy of Milwaukee, which he attended for a year. He next entered the art and science department of Marquette University, spending a year in study along those lines, at the end of which time he matriculated in the Mar- quette Law School and was graduated with the class of 1911. In July of that year, he was admitted to the bar and he began practice as a clerk in the office of Glicksman, Goldman & Corrigan, remaining there until July 1, 1916. At that date he entered into partnership with William J. Morgan, the present attorney general, and the partner- ship relation was continued until October 1, 1917. Mr. Tierney has since practiced alone and in April, 1916, he was elected city attorney of West Allis, to which position he was reelected in April. 1918, and again in 1920, without opposition. He is now serving for the third term and is proving a most competent official as is indicated by his third election to the position. He is a lawyer of marked ability, with comprehen- sive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence and displaying notable skill in apply- ing these principles to the point in litigation. He is also well known through business connections, heing secretary and treasurer of the United Consumers Corporation, secre- tary of the Badger Oil & Refining Company, president of the Corporation Service Com- pany and the secretary of the Bankers Automatic Alarm Corporation.
On the 16th of October, 1915, Mr. Tierney was married to Miss Alice Jennings, a sister of Senator David V. Jennings, and they have become parents of two children: Joseph E., Jr., and Virginia Mary. The family residence is at No. 597 Sixty-ninth ave- nue in West Allis. Mr. Tierney finds his recreation in golf. He helongs to the Knights of Columbus and also to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, while along strictly professional lines he is connected with the Milwaukee County Bar Association and the American Bar Association. He never deviates from high professional standards and has done much to uphold the legal status of the community.
ROBERT W. BAIRD.
About six months after the merger of the First National Bank with the Wisconsin National Bank and First Trust Company with the Wisconsin Trust Company, it was deemed advisable to organize an investment company called the First Wisconsin Com- pany, to continue and enlarge the functions of the bond department. Robert W. Baird, vice president of the Bank and Trust Company, who had long heen associated with the bond department of the Wisconsin Trust Company, was selected as first vice presi- dent in active charge of the new company.
Mr. Baird came to Milwaukee from the neighboring state of Illinois. He was born in Evanston, on April 1, 1883, the son of Robert and Sara ( Heston) Baird. After study-
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ing in the Evanston preparatory school he entered Northwestern University, from which he was graduated in 1905. He was elected to two Greek letter fraternities, the Phi Delta Theta and the Phi Beta Kappa, the latter an honorary scholastic fraternity.
Six years after his graduation from the university, that is in 1911, he became asso- ciated with Milwaukee financial and investment interests as a salesman in the bond department of the Wisconsin Trust Company. His keen interest in every one and everything about him, plus the gift of making friends, resulted in early advancement to the position of manager of the bond department and later vice president of the trust company. These successive promotions culminated in the election to vice president of the First Wisconsin National Bank, First Wisconsin Trust Company and First Wiscon- sin Company. He is likewise a director of these three institutions and of the Wis- consin Securities Company.
Early in his career he recognized the value of thoroughness and industry in the attainment of success. These qualities have figured prominently in winning the credit- able position he has among the financiers of his adopted city. His judgment on the value of investments is based on the close study of the problems of finance. His opinion on these are widely recognized as authority.
In 1908 he was married to Miss Ora Davenport of Creston, Iowa, also a university graduate. With their three children, Katharine H., Robert W. and Donald H., they are living in a charming home at No. 183 East Milwaukee avenue, Wauwatosa. Mr. Baird has never let himself become so wrapped up in business that he hasn't time for his family. The education and recreation of his children are matters of vital importance to him and whenever possible he not only directs these but takes part in them.
He is an active member of the University Club, the Wisconsin Cluh, the Milwaukee Athletic Club, the City Club and the Milwaukee Cluh and is widely known in these organizations. In politics he votes with the republican party. Any movement for the welfare of the community always finds Robert W. Baird actively identified with it. He gives his aid freely and effectively to further plans and measures for the general good.
CHARLES B. WHITNALL.
Charles B. Whitnall, secretary and treasurer of the Commonwealth Mutual Savings Bank and secretary of the Milwaukee County Park Commission, has ever been keenly interested in activities and projects which have had for their purpose the welfare and upbuilding of the community and the protection of the interests of those who have a difficult struggle in meeting the demands of life. Democratic in the broadest and best sense of the term, he believes not only in living but in letting others live and this principle has actuated him at all points in his career.
Mr. Whitnall was born January 21, 1859, on the upper Milwaukee river, just north of Locust street, within a hundred feet of where he has continuously resided. His father was both philosopher and student and was also one of the pioneer florists in this section of the state. Amid such an influence and environment Charles B. Whitnall was reared and, becoming his father's assistant in business, finally took charge of their florist establishment. Soon thereafter he opened the first wholesale flower com- mission market in Milwaukee, which improved the business for all florists, and his own interests have since grown to tremendous proportions. Mr. Whitnall was also a charter member of the Society of American Florists and one of the incorporators of The American Florist Company, the first successful trade journal in the country, of which he remains a director. He also organized and for many years was the general manager of the Florist Telegraph Delivery Association, which made it possible to have flowers delivered in any principal city in the world. About 1902 he leased his greenhouses and later took a position with the Citizens Trust Company, remaining with that institution for five years. However, he is connected with the banking business at the present time, for in July, 1912, he organized the Commonwealth Mutual Savings Bank, thus bringing to practical realization a dream which he had cherished for years -that of establishing a cooperative savings bank, designated to benefit the wage earner, whether he became a depositor or a borrower with the bank. Mr. Whitnall has since been the secretary and treasurer of the bank and has largely directed its policy and contributed to its success.
On February 27, 1883, Mr. Whitnall married Annie Gordon, the daughter of George Gordon, with whom he had grown up as neighbors. There was one child, a son, G. Gordon Whitnall, secretary and consultant of the City Plan Commission of Los Angeles. Mr. Whitnall later sought and obtained a divorce. In June, 1912, Mr. Whitnall was married to Miss Marie Kottnauer of Milwaukee.
Mr. Whitnall is an exemplary representative of the Masonic fraternity. He was the organizer of the Milwaukee Ethical Society and he is a charter member of the social-democratic party. In 1910 he was elected to the office of city treasurer on the social-
CHARLES B. WHITNALL
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democratic ticket and while in the position was successful in establishing the sys- tem whereby the time for payment of city taxes can be extended by paying interest for the extended period. This has saved thousands from getting into the clutches of tax sharks and in 1916 netted the city about seventy-four thousand dollars. This convenience to the taxpayer has become an important revenue producer to the city and is far in excess of the entire expenses of the city treasurer's office. Mr. Whitnall secured the necessary legislation for and then organized the Land Commission and for five years was its secretary, until legislated out of office by petty politics, which dis- solved the old commission and created a new one. He has been reappointed and at the present time is chairman of that commission. Moreover, Mr. Whitnall has been a member of the county park board since its organization and in December, 1918, was elected its secretary, in which capacity he is still serving. He has been the leading advocate of improved city planning and is considered an authority on the subject. It was his city plan for Milwaukee which the planning experts, John Nolan and Olmstead Brothers of Boston, recently examined and endorsed.
Mr. Whitnall served for several years on the Milwaukee school board and has at all times shown an intelligent and keen interest in educational progress. It was he, with a few others, who was instrumental in introducing manual training into the public schools of Milwaukee and he was one of the promoters of the Milwaukee County Agricultura! School, of which he became the first president, serving as such until the school was placed under the management of the county board of control. He was also chairman of Draft Board, No. 10, in Milwaukee and served on the board from its in- ception, or from June 16, 1917, until the board was discharged in 1919.
CHARLES H. HATHAWAY.
Charles H. Hathaway has become a dominant figure in the manufacturing circles of Milwaukee. Opportunity has ever been to him a call to action-a call to which he has made ready response. Moreover, his forcefulness and resourcefulness in business affairs have carried him steadily forward until he now occupies a commanding position in trade circles as the president of the Badger Manufacturing Corporation of this city, conducting business at Nos. 156 to 164 Clinton street. Mr. Hathaway has reversed the usual order of western immigration, for he turned eastward in search of a home. He was born in West Union, Iowa, December 24, 1872, a son of John M. and Jeannette H. (Clason) Hathaway, who were natives of Vermont and Wisconsin, respectively. The father was engaged in the grain business, which he carried on for many years, passing away August 8, 1916. He is still survived by his wife, who makes her home in Milwaukee.
It was in the public schools of this city that Charles H. Hathaway obtained his education and when his school days were over he entered the employ of T. A. Chap- man Company, retail merchant, with whom he remained for seven years. He next became associated with William Reckmeyer & Company, furriers, whom he repre- sented on the road as a traveling salesman for seven years. His next position was with the National Cash Register Company of Dayton, Ohio, and for ten years he was sales agent with that corporation. When the decade had passed he accepted the vice presi- dency and general management of the Juneau-Hathaway Company, a real estate firm, with which he continued from 1911 until 1918 and he is still vice president of that com- pany. During his seven years' association therewith he contributed much to its success and development and was prominently associated with real estate activity in this city. In 1912 the Auto Parts Manufacturing Company was organized and in 1918 the Badger Manufacturing Corporation came into existence and took over the assets and liabilities of the Auto Parts Manufacturing Company. Mr. Hathaway became interested in the company at the time the organization was completed and was elected to the presidency. The business was established in small quarters at 313 Milwaukee street in 1918, hut was removed to the present location in the spring of 1921, at which time they greatly increased their floor space and manufacturing facilities, now having forty-six thousand square feet and employing one hundred and twenty-five people in normal times. They manufacture automobile accessories such as bumpers, spring channel and diamond bumpers, tire carriers, tire racks, creepers, cut-outs, steering wheels, rope and foot rails, tire chains, locks, etc. This company has been very successful in the conduct of the business and since Mr. Hathaway assumed control its patronage has increased more than fifty per cent, showing him to he a man of splendid administrative power and executive ability combined with progressiveness that manifests itself in practical methods for growth and steady development. Today the products of the corporation are sold all over the world, large shipments being made to South America, Australia, Norway, Sweden and France. The officers of the Badger Manufacturing Corporation are: Walter U Isgrig. treasurer: John T. Johnston, vice president and secretary; with Mr. Hathaway as the president. Mr. Hathaway is also a stockholder and director
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in the West Allis State Bank, as well as in the Juneau-Hathaway Company. His judgment is sound, his discrimination keen and his industry unfaltering. He never allows obstacles and difficulties to bar his path but works his way steadily upward and step by step reaches his ohjective.
On the 1st of March, 1897, Mr. Hathaway was united in marriage to Miss Isabel Juneau, a daughter of Peter Juneau, and they have one daughter, Jean, who is with her parents in an attractive home at No. 168 Twenty-second street.
Mr. Hathaway took an active part in war work and was secretary of the West Allis branch of the Wisconsin Loyalty Legion. Mr. Hathaway is a member of the Milwaukee Athletic Club, the Mishawaka Golf Club, the Commercial Travelers Asso- ciation, the Milwaukee Association of Commerce, the Elks Club and the Masonic fraternity. He loyally follows the teachings of the craft and exemplifies its high purposes in his everyday life.
MICHAEL CARPENTER.
Michael Carpenter, president of the M. Carpenter Baking Company, is one of the pioneer residents of Milwaukee and one whose interest in the welfare and progress of the city has been manifest in many tangible ways. Mr. Carpenter was born February 2, 1846, in a small house on the site of the present Plankinton Hotel, and when but twelve years of age he was left fatherless. From that time forward he has had to depend upon his own resources, so that whatever success he has achieved is attribut- able entirely to his own labors and capability. A half century ago Mr. Carpenter and his wife established the Carpenter bakery in a little shop, sixteen hy twenty feet, at Eighth street and St. Paul avenue. They baked bread at night and Mr. Carpenter de- livered the goods early in the morning. Today the Carpenter bakery is a huge, modern, sunshine plant in the very heart of the city. When Mr. Carpenter started in business for himself he had to make his own yeast as well as bake and deliver the bread and even chop the wood in order to have fuel for the ovens. In those early days they also allowed some customers at times to hake their own dough in the Carpenter ovens. It was a difficult task to overcome the many obstacles that sprung up in connection with the establishment and successful conduct of the business, hut as the years passed the trade grew and in the course of time Mr. Carpenter needed more space for the hakery. Later he became general manager for the National Biscuit Company in Milwaukee and eventually he bought back his Grand avenue bakery from the National Biscuit Com- pany and devoted his time to making good hread. In 1915 the company erected a new bakery, installed all of the latest machinery and modern devices for carrying on a business of this character and thus established a splendid plant at Nos. 102 to 106 Seventh street. Today the Carpenter bakery is the latest word in construction and emhodies many original ideas of its founder. The plant has a capacity for turning out fifty thousand loaves of bread in fifteen hours, so that today the hakery is one of the largest in the country.
One of the factors which has gone a long way in building up the business of the Carpenter Baking Company is its splendid organization. The sons hecame associated with the father. in the husiness and know every angle of the trade. Moreover, Mrs. Carpenter in the early years was the active assistant of her husband and later, during critical business periods, was always a helpful worker and a constant source of in- spiration to him, her advice at all times proving invaluable. Among the several hun- dred employes in the Carpenter bakery today there are a number who have been in the establishment for more than thirty years. The superintendent and foreman have heen with the company that long. They have thirty-one delivery routes in Milwaukee, carrying to the hundreds of customers the output of the present great plant, which was erected in 1914 and which is a three-story and basement building, sixty-seven by one hundred and seventy feet. Their leading brand of hread is known as the Betsy Ross and they employ one hundred and thirty people, the plant heing operated twenty- four hours out of the day, with different shifts. The husiness was incorporated in 1889, with a capital stock of twenty-five thousand dollars, which has since been increased to one hundred thousand dollars, with the following officers: Michael Carpenter, president; J. J. Carpenter, vice president; and M. H. Carpenter, secretary and treasurer.
Mr. Carpenter has several times been appointed a member of the fire and police commission by the city's chief executive. His time and energy have also heen devoted to still another task for some years-a task prodigious in its scope and one which promises to place his native city in the front rank as to engineering progress when the work shall have been completed. This is the project of the sewerage commission, which is undertaking to purge Milwaukee of all of its refuse through a great system of underground carriers and a gigantic disposal station. Membership on this com- mission involves the responsibility of dishursing fourteen million dollars over a period of several years.
MICHAEL CARPENTER
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Mr. Carpenter at the age of seventy-five years is still a strong and active man. His career has always been one of intense industry in connection with any project that he has undertaken. Throughout his entire life he has been active in civic and chari- table affairs and .in all plans for the growth and upbuilding of Milwaukee. He is an ardent supporter and advocate of the "Milwaukee-to-the-ocean" project, is moreover a keen student of intensive farming and is an authority on poultry and on the preserva- tion of trees. His activities have thus touched the interests and welfare of society along many lines and he has accomplished much in the field of public progress and improvement as well as in connection with his individual business affairs. His slogan, "He has fed the hungry for fifty years," is a well known one in Milwaukee and it indicates his long and prominent connection with the business circles of the city.
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