USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume II > Part 64
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86
Mr. Carpenter was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Calhoun, a native of Canada, who passed away in Milwaukee in 1909. Their children were: A. T., who died in 1918; J. J., who is vice president of the M. Carpenter Baking Company; M. H., who is secretary and treasurer of the company; and Mary A., at home.
CARL P. DIETZ.
Carl P. Dietz, engaged in the insurance business in Milwaukee and now serving as alderman of the Tenth ward, has occupied many positions of public honor and trust, the duties of which he has discharged with credit to himself and marked satisfaction to his constituents. Mr. Dietz was born in Newark, New Jersey, September 19, 1875, and is a son of the Rev. Henry L. and Jeannette ( Praetorius) Dietz, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father came to the United States in 1861 and soon afterward the mother crossed the Atlantic, both making the trip without their parents. They were married in New Haven, Connecticut. The mother was a daughter of a professor in the schools of Germany, who was also anthor of several historical works used in German public schools. The father became a German Baptist minister and his first charge was at New Haven. He attended Yale University in that city and had previously graduated from the Rochester (N. Y.) Theological Seminary. He had several important charges and was one of the most prominent Baptist ministers of his time. He acted as general secretary of the United States Conference of German Baptist Min- isters for about ten years and was most widely known, not only in his own denomina- tion but among other representatives of the ministry. He filled the pastorate of the First German Baptist church of Milwaukee from 1881 until 1889, and then accepted the position of general missionary for the entire west. He organized churches as far north as Winnipeg, Canada, and along the western coast and in 1891 he assumed the ministry of the First German Baptist church at San Francisco, California. He was a very energetic man and in each place he visited that was without a church he was instrumental in providing one. He raised more money for church building than any other man in the United States of the Baptist denomination. It was he who raised the money for the building of the church at Sixth and Walnut streets in Milwaukee. His labors were indeed far-reaching and resultant and proved a most potent force in the ·upbuilding of the cause of Christianity in the various communities in which he lived and labored. He passed away in Oakland, California, January 5, 1918, having for a decade survived his wife, who died in 1907. They were the parents of six children, five of whom are living: Lillie D., the widow of Harry H. Carter, was principal of the Cicero public school of Chicago, and now resides at Oakland, California; Nettie, the deceased wife of Dr. F. A. Kraft, former health commissioner of Milwaukee; Dr. H. Lonis Dietz of Oakland, California; Carl P .; Bertha E., the wife of William S. Wood of Oakland, California; and Anna R., who is a missionary in San Francisco.
Carl P. Dietz was educated in the Milwaukee public schools and the boys' high school of San Francisco, and also attended the German-American Academy of Rochester, New York. He then engaged in law work for a period of three years in San Francisco, and later with A. G. Weissert, attorney of Milwaukee. For a time he was connected with mercantile agency work in Chicago and Milwaukee. In 1904 he was called to public office, since which time he has given his attention almost exclusively to public duty. He was elected justice of the peace of the ninth judicial district and was re- elected for three terms. His decisions were strictly fair and impartial and while serving as justice of the peace he was also acting judge of the district court, being the first socialist to occupy the bench in a court of record in the United States. In 1910 he was elected city comptroller for a period of two years and in 1912 he entered the insurance business, which he has since followed, building up a substantial agency. He has also been continued in public office for a considerable period, being elected alderman of the tenth ward in 1918 and reelected in 1920 for a four years' term. He has ever manifested a most keen and helpful interest in public affairs and has exercised his official prerogative in support of many measures for the public good. In 1908
622
HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE
he was a member of the charter convention and is a member of th board of trustees of the public library.
On the 8th of October, 1902, Mr. Dietz was united in marriage to Miss Hedwig Zahl of Milwaukee. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, to the Knights of Pythias and also has membership in the Old Settlers Club. He claims the distinction of being responsible for the introduction of the first scientific hudget for the city of Milwaukee, while he was city comptroller. He has always used his influence and support for everything that came up for the good of the city and his labors have been a potent force in bringing about advancement and progress along many lines that have con- tributed to the city's substantial greatness.
HENRY SPERBER.
Henry Sperber, who at the time of his death was vice president and treasurer of the My Laundry Company, was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1865 and passed away on the 8th of February, 1920, being then fifty-five years of age. He was a son of Conrad and Margaret Sperber and he acquired his education in the schools of his native country, where he remained until 1881, when at the age of sixteen years he came to America. After landing on Atlantic shores he made his way westward to Milwaukee, where he attended night school, taking up the study of English and qualifying for practical service in the business world. Soon afterward he secured a position as bar- tender at the Schlitz bar and there remained for some time, or until he had earned sufficient. capital to enable him to engage in the liquor business on his own account. He carefully saved his wages until his industry and economy had brought him enough money to permit him to start in business for himself. He then engaged in the sale of liquor for several years and as he prospered he made wise investment in realty until he had acquired considerable property. In 1915 he purchased a half interest in the My Laundry Company and at the time of his demise was active in the manage- ment of the business by reason of his official capacity as vice president and treasurer. His widow and son now own a half interest in this business.
In 1890 Mr. Sperber was united in marriage to Miss Anna Reichert, a daughter of William and Henrietta Reichert, the former a native of Berlin, Germany, whence he came to Wisconsin at the age of nine years, settling in Mayville, where his daughter, Mrs. Sperber, was born. By her marriage she became the mother of one son, Arthur W. Sperber, who is now vice president and treasurer of the My Laundry Company, having succeeded his father in the dual position.
Henry Sperber was a democrat in his political views, always supporting the men and measures of the party at the polls and doing everything in his power to promote party successes. He belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and he was also a member of the Old Settlers Club. His prosperity was due entirely to his industry and business ability after coming to the new world.
FRED W. ROGERS.
Fred W. Rogers, banker, real estate dealer and prominent business man of Mil- waukee, who was instrumental in establishing the towns of North Milwaukee and South Milwaukee, has through the development of important interests contributed in large measure to the growth and progress of this section of the state. He is a repre- sentative of an old New England family, his birth having occurred at Cambridge, Maine, April 17, 1849, his parents being Charles and Adeline (Spear) Rogers, who were likewise native of the Pine Tree state. The ancestral line can be traced back to the John Rogers family of England. A genealogical record contains the following: "John Rogers, an illustrious ornament to Cambridge University and called by Rev. Mr. Hooker of Connecticut, 'the Prince of all the Preachers of England,' whose father is believed to have been the third son of the martyr ('Proto-martyr') John Rogers, who suffered at Smithfield, February 4, 1555, was born in 1571 and for many years was a famous preacher at Dedham, Essex, England. He was vicar of Hemingham, Norfolk, in 1592, afterward minister of Haverhill and later moved to Dedham. His wife was Elizabeth Gale (or Gold). Chester, who wrote the life of the martyr, said that she was a second wife and that the children were by his first wife, whose name is unknown. His third wife was Dorothy Stanton. John Rogers died October 8, 1636, aged sixty- five. His monument with an inscription is seen in the burying ground at Dedham, Essex."
Among his children were Nathaniel and Samuel. The second son was the Rev. Nathaniel Rogers, who at Ipswich took the Oath of Freedom, September 6, 1638, and was the first writer in the ancient memo book, now in possession of Mrs. Hamilton
HENRY SPERBER
625
IHISTORY OF MILWAUKEE
Harris of Albany, New York. He was horn at Haverhill, England, in 1598, was gradu- ated at Cambridge, University and became a preacher. He preached his first sermon at Sproughton in Norfolk, January 23, 1619. He married Margaret Crane of Coggeshall, County Essex, daughter of Sir Robert Crane, a gentleman of good estate. He was rector of Assington in Suffolk and in November, 1636, emigrated to America, the voy- age lasting twenty-four weeks, during which the passengers were put on an allowance of half a pint of water daily, while all provisions were short. He settled at Ipswich, Massachusetts, and died July 3, 1655. He was a master of Latin. His children were John; Nathaniel, who served with cavalry troops in King Philip's war; Samuel; Timothy; Ezekiel; and Margaret, the wife of Rev. William Hubbard, a graduate of the first class of Harvard College.
John Rogers was born at Coggeshall, Essex, England, January, 1630, was brought to America by his parents in 1636, was graduated at Harvard College in 1649, became a preacher at Ipswich and from April 10, 1682, to his death was president of Harvard College. He had previously, in June, 1676, been unanimously chosen president, but declined the position at that time. He married Elizabeth, only daughter of Major General Daniel and Patience (Dudley) Denison, the latter a daughter of Gov. Thomas Dudley, who was a son of Captain Roger Dudley, and a sister of Gov. Joseph Dudley of Massachusetts. The death of President John Rogers occurred July 2, 1684. His children were: Elizabeth, Margaret, John, Daniel, Nathaniel and Patience.
Of this family the Rev. John Rogers was born at Ipswich, July 7, 1666, was gradu- ated at Harvard College in 1684, the year of his father's death, and became a preacher at Ipswich. On the 4th of March, 1691, he married Martha Whittingham and died December 28, 1745. His children were: John, Martha, Mary, Richard, Elizabeth, who died in infancy, William, Rev. Nathaniel, Rev. Daniel, another Elizabeth, twin of Daniel, and Somerset. This Daniel was for many years a tutor at Harvard College, was an intimate friend of Whitfield and made the prayer and was pallbearer at the latter's funeral. His grave is made in the old hurying ground at Exeter, New Hamp- shire, and on the tombstone is the following inscription:
"Here lies the Remains of
THE REVEREND DANIEL ROGERS
Pastor of a church gathered in this Place 1748 Who died December 8th, 1785 aged 78 years He had been many years a Tutor in Harvard College, was a pious faithful minister of Jesus Christ, And a worthy son of the Reverend John Rogers Pastor of the first church in Ipswich, Who died December 28, 1745 in his 80th year, Who was a son of John Rogers of the same Place, Physician and Preacher of God's Word And President of Harvard College, Who died July 2nd, 1684 aged 54 years, Who was oldest son of the Rev'd Nathaniel Rogers Who came from England 1636 and settled in Ipswich, Colleagne Pastor with the Rev'd Nathaniel Rogers And died July 2nd, 1655 aged 57 years, Who was son of the Reverend John Rogers, A famous Minister of God's Word at Dedham, in England Who died October 18th, 1639 (8th, 1636) aged 67 (65) years; Who was Grandson of John Rogers of London Prebendary of St. Paul's, Vicar of St. Sepulchre And Reader of Divinity, Who was burned at Smithfield, February 14th, 1555, First Martyr in Queen Mary's Reign.
Thou martyred Saint and all ye holy train, O be your honor'd Names ne'er read in vain! And all your virtues all their breasts inspire; Prophets like you in long succession rise, Burning and shining, faithful, firm and wise, And millions be their crown beyond the skies!"
John Rogers, son of the Rev. John and Martha (Whittingham) . Rogers was the second writer in the ancient memo book. He was born at Kittery (now Eliot), Maine, in 1692, and was graduated from Harvard College in 1711. He was married October Vol. 11-40
626
HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE
16, 1718, to Susannah Whipple, daughter of Major John Whipple, and became a preacher at Kittery. He died October 16, 1773. Their children were: John, Timothy, William, Katherine, Nathaniel, Martha, Daniel and Mary.
Nathaniel Rogers of Kittery, Maine, was born August 2, 1729, died March 25, 1803. He was married May 10, 1756, to Abigail Hammond, who died December, 1809, in her seventy-sixth year. Their children included Nathaniel Rogers (II), who was the third writer in the ancient memo book and who was born at Kittery, October 13, 1760, and died October 30, 1830. He was married in 1786 to Lucy Moody, who was born June 19, 1768, and was of the family of the famous Samuel Moody, chaplain to the American army at the celebrated Cape Breton Expedition in 1745, at the age of seventy years, Mrs. Rogers being his great-granddaughter. He was born in 1676, was pastor in York, Maine, and died November 13, 1747. The death of Mrs. Lucy Rogers occurred March 22, 1819. Their children were: Abigail, who married Joseph Nash of Somers- worth, Great Falls; Martha; Captain John, who married Martha Bean of Eliot; Shubal- Gorham, who married Ann, daughter of Captain Thomas Howe of Baltimore; Nathaniel, who married Phoebe Ann Walker; and William Dummer Moody, who married Mary Hammond, of Eliot.
Charles Rogers, father of Fred W. Rogers, was born in Harmony, Maine, in 1817, and in 1846 was married to Miss Adelaine Spear, who died in Milwaukee in Novem- ber, 1906. They removed to Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, in 1856, and while there residing Mr. Rogers served as a member of the state legislature and was also chairman of the county hoard of supervisors and for twenty-three consecutive years served as justice of the peace. He was a prominent leader in republican circles and was chairman of the republican county central committee. The long years of his residence in South Milwaukee, the many sterling traits of his character, his business ability and his progressive citizenship won him the honor and respect of all who knew him and he was termed the "Grand old man of South Milwaukee," where he was familiarly known as "Uncle Charley." In 1861 he became a member of the Masonic fraternity in St. John's Lodge, of Sheboygan, and with his removal to South Milwaukee in 1892, he became one of the first members of Rusk Lodge. The spirit of the man is well demon- strated in the fact that when seventy-five years of age he took up the study of general research of geology and hecame well informed on that subject. Old age need not neces- sarily suggest idleness nor want of occupation; there is an old age which grows stronger and brighter mentally and morally as the years pass on and gives out of its rich stores of wisdom and experience for the benefit of others and such was the record of Charles Rogers. He passed away at the venerable age of ninety-two years and five months and the funeral services were conducted under the auspices of the Masonic lodge to which he belonged.
C. C. and Fred W. Rogers were the surviving members of the family. The latter began his education in the public schools of Sheboygan county, completed the high school course in the city of Sheboygan and afterward taught for two years near Oost- burg, Wisconsin, while later he attended Ripon College, from which he was graduated in 1873, with the Bachelor of Arts degree. After leaving college he went to Madison, Wisconsin, where he acted as transcribing clerk in the general assembly and later he removed to Ashton, South Dakota, where he hecame president of the First National Bank, holding the position from 1882 until 1889. His prominence in that city was further indicated in the fact that he was called to serve as its mayor.
Mr. Rogers' identification with Milwaukee dates from 1889, at which time he turned his attention to the real estate business here and organized the First Land Com- pany in South Milwaukee, while subsequently he bought the first tract of land in North Milwaukee, now known as Paynes addition. He is the father of North Milwaukee, having started that town and was equally the founder and promoter of South Milwaukee, where he purchased a thousand acres of land and laid out the town, which is now a thrifty city of about eight thousand inhabitants. He was one of the incorporators of the South Milwaukee Bank and has been president thereof for the past ten years. He is also president of the Stowell Company of South Milwaukee and is a director of the Milwaukee Gas Light Company.
While Mr. Rogers' business affairs have been of a most extensive and important character, he has also found time for valuable public service. He has been court appraiser, and regent of the state board of the Normal. School. During the World war he was very active in all the transactions which financially and otherwise sup- ported the government and promoted the welfare of the men in camp and overseas. He served as one of three men on the advisory board for the distribution of coal, was chairman of the explosive committee and a member of the County Council of Defense. He was likewise connected with the preventive food price committee and was appointed by the governor as alien enemy appraiser of Milwaukee county. In days of peace he is equally loyal in support of all those agencies which seek to advance public progress and improvement. He is one of the directors of the Sheridan Road Association and one of the advisory directors of the Protestant Home for the Aged. He is likewise secretary of the Associated Charities and for a quarter of a century has been a trustee
627
HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE
of Ripon College. For two years he served as the president of the Milwaukee Association of Commerce and he has been most active and helpful in all things pertaining to the upbuilding of the city and its suburbs.
On the 18th of September, 1877, Mr. Rogers was united in marriage to Miss Clarrie A. Bullen of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, daughter of Charles A. Bullen, who died at the notable age of ninety-five years. They have one child, Paul B., now president of the Wetmore Reamer Company of Milw. ukee. Mr. Rogers is a member of the Milwaukee Athletic Club and thus finds recreation from strenuous business and public duties.
JOHN M. SCHNEIDER.
Unfaltering business activity, keen sagacity and undannted enterprise constitute the forceful features in the business career of John M. Schneider, who is conducting a real estate, loan, insurance and steamship agency at 493 Mitchell street in Milwaukee. Mr. Schneider was born in Bavaria, Germany, November 27, 1864, his parents being Michael and Barbara (Landgraf) Schneider. He came to the United States in 1883, making his way at once to Milwaukee, and here he supplemented his early education, acquired in the schools of his native country, by further study in the evening classes of the public schools. During the first ten years of his residence in this city he was employed as a moulder but since 1893 has given his attention to the real estate and insurance business.
While Mr. Schneider started out in a humble way, he has achieved great success and has developed his agency into one of the largest of the kind on the south side. From the beginning he also handled steamship tickets and since 1895 has maintained the loan department. In 1901 he organized the South Side Mutual Loan and Building Association, of which he has been secretary from the beginning. This is one of the large business enterprises of this character in Milwaukee, the number of his clients steadily increasing until the business is today one of most liberal proportions. Mr. Schneider is also the secretary and treasurer of the Grove Land Company, which was founded in 1902 and which has since erected an average of forty dwellings each year, selling these on the installment plan and thus assisting many to gain homes of their own who could otherwise not do so if the entire purchase price had to be paid at once. In the conduct of his business Mr. Schneider has studied modern-day conditions and has thus been ready to meet any exigency or to improve any opportunity.
On the 28th of May, 1889, was celebrated the marriage of John M. Schneider and Miss Bertha Koeper of Milwaukee, daughter of Frank J. and Josephine (Weiskirch) Koeper, who came to this city from Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Schneider now have six children: Josephine, Clara, Mamic, John, Leona and Frank. The parents are members of St. Anthony's Roman Catholic church and Mr. Schneider also belongs to St. Michael's Society, to the Catholic Family Protective Association of Wisconsin, of which he served as general president for two and one-half years, and in other ways aids in the work of the church. He is a director of the Mitchell Street State Bank and he incorporated the J. M. Schneider Land Company, of which he is secretary and treasurer. His political endorsement is given to the democratic party and on the 3d of August, 1908, he was appointed alderman at large to fill a vacancy in the city council. His political record is a commendable one, marked by devotion to duty in all matters of progressive citizen- ship. In a business way he deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, as he has advanced steadily through individual merit and ability. He started out in a most humble capacity but has steadily advanced, step by step, and his life illustrates clearly the possibilities that are open to the foreign born in America, where effort and ability are not hampered by caste or class.
HON. JOHN J. MULHANEY.
Hon. John J. Mulhaney, supervisor of the nineteenth district of Milwaukee, and at one time mayor of West Allis, has been closely associated with public interests and his aid and influence have ever been on the side of progress and improvement. He has always been connected with Milwaukee, his birth having occurred in the old Third ward at 169 Milwaukee street, August 31, 1873, his parents being John J. and Bridget (Murphy) Mulhaney, The father came with his parents to America from Ireland when but three years of age, and the mother was born in New Berlin, Waukesha county, Wisconsin. John J. Mulhaney, Sr., was numbered among the pioneer settlers of Milwaukee, where he took up his abode with his parents in 1847. Both he and his wife have passed away, his death occurring in 1909, while Mrs. Mulhaney departed this life in 1912.
John J. Mulhaney was educated in the public and parochial schools of Milwaukee
628
HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE
and after putting aside his textbooks he was employed as a messenger boy by the Postal Telegraph Company, and while thus engaged learned telegraphy. In 1903 he became associated with the Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Company as telegraph operator and in 1904 removed to West Allis, where he has since made his home. In 1907 he took charge of a department shop office and remained in that position until June, 1920, when he severed his connection with the company in order to engage in business on his own account as a cement contractor and builder of cement sidewalks, basements and floors. In fact, he does general concrete work of all kinds and has built up a very substantial business, having gained a liberal patronage as the years have passed by.
Mr. Mulhaney has also figured quite prominently in the public life of the community. In 1906, when West Allis became a city, he was elected its first alderman from the First ward and continued to fill that position until 1914, when he was elected mayor, and served for one term. While filling the office of alderman he was also president of the West Allis library board for a period of five years, acting in that capacity as a council member. In July, 1916, he was appointed on the police and fire commission and was president of that body for two years, resigning the position when elected super- visor of the Nineteenth district on the 6th of April, 1920, to serve for a term of four years. During his term of office in West Allis he was instrumental in putting in several miles of sewer and water mains and also in establishing the public library. He likewise was active in installing a police and fire alarm system and he gave his support to install- ing a garbage incinerator, septic tank and sewerage system. He has always been ready to help any public improvement, giving his aid and influence to every project and measure which he has deemed of general worth. He has assisted in the develop- ment of all the county roads and there is no project for the welfare and benefit of the county that seeks his aid in vain. He was the instigator of the purchase of the Bradley farm of two hundred and seventy-nine acres, which the county acquired for park purposes for one hundred thousand dollars. This is situated at the corner of Greenfield avenue and the county line and the purchase was made that it might be used as a public park.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.