USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume II > Part 66
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EDWARD HOWARD BEAN.
Edward Howard Bean, director of the Zoological Garden of Milwaukee, was born May 1, 1875. at Westfield, Illinois, a son of Robert and Jane W. (Ryan) Bean. The father was a native of Bloomington, Indiana, and of Scotch and Pennsylvania Dutch descent, while the mother, who was born in Ohio, was of Irish and Holland lineage. The father was a flour miller by trade and built and owned flour mills at various points in the country, erecting and operating eleven different mills at various places. He also served as a soldier in the Civil war for a period of four years, being a member of the Twenty-first Illinois Infantry under Colonel, afterward General, U. S. Grant. He was three times wounded, once at Chickamauga, again at Stone River and a third time at Lookout Mountain. He was also with Sberman on the celebrated march from Atlanta to the sea and he participated in nine of the major battles and twenty-one engagements. He died May 5, 1916, having for a number of years survived his wife, who passed away in 1902.
Edward H. Bean was educated in the public and high schools of the various towns in which the family resided, completing his course of study at Sullivan, Illinois. He afterward learned the milling business with his father. He worked in Chicago at the time of the World's Columbian Exposition in 1892 as a clerk and helper to the buyer of Hagenbach's menagerie. While there he developed a great fondness for animals and learned much concerning their habits and their care. However, he returned to Sulli- van, Illinois, and learned the miller's trade with his father, remaining for four years. He was then appointed by Governor Tanner of Illinois, as barn boss at the Illinois Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans Home and retained the position for three years and nine months. In 1901 he went to Chicago, where he was married and he and his wife after- ward engaged in the restaurant business at Sixty-third street and Cottage Grove avenue for four months. On the expiration of that period he became connected with the Lincoln Park Zoo as a Zoo laborer and was there employed for six years, winning steady advancement until he had charge of a department for some time before he severed his connection with the Zoo. On the 1st of March, 1906, he came to Milwaukee to take charge of the Zoological Garden of this city and has since been its director. He has made many improvements through the intervening period. There were hut seventy-five animals and birds at the Zoo when he arrived here. Today there is a total number of eight hundred animals and birds valued at forty-seven thousand, one hun- dred and sixty nine dollars, pre-war prices. The park contains one hundred and sixty acres of land, of which forty acres are used for Zoo purposes. Mr. Bean is a lover of animals and when a boy always had his pet dogs, hogs and cattle. He is fond of nature in every form, including flowers and shrubs and the Zoo and Washington Park is one of the best kept parks in the United States. The site is most attractive by reason of its
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natural hills and valleys and its forest trees. There are a number of artificial lakes and ponds and everything is done to improve the beanty and attractiveness of the place, which is maintained by the board of park commissioners and the collection is sus- tained by the Zoological Society, which was chartered September 30, 1910, the ohjects of the society being to enlarge the Zoo, to exhibit animals under favorable conditions, to foster and enconrage zoological research, to increase public interest and public knowl- edge of wild animals, to secure better protection of animal life by educational methods and to attract visitors to the city. The Zoo contains a monkey monntain provided with caves, grottos, ledges and waterfalls, the entire surface being sodded and planted with trees and shrubbery, while a moat, thirty feet wide, containing two and a half feet of water, surrounds the mound. There is also a large aviary and aquarium building and there are many specimens of animals from all parts of the world, which are splendidly honsed and cared for, so that in as far as possible they have a natural habitat.
On the 25th of June, 1901, Mr. Bean was married to Miss Margaret A. Anderson, of Bloomington, Illinois, and they have three children: Robert A., Mary S. and Edward H., Jr. Mr. Bean is not a club man nor is he interested in fraternities. He prefers to give his attention to his home and to his work as director of the Zoological Garden. He has accomplished great things in connection with the latter and his services have been highly satisfactory to the society which engages him.
PAUL F. MUENZBERG.
Panl F. Muenzberg, manager of the Second Ward Savings Bank of Milwaukee, was born in this city June 30, 1876, and is a son of Panl and (Menz) Mnenzberg, both of whom have passed away. The father was a native of Germany, but the mother was born in Milwaukee. The former was a prominent figure in political circles here for a number of years and was a member of the board of supervisors, also a member of the board of public works and a member of the city council. For many years he en- gaged in the grocery business at Twelfth and Vliet streets, where the family home was maintained.
Paul F. Mnenzberg was educated in the public schools and in a business college and after he completed his studies he accepted the position of messenger hoy with the Second Ward Bank. Since that time he has worked his way up through all the various departments of the bank and was made manager of the branch bank at Twelfth and Vliet streets in 1916. He is now in his thirtieth year of service in connection with this bank and he has filled varions positions to the entire satisfaction of all its superior officers and of the public as well, for all who know him speak in high terms of his efficiency, as well as of his courtesy and obliging manner in connection with the affairs of the bank. He is a self-educated and self-made man, who enjoys the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has come into contact. His labors have been a valuable element in the growth and development of the bank which is now the largest institu- tion of its character in the ontlying district of the city, having an extensive patronage. The savings department, too, is also a most valuable figure in the bank, its business having grown to immense proportions. Mr. Muenzberg gives his entire time and attention to the banking business, taking no active part in the club life of the city, but working continnonsly for the success and growth of the institution with which he has been so long connected.
On the 24th of April, 1901, Mr. Mnenzberg was married to Miss Alma E. Leidel of Milwaukee, and they have hecome parents of two sons: Paul Henry, who is a student of the medical department of the University of Wisconsin; and Engene E., who is now in his third year in high school. Mr. Mnenzberg finds his recreation in outdoor sports. He and his family are well known in this city, where he has spent his life, the sterling worth of his character winning him the high regard of many friends.
ULRICH P. KOENIG.
One of the substantial business men and loyal and progressive citizens of Mil- waukee is Ulrich P. Koenig, proprietor of Hotel Miller in this city. He was born in Flarsehheim, Germany, on the 21st of March, 1867, and is a son of William Koenig, a well known educator in that country, who passed away in 1893. The father was a pro- fessor in the University of Halle and virtually at the head of that institution. For many generations the Koenig family were teachers and scholars of repute. The mother of our subject was before her marriage Henrietta Von Alixi, a native of Berlin, whose demise occurred in 1882.
In 1884, at the age of seventeen years, Ulrich P. Koenig came to the United States, having heard of the opportunities being offered to young men of an ambitions nature,
ULRICH P. KOENIG
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and he immediately located in Milwaukee. His first business activity was along musical lines, he having a chain of stores throughout Wisconsin. He followed that business until 1916, achieving a substantial amount of success, and he then entered the hotel business as proprietor of the Commercial Hotel in Schuyler, Nebraska. After conducting the Koehler Hotel in Grand Island, Nebraska, for some time, he returned to Milwaukee and in April, 1920, purchased the Miller Hotel in the conduct of which he is still actively identified. The business is capitalized for one hundred thousand dollars and Mr. Koenig is the principal owner. He has proved to be a most genial host, having a magnetic and pleasing personality, and his success in the hotel business may be attributed to his conscientious effort and untiring energy.
On the 20th of March, 1909, occurred the marriage of Mr. Koenig and Miss Hen- rietta Holl of Milwaukee, a daughter of Leonard Holl, now deceased. One son has been born to their nnion, William, a sturdy lad of eleven years.
Since the right of franchise was conferred upon him by his adopted land Mr. Koenig has given his support to the republican party. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church, and fraternally he is identified with the Elks. In club circles of Milwaukee he is prominently known, having membership in the Old Settlers Club and the Elks Club, and in line with his business interests he is a member of the Mil- waukee Hotel Association, the Wisconsin Hotel Men's Association, the Midwest Hotel Men's Association and was vice president of the latter organization for some time. He is interested in the social and civic development of the community in which he resides and is on the entertainment committee of the Association of Commerce. Mr. Koenig came to America a poor boy and his success is due to his own efforts and perseverance. Prompted by a landable ambition he has steadily worked his way up- ward, utilizing every available opportunity, and he is now at the head of one of the representative business interests of Milwaukee.
FRANK J. GRUTZA,
Frank J. Grntza. eashier of the Mitchell Street State Bank, is one of the repre- sentative business men of Milwaukce, alert and energetic, ready for any emergency and equally ready for the utilization of every opportunity pointing to success. Mr. Grutza was born in Poland, a son of Frank and Antoinette (Haasa) Grutza, who came to the United States in 1874. For five years they remained in New England, residing at Lenox, Massachusetts, and in 1879 came to Milwaukee. Their family numbered five children: Anne. who became a member of the Felician order; Frank J .; John J .; Stanislaus; and Veronica, the wife of Peter Mulzoff. The wife and mother passed away in Milwaukee and several years later Mr. Grutza wedded Mary Lewendowski, also a native of Poland. They too, had a family of five children: Agnes, Rose, Frances, Amanda and Bernard. Mr. Grntza continned a resident of Milwaukee throughout his remaining days and was a man of influence among the Polish people of the eity.
Frank J. Grntza was born October 6, 1869, in Smolong, Poland, was but five years of age when the family home was established in Massachusetts and there he began his education in the public schools of Lenox. He afterward continued his studies in the publie schools of Milwaukee, where he also attended the parochial schools for a time and later became a student in the Pio Nono College. His initial step in the business world was made as an employe in the cigar manufacturing establishment of William Graf, with whom he remained for three and a half years and during the succeeding three years he filled a clerkship in a grocery store.
On the 3d of August, 1893, Mr. Grutza was first called to office through appointment to the position of deputy clerk of the municipal court and on the 20th of June, 1907, he was advanced to the position of chief deputy and acted in that capacity until Decem- ber 1, 1914. He has been identified with the real estate business on the south side since 1893, under the firm style of Frank J. Grutza & Company. This firm established offices at 417 Mitchell street and have since conducted a growing and substantial busi- ness which necessitates the employment of several assistants. They have negotiated many important realty transfers on the south side and their enterprise and diligence and thoroughly reliable methods have gained for them a very gratifying clientele. He is now the cashier of the Mitchell Street State Bank, a position he has occupied since December 1, 1914, and he has made for himself a very enviable place in financial circles.
On the 3d of October, 1894, Mr. Grutza was married to Miss Nettie Niestatek of Milwaukee, a daughter of John and Josephine Niestatek. Their family numbers five children: Irene, Adeline, Thaddeus, Regina and Edward. The family are of the Catholic faith, being communicants of St. Stanislaus Polish Roman Catholic church. Mr. Grutza is a man who has marked influence over the people of his own nationality and his labors are ever on the side of progress and improvement. He was president of the Polish-American Association for twelve years and has been financial secretary of
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the Polish National Alliance, Branch No. 253, for thirteen years. While his business interests have made heavy demands upon his time and energy, he has always found opportunity to aid in public measures and he was active in promoting the erection of the Kosciusko monument in Milwaukee. He took a helpful part in organizing the Kosciusko Monument Association and served as its financial secretary, in which con- nection he handled the thirteen thousand dollars contributed toward the erection of a suitable monument for the Polish hero. He also superintended the erection of the monument, which when completed was presented by the Polish citizens to the city of Milwaukee, Mr. Grutza acting as master of ceremonies upon this auspicious occasion. Mr. Grutza belongs to the Polish Association of America, Polish National Alliance, Old Settlers' Club, South Division Civic Society, Polish Sharpshooters Club and the Wood- men of the World. He was president of the Skarb Polski Mutual Loan and Building Society, Juneau Investment Company, owner of the Juneau Theatre, and financial secretary of the Kosciusko Hall Association since 1898, of which he is one of the stock- holders. Politically he was a republican who lahored earnestly to secure the success of the party and the adoption of its principles. He served as chairman of the republi- can committee of the fourteenth ward for ten years and also as a member of the re- publican county central committee. In 1911 he left the republican party and voted for Wilson and ever since is a democrat and was a delegate to the St. Louis and San Francisco democratic national convention. He has taken active part in all civic affairs of Milwaukee and has been active in all drives of the American Red Cross and other charitable organizations. During the World war he served as a member of Draft Board, No. 12, of Milwaukee. While he has a natural love for the land of his nativity, he has ever manifested the utmost loyalty to the land of his adoption and is a true American in spirit, in interest and in activity.
ALBERT J. HARVEY.
Albert J. Harvey, a master of finance, a captain of industry, controlling mammoth business affairs, his successful operation of which contributes to the progress and prosperity of the city as well as to the advancement of individual fortunes, is the president of the Plankinton Arcade Company of Milwaukee. Other business concerns, too, have felt the stimulus of his cooperation and his keen sagacity, and he belongs to that class who are the real promoters and uphuilders of the city's greatness. In fact he is the president of eight different corporations controlling extensive interests in Cleveland and in Milwaukee, all of which are behind large and important business projects, constituting forceful factors in the development and growth of these cities.
Mr. Harvey was born in London, England, November 21, 1876, and is a son of George A. and Frances A. (Wynne) Harvey, who were also natives of that country, whence they came to the new world, entering the United States in 1877. They settled first in Philadelphia, which was then the scene of the Centennial Exposition. The father was a veterinary surgeon and afterward practiced his profession in Pittsburgh and later in Cleveland, Ohio, to which city he removed in 1879, where he continued to reside until his death about 1916. He built up a notably large practice in Cleveland, having all the professional work among the millionaires of that city until the auto- mobile largely superseded the use of the horse. He had served his professional appren- ticeship in the stahles of Queen Victoria.
Alhert J. Harvey was only a year old when brought to this country by his parents and he pursued his education in the public and high schools of Pittsburgh. He is the eldest of a family of seven children; because of financial conditions of the family and his desire to be of real assistance in the support of the household, A. J. Harvey started out in the business world. as an office boy in connection with the Cleveland World at a weekly salary of three dollars, working under Robert P. Porter, who was then editor of the paper and was acting under orders of Mark A. Hanna, then actively managing the campaign to nominate and elect William Mckinley president of the United States. From office boy Mr. Harvey rapidly rose through all the departments of the paper until he became financial and real estate editor of the Cleveland World. He had vision and imagination coupled with a keen perception of business. His ex- perience in a newspaper office brought to him a recognition of the real estate con- ditions of Cleveland caused hy its rapid growth, and, visualizing the many opportunities in down-town real estate, he resigned his position as financial and real estate editor and with his weekly salary of seventy-five dollars in his pocket he became an associate of Max P. Wolverton, who was then conducting a small real estate and investment office in the old Cleveland Arcade. Following the death of his partner in the succeed- ing year, Mr. Harvey purchased, in 1901, the interest from the widow and became owner of the business, which he thereafter conducted with such zeal and energy along lines largely original with him as to make him almost immediately one of the most prominent factors in real estate circles in Cleveland. The advantages and commercial possibilities of long term real estate leases and their relation to and effect upon the
ALBERT J. HARVEY
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progress of the city and the development of real estate values were then hut imperfectly comprehended. Mr. llarvey threw his enormous energy and resourcefulness into developing that class of transactions. He was a pioneer in their negotiation in great magnitude. He became directly interested in the retail development of lower and upper Euclid avenue. He was instrumental in moving and leasing locations for many of the successful retail firms then operating in Cleveland, the list of his clients con- taining the names of many of the most prominent merchants of the city. His opera- tions gradually developed in extent and importance until he occupied a position of leadership in connection with the management of mammoth real estate activities in that city. In fact there are comparatively few of the great realty transactions in Cleveland in recent years with which the name of A. J. Harvey has not been asso- ciated. Beginning with the year 1905 he devoted considerable time and energy to the development of the properties at Euclid avenue and Doan street and about that time obtained a ninety-nine-year lease on the northeast corner of Euclid avenue and East One Hundred and Fifth street, leasing the entire tract for ninety-nine years at an annual rental of five thousand dollars. It was then that he organized and became president of The Euclid-Doan Company, which developed the entire corners. Several years later he organized and became president of The Euclid-Doan Power Company, which obtained a franchise from the city of Cleveland for the manufacturing and dis- tributing of heat, light and power covering the eastern section of the city and supplying heat, light and power to the Hadden building and Cleveland Trust Company. With this franchise Mr. Harvey greatly aided in developing the section by supplying heat, electricity and power to all the buildings in that vicinity, and during the succeeding ten years The Euclid-Doan Company erected many important structures in that sec- tion of Cleveland. One of these was the Alhambra Theatre, which was one of the first large picture theatres in the state and the first in the entire country to install a pipe organ and to charge fifty cents admission. The company still owns valuable properties in that section of the city, and Mr. Harvey continues as president of the company, promoting the operations there. In the development of the Euclid-Doan corners 'he has been greatly aided by some of the most prominent business men and financiers of Cleveland, and his name is associated with the greatest and most im- portant realty transfers and operations in the Ohio metropolis. Covering the period from 1911 to 1916 Mr. Harvey acquired by purchase or lease six large theatres and places of amusement until his holdings in that connection were very extensive.
On the 1st of December, 1915, he came to Milwaukee and started to demolish the old Plankinton Hotel, taking over the property from the Plankinton estate on a ninety-nine year lease. Here he erected what is known as the Plankinton Arcade building, which is now considered the most valuable property in the city of Milwaukee. The building covers an entire city block, is two stories in height and has been built for eight additional floors. The company has eighty-eight tenants, all retail merchants, together with the American Exchange Bank. The business being carried on under the roof of the Plankinton Arcade is of the highest class. Mr. Harvey obtained the lease, erected the building, has charge of the business and financed the proposition, owning much of the stock himself, and has been president from the beginning. All space is rented on a percentage basis-a plan that has proven very satisfactory to all con- cerned. This is one of the most unique buildings in the United States. The architects were Holabird & Roche of Chicago, one of the best known firms in the country, Mr. Harvey has erected many buildings and arcades over the country, including the New Plankinton Hotel, which is a new and modern building, erected at the same time as the Arcade. The hotel has five hundred rooms and is one of the finest hostelries in this part of the country. Mr. Harvey is president and general manager of the Plankinton Arcade Company and plans are now under consideration for the erection of six additional stories to the Plankinton Arcade, which will include a modern theatre. This project will be undertaken just as soon as there is a stable condition in prices of material and in labor.
In March, 1920, the interests of Mr. Harvey at One Hundred and Fifth street and Euclid avenue in Cleveland were turned over in a real estate transaction which, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer was "believed to be the largest ever made in Cleveland, the deal including properties and proposed improvements aggregating millions of dollars." Something more concerning the vast operations handled by Mr. Harvey is indicated in the fact that he is the president of eight different corporations, among which are the Plankinton Arcade Company, capitalized for one million five hundred thousand dollars; The Euclid-Doan Company, one million five hundred thou- sand dollars: the Euclid One Hundred and Fifth Street Company, fifty thousand dollars: the Permanent Company, two hundred and fifty thousand dollars; the Euclid- Doan Power Company, fifty thousand dollars; the Alhambra Amusement Company, one hundred and fifty thousand dollars; the Regent Hotel Company, two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
Aside from his operations in Cleveland and in Milwaukee, Mr. Harvey has promoted many ninety-nine years leases in the Chicago loop business section and has
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made many long term leases on State street and prominent corners in Chicago, one of the most recent of these being the southwest corner of State and Monroe streets, the leasehold being secured from the Ayer heirs to A. M. Bedell, president of all the Bedell Cloak & Suit stores throughout the United States. This property fronts one hundred and twenty feet on State street, as well as one hundred and twenty feet on Monroe street, being directly opposite the new North American building. Mr. Bedell's lease calls for a yearly payment of one hundred thousand dollars rent, together with all taxes. As agent and owner Mr. Harvey has been interested in many other large real estate deals in other cities, including the McAlpin Hotel lease and Hotel McAlpin building of New York for T. Coleman Dupont of Delaware and Charles P. Taft of Cincinnati; the Equitable Life Insurance building of New York city for Frank M. Andrews and T. C. Dupont; and placing the Owl Drug Company, the Bedell Company, the New York Waist House; Trivers Clothiers, Feltman-Curme Shoe Company, Stronge- Warner Millinery Company in the cities of Milwaukee, Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and other middle west cities.
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