USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume II > Part 67
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On the 25th of June, 1904, Mr. Harvey was united in marriage to Miss Clara Volmar Dreher of Cleveland, Ohio, and they have become parents of three sons: Richard D., Albert J., Jr., and Frank E. The family residence is at No. 610 Linwood avenue, Mil- waukee. Mr. Harvey maintains his membership in the Cleveland Athletic Club and the Cleveland Golf Club. His recreations maintain an even balance to his intense business activity, which has mastered and controlled mammoth problems, leading to notable success in the real estate and financial fields.
HON. WILLIAM J. MCELROY.
Hon. William J. McElroy, lawyer and legislator, a recognized leader for many years in republican circles in Milwaukee and a man ever actuated by high standards and ideals in all that he does, so that he is a splendid example of American manhood and chivalry, was born in the city of Berlin, Wisconsin, January 8, 1856, being one of the seven children of Samuel and Mary McElroy, both of whom were natives of New Brunswick, Canada, and were of Scotch-Irish descent. After spending their youthful days in St. Stephens, Canada, they removed to Wisconsin, settling at what was then called Strong's Landing, but is now Berlin. The father purchased a farm near the village and devoted his remaining days to agricultural pursuits, his death occurring on the old homestead there in December, 1891, when he had reached the venerable age of eighty-two years. His widow survived him for about four years, passing away on the 29th of March, 1895. They were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and were active in the organization of a society of that denomination in Berlin. The father was strongly opposed to slavery, becoming a stanch abolitionist, at an early day joining the ranks of the republican party when it was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery into the north. He always stood for law and order and during the last ten years of his life was a pronounced advocate of the prohibition cause, doing everything in his power to advance the interest of temperance. To him and his wife were born five sons and two daughters, two of whom have passed away, while Mr. McElroy of this review is the only member of the family residing in Milwaukee.
The youthful experiences of William McElroy were those of the farm bred boy, who divided his time between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the play- ground and the work of the fields. He was a pupil in the public schools of Berlin and graduated from the high school with the class of 1876. Ambitions to further advance his education, he matriculated in the University of Wisconsin, which he attended for two years, winning the Master of Arts degree in 1880. When his university course was completed he came to Milwaukee and entered upon the study of law in the office and under the direction of the late Senator Matthew H. Carpenter, who was then the senior member of the firm of Carpenter & Smith and who directed his readings until he was admitted to the bar in 1885. He likewise studied for a time under the firm of Markham & Smith and when licensed to practice he at once entered upon the active work of the profession in the office of Markham & Smith, with whom he continued for two years. At the end of that time he formed a partnership with Mr. Davies under the firm style of Davies & McElroy and later changes in the firm led to the adoption of the name of McElroy & Trottman and still later of McElroy, Eschweiler & Wetzler. Another change led to the adoption of the firm style of McElroy & Wetzler, which was so continued until 1909, when Mr. Wetzler was succeeded by H. T. Ferguson, thus forming the firm of McElroy & Ferguson.
Throughout the intervening years Mr. McElroy has continued in the general practice of law, trying all kinds of cases and trying them well. His ability is attested in the many favorable verdicts which are recorded in the court records and which are substantial proof of the thoroughness and capability with which he tries and presents his causes before the court. It is .but natural that a man engaged in law practice
HON. WILLIAM J. MCELROY
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should also he tendered great distinction in the work of framing the laws and in 1887 he was elected to represent his district in the general assembly, serving until 1891. This was known as the "Kid" legislature because of the comparative youth of many of its members, Thomas B. Mills being speaker, while Mr. MeElroy was chairman of the judiciary committee of the assembly these two being among the leading "Kids." Mr. McElroy has always been a stalwart republican in politics and has been identified with the progressive wing of the party, standing at all times for advancement and improvement. He has made close study of vital political problems and his opinions have long carried weight in the councils of his party in this state. He has served on many occasions as a delegate to city and state conventions and has been an influencing factor in seeking the course and action of the republican party. From 1887 until 1891 he was secretary of the state league of republican clubs and in the latter year became a member of the national executive committee. He was a delegate to the convention which nominated Jeremiah M. Rusk for governor for his three years' term and his name is closely associated with many important political movements which have re- sulted beneficially to the state. He has been president of the Milwaukee Bar Asso- ciation.
On the 4th of December, 1894, Mr. MeElroy was united in marriage to Miss Lillian Elliott, a daughter of the late Judge Eugene S. and Kate D. (Dousman) Elliott of Milwaukee. Mr. and Mrs. McElroy have one child, Helen, born in Milwaukee and a graduate of the West Side high school and of Vassar College. Mr. McElroy is well known in Masonic circles, being a past master of Kilbourn Lodge, No. 3, A. F. & A. M., while in the Scottish Rite he has attained the thirty-second degree. He served as a trustee of this lodge for more than a quarter of a century and he belongs to Ivanhoe Commandery, K. T., as well as to the Wisconsin Consistory. His religions faith is manifest in his connection with the Calvary Presbyterian church, of which he has been a trustee and he is also a member of the St. Andrew's Society, the leading Scotch society of Wisconsin, acting as its president in 1911 and 1912 and supporting many of its valnable activities. He belongs to the City Club and his in- fluence is ever on the side of advancement and improvement. He served as a member of the board of visitors of the University of Wisconsin for three years and as a mem- ber of the board of regents of the university for an equal length of time. The value of his service is pronounced and the work of his efforts widely acknowledged.
HON. OSCAR HASKELL MORRIS.
Hon. Oscar Haskell Morris, state senator from the fourth district, Milwaukee, is widely known not only by reason of his political activity and leadership but also owing to his long connection with trade journals and with organization work pertaining to societies and associations largely having to do with the benefit of trade conditions and with public progress in general. Since 1919 he has been the manager of the Better Business Bureau of the Milwaukee Association of Commerce. He comes to this state from New England. his birth having occurred in Springfield, Massachusetts, March 8, 1876. In his childhood he accompanied his parents to Milwaukee and with the excep- tion of one year has resided continuously in this city. He spent a few years in the public schools, thus laying the foundation for his success, although his educational opportunities were curtailed by the necessity of earning a living, and like many other men who have progressed, he started out as a messenger boy with the Western Union, one of his duties being to carry messages to the newspaper offices. This led to his next step in his upward career, for he became a copy boy for The Sentinel and was gradu- ally advanced until he became a regular member of the reporters' staff.
It was in 1901 that Mr. Morris lett Milwaukee and went to Cleveland, Ohio, as one of the editors of the Motor Vehicle Review, but after a year he returned to this city and joined the editorial staff of The Daily News, with which he remained for eleven years. While thus engaged he took an active interest in the world of sports and came to be considered an authority upon baseball and other forms of athletics and outdoor sports. In 1912 he resigned his position with The Daily News to enter the publishing field on his own account and became part owner and editor of "Progress," a trade paper, while still later he organized "Sash, Door and Finish," another trade journal. It was about the same time that he organized the American Printing Company, of which he became the president.
Since 1912 Mr. Morris has taken a deep interest in legislative work and also in organization work and has devoted much of his time to organization secretarial duties. In 1918 he became secretary of the Wisconsin Retail Dry Goods Association and soon afterward also accepted the secretaryship of the Wisconsin Retailers' Federation and that of the Lions Club. thus bending his energies to the development and promotion of par- tienlar lines of trade and to the work of the Lions Club, which has for its object not only the betterment of trade conditions but the advancement of higher standards of
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Americanization. In 1919 he was elected to the head of the Better Business Bureau of the Milwaukee Association of Commerce.
For nearly a quarter of a century Mr. Morris has been a member and one of the officers of the Milwaukee Press Club, serving for a time as its president. He has splendid qualities of leadership as well as organization powers, and his effective labor has been manifested along many lines, making him particularly well known in political circles, for among other things he has conducted seventeen political campaigns for judges, sheriff, city attorney, mayor and other offices and was successful in electing his candidate in sixteen of these campaigns. In 1920 he was himself a candidate for office, being made the republican nominee for state senator in the fourth district in Mil- waukee. To this office he was elected hy a majority of four thousand and sixteen, thus winning the largest vote ever cast for any candidate in the district with one exception. He is now making an excellent record in office, giving careful consideration to all the vital questions that come up for settlement, and the analytical power which he has developed, combined with his ahility in organizing forces, makes him an effective factor in bringing about needed legislation.
WILLIAM M. POHL.
William M. Pohl, president of the Kepec Company of Milwaukee, was born in Viersen, Germany. March 24, 1890. His father, Jacob Pohl, died in 1906. His mother; who bore the maiden name of Josephine Braun, is still living in Germany, where she was born and is an aunt of Judge August Braun of this city.
Willianı M. Pohl ohtained his early education in the public and high schools of his native town and there took over the management of the asphalt and tar contracting business of his father, who died in 1906. In September, 1913, however, William M. Pohl hade adieu to friends and native country and came to the new world, making his way at once to Milwaukee. Here he hecame a representative of the editorial staff of the Milwaukee Herold and continued in that position until the latter part of 1915. He then became one of the organizers of the Keiner & Pohl Com- pany, which in 1919 changed the name to the Kepec Company. The concern is engaged in the manufacture of chemicals principally for the tanning and leather industry in general and finds a market for its products throughout the United States and Canada. The Kepec Company has a plant at Otley, Yorkshire, England, also at Bonn, Germany, where it makes the same products as it does in Milwaukee and its market for the European plant covers the entire world. The business is now one of very substantial proportions and has proven a profitable enterprise from the beginning. During the time that Mr. Pohl was making preparations for the establishment and conduct of the business he was working nights on the Milwaukee Herold, while his days were de- voted to the interests of his own company. He started here with practically no capital but secured the cooperation of the business men and his capability as an organizer and his executive force have enabled him to develop an enterprise which is now world- wide in its scope.
Mr. Pohl belongs to the Milwaukee Athletic, Milwaukee Yacht and Milwaukee Press Clubs. He is a lover of music, especially of the opera and of all forms of art. He belongs to the Association of Commerce and lends active aid and cooperation to any projects that are looking to the development and nphuilding of the city. The sterling qualities of the man are perhaps hest indicated in the fact that while he was with the Milwaukee Herold he attended both the East Side and the West Side high schools during the day and thus acquainted himself with the English language while he worked nights. He was also formulating and developing his plans for business at the same time. He laid his foundation strong, hroad and deep in acquainting himself with the English language and with American business methods. Enterprise and diligence have brought him to his present position which is an enviahle one in the front rank of the progressive young business men of his adopted city.
GEORGE G. CUSTER.
George G. Custer, vice president of the W. F. Nackie Paper Company, has through- out his career been connected with the paper trade and few men are able to speak with greater authority concerning the business in its various phases. Steadily he has worked his way upward through industry and merit, until he is now active in the control of one of the important hnsiness interests of this character in the middle west. Born in Chicago, Illinois, on the 30th of April, 1881, he is a son of George G. and Sarah (Kelly) Cnster. The grandfather in the paternal line was Isaac D. Custer, who was born in Davenport, Iowa, and who served with the Union army in the Civil war. The maternal grandfather was Daniel Kelly, a wagon and carriage manufacturer of Cin-
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cinnati, Ohio, and it was near the latter city that the mother of George G. Custer was born. She became the wife of George G. Custer, Sr., whose birth occurred at Terre Haute, Indiana, and who for many years resided in Chieago, where for twenty-two years he occupied the position of auditor with the board of education in that city. He was also a charter member of the Hesperia Lodge of Masons in Chicago. He died in the year 1911, having for two years survived his wife, who passed away in 1909.
George G. Custer obtained his eary education in the public schools of his native city, passing through consecutive grades to his graduation from the Englewood high school, with the class of 1900. He then started out in the business world as an employe in a commission house on South Water street, where he worked for a year or more. He afterward held a few minor jobs, and subsequently became connected with the J. W. Butler Paper Company of that city, in the purchasing department, remaining with that house for nine years, advancing through various promotions to the position of assistant purchasing agent. He afterward went to Detroit, Michigan, with the Union Paper & Twine Company, with which he was associated for a year and a half and then removed to Cincinnati, where he was identified with the Diem & Wing Paper Company for four years as manager of their fine paper department. In April, 1917, he arrived in Milwaukee and has since been identified with the W. F. Nackie Paper Company. For a time he was in charge of the purchasing department and in 1918 he was elected to the vice presidency of the company, since which time he has been the second execu- tive officer. His long connection with the paper trade has given him an experience and knowledge that are proving of immense value in the conduct of the present enter- prise. The company was organized in 1911 and they are now wholesale jobbers of fine printing papers, their trade covering Wiseonsin and upper Michigan.
On the 29th of December, 1909, Mr. Custer was married to Miss Ethel Ruder, a daughter of John Ruder, and a native of Chicago, in which city she was educated. She has become the mother of two children: Marie Sarah and Virginia. Mr. Custer has always voted with the republican party but has never been an office seeker. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church and his life is further governed by the principles of Masonry, his membership being in Kilbourn Lodge, No. 3, F. & A. M. He likewise belongs to the Milwaukee Athletic Club and is a member of the Mil- waukee Association of Purchasing Agents. His leisure hours are largely devoted to baseball and other outdoor sports, in which he finds needed rest and recreation, for close application and thoroughness have always characterized his business career and it has been through the exercise of these qualities that he has made steady progress to the responsible executive position which he now fills.
ALEXANDER THEODORE PRENGEL.
Alexander Theodore Prengel, vice president and secretary of the Reichel-Korf- mann Company, manufacturers of and dealers in brewers' supplies in Milwaukee, was born July 16, 1870. in the city which is still his home. He is a son of Theodore F. Prengel and a grandson of Gottfried Prengel, both of whom were natives of Dramburg. Germany. The latter was a carpenter and builder, who, about the year 1848, left Germany and came to the new world. This was the time of the German revolution, when so many liberty-loving people of that land sought the freedom and opportunity of the new world. In Milwaukee he became identified with building operations, and some of the buildings which he erected here are still standing. His son, Theodore F. Prengel, was a lad of about twelve years when he came with his parents to the United States. Later he became a clerk in the Landauer dry goods store but at the outbreak of the Civil war he joined the Twenty-sixth Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteers and be- came a corporal of his company. He was severely wounded and also captured at the battle of Gettysburg but was soon retaken. He was shot while serving as one of the color guard. He rendered valuable aid to the Union cause and after the war he re- turned to Milwaukee, engaging in the dry goods husiness on his own account on Chestnut street, for a number of years. In 1885 he retired from merchandising and was afterward employed in the revenue department of the United States government until his demise, acting as storekeeper and gauger. His death occurred September 22, 1920. Mr. Prengel was a member of the first acrobatic team of the Milwaukee Turnverein and he held his membership with the Turnverein until his demise.
Alexander T. Prengel pursued his education in the Milwaukee public schools and in 1883 entered the employ of the Blatz Brewing Company as a shipping elerk, occupy- ing the position for a year. He afterward became bill clerk with the F. Dohmen Com- pany, druggists, and later served as bookkeeper with that house for a year. Subse- quently he entered the employ of the Charles Baumbach Company, wholesale druggists. this firm being the predecessors of the Yahr & Lange Drug Company. In 1900 further changes in the partnership led to the adoption of the firm style of H. Reichel & Com- pany, Mr. Prengel remaining with the house through these various changes. In 1902
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the business was incorporated under the style of the Baumbach-Reichel Company and in 1922 the name was changed to the Reichel-Korfmann Company. From a humble position in this wholesale house Mr. Prengel has steadily worked his way upward, eventually acquiring stock in the business, while at the present time as an official he is active in directing the destiny and shaping the policy of the enterprise. He is now the vice president and secretary and for a number of years he has made valuable contribu- tion to the success of the business.
On the 26th of December, 1901, Mr. Prengel was married to Miss Wera Reichel, a daughter of Hugo Reichel, and they have three children: Hugo, a pupil in the Normal School; Alice, attending the Downer College of Milwaukee; and Alexander T., Jr. The religious faith of the family is that of the Evangelical Lutheran church and Mr. Prengel belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, also to the Schlaraffia and to the Milwaukee Musical Society. Mr. Prengel was one of the original members of Company E, Fourth Infantry, Wisconsin National Guards, now known as Company E, First Infantry, and commonly called the Rusk Guards. He has always been extremely fond of music and is a talented violinist. He has played much in public and belongs to several string quartets but has never played professionally. He received his in- struction in music from Mr. Moebius and Professors Weimberg, Chapek and Gustav Bach, and his developed talents as a violinist have contributed not only to his own pleasure but in large measure to that of his friends, making him a welcome addition in musical circles.
HON. THEOBALD OTJEN.
Theobald Otjen, lawyer and member of congress from Milwaukee for twelve years, was born on a farm in West China, St. Clair county, Michigan, October 27, 1851, being the third son of John C. and Dorothea (Schriner) Otjen. The father, a native of Oldenburg, Germany, emigrated to America in 1827, when a youth of eighteen years, establishing his home in Cincinnati, Ohio, and there he wedded Dorothea Schriner, who came from Germany to the United States in her young girlhood. Following their marriage they removed to St. Clair county, Michigan, and when their son Theobald was but four years of age the wife and mother passed away.
When but six years old the boy went to live at the home of an uncle, who was a farmer, and remained with him until he reached the age of thirteen, when he joined his sister, Mrs. Wening, who was then living in Marine City, Michigan. While there he attracted the attention of Miss Emily Ward, who was conducting the Marine City Academy, and who was familiarly known in that community as "Aunt Emily." She was a sister of Captain E. B. Ward, noted as one of the pioneers in the lumbering, lakeshipping and iron industries of our country (he was the founder of the iron works at Wyandotte, Michigan, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Chicago, Illinois), and one of the richest men of Michigan.
Desiring to develop the good qualities which she saw were inherent in the boy, Miss Ward took him into her home and gave him motherly care, love and devotion. His education was acquired under her direction largely in the Marine City Academy and in a private school in Detroit. The early influence of his benefactress made a very deep impression upon his mind and contributed largely towards shaping his character.
In the summer of 1869 Mr. Otjen visited Bay View, now a part of Milwaukee, where for three months he worked in the rolling mills. During the following winter and summer he was in Detroit, Michigan, attending school, but in the fall of 1870 he again returned to Bay View and accepted the position of yard foreman in the rolling mills, acting in that capacity for two years. In the fall of 1872 he was again in Detroit, where he attended school for another year and at the expiration of that period he matriculated in the Michigan State University as a law student. He com- pleted his law course with the graduating class of 1875 and immediately afterward was admitted to the Michigan bar. He then opened a law office in Detroit, where he re- mained until 1882, when he again returned to Bay View to locate permanently. He entered upon the practice of law and the real estate business in Bay View with his brother, C. S. Otjen. The practice thus started has thrived and is still being conducted by Mr. Otjen and his two sons in the city of Milwaukee, under the firm name of Otjen & · Otjen.
In 1879 Mr. Otjen was married to Miss Louisa E. Heames, a daughter of Henry Heames of Detroit. They had four children: Henry H. Otjen, who is married and has one son, Theo. P. Otjen; Grace V. Wagner, the wife of Harry B. Wagner, whose two children are Fannie O. Wagner and John H. Wagner; Fannie H. Zimmerman, wife of Prof. James G. Zimmerman; and Major C. J. Otjen.
The family has long occupied a prominent social position and Mr. Otjen is also prominent in Masonic and Methodist church circles. He was made a Mason in Lake Lodge, No. 189, F. & A. M., of Milwaukee, on the 12th of September, 1891, and in 1894
HON. THEOBALD OTJEN
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became a member of Kilbonrn Chapter No. 1, R. A. M., and in 1895 a member of Ivanhoe Commandery No. 24, K. T. He is a member of the Trinity Methodist Episcopal church of Milwaukee.
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