USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume II > Part 76
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WALTER F. TESCHAN
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Concrete Mixer Company sends its products all over the world, each year's business marking a substantial increase.
On the 16th of April, 1907, Mr. Teschan was married to Miss Ernesta von Baum- bach, a daughter of Ernst von Baumbach, one of the best known citizens of Milwaukee, whose death occurred in 1910. He was a native of Germany and at an early day came to the United States, where he gained substantial success. Mr. and Mrs. Teschan have become parents of three children: Dorothea Louise, Charlotte Ernesta and Walter Ernst, all attending the schools of Shorewood, in which suburb the Teschan family reside at 1170 Lake Drive. Mrs. Teschan is prominent in club and social circles of Shorewood and Milwaukee and is artistically and literarily inclined.
Although Mr. Teschan leans toward the republican party he maintains an inde- pendent course in politics, in which he does not take an active interest, prefering to devote his entire time to the promotion of his business interests. He is affiliated with no secret societies but heing fond of all outdoor sports, is a member of the Milwau- kee Athletic Club. For recreation he turns to yachting and many times he may be found enjoying that sport on the waters of Lake Michigan. He is not only a represen- tative business man but a musician of ability and is considered a splendid violinist. Mr. Teschan is an indefatigable worker, a man of marked capacity, quick and decisive in his methods, keenly alive to any business proposition and its possibilities. In the specific line of his trade his knowledge is particularly sound and his insight keen, while his capable management and undaunted enterprise have been forceful and salient features in the attainment of the success which places him among the leading business men of the city.
HUBERT OTTO WOLFE.
One of Milwaukee's most prominent citizens is Hubert Otto Wolfe, a member of the firm of Cochems, Wolfe & Kolinski, attorneys at law, with offices at 425 East Water street. He was born on the 19th of August, 1884, on his father's farm in Greenville township, Outagamie county, Wisconsin, a son of Hubert and Matilda (Bartmann) Wolfe. His grandfather, Henry Wolfe, removed to this country with the remainder of his family soon after Hubert Wolfe had settled here, locating in this state near his son. For many years the name of Wolfe was connected with important civic and business interests in the old country and they were extensive land holders. Hubert Wolfe was born in Germany in 1833 and came to the United States at the age of twenty-one years. He located in this state, driving hy team from Chicago, and settled in Outagamie county, where he was one of the early pioneers. He was a prominent man in the community and held many local offices. He was chairman of the town- ship and a member of the county board for a period of over thirty years, likewise a member of the legislature of the state at various times. He achieved a substantial amount of success in his agricultural pursuits and retired from active life in 1900. His death occurred in 1909 and caused deep regret throughout the community. Hubert Wolfe was characterized by Judge John Goodland as a man of impressive personality and very decided convictions. He was intensely democratic in principle and loyal to his party, being wholly devoted to American theories of government. It is said of him that he never missed a democratic state convention and took a prominent part in all political gatherings, state and local. His widow is residing at Appleton, Wisconsin. She was also a native of Germany, horn near Stettin, and came to the United States with her brother in 1866, settling in Outagamie county. Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Wolfe were the parents of seven children, all of whom have become representative and prominent citizens. Albert C. Wolfe is United States district attorney for the western district of Wisconsin, to which position he succeeded upon the death of his brother, William F; Henry is an extensive real estate man of Calgary, Canada; and Frank A. is living in Clarkston, Washington, where he is engaged in the shoe business. There were two daughters in the family, Helen and Ida, the latter being the wife of Albert Wettengel of the Schlafer Hardware Company of Appleton. William F. Wolfe, deceased, was born in 1865 and passed away on the 10th of January, 1917. He received his edu- cation in the Ryan high school in Appleton and in the University of Wisconsin. In order to save money during his high school days William F. Wolfe "batched" with the present Judge T. H. Ryan of Appleton and at the university was a roommate of Francis E. McGovern, later governor of the state. He took a law course and in 1894 started to practice, opening offices in La Crosse in association with Olaf Skaar. His advanced thought and progress in the profession brought him prominence and he was in 1898 elected to the office of city attorney of La Crosse, in which capacity he was active for three terms. He was not only prominent at the bar but he was most in- fluential in the democratic party and personally managed Wilson's first primary cam- paign 'for the presidential nomination in 1911-12, and was delegate at large to that convention. He was democratic candidate for United States senator in 1916 and at
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the time of his death was acting as United States district attorney for the western district of Wisconsin. He was a man of great ability and untiring energy, faithful to both his convictions and his friends. He married Margaret M. Lamont of Madison, a daughter of a well known democratic leader and is survived by his widow and two children, Elizabeth and Helen.
Hubert Otto Wolfe, whose name initiates this review, was born and received his early education in the common schools of Outagamie county until he reached the age of thirteen years. He then became a student in the Ryan high school at Appleton, graduating in 1901, then enrolling in the University of Wisconsin at Madison where he was acknowledged a most brilliant student. In 1907 he graduated from that institu- tion with the degree of B. A. and in 1909 with his LL. B. degree. In that year he was admitted to the bar and entered practice at once, establishing himself in Mil- waukee, where he became associated with the firm of Kanneberg & Cochems. He was taken into the firm in 1911 and the business was conducted under the name of Kanne- berg, Cochems & Wolfe until 1913, when it became Cochems & Wolfe. In 1918 the firm was changed to Cochems, Wolfe & Kolinski. Their practice is very extensive and while they do mostly a general practice they represent several large corporations. In 1915 Mr. Wolfe served as first assistant district attorney.
On the 25th of June, 1914, occurred the marriage of Mr. Wolfe and Miss Nellie Anderson, a daughter of Warren R. Anderson, a well known general merchant and banker of El Dorado in Fond du Lac county. Her mother was a Miss Scribner, a daughter of Enoch Scribner. The progenitor of the family by that name came to Massachusetts in 1633 and his descendants played an important part in the develop- ment of their adopted land, fighting gallantly in both the Revolutionary and Civil wars. Mrs. Wolfe has membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution. One child, Robert Warren, has been born to their union, his natal day having been the 23d of December, 1916.
Like his father, Mr. Wolfe is a stanch supporter of the democratic party, in the activities of which he takes a prominent part. In 1912 he was chairman of the demo- cratic state convention and he has stumped the state for his favorite candidates many times. He was in 1911-12 secretary of the pre-primary campaign committee. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church and fraternally he is a Mason, having membership in the Henry L. Palmer Lodge, No. 301 of Mil- waukee. He is a member of Phi Delta Phi, a fraternity at the University of Wiscon- sin, and, being a stanch supporter of athletics, is a member of the Milwaukee Athletic Club. He is very fond of outdoor life and previous to his entrance into the state Uni- versity spent two and one-half years in civil engineering in the northern woods. Mrs. Wolfe is a fine pianist, receiving her musical education at Grafton Hall, Fond du Lac. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wolfe are representative citizens and their home at 1077 Frederick avenue is a center of culture and refinement.
GUSTAVE GROVER BLATZ.
Milwaukee numbers among her native sons Gustave Grover Blatz, president of the Blatz-Kasten Company, insurance and real estate agents. He was born October S,. 1887, his parents being Albert Charles and Emma A. (Kletzsch) Blatz. His grand- father, Valentine Blatz, was a native of Miltenberg, Germany, and on coming to the United States located in Milwaukee in 1844. Four years later he took over the city brewery and under his able management made it one of the most extensive businesses of its kind in the country. The father, Albert Charles Blatz, was a prominent business man of Milwaukee and passed away on the 17th of February, 1921. His wife, who is still living, was born in Newburg, Wisconsin, a daughter of Charles F. Kletzsch, who was the founder of the Republican House.
In the acquirement of an education Gustave Grover Blatz attended the German- English Academy of his native city until he reached the age of thirteen years, when he enrolled as a student in the East Side high school and was graduated from that institution with the class of 1904. Subsequently he attended the University of Wis- consin and was graduated therefrom in 1908 with the degree of B. A., being the youngest member of a class of over five hundred. After a tour of Europe he returned to Milwaukee and took a course in Hautkes Brewers School, receiving the brewmasters degree from there in April, 1910. In that year, however, he entered the packing busi- ness as secretary and treasurer of the Bodden Packing Company and remained active in that connection until in November, 1911, when he became associated with the Tapping, Benedict & Riedeburg Company in the conduct of an extensive insurance busi- ness. On the 1st of October, 1915, the firm was reorganized and incorporated as Blatz- Kasten & Company, and Mr. Blatz has since served as its chief executive. In the develop- ment of other business enterprises he is also active, being a director of Morris F. Fox & Company, which he entered at the time of its organization; vice president of the
GUSTAVE G. BLATZ
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HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE
Williams F. Sims Motor Company, distributors of the Lincoln cars in Wisconsin; and a director of the Alliance Investment Company, extensive dealers in real estate.
On the 14th of July, 1909, occurred the marriage of Mr. Blatz and Miss Rega F. Bodden, a daughter of Alois Bodden, president of the Bodden Packing Company. Her father was born in Milwaukee in 1852, a son of Michael Bodden, a native of Coblenz, Germany, who was for many years tax commissioner of Milwaukee. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Blatz: Gustave Grover, Jr., Edward Henry, Robert Alvin, and Albert Charles.
Mr. Blatz maintains an independent course in politics and his religious faith is that of St. Paul's Episcopal church, of which he is a consistent member. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to Lafayette Lodge, and he is a member of Delta Upsilon. In club circles of Milwaukee he is prominently known, being identified with the Wisconsin Club, the Milwaukee Athletic Club, the Milwaukee Country Club, the City Club, the Milwaukee Yacht Club and the Association of Commerce. He is a lover of the great outdoors and is a hunter and fisher of ability. He finds his greatest recreation, how- ever, in motoring and golf. During the World war he took an active and prominent part, subordinating his personal interests in order to devote all the time necessary for service on different committees in all the Loan and Red Cross drives. The progress of Mr. Blatz may be attributed for the most part to his capability, progressiveness and industry, and as a representative of one of the most important business interests in Milwaukee his value as a citizen is readily recognized throughout the community.
EDGAR JONES HUGHES.
From messenger hoy to the vice presidency of the First Wisconsin National Bank is the compass of Edgar Jones Hughes' activity since he entered banking circles as an employe of the First National on the 12th of June, 1890. He was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin, January 28, 1873, and is a son of Hugh Samuel and Ellen (Jones) Hughes. At the usual age he entered the public schools of his native city and there received the educational training that qualified him for life's practical and responsible duties. He was a youth of seventeen years when on the 12th of June, 1890, he secured the position of messenger in the First National Bank of Milwaukee. Since that time he has been continuously connected with banking interests and in January, 1918, was elected a director of the First National Bank, having worked his way upward through intermediate positions which brought him comprehensive, accurate and valuable knowledge of various phases of the banking business. Since the merger of the First National and the Wisconsin National, Mr. Hughes has been vice president and is now occupying this position.
On the 26th of September, 1899, Mr. Hughes was united in marriage to Miss Nora Waller, of Chicago. Having no children of their own, they now have as members of their household George A. Cooper and Milton A. Collard, who were in the naval service during the World war and who since the close of hostilities have made their home with Mr. and Mrs. Hughes at No. 643 Shepard avenue.
Politically Mr. Hughes is a republican, having supported the party since age con- ferred upon him the right of franchise. He has done much public service of valuable character in connection with those things which make for civic progress, for economic advancement and for the protection and benefit of the community in many ways. His social nature finds expression in his membership in the City, Milwaukee Athletic, Milwaukee and Wisconsin Clubs and in the membership of these organizations he has many stanch friends.
HARRY HERZ.
Harry Herz is well known in the business circles of Milwaukee as a partner in the firm of A. Herz & Son, dealing in store fixtures and refrigerators, butchers' and packers' supplies. He is also the treasurer of the Disbrow Manufacturing Company of Milwaukee and thus his interests are extensive and important. Throughout his active career he has displayed keen sagacity and a ready discrimination between the essential and the non-essential in all business affairs, and thus step by step he has advanced, his steady progression bringing him to an enviable and prominent position in con- nection with the commercial interests of the city. Milwaukee numbers him among her native sons, his birth having here occurred on the 1st of June, 1873, his parents being Abraham and Adaline (Rothschild) Herz, who were natives of Germany but came to Milwaukee more than a half century ago, arriving in this city in 1870. Here the father engaged in business as a cattle broker and to that undertaking devoted
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his energies until he entered the butchers' supply business in connection with his son Harry in 1893. He yet remains an active factor in the business life of the city.
Harry Herz obtained his education in the public schools of Milwaukee and in the Spencerian Business College. He started out in life as bookkeeper for the Schlesin- ger syndicate, with which he remained for about three years. In 1893 he became con- nected with the S. Berkenwald Company, with which he was associated for six months and then joined his father in organizing the firm of A. Herz & Son to conduct a butchers' supply business. Their first location was at No. 1409 Vliet street, where they remained for twenty-one years, on the expiration of which period they built their present plant at Nos. 389 to 391 Fifth street. They have today the largest butchers' and packers' supply house in the state. The business was established in a small way but has been steadily developed as the public has recognized the fact that everything can be found in their establishment that is handled by firms in their line. They deal in store fixtures and refrigerators, butchers' and packers' supplies, delicatessen, butchers' refrigerators, fixtures, sausage casings, pure spices and lard pails, also handle racks, blocks, stuffers, counters, ice boxes, show cases, lard presses, kettles and stoves, sausage machinery and grocery shelves and bins. All of the wooden fixtures, including refrigerators, counters, blocks, etc., are manufactured in their shops. The business is now one of very gratifying proportions, the trade covering a wide territory. Harry Herz has also become identified with the Dishrow Manufacturing Company and Spark Plug manufacturing, of which E. Klotz is the president, with Mr. Herz as the treasurer. The company has its plant in Milwaukee and its general sales office in Chicago. Mr. Herz is president of the Dishrow Wisconsin Sales Company which company act as distributors for the northwest territory. He is likewise the president of the M. Kauf- man Company, wholesale metal dealers of Chicago,
In 1896 Mr. Herz was united in marriage to Miss Viola Kaufman, a daughter of M. Kaufman of Chicago, and they now have a family of three daughters and one son: Edith, the wife of Louis Franklin, a resident of Milwaukee; Fanchon; Beatrice; and Harry, Jr.
Mr. Herz is a member of the United Commercial Travelers and of the City Club and he is identified with the Jewish Temple. Whatever he undertakes he carries forward to successful completion. His plans are well formulated and he readily recognizes a business opportunity, which he wisely utilizes in the attainment of success.
ALBERT SPEICH.
A native son of Milwaukee is Albert Speich, president of the Speich Stove Repair Company, located at Nos. 130 to 134 West Water street. He was born on the 25th of September, 1860, a son of Joachim and Marianna (Stocker) Speich, both of whom are now deceased. The father was born in Switzerland about 1826 and passed away in Milwaukee about 1872. He came to this country in 1850 and located in Milwaukee, where he won prominence as a tailor. Mrs. Speich was likewise a native of Switzer- land who came to Milwaukee at an early age with her parents.
In the acquirement of an education Albert Speich attended the schools of the second and fifth wards of his native city and after putting his textbooks aside entered the business world as an employe in a basket factory. He received fifty cents a week for bis work in that connection but, becoming dissatisfied, resigued at the end of six months and started to learn the tinsmith's trade. He was an apprentice in this trade for some time and received the wage of one dollar the first year, two dollars the second year and three dollars the third year. Steady habits, ability and energy soon made it possible for him to enter into the same business on his own account, and in 1881 he removed to Hales Corners and for two years enjoyed a substantial success. At the end of that time he returned to Milwaukee and established a business in the third ward which improved and grew so rapidly that he located on West Water street in 1890 and has been at that location ever since. The concern began business as stove repairers but they now do boiler and furnace repairing and do a jobbing business of stoves, furnaces and repairs, their market covering the northwestern states. In 1896, the business was incorporated as the Speich Stove Repair Company, with Albert Speich as president.
In 1888 Mr. Speich was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Haffner, of Hales Corners, who passed away in 1892, leaving three children, namely: Georgiana, now the wife of Eric C. Sternkopf, superintendent of the Speich Stove Repair Company, and the mother of two children, Albert Eric and Richard; Genevieve, the wife of Hugo H. Drath, secretary of the stove company, and the mother of two children, Genevieve and Robert; and Albert F., vice president of his father's company. The last named mar- ried Belle McGarigle of Milwaukee and they have two children, Ella Louise and Byron Albert. In 1898 Mr. Speich was again married, choosing Catherine Wrasse of Mil- waukee for his wife. She is a daughter of Fred Wrasse, a well known musician and
ALBERT SPEICH
Vol. II-47
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tailor. Mrs. Speich is a fine vocalist and pianist and made many public appearances as a child and young woman. Mr. Speich's greatest pleasure is his Sunday morning visits with his six little grandchildren who adore their fond grandfather.
Fraternally Mr. Speich is a Mason, having membership in Lafayette Lodge No. 265, F. & A. M .; Calumet Chapter, R. A. M .; Ivanhoe Commandery, K. T .; and Tripoli Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He has likewise attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. The religious faith of the family is that of the Episcopal church. As a man keenly interested in the development and improvement of the community Mr. Speich is a member of the Association of Commerce and socially is identified with the Milwaukee Athletic Club and the Calumet Club, having served as president of the latter body. For recreation Mr. Speich turns to the great outdoors and is particularly fond of baseball. He possesses inherent musical talent, playing hy ear almost any in- strument. He has learned his lessons in the hard school of experience and is ever ready to lend a helping hand to the young man making his initial step into the husi- ness world. Laudable ambition, ability and concentration on business affairs have re- sulted in his continued success until he is now widely recognized as one of Milwaukee's representative business men and citizens.
SAMUEL R. FRIEND.
The manufacturing interests of Milwaukee are varied. Almost every kind of business has a representation in this city and each legitimate enterprise adds to the commercial development and progress. It is in this connection that Samuel R. Friend is well known, being president of the Friend Garment Company. He was born in Mil- waukee, March 3, 1875. His father, Emanuel Friend, a native of Bavaria, Germany, came to the United States in 1855 when a youth of seventeen years. He first settled in Lansing, Iowa, but removed to Milwaukee in 1867. He was a member of the Friend Brothers Clothing Company and remained an active factor in the business circles of the city to the time of his death, which occurred in 1898. He is still survived by his wife, who in her maidenhood was Rose Rosendale. She was horn in Albany, New York, and she had two brothers who served in the Civil war, one of them a captain, dying of wounds received in action.
Samuel R. Friend obtained his early education in the public schools of Milwaukee, continuing his studies in the East Side high school. He afterward worked for the Kalamazoo Knitting Company for a period of five years in the capacity of hookkeeper and started out, in the business world as a manufacturer's agent, handling dry goods specialties. He was alone in this enterprise and in 1903 he began the manufacture of skirts in partnership with Nathan Weinhaum with whom he continued until 1909. He then organized the Friend Garment Company, which was incorporated in 1918. "This concern manufactures ladies' skirts and dresses, which it sells to dealers through- out the west and northwest and the business has steadily grown, for the firm maintains high standards in style, in workmanship and in materials used.
On the 22d of April, 1902, Mr. Friend was married to Miss Blanche Granman, a daughter of Jacob Grauman, a manufacturer of men's clothing at Louisville, Kentucky, who was very successful in his business activities to the time of his death in 1896. He was a native of Germany and after coming to the new world was actively interested in many important business enterprises and industries and was also connected with bank- ing institutions. He was likewise prominent in Masonic circles. Mr. and Mrs. Friend have become parents of two children: Robert S., who is attending the Riverside high school; and Edith Rose, who is in the training department of the Normal School.
Mr. Friend has never been active in politics but has always supported the re- publican party. He belongs to Temple Emann-El and thus holds to the religions faith of his fathers. He is a Mason, having membership in Milwaukee Lodge, No. 261, A. F. & A. M., and he belongs also to the Wisconsin Club, the Milwaukee Athletic Club and to the Association of Commerce. He fishes and bowls and has followed motoring since 1907 as a means of recreation but his business interests claim the major part of his time, attention and energy.
EDWARD J. O'DONNELL.
For three generations the O'Donnell family has been engaged in street and sewerage . contracting in Milwaukee, the family name standing as a synonym for expert work and thorough reliability in this connection. Edward J. O'Donnell, now carrying on the business, was born in this city October 10, 1875, and is a son of James O'Donnell, who was born in Ireland in March, 1844. He came to Milwaukee with his parents in 1850, his father, William O'Donnell, becoming a prominent builder of streets and sewers in
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