USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume II > Part 77
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HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE
this city. James O'Donnell acquired his education in the public schools here and later he, too, took up contract work in street and sewer construction and grading. He was the first to take contracts for grading in this city and he followed this line of business throughout his entire life, becoming very prominent in that connection. He was also a recognized leader in democratic ranks in Milwaukee and labored un- tiringly for the success of the party but did not seek public office. However, he was awarded the garbage contract for the city during the first administration of Mayor Rose and served under Dr. Kempster as health commissioner. At one time he was in partnership with John J. Crilley and in association with such men as Mr. Crilley, James Markey and R. J. Hickey he did much of the street and sewer work in Mil- waukee for many years. He died very suddenly in Bainbridge, Georgia, on the 8th of Novemher, 1906, having gone to that city to see about a contract, and his death was a great shock to the community, many warm friends greatly lamenting his untimely taking off.
His son, Edward J. O'Donnell, acquired his education in the parish school con- nected with the Holy Name Cathedral and in Marquette University, after which he joined his father in the contracting business and was associated with him to the time of the father's death. Soon afterward, in 1906, the sons organized a company known as the O'Donnell Brothers Company, general contractors. They have laid more water mains than any other firm in Milwaukee. In 1919 Edward J. O'Donnell, withdrawing from the firm, established a general contracting and construction business on his own account. In 1909 the O'Donnell Brothers Company laid a thirty-six inch line feeder main from the water tower on North avenue through the eighteenth ward, seventh ward and first and third wards, being the largest main laid up to that time. The principal contracts of the O'Donnell Brothers Company have been in the line of sewer and water work, and Edward J. O'Donnell was associated with the firm while many mammoth contracts of this character were executed. Some of the excavating con- tracts done by the firm were the St. Mary's hospital, Bay View public library; En- gineering building of Marquette University and others, also the sewer and water works system of the Agricultural schools for Milwaukee county at Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Edward J. O'Donnell is now doing work of similar character under his own name and is fully sustaining the high reputation that has always been borne by the family as contractors in this city.
In 1908 Edward J. O'Donnell was married to Miss Ella Lloyd, a daughter of Thomas Lloyd, who was in the express business at an early day in Milwaukee. They have become parents of six children : Edward, Ellen, Robert, Phillip, Lloyd and Mary Rose. Mr. O'Donnell has always held to the principles of the democratic party and has been a delegate to party conventions, but while working untiringly for the success of the organization, he has never aspired to office, preferring always to concentrate his efforts and energies upon his business affairs, which, wisely and carefully directed, have brought to him substantial success.
AUGUST F. W. KRINGEL.
August F. W. Kringel, superintendent of the Milwaukee County Home for De- pendent Children, is a man whose benevolent and kindly spirit, as well as his executive ability, well fits him for the important and responsible position which he is now filling. He is a native son of Milwaukee, born November 30, 1858, his parents being Christ and Henrietta (Becker) Kringel, both of whom were natives of Germany. They came to the United States in the '50s and settled in Milwaukee.
Their son, August F. W. Kringel, was educated in the Lutheran schools of this city and in the Addison Normal School near Chicago. He took up the profession of teaching at Richmond, Virginia, and followed the calling for eight years, after which he came to Milwaukee and taught school for five years more. He then became asso- ciated with the Milwaukee Monument Company as secretary and continued in that connection for about a decade. In 1899 he was asked to take charge of the Milwaukee County Home for Dependent Children and has since been superintendent of the insti- tution, covering a period of twenty-two years. No higher testimonial of his capability and efficient service could be given than the fact that he has remained in this position through more than two decades. He has carefully managed the business affairs of the institution and at the same time has displayed kindliness and wisdom in looking after the interests of the wards of the county in the institution. There have been several additions made since he took charge and he has planted every tree and shrub on the place, which is now one of the most beautiful of the public institutions of this. part of the state, by reason of the fine landscape gardening that has been carried on. The results produced are superb. There is a lake which is used for swimming in summer and affords skating in winter. When he took charge in 1899 there were but twenty-two children in the institution, which today has three hundred and fifty in-
AUGUST F. W. KRINGEL
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HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE
mates. During his administration he has taken care of seven thousand children. The care given these little ones takes account of their physical, mental and moral needs. Mr. Kringel gives his entire attention to the home and is devoted to the work, putting forth the greatest possible effort to meet the demands of child life in every particular. He is a man of kindly and benevolent spirit and is much more than a designated superintendent discharging the duties that devolve upon him, for broad humanitarian- ism actuates him at every point in his work.
On the 12th of April, 1882, Mr. Kringel was united in marriage to Miss Fannie Franck of Richmond, Virginia, and they have become the parents of six children: Fannie, who is the wife of Rev. A. Sydow of Tacoma, Washington; August, a civil engineer, who is now employed as city engineer of Green Bay; Emil, a lithographer of Dallas, Texas; Ernest, of the First Wisconsin National Bank, living at home; Lydia, the wife of Francis Torkelson, a civil engineer of Green Bay; and Eleanora, at home.
Mr. Kringel is a member of the Calumet Club and belongs to the Appleton Aid Society for Lutherans. He is likewise a member of the board of trustees of this society, having served for four years in that connection. For a period of ten years he was a member of the board of revision of the Wisconsin district of the general synod of Missouri. He was likewise president of the A Capella chorus of Milwaukee for a number of years and from 1894 until 1898 served as a member of the city school board. His interest centers in all those forces which make for better conditions for the individual and for the advancement of public welfare. Those who know him esteem him most highly and he has the love and respect of young and old, rich and poor, hy reason of what he has accomplished along broad humanitarian lines.
JOHN SOEVIG.
John Soevig is well known as a progressive and sagacious young business man of Milwaukee, being prominently identified with a number of important commercial enter- prises of this locality. He was born in Bergen, Norway, on the 15th of February, 1887, a son of August and Sena (Munson) Soevig, both natives of that country. In 1887 the father removed with his family to the United States and upon landing went directly to Milwaukee. He was a painter by trade and achieved a substantial amount of success in that connection, having lived retired for some time before his death in 1907. Mrs. Soevig survives her husband and is making her home in Milwaukee.
The public schools of Milwaukee afforded John Soevig an education and after graduating from the South Division high school in 1905 he entered the insurance business in the office of W. T. Durand. For one and one-half years he was active in that connection and then became associated with C. F. Hibbard & Company for a like number of years. Until the 1st of January, 1911, he was manager of the real estate and insurance department of the Fidelity Trust Company but at that time the com- pany went out of business and Mr. Soevig entered the commercial world on his own account. He conducted his business alone until 1916 when Lyman H. Grover became a partner but upon the outbreak of the World war Mr. Grover entered the service and was killed while in action. In 1919 Ray E. Hiscox was taken into the firm, which is operated under the name of Soevig & Hiscox, General Agents for the Norwich Union Indemnity Company of New York. In 1920, in conjunction with R. M. McGucken, Mr. Soevig organized the MeGucken Construction Company, of which he is treasurer, and the company has a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars. This firm is re- sponsible for the two and one-half miles of Port Washington road and practically all of the streets in the village of West Milwaukee, It is now active in the construction of six miles of road out of Elkhorn. In addition to constructing roads it also builds con- crete and iron bridges, well known for their durability. Mr. Soevig is likewise in- terested in the Magnetic Manufacturing Company of Milwaukee as a director. His activities are varied and important and he does not hesitate to extend his interests as opportunity offers, for his initiative spirit and keen insight enable him to carry for- ward his projects to successful completion.
On the 1st of June, 1910, occurred the marriage of Mr. Soevig and Miss Myrtle Viola Palmer of Milwaukee and to them one child has been born, Beatrice, who is at- tending the Milwaukee public schools.
The political allegiance of Mr. Soevig has always been given to the republican party and it is well known that he is a stalwart champion of any cause which it espouses. He has taken a keen and active interest in all local affairs but has neither sought nor desired public office. The religious faith of the family is that of the Christian Science church. Fraternally Mr. Soevig is a Mason, belonging to Independence Lodge, No. 80, of Milwaukee. He is likewise a Royal Arch Mason, belonging to Lake Chapter, No. 86, Galilee Commandery, Knights Templars, and Tripoli Temple of the Mystic Shrine, all of Milwaukee, and he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He is identified with the Milwaukee Athletic Club and the South Shore Yacht Club and his
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HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE
interest in the welfare and progress of the city is indicated by his membership in the Association of Commerce. Mr. Soevig is of a literary turn of mind and enjoys good reading, the greatest part of his recreation time being spent in that manner and in following all outdoor sports. As a young man he was an athlete of some ability and was an important member of most of the high school teams. Mr. and Mrs. Soevig re- side at 109 Lincoln avenue.
MARCELLIN JOSEPH LE BRECK.
Since 1904 Marcellin Joseph Le Breck has been associated with the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and he is now manager of the Bay View district, with offices in the Merchants & Manufacturers Bank building at 216 West Water street. He was born at Oconto, Wisconsin, near where his father's farm was located, on the 27th of March, 1877, his parents being Joseph and Phelomine (Spinnette) Le Breck. The father is now living retired in Oconto, financially independent. A native of Belgium, he was born in Brussels and came to the United States with his father when but twelve years old. He first located near Green Bay in a Belgian settlement and about 1870 bought a farm near Oconto. He gained prominence in the agricultural circles of his community and held numerous local offices. He was for many years assessor, collector of taxes, and township treasurer, the total number of years in which he was active in elective positions being fourteen. His father was of an old Belgian family and a man of means who came to this country after the death of his wife, which occurred when she was but thirty-five years of age. The mother of the subject of this review was also a native of Brussels and when eight years of age was brought to the United States by her parents, crossing on the same ship as her future husband. Her father, Charles Spinnette, engaged in farming and located first at Rosiere, near Green Bay, then a Belgian settlement. There the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Le Breck took place. Both are now residing in Oconto, representative and prominent citizens of that community.
Marcellin Joseph Le Breck received his early education in the country schools of Oconto county, attending school until he was fifteen years of age. He then put his textbooks aside and obtained work on various farms until the outbreak of the Spanish- American war, when he enlisted for active service and was sent to Porto Rico with Company M, Second Wisconsin Infantry. He served as private until the declaration of peace, when he was made orderly to General Wilson and remained in that con- nection some time after the Porto Rican troops came home. After receiving his dis- charge he went to Milwaukee and Oconto and after conducting a mercantile establish- ment in the latter place for a few years he disposed of the business and in September, 1904, associated himself as agent with the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, with headquarters in Oconto. For nine months he served in that capacity, at the termina- tion of that time being promoted to assistant superintendent and sent to Appleton, Wisconsin, where he resided until December, 1906. He was then assigned to Marinette as assistant superintendent, the two branches at Marinette and Menomonie having been consolidated at that time, and there he remained until October, 1908. For the following two years he filled the position of superintendent in Traverse City, Michigan, and came to Milwaukee on the 6th of December, 1910. He was made superintendent of the Bay View district, which includes the south side of Milwaukee as far south as Kenosha and he has fast made his way into the front ranks of Milwaukee's representative business men. In 1913 he led Canada and the United States with the best all-around record and the leadership trophy was awarded him, that being a distinctive honor.
Mr. Le Breck was united in marriage on the 13th of January, 1904, to Miss Emma C. Sharrow, a daughter of Adolph Sharrow of Oconto, Wisconsin. Her father is now engaged in farming, an occupation in which he recently engaged, after spending thirty years in the hotel business. Mr. Sharrow was born in Canada. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Le Breck six children have been born: Naomi, Merle, Madelyn, Marjorie, Lloyd, and Robert.
Since age conferred upon Mr. Le Breck the right of franchise he has been a stanch supporter of the democratic party although he has never taken an active part, nor has he desired or sought political preferment. The family are communicants of the Catholic church, attending St. Rose parish. Fraternally Mr. Le Breck is identified with the Knights of Columbus, helonging to Pere Marquette Lodge, No. 524, and he is likewise an Elk, having membership in Milwaukee Lodge, No. 46. Mr. Le Breck has thoroughly identified his interests with those of his community and as a member of the Association of Commerce he stands as a stalwart champion for all those interests which make for the uplift of the individual and the benefit of the general welfare. His social connections are with the Calumet and Milwaukee Athletic Clubs and he belongs to the United Spanish War Veterans, Camp No. 4, of Milwaukee. Mr. Le Breck finds his recreation in athletics, being fond of every kind of outdoor sport.
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Mrs. Le Breck is a pianist of much ability and quite well known in that connection and the children give promise of following in her footsteps. Mr. Le Breck has been successful in the highest and broadest sense of the word and has the respect and warm devotion of all who know him.
AUGUST WETZEL.
August Wetzel, of the Wetzel Brothers Printing Company, which concern he directs as the incumbent in the office of president, was born in Saulgau, Wurttem- berg, Germany, July 15, 1853. His father, Engelbert Wetzel, also a native of Wurt- temberg, where the family had lived for many generations, was a stock dealer. He married Agatha Halder, who was born in Haid, Germany, near Saulgau. Both are deceased.
August Wetzel obtained his early education in the public schools of his native country and then served a four years' apprenticeship to the printing business, after which he worked at his trade at Esslingen, near Stuttgart, in Wurttemberg, for a period of a year and a half in the world famous plant of E. Schrieber, this concern making picture books for children. He had charge of the composing room, his position, therefore, being one of importance. Seeking to enjoy still better business opportunities in the new world he crossed the Atlantic in May, 1872, and for a few months was with relatives in Knowlton and at Stevens Point, Wisconsin. He then came to Mil- waukee, where he obtained a position in the job printing department of the Milwaukee Herold under W. W. Coleman, there spending a year, after which he entered the news- paper department and for a year was engaged in setting type by hand. In 1874 he re- moved to St. Louis, and worked as a compositor for about a year on the Amerika, of which Dr. Preuss was editor. He next went east and worked at his trade for about nine years, owning a business during the last five years of the nine-year period which he spent in New York city. In 1885 he returned to Milwaukee and here founded his present business, forming a partnership with his brother, Ignatz, under the firm style of A. Wetzel & Brother, at No. 655 Third street, where they remained for five years, after which they removed to Juneau avenue and East Water street and in 1898 another removal was made to the present place of business at Nos. 324-328 Broadway, where they occupy a building which they own. The firm incorporated under its present name in 1898. They do commercial printing of all kinds and the business extends throughout Wisconsin and near-hy states.
In 1884 Mr. Wetzel was married to Miss Frances Sonner of Milwaukee, who died the following year, leaving a little daughter, Frances. The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church. Mr. Wetzel belongs to the Knights of Pythias and was one of the founders, in 1888, of the G. U. G. Germania, which has now nearly seven thousand members. He acted as president of the organization for two terms after it was founded. He helongs to the Association of Commerce and is in hearty sympathy with the purposes of that organization toward the upbuilding of a greater city and the extension of its trade relations. He has membership in the Milwaukee Typothetae and the Milwaukee Employing Printers' Association, of which he is now one of the directors. His success is due to his thorough training, his persistency of purpose and the diligence that has enabled him to overcome all obstacles and work his way steadily upward, advancing step by step until he is now at the head of one of the important printing interests of this city.
LEONARD J. BACHINSKI, M. D.
Milwaukee has every reason to be proud of the record made by the medical pro- fession within her borders. High standards have been maintained and individual capacity and power have brought success to many of the physicians and surgeons of the city. Well known in this connection is Dr. Leonard J. Bachinski, who was horn in Milwaukee, August 23, 1885, and is an only son of Michael and Elizabeth (Szturmow- ski) Bachinski, who are still residents of this city. They are of Polish birth hut were married in Milwaukee, having come to the new world in early life. They had a family of three children, the two daughters heing: Hattie, the wife of Dr. John A. Mietus, a dentist of Milwaukee; and Mary Martha, at home.
Dr. Bachinski was graduated from the Marquette Academy, completing his general course at the age of sixteen years. For two years thereafter he pursued a classical course in Marquette University and from 1904 until 1908 was a student in the Marquette Medical College, being numbered among its alumni of the latter year, at which time his professional degree was conferred upon him. Since his graduation he has con- tinuously engaged in general practice in this city and has made a creditable record,
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HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE
having now a liberal patronage. He served during the World war for seventeen months as a captain in the United States Medical Corps, spending ten months of that time overseas. He was on duty in England, Italy, Belgium and France and was attached to the Twenty-ninth British Wing of the Royal Air Forces. He received his discharge at Camp Custer on the 23d of December, 1918, and since his return he has become a member of the American Legion, being now a past adjutant of Frank Stoltmann Post No. 162. He is now a member of the United States Reserve Corps, One Hundred and First Division, Four Hundred and First Regiment of Infantry.
Dr. Bachinski since his release from military service has given his undivided attention to his professional duties and in addition to his private practice is serving on the staff of the Roosevelt General Hospital. He belongs to the Milwaukee County Medical Society, the Wisconsin State Medical Society and the American Medical As- sociation and the proceedings of these bodies keep him conversant with all the advanced thought and scientific research of the profession. His religious faith is that of the Roman Catholic church, while fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks.
RUDOLF HOKANSON.
Business enterprise and commercial activity find expression in the career of Rudolf Hokanson, who is now the vice president and general manager of the Nash Sales Com- pany and president of the Southern Wisconsin Realty Company, a five hundred thou- sand dollar Wisconsin company of Milwaukee. Actuated by a laudable ambition, he has made steady progress since starting out in the business world on his own account and is today a well known executive in connection with one of the important business interests of the city. He was born December 25, 1879, in the village of Skeppaslat, in the state of Blekinge, Sweden. His father, Hokan Jonsson, now living in Ronneby, Sweden, devoted his life to farming for many years but has now retired in the enjoy- ment of a well earned rest. His mother, Johanna Persson, died in 1888.
Rudolf Hokanson pursued his education in the public schools of his home town to the age of eighteen years, when he determined to come to America, wishing to try his fortune on this side of the Atlantic. Bidding adieu to friends and family, he sailed for the new world. After reaching an American port he made his way directly across the country to Iona, Minnesota, where he arrived in March, 1898, and there he worked on a farm for two years. In 1900 he came to Milwaukee and started in the automobile business, being associated for a time with different concerns. In 1904 he went to Madison, Wisconsin, where he established business under the name of Rudolf Hokanson, Automobiles. His brother Emil, now president of the Wisconsin-Oakland Company of Milwaukee, entered the firm in the fall of 1904 and the name was changed to Hokanson Automobile Company. This business was successfully maintained until 1917, when Rudolf Hokanson returned to Milwaukee, organizing the Nash Sales Company.
The following article, taken from the Milwaukee Journal of June, 1917, will give an interesting insight into Mr. Hokanson's activities: "When Madison heard that Rudolf Hokanson had decided to move his lares and penates to Milwaukee, the town sent a special delegation to prevail on him to stay, for in addition to playing the stellar role on Madison's Motor Row, Rudie had carved for himself a civic niche that will not soon be filled. Just a few of his side issues, incidental to the selling of more motor cars than anyone else in that territory, he was a member of the Rotary Club, a director on the Madison Board of Commerce, member of the Madison Club, Elks Club, Madison Auto Dealers' Association, a director in the Y. M. C. A., etc. But the lure of bigger business and more elbow room than the college town afforded outweighed his affection for Madison and the special delegation was forced to report that the best they could do was exact a promise that Hokanson would return to Madison to spend his old age. But judging by the way he is going now, Madison has a long, lonesome wait. Rudie's record as an automobile merchandiser dates back as far as 1900. Since that time he and his associates have builded a business record that stands at the pinnacle of sales success in this state. Thomas Drier, that droll business philosopher who styles him- self 'The Vagabond,' wrote a book about Hokanson back in 1907. He called it 'Hokan- son-A Man Who Hustles.' But the general manager of the Nash Sales Company is blessed with an overabundance of that rare. virtue, modesty. He promptly put the ban of censorship on the contents of that book, and only after great reluctance permitted the Journal reporter to so much as make a brief review of its contents. At any rate this Drier chap has gone back before 1900. His history dates back to Christmas day, 1879, and his stage setting is the little Swedish village of Skeppaslat. Then follows the story of two years on a Minnesota farm, a visit to Milwaukee to spend some time with a brother. And one day the desire to cut all ties and get a real job through his own efforts smote this pilgrim, and he answered a little innocent want ad. It seems that a certain doctor named Lemon had immediate need for a chauffeur-and hereby
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