USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume II > Part 79
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JOHN M. ROMADKA.
John M. Romadka, vice president and treasurer of the Riverside Printing Com- pany, was born in Milwaukee, February 11, 1888. His father, John M. Romadka, Sr., who passed away in 1898, was well known in the business circles of this city as a manufacturer of trunks and traveling hags, the business being carried on under the style of the Romadka Brothers Trunk Company. A native of Bohemia, John M. Romadka, Sr., was born in Seltschan, May 16, 1837, his parents being Ericslaus and Mary ( Hashek) Romadka, both of whom were natives of Bohemia. Ericslaus Romadka was a tanner by trade and came with his family to the new world in 1855. After residing for a short time in Cincinnati, Ohio, he removed to Milwaukee. His son,
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John M., pursued his education in 'the schools of his native town and of Vienna, Austria, and was a youth of eighteen years when he came with his parents to Mil- waukee. Associated with two of his brothers, he established the Romadka Brothers Trunk Store & Factory at No. 391 Broadway and as the result of keen business ability and enterprise they built up a business of substantial proportions. In fact, they reached a place of leadership in their particular field in the United States. In addition to their manufacturing interests they conducted an extensive retail business. John M. Romadka, Sr., was always a most public-spirited citizen, who generously supported every project for the welfare and benefit of the city. He was likewise a man of hroad and liberal culture, who constantly enriched his mind by reading and travel and as he prospered in his undertaking he utilized his opportunities to familiarize himself- with different parts of the world. He gave his political allegiance to the democratic party but never sought nor desired office as a reward for party fealty. In religious belief he was a Catholic and a communicant of the Church of the Gesu. He was most liberal in support of the church and of many good works and gave generously to many charitable and benevolent projects. On the 18th of January, 1881, he married Elizabeth Clark, daughter of Laurence and Mary ( Baxter) Clark, of a prominent and well known family of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Romadka became parents of four children: Catherine, Helen, Mary and John M. The mother, a native of Milwaukee, is now living in Arizona.
The next to the youngest of the children was John M. Romadka, whose name introduces this review. He pursued his early education in private schools, attending Mrs. Dousman's School and afterward Marquette College, while later he became a student in St. Mary's College in St. Marys, Kansas, and was there graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1908. He next entered Yale University, where he devoted a year and a half to the pursuit of an academic course. Later he went to California, where he spent six months because of his health, after which he returned to Milwaukee and here learned the printer's trade with the Riverside Printing Com- pany, which was founded about 1870. He has been with the company continuously since and in 1914 was elected to the vice presidency, while in 1919 he was also made treasurer of the company, of which Fred L. Clarke is the president. Their business has now developed to extensive proportions and the enterprise and progressive spirit of Mr. Romadka has been one of the potent forces in the attainment of this result.
On the 23d of May, 1914, Mr. Romadka was married to Miss Margaret Garvey of Topeka, Kansas, a daughter of William G. Garvey, who was with the Santa Fe Railroad in that city. Mr. and Mrs. Romadka have two children: John M., Jr., and William G. The religious faith of the family is manifest in their connection with St. Rose's Catholic parish and Mr. Romadka is a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He helongs to the Wisconsin Club, to the Milwaukee Athletic Club and to the Association of Commerce, which indicates something of the nature of his interests and activities. Along the line of business he is connected with the National Association of Label Manufacturers, the National Association of Calendar Manufacturers, the Poster Printers Association and the National Association of Employing Lithographers. He has always enjoyed music and possesses considerable talent. Mr. Romadka enjoys all athletic sports, especially baseball and football and the interests and activities of his life are so varied as to make his a well-rounded character.
WILLIAM SCHMIDT.
The proof of William Schmidt's long residence in the city is found in the fact that he was horn October 19, 1858, on the lot where now stands his attractive jewelry establishment. For an extended period he has been connected with the commercial interests of the city and at all times he has been alive to those forces and interests which make for advancement and improvement. He is a son of Ernst and Margaret Schmidt, who were natives of Germany and on coming to the United States made their way to Milwaukee. the father crossing the Atlantic when a young lad. He had a brother in Ohio and also another in Pennsylvania, but the opportunities of the growing west attracted him and in 1848 he came to Milwaukee, where he soon became identified with the business interests of the town. In 1850 he established business under his own name on the lot on Third street between Prairie and Chestnut streets, but on account of the depot he removed to the present location at No. 308 Third street about the year 1865. There he carried on business until his death, which occurred in 1879.
William Schmidt, of this review, acquired his early education in the public schools of Milwaukee and early learned the jeweler's trade under the direction of a Mr. Oak- land. He afterward went east, where he remained for a time, but again came to his native city and here joined his father in the ownership and conduct of the jewelry store with which he has since been connected. In 1883 their first catalogue was printed
WILLIAM SCHMIDT
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in order to meet the demands of a mail order business which has since continuously developed until today theirs is one of the leading mail order houses of the city.
In 1894 Mr. Schmidt was united in marriage to Miss Edna Dando, a daughter of Joe Dando, who was an engineer on the Erie Railroad for a period of fifty years. Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt have hecome parents of three children: William E., who served in the World war; Margaret and Edna.
Mr. Schmidt has always given his allegiance to the democratic party but has never sought nor desired political preferment, his attention on the contrary being given to his business affairs. Steadily he has developed his trade to large proportions and has long been at the head of one of the important commercial industries of the city. His interests are carried on under the style of the W. & E. Schmidt Company at 308 Third street, Milwaukee, where in addition to engaging in the jewelry trade, in which connection he keeps a very extensive and splendidly selected line of jewelry, he manufactures and deals largely in all kinds of church goods, issuing a large and attractive catalogue in this connection, giving pictures of all of the lines handled. He is considered an authority in the middle west upon this line of trade, and his enterprise and progressiveness have enabled him to build up a big business.
CHARLES M. MORRIS.
Charles M. Morris, one of the vice presidents of the First Wisconsin Trust Com- pany, was born in Madison, Wisconsin, March 6, 1865, the youngest son of W. A. P. and Harriet G. Morris. He attended the public schools and the University of Wis- consin at Madison and was graduated as Bachelor of Arts in 1887 and as Bachelor of Laws in 1889. He practised law at Madison until September, 1896, when he removed to Milwaukee and continued in practice there until September, 1916, when he entered the service of the Wisconsin Trust Company as its house counsel. In January, 1921, he became a vice president of the First Wisconsin Trust Company.
Mr. Morris is a democrat in political convictions. He is an Episcopalian and is chancellor of the Episcopal diocese of Milwaukee. He is a member of the Milwaukee Club, Madison Club and City Club of Milwaukee. He was married April 27, 1895, to Miss Mary Fairchild, eldest daughter of General Lucius Fairchild of Madison.
ELIAS AARONS.
Elias Aarons, a representative of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Com- pany of Milwaukee, is a native of Kletzov, Poland, horn October 5th, 1855. His father, Aaron Aarons, who passed away in 1857, operated a tannery in his native town of Kletzov. He married Brandell Jacobson, who survived him for a decade, her death occurring in 1867.
Elias Aarons emigrated to England at the age of thirteen years, when he went to London, where he remained for two years. In 1869 he came to the United States, land- ing at New York on the 4th of July, on the City of Paris, making the voyage in seven days. There he remained for two years and then removed to Flint, Michigan, where he resided for three years, employed as a clerk in a retail clothing store. In 1872 he returned to New York and there continued until December, 1875, and through the intervening period he was engaged in the manufacture of clothing.
It was in 1875 that Mr. Aarons arrived in Milwaukee and here turned his attention to the retail, then to the wholesale manufacturing of clothing, in connection with his brother, Lehman Aarons, now deceased. He remained with the firm until 1898, when he sold his interest in the business and turned his attention to life insurance as a representative of the Prudential Insurance Company of America. He served with the Prudential until 1910, when he purchased a farm of two hundred acres in Waukesha county and concentrated his efforts and attention upon agriculture and stock raising, specializing in Holstein cattle, until 1913. In that year he returned to the city and became associated with the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, and is one cf the well known insurance men of the city.
On the 7th of March, 1888, Mr. Aarons was united in marriage to Miss Leah Feder of Newark, New Jersey, a daughter of Joseph Feder, who was engaged in the hardware, saddlery and tanning business. Mr. and Mrs. Aarons have one daughter, Bernice Aarons. Politically Mr. Aarons is a non-partisan, when national questions and issues are involved and at local elections casts an independent ballot. He has never been an aspirant for office. He is a member of Temple Emanu-El of Milwaukee. He is a faith- ful follower of the Masonic order, belonging to Harmony Lodge, No. 142, A. F. & A. M., and he is today the oldest living past master of this lodge. He likewise belongs to Wisconsin Chapter, No. 7, R. A. M .; and to Wisconsin Council, No. 4, R. S. M. He
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has membership with Milwaukee Lodge, No. 46, B. P. O. E .; with Wisconsin Lodge, No. 1, K. P .; with the Independent Order of B'nai B'rith; with the Old Settlers Club and the City Club. He is a lover of music and of art. He gives much time to civic interests in connection with the Hebrew Relief Society, of which he was a director for nine years. He has been particularly interested and active in looking after the welfare of boys and many such have been turned over to him by the juvenile court on probation. He is still active in that line of work and believes fully in directing the interest of the growing boys wherever possible, knowing that a kindly word and a little assistance will often turn a wayward lad into a useful citizen. In fact Mr. Aarons is interested in all matters looking toward the betterment of Milwaukee and his labors have been, in this direction, far-reaching and beneficial. He was a member of the city beautiful committee of the City Club and in this connection brought about the demolition of the Plankinton triangle building at Wells, Second and West Water streets.
Mrs. Aarons takes much interest in the Ladies' Relief Sewing Society, is a member of the Ladies Emanu-El Society and the Council of Jewish Women. In fact both Mr. and Mrs. Aarons have done thoroughly effective work in behalf of charity, of uplift and of general progress and their influence has indeed been a potent force for good, for moral advancement and for cultural uplift.
FREDERICK AUGUST LANGE.
When one remembers that Frederick August Lange arrived in the United States in 1873 a poor immigrant boy from Germany when ten years of age and that he be- came the head of the Crucible Steel Casting Company and the South Side Malleable Casting Company of Milwaukee, it seems that he must have reached his present position by leaps and bounds. But a review of his career shows that his course has been marked by a steady progress that has carried him forward from a very humble position through all the intermediate steps and on to his present place of prominence and success. Moreover, his course is such as any youth of determination and ambition follows with similar results.
Mr. Lange was born in Germany, May 3, 1863, a son of August and Caroline Lange, who were also natives of Germany, where they were reared and educated. With their four children they crossed the Atlantic, settling in Chicago, where they lived for a few years and then removed to Pulaski county, Indiana, where they took up their abode upon a farm, the father devoting his attention to the further cultivation and development of that property to the time of his death, which resulted from an accident when he was sixty-two years of age in 1903. His widow survives at the age of eighty- five years and makes her home at Denham, Indiana. They were the parents of ten children, of whom seven are yet living.
Frederick A. Lange was educated in the parochial schools and worked upon his father's farm to the age of seventeen years, when he determined to try his fortune elsewhere. He had no training that would fit him for work of any special character but possessed energy, determination and forcefulness. He went to Chicago, walking half the distance in order to save expense, and there he learned the molder's trade as an apprentice. Whether it was premeditated choice or accident that led him into this field it is certain that he entered upon a line of labor for which he was abundantly qualified, and step by step he has advanced to his present position of prominence. He continued in Chicago for four years and then removed to Milwaukee, where he became identified with the Wisconsin Malleable Iron Company as a molder, occupying that position for two or three years. He was next associated with the Allis- Chalmers Company and afterward with the J. A. & P. E. Dutcher Company, with which he remained for nine years. That company was the first in the United States to make steel castings, and Mr. Lange made the first mold of that type. After a year he was in charge of the shop and made the steel castings husiness a success, being a pioneer in that field of labor.
It was in 1898 that Mr. Lange established business on his own account, forming a partnership with Charles Maynard, with whom he continued for five years, buying out the business in 1903. The plant was operated under the name of the Crucible Steel Casting Company and in 1898 was incorporated, Mr. Lange becoming president. In 1906 he organized the South Side Malleable Casting Company, of which he was also president. In 1919 he retired from active business and was succeeded by his sons, Walter W., Albert C. and Elmer O. Lange. The Crucible Steel Casting Company manu- factures steel castings, and the other company general malleable iron castings, and their market covers the entire United States. The growth of these business enterprises is the story of Mr. Lange's activity, determination and commendable ambition. He bent every energy toward the upbuilding of the business. In the early days he engaged in the work of molding with the other men in the shop and many of the men in his em- ploy have worked up with him. The business has been absolutely free from labor
FREDERICK A. LANGE
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troubles. Mr. Lange has never regarded his employes as a part of a great machine but as human beings and said: "There's no formality here. If a man has something to say to me, he comes directly to me and says it. He doesn't have to go through any red tape to get permission. We're all a big family. Know most of my men by their first names and use it. Why shouldn't I, when I've worked with them," While Mr. Lange has not retired from active connection with the two mammoth enterprises which he developed and promoted, he is still a director of the American Exchange Bank and gives personal supervision to his invested interests.
On the 14th of April, 1888, Mr. Lange was married to Miss Minnie Hintz, a daughter of August Hintz, who was a native of Germany and a resident of Milwaukee. To this marriage there were born four sons and a daughter: Albert C., Walter W., and Elmer O., who have succeeded to their father's business; and Frederick A., who is in Culver Military Academy, while the daughter, Caroline, is now the wife of Edward Hertzberg, of Milwaukee, engaged in the structural iron business, Mr. and Mrs. Hertz- berg are now parents of twin daughters.
In politics Mr. Lange has always voted with the republican party but has never been an active party worker. His religious faitb is that of the Lutheran church, and fraternally he is connected with the Milwaukee Lodge of Elks and with Schiller Lodge, No. 3, K. P. He belongs also to the Association of Commerce and is interested in all of the projects of that organization for the city's benefit and upbuilding. He resides upon his farm on Thirty-seventh avenue, comprising forty acres of land, where he enjoys outdoor life to the full. The two business interests which he established were operated one hundred per cent for war work. His son, Elmer O., volunteered and was in the service just before America entered into the World war but after the declaration of war he was sent back to his business in Milwaukee as a necessary war measure. The company manufactured hand grenades and four wheel drive truck cast- ings. Mr. Lange has every reason to be proud of the fact that he is the pioneer in steel castings in the United States. Emerson has said: "An institution is but the lengthened shadow of a man," and the great steel industries of the Crucible Steel Casting Company and the South Side Malleable Casting Company are the visible indication of that determined spirit which has ever characterized Frederick A. Lange. When he crossed the Atlantic, unacquainted with the language of the people, a poor hoy of ten years, there was nothing in his appearance to indicate what the future held in store for him. He early learned, however that each day holds its opportunity and that from the faithful performance of duty is gathered the strength and courage to face the labors of each succeeding day. The close of each year found him far in advance of the position which he had occupied at the beginning, and today there stands not only two splendid monuments of his industry but in his sous he has given to the city another splendid asset for business greatness and development, for they are carry- ing forward the work of the father, splendidly trained under his guidance, and are meeting the problems of an advancing age with the same thoroughness, skill and capability which enabled their father to make his name a synonym of industrial growth in Milwaukee.
CHARLES A. VOSS.
Charles A. Voss, the secretary and treasurer of The Herman Voss Company, handling advertising specialties in Milwaukee, is a native son of this city, born Sep- tember 21, 1870. His father, Herman Voss, was a native of Braunswig, Germany, a little village in the vicinity of Hamburg. He came to the United States in 1868 as a young man and established his home in Milwaukee. He was a bookbinder by trade and after working for others for a few years established business on his own account in this city in 1874. In 1903 the business was incorporated and Mr. Voss continued active in the management and control thereof to the time of his death, which occurred February 11, 1911. He was a most enthusiastic supporter of Masonry and remained active in the order to the time of his death, which occurred when he was sixty-five years of age. His father, Adolph Voss, had come to America with his son, Herman, and made his residence in Milwaukee until called to his final rest. Herman Voss was united in marriage in this country to Miss Francisca Quelitch, who was born near Leipsic, Germany, and crossed the Atlantic for the purpose of becoming the bride of Herman Voss, their marriage being celebrated in Milwaukee in 1869.
Their son, Charles A. Voss, obtained his education in the parochial and public schools of Milwaukee and after putting aside his textbooks learned the bookbinder's trade with his father. He afterward entered his father's office and acquainted himself with all branches of the business, both in the mechanical and executive departments. When the business was incorporated he was made secretary and treasurer, while his father became president of the company. Since the death of his father he has been in sole charge of the business and the enterprise has gradually merged from a blank book
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and general bookbinding concern into that of advertising specialties. The company's field covers the United States. It specializes in the manufacture of vest pocket diaries, memorandum books and bank supplies and is one of the leading houses in this line in the country. It manufactures the little pocket editions of diaries which contain much general information and the usefulness of this publication is manifest in its large sale. The firm was also the originator of the vest pocket memorandum books and diaries for advertising purposes. Today the business has grown to large proportions and as its executive head Mr. Voss is wisely directing the enterprise.
On the 9th of October, 1896, Mr. Voss was married to Miss Emma Eckermann, a daughter of Fred Eckermann, a contractor of Milwaukee, who was born in Germany. They have become the parents of two children: Viola, now the wife of Ray J. Moths, a roofing contractor of Milwaukee, by whom she has one son, Russell James Moths; and Charles H., who is assistant secretary under his father. He was educated at St. John's Military Academy and had entered the service during the World war when the armis- tice was signed.
Mr. Voss has never taken an active part in politics but is a supporter of the republican party at the polls. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church and fraternally he is a Mason. belonging to Independence Lodge, No. 80, A. F. & A. M .; Wisconsin Chapter, R. A. M .; Wisconsin Council, R. & S. M .; Wisconsin Commandery, K. T .; and Wisconsin Cousistory, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He likewise belongs to Tripoli Temple of the Mystic Shrine and is a member of the Shrine Patrol. He is connected with the Milwaukee Athletic Club, the Tripoli Motor Club, the Association of Commerce and the Advertising Specialty Association, a national organization. His interests are thus broad and varied and he finds his recreation largely in swimming and handball and in other athletic sports. He also greatly enjoys motoring and has made a number of auto tours. His Milwau- kee residence is at No. 976 Island avenue and the summer seasons are spent at Crystal Lake, Wisconsin, where he has one of the best locations on the lake, his home being on Cedar Point. His home surroundings are a visible indication of the success which he has achieved through persistent efforts and capable management and he is today a prominent figure in connection with the productive industries of the city.
ALBERT CHARLES LANGE.
The hum of industry in Milwaukee is continually being augmented by the opera- tions carried on by the Crucible Steel Casting Company, of which Albert Charles Lange is the vice president and general manager. The family name has been associated with this enterprise from its inception, as it was founded by his father, Frederick A. Lange, a most honored and respected business man of Milwaukee, mentioned elsewhere in this volume. The business training of the son was received under his father's direction and his progressiveness has brought him steadily to the front as a repre- sentative of industrial activity here.
Albert C. Lange was born in this city, January 2, 1892. He is indebted to the public school system for the early educational advantages which he enjoyed and later he pursued a course of mechanical engineering in the School of Engineering, while his theoretical training was put to the practical test in his father's foundry. He has worked in every department of the Crucible Steel Casting Company's plant, acquaint- ing himself with the business in principle and detail, developing his powers through the exercise of effort and finding that man's nature, like the steel which he handles, is tempered, refined and strengthened by life's process of development. Steadily he has advanced through various positions and ultimately became general manager and superintendent of the plant, continuing thns until his father's retirement from the active management of the business, at which time Albert C. Lange was elected to the vice presidency of the company, retaining his position as general manager. Associated with his brothers, he is now directing the interests and the destiny of the two im- portant industrial concerns carried on under the name of the Crucible Steel Casting Company and the South Side Malleable Casting Company, constituting two of the large productive industries of the city.
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