USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume II > Part 80
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86
In politics Mr. Lange has always maintained an independent course, exercising his right of franchise according to the dictates of his judgment as to the capability of the candidate and the public needs. Fraternally he is a Mason, loyally following the teachings and purposes of the craft. He belongs to Kenwood Lodge No. 303, F. & A. M .; Wisconsin Chapter, R. A. M .; Ivanhoe Commandery, K. T .; Wisconsin Con- sistory, S. P. R. S .; and Tripoli Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is likewise a member of the Milwaukee Lodge of Elks and he belongs to the Milwaukee Athletic Club. His name is on the membership rolls of the Association of Commerce and he is identified with the Milwaukee Metal Trades and Founders Association. For recreation he turns
ALBERT C. LANGE
769
HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE
to hunting and fishing and greatly enjoys big game shooting yet is fond of all out- door sports.
Mr. Lange was married April 6, 1922, to Viola Karrer, of Milwaukee, a daughter of E. H. Karrer, of this city, a dealer in surgical supplies.
GEORGE BURTON LUHMAN.
George Burton Luhman, attorney at law and trust officer of the First Wisconsin Trust Company, comes to Milwaukee from the neighboring state of Illinois. He was born in Belvidere, March 28, 1888, a son of H. E. and Elizabeth J. (Burton) Luhman. While spending his youthful days under the parental roof he mastered the elementary branches of learning and continued his education in the University of Wisconsin, where he completed his more specifically literary course in 1910 with the Bachelor of Arts degree, while in 1912 the LL. B. degree was conferred upon him. Having thus qualified for a professional career, he entered upon the practice of law and soon won recognition as an able member of the bar. He chose a calling in which advancement is secured not through wealth or influence but by individual ability and merit and he made steady progress while an active representative of the law. At length he became the trust officer of the First Wisconsin Trust Company and is now connected with this corpora- tion, which is one of the foremost of the upper Mississippi valley. Mr. Luhman has acquainted himself with every phase of the business that comes under his direction and his sound judgment in the matter of investments and business affairs, combined with his knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence, especially as affecting corpora- tions, has made him a most valuable official in his present position.
Mr. Luhman was united in marriage in 1919 to Miss Amarynthia Jenkins Smith, and they reside at No. 314 Cambridge avenue. In religious faith Mr. Luhman is a Methodist and in his political views is a republican, stanchly endorsing the principles of the party because of his belief in the efficacy of the party platform as a factor in good government. His military experience has come to him with the rank of second lieutenant of field artillery at Camp Grant and Camp Zachary Taylor in the World war. He belongs to the University Club and Town Club of Milwaukee and is highly esteemed socially as well as through professional and financial relations. At all times he has measured up to the demands made upon him in a business way and as a citizen and Milwaukee classes him with her representative young men.
MILTON HENRY UMBREIT.
Milton Henry Umbreit, member of the Milwaukee bar, his ability having gained for him a large clientage of a distinctively representative character, was born in Honey Creek, Sauk county, Wisconsin, August 14, 1873, and was one of a family of ten chil- dren. He is a son of the Rev. Traugott Umbreit, who at the time of the birth of his son, Milton H., was preaching in Sauk county. The paternal grandfather, John Umbreit, was born in Germany in 1806 and emigrated to the United States in the '50s. After remaining for a time in New York city he removed to Wisconsin in 1856. The family were six weeks in crossing the Atlantic in one of the old-time sailing vessels and en- countered stormy weather and endured many hardships by reason of the long trip. When they moved westward they journeyed by horse and wagon to Buffalo, New York, and thence proceeded hy way of the Great Lakes to their destination. They were the first white settlers of Green Lake and Columbia counties and John Umbreit took active part in the early development and progress of that section of the state. He passed away in 1890. His son, Traugott Umbreit, was born in Germany in 1840 and was there- fore but a child when brought by his parents to the United States. Following the removal of the family to Wisconsin he became a farmer and also a clergyman of the Evangelical Association and was one of the early circuit riders of that denomination He took up a farm of one hundred and sixty acres near his father's place and this property is still in possession of the family. He married Katherine Blockwitz, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, and Accompanied her parents to this country when a little maiden of six summers. Her father was Adam Blockwitz, who on leaving Bavaria settled at Sleepy Hollow, near Tarrytown, New York, the district made fam- ous by Washington Irving in his fascinating story, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. He was the proprietor of a famous tavern at Tarrytown in the early days. He afterward removed with his family to Wisconsin and settled on land adjoining that taken up by John Umbreit. The old cabin which he built through his own labors was torn down in 1918 and thus passed away one of the interesting landmarks of that section of the state.
Soon after the birth of Milton Henry Umbreit his parents removed to Milwaukee
770
HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE
and his father preached at the parent Evangelical church of this city, located at Fifth and Walnut streets. His death occurred in 1913 and thus ended a long life of useful- ness, contributing much to the moral progress of the communities in which he lived.
Milton H. Umbreit obtained his education in the public schools of Milwaukee to the age of fourteen years and afterward spent three years as a pupil in the high school at Waukesha, Wisconsin. Later he pursued a commercial course in the Northwestern Business College at Madison, Wisconsin, his studies being pursued at the various places to which his father was called as a preacher. The family afterward removed to Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, and Mr. Umbreit there taught school for two winters, during which time he devoted the hours that are usually termed leisure to the study of law. Upon examination he was admitted to the bar, January 30, 1897, and was one of three who passed the examination in a class of eighteen. He then turned his attention to general practice at Beaver Dam, where he remained until 1901, when he removed to Milwaukee, and has here since followed his profession. The only partner he has had in all this time was his brother, Augustus C. Umbreit, with whom he practiced for about seven years altogether, in two different periods. Mr. Umbreit bas specialized in corporation law and has become very proficient in that branch of the profession. He was also chairman of the executive committee of the organizers of the Old Line Life Insurance Company of America, now a most prosperous corporation.
On the 31st of December, 1907, Mr. Umbreit was married to Columbia Thomson Eiring, a daughter of Nathan Richie Thomson: By her marriage to Mr. Eiring she had one child, Erwin B., who is now a student in the University of Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Umbreit reside at No. 519 Maryland avenue, Milwaukee, and have an extensive circle of warm friends in the city. He served as a member of the legal advisory board during the World war and as captain of his precinct in all of the various drives for the sale of Liberty bonds and the support of the Red Cross and other war activities. In politics he is a republican but the only office that he has ever held was that of justice of the peace at Beaver Dam soon after his admission to the bar. In 1920 he took a very active part in the political campaign and was a vigorous supporter of Senator Len- root. Mr. Umbreit belongs to Kilbourn Lodge, No. 3, A. F. & A. M., and is past master thereof. He also became a charter member of Kenwood Chapter, No. 90, R. A. M., and a charter member of Kenwood Council, R. & S. M., now under dispensation. Both he aud his wife are members of the Presbyterian church and they receive and enjoy the high regard and warm friendship of many with whom they have come into contact. Their influence is always on the side of right and progress and their labors have been effective forces for the public welfare along material, intellectual, social and moral lines.
WALTER WILLIAM LANGE.
Walter William Lange, president of the South Side Malleable Casting Company, occupies a notable place of prominence among the young business men of Milwaukee. It is true that he entered a business already established, but in taking over its manage- ment and in enlarging and controlling it, he is displaying marked enterprise, notable administrative ability and executive force. Born in Milwaukee on the 2d of September, 1893, he is a son of Frederick A. and Minnie (Hintz) Lange, the former a native of Germany and the latter of this city. The parents are mentioned at length on another page of this work.
In the public schools of Milwaukee, Walter W. Lange pursued his education and was graduated in June, 1908, from the Eleventh District No. 2 grade school, while in June, 1912, he completed a course in the South Division high school. His attention in early life was given to agricultural interests and he saw something of the world through his sojourn in the Rio Grande valley in Texas and in the Madison valley of Montana, in both of which states he was identified with agricultural life. He has been a factor in the great industrial development of Milwaukee since 1914, when he became actively associated with the Crucible Steel Casting Company and in the following year with the South Side Malleable Casting Company. Under his father he received thorough and comprehensive training in every branch of the great industry of which he is now the head, and with his father's retirement from business he was elected to the presidency of these companies in 1918. The Crucible Steel Casting Company was organized and incorporated in 1898 by F. A. Lange and C. Maynard and several years later Mr. Maynard's interests were purchased by Mr. Lange. The success of the steel plant was very marked. F. A. Lange, the founder and president, being a practical foundryman, having worked at various foundry trades from the age of seventeen years, was able to thoroughly organize and wisely direct the operations of the plant and from the beginning the trade steadily grew and developed. Theirs was the first steel foun- dry to operate an American built electric steel furnace in the central states and the northwest, this being installed in 1912. The plant, a mammoth concern, is located at
WALTER W. LANGE
Vol. II-49
773
HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE
No. 612 Clinton street, where steel castings are manufactured. With the retirement of the founder of the business, he was succeeded by his son, W. W. Lange, in the presi- dency, while A. C. Lange became the vice president. The South Side Malleable Cast- ing Company, also owned and controlled by the Lange interests, was organized and incorporated in 1906 by F. A. Lange and is devoted to the manufacture of general malleable iron castings. F. A. Lange became president at the time of its inception. In 1915 W. W. Lange became general manager and superintendent of the plant and in 1918 succeeded to the presidency upon his father's retirement from active connection with the business. This is the only Milwaukee plant specializing entirely in automobile castings and the company enjoys a good Detroit and Michigan trade. The market of the two companies covers the entire United States and the business has steadily grown, owing to the thoroughness and understanding of the men at the head-men whose initiative and discrimination enable them to solve all problems connected with the trade and with the growth of the business.
On the 3d of May, 1917, in Milwaukee, Walter W. Lange was married to Miss Lillian Rafenstein, a daughter of Joe P. Rafenstein of Bay View, and they now have one son, Frederick A. Lange (III). In the club circles of the city Mr. Lange is a prominent figure, having membership in the Milwaukee Athletic Club, the Tripoli Country Club, the Wisconsin Club, the Ozaukee Country Club and the Blue Mouud Club. His social qualities make for popularity wherever he is known and the fact that he has been a lifelong resident of Milwaukee makes the circle of his friendship here almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance.
JOHN FINNEY ALEXANDER.
John Finney Alexander, of the John F. Alexander Company of Milwaukee, doing a general investigating and detective business under state license, was born on his father's farm in Belmont county, Ohio, December 7, 1861. His father, Thomas Alex- ander, also a native of the same county and born in the same house where occurred the birth of his son, John F., engaged for many years in farming in Belmont county and about 1890 removed to Iowa, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits for a time. Later he sold his property there and took up his abode in Nebraska and still later removed to Portland, Oregon, where he is now living, at the age of eighty- three years. He was one of the pioneers in shipping live stock from the United States to England and has crossed the ocean fifty times in the interest of his business. He was also an extensive farmer and stock raiser, making shipments of his own stock, as well as extensive purchases of live stock from others. He was a son of John Finney Alexander, a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, who came to the United States when about fourteen years of age and took up his abode in Belmont county, Ohio, where he followed farming. The mother of Jolin F. Alexander of this review was in her maidenhood, Katherine Atkinson. She, too, was horn in Belmont county, Ohio, a daughter of Charles Atkinson, a farmer, who was one of the pioneer settlers of that part of the state. Mrs. Alexander passed away in the year 1862.
John Finney Alexander was educated in the country schools of his native county and worked on his father's farm to the age of about sixteen years, when he went to the home of his grandfather, Charles Atkinson, and was there employed in farm labor for two years, attending school there during the winter months through this period. He afterward removed to Detroit, Michigan, where he remained for three years, working for Eugene Robinson, a general contractor. About the time he attained his majority he was made a guard at the Detroit House of Correction, under M. V. Borgman and served in that capacity for four years, occupying the position of overseer in nearly all of the shops. He afterward secured a similar position under Charles Felton in the Chicago House of Correction and there remained for eight years as overseer. He then became foreman in the knitting department of the Amazon Hosiery Company and had charge of the shipment as assistant superintendent, remaining with that corporation for a period of four years. They took a contract at the Michigan City, Indiana, penitentiary, and he held a position similar to that which he had filled in Chicago. The company failed, however, in 1895 and Mr. Alexander then returned to Chicago, where he was appointed a member of the detective bureau under Inspector John D. Shea. He occupied that position for four years and afterward became associated with the Pinkerton Detective Agency, with which he continued for four years, with head- quarters in Chicago. For the next six years of his life he was at the Hotel Pfister in Milwaukee, as superintendent of service and then entered the sheriff's office, serving as deputy under Sheriff Franke for a year or more. During that time he was made superintendent of service at the Hotel La Salle in Chicago and spent a few months in that position but on the 1st of January, 1911, he organized his present business in connection with Max Leweck, formerly deputy under Sheriff Franke. They organized the Alexander & Leweck Company, which thus continued until June 1, 1918, when Mr.
774
HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE
Alexander purchased the interest of his partner in the business and changed the firm name to the present form. The company does general investigating and detective work and is licensed by the state. It operates all over the United States and the busi- ness is now one of substantial proportions. Mr. Alexander was the first to be granted a detective license by the state. The business today is in excellent condition and Mr. Alexander enjoys the full confidence of the business men of Milwaukee.
In July, 1894, Mr. Alexander was united in marriage to Miss Belle Carlin, a daughter of James Carlin of Racine, Wisconsin, near which city he follows farming. They have become parents of one child, Florence Katherine Alexander, who is now secretary of the Milwaukee Country Day School. Mr. Alexander greatly enjoys the theatre and is a lover of music and of the artistic things of life. He has never been active in politics but gives his allegiance to the republican party. The family are of the Christian Science faith, having membership in the Prospect Avenue church and fraternally Mr. Alexander is a Mason, belonging to Kenwood Lodge, No. 303, being numbered among the loyal followers of the craft. He has a large acquaintance in Milwaukee, in Chicago and the middle west and enjoys the high respect, confidence and goodwill of all who know him.
ELMER OTTO LANGE.
Elmer Otto Lange, the second vice president of the Crucible Steel Company, one of the extensive and important productive industries of Milwaukee, was born in this city December 28, 1895. He is a son of Frederick A. Lange, mentioned at length on another page of this work. His youthful days were here passed and after acquiring his public school education in Milwaukee he continued his studies in Racine College at Racine, Wisconsin. When his textbooks were put aside he entered his father's busi- ness, thus becoming connected with the Crucible Steel Casting Company. He made it his purpose to acquaint himself with every phase of the work in the steel foundry and steadily his knowledge, his capability and forcefulness as a factor in the business increased and eventually he reached a point where his initiative and resourcefulness became factors in the constant growth and expansion of the business. Upon the re- tirement of his father he became an officer in the Crucible Steel Casting Company and in the South Side Malleable Casting Company, the two concerns organized and de- veloped by his father and which he and his brothers are carrying steadily forward, increasing the business according to the modern demands of the times and thus meet- ing the needs of many patrons. Mr. Lange is a young man of marked energy and capability and is holding high an honored name that has long been associated with the important industrial interests of Milwaukee.
On the 3d of May, 1918, Mr. Lange was married to Miss Elsie Krollman, a daughter of Charles Krollman of Milwaukee, who was born in Germany but is now living in this city. Mr. and Mrs. Lange are the parents of two children, Corinne M. and Elmer O., Jr.
Mr. Lange belongs to the Milwaukee Metal Trades and Founders Association, also to the Association of Commerce and is keenly interested in all plans and projects of the latter organization for the city's upbuilding, the extension of its trade relations and the maintenance of high civic standards. He belongs to the Milwaukee Athletic Club and is extremely fond of ice boating but also enjoys duck shooting and follows all outdoor sports. During the World war he joined the army and was assigned to the Thirty-second Division but was reserved for ordnance work at his father's plant. As a progressive citizen he is interested in everything that has to do with Milwaukee's progress and improvement and his cooperation and support can at all times be counted upon for these measures which are contributing and cooperant factors in the city's growth.
EDWIN KLUG.
Edwin Klug, who is now the senior partner in the firm of William Klug & Sons, well known furniture dealers of Milwaukee, was born in this city March 9, 1884. His father, William Klug, is a native of Colberg, Germany, born January 19, 1859. He came to the new world in 1867, in company with his mother, who brought her five little children to the United States when he was eight years of age, the family home being established on Elm street. between Twenty-first and Twenty-second streets, in this city. At that early age William Klug began working on a farm for a Mr. Brown, the farm being situated at what is now Sixteenth and Fond du Lac streets and extend- ing to Center. While thus employed he also attended school as opportunity offered, pursuing his studies in the Brown school and in St. John's Evangelical Lutheran school. When a youth of eighteen years he began learning the furniture trade in the employ
ELMER O LANGE
777
HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE
of E. Eggert & Sons and subsequently entered the service of the Milwaukee Furniture Company as a cabinet worker. Throughout his entire life he has utilized every opportunity that has come to him promising advancement and progress in a business way, and eventually as the result of his industry and economy he was enabled to en- gage in business on his own account as a furniture dealer. It was in November, 1884, with a capital of four hundred dollars, that he opened a store at No. 552 Twelfth street. Sales were made during the day and delivery after supper, while frequently the customer helped carry his purchases on a contraption that looked like a stretcher. At that time practically all furniture was hand-made. In 1887 William Klug purchased the building and lot at No. 543 Twelfth street, while in 1899 the present store was built -a three-story and basement structure twenty-five by one hundred and sixty-five feet, situated on Twelfth street near Walnut. After conducting the business successfully for some time Mr. Klug admitted his sons, Edwin and William, Jr., to a partnership. The trade steadily grew and developed and the company now utilizes two warehouses outside of the retail establishment on Twelfth street. William Klug, Sr., continued in the business until March 4, 1918, when he sold out to his sons, since which time he has removed to Orange, California, where he is now engaged in the manufacture of insulated wire. On the 13th of May, 1883, he was married to Elisa Matthews, daughter of William Matthews.
their elder son, Edwin Klug, acquired his education in the parochial and public schools of Milwaukee and in McDonald's Business College. He started out to provide for his own support by working for the Pritzlaff Hardware Company, with which he remained for a short time, filling the position of order boy at a salary of three dollars per week. He was next employed by the Aschermann Cigar Company and eventually he joined his father in business and has since remained a factor in the successful con- duct and management of the furniture store now conducted under the style of William Klug & Sons. They carry a large and extensive line of high-grade and medium-priced furniture and their business has steadily developed, being now one of the important commercial interests of the city.
In the year 1909 Edwin Klug was married to Miss Clara Rusch, a daughter of William Rusch, a carpenter contractor of Milwaukee. They have become parents of five children: Edwin, Ruth, Roy, Herbert and Arlean. The religious faith of the family is that of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran church.
William Klug, Jr., who, like his brother, has become one of the owners in the Klug furniture store established by their father, was born in this city April 5, 1894. He, too. is largely indebted to the parochial schools for the educational training which he received. He likewise studied for a time in the School of Electrical Engineering of Milwaukee and then entered the employ of The Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Company, with which he continued for about a year. He, too, joined his father in business at the end of that time and, as previously stated, the sons eventually pur- chased the business of the father and are now in partnership in the successful conduct of this enterprise.
In June, 1916, William Klug, Jr., was married to Miss Alma Benius, a daughter of William Benius, and they have one child, Marion. Mr. Klug is a member of St. John's Lutheran church. The brothers are progressive business men, alert and enterprising, recognizing and utilizing their opportunities and studying out new methods for the development of their trade and the attainment of a legitimate pros- perity.
EDWARD THOMAS GRIFFIN.
Edward Thomas Griffin, county superintendent of schools and holding to the highest educational standards in the performance of his official duties, was born March 7, 1868, in the town of Vernon, Waukesha county, his birthplace heing his father's farm on the Fox river. He is a son of Matthew and Elizabeth ( Doyle) Griffin, both of whom were natives of Ireland. The father came to the United States when about seventeen years of age, settling first in Bennington, Vermont. He did farm work in that locality until 1864, when he came to Wisconsin and took up his abode in the town of Vernon, Waukesha county, where he rented land, while subsequently he purchased a farm, giving his attention to its further development and improvement to the time of his death, which occurred in January, 1905. His wife, too, came to the United States when about eighteen years of age and she also took up her abode in Bennington, Vermont, where she met and married Mr. Griffin. She survived her husband only five days, her death also occurring in January, 1905.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.