USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume II > Part 81
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Edward Thomas Griffin obtained his early education in district school, No. 3, of the town of Vernon, Waukesha county, there pursuing his studies to the age of nine years, when his parents removed to East Troy and he became a pupil in the public schools of that place, pursuing his studies to the age of seventeen years. About
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that time he began working as a farm hand and also took up the profession of teach- ing, which he followed altogether for thirty years, constantly developing his skill and ability in that connection. He was principal of the Fernwood school in the town of Lake for twelve years prior to his election in April, 1917, to the office of superintendent of schools for Milwaukee county, a position which he still fills. He has introduced many new ideas and improved the school system, has greatly advocated thrift work in the schools and urged efficiency and economy. He has also greatly advanced the cause of caring for the health of the pupils, increasing the number of nurses and making rigid sanitary inspection. He has sixty-nine schools, with one hundred and eighty-one teachers under his supervision.
On the 25th of August, 1908, Mr. Griffin was united in marriage to Miss Margaret M. McGowan, a daughter of Michael McGowan of New Berlin, Wisconsin, who was the second white child born in the township of New Berlin. He was a son of John McGowan, who was born in Ireland and took up his abode in this state about 1849. Michael McGowan was a veteran of the Civil war, having responded to the country's call as a member of the Second Wisconsin Cavalry and on one occasion he was slightly wounded. His death occurred February 20, 1920.
Mr. Griffin holds membership in the Wisconsin State Teachers Association. He is a lover of literature and of historical works and has throughout his life been a broad reader and deep thinker, who in his professional connection fully realizes and meets the obligations and responsibilities that devolve upon him.
BURTON LUCIUS HIBBARD.
Burton Lucius Hibbard, alert, energetic, wide-awake to every business situation that has to do with the conduct of his interests, is president of the Hibbard Safe Com- pany of Milwaukee. He was born in East Aurora, New York, on the 15th of Septem- ber, 1861, a son of George Ensign and Lucy (Peek) Hibbard, both deceased. The father, who was born in Collins, Erie county, New York, where his parents removed at an early day from the state of Vermont, followed agricultural pursuits his entire life. He became one of the prominent and progressive farmers of his community and passed away in 1910, financially independent. Mrs. Hibbard died in 1907. She was born in Eden, Erie county, New York, a daughter of Samuel Peek, a farmer who was a native of Herkimer county, New York, passing through Buffalo, New York, where land (now on lower Main street) was offered at twenty shillings per acre. He was one of the prominent men of Erie county, taking an active part in all civic, educational and religious affairs. His faith was that of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Peek was highly educated, cultured and wrote considerable poetry, most of which was published.
Burton Lucius Hibbard received his early education in the common schools of East Aurora and in the Hamburg high school, both of Erie county, New York. After putting his textbooks aside, he went on his father's farm, remaining in that connection for sometime before leaving the parental roof. He then engaged in the planing mill business for six years, at the end of which time, in 1887, he entered the insurance busi- ness at Hamburg, New York. For three years ne was active and successful in that line of work. In 1890 he accepted a position to travel for the Cary Safe Company of Buffalo, New York, his territory first covering the states of New York and Pennsyl- vania; later, the middle west. At the end of three years of this association he was appointed general agent of the company, with headquarters at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the firm being conducted under the name of Hibbard & Beehler, general western agents, for the Cary Safe Company. After two years time Mr. Hibbard bought out his partner,
and selling one-half interest to L. D. Richardson, the business some time afterward was
incorporated as Hibbard & Richardson Company, with a capital stock of thirty-five thousand dollars. This change brought about the corporation carrying the largest stock in the northwest and employing a force of about twenty-five salesmen, covering ten states. The capital stock was increased to seventy-five thousand dollars. In 1907 Mr. Hibbard purchased Mr. Richardson's interest and the name was then changed to the Hibbard Safe Company, of which be has since been president. The company handles a general line of safes, (including the products of the York Safe & Lock Company and the Ely-Norris Manganese round door bank safes) vaults and steel equipment and specializes in fitting out banks and office buildings. Mr. Hibbard is a man of splendid executive ability and there is no feature of his business with which he is not thoroughly familiar.
On the 29th of May, 1882, occurred the marriage of Mr. Hibbard and Miss Emma Hohler of Hamburg, Erie county, New York, her birthplace being Buffalo, that state. To them six children have been born: Beulah, now the wife of Dr. Alvin Kirmse, of Globe, Arizona; Roy L., secretary of the Hibbard Safe Company, who married Loraine Dreyfus of Hales Corners, Wisconsin, and has one . daughter, Betty Hibbard; Elva L., the wife of Harold Greenwood; George Burton, vice president of
BURTON L. HIBBARD
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the Hibbard Safe Company, who married Winifred Smith of Milwaukee and has two children, Burton George and John Walker; Lila Lucille; and Lavergne Margaret. Mrs. Hibbard and the daughters are prominent socially, taking an active part in club affairs. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hibbard are musically inclined and the children have inherited this talent. Both sons have taken leading parts in the various church choirs, and George and Lila appeared for sometime on the Orpheum circuit. Mrs. Hibbard belongs to the Order of Eastern Star, as do her daughters, and to the Woman's Bowl- ing Association.
Politically Mr. Hibbard follows an independent course, voting for the man withont regard to party. He has never taken an active interest in public affairs, preferring to devote his entire time to his home and business interests. He was, however, appointed by Emanuel L. Phillips, while governor of the state of Wisconsin, as a mem- ber of the board of the State Hospital for the Insane. The religious faith of the family is that of the Episcopal church, and fraternally Mr. Hibbard is identified with the Masons, Knights of Pythias, and Elks. In the Masonic order he is a member of Har- mony Lodge, No. 142, F. & A. M., Milwaukee; Kenwood Chapter, No. 90, R. A. M., Mil- waukee; Kilbourn Council of Milwaukee; Ivanhoe Commandery, No. 24, Knights Templar, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Consistory; and Tripoli Temple A. A. O. N. M. S. of Milwaukee. He is a life member in the Knights of Pythias, having membership in the Wisconsin Lodge, No. 1. He is a past chancellor and a member of the Grand Lodge of the state and for seven years was trustee of his lodge. He is likewise a life member of No. 46, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. As a prominent and representative citizen he is a member of the Calumet Club, of which he has been president; the Mil- waukee Athletic Club, of which he is a charter member; the Association of Commerce, which body he is serving on the entertainment committee; the Milwaukee Curling Club; and the Builders & Traders Exchange, of which he has been president for the past two terms. The success of Mr. Hibbard is due to his capability, progressiveness and industry, and his life has been actuated by high and honorable principles. The sterling worth of his character is attested by all with whom he has been associated, while his progress in the business world constitutes a stimulating example to those who would study the methods of successful men that they may direct their course along similar lines.
CHARLES H. FIEBRANTZ.
Charles H. Fiebrantz, senior partner in the firm of Fiebrantz & Benz, engaged in the meat commission business at Milwaukee, was born in this city June 23, 1869. His father, Albert Fiebrantz, a native of Pomerania, Germany, was brought to the United States in his childhood by his parents, in the year 1837. In 1840 they re- moved to Milwaukee. The grandfather was Martin Fiebrantz, who was born in Pomer- ania and passed away in Milwaukee about 1872. In early life his son, Albert Fiebrantz, took up the occupation of farming, owning a farm at Silver Springs, which is still in possession of the family. During the Civil war he removed to Minnesota and afterward conducted a general store at Winona and at Lewiston. Throughout this period he was engaged also in dealing in horses and conducted a business of that character larger than any other horse dealer in that section. In 1866 he returned to Milwaukee, where he engaged in the feed and commission business. He was a member of the Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce and was a prominent figure in business circles. He married Louisa Fritz, who was born in Germany and during her childhood was bronght by her parents to Milwaukee. She passed away in the year 1904. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Fiebrantz numbered eight children, four sons and four daughters. Three of the sisters are living, these being: Bertha, of Milwaukee; Albertina, the widow of Oscar Siebert, by whom she had three daughters and one son; and Louisa, the wife of August Born, who is engaged in the wholesale meat business in Milwaukee. They are the parents of four children.
In the public schools of the sixth ward Charles H. Fiebrantz pursued his studies until he had completed the work of the grades and then became actively connected with the poultry, veal and dressed meat commission business in connection with his three brothers, Albert, William and John, all of whom are deceased. The firm also dealt in flour and feed and as the years passed developed a business of substantial proportions. In 1909 Charles H. Fiebrantz entered into partnership with Ferdinand F. Benz and Jacob A. Holzer under the firm style of Fiebrantz & Benz. Their place of business is at No. 392 to 398 Fifth street and theirs is the leading house of the kind in Milwaukee. They conduct a meat commission business of large proportions and the volume of their trade is constantly growing, owing to the progressive methods, the unfaltering enterprise and the thorough reliability of the partners.
Mr. Fiebrantz has long been a stalwart advocate of republican principles, which he has supported since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has been
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more or less active in political work but never as an office seeker. He is a member of St. Paul's Lutheran church and he finds recreation in hunting and fishing and all manly outdoor sports, making trips to the northern woods for fish and game. From his early youth his life has been one of industry and toil and his perseverance, close application, thoroughness and determination have constituted the broad foundation upon which he has built his success.
EDWARD WILLIAM QUICK, M. D.
Dr. Edward William Quick, a Milwaukee surgeon, with offices in the Wells build- ing, was born in Rock Island county, Illinois, January 1, 1870, a son of Garrett S. and Keturah Hart (Smith) Quick. The former, a farmer by occupation, died in 1913, but the mother still makes her home in Rock Island county. Dr. Quick has four living brothers, but none of his sisters survive. One brother, Dr. Albert Quick, is a dentist of Elgin, Illinois.
Edward W. Quick was reared on his father's farm, attended the country schools and afterward taught school in order to earn the money to enable him to pursue a college course. At intervals he continued his teaching and attended the Illinois State Normal School, from which he was graduated in 1896. He afterward taught school for two years as principal at Riverdale, Illinois, and in 1898 he entered Rush Medical College of Chicago, from which he was graduated with the M. D. degree in 1902. This was followed by two years' broad and practical experience as interne in the Cook County Hospital, after which he opened an office in Appleton, Wisconsin, where he practiced for four years, and for three years at Green Bay. In 1913 he came to Milwaukee, where he has now been located for nine years and throughout the entire period has specialized in surgery. In 1909 he did postgraduate work in Konigsberg, Germany,. and Vienna, Austria, and he is now on the surgical staff of the Milwaukee County Hospital, also Trinity Hospital and the Emergency Hospital. He is conservative in the use of the knife but when occasion demands is cool and collected and his comprehensive knowl- edge of anatomy has enabled him to successfully perform many difficult operations. He is a member of the Milwaukee Academy of Medicine, the Milwaukee County Medical Society, the Wisconsin State Medical Society, the Tri-State Medical Society and the American Medical Association and he is also a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. During the World war he served as a volunteer in the Medical Corps and was a member of Advisory Board No. 2. He has written for medical journals, and his name is well known through his contributions to the literature of the profession.
On the 30th of March, 1910, Dr. Quick was united in marriage to Miss Georgia Hall, who was born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and is a gradnate of the Grafton Hall Seminary. She is a talented pianist and presides with cultured and gracious hospitality over their pleasant home. They have two children: Mary Louise, born May 10, 1911; and Edward George, born September 17, 1915.
Fraternally Dr. Quick is connected with Masonry, having become a member of the Royal Arch chapter and the Knights Templar commandery as well as of the blue lodge. He also belongs to the University Club. He finds recreation in motoring and in visiting the surgical clinics of eminent surgeons.
ROBERT GUSTAV HAUKOHL.
Robert Gustav Haukohl, secretary of the School of Dentistry of Marquette Uni- versity, was born in Milwaukee, May 4, 1888. His father, Robert Haukohl, was for many years secretary of the police department of Milwaukee and is still living in this city, hut is now retired from active business.
Robert G. Haukohl pursued his education in the public schools of Milwaukee, until graduated from the East Division high school, with the class of 1906. He afterward hecame a student in the Milwaukee Normal School and was graduated in 1908. He then took up the profession of teaching and became principal of the Wauwatosa grade schools, remaining as one of the educators in connection with the high school there for two years. He afterward became a student in the University of Wisconsin and in 1912 he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Later he taught chemistry and botany in the Manitowoc high school for a year and in June, 1913, he became connected with Marquette University as secretary of the Dental College and has since held that posi- tion. He has also taught physics in the School of Pharmacy, and English in the Dental School. As secretary he has charge of the business and all of the details of the school at the present time. There are now six hundred and fifty dental students from all parts of the world. He has been diligently devoting his efforts to the upbuilding of
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a dental library at the school, which now contains more than fifteen hundred volumes on dentistry and is the largest in the state.
On the 22d of June, 1915, Mr. Hankohl was married to Miss Gladys V. Somers of Spokane, Washington. She is a graduate of the Nurses Training School of Mar- quette University but does not follow her profession now, save in an emergency case. Mr. and Mrs. Haukohl have two children: Robert Somers and Alice Edith.
In his political views Mr. Haukohl is a republican and is serving as a member of the ward committee, but has never been a candidate for political positions. He belongs to the Alpha Sigma Phi national fraternity and is connected with Milwaukee Lodge, No. 46, B. P. O. E., and with Henry L. Palmer Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Milwaukee. He represents the university in the Milwaukee Chapter of the Lions International. At the time of the World war Mr. Hankohl was instructed by the government to retain his position on the faculty and continue his work there in connection with the Students Army Training Corps which was instituted at Marquette University. He also did much work in connection with the various war drives.
OSCAR WERWATH.
Oscar Werwath, president of the School of Engineering of Milwaukee, was born in East Prussia, May 3, 1880. His father, Carl Werwath, is still living in Germany, where he was engaged in merchandising, owning one of the large department stores of Stallupoenen, East Prussia. At the present time, however, he is living retired, taking no active part in business management. For three generations before Carl Werwath, the family had lived in Stallupoenen and the store was founded by his father, August Werwath. Not only was Carl Werwath a prominent figure in commercial circles in his native city but was also the presiding officer of the city council and was decorated for his civic activities and his patriotism.
Oscar Werwath obtained his education in gymnasiums of Germany and in the uni- versities of Hanover and Darmstadt and was graduated from the Saxony Technical College before entering university, winning the degrees of both Mechanical and Electri- cal Engineer. His university training consisted of postgraduate work in engineering. Thus very liberal educational opportunities were enjoyed by Mr. Werwath, who for two and a half years was employed as electrical engineer by one of the largest con- cerns of Germany-the Lahmaier Company, builders of electric street railway and power plants. The year 1903 witnessed his emigration from Germany to the new world. Crossing the Atlantic to Milwaukee, he worked as a practical electrician for six months and then established the School of Engineering before he could speak the English language. His first pupils were the foremen and workmen in the shop of Julius Andrae & Sons. The school was maintained on Winnebago street for seven years and grew rapidly, soon having an enrollment of two hundred and fifty pupils. A removal was afterward made to the Stroh building, where the institution was conducted for six years, at which time the enrollment had reached four hundred and fifty students. In 1917 the school was removed to the present quarters at 373 Broadway and the students now number two thousand three hundred and eight. They come from every state in the Union and from twenty-two foreign countries and the governments of China and Siam have representatives in the school.
With America's advent into the World war, the United States made the school a training school and it was conducted under military orders. Under the Defense Act of congress of June 3, 1916, there were established at the School of Engineering two Reserve Officers' Training Corps units, one of these being a senior division, to which all male students admitted to the College of Electrical Engineering were eligible, provided they were physically fit and were citizens of the United States. The second unit was a junior division of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps for the other sections of the army. In the early part of the school year of 1918-1919, over one hundred students left this school in answer to the government's call to perform their patriotic duty to the country. Through the efforts of the vice presidents of the school a Students' Army Training Corps was also established. There are now eighty-seven professors and teachers in the school. obtained from the best universities of the country. The school teaches only electricity and is by far the largest electrical school in the United States. There are six different schools combined in one, housed in four different buildings, and in connection there is maintained an extension course which covers the entire country. The school has always maintained the highest standards and is a most valuable asset in technical education.
In April, 1908, Mr. Werwath was married to Miss Johanna Seelhorst, a daughter of Friedrich Seelhorst, a manufacturer of Hanover, Germany. Mrs. Werwath came to the United States in the year of her marriage, the wedding being celebrated the day on which she landed in New York, Mr. Werwath meeting her at the eastern port. They have become parents of four children: Carl Oscar, Greta, Hanna and Max Henry.
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Mr. Werwath is a member of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, the Milwaukee Electric League and the Association of Commerce. He gives practically his entire time and attention to the interests of the school and has built up a notable enterprise in this connection. Lowell has said that "an institution is but the lengthened shadow of a man" and the large stature of Oscar Werwath as a factor in the educational field is plainly manifest in the School of Engineering of Milwaukee, which exceeds all others of similar character in the United States.
RICHARD ANTON RYBOLD.
Richard Anton Rybold, president of the Milwaukee Plumbing & Heating Supply Company, has been identified with the present business since 1916, when he became a partner of Isadore Cohen. The business was incorporated two years later and in 1920 he purchased his partner's interest. He has since conducted the business in- dependently and has developed it to be one of substantial proportions. A native of Milwaukee, Mr. Rybold was born September 22, 1886, and is a son of Anton and Kate (Reichert) Rybold. The father, also a native of Milwaukee, was a son of Martin Rybold, who was of Swiss descent. Anton Rybold devoted his life to cigar manufactur- ing and died in his native city in 1896. His widow yet makes her home here and she, too, is a native of Milwaukee. Her father, Michael Reichert, was born near Doyles- town, Wisconsin, and is now a resident of Milwaukee. Thus the family has long been represented in the state.
Richard A. Rybold pursued his early education in the public schools and afterward attended McDonald's Business College. He started out in the business world as an employe of the National Enameling & Stamping Company, occupying the position of assistant stock clerk. He continued in that connection for four years and later for two years was shipping clerk with the A. E. Martin Foundry Company. He was next book- keeper with the Mertes Miller Company for a period of four years and then spent seven years with the Bayley Heating & Supply Company, as general office manager. In 1916 he bought an interest in the present business, which was then a partnership concern, in which he was associated with Isadore Cohen. Success attended their efforts in the way of united management and development of the business and in April, 1918, they incorporated under the present style. The business was thus carried on until 1920, when Mr. Rybold purchased the interest of Mr. Cohen. The company does a jobbing, plumbing and heating supplies business, its market covering the state. Steadily the business is being developed along substantial lines and already has reached very gratifying proportions.
In religious faith Mr. Rybold is a Catholic, being a communicant of St. Boniface church. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus and he has membership in the Calu- met Club and in the Association of Commerce. In politics he has maintained an inde- pendent course, nor has he ever taken active part in political work. He is fond of hunting and fishing and all outdoor sports and is a lover of music. To these he turns for recreation and pleasure when the onerous cares of business press heavily. In his chosen field of labor, however, he has made steady advancement and is developing one of the important commercial interests of the city as the head of the Milwaukee Plumbing & Heating Supply Company.
HERMAN REEL.
Few men are more prominently known to the wool and fur trade of the country than Herman Reel, who is now at the head of a large retail business in Milwaukee. He was born in Witten, Germany, on the 8th of March, 1868, and is a son of Adolph and Jeannette (Rosenberg) Reel, who in 1881 crossed the Atlantic, establishing their home in Milwaukee, where Mr. Reel opened a retail clothing store which he still owns and is yet active in its conduct and management, although now past eighty years of age. He often makes trips to New York city for the purpose of buying goods and his judgment and enterprise in business equal that of many younger men.
Herman Reel pursued his early education in Cassel, Germany, the same school attended by members of the royal family, and while thus engaged studied the various leading languages save English. After coming with his parents to the new world he attended Myer's Commercial College of Milwaukee for a short time and then entered the store with his father, under whose direction he received his preliminary business training. After a brief period, however, he became identified with the wool and fur warehouse of Rosenberg & Lieberman and spent five years with that concern, during which time he gained comprehensive knowledge of the business in its various details. In 1889 he established business on his own account as a dealer in wool and fur and is
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