USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume III > Part 102
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"This splendid prosperity turned the heads of the stockholders of the Christensen Engineering Company. Mr. Christensen himself was not a stockholder, his patents being licensed on a royalty basis to the company. Manufacturing facilities had been created to accommodate the large rush of orders, which from a beginning of nothing in 1897 had gradually increased until in 1902 the annual business amounted to one million three hundred thousand dollars. Mr. Christensen had no voice in the management of the company, being occupied entirely in keeping the manufacturing facilities and the quality of the product up to the very highest standard. When the new works were finished in 1901 the stockholders decided arbitrarily to go into the general electric field in competition with companies which had been in the business for many years and which had unlimited means and resources, both financially and otherwise. In spite of the pleadings of Mr. Christensen that the policy was obviously suicidal, his advice was not heeded. At this juncture Mr. Christensen resigned as general superintendent of the Christensen Engineering Company on September 1, 1902. The business was then reorganized as the National Electric Company. Mr. Christensen's prevision was to a large extent correct. The principal stockholder of the new company in 1905, at that time president of a Milwaukee bank, was found to be involved in financial difficulties, which led to the appointment of a receiver for the National Electric Company, though the com-
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pany itself was still solvent and in a fairly good financial state. At the bankruptcy sale the assets were hought hy one of the companies which had been trying for many years to drive the pioneer Christensen air brake out of business by underselling, by infringing and other notorious methods. When this company failed to make an arrange- ment for the legitimate use of the Christensen air brake patents, of which there were something like sixty-five in number, a license agreement was made with the Allis- Chalmers Company for the manufacture of the Christensen apparatus. The company, which bought the assets of the National Electric Company, proceeded to manufacture and market the air brake apparatus as deliberately and openly as if the Christensen patents had never existed. The infringement proceedings which were instituted against this illegal use of the patent rights are still pending in the courts. Similar proceedings were brought against the branches of the same aggregation and judgment obtained in the courts of Italy under the Italian patents on the Christensen air brake and in the courts of France under the French patents.
"During 1907 Mr. Christensen engaged in the manufacture of gas and gasoline engines and is now operating a company known as the Christensen Engineering Com- pany of Milwaukee. During the last two years he has developed a thoroughly reliable and practical self-starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, such as are used in automobiles, motor boats and the like. This apparatus is founded on new principles, not heretofore employed and bids fair to reach a success similar to that accomplished by Mr. Christensen in the air brake field."
On the 19th of August, 1894, Mr. Christensen was married to Miss Matilda Thommes- sen, a daughter of Eilert Hagerup and Oline (Borum) Thommessen, the former a landowner, ship owner, merchant and operator of fishing expeditions and representa- tive of one of the oldest Norwegian families, whose founder was knighted by one of the Danish kings in 1435 for exceptional courage and valor in saving the royal person from murderous enemies while hunting in a dense forest. Members of the family include many distinguished statesmen, authors, navigators and military and naval officers, in- cluding the arctic explorer, Dr. Fridtjof Nansen. Mrs. Christensen is a college bred woman, having studied at Nordland, Norway. There is one daughter of this marriage, Esther Marie, born in Milwaukee, May 10, 1895.
Politically Mr. Christensen is a republican and has been keenly interested in the welfare and progress of Milwaukee. He has served on the harbor commission and made plans for the proposed outer Milwaukee harbor in 1899. His religious faith is that of the English Lutheran church and he is keenly interested in all good. work done in the name of charity or religion. He is both a York and a Scottish Rite Mascn and belongs to the Milwaukee Club, the Town Club of Milwaukee and the Royal Auto Club of London, England. He is a man of broad vision and of high purposes, a man of lofty ideals and of effective effort. He has largely accomplished what he lias undertaken and his contribution to the world has been real and valuable.
HARRY GREENBERG, M. D.
Dr. Harry Greenberg, engaged in surgical practice in Milwaukee, was horn in Cleveland, Ohio, January 1, 1877. He is the only son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Zweier) Greenberg, both of whom were natives of Austria and have now passed away. The father devoted his life to merchandising. There were five daughters in the family, all of whom are married.
In preparation for his professional career Dr. Greenberg was graduated from the Western Reserve University Medical College with the class of 1897, at which time his M. D. degree was conferred upon him. His initial professional service was as interne in the Cleveland General Hospital, with which he was thus connected for a year. He was only twenty years of age when he completed his medical course and in the year in which he attained his majority- 1898-le came to Milwaukee and entered upon general practice. In 1901 he entered the United States army as a member of the Medical Corps with the rank of first lieutenant. After a few months spent at the Presidio in San Francisco he was sent to the Philippine Islands, where he remained for more than three years and while there was advanced to the rank of captain. In 1905 he resigned his commission and returned home, resuming private practice, in which he made steady advancement, but during the World war he again joined the army, serving for six months at Fort Riley, Kansas, where he aided in the organization of the medical work. He has pursued postgraduate studies in Berlin and Paris, where he spent a part of the years 1906 and 1907, and he has always kept abreast with the trend of professional thought and investigation through wide private reading and study. He belongs to the Milwaukee Medical Society, the Milwaukee County Medical Society, the Wisconsin State Medical Society, the Wisconsin Surgical Association, the Tri-State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. His membership relations likewise make him a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and he is serving on the staff of Mount
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Sinai Hospital. He is conscientious in the performance of all of his professional duties and his ability is being constantly augmented by his reading and study.
On the 12th of June, 1912, Dr. Greenberg was married to Miss Josie Krauss, who was born at Fayette, Mississippi, a daughter of a Confederate veteran. They have one son. Bertrand H., now three years of age. Dr. Greenberg greatly enjoys hunting and fishing on his Mississippi plantation, where he spends the summer months and where he raises Holstein cattle. He is a Royal Arch Mason and he belongs to the Milwaukee Athletic Club-connections that indicate much of the nature of his interests outside of his profession.
CARL GUSTAV ENGELKE.
Carl Gustav Engelke, vice president and cashier of the American Exchange Bank. situated in the Plankinton Arcade of Milwaukee, has devoted the greater part of his life to the banking business and his course has been characterized by a steady progres- sion that is indicative of the consistent development of his powers through the utilization of his time, talents and opportunities.
He was born in Monroe, Wisconsin, October 27. 1877. His father, Gustav L. Engelke, who passed away December 23, 1916, was born in Germany and when a young man came to the United States, settling in Milwaukee, where he taught school at the old German Academy. He also taught at Cedarburg and then became editor of a local paper at Mon- roe, where he remained for about a year. He afterward resumed educational work, continuing to teach until he was about thirty years of age. Subsequently he engaged in commercial pursuits, including merchandising, and thus his remaining days were passed. His last connection was with the Nunnemacher estate. His father was a Lutheran minister and four generations of the family before him were ministers and teachers, so that G. L. Engelke but followed in the footsteps of his forbears in devoting a part of his life to educational work. The latter's widow, who in her maidenhood was Miss Minna Weigel, was born in Germany and came to the United States with relatives when a little child. She still makes her home in Milwaukee, residing at No. 655 Thirty- seventh street.
Carl G. Engelke pursued his studies in the public schools of Milwaukee to the age of fourteen years and then started out to provide for his own support by entering the employ of James McAlpine in the grain commission business. He thus worked for three years, at the end of which time he obtained a position with the Fleischmann Yeast Com- peny, acting as bookkeeper with that house for six years. He next became associated with the Wisconsin National Bank, serving as assistant bookkeeper for two and a half years, and on the expiration of that period he went to the Germania National Bank as general bookkeeper. His connection with that banking institution covered a period of fourteen years, during which time he worked his way upward through intermediate positions to that of assistant cashier. In February, 1918, he became connected with the American Exchange Bank as cashier and is now in charge of the Arcade branch of that bank. In 1920 he was also elected vice president and is filling the dual position of vice president and cashier at the present time. His long experience has brought him com- prehensive knowledge of the banking business and he is today regarded as one of the thoroughly reliable representatives of financial interests in Milwaukee.
On the Sth of September, 1902, Mr. Engelke was married to Miss Amalie Flagge. of Milwaukee, and to them was born a son, Herman G., whose birth occurred August 8, 1903.
In his political views Mr. Engelke has always been a republican, stanch in his loyalty to the party yet never a candidate for public office. He belongs to the Milwaukee Ath- letic Club, also to the Association of Commerce and is treasurer of the Kiwanis Club of Milwaukee. He is likewise a director of the Milwaukee Association of Credit Men, of which he was president during the previous two years. He also belongs to the different bankers' associations. His wife possesses marked musical talent, being a fine pianist. and they are prominently known in the social circles of the city, having many warm friends .. The life record of Mr. Engelke is characterized by that steady progression which is the outcome of capability intelligently directed and of untiring energy which has its root in a laudable and commendable ambition.
ERICH W. BEHRENS.
One of the strong financial institutions of Milwaukee is the Layton Park State Bank, which although recently organized has made a notable record, achieving success to an unusual degree. Of this institution Erich W. Behrens is the cashier, and his capability has been a forceful element in the growth of the institution.
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Mr. Behrens is a native son of Milwaukee, born on the 10th of April, 1876, of the marriage of Henry C. and Bertha (Feige) Behrens, both of whom were natives of Germany. They came to America in the early '50s and settled in Milwaukee. The father was principal of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran school for forty-two years and was widely recognized as one of the eminent educators of the state. Ile contributed much to intellectual progress as head of this institution and at times there were under his instruction many who have since attained prominence in business and professional life. He was also a most popular citizen and was identified with a number of clubs, social and musical organizations. He was president of the Old Settlers Club of the west side and also the president of the Milwaukee Männerchor. He possessed splendid musical talent, which was highly developed, and he acted for many years as organist in St. John's Evangelical Lutheran church, his life at all times proving a forceful element in the cultural development and in the intellectual and moral progress of his community. He passed away in the year 1912, while his wife died in 1913.
Erich W. Behrens obtained a parochial school education and afterward attended Con- cordia College, while still later he became a student in a business college. He next entered upon preparation for law practice as a student in the Milwaukee Law School and was gradnated from the law department of Marquette University, He then practiced for a time in connection with Waldemar Wehe under the firm style of Wehe & Behrens. In the meantime, however, he had had wide experience in connection with the banking hnsiness, for while studying law he was employed by the Second Ward Savings Bank. He continued in the employ of that bank for twenty-two years and, thereby receiving broad experience in connection with the business, he was promoted from time to time to varions positions in the institution. It was while thus engaged that he studied law at night and later entered upon active practice, but failing health obliged him to abandon his professional career. He then traveled for two years for the benefit of his health, at the end of which time he was offered the position of cashier of the Layton Park State Bank upon its organization and after dne consideration of the question. accepted. His banking experience, his knowledge of men and their motives, for he is an excellent judge of human nature, and his progressive business methods are con- tributing elements to the success of the institution, which is one of the new banks of Milwaukee and is growing rapidly beyond all expectation. When he took charge of the bank he severed his connection with all other business interests and has devoted his undivided time to its promotion. At the time of the World war he offered his services to the government but was not called. Milwaukee numbers him among her progressive men and yields him large meed of respect by reason of his well spent life. Mr. Behrens is a member of the Milwaukee County and Wisconsin State Bar Associations.
JOHN MARSHALL BEFFEL. M. D.
Dr. John Marshall Beffel, physician and surgeon, who for twenty-three years has practiced in Milwaukee and who is also a veteran of the World war, having seen over- seas service with the Medical Corps of the United States army, was born in Racine, Wisconsin, February 28. 1867, his parents being Nicholas and Martha (White) Beffel. The father, now deceased, was a sailor on the Great Lakes and was a member of the United States navy for three years of the Civil war, while during the last year of the war he served with the First Wisconsin Light Artillery. His wife was a direct descendant of Samnel White, who came to the United States on the Mayflower, and she also came of Revolutionary war ancestry.
In the acquirement of his education Dr. Beffel attended the Racine Academy, from which he was graduated in 1890, and later he spent five years as a student in the Uni- versity of Wisconsin, where he pursued his academic studies and prepared to enter upon preparation for his professional career. He was graduated with the Bachelor of Science degree in 1895 and later matriculated in the Northwestern University Medical School at Chicago, there gaining the degrees of M. D. and M. S. in 1898. He served as a director of the pathological laboratory of the Northwestern University Medical School during 1898 and 1899. In the latter year he came to Milwaukee, where he has since been engaged in active practice, save during the period of his service in the World war. He was for nineteen months with the army as a member of the Medical Corps, serving with the rank of lientenant, of captain and of major. For ten months he was overseas with the American Expeditionary Force, being stationed chiefly at Base Hos- pital, No. 22. He received his discharge at Camp Grant on the 23d of April, 1919, after more than a year and a half of active connection with the army. For eighteen years he has served on the staff of the Milwaukee Hospital and for nine years he was pro- fessor of pathology at the Wisconsin College of Physicians and Surgeons. He resigned that position to become secretary of the Wisconsin state board of medical examiners, which position he continued to fill for a period of six years. He belongs to the Mil- waukee Connty Medical Society, the Wisconsin State Medical Society and the American
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Medical Association, and both directly through his professional activity and also to a degree indirectly, he has contributed in large measure to the welfare of his fellowmen, making his activities of great service. He was a member of the Milwaukee milk com- mission for a period of six years and was a member of the original Milwaukee tuber- culosis commission for five years. In 1911 he served as a member and as chairman of the original child welfare commission and he has always taken the keenest interest in social service, extending a helping hand wherever possible and aiding in promoting the standards of organized effort to meet the existing conditions of the times.
On the 9th of August, 1898, Dr. Beffel was married to Miss Olive Baker, a daughter of George Baker, a Civil war veteran. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin and is well known in club circles, being an ex-president of the Milwaukee Women's Fortnightly Club. Dr. and Mrs. Beffel have two children: John Marshall, Jr., who is a student in the University of Wisconsin; and Eulalie, sixteen years of age, now attend- ing high school.
Dr. Beffel is well known in Masonic circles, having become a Knight Templar and also a Consistory Mason. He belongs to the American Legion and he was formerly very active in the ranks of the republican party. At one time he served as treasurer of the republican state central committee and in 1908 he was a Taft presidential elector and in the same year a delegate to the republican national convention. In 1910 he was the republican candidate for mayor of Milwaukee and in 1912 a candidate of his party for congress. He may now be classed as a progressive republican but is also a great admirer of Woodrow Wilson. He served as chairman of the republican city central committee for one term and took a most active part in promoting the success of the party and effecting its organization work. His life has been one of signal service to mankind in many ways and his efforts have been far-reaching and resultant, contrib- uting in marked measure to the benefit of the community along the lines of social service and civic progress.
JOSEPH D. MUELLER.
Joseph D. Mueller is the president and general manager of the Hassmann & Mueller Company, dealers in poultry, fruit and vegetables in Milwaukee. The busi- ness was founded in 1908 and through the intervening period of fourteen years Mr. Mueller's enterprise, activity and progressiveness have been salient features in the continued growth and success of the undertaking. Born in this city, August 31, 1880, he is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth ( Kaas) Mueller, the former a native of Bavaria, Germany, and the latter of Bohemia. Jacob Mueller came to the United States in 1875, settling in Milwaukee, where he met and married Elizabeth Kaas. He was a cabinet maker by trade and followed the business as a means of support for his family. He died in 1892, while his wife, surviving for twenty years, passed away in 1912.
Joseph D. Mueller obtained his early education in St. Mary's school in Milwaukee and started out to provide for his own support hy entering the employ of J. M. Grahaser at the old German market, there handling poultry, fruit and vegetables. For about eighteen years he remained with Mr. Grahaser and this extended period indicates clearly how faithful he was to the duties that devolved upon him and how thorough in the performance of every task. Thus gradually he worked his way upward until he became manager of the enterprise and then actuated by a laudable ambition to engage in business on his own account he entered into partnership with Julius Hassmann in 1908, organizing the Hassmann & Mueller Company. His part- ner had also learned the business in the old German market, and with thorough training and long experience they started out for themselves, making a success from the beginning. In 1911 they incorporated their interests under the present name. They specialize in handling fancy poultry, fruit and vegetables, selling to both the wholesale and retail trade. They furnish large supplies of this kind to weddings, banquets and other festive occasions, and their sales cover Wisconsin, while they ship poultry throughout the United States.
On the 8th of June, 1905, Mr. Mueller was married to Miss Marie Salb, of Mil- waukee, a native of this city, and they have become parents of five children: Elizabeth, Margaret. Adelaide, Dorothy and Marie. The daughter, Elizabeth, is a student in the Holy Angels Academy, and the others are attending St. Sebastian parochial school, the family residing in St. Sebastian parish.
Mr. Mueller is a Knight of Columbus in which order he has attained the fourth degree, and has always been a faithful follower of the teachings of the Catholic church. In politics he maintains an independent course nor has he ever held office. He belongs to the Ozankee Country Club and is also a member of the Association of
JOSEPH D. MUELLER.
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Commerce, interested in all of the plans of that organization for the upbuilding of the city and the promotion of civic welfare. He is fond of bowling, motoring and all outdoor sports and turns to these for rest and recreation. His entire life has been passed in the city which is still his home, and his steady advancement is due to those substantial business qualities which never seek nor require disguise but which will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny.
ROBERT JOHN BACH, M. D.
Dr. Robert John Bach, physician and surgeon, has made for himself a creditable name and place in professional medical circles of his native city. He was born in Mil- waukee, January 12, 1887, being the only son of the late Peter M. Bach. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Anna Schneider, is still a resident of Milwaukee. In the family were three daughters.
Dr. Bach was reared in Milwaukee, attending the public schools, and later being graduated from Marquette Academy with the class of 1904. He then entered Marquette College, Depatrment of Letters and Science, and won the Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1907, his Alma Mater later conferring upon him the honorary degree of Master of Arts. During the following two years he was engaged in teaching in Carlton Academy at Summit, New Jersey, and in the fall of 1919 he matriculated in the School of Medicine of Marquette University, from which institution he was graduated in 1913, receiving his professional degree in that year, this being the third degree which he received from the same university. He acted as interne at St. Mary's Hospital during the following year and then entered upon general practice in Milwaukee, in which he has engaged since 1914, save for the period of his services in the World war, for which he volunteered in the spring of 1918. He was commissioned first lieutenant in the Medical Corps of the United States army, and was sent to Fort Riley, Kansas.
There he pursued his student course of military training and was later appointed an instructor in the Medical Officer's Training Camp, Fort Riley, Kansas. Two months later he was appointed camp surgeon at Fort Riley, and continued as such until the camp was demobilized on February 5, 1919, on which date he was discharged from the service. He then returned to Milwaukee, and on the 15th of March of the same year was appointed medical officer in charge of the United States Public Health Service, Milwaukee, and continues to hold this position to the present time, in addition to his private practice. To Dr. Bach fell the responsibility of organizing in Milwaukee the medical relief of ex-service men of the World war. He belongs to the Academy of Medicine, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County Medical Society, the Wisconsin State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association.
On the 16th of August, 1917, Dr. Bach was married to Miss Margaret Olive Linden- schmidt, a daughter of Dr. Frederick J. Lindenschmidt, now deceased, who at one time was associated with Dr. Nicholas Senn in the practice of surgery in Milwaukee, On May 4, 1922, a son, Robert James Bach, was born to Dr. and Mrs. Bach.
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