History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume III, Part 15

Author: Bruce, William George, 1856-1949; Currey, J. Seymour (Josiah Seymour), b. 1844
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 912

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On the 25th of April, 1911, Mr. Messinger was married to Miss Mildred Hart of Cleveland, Ohio, and they have four children, three sons and a daughter: John Beecher, William Clifford, Grant Hart and Jane Hart.

Mr. Messinger was busy in all the war activities and was chairman of the metal trades division of the War Finance Committee. He belongs to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and to the American Foundrymen's Association, serving as vice president of the latter. In March, 1919, he went to Europe for his company and a group of affiliated manufacturers to study post-war conditions. He is a director of the Milwaukee Metal Trade & Founders Association. He is a member and director of the Milwaukee Association of Commerce and is a Rotarian. He likewise belongs to the Milwaukee Club, the Milwaukee Country Club, the Milwaukee Athletic Club, the University Club, the City Club, the Yale Club of New York and the American Club of London, England. His interests are of a varied nature, his activities bringing him into connection with many of those forces which make for the material, intellectual, social and moral progress of the community. Mr. Messinger is the president of the Association of Commerce Housing Corporation. He has ever used his talents wisely and well. His energies have taken him into the great field of industrial and civic activity and he has become a prominent figure in connection therewith.

NATHAN W. KLEIN.

Since January, 1898, Nathan W. Klein has engaged in the practice of law in Mil- waukee and has built up an extensive and important clientage. Like many other prominent and representative citizens of Milwaukee he is a son by adoption, for his birth occurred on the 2d of December, 1861, at Cleveland, Ohio. His father, Ignatz Klein, passed away in 1917. He was a native of Austria and came to the United States with his wife and two children in 1860. In 1862 he located in Milwaukee and there engaged in the dry goods business, in which he won a substantial amount of success. His wife was Sarah Bloch and her demise occurred in 1890. She was also born in Austria and married there. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Klein, five of

CHARLES R. MESSINGER

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whom are living: Israel S., a retired merchant of Los Angeles, California; Henry E., a merchant of St. Paul, Minnesota; Joseph E., a mechanic of Chicago; Nathan W., whose name initiates this review; and Rose, who resides in New York city. She is the widow of Emil Mittler, who was for years a prominent merchant in Peoria.

In the acquirement of an education Nathan W. Klein attended the public schools of Milwaukee and in due time entered the University of Wisconsin in the class of 1883. He then entered the services of the Bradstreet Company at Milwaukee as clerk and two years later was transferred to the Chicago branch of the company as manager of its city department. In October, 1885, he took charge of the management of the office at Peoria, Illinois, controlling a large part of the central portion of that state and on the 2d of July, 1888, was promoted to the management of its Milwaukee office which covered nearly the entire state of Wisconsin and northern Michigan. During this time Mr. Klein had been studying law in an evening class of the Milwaukee Law School, now a part of Marquette University and received his LL. B. degree in December, 1917. He was admitted to the Wisconsin bar in January, 1898. On the 1st of September, 1908, he opened law offices for the practice of his profession. He has always practiced alone and specializes in commercial and bankruptcy law, handling extensive and important litigation.

On the 1Stli of January, 1885, Mr. Klein was united in marriage to Miss Rose Klein. a daughter of David Klein who was born in Austria and came to this country at an early day. He removed to Milwaukee in 1878, where he won prominence in mer- cantile circles and his demise occurred in 1907. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Klein, Edward L. Klein. His natal day was the 27th of December, 1887, and he was reared in Milwaukee, receiving his education in the Milwaukee public schools and the high school. He is now a business man in New York city. In 1911 he was married to Miss Etta Lazarus of Louisville, Kentucky, a daughter of Simon Lazarus, a merchant of that place.

Mr. Klein has never been active along political lines and since attaining his majority he has followed an independent course. He is an attendant of Temple B'Ne Jeshurun and fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to Independence Lodge, No. 80, A. F. & A. M., of which he is past master, and he is also a Royal Arch Mason of Wiscon- sin Chapter. In club circles he is known as a member of the Kiwanis Club and belongs to the Association of Commerce and along the line of his profession he holds member- ship in the Milwaukee County Bar Association and the Wisconsin Bar Association. During the World war he subordinated his personal interests and gave generously of his time and money in support of the government. He served on the legal advisory board until the close of hostilities. Earnest effort, close application and the exercise of his native talents have won Mr. Klein prestige as a commercial and bankruptcy lawyer and he is devotedly attached to his profession. In the presentation of his cases he uses a rare simplicity of style and the admirable terseness and clearness in the state- ment of the principles upon which the opinions rest show a thorough mastery of the questions involved.

WILLIAM ACKERMANN, M. D.

Dr. William Ackermann, physician and surgeon, specializing in gastro-intestinal diseases, has thoroughly qualified in the field of his specialty and his comprehensive knowledge and skill in practice have gained for him a most liberal support. He was born in Milwaukee, April 26, 1875, and is a son of Phillip Ackermann, who was at one time foreman at the plant of the Pabst Brewing Company in Milwaukee. He was born in Germany and at the age of fourteen years came to the United States with his parents, spending his remaining days in this city. He married Barbara Schreier, who is still living. She was born in Germany and was brought to the new world by her parents when but two years of age. Although site has passed the eightieth milestone on life's journey, she is still enjoying excellent health.

Dr. Ackermann is the youngest of a family of five children, three of whom are living. He was graduated from the East Side high school of Milwaukee when sixteen years of age. He afterward attended the Wisconsin College of Physicians and Sur- geons, completing his course there by graduation in 1896, at which time the M. D. degree was conferred upon him. He first entered upon the practice of his chosen pro- fession at South Germantown, Wisconsin, where he remained for three years, and in 1900 he went abroad for study in Vienna. In 1901 he returned and hecame associated with Drs. Charles and Alfred Kreutzer in the practice of medicine but in 1903 again went abroad, making his way to Berlin, where he pursued a thorough course of study. Again he came to his native city in 1905 and has steadily engaged in practice here throughout the intervening period, having his offices in the Goldsmith building. He served in the World war as a captain in the Medical Corps, U. S. A., for six months, being on duty at Camp Custer. He is a member of the faculty of the Marquette Medical

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School and is on the staff of the Deaconess Hospital, the Milwaukee Maternity Hospital and the General Hospital. His membership relations connect him with the Milwaukee Medical Society, the Milwaukee County Medical Society, the Wisconsin State Medical Society, the Wisconsin Surgical Society and the American Medical Association.

Fraternally Dr. Ackermann is connected with the Phi Rho Sigma, a medical society, and he likewise belongs to the Masons, being a most loyal follower of the teachings and purposes of the craft. His life has been devoted to professional interests and he has maintained the highest ethical standards in his practice.

VALENTINE FINA.

Valentine Fina. president and general manager of the Clum Manufacturing Com- pany, was born on the 4th of February, 1882, in Austria, near the Italian boundary, and in 1903 came to the United States, seeking a wider field in which to give full scope to his ambition and industry-his dominant qualities. He arrived in Milwaukee with a capital of but nine dollars and with no knowledge of the English language. He was, however, skilled along mechanical lines and, applying himselt diligently and intelli- gently, succeeded in overcoming all obstacles in his path, advancing step by step to the position he now occupies as one of the leading and influential business men of Mil- waukee. His father. Phillip Fina, who passed away in 1890, became caretaker of a large Italian estate at an early age and remained in that connection until he reached the age of thirty-nine years. He married an Austrian girl, Marie Richtig, whose father conducted a large restaurant, and in later life Phillip Fina was associated with his father-in-law in that business, achieving such success as enabled him to live in retire- ment some years prior to his demise. Those last years were spent in a village near Villach, where he was considered a most influential and representative citizen. Mrs. Fina is still living and makes her home in the old village.

Valentine Fina attended the public schools of his native village until he was fourteen years of age. He was ambitious to become an attorney or school teacher but was trained along mechanical lines instead and completed his machinist apprenticeship at the age of seventeen years. Realizing the need and advantages of a technical educa- tion, he went to Gratz and there entered a technical school, where he remained as student for three years. He worked half the day and in this manner paid his tuition while attending school the remainder of the day and evening, including Sundays. His natural ability and close application enabled him to master the course in a short time and upon putting aside his textbooks he engaged in boiler making, bridge work, tool work and machine building, and subsequently was manager of a paper mill for nine months, his work consisting in devising plans for labor saving.

In September, 1903, upon being drafted for the army Mr. Fina came to the United States and made his way directly to Milwaukee, where a brother and two sisters were already located. Being a skilled mechanic he had no difficulty in finding work and was employed as machinist for Filer & Stowells until May 25, 1911, at the time of his resignation being gang boss. In the meantime he had obtained a knowledge of the English language. During his association with that concern he was sent to Mississippi in the year 1904, at a time when there was an epidemic of yellow fever. to complete a job already underway and although he knew but little English he met with success in the accomplishment of the task.

On May 25, 1911, Mr. Fina determined to enter business cn his own account and founded the business known as the Fina-Pichler Company in association with Joseph Pichler. The purpose of the company was to manufacture labor saving tools and equipments. The partnership continued until the 12th of November, 1918, when Mr. Fina took over the business which was incorporated under the name of the Fina- Pichler Company with a capital stock of thirty thousand dollars. He disposed of that business in June 1919, having on the 12th of February, 1918, purchased an interest in the Clum Manufacturing Company and immediately set about to make practical use of the too's which he had manufactured. The Clum Manufacturing Company had come into existence in 1912 and was reorganized when Mr. Fina became connected with it, the offices of president and general manager being tendered him. At first it occupied twenty-three thousand square feet of rented floor space but today has seventy-six thon- sand square feet of floor space in the finest manufacturing home in Milwaukee. The building is situated on the corner of National and First avenues and has four floors and a basement. The capital stock is now two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and the company manufactures electrical controlling devices for automobiles, trucks and tractors. They sell their products to manufacturers only, covering practically all of the United States and Canada. The number of employes required to handle the work in an efficient and capable manner has increased from eighty-five to four hundred, and the annual business amounts to over a million, a substantial increase over the three hundred thousand dollars annually realized during the early history of the company,

VALENTINE FINA

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The present equipment and space will permit a business of two million, five hundred thousand dollars.

On the 19th of May, 1906, Mr. Fina was united in marriage to Miss Marie Pfeiffer, a daughter of George Pfeiffer, a toolmaker of Milwaukee. Her father was born near Vienna, Austria, and came to Milwaukee in 1892. Two children have been born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Fina: Helmuth, whose birth occurred on the 19th of May, 1907; and Marie, who was born on the 2nd of May, 1910, and died November 11, 1918, Mrs. Fina is well known in connection with the club and social life of the city and has many friends. She is a woman of culture and refinement and has a most charming person- ality,

Since coming to this country Mr. Fina has maintained an independent course in politics and, although he takes a prominent part in general development and improve- ment, has never desired political preferment. He is a member of the safety and sani- tation committee of the Milwaukee Association of Commerce, and his social connections are with the City Club, Milwaukee Athletic Club and Waukesha Golf Club. In 1909 Mr. Fina built a fine home in Bay View but sold it in 1918 and erected his present home in Wauwatosa. The house stands on the corner of Second avenue and Kenwood, commanding the attention of all passersby because of the beautiful simplicity of its architecture.

Mr. Fina is thoroughly devoted to his home and takes great pleasure in the society of his family and friends. He is a sincere lover of music and was a talented violinist at the age of six years. The son Helmuth shows signs of musical talent and will receive instruction from the best masters in the country. Mr. Fina is likewise fond of reading and has a largo library composed of the best literary works, together with volumes of instruction along technical lines. During the World war he turned over his entire business to the manufacture of tools used in the making of ammunition and before the entrance of this country into the war assisted the allies in that way. He supplied tools for the Toledo Bridge & Crane Company, Diamond Manutacturing Com- pany of Detroit, American Can Company of New York, Sturges & Burns of Chicago and the Edwards Valve Company of Chicago, the latter company having large war con- tracts for ammunition. Though born across the water Mr. Fina is thoroughly Ameri- can in thought and feeling, and the hope that led him to leave his native land and seek a home in America has been more than realized. He found the opportunities he sought, which, by the way, are always open to the ambitious, energetic man, and making the best of these, he has steadily worked his way upward. He possesses the resolution, perseverance and reliability seldom found to such a degree, and his name is now enrolled among the best citizens of his adopted city and state.

WILLIAM MICHAEL DOOLEY.

Since 1917 William Michael Dooley has been president of the W. M. Dooley Com- pany, Incorporated, and in that capacity has won prominence in the real estate circles of Milwaukee. A native of the city, his birth occurred on the 11th of October, 1892, and he is a son of James J. and Nellie (Shenners) Dooley, both deceased. Mr. Dooley is a descendant of Irish ancestors in both the paternal and maternal lines, Michael Dooley and John Shenners, his grandfathers, having both been born in that country. The paternal grandfather came to the United States with his parents when a mere boy and passed away at the age of sixty-seven years. He engaged in farming in Walworth county and offered his services to the Union army upon the outbreak of the Civil war. On the farm in Walworth county the birth of James J. Dooley occurred and he re- ceived his education in the schools of that vicinity. For many years he engaged in the express business, in which he achieved a substantial success. His demise occurred in 1920. Mrs. Dooley was a daughter of John Shenners, a veteran of the Civil war who served throughout that conflict. Mrs. Dooley passed away in 1916.

William Michael Dooley is indebted to the public schools of Milwaukee for his early education and after graduating from the South Side high school he entered the Marquette Academy, preparatory to enrolling in Marquette University. He had made up his mind to enter the real estate business and subsequently, upon putting his text- books aside, entered the office of the W. H. Shenners Company, real estate dealers. He was active in that association for nine years, when he determined to go into the business on his own account and in 1917 established offices at 478 National avenne, operating under the name of the W. M. Dooley Company, Incorporated. He is president of the company and Phillip P. Hayes, a brother-in-law, is vice president. They do an extensive brokerage business, buying and selling on their own account and in addition do much building, the latter interests being operated as the National Building Company.

Although Mr. Dooley leans toward the democratic party he is very independent in his views and votes for the man he thinks hest fitted for the office. He has never sought nor desired political office, prefering to devote his entire time to the promotion of his

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business affairs. He is a communicant of St. Matthew's church and is a devout Catholic. Fraternally Mr. Dooley is identified with the Elks and the Knights of Columbus and he belongs to the Real Estate Board and the Association of Commerce. During the World war he participated in the various drives and sought in every way to cooperate with his government. For recreation Mr. Dooley turns to motoring and makes many trips through Wisconsin and neighboring states. He is likewise fond of all outdoor sports and athletics and was a member of the baseball team at Marquette University. He has closely applied himself to the mastery of all duties connected with his business and is one of the vital and progressive young business men of his native city. His unqualified personal popularity has won for him many friends and they watch with interest his coutinued advancement.

THOMAS LEIGHTON BLYTH.

Thomas Leighton Blyth, branch manager of the American Mutual Liability In- surance Company of Boston, with headquarters in Milwaukee was born in the city of his present residence on the 2d of October, 1895. His father, Charles James Phillips Blyth, was born in London, England, in 1866 and came to Milwaukee about 1892, before his marriage. He is now living retired in Milwaukee, enjoying the fruits of a life spent in diligence and industry. Mrs. Blyth is also living. She was before her marriage, Miss Margaret Leighton, a native of Banchory, Scotland. She came to Milwaukee with a sister and there met her future husband.

Thomas Leighton Blyth received his early education in the public schools of Mil- waukee until he was seventeen years of age, when he put his textbooks aside and going to Chicago became associated with his present company as claim investigator and gen- eral assistant. He remained with the company in Chicago, and as a result of his busi- ness ability and the conscientious performance of every duty assigned him, in 1919 he was made manager of the production department and in June of that year was trans- ferred to his present position in Milwaukee. He started out in life on his own account when a lad in his teens and his advancement has been the direct outcome of his efforts and perseverance. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished and now occupies an enviable position among the prominent business men of the city.

Since attaining his majority Mr. Blyth has been a supporter of the democratic party, although he has never taken a conspicuous part in its affairs, preferring to de- vote his time and attention to his husiness interests. He is musically inclined, having a splendid tenor voice and he has made many public appearances in both church and theatre work. He is an Episcopalian, attending All Saints cathedral and for eight years he has sung in its choir, three years of the time being soloist. He has likewise sung at performances in the Davidson, Pabst and other theatres in the city. He has, in every way, thoroughly identified himself with the interests of Milwaukee and is one of the leading members of the Association of Commerce, belonging to both the senior and juuior divisions of the organization. He is identified with the Milwaukee Athletic and Blue Mound Country Clubs and for recreation he turns to outdoor sports, enjoying fishing, boxing and golf. He is also fond of good literature. Although kept out of active service in the World war because of a serious surgical operation, he subordi- nated all personal interests in the desire to do all in his power and he had just become a member of the Motor Transport Corps when the armistice was signed, bringing active hostilities to a close. Mr. Blyth is essentially a business man, alert and energetic, and his well defined plans have heen carried steadily forward to successful completion along lines that will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny.

JACOB HERMAN.

Jacob Herman, president of the Wisconsin Retail Market Men's Association and also president of the Market Men's Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Wisconsin, was born in Jackson, this state. April 23, 1875. The story of his life is the story of earnest endeavor, intelligently directed, and the results which follow such a course are sure and certain. His parents, Christopher and Anna Elizabeth (Faber) Herman, were both natives of Germany but came to America in early life and were married in this country. The trip of the Herman family to the new world was made in a sailing vessel in the '30s and after reaching Wisconsin they took up land near Jackson, there clearing away the timber and developing a farm amid the surroundings of pioneer life. The first home of the family was a little log cabin, in which they lived until they could gain a start and erect a more commodious and modern home. Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Herman reared a family of thirteen children, eleven of whom are living. In the early days they had to walk to Milwaukee for their supplies and later

JACOB HERMAN

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they made the trip with oxen. All of the hardships and privations of pioneer life were familiar to them but as the years passed, the labors of Mr. Herman and others of the family did away with these hard conditions and the benefits of prosperity were in time theirs. The father was a soldier of the Civil war, enlisting in defense of his adopted country in the Sixth Wisconsin Regiment, which was a part of the famous Iron Brigade. He had several narrow escapes, on one occasion a bullet piercing his cap, while at another time his sleeve was perforated by rebel lead. However, he re- mained uninjured and faithfully followed the nation's starry banner on the battle fields of the south until victory crowned the Union arms. After the war he returned to the old homestead and thereon spent his remaining days, his death occurring at the age of eighty-two and a half years.

Jacob Herman was educated in the country schools and remained on the farm until fifteen years of age, when he began working at the butcher's trade. In 1894 he came to Milwaukee and continued to follow his trade in the employ of others until 1903, when he opened a place of his own at his present location-No. 2322 State street. Here he has huilt up a very large trade, having a modern butcher shop, well appointed, sanitary and attractive in the line of meats carried. Mr. Herman has been very successful in all that he has undertaken and his high standing in business is shown in the fact that in 1918 he was elected president of the Wisconsin Retail Market Men's Association and is now serving for the fourth term in that position. He was also elected in 1918 president of the Market Men's Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Wisconsin and is serving for the fourth term in that office. He studies closely all important and vital business problems and his opinions on trade conditions and possibilities are sound, being based upon keen vision and broad understanding of not only the needs but the opportunities of the hour.

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History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume III, Part 15

Author: Bruce, William George, 1856-1949; Currey, J. Seymour (Josiah Seymour), b. 1844 Publication date: 1922 Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 912

Author: Bruce, William George, 1856-1949; Currey, J. Seymour (Josiah Seymour), b. 1844
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 912