USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume III > Part 19
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William E. Wehr pursued his early education in Dousman's Private School of Milwaukee and afterward attended the German-English Academy and the Old Mark- ham's Academy, from which he was gradnated with the class of 1903. He initiated his business career by becoming an employe of the Falk Company, with which he re- mained for abont nine years, working his way steadily upward until he was placed in charge of one of the departments. He resigned that position of responsibility in 1910 in order to engage in business on his own account and associated with his brother, Edward R. Wehr, organized the Wehr Steel Company, establishing business at the location which they yet occupy at Forty-fifth street and the Northwestern tracks. They began the business on a very small scale with about three acres of land but the steady growth of their patronage made it necessary for them to increase their plant and facilities from time to time nntil they now have a very extensive plant covering twenty acres, while the volume of their trade justifies the employment of three hundred people in normal times. They mannfacture electric steel castings and their output is shipped all over the country. During the World war they did nothing but government work and their product is confined to electric steel castings. The present officers of the company are: William E. Wehr, president; Edward R. Wehr, vice president; Henry Wehr, second vice president; and C. F. Wehr, secretary and treasurer. All four are brothers. William E. Wehr is likewise the secretary and treasurer of the Dings Magnetic Separator Company.
On the 7th of October, 1911, Mr. Wehr was married to Miss Loretta Smyth of Chicago, a daughter of John M. Smyth, long a prominent merchant of Chicago, con- ducting an extensive house furnishing goods establishment. They reside at No. 2910 Grand avenne. Mr. Wehr is much interested in all outdoor sports, including hunting and on his hunting trip in the fall of 1920 in upper Ontario he killed a sixteen hnn- dred pound moose on the 20th of October, this being one of the largest moose that has ever been killed in Ontario. He had its head mounted at the Field Museum in Chicago and then presented it to the Washington Park Museum of Milwaukee. Mr. Wehr also enjoys bowling, golf, baseball and yachting. He belongs to the Mn Delta Epsilon fra- ternity, is a member of the Knights of Columbus, has membership in the Milwaukee Athletic Club, the Chicago Athletic Association, the Chicago Yacht Club, the Wis- consin Club, the Blne Mound Club of Milwaukee and the Rotary Club.
HON. CHARLES FRANKE.
Hon. Charles Franke, a leading druggist of Sonth Milwaukee, who six times was honored with the mayoralty of the city, was born near Kassel, Germany, August 22, 1864, a son of Charles Franke, who came to the United States with his family on the 6th of July 1881, and settled near Baraboo, Wisconsin, where his remaining days were spent on a farm.
Charles Franke came to this country with his father when a youth of seventeen years and in his early life worked on the farm and at the shoe trade. He took up his abode in Milwaukee in 1887, at which time he entered the employ of Atkins, West & Company, with whom he remained for five years, or until 1892. He then removed to South Milwaukee and assisted in organizing the village. Here he engaged in the shoe business, which he carried on successfully for fonrteen years, at the end of which time he disposed of his store and turned his attention to the hotel business, which also claimed his energies for a period of fonrteen years. He made the Hotel Blatz, of which he was the proprietor, one of the leading and popular hostelries of the city. On the 1st of May 1920, he established a drug store in South Milwaukee and is success- fully conducting the business at the present time, having a well appointed store and enjoying a liberal patronage.
Mr. Franke has figured prominently in the public life of South Milwaukee. One
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HON. CHARLES FRANKE
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of his hiographers said, "His advent into municipal politics was as spectacular as it was sudden. He came prominently into the limelight during the Mansfield trial in 1901, by reason of his powerful opposition to the fifty-year franchise, which had been stealthily given to the electric railroad." By reason of the public spirit which he had manifested Mr. Franke was called to serve as alderman in 1901 and in 1902 was elected mayor of the city, continuing to serve as chief executive until 1908, having been electedt for three successive terms. In 1910 he was again chosen for the office, his term ex- piring in 1916. Though many oppose his views and his policies they never doubt the integrity of his position nor that his efforts are honestly put forth for the benefit of the public. He has worked untiringly for the upbuilding and development of South Milwaukee and is today the oldest business man of the city in years of continuous connection with its commercial development. He was particularly interested in the Sheridan drive and there has been no plan put forth for public progress and improve- ment here which has not received his endorsement and active support. He served for thirteen years as volunteer fireman of South Milwaukee and during three years of that period was chief of the department.
Mr. Franke has three sons: Fred. Grant and Paul. The first named was overseas during the World war, serving with the One Hundred and Twentieth Artillery of the Thirty-second Division. There is also a daughter, Mrs. Kenneth Means, whose husband is manager of the American Tar Product Company of Carrollville.
Fraternally Mr. Franke is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and is a life member of the Knights of Pythias, which he joined thirty-four years ago. He is also a man of high standing in the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He participated in all of the war drives and headed many committees in his community, doing effective work in putting South Milwaukee over the top. The value of his service places him with the foremost residents of this city, his labors at all times proving a tangible element in the public good.
ARNO HUBERT PETERSEN.
Arno Hubert Petersen is an active and prominent factor in industrial circles of Milwaukee as the president and treasurer of the A. H. Petersen Manufacturing Com- pany, conducting a well equipped plant at Nos. 1614 to 1624 Fratney street. His birth occurred in Chilton, Wisconsin, on the 3d of March, 1887, his parents being Peter and Frances ( Kraus) Petersen, the former a native of Germany, while the latter was born in Wisconsin. Henry Petersen, the paternal grandfather, was also a native of Germany and conducted a large tannery in that country but after emigrating to the new world turned his attention to the grain and live stock business in this state. Hubert Kraus, the maternal grandfather, was likewise born in Germany. Peter Petersen, father of A. H. Petersen of this review, was eleven years of age when he came with
his parents to the United States, the family home being established at Holstein, Wisconsin. Throughout his entire business career he has been a broker and dealer in live stock and he still maintains his reputation as the most extensive shipper of live stock in the state of Wisconsin. He has also become an active factor in public affairs, serving as sheriff of Calumet county and in various other local offices, in all of which he has discharged his duties with marked capability and faithfulness. He and his wife yet make their home at Chilton, this state.
Arno H. Petersen obtained his education in the public and high schools of his native town and after putting aside his textbooks spent three years as a salesman in a clothing store there. When nineteen years of age he purchased a half interest in the establishment, becoming junior partner in the firm of Arps & Petersen, but two years later sold out to his associate. He next played professional baseball as a pitcher for one year and then embarked in the clothing and men's furnishing goods business at Mayville. Wisconsin, where he was thus engaged for three years. On the expiration of that period he disposed of his interests at Mayville and came to Mil- waukee in 1912, here organizing the New Process Specialty Company for the manu- facture of electrical specialties. Two years later, however, he again sold out and organized the P. & B. Manufacturing Company, which corporate name was subsequently changed to the A. H. Petersen Manufacturing Company, of which he has since re- mained the president and treasurer. They huild special machinery and make portable electric drills and other automotive specialties, their market including nearly every country on the face of the globe. They are pioneers in the building of light portable electric drills and have developed an extensive and profitable business in this con- nection. The successful conduct of the enterprise is largely attributable to the capable management and sound judgment of Mr. Petersen, who is a most able executive and has become widely recognized as a leading representative of industrial interests in Milwaukee.
On the 20th of August, 1912, Mr. Petersen was united in marriage to Miss Louise ¥01. 111-12
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Buerger. a daughter of Peter Buerger, who emigrated to the United States from Ger- many, his native land, settling in Wisconsin about 1871. He is now successfully engaged in business as a maltster of Mayville, Wisconsin, and owns a brewery. Mrs. Petersen, who was educated in the convent at Corliss, possesses marked musical ability, being a talented performer on both the piano and violin. By her marriage she has become the mother of two children, Carleton and Katherine, both in school. The family residence is at No. 796 Prospect place.
Mr. Petersen is a popular member of the Milwaukee Athletic Club and also be- longs to the Wisconsin Club and to the Association of Commerce. He is very fond of athletics and is a devotee of all outdoor sports, finding great pleasure in golf and motoring and being a skilled hunter and fisherman. He has won many friends during the period of his residence in Milwaukee and enjoys an enviable reputation as a young business man of exceptional ability and citizen of substantial worth.
WILLIAM H. PARK.
William H. Park, the only native Milwaukeean to rise to the ownership of a Milwaukee daily newspaper, has long figured prominently in Milwaukee civic affairs. Since his retirement from the active field of journalism he has given considerable time and attention to civic enterprises.
Mr. Park was born in Milwaukee in 1857, his parents being William H. and Mary (McKittrick ) Park. His mother was a cousin of Robert and William McKittrick, who settled in Milwaukee in 1837, when the city was a struggling frontier hamlet of a few hundred souls. William H. Park, Sr., was a contractor, following that business throughout his entire life. After coming to this country from Belfast, Ireland, he lived for a time in Albany, New York, coming to Milwaukee in 1850. He was identified with early building operations in this city and contributed in a considerable measure to the early local development.
William H. Park, the son, was educated in the Milwaukee public schools. He after- ward entered a local printing office, learning the printing trade in all its phases. From this start he worked upward until he became one of the most prominent metropolitan daily newspaper owners in the middle west. He was the first and only native Mil- waukeean to work up from the "case" to be owner and publisher of a successful weekly and daily newspaper. It was in 1874 that he started as a printer's devil in the old Sentinel job room. He is a charter member of Cream City Typographical Union, which was reorganized in 1881, and proved his consistency and loyalty to the union by always employing nnion printers. He never had a strike or a walkout among his printers dur- ing the long years he was a publisher. in 1886 he founded the first English labor weekly, the Weekly Labor Review. In 1887 he began the publication of the Daily Review, and in 1888 changed the name to The Milwaukee Daily News. After leaving the Milwaukee Daily News he purchased the old Evening Wisconsin and assisted in affecting the consolidation of papers now known as the Wisconsin News.
After selling out his interests to the Hearst organization, Mr. Park directed his interests and activities to civic and public affairs. He is a member of the Milwaukee Press Club, of the Old Settlers Club and of the Milwaukee Athletic Club. He resides on the same lot on which he was born-at 711 Racine street.
His has been an interesting life, connected closely with the history of the city. Many changes have been wrought in the years since he was born on the upper east side. During his career as an active journalist came the big development and growth of Milwaukee as one of the industrial metropolises of the country, and his newspapers were always advocates of the policies which made Milwaukee a foremost city in the nation. The Milwaukee Daily News had for years a marked effect upon community life and thought and was most active in developing and shaping public thought and action, and in supporting those policies and projects which promised the most for public progress and improvement. William H. Park is widely known in this section of the state, and is one of Milwaukee's most valued residents.
RUDOLPH NUNNEMACHER.
Rudolph Nunnemacher, for many years a prominent citizen of Milwaukee, was the second son of Jacob and Catharina ( Barjenbruch ) Nunnemacher, extended men- tion of whom is made on another page of this work. He was born September 7, 1848, and in the acquirement of an education attended the German-English Academy of Milwaukee, while subsequently he continued his studies in Nuremberg, Germany. After returning to the United States he engaged in business with his father for a time but when twenty-two years of age severed that connection and
RUDOLPH NUNNEMACHER
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organized the Home Savings Bank in association with Hon. Ferdinand Kuehn, an oid and prominent citizen of Milwaukee and at one time state treasurer of Wiscon- sin. This bank, of which Mr. Kuehn became the president and Mr. Nunnemacher the cashier, was established in 1870 and was located in a building which occupied the site of the present Kirby House. It was consolidated a little later with the hank which had previously been conducted by M. Von Baumbach and the consoli- dated institutions became known as the German Exchange Bank. Of this Guido Pfister served as president and Mr. Nunnemacher as cashier up to the time of its consolidation with the Bank of Commerce. Under this consolidation the Merchants' Exchange Bank came into existence and Mr. Nunnemacher was made vice president of that well known banking house. After the death of President O'Neill, Mr. Nunne- macher succeeded to the presidency of the bank and retained that position up to the time of its consolidation with the First National Bank in 1894. Although he desired to be relieved, as far as possible, of the cares and responsibilities of the banking business, he became vice president of the reorganized First National Bank, bis financial sagacity and ability as a banker adding materially to the prestige of this noted banking house. Soon afterward he went abroad because of impaired health, hoping through rest, recreation and travel to regain his wonted vigor. He was accompanied by members of his family, receiving the most kindly care and at- tention, and was treated also by some of the most celebrated physicians of the old world, but all efforts to stay the progress of disease failed and his death occurred at Meran, Austria, on Christmas day of 1894. His remains were brought back to Mil- waukee and on the 14th of Jannary, 1895, were interred in the city of his birth, to the upbuilding of which he gave all the years of his active life. As a capitalist, business man and banker he was widely known not only in Milwaukee but in other cities. In addition to his banking interests he was a large holder of real estate in Milwaukee and left a large fortune. He was a director of the Merchants Mutual Life insurance Company, a member of the Chamber of Commerce, of the Mil- waukee Club and of the Bankers Club and in all these organizations was a con- spicuous figure. Always a lover of art, he had made a fine collection of paintings and had also gotten together a rare collection of old coins, which he began making in early life.
Mr. Nunnemacher was twice married. On the 30th of May, 1871, he wedded Pauline Vogel, daughter of Frederick Vogel, and they became parents of five chil- dren: Rudolph J., Friedrich, Walter, Pauline and Augusta. The wife and mother passed away and in 1888 Mr. Nunnemacher was united in marriage to Mrs. Emilie Schoellkopf, a sister of his first wife and the widow of Henry Schoellkopf of Buffalo. They had one daughter, Gertrude N. Of the above mentioned children only one survives, Pauline, who married William D. Sawyer on the 26th of November, 1902. He was a son of Major Sawyer, who with his father was numbered among the old- time residents of Milwaukee.
Rudolph J. Nunnemacher, the eldest son of Rudolph and Pauline (Vogel ) Nun- nemacher, was born February 26, 1872, and was married June 22, 1897, to Emma Pabst. fle died January 29, 1900, after submitting to an operation for appendicitis. It was he who left his beautiful and costly collection of armour and oriental speci- mens to the Public Museum.
LOUIS N. PIERRON.
Louis N. Pierron, a representative, enterprising and progressive young business man of Milwaukee, has been identified with the Quality Biscuit Company since its organization in 1912 and for the past seven years has served as secretary and treasurer of that concern, which conducts a modern and well equipped factory at No. 696 South Pierce street.
His birth occurred on his father's farm at Belgium, Ozaukee county, Wisconsin, on the 22d of August, 1885, his parents being Nicholas and Margaret (Becker) Pierron, the former a native of Dacada, Wisconsin, while the latter was born on the Becker farm near Belgium, this state. Louis Pierron, the paternal grandfather, was a native of France but was brought to the United States by his parents when a lad of ten years, the family home being established in Wisconsin. The maternal grandfather, J. P. Becker, who was born in Luxemburg, took up his abode on a farm near Belgium, Wis- consin. Nicholas Pierron, the father of Mr. Pierron of this review, has devoted his entire life to general agricultural pursuits and is now a resident of Random Lake, this state. He has served as president of the town board and has been an active factor in the public and business life of his community.
Louis N. Pierron obtained his early education in the common schools of Belgium and later pursued a course of study in the Spencerian Business College in Milwaukee, while subsequently he matriculated in the Northern Illinois Normal School at Dixon,
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Illinois, where he also attended the Dixon Business College. Thus well qualified by liberal educational training for life's practical and responsible duties, he entered the business world as an employe of the Lake Shore Stone Company of Belgium, acting as timekeeper for a period of five and a half years. It was in 1912 that he came to Mil- waukee and became identified with the newly organized Quality Biscuit Company, of which he was chosen secretary and treasurer two years later and has since so served. The company employs as many as two hundred people in the manufacture of cookies and crackers and its market extends over the entire state of Wisconsin. Mr. Pierron has been an active factor in its successful conduct from the beginning, for he is a man of keen discernment, untiring industry and unquestioned integrity. He has earned for himself an enviable reputation as a careful man of business and in his dealings is known for his prompt and honorable methods, which have won him the deserved and unbounded confidence of his fellowmen.
On the 28th of December, 1916, Mr. Pierron was united in marriage to Miss Mayme Guyette, a daughter of John Guyette, of French descent, who is now engaged in busi- ness as a contractor of Hibbing, Minnesota. In politics Mr. Pierron maintains an in- dependent course, supporting men and measures rather than party. He is fond of motor tours, which afford him needed recreation, is an active member of the Safe Drivers Club and is also identified with the Association of Commerce.
ORRIN W. BOW.
Orrin W. Bow, attorney at law of Milwaukee, was born in Green Lake county, Wisconsin, April 5, 1865, a son of Orrin W. and Lydia (Morse) Bow, who were natives of Massachusetts and of the state of New York, respectively. It was in the year 1844 that the father came to Wisconsin. casting in his lot with the pioneer settlers of the state. Two years later he took up his abode on a farm in Green Lake county and was prominently identified with agricultural pursuits in that locality, while at the same time he became a leading factor in public affairs. He served as a member of the state legislature at intervals for thirty years, being first elected in 1859 and he left the impress of his individuality in large measure upon the history of the state, supporting many legislative projects which have been of great benefit to the commonwealth. He was also chairman of the town of Kingston, Wisconsin, for more than forty years and a life of intense activity and great usefulness ended when he passed away in 1898.
His son and namesake, Orrin W. Bow of this review, was educated in the country schools and in Ripon College at Ripon, Wisconsin, where he was graduated in 1886, with the degree of Bachelor of Science. In the fall of the same year he came to Mil- waukee and entered upon the study of law with Joshua Stark and George E. Sutherland. He afterward became a student in the law department of the University of Michigan and was graduated at Ann Arbor in 1890. He was admitted to the bar at Milwaukee upon examination in the same year and has practiced law in this city since 1894, build- ing up a very extensive and lucrative practice. He has never been a candidate for office except when he first came to Milwaukee but has largely confined his attention to his professional duties and interests. He was vice president of the Wisconsin Savings Bank, now the North Avenue State Bank for five years.
On the 26th of September, 1893, Mr. Bow was married to Miss Helen M. Garner and they have one daughter, Marion E. Mr. Bow belongs to the Old Settlers Club and he is also a member of the Milwaukee Bar Association. He enjoys the high regard of his professional colleagues and contemporaries, by reason of his close conformity to the highest ethical standards of the profession. In all of his business relations his course has been such as would bear the closest investigation and scrutiny and his name appears high on the roll of esteemed citizens in the Cream city.
ALBERT W. GOOD.
Albert W. Good, president of the Katzenstein-Good Company, underwear manu- facturers of Milwaukee, was born in Chicago, October 10, 1880. His father, George Edward Good, a native of Buffalo, New York, removed to Chicago in early life and be- came a machine constructor-builder of stationary engines. He was also at one time connected with the Chicago fire department and he served during the Civil war with the Union army. His father was George Good, who was born in the state of New York, so that the family has been represented for many generations on this side of the Atlantic. George Edward Good departed this life in 1905. For eight years he was survived by his wife, who hore the maiden name of Elizabeth Jordan and was born in Chicago, a daughter of Comfort Jordan.
Albert W. Good was educated in the public schools of Chicago and in the Armour
ORRIN W. BOW
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Institute of Technology and in early life he spent three years in the employ of Adams & Westlake as an electrician. On the expiration of that period he came to Milwaukee and became identified with Frank Katzenstein in the manufacture of children's muslin underwear, starting in the business in 1904. He has been associated with this under- taking throughout the intervening period and in 1915 he became financially interested in the concern, which was incorporated in that year. He was made vice president of the company and upon the death of Mr. Katzenstein in August, 1918, he was elected to the presidency. The company manufactures children's muslin underwear and dresses and finds a market for its product all over the United States. This is today one of the important productive enterprises of the city and the business has reached large proportions. Mr. Good is also the secretary of the Luxite Silk Products Com- pany, engaged in the manufacture of women's silk underwear and hosiery, making the highest grade of goods of this kind produced in the United States. They have a splendid equipped plant, supplied with the latest improved machinery, and their out- put is unsurpassed.
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