USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume III > Part 23
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In politics Mr. Spencer maintains an independent course. Fraternally he is con- nected with Prospect Lodge of the Knights of Pythias and also is a member of the Knights of Khorassan and of the Milwaukee Lodge of Elks. A lover of music, he
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plays the cornet and was a member of the Journal Band when but twelve years of age. While a young man, he has made steady progress in business and is today active as a representative of the manufacturing interests of Milwaukee, while his attractive home, purchased in January, 1921, stands as a monument to his well directed energy and business acumen.
EDWARD F. GOES.
Edward F. Goes, who for almost a quarter of a century has been the vice president of the Vilter Manufacturing Company, was born in Milwaukee, November 16, 1858, and is a son of Frederick and Emma (Gerlach) Goes, both of whom were natives of Ger- many, Ibc father having been born in Bavaria in 1819. He came to Milwaukee from his native country in 1850 and shortly afterward became a partner in the Goes & Falk Brewing Company. In 1867 he returned with his family to Germany, where he spent his remaining days, his death there occurring in 1893. In his family were three sons: George W., who has departed this life; Edward F. and Frederick, Jr., both residents of Milwaukee.
Edward F. Goes accompanied his parents to Germany in 1867 and in that land acquired his education. After attending the common schools he became a student in the Gymnasium at Frankfort and completed his scholastic work with an engineering course in Munich. The opportunities of the new world attracted Mr. Goes and in 1883 he returned to Milwaukee, where he entered the employ of the Vilter Company as a dranghtsman, later becoming a member of the firm by the purchase of some of the capital stock. Steadily he advanced until he became head of the draughting depart- ment and in 1898 he was elected vice president of the company, a position which he has since filled in a most capable and creditable manner. He has contributed to the con- tinued growth and development of the business, with which he has familiarized himself in every detail, and as the years have gone on, his sound judgment and unfaltering enterprise, combined with his splendid executive ability, have brought, results that are most gratifying to the corporation.
On the 25th of April, 1889, Mr. Goes was united in marriage to Miss Addie Schweitzer, a native of Milwaukee and a daughter of Joseph Schweitzer. They became parents of one son, Frederick T., who is a mechanical engineer in the employ of the Vilter Manufacturing Company since 1915.
Mr. Goes is a member of the Wisconsin Cluh and also of the Milwaukee Athletic Club. In the thirty-nine years of his residence here, from 1883 to the present time, he has become widely known and is recognized throughout the city as a sane, conserva- tive business man of sterling integrity and exceptional capacity.
CHARLES HENRY YUNKER.
A well known and highly esteemed citizen of Milwaukee is Charles Henry Yunker, who has been president of the Milwaukee Mechanics' Insurance Company since Janu- ary, 1919. His inherent business sagacity and executive ability have insured the success of the company of which he is the head and it has grown extensively and solidly during his identification with it. He is a native of Milwaukee, where his birth occurred August 18, 1864, a son of John B. and Mary (Sprengling) Yunker. John B. Yunker was born in Hessen-Nassau, Germany, where he received his education and resided until reaching the age of twenty-one years, when he came to the United States. He first located in Paterson, New Jersey, where he worked as shoemaker for one year and then in May, 1854, removed to Chicago, where he resided for a short time. He next went to Clayton county, Iowa, and subsequently came to Milwaukee, working at his trade until 1856, when he opened a shoe store, in the conduct of which he was active for ahont ten years. In 1868 he engaged in the leather and findings business, and was soon able to retire. His success was the result of his own determined effort, intelli- gently directed, for when he located in Milwaukee he had back of him a capital of but ten dollars. His wife, Mary Sprengling Yunker, was also a native of Germany, born in Hesse-Darmstadt. and at an early day she came with her mother to the United States, locating in Milwaukee. Here she met and married Mr. Yunker and here they resided throughout the remainder of their lives.
In the acquirement of an education Charles Henry Yunker attended the schools of Milwaukee and after graduating from the East Division high school entered the law office of Dixon Noyes & Dixon, and was afterward with Markham & Noyes for a period of three years. In 1882 he became connected with the Milwaukee Mechanics' Insurance Company in the stationery department where his ability and conscientious performance of every task assigned him soon brought him promotion. For some time he was assist-
CHARLES H. YUNKER
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ant bookkeeper; then bookkeeper; in January, 1896, was made assistant treasurer; and three years later was promoted to treasurer, an office he held for seven years. In 1906 he was made vice president of the company and in January, 1919, was elected president, a position he has since held. The Milwaukee Mechanics' Insurance Company was incorporated under a charter given by special act of the legislature of Wisconsin, February 15, 1852, and, originally, was a mutual company, bearing the name of Mil- waukee Mechanics' Mutual Insurance Company. In its infancy the company did not show much progress, in fact at times its very existence was endangered, but it weathered many storms and soon won an enviable reputation among the citizens of Milwaukee and vicinity. After the close of the Civil war the company made astounding progress and its growth from that time was steady and largely exceeded all expecta- tions of its founders. When the desire for greater expansion was handicapped by the many failures of mutual companies and the doors of many states barring its entrance into new and profitable territory, the company was reorganized, the change having been resolved upon by a general vote of the members at the annual meeting in January, 1884, under a special act of the legislature and became a stock company with a capital stock of two hundred thousand dollars paid into the treasury, and the company placed among the millionaires. This reorganization vested the company with new power and it immediately branched out in every direction, adding to its territory from time to time until it now operates throughout the United States in pracically every state. It is the oldest and ranks as one of the most reliable fire insurance companies in the northwest. The cash capital of the company is now one million, two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, the net surplus is approximately one million, fifty-seven thousand, one hundred and nine dollars, and the total assets including the reserves amounts to seven million, one hundred and twenty-seven thousand, eight hundred and sixty-seven dollars and ninety-nine cents, an increase of about three million dollars over the assets of four years ago. It has been largely through the ability of Mr. Yonkers, as president, that the business has been built up to its present extensive proportions. He is a mem- ber of the executive committee of the National Board of Fire Underwriters and also of the executive committee of the Western Insurance Bureau.
In 1892 occurred the marriage of Mr. Yunker and Miss Bertha Smith of this city, and to their union two daughters, Eva, who died at the age of twenty-six years; and Marie, who is now the wife of Alvin W. Schwarting, an official of the J. H. Rice & Friedman Company of Milwaukee. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Yunker was again married. In 1904 Ida Shape, of Milwaukee, a daughter of the late G. H. Shape, became his wife. She is prominent in the club and social circles of the city where she is recognized as a woman of a most magnetic and charming personality.
Mr. Yunker follows an independent course in politics and has never had any desire for political preferment. His religions faith is that of the Lutheran church, in which he was reared, his parents having been devoted members of that denomination .. Mr. Yunker is a lover of the great out of doors and has been an earnest student of botany. He is fond of fishing and of all athletics and to that end maintains membership in the Milwaukee Athletic Club, being one of its most active members. Good music holds for him a great fascination and he is also of a literary turn of mind. His home at 2520 Cedar street is artistically appointed and he is surrounded by the most cultured and refined influences. Thoroughness is one of his marked characteristics and he has mastered every phase of his business. Those who know him, and he has many friends, esteem him highly as a man of genuine personal worth, as a business man of ability, and as a citizen who is ever loyal to the best interests of the community.
JOHN BLACK GOTTSCHALK.
John Black Gottschalk, engaged in the real estate and insurance business in Mil- waukee, was born in this city, May 28, 1899, and is a son of Siegfried W. and Flora (Black) Gottschalk. The father was also prominently known in connection with real estate interests here and also conducted an insurance loan and investment department. He was born in Trier, Germany, Angust 27, 1863, his parents being Isaac and Bertha ( Hess) Gottschalk, the former a native of Kottenheim and the latter of Trier, Germany. Siegfried W. Gottschalk crossed the Atlantic to the new world with his parents when only two years old and took up his abode in Milwaukee, where he became a pupil in the public schools, while later be pursued a course of study in the Spencerian Business College. It was through this method that he gained a knowledge of American busi- ness systems and he started out in the commercial world as a dealer in men's furnish- ing goods. Later he went upon the road as a traveling salesman for furniture manu- facturing establishments and spent seven years in that way. In 1893 he embarked in the real estate business and a few years later organized the real estate firm of S. W. & G. H. Gottschalk, his partner in the enterprise being his brother Gustav H. They began business just prior to the widespread financial panic of 1893 but weathered
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the storm and in the face of the most adverse couditions developed a business of very gratifying and substantial proportions. As the years passed they gained many clients and negotiated many important realty transactions. They also engaged in the specu- lative building of houses, stores and flats, selling for cash or monthly payments, and in this way they contributed in substantial measure to the material improvement of the city. Mr. Gottschalk continued active in the business to the time of his death, which occurred September 14, 1920.
In politics Siegfried W. Gottschalk was an earnest republican from the time he attained his majority but was never an aspirant for public office. He held to the religious faith of his fathers, belonging to Temple B'ne Jeshurun. Fraternally he was a Mason, having membership in Milwaukee Lodge, No. 261, F. & A. MI .; Calumet Chap- ter, No. 73, R. A. M .; Kilbourn Council, R. & S. M .; and Kermat Grotto. He likewise had membership in the Milwaukee Real Estate Board, in the Merchants' & Manu- facturers' Association and with the West Side Turners and the Old Settlers Club. It was on the 1st of December, 1891, that Mr. Gottschalk was united in marriage to Miss Flora Black, a daughter of John and Mary ( Pereles) Black, of Milwaukee. They became parents of the following named: Marie Black and Janet Black, twins; John Black, of this review; and Elizabeth Black.
John B. Gottschalk obtained his education in the State Normal School and the public schools of Milwaukee until graduated from the West Division high school in 1917. Later he entered the University of Wisconsin, where he was a member of the personnel division of the students' army training corps during the World war period. He afterward became connected with his father's firm and is now engaged in the con- duct of a general real estate, loan, investment and insurance business. This house is one of the oldest concerns of the kind in Milwaukee, having been founded in 1892. He is an alert and energetic young business man, closely studying conditions of the real estate market, and the qualities that he has already displayed and the result he has thus far achieved point to a successful future. He was a member of the Octoso Club when a university student, and he now has membership in the Milwaukee Athletic Club and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is also a member of the Milwaukee Real Estate Board and the National Real Estate Board.
ALEXANDER M. KAILING.
Milwaukee numbers among her native sons Alexander M. Kailing, president and manager of the Alexander M. Kailing Company, manufacturers and jobhers of electrical supplies and lighting fixtures, with headquarters at 264-66 West Water street. His birth. occurred on the 15th of September, 1883, a son of Phillip and Mary ( Drechsler) Kailing. The father, who passed away in 1914, was born in Germany and came to this country about 1876, locating in Milwaukee where he became a cigar manufacturer. Mrs. Kailing is still living and makes her home in Milwaukee. She was likewise born in Germany and came to this country with a sister.
In the pursuit of an education Alexander M. Kailing attended the public schools of Milwaukee and McDonald's Business College. After putting his textbooks aside he entered the business world as city and later traveling salesman for the Pierron Pottery Company, with which concern he remained for two years, and then went on the road as manager of forces of five men for the American Tobacco Company, selling Dukes Mixture and Old Virginia cheroots for nine months. Subsequently he became associated with the Chicago Writing Machine Company at Galesburg, Illinois, and after six years in that connection became general sales manager for the whole United States, his promotion to that position having been the result of his intelligent effort and ability. In 1910, however, he severed his relations with the company and, coming to Milwau- kee, established his present business, which was conducted under the name of the City Electric Company and carried on a general electrical and contracting business. In 1914 he organized his present company, with which the old company consolidated. In addition to a jobbing business the company manufactures lighting fixtures and electrical supplies, and they have ten salesmen who thoroughly cover twelve states. An extensive catalogue is issued every month and the business is conducted on the most modern basis, the annual business amounting to over one million dollars.
On the 30th of May, 1906, Mr. Kailing was married to Miss Edith Hoskinson, a daughter of Charles Hoskinson, a harness manufacturer of Macomb, Illinois. Her father was a native of that place and a descendant of a famous old Virginia family. An aunt of Mrs. Kailing was treasurer of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Four children have been born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Kailing: Phillip Edward, Richard, Mary Virginia, Edith Jean, all of whom attend the public schools with the exception of Phillip, who is now a student in the Milwaukee University School.
Mr. Kailing has never been actively interested in politics, preferring to devote his time and attention to the promotion of his business affairs. He belongs to no secret
ALEXANDER M. KAILING
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societies but is a member of the Milwaukee Athletic Club, Milwaukee Electric Asso- ciation, National Electrical Contractors & Dealers Association, Chandelier Club, and in 1920 organized the Ozaukee Country Club, of which he is vice president. Mr. Kail. ing maintains a home at 1356 Downer avenue and has a farm of forty acres in Mequon, Wisconsin. on the Milwaukee river, where he spends his summers and breeds pure bred Guernsey cattle. Golf is his favorite form of recreation, and Mrs. Kailing is a splen- did horsewoman.
FRANK F. PASCH.
Frank F. Pasch, president of the Frank F. Pasch Company of Milwaukee, was born in Witbeck, Germany, November 13, 1874. His father, August Pasch, also a native of that country, was a forester in Germany and timber cruiser. He came to the United States in 1883, settling in Kiel, Wisconsin, but was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, for his death occurred in 1885. He married Fredricka Timreek, who was born in Germany, near Stolp, and came to Wisconsin with the family in 1883. Her death occurred January 6, 1921.
Frank F. Pasch obtained a public school education in Kiel, Wisconsin, and came to Milwaukee when sixteen years of age. He started out in the business world as an employe of Romadka Brothers, trunk manufacturers, with whom he remained for two years. He was afterward connected with the Miller Brewery for two years and subse- quently learned the photographer's trade, following the business until 1898. In that year he became steward at the Milwaukee Country Club, a position which he occupied for eight years, while later he acted as private secretary to Louis Allis for six months. He next spent a year and a half as steward with the Builders Club, at the end of which time he went upon the road as traveling salesman, representing the Charles L. Kiewert Company for eight years. In 1912, in association with two partners, he organized the Northwestern Brewers' Supply Company and the Northwestern Extract Company. He disposed of his interest in the latter on the 1st of August, 1920, and in the former on the 1st of November following. On the 1st of August, 1920, he organized his present busi- ness, which was incorporated in 1921. C. H. Grundman is associated with him in the business and is secretary and treasurer of the company. They have already won a substantial measure of success and their trade is steadily growing. Mr. Pasch is now a member of the National Manufacturers of Soda Water Flavors.
On the 3d of October, 1898, Mr. Pasch was married to Miss Marie Henschel, a daughter of Adolph Henschel of Kiel, Wisconsin, who was born in Russell, this state. and is now engaged in the soda water business. Mr. and Mrs. Pasch have two children: Lester A. and Charles F. The former, born March 25, 1900, was a student in the University of Wisconsin and is now vice president of the company organized by his father. The younger son was born December 31, 1915.
Mr. Pasch votes with the republican party but has never been an aspirant for office. In religious faith he is a Lutheran, belonging to Epiphany church, and fraternally he is connected with the Milwaukee Lodge of Elks and with the Knights of the Maccabees. He also belongs to the Milwaukee Athletic Club, the Calumet Club. the Ozaukee Country Club and to the Association of Commerce. He is fond of hunting, fishing and outdoor sports and when leisure permits indulges therein, but business is his first interest and his thoroughness and diligence have been the salient features which have brought him to the point of success which he now occupies.
DOUGLAS FRANCIS McKEY.
When the aged are gathered to their fathers, one feels that it is but the natural course of events and that a human life has been rounded out to its ultimate con- clusion. But the real pathos of the world finds its expression when a young man, capable, courageous, honorable, contributing largely to the world's work and progress, is suddenly cut off in the midst of his activities. Douglas Francis McKey was but thirty-two years of age when death called him. It seemed that he should have been spared for many years to come, yet the finite mind may recognize the real reason and purpose when it enters upon the infinite. The keenest regret was felt throughout Milwaukee when the news spread that Douglas Francis McKey had succumbed to an attack of pneumonia. Although yet a young man, he had for about a decade occupied a position of notable prominence in the business circles of the city. He was born in Janesville, Wisconsin, December 21, 1888, and at the time of his demise was filling the position of secretary and treasurer of the Durant Manufacturing Company and had for a number of years been secretary of the First Wisconsin Trust Company. His father George M. McKey, now living retired in Janesville, was a son of Michael McKey, a
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native of Ireland, who settled in Janesville on coming from the Emerald isle to the new world in company with his twin brother, Edward. They established the first chain of dry goods stores in Wisconsin, conducting stores at Madison, Oshkosh and various other places, and were very prominent merchants of their time. They hauled their goods by wagon train from Milwaukee and on the outgoing trip carried with then loads of grain and farm produce. George M. MeKey was for many years engaged in the lumber business, developing a most substantial enterprise of that character. He wedded Mary Douglas, who was born in Lockport, New York, and was of Scotch descent. She died in the year 1909.
Douglas Francis MeKey pursued his early education in the public schools of his native city, passing through consecutive grades to his graduation from the high school with the class of 1907. He afterward became a student in the University of Wisconsin and was graduated with the Bachelor of Arts degree as a member of the class of 191I. During his college days he became a member of the Alpha Delta Phi. Soon after the completion of his university course he became a resident of Milwaukee and was identified with the Wisconsin Trust Company as a salesman in the bond department, Later he was transferred to the trust department and after proving his capability and reliability in that connection became assistant secretary and subsequently was pro- moted to the position of secretary, in which capacity he continued to serve until January 31, 1920, when he resigned and became identified with the Durant Manufao turing Company as secretary and treasurer. On resigning his position as secretary of the First Wisconsin Trust Company he was made one of its directors, having served as its secretary since its consolidation with the Wisconsin Trust Company. The Durant Manufacturing Company, with which he was actively identified to the time of his demise, was organized in 1903 by W. H. Durant and is devoted to the manufacture of the Productometer, an automatic counting machine. The market for this machine extends all over the world and the company does the largest individual business in counting machines in the country. With the thoroughness that characterized him in all things, Mr. McKey took up the duties of his new position and soon acquainted him- self with every phase of the business. He contributed much to the steady growth of the trade and was regarded as a most valuable asset in the conduct of the enterprise.
On the 21st of September, 1915, Mr. McKey was united in marriage to Miss Hazel Brown, a daughter of Judge Philip E. Brown of the Minnesota supreme court. Her father was a native of Wisconsin and removed to Luverne, Minnesota, in young man- hood. After many years' capable service on the circuit bench he was made judge of the supreme court and was filling that high judicial position at the time of his death. llis wife bore the maiden name of Ellen Ford and she, too, was a native of Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. McKey are the parents of two children: Douglas Edwin, born July 19, 1918; and Mary Ellen, born January 31, 1922.
Mrs. McKey has taken a helpful part in various women's activities in Milwaukee. She is a member of the Episcopal church, as was Mr. McKey, their identification being with St. Paul's church of Milwaukee. Mr. McKey was also a valued member of the University Club and was a director of the Boys Busy Life Club. He was also one of the organizers, a director and the treasurer of the Travelers Aid Society, a director of the Associated Charities and president of the Milwaukee branch of the Volunteers of America. He took the keenest interest in all those forces which make for the uplift of the individual and the benefit of mankind at large. He ranked with the more prominent of the younger business men of Milwaukee, but it was his contribution to the world's work along other lines that will make him longest remembered-his earnest efforts to aid his fellowmen, his effective work to safeguard the young and to instill into their minds habits of right thinking and of right living. To know him was to esteem and honor him. Everywhere he was spoken of in terms of the highest regard and his influence will long remain as a force for good among those who knew him.
NORMAN W. HOLLENBECK, M. D.
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