USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume III > Part 28
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On the 28th of October, 1887, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Margaret Morgan of Milwaukee, and they have an extensive circle of warm friends in this city, who greatly enjoy the hospitality of their pleasant home at No. 1921 Cedar street. Mr. Smith took a very helpful part in war service and was a most earnest and effective worker in con- nection with all the drives. He was captain of the Clothing Hats and Caps Section in Group 22. always going over the top with his quota and personally making the most liberal contributions to all war activities. He belongs to the Milwaukee Athletic Club. to the Knights of Columbus and to the Rotary Club and was formerly president of the Calumet Club. He is truly a self-made man in the highest and best sense of the term, owing his progress and advancement entirely to his earnest efforts, his close application and his intelligently directed industry.
EDWARD MICHAEL SULLIVAN, M. D. C.
Dr. Edward Michael Sullivan, proprietor of a veterinary hospital in Milwaukee and one of the highly efficient representatives of the profession in this city, was here born March 25, 1883. His father, Dennis M. Sullivan, a native of Nashotah, Wisconsin, is a son of Timothy Sullivan, who was born in Cork, Ireland, and came to this state in 1851. Dennis M. Sullivan is now president of The Sullivan Detec- tive Agency of Milwaukee. He married Helen Walsh, who was born in this city and is a daughter of Edward Walsh, a contractor, who was a native of the Emerald isle.
Dr. Sullivan pursued his early education in St. John's parochial school at Mil- waukee and in Marquette University, while later he attended McDonald's Business College and then became a pupil in the Chicago Veterinary College, from which he was graduated in 1905, with the degree of M. D. C. He entered into partnership with Dr. H. B. Clute of Milwaukee, with whom he was associated for a year and
A. J. SMITHI
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then began practicing independently at No. 421 Syracuse street. Two years later he removed to his present location, where he has remained and is now corducting what has always been the largest veterinary hospital in the United States outside of Boston and Buffalo. There are always from seventy-five to one hundred dogs and cats and twenty horses as patients in the hospital. The kennels range from two by three to ten by twelve feet. It is not necessary to say that Dr. Sullivan is a lover of animals. Success in this field could not be attained without such a love and added to this he has comprehensive scientific knowledge and is continually promoting his efficiency through further study, research and investigation, while experience has taught him many valuable lessons.
On the 14th of August, 1918, Dr. Sullivan was married to Miss Helma Ruth Elworth, a daughter of Edward Elworth, a well known cabinetmaker of Chicago. Mrs. Sullivan was educated in the public and high schools of Chicago and has had a liberal musical education. Her parents were both born in Milwaukee.
Dr. Sullivan has always maintained an independent course in politics, nor has he ever been a candidate for office yet has labored earnestly in support of his friends who have sought political preferment. He is a trustee of St. John's cathedral, hav- ing been a lifelong Catholic, and he belongs to the Knights of Columbus, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is likewise a member of the Rotary Club and of the Milwaukee Athletic Club, of which he is a life member. He is much interested in racing and was one of the organizers and builders of the race track in Washington Park. For four years he served as presi- dent of the club, during which time the clergymen of Milwaukee supported him in spite of the feeling against racing. On the 13th of December, 1914, he was pre- sented by the citizens of Milwaukee and the lovers of racing with a diamond charm, watch and chain at a banquet given in his honor, at which were present all of the city officials and judges of Milwaukee. He is veterinarian for Milwaukee county, a position which he has occupied for the past six years. He belongs to the American Veterinary Association and was president in 1915 of the Wisconsin Veterinary Asso- ciation.
ALBERT P. MARTIN.
No member of the Martin family, of which Albert P. Martin is a representative, needs introduction to the readers of this volume. The family name has figured con- spicuously upon the pages of Milwaukee's history for many years and has always been a synonym for business enterprise, progressiveness and reliability. Albert P. Martin, entering upon the business established by his father, is now secretary of the George Martin Leather Company. He was born in this city March 28, 1871, and having arrived at school age, pursued his education in private and public schools. His connection with the business established by his father, George Martin, Jr., began in 1886, at which time he entered the tannery as an apprentice and completed the full term of indenture, covering three years. He has never sought to enter upon other lines of business activity but has continued in this field of labor to the present and in 1892 he became secretary of the company, in which position he has served through a period of three decades. He is familiar with every practical phase of the business, from the time the raw material is received until the finished product is placed upon the market, and as one of the officials he is bending his energies to con- structive effort and administrative direction.
In 1908 Albert P. Martin was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Helmreich, a daughter of Professor Helmreich, then of Bay City, Michigan, but now a resident of California. Mr. and Mrs. Martin have become parents of two sons, Albert and Edward. Like the others of the family, they are identified in religious faith with the Grace Lutheran church, while Mr. Martin has also remained true to form in his political connections, being a stanch republican.
RICHARD CHARLES MUNSCHE.
Richard Charles Munsche, lessee and proprietor of the Hotel Blatz and presi- dent and general manager of the Hotel Blatz Company of Milwaukee, was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, January 4, 1872. His father, Bernhard Munsche, who was born in the town of Rudolstadt, Saxony, Germany, came to the United States in young manhood and settled at Sheboygan. He had been married ere leaving his native country to Miss Christiana Loesche, who was also born in the town of Rudolstadt. . After residing for a time in Sheboygan they took up their abode in Oshkosh, where
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the father died in the year 1916. The mother still makes her home there. The father was a tanner by trade and thus provided for the support of his family.
Richard C. Munsche pursued his education in the public schools of his native city, completing the high school course there, after which he became an apprentice to the bakery business. He arrived in Milwaukee on the 10th of March, 1889, and through the intervening period has largely been connected with hotel interests of this city. He made his initial step in this direction as a bell boy in the Republican House and remained with that hotel for nineteen years, winning successive promo- tions until he became chief clerk, a position which he was filling when he severed his connection with the hotel in the fall of 1908. In the following year he took over the management of the Hotel Blatz for the Alliance Investment Company and so continued until the 1st of June, 1909, when he obtained a ten-year lease of the hotel in company with Albert Thierbach. They conducted the hotel under this partner- ship relation until 1916, when their business interests were dissolved and Mr. Munsche assumed the management of the hotel alone. He organized the Hotel Blatz Company, of which he is the president, with Herman H. Blaedel as vice president and Mrs. Emelia Munsche as secretary. The hotel was erected by Valentine Blatz, Sr., in 1897 and contains eighty-five rooms. As lessee and proprietor Mr. Munsche has made the hotel one of the first-class hostelries in this section and has been ac- corded a liberal patronage. He is also the vice president of the Milwaukee Gas Specialty Company, is a director of the Simplex Alarm Company, manufacturing burglar alarms for banks and is secretary, treasurer and one of the directors of the Blatz Hotel Pharmacy. His business interests are thus broad and varied and have brought to him a very substantial competence as the years have gone by.
On the 30th of June, 1903, Mr. Munsche was married to Miss Emelia Bloedel, a daughter of Adam Bloedel, of whom extended mention is made elsewhere in this work. They have become parents of two children: Richard Charles, who was born September 14, 1912, and is attending the Trinity parochial school; and Bernice Anida, who was born June 12, 1915. The family attend the Grace Lutheran church and Mr. Munsche is also a loyal follower of Masonry, belonging to Independence Lodge, No. So, F. & A. M .; Wisconsin Chapter, R. A. M .: Wisconsin Commandery, K. T .; Wisconsin Council, R. & S. M .; and Wisconsin Consistory, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He is likewise a member of Tripoli Temple of the Mystic Shrine and belongs to the Tripoli Patrol. He is identi- fied with the Lakeside lodge of the Knights of Pythias and is a life member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He has membership in the Tripoli Country Club and the Tripoli Motor Club, while his interest in Milwaukee and her welfare is manifest in his membership in the Association of Commerce. He likewise belongs to the Milwaukee Hotel Association and has been its president. He votes with the republican party but has never been active as a party worker. He is fond of out- door life and sports, especially skating and swimming and also enjoys long motor tours. His wife is well known in musical circles of the city as a pianist and vocalist. They have a summer residence at Auer Park on Pewaukee Lake and their Milwaukee home is at No. 261 Tenth street. Mr. Munsche has devoted almost his entire life to the hotel business and his progress has been of consecutive character, his orderly progression bringing him at length to a prominent position in hotel circles.
THEODORE P. ESSER.
Theodore P. Esser is well known in Milwaukee not only through his business connections as a leading druggist of the city but also as president of the board of school directors. His public service has been actuated by a most unselfish devotion to the general good and the cause of education indeed finds in him a stal- wart champion. Mr. Esser has ever been actuated by the progressive spirit that has been a dominant factor in the rapid and substantial upbuilding of the middle west. He was born in Appleton, Wisconsin, November 9, 1879, and is a son of Fred J. and Augusta (Hansk) Esser, the former born in Prussia, near Berlin. Germany, while the mother's birth occurred in Schleswig-Holstein. It was in the year 1857 that Fred J. Esser came to the United States, settling first at Chilton, Wisconsin, where he followed the occupation of farming. His wife, on crossing the Atlantic, took up her abode in Kiel. Wisconsin, and they were married in this state. In 1886 they removed to Milwaukee and Mr. Esser was associated with the old Columbian, a German publication. He died in 1895, while his wife survived until 1906. They were the parents of four children, all of whom are living: Fred J .; Theodore P .: Matilda. now the wife of E. P. Nemmers, an attorney; and Nettie. the wife of John B. Ludwig, a son of Judge Ludwig.
Theodore P. Esser was but six years of age when the family home was es- tablished in the Cream city. He largely acquired his education in St. Mary's
THEODORE P. ESSER
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School and in Marquette College, and in the school of experience he has also learned many valuable lessons of practical worth. In 1898 he engaged in the drug business as an employe of George F. Mason, and while thus working, thoroughly acquainted himself with every phase of the trade. In 1902, in con- nection with his brother, Fred J., he opened a drug store at the corner of Reed and National avenues, where they conducted business for fifteen years. In 1906 they opened a store at No. 415 Grand avenue and in 1918 they sold their south side store, since which time they have devoted their entire attention to the Grand avenue business. They have a well appointed establishment, carrying a large and carefully selected stock of drugs and druggists' sundries and their business has steadily increased, owing to their progressive methods, their reliability and their earnest efforts to please their customers.
Mr. Esser has also figured in connection with the public life of the community, particularly in relation to the school system. In 1910 he was appointed a school director and in 1919 was elected president of the board. His association with the school board covers twelve years and he has taken a most active and helpful interest in all of its educational affairs. He has been untiring in his efforts to secure a square block for every schoolhouse so as to give ample space for play- ground for the children. He was a member of the building committee on the erection of a new huilding for the Grand Avenue school, a three-story structure, thoroughly modern and surrounded by a large campus, in the rear furnishing ample space for play, while in front is a beautiful fence. The school board has agreed that a square block will be set aside in connection with the building of all schoolhouses in Milwaukee in the future. Mr. Esser has been instrumental in introducing many reforms and improvements in connection with the conduct of the Milwaukee schools.
On the 25th of September, 1901, Mr. Esser was united in marriage to Miss Nell Donahue of this city, and they have become parents of three children: Aileen, John and Mary, all now in school. The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church, and Mr. Esser belongs to the Knights of Columbus. He also has membership in the Wisconsin Club. His business and his official duties, however, claim the major part of his time and attention and his influence along both lines is on the side of progress and advancement.
Mr. Esser is a trustee of the Marquette Medical School and is also president of the Wisconsin Druggist Legal Bureau.
ARTHUR F. BORGES.
Arthur F. Borges, well known in Milwaukee as a representative of the auto- mobile industry, was born in this city, November 3, 1883, his parents being Henry and Mary (Otting) Borges, who were natives of Hanover, Germany. The mother came to Milwaukee about 1845 with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ferdinand Otting. Her father was a farmer, who owned and cultivated land in the town of Granville. Henry Borges also came to Milwaukee with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Borges. Early in life he engaged in the sale of farm lands and became an author- ity on acreage and also on the quality and value of the soil. He was one of the first to fill the position of commissioner of weights and measures and through his official duties and his business activities he became widely and favorahly known, the ster- ling traits of his character winning him the high regard of many with whom he came Into contact.
Arthur F. Borges acquired his education in the public schools of Milwaukee and became a bookkeeper for John Langenberger, with whom he remained for about five years. He then entered the employ of G. W. Ogden & Company, carriage makers, and was associated with that concern until the Ogden brothers retired in 1909. The plant was then taken over, with its employes, by the W. R. Sherin Company and Arthur F. Borges became secretary. Later in 1912 W. R. Sherin sold his interest to Mr. Borges and William F. Nevermann, Mr. Borges, however, having a controlling interest and becoming president of the company. Later William Borges became associated with his brother, Arthur F., and Mr. Nevermann and was made secretary and treasurer of the company, while Mr. Nevermann filled the office of vice presi- dent. In 1909 this firm was conducting a very excellent carriage business but gradually merged this into the automobile business and today it has nine different departments at its plant. The company does everything in connection with the automobile industry, including painting and repairing. Its predecessor, the Sherin Company, first conducted business at Nos. 137 to 143 Eighth street, where it re- mained for two years and then removed to the present location and today the company has one of the largest plants in the northwest. The plant has one hun- dred and twenty by one hundred and sixty feet of floor space and a large halcony, which gives thirty-five thousand square feet of floor space. The business is today
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carried on under the style of the W. R. Sherin Company. Arthur F. Borges and William F. Nevermann deserve great credit for the upbuilding of the business, which they took over with little capital. It was a difficult task to finance it and establish their enterprise upon a solid financial basis but they accomplished their purpose through honest dealing, close application and unfaltering enterprise. To- day they have one of the largest and best plants of the kind in Milwaukee and their thorough reliability has been one of the forceful factors in the attainment of their present day prosperity. In association with his brother William F. Borges is engaged
in the hardware manufacturing business under the style of the Borges-Baker Com- pany, manufacturers of hardware specialties and patentees of the B. B. shears. They are also members of the Vehicle Manufacturing Association of Wisconsin.
In 1914 Mr. Borges was united in marriage to Miss Ida Niessen, a daughter of Edward Niessen of Milwaukee, and they have become parents of one daughter, Har- riet. Mr. and Mrs. Borges are members of the St. John Lutheran church and in his political views he maintains an independent attitude, voting according to the dictates of his judgment without regard to party ties. He belongs to the Association of Commerce and is interested in everything that has to do with the progress and prosperity of the community, his labors constituting an important element in the industrial and commercial growth of Milwaukee. There have been no esoterie phases in his career, his entire course has been open and above board and his energy and determination are the qualities which won for bim his gratifying success.
BENJAMIN F. PALMER, M. D.
Dr. Benjamin F. Palmer, a physician and surgeon engaged in general practice in Cudahy, was born in Monroe county, Michigan, August 10, 1886. His parents, Charles and Mary ( Benn) Palmer, are deceased. The father, who was born in Ger- many, died February 13. 1918, while the mother departed this life when her son, Benjamin, was but three years of age. His early boyhood was spent on the home farm where his birth occurred and at the age of ten years he became a resident of Milwaukee, making his home with his sister, the wife of Dr. Charles W. Graham. He attended the South Side high school and in 1904, ambitious to become a member of the medical profession, he entered the Milwaukee Medical College, where he re- mained a student for five years, being graduated in 1909 with the M. D. degree. He afterward served as an interne in Trinity Hospital in Milwaukee and thus gained broad and valuable experience, such as is never acquired as quickly in any other way as in hospital practice. In 1910 he located in Cudahy, where he has remained and through the intervening period his practice has steadily grown and developed.
Dr. Palmer was married to Mrs. Merlie Weber, a native of Wisconsin, and the family consists of three children, Benjamin, Donald and June Violet. Dr. Palmer is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and is also identified with the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. During the World war he served on the local examining board and he is ready at all times to perform any public service that will prove of benefit and valne to the community and to the state in which he resides. He finds his chier recreation in hunting and fishing and in taking long motor trips with his family in the summer months. He finds his greatest happiness at his own fireside and he and Mrs. Palmer delight to extend the hos- pitality of their home to their many friends. Dr. Palmer has worked his way steadily upward in his profession and by reading and study keeps informed concerning the advanced steps made by the eminent physicians and surgeons of this and other lands. He is ever ready to adopt new methods which his judgment sanctions as of value in his professional work and his many patients attest his skill in practice.
WALTER O. TREDUPP.
One of the progressive, alert and energetic young business men of Milwaukee is Walter O. Tredupp, who is the secretary and treasurer of the firm of George L. Waetjen & Company, manufacturers and wholesalers of veneer and veneer panels. He was born in this city June 28. 1891, and is a son of Christian and Bertha ( Strehlow ) Tredupp. The father was brought to this city by his parents in a very early day. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. William Tredupp, who settled on a farm in Milwaukee county, and Christian also took up the occupation of farming, which he continued to follow throughout his life.
Walter O. Tredupp acquired his education in the public schools of his native city, in the Milwaukee University School and in Marquette University, which he attended for a year. He then accepted a position as draftsman in connection with
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the heating and ventilating business conducted by the Bayley Manufacturing Com- pany, with which he remained for about three years. He afterward entered the employ of George L. Waetjen & Company, manufacturers and wholesalers of veneer and veneer panels, and was elected to the office of secretary-treasurer, in which con- nection he continues. This business was established in 1910 by George L. Waetjen and in the following year Mr. Tredupp became identified therewith and has since been an important factor in the development of the trade and the success of the house. In 1912 the business was incorporated under the present style. The com- pany today covers the United States and Canada with its products. Its mills are located in the northern part of the state, but the general sales offices are maintained in Milwaukee. They now have a new plant located at Park and Muskego avenues in Milwaukee, with a floor space of twenty-two thousand square feet. The building is of reinforced concrete, is fireproof and is modern in every way. Splendid machinery has been installed and the output is of high grade, so that it is not difficult to secure and maintain trade.
In 1919 Mr. Tredupp was united in marriage to Miss Janet Wilson, a daughter of Captain Wilson, one of the pioneers of Milwaukee. Both Mr. and Mrs. Tredupp are well known in this city, where they have many friends, the hospitality of a large number of the best homes of the city being freely accorded them. Mr. Tredupp belongs to the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree. He is also a member of the Milwaukee Athletic Club and the Rotary Club. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church and in his political views he is a liberal republican. He stands loyally hy any cause which he espouses and any project which he supports and, while a young man, he has already made for himself a most credi- table position in business circles through his capability, forcefulness and ever de- veloping powers.
WILLIAM A. MARTIN.
William A. Martin, vice president of the George Martin Leather Company of Milwaukee, is a representative of a family whose name is deeply inscribed upon the pages of Milwaukee's history by reason of the prominence which different representa- tives of the name have maintained in connection with interests having to do with the city's continued growth and development. William A. Martin was here born July 8, 1869, being a son of George Martin, Jr., mentioned at length on another page of this work. He was educated in private schools and in the Spencerian College and about 1881 entered his father's establishment as an apprentice, the father very wisely believing that the sons should thoroughly learn every phase of the business in order that they might later direct the activities of others. William A. Martin accordingly served for three years in this way and then passed on to positions of greater importance and eventually to positions of executive control. He is now the vice president of the company, he and his three brothers having become associated with their father in the conduct and ownership of the business, and following the father's demise they assumed control. In 1891 William A. Martin became the secre- tary and continued to act in that capacity until his father's death, when he was elected to the vice presidency.
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