History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume III, Part 3

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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EARL C. JANKE

HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE

in 1911 extended the scope of his business to include the manufacture of a general line of shces. In 1915 he incorporated his business under the name of the Lange & Janke Shoe Manufacturing Company. In 1918 Mr. Lange withdrew and the name was then changed to the Janke Shoe Company. They engaged in the manufacture of nailed and Goodyear welt shoes for men and boys. The output has increased from about five pair of burial shoes per day until it is now many hundred pairs of men's and boys' shoes. Their market covers the United States. They specialize in high grade work shoes and the hunting boot, which are used by the miners, hunters, lumbermen and railroad employes. They are also putting out a high grade line of men's dress shoes, and the business is growing rapidly. Their course demonstrates the fact that quality pays, and they have ever put forth earnest effort to please their customers, thus building up a business of very substantial and gratifying proportions.

On the 23d of September, 1896, Mr. Janke was united in marriage to Miss Pauline Wrege, of Milwaukee, and they have become parents of a daughter, Mabel, who is now the wife of Fred W. Moritz, vice president of the Janke Shoe Company. Mr. Moritz was born in Detroit, Michigan, on the 9th of May, 1897, and is a son of Charles Moritz, now a resident of Milwaukee, where he is engaged in the stove business. He was born in Port Washington, Wisconsin, and was a son of Jacob Moritz, who came to the United States with Joseph Schlitz. Jacob Moritz founded the first brewery in Port Washington and one of the first in the state of Wisconsin. The family has there- fore been connected with the history of the commonwealth since pioneer times. Fred W. Moritz has heen actively engaged in the shoe manufacturing business with his father-in-law for about three years and is a progressive and energetic young business man. He married Mabel Janke August 24, 1921, and they reside at No. 823 Forty- fourth street. Mr. Moritz is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.

Mr. Janke is also identified with the Knights of Pythias, having membership in Columbia Lodge. He likewise belongs to Milwaukee Lodge, No. 46, B. P. O. E., and to Aurora Lodge, I. O. O. F., of which he is past noble grand. He has membership in the Association of Commerce, and the nature of his interests and the rules which govern his action are further indicated in his connection with the Methodist church. In politics he is an independent republican, voting according to the dictates of his judgment rather than of party ties. He is a devotee of our national game of baseball and is fond of motoring and fishing. His wife possesses an artistic and literary nature, and the daughter, Mrs. Moritz, is a pianist of considerable skill. The family is well known in Milwaukee, the members occupying an enviable position in social circles.

HARRY BANKS MORTIMER.

A representative business man of Milwaukee is Harry Banks Mortimer, vice presi- dent of the American Electric Motors, Incorporated. He was born in Milwaukee, on the 24th of January. 1895, a son of Arthur and Rosalind (Kohlman) Mortimer, both natives of this city. The grandfather, Charles Mortimer, was born in Yorkshire, England, and came to the United States with his wife and family in 1850. The Morti- mer family were prominent in England for many hundreds of years. Charles Morti- mer was a veteran of the Civil war, having served throughout that conflict in the Union army. Mrs. Mortimer was a daughter of Anton Kohlman, a native of Berlin, Germany, who came to the United States about the year 1840. He was for many years captain of a ship plying between New York and Bremen.

Harry Banks Mortimer received his early education in the Milwaukee public schools and after graduating from the East Side high school with the class of 1914 he enrolled in Marquette University and remained a student there for two years. He left the university to enter the army, enlisting on the 31st of May, 1917, before the draft. He was assigned to Base Hospital, No. 22, at Milwaukee, and sent to France after a short period of training at Camp Merritt, New Jersey. He sailed for France on the 2d of June, 1918, on the Baltic and landing at Liverpool, proceeded to La Havre and thence to Bordeaux. He was then assigned to camp headquarters and had charge of the telephone station for about eleven months, or until April, 1919, when he re- turned to the United States on board the transport, Henderson. From Camp Merritt he was sent to Camp Grant, where he received his honorable discharge. Mr. Mortimer has always been interested in electricity and in 1916 and the early part of 1917 was an employe of the Allen-Bradley Company, receiving training in every department until he was promoted to the position of assistant sales manager. The experience received in that connection and from his previous work well fitted him for the duties given him in the army. Upon his discharge he returned to the Allen-Bradley Com- pany, in the same capacity and remained with them until September, 1919, when he became associated with the Milwaukee Tank Works in a like position. In July, 1920, upon the organization of the American Electric Motors, Incorporated, he resigned that

HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE

position to become vice president of the new concern. The business is incorporated and the company manufactures alternating current, squirrel cage, induction type motors, ranging from one to twenty horsepower inclusive, in five different types, viz: Sleeve bearing, enclosed; sleeve bearing, open; ball bearing, enclosed and open and the vertical type enclosed and open. The big feature of the motor is the removable stator, a single piece, non-freezeable bronze bearing without set screws and improved end ring details. Carl L. Daun is president of the company and Walter M. Sprinkman, secretary and treasurer.

On the 16th of December, 1919, Mr. Mortimer was united in marriage to Miss Adelaide Kasten, a daughter of Oscar Kasten, assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Milwaukee. Her grandfather was Charles Kasten, a brother of Fred Kasten. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Mortimer, James Kasten Mortimer, whose natal day was the 26th of November, 1920.

Mr. Mortimer gives his political support to the republican party but has never taken an active interest in its affairs, preferring to cast his support with that party having the soundest principles, in his humble estimation. His religious faith is that of the Immanuel Presbyterian church and fraternally he is a Mason, having member- ship in Lafayette Lodge, No. 265. He is likewise a member of Omicron Kappa Pi, a national college fraternity. He is president of the Junior Division, Milwaukee Asso- ciation of Commerce, which he and a few of his associates organized in 1920, and from a membership of six it has increased to over twelve hundred. He is a director in the Milwaukee Association of Commerce and third vice president of the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Mortimer turns to the great ont-of-doors for his recreation and his hobby is trout fishing. He is a typical business man of the present day, alert and enterprising, determined and prosperous, and in the midst of his im- portant and growing business interests he finds time for the social pleasures of life.

HERBERT JOSEPH RUETH.

Herbert Joseph Rueth, who passed away on the 12th of February, 1919, is remem- bered most kindly by his many friends, who esteemed him highly by reason of his cordial disposition, his uniform courtesy and his sterling worth. He was numbered among Wisconsin's native sons, his birth having occurred in Menasha, March 4, 1872, his parents being Nicholas and Barbara (Laux) Rueth. The father was a native of Wisconsin and the mother of Germany. In 1875 they became residents of Milwaukee, where Mr. Rueth was engaged in business for many years.

Herbert J. Rueth was but three years of age at the time the family home was established in this city and here he acquired his education in the public and parochial schools and also in Myer's College, thus becoming well qualified for the practical and responsible duties of life. He afterward engaged in business for himself for a period of twelve years and later went upon the road as a traveling salesman for the George Ziegler Candy Company. He continued with them for a period of twelve years, or up to the time of his death, and during those years built up a substantial trade for the house and made for himself a most creditable position as one of the successful travel- ing salesmen of this section of the country.

In 1895 Mr. Rueth was married to Miss Mathilda Merkley, a daughter of Hieronymus and Margaret (Schwartz) Merkley, who were natives of Germany and became early residents of Winnebago county, Wisconsin, where the father followed farming throughout his remaining days.

Mr. Rueth was a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and of the Red Men, while his religious faith was that of the Catholic church. In politics he was a lifelong republican, giving unfaltering and consistent support to the principles of the party and doing everything in his power to promote its growth and insure its success. His social qualities and kindly spirit made him a favorite with his patrons and all with whom he came in contact and he left behind him a very extensive circle of friends.

FRANK FOLLETTE STIMSON.

Frank Follette Stimson, secretary of the Luedke-Schaefer Shoe Company of Mil- waukee, belongs to that class of men whose business progress has resulted from faith- fulness, diligence and a willingness to work. He has never been afraid that he would give an employer more service than he was paid for. He recognized the fact that industry and loyalty would win advancement and it has been through the cultivation of these qualities that he has gained the substantial place which he now occupies in business circles. He was born in Bellevue, Michigan, July 16, 1872, a son of Samuel

HERBERT J. RUETH

HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE

Crocker Stimson and a grandson of Nathaniel Crocker Stimson. The latter, a farmer of the state of New York, was descended from a well known family from the north of Ireland. Henry L. Stimson, secretary of war in President Roosevelt's cabinet, was a second cousin of Samuel Crocker Stimson. The latter was born at East Bloom- field, in the Empire state, and in early life devoted his attention to the occupation of farming, while later he became a hotel proprietor, conducting the Albion House at Albion, Michigan, for a period of twelve years. He served in the Union army during the Civil war and was very prominent and influential in local affairs. While in New York he had successfully engaged in business as a dealer in horses and he had few superiors in matching teams. His death occurred in Jackson, Michigan, in the year 1901. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Martha C. French, was born in East Bloomfield, New York, and died in March, 1914. She was of French lineage, her people belonging to the Huguenots and it is related that an ancestor of Mrs. Stimson saved her Bible during the Huguenot persecution in France by baking it in a loaf of bread.

Frank Follette Stimson obtained a public school education in Jackson, Michigan, completing a high school course there and he made his initial step in the business world as an office clerk in the employ of C. H. Fargo & Company of Chicago. He remained with that firm for seven years, winning advancement to the position of bookkeeper and during three years of the time he was stationed at the Fargo factory in Jackson, while during the last four years of the seven-year period he was at Dixon, Illinois. Subsequently he became a resident of Milwaukee and entered the employ of the F. Mayer Boot & Shoe Company at the factory office on Thirtieth and Elm streets. For three years he was with that house in charge of the factory office and next went to Kansas City, Missouri, where he was office manager for the Barton Brothers Shoe Company for three years. He afterward spent a few months in Dixon, Illinois, in the employ of the Watson Plummer Company and then returned to Mil- waukee, where he obtained a position with the Bradley Metcalf Company, and for ten years was in charge of their factory office. In June, 1911, he became connected with the Luedke-Schaefer Shoe Company in charge of the office and when on the 11th of August, 1917, A. H. Buttles retired from the concern, which was then known as the Luedke-Schaefer-Buttles Company, Mr. Stimson was elected secretary, having become a stockholder on the 1st of January, 1912, and also one of the directors of the corpora. tion. This company is engaged in the manufacture of the Milwaukee King brand of men's and boys' shoes-unlined shoes, nailed and welted. The brand is well known to the trade all over the United States and sells from coast to coast. The firm also makes a line of men's and hoys' semi-dress shoes and they sell largely to the retail dealers. The business has enjoyed a steady development under the wise direction of its officers and Mr. Stimson has in later years been an active factor in the capable management of the concern.

On the 27th of August, 1909, Mr. Stimson was married to Rose Huggins of Mil- waukee, and they have one daughter. Helen, now a pupil in the Hartford Avenue school. Mr. Stimson has always given his political allegiance to the republican party but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him. He is of the Episcopalian faith and with his family attends St. Paul's church. He is fond of fishing and outdoor sports, to which he turns when leisure permits. He recognizes the fact that the well balanced man is the one who knows how to play as well as to work. He has always given adequate attention to business affairs and it has been by reason of his thoroughness, close application and ability that he has become secretary of one of the important manufacturing interests of his adopted city.

OLE ANDREW OLSON.

Ole Andrew Olson, selling papers on the streets of Milwaukee when a lad of nine years and dependent entirely upon his own resources from an early age, is now the secretary of the Milwaukee Paper Box Company and as such is occupying a promi- nent position in the business circles of the city. He was born at Risor, Norway, September 29, 1877. His father, Sven Olson, also a native of Risor, came to the United States in 1880. He was a ship carpenter and on crossing the Atlantic located at Mil- waukee. He had also been a sailor and had toured the world before taking up the trade of ship carpentry. His people had lived in the same town in Norway through many generations and had always been seafaring men or ship workmen and some of the family had made notable success in business. Sven Olson continued his resi- dence in Milwaukee to the time of his death, which occurred in the year 1920. In early manhood he wedded Anne Sorensen, who was born in Risor, Norway, and was also a representative of one of the old families of that town. She was married to Sven Olson in the Land of the Midnight Sun and with her husband she came to Milwaukee, where her death occurred in 1891.

Ole A. Olson was hut nine years of age when the family home was established

HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE

in the new world. At the age of nine years he was brought to Milwaukee and con- tinued his education in the schools of Milwaukee, afterward becoming a student in the South Division high school. Starting out in the business world he worked for three years with the H. Niedecken Company in the paper stockroom and subsequently was employed by the Standard Paper Company as floor and city salesman, continuing with that house for a period of sixteen years. On the 1st of January, 1913, he joined the Milwaukee Paper Box Company as purchasing agent and credit man and in 1916 was elected to the office of secretary, in which capacity he has since served. His business career has been marked by that steady progression which indicates a mastery of every task, faithful performance of every duty and a landable ambition to obtain promotion.

On the 30th of June, 1906, Mr. Olson was united in marriage to Miss Angela Beyerstedt, the wedding being celebrated in Sheboygan, this state. Mrs. Olson is a daughter of Henry F. Beyerstedt. a merchant of Sheboygan, who was born in Hamburg, Germany, and came to Wisconsin with his family, settling at Sheboygan. Mr. and Mrs. Olson have become parents of two children: Robert and Janet, both students in the Milwaukee schools. Mr. Olson and his family are members of the Lutheran church and fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to Wisconsin Lodge, No. 13, A. F. & A. M. He likewise has membership in Prospect Lodge, No. 135, K. P., and in Mil- waukee Lodge, No. 46, B. P. O. E. He belongs to the Credit Men's Association, to the Purchasing Agents' Association, of which he is national director and to the Mil- waukee Association of Commerce. He follows and enjoys all outdoor sports and is particularly fond of motoring, fishing and swimming. He participated in every drive during the World war and has ever stood for that which is most valuable in citizen- ship. Moreover, his life indicates what could be accomplished through persistent and earnest efforts and he has justly won the proud American title of a self-made man.

STEPHEN J. McMAHON.

Stephen J. McMahon, who in the University of Wisconsin and in the University of Chicago received his law training, is now successfully practicing as a member of the Milwaukee bar and is the senior member of the law firm of McMahon, McMahon & Hayes. He was born in Meeme, Manitowoc county, Wisconsin, January 13, 1881, and his parents, Patrick J. and Margaret (Gray) McMahon, were also natives of the same county. The grandparents came from Ireland, settling in Manitowoc county in pioneer times. and there the grandfather of Mr. McMahon in the paternal line followed the occupation of farming. His father removed to the city of Manitowoc, where he was engaged in mercantile pursuits for a number of years, and he also served as clerk of the circuit court of Manitowoc county for a period of six years. At the present time he is retired, making his home in Milwaukee.

Stephen J. McMahon was educated in the public schools until graduated from the high school of Manitowoc in 1898. He afterward attended the Milwaukee Normal School, in which he completed his course in 1900, and then entered the University of Wisconsin as a student in the College of Letters and Science, in which he completed his course in 1903. He was subsequently graduated from the College of Law of the State University in 1906 and he also pursued a part of his legal training in the College of Law of the University of Chicago. Admitted to the bar in 1906, he has since engaged in practice and most gratifying success has attended his efforts. He served as city attorney of Antigo, Wisconsin, from 1908 until 1911 and was assistant United States attorney for the eastern district of Wisconsin in 1911-12. He acted as government appeal agent for the local draft board of the first division of the city of Milwaukee in 1917 and 1918. His professional position is one of prominence, his colleagues and his contemporaries, as well as the general public, acknowledging his ability and recognizing the substantial progress which he has made. He belongs to the Milwaukee County Bar Association and was a member of its executive committee from 1918 until 1920. He likewise belongs to the Wisconsin Bar Association and is a member of its publica- tion committee, while his membership relations also extend to the American Bar Association. He was a member of the faculty of the Marquette College of Law from 1914 until 1917 and was lecturer on law of evidence and other subjects, proving as capable in the educational department of the profession as in the trial of cases before the court.

Mr. McMahon also has business interests of importance. He is a director and general counsel of the Northwestern Casualty & Surety Company and is a director and officer of other corporations and business enterprises. His judgment is sound and his opinions are eagerly sought in relation to management of business projects and the employment of different methods in the matter of successful attainment in the corpora- tions with which he is identified. He has likewise taken an active interest in all

STEPHEN J. McMAHON

OMAR T. McMAHON

HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE

public affairs and during 1920 was chief executive officer of the Citizens Lenroot Committee.

On the 1st of February, 1916, Mr. McMahon was married to Miss Alice Mary Donahue of Antigo, Wisconsin, and they have two sons: Stephen John, who was born December 24, 1916; and Eugene Francis, who was born May 28, 1921. Their home is at No. 396 Sixty-first street in Wauwatosa. Mr. McMahon greatly enjoys a game of golf, motoring and all outdoor exercises and sports. He belongs to the Sigma Alpha Epsilon, a college fraternity, and that he is of the Catholic faith is indicated in his membership with the Knights of Columbus. He also belongs to the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks, is a member of the Stickney Field Club of Wauwatosa, also of the Men's Club of that place and a member of the City Club and the Blue Mound Country Club of Milwaukee. His various activities and interests have brought him a wide acquaintance and the sterling worth of his character has gained for him high regard.

OMAR T. McMAHON.

Omar T. McMahon, attorney at law and veteran of the World war, was born in Manitowoc county, Wisconsin, October 18, 1888, his parents being Patrick J. and Margaret (Gray) McMahon. He pursued his education in the public schools until graduated from the Manitowoc high school with the class of 1906, after which he attended the Milwaukee Normal School until 1908. He later became a student in the University of Wisconsin and was graduated with the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1913. He afterward attended the Marquette College of Law, in 1915-16, and was admitted to practice law in February, 1917. He is now practicing law in Milwaukee as a member of the law firm of McMahon, McMahon & Hayes, with a large and important clientele. Before entering upon the active work of his profession, however, he devoted some time to educational work, serving as principal of the state graded schools at Downsville, Wisconsin, and also of District No. 6 of the town of Wauwatosa from 1908 until 1911, while for two years he taught in the city evening schools of Milwaukee. Since qualify- ing for the bar, however, he has concentrated his efforts and energy upon his general practice and his devotion to the interests of his clients is proverbial. He was one of the incorporators of the Northwestern Casualty & Surety Company of Milwaukee.

Mr. McMahon has served in public office, filling the position of deputy clerk of the circuit court of Milwaukee county in 1916. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the Wisconsin State Bar Association and the Milwaukee County Bar Asso- ciation and he is well known in the ranks of the City Club, to which he belongs, and as a representative of two Greek letter fraternities-the Sigma Alpha Epsilon and the Phi Delta Phi, the latter a law fraternity. During 1921 he served as secretary and treasurer of the Milwaukee Alumni Association of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and was elected vice president for the year 1922. He was the founder of the present reorganized Lions' Club of Milwaukee and is one of its vice presidents. This organization, which was reorganized in the summer of 1921, is a business and professional men's club. Mr. McMahon is also the secretary of the St. John's Cathedral Men's Club and is a member of the Michiwaukee Golf Club, whose headquarters are at the Grant Park County golf course.

Mr. McMahon was one of the "O. D." boys in the World war, serving as a sergeant of the U. S. A. Base Hospital, No. 22. He saw ten months' service overseas, being stationed at Beau Desert, near Bordeaux, France, remaining in the hospital work throughout the entire time. He was altogether in the service for twenty-three months, enlisting on the 23d day of May, 1917, and remaining with the American Expeditionary Forces until April 24, 1919. He belongs to Eddie Lyon Post, No. 5, of the American Legion and is a member of the state executive committee of the Legion from the fifth district of Wisconsin. On returning to America, Mr. McMahon resumed the practice of law in Milwaukee, and is now well known as a leading young lawyer of the city.

ROBERT CURTIS BROWN, M. D.

Dr. Robert Curtis Brown, a Milwaukee physician specializing in internal medicine, was born October 26, 1866, in the city which is still his home. His father was also a physician who practiced in Milwaukee for thirty years prior to his death. He ranked very high in professional circles, enjoying the respect and esteem of his colleagues and contemporaries, and his labors were of acknowledged benefit to the general public.

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History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume III, Part 3

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