USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume III > Part 30
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could not keep him longer. Fearing to lose his position Mr. Wehr told his em- ployer that he would give him two dollars of his wages each month if he would be retained on the staff of helpers there. This arrangement was accepted and Mr. Wehr continued in the position until he went to the old American house, where he was employed until the hotel was destroyed by fire on the 4th of July, 1861, Later he was connected with the Kirby house and on the 6th of January, 1866, he en- gaged in the restaurant business on his own account. He had made a fair start when in August of the same year his establishment was destroyed by fire. But on Thanksgiving day of the same year he opened a new restaurant on South Water street, where the Pritzlaff hardware store now stands. In June, 1867, he removed to Grand avenue, where he remained for six years and then established his restaur- ant at No. 4 Grand avenue, where he continued in husiness for about seven years. On the expiration of that period he located at No. 1 Grand avenue, on the 25th of October, 1880, and there he carried on husiness for fifteen years, after which he leased the restaurant to Gimble Brothers. During this time he also had another place located near the Chamber of Commerce, at 351 Broadway, which his brother conducted for him. Thus year by year Mr. Wehr continued in the restaurant busi- ness in Milwaukee, securing an extensive patronage and so managing his affairs as to win substantial success as the years went by. In 1895 he retired with a hand- some competence, amassed through his labors and has since given little or no active attention to business affairs, save for the supervision of his investments.
In 1870 Mr. Wehr was united in marriage to Miss Barbara Hubman, a daugh- ter of Conrad and Margaret ( Reichard) Hubman. They have become parents of eight children: Margaret, who is now the widow of Louis Falk; Henry: August; Edward; William; C. Frederick; Clara, the wife of August Gran; and Louisa, at home. The family occupies a beautiful residence on Grand avenue, which has been the family abode for thirty-one years.
Mr. Wehr and his family are communicants of St. Rose's Catholic church. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he is a member of the Old Settlers' Club. Mr. Wehr recalls when the Milwaukee & St. Paul depot was located on Reed street. For two-thirds of a century he has lived in Milwaukee, an inter- ested witness of the growth and progress of the city and as the years passed his business kept pace with the city's development. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished since he started out in the business world empty-handed, perseverance and labor constituting the keys which unlocked for him the portals of prosperity.
CHARLES L. RUMPH, M. D.
Dr. Charles L. Rumph, a physician and surgeon of South Milwaukee and one of the owners of the South Milwaukee Hospital, was born on a farm in Orange county, New York, November 21, 1875, and is a son of Charles and Elizabeth ( Pond) Rumph, both of whom have passed away. In their family were four children, the Doctor, however, heing the only son, and the three daughters are still residents of the Empire state. The father was a butter and cheese maker in the employ of a large corpora- tion, devoting his life to that line of business.
Dr. Rumph went to work in a creamery and cheese factory at the age of four- teen years, being thus employed under his father, and since that time has been entirely dependent upon his own resources. Ambitious to enjoy a good education, he was graduated from a New York state high school in 1894 and was president of his class. For five years thereafter he engaged in clerking in a drug store in the town of Greene, New York, and on the expiration of that period took up the study of medicine in the University of Michigan, in which he spent four years, being graduated from the medical department with the class of 1903. He after- ward devoted about eight years to the practice of his profession in Calumet, Mich- igan, and during this period he was in the employ of large mining companies oper- ating in the vicinity of Calumet. He later practiced medicine for a short time in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and subsequently located at South Milwaukee, here taking up his abode in 1912. In the same year he purchased an interest in the South Mil- waukee Hospital and has heen connected with this institution since, becoming sole owner of the hospital and so controlling it for several years, but in 1921 he sold a half interest to Dr. George P. Dempsey. The two now own the hospital jointly and have made of it a most commendable institution. They are planning to en- large it during the year 1922, in order to meet the growing demands made upon them by those who desire hospital treatment. During the World war Dr. Rumph served on Draft Board, No. 2, outside of Milwaukee city.
It was in the year 1908 that Dr. Rumph was united in marriage to Miss Mar- illa Holcomb Salisbury, who had been one of his schoolmates in the state of New
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York in his boyhood days. She was formerly a teacher in both the Empire state and in New Jersey. She is a member of the Woman's Club of South Milwaukee and Dr. Rumph belongs to the Masonic fraternity and to the Knights of Pythias. He is fond of golf and is a member of the Michiwaukee Golf Club. Both enjoy the warm regard of those with whom they have been brought into contact and their circle of friends is now almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintance.
LLOYD TILGHMAN BOYD.
Lloyd Tilghman Boyd, who for a number of years was business manager of the Milwaukee Journal and who through his newspaper and other connections became widely known throughout the country, was born December 19, 1861, in Natchez, Mississippi, a son of the Rev. Frederick W. and Mary ( Railey) Boyd, the latter a danghter of a Mississippi planter. The father was a minister of the Episcopal church and was assigned to a charge at Watertown, Wisconsin, when his son Lloyd T. was but a small child. Soon, however, he removed to Waukesha. Wisconsin, where his remaining days were passed.
It was in Waukesha that Lloyd T. Boyd acquired his early education, supple- menting his public school training hy study in Carroll College, while later he at- tended college at Racine, and there graduated. Soon afterward he came to Mil- waukee, where he was connected with the Sentinel for a time and later he was appointed by President Cleveland to take charge of the United States land office at Ashland, where he was stationed for a number of years and during that period he and Mr. Cleveland became fast friends. He next became identified with the Mil- waukee Journal as business manager and continued to fill that position to the time of his death, which occurred on the 7th of November, 1914.
It was in 1886 that Mr. Boyd was united in marriage to Miss Susan Patterson, a daughter of Thomas Latimer and Catherine Patterson, who were natives of Delaware, the birth of Mrs. Boyd occurring in Wilmington, that state. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd became parents of two daughters: Katharine Patterson and Mary Railey, both at home with their mother. Mr. Boyd was a very prominent figure in jour- nalistic circles throughout the country. He was a director of the American News- paper Association and president of the American Association of Advertising. He was also a director of the American Associated Press. Fraternally he was con- nected with the Masons, loyally following the teachings and purposes of the craft. He belonged to the Milwaukee Club and his religious faith was indicated by his membership in St. Paul's Episcopal church. He was a man of genial manner, of unfailing courtesy, of kindly disposition and at all times was alert to the oppor- tunities of business and to the vital questions of the day. His ability brought him prominently to the front and he commanded the respect, confidence and friend- ship of those with whom he came into contact.
ERNST KRUSE.
Ernst Kruse, a Milwaukee manufacturer of asbestos products, was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, October 30, 1856, and is a son of Frederick and Ernestina ( Bobsin) Kruse. It was in the year 1863 that the father brought his family to the new world, settling in Milwaukee in February of that year. There he followed farming in the vicinity of Wauwatosa, spending his remaining days in agricultural work in that locality.
Ernst Kruse accordingly pursued his education in the schools of Wauwatosa and also attended school in Milwaukee. He afterward engaged in the cultivation of his father's farm on shares for several years and bas always led a life of industry and thrift, early coming to a recognition of the fact that industry is the basis of all legitimate business advancement. When eighteen years of age he learned the carnenter's trade, which he continued to follow until 1910. Two years later, or in 1912, he became associated with Charles Dieringer and Arthur Etzius in or- ganizing the Federal Asbestos Company. The partnership was maintained for three years, but in 1915 Mr. Etzins withdrew and William F. Schoell was admitted to a partnership. They engage in the manufacture of asbestos pipe covering and in the erection of cold storage rooms. Their asbestos product has met with great favor and there is a constant demand for their output. They are now doing ninety per cent more business than when they started and their trade practically covers the entire state They manufacture and apply pipe covering, and their business is steadily growing. Mr. Kruse is the president of the company and is also the vice president of the Universal Roofing Company. His associate officers in the Federal
ERNST KRUSE
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Asbestos Company are Charles Dieringer, secretary, and William F. Schoell, treasurer. In the building of cold storage rooms they use cork, and their work in this connection is also in great demand.
In 1886 Mr. Kruse was married to Miss Alwina Goedecke, of Milwaukee, a daughter of Fred Goedecke, who settled in this city at an early day. Mr. and Mrs. Kruse have a daughter, Ella, who is the wife of Charles Dieringer, and they are the parents of two children, Dorothy and Robert.
Politically, Mr. Kruse is a republican, yet does not consider himself bound by party ties and exercises his right of franchise as his judgment dictates. He has never sought or desired office but has concentrated his efforts and energies upon the upbuilding of the business of which he is now the head. His thoroughness, capability and diligence have been the crowning features in the attainment of his present-day success.
REV. I. PRONOLD.
Rev. I. Pronold, pastor of St. Mathias Catholic church in West Allis, was born in Plain, Sauk county, Wisconsin, in 1869, his parents being George and Barbara Pronold, who were natives of Germany and crossed the Atlantic in 1864, at which time they took up their abode in this state, settling on a farm. They soon re- moved to Mount Calvary, in Fond du Lac county, where they spent their remain- ing days.
Rev. I. Pronold obtained his early education in the schools of Mount Calvary and pursued a classical course in St. Lawrence College. He afterward entered the St. Francis Seminary at Milwaukee with the intention of completing his prepara- tion for the priesthood. Here he took up his studies in 1888 and after a four years' course was ordained in June, 1892. He was then appointed assistant priest of St. Mary's Catholic church in Milwaukee, where he remained for three years. He afterward went to Grafton, Wisconsin, where he was in charge of St. Joseph's parish for thirteen years. On the expiration of that period he was transferred to St. Mathias church on Beloit Road in West Allis, where he has continued to the present time. He has done effective work here, having built the parsonage since his arrival, while all branches of the church work have been promoted. He has about ninety families in his parish and seventy pupils in the school, which is under the care of the Sisters of St. Francis.
AARON YAFFE, M. D.
Dr. Aaron Yaffe, physician and surgeon of Milwaukee, was born in Germany, December 19, 1885, but was brought to the United States when only about two and a half years old by his parents, Harry and Rebecca (Mayer) Yaffe, who are now residents of Ashland, Wisconsin, where they took up their abode in 1888 and where the father is engaged in merchandising.
Dr. Yaffe was reared in Ashland until graduated from the high school with the class of 1903. He afterward spent five years as a student in the University of Michigan, four years of this period being passed in the medical department, from which he was graduated with the professional degree in 1908. Immediately after he came to Milwaukee and for a year was interne in the Milwaukee Passavant Hospital. Subsequently he spent two years in the Johnson Emergency Hospital and since 1911 has been engaged in general practice, building his success upon the broad experience and power which he had developed in his hospital practice and through his previous collegiate training. At one time he was a member of the faculty of the Marquette Medical College and he is now serving on the surgical staff of Mount Sinai Hospital and also of the Emergency Hospital. During the World war he spent seven months with the Medical Corps of the United States army, serving with the rank of lieutenant in American camps. He is now a mem- ber of the American Legion.
On the 24th of November, 1913, Dr. Yaffe was married to Miss Aimee Frank of this city, who is a graduate of Downer College. They have one son, Frank Yaffe, who was born January 19, 1915. Dr. Yaffe is a thirty-second degree Mason and Mystic Shriner. He also belongs to the Milwaukee Athletic Club, to the Wood- mont Country Club and to the Phi Beta Pi, a medical fraternity. Along strictly professional lines he is connected with the Milwaukee Academy of Medicine, the Milwaukee County Medical Society, the Wisconsin State Medical Society, the Wis- consin Surgical Society and the American Medical Association, and through the interchange of thought and experiences in the meetings of these organizations he
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keeps conversant with the advanced methods of all of the leaders in medical and surgical practice throughout the country. He never lightly regards the duties of his profession but discharges each with a sense of conscientious obligation, and thus he has developed his powers to a high point of efficiency.
CHARLES F. ROHDE.
1 Charles F. Rohde, of Milwaukee, state agent for the Fleischmann Company, was born in Bremerhaven, Germany, March 1, 1867. He came to the United States in November, 1885, when a youth of eighteen years, taking up his abode at Charles- ton, South Carolina, where he was connected with mercantile interests for about two years. He afterward attended Eastman Business College, at Poughkeepsie, New York, from which he was graduated with the class of 1888, having acquired his early general education in his native land. When he had completed his business course, he went to Chicago and was there employed in the western department of the Glens Falls Insurance Company, with which he remained until 1892.
It was in March of the latter year that Mr. Rohde arrived in Milwaukee as the representative of the Fleischmann Company, yeast manufacturers, and here he has continued through the intervening period, covering three decades. Ile now has entire charge of the sales of the company for the state of Wisconsin, hav- ing for a number of years been state manager. Under his guidance the trade has steadily been developed and extended until it is now one of large proportions and Mr. Rohde occupies a prominent position among the progressive and successful business men of the city.
In 1894, in Milwaukee was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Rohde and Miss H. Mielhardt, a daughter of Charles Mielhardt, one of the early settlers of Bay View. The children of this marriage are: Irma, now the wife of Charles Corthaus, of Milwaukee; Bruno, who is attending the University of Wisconsin; Carl, who is a student in the high school at Bay View; and Walter, who is yet a pupil in the grade schools.
In his political views Mr. Rohde is a republican and is an active worker in party ranks. He belongs to the Turnverein of Milwaukee, to the Press Club, to the Mil- wankee Liederkranz, to the Milwaukee Maennerchor and to the Milwaukee Lieder- tafel. He is extremely fond of music and in his younger days sang in some of the most noted choirs in the leading churches of the city. He also enjoys fishing and hunting and these constitute a most pleasurable source of recreation to him. He has gained many friends during the period of his residence in Milwaukee, by whom he is called Carl, and he has become firmly established in the regard of the public as one of the representative and progressive business men whose activity has been a force in the commercial upbuilding of the city.
WILLIAM HENRY SCHMIDT, JR.
William Henry Schmidt, Jr., president of the William II. Schmidt & Sons Com- pany, conducting business at Nos. 46 to 56 State street in Wauwatosa, is a native son of Milwaukee, his birth having occurred on the 16th of July, 1877. His father, William H. Schmidt, Sr., was born in Germany and was abont fourteen or fifteen years of age when he came with his mother to the United States, residing for a time at Manitowoc and Sheboygan, after which he took up his abode in Milwau- kee. He was apprenticed to the cabinetmaker's trade in Germany and followed the same general line of business in the United States. For several years he was a lumber merchant of Milwaukee and about 1880 he founded the business on the south side that is now conducted under the name of the William H. Schmidt & Sons Company. The business was successfully carried on at the original location for many years and in May, 1916, a removal was made to Wauwatosa. The com- pany engages in the manufacture of all kinds of interior woodwork for various kinds of buildings and finds a splendid local market, selling the product to the city of Milwaukee and to the surrounding country. It specializes in high grade lines and Mr. Schmidt, Sr., was recognized as a man of splendid business ability and power. His life was characterized by diligence and determination and his salient qualities brought to him a notable measure of success. He passed away December 30, 1916, and in his death Milwaukee lost a representative citizen. In early manhood he had married Henrietta Farhow, who was born in Germany and came to Wisconsin as a young maiden of fifteen years. She is now living in Wau- watosa.
William Henry Schmidt, Jr., was educated in the Milwaukee public schools
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CHARLES F. ROHDE
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and afterward learned the cabinetmaking trade with the Cream City Sash & Door Company, spending three or four years in acquainting himself with the business. He was afterward with the Curtis & Yale Company at Wausau as estimator for two years, then returned to Milwaukee to accept a similar position with the Cream City Sash & Door Company, with which he remained for about an equal period. Later he joined his father and brother, Charles W. Schmidt, in organizing the present business, which was formed in 1902 as a partnership concern but was in- corporated in 1906 with William H. Schmidt, Sr., as the first president. Follow- ing the father's death the son succeeded him in the presidency and has remained the chief executive officer of the business.
On the 5th of October, 1898, Mr. Schmidt was united in marriage to Miss Laura Wegmann, a daughter of Henry Wegmann of Milwaukee, who was born in this city and is now connected with the Mangold Milling Company. Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt have one child, Raymond, who was born January 22, 1905, and is now attending the Wauwatosa high school. While never an active politician Mr. Schmidt has always voted with the republican party and keeps well informed on the vital questions and issues of the day. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to Wauwatosa Lodge, No. 267, F. & A. M .; Wauwatosa Chapter, R. A. M .; Galilee Commandery, K. T .; Kilbourn Council, R. & S. M .; Wisconsin Consistory, A. A. S. R .; and Tripoli Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is likewise a member of the Stickney Field Golf Club and aside from a game on the links he is interested in fishing and motoring, thus finding his recreation and rest from the arduous cares of a growing business. Each day in his active career has marked off a full-faithed attempt to know more and to grow more and thus he has advanced until today he controls an enterprise of large proportions that constitutes one of the important productive industries of the city.
GEORGE FREDERICK MAYER.
George Frederick Mayer, secretary and general factory manager of the F. Mayer Boot & Shoe Company of Milwaukee, has been a lifelong resident of this city. His birth here occurred February 15, 1888, his parents being George P. and Anna ( Upmeyer) Mayer, who are mentioned elsewhere in this work. The father and grandfather were the founders of the Mayer Boot & Shoe Company and their position as representative business men and citizens has been widely acknowledged.
George Frederick Mayer, spending his youthful days under the parental roof, acquired his early education in the Milwaukee public and parochial schools. He eventually became a pupil in the West Side high school, from which in due course of time he was graduated and then entered the University of Wisconsin, in which he completed his course as a member of the class of 1912. During his college days he became a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He made his initial step in the business world in his father's shoe factory as a regular apprentice, working at the bench for five years and thus gaining intimate and accurate knowl- edge of every phase of the business. As he acquainted himself with the trade and thus developed his efficiency he won promotions from time to time, within three years hecoming foreman of the lasting department. Business activities and inter- ests, however, were put aside when the country needed military aid. In 1916 he joined the United States Reserves and took his examination, being commissioned a captain. He was called to active service in June, 1917, and was on duty as a staff officer with General Kniskern. In June, 1918, he was promoted to the rank of major and was on duty in Chicago until he received his honorable discharge on the 26th of May, 1919.
When the country no longer needed his aid Major Mayer returned to his home and again entered into active connection with the F. Mayer Boot & Shoe Company, with which he has since been identified. He has occupied the position of secretary of the company since 1914 and after leaving the army he also assumed the duties of general factory manager, his valuable practical experience as an apprentice and workman well qualifying him for the duties of the latter position and he also displays excellent executive ability in his work as secretary of the organization.
On the 15th of February, 1916, Mr. Mayer was married to Miss Clairetta Schwaab, a daughter of Andrew Schwaah, deceased, who was the founder and owner of the Schwaab Stamp & Seal Company. Her mother bore the maiden name of Annie Kapmeier and is a sister of John H. Kapmeier of the Wisconsin Ice & Coal Company, mentioned elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Mayer have one son, George Andrew, born January 10, 1917. The parents are members of the Evangelical Lutheran church, in the work of which they take a helpful and con- sistent interest. Mr. Mayer belongs to various cluhs and social organizations, having membership in the Rotary, Milwaukee Athletic, Milwaukee Country, Uni-
1
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versity. Town, and Milwaukee Yacht Clubs. His hobby is out-of-door life and sports and he greatly enjoys hunting, fishing, golf and yachting. He likewise has membership in the Association of Commerce and his cooperation can be counted upon to further any practical plan and measure of that organization for the city's civic improvement and development.
JAMES KEELER ILSLEY.
In Milwaukee the name of Ilsley stands as a synonym for business enterprise. for progressiveness and for the most thorough reliability. Charles Ferdinand and James Keeler Ilsley, father and son, have for many years been identified with the banking business. The former departed this life in 1904, thus closing an active career in which every duty was faithfully performed, while his initiative and enterprise enabled him to accomplish much in connection with the city's upbuild- ing and improvement. The son remains an honored resident of Milwaukee, but for several years has lived retired from business, having previously figured for an extended period as one of the leading hankers of the state. James K. Ilsley was born in Milwaukee, April 14, 1854. His father, Charles F. Ilsley, was a native of Eastport, Maine, and a son of Edward Ilsley, who was born in Portland, Maine. It was on the 22d of February, 1847, that Charles F. Ilsley arrived in Milwaukee. He had come to the middle west with the intention of establishing his home in Chicago, but changed his plans and took up his abode in the Cream City, where he in 1849 became associated with Marshall & Ilsley, a private bank, this being today the oldest banking institution of the northwest. Upon the incorporation of the business in 1888 Mr. Marshall became president, with Mr. Ilsley as vice president. Following the death of the founder Mr. Ilsley succeeded him in the presidency and so continued until his own demise on the 4th of December, 1904. He was in turn succeeded by Gustave Reuss and the latter was succeeded by James K. Ilsley in 1908. Mr. Ilsley also occupied the position of trustee of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company for ten years. He became a director of the Milwaukee & Prairie Du Chien Railroad and during the time of the Civil war the firm of Marshall & Ilsley was made financial agent of the state to care for the extra pay voted to the soldiers. The partners in the firm were also associated with Alexan- der Mitchell in negotiating the first state loan in 1853. The business was located from September, 1849, until 1853, at 342 East Water street, when it was moved to the Furlong block, there remaining until 1872, at which time the bank purchased and removed to the old J. R. Treat building. The firm made a splendid record and during times of widespread financial panic none ever doubted the integrity nor soundness of the Marshall & Ilsley institution. Mr. Ilsley was familiar with every phase of the hanking business and was a man of unimpregnable integrity. He was an excellent judge of character and was seldom deceived by any individual. He took a helpful interest in public affairs and was a lover of music and literature and other fine arts.
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