History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume III, Part 31

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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His son, James Keeler Ilsley, a worthy successor of an honored father, re- ceived his early education in the Markham Academy and also continued his studies in the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor, from which he was graduated in 1876, with the Bachelor of Arts degree. The following autumn he entered the law school of Harvard University for the purpose of taking a course in commercial bills and papers. In 1877 he returned to Milwaukee, where he entered the Marshall & Ilsley bank as a clerk, acting in that capacity for a few years. In the early '80s

he became a partner in the business and so continued until his retirement. In 1888 when the bank was incorporated, he became cashier and continued to act in that capacity until his father's death. A few years later he was made president of the bank and thus served from 1908 until 1915, when he retired from active connection with the institution, although he remains one of its directors. He has ever maintained the high honor and good name associated with the institution and at all times has held to the highest standards of business and has also represented that progressive spirit which has been the dominant factor in growth and progress here. In late years he has been the successor of his father as trustee of the Daniel Wells estate and continues to act in that capacity.

On the 24th of February, 1892, Mr. Ilsley was married to Miss Mary Stevens, a daughter of John Stevens of Neenah, Wisconsin. They have two children: Charles F., named for his grandfather, who is now connected with the hank; and Mary, the wife of Robert A. Uihlein, a resident of Milwaukee. Mr. Ilsley was a member of the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity of Ann Arbor and belongs to the Milwaukee and University Clubs, the Milwaukee Country Club, the Fox Point Club and other prominent social organizations. He is quite liberal in his political views, although usually voting with the republican party. He is well known in

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art circles and was at one time vice president of the Layton Art Gallery, of which he is now president, having succeeded to this latter position and that of trustee after his father's death. He is likewise the president of the Layton School of Art, a young organization which seems to have before it a distinctively bright future. Mr. Hsley has ever been interested in those activities which are of cul- tural value, contributing to the uplift of the individual and the benefit of the community at large.

WILLIAM R. KENNEDY, M. D.

Dr. William R. Kennedy, oculist, aurist and laryngologist, practicing success- fully in Milwaukee, was born in Appleton City, Missouri, May 8, 1872, and is a son of William Stewart Kennedy, deceased, who was born in Scotland and came to the United States with his parents. He devoted his life to farming.

Dr. Kennedy was reared on his father's farm in Missouri but determined to follow other than agricultural pursuits and was graduated from the medical department of the University of lowa, with the class of 1895. Later he pursued postgraduate work on the eye, ear, nose and throat in the University of Edin- burgh in Scotland and also in London, England, in 1901. With his return to his native land he opened an office in Milwaukee and has since devoted his atten- tion to his specialty, winning commendable and enviable prominence as an ocu- list, aurist, rhinologist and laryngologist, He is a member of the faculty of the Marquette Medical College and is on the visiting staff of all of the hospitals in Milwaukee. He belongs to the Milwaukee County Medical Society, the Wisconsin State Medical Society, the American Medical Association and the Oto-Ophthalmic Society of Milwaukee.

On the 3d of August, 1901, Dr. Kennedy was married to Miss Edna J. Mason of Corning, Iowa, and they are parents of three daughters: Florence Marjorie. Ada Jeanette and Geraldine, all attending school in Milwaukee. The religious faith of the parents is that of the Congregational church and they are interested in all that makes for public progress and improvement. Dr. Kennedy is a Knights Templar Mason and for recreation he turns to fishing and motoring. The inter- ests and activities of his life are well balanced and the sterling traits of his char- acter are attested by all with whom he has come into contact.

JOHN W. SCHAUM.

John W. Schaum, who was long connected with journalistic interests in Mil- waukee, was born October 17. 1854, in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, a son of Louis and Elizabeth (Sack ) Schaum, who in 1856 emigrated to America, making their way to Milwaukee in the same year. The father was a plasterer by trade and spent his remaining days in this city, following his chosen occupation for an extended period.

John W. Schaum was but two years old when brought by his parents to the United States. He acquired his early education in the parochial schools and afterward attended the Lutheran high school, pursuing his studies to the age of fifteen years. He then entered upon newspaper work, becoming connected with a paper called the Seebote. He was employed by others for some time and eventually purchased an interest in the journal with which he was associated for a quarter of a century, disposing of his interest in the paper about two years prior to his death, which occurred on the 9th of December, 1910. He was treas- urer of the Milwaukee Journal and also established a firm known as the Schaum Engraving Company. By reason of his long connection with journalistic interests he became well known in Milwaukee and was an active factor in promoting public progress along many lines.

On the 23d of April, 1876, Mr. Schanm was united in marriage to Miss Caro- line Junker, a daughter of Frederick and Christiana ( Ratzow) Junker, who were natives of Germany and became residents of Milwaukee about 1851, spending their remaining days in this city. To Mr. and Mrs. Schaum were born five chil- dren: Caroline and Frederick, both of whom have passed away; Louis A., who resides in Milwaukee; Edward P., who makes his home in Quincy, Massachusetts; and Erna, the wife of John T. Coventry, also of Milwaukee. In his political views Mr. Schaum was always a democrat, supporting the party from the time that age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He served as a member of the school board of the city for many years and the cause of education found in him a stal- wart champion. Otherwise he never held public office, preferring to concentrate

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his time and attention upon his business affairs. He was a member of the Grace Lutheran church and a member of the Old Settlers' Club and was widely and prominently known, being a resident of the city for more than a half century. He therefore witnessed the greater part of its growth and development and took a helpful part in advancing its progress.

FRANCIS M. ELKINTON.

Francis M. Elkinton, making his initial step in the business world as a telegraph operator, became president of F. M. Elkinton, Incorporated, in which connection, as head of a company of traffic managers, he built up the largest institution of the kind in the United States. The story of his progress contains no esoteric phases. It is the simple recital of opportunities quickly recognized and wisely utilized. At the outset of his career he realized the fact that industry and perse- verance are essential elements to success and that one must be a thorough student of any business if he would gain advancement therein. Mr. Elkinton accordingly put forth every effort to master every phase and detail of the work entrusted to his care and step by step, through an orderly progression, he reached a place of leadership among the traffic managers of the country. Disposing of his interests in F. M. Elkinton, Incorporated, on the 15th of September, 1921, he created a new organization on the 1st of December of that year, specializing in consulting and advisory traffic management and commerce practice.

Wisconsin is proud to number him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Brownsville, Dodge county, August 20, 1883. He is descended from an old English family prominent in the public life of the "Merrie Isle." His grand- father, Mark Elkinton, born in England, came to the United States as a young man and settled in Dodge county, Wisconsin, where he followed farming throughout his remaining days. His son, Mark P. Elkinton, now living in Winneconne, Winnebago county, Wisconsin, was born on his father's farm a mile and a half from Browns- ville, and pursued his education in the State Normal School at Oshkosh and in the University of Wisconsin. He then took up the profession of teaching, which he followed for five or six years, after which he entered upon railroad business in connection with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, which he represented in various official capacities. He has now retired from active business, making his home in Winneconne, where he is filling the position of city clerk, and has also held other local offices. He wedded Mary E. Gardien, who was born in the town of Wayne, Fond du Lac county, on the farm of her father. Francis Gardien, who was of Spanish descent and served in the Spanish navy before coming to the United States.

Francis M. Elkinton acquired his early education in the common schools of Dodge county, and was later graduated from the Mayville high school with the class of 1901. Starting out in the business world to provide for his own support, he first obtained a position as telegraph operator with the Chicago. Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad and afterward acted as train dispatcher. He was stationed at various towns as local agent for the railroad company and on severing his connection with that system he entered the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern and eventu- ally became identified with the Soo Line, acting as operator and train dispatcher with the last two corporations. He acquainted himself with telegraphy under his father's direction and his initial experience constituted the foundation of his steady rise to prominence and success.

On leaving the employ of the Soo he returned to the Chicago, Milwaukee & St Paul as station and tariff inspector, occupying the position for three years. Throughout that entire period he was studying law by himself, seeking to acquire a knowledge of law that would fit him for advancement in transportation work. In fact, throughout his entire railroad career he was reading law and thus day by day was further qualifying for larger and greater responsibilities. He spent about a year and a half in the general offices of different Wisconsin railroads and thus became acquainted with various phases and features of trans- portation work. In 1910 he resigned from the railroad service and accepted a position as traffic manager for a western fruit firm in the Yakima district of Washington, the great fruit belt of the northwest. After a year spent in that sec- tion of the country he returned to Wisconsin and was associated with the Allis- Chalmers Company in the accounting department, handling freight accounts. For a year and a half he remained in that position and on the 1st of May, 1912, ac- cepted the position of manager of the American Freight Traffic Bureau, which was afterward merged into the corporation known as F. M. Elkinton, Incorporated, the change occurring in 1915. In the latter connection he developed the largest institu- tion of its kind in the United States. The company is maintained by concerns and industrial associations all over the country, but largely in the middle west, and pro-

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vides for them general traffic service, including legal practice before the public utility commissions. Mr. Elkinton continued as the executive head and directing force of this corporation until the 15th of September, 1921, when he disposed of his interests to enter upon what he believed to be a still broader field. On the 1st of December following, he instituted a new organization, with headquarters at No. 720 First National Bank building, Milwaukee, and has since specialized in con- sulting and advisory traffic management and commerce practice, having among his clients some of the most prominent business men and important corporations of the country.

On the 22d of April, 1908, Mr. Elkinton was married to Miss Lottie H. Cramer, of Ripon, Wisconsin, a daughter of William Cramer, one of the early residents of that place. Her maternal grandfather was John T. Harris, for many years a promi- nent political figure in Wisconsin, Mrs. Elkinton pursued her education in the schools of Ripon and took a full musical course in Ripon College. She is a pianist of ability, possesses a well trained voice and has frequently been heard in public gatherings. She has membership in St. James Episcopal church.

Mr. Elkinton has always given his political allegiance to the republican party and was once a candidate for the legislature, but otherwise has not been an active party worker. He has membership in Lafayette Lodge, No. 265, A. F. & A. M., of Milwaukee and he belongs to the Milwaukee Athletic Club, the Calumet Club, the Traffic Club of Chicago, the Milwaukee Traffic Club, the Milwaukee Association of Commerce, the Chicago Association of Commerce and the Concatenated Order of Hoo-Hoos, being traffic manager for the Wisconsin Retail Lumbermen's Associa- tion. He was the first president of the Wisconsin Traffic League and he is widely known as a public speaker upon transportation subjects. There is no phase of transportation with which he is not thoroughly familiar and he has addressed many public gatherings upon transportation interests throughout Wisconsin and the central west. When business duties bear too heavily upon him, he finds pleasure in a game of baseball and was himself once a professional player. He is likewise fond of motoring and he and his wife have enjoyed many automobile tours. The major part of his time and attention, however, has always been given to his busi- ness affairs from the time when he entered railroad service as a telegraph operator, and his steady advancement is the indication of his expanding powers and his de- veloping executive force, combined with a mastery of all those questions which have to do with transportation interests in every phase. With a nature that could not be content with mediocrity, he has passed on to a position of leadership and is today a recognized authority among transportation men throughout the entire country.

AUGUST F. MANEGOLD.

August F. Manegold died in Milwaukee, January 27, 1916. He had long been closely associated with the business enterprise of the city as a quarryman and by reason of the careful management of his affairs he left a comfortable competence to his family. He was born in Holzminden, Braunschwieg, Germany, January 13, 1852, his parents being William and Johanna Manegold, who, leaving Germany in 1863, came to Milwaukee. Here the father was engaged in the ice business for several years.

August F. Manegold obtained his education in the schools of his native land and of Milwaukee, attending the public schools and afterward the German-Eng- lish Academy. On starting out in the business world he first turned his attention to the tanning trade but early in life became interested in stone quarrying at Wauwatosa. There he continued to operate along that line to the time of his death. The business is still being carried on under the name of the A. F. and L. Manegold Stone Company, the selling end being conducted .under the name of the Wauwatosa Stone Company. Mrs. Manegold owns a half interest. August F. Mane- gold was systematic, thorough, enterprising and energetic in all that he did in business and these qualities brought to him a substantial measure of success as the years passed by.

On the 2d of May, 1876, Mr. Manegold was married to Miss Henrietta Bast, a daughter of Christopher and Wilhelmina ( Pribnow) Bast. The father was a na- tive of Coblenz on the Rhine, while the mother was born in Stettin, Germany. They came to Milwaukee about 1853 and here the father engaged in the practice of veterinary surgery for many years. He was also owner of the Wisconsin brew- ery for an extended period and long remained an active factor in business circles. He figured in military connections as captain of the Home Guard. Mr. and Mrs. Manegold became parents of six children, four of whom are living: Amelia L.,

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the wife of William O. Schilling; Clara A., the wife of William Graf; Walter A .; and August F.

Mr. Manegold belonged to the Lutheran church, with which his wife is also connected. His political allegiance was always given to the republican party from the time that age conferred upon him the right of franchise and he was unfalter- ing in his allegiance to his principles. For a time he served as supervisor and was most loyal to the public good when serving in public office. He was one of the first directors of the Old Line Life Insurance Company of America, which position he held until his death. He belonged to the Old Settlers' Club and for more than a half century was a resident of this city. He watched with interest its growth and development and took active part in promoting its material advancement through the conduct of business interests. He withheld his support from no project that was promoted for the general good and at all times was a most public-spirited citizen.

HANS BRUENING.

Almost from the beginning of settlement here Milwaukee has been regarded as one of the musical centers of the country. Its well earned reputation in this direc- tion is due to such men as Hans Brnening, who was classed with the leading pianists not only of Wisconsin but of the United States. Born in Berlin, Germany, on the 19th of September, 1868, he became a resident of this city in the spring of 1894, when a young man of twenty-six years. He was a student in the high school of Berlin, and his musical education was received at the Royal Academy of Music in his native city, where he studied for four years, from 1883 until 1887, pursuing his course under B. Stavenhagen, one of Liszt's most prominent pupils in Weimar. After his four years' course he appeared upon the concert stage as soloist and ac- companist, and his public appearances brought him into frequent association with some of the hest known artists of the time, including Joseph and Amalie Joachim, Carl Halir, Robert Hausmann, Alice Barbi and others, for whom he acted as ac- companist. One of his biographers has said of him: "In 1888 and 1889, Mr. Brnen- ing, in company with Teresina Tua, the 'violin fairy,' tonred the western part of Germany, Switzerland and Austria, after which he studied in Weimar for some time with Bernhard Stavenhagen, the eminent pianist and one of Franz Liszt's favorite pupils. In 1890 a tonr of eastern and northern Europe was begun, which was only completed at the end of four years, Mr. Charles Gregorowitsch and Mrs. Lillian Sanderson accompanying him. During this time Mr. Bruening played before the late Queen Olga of Wurtemberg, at Stuttgart; the Duke of Cumberland, at Vienna; the Queen of Roumania (Carmen Sylva), at Neuwied; King Oscar of Swe- den, at Stockholm, and King Christian of Denmark, at Copenhagen. On all of these occasions he received handsome and valuable presents as proofs of appreciation for his excellent performances."

Crossing the Atlantic to the new world, Mr. Bruening came to Milwaukee, in- fluenced in his decision as to a location by the fact that he had friends in this city. He taught music privately-solely piano-with harmony and theory of music and in 1899 founded the Wisconsin College of Music, of which he became senior director. In the meantime his work in one of the concerts given by Theodore Thomas, the great orchestra leader, was of such excellent order that it resulted in an invitation from the conductor to play with the Chicago Orchestra during the season of 1896- 1897. With the organization of the Wisconsin College of Music the duties of Mr. Bruening in that connection increased so rapidly that he was obliged to give up public playing, and only on very rare occasions was he induced to resume his work as a concert pianist. In January, 1914, however, he played Beethoven's G Major Concerto with the Chicago Orchestra under Frederick Stock, which was his fifth appearance with the great Chicago musical organization.

Today the college has more than seventy teachers and above twenty-five hundred students, being the largest institution of the kind in the state, while the pupils come from almost every state in the Union. The standards maintained by the school are very high. As a teacher Mr. Bruening was fully as successful as in his career as a concert pianist and the number of his efficient pupils was notable. Some of these have gone abroad for further study and are now holding prominent posi- tions in various parts of the United States. The members of his class gave annual piano recitals and a Milwaukee critic termed them the "Artists' Class." Mr. Bruening also received the highest praise of musical critics abroad.

The Vossische Zeitung of Berlin, Germany, said of him: "Mr. Bruening is a pianist of uncommon gifts. He has magnificent technique, together with much expression and feeling. The most brilliant number of the evening was his per- formance of the Liszt paraphrase of Mendelssohn's Midsummer Night's Dream music,

HANS BRUENING

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which was played with much delicacy and refinement, showing also considerable amount of force and power. The artists' reception at the hands of the audience was enthusiastic, and he had many recalls." Equally gratifying endorsement came to him from the Neue Freie Presse of Vienna, which said: "Mr. Hans Bruening accompanied all the songs with a discretion and refinement seldom to be found among our younger pianists. He is also an excellent soloist, combining delicacy and feeling with force and fire." Appreciation for his work was felt in Stockholm, Sweden, the Aftonbland writing of him: "Mr. Hans Bruening accompanied both soloists, and played a prelude by Chopin, and the Twelfth Rhapsodie, by Liszt. Especially in the latter he had ample opportunity for showing a masterly technique together with much fire and finish." Mr. Bruening also appeared in Denmark and the Poli- tiken of Copenhagen wrote: "Mr. Hans Bruening's interpretation of the Chopin and Liszt pieces was masterly in every respect. His technique is stupendous, his touch and tone beautiful."

Mr. Bruening also won eminence as a chess player. When but six years of age, he was regarded as a most remarkable chess player, and in 1900 he played with two of the world's experts, Dr. Lasker and Mr. Pillsbury, when they visited Milwaukee. Mr. Bruening won one game and lost one, and two of the games were draws. At one time he played and won four games while blindfolded-a truly remarkable feat. Mr. Bruening visited every state in the Union and also the country of Mexico, and traveled extensively in the far east, being in China and Japan during the Boxer war.

On the 25th of June, 1906, Mr. Bruening was married to Anna Kayser, then of Milwaukee, and connected with the Wisconsin College of Music, as one of its vocal teachers. She has a splendid soprano voice and is a prominent concert singer. Her unusual versatility has made her career a most interesting one. She obtained her entire musical education at the Wisconsin College of Music, and in 1914 joined its faculty, while for two years she had charge of the voice department and the Glee Club, at Grafton Hall, in Fond du Lac. She has appeared with the Milwaukee Auditorium Symphony Orchestra and in recital work before some of the leading clubs of the city. She is also actively identified with the well known MacDowell Club and has sung at many charitable events. After singing before Madame Calve, Mrs. Bruening received from her a letter, as follows: "You have a very pretty and expressive voice of exquisite timber and yon sing with art and feeling. I was charmed to have heard you. I am sure that you should be a perfect instructor, because you have a faultless enunciation. Why don't you sing in concerts? You should have a splendid career. My husband and I wish you all success. Believe me, dear madame, I am yours most sympathetic and devoted. Emma Calve."

Hans Bruening was called to his final rest on the 3d of March, 1922. No name was more familiar in musical circles in Wisconsin. Gifted by nature with marked talent, both Mr. and Mrs. Bruening developed their ability to a notable point, becom- ing artists of particularly high merit in their chosen line, and as educators their con- tribution to the development of musical taste and culture in the state has been distinct and valuable.

JOHN J. GASPER.

As Milwaukee has emerged from villagehood and taken on the advantages and opportunities of a city of metropolitan proportions there have come to the front men who by their substantial qualities, capability and efficiency in business and their loyalty in citizenship have contributed in notable measure to the growth and steady development of the community. To this class belongs John J. Gasper, whose growth, like the city, has been gradual until he is now prominent in busi- ness circles as superintendent and vice president of the V. Schoenecker Boot & Shoe Company. He was born in Milwaukee, June 7, 1864. His father, William Gasper, who died in 1902 at the age of sixty-eight years, was a native of Cologne, Germany, but came with his parents to the new world prior to the Civil war, the family home being established in this city. William Gasper was a carpenter by trade. His father, however, followed the occupation of farming at Cazenovia, Wisconsin, where he settled on coming to the United States, continuing his resi- dence at that place to the time of his death, which occurred when he was eighty-

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History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume III, Part 31

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