History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume III, Part 4

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

USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume III > Part 4

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Dr. Brown was educated in the public schools of Milwaukee, passing through con- secutive grades to the high school, while later he studied in the University of Wiscon- sin and won his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1889. He next entered the College of Vol. III-3

HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE

Physicians and Surgeons in New York city and gained the M. D. degree in 1892. Re- turning to Milwaukee, he at once entered upon general practice and continued active therein until 1909, when he went abroad for postgraduate work in Vienna, returning to his native country in 1910. He was formerly on the staff of the Milwaukee County Hospital and is now a member of the staff of the Columbia, Emergency and Children's Hospitals. He belongs to the Milwaukee Medicai Society, the Milwaukee County Medical Society. the Wisconsin State Medical Society, the Tri-State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.

Fifteen years ago Dr. Brown was married to Miss Katharine Dana Butler, a native of Milwaukee. He is a well known figure in club circles, belonging to the University Club, the Milwaukee Country Club, the Town Club and the City Club, and he finds his recreation in golf. During the World war he served as chief of the medical staff at Base Hospital, No. 22. in France, with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He is a Master Mason, exemplifying in his life the beneficent purpose and high principles of the craft. The interests and activities of his life have been broad and varied and yet the major part of his attention is given to his professional duties. He has ever been most con- scientious in the performance of his work as a physician and constant study and broad experience have placed him in the front rank among the able medical prac. titioners of the Cream City.

RICHARD HERMAN ZINKE.

Few men are more prominent in the enterprising city of Milwaukee than Richard Herman Zinke, president of the R. H. Zinke Music Company, located at 425 Milwaukee street. He has been an important factor in business circles and his prosperity is well deserved, as in him are embraced the characteristics of an unbending integrity, un- abating energy and industry that never flags. A native of Wisconsin, Mr. Zinke was born in Fond du Lac, on the 30th of January, 1877. a son of Herman and Emma ( Schussler) Zinke. His grandfather, Louis Zinke, was a native of Germany and came to this country with his family. He established a grocery business in Fond du Lac which grew to extensive proportions and he was likewise chief of the fire depart- ment of that place for many years. Herman Zinke was eight years of age when he came to this country with his parents and he and a brother, Louis, succeeded their father in the conduct of the grocery, flour and feed business at Fond du Lac, operating it with a substantial amount of success for many years, under the name of Zinke Brothers. Herman Zinke passed away in 1911. His wife, the mother of Richard Herman Zinke, is living in Milwaukee and makes her home with this son. She was a daughter of Joseph Schussler, a hrewer, who was born in Saxony, Germany, and came to the United States when a young unmarried man. Mrs. Zinke and her husband were the first couple married in St. Mary's church of Milwaukee, the ceremony being per- formed in the basement of the church, as the entire structure was not yet completed. In the acquirement of an education Richard Herman Zinke attended the public schools of Fond du Lac until he was sixteen years of age when he put his textbooks aside and made his initial step into the business world. For two years he was asso- ciated with the local National Bank as messenger but at the termination of that time went into his father's business, which had a short time before been incorporated. The grocery business, however, was not to his liking, so in 1896 he removed to Milwaukee, where he obtained employment in the Gender & Paeschke Company. For twelve years he remained with that company, his ability and conscientious performance of every duty assigned him bringing him constant promotion and steadily he rose from truck boy to sales manager. After severing his connection with that concern he was for several years in business in Denver and California, but returning to Milwaukee in 1914 be identified himself with the Badger Talking Machine Company as manager of its retail store on Grand avenue. A year later he built up the store at 425 Grand ave- nue, the company closing the other house, and he remained as manager until Febru- ary, 1919. At that time he was made president of the Record Needle and Manufacturing Company, an association he maintained until on the 1st of April, 1920, he opened his present business at 425 Milwaukee street. His untiring energy, quick perception, and genius for devising the right thing at the right time have resulted in the growth of his business to extensive proportions, and he not only has the agency for the Victor talking machines but specializes in sheet music, band, orchestral, vocal and instrumental. Mr. Zinke is likewise entering into the field of band instruments.

On the 16th of June, 1920, occurred the marriage of Mr. Zinke and Miss Eva Healy, a daughter of Elmer Healy, a prominent hotel proprietor of Milwaukee. She was born in Appleton, Wisconsin, and is still residing in Milwaukee. Mrs. Zinke is well known in the club and social circles of the community and takes an active nart in any move- ment for the development and improvement of the general welfare.

Since age conferred upon Mr. Zinke the right of franchise he has been a stanch

HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE

supporter of the republican party but has never sought nor desired political prefer- ment as reward for party fealty. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church, while his wife is a Christian Scientist. Fraternally Mr. Zinke is a Mason, having mem- bership in Aurora Lodge, No. 30, F. & A. M., of Milwaukee; Tripoli Temple of the Mystic Shrine; and he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. As an Elk, he has membership in Milwaukee Lodge, No. 46, and he is leader of the Elks band and at the Elks Convention in Chicago won the first prize over eleven other bands from large cities in the United States. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, belonging to Damon Lodge, of Milwaukee and he is likewise a member of the Tripoli Patrol and formerly played in the Tripoli band. Socially Mr. Zinke is well known, heing active in the affairs of the Kiwanis Club, Milwaukee Athletic Club and City Club and as a man interested in the general welfare of the community is identified with the Association of Commerce. Since a mere lad he has been a great lover ot music and appeared in public concert as a gifted pianist when a child of hut ten years. He was given the best of instruction and for three and one-half years traveled on a vaudeville circuit, gaining great success. In his connection with the Elks Band of Milwaukee, Mr. Zinke has become widely known and the success attained by the hand is largely due to his untiring efforts. He took charge of the band when it was com- posed of a dozen members and today with sixty odd members he has one of the best bands ever organized in Wisconsin. Every member of the band is an Elk and they lave cooperated with their leader in every way to help him perfect his wonderful organization. His wife is also of an artistic nature, being a painter of landscapes and chinaware. She was also highly educated along the lines of her talent. After music, which forms his favorite recreation, Mr. Zinke turns to hunting and fishing. During the World war he was quick to give aid to his government in all drives and he represented the board of Musical Industries. He is secretary of the Milwaukee Association of Musical Industries and president of the Wisconsin Association of Musical Industries, connections which indicate his prominence in the musical world.

FRANK JOSEPH MANN.

Frank Joseph Mann is a representative of one of Milwaukee's most important business interests, as president and treasurer of the Mann-Gruber Company, wholesale woolens. He is a native of Milwaukee, born on the 5th of March, 1861, a son of Herman and Clara (Weiss) Mann, hoth deceased. Herman Mann was born in Prague, Austria, in 1817, and attended the Technical School there, receiving his training as civil engineer. In 1843 he came to the United States, going back to his native land in a year or two to marry Clara Weiss, with whom he returned to this country. He was also accompanied by his five brothers and a sister as well as his parents and parents of his bride. They all came directly to Milwaukee and although Herman spent some time in farming near Richfield, he started in the grocery business at an early date. The success of that venture seemed assured from the start and it grew steadily into a wholesale grocery business which was conducted under the name of Mann Brothers and became one of the leading grocery firms in the city and state. Finally they purchased the Two River Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of pails, tubs and chairs, and they became the most extensive dealers in pails and tubs throughout the United States. Herman Mann and his brothers also acquired an interest in the Peshtigo Pail and Tub Factory, having a branch in Chicago and they likewise owned a lumber-yard there, both of them being totally destroyed in the Chicago fire. The success that Mr. Mann enjoyed was the result of his own effort, intelligently directed and in his passing on the 31st of January, 1872, Milwaukee lost a most prominent and representative citizen. Throughout his life he was a stanch supporter of the republican party and was a close friend of Carl Schurz, who was born in Liblar, near Cologne, Prussia, and coming to the United States in 1852, became a prominent member of the republican party. Mrs. Mann was born in Plaskowitz, near Prague, and her death occurred on the 17th of June, 1900.

Frank Joseph Mann received his education in the Milwaukee public schools until he reached the age of twelve years, when he enrolled as student in the old German- English Academy. After completing his studies there he entered Markhams Academy and graduated therefrom in 1878. He subsequently made his first step into the busi- ness world as clerk for the T. A. Chapman Company, a position lie maintained for two years, when he resigned to become clerk in the wholesale clothing business with Singer & Benedict. After three years in that connection and two years as traveling salesman in lowa and Missouri he associated with J. E. Singer & Company as traveling salesman and manager until 1894. In that year he and Fred C. Gruber founded the present business, which they operated under the name of Mann & Gruber. Three years later they incorporated under the same name, having a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars, and Mr. Mann maintained his positions as president and treasurer.

HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE

The keen business insight and executive ability possessed hy Mr. Mann have been dominant factors in the corporation's success and their annual income amounts to five hundred thousand dollars, an increase of four hundred and forty-five thousand dollars over the first year's work. The capital stock is now one hundred and fifty thousand dollars and where at the beginning the firm only employed three men, they now have fourteen employes, in addition to six traveling men who cover ten states. Two employes who associated with the company upon its organization are still with the corporation. Mann & Gruber deal in men's woolens, imported and domestic, for the merchant tailor trade.

On the 19th of June, 1890, occurred the marriage of Mr. Mann and Miss Emmie Hansen, a daughter of Theodore Hansen, a malt manufacturer of Milwaukee. He was born in Denmark and came to this country, locating in Milwaukee as a boy. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Mann: Anita L. and Herman F. The son has the distinction of being among the first to volunteer his services in the World war, having enlisted on the day America entered the war, and he was sent to one of the earliest camps at Plattsburgh. He received a commission as first lieutenant, in the Three Hundred and Tenth Infantry, Seventy-eighth Division, and sailed for France on the 22d of May, 1918. He was in active service until the signing of the armistice ended hostilities and he was twice wounded while in action, receiving a citation for bravery. After eighteen months in France he returned to this country and entered his father's business. Herman F. Mann graduated from Harvard with the class of 1916. Miss Anita Mann also subordinated all personal interests to come to the aid of her country during the World war and was occupational therapy nurse at Camp Oglethorpe, Georgia, from which camp she was later transferred to Fort Sheridan. She was so engaged throughout the entire struggle and for a year after its close. Miss Mann received her education in the Milwaukee Downer College and at an eastern finishing school. Her therapeutic education was received in the former institution. Mrs. Mann takes an active and prominent part in the development and improvement of the general welfare and for many years has been a director of the Milwaukee Childrens' Free Hospital. She has also been made an honorary director.

Although Mr. Mann gives his support to the republican party he has neither sought nor desired political preferment, preferring to devote his entire time to his business affairs. Fraternally he is an Elk and in the club circles of Milwaukee he is well known as a member of the Milwaukee Athletic Club, Wisconsin Club, Mil- waukee Art Institute, Rotary Club, Chenequa Country Club and the Pine Lake Yacht Club. He is likewise associated with the Manhattan Club of New York city. In all outdoor sports Mr. Mann takes an active interest but he is especially fond of hunting, fishing and golfing, in each of which he demonstrates great ability. The town resi- dence of the Mann family is located at 323 South Summit avenue and they have a summer home at Pine Lake, built on about eight acres of land, fronting the lake. The example of his father he has followed, making the name of Mann indeed an honored one in Milwaukee and throughout the state. By reason of his close application and thoroughness Mr. Mann has reached the creditable place that he occupies in mercantile circles and the business has become one of broad scope and importance, the while the high reputation of the corporation constitutes its best business asset.

FRED DOEPKE.

Fred Doepke is a prominent representative of industrial interests in Milwaukee as president of the Wrought Washer Manufacturing Company, which he founded almost a third of a century ago and which is the largest factory of its kind in the world. He was born in Rockford, Illinois. on the 28th of March, 1862, his parents being Gottlieb and Amelia ( Miller) Doepke, both of whom were natives of Germany. The paternal grandfather, who also bore the name of Gottlieb Doepke, brought his family from Germany to the new world, settling on a farm within a few miles of Watertown, Wisconsin, and devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits throughout his entire life. Rudolph Miller, the maternal grandfather of Mr. Doepke of this review, was also born in Germany and after coming to the United States participated in the Civil war as a soldier of the Union army. Gottlieb Doepke, Jr., the father of Fred Doepke, was brought to this country by his parents in childhood and after attaining man's estate was employed by the firm of ship chandlers now known as the Joys Brothers Company of Milwaukee. His demise occurred in 1884, while his wife was called to her final rest in 1887.

Fred Doepke obtained his early education in parochial schools of Milwaukee and after putting aside his texthooks did apprentice work as a machinist for four years in the shop of the Filer & Stowell Company, after which he made his way to New York and to Philadelphia, attending the Franklin Institute in the latter city. In New York he was employed in Fletcher's North River Iron Works aud also pursued a course

FRED DOEPKE

HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE

in mechanical drawing and higher mathematics as a student in the Cooper Union School. Subsequently he removed to Cleveland, Ohio, where he entered the service of the Upson Nut Company, having charge of their machinery for a year. It was in 1889 that he came to Milwaukee and founded his present business. He purchased an interest in the Milwaukee Nut & Washer Manufacturing Company but later bought out his associate and changed the name of the concern to the Wrought Washer Manu- facturing Company, of which he has since been at the head. In this connection he is engaged in the making of steel plate washers used in the machinery business, also by manufacturers and railroad, bridge and dock builders. The factory is the largest of its kind in the world and the output is shipped all over the United States as well as to South America and the Orient. In the development of his industry Mr. Doepke has displayed splendid executive ability and keen discernment, so that excellent results have attended his efforts and the business is now one of extensive and profitable propor- tions. He is also one of the directors of the Merchants & Manufacturers Bank.

On the 12th of July, 1892, Mr. Doepke was united in marriage to Miss Annie Disch, a daughter of Myrou Disch of Milwaukee, who was a native of Switzerland. They have one son, Fred C., who was boru July 19, 1904, and is now attending the Riverside high school. The family residence is at No. 473 Newberry boulevard.

Mr. Doepke gives his political allegiance to the republican party but aside from exercising his right of franchise has not taken au active part in politics. Both he and his wife were reared in the faith of the Lutheran church, while fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to Lafayette Lodge, No. 265, A. F. & A. M .; Calumet Chapter, No. 73. R. A. M .; Ivanhoe Commandery, K. T .; Wisconsin Con- sistory, A. A. S. R .; and Tripoli Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is likewise a popular member of the Old Settlers Club, the Milwaukee Athletic Club, the Tripoli Golf Club and the Milwaukee Gun Club, the latter connections indicating something of the nature of his recreation. He is especially fond of duck hunting. Mr. Doepke also belongs to the City Club and the Association of Commerce and has long been numbered among the prosperous business men and valued citizens of Milwaukee.

MICHAEL YUNDT.

A man's practical value to a community is determined by his contribution to its material growth and development and the maintenance of its political, legal and civic standards. So judged, Michael Yundt is accounted one of the representative resi- dents of Milwaukee, as he became an active factor in the manufacturing interests of the city when but twenty years of age and through the intervening period has been active in the development of a business which has contributed in no small measure to commercial growth here. Mr. Yundt was born in Strassburg, Alsace, France, then a part of Germany, on the 30th of May, 1884. His father, Andrew Yundt, also a native of Strassburg, settled in Chicago on the 30th of May, 1888, immediately after crossing the Atlantic to the new world. He was a carpenter contractor and thus provided for the members of his household. He is a representative of one of the oldest families of Strassburg, the ancestral line being traced directly back through several centuries. Andrew Yundt married Caroline Lobstein, who was also born in Strassburg, where they were neighbors in childhood and attended the same school. They became parents of six children, one of whom has passed away, while the mother has also departed this life.

Michael Yundt was educated in the public schools of Chicago, completing his studies in the Austin high school. He started out in the business world as an office boy with the firm of Bishop & Babcock, handling bottlers supplies and machinery and thus he received his introduction into the line of business which now claims his attention. He later went upon the road for the firm, selling for the house with head- quarters in Milwaukee and eventually the company opened a branch office in this city, making Mr. Yundt the first manager. This was in 1904 and he was at the time a young man of but twenty years, which fact indicates how splendidly he had de- veloped his business powers and the thorough confidence reposed in him by the firm which he represented. He continued with Bishop & Babcock until 1905 and then took a position as traveling representative for the Twentieth Century Machinery Com- pany, of Milwaukee. He left that house to accept the position of general manager for the Charles L. Kiewert Company of Milwaukee in 1912 and served in that re- sponsible position until September, 1916, when the firm went out of existence. He next organized and incorporated the Michael Yundt Company with a capital stock of twenty thousand dollars and something of the continued and substantial growth of the business is indicated in the fact that the capital stock has since been in- creased to one hundred thousand dollars. Mr. Yundt has remained the president and general manager from the beginning. The company manufactures bottle washing and sterilizing machines sold to those who engage in bottling beer, milk. waters and

HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE

soft drinks. Its market covers the United States, Canada, Mexico and many parts of Europe and Asia. It now does its own manufacturing, having built a plant at Waukesha, previous to which time its machinery was built by a local manufacturer. On the 30th of May, 1905, Mr. Yundt was married to Miss Emily Vandewater, a daughter of Andrew Jackson Vandewater, one of the old-time residents of Jefferson, Wisconsin, in which city he was born. Mr. and Mrs. Yundt have one child, Emily Jane. In politics Mr. Yundt has always been a republican, supporting the candidates and the principles of the party, yet never an aspirant for office. Fraternally he is connected with the Elks of Milwaukee, belongs to Lafayette Lodge, No. 265. A. F. & A. M., and to Kilbourn Chapter, No. 1, R. A. M. He also has membership in the Milwaukee Athletic Club, the Association of Commerce and the Rotary Club and is interested in all those practical and organized efforts which are seeking to improve business conditions and establish better business relations with the outside world. He is a lover of music, greatly enjoys fishing and swimming and it is no unusual thing to see him with his rod on some stream or lake where the finny tribe abound. He served on the draft board during the World war and has always been a loyal supporter of those interests and activities which have made for the upbuilding of the city and the advancement of civic virtue and civic pride.

EMMET E. THOMAS.

Emmet E. Thomas, secretary and treasurer of the E. E. Thomas Optical Company, has for many years been a representative of one of Milwaukee's most important busi- ness interests. A native of Michigan, he was born in Hartford, November 15, 1872, and is a son of Nathan and Rebecca A. (Votaw ) Thomas, both of whom are deceased. The father was horn in Winona, Ohio, and in early life removed to Michigan, locating in Hartford, where he won prominence in mercantile circles and also as postmaster of that place. For eight years he filled the office of sheriff of Van Buren county, and his death in 1915 came as a severe blow to his many friends in the community. Mrs. Thomas was born in Gilford, Ohio, and was a daughter of Moses Votaw, a representative agricul- turist of that section of the country.

Emmet E. Thomas is indebted to the public schools of Hartford, Michigan, for his early education and after graduating from the Paw Paw high school enrolled as a student in the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso, Indiana. There he took a commercial course, upon completion of which he went to work for his father as deputy sheriff and was also for a part of the time engaged on his father's farm. Sub- sequently, however, he decided to become an optician and, going to Laporte, Indiana, entered an optical school, where in addition to learning all about eyes and glasses, he became an expert engraver. After six months in that school he went to Evansville, Indiana, where for one year he put his learning into practical use, and after two years in Ottawa, Illinois, and Waukesha. Wisconsin, removed to Milwaukee about 1900. He was associated with a wholesale optical company for thirteen years and during that time his ability and conscientious performance of every duty assigned him won him constant promotion. He was first employed as shop foreman and as traveling salesman for six years, covering the country from coast to coast. During the last five years of his association with that company he filled the position of manager. In 1915 he determined to go into the business on his own account and, buying out the Federal Optical Com- pany, changed its name to the E. E. Thomas Optical Company, having been active in its operation ever since. At first offices were maintained in the Caswell block but in 1919 were removed to suite 514, Security building, 209 Grand avenue. On the 15th of September, 1921. The Thomas Optical Company of Madison, Wisconsin, opened a whole- sale business in the new First Central building. As the result of the keen business ability and careful management of Mr. Thomas, the business has grown to extensive proportions, covering Wisconsin and surrounding states and requiring the services of many traveling men. A strictly wholesale business is carried on by the company and they specialize in filling prescriptions for glasses for oculists and opticians.

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History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume III, Part 4

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