USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume III > Part 40
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Mr. Klug votes with the republican party but has never been an aspirant for office. He belongs to the Christian Science church and during the years 1910-12 officiated as first reader of the Second Church of Christ, Scientist, Milwaukee. He was chairman of the building committee, which was charged with the responsibility of building the church edifice of Second Church of Christ, Scientist, at 2708 High- land boulevard in 1914. This edifice is one of the finest examples of modern church architecture in Milwaukee and is also one of the largest churches, having a seating capacity of fourteen hundred. He is identified with several professional societies, belonging to the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Engineering Society of Wisconsin and the Builders and Traders Exchange. In 1910 to 1912 Mr. Klug acted as advisory engineer for Milwaukee in connection with the track elevation work on the south side and the track depression on the south and northwest sides. In 1913 he acted as advisory engineer for the building code commission and drafted the ordinances on reinforced and plain concrete, timher construction and structural steel, subject to the approval of the building code commission. He was a member of the harhor commission in 1918 and a member of the building code commission in 1918-19. He is also the secretary and treasurer of the Obenberger Forge Company of West Allis and of the Wisconsin Anto Exchange at 115 Sycamore street, perhaps the largest down-town garage business engaged in the storage of automobiles. His interest in the community welfare is shown through his membership in the Associa- tion of Commerce. He stands loyally in support of all those interests which are a matter of civic virtue and of civic pride and he believes in maintaining the highest municipal standards, giving earnest support to every measure that he believes will prove of benefit to his native city. Through his professional activity he has had opportunity to greatly promote the city's improvement in many ways. His entire career has been marked by that steady progression which ultimately means notable success. He is today one of the foremost representatives of his line of activity in the middle west, his scientific knowledge and mechanical skill and ingenuity having brought him to a point of enviable leadership.
THE REV. EDWARD J. BLACKWELL.
The Rev. Edward J. Blackwell, pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas' church of Mil- waukee, was born in this city, April 1, 1863. He is a son of Thomas H. and Cath- erine ( Bowe) Blackwell, the former a native of Limerick, Ireland, while the latter was also born in the Emerald isle. The father came to America in 1848, locating in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the early '50s. He was a machinist by trade, being an expert spring-maker. He was sent to different cities to instruct other men how to temper car springs by hand. His efficiency made his service of great value wherever he went.
The Rev. Father Blackwell acquired his early education in St. John's Cathe- dral School at Milwaukee. His college course and his theological course were pur- sued at St. Francis Seminary. He was ordained June 24, 1887. He was then appointed to St. John's cathedral, being also assigned to attend St. Mary's Hospital and St. Rose's Orphan Asylum. He continued as chaplain until December, 1889. He was tben appointed pastor of St. Mary's church at Fox Lake, Wisconsin, where he remained from the 1st of December, 1889, until September 13, 1898. While there he was instrumental in erecting the house of worship. He afterward took postgraduate work at the Catholic University at Washington, D. C. After two years he returned to Milwaukee in October, 1900, when Archbishop Katzer com- missioned him to establish a new English-speaking parish in the northwestern section of the city. The dedication of the first building took place October 13, 1901. It was a school building, the upper story of which was used for church purposes until March 7, 1915, when the present new church structure was occupied. Attached to the church there are maintained a rectory and a nunnery. The new church building is a most attractive one. It is built in the Irish-Gothic style of architecture, its graceful pointed arches heing a copy of the medieval architecture
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of Europe. With a seating capacity of a thousand it is a most beautiful church, of which the Rev. Father Blackwell may well be proud. The school was opened with eighty pupils, which number has increased from year to year until four hun- dred children are now attending under the direction of eight teaching Sisters of the Dominican Order. The new buildings were erected at a cost of about one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars. The Rev. Father Blackwell has done splendid service since taking charge of this church, the work of which is organized in every department, St. Thomas Aquinas having become a power for good in the promotion of the Catholic work in the city.
PHILIP ORTH.
Centuries ago the Psalmist wrote: "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches." To have reached an advanced age crowned with the honor and respect of one's fellowmen is indeed a record well worth winning. The entire life history of Philip Orth measures up to the highest standards nct only of industry and enterprise in business but of integrity, straightforwardness and honest dealing. Such is the record of Philip Orth, who still retains the title of president of the Philip Orth Company, wholesale dealers in flour and bakers' supplies, although he has largely turned over the management of the business, which today covers practically every section of Wisconsin, to his son. He has ever been actuated by the highest and most worthy purposes in his business career and no man has ever been more mindful of the rights of others than he, many engaged in the same line of business bearing testimony to his kindly consideration and his justice.
Mr. Orth was born in Dolgesheim-Hessen, Darmstadt, Germany, March 17, 1845. His father, Adam Orth, was a school teacher at that place and married Elizabeth Regner. They spent their entire lives in Germany and had a family of nine children, eight sons and a daughter. Their son. Philip Orth, was educated in the schools of Germany, attending the gymnasium to the age of twenty years, and after coming to Milwaukee in 1865 he became a student in the Markham Academy and the Spencerian Business College, where be acquainted himself with modern business methods and incidentally learned much of American life and customs. He spent three years in this way and in 1868 he entered the employ of The Milwaukee Mechanics' Insurance Com- pany in a clerical capacity, while later he occupied the position of bookkeeper with the firm of Storm, Hill & Company. He has been identified with the flour, feed and grain business continuously since 1878, or for a period of forty-four years, and throughout this entire time has conducted this business most successfully. He applies himself with thoroughness and energy to any task which chims his attention and by reason of the many strong and sterling traits of his character he has steadily advanced in a busi- ness way until he stands today at the bead of a company controlling large trade inter- ests. Gradually he developed the business, making it one of mammoth proportions, and in recent years he has shifted the responsibilities of management and control over to his son and is now practically living retired. For forty-four years, however, he was a most active factor in the commercial circles of the city, the growth of his business being steady and sure owing to the reliable methods that he followed. He has every reason to be proud of his record of forty-four years in the trade. There are many of the small bakers of Milwaukee who purchased their supplies from him who have told his son how kind the father was to them when, had he desired, he could easily have put them out of business. He was aiways considerate of the rights and of the opportunities of others and was continually extending a helping hand where aid was needed. His associates and contemporaries in business therefore attest his considera- tion and his splendid qualities and entertain for him the highest respect and regard. Aside from his connection with the Philip Orth Company he is likewise identified with the Milwaukee Mechanics' Fire Insurance Company and he is a member of the Association of Commerce, thoroughly alive to every enterprise for the city's develop- ment and the advancement of its civic standards.
On the 12th of August, 1891, Mr. Orth was married to Miss Martha Meinecke, a daughter of Edward and Pauline von Zastrow-Kuessow Meinecke, the former of whom was born in Burhave. Oldenburg, Germany, and came to the United States when about eighteen years of age, while a year later he was joined by his father, Dr. Ferdinand Meinecke. They remained for a time in New York and in 1852 came to Milwaukee, wbere Dr. Meinecke engaged in the practice of medicine to the time of his death, which occurred in 1868. His son, Edward Meinecke, with his brother Adolph, founded the Meinecke Toy Company and conducted the business for many years, His death occurred in 1903. The mother of Mrs. Orth bore the maiden name of Pauline von Zastrow-Kuessow and traced her lineage back to the eleventh century, belonging to one of the five oldest families of the Pomeranian nobility. Berndt von Zastrow-Kuessow. the maternal grandfather cf Mrs. Orth, was one of those who left Germany at the
PHILIP ORTH
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time of the revolution in 1848, feeling that he could no longer live under monarchical oppression. He afterward served as a member of the general assembly of Wisconsin from Ozaukee county. Mrs. Orth was educated in the Engelman school of this city, now the Milwaukee University, from which in due course of time she was graduated, and she also had private tutoring in German, French and English. To Mr. and Mrs. Orth have been born five children, four of whom are living, one son, Frederick, dying on the 19th of December, 1904, at the age of six years. Philip, who is now secretary and treasurer of the Philip Orth Company, married Irene Gibson of Milwaukee, a daughter of William Gibson, connected with the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, and they have one son, Philip Orth (1)1). Edward Orth married Gertrude Freuler, a daugh- ter of John R. Freuler, a prominent capitalist of Milwaukee, and they have one daughter, Marian. Margaret is the wife of George Andrae, son of Herman Andrae of the Herman Andrae Electrical Company. The youngest member of the family is Elizabeth Orth, who is now attending the Milwaukee University School.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Orth have always been strong supporters of the Milwaukee Uni- versity School and have given substantial aid to the cause of education in many ways. Mrs. Orth was for ten years president of the Ladies' Society of the German-English Academy, now the Milwaukee University School, and her labors in behalf of intellectual progress have been far-reaching and effective. In 1918 she was associated with Mrs. James Trottman and others in founding the Milwaukee County Chapter of the War Mothers of America, of which she became vice president. This organization is now known as the Service Star Legion. One of her ideas which was carried out was the compilation of some dozen volumes of photographs of the soldier boys, with the names of the mothers, from Milwaukee county. This volume is now in the Milwaukee Public Library. Her son, Edward Orth, was a first lieutenant in the Quartermaster's Corps, Salvage Department, of the Eighty-fifth Division, during the war and was stationed at Camp Custer, George Andrae, husband of Margaret Orth, was also in the service during the period of hostilities with Germany. In the social circles of the city the Orth family has likewise figured prominently, while Mr. Orth's position in business circles has long been one of leadership. It seems to be the purpose of nature, however, that the in- dividual in later years shall enter upon a period of relaxation and of rest. In youth he is possessed of ambition and energy which in mature years is supplemented by the sound judgment that comes through experience. Lahors wisely directed by an in- dividual. ultimately winning success, should therefore he followed by this period of retirement in part or in whole, permitting of leisure for the enjoyment of what has already been acquired; and such is the record of Mr. Orth. Forceful and resourceful, he conducted his business affairs with notably sound judgment and unfaltering enter- prise through more than four decades and his legion of friends now rejoice that the opportunity is his to rest from his labors, with the opportunity to follow his taste and inclination in the matter of pleasurable recreation.
WAR MOTHERS OF AMERICA.
The organization known as the War Mothers of America was an outgrowth of senti- ment and needs arising from our participation in the World war. The young men of America, in April, 1917, left their homes for the training camps. On November 3, 1917, the first American soldier fell on French soil. His name was James Bethel Gresham. Private Gresham was from Vanderburgh county, Indiana, and from a plain unpreten- tious American home. He gave to his country the greatest gift of all-his life. The Vanderburgh county mothers, wives and sisters conceived the idea of organizing a society in honor and in memory of Private Gresham and of all American boys who had given or would give their lives in the service of their country. The idea im- mediately became popular and spread through Indiana and other states. So great was the demand for a national organization, that a number of women relatives of soldiers who went from Vanderburgh county, Indiana, assumed the responsibility of calling a national convention. This was held in Evansville, Indiana, in September, 1918. A permanent national organization under the name of War Mothers of America was effected and officers were elected. The women realized that after all the tumult and shouting had died there would be need of patriotic service as great in peace as there was in war. This was the first national society having hereditary membership that was organized during the war and had as its main object the doing of permanent patriotic service. The name of the national society was subsequently changed from War Mothers of America to Service Star Legion. This was done at its first annual national conven- tion, at which eleven other women societies became amalgamated with the War Mothers of America under the new name, Service Star Legion.
In the summer of 1918, Mrs. Edwin Van Ostrand, of Madison, Wisconsin, who had been interested in the War Mothers of America from the first and who had been appointed by the national organization as state organizer for Wisconsin, requested Mrs.
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James Trottman to organize a Milwaukee Chapter, and in September, 1918, urged her to take up this work at once.
At a meeting which had been called by Mrs. Rudolph Pfeil in connection with distribution of candy to soldiers and which was held in the Plankinton Hotel, Mrs. Orth and Mrs. Trottman spoke and told of the need and value of an organization com- posed of mothers, wives, sisters and daughters of the men who were in service, a society that would grow into a great democratic organization whose right of eligibility was to be a mother, a wife, a sister or descendant of a son or daughter in service, a society that would continue and be maintained by the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and a lasting memorial to those whose lives were given in sacrifice. At this meeting a luncheon was suggested at which a plan of organization was to be outlined.
The luncheon took place at Margaret Franklin's restaurant in the Plankinton Arcade. Twenty-four women were present and tentative plans were made. A com- mittee on organization was appointed, preliminary meetings were held, and December 5, 1918, the organization meeting of the Milwaukee County Chapter of War Mothers of America was held in Library Hall. The state organizer, Mrs. Van Ostrand, presided. At this meeting the officers and directors were elected and the constitution adopted. Mrs. Trottman, who had been appointed organizer and president by the state organizer, was elected president of the Milwaukee Chapter. The other officers then elected were Mrs. Rudolph Pfeil, Jr., honorary president; Mrs. Philip Orth, Mrs. Alex Weil, Mrs. J. Pawinski, Mrs. Fred G. Castle and Mrs. Jesse Bradley, vice presidents; Mrs. Gustav Pabst, Mrs. Howard Eldred, Mrs. Fred M. Scott, Mrs. Frank Lindsay and Mrs. Gustav Hipke, honorary vice presidents; Mrs. Joseph P. Sherer, recording secretary; Mrs. Fred Dickens, assistant recording secretary; Mrs. Elizabeth Martin, corresponding secretary; Mrs. F. W. Siemens, treasurer; Mrs. August G. Inbusch, historian; Mrs. J. K. Tibbitts, assistant historian; and Mrs. J. L. Bitker, auditor.
The work of the society began at once. Mrs. Albert Trostel's generous gift of the rental of a room for six months made a home for the new society and was the first material encouragement the chapter received. This room was in the Plankinton Arcade and was the gathering place of the society for nearly a year.
The constitution adopted by the Milwaukee County Chapter of the War Mothers of America, in line with the national organization, stated its purposes as follows:
1. To form a bond of union of all mothers of American soldiers, sailors and marines.
2. To extend to one another, and to our soldiers, sailors and marines and their families, mutual comfort, sympathy and aid.
3. To foster the spirit of freedom, equality and true democracy.
4. To promote American ideals and love of our country and its institutions.
5. To collect and preserve records and accounts of individual services of our soldiers and sailors and marines, to secure their photographs and to promote historical research.
6. To commemorate, by fitting celebrations and ceremonies, by monuments and by other proper means, the participation of our sons in the great World war.
7. To cherish the memory of those of our boys who lost their lives in the service of their country.
Before the local society was two months old, plans were outlined for a great celebration which, after preliminary arrangements had been made and the celebration finally determined upon, was called Homecoming Victory Festival and Circus Hippo- drome. One of the cbjects of this celebration was to create a fund for the Milwaukee County Chapter for the purpose of doing patriotic work, in strict conformity with the purposes stated in the constitution. Inasmuch as it seemed to the members and directors of the chapter that this celebration should not have for its sole object the raising of money but should also have for one of its objects an entertainment and celebration for all our ciitzens, the charge for admittance tickets was placed at the small sum of ten cents. Soldiers, sailors and marines were admitted free. The festival was held in the Milwaukee Auditorium. Almost the entire Auditorium, including base- ment, was secured for the purpose. The celebration continued for a period of nine days beginning February 22, George Washington's birthday anniversary, and ending March 2, 1919. The celebration was in charge of the then board of directors.
The immediate direction of all the business and organization of the celebration was placed in charge of a special executive committee appointed by the directors. This executive committee consisted of James Trottman, chairman, and Rudolph Pfeil, Jr., Philip Orth, C. W. Foss and J. W. Martin. The festival was a great success. Every afternoon and evening the seating capacity of the main hall of the Auditorium was taxed to the utmost and thousands of visitors were scattered throughout the rest of the building. in Kilbourn, Juneau and Engelmann halls, throughout the basement, and at the booths and exhibits, and thousands were unable to gain admittance. This festival was the greatest community celebration that had ever taken place in Milwaukee. From one hundred eighty thousand to two hundred thousand persons, young and old. took
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part. Many of the members of the chapter worked early and late to make the home- coming festival a success, and few, except those who took part, realized the amount of work, responsibility and enthusiasm that went into this big undertaking which was patriotic and democratic in every sense. However, it must not be overlooked that, but for the interest and aid lent by many of our prominent citizens, this undertaking could not have been carried through successfully. Although the charge for an admission ticket was only ten cents, the astounding attendance and the good will that prevailed gave a substantial return over and above the heavy expenses that were necessary in giving our people this celebration and entertainment, the first after the armistice. Although the rental and other items paid to the Auditorium for these nine days, was more than five thousand seven hundred dollars, and although there were other heavy expenses, the net sum earned was more than seventeen thousand dollars. This fund, so secured, became the working capital of the local society Milwaukee County Chapter of the War Mothers of America. What now remains of this fund raised by the festival is under the control of the local chapter of the society known as the American War Mothers. At Mrs. Philip Orth's suggestion, a history of the service of Milwaukee county boys in the World war was undertaken, and seven thousand dollars was, by action of the original board, set aside for this work. A great deal of time, unselfish work and great care were necessary to carry out this undertaking and the result of the work is contained in twelve volumes which are now in the Milwaukee public library.
Since the Homecoming Victory Festival, the Milwaukee County Chapter of War Mothers has been active in doing helpful work for soldiers, sailors and marines. In the early part of 1919, the Gold Stripe Minstrels, every one of whom had been seriously wounded in the war, gave an entertainment. When it appeared that these boys had little or no organized support to help them, the chapter gave aid by selling tickets and interesting other organizations, with the result that the entertainment was a financial success and gave a substantial sum for the wounded men.
On June 6, 1919, the great homecoming of the Thirty-second Division took place. To help bring and entertain the wounded and convalescing soldiers from Fort Sheridan, Fort Snelling and Waukesha, the chapter contributed one thousand dollars. The chapter took part in the A Capella Choir Memorial Concert, given in the main hall of the Auditorium, and on that occasion presented the Memorial Wreath which is now in Memorial Hall of our public library; and in the campaign for the state soldiers' bonus, gave the state president of the War Mothers organization and other chapters through- out the state, valuable aid that helped materially in securing the bonus. For months the chapter kept open house for the boys and in that way not only gave comfort but also help to many who were in need. In these and other ways the Milwaukee County Chapter has been a great help to many of the boys who would otherwise have been exposed to hardship.
In October, 1919. the second annual convention of the national society of the War Mothers of America was held in Baltimore. Invitations had been sent to a number of societies which had been formed in different parts of the United States, operating under different names, but of the same nature and scope as the War Mothers of America. Notice was also sent to all local chapters notifying them of the invitation to these several societies, of possible incorporation, and of the possibility of a change of name.
Eleven societies accepted the invitation of the War Mothers of America to attend. At this meeting, the eleven societies, so invited, became a part of the original society cf War Mothers of America. At the same meeting, and by a majority vote, the old name, War Mothers of America, was discarded, and a new name, Service Star Legion, was adopted. As part of this action, permission was given to all chapters or organiza- tions to use their old names locally, if they so desired, but required them to conform with the regulations of the state and national organizations. The Milwaukee County Chapter of War Mothers of America, having received invitation to this second annual convention of the national society, sent four representatives to the Baltimore meeting and these delegates reported the action taken at the Baltimore meeting, including the change of name, to the Milwaukee County Chapter.
Very soon after the Baltimore convention, a Wisconsin state convention. under the name of Service Star Legion, formerly War Mothers of America, was called and held in Madison, Wisconsin. Delegates were sent to this state convention by the Milwaukee County Chapter of War Mothers, and these delegates voted with other delegates from the state to indorse and accept the change of name adopted in Baltimore. The change of name from War Mothers of America to Service Star Legion was adopted unanimously at the Madison convention. There were some who were dissatisfied with the action taken at the Baltimore and Madison conventions in changing the name from War Mothers of America to Service Star Legion. This dissatisfaction developed to such an extent that, at the annual meeting of the Milwaukee County Chapter held in November, 1920, the local chapter voted to change the name from War Mothers of America to American War Mothers and to become affiliated with the latter society.
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