History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume III, Part 49

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 49

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FRANK JOSEPH PEACOCK.

Frank Joseph Peacock, proprietor of the extensive undertaking business conducted under the style of S. F. Peacock & Son, was born on the 11th of September, 1868, in Milwaukee. His father, Samuel Frederick Peacock, was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, England, April 27, 1847, his parents being Francis and Annie (Stead) Peacock. The former came to the United States in 1843 and then returning to England again came with his family in 1848. He engaged in the lumber business and in August. 1861, responding to the call of his adopted country for aid in the preservation of the Union, became a private of Company B, Twenty-fourth Wisconsin Infantry. He was wounded in the first battle in which his regiment served, was sent home on sick furlough and passed away four months later in Milwaukee, December 11, 1863. His wife survived until July 9, 1889.

Their son, Samuel F. Peacock, was reared and educated in Milwaukee and on the 1st of January, 1877, established an undertaking business, with which he was actively and successfully connected to the time of his death. He always held to the highest standards of business integrity, honor and service in the conduct of his affairs and the liberal patronage accorded him was well deserved, for he did everything in his power to meet the requirements of those who gave him their patronage. In politics he was a democrat and in religious faith a Catholic. He belonged to the Benev- olent Protective Order of Elks, of which he was at one time exalted ruler, also to the junior council of the National Union, to the Catholic Foresters, to the Catholic Knights, to the Sons of Veterans and of the last named he was at one time commander. He was also the organizer of the Wisconsin State Funeral Directors and he long occupied a position of leadership among the men of his profession in the state. On the 10th of December, 1869, he married Miss Hattie Downer, a daughter of Frederick and Margaret Downer of Milwaukee, and they became the parents of two children, the daughter being Hattie, the wife of John Roddy, who is employed by the

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T. A. Chapman Company in the credit department. The father died June 4, 1916, and the mother departed this life May 13, 1917.

Frank Joseph Peacock, the only son, was educated in St. John's Cathedral school and became associated with his father in undertaking, learning every branch of the business. On attaining his majority he was admitted to a partnership and upon his father's death succeeded to the business, of which he is also owner. His interests are still carried on under the firm style of S. F. Peacock & Son, the company doing a regular undertaking business, serving not only Milwaukee but many nearby towns.

On the 26th of November, 1889, Mr. Peacock was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Birkel of Milwaukee, a daughter of Frank G. Birkel, who was born in Ger- many and for many years was a successful grocer of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Peacock have become parents of three children: Urban F., born May 25, 1891, is an architect of the firm of Peacock & Frank of Milwaukee; Frank J., Jr., born March 8, 1894, is associated with his father in business; Samuel E., born December 30, 1901, is now a student in the school of economics in Marquette University.

Mr. Peacock votes with the republican party, which he has supported since age conferred upon him the right of franchise but he has never sought nor desired office nor taken an active part in politics. He belongs to the Wisconsin Undertakers' As- sociation and he has membership in St. John's cathedral, having always been a fol- lower of the teachings of the Catholic church. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus, being a fourth degree member and is also identified with the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin. He likewise has membership in the Milwaukee Athletic Club, is a Rotarian and belongs to the Association of Commerce. These associations indicate largely the nature of his interests and activities outside of business. He is a lover of outdoor life and motoring and follows ali athletic sports. In this city where he has always made his home he has a wide acquaintance and that his record has ever been a commendable one is indicated in the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to the present time.

HERMON LEACH VAN VALKENBURG.

Since 1914 Hermon Leach Van Valkenburg has been treasurer and chief engineer of the Industrial Controller Company, one of the well known productive industries of Milwaukee, located at 886 Greenbush street. He was born in Weilsboro, Pennsylvania, on the 13th of August, 1874, a son of James W. and Harriett A. (Truman) Van Valkenburg. His father, who passed away in 1908, was born in Slaterville, New York, and won substantial success in the insurance business. Mrs. Van Valkenburg makes her home with her son, Hermon, in Milwaukee. She was born in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Lucius Truman. Her father was a veteran of the Civil war, having served with the northern army and at one time he was captured and sent to Libby prison.

In the acquirement of an education Hermon Leach Van Valkenburg attended the public schools of his native state and also received private instruction. In due time he entered the Bucknell Academy and the Wellsboro high school and was graduated from the latter institution in 1892. He then became a student in the Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company at Pittsburgh and when he left in 1904 he was employed in the engineering department. He had also obtained private instruction in mechanics and engineering at the University of Pittsburgh. In 1904 he became associated with the Allis-Chalmers Company at Cincinnati ( Bullock Works), as switch- board engineer, a position in which he was active for two years. At the termination of that time he went to the Walker Electric Company at Philadelphia as chief engineer and in 1912 resigned that position to become electrical engineer for the United States Cast Iron Pipe & Foundry Company at Burlington, New Jersey. He maintained that association until 1914 and then removed to Milwaukee and became connected with his present concern as chief engineer. In his business career his steady progress has followed the manifestation of his ability, which has been developed through close application, perseverance and unremitting energy, and during his connection with the company the business has increased tenfold. The company specializes in the manu- facture of controllers for electric motors and they do an extensive business all over the United States.

Mr. Van Valkenburg is unmarried and resides with his mother and sister, Grace Van Valkenburg. He likewise has a brother, Asa T. Van Valkenburg, who is an electrical engineer with the Philadelphia Electric Company of Philadelphia. He is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University. He married Miss Margaret Sheetz of Chambershurg, Pennsylvania, and they have one son, James. A first cousin of Mr. Van Valkenburg, E. A. Van Valkenburg, is president and editor of the Philadelphia North American.

Since attaining his majority Mr. Van Valkenburg has been a stanch supporter

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of the republican party but has never sought nor desired office as a reward for party fealty. His religious faith is that of the Episcopal church and socially he is identified with the City Club. In line with his work he holds membership and takes an active interest in the affairs of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers. For recrea- tion Mr. Van Valkenburg turns to tennis and he is likewise an ardent motorist. During the World war he did everything in his power to assist the government in furthering their plans and he contributed unselfishly to the various war drives and charities.

HERBERT G. ZAHN.

Herbert G. Zahn, assistant cashier of the First Wisconsin National Bank, has been identified with the banking business since the age of nineteen years. He is a native son of Milwaukee, born December 15, 1886, his parents being H. H. and Caroline (Fuchs) Zahn, the former a native of Evansville, Indiana, while the latter was born in Milwaukee. The father was a printer and publisher of this city, where he took up his abode about 1875. He manifested a keen and helpful interest in public affairs and served for several years as a member of the school board. He was likewise the first president of the Millioki Club of Milwaukee. He passed away in this city in 1913, and is survived by his widow.

Herbert G. Zahn was educated in the public and high schools of Milwaukee and in 1905 entered the employ of the old First National Bank, which was converted into the First Wisconsin National Bank on the 30th of June, 1919. Mr. Zahn's original position was that of messenger boy, from which point he has worked his way up- ward through various promotions until on the 15th of December, 1920, when he was made assistant cashier. He has since acted in this capacity. He has been identified with this bank throughout his business career and has climbed the ladder of success by reason of close and studious application to business.

1 Mr. Zahn is a member and president of the Milwaukee Chapter of the American Institute of Banking and fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He enlisted for service in the World war in 1918 and went overseas with the Eighty-fifth Wisconsin Regiment, remaining in France for a year. He was mustered out at Camp Mills, Long Island, July 3, 1919, and upon his return to Mil- waukee resumed his duties in the bank.

VICTOR MANFRED STAMM.

Victor Manfred Stamm, special agent for the Northwestern Mutual Life Insur- ance Company of Milwaukee, was born in Burlington, Vermont, August 22, 1878. His father, Meno Stamm, now living in Milwaukee, was born in Hamburg, Germany, and in young manhood crossed the Atlantic to the new world. He married Elise Graf, whose birth occurred in Heidelberg, Germany, and she too survives.

Victor M. Stamm was quite young when his parents removed from New England to Milwaukee. Here he pursued his education in the public schools and in the Spencerian Business College. When his textbooks were put aside. having thoroughly qualified for life's practical and responsible duties, he secured a position with the Goodyear Rubber Company as a clerk and remained with that house for eighteen and a half years. Steadily he was advanced as his capability and powers increased and from one position he worked his way upward to another until he was serving in the responsible place of sales manager when he left the concern. In 1914 he opened a branch house for the United States Rubber Company in Milwaukee and continued to act as branch manager until January 1, 1921, when he turned his attention to the insurance business, becoming representative at Milwaukee of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company. He still remains in this line of business and has gained a good clientage that has made him one of the best known insurance men of this part of the state.

On the 25th of October, 1905, Mr. Stamm was united in marriage to Miss Eliza- beth Davies Throne, a daughter of John Throne, of Watertown. Wisconsin, who is a merchant, dealing in tea and coffee He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and it was during his residence at Watertown that his daughter Mrs. Stamm was born. Mr. and Mrs. Stamm have become parents of one child, John Davies, who was born in Milwaukee, May 2. 1911. and is now a student in the State Normal School.

Mr. Stamm has never been active in politics yet is not neglectful of the duties of citizenship, but prefers that his public service shall be done as a private citizen. He belongs to St. Mark's Episcopal church and fills the office of vestryman. He is a Mason, having membership in Lafayette lodge of Milwaukee and is at all times

VICTOR M. STAMM

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loyal to the teachings and purposes of the craft. He has membership in the Rotary Club, of which he served as president in 1919, and he belongs to the Association of Commerce, in which he is serving on the jobbers and manufacturers committee. His membership relations extend to the Milwaukee Athletic Club and to the Blue Mound Country Chib. Both he and his wife are much interested in music. During the World war Mr. Stamm served as captain of various teams in connection with the Liberty Loan and Red Cross drives. He is a lover of golf and outdoor sports and finds keen joy in such. At the same time he is a thoroughgoing business man, alert and energetic, and obstacles and difficulties in his path seem to serve but as an impetus for renewed effort on his part.

GEORGE E. BURNHAM.

George E. Burnham, widely known in the business circles in Milwaukee as the president of the Burnham Brothers Brick Company, was born in this city January 19, 1877, and is a son of Charles T. and Virginia (Johnston ) Burnham. The former was a son of George Burnham, who was born in Plattsburg, Clinton county, New York. July 18, 1816, and died in Milwaukee, March 2, 1889. He attended the district schools of his native county to the age of twelve years and when fifteen years of age became connected with the brick manufacturing business, to which he devoted his attention throughout his remaining days. He was a resident of Buffalo, New York, from 1832 until 1843 and in the latter year married Miss Barbara Grider of that city, who died in Milwaukee in 1890. A few years after his marriage he became a resident of Milwaukee and for many years was one of the leading business men of the city and also a pioneer greatly beloved for his goodness of heart, his generous acts and his numerous charities. For many years he conducted brick manufacturing in this city and during a part of the time was a partner of his brother, Jonathan L. Burnham, but from 1856 until 1870 he carried on the business alone. He was then joined by his son, Charles T. Burnham, and later by his younger son, John Q. Burnham, the firm becoming George Burnham & Sons. George Burnham also became one of the extensive real estate owners of Milwaukee county and had large holdings in coal lands and railroad property in lowa. He took a keen interest in public affairs in Milwaukee, serving for nine years on the board of school commissioners, also for many years as a member of the waterworks commission and was largely instrumental in the establishment of the waterworks system in this city. His early political sup- port was given to the whig party and on its dissolution he joined the ranks of the republican party.

Charles T. Burnham, the elder son of George Burnham and the father of George E. Burnham whose name introduces this review, was born, reared and educated in Milwaukee and as stated, entered into partnership with his father in the spring of 1870, while with the admission of his younger brother the firm style of George Burn- ham & Sons was adopted, the sons largely relieving their father of the management of the business, which they continued after his death under the firm name of Burnham Brothers. They developed a business of gigantic proportions, their output amounting to thirty million brick annually, while employment was given to three hundred men. Later they organized the Milwaukee Building Supply Company, of which Charles T. Burnham was president until his death on the 27th of February, 1908. He was also interested in the Standard Brick Company and he had large possessions in timber and mineral lands in northern Wisconsin and Michigan, while with his father he was interested in mineral lands in Texas. Politically he was an earnest republican

and in 1878 represented his district in the state legislature. He was also a member of the school board of Milwaukee for some time and he and his family held member- ship in the Congregational church. He married Virginia Johnston of Mackinac Island, Michigan, and they became the parents of three children: Charles L., an attorney of Milwaukee; George E., of this review; and Jessie B., the wife of J. H. Marshutz, vice president of the Burnham Brothers Brick Company.

George E. Burnham, born in Milwaukee, on the 19th of January, 1877, obtained his early education in the schools of his native city and afterward matriculated in the University of Wisconsin, from which he was graduated with the class of 1900. He then returned to Milwaukee and was identified with the Press Steel Tank Com- pany of West Allis to the time of his father's death in 1908, when he resigned his position and became president of the Burnham Brothers Brick Company, thus becoming the chief executive of a business which has now been carried on by three generations of the family, having been established by his grandfather in 1844. Through all the intervening period the name of Burnham has stood as a synonym for commercial integrity as well as enterprise. Progressive methods have ever been instituted in the conduct of the business and the processes of manufacture were kept abreast with the latest improvements. The business has long been one of the mammoth pro-

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ductive industries of the city and its ramifying trade relations reach out to many sections of the country.

In 1921 George E. Burnham was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Gilbert and in the social circles of Milw ukce they occupy a most enviable and prominent position. Like his forbears Mr. Burnham is a republican, giving stalwart allegiance to the party because of his firm belief in its principles as factors in good government. Fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and he belongs also to the Chi Psi fraternity of Wisconsin University. He likewise has membership in the University Club and has long been a well known figure in connection with the social interests, with the business development and with the civic progress of the community in which the family has been represented for more than three-fourths of a century.

JOHN LORENZ LOCHER.

Milwaukee numbers among her native sons John Lorenz Locher, vice president of the Blumenfeld. Locher Company, wholesale millinery establishment at Broadway and Mason streets. His birth occurred on the 7th of September, 1862, his parents being Joseph Henry and Elizabeth ( Stocker) Locher, both decesed. The father was born in Switzerland, and coming to Milwaukee in 1848. engaged in wagon building for the early settlers of Wisconsin. His business was conducted under the name of Locher & Fehr and became one of the leading business enterprises of Milwaukee. His demise occurred in 1901. His widow passed away in 1903. She was a daughter of David Stocker, a native of Switzerland, who brought his family to this country in 1850 and after residing in Milwaukee for some time moved onto a farm in North Greenfield, Wisconsin, where he resided until his death.

John Lorenz Locher received his education in the public schools of Milwaukee and gr. duated from the Second Ward high school. After putting his textbooks aside he was engaged at various odd jobs in a wholesale mill'nery house, subsequently becoming clerk in the filing department. For twenty years he was traveling salesman for various millinery houses and in 1901, determining to enter the commercial world on his own account, he founded his present business with his brother-in-law, Frank Blumenfeld, becoming vice president of the corporation. Mr. Locher is a good business man with practical ideas and sound judgment and has been a dominant factor in obtaining for the company a constantly increasing patronage, which is netting lucrative returns.

On the 7th of July, 1886, Mr. Locher was united in marriage to Miss Clara Faust- mon of Ripon, Wisconsin, and to them one son, Lorenz F., has been born. He is with his father in the millinery business, being vice president of the retail chain of stores and departments of the corporation.

The goods handled by the Blumenfeld, Locher Company are of superior quality and are fully commensurate in every respect to the prices charged. It has been the policy of the firm to accord all patrons courteous and considerate treatment, and as a result the names of many of their customers have been on their books for a long period of years. Both members of the corporation are men of high standards and good principles and their method of conducting their business always commends them to the support and confidence of all with whom they have dealings and as a result they have been rewarded with success. Mr. Locher is public-spirited and progressive in his ideas and gives his cooperation to any movement for the betterment of the general welfare. Having lived in Milwaukee the greater part of his life he has many friends who have watched with interest his success in the commercial world and he is accorded the respect that is invariably paid to deserving merit in all walks of life.

WILLIAM J. E. SCHAUS.

William J. E. Schaus is a native of Mequon, Wisconsin. He was born Septem- ber 24, 1883, on a farm of his maternal grandfather. His grandfather, who was born in Germany, came to the United States when a young man, settling on a farm in Wisconsin. Peter G. Schaus, the father of William J. E. Schaus, devoted his life to the profession of school teaching and died in 1890.

William J. E. Schaus spent his early childhood on the farm and acquired a public school education. While still a very young man he came to Milwaukee and earned a livelihood by working at the upholstery trade and working in a drug store. While so engaged, by reason of his ambition and energy, he attended night school and in that manner acquired an efficient knowledge of bookkeeping, typewriting and accounting. Having completed his course of studies at night school, he secured

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WILLIAM J. E. SCHAUS

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a position with a local storage company as office clerk and bookkeeper at a salary of thirty dollars per month. This position he retained for a period of one and one-half years, when advanced to that of manager. The position of manager he filled for a period of three and one-half years, after which time he engaged in business of his own. In the month of May, 1911, he established himself at Nos. 178 to 182 Florida street, under the name of the Union Storage Company, but was required to vacate said location by reason of the fact that the building in which he was operating his business was sold to the United Cold Storage Company, which company also pur- chased Mr. Schaus' storage business. Upon the sale of his business he was engaged as manager of the furniture department of the United Cold Storage Company, in which capacity he served for one year. In 1913 Mr. Schaus purchased from the United Cold Storage Company the furniture storage department and moved it to 235-239 East Water street, which location is still occupied as a furniture storage house but is oper- ated and controlled hy the United Fire Proof Warehouse Company, of which Mr. Schaus is the president and general manager. The United Fire Proof Warehouse Company is the successor in business of the United Storage Company, which was incorporated by Mr. Schaus in 1914.

In May, 1919, the new company-the United Fire Proof Warehouse Company- erected a strictly modern fireproof furniture storage warehouse at 392-396 Prospect avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This new warehouse covers a ground area of sixty by one hundred and fifty feet and it is composed of six stories and a basement. The entire building is devoted to storage of household furniture. This company spe- cializes in the moving, storing, packing and shipping of household goods. By reason of the progressive management of the business of this company, it has built an enterprise of large proportions.

On the 29th of June, 1912, Mr. Schaus was married to Miss Lydia Schultz, a daughter of Carl Schultz, a farmer of Mequon, who was born at that place. Mr. and Mrs. Schaus have become the parents of two children, Margaret and William. They are of the Lutheran faith and are consistent members of Trinity church. Mr. Schaus is a member of the Milwaukee Athletic Club. His interest in the city's welfare finds tangible confirmation in his membership in the Association of Commerce.

EUGENE F. YAHR.

Since 1917 Eugene F. Yahr has engaged in the investment business in Milwaukee and has become one of the progressive and representative business men of the city. A native of Wisconsin, he was born in Princeton, on the 8th of September, 1863, a son of Ferdinand T. and Emile (Schall) Yahr. His grandfather was Ernst Yahr, a native of Germany, who came with his family to Wisconsin and located on a farm in Dodge county. Ferdinand Theodore Yahr was born in Heltrungen, Prussia, on the 17th of December, 1834, and received his education in the schools of his birthplace. In 1849 he came to the United States and located in Wisconsin, residing in Water- town until 1853. In that year he removed to Berlin, where he resided until 1861, when he removed to Princeton and engaged in business as a hardware merchant. He was likewise a banker of prominence and was chairman of the township and president of the village board. He was a member of the county board from 1878 to 1883 and was a presidential elector in 1892 to the democratic national convention, In 1890 he became a stockholder in the Charles Baumbach Company, dealers in wholesale drugs of Milwaukee, and in 1893 was made president of the concern. He was active in that association until 1898, when the name of the company was changed to the Yahr & Langè Drug Company and he became chief executive. He was president of that concern at the time of his death on the 1st of May, 1910. Mr. Yahr was a stanch supporter of the democratic party and was elected to the state senate in 1891, de- feating James O. Raymond, republican, by a majority of some fifteen thousand votes. He became identified with the Masons in 1868 and crossed the sands of the desert to Tripoli Temple of the Mystic Shrine. Mrs. Yahr was born in Mayville, Dodge county, and passed away on the 22d of April, 1912. The Schalls were likewise of German descent.

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History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume III, Part 49

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