History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume III, Part 5

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 5

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In 1898, Mr. Thomas was united in marriage to Miss Grace Churchill, a daughter of Lewis Churchill, who was for many years postmaster of Gobleville, Michigan, and is now in the automobile business. Mr. Churchill was born in Canada. One son, Edward Churchill Thomas, has been born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas, and his natal day was the 15th of May, 1907. Mrs. Thomas is prominently known in club and social circles of Milwaukee and took an active part in the prohibition movement. She devotes a great part of her time to church work and is president of the Woman's Guild of the First Baptist church.

Since attaining his majority Mr. Thomas has given his allegiance to the republican party, although he has never sought nor desired political preferment as a reward for party fealty. He is secretary of the board of trustees of the First Baptist church and fraternally is identified with the Knights of Pythias. He likewise bolds membership

EMMET E. THOMAS

HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE

in the Kiwanis and City Clubs and the Association of Commerce, and along the line of his business interests is a member of the American Association of Wholesale Opticians, has been on its board of directors, and is now territorial president. His time and energies are concentrated upon his business affairs, and he has thoroughly identified his interests with those of his community.

C. COLUMBUS OWENS.

In a history of Milwaukee it is imperative that mention be made of C. Columbus Owens, who for many years was a prominent factor in business circles, supervising and directing important business interests and investments. He was also keenly in- terested in the civic development and moral progress of the community and along many lines wrought for good in connection with public affairs. Mr. Owens was born in the Cream city, June 22, 1851, a son of Richard G. and Mary Ann (Jones) Owens. The father was an outstanding figure in connection with Milwaukee's growth and progress. He was dependent upon his own resources from the age of twelve years, at which time he was left an orphan. His birth occurred in Anglesea, Wales, January 8, 1811, and after starting out to provide for his own support he worked on a farm in his native country until June, 1832, when, having attained his majority, he started for the new world, thinking to improve his financial condition on this side the Atlantic. He was truly the architect of his own fortunes and he bnilded wisely and well. He arrived on the shores of the new world on the 8th of August, 1832, and for a year thereafter was employed on a farm on Long Island. He then removed to Cleveland, Ohio, where he learned the business of manufacturing French buhr millstones. Fifteen months later he removed to Buffalo, New York, and there began contracting in the manufacture of millstone, which he sold to the dealers. He afterward established a store and made some real estate investments but the latter proved unprofitable and left him without financial resources. It was at that time that he first visited Mil- wankee, arriving in this city on the 1st of October, 1837, when en route to Galena, Chicago, St. Louis and other points in the west. Returning to this city he decided to locate, foreseeing something of what the future had in store for this great and growing district. He spent his first winter in clearing land which he purchased in the town of Greenfield and in the spring of 1838 he returned to Buffalo but after three months he again came to Milwaukee. Later, however, he removed to St. Louis, where he engaged in the manufacture of millstones until June 1, 1840. At that date he once more took up his abode in Milwaukee, where he continued to reside through- out his remaining days. As the years passed he utilized his opportunities for invest- ment in real estate and became the owner of much valuable property, buying, selling and renting, so that he left a large estate to his family.

. On the 7th of June, 1841, Mr. Owens was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Jones, who was born in Montgomeryshire, Wales, in 1821, a daughter of Evan Jones, who on leaving the little rock-ribbed country of Wales made his way to Chicago, where he arrived on the 1st of July, 1831, having crossed the Atlantic in one of the old-time sailing vessels, after which he proceeded by steamer to Albany, by canal to Buffalo and thence by lake steamer to Chicago. He was at that time the possessor of eleven hundred dollars in gold, of which sum he invested seven hundred dollars in a farm near Des Plaines. He died of cholera in 1852 in his seventy-second year.

The wedding journey of Mr. and Mrs. Richard G. Owens consisted of a trip to Milwaukee. They became passengers on the steamer Illinois, but the vessel was of such draught that it could not make the harbor and the newly married couple was transferred to the Trowbridge, a smaller vessel, which brought them up the river to a point now known as Wisconsin street. They registered at the Milwaukee House, one of the early hotels located on the site of the present Miller block. Mr. Owens afterward built the block on Wisconsin street next to Chapman's large department store and he was very prominently identified with the development, growth and improvement of Milwaukee.

His son, C. Columbus Owens, attended the public schools and continued his edu- cation in the Milwaukee Academy and in the Spencerian Business College of this city. Early in his business career he became connected with vinegar manufacturing as a member of the firm of Bechtner, Gersting & Company and later he conducted a similar enterprise at East Saginaw, Michigan. He afterward removed to Milbank, Dakota, where he and his brother opened a general mercantile establishment, under the firm style of Owens Brothers. Their business prospered as the years passed but following the death of his father Mr. Owens returned to Milwaukee and he and his brother, Richard G., took up the management of the large estate left by the father. Throughout his remaining days C. C. Owens devoted his attention to the manage- ment of the estate and the sale of realty and in all of his business affairs displayed

HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE

sound judgment and unfaltering enterprise, greatly increasing the value of the estate which he and the others of the family had inherited from the father.

On the 3d of February, 1881, was celebrated the marriage of C. Columbus Owens and Miss Josephine M. Purdy, a daughter of Nathaniel and Susan J. (Reamer) Purdy of Milwaukee. Her father lived to a very ripe old age, passing the eightieth milestone on life's journey and for many years he was the superintendent of the Milwaukee Spoke & Bending Company. He was also the patentee of a process used in wood bend- ing by the firm and enjoyed the reputation of being the best judge of lumber in the state. He was also the inventor of many different kinds of woodworking machinery used all over the country. Mr. Purdy was a native of Colborne, Canada, born June 3, 1829. He lived for a time in Watertown, New York, and came to Milwaukee at an early day. He had acquired his education in Canada and learned the carriage-making business there. He continued to devote his attention to that occupation for many years and was long associated with George Ogden. He was considered one of the best carriage-makers in the middle west and enjoyed an equally enviable reputation in lumber trade circles. In his later years he was identified with Gustav Seefeld in the wood bending business. He invented most of the machinery used in connection with the enterprise and was at all times a most capable and resourceful business man. He died July 3, 1914, and is still survived by his wife. During the period of the Civil war he was at Louisville, Kentucky, in the employ of the government, building and repairing railway coaches on the Louisville & Nashville Railroad.

Mr. and Mrs. Owens have become the parents of two sons: John Purdy and George James. The former is a graduate of the Wisconsin University and served for eight months at Camp Taylor in the World war. He is now an accountant with the West Envelope Company. George James is a graduate of an automobile school of Est Milwaukee.

When quite young Mr. and Mrs. Owens became members of the Spring Street Congregational church and were very prominent in its work and upbuilding. Through their efforts the Congregational church at Milbank was built and Mr. Owens became the first Sunday school superintendent, while his wife became the secretary of the Sunday school and also church organist. Mrs. Owens is still very active in the church and takes a most helpful part in all lines of church work. Mr. Owens was a member of the Old Settlers' Club for many years, his life being passed in this city, save for the brief period in which he was engaged in business in East Saginaw, Michigan, and in Milbank, Dakota. He watched with the keenest interest Milwaukee's develop- ment and bore his full share in the work of general progress and improvement. His cooperation could at all times be counted upon to further any measure for the general good and his life measured up to high standards of manhood and citizenship. Mrs. Owens and her sons are widely and favorably known in Milwaukee and her good works have indeed been a contributing factor to the moral progress of the community.

AUGUST J. PETRIE.

August J. Petrie is the president of the Milwaukee Stamping Company, having a large plant at West Allis. Thoroughness and enterprise characterize all that he attempts, and his life has chronicled the successful achievement of his plans and purposes. Energy and industry have enabled him to overcome all difficulties and obstacles, and as the years have advanced he has gained a most creditable position in manufacturing circles, contributing to the welfare and upbuilding of the city as well as to the advancement of his individual fortunes.

He was born March 30, 1873, on his father's farm in Fond du Lac county, Wis- consin, his parents being John and Katherine (Rau) Petrie, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father came to the United States when a young man of twenty-six years and bought a farm in Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, on which he spent his remaining days. Following the outbreak of the Civil war he joined the Fourth Wis- consin Volunteer Regiment and served until the close of hostilities. He passed away in 1901 and is still survived by his wife, who was brought to the United States when but three years of age by her parents, who also took up their abode on a farm in Fond du Lac county. Mrs. Petrie now makes her home in Milwaukee.

Her son, August J. Petrie, was educated in the common schools of his native county and in young manhood came to Milwaukee, where he entered upon an apprentice- ship to the machinist's trade with the Kempsmith Machine Tool Company. He learned tool and die making as well as general machine work and remained with the Kemp- smith Company for a period of four years. He afterward spent about eight years in various plants in different places, working during the period of the Spanish-American war at the Watervliet arsenal. In 1899 he returned to Wisconsin and pursued a special course in engineering in the State University at Madison. While with the Kempsmith Company he had taken up mechanical drawing. He afterward spent a year in Mil-

AUGUST J. PETRIE

HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE

waukee as a machinist and in 1901 founded the Milwaukee Stamping Company, in which enterprise he was associated with two of his brothers, Charles and George Petrie. They incorporated the business, Angust J. Petrie becoming the president, since which time he has remained at the head of the undertaking. The company manu- factures builders' hardware, traveling bag and trunk hardware and parts for auto- mobile motors, together with stamped specialties. Their plant covers several acres, and the growth of the business has been continuous until now theirs is one of the large and important industries of the city, giving employment to hundreds of people. Their market covers the entire United States, and they also have a large export trade. They are operating under the name of the Milwaukee Stamping Company and have a splendidly equipped plant, which is in part three stories in height and in another section two stories in height. Associated with Mr. Petrie in the enterprise are William C. Clausen, who is now vice president of the company, and E. B. Bartlett, who is secretary and treasurer.

On the 21st of January, 1902, Mr. Petrie was married to Miss Johanna Lee, who was born in Milwaukee and is of Norwegian lineage. Mr. Petrie has never been active in politics buit has always voted with the republican party. He is of the Lutheran faith, belonging to the church of the Ascensiou and is serving as a member of its board of trustees and as a member of the building committee for the erection of a new church edifice on Layton boulevard, which will be one of the largest churches in the city. In his Masonic connections Mr. Petrie is well known, belonging to West Allis Lodge, No. 291, A. F. & A. M., of which he has been treasurer; West Allis Chapter, R. A. M .; Wisconsin Commandery, K. T .; Wisconsin Council, R. & S. M .; Wisconsin Consistory, A. & A. S. R .: Tripoli Temple of the Mystic Shrine; the Eastern Star; and the White Shrine. He also belongs to the Milwaukee Athletic Club, the Wisconsin Club, the Association of Commerce and the Optimist Club. He loves every phase of outdoor life, fishes and hunts, and has a fine summer home on Lake Beulah, having there a beautiful garden in which he takes great pride. He raises fine flowers and splendid vegetables at his summer home and finds the greatest delight in production of this character. His town residence, at 555 Sixty-seventh avenue, is one of the fine homes of Milwaukee, and it stands as a concrete evidence of the business ability, of the thoroughness and close application of Mr. Petrie, whose sterling qualities have brought to him a substantial measure of success. A farm bred boy without special advantages, he steadily worked his way upward, and his business and social positions are both notable, indicating his marked capability and the true worth of his character.

WILLIAM M. WOLFE.

For many years William M. Wolfe has been identified with the leading merchants of Milwaukee as president of the Wolfe-Sakols Company, formerly the Paris Skirt & Coat Manufacturing Company. Like many other prominent and successful men of Milwaukee he is a son by adoption, for his birth occurred on his father's farm in Germany, near the Belgian line, on Christmas day of the year 1875. His father, Leonard Wolfe, passed away in 1890. He was born in Lodz, Poland, and operated a large farm near there. He was an extensive cattle owner, having several hundred milch cows and was considered the largest farmer and cattleman in the district wherein he made his home. His wife was, before her marriage, Esther Rosenberg, a daughter of George Rosenberg, a prominent and successful merchant. Her family resided near Warsaw in Poland.

William M. Wolfe received his education in the local schools and under private tutors, his mother having brought him to the United States when he was five years of age. After putting his textbooks aside he made his initial step into the business world as clerk in a retail general store and remained in that connection until reaching man's estate. He then became a traveling salesman for a ready-made clothing con- cern, his territory including Texas and other southern states and he was active in that capacity for various concerns until 1908, when he determined to enter the business on his own account and located in Milwaukee and organized his present business. Until 1921 the business was operated under the name of the Paris Skirt & Coat Manufacturing Company, of which he was president, but the name has now been changed to the Wolfe-Sakols Company, with an increase in capital from twenty-five thousand dollars to fifty thousand dollars. Louis Sakols is secretary and I. G. Strauss, treasurer. When the company was first organized it occupied but two hundred square feet of floor space and employed but four men but later the business became so extensive as to necessitate larger quarters and the concern now occupies five thousand square feet and gives employment to seventy-five persons, besides four traveling salesmen. It turns out garments of a popular price and stylish make and profiting by its belief that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement, the company has built up a high- class and steadily increasing trade.

HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE

On the 28th of December, 1907, Mr. Wolfe was united in marriage to Miss Clara Strauss, a daughter of William Strauss. Her father was born in Germany and coming to this conntry at an early age located in Milwaukee, where he has won prominence and substantial success as a general merchant. Two sons have been born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Wolfe: Leonard S. and Harold, both attending the public schools. Mrs. Wolfe is musical, being a pianist and vocalist of ability and she has viten sung at the Temple and private gatherings. She is prominent in the club and social circles of Milwaukee and devotes a great part of her time to the promotion of charitable and church work.

Since age conferred upon Mr. Wolfe the right of franchise he has been a stanch supporter of the republican party but has never taken an active part in any of its affairs. The family are consistent members of the congregation of the Temple Emann- El and fraternally Mr. Wolfe is identified with Gillet Lodge, B'nai B'rith; Kilbourn Lodge, No. 3, F. & A. M., Masons; Kilbourn Chapter, No. 1, R. A. M .; and Milwaukee Lodge, No. 46, B. P. O. E. Mr. Wolfe has in every way identified his interests with those of his community and can be counted upon to do his part in furthering the public welfare. Thoroughness is one of his marked characteristics and as president of the company there is no phase of his business with which he is not familiar. He has a very wide and favorable acquaintance and occupies a position of prominence by reason of his business ability and standing, his social qualities and his public spirit.

STEPHEN S. CRAMER.

Stephen S. Cramer, president of the Wadhams Oil Company of Milwaukee, is numbered among the substantial citizens who as architects of their own fortunes have builded wisely and well, for through the careful management of his business he has reached a prominent and creditable position in financial circles. He comes to the Badger state from New York, his birth having occurred in Randolph, Cattaraugus county, on the 4th of June, 1860, his parents being John and Catherine Cramer. In the attainment of his education he attended the public schools and afterward became a student in the Chamberlain Institute of Randolph, New York. His youthful experi- ences were those of the farm bred boy and he early learned many valuable lessons from nature.

It was in 1884 that Mr. Cramer left the Empire state to become identified with the development of the west. He first made his way to North Dakota, but after two years returned eastward as far as Milwaukee and here entered the employ of the Wadhams Oil Company, of which he is now the president. His initial position with the company was a minor one but his industry and perseverance won the recognition of those in authority and he was advanced from time to time through the various departments until he is today at the head of the company. Industry and perseverance are qualities which are invincible and Mr. Cramer displayed these from his earliest connection with the business. Acquainting himself with every detail of the trade he worked his way upward and his ability was soon manifest in results achieved by the company. He made his labors a potent force and more and more largely respon- sibility and duties were added to him until he became the directing head of the enter- prise and as its president has since given his attention to administrative direction and executive control.

On the 2d of May, 1888, Mr. Cramer was united in marriage to Miss Frankie Campbell of Hartford, Wisconsin. The interest which he has displayed in the public welfare, his devotion to high ideals of municipal service and his support of plans for civic advancement and improvement mark him as one of the representative and valued residents of Milwaukee.

FRANK L. FAWCETT.

Frank L. Fawcett, an attorney of Milwaukee, was born in Platteville, Wisconsin, June 13. 1881, a son of John and Abbie (Hough ) Fawcett, the former a native of Stephenhouse, Westmoreland county, England, while the mother was born in Pennsyl- vania and was of Scotch descent. The father came to the United States with his mother in 1835. They remained for a brief period in New York and then came to Wisconsin, settling near Platteville. There John Fawcett engaged in the farm machinery business and was also prominent in public affairs in the community. He was a prominent representative of the republican party, serving as a delegate to various state conventions, his opinions carrying weight in party ranks. He died September 29, 1902.

Frank L. Fawcett was educated in the schools of Platteville and after completing

FRANK L. FAWCETT

Vol. III-4

HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE

his high school course attended the State Normal School at Platteville and later entered the University of Wisconsin, from which he was graduated in 190S with the LL. B. degree, having completed a course in law. The same year he was admitted to the bar and came direct from Madison to Milwaukee, where he entered upon the active practice of his profession, becoming associated with W. B. Rubin in a partnership that was continued until May 1, 1919, since which time the firm has been Fawcett & Dutcher. Mr. Fawcett was principal of the high school at Cassville, Wisconsin, for a year and at Benton, Wisconsin, for two years in early manhood and then went to Madison in 1905 to become a law clerk in the office of Frank L. Gilbert, attorney general, with whom he remained for a year. He was chief clerk of the state civil service commission until he came to Milwaukee, resigning that position upon his removal to this city. He had also served as deputy sheriff under his father in Grant county. After taking up his abode in Milwaukee he entered upon his law practice, as previously indicated, and through the intervening years has made steady progress. Along professional lines his connection is with the Milwaukee Bar Association and the Wisconsin State Bar Association.

On the 1st day of May, 1915, Mr. Fawcett was married to Miss Mary Howard of Mauston, Wisconsin, and they have one daughter, Mary Jane.

Mr. Fawcett has always been a close student and possesses an excellent library of standard literature, while for a long time he was spoken of as "the lawyer with Shakespeare and the Bible" because of his intimate knowledge of sacred writings as well as of the plays of the Bard of Avon. He is well known as a public speaker and partially paid his way through school by making addresses. During the Liberty Loan campaigns he was very active in his support of the cause and addressed many public gatherings on the questions before the country at that period. He belongs to the Milwaukee Athletic Club, to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, to the Knights of Pythias, to the Masonic fraternity, the Fraternal order of Eagles and to the City Club. While in normal school he was captain of the football team and took an active interest in athletics as well as in oratory.

RICHARD J. MUENZNER, M. D.

While many representatives of the medical profession continue in the general field of medical and surgical practice, there are many who prefer to confine their efforts to a single line, thus attaining a point of efficiency that could not be secured if their labors were extended over a broader field. They thus become particularly skilled in certain branches of practice and it is in this way that Dr. Richard J. Muenzner has become well known through the past ten years through his treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat in Milwaukee. He was born in Chicago, June 26, 1875, and is the only child of Oscar and Emma (Pick) Muenzner. The father was a lithographer who died when the Doctor was but five years of age. He was a native of Germany, while his wife was born in Washington county, Wisconsin. After the death of her first husband she married George Boden of West Bend, Wisconsin, who has also passed away. He was a very excellent man and proved to be a most kindly stepfather to Dr. Muenzner, who reveres his memory as he does that of his own father.

Dr. Mnenzner was reared in West Bend from the age of six years and was there graduated from the high school in 1893. He afterward taught school for a year and later pursued a pre-medical course in the University of Wisconsin covering two years. He subsequently studied in the medical department of Marquette University for four years and received his professional degree in 1900. He then began practice at Wabeno, Wisconsin, where he remained for a year, after which he devoted nine years to general practice at Allenton, Wisconsin, making steady progress in his chosen calling. In 1910 he went to Europe for postgraduate work and studied in Vienna, Berlin and London, particularly directing his attention to diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat.

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History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume III, Part 5

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