USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume III > Part 53
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On the 21st of July, 1897, Mr. Sullivan was united in marriage to Miss Cathryn B. Malloy, a daughter of Martin Malloy of Milwaukee. He was born in Ireland and came to this country at an early day. Mrs. Sullivan was for some time a teacher in the Milwaukee public schools and she is a woman of culture and refinement. She is well known in the club and social circles of Milwaukee and during the World war gave her entire time to war work. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan one son has been born: Murray Henry Sullivan, whose birth occurred on the 24th of July, 1899. He received his early education in the public schools of Milwaukee and in due time entered Marquette Academy, where he completed a preparatory course before enrolling as a student in Compton College at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. He en- listed for service in the army during the World war but did not get to France. He is now associated with his father in business and is recognized as one of the promi- nent young business men of the city.
Mr. Sullivan maintains an independent course in politics, giving his support to the man he thinks best fitted for the office without regard for party principles. Al- though he has never taken an active interest in political affairs he is well informed on all of the leading questions and issues of the day. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church and he attends St. Robert's parish at Shorewood. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Columbus, belonging to Milwaukee Pere Marquette Lodge. His social connections are with the Milwaukee Athletic Club, City Club and Milwaukee Yacht Club and as a man interested in the development and improvement of the community he is active in the interests of the Rotary Club and the Association of Commerce. Mr. Sullivan is a great follower of athletics and is a splendid swimmer. During the World war he served his country by taking a prominent part in all war activities. Starting out into the business world at an early age Mr. Sullivan has steadily worked his way upward through the wise use of his opportunities, his inde- fatigable energy and his sound judgment. Thoroughness is one of the marked char- acteristics of Mr. Sullivan and he has mastered every phase of his own business. He occupies a position of prominence in the community by reason of his business ability and standing, his social qualities and his public spirit.
EUGENE ALBERT FRIEND.
Eugene Albert Friend, senior partner in the firm of Friend & Marks, makers of clothing at wholesale, is one of Milwaukee's public-spirited citizens and representative business men. He was born in Manistee, Michigan, on the 6th of March, 1870, a son of Albert and Lena (Englemann) Friend, both prominent residents of Milwaukee. The father was horn in Bavaria and came to the United States with his parents in 1843 when but a year old. He has been a resident of Milwaukee for many years and is now living retired. Mrs. Friend is a member of a pioneer family of Manistee and Milwaukee, her brothers, Nathan and Michael E., having been among the earliest steamboat and lumber men in the state. She was, like her husband, born in Bavaria but has resided in Milwaukee for sixty-five years.
Eugene Albert Friend received his education in the Milwaukee public schools, having removed with his parents to the city in 1884, and after putting his textbooks aside he returned to Manistee. There he was associated with the Manistee Salt & Lumber Company, first in the office and later in the lumberyard, but after some time in that connection he came back to Milwaukee, accepting a position with Pollak & Strass in 1889. He kept books for this concern until 1894, when it went out of busi- ness, and the following year Mr. Friend with Mervin Marks, founded his present business. The concern is engaged in making men's and young men's clothing at
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wholesale and has been in its present location for more than twenty years. The business has had a steady growth, due to the superior quality of the products put on the market, and covers the Middle states as far as the Pacific coast.
On the 7th of April, 1903, Mr. Friend was united in marriage to Miss Florence C. Worms, daughter of Abraham Worms, a cigar manufacturer of New York. He was born in Bavaria but came to this country at an early day. He passed away in 1902. Although following an independent course in politics Mr. Friend leans toward the republican party but does not take an active interest in political affairs. Both he and his wife attend the Temple Emann-El. Mr. Friend is an active member of the Association of Commerce and he also belongs to the Milwaukee Athletic Club, City Club and Woodmont Country Club. Mrs. Friend is well known in the club and social circles of Milwaukee and she is particularly active along charitable lines. She has devoted a great part of her time to the Children's Outing Society at Thiensville, Wisconsin, where a home is maintained for convalescent children, and was the first president of that body. During the World war both Mr. and Mrs. Friend took a prominent part in war activities and gave generously of their time and money. Music and good literature furnish their greatest recreation and Mr. Friend loves outdoor life. He is particularly fond of fishing. His progress in the business world has not been at all phenomenal but the slow, steady advance of the man with a definite aim and strongly concentrated forces-essential factors for success in any career.
LOUIS KUEHN.
Louis Kuehn, president and treasurer of the Milwaukee Corrugating Company, was horn in Alsace-Lorraine on the 5th of November, 1867, and received his education in the common schools of his native land. Following his graduation he secured a position as clerk in the government courthouse, retaining this until the time of his emigration to the United States in 18SS. His first home in this country was at Canton, Ohio. He soon secured employment with a sheet metal company and worked up through the various stages of this vocation until the year 1896, when he went to La Crosse, Wisconsin, and opened a sheet metal business under the name of the La Crosse Steel Roofing & Corrugating Company.
In 1902 he came to Milwaukee and with W. P. Yahn organized and incorporated the Milwaukee Corrugating Company. Lonis Kuehn was made its president and treasurer and W. P. Yahn its secretary. In 1906 Mr. Yahn resigned and August J. Luedke was made secretary of the company. These officers also constitute the board of directors. From a comparatively moderate beginning the business has grown to its present magnitude.
Among the many varied and large industries in Milwaukee the sheet metal line received a great impetus in recent years when the Milwaukee Corrugating Company was established. In fact, this is the only complete organization of its kind here and is recognized by the trade as the largest sheet metal works in the middle west. The manufacture of architectural sheet metal work is most successfully accomplished on a large scale because of the innumerable details entering into construction to meet the different requirements. It is necessary that the equipment or machinery be of a great variety and of the best for the proper manipulation and forming of the metal to insure exactness in the making of every piece entering into the work. It is important that the labor be skilled in the performance of the duties assigned to it and that the material be of the highest grade. The better the facilities, the better the results obtained and at the minimum of cost. As this company enjoys the distinction of operating the largest sheet metal works in the middle west it offers the trade a class of goods which for quality, workmanship and finish has no equal. It is especially fitted to execute with promptness any special work in its line and when furnished with sketch or plans and specifications is able to submit estimates of cost on any and all work required.
The lines manufactured are sheet metal roofing and siding of all kinds, eaves trough, conductor pipe, conductor pipe elbows, expanded metal lath, ventilators and other various so-called trimmings in connection with same. The concern's output also includes ridge roll, valley, gutter, galvanized and black sheets, tin plate, skylights, etc. The famous "Invisible Joint" steel ceilings and "Titelock" metal shingles constitute a large part of its product, which, because of their superior merits, are specified by leading architects everywhere in this and foreign countries. Four hundred and fifty people are steadily employed throughout the year. The product of the company is disposed of in all the states of the Union, and some export business is also done, particularly on the "Invisible Joint" steel ceilings and "Titelock" shingles.
A large branch with warehouse is maintained at Kansas City, Missouri, which supplies the extensive trade enjoyed from the southwest. A number of sub-agencies in various parts of the country, together with a regular traveling force of thirty men,
LOUIS KUEHN
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cater to the trade in general. The company takes pardonable pride in the superior class and excellent quality of the goods manufactured, which are unequaled, and it is its invariable rule always to maintain this standard. This in a great measure accounts for the large volume and remarkable growth of its business and the enviable reputa- tion gained on its product and for the fact that the trade recognizes Milwaukee as the sheet metal goods market in the lines made famous by the Milwaukee Corrugating Company.
Mr. Knehn also became one of the organizers of the Milwaukee Rolling Mill Com- pany and in 1920 built its mill, which is now in operation, making black and galvanized sheets and plates of all gauges and sizes and employing in normal times between eight hundred and one thousand workmen. To Mr. Kuehn belongs the credit for bringing this mill to Milwankee. This company owns fifty-five acres of land, of which abont ten acres are now covered, and the plant has a capacity of about sixty thousand tons annnally. Mr. Kuehn has earned for himself an enviable reputation as a careful man of business and in his dealings is known for his prompt and honorable methods, which have won him the deserved and unbounded confidence of his fellowmen.
On September 1, 1903, Mr. Knehn was married to Viarta B. Rose, and they have become parents of two children, George Louis and Viarta Marie.
In fraternal circles Mr. Knehn is known as a Knights Templar and Consistory Mason and also belongs to Tripoli Temple of the Mystic Shrine. Appreciative of the social amenities of life, he has life membership in the Milwaukee Athletic Club, also is a member of the Wisconsin Club, the Milwaukee Yacht Club and the Blue Monnd Country Club. He is likewise identified with the Milwaukee Association of Commerce and deeply interested in all plans and movements for the city's benefit and advance- ment. Coming to the new world on attaining his majority, he here found the oppor- tunities which he sought and in their wise utilization has won prosperity, so that he is now numbered among the leading business men as well as representative and esteemed citizens of Milwaukee.
EUGENE WORTHING.
Eugene Worthing, one of the progressive business men of Milwaukee, is a repre- sentative of one of its best business interests as president of the Bayley Mannfacturing Company with plant at 732 to 760 Greenbush street. He was born at Centre, Rock county, Wisconsin, on the 14th of February, 1864, on his father's farm, his parents being Ira and Mary E. (Irving) Worthing, both deceased. The father was a native of Palermo, Maine, and moved to Wisconsin as a young man. His demise occurred in 1889, at the age of seventy-three years. Mrs. Worthing was born in Old Town, Maine, and passed away in 1899, having survived her husband ten years.
In the acquirement of an education Engene Worthing attended the common schools at Centre and the Evansville Seminary, all in Wisconsin, and in due time entered Bryant & Stratton Business College at Chicago. Upon completion of the course he accepted a position as stenographer for the B. F. Sturtevant Company of Boston in its branch office at Chicago and for twenty years was active in that connection, during that time doing much to further the interests of the company. When he severed his rela- tions with that company he was manager of the branch office and had learned every phase of the blowing, heating and ventilating business. His next position was as sales agent for the Buffalo Forge Company, in connection with Edwin M. Bassler, operating under the name of Worthing, Bassler & Company at Chicago, and he maintained that association for three years. In 1913 the company left Chicago and located in Milwaukee, where they purchased the business of the Bayley Manufacturing Company, an old and established concern of the city. Mr. Worthing is president, W. C. Kussmaul, secretary and treasurer, and E. M. Bassler, vice president and engineer. They are the manufac- turers of fan system and ventilating equipment, planing mill exhausters, pressure blowers, etc., and automatic and throttling type horizontal and vertical steam engines. They are likewise specialists in leather drying and are heating, ventilating and drying engineers.
On the 2d of July, 1892, Mr. Worthing was united in marriage to Miss Rose B. Meredith, a daughter of Edwin Meredith of Wales, who came to America at an early day and located at Attica, Wisconsin. In that community the birth of Mrs. Worthing occurred. Mr. and Mrs. Worthing have a danghter, Helen, who is living at home.
Since attaining his majority Mr. Worthing has been a supporter of the republican party but has ever reserved the right to vote independently, should he think another party's candidate the best man for the office. He takes an active interest in political affairs and is well informed on all important questions and issues of the day. The religious faith of the family is that of the Presbyterian church. They are members of the Westminster church, of which Mr. Worthing is one of the trustees. He is affiliated with no secret societies but holds membership in the Association of Commerce
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and the City Club. Improvement and advancement have been Mr. Worthing's watch- words and he has never lost sight of the fact that each year should record a growth in business. Straightforward and reliable under all circumstances, courteous and affable to his patrons, Mr. Worthing endeavors to please and he has so conducted his business affairs as to reflect credit and honor, not only upon himself, but upon the city in which he resides. Mr. Worthing and family reside at 534 Stowell avenue.
JOHN RAYMOND SCHOONMAKER.
John Raymond Schoonmaker of the Schoonmaker Construction Company, in which he is a partner of his brother and father, was born November 29, 1887, at Wauwatosa, in the first frame house erected west of Milwaukee. His father, Harry Ogden Grant Schoonmaker, was born on the 4th of July, 1863-the day on which General Grant captured Vicksburg-and is now living in Wauwatosa. He remains active in connection with construction interests, especially in the build- ing of municipal and country roads and also in the execution of paving contracts. He is a partner in the Schoonmaker Construction Company, in which he is asso- ciated with his two sons. He was born in Wauwatosa, being a representative of one of the old pioneer families of this section of the state. His father was John N. Schoonmaker, who was born in Albany, New York, and was a representative of one of the oldest American families, the ancestral line in the United States being traced back to 1663. The town of Schoonmakerville on the Hudson is named in honor of this family, the first settlement being made at that place. John N. Schoonmaker, the grandfather of John Raymond Schoonmaker, was born in Albany, New York, and became a resident of Wauwatosa in 1856. He engaged in the manufacture of lime and also in the business of supplying stone to the rolling mills. He established what is now the G. D. Francey Coal, Stone & Supply Company, opening a quarry, and remained an active factor in the business circles of the community until his demise. He was also a man of prominence in other connec- tions and did not a little to shape public thought and action. In the maternal line John R. Schoonmaker comes of English ancestry. His mother, who bore the maiden name of Catherine Elizabeth Pilgrim, was born at Granville, Wisconsin, on a farm that belonged to her father, Daniel Thomas Pilgrim, a native of Eng- land. Mrs. Schoonmaker died April 3, 1922. Both she and her husband were widely known in Wauwatosa and Milwaukee.
John R. Schoonmaker obtained his early education in the public schools of Wauwatosa and was there graduated from the high school with the class of 1905. Immediately afterward he turned his attention to construction work, with which he has since been connected. In 1916 he became associated in business with Walter G. Winding, under the firm style of Schoonmaker & Winding, and together they built two and a half miles of the Silver Spring cement road, a mile and a half of the Chicago cement road and also executed other important contracts. The partnership existed until 1918. when Mr. Schoonmaker entered the army, being assigned to Evacuation Hospital, No. 37. The unit was formed at Camp Grant and was stationed at Joinville, Sebastian Barracks, near Toul, in France, after being sent overseas. Mr. Schoonmaker spent seven months in France and was dis- charged as first class sergeant on the 13th of June, 1919. When the country no longer needed his military aid he returned and again began business operations in Milwaukee. Here he worked for S. P. Croft, superintending road grading, and in October, 1919, he began operating independently by taking a contract for con-
crete paving in North Milwaukee. He also did concrete work for Milwaukee county in connection with the heating of the infirmary. It was in October, 1919, that he organized the Schoonmaker Construction Company in connection with his father and his brother, Ogden Grant Schoonmaker, and the firm has since conducted
a profitable business. Many important contracts have been accorded them and they now employ a large force of workmen. Over their place of business flies the flag which was used in conveying the first load of soldiers from Wauwatosa to Milwaukee on their way to active service in the Civil war.
On the 7th of November, 1917, Mr. Schoonmaker was married to Miss Lillian Alberta Goldthorp, a daughter of the Rev. Charles Edward Goldthorp. a Methodist minister, who at one time was presiding elder of the Oshkosh district. He was a native of England but spent the greater part of his life in this country and died in June, 1918. Mr. and Mrs. Schoonmaker have one child, Jane Elizabeth.
Fraternally Mr. Schoonmaker is connected with Wauwatosa Lodge No. 267, A. F. & A. M., and also with Wauwatosa Chapter, R. A. M., and Milwaukee Lodge, B. P. O. E., No. 46. He is post commander of Bernard A. Diedrich Post, No. 78, of the American Legion at Wauwatosa and is in hearty sympathy with the high standards of this organization, which is seeking so earnestly to maintain American
JOHN R. SCHOONMAKER
Vol. III-31
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principles, as did its members when khaki-clad they followed the stars and stripes to the battle fields of the old world. Mr. Schoonmaker belongs to the Kiwanis Club and to the Milwaukee Athletic Club. He is fond of all athletics and manly outdoor sports, is a promoter of basket-ball and during his school days was an enthusiastic football player. His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party but never as an active politician. lle belongs to the Wauwatosa Methodist Episcopal church and the principles of his life have found expression in many sterling qualities which have gained him the honor and high regard of his fellowmen. He has always been progressive and enterprising in business, loyal and patriotic in citizenship and stands as a splendid example of American manhood and chivalry.
LEONARD SOERGEL.
Leonard Soergel, engaged in the plumbing business in Milwaukee, is a native son of this city, born November 28, 1869 His parents, George and Clara Soergel, were natives of Germany and arrived in Milwaukee about 1838, when the site of the present metropolitan center was adorned with only a tiny hamlet. The father located at No. 570 National avenue, where he built a blacksmith shop that is still standing, one of the old landmarks of the city. There he continued in business to the time of his death and the shop remains as a mute reminder of conditions in Milwaukee sixty years ago. In the family were the following children: John; George, who died in early life; Charles; Leonard; and the daughter, Barbara, the wife of Charles H. Pieplow of Elkhorn, Wisconsin. The blacksmithing business was carried on by the two sons, John and Charles, after the father's death in 1881 and they remained active in the business until the death of Charles in 1917, after which John remained as proprietor of the business until his death in 1919.
The birth of Leonard Soergel occurred in the second story of this blacksmith shop, the family occupying the upper floor as a residence. He acquired his education in the public schools and in early life learned the trade of plumbing and gas fitting. He thoroughly acquainted himself with the work when in the employ of others and in 1893 he established a plumbing business on his own account at 538 National avenue, while later he removed the business to No. 571 National avenue. As the years have passed Mr. Soergel has developed a business of gratifying and substantial proportions. and now has a liberal patronage.
In 1891 Mr. Soergel was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Kroll and they have become parents of two sons, George and Waller, who are associated with their father in the plumbing business as journeymen. Mr. Soergel is a member of the Local, the State and the National Plumbers Associations and thus keeps in touch with the trend of progress and improvement along the line of his trade. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he is a member of the South Side Old Settlers Club. His life has been passed in this city and he has, therefore, been an interested witness of the changes which have occurred through a period of more than a half century. Great, indecd, has been the transformation that has been carried on by time and man and through his business affairs Mr. Soergel has contributed to the industrial develop- ment of the city.
MARTIN SCHOTTLER.
Martin Schottler, who has been actively engaged in law practice in Milwaukee for almost a quarter of a century, is now filling the office of city attorney of North Milwaukee. His birth occurred in Washington county, Wisconsin, on the 10th of April, 1874. his parents being Martin and Anna (Bartol) Schottler, the former a native of Hesse-Darmsladt, Germany, while the latter was born in the province of Luxem- burg, Belgium. Martin Schottler, Sr., emigrated to the United States in 1843, while the lady who later became his wife crossed the Atlantic in the '50s. They were mar- ried in this country during the period of the Civil war. The father devoted his attention to the operation of a farm in Washington county, Wisconsin, but subse- quently became associated with the Germantown Insurance Company, of which he was one of the organizers and of which he served as secretary for many years. He also became a prominent factor in public life, being a member of the Wisconsin state legislature at the time of the Civil war and likewise acting as lown clerk for a number of years. He passed away in 1892, while his wife was called to her final rest in the year 1901.
Martin Schottler was reared on the home farm in his native county and attended the country schools until fourteen years of age, subsequently spending a year as a
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student at Valparaiso, Indiana. He then returned to his father's farm but afterward entered the service of the firm of Landauer & Company of Milwaukee, being employed at odd jobs and at the same time studying law in the office of Judge Paul D. Carpenter. He next spent a year as a student in the law department of Valparaiso University and one of his classmates was Governor Blaine, the present chief executive of Wis- consin. In 1897 he was admitted to the bar and began practicing in Milwaukee, which city has remained the scene of his professional labors. He has always practiced in- dependently and has built up a lucrative and gratifying clientage, ably handling the important litigated interests entrusted to his care. From 1900 until 1904 he served as justice of the peace in Milwaukee and in April, 1920, was elected city attorney of North Milwaukee, in which office he is the able and efficient incumbent.
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