USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume III > Part 58
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C. C. Pollworth, having mastered the branches of learning taught in the public schools of Milwaukee, afterward continued his education in Marquette University and then initiated his business career as bookkeeper with the Flower Exchange, of which he became manager, remaining in that connection for about five years. At length he decided to engage in business independently and in 1897 opened a florist establishment, selling only to the wholesale trade. For a short time he conducted business on Broadway and then removed to Oneida street, while later he was located at No. 454 East Water street, where he continued for ten years. In 1911 he removed to his present location at Nos. 474 to 478 Market street, a property purchased by the C. C. Pollworth Company in 1920. This was the building in which his parents lived about 1864 and in which the eldest son was born. The company today has a large business outside the city, about fifty per cent of its products going to the north and west territory. The company also ships florists' supplies to all parts of the
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United States and also are large importers and distributors of bulbs, most of which come from France, Holland and Japan. Their greenhouses are located at Wauwatosa and they have more than thirty of them. Their out-of-town trade is developed through catalogue sales and also is handled through traveling salesmen. In the beginning they had six greenhouses and something of the growth of their business is indicated in the fact that they today have thirty-three. Their trade has steadily increased and developed and they have ever recognized the fact that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement. The officers of the company are: C. C. Pollworth, president and treasurer; W. A. Kennedy, vice president; and Walter Halliday, secretary. Mr. Ken- nedy has charge of the greenhouses.
In 1907 Mr. Pollworth was married to Miss Josephine Reinhardt, a daughter of Peter Reinhardt, one of the pioneer settlers of Milwaukee. They have one son, Lawrence, who is a high school graduate and for a year studied in Marquette Uni- versity. He is now a traveling salesman, representing the C. C. Pollworth Company. Mr. Pollworth is a member of the Masonic fraternity and also of the Knights of Pythias and he belongs likewise to the Wisconsin Club. He is well known in this city, where his life has been passed, and he is of the third generation of the family to be closely and prominently associated with business interests here, leading to the material development, growth and progress of Milwaukee.
JOHN JOYS.
Business enterprise finds expression in the establishment of the loys Brothers Company of Milwaukee, ship chandlers and dealers in awnings, tents, flags and kindred lines. A trade of substantial proportion has been developed, making the enterprise one of Milwaukee's profitable concerns. The president, John Joys, was born in Milwau- kee, October 14, 1869, and is a son of John and Emily (Lund) Joys. Their son was edu- cated in the public schools of this city and after his textbooks were put aside, in 1890 he became a clerk in the store of Joys, Norris & Company, dealers in ship chandlery, awnings, tents and flags. After a time he became interested in the business, which was incorporated in 1892 and at that time the firm style of Joys Brothers Company was assumed. Upon the death of his father Mr. Joys of this review became the vice president of the company and following the death of his uncle, Andrew M. Joys, he was elected to the presidency and has continued as the chief executive since 1919. They have developed their trade until it is the largest of its kind in their section of the country and the success of the enterprise is most gratifying. Mr. Joys has been familiar with the business from his boyhood to the present and knows every phase and detail of the trade. The company manufactures awnings, tents, flags, yacht sails and covers of all descriptions. It occupies a large building and employs a force of about twenty people.
On the 12th of May, 1897, Mr. Joys was married to Miss Mabel Eastman of Milwaukee, and they have become parents of four children: Mrs. Hans P. Schultz, John Eastman, Roger Eastman and Margaret. The son, John, was in the service during the World war at Base Hospital, No. 22, and was overseas for more than a year. He was but eighteen years of age when he enlisted and was stationed at Bordeaux, France, where the wounded were brought for treatment. He is now a student in the University of Wisconsin at Madison.
Mr. and Mrs. Joys are well known in Milwaukee, where they have an extensive circle of warm friends. He belongs to the Milwaukee Yacht Club and takes great interest in this sport but never allows outside interests to interfere with his business activities and duties and today he is at the head of one of the well known business enterprises of the city, in the conduct of which he is meeting with substantial success.
WALTER GLENN PENHALLOW.
Walter Glenn Penhallow, executive secretary and manager of the Milwaukee Typoth- etae, Incorporated, was born in Chautauqua county, New York, on his grandfather's farm, September 16, 1877. He is a descendant of one of the old New England families of English origin founded in America by three brothers, John, Samuel and Reuben Penhallow, who came from England prior to the Revolutionary war and settled in eastern Massachusetts. John Penhallow afterward returned to his native country but his two brothers remained. Samuel was prominent in connection with the early history of Massachusetts and was the author of A History of King Philip's War. He never married. Reuben Penhallow, therefore, became the founder of this branch of the family in the new world. He married and had twelve children, nine sons and three daughters. Among his descendants was Reuben Penhallow, grandfather of Walter
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G. Penhallow, who settled in Chautauqua county, New York, about 1807 when there were hut seven families in what are now four of the most populous towns in the county. He was born in Massachusetts but much of his life was spent in the Empire state, where he devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits. His son, William H. H. Penhallow, also a native of Chautauqua county, New York, and a farmer by occupation, served during the Civil war as a member of the One Hundred and Twelfth New York Regiment and thus ably aided in defending the Union cause. For eighteen months he had charge of the prison at Suffolk, Virginia, where military prisoners were incarcerated. He died in the year 1913. His wife, Mary Fidelia Edwards, was a daughter of Vincent Edwards, and was born in Ellington, Chautauqua county, New York. Her mother belonged to the Woods family of Eau Claire county, Wis- consin. The death of Mrs. Penhallow occurred in 1900.
Walter Glenn Penhallow, having obtained a district school education, afterward attended high school in Hamburg, Erie county, New York, and later became a pupil in the Fredonia (N. Y.) Normal School, from which he was graduated in 1900. He won a life certificate as a teacher and taught for several years in the Empire state, being for two years principal of the Chautauqua high school. He afterward attended the Syracuse University and was graduated cum laude in 1907 with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. Resuming his work as an educator he became principal of the high school at Penn Yan, New York, and afterward was superintendent of schools at Bordentown, New Jersey. In 1910 he left the teaching profession to take up sales- manship, going on the road for the Charles Beck Paper Company of Philadelphia, which he thus represented for three years. In 1913 he turned his attention to the printing business at Pleasantville, New Jersey, and in six years built up one of the hest business enterprises of that character in the county. In 1919 he entered upon the work of the United Typothetae of America as an organizer and came to Milwaukee on the 20th of October of that year. Here he has remained and on the conclusion of the organization work he was made executive secretary. The Typothetae conducts educational classes in cost finding and estimating, salesmanship, business administra- tion and accounting. Everything is done by direct class work. They install cost systems in their numerous plants, make up their monthly cost statements and gen- erally conduct the office as a general service and clearing house for the benefit of the members. The Typothetae is organized in one hundred and twenty-five cities of the United States and Canada and is an international educational institution for the benefit of the printing industry. The Milwaukee Typothetae has one hundred printers as- sociated with it in an effort to learn their costs, which is the main effort of the organization. Without interfering in the least in the fixing of prices the organiza- tion has nevertheless accomplished wonderful results in the standardizing of the printing business through the knowledge disseminated as to cost and standards.
On the 22d of June, 1898, Mr. Penhallow was married to Miss Amy A. Skiff, a daughter of Charles G. Skiff of Cassadaga, New York, and they have become parents of two children: Charles Henry and Mary N., the former a printer living in Pleasant- ville, New Jersey. On the 9th of July, 1921, Mr. Penhallow was married a second time, when Miss Hazel Maude Haisler of Milwaukee, daughter of Charles Henry and Alice M. Haisler, became his wife.
Mr. Penhallow is of the Methodist faith and fraternally is a member of Kenwood Lodge, No. 303, F. & A. M. of Milwaukee. He is not a club man, preferring to con- centrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs and in this connection he has accomplished much. He has made the most close and earnest study of the interests under his direction and as executive secretary and manager of the Milwaukee Typothetae, Incorporated, has done much for the printing industry in this city.
CHRISTIAN J. LINS.
Christian J. Lins, president of the McKane-Lins Company, dealers in leather goods in Milwaukee, was born at Eagle, Wisconsin, in 1872. His father, Edmund Lins, is a native of Germany and came to the United States in 1857, making his way at once to Eagle. He married Margaretta Macholdt, also a native of Germany, and they are still living, having reached the ages of ninety-five and eighty years, respectively, being one of the oldest couples in the state.
Christian J. Lins obtained a public school education in his native city and after- ward pursued a business course in Marquette College and in the Spencerian Business College of Milwaukee. He then secured a position with the Wisconsin Telephone Company, remaining with that corporation for thirteen years, during which time he won various promotions until he was acting as assistant treasurer of the company when he resigned. He afterward became associated with Romadka Brothers, dealers in leather goods. He worked in the retail department for some time and in 1912 organized the McKane-Lins Company, he and his associates purchasing the business
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of his former employers. He is now president of this corporation, which is engaged in the manufacture of trunks and leather goods, making a specialty of auto trunks. The business has been developed to extensive proportions. They not only have a large and splendidly equipped factory, from which they turn out goods of the highest and best workmanship but they also maintain three stores in which they sell at retail.
Mr. Lins is a Catholic in religious faith and belongs to the Knights of Columbus. In politics he maintains an independent course, voting according to the dictates of his judgment rather than party ties. He belongs to the Association of Commerce, which indicates his personal interest in everything that has to do with the public welfare, and he also has membership in the Milwaukee Athletic Club and the Wis- consin Club.
ALBERT HAEGER.
Albert Haeger, president of the Badger Wire & Iron Works of Milwaukee, has been connected with the business since 1899 and through the intervening period has been instrumental in building up an enterprise of substantial proportions, con- stitnting one of the city's important industrial interests. Mr. Haeger was born in the province of Pomerania, Germany, August 10, 1876, a son of Christ and Hen- rietta ( Machow) Haeger, who were also natives of that country, whence they came to the United States in 1882, settling in Milwaukee, where their remaining days were passed, the father devoting his attention to the milling business.
Albert Haeger obtained a public school education in this city, for he was but six years of age when brought to the new world. When his school days were over he secured a position in an office, in which he was employed for almost a decade. Throughout this period he was constantly learning the lessons one gleans in the school of experience and, actuated by a laudable ambition, he saved his earn- ings until he had accumulated sufficient capital to establish business on his own account. In 1899 he organized the Badger Wire & Iron Works, opening his plant at No. 194 Reed street, while subsequently he removed to 687 Muskego avenue and in 1916 to the present location at Cleveland and Twenty-fifth avenues, where they occupy a building one hundred and twenty by one hundred and forty feet. They have about an acre of land, with a railroad track extending to the factory, thus greatly facilitating shipments. They manufacture architectural iron and wire work and their output is sold all over the country. They employ in normal times about thirty-five people. Mr. Haeger organized this company and has made a success of the business by reason of his thoroughness, close application and unremitting energy. Associated with him as secretary of the company is Paul Schlesner, while Mr. Haeger fills the office of president and treasurer.
On the 2d of June, 1913, was celebrated the marriage of Albert Haeger and Miss Ella Rudolph of Milwaukee. They have one child, Robert. Fraternally Mr. Haeger is a Mason, belonging to Kilbourn Lodge, and is also connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias, loyally following the teachings and purposes of these societies. He deserves commendation for what he has accomplished, as his success has been the direct outcome of his labor and from early youth he has depended upon his own resources for all that he has achieved or enjoyed in life.
LEO GLUECKSTEIN.
Leo Glueckstein, vice president of the S. Heller Elevator Company of Milwaukee, was born in Appleton, Wisconsin, January 7, 1891. For generations the Gluecksteins were extensive grape growers in the vicinity of Coblenz, Germany. The father, Henry Glueckstein, was born at Coblenz and came to the United States when twenty-one years of age, settling at Two Rivers, Wisconsin. He was a painting contractor and after following that business for about twenty years in Two Rivers he removed to Appleton. He died in Milwaukee in 1920, when seventy-two years of age. His wife, who hore the maiden name of Helen Jermain, is a sister of Dr. Louis F. Jermain of Milwaukee and she is still living in this city.
Leo Glueckstein pursued his early education in the public and parochial schools of Appleton, Wisconsin, and also attended night school there. He made his initial step in the business world as an electrical apprentice with the firm of Kurz & Root of Appleton, with whom he remained for six years in all. He then turned his attention to the automobile business, with which he was identified at Appleton for six months and in 1910 he removed to Milwaukee, where he entered the employ of the Otis Elevator Company, with which he was associated nntil 1919. Steadily he was advanced in
ALBERT HAEGER
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that connection, winning various promotions until he became superintendent of con- struction. He left the company, however, to engage in business for himself and organized the Alliance Engineering Company of Milwaukee for the work of repairing and remodeling freight and passenger elevators. In April, 1920, this company was consolidated with the business of S. Heller and took the name of the S. Heller Elevator Company, of which Mr. Glueckstein became the vice president with Siegfried Heller as the president. The company builds and installs freight and passenger elevators and dumb waiters and finds a market for its output from Minnesota to New Orleans, east as far as Buffalo and west to Butte, Montana. The business is now one of sub- stantial proportions and is steadily growing. In 1919 the capital of the S. Heller Elevator Company was one hundred thousand dollars and in 1920 this was increased to two hundred thousand dollars. The firm is now putting up a four-story addition to its works, sixty hy one hundred and twenty feet, of the most modern type of construction, the location being at the corner of Buffalo and Milwaukee streets.
On the 7th of May, 1912, Mr. Glueckstein was married to Miss Alma Kusterman, a daughter of J. C. Kusterman of St. Nazianz, Manitowoc county, Wisconsin. She
passed away April 14, 1919, leaving four children: Theresa, Henry, Robert and Rose- mary. Mr. Glueckstein gives his political allegiance to the republican party but has never been active in politics. He is a Catholic, belonging to St. Sebastian parish and he has membership with the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin and with the Milwaukee Lodge of Elks. He also belongs to the Electric Club of Chicago and the Builders Club of Milwaukee. He is interested in motoring and enjoys long automobile trips. Hunting and fishing are also among his pastimes and all manly outdoor sports are matters of enthusiastic interest to him. His business, however, comes first and his close application, thoroughness and capability have enabled him to achieve a notable measure of success.
BENJAMIN J. BIRK, M. D.
Dr. Benjamin J. Birk, member of the medical profession in Milwaukee and specializ- ing largely in surgery, was born in Michigan City, Indiana, August 17, 1894, his parents being Abraham and Ada (Katz) Birk, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father, who devoted his life to merchandising, died at the age of forty-one years and is still survived by his widow, who makes her home in Chicago. They were married in Germany and had a family of five children, all born in Michigan City, with the exception of the eldest, a daughter, who was born in Germany but was only six months old when the parents came to the United States.
Dr. Birk was reared in his native city, where he passed through consecutive grades of the public schools in the acquirement of his preliminary education until graduated from the high school, at the age of seventeen years. During that period he took quite an active interest in school athletics. He won the Bachelor of Science degree on the completion of a course of study in the University of Indiana in 1916 and the following year obtained his M. D. degree from Rush Medical College of Chicago. He was one of the teachers of anatomy in the University of Indiana, also in the University of Illinois and in the Loyola Medical College of Chicago before becoming identified with the two first named. At the present time he is one of the teachers of general surgery on the staff of the Marquette Medical College. He became a resident of Milwaukee on the 1st of July, 1919, and he belongs to the Milwaukee Academy of Medicine, the Milwaukee County Medical Society, the Wisconsin State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.
Dr. Birk has membership in the Independent Order of B'nai B'rith. He finds his recreation largely in summer in a game of golf and he belongs to the Milwaukee Athletic Club. He is also a Master Mason and a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and enjoys the warm regard of his brethren of these fraternities. His professional duties make constant demand upon his time and energy and as a specialist in surgery he is enjoying a large practice of growing importance.
ERWIN A. PIEPENBRINK.
Erwin A. Piepenhrink, member of the firm of Piepenbrink & Roehr and vice president of the Wisconsin Mutual Liability Company, of which he was one of the organizers in 1912, was born at South Bend, Indiana, August 12, 1890. His father, William J. Piepenhrink, is a native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and a chemist by pro- fession. He now makes his home in Milwaukee, where he has resided for a number of years. His wife, who hore the maiden name of Julia Knothe, is also a native of Fort Wayne.
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For a number of years in their early married life the parents resided at South Bend and there Erwin A. Piepenbrink began his education in the public schools. Later he became a student in the high school at Grand Rapids, Michigan, and when in his school days he became identified with the insurance business as an employe of the firm of Chris Schroeder & Sons, with whom he remained for six years and gradually worked his way upward, his successive promotions bringing him to the position of manager of the casualty department with that firm, In 1912 he became associated with Roland B. Roehr in the insurance business, under the firm name of Piepenbrink & Roehr. In 1913 this firm organized the Wisconsin Mutual Liability Company of Milwaukee, of which he is the vice president and for which his firm acts as general manager. The splendid organization built up, the thorough and systematic methods employed and the unfaltering enterprise of the men at the head, have made this business one of the important corporate interests of the city.
On the 3d of January, 1920, Mr. Piepenbrink was married to Miss Florence Krebs, a daughter of Michael Krebs of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, who is a retired farmer. Mr. Piepenbrink, responding to his country's call at the time of the World war, served in the Main Training Depot at the Machine Gun Training Center at Camp Hancock, Georgia, where he became regimental sergeant major. He received his discharge January 15, 1919, In politics Mr. Piepenbrink has always maintained an independent course, voting for men and measures rather than for party. He is a Lutheran in religious faith and fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He also belongs to the Milwaukee Athletic Club, to the Association of Commerce, to the Milwaukee Board of Fire Under- writers and the Insurance Federation of Wisconsin. These connections manifest the nature, character and breadth of his interests and the principles that guide him in the relations of life. He enjoys fishing and all outdoor sports and finds keen pleasure in literature, but these are not allowed to interfere with the faithful performance of his duties in connection with the upbuilding of his business, and through his enterprise and diligence he has won a substantial position in the financial circles of his adopted city.
HARRY JENNINGS NOYES.
Harry Jennings Noyes, assistant treasurer of the Wadhams Oil Company and one of the directors of that concern, was born in Milwaukee, January 18, 1874. and is a son of Cassius M. and Dora ( Jennings) Noyes. The father's birth occurred in the state of New York in 1845, while the mother, a native of Milwaukee, was born in 1848. On removing westward Cassius M. Noyes settled in Delafield, Wis- consin, having accompanied his parents to this state when a lad of about twelve years. In 1865 he became a resident of Milwaukee and entered commercial circles here as a hardware and iron merchant. The Jennings family, too, were pioneers of Milwaukee, settling here at a period when the city had scarcely emerged from villagehood. Edgar C. Jennings was the cashier of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company for many years and the family has long been prominently and honorably known in this city.
Harry Jennings Noyes pursued his education in the public schools of Milwaukee until he had mastered the branches constituting the curriculum, after which he entered the University of Wisconsin at Madison and was there graduated in 1896, with the Bachelor of Arts degree. For about three years he was connected with the Milwaukee Gas Light Company, filling various clerical positions, and thus in- stituted his business career. He afterward went to New York city, where he was employed as a salesman by the Stowell Manufacturing Company, remaining for about a year in the eastern metropolis, when he resigned to accept a position with the Russell, Burdsall & Ward Bolt & Nut Company of Port Chester, New York, which he also represented in the capacity of salesman. In 1907 he returned to Milwaukee, where he became associated with the Wadhams Oil Company and has since filled the office of assistant treasurer and has from the beginning been finan- cially interested in the business, of which he is one of the directors. Thorough- ness and earnestness characterize all that he does and in the accomplishment of every purpose he never stops short of his objective.
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