USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume III > Part 63
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DR. ERNEST W. MILLER
Vol. III-36
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State Medical Society, the Tri-State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.
On the 21st of June, 1909, Dr. Miller was married to Miss Donna Phillips, who is a native of Michigan, and they now have two daughters: Cile, eleven years of age, and Patricia, aged two. The religious faith of the family is that of the Congregational church. Dr. Miller is a member of Damascus Lodge, No. 290, F. & A. M., and is prominently known by reason of his membership in the Mil- waukee Athletic Club and the City Club. He is fond of golf, which constitutes his chief source of recreation. While residing at Norway, Michigan, he served for three years as city health officer. His professional work has constantly broadened in scope and importance as his powers have developed through study and the exercise of effort, and his ability has again and again been demonstrated in the splendid results that have followed his labors.
JULIUS BRESLAUER.
Julius Breslauer, the secretary and treasurer of the Blue Star Knitting Company of Milwaukee, was born in Germany on the 19th of July, 1868, his parents being Reuben and Pauline Breslauer, who ou coming to the new world spent their last days in Mil- waukee. The first of the family to cross the Atlantic was their son, Max Breslauer, who is now the president of the Blue Star Knitting Company and who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. He afterward sent for his brothers and sisters and in 1884 Julius Breslauer crossed the Atlantic and for some time was associated in business with A. Breslauer & Company. In fact, he remained with that organization until 1919, when in association with his brother, Max Breslauer, and Theodore Fanta, he organized the Blue Star Knitting Company, having its factory at Nos. 80 and 82 Farwell avenue. The business has grown with notable rapidity and theirs is today one of the largest factories of the kind in the country. They are engaged in the manufacture of ladies' and children's underwear produced from cotton, wool and combinations of cotton, wool and silk, as well as all silk garments. They sell only to the jobbing trade and the business is today one of the important productive enterprises of Milwaukee. From the beginning Julius Breslauer has been the secretary and treasurer and in this con- nection has contributed in no small measure to the success of the enterprise.
In the year 1894 Julius Breslauer was married to Miss Cecelia Fischel, who was born in Milwaukee and is a daughter of Abraham Fischel, one of the pioneer settlers of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Breslauer have four children: Irving J., who volunteered for service and was with the headquarters company of the One Hundred and Seventh Engineers in the Thirty-second Division and remained in the service for two years and spent eighteen months of that time in France. He is now Chicago representative of the B & B Shoe Company, with headquarters in Milwaukee; Pauline is acting as secretary to the principal and is also a substitute teacher in the Milwaukee schools; Norman L. is a student at New Bedford, Massachusetts, in a textile college: Melvin A. is a student in the West Side high school in Milwaukee.
Mr. Breslauer belongs to the Masonic fraternity and to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He also has membership in the B'nai B'rith and in the Old Settlers' Club, while his name is likewise on the membership roll of the Milwaukee Athletic Club. He is well known in the manufacturing circles of this city and his life illustrates what may be accomplished by the young man of foreign birth in this land of oppor- tunity when the individual possesses a will to dare and to do.
FRED JOHN MAYER.
Fred John Mayer occupies an attractive home at Wauwatosa, where he has thirty acres of land on the Menominee river. There he has ample opportunity to indulge his love of plants and flowers and he has ever found great pleasure in the out-of-doors. In business circles, too, he is most widely known as the vice president of the F. Mayer Boot & Shoe Company of Milwaukee, his native city. He was born May 29, 1862, and is a son of Fred and Philapina (Laubenheimer) Mayer, who are mentioned elsewhere in this work in connection with a sketch of his brother, George P. Mayer.
After obtaining his early education in the parochial and public schools of Mil- waukee, Fred John Mayer became an apprentice at shoemaking under the direction of his father and served a three years' term of indenture, being thus employed until his father purchased a small factory in which the son worked for about a year. He after- ward spent three years as a journeyman shoemaker in different cities of the east and west, studying the business thoroughly and acquainting himself with all modern methods of shoe manufacturing. On the expiration of that period he returned to his
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native city and became foreman in his father's factory. In 1891 he was advanced to the position of superintendent and later was made manager. He continued as the active manager until 1920 and is now vice president and a member of the board of directors. He makes his headquarters at the factory, where he supervises the work done and his thorough familiarity with every phase of the business well qualifies him for activity and responsibility of this character.
On the 5th of May, 1892, Mr. Mayer was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Bues, a daughter of Frederick Bues, a contractor of Milwaukee, who was born near Hanover. Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Mayer have become parents of eight children: Helen, Irma, Eleanor, Louis, Paula and Sophie; and a son and daughter who died in infancy. The only living son, Louis, is in the factory with his father. He was educated at the Mil- waukee parochial schools and in Dr. Rumley's school, an academy at Laporte, Indiana, after which he continued his studies in Beloit College. He joined the army at the time of the World war and was at Camp Grant when hostilities ceased.
While Mr. Mayer has never been active in politics he has always been a stanch advocate of republican principles and supports the party at the polls, His religious faith is that of the Lutheran denomination and his membership is in St. John's church. He is a life member of the Milwaukee Athletic Club, belongs also to the Wisconsin Club, to the Lutheran League and to the Association of Commerce-connections which indicate the trend of his thought, activity and interest outside of business. Mr. Mayer is also well known as a pedestrian and is a great lover of nature and the out-of-door life. He is continually studying plants and flowers and one day each week he hikes twenty- tive or thirty miles. thus indulging his love for a lengthy walk with chance to appreciate all the beauty that nature produces.
HORACE REUBEN GRAHAM.
A prominent figure in real estate and banking circles in Milwaukee is Horace Reuben Graham, whose activities have contributed in notable measure to the up- building and progress of the city. As a business man he is alert and energetic, readily recognizing and utilizing opportunities that others have passed heedlessly by, and at the same time his labors have resulted in benefit to the community as well as in the advancement of his own fortunes. His life story is an interesting one, showing the effectiveness of industry and determination intelligently directed.
Mr. Graham was born in a little log cabin that was built by his father upon a farm at Gainesville, Missouri, his natal day being January 19, 1875. He is a son of John R. and Mary E. ( Anglenton ) Graham. The father is now living at Plum Valley, Colorado. His birth occurred near Springfield, Illinois, and through- out his life he has followed farming and engineering. He managed both sawmills and cotton gins in Missouri and Arkansas as a result of his engineering powers. He was born in 1842 and was therefore twenty-four years of age when in 1866 he removed to Missouri, becoming a prominent resident of that state. He served as sheriff of Ozark county and also filled the position of deputy United States marshal. His father was Harrison Graham, who was born in New York and was of Scotch lineage. He removed to Illinois when a youth in his teens, making the journey with another boy of about the same age. He took up land there from the govern- ment and continued to reside thereon until called to his final rest. He was noted for his warm-hearted and generous hospitality, which was freely extended to all, and he never refused to give aid and shelter to the orphans or to the friendless. In the maternal line the family comes partly of Cherokee ancestry. The mother, who in her maidenhood was Mary E. Anglenton, was born in Ohio and passed away November 22, 1895.
Horace Reuben Graham pursued his early education in the public schools of Mountain Home, Arkansas, and in the vicinity of Springfield, Missouri, and also received private instruction from his sister, a well educated young woman. Hle was but nine years of age when he began to assist in the work of the home farm, doing a man's task from that time forward. He worked on the farm of his father and of his brother-in-law and when twenty-one years of age he went to Kansas, afterward to Colorado, California. Washington and Oregon, there remaining to the age of twenty-eight years, when he came to Wisconsin. Here he took up carpenter work, also engaged in clerking and engineering and in fact busied him- self along various lines, seeking every opportunity to take a forward step in the business world. He was first located at Racine, afterward was at Fond du Lac for the MeRay Novelty Company until 1902 and then entered the law office of ex- Congressman Riley at Fond du Lac. There he did collecting and read law for two and a half years. During this time Mr. Graham took a mail course in bookkeeping and business from the International Correspondence School of Scranton, Pennsyl- vania, and to this training he attributes much of his success.
HORACE R. GRAHAM
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Mr. Graham afterward removed to Milwaukee and became connected with the A. O. Smith Company, which he represented for three and a half years and on the expiration of that period he turned his attention to the real estate business. He has never had a partner in all the intervening years and his individual business ability, his keen sagacity, his ready recognition of opportunity and his progressive spirit have been the salient and dominant elements in the attainment of his present- day success. In 1913 he organized the Modern Mutual Building & Loan Associa- tion, which is one of the strong financial institutions of Milwaukee. He is the secretary of the corporation and acts as attorney therefor. In 1910 he organized the Graham Realty Company, which has since developed into the Home Builders Finance Company, of which Mr. Graham is the secretary and treasurer. This com- pany deals in all kinds of securities and is now capitalized for three hundred thon- sand dollars. Recently Mr. Graham has organized the Holton Street State Bank, one of the newly created financial institutions of the city. He is likewise a director and the vice president of the Archer Tire & Rubber Company of Minne- apolis, which is capitalized for one million five hundred thousand dollars. In all business affairs Mr. Graham readily discriminates between the essential and the non-essential and, moreover, has the ability to unite unrelated and even seemingly diverse elements into a harmonious and unified whole.
On the 8th of April, 1895, Mr. Graham was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Mace, a daughter of Henry Mace, a farmer of Dodge county, Wisconsin, who settled there on removing from Syracuse, New York, to this state in 1859. Mr. Graham is a member of Kilbourn Lodge, No. 3, A. F. & A. M., and he also helongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Walnut Grove, Missouri, and was secretary of the Helix (Ore.) lodge. He has likewise joined the encampment and the Rebekahs and he served as patron of the Eastern Star and is a member of the White Shrine, Mrs. Graham also being a member of the last two divisions of Masonry. Mr. Graham is also well known as a representative of the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica, the Equitable Fraternal Union and he belongs to the Optimists Club, the Mil- waukee Association of Commerce, the National Real Estate Board, the Wisconsin Real Estate Board, the Milwaukee Real Estate Board and the Insurance Under- writers Association. He is ever actuated by a spirit of progress and advancement. His labors are far-reaching and resultant and his energy has ever been an uncon- querable quality in his career. Without special advantages at the outset and in fact forced to take his place as a worker in the world at a time when most boys are in school, he has nevertheless advanced steadily and each forward step has brought him a broader outlook and wider opportunity until he stands today as a prominent figure in the real estate and banking circles of his adopted city.
HERBERT F. WOLTERS, M. D.
Dr. Herbert F. Wolters, a Milwaukee physician and surgeon who is concentrating his attention upon treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, maintains his offices in the Palace Theater building, having practiced continuously in this city since 1913, save for the period of his service in the World war. He is a native son of Wisconsin, his birth having occurred in Iowa county, January 3, 1889. His father. Rev. Frederick L. Wolters, is a Presbyterian minister, still active in the work of the church, preaching at the present time for one of the congregations of his denomination in Milwaukee. He was born in Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, September 17, 1857, and in young manhood he married Minnie Hager, who was born in Allamakee county, Iowa, August 2, 1863. The family came to Milwaukee in 1904 and Dr. Wolters, who up to this time had been attending public schools in lowa county, was graduated from the West Division high school with the class of 1906. He was afterward employed as a hook- keeper for two years and then entered the Marquette Medical College in 1908, spending two years as a student in that institution. He subsequently matriculated in the medical department of St. Louis University and after two years' study there was graduated with the M. D. degree in the class of 1912. He acted as interne in the St. Louis City Hospital for a period of seventeen months and gained broad and valuable experience during that time, having opportunity that can never be secured as quickly in any other way as in hospital practice. In 1913 he returned to Milwaukee, where he opened an office, and was here engaged in general medical practice to the time when he entered the World war. He was called into active connection with the United States army on the 1st of June, 1918, and served until June 19, 1919, when he was discharged at Camp Grant, having spent nine months of that period in France, at Base Hospital, No. 84. at Perigueux. Since his return home lie has specialized as an oculist, aurist and laryngologist. Before going to France he spent six weeks at Camp Bowie, Texas, and in 1919 he did postgraduate work for six months in the Chicago Eye. Ear, Nose and
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Throat College. He has therefore developed his powers along this line and is display- ing marked efficiency in his practice.
Dr. Wolters enjoys fishing and hunting when leisure permits his indulgence in those sports. He is a Royal Arch Mason, loyal to the teachings and purposes of the craft, and in religious faith is a Presbyterian. Along professional lines he has con- pection with the Milwaukee County Medical Society, the Wisconsin State Medical Society and the American Medical Association and is constantly utilizing every opportunity for the advancement of his knowledge and the promotion of his skill and efficiency in practice. He is now serving on the staffs of the Milwaukee Maternity and General Hospitals and in addition Captain Wolters has a large private practice which is indicative of the confidence reposed in him by the general public.
ARTHUR WHITELAW JOHNSON.
Arthur Whitelaw Johnson, who by individual merit and ability, prompted by a laudable ambition, has gained place among the captains of industry in Milwaukee, is now the vice president and general manager of the National Knitting Company. This enterprise is a contributing factor to the commercial development and progress of the city and Mr. Johnson is recognized as an alert, energetic and farsighted business man. He was born in Morrisonville, Wisconsin, March 5, 1887, a son of Knute A. Johnson, now living in Portage, Wisconsin. The paternal grandfather, Andrew A. Johnson, was born in Norway and came to the United States in 1849, settling on land near Morrison- ville, where for many years he successfully carried on general agricultural pursuits. His son, Knute A. Johnson, trained to habits of thrift and industry, taught school for several years and in later life acted as executor and trustee of many estates and repre- sented his district in the state legislature. He also formerly engaged in business as a wool and tobacco dealer and operated quite extensively in real estate but is now living practically retired, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil. He mar- ried Susan Whitelaw, a daughter of Robert Whitelaw, a farmer of Caledonia, Wiscon- sin, who was born in Scotland and while still a resident of the land of hills and heather became an engineer. Desiring to try his fortune in the new world, he crossed the Atlantic in 1848 and took up his abode in this state, where his remaining days were passed. He reached the advanced age of ninety-nine years and ten months. He was a man of prominence in public affairs and was also interested in curling, taking an active part in that sport up to within four or five years of his death.
Arthur Whitelaw Johnson, after mastering the branches of learning taught in the public schools of Morrisonville, Wisconsin, continued his education in the high school at Portage, this state, and afterward was graduated from Beloit College with the class of 1909, at which time the Bachelor of Science degree was conferred upon him. Later he pursued a course in the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole. Massachusetts, and further pursued wool and dyeing courses in the Lowell Textile School of Massa- chusetts. Having thus qualified for practical and responsible duties of this character, he secured a position with the Bradley Knitting Company of Delavan, Wisconsin, and has been with this concern to the present time. He has worked in every department of the mill and has been advanced to the position of foreman of each department in which he has labored. In 1916 the company bought the stock of the National Knitting Company at Milwaukee and Mr. Johnson was placed in charge here as general mana- ger, a position which he has since occupied, and from 1918 to the present he has also been one of the vice presidents of the corporation. The company engages in the manu- facture of gloves, mittens, bathing suits, sweaters and novelties. The wool is taken direct from the sheep's back and put through all of the processes necessary until the goods are placed upon the store shelves. The concern's trade covers every state in the Union and it is represented on the road by forty-nine salesmen. Within three years after taking over the plant Mr. Johnson and his associates in the enterprise had in- creased the volume of business tenfold. No higher proof of capability and efficiency could be given. Mr. Johnson studies closely every phase of the business and has so directed affairs that he has accomplished maximum results at a minimum expenditure of time, labor and material-which is the secret of all business success. His standing in trade circles is indicated in the fact that he is the president of the Inter-Textile Corporation of Milwaukee and secretary of the Wisconsin Textile Association. He is also a director of the Knitted Outerwear Association and the Milwaukee Employers Council and is keenly interested in the study of business and trade conditions, laboring earnestly to advance progress along all lines.
On the 10th of April, 1913, Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Elma Barker, a daughter of Gordon E. Barker, president of the Barker Lumber Company of Delavan, Wisconsin. Her father was born at Granville, this state, a son of Daniel Barker, who was once a member of the firm of Barker & Pantke, hatters on East Water street. Daniel Barker was born in New London, Connecticut, and was descended from a family
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of sea captains. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have become parents of two children, Ruth Margaret and Gordon Barker. The religious faith of the family is that of the Con- gregational church and in political belief Mr. Johnson is a republican but has never been an active party worker. While at Beloit College he became a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity and he is well known in Masonic circles, having membership in Delavan Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; Delavan Chapter, R. A. M .; Delavan Commandery, K. T .; Wisconsin Consistory, S. P. R. S., of Milwaukee; and Tripoli Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He likewise belongs to Delavan Lodge, K. P., and he has membership in the Milwaukee Athletic Club, the Tripoli Country Club and the Association of Commerce. His wife is a musician of marked ability, receiving her training in the Milwaukee-Downer College, from which she was graduated in 1909. Both Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have a wide acquaintance in this city, occupying an enviable social position. He is fond of fishing and hunting, to which he turns for rest and recreation, but nothing is ever allowed to interfere with the faithful performance of his duties as a business man and citizen.
JAMES GARFIELD PASCHEN, M. D.
Dr. James Garfield Paschen, a Milwaukee physician and surgeon of recognized standing, specializing to a considerable degree in internal medicine, has made steady progress in his chosen profession, utilizing every opportunity for the promotion of his skill and efficiency. A determined purpose and laudable ambition have carried him steadily forward and he now has a substantial private practice. Born in Milwaukee, March 30, 1885, he is a son of George Paschen, who was widely known in this city, having held many positions of honor and trust here. He served as sheriff of the county, also as city clerk and as city comptroller and in many ways left the impress of his individuality and ability upon the public records of the municipality. He died in the year 1890. His widow, who bore the maiden name of Emily Diestler, was, like her husband, born in Germany and she still makes her home in Milwaukee.
Reared in this city, Dr. Paschen attended the East Side high school until graduated with the class of 1904, after which he spent the period from 1904 until 1908 as a student in the medical department of Marquette University, from which he was graduated with the M. D. degree in 1908. In 1914 he pursued a special course in the Harvard Medical College in internal medicine and has practiced in Milwaukee con- tinuously since 1908, giving his attention to his specialty since the completion of his course at Harvard. He is a member of the staff of the Children's, Maternity and Gen- eral Hospitals and in addition has a large private practice. He is chief medical ex- aminer and adviser for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company of New York and he holds membership in the Milwaukee County Medical Society, the Wisconsin State Medical Society, the Tri-State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.
Dr. Paschen was married February 22, 1922, to Miss Aldine Barrett, a native of Milwaukee county. Before her marriage she was teacher of physical education and gymnastics in Cudahy high school.
Dr. Paschen finds his chief recreation in outdoor sports and fraternally he is a Master Mason, while his religious faith is that of the Episcopal church. He enjoys the high regard of all who know him, the sterling traits of his character establishing him firmly in the esteem and confidence of the general public as well as of his pro- fessional brethren.
ROBERT M. McGUCKEN.
Robert M. McGucken, president of the McGucken Construction Company, was born in Milwaukee, November 15, 1879. His father, John J. McGucken, a native of Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania, came to this city during his childhood days with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. McGucken. The grandfather was a native of Belfast, Ireland, and came to the new world in young manhood in company with his wife, settling in Philadelphia. He served in the northern army during the Civil war and died from the effects of a gunshot wound over the eye, sustained at the battle of Gettysburg. John J. McGucken was largely reared in Milwaukee and for twenty-five years he was associated with the department of public works in this city, making a most competent official. his duties being discharged with marked fidelity, promptness and capability. One of his most marked characteristics was his love of children and they always felt and counted upon his friendship. Not alone was he held in high regard by the little ones, however, for it is said that no man in Milwaukee ever had more friends than did John J. McGlucken, who passed away in July, 1911, his death being mourned by all who knew him.
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