History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume III, Part 7

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

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On the 19th of February, 1901, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Mrs. Isabella Williams, a daughter of Thomas Slater of Buffalo, New York, who is a native of Liverpool, England. Mrs. Smith has three children by her first husband, Frank Williams, who died in 1899. These are: Carlisle F. Williams, who is now in Seattle, Washington; James T. Williams, who is engaged in the automobile business in Mil- waukee; and Norma F., now the wife of Clarence Brunner, who is with the Milwaukee Advertising & Novelty Company and who is a native of Milwaukee, his father being August Brunner.

Mr. Smith has never taken an active part in politics and may be classed as an independent republican. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church, his member- ship being in St. James parish of Mukwonago. He is a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus and he belongs to the Milwaukee lodge of Elks. He also has membership in the Milwaukee Athletic Club, the Association of Commerce, the Safe Drivers' Club and the American Foundrymen's Association. He is an enthusiastic farmer, agricultural interests being his hobby. He owns sixty-five acres of land in Mukwonago township on Phantom Lake in Waukesha county, where he makes his

LEO G. SMITH

HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE

home throughout the entire year, finding great pleasure in supervising the further development and improvement of his land. He is also very fond of music and all of those things which are of cultural value in life. At the same time he has been a deep and thorough student of everything relating to steel and its manufacture and the thoroughness which he has manifested in every relation of life has been one of the strong and potent forces of his success. Moreover, he attacks everything with a con- tagious enthusiasm that affects his coworkers and he never stops short of his objective.

HENRY CHARLES SCHRANCK.

Since 1907 Henry Charles Schranck has been associated with the H. C. Schranck Company, Incorporated, as president and his keen business insight and executive ability have won for him a place among the foremost business men of Milwaukee. He was born September 3, 1853, in Block 56, and has been identified with that community throughout his life. He is a descendant of an old and honored Bavarian family and his grandfather was born and died in that country. His father, Valentine Schranck, passed away in 1864. He was a native of Bavaria but left his native land in 1848 and came to the United States, locating in Milwaukee. He soon became one of the repre- sentative citizens of the community and in addition to being a member of the council for a number of years, held other public offices in Milwaukee. Mrs. Schranck was born in Hessia, Germany, and came to this country in childhood. She settled in Milwaukee and there met her future husband to whom she was married in 1852. Mrs. Schranck passed away in 1904.

Henry Charles Schranck is indebted to the St. Mary's parochial school in Mil- waukee for his education until he was twelve years of age, when he entered the old German-English Academy from which institution he was graduated in 1868. Upon putting his textbooks aside he went into the drug business as clerk for William Rit- meier and for four years continued in that connection. He then went to New York and entered Columbia University, where he specialized in chemistry and graduated in 1876. Subsequently he returned to Milwaukee and with Francis Ladwig established a drug business, conducting it under the name of Ladwig & Schranck. This partnership continued until 1907, when Mr. Schranck bought out his partner and incorporated as the H. C. Schranck Company, of which he has been president ever since. Three of his sons are also in the organization. The company manufactures all kinds of flavors for soda water bottlers and ice cream and candy manufacturers and its trade is an ex- tensive one, extending from the Ohio river to the Pacific Coast and from the Great Lakes to the Gulf. It maintains agencies in Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, Winnipeg and Montreal. Upon the incorporation of the company the capital stock amounted to twenty-five thousand dollars and it has since increased to one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and is readily conceded to be one of the largest coucerns of its kind in the United States.

Mr. Schranck has been twice married. His first marriage occurred on the 22d of Way, 1877, to Bertha Fernekes, a daughter of Charles Fernekes, a well known con- fectioner of Valparaiso, Indiana. Mr. Fernekes was born in the same Bavarian com- munity as Valentine Schranck, the father of Henry Charles Schranck, and as a young man came to this country and located in Indiana. Mrs. Schranck passed away in 1913. On the 22d of September, 1915. Mr. Schranck was married to Elise Wohlgemuth of Des Moines, lowa, a daughter of Richard Wohlgemuth of that place. To the first union three sons were born: Valentine E., Henry C., Jr., and Walter. The eldest son is treasurer of the H. C. Schranek Company and has charge of the laboratory. He is un- married; Henry C. has charge of the bakery and confectionery end of the business. He married Lillian Esser of Milwaukee, a daughter of Hernian Esser and they have a daughter, Elizabeth. Henry C. Schranck, Jr., subordinated all personal interests during the World war and served as first lieutenant in the medical department. He is one of the directors of the company, also, as is his younger brother Walter who is salesmanager. All three sons attended the University of Wisconsin, from which in- stitution they graduated and each specialized in chemistry.

Since attaining his majority Mr. Schranck has been a stanch supporter of the democratic party, in the interests of which he has always taken an active and prom- inent part. He proved his popularity as alderman, serving the first ward in that capacity for a period covering ten years and while a member of the council he was chairman of the finance committee. For several years he was also active as treasurer of the democratic county committee. The family are communicants of the Catholic church, being members of St. Mary's parish. Along purely social lines Mr. Schranck is a member of the Wisconsin and Milwaukee Athletic Clubs and along the line of his business was a member of the State Board of Pharmacy of Wisconsin, which organiza- tion he served as president for thirteen years. In the musical circles of Milwaukee Mr. Schranck has always been an outstanding figure and he was one of the executive

HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE

officers in the National Saengerfest of 1886 and also of all saengerfests since that time. For five years he was president of the Musical Society of Milwaukee and for twenty years treasurer of that organization. He also finds recreation in good literature, being an inveterate reader and his home at 781 Marshall street contains one of the finest private libraries in the city. An energetic business man, Mr. Schranck's success in life has been on a parity with his well directed endeavors and under his able management as chief executive the H. C. Schranck Company. Incorporated, has become one of broad scope and importance, while the high reputation of the company constitutes its best business asset.

JOHN POPPENDIECK, JR.

John Poppendieck, Jr., business manager and managing editor of the Milwaukee Sentinel, was born in Newark, New Jersey. September 23, 1872, and is a son of John and Anna (Stade) Poppendieck. The father was a native of Germany and the mother of England. They came to America about 1870, settling in New Jersey. The father was a cabinetmaker by trade and followed that pursuit through much of his life. In 1876 he came west with his family, settling in Milwaukee, where they have since lived. Here John Poppendieck, Sr., died in 1911. His widow makes her home in this city.

In the acquirement of his education John Poppendieck. Jr., who was but four years of age when brought to Milwaukee, pursued his education in the graded schools of the city and in the high school. He started out in the business world as a carrier on the Sentinel and has been connected with the paper in various capacities continu- ously, except for two years, since 1888. Steadily he has worked his way upward. be- coming reporter, city editor, managing editor and for the past twelve years has been business manager and managing editor. Throughout his business career he has been identified with the Sentinel and as a newspaper man is known throughout the country,

Mr. Poppendieck is a member of the Press Club, also of the Milwaukee Athletic Club and the Rotary Club. Practically his entire life has been passed in this city.

PERCY BRAMAN.

Percy Braman, deputy commissioner of public works in Milwaukee, was born in Oswego, New York, September 18, 1861, and is a son of Joseph and Sarah ( VanPatton) Braman, both of whom were natives of the Empire state. The father was well known as a captain on the lakes and came to Milwaukee in 1865. Here he engaged in business of loading and unloading lake vessels and was also harbor master in the early '90s. Botb he and his wife have passed away.

Percy Braman was educated in the public schools of Milwaukee and started out in the business world as a press feeder in the office of the Milwaukee News. After being employed there for a short time, he went to the woods of northern Michigan and put in two years as jack of all trades. He later began railroading as a fireman and brakeman on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, later serving as conductor on the Milwaukee & Northern Railroad. In fact many duties and activities claimed the atten- tion of Mr. Braman in his younger years and each change that he made seemed to offer him better advantages. It was his desire to gain a start and his diligence and industry secured for him positions of greater and greater responsibility as the years passed. At length his industry and economy had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to engage in business on his own account. In 1886 he left railroading to become superin- tendent of fuel yards, and in 1900 went in business for himself, and he is still connected with the business, which, however, at the present time is being conducted by his son, Percy VanPatton, under the firm name of the Braman Coal Company. They have four offices and yards at Eighth avenue and Montana street. By earnest effort, careful management and indefatigable energy Percy Braman was instrumental in developing his business to one of substantial proportions, making it a profitable concern and prov- ing that while success cannot be had for the asking, fortune reveals her rewards for earnest labor, intelligently directed.

Mr. Braman has also been quite active in public affairs. In 1912 he was elected alderman of the seventeenth ward on the non-partisan ticket. He continued to act in that capacity until December, 1913, during which time he was a member of the finance committee and chairman of the streets and alleys committee. On the above date he resigned to accept the office of deputy commissioner of public works, in which position he has given excellent satisfaction for a period of eight years, and he is now the incumbent. In 1916 Mr. Braman was nominated for mayor on the non-partisan ticket and defeated by the closest margin in one of the most spectacular campaigns in city history. During the World war period he was a member of Group 25 of the city and

PERCY BRAMAN

Vol. 111-5

HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE

received a part of all of the funds of all the drives, doing his work for the government that he might aid in support of American interests and particularly in safeguarding the soldiers. He was active in much of the work that attended the starting of the troops from this section and also in welcoming them home upon their return. What- ever he could do for the benefit of his country he did cheerfully and willingly and the same public spirit is manifest in his relations to all matters of municipal concern.

In 1883 Mr. Braman was married to Miss Albena H. Luke, who died in 1894, leaving three children: Mrs. Cora Kemp; Percy V .; and Vinnie May, now the wife of Major Jacob Rudolph, who is a major of the Aviation Corps of the United States army, stationed at Riverside, California. In 1895 Mr. Braman was again married, his second union heing with Ella E. Dressel of Milwaukee. Mr. Braman is well known in club and fraternal circles. He belongs to the Milwaukee Athletic Club, the City Club and is an honorary member of the Milwaukee Yacht Club and the South Shore Yacht Club. He likewise belongs to the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the thirty- second degree of the Scottish Rite and has filled nearly all of the offices in the different Masonic bodies, being also a past potentate of Tripoli Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is a Knight ot Pythias and is a loyal. follower of the teachings and purposes of the fraternal organizations with which he is connected. He has a wide acquaintance in Milwaukee and the sterling worth of his character has translated acquaintanceship into friendship in almost every case,

HENRY EVERETT JUDD.

Henry Everett Judd, whose advancement in the business world is the direct out- come of persistent effort intelligently directed, is now the president of the Matthews Brothers Manufacturing Company of Milwaukee. He is a native son of New England, his birth having occurred in Waterbury, Connecticut, November 4, 1881. His father, Edson A. Judd, who died in the year 1917, was born in Watertown, Connecticut, and there followed merchandising. He was a son of Amos Judd, also a native of Water- town and the ancestry of the family dates back in New England to the year 1634. The mother of Henry Everett Judd bore the maiden name of Katherine Everett and she, too, was born in Watertown, Connecticut. Her death occurred in 1919. She was a daughter of E. B. Everett of Watertown and her people were among the first settlers of that place, so that Henry E. Judd is a representative of two of the oldest and best known families of the Charter Oak state.

Reared in Waterbury, Connecticut, Henry E. Judd attended the public schools until graduated from the high school with the class of 1898. Not content with the educational advantages he had thus far enjoyed he later became a student in the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute at Troy, New York, where he completed a course in civil engineering, being graduated with the C. E. degree in 1902. He at once put his theoretical knowledge to the practical test, going to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where as an engineer he entered the employ of the W. G. Wilkins Company, doing work in West Virginia for a year. He next went to Sykesville, Pennsylvania, as engineer in charge of a coal and coke plant, the operation of which he directed for two years. He was next made assistant superintendent of the plant and still later went to New York, where he became associated with C. P. Perin, as consulting engineer. He represented Mr. Perin in Virginia in the development of large coal properties there, spending three years in that state. He afterward went to India for Mr. Perin as a mining engineer and had charge of development work in connection with iron and coal mines for the Tata Iron & Steel Company at Bombay, India, for two years. Following his return to the United States he did various johs for Mr. Perin for a period of two years and then re- turned to India, where he again had charge of his old job for another two-year period. Once more he came to America and did work in various parts of the United States for Mr. Perin for two years. In 1917 he made a third voyage to India and became general manager of the Tata Company and carefully directed the business of that corporation for two years. In January, 1919, he came to Milwaukee and entered into active and financial relations with the Matthews Brothers Manufacturing Company as president. This company manufactures fine interior woodwork and its output goes to all parts of the United States, while some exports of the product have been made. The company has recently purchased a modern plant on the Port Washington road, which will con- stitute one of the best equipped cabinet shops in the country used for high-grade work. Mr. Judd is a man of marked energy, who quickly recognizes the possibilities of a situation and throughout his life he has made wise use of his time, talents and oppor- tunity. Step by step, therefore, he has advanced and his success should serve to inspire and encourage others, showing what can be accomplished through individual efforts.

On the 7th of August, 1917, Mr. Judd was married to Miss Jeannette Abbott of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a daughter of William L. Abbott, who was with the Carnegie Steel Company as an official. Mr. Abbott was born in Ohio and came of New England

HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE

ancestry, one of his direct ancestors being numbered among the founders of Yale University. To Mr. and Mrs. Judd has been born one child, Pierrepont Abbott Judd, whose birth occurred April 8, 1920. Mr. Judd possesses literary taste and ability and is the author of a number of most interesting articles on engineering topics, which have been published in the press of today. His religious faith is that of the Episcopal cburch. He belongs to the Chi Phi and the Sigma Xi fraternities. He also has mem- bership in the Milwaukee Club, in the University Club of New York, in the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, in the Association of Commerce and in the Fox Point Club. These connections indicate the nature and breadth of his interests and activities outside of business. It is a pleasure to meet a man of such resourcefulness and capability as Mr. Judd possesses. He has always been ready for any emergency and for any opportunity and has labored effectively and earnestly not only in the up- building of his own fortunes hut in the advancement of interests and projects which have had to do with the public welfare and with general progress and improvement.

REV. MARK PAKIZ.

Rev. Mark Pakiz, a representative of the Catholic priesthood in Milwaukee, being now in charge of the church of St. Mary's Help of Christians, was born in 1859, in Sodrazica, Jugoslavija, and after thorough preparatory training was ordained to the priesthood at Ljubljana in Jugoslavija, in 1885. He came to America in 1892, going first to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he was assistant priest at St. Francis church for a period of seven months. In 1893 he went to Calumet, Michigan, becoming connected with the Marquette diocese and continued his labors therewith for eleven years.

Subsequently Rev. Father Pakiz was confined to the hospital through illness for a period of sixteen months. He afterward went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he remained for three years and in 1908 he came to West Allis, where he took charge as pastor of St. Mary's Help of Christians Catholic church. He also has charge of the church of St. John's Evangelist at Fourth avenue and Mineral street, the congregation having pur- chased the church edifice there from the Jews. There are about six hundred families in the parish. The church was organized under the leadership of Rev. John Smolej and the Catholics of the community began to solicit funds and located the site for their new place of worship on Fifty-second and Sherman avenues. On the 6th of March, 1908, the corner stone was laid and on the 27th of May, 1908, the church was dedicated by the Most Rev. Archbishop Messmer of Milwaukee. A parsonage also was built and under the leadership of the Rev. Mark Pakiz the work of the parish has been very successful.

GEORGE STROH.

George Stroh, of the Stroh Die Moulded Casting Company, with offices on the seventh floor of the Stroh building on Michigan street in Milwaukee, comes to the middle west from the Empire state, his birth having occurred at Jordan, New York, June 17, 1864. His father, George Strob, who was born in Markubel, Kurhessen, Ger- many, came to the United States when a lad of fifteen years and settled in Syracuse, New York. He was then an orphan and whatever success he achieved in life was attributable entirely to his own efforts and his strength of character. He married Sophia Kaiser, who was born in Elsberg, Nassau, Germany, and came to the United States when about seventeen years of age. They were married in Syracuse in 1863 and both have now passed away. Mrs. Stroh departing this life in 1900, while the death of Mr. Stroh occurred in 1905.

At the usual age George Stroh became a pupil in the public schools of his native city and there mastered the work of the grades and of the high school. He afterward became a machinist's apprentice and learned his trade in Jordan, serving a term of three years. For ten years thereafter he was with the Straight Line Engine Company of Syracuse and won steady advancement while with that corporation until he had attained the responsible position of superintendent. He afterward resigned to accept the superintendency with the H. H. Franklin Company of Syracuse, with whom he continued for four years. He then turned his attention to the die casting business in Syracuse on his own account, there remaining for a year, after which he removed to Milwaukee in 1904 and here established the plant which he had brought with him from the east. He carried on the business independently for some time, having his plant in the Johnson Service building for six years. He then erected the Stroh build- ing, in which he is now located. The company manufactures white metal castings used by automobile manufacturers and telephone manufacturers and also produces talking machine novelties. They have a market that extends all over the United

GEORGE STROH

HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE

States and they also enjoy an export trade of considerable proportions. The business has been steadily developed under the care and direction of Mr. Stroh, whose labors have been an effective force in winning patronage for the house, while the excellence of their output has insured a continuance of the trade.

Mr. Stroh has been married twice. On the 31st of May, 1888, he wedded Estella Harrington of Elbridge, New York, who died in 1918, leaving three children: Jessie, now the wife of Alfred Meier of Milwaukee; Pauline, the wife of Nathan Wood of Milwaukee and the mother of two children, Jane and John Wood; and Donald, who is now a student in the State Normal School. Mr. Stroh was married again October 20, 1919, his second union being with Mrs. Nellie Merritt of Battle Creek, Michigan, a daughter of Henry Van Vranken of Union City, Michigan.

Mr. Stroh has never taken an active part in politics but always votes with the republican party. He attends the Tabernacle Baptist church and he belongs to the Milwaukee Athletic Club, the Milwaukee Yacht Club, the City Club and the Association of Commerce. He is a lover of music and he finds recreation in fishing, skating, swimming and motoring. He maintains a summer home at Oconomowoc Lake, where lie has a beautiful residence and spacious grounds. His progressive spirit is further evidenced in the substantial business block which he erected in 1910-a structure one hundred by one hundred and twenty feet and eight stories in height. It is of reinforced concrete and has as fine a class of tenants as can be found in any building in the city. The structure is thoroughly modern in every respect, is the best lighted building of its character in the city and is equipped with the latest conveniences. Mr. Stroh's workmen carry on their duties under ideal conditions in this building and the progressive policy followed by the founder leaves no doubt as to results attained.

SIMEON HERDEGEN.

Simeon Herdegen is prominent in the insurance circles of Milwaukee as manager of the Phoenix Insurance Company of Hartford, Connecticut. Step by step he has ad- vanced along the line of broadening opportunities and greater usefulness and Mil- waukee is proud to number him among her citizens. Mr. Herdegen was born in Rising Sun, Indiana, on the 5th of November, 1862, his parents being Adam and Barbara (Kress) Herdegen. His father passed away in 1876 after a long life of usefulness and successful attainments. He was born in Bavaria and when about twenty-one years of age he came to this country and followed his trade as baker. During the Civil war he was active in supplying the troops with food, those stationed along the Ohio river in particular. and at the close of hostilities engaged in the conduct of a flour mili and general store in Aurora, Indiana, for years. He also carried on a general insurance business as a side line. Mrs. Herdegen was likewise born in Germany, being brought to the United States at an early day. Her parents located in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, and there she was reared and educated.

Simeon Herdegen is indebted to the public schools of Aurora, Indiana, for his education and he was so engaged until the death of his father necessitated his advent into the commercial world. He assumed his father's insurance business and until 1882 maintained that agency, at that time becoming associated with the Phoenix Insur- ance Company of Hartford. Connecticut, with headquarters in Cincinnati. Six months later saw his transfer to the loss department of the company and in 1888 he was sent to Topeka, Kansas, as special agent. For one and one-half years he was active in that capacity and was then sent to Kansas City, where he remained for a like number of years. in addition to being special agent having entire charge of the local agency. His enterprise and ability led to constant promotion and in the spring of 1891 he was sent to Milwaukee as special agent for the state of Wisconsin. Subsequently, in 1917, he became manager, a position he still maintains, and he is likewise identified in that connection with the Equitable Fire & Marine Insurance Company of Rhode Island and the Connecticut Fire Insurance Company of Hartford. The success attained by Mr. Herdegen is the result of close application, thoroughness and intelligence and he is deserving of his creditable position in business circles.

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History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume III, Part 7

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