USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume III > Part 73
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H. AUGUST LUEDKE.
It is a wonderful record when a man occupies a position of power and responsibility for long years, his reputation unclouded and his capability widely recognized. Such was the career of H. August Luedke, who for forty-five years was closely identified with the growth and progress of the John Pritzlaff Hardware Company, of which he became vice president and general manager. Other business activities too claimed his attention and profited by his cooperation and sound judgment. He won a substantial measure of success but the attainment of prosperity was never the sole end and aim of his life, for he ever recognized his duties and obligations in other directions and stood with those men who uphold and promote civic righteousness and civic progress.
Mr. Luedke was born in Zimders, Prussia, May 24, 1850, and his life span covers the intervening years to the 26th of September, 1917. His parents were August and Caroline Luedke, who came to the United States with their family in 1861, making their way direct to Milwaukee.
H. August Luedke acquired his education in the public schools of this city and in the Spencerian Business College and after a brief experience in other lines became identified with the H. F. Dunn Wholesale Millinery Company, being thus engaged to the age of twenty-two years, when he became associated with the John Pritzlaff Hardware Company. From that time forward he was a contributing factor to the continued growth and success of the business and through almost a half century his lahors were a valuable asset in the profitable conduct of the enterprise. His other business connections too were numerous, for his counsel and advice were considered most valuable and his co- operation was eagerly sought by many firms. He became the vice president of the Con- cordia Fire Insurance Company and also of the National Hardware Association. He was likewise a director of the First National Bank and of the Milwaukee Gas Light Company. His name was also on the directorate of the National Enameling & Stamping Company, and there were still other business enterprises with which he was associated. He was regarded as a wise and conservative counselor in business affairs, readily recognized and utilized opportunities, and at all times manifested not only justice but kindliness and helpfulness toward employes.
On the 11th of June, 1873, Mr. Luedke was united in marriage to Miss Emma Pritzlaff, a daughter of John and Sophia ( Blume) Pritzlaff, hoth of whom were natives of Germany, the former born at Triglaff and the latter in Roxburg, Saxony. Her father arrived in New York in 1839 and in Milwaukee in IS41. In the former year Mrs. Pritzlaff reached Milwaukee, and they were married in this city in 1844. The father died in 1900 after long years of residence in this city, where he was most highly honored. Mr. and Mrs. Luedke became the parents of three sons and three daughters: Walter J., who died at the age of thirty-six years; Fred F., with the John Pritzlaff Company. August J .; Helen, the widow of Gustave Wollaeger; Amalie, the wife of William P. John, a resident of Milwaukee; and Sophie, the wife of Irving Ott of this city.
Mr. Luedke was widely known and honored by reason of his public spirit and his devotion to the general welfare. He served as one of the trustees of the Milwaukee-
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II. AUGUST LUEDKE
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Downer College and was one of the founders of the Lutheran Altenheim, to which he made generous contribution of time and money, regarding it as a most worthy charity. Important and extensive as were his business interests, he never allowed commercial or financial affairs to so monopolize his time as to preclude his active participation in the broader lines of civic, religious and philanthropic work.
In a memorial prepared by his business associates of the Pritzlaff Company it was said: "His life presents to this community a fine portrayal of the best type of Christian citizenship. His former associates on the board of directors of the company desire to place on record their appreciation of the valuable service rendered to the company by Mr. Luedke while a member of the board and of the clarity of judgment, probity and fidelity to duty which were his distinguishing characteristics. Combined with these were a modesty, tolerance, friendliness and geniality that won the esteem and affection of all who knew him."
With his arrival in Milwaukee and his acquisition of the rights of American citizen- ship Mr. Luedke joined the ranks of the republican party, of which he was a stalwart follower to the time of his death, yet he never aspired to office. However, he was elected a delegate to the republican national convention held in 1900, at which time William Mckinley and Theodore Roosevelt were nominated for the presidency and the vice presidency respectively. While a man of most benevolent spirit, Mr. Luedke always pre- ferred that his charity should be of a quiet and unostentatious character, his gifts being given without publicity. He found his greatest pleasure in his own home with his wife, children and grandchildren ahout him, yet he was at all times a welcome visitor at the clubs in which he held membership. He was a regular attendant at the services of the Trinity Lutheran church, which numbered him among its most highly esteemed and valued members. He served as church trustee for many years, continuing in the office to the time of his demise, and he was ever recognized as a most true Christian gentle- man. He belonged to the Deutscher Club and the Milwaukee Athletic Club, also to the Old Settlers Club, and in all these organizations the number of his friends almost equalled the number of his acquaintances. A life of intense activity and usefulness was closed when at the age of sixty-seven years he was called to his final rest. There were many phases of his career which should stimulate the young man who is starting out in life empty-handed, yet possesses ambition, courage and determination, for these qualities were among the marked characteristics of Mr. Luedke and brought him into prominence in commercial circles. His life, too, is a splendid example to those who feel that each individual owes something to his community, to the commonwealth and to the country in the matter of maintaining high civic ideals and promoting advanced standards of citizenship. But most of all his life has inspirational value inasmuch as it stands in contradistinction to a too widely accepted belief that the attainment of success is incompatible with the maintenance of an honored name. His record ever proves that integrity and justice can go hand in hand with energy, industry and ambition in the acquirement of prosperity.
WILLIAM F. WEINGART, M. D.
Dr. William F. Weingart, a Milwaukee physician and surgeon with offices at No. 575 Twelfth street, has practiced medicine here for the past nine years and has gained an enviable reputation as one of the skilled representatives of the profession in the city. He was born on the 30th of April, 1873, in Germany, in which country his parents spent their entire lives, the father following the occupation of farming.
William F. Weingart obtained his education in the schools of his native country and, according to the custom, spent two years in the German army after attaining his majority. Subsequently he assisted his father in the cultivation of the home farm for four years, on the expiration of which period, having decided to try his fortune in the new world, he crossed the Atlantic to America in 1901 and at once made his way to Milwaukee. Here he attended night school in order to acquaint himself with the English language. Realizing the value of educational training in the battle of life, he entered Valparaiso University of Indiana in 1905 and two years later received the degree of Bachelor of Science from that institution, in which he then spent a year as a medical student. During the remaining three years of his profes- sional course he pursued his studies in the Chicago College of Medicine and Surgery, which conferred upon him the degree of M. D. upon graduation with the class of 1911. While a student in Valparaiso University he worked during his spare time in order to defray the expenses of his college course, thus displaying the elemental strength of his character and the spirit of determination which has brought him to the goal of his ambition.
After completing his medical course Dr. Weingart spent one year as interne in the hospital of the House of Correction in Chicago and afterward acted for a similar period as assistant to Dr. Charles M. Lineham of Dubuque, lowa. In 1913, however,
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he returned to Milwaukee, where he has since been continuously engaged in the gen- eral practice of medicine and surgery, occupying the same offices during the entire period. Each case that comes before him receives his earnest attention and his practice has steadily grown in volume and importance as he has demonstrated his skill in checking the ravages of disease and restoring health. His professional connec- tions are with the Milwaukee County Medical Society, the Wisconsin State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.
On the 12th of July, 1921, Dr. Weingart was united in marriage to Miss Frieda Witschonke, who is also a native of Germany and who came to the United States with her parents in 1910.
During the World war Dr. Weingart was stationed at the Medical Officers Training Camp at Fort Riley, Kansas, for two months, while subsequently he spent six months as a surgeon of the United States Army at Camp Logan, Texas, and for another period of six months served at the base hospital at Fort Sam Houston, his commission being that of lieutenant. Later he was stationed for nearly a year on the Mexican border at El Paso, Texas, so that his service with the United States Army covered two years altogether. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias, while his religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. Outdoor sports such as tennis, baseball, boating and swimming afford him needed recreation as well as pleasure. During the period of his residence in Milwaukee he has gained an extensive circle of friends who esteem him highly for the many sterling traits of his character as well as for his pronounced professional ability. Coming to the new world in early manhood, he here found the opportunities which he sought and through their wise utilization has won a place of prominence in the ranks of the medical fraternity of this city.
RICHARD HENRY EGGERT.
Alert, energetic and determined, Richard Henry Eggert has made for himself a creditable position in mercantile circles in Milwaukee, where the family name has figured conspicuously in connection with the furniture business for almost a half century. Richard H. Eggert was here born on the 17th of December, 1891, his parents being Henry and Anna (Buening) Eggert. At the usual age he began his education, attending the parochial schools of the Lutheran church and also the public schools of the city, while later he received commercial training in the Hoffman Business College and thus qualified for life's practical and responsible duties. He was a youth of fourteen years when he started out in the business world by entering the employ of the firm of E. Eggert & Sons, a business then owned and conducted by his father and his uncle, Herman Eggert. Under their direction he acquainted himself with the various phases of the trade, mastered the work in every department and learned much concerning the value of furniture and its standard makes and patterns. He had been with the house for seven years, constantly broadening his experience, when he and his brother, Alfred H., took over the business hy purchase and have since heen the proprietors. They conduct a large store at Nos. 740 to 744 Winnebago street and the large and attractive line of goods which they carry, combined with their reasonable prices and honorable dealing, insures them a continuance of the trade.
In 1916 Mr. Eggert was united in marriage to Miss Florence Schoen, a daughter of Chris Schoen. They are well known socially in Milwaukee, where they have many friends and the hospitality of the best homes is freely accorded them. Mr. Eggert is interested in the welfare and progress of the city to the extent of giving hearty cooperation to all plans and measures for the general good, while at the same time he in no way neglects his business, which is wisely and profitably conducted under the care of the two brothers.
WALTER SCHROEDER.
As president and general manager of Chris. Schroeder & Son Company, Walter Schroeder is a prominent factor in real estate, insurance and financial circles of Mil- waukee and occupies a leading position in the hotel world, being the president and gen- eral manager of the Wisconsin and Astor Hotels, both leading hostelries of his city. Milwaukee is proud to number him among her native sons, his birth having here occurred on the 19th of May, 1878. his parents being Christian and Amalia Schroeder, of whom more extended mention is made on another page of this work. The public schools of this city afforded him his educational opportunities and his initial venture in the business world was made as publisher of the Milwaukee Daily Abstract, which after a few years he sold to the Daily Reporter Publishing Company in order that he might join his father in the insurance and real estate business. Christian Schroeder had previously
WALTER SCHROEDER
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been associated with his two sons, William and Edward, but when the former son died, Edward Schroeder decided to embark in the real estate and insurance business on his own account and it was in 1900 that Walter Schroeder became associated with his father under the firm style of Chris. Schroeder & Son Company, of which he is now the president and general manager, the father having departed this life in 1915. The firm is the largest of its kind in Wisconsin, its operations extending all over the state, and the business has been built up entirely through the efforts and enterprise of Mr. Schroeder of this review, for it was a comparatively small concern when he became identified therewith. In addition to his extensive real estate and insurance interests he is the president and general manager of the Hotel Wisconsin and Hotel Astor of Mil- waukee as well as of the Hotel Retlaw at Fond du Lac, all popular hostelries of this part of the country. His business career has been remarkably successful and, actuated by his vision and faith in his native city, his activities have been a potent element in Milwaukee's progress and contributed substantially to the upbuilding of his personal fortune.
In club circles Mr. Schroeder is also well known and popular, belonging to the Wisconsin, Milwaukee Athletic. Milwaukee Yacht, Ozaukee Country and Tripoli Country Clubs. Fraternally he is identified with the Elks and the Masons, having attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in the latter order and being also a member of Tripoli Shrine. His name is likewise on the membership roll of Grace Lutheran church and that his career has been upright and honorable in every relation is indicated in the high regard and esteem entertained for him in the city in which his entire life has been spent. He is a man of splendid physique, attractive and forceful personality and has become widely recognized as one of the representative and successful business men of Milwaukee. Mr. Schroeder is unmarried and makes his home with his mother and sisters.
LAWRENCE FITCH.
Lawrence Fitch, president of the Western Malleable Company and vice president of the Globe Seamless Tubes Company of Milwaukee, is a man of marked business capability, of strong character, decisive in action, upright in principle and unfaltering in support of any cause which he espouses. Milwaukee proudly claims him as a native son. He was born October 11, 1874, his parents being William G. and Martha E, (Curtis) Fitch, who were natives of New Jersey and New York respectively. They came to Milwaukee in the '50s and the father was vice president of the National Exchange Bank for a number of years. He was also one of the founders of the Milwaukee Club and figured prominently in both financial and social circles. He passed away in 1890 and is still survived by his wife, who now resides in Hollywood, California.
Lawrence Fitch was educated at the Hill School of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated in 1894, and then entered Yale University, where he completed a scientific course by graduation with the class of 1898. The following year he became associated with the Railroad Supply Company of Chicago as a salesman and remained there until 1905, when he became identified with the Beaver Dam Malleable Iron Com- pany as vice president. His association with that corporation continued until 1911. In the previous year, however, he formed the Globe Seamless Tubes Company, of which he is the vice president and secretary and which has its plant in Milwaukee. He is now directing the operations of this business, which has become one of substantial proportions under his capable management and control. He is also a director of the National Exchange Bank, is president of the Independent Harvester Company of Plano, Illinois, and has other investments which indicate the soundness of his business judg- ment, his keen sagacity and his progressiveness and enterprise.
On the 1st of June, 1899, Mr. Fitch was united in marriage to Miss Harriet M. Earling, of Chicago, a daughter of A. J. Earling, then president of the Chicago, Mil- waukee & St. Paul Railroad. The children of this marriage are: Margaret Martha, born June 5, 1902; and John Earling, horn November 30, 1908.
During the war period Mr. Fitch was a member of the American Protective League and was untiring in his efforts to advance the interests of the government in holding the home lines that constituted the support of that American firing line which turned the tide of battle and started the retreat from Chateau Thierry to Berlin. In October, 1920, Mr. Fitch, accompanied by his wife, made a trip to France, where he presented a memorial tablet from a group of citizens of Milwaukee to the city of Strasbourg, commemorating the birthplace of Rouget De Lisle, author of the Marseillaise, the great national hymn. This was presented on the 21st of November, 1920, upon which date the French government bestowed upon Mr. Fitch the cross of the Legion of Honor, which was pinned upon his breast by Marshal Foch, who hereupon saluted him with the customary kiss on both cheeks. The idea of presenting a tablet to Strasbourg to commemorate the writing of the Marseillaise, was conceived early in Vol. 111-41
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1919, at which time a committee of prominent citizens was named to collect funds. Daniel Chester French, eminent American sculptor, designed the tablet and the in- scription was written by Charles W. Eliot, president emeritus of Harvard. The pre- sentation was made a gala occasion, at which time France was represented by Marshal Foch and Generals Weygand and Gouraud, while Strasbourg's representatives were Mayor Peirct and Commissioner Alaetite. Throngs of Alsatians in native costume filled the city during the day, and before a distinguished assemblage in the salon where the tri- color and the stars and stripes featured prominently amid the glittering decorations on the uniforms of many famous French military leaders, Mr. Fitch presented the tablet.
Honors also came to Mrs. Fitch during their recent visit to France in recognition of her work for the fatherless children of France, she, too, heing decorated by the French government with a gold medal of the Reconnaissance Francaise, which was presented by Marshal Joffe, who also saluted her on each cheek. On their mission abroad Mr. and Mrs. Fitch were guests of the minister of Liberated Regions. who fur- nished a guide and automobiles, taking them through the devastated region, which was one of the most interesting features of their visit.
In the social circles of Milwaukee, Mr. and Mrs. Fitch figure prominently and he is identified with most of the leading clubs, having membership in the Milwaukee, University, Country and Town Clubs of Milwaukee, the Oconomowoc Lake Club, the Oconomowoc Country Club, the Chicago Club, also the University Club of Chicago, the University Club of New York and the Yale Club of New York. Mr. Fitch has always stood for the highest ideals in American citizenship and his cooperation can at all times be counted upon to further any plan or measure for the benefit of com- munity, commonwealth or country. In business circles he is forceful and resourceful and has advanced as the result of his individual powers and the improvement of his opportunities. Yet commercial activity is to him only one phase of life and he rejoices in his success by reason of the fact that it gives him the chance of providing liberally for his family and doing his part in the world's work, a part that has always con- tributed to progress and improvement.
RT. REV. MSGR. BERNARD G. TRAUDT.
Rt. Rev. Msgr. Bernard G. Traudt, chancellor of the archdiocese of Milwaukee, spent his youthful days at St. Mary's parish of this city. He was born in Milwaukee, August 20, 1876, a son of John Traudt, who at one time was a well known merchant of Mil- waukee and was also prominently identified with the benevolent societies of the parish and contributed much to their service and efficiency. The Rt. Rev. Trandt acquired a common school education at St. Mary's and was there under the spiritual influence and guidance of Father Thill. Subsequently his parents removed to SS. Peter and Paul's parish and there he learned to know Vicar General Batz as his priest and spiritual leader. When his work in the parish school was finished he matriculated in St. Francis Seminary, where he received his preparatory and theological training, and, thus qualified for holy orders, he was ordained to the priesthood on the 29th of June, 1899. His first assignment was to the position of assistant priest in a local parish, where he labored for a few years, after which he was chosen secretary to Archbishop Katzer and subse- quently filled the same position under Archbishop Messmer. His lahors were so accept- able in this position that in December. 1908. he was made chancellor of the archdiocese. During the absence of his grace, Archbishop Messmer, he has served repeatedly as ad- ministrator of the archdiocese. With the growth of the archdiocese the position of chancellor has constantly assumed greater scope and importance and Msgr. Traudt has proven adequate to the duties imposed upon him in every particular. He possesses a high order of executive ability, and his labors have been so wisely, intelligently and resultantly directed that the archdiocese has greatly profited thereby. It has been said of him that he is always thoughtful and judicious, always even tempered and genial, and that few representatives of the church have found such popularity with the clergy and with the public at large. Moreover, he has received recognition from the pope at Rome, having been made a domestic prelate of the papal household with the title of Monsignor.
JOHN MARTIN McCOY.
Inseparably interwoven into the history of Milwaukee is the record of John Martin McCoy, who for many years was a most potent factor in business circles and who at the same time contributed in notable measure to civic progress and to the advancement of high ideals in connection with the community. Many tangible evi-
RT. REV. MSGR. BERNARD G. TRAUDT
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dences of his public spirit are cited and when he passed away Milwaukee recognized the fact that she had lost one of her most valued citizens. Mr. McCoy was born in Springfield, Hampden county, Massachusetts, on the 22d of June, 1855, and was a son of Martin and Mary ( Nolan) McCoy, who were natives of County Galway, Ireland, and representatives of old families of the Emerald isle, both speaking the original Gaelic language. It was about the year 1852 that they crossed the Atlantic and their marriage was celebrated in Holyoke, Massachusetts. They resided for several years in Springfield, Massachusetts, and then became residents of Boston, where Martin McCoy worked at the trade of shoemaker. During the early part of the Civil war he manufactured cavalry boots for Union soldiers. When he left Boston he took up his abode in the village of Abington, Plymouth county, where he resided until March 17, 1863, and then came to Wisconsin. He found employment at his trade in Milwaukee and for many years occupied a position with the firm of Bradley & Metcalf. He was always keenly interested in political affairs, though never an aspirant for office, and stanchiy advocated and supported the principles in which he believed. He died in Milwaukee, July 2, 1886, while his wife survived for several years, both passing away in the faith of the Catholic church. They were parents of a large family, number- ing three sons and five daughters.
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