USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume III > Part 75
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HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE
tunity offered him and learned every phase of the business. In 1907 he determined to go into the hotel business on his own account and in connection with his brother Burr bought the Old Terminal Hotel on Third street, renaming it The Randolph. The suc- cess of the venture seemed assured from the start and the business prospered and grew until in 1909 when the four brothers incorporated as the Randolph Brothers Hotel Company. The capital stock amounted to forty thousand dollars and the company took a fifteen year lease on Hotel Charlotte, at the same time retaining The Randolph. They still conduct hoth hotels. In 1915 they secured a lease of the property between the two hotels and opened the Randolph Gardens, which they operated until 1920 and which ground they still retain. The garden had a seating capacity of four hundred and the two hotels have one hundred and fifty rooms. The buildings are fireproof and the rooms are beautifully and tastefully appointed.
On the 16th of October, 1906, occurred the marriage of Wade H. Randolph and Miss Laura Maybelle Langenohl, a daughter of Fred Langenohl, a prominent shoe merchant of Galesville, Wisconsin, in which place her birth occurred. Two sons have been born to their union: Wade Hampton, Jr., attending the Riverside high school; and Frederic Thayer, a student in the Milwaukee public schools. Mrs. Randolph is a woman of culture and refinement and a business woman of ability. For three years she was bookkeeper for the Davis Milling Company.
Mr. Randolph gives his political allegiance to the republican party but has never taken an active part in its interests nor desired public preferment. The religious faith of the family is that of the Christian Science church, they attending the Second church in Milwaukee, Mr. Randolph is a member of the Masons, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Travelers Protective Association and as a leading business man takes a prominent and active interest in the Association of Commerce. He finds recreation in golf and in fishing and is interested to a great extent in chicken raising, having a model chicken house at his home. Both he and his wife love music and good literature. Their residence is at 1251 Second street.
HAROLD SANDS FALK.
Throughout his business career Harold Sands Falk has been identified with the Falk Corporation, of which he is now general superintendent. Through the steps of an orderly progression he has reached his present responsible position as directing head of one of the largest interests of this character in the world. He is a man of marked business ahility, of executive force, of notably keen discrimination and sound judgment and Milwaukee is proud to number him among her native sons. He was horn December 24, 1883, his parents being Louis Wahl and Fannie (Sands) Falk, the former a native of Milwaukee, while the latter was born in Chicago, her father being J. J. Sands, who at one time was engaged in the ale brewing business in Chicago, while later he turned his attention to land and mining interests in Michigan. He maintained a country home at Pine Lake, Hartland, Wisconsin, and retired from business when a com- paratively young man. He was very fond of fishing and outdoor sports and following his retirement had leisure to indulge his taste in those directions.
Harold S. Falk pursued his education in Milwaukee, attending the German-English Academy, now the University School, and also the East Division high school. He after- ward became a student in the University of Wisconsin at Madison and was graduated in 1906 on the completion of an engineering course. During his summer vacation he spent his time working in one of the departments of the Falk plant and following his graduation he entered the office of the company as assistant to Clarence Falk, who was then superintendent. Gradually he acquainted himself with every phase and detail of the business and his advancing efficiency has brought him to the position of superinten- dent of the foundry, while subsequently he was chosen general superintendent of the plant, which is one of the largest of the kind in the world. Mr. Falk has had thorough training in the business, having spent his life in connection with this enterprise since completing his education. He has paid strict attention to the affairs of the company, seeking no other business affiliations and is today master of every phase of the business, so that he most carefully and wisely directs the interests of the concern and the activities of the many employes now connected with it. He is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the American Institute of Electrical Engineers and the Amer- ican Society for Testing Materials.
On the 21st of April, 1908, Mr. Falk was married to Miss Eugenia Bechtner of Mil- waukee, a daughter of the late Paul Bechtner, a prominent political leader of Milwaukee. In the early days he was engaged in the vinegar and yeast business and he became closely associated with the material and political development of the city. He served as an alder- man, was comptroller of the city during Mayor Becker's regime and also had much to do with the county institutions in the early days, being one of the best known, most active and most prominent citizens of Milwaukee. Mr. and Mrs. Falk have become
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HAROLD S. FALK
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parents of four sons and a daughter: Harold Frank, Lonis Wahl, Richard Sands, Robert Paul and Mary Elizabeth. The family resides at No. 315 Cambridge avenue.
While occupying a most prominent position in business circles, Mr. Falk is also well known through social connections, having membership in the Chi Psi fraternity, in the Shooting Club, the Town Club of Milwaukee and in the University Club. He is always approachable and genial and his unfeigned cordiality has gained for him the friendship and warm regard of all with whom he has come into contact,
WILLIAM G. WEIDEMAN, M. D.
Dr. William G. Weideman, physician and surgeon, engaged in general practice at No. 308 North avenue in Milwaukee, was born in Bay City, Michigan, October 12, 1874, and is a son of Conrad W. and Elizabeth (Reenig) Weideman, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father came to the United States in 1862 and soon afterward joined the Union army for service in the Civil war, becoming a member of the Twenty- sixth Wisconsin Regiment. He entered the war from Milwaukee and was seriously wounded in the hattle of Gettysburg. After the close of hostilities he took up his abode in Bay City, Michigan, where his remaining days were passed, his death occurring in 1917. He had for several years survived his wife, who departed this life in 1912. They were married in Bay City and had a family of five sons, all of whom are yet living, two being residents of Milwaukee, including Dr. Weideman of this review and Dr. George C. Weideman, who is a practicing dentist. The other three brothers are owners of an important industrial enterprise of Detroit, conducted under the name of the Weideman Iron Company. Four of the sons are graduates of the University of Michigan, two having completed the course in the engineering department, one in the medical department and one in the dental department.
Dr. William G. Weideman acquired bis early education in the schools of Bay City and then took up the profession of teaching, which he followed in order to earn money to pay his way through college. He spent four years as a medical student in the University of Michigan and was there graduated with the M. D. degree as a member of the class of 1904. He afterward spent a year as interne in the University of Michi- gan and in 1906 took postgraduate work in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, the medical department of the University of Illinois. In 1911 he studied in Vienna and he has since specialized in surgery. He has practiced almost continuously in Mil- wankee since 1906 and during six years of this period he was on the teaching staff of Marquette University. During the World war he served as a volunteer on local boards. The major part of his time and energy in the last sixteen years has been de- voted to practice in Milwaukee and his ahility is pronounced by reason of his wide study and thoroughness. He belongs to the Milwaukee County Medical Society, the Wisconsin State Medical Society, the Tri-State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.
On the 22d of October, 1914, Dr. Weideman was married to Miss Adeline Heideman of Milwaukee, who was born in this city and is a representative of one of the old families here. Dr. and Mrs. Weideman have a daughter, Dorothy, who was born August 12, 1921. Dr. Weideman finds his recreation largely in hunting and outdoor sports. He is a Royal Arch Mason, is also connected with the Knights of Pythias and is a consistent member of the Methodist church, guiding his life according to its teachings. He has made his life work of great usefulness and value to his fellowmen. In the practice of his profession and in every relation of life he has exemplified the highest principles of manhood and chivalry.
STEPHEN GESELL,
Early recognizing the force and value of industry as a factor in the business world, Stephen Gesell has always cultivated that quality and by reason of his perseverance and determination has gained the presidency of the Campbell Laundry Company and won a substantial measure of success. He is a native of Dusseldorf, Germany, born February 6, 1872, his parents being Anton and Elizabeth (Seitz) Gesell, who were also of German birth. The father engaged in the brokerage business for a number of years in his native land and afterward turned his attention to hotel management. He passed away in the year 1885, while his wife survived until 1902. Of their sixteen children, Jacob, Paul and Stephen came to the United States.
The last named received his scholastic advantages in his native country but when fourteen years of age left school and under the direction of his brother-in-law learned the butcher's tradc. From early youth he manifested the keenest delight and interest in reading and after absorbing all the books on America which he could get hold of he
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was convinced that he must become a resident of the United States. He felt that the opportunities here offered were superior to those which could be secured in his native country and the year 1891 saw the fulfillment of his hopes, for in that year he crossed the Atlantic and made his way direct to Milwaukee.
Arriving at his destination, Mr. Gesell secured employment in the Thiele meat market on Third street and devoted the succeeding period of ten years to work at his trade. He believed that opportunity for advancement was offered in a position as driver for the Campbell Laundry Company and this he accepted. Gradually, through his industry and capability, he won promotion from time to time until at Mr. Camp- bell's death he was given entire charge of the business, for which his previous ex- perience and his trustworthiness well qualified him. In 1907 he purchased a half interest and in the following year the business had prospered to such an extent that he was enabled to purchase all of the stock, until he is now sole owner and the presi- dent of the company. He manages the business along the most progressive lines as a well equipped plant with the latest improved machinery to facilitate work of this character and he is determined that the public shall have the benefit of the best service in this field.
On the 29th of April, 1896, Mr. Gesell was married to Miss Augusta Steffen, a daughter of William and Augusta ( Brach) Steffen, of Waukesha. They are communi- cants of the German Catholic church and Mr. Gesell is identified with the Independent Order of Foresters and with the Laundrymen's Club. He manifests public-spirited de- votion to the general good and his aid and cooperation are never withheld from any plan or movement for the city's benefit along material, civic and public. lines. He votes with the republican party and is able to support his position by intelligent argument but has never been ambitious to hold office, preferring to concentrate his undivided time and attention upon his business affairs.
FRED C. FOWLER.
Fred C. Fowler, who for a quarter of a century figured in the business circles of Milwaukee in connection with the O'Neil Oil & Paint Company, was born in this city October 30, 1873, his parents being James M. and Anna (Cummings) Fowler, who were both of Revolutionary war ancestry. The grandfather in the paternal line was Samuel Fowler, a native of Springfield, Massachusetts, who removed westward about 1840 and settled at East Troy, Walworth county, Wisconsin.
Fred C. Fowler was reared on the old homestead and had the usual experiences of the farm bred boy to the time that he attained his majority. He acquired his early education in the common schools and eventually was graduated from the East Troy high school with the class of 1891. He then entered his uncle's general store, in which he was employed as a clerk for three years, and on the expiration of that period he returned to his native city, where he became identified with the O'Neil Oil & Paint Com- pany, continuing with the house for twenty-five years or until his death. He acted as cashier and as salesman through a period of several years and at length was elected to the vice presidency and made a member of the board of directors. The business is the largest of the kind in Milwaukee and Mr. Fowler contributed to this result through his close application, his faithful performance of every duty and his unfaltering energy. He was likewise a director of the Milwaukee Optical Manufacturing Company.
On the 4th of August, 1906, Mr. Fowler was married to Miss Clara Ross, a daughter of Alexander D. and Christine (McKay) Ross of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. Fraternally Mr. Fowler was a thirty-second degree Mason. He belonged to Kenwood Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; Ivanhoe Commandery, K. T .; and to Wisconsin Consistory, S. P. R. S. He also had membership in the Milwaukee Athletic Club and he attended the Immanuel Presbyterian church with his wife, who is a member. Politically he was a lifelong democrat and his position upon any vital question was never an equivocal one, as he stood firmly in defense of his honest convictions at all times. He departed this life on the 17th of June, 1920.
ARTHUR R. F. GROB, M. D.
Dr. Arthur R. F. Grob, physician and surgeon, was born near Newton, Manitowoc county, Wisconsin, November 14, 1866, and is an only son of the Rev. Jean and Augusta (Dieterich) Grob. The father, a clergyman of the German Reformed church was a native of Switzerland and pursued his education in the land of the Alps, being a graduate of the University of Basel. He afterward came to the United States and spent a few years as instructor in the German Reformed college at Tiffin, Ohio. Subse- quently he served in the Union army and later he became one of the three first students
FRED C. FOWLER
Vol. III-43
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at the German Reformed Seminary at Franklin, Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, being there graduated, after which he was ordained to the ministry and served as pastor of different churches for twenty-seven years, his last pastorate being in the German Re- formed church of Milwaukee. He died at the venerable age of seventy-nine years, honored and respected by all who knew him, while his memory remains as a blessed benediction to his family and friends. His wife was a native of Elberfeld, Germany, and was brought to the United States during her childhood, her parents locating near Newton, Wisconsin, where they cast in their tot with the pioneer settlers. Mrs. Grob was also about seventy-nine years of age when called to the home beyond. This worthy couple are survived by a son and a daughter, the latter being Mrs. Laura Nack of Milwaukee.
The son, Dr. Arthur R. F. Grob, spent his youthfut days in different parts of Wisconsin, as his father's pastorates caused the removal of the family from place to place. He was a student in the State Normal School at Platteville, Wisconsin, and later he became a student in the same seminary at Newton that his father had attended, he son continuing his studies there for five years. He next entered Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago and was graduated from that institution with the M. D. degree in 1888. Since that time he has steadily engaged in the practice of medicine in Milwaukee, now covering a period of thirty-four years, and has been located on the south side during the entire time. He is today one of the oldest physicians of the city in point of continuous practice here and in addition to a large private practice he is serving as a member of the staff of Hanover Hospital. He is a member of the Milwaukee County Medical Society; the Milwaukee Physicians Association, of which he was the chief founder and of which he served as president for nine years; the Wisconsin State Medical Society; the American Institute of Homeopathy; and the Wisconsin State Homeopathic Medical Society, of which he was at one time president. He also served for two years on the board of trustees of the Johnson Emergency Hospital and he has long been accounted one of the distinguished representatives of the profession in this city.
On the 25th of October, 1899, Dr. Grob was united in marriage to Miss Alma Wackłer of Milwaukee and they have become parents of a daughter and a son: Esther, twenty-one years of age. who is now a senior in Downer College; and Gordon, a youth of sixteen. The religious faith of the family is indicated in their connection with St. Peter's Lutheran church. They have many friends here and their social qualities have gained them an enviable position in the regard of all who know them, while along professional lines Dr. Grob has reached a well deserved prominence, being classed with the leading physicians and surgeons of the state.
CLEMENT FRANCIS ROMADKA.
For nine years the Milwaukee Talking Machine Company has been numbered among the representative business interests of Milwaukee, and its success is due to the hard work, sound judgment and discriminating mind of Clement Francis Romadka, president of the company. He is a native of Milwaukee, where his birth occurred on the 10th of October, 1868, and is a son of Anthony V. and Lena (Sedlar) Romadka, both deceased. Anthony V. Romadka was born in Bohemia in 1838 and at the age of fourteen years came to this country with his parents, his father being Vincent Romadka. Anthony Romadka was a carpenter by trade and spent some years in that connection but the last thirty-seven years before his demise were devoted to the trunk business. His death occurred in 1902 and came as a severe blow to his family and many friends. Mrs. Romadka was born in Germany and came to the United States with her father when but two years of age. They settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, where her marriage to Mr. Romadka took place. She passed away in 1891.
Clement Francis Romadka received his education in St. Gall's school and Marquette University, from which institution he was graduated in 1888, being one of the first students to enroll in that college. After putting his textbooks aside he made his initial step into the business world in connection with Romadka Brothers, his father's firm, engaged in the trunk business. In 1912, when the business was closed out, he founded his present business and incorporated it under its present name of the Milwaukee Talking Machine Company. He became president of the company, which office he has since held, and associated with him is M. Stanley Roth, secretary and treasurer. The company's first years' output numbered one thousand machines but they now place sixty thousand on the market annually. The business is located at 241-49 East Water street and there, in an atmosphere created by generations of true craftsmen, hundreds of Dations, for that is the name given to their machine, are manufactured. From definite ideals of manufacture is built the greatest worth of the Dalion and from the seasoning of selected materials straight through to the final finishing and testing the buyer's satisfaction is guaranteed by painstaking workmanship and rigid inspection.
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The marketing of the Dalion has been conceived on an entirely new principle from that used by many companies of the same kind and only wholesalers of unquestioned in- tegrity and responsibility are appointed as Dalion distributors in each section of the country, and each of them is individually responsible for Dalion service in his terri- tory. The retailers that are selected are the old, well known customers of these whole- salers-stores of substance, responsibility and reputation. There are many new features of Dalion construction and the Dalion cabinets are strikingly beautiful. While follow- ing the same general keynote in design, there is a striking difference in the various models that fulfills the demands of every taste. There is no touch of the freakish or the bizarre, and every design is distinctive through its wholesome, dignified beauty, rather than an over-elaborate elegance. Eight different models are manufactured but all are of the large size and the prices range from one hundred to seven hundred and fifty dollars. The strength and high ideals of the company are widely recognized, and they have an extensive trade covering not only the United States but Great Britain, France, Mexico, the West Indies, Honduras and Canada.
On the 26th of April, 1893, occurred the marriage of Mr. Romadka and Miss Annette Goodman, a daughter of William E. Goodman, a retired plumber and gas fitter of Mil- waukee. Her father was born in New York state. One daughter has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Romadka, Julia G.
Since age conferred upon Mr. Romadka the right of franchise he has maintained an independent course in politics giving his support to the man he thinks best fitted for the office without regard to party principles. He is a communicant of SS. Peter and Paul's church, and his fraternal affiliation is with the Knights of Columbus, in which he has taken the fourth degrce. He is socially identified with the Milwaukee Athletic Club and the Wisconsin Club and, as a man interested in every movement for furthering the general welfare, he is active in the affairs of the Association of Commerce. Mr. Romadka resides at 778 Farwell avenne. He has formed a large acquaintance in his native city and his successful business career as well as his general reputation for sterling integrity and ability have made him respected wherever he is known.
PHILLIP GROSS.
Phillip Gross, for many years prominent in the commercial circles of Milwaukee as a hardware merchant, was born in Hagersheim, Germany, November 5, 1835, his parents being Phillip and Elizabeth (Petermann) Gross. He was a youth of about eighteen years when in 1853 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States and became a resident of Milwaukee. Two years later his father, also named Phillip, came to the new world, his wife having died a short time before, and after residing for a year in Milwaukee he removed to New Ulm, Minnesota, where in 1862 he participated in the memorable Indian outbreak at that place. He continued a resident of New Ulm until his demise.
Several years after coming to Milwaukee, or when about twenty-seven years of age, Phillip Gross first became identified with the hardware trade, in which he figured most conspicuously and honorably for many years. At different periods he was in the employ of John Nazro, John Pritzlaff and John F. Leu, Milwaukee hardware dealers, but ambitious to engage in business on his own account, opened a small store on Chestnut street in 1868. He afterward conducted business at Eleventh and Vliet streets and following his purchase of the business and stock of Kieckhefer Brothers, in 1880, he established his store on Grand avenue, near West Water street. When a period of ten years had passed he admitted his son, Arthur E. Gross, and his son-in-law, Charles E. Mueller, to a partnership in the enterprise, which was then incorporated under the name of the Phillip Gross Hardware Company and a removal was made to the site now occupied by the Gross building on Grand avenue. The continued development of the trade within the next twenty-five years led to a successive removal to the present loca- tion at Nos. 216 to 220 Third street in 1915, at which time the business was reincorpo- rated under the name of the Phillip Gross Hardware & Supply Company. The business established by Mr. Gross had steadily developed through all these years and the further expansion of the trade continued under his direction until death called him three years later. The business which he founded so substantially remains as a monument to his enterprise and ability and for many years has been regarded as one of the most im portant mercantile interests of Milwaukee-a credit to its founder and a source of gratifying profit to its present owners. Aside from his connection with the hardware trade Mr. Gross was well known by reason of his forcefulness and resourcefulness in business, becoming a member of the directorate of the Cream City Bedding Company and also of the Wisconsin Furniture Company. He displayed keen sagacity in all com- mercial interests and he never stopped short of the successful accomplishment of his purpose, for obstacles and difficulties seemed to serve but as an impetus for renewed effort on his part.
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