History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume III, Part 78

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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AUGUST VUILEIN

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HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE

voyage on the ship Helene Sloman, which was shipwrecked. Eventually, however, he arrived at his destination and was soon put in care of Professor Engelman, the founder of the Milwaukee German-English Academy, who was then conducting a private school. His early educational training was supplemented by a practical course in the brewing art in the plant of his maternal uncle, which after the death of August Krug in 1856 was managed by Joseph Schlitz.

August Uihlein began life as a messenger boy for the Second Ward Savings Bank .of Milwaukee and in due time became bookkeeper. After several years he went to St. Louis to be bookkeeper for Uhrig's Brewery. About the time the Civil war closed he returned to Milwaukee, and with his brothers, Henry, Edward, Alfred, Gustave, Charles and William J., became identified with the Joseph Schlitz Company that had been developed in 1871 as the outgrowth of the little plant founded by their uncle, August Krug, in 1848. In that year a removal was made to Walnut and Third streets. Joseph Schlitz had married the widow of August Krug and with him were associated the six Uihlein hrothers, for Gustave Uihlein had died shortly after his arrival in Milwaukee. All bent their energies to the development and upbuilding of the Schlitz Brewing Com- pany, and the success of the enterprise was phenomenal. The Chicago fire gave great impetus to the business for the breweries destroyed in Chicago at that time caused a great demand for the Milwaukee product and its popularity steadily grew in the Illinois city. In May, 1875, Joseph Schlitz turned over the management of the brewery to August, Henry and Alfred Uihlein, preparatory to making a trip to Europe, and he also prepared his will, which stated that in case of his death the three brothers and pre- sumptive heirs of his wife should assume the management and full control of the busi- ness for the benefit of his wife, who in turn also willed the bulk of her share in the company to the Uihlein brothers as the next of kin and direct heirs. On his European trip Mr. Schlitz was lost in a shipwreck of the Hamburg-American steamer, Schiller, on the Scilly Islands. Following this disaster August Uihlein assumed full control of the business, acting as secretary and chairman of the board for over forty years. He remained the active directing head of the constantly growing concern, framing its policies and shaping its destinies until the time of his demise. He laid down the cardinal rule to employ ever and only the choicest of materials regardless of cost in the manufacture of its product and insisted upon an unwavering adherence to this rule under the most trying conditions during the long period of years that he remained the guiding spirit of the company, thus enabling it to furnish its patrons with a pure and perfect article, the intrinsic merit of which won for itself the highest commenda- tion in every market of the civilized world. He inaugurated the policy of acquiring property in suitable locations for the distribution and sale of the product of his com- pany to the consumer in local and nearby cities and gradually in every city of im- portance to which the product of his company was shipped for distribution. His in- tuitive judgment of values and the remarkable foresight he displayed in the selection of these properties in every section of the country laid the foundation for the immensely valuable real estate holdings of his company. In the early '70s Mr. Uihlein established one of the first systems of branch managements in the United States and so thorough was his judgment that today one of the largest packing houses in America is still using this system as copied from the Schlitz Company over forty years ago. Due to the most harmonious and untiring cooperation between the brothers, with August as the directing head, the business steadily grew and developed to one of immense propor- tions. The brewery became one of the most extensive and important in the country, its trade relations reaching out into every section of the United States and, as indicated, the real estate acquisitions of the company were also most notable. Their operations in the real estate field were truly extensive and constituted one of the most forceful factors in Milwaukee's improvement and development. As the result of their business enterprise and progressiveness the Majestic block on Grand avenue came into fame, also the new Star Theater, the Alhambra Theater, the store building on Seventh street and Grand avenue, the Enterprise building on Sycamore street and many other struc- tures. They rebuilt the Schlitz Hotel and palm garden, the latter one of the architectural gems of Milwaukee and now one of the finest picture houses of the city, and they carried forward their real estate activities on a magnificent scale. With exception, perhaps, of John Plankinton no single resident of Milwaukee has done so much for the upbuilding of the west side and Milwaukee as a whole as did August Uihlein. He served as president of the Second Ward Savings Bank for thirty years, this heing the institution with which he began business life as a messenger boy.

In April, 1872, Mr. Uihlein was married to Miss Emily Werdehoff, a daughter of Henry Werdehoff, who was a partner of Claus Spreckles, the famous sugar magnate, at Charleston, South Carolina. Mr. Werdehoff arrived in Milwaukee by prairie schooner in the early '40s and started the second general store in the city, on East Water street, opposite the present site of the Marshall & Ilsley Bank, and the property belongs to the Uihlein family to this day. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Uihlein are: Joseph E., now president of the Second Ward Savings Bank and Eline's Incorporated, and vice president of the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company and the Republic Carbon Company;

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HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE

Robert A .; Erwin C .; Ida, now Mrs. Fred Pabst; Thekla, now Mrs. William C. Brumder; and Miss Paula Uihlein.

Mr. Uihlein always displayed a keen interest in the artistic and musical affairs of the city and was a patron of all those activities which promoted development along those lines. He and his brothers gave the most generous support to the establishment of the first conservatory of music by Eugene Lnening, were equally liberal supporters of the Milwaukee Public Library, of the German-English Academy, the Teachers' Seminary and many other institutions which have proven of the greatest cultural worth and value. One of the notable interests of the Uihlein brothers was the stock farm at Truesdale, Wisconsin, on which was produced some of the finest full-blooded and racing stock seen on the American continent. August Uihlein as the senior brother remained at the head of the company until his death. A new generation has come to the fore in control of the immense business interests developed by the brothers and they are main- taining the policy instituted and established by August Uihlein. A man of resourceful ability, of notably sound judgment, of broad vision and of keen recognition as to the values of culture as expressed in the drama, in music and in many other forms, his in- fluence upon the development of the city has been immeasurable.

ARTHUR E. GROSS.

Arthur E. Gross, president of the Phillip Gross Hardware & Supply Company, one of the oldest and most important commercial enterprises of Milwaukee, was here born March 20, 1864, and is the only surviving son of Phillip and Ernestine ( Bleck) Gross, who are mentioned at length on another page of this work. Arthur E. Gross was reared in his native city and the public schools afforded him his educational opportunities. He afterward entered the hardware store that was founded and promoted by his father. He thoroughly learned the business under his father's direction, acquainting himself with every phase of the trade in principle and detail, and during his father's lifetime he advanced to the position of vice president of the company, having some time before heen admitted to a partnership in the business, at which time Charles E. Mueller, son-in-law of Phillip Gross, also became a partner. It was then that the business was incorporated under the name of the Phillip Gross Hardware Company and larger quarters were secured in what is now known as the Gross building on Grand avenue. The succeeding twenty- five years, however, proved a period of continuous and rapid growth and in 1915 the business was established at its present location at Nos. 216 to 220 Third street and was reincorporated under the style of the Phillip Gross Hardware & Supply Company. Three years later, or in 1918, the founder, Phillip Gross, passed away and was succeeded in the presidency by his son, Arthur E. Gross, who has since remained at the head of the enterprise, becoming the worthy successor of his father in this undertaking, and there has been no change in the business policy since the founder passed away. The accelera- tion of trade has been due to the adoption of improved and progressive business methods, the house ever being characterized by a steady advancement.

Arthur E. Gross has never sought to figure prominently in political circles nor has he desired or filled public office. He is of a quiet and retiring disposition yet very popu- lar with the many friends that he has won through business and social connections.

On the 5th of December, 1889. Mr. Gross was married to Miss Clara Manske, a daugh- ter of William and Albertina Manske of this city. Mrs. Gross died very suddenly on the 2Stli of December, 1921, after an illness of only a few hours. She was a woman of charming personality and many estimable traits of character and her sudden demise came as a great shock to her host of friends. By her marriage she became the mother of two sons, Phillip W. and Arthur A., both connected with the business that was founded by their grandfather. The latter is assistant general manager. The former is now treasurer of the company.

Mr. Gross attends St. Mark's Episcopal church and is a worthy exemplar of the M sonic fraternity, belonging to Wisconsin Lodge No. 13, A. F. & A. M .; Calumet Chapter. No. 73, R. A. M .; Ivanhoe Commandery, K. T .; Wisconsin Consistory, A. & A. S. R .; and Tripoli Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S His club connections are with the Milwaukee Club, the Wisconsin Club, the Calumet Club, the Milwaukee Athletic Club, the Blue Mound Country Club, the Ozaukce Country Culb and the Tripoli Country Club.

WILLIAM F. MALONE, M. D.

Dr. William F. Malone, devoting hiis attention to surgical practice, deserves much credit aside from his achievements along that line as the result of the building of the Hanover General Hospital in Milwaukee. In the construction and equipment of this hospital he fully met the needs of the profession in every particular, following the

ARTHUR E. GROSS

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HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE

most advanced ideas and giving to the city an institution which is the embodiment of the latest scientific researches and discoveries along the lines of medical and surgical care. Dr. Malone is a native son of Wisconsin, his birth having occurred in Rochester, June 1, 1862, his parents being Andrew and Mary (Coleman) Malone, both of whom have passed away. They were natives of Ireland and came to the United States in- immediately after their marriage, the father devoting his life to agricultural pursuits in Wisconsin. They were parents of six children, two of whom are now deceased, while four are yet living and two of the sons have become physicians: Dr. William F. Malone of this review and Dr. Thomas C. Malone, who has his office at the corner of Eighteenth and National avenues in Milwaukee.

The former was reared at Rochester, Wisconsin, and completed his studies in the Rochester Academy. He afterward took up the profession of teaching, which he fol- lowed for six years, and thus earned the money that enabled him to pursue his pro- fessional course. In preparation for the practice of medicine he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Chicago and was graduated therefrom in 1888. For five years he practiced in Milwaukee county and then went abroad, spending eighteen months in postgraduate study in Berlin and Vienna and also visiting hospitals in other sections of Europe. Following his return to Milwaukee he spent five years in the chair of gynecology and abdominal surgery in the old Milwaukee Medical College. He justly feels that the most important work of his life was accomplished in 1903 and 1904 in the building of the Hanover General Hospital, for which worthy enterprise he used his own means, the institution being built at a cost of more than one hundred thousand dollars. He had charge of practically all of the surgery cases there for a period of fifteen years and he is still serving on the surgical staff. He was formerly on the staff of the Marqnette Medical College for six years and he is an acknowledged authority upon surgery and other branches of the profession. He is continually adding to his efficiency through broad reading, wide study and original research and investiga- lion and from practical experience, too, he has learned many valuable lessons. He further keeps in touch with the trend of professional advancement through the pro- ceedings of the Milwaukee Medical Society, the Milwaukee County Medical Society and the Wisconsin State Medical Society, of all of which he is a member. He likewise has membership in the American Medical Association and is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

On the 30th of April, 1901, Dr. Malone was married lo Miss Adelaide M. Peck. He belongs to the Milwaukee Athletic Club and to the City Club, finding interest in their plans and purposes and pleasant associations in the membership body of these organiza- tions. His life work has been one of essential valne and usefulness to his fellowmen and as long as the Hanover General Hospital stands it will remain a monument to his progressive public and professional spirit.

GEORGE FREDERICK ELLER.

George Frederick Eller, who has been identified with the lumber business since attaining the age of eighteen years, is now at the head of the John Eller Lumber Com- pany of Milwaukee, which was established by his father in the spring of 1910 and of which he was served as president and treasurer since the latter's death. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, on the 26th of November, 1883, a son of John and Marie Eller, who were likewise natives of that country. The year 1888 witnessed their emigration to the United States and the establishment of their home in Milwaukee. Here the father embarked in the lumber business as a partner in the Page & Landeck Lumber Company, which was later absorbed by the Milwaukee Lumber Company, John Eller acting as vice president and secretary of the latter organization. In the spring of 1910 he established the John Eller Lumber Company at Nos. 3016 to 3030 Chambers street and successfully conducted the enterprise to the time of his demise, which occurred August 11, 1913. In his passing the city lost one of its prosperous and respected citizens and one who had been an active factor in business circles here for a quarter of a century. His widow, who is the vice president of the lumber company, is also well known and highly esteemed throughout Milwaukee.

George F. Eller, who was a lad of five summers when brought by his parents to the new world, obtained his education in the public schools of Milwaukee and also pursued a three years' classical course in Marquette Universily. After putting aside his textbooks he became associated with his father in the Inmber business, with which he had already become thoroughly familiar, having assisted his father since a youth of thirteen. In 1910 he was made secretary and treasurer of the John Eller Lumber Company, which was incorporated in that year with a capital stock of forty thousand dollars, and following his father's death he became president and treasurer of the con- cern. In 1914 the capital stock was increased to seventy-five thousand dollars. The company handles building lumber and other building material and occupies abont

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three acres of ground on Chambers street between Thirtieth street and the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway tracks. The continued growth and success of the con- cern is attributable in large measure to the capable management and excellent executive ability of George F. Eller. It is true that he assumed the management of a business already established, but in enlarging and controlling this many a man of less resolute spirit or of more limited capacities would have failed.

In fraternal circles Mr. Eller is well known as a Mason and Knight Templar, and he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite as a member of the cele- brated Golden Jubilee Class of Wisconsin Consistory. He also belongs to Tripoli Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is likewise identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and his appreciation of the social amenities of life is further indicated in his membership in the Wisconsin Club, the Milwaukee Athletic Club, the Tripoli Country Club and the Michiwaukee Golf Club. He also belongs to the Milwaukee Association of Commerce and has ever manifested the keenest interest in the city's welfare and upbuilding. The period of his residence here now covers a third of a century and he has become widely recognized as one of Milwaukee's representative business men and esteemed citizens.

HENRY O. SEYMOUR.

Henry O. Seymour, one of the vice presidents of the First Wisconsin National Bank and the First Wisconsin Trust Company, is numbered among the native sons of this state, his birth having occurred at Lake Geneva, March 1, 1874, his parents being Ozias and Eva ( Maynard) Seymour. In the acquirement of his education he attended the Lake Geneva high school, from which he was graduated in 1904, later attending the University of Wisconsin at Madison, where he completed his course in 1899. Following his graduation he practiced law for three years and on the expiration of that period became special agent for the Wisconsin Telephone Company, while in 1907 he was made general manager, continuing to fill that position until 1919. He was elected a director of the First National Bank on the 13th of June, 1918, later becoming vice president of that institution. Following the merger of the First National with the Wisconsin National he became vice president of the new institution, known as the First Wisconsin National Bank, and also the vice president of the First Wisconsin Trust Company. Nor has Mr Seymour confined his attention alone to banking, for he is a director of the Chain Belt Company and also a director of the Wisconsin Telephone Company.

On the 11th of October, 1904, Mr. Seymour was married to Miss Edna Russell of Manistee, Michigan. They have two sons, Russell and Richard, who live with their parents at No. 631 Prospect avenue.

Mr. Seymour is interested in many public projects of value, being now a trustee of the Milwaukee-Downer College, also a trustee of the Marquette Medical School, He has a wide acquaintance in club circles, for he belongs to the Milwaukee Athletic Club, the University Club, of which he is a director, the Milwaukee Club and the Milwaukee Country Club. His political allegiance is given to the republican party.

EDWARD GRIEB.

In any set of biographical sketches dealing with the lives and activities of Mil- waukee men, the name of Edward Grieb deserves a place. The story of the metropolis' struggles, in the direction of city planning, would be incomplete without a mention of the contribution he has made to that effort.

Mr. Grieb is a Milwaukeean. He was born in the southern section of the city, 258 Grove street, at the corner of Park street, on February 25, 1866. His parents were George Henry and Elizabeth Grieb who were known as sturdy pioneers in this section of the city. The senior Grieb was a native of Hanover, Germany, and came here in 1846. Mrs. Grieb was born in the Duchy of Luxemburg, and arrived here with her mother in 1848. They were married in November, 1849.

The father was for a period of forty years engaged in the grocery business on the site already mentioned. His sterling character won for him the confidence of the neighborhood and enabled him to build up a substantial business. Both Mr. and Mrs. Grieb died several years ago. They reared a family of nine children, six boys and three girls.

Edward was the seventh child. He received his early training at Holy Trinity School, later at the public school, and rounded out a business education at the Spen- cerian Business College. His earlier activities were in the field of salesmanship. He traveled for some years for commercial houses and demonstrated remarkable energy

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EDWARD GRIEB

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HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE

and ability as a salesman. Later on he engaged in the real estate business for hin- self and became quite successful. His unerring judgment in land values and his untiring zeal and industry soon won for him a large patronage. The city authorities frequently took recourse to his judgment in determining values and in securing expert judgment.

The Board of Public Land Commission was created December 18, 1911. Edward Grieb was made a member of the same on January 13, 1919 and served for a period of three years. While the position was a non-salaried one in which the Commissioners gave liberally of their time and effort, Mr. Grieb gave nearly all of his time. He became so deeply interested in the movement to plan a city beautiful that he made a greater sacri- fice than could reasonably be expected of any citizen.

While his associates concerned themselves with the planning side of the movement, Mr. Gricb became the motive power that aimed to bring into realization the things that had been planned. His unceasing application to the overcoming of obstacles and diffi- culties, and his fearless attitude on all matters affecting the city's interest, soon com- manded for him the confidence and support of the thoughtful and progressive element of the community.

It was found that in the progress of city planning, including the widening of streets and creating a civic center, numerous parcels of land would have to be acquired by the municipality. Someone had to go forward and acquire them at the lowest possible figure. Edward Grieb became the logical man to perform this intricate, as well as diffi- cult task. lle was made the city's real estate agent on January 1, 1922, in which capacity he now serves with distinguished ability.

Edward Grieb was married to Miss Kittie M. Odenbrett, daughter of Phillip and Sophia Odenbrett on October 13, 1891. Out of this union sprang five children: Leon George, Edward H., Florian P., Oliver G., and Francis J. Grieh.

Mr. Grieb is a member of the National, State, and City Real Estate Boards, the Association of Commerce, and the City Club.

On the whole it must be said that Edward Grieb has been a worthy son of most estimable parents and has emulated the traditions of a splendid pioneer family. His contribution to the making of a beautiful American city, its improvement in urban traffic arteries and physical attractiveness, is of sufficient importance to warrant the gratitude of future generations.

JOHN CHARLES BECKER.

One of the most important and representative business interests of Milwaukee is that of the John C. Becker Company, of which John Charles Becker is the president. In the conduct of the business he has proved himself to be a man of keen insight and executive ability. The company's offices are located at 376 Broadway, and they handle the hest sort of office equipment. Mr. Becker is a native of Milwaukee, born on the 14th of August, 1884, and is a son of Charles T. and Emily (Schneider) Becker. The father was born in Milwaukee in 1859, and here he has won success as a machinist. His father, Theodore Becker, was one of the earliest settlers in Milwaukee. Both Mr. and Mrs. Charles T. Becker are still residing in Milwaukee, where they are prominent and highly respected citizens.

John Charles Becker received his education in the public schools of Milwaukee, which he attended until he was fourteen years of age, when he put his textbooks aside aud became messenger hoy for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. After five years with that road, during which time he had risen to the position of rate "'erk, he resigned and became associated with the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, remaining as clerk in their loan department for four years. For the follow- ing eight years he was salesman for a local office equipment company and then in 1917, deciding to enter business on his own account, founded the John C. Becker Company with a capital of six thousand dollars. The business, under his energetic and capahle management, has grown to extensive proportions, and the capital has been increased to eighty thousand dollars. Their trade covers the entire state of Wisconsin, and they have the state agency for such lines as the Art Metal steel files, desks and safes, "Clemco" wood desks, "Crocker" chairs, Brown-Morse wood files, Cary safes and cabi- nets, "Viking" book cases, Woodstock typewriters, and Victor adding machines. Mr. Becker has always given his employes every chance to win promotion, and the present vice president of the company. Vincent A. Adams, started as shipping clerk. A. A. Arndt is secretary and treasurer, having been with the company two years. He left the N. W. Furniture Company to accept his present position.

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History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume III, Part 78

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