USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume III > Part 86
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Benjamin Morse obtained his early education in the public schools of his native country and continued his studies in a Hebrew college. Following his graduation he gave private instruction in Hebrew and Russian until the time when he attained his majority, when he decided to try his fortune in the new world and crossed the Atlantic to America, settling in New York city. There he learned the cigar maker's trade and also acquainted himself with the English language but in 1890 came west to Milwaukee at the solicitation of friends who were engaged in the wholesale clothing business here. His friend, Sol Fein, started him with an outfit with which he traveled through the country, selling to the farmers and going from city to city. One year later he purchased a horse and wagon, continuing his trips through the country between Milwaukee and Sturgeon Bay. He never forgot his mother in Russia, sending her half of his earnings for a number of years, and when he learned that several of his countrymen anticipated coming to the United States he paid their passage so that they might accompany his mother on the voyage. While employed as a traveling salesman he made many friends, especially in Kewaunee, where he was induced to embark in business on his own account. Owing to his good credit and standing with wholesale firms he was enabled to open a general store with a well selected stock of clothing, dry goods, shoes, house furnishings, etc., and thus he carried on business in Kewaunee for a period of eleven years. In 1902 he returned to Milwaukee to make this city his permanent home and opened a depart- ment store at the corner of Sixth and Mitchell streets on the present site of the large Schuster store. His was the first modernly equipped establishment of the kind on Mitchell street and he conducted it successfully for eight years, on the expiration of which period he disposed of the store and embarked in business on East Water street as a wholesale jobber in pants. At the end of two years, however, he sold his interests in that connection and opened a store for the sale of ladies' ready-to-wear garments at No. 418 National avenue.
While still conducting this store Mr. Morse opened a real estate office on the second floor of the same building, handling real estate all over the city but dealing principally in south side property. Subsequently he turned his attention to home building, organiz- ing the Standard Building Company, of which he is the secretary and treasurer and which has erected many homes, both flat buildings and cottages, on the south side. In 1912 he purchased forty acres of land on Oklahoma avenue, between Fortieth and Forty- second avenues, and organized the Jackson Park Realty Company, of which he is like- wise the secretary and treasurer. In 1913 he purchased twenty-three acres of land between Thirty-seventh avenue and the Janesville plank road, which in 1916 he sub- divided into forty-foot restricted residence lots facing the park and also Morse avenue, with a twenty-five foot building line. Here he excluded factories, saloons, public garages and in fact all business establishments except on the property facing the Janesville road, and he sold more than two hundred and fifty lots as well as a number of buildings.
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Through his influence with the park board, night policemen were placed on duty and the park was lighted by electricity, while the streets were also improved. In 1920 he came into possession of a tract of thirty acres on the Janesville plank road and Oklahoma avenue and hecame secretary and treasurer of the People's Land Company, which he organized for the control of this property, constituting one of the most beautiful home sites on the south side. In 1912 he closed his store on National avenue and opened an office at No. 504 Eleventh avenue, where he remained until 1919, when he removed to No. 591 Mitchell street. In 1921 he organized the Belvidere Realty Company, of which he is the secretary and manager and which purchased a building at the corner of Eighth street and Grand avenue. He was the first man to invigorate and in fact caused the boom of property on Mitchell street, which is now recognized as one of the leading business thoroughfares of the south side. At present Mr. Morse maintains his office at No. 603 Caswell building and specializes in the handling of commercial property. He is the president of the Quick Purchasing Realty Company, secretary and treasurer of the Beacon Realty Company and vice president of the Jacobson & Dieman Realty Company and is also promoting a building and mortagage bond company. Mr. Morse founded and promoted the Jackson Park Advancement Association for the improvement of the south side, becoming its secretary, with W. H. Pieplow as president. When the city added the advisory board to the administration Mr. Morse was appointed one of its members by Mayor Hoan and served thereon for about two years or until the board was abolished. His efforts have constituted an important factor in the upbuilding of the south side, where he has been especially active in the opening of subdivisions and the development of real estate, and he has earnestly sought to encourage people to build and own homes. His success is the outcome of marked business ability, contagious enthusiasm and untiring energy and his record stands as a splendid and inspiring example to all.
In October, 1899, in Milwaukee, Mr. Morse was united in marriage to Miss Florence Werner, who came to the United States as an orphan when fourteen years of age to make her home with her sister. They have become the parents of four children, as follows: Monroe, who is associated in business with his father; Herbert, a student in the University of Wisconsin; Earl, who is attending high school; and Marjorie, a little maiden of five summers. The family residence is at No. 543 Stowell avenue. Mrs. Morse is a lady of most generous and philanthropic spirit who has taken the keenest interest in charitable and benevolent projects. She is a member of the Hadassah Association, which supplies articles for the poor and needy of Palestine, and is also a director of the Sisterhood of Temple B'ne Jeshurun, a charitable society.
Mr. Morse is likewise of the Jewish faith, being a member of Temple B'ne Jeshurun, and also belongs to Sholem Alechom Circle, Gymal Daled, B'nai B'rith and the United Israelite Society of Wisconsin. He is treasurer of the Palestine Foundation Fund and chairman of the membership committee of the Zionist Organization of America, while during the period of the World war he was very active in all drives for the relief of war sufferers. Fraternally he is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and he also belongs to the City Club and to the National, Wisconsin and Milwaukee Real Estate Associations. Reading, music and motoring afford him needed rest and recrea- tion, but the many demands made upon his time and attention leave him comparatively little leisure. He is alert, thoroughly alive to the conditions, the needs and the opportu- nities of the hour, thinking ever for the betterment of the individual and the com- munity and at the same time recognizing that practical methods must be followed in the attainment of the ideal.
A. BERNHARD, M. D.
Dr. A. Bernhard, a man of recognized ability in the medical profession, enjoying the confidence and high regard of his colleagues and contemporaries as well as of the general public. was born in Bremen, Germany, July 24, 1861, and in that country was reared and educated. His parents never came to the United States, always remaining residents of Germany, and in fact Dr. Bernhard is the only member of the family on this side of the Atlantic. He was liberally educated in the schools and colleges of Munich, Heidelberg, Berlin and Strassburg, Germany, winning his professional. degree in 1886 upon gradnation from the University of Strassburg. For three years thereafter he was assistant physician in the City Hospital of Bremen and then determined to try his fortune in America. Accordingly he crossed the Atlantic in 1889 and made his way at once to Milwaukee, where he has since continued, devoting his attention to general practice. He is very careful in the diagnosis of his cases and at all times is most thorough in the performance of professional duties. His conscientious regard for the highest standards and ethics of the profession has gained for him a well deserved reputa- tion as a physician and surgeon and he is constantly overburdened by the demands made upon him.
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In 1899 Dr. Bernhard was married to Miss Margaret Steinmeyer of Milwaukee, who passed away in 1912, leaving four children, two sons and two daughters. He is a Lutheran in religious faith and he belongs to the Wisconsin Club. He is fond of country life and avails himself of the opportunity of being in the open whenever this is possible. Along professional lines his membership connection is with the Milwaukee County Medical Society, the Wisconsin State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.
WALTER FRANK.
Walter Frank is numbered among those who are prominently associated with the meat industry, which has one of its important centers in Milwaukee. Here Mr. Frank is engaged in sausage manufacturing, having developed a business of substantial pro- portions, so that his enterprise is one of the leading productive interests of the city. Mr. Frank came to Milwaukee from South Dakota, his birth having occurred in Dead- wood. that state, on the 25th of July, 1879. His parents were Nathan and Bertha Frank, who had located in Milwaukee in 1850. The father was a native of New York, born in 1848, but was brought to this city by his parents when two years of age. His father was Louis Frank, who founded the L. Frank & Sons Company, sausage manufacturers at No. 644 Market street, in which business he continued to the time of his death in 1915. In 1875 Nathan Frank joined his fatber in that business and so continued until his demise in 1915.
Walter Frank spent his youthful days under the parental roof, acquired a public school education, and in 1900 became associated in business with his father, being ad- mitted to a partnership. He thoroughly acquainted himself with every phase of the trade and with all of the workings of the plant, and step by step his responsibilities were increased and he gained promotion in connection with the enterprise. In 1919 hie was elected to the presidency of the company, which was reorganized under the firm style of Frank & Company in 1918. From a small business established in 1860, the trade has steadily developed until today the plant has a daily capacity of thirty-five thousand pounds of sausage. The output is sent to all parts of the country, and they today control one of the chief enterprises of this character in the middle west.
In 1905 Walter Frank was united in marriage to Miss Jeannette Herzberg, a daugh- ter of Joseph Herzberg, and they now have two children: Rosanne and Robert. Mr. Frank belongs to the Masonic fraternity and is well known in club circles as a member of the Milwaukee Athletic and the Wisconsin Clubs. He has a wide acquaintance in Milwaukee, where the greater part of his life has been spent and where he is of the third generation of the family that has contributed in substantial measure to the business growth and progress of the city.
ERNST JACOB PANETTI, M. D.
Dr. Einst Jacob Panetti, a prominent physician with large practice, making a specialty of internal medicine, is descended in the paternal line from a family that has been closely connected with the practice of medicine and surgery through several generations. Whether inherited tendency, environment or natural predi- lection, therefore, had most to do with his choice of a profession, it is perhaps difficult to determine; but it is evident that the choice was wisely made, inasmuch as his progress has been continuous since he prepared for his chosen calling. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland. November 28, 1865, but his surname indicates his Italian lineage. His grandfather, Dr. Jacob Isabius Panetti, was born in Ivrea, in the northern part of Italy, and served as a soldier in the Napoleonic wars, par- ticipating in the contest with Russia in 1812. Later he removed to Germany, spending his last days near Langensenn in that country. His son, Dr. Jacob Philip Panetti, was born in Bavaria, Germany, and was graduated from the university at Wurzburg, Bavaria. Attracted by the opportunities of the new world, he crossed the Atlantic about 1848 and for many years followed his profession in Baltimore, Maryland, whence in 1868 be removed to Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, where he re- mained in active practice for nine years. He then took up his abode in Hustisford, Dodge county, where his remaining days were passed, his death occurring May 29, 1897. He had married Frederika Wimmer, also a native of Bavaria, Ger- many, and she survived him for but a year.
Dr. Ernst J. Panetti was one of a family of six children and was but two years of age when brought by his parents from Maryland to Wisconsin. He spent his youth in Beaver Dam and in Hustisford, pursuing his education in the public schools and also under private instruction. In early manhood he devoted some
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DR. ERNST JJ. PANETTI
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time to teaching school but determined to enter the profession which had claimed the energies and ability of his father and grandfather, becoming a student in the old Milwaukee Medical College in 1896. There he was graduated in 1901 with the M. D. degree and throughout the intervening years he has continued in active practice in Milwaukee at No. 547 Eleventh avenne. During the World war he was a member of the local draft hoard No. 11. He belongs to the Milwaukee County Medical Society, the Wisconsin State Medical Society, the Tri-State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. Through the proceedings of these bodies, as well as through private research and study, he has always kept thoroughly in- formed concerning the advancement and progress being made by the profess.on and in bis practice he bas heen quick to adopt any new and advanced scientific method which his judgment sanctions as of value in professional service.
On the 29th of January, 1888, Dr. Panetti was married to Miss Bertha Gauger, who was horn in Germany, but was brought to the United States by her parents during her infancy. They have become parents of a son, Harold Ernst, who is now a medical student at Marquette University, being of the fourth generation to enter the profession. The religious faith of the parents is that of the Lutheran church and fraternally Dr. Panetti is a Master Mason and an Odd Fellow. He also belongs to the Alpha Kappa Kappa, a medical fraternity. He is fond of fishing and hunting and enjoys long motor trips in the summer, these constituting the avenue of his recreation. He is a spendid type of the mixed Italian and German blood-a man of portly, rugged build, splendidly proportioned, with regular fea- tures, a keen, ohserving eye, and at all times bearing the impress of the education and culture which he has acquired and which make him a forceful factor no. only in professional but in other circles as well.
WILLIAM H. SCHUCHARDT.
William H. Schuchardt was born in Milwaukee on the 28th of April, IS74, a son of Louis and Rosalie (Winkler) Schuchardt, the former a native of Germany, while the latter was born in Milwaukee. The father was a resident of New York for several years after landing on American shores in 1849. He had an uncle in that city who was a mem- ber of the banking firm of Schuchardt & Gebhardt on Nassau street, and Louis Schin- chardt was identified with the bank for some time but eventually came to Milwaukee. For more than forty years he was associated with the Northwestern Mutual Life Insur- ance Company and he and his wife are yet living, Mr. Schuchardt having attained the notable age of eighty-nine years.
Their son, William H., was a pupil in the public schools of this city and afterward attended the University of Wisconsin, while later he became a student in Cornell Uni- versity of Ithaca, New York, where he won the Bachelor of Science degree upon his graduation with the class of 1895. For a number of years he devoted his attention to architecture and for a year studied in Paris, France. He was employed in a number of architects' offices in the east and gained broad and valuable experience. For some time he practiced his profession in Milwaukee and in 1915 he was made a fellow of the American Institute of Architects at Washington, D. C., a high honor and one indicative of his marked ability in the line of his profession. In 1918, however, building completely ceased, owing to the exigencies of war and in June of that year the general manager of the Pelton Steel Company, T. H. Harvey, went to Ohio to reside. There were no steel men available, inasmuch as every steel mill was working overtime, and the directors of the Pelton Steel Company invited Mr. Schuchardt to take charge of the business and at the same time acquaint himself with the details of steel making. The company had a splendid organization and large orders for the army and navy. There seemed to be no choice for Mr. Schuchardt but to accept the position and do his best for success in that connection. He was the vice president of the company before taking charge and was at that time made general manager. The plant employs two hundred people in the manu- facture of steel castings for engines of various types for large concerns. Their trade reaches all over the country and Mr. Schuchardt proved his resourcefulness and capa- hility in taking up and wisely directing this business.
Mr. Schuchardt is a member of the Milwaukee Club, the University Club, the Mil- waukee Athletic Club and Milwaukee Country Club and is popular in these organizations by reason of his social qualities and unfeigned cordiality. He is also a director of the Layton Art Gallery and one of the directors of the Milwaukee Institute. The nature and breadth of his interests is further indicated in the fact that lie is the secretary of the Columbia Hospital and he is now a member of the board of public land commis- sioners, having just been reappointed to this position for a three years' term, the coun- cil unanimously approving of his reappointment. Not only does he stand for progress along material lines but is much interested in those things which are of cultural value and worth to the city, and his efforts in this connection have been far-reaching and
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important. His recent splendid donation brought forth from one of the leading papers the following comment: "The gift to the Art Institute by William H. Schuchardt of his collection of etchings by famous artists, enriches the city both by these works of art and by the example that is set. Here for the delight of all who love beautiful things and for the enrichment of those whose capacity to enjoy is increased by the study of master- pieces is this fine collection. Snch names as Whistler, Rembrandt, Millet, Corot, Durer and others call for no comment; they are masters and remain masters. This gift, ap- propriately to be known as the Gertrude H. Schuchardt memorial, is the fruit of careful collecting by those who loved these pictures. Their understanding of art, their expert- ness and the connoisseur's taste have made it valuable. These works of art have already enriched human lives. Now they are devoted to the public, a beautiful memorial. It was the belief of Frederick Layton, who gave Milwaukee the Layton gallery, that others would take pride and pleasure in adding to its treasures. We have not had too many examples of giving to the city. Mr. Schuchardt sets an example in this, as he does in giving a great deal of his time to service on the public land commission, which Mil- waukee may well admire-of which the best appreciation will be imitation."
GEORGE WILLOUGHBY DES FORGES.
George Willoughby Des Forges is at the head of one of the finest book establish- ments of Milwaukee, succeeding to the business of Des Forges & Company on the death of his father, George Des Forges. The latter was born in France, February 22, 1841, and was brought to the United States during his infancy by his parents. The family came west by way of the Great Lakes, settling in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, and, having arrived at years of maturity ere the outbreak of the Civil war, George Des Forges served throughont the period of hostilities with the Union army as a member of a Wisconsin regiment. Soon after the close of the war he became interested in the periodical and book business in Chicago in connection with John R. Walsh, afterward president of the Western News Company. In a year or two Mr. Des Forges opened a book and stationery store at 98 Wisconsin street in Milwaukee and remained at that location from 1868 until 1906. He established the finest book store in the city, carrying an extensive line of religious and scientific works as well as fiction and periodicals. He also built up a won- derful business in fine stationery and supplies of that character, having an extensive wholesale trade. He supplied most of the libraries in the district west of Chicago. His store was the rendezvous of prominent public men of his time. He carried theater tickets, and his establishment was frequently visited by the foremost actors, including Joseph Jefferson, the foremost American comedian, and Booth, the greatest American tragedian. His store was the first exclusive book store in Milwaukee and he also established a fine engraving department which was the first in the state. He was a most genial man, of very wide acquaintance, and called most of the merchants and bankers of the city by their Christian names, showing the warm friendship and close com- panionship that existed between them. He was a thirty-second degree Mason and a prominent representative of the order. At his death he made a hequest to the public library of all of his estate to be turned over at the death of his son, George W. Des Forges, and his sister, Mrs. Abbie Louise James of Chicago. In early manhood he wedded Addie Sisson of Toledo, Ohio, whose father owned the stage line between Sandusky and Toledo. Her mother was prior to her marriage Miss Louise Willoughby of Chicago, the Willoughbys being an old English family. George D. Sisson, brother of Mrs. Des Forges, was a famous lumberman and founder of the firm of Sisson & Lilly. Mrs. Des Forges passed away in 1891, while Mr. Des Forges survived for almost two decades, his death occurring in 1910.
Their son, George Willoughby Des Forges, was born in Milwaukee, August 11, 1872. His early education was acquired in Markham's Academy and later he attended the Drexel Institute at Philadelphia, where be was a student of art and literature for a year. He afterward studied abroad, spending a year in London and Paris, and upon his return to the United States he became engaged in business with his father and had charge of the department of old and rare editions, supplying many of the fine old libraries of the city. He has made frequent trips to Europe in search of rare works. Throughout his entire life he has continued in the same line of business and since his father's death has been sole proprietor of this notably fine book store, which was established in 1868 and which has patrons throughout the entire country, many orders coming to them by mail. The store has the leading trade of Milwaukee and vicinity as well, and few book stores in the larger cities can show as extensive and diversified collection of the best books. They carry the works of all the leading writers and Mr. Des Forges finds the keenest pleasure in beautiful and rare volumes and first editions. He is also an enthusiast on Napoleonia and Lincolnia.
Mr. Des Forges resides at the Blackstone apartments. He was married on the 13th of February, 1897, to Miss Florence Richelieu Childs, a daughter of Henry Childs, of
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Wooster, Ohio, who was a retired merchant and a representative of one of the old English families. Coming to the new world the first of the name settled in Salem, Ohio, and thence removed to Wooster, having become residents of the Buckeye state during the latter part of the eighteenth century. Henry Childs, father of Mrs. Des Forges, was a Union veteran of the Civil war.
Mr. Des Forges has identification with no secret societies or clubs. He gives his political allegiance to the democratic party but has never taken active interest in seeking office or in promoting the interests of political candidates. He belongs to St. Paul's Episcopal church, and his wide acquaintanceship has come to him through his church, his business and his social relations. He is an acknowledged authority and connoisseur of rare and fine old volumes and editions and is equally conversant with the best modern literature.
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