USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume III > Part 88
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native of Pennsylvania, was born in 1840 and, removing westward, became a resident of Bucyrus, where he met and married Miss Sweeny, a native of that city. His patriotic spirit was aroused by the attempt of the south to overthrow the Union and in June, 1861, he enlisted in the Eighth Ohio Regiment, which was organized at Camp Denison. He participated with his command in various important engagements, including the battles of Romney, Winchester, Front Royal and Antietam, and in the last named engagement was seriously wounded. He returned to active duty in the field, however, as soon as he had sufficiently recovered and was promoted for gallantry in action, re- ceiving a commission as major. He served for some time on the staff of General Kimball and participated in many of the sanguinary conflicts toward the close of the war. When his regiment left the trenches before Petersburg it had only seventy-two officers and men fit for duty, showing how strenuous was the service in which the command bad taken part and how great its losses. Following the war Mr. Swigart made his home in Ohio and after living at Bucyrus for a few years removed with his family to Toledo, Ohio, in 1870. There he engaged in the practice of law and soon won prominence as a repre- sentative of the profession. Both he and his wife passed away in 1891.
Edmund K. Swigart obtained his education in the excellent schools of Toledo and thus laid the foundation for his later success. When his textbooks were put aside he became an employe in the post office at Toledo and in 1890 resigned his position to enter the employ of the Bucyrus Company of Bucyrus, Ohio. When that company removed to Milwaukee in 1893 he also came to this city, continuing to act as an accountant until 1898, when he was made assistant secretary and treasurer, while in 1901 he became secre- tary and treasurer of the company. He has since been elected to the vice presidency and is now the second executive officer of this concern, which is one of the important business enterprises of the city. He displays splendid executive ability and has com- prehensive knowledge of every phase of the business, based upon broad experience and a thorough understanding of the principles upon which their interests are conducted. Mr. Swigart is also president of The Oilgear Company of Milwaukee. He was at one time the vice president and treasurer of the engineering Construction Company and vice president and treasurer of the Atlas Construction Company, both of which were Wis- consin corporations, but are now out of existence.
In 1890 Mr. Swigart was married to Miss Henrietta Meyers, of Delphos, Ohio, a daughter of Jesse and Jennie M. Meyers, and to them has been born one son, Harry M .. whose birth occurred in 1892. Mr. Swigart is a member of the Association of Commerce and the Milwaukee Club. He has largely concentrated his attention upon business affairs, yet is regarded as a substantial citizen and one whose cooperation can at all times be counted upon to further plans and measures for the general good. His friend- ship too is cherished by those who have met him in social relations and in all things . he measures up to high standards of American manhood and citizenship. During the World war Mr. Swigart acted as chairman of Group 31, which handled the drives in Milwaukee county outside of the city. This included all the various drives of the Red Cross, War Savings and Liberty Bond campaigns. This group had a permanent organiza- tion of over one thousand five hundred persons and was the first to subscribe its quota in every drive and always secured more than its allotment.
ROBERT WARREN BLUMENTHAL, M. D.
Dr. Robert Warren Blumenthal, a leading representative of the medical profession in Milwaukee, where he has practiced continuously for the past fifteen years save for the period of his service in the World war, maintains well appointed offices in the Mer- chants & Manufacturers Bank building. His birth occurred in Columbus, Wisconsin, on the 28th of August, 1881, his parents being Herman M. and Marie C. (Kluckhohn) Blumenthal, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Indiana. The paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. August Blumenthal, emigrated to the United States about the year 1867, locating in Columbus, Wisconsin, where they continued to reside until called to their final rest, the grandfather spending his last days in honorable retirement. The maternal grandfather of Dr. Blumenthal was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. Herman M. Blumenthal, the father of the Doctor, accompanied his parents to the new world and for a number of years was successfully engaged in business as a marble and granite manufacturer of Columbus, Wisconsin, where he also filled the position of postmaster for a considerable period. He is now living retired, enjoying the fruits of his former toil in well earned ease.
Robert W. Blumenthal became a public school pupil at the usual age, passing through consecutive grades to his graduation from the high school of his native city. His professional training was received in the University of Illinois College of Physicians and Surgeons in Chicago, from which he was graduated with the class of 1904. He then spent two years in hospital work at the Waldheim Sanitarium of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, and in the fall of 1906 came to Milwaukee, where he has since been actively
DR. ROBERT W. BLUMENTHAL
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engaged in practice, becoming widely recognized as a most able physician and surgeon. He is a member of the board of trustees and president of the staff of Emergency Hospital and also serves on the staff of the Milwaukee Hospital, the Milwaukee Connty Hospital, the Deaconess Hospital and the Misericordia Hospital. He is serving on the active staff of the Milwaukee County Dispensary and is a member of the teaching staff of the medical department of Marqnette University. For a number of years he acted as chair- man of the public health committee of the City Club, making a most creditable record in that connection. He is now first vice president of the Milwaukee Medical Society and along strictly professional lines is also identified with the Milwaukee County Medical Society, the Wisconsin State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.
The military chapter in the life record of Dr. Blumenthal is a most interesting one. For a number of years he was connected with the Wisconsin National Guard, holding the rank of major and serving on the Mexican border in 1916 and 1917. At the time of the World war he went overseas as assistant division surgeon with the Thirty-second Division and was ordered to the first American army, with which he remained as assistant chief surgeon until February 27, 1919. In the performance of his duties, which were of a varied character, he covered the territory from Switzerland over the entire war area. There were more than nine hundred thousand men in the first American army and in his capacity as assistant chief surgeon Dr. Blumenthal visited every division on the line and saw all the battle fields. He was mustered ont at Camp Grant in May, 1919, and then returned to Milwaukee to resume his professional work here, being now accorded a most extensive and gratifying practice.
On the 18th of March, 1908, Dr. Blumenthal was united in marriage to Miss Lillian Whitney of Columbus, Wisconsin, and they have become parents of a daughter, Lillian, who was born September 10, 1910. Dr. Blumenthal is a thirty-second degree Mason and also belongs to Tripoli Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is likewise identified with the City Club, the Lions Club and the Milwaukee Association of Commerce. His position in both professional and social circles of Milwaukee is an enviable one and he has won many warm friends during the period of his residence here.
HAROLD EDWARD HAWKINS.
Harold Edward Hawkins, general sales manager for the Stationers Loose Leaf Com- pany of Milwaukee, was born January 5, 1883, in Toronto, Canada. His father, Ross Hawkins, now of Chicago, is a native of England and went to Missonri in the year 1889, after living for a time in Canada. He has devoted his life largely to the practice of law but is now living retired. He married Ada Gray, who was born in Canada and they were married there. Their family numbered six children, four sons and two daughters.
Harold E. Hawkins pursued his early education in the public schools of Kansas City and under the instruction of private tutors. His father in considerable measure acted as his teacher, heing a man of liberal education, who was graduated from Oxford University at the age of sixteen years. When his textbooks were put aside Harold E. Hawkins entered the telegraph department of the Fort Scott & Memphis Railroad and afterward became identified with the auditing department of the Kansas City Southern Railroad, with which he was connected for five years, working his way steadily upward to the position of assistant to the chief clerk. When he left the railroad service he became identified with the Bryant & Douglass Book & Stationery Company at Kansas City, with which he remained for seven years, acting as city salesman and during that period he invented and patented a stationery sundry known as a paper clip and also aided in developing the machinery for making the clip. He likewise invented and patented a loose leaf ring book, which resulted in the organization of the Hamnachur- Hawkins Manufacturing Company, of which Mr. Hawkins became the vice president. At length the business was sold to the Wilson-Jones Loose Leaf Company of Chicago and Mr. Hawkins spent three years as their special representative in charge of the ring hooks. These are known throughout the world as the De Luxe Ring Books. In Decem- ber, 1916, he joined the Stationers Loose Leaf Company in the sales department and has had charge of their sales since that time. They manufacture the largest line of loose leaf books and supplies in the world and the business has doubled in the last five years and is still growing rapidly. They have selling agencies in twelve foreign countries and the export trade is steadily increasing. Mr. Hawkins is a member of the National Association of Stationers and Manufacturers and is serving in 1922 as one of a ecmmittee of three loose leaf mannfacturers for suggesting the loose leaf policy of the association.
In religious faith Mr. Hawkins is an Episcopalian, having membership in St. Martin's church of Chicago. He belongs to the Milwaukee Athletic Club, also to the Association of Commerce. He is a great reader of history and biography, he has made a deep study of and is a strong advocate of industrial courts, loves music and has frequently sung in church choirs. He is fond of golf and chess, of howling and all outdoor sports and turns to these for recreation and amusement. The major part of his time and energy,
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however, are concentrated upon his business affairs and by reason of his close applica- tion and his thorough study of the trade, combined with his understanding of needs along this particular line and his inventive genius, he has become an important factor in connection with the manufacture of loose leaf supplies and today the business, which he is directing as sales manager, is one of the important growing commercial enterprises of Milwaukee.
CAMILLE A. H. FORTIER, M. D.
Dr. Camille A. H. Fortier, a radiologist practicing in Milwaukee, was born in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, December 5, 1877, and is a son of Dr. Camille A. Fortier, also a physician, who was born in the province of Quebec, Canada, and was of French Canadian parentage. He married Hermandienne Davis, whose father was a Welshman, while her mother was French. This marriage was celebrated in Quebec, Canada, about 1875 and soon afterward the young couple came to Wisconsin. settling first at Chippewa Falls, where Dr. Fortier engaged in medical practice for several years. He subsequently followed his profession in Menominee, Michigan, and later at Florence, Wisconsin, where he passed away several years ago. His wife died in Milwaukee.
Dr. C. A. H. Fortier is their only living child. He was largely reared in Florence. Wisconsin, where he was graduated from the high school with the class of 1893. Pre- vious to that time he had been a student in Ottawa University at Ottawa, Canada, and after completing his high school course he entered the Lake Forest University, where he pursued a year's preparatory work. From 1894 until 1898 he was a student in the University of Wisconsin, from which he was graduated in the latter year with the Bachelor of Science degree. Subsequently he spent two years as assistant principal of the high school at Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and for two years he was supervising principal in the Florence ( Wis.) schools. He later spent two years as superintendent of schools in Oconto, Wisconsin, and in the fall of 1904 he came to Milwaukee, where for a year he was engaged in business pursuits. He afterward devoted several years to teach- ing in a Milwaukee high school and in 1907 he entered the medical department of Mar- quette University, from which he was graduated with the M. D. degree in 1911. He has since engaged in active practice in this city, devoting his attention to general practice for a time and also acting as assistant in surgical work for two years. Since 1913 he has specialized in Roentgenology and is particularly skilled in this field. He is a mem- ber of the Milwaukee Academy of Medicine, the Milwaukee County Medical Society, the Wisconsin State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He is also a member and counselor for the state of Wisconsin of the North American Radiological Society. He was formerly lecturer on Roentgenology in both the Marquette University Medical College and the Marquette University Dental School and is now Roentgenologist on the staffs of the Johnson, Emergency, Deaconess, Maternity and General Hospitals.
On the 26th of November. 1902, Dr. Fortier was married to Miss Sophie A. Peek of Oshkosh and they have two children: Suzanne, eighteen years of age; and Camille A. H., thirteen years of age. Dr. Fortier is fond of hunting and fishing and he also belongs to the Milwaukee Athletic Club, which indicates another source of his recrea- tion and enjoyment. For several years he was a member of the editorial staff of Outer's Book. He served in the World war at the Naval Base Hospital No. 30 as a radio specialist and prior to this, early in the year 1917, he acted as radio adviser to Advisory Boards Nos. 1 and 4 of Milwaukee. He held the rank of senior lieutenant during his war service. Fraternally he is an Elk, being a charter member of Oconto Lodge No. 887, B. P. O. E., of which he served as the first secretary. He also belongs to the Milwaukee Kiwanis Club. The major part of his time and attention, however, has been concentrated upon his professional duties. He proved a most capable educator when giving his time to teaching and after becoming identified with the medical profession he took up his work with the same thoroughness and determination, and his increasing skill and ability has brought him prominently to the front in the line of his specialty.
WILLIAM GROBSCHMIDT.
William Grobschmidt, mayor of South Milwaukee and well known as a real estate dealer, was born in the town of Lake, this state, February 2. 1868, his parents being John and Katherine ( Puetz) Grobschmidt. For the last thirty years he has resided in South Milwaukee. The father was long a leading citizen of the town of Lake and came to this country from Luxembourg, Belgium, where he was born January 1, 1820. his father also bearing the name of John Grohschmidt, while the place of his nativity was also the same. John Grobschmidt, Sr .. devoted his attention to the occupation of farming and to wine manufacture, meeting with success in his undertaking and there
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rearing his family of eight children, only two of whom came to the new world, these being John and Peter. The former was a pupil in the public schools of his native country and afterward served an apprenticeship at the cooper's trade and wagon making trade, which he followed until 1847. Believing that he might have better opportunities in the new world he bade adieu to friends and family and sailed for the United States, making his way at once to Buffalo, New York. He afterward removed to Ohio and still later to St. Louis, where he followed his trade until his removal to Milwaukee. For some time he was in the employ of Jordan Puetz, who was the owner of a farm in the town of Lake, but after four years Mr. Grobschmidt opened a small cooperage shop on the farm which he had purchased. His business in this connection steadily increased and as he prospered he bought more land from time to time until he had about two hundred acres of valuable farm property in Milwaukee county. He continued to engage in both agricultural pursuits and manufacturing interests to the time of his death on the 9th of February, 1908. In 1850 he wedded Katherine, daughter of Jordan and Elizabeth ( Hennis) Puetz, or Milwaukee county, where they settled at an early day, her father taking up land and upon his farm rearing his family of eleven children, of whom Mrs. Grobschmidt was the eldest. Both Mr. and Mrs. Grobschmidt were members of the Catholic church. They reared a family of seven children: George, John and William, now living; and Christ, Charles, Michael and Mary, who have passed away.
Spending his youthful days under the parental roof William Grobschmidt pursued his education in the public and parochial schools at St. Francis. He worked on a farm to the age of twenty-eight years and then turned his attention to the teaming business in South Milwaukee. He was thus engaged until 1910, when he entered the real estate and insurance field and has since operated successfully along these lines in South Mil- waukee, building up a business of extensive and gratifying proportions. His clientage is large, and he has negotiated many important realty transfers. He has been the lead- ing figure in laying out and disposing of South Milwaukee's new restricted residential district. He has devoted much of his time to the upbuilding of the city, and his activities have been an important element in the progress of the community. He is also a director and the vice president of the South Milwaukee Bank and a director of the South Milwaukee Mutual Loan & Building Association.
On the 19th of February, 1895, Mr. Grobschmidt was married to Miss Agatha Bautz, of the town of Lake, and they have become the parents of six children: John, Karl, Nita, Marie, William and Eugene. Of this number Kart was in the service during the World war, being stationed at Camp Randall, Madison, Wisconsin.
For many years Mr. Grobschmidt has figured quite prominently in the public life of his community. He was elected alderman and served for eight consecutive years in that position, exercising his official prerogatives in support of many plans and measures for the general good. He served in the common council altogether for ten years and in 1920, while a member of that body, was elected mayor of South Milwaukee. He was reelected in 1922, defeating two former mayors of the city. In this position he is giving the city a businesslike and progressive administration. He has also served as a mem- ber of the school board and was the last village treasurer and the first city treasurer of South Milwaukee. He is constantly seeking out helpful lines for the benefit and in- provement of the city, and his labors have been indeed far-reaching and resultant.
HUGH C. RUSSELL, M. D.
Dr. Hugh C. Russell, a physician specializing in internal medicine, was born at Grand Rapids, Michigan, December 18, 1873, and is a son of Edward L. Russell, a con- tractor now residing in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The father was born in Ohio and has attained the advanced age of eighty-one years. The mother was Helen Josephine Hamil- ton, who was born in Batavia, New York, and died in 1892. Their family numbered six children, four sons and two daughters.
Dr. Russell was reared at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, to which place his parents removed when he was a lad of six years. There he pursued a public school education, passing through consecutive grades to his graduation from the high school with the class of 1891. He then became a drug clerk and later owner of a drug store at Hebron, Illinois, where he remained for several years. At length he disposed of his business there in 1899 and came to Milwaukee, where he studied pharmacy in the Marquette University. He was graduated as a pharmacist in 1903 and afterward studied medicine in the medical department of Marquette University, winning his M. D. degree in 1907. Since that date he has been in active practice in Milwaukee. He was dean of pharmacy in the pharmacy department of Marquette University from 1916 until 1918 inclusive and at present he occupies the chair of materia medica and pharmacy in the dental depart- ment of Marquette University. He is serving on the staff of Trinity Hospital and he belongs to the Milwaukee County Medical Society, the Wisconsin State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. During the World war he served with the rank
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of first lieutenant in the Medical Corps and was stationed at Camp Grant. He enjoys a large private practice in Milwaukee in addition to his hospital and college work and has made for himself a creditable place in professional ranks.
Dr. Russell greatly enjoys a game of golf or of bowling and also various ontdoor sports. He belongs to the Michiwaukee Golf Club, the Milwaukee Athletic Club, the Calumet Club and the Optimists Club. Fraternally he is a Knight Templar and Con- sistory Mason and also a member of the Mystic Shrine. He is likewise identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His life measures up to the high standards inculcated by these fraternities, while in his profession he has advanced steadily to the front rank of leading physicians and surgeons of his adopted city.
WILLIAM E. BLACK. L
William E. Black, attorney at law of Milwaukee, was born in Ithica, Wisconsin, May 23, 1867, his parents being James A. and Mary ( Woodward) Black. The father, a native of Virginia, devoted his life to farming and milling and about 1858 removed to this state, settling in Richmond county. His remaining days were passed within the borders of Wisconsin and he had lived here for more than half a century when death called him to the home beyond in 1910.
His son, William E. Black, was educated in the University of Wisconsin, being graduated from the academic department in 1888 and from the law department in 1890. The same year he was admitted to the bar and opened a law office in Richland Center, Wisconsin, where he remained until 1892. He then came to Milwaukee and has since been engaged in the practice of his profession, covering a period of almost thirty years. On coming to Milwaukee he was first employed by Wells, Brigham & Upham, with whom he remained until 1897, when the firm was reorganized as Fish, Cary, Upham & Black. A later reorganization led to the adoption of the firm style of Cary, Upham & Black and this in the course of years was changed to Upham, Black, Russell & Richardson. Under this title the firm has one of the leading law practices in this section of the country. Mr. Upham died in 1919, but the business is continued under the same name. Mr. Black is a trustee of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, is serving on its executive committee and is also a member of its finance committee. He is likewise a trustee of the Daniel Wells, Jr., estate and of the estate of Isaac Stephenson and of Horace A. J. Upham. The Northwestern National Insurance Company numbers hin among its directors, as does the Milwaukee Mechanics Insurance Company, the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company of Racine, Wisconsin, and other business enterprises of importance. He is now the president of the Escanaba & Lake Superior Railroad Com- pany and of numerous other corporations and his cooperation and counsel are eagerly sought and greatly valued in the different business concerns with which he is identified.
On the 22d of June, 1897, Mr. Black was united in marriage to Miss Julia Z. Save- land of Milwaukee. He belongs to the Milwaukee Club, also to the University Club and to the Milwaukee Athletic Club. Among his ancestors were those who served in the war for independence and he now has membership with the Sons of the American Revolution. He has ever been actuated by a laudable ambition that has resulted in steady progress since he entered upon law practice and his ability today places him in the front rank among the representatives of the profession in his adopted city.
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