USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume III > Part 93
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On the 29th of January, 1890, occurred the marriage of Mr. Mandel to Miss Ida Schulhof, a daughter of James Schulhof, a dealer in wholesale notions in Milwaukee. He was born in Neustadt], Austria, and came to Milwaukee with his brother in the early part of 1850. His death occurred in 1905 and caused a deep feeling of bereavement throughout the community in which he had been well liked and respected for his honesty and good citizenship. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Mandel three children were born: The eldest, Addie, is the wife of Walter L. Kohn, a salesman for his father-in-law, and they have become parents of a daughter, Idalyn; Charles Mandel received his education in the Milwaukee schools and is now manager of his father's company; the youngest member of the family was also educated in the schools of Milwaukee and is a salesman for the company. The demise of Mrs. Mandel occurred on the 22d of November, 1917. and came as a severe blow to her family and many friends. She had always taken a prominent part in the club and social affairs of the community and was widely known as a woman of charming and magnetic personality.
Although Mr. Mandel has always given his allegiance to the republican party he has never sought nor desired office, preferring to devote his entire time to the conduct of his business interests. He is a member and director of B'Ne Jeshurun Temple at Tenth and Cedar streets, which temple has the largest congregation in the city, and of which he has been director for three years. Fraternally Mr. Mandel is a Mason, having membership in Independence Lodge, No. 80; Wisconsin Chapter, No. 7, R. A. M .; and Wisconsin Council, No. 4. He likewise holds membership in Gilead Lodge of B'Nai B'rith and as a man interested in the material, intellectual, social, political and moral welfare of the city is active in the affairs of the Association of Commerce. He is a man of artistic nature and this has been a dominant factor in the success of his inter- prise and there is no phase of the business with which he is not thoroughly familiar. His home at 187 Twenty-sixth street is one of the finest in the city. The worth of Mr. Mandel as a man and a citizen is widely acknowledged, for he measures up to high standards in both connections and his many sterling traits of character have won him the warm regard of all with whom he comes into contact.
OTTO H. GAEDKE.
Among the representative business men of Milwaukee is Otto H. Gaedke, president of the Gaedke-Mills Agency, with quarters at 373 Broadway. He was born in this city on April 7, 1879, a son of Frederick and Elizabeth ( Kloxin ) Gaedke, both deceased. The father, who passed away in October, 1915, was born in Germany and came to this country with his parents when about fourteen years of age. His parents located in Milwaukee and there resided until death. Frederick Gaedke was prominent in business circles for many years and for sometime prior to his death was connected with the Milwaukee Electric Railway and Light Company, along construction lines, and he was a dominant factor in putting the line through to Waukesha. Mrs. Gaedke was, like her husband, a native of Germany and came with her parents to this country at the age of twelve years. Her demise occurred in January, 1912.
Otto H. Gaedke acquired his early education in the Lutheran parochial schools of Milwaukee and then entered the public schools of the city. At an early age he entered the business world, accepting the position of cash boy for the Chapman Company. He also worked at various odd jobs and then severed his relations with that company to enter the employ of Fred Sprinkman, handling asbestos materials and pipe covering. At the termination of three or four years of activity in that connection, during which time he had steadily advanced to salesman and had taken a general commercial course at night at a business college, the Sprinkman business was taken over by the Keasby & Mattison Company and Mr. Gaedke remained with them in the capacity of salesman for about two years. In 1902 he became interested in the insurance business and for the following nine years was special agent out of the state for Roger Merrill. The year 1911 witnessed his association with Alfred A. Miller and they started into the business on their own account, operating under the name of Gaedke & Miller. In 1918 they were incorporated under the same name and Mr. Goedke has since been presi- dent. The corporation is agents for Wisconsin and upper Milwaukee for the Maryland Casualty Company and the Maryland Assurance Corporations and does all kinds of a general insurance and surety business, having two hundred agents scattered throughout the territory. The total annual premiums of the agency amount to over six hundred thousand dollars. Mr. Gaedke is likewise financially interested in the Maryland Casualty
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HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE
Company. The business has indeed become one of broad scope and importance, while the high reputation of the corporation constitutes its best asset.
On the 10th of September. 1908, occurred the marriage of Mr. Gaedke and Miss Zora R. Alman, a daughter of William Alman of Milwaukee. Her father is a native of the city and is associated with the Rundle Manufacturing Company. One child has been born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Gaedke, Billy K. Mrs. Gaedke is well known in the club and social circles of the city and is highly artistic, having done some meri- torious painting. She has also devoted some time to the study of dramatic art. Billy is showing much talent for music. Since attaining his majority Mr. Gaedke has been a supporter of the republican party but has never been active along political lines. His religions faith is indicated by his membership in the Mt. Olive English Lutheran church and in club circles he is well known as a member of the Milwaukee Athletic Club, the Association of Commerce and the Builders Club. In connection with his business interests he has membership in the Casualty Underwriters Association, of which he is vice president, is chairman of the rating committee of the Wisconsin Compensation Rating Bureau and belongs to all of the national associations of Casualty and Surety companies. Fishing is his favorite recreation and he spends a great deal of his spare time with the rod and line. During the World war Mr. Gaedke devoted himself to assisting the government in the many drives for bonds and in the interests of the Red Cross and he represented the casualty division of the insurance hnsiness in the first named drives. Mr. Gaedke possesses keen discernment and broad vision and is a firm heliever in the insurance business and the opportunities it offers. He has been success- ful in the highest and broadest sense and has the warm devotion and respect of all who know him. The family residence is at 1082 Fifteenth street.
EMIL H. LAABS.
During the past decade Emil H. Laabs has been at the head of the fur house of E. H. Laabs & Company, which he founded in 1912 and the business of which has since been developed to extensive proportions under his wise and capable management. A native son of Milwaukee, he was here born on the 21st of June, 1869, his parents being Albert and Bertha ( Woller ) Laabs, who were natives of Germany and crossed the Atlantic to the new world in the latter '60s. By trade the father was a carpenter.
Emil H. Laabs pursued his education in the parochial schools of this city and after his religious confirmation in 1882 made his initial step in the business world as a helper in a brickyard. Several trades appealed to him, but the summer season usually found him back at the yards. as the salaries there were better and the straitened financial circumstances of the family made this the supreme consideration. His ambi- tion, however, was to be a good fur cutter and in 1885 he began learning the trade of a furrier. In 1890, feeling that a new environment would afford him opportunity to study other methods in his chosen work, he packed his belongings and went to New York; but when at the end of about three weeks his funds became low, he felt that he was fortunate in securing employment as a carpenter. His job, which extended over a period of ten days, was that of converting the upper floor of his employer's home into a fur factory. The fall of 1890 found him with a large retail fur establishment in Brooklyn, where he was given an opportunity at all kinds of fine work. Not satisfied with being a good furrier, however, he decided to become a designer and pattern cutter and, having saved a little money, he left his position in March, 1891, to attend a de- signing school. In the fall of the latter year his former Milwaukee employer came to New York and Mr. Laabs agreed to again enter his service in this city. In 1896 he made another change, becoming manager and buyer for the fur department of a large depart- ment store in Milwaukee, with which he remained until 1912, or for a period of sixteen years. At the end of that time he founded the E. H. Laabs Company at 422 Jefferson street and has there conducted business continuously and successfully since. Interesting changes in the prices of skins are shown in the following list:
1896.
1922.
Muskrat ( per skin)
$ .10
$ 2.35
Dressed Stone Marten (per skin)
3.00
30.00
Siberian Squirrel (per skin)
.10
2.50
Caracal (per skin) .
9.00
Chinchilla (per dozen )
.50 20.00
60.00
Great progress has been made in the dressing and dyeing of skins. For example, the skin of the lowly mnskrat when properly dressed and dyed defies the genuine Alaska seal for beauty and lustre. Fox and squirrel skins-in fact all skins which are too pale in color to be used in their natural state and which were formerly used merely for lining purposes, are now dyed beautiful shades which greatly enhance their valne, making handsome garments as well as trimmings. The greatest progress has been made in the art of designing and pattern cutting. The up-to-date designer must possess individuality
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EMIL H. LAABS
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HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE
and originality. He must study the poise as well as the figure which is to be fitted and must also be capable of making suggestions, constantly bearing in mind the fact that the modern woman desires to be just a little different than her neighbor. Years ago nearly all fur garments were cut alike, the only changes being in the matter of size, length and quality.
On the 12th of May, 1893, in Milwaukee, Mr. Laabs was united in marriage to Miss Ida B. Dorn, a daughter of Edward Dorn, representing an old family of this city. Their children are three in number, namely: Edith, the wife of Cass Campbell; Carl, who is associated with his father in business: and Eleanor, who is the wife of Herbert Kloehn.
Mr. Laabs gives his political allegiance to the republican party, while his religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. He is a member of the Retail Fur Manufacturers Association and occupies a foremost position as a representative of the fur trade in this part of the state. In Milwaukee, where the period of his residence now covers more than a half century, he is prominent and popular in both business and social circles. enjoying the high regard and friendship of those with whom he has been associated in the varied relations of life.
ROBERT A. MESSMER.
Robert A. Messmer, an architect, who follows his profession in Milwaukee under the firm style of Robert A. Messmer & Brother, was born in Madison, Wisconsin, August 29. 1870. His father, Henry Messmer, was born in Rheineck, Switzerland, and came to the United States in 1866. After living in Madison, Wisconsin, and in Chicago for a time, he came to Milwaukee in 1871. He had acquired his education in the University of Heidelberg and as an architect he specialized in church architecture and was also the designer of many of the large industrial plants of this section of the country. He died in 1899. His wife bore the maiden name of Barbara Riek and was born in Wurttemberg, Germany. She came to the United States prior to her marriage and is now living in Milwaukee.
Robert A. Messmer acquired his education in the public schools of this city, com- pleting a course in the East Side high school with the class of 1887. He then entered his father's office and learned the profession of architecture. The office was in the Pabst Theatre building for more than forty years. Robert A. Messmer has been continuously with the business from the beginning, the industry being carried on for a considerable period under the firm name of H. Messmer & Son, while today the firm style is R. A. Messmer & Brother. They specialize in plans for hospitals and public and semi-public buildings. They planned and grouped the new home for epileptics of Wisconsin at Union Grove, also the Uniondale Sanitarium and the Children's Home and Hospital at Wauwatosa, together with the receiving building for the Milwaukee county insane and the high schools at West Allis, at Hartford, at Ripon, at Shawano, at Antigo, at Park Falls, at Kewanee and many others. Their work has always been of the highest character and the firm enjoys a most enviable reputation.
On the 16th of March, 1892, Mr. Messmer was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Schulz, a daughter of Fred Schulz of Hortonville, Wisconsin, and they have one son. Robert F., who is now engaged in the florist business in Milwaukee. He was educated in the East Side high school and in the University of Wisconsin, while later he attended Amherst College. During the World war he was in the service as a radio operator and was stationed in England.
Mr. Messmer is a Mason in his fraternal relations, having membership in Mil- waukee Lodge. No. 261, A. F. & A. M .; Calumet Chapter, R. A. M .; Ivanhoe Commandery, K. T .; Wisconsin Consistory, A. A. S. R .; and Tripoli Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He likewise belongs to the Knights of Pythias. the Elks, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His name is on the membership rolls of the Milwaukee Athletic Club, the Old Settlers' Club and the American Institute of Archi- tects, also of the Association of Commerce and his interests reach out to all those lines of activity which have for their object the welfare and benefit of the community. That lie possesses artistic taste is manifest in his business and his skill as an architect has done much toward designing and beautifying the city.
JOSEPH ALBERT MESIROFF.
Joseph Albert Mesiroff, an outstanding figure in engineering circles in Milwaukee, supplemented thorough technical training in the University of Illinois by broad ex- perience that has led to his steady advancement along the line of his chosen profession until he is now president of the Western Engineering & Construction Company and also vice president and treasurer of the F. M. Gray. Jr .. Company, well contractors. A Vol. III-52
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HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE
native of Russia, Mr. Mesiroff was born in the Ukraine, September 25, 1873. His father, Albert Joseph Mesiroff, came to the United States with his family in the year 1887 and settled in Chicago. He had been a grain dealer in Russia but retired from business when he came to the new world and his death here occurred in 1894. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Leah Mesiroff and was a distant relative of her husband, was also born in the Ukraine and passed away in 1902.
Their son, Joseph Albert Mesiroff, obtained his early education in the schools of Russia and through private tutoring. He afterward attended the public schools of Chicago and later a preparatory school that qualified him for entrance to the University of Illinois. He then became a student in the state institution and was graduated in 1899 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. He initiated his business career as an employe of the Michigan Electric Power & Light Company of Milwaukee in the fall of 1899 and continued with that corporation until 1907 as designing and constructing engineer. He was advanced in recognition of his ability and developing power until he reached the position of assistant to the chief engineer. When he resigned his position he organized the Western Engineering & Construction Company, which was in- corporated in 1907, Mr. Mesiroff becoming the president. This company is engaged in the building of railroad and power plants, doing construction and designing. They had large contracts with the Fox River Valley Railroad Company, the work in that con- nection covering two years. They have also done much work as experts before the rail- road commission and Mr. Mesiroff was constructing engineer of the Grand avenue viaduct in Milwaukee, one of the finest of its kind in the world, with the greatest aggregate of large arches in the United States. His marked skill and ability have brought to him many important contracts and his broad knowledge and wide experience have placed him in the rank of engineering experts in the middle west. For three years, from 1912 until 1915, he was city engineer of Milwaukee and planned the new Linwood avenne intake tunnel and performed other important engineering feats during his term of office.
On the 11th of February, 1912, Mr. Mesiroff was united in marriage to Miss Lenore Rappaport, a daughter of Dr. Julius Rappaport, a rabbi of Chicago, who was born in Hungary and is now living in Hammond. Indiana. Mrs. Mesiroff has been admitted to the bar of Illinois and of Wisconsin and practiced law for a short time in Chicago. She is frequently consulted on legal matters. She was born in New York city, was educated in Chicago and in addition to her knowledge of law she possesses marked musical and artistic skill. To Mr. and Mrs. Mesiroff have been born three sons: Allen, David and Leonard, aged, respectively, nine, seven and five years. Mr. Mesiroff be- came a charter member of the City Club and also of the Merchants and Manufacturers Association, but has withdrawn his membership from these. He is a follower of all manly outdoor sports and when holding membership with the Turnverein enjoyed con- siderable local fame as a gymnast. He now concentrates his efforts and attention upon his professional activities and he is widely known through his writings, which have appeared in engineering publications.
JOHN A. HOLT, SR.
Among those who have been actively, extensively and successfully engaged in building operations in Milwaukee should be mentioned John A. Holt, Sr., now living retired in this city, for he has passed the eighty-third milestone on life's journey and his is a well earned rest. He was born in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, January 10, 1838, and is a son of William B. and Ann (Lancaster) Holt, both of whom were natives of Canada. He came to Milwaukee in 1858, when a young man of twenty years, having previously acquired a good public school education in his native city. At the age of sixteen years he became a sailor and continued to follow the sea until April, 1861, when he enlisted in the United States service and was with the army for four years and four months. He was a member of Company L, of the Twelfth Illinois Infantry, under Jack McCarter, this being the first Scotch regiment organized in that state. He participated in the battle of Belmont, in the second battle of Corinth, Mississippi, and in the battle of Pulaski, Tennessee. He afterward went to Chattanooga and to Atlanta and made the famous march with Sherman from Atlanta to the sea. He was likewise in the engagement at Raleigh, North Carolina, and was there stationed at the time Lee surrendered. He had previously participated in the battle of Shiloh and was also in many engagements of minor importance. He received an honorable discharge at Springfield, Illinois. Angust 12, 1865.
Returning to Milwaukee Mr. Holt was married on the 22d of July, 1865, during a furlough and when mustered out he again came to Milwaukee, working for three years in a grain elevator. He next took up railroad work and assisted in building various lines through western states, building grades and laying tracks. About 1880 he began contracting on his own account, grading and laying streets and putting
819
HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE
property in shape to sell. He was associated with Rajenertsen in laying out various additions to the city, and Holt street was named in his honor. His activities were an important element in the development and improvement of Milwaukee and he con- tinued active in the business until 1894, when he took a trip to California. After his return he did many small jobs but indolence and idleness are utterly foreign to his nature and he could not content himself without some business interest. In former years he was regarded as a most prominent contractor in grade work in Milwaukee. He today owns valuable city property which he has acquired as his financial resources have increased.
To Mr. and Mrs. Holt were born eight children, all of whom are living. The wife and mother passed away July 5, 1914, and since that time his daughter has acted as his housekeeper. Mr. Holt has always given his political allegiance to the republican party and has heen a most earnest supporter of its principles. He is a life member of Wis- consin Lodge, No. 13, A. F. & A. M., and for fifty-seven years has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He holds an honorable veteran jewel, presented to him hy the lodge when he had been a member thereof for a half century. He is like- wise identified with Wilket Post of the Grand Army of the Republic and proudly wears the little bronze button that proclaims him a veteran of the Civil war. He is likewise a member of the Old Settlers Club. Milwaukee claims him as a most substantial citizen and one who has fully won and merited the honor and respect of his fellow townsmen. His life has been one of usefulness, because it has been one of service to his fellow- men. Diligence and determination have characterized him and he has accomplished what he has undertaken, his labors constituting an element in the development of every district in which he has worked.
HENRY WILLIAM VOELZ.
Henry William Voelz, an architect with a large clientele in Milwaukee, was born in this city June 18, 1887, his parents being Fred and Mathilde ( Seidenschwarz) Voelz. The former was a son of Fred Voelz, Sr., who was born in Kosno, Germany, April 9, 1819, and was a shoemaker by trade. He came to the United States with his wife and four children, a daughter and three sons, in the year 1881 and settled in Milwaukee, remaining a resident of this country until called to his final rest in 1904, when he had reached the advanced age of eighty-five years. His son and namesake, Fred Voelz, Jr., is now living retired at Okauchee lake. He was born in Christ Kessline Schufelheim, Germany, on the 15th of November, 1854, and arrived in the United States on the 12th of March, 1881, in company with his parents, who made their way at once to Milwaukee. In his native land Fred Voelz, Jr., had learned the carpenter's trade and devoted his active life to carpentry and contracting, carry- ing on business as a contractor for fifteen years before he retired. He became well known in connection with his business affairs but has never sought to figure promin- ently in other relations. He married Mathilde Seidenschwarz, who was born July 20, 1864, in the city of Kurta, Pommern, Germany, and came to the United States when but two years of age with her parents. Her father, William Seidenschwarz, was born in Germany and died in 1866, at the age of forty-two years. He followed shoemaking both in his native land and in Milwaukee and in this city passed away in the year in which he came to the new world. Fred Voelz, Jr., and Mathilde Seiden- schwarz were married on the 4th of November, 1882.
Henry W. Voelz pursued his early education in the schools of Milwaukee and in the South Side high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1904. He later entered the employ of the Allis Company and tutored privately in mechanical drawing at the same time. He studied along that line for three years and then turned his attention to architecture, receiving personal instruction from Bert Lanyon, a, leading architect of Chicago, with whom he remained for two years. During this period of study he worked for three years for the Allis Company at the drawing and tracing boards. In 1908 he returned to Milwaukee and for eight months was in the employ of Bueming & Dick, architects. He then established business on his own account on Eleventh avenue on the south side of the city and in 1916 he removed his office down town, being located in his present suite since 1917. He specializes in the construction of dairy buildings and installed the Milwaukee plant of the Trapp Brothers Dairy Company, the Layton Park Dairy Company and the Quality Dairy Company. Outside of Milwaukee he made the plant and superintended the construction of the Hyde Park Dairy Company at Cincinnati, Ohio. He also erected the Mehl Brothers building on Mitchell and Muskego streets and the Knights of Pythias hall on Eleventh avenue. He has become a skillful architect, constantly studying along this line and thereby considerably developing his powers.
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